Well hello, all! So, I think this is a fairly quick update...with an usually long chapter. I think I get brownie points, right? Oh yeah. I'm thinking I've been so motivated because 1 Skins Fire (Have you seen the latest trailer!? Kaya, Lily, Kat, Craig Roberts, gah! So much love. Oh and the Naomily hug just warmed me up, it reminded me of the end of the last chapter actually. Moving on!) and 2 the next chapter after this one is going to be...glorious...just the content...not my work...whatever. xD
Oh and the reviews for the last chapter were so lovely I can't even, thanks soooo much if you did!
Okay, enjoyings plz!
Naomi
Oh, Christ…my head…
I cringed away from the sunlight streaming through my balcony window, it was open, the muslin curtains were flowing, jostled by the breeze. I watched it blearily for a while before the movement got too much for me to handle, I turned over in my bed and closed my eyes, taking a deep steadying breath.
"You're pretty adorable you know."
My whole body froze and my headache returned in full swing, I opened my eyes slowly and they fell on a girl. She had long brunette hair and was propping her head up in her hand to look at my. My expression must have been flabbergasted.
Her tone was sickening babyish, "Someone's feeling under the weather!"
I stared at her in confusion, trying to recollect, "Uh…"
"I could make you some breakfast!" She hopped up so fast that I didn't even have time to stop her.
I slowly pushed myself onto my elbows and gaped as she left my bedroom, "Uh…"
Then it clicked. I fell back onto my pillow and rested my hands over my face, "Oh…fuck."
I'd picked up this girl last night at the club, she was staring at me openly and I was already off my face so I just…
I hit the bed with my fist. This girl had slept in my bed and Emily hadn't!
I sat up and rested my head in my hands, feeling like total shit. I never take girls back to mine, I like my space and now she was there making breakfast… using my stuff like it was her own… She didn't belong here, Emily did! I was sure she was a lovely girl but this wasn't supposed to happen.
I thought back to my kiss with Katie, how wrong it felt… It hadn't felt wrong because it was Emily's sister…it had felt wrong because it wasn't Emily!
"Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God!" I hissed, shaking my head and making myself feel even more sickly than I did already.
"Someone's feeling icky!" She cried as she returned. She'd just said something like that, hadn't she? Was she that boring? I tugged my cover closer to me to retain some decency. She'd made toast covered with jam, "I hope you like jam!"
Why else would I have it in my kitchen?
I shook my head slowly, "No, I'm not hungry."
"Oh, are you okay, baby?" She stroked my back and I jumped away so fast it might has well have been an electric shock. I turned back to her and she looked thoroughly confused. So as not to hurt her feelings I gestured to the bathroom.
"I think I'm going to be sick…" For someone who was on the verge of vomiting I walked slowly to the bathroom, totally dazed. I stared at my reflection across and padded softly across the cold tiles of the bathroom to reach my sink. I held onto it and marvelled at how shit I looked. Well, of course I did. I'd tried to drink away my problems last night and fuck away my frustrations. Emily had rejected me and I was left aching inside and out over it. Did she even realise the hold she had over me? She could ruin my life. I gripped the sink and started to hyperventilate slightly. I hadn't felt this terrified in a long time.
I needed to focus on things one at a time. Number one: I had to get this girl out of my home.
I wrapped a silk dressing gown around myself and walked out to find the girl looking at my photos, I frowned.
"Is this your friend Franky?" She asked as she held up a picture of me and a girl who was indeed Franky, we were sat on a beach together with wine, Mini had taken the picture.
How the fuck did she recognise Franky?
"Yes…" I responded, uncertain.
"She's pretty." She said, placing it down and walking over to me, still naked. "Not as pretty as you of course."
I chuckled awkwardly and placed my hands on her shoulders, literally keeping her at arm's length, I went to speak but she cut me off.
"Even prettier in person! I didn't think it was possible." She smiled widely, too widely, "But I didn't think it was possible for someone to be beautiful and so talented. And now I'm in your apartment! Naomi Campbell… your place is just so you."
I stared, taken aback, "Uh…l-listen… um…" I cringed, "Sorry, I…I've forgotten your name. I know that's rude…"
She seemed strangely unabashed, "Sophia Moore."
I nodded, trying to be as conscientious as I could, "Sophia…" I grinned politely and she giggled, she seemed like she was fucking…smitten. "As nice as this has been…I have people coming over so I'm really sorry but I'm going to need the apartment to myself." Seeing as I fucking own it, it should be too much to ask…
She looked at me for a while before nodding, "Got it." She was cheery still.
She didn't move so I stepped back, "I'll…see you then?"
"Yes!" She nodded eagerly. She turned to collect her clothes and I relaxed, wanting nothing more than a strong cup of coffee to fix me up. "Unless you want me to stay and help you with the people you have coming over? I could make food for them." No, you fucking will not. "Who is it coming over? Franky? Elizabeth? Ooh, Gina?"
I tried not to let just how freaked out I was appear in my features. I thought it over for a moment, she'd mentioned my mother… I'm allowed to freak out! Bitch has got to go!
"No, Sophia." I frowned openly, gesturing to the exit. "I think it's best if you go."
She shrank back a bit this time, "Yeah, okay. I'll call you." And with that, she turned and left my bedroom. I followed her to make sure she'd actually left and then swiftly locked the front door, thanking Christ that I lived on one of the higher floors. I held myself and slid down the door and onto the floor, shuddering.
"That…was not…normal…" I pulled myself up and all but ran to the shower, needing to get the gross feeling off of my skin.
I was now pacing in front of Effy's desk, she and Franky were watching me. Effy was sat in her chair, her feet on the desk in front of her, though she seemed relaxed, her face was slightly grave. Franky was sat on the edge of the desk, her hand resting on the side of her face, concern written on it. The two seemed stuck for words.
I'd told them everything from how she was obviously an obsessed fan girl, how she knew where I lived, how she kept calling me.
"Guys!" I stopped pacing and looked at them, desperate. "Give me something."
Franky glanced back at Effy, they exchanged a look and then looked back at me. I pointed between them, "I know that look… you think I'm fucked!"
"No!" Franky sat up properly and gave me a reassuring look.
Effy shook her head, though she scratched behind her ear in a way she only did when she was worried.
My voice was higher than I meant it to be, "Guys!"
"How did she even get your number?" Franky blurted for something to say.
"I-I don't know… she must have gotten it from my phone or something." I closed my eyes and ran my hands through my hair at the thought.
"And you brought her back to your place because…?" Effy inquired.
"Because I was off my tits." Everyone knew that I valued my personal space, what must I have been thinking? I slid into a chair and slumped back against it, looking up at the ceiling, "I am fucked, aren't I?"
I heard movement and Effy appeared in my eyeline, "Naomi…It'll be okay… You know if it gets too much, I can get it sorted for you. Tony and I know people."
Franky spoke from the desk still, "You mean kill her?"
"No, Francesca." Effy rolled her eyes and looked at her, "I mean my mother, Anthea Stonem, who happens to be one of the city's top lawyers?"
Franky paused, "Well, that sounds entirely more legal…"
As Effy explained to Franky that the law was usually legal, I found that I was talking myself down. It'll be fine. Just fine. I want Emily.
The last wasn't a reminder, it was the revelation that being in Emily's presence right now would probably be enough to reassure me. I had to leave her alone for a while though, I didn't want her getting sick of me and my problems. Besides, the ball was in her court now, I didn't know what else I could do, what she was looking for. Why am I such a bloke when it comes to understanding women?
"I should probably get back to work." I sighed, pushing myself up and between the two squabbling girls.
"Oh yeah, that thing." Effy huffed and walked back around to sit at her desk, lackadaisically pulling out some papers and going through them.
I couldn't help but give a hint of a grin. God knows how that girl gets it all done.
I suddenly recalled that I meant to speak with Franky, since our trip back to Bristol I hadn't talked to her that much and I had yet to give her a proper apology for my snapping. "Franks, can we talk?"
"Without me prying? How disappointing…" Effy smirked as she looked through her paperwork, pen working away.
Franky looked over at Effy, probably reasoning that she had nothing to hide from her boss, they were great friends, despite their banter. "Go ahead, Naoms."
I sighed with a nod, realising I was going to look like a plonker in front of Ef too. Not like it would be the first time…
"I'm sorry for that shit I said…you know…suggesting you might like Emily…" My voice was grudging.
Effy voiced how I felt about myself, "Fucking hell! You're a real dick sometimes, Campbell." I waved a hand to silence her, she laughed in her wild way.
"It's okay, Naomi." Franky spoke, looking away as I looked at her. "I just…" She glanced over at me again, "You've just got the wrong end of the stick…"
I paused and thought through every meaning that sentence could have and I couldn't draw a conclusion. "How have I?" I asked, worried that there was some end to this conversation that would leave me torn between my friendship with Franky and my feelings for Emily… I think my brain might have exploded if that came about.
"Well…I don't want Emily, Naoms…" She was blushing now, redder than I'd ever seen her.
Effy was peering at Franky, her crystal eyes curious, "Who do you want, Franky?"
Franky was never open about who she liked, it always caused a head fuck of confusion. She kept her eyes on the floor, curiosity was about to overwhelm me.
"No way…" Effy murmured, barely audible, "I noticed you hadn't taken that much of a liking to Em…" She stood up and walked around the desk and over to me for some reason. "Has it finally happened?" Ef stood behind me and held onto my shoulders, shaking me lightly as I stood there, clueless, "Have you found yourself drawn to the Sapphic delights Naomi has to offer?" My eyes widened at her suggestion, staring at Franky and know there was no w-
"No way!" Franky protested, I let out a sigh of relief. "N-not that Naomi isn't great but…like we're mates…fucking awesome mates and she's an obvious option and it's not like I go for the obvious option, I mean, I had to convince myself that I have feelings for JJ. That's n-"
"JJ?" Effy appeared beside me as we questioned Franky in bemusement.
Franky dithered, trying to look casual, she eventually gave up and huffed, "Don't look so surprised."
"But we are surprised." I spoke for Effy, knowing she was feeling the same thing.
Franky seemed huffy that she had to explain herself, "I spend time with JJ every day, and you know what? I look forward to it. We know each other and he accepts me for all of my shit. I know he likes me but I also know he doesn't think he's good enough for me. I've been out with so many shit heads who think I need them but with him, I feel like it's mutual. He's sweet, honourable and I actually happen to think he's hot too."
Effy and I still couldn't get over it evidently, "How did that even happen?" Ef asked her, the practically omniscient girl actually stumped for once.
"How did it happen?" Franky scoffed and ran her hands through her blonde hair, holding the back of her head, "How does anyone fall for someone? There's no set moment when it happens… I want to be with him and when I'm not I'm thinking about him. Yeah, that never happens to me and, mostly, it scares the shit out of me but this is the first time I've grown some balls and admitted it to anyone apart from my dads." She caught mine and Effy's gormless expressions and carried on, one last push it seemed, "He makes me happy."
My emotions were expanding to a range not exclusive to shock. What Franky had just described, wasn't that exactly what I felt for Emily? Wasn't every moment I spent with her something that brought me happiness. When things were good between us I felt like I was fucking floating, when things were bad I felt like I wanted to do anything to fix it. Hurting her was like hurting myself. Trying to feign anger at her for the anchor position was like slowly chipping away at myself until I was about to crumble but every moment I spent with her I felt like she was slowly piecing me back together again. I wanted her contact, to see her, be with her, touch her. I wanted to know her, every thing she felt like I was worthy of sharing with me. Katie had said their mother was still homophobic and terrifying, I wanted to meet her and show her how wonderful I thought her daughter was and that no one, no woman, no man would ever love her as much as me.
My heart thundered inside my chest so hard I was surprised that Thomas wasn't on set complaining about it interfering with the broadcasts audio. It was beating for her, every beat since the moment I'd laid eyes on her in that club had been for her. Emily Fitch, the girl I love.
"Are you two aware you haven't spoken for about three minutes?" Franky suddenly broke through the mist of Fitch and pulled me to dry land. When it didn't seem like I was going to speak anytime soon, Franky took advantage, "Look, Naomi, I'm sorry I haven't been loving Emily like everyone else but… he fucking adores her and she's sweet and kind and I know I'm not and-" She faltered, obviously drained. Franky doesn't think she's good enough either.
I stepped forward and enveloped Franky in a hug, squeezing her tight like I was trying to drain all the negativity she was feeling and replace it with the reassurance and love seeping from me. I did fucking love this girl to pieces. "Franky, trust me, if you go for this, it'll all work out."
"But, Naomi-"
"No buts, we'll help you as much we can but the only one who can really do this is you." I felt her nod into my shoulder, "Right, Ef?" When I didn't hear an answer, I frowned. I kept my hands on Franky's shoulders as we both looked around. Effy was gone, probably long gone. I exchanged a look with Franky, she was clueless too.
Then her expression turned into one of guilt, "Oh…"
It wasn't all that common that Franky would feel bad about little things, my eyebrow arched inadvertently, "What, Franks?"
"Well…it's…maybe all that love talk…" Franky bit the inside of her cheek, looking over at where Effy had left. "It probably made her think of…"
I couldn't put my finger on what on earth about love would make Effy upset, I was pretty sure she didn't do love. "Don't say Freddie…" I cringed, looking at Franky almost pleadingly.
"Well, I'd think not considering they broke up…" Franky looked at me, acquiescent to my inability to understand the concept of gossip.
I let my hand rest on my forehead, cursing myself internally. Once again, Naomi, you've blotted out everyone else's problems but your own.
"You've had your own stuff going on, Naomi." Franky patting my back, I was sure it was only because she was used to my sometimes selfish nature. "You've got a fucking stalker for fu-"
"Please don't call it 'stalking'." I begged, removing my hand and looking at her.
Franky merely nodded. "You have that gala thing tonight, right?"
At the reflection of my utter idiocy, all I could do was act even more idiotic, "Fuck!" I'd totally forgotten about that bloody gala, just like I'd, apparently, forgetting every important fucking thing ever!
"I'll help you get ready." Franky lead me towards the exit like I was elderly and spoke like I was senile, Let good old Franky help you."
"But…Effy…" I complained.
"She'll be there tonight, there's no way she'll let Tony down." Franky had a point. When it came down to it, Effy was pretty damn professional. "I'll make sure she's okay, you just get ready for your big maybe-soon-to-be-news-anchor gig."
All I could do was whimper.
"Okay, not that big?" Franky slapped my back before we headed out and over to mine.
Thankfully, Sophia was nowhere to be found. It was a relief for two reasons: one, I was pretty sure Franky would beat her down and two; I really wasn't in the mood for that delusional bitch.
I did as Franky instructed upon arrival. I showered, scrubbed and washed my hair, she pretty much did the rest, except she let me dress myself…that was nice of her.
My mind refused to settle. I tried to put the whole Sophia thing out of my mind but it was always there, just lingering like a bad migraine. Then there was Effy, she'd broken up with Freddie. About fucking time. That boy was no good for her, that's all that could be said. Maybe he meant more to her than she was letting on though, and, as much as that would perplex and annoy me, I would be there for her if that were the case. I'd try and get to her tonight. Then I had to think of how I was going to handle myself tonight. Fuck all of my almost adolescent problems and be the woman I was meant to be. I would hold myself with my usual professionalism and aplomb, despite my distractions like Effy, Freddie, Franky, Sophia and Emily.
Oh, God. Emily. How am I going to be around her now that I know… now that I've accepted…that I…
What, so now you can't say it? What good are you, Campbell!?
"Stop looking so moody, you look fucking stunning." Franky stood back and admired her work.
I did look good. My blonde hair was waving down my back, even more sleek and soft than I could usually get it. Franky had given me her signature 'fuck me' eyes, hang on… I'd have to say they were more 'fuck me sideways' eyes. Thick eyeliner and blue mixed with silver eye shadow that made my eyes…sparkle to be honest. She'd picked out a long blue dress for the occasion, the fanciest one I owned, it was a fucking gala after all.
"Your artistic eye can't be tamed sometimes, Franks." I turned from the mirror and looked at her approvingly. She shrugged, humble for once. I broke into an affectionate smile and hugged her to my side, "I wish you were coming."
She leant into my side and grinned, "Of course you do, I'm fucking awesome." I couldn't help but laugh but, the truth was, I'd really have to agree.
"I'm sorry I thought you'd like Emily…when you're in love with someone…" I rolled my eyes at how blind I was.
"Love makes people act strangely." She grinned at me in the mirror. I didn't deny whatever she might be implying. All of a sudden, she was nudging me towards the dressing table where my bag lay, "Last minute things, the car will be by soon to pick you up."
She was right, it swung round at about 8 o'clock to pick me up. I sat in the back of that glossy, black company car I found myself wringing my recently manicured hands. I really did wish Franky was here with me right now, I knew Effy would be there but I wasn't feeling at all my usual confident self, the one I had to be in front of my competitors, the one I felt I had to be around Emily for some reason. I needed to get inside her head, I needed her to tell me. I knew she cared about me but was it a situation where whatever we had before had fizzled out? (On her end of course, for me, I think I'd always be drawn to her.) She just cared, she just wanted that? It seemed like I'd fucked things up too many times for her to feel safe with me.
That's me though, I'm a fuck up. You give me academics or work and I'll soar, I'll be transcendent. You give me a personal problem to do with someone else or even myself; I won't know my arse from my elbow. I'd like to know Emily better than myself though, if I'd ever get that chance.
As I arrived, the driver pulling up, whose name I hadn't caught due to my nervousness, I saw him wave ahead and heard him lean out of his window to converse with someone. There was an identical black car ahead of ours, I saw. Cars were lined up beside the hotel the gala was taking place in, the atmosphere was that of importance. Couldn't I just crawl into my bed, preferably with Emily? I feel like a school girl with a crush…
I had no idea why I hadn't gotten out of the car yet, but when I belatedly realised that I hadn't moved I also recalled that if the driver was talking to another one of the drivers of a company car…that meant I'd know the person inside…
I hurriedly hauled myself out of the car with a quick 'thank you' to the driver, I didn't act quite as elegant as I looked. Upon leaving the car I found myself watching a brunette walk out of it. Effy was dazzling, too much for mortal eyes.
"Hey." I couldn't keep the concern out of my voice, though I knew she didn't like it, "Ef, what happened earlier? Franky said she'd make sure you were alright."
She didn't look upset, she didn't look angry, she didn't look like she was carrying a weight on her back like she did most days, she almost looked…at peace…
"Yeah, she phoned, we talked." Effy nodded, "It was…cathartic." She inclined her head towards the entrance, "Shall we?" She started walking with everyone else but kept her own definite space, always able to stand out, even in a crowd, I followed. "You look great by the way, it'll do nicely."
I just nodded, gulping back the nervous lump in my throat. Where was Emily? Why was it that she was always just out of my reach?
The gala was labelled as a grandeurs occasion but, for some reason, I wasn't expecting this. The hotel was huge and the marble walls towered high over our heads, Effy's murmur of 'Jesus' would have echoed if they'd been alone but the entrance hall was crowded with people of all ages over around the age of eighteen. There was a table for us to sign in at, Effy led me over there, I was pretty stunned so I let Ef do most of the talking.
"Halfway Home News?" Effy addressed the portly, greying man sat behind the table.
He checked his books as he chuckled, "Ah, yes…HHN…the station run by youngsters. You've been causing quite a stir this year, people are waiting with baited breath to hear who will be replacing the marvellous Michelle Stonem."
"Well, if I have my way, it'll be this marvellous woman stood beside me." Effy glanced at me and I felt myself blush, glancing down. Seriously, I couldn't take a compliment now?
As he noted our names down he spotted me for the first time, "Ooh, the Naomi Campbell. I must say your stories have done wonders for exposing the government for what it is, especially to the younger generation." I couldn't help but grin, I liked this man's attitude, it was almost as if he wished he could be working alongside us.
"Why, thank you." I said, hoping my stance was a good combination of proud, but keeping a tinge of humility.
"Has Emily Fitch signed in yet?" Effy asked, I was feeling for too impatient as he checked, shouldn't her name be beside ours?
"She has actually, arrived a few minutes before you. Lovely girl." He smiled up at us.
"Great hair." A woman had walked behind him and obviously overheard, her appreciative tone had done nothing to settle my worries.
"Thanks a lot." Effy smiled and led me off again. Our heels clacked along annoyingly, "Make sure to big us up with investors, Nai. The key is confidence and I know you have it in you. We need to show them we're more than capable of taking over from Tony and Michelle. We need to create a new face for HHN, we need…" Effy's voice trailed off as we entered the main hall, both of our eyes falling on perfection incarnate. Emily Fitch, surrounded by people clambering for a chance to bathe in her light, her face illuminated by the laugh she was producing, utter music. I really couldn't help but stare at her in adoration, but, half the room was doing it, so I suppose I could afford to, "…that." Effy finished, an approving grin teasing at her lips.
Emily's turquoise dress was draping over her curves in all the right places, her hair did look great tonight, atop her head and styled, a few strands curled and lining her face. Jesus, her face, I could never get enough of her strong and yet feminine face. Funny, I'd been staring at it but I hadn't noticed that she was now looking back at me, our eyes locking for a moment, burning into my very soul, leaving her mark. She glanced at Effy and smiled, we made our way over.
The circle of people was undeterred by our arrival, it seemed like more people were making their way over now to get a piece. It was now becoming clear to me that people weren't going to be prejudiced now that Tony was leaving, we lived in an age where difference was celebrated, a news station geared at young adults with three young, successful, talented girls who were, quite frankly, easy on the eyes, was not going to go underappreciated.
The three of us spent the night practically romancing everyone around us, and little did Emily know, she was romancing me too. It wasn't even as if we were talking to one another directly, it was just the things she said or the way she said them or the chaste glances we would throw to one another when we had a spare moment. It was like the first night I'd met her had been completely turned on its head. This was how we should have met, across a hall, our eyes meeting, but our looks unassuming and almost timorous. If I hadn't been on the prowl that night, would things have been different? It definitely started out as just sex and flirting but if I'd known just how much this woman would mean to me this far down the line… would things be different or would scared Naomi have taken over and run away as usual?
There was an actual dance floor, not like a club but a ball room dance floor. There were both men and women asking each of us for dance. Thing was…I really didn't dance…but I didn't want to seem unappealing in anyway.
"Emily's a great dancer." Effy offered, smirking openly before turning to the people we were currently chatting with, "Did you see her spot? She's a natural."
Emily looked like a deer caught in the headlights but only momentarily, "Well, I don't mean to brag…" This was met with groans and laughter.
"Why don't you take Nai out there and show her a thing or two? She's hopeless." Effy grinned at me and I had to keep from biting my lip nervously.
"Alright." Emily's voice was soft. I looked at her in quiet surprise as she held a hand out for me. I let my hand slip into the softness of hers to a round of cheers, she led me away, I followed just like I would have followed her anywhere.
"You know they're going to be watching and I look like a tit when I dance." I tried to keep the edginess out of my voice.
"So I've heard." She let her big browns land on me as we walked, "You look amazing by the way…You lit up the room."
"So did your smile." I was way past caring if I was being cheesy. Call me Queen Cheese. Even in the low light I could see a definite reddening to her already rosy cheeks. We'd been drinking just enough to get us loose but not enough to make fools of ourselves. "You're stunning." Of course I meant the way she looked tonight but I also meant everything about her and I was sure she had to know it, deep down.
She stopped and faced me, I thought for a moment it was because he had something to say but she didn't say anything. She just held my wrists so carefully between her fingers and placed them on her hips, holding them there for a moment, perhaps to give me time to adjust to the thundering in my chest that I hadn't realised had been building up in me all this time. She left my hands on her waist line as she brought her hands up and around the back of my neck where the hairs there were already standing up as it was. There was the briefest touch of her finger tips against my neck and I had to struggle to keep my eye from closing in contentment, they fluttered.
"See? You're doing it." We were swaying together now and I hadn't even realised, I looked down between us and then at her as she murmured, "And you don't look like a tit, you look really good."
I took a deep, steadying breath, "Well, thank you for being willing to show me."
"I was more than willing." She countered with a small smile playing on her lips. It was almost too good to be true that she knew the conversation I was referring to in the same detail that I did, that she cared as much as I did. Her expression was tinged with sadness. The memory of the first time we danced together should have been a happy one, maybe even one that got us going, but right now it was just tantalising, reminding us of something shattered. We'd both been playing with our affections for so long, mine and hers, glass objects that we were juggling back and forth between one another, daring each other to drop it or to take care of it. Ultimately though, we'd both held our own. We'd held them so close that they'd cracked under the pressure and left us feeling empty.
The idea that kept me afloat though, was that she could mend mine in a heartbeat and I was already working on hers.
"You're still scared." Emily spoke finally. I thought she was referring to my feelings for her, though, in all honesty, I didn't feel scared anymore. I was waiting for her to be ready, I just had to take my time.
"What do you mean?" I asked her with no knowledge of how long we'd been out here.
"It's behind your eyes, a lingering worry." I had no idea she was this perceptive. "It's worrying me that it hasn't gone away by now."
I thought this through for a moment but just gave her a reassuring answer, "No need to be worried about me. I'm a tough girl."
"Yeah." She agreed, "Everyone needs to be looked after at some point though."
"Are you saying you want to look after me?" I let myself grin, trying to throw her off the scent. When she didn't reply though and looked down instead, I realised that I might have been spot on. "Ems…" I felt her grip start to slip on my shoulders and I pulled her hips closer to me in slight panic, I really didn't want her to leave me, not yet. She let out a small gasp as I pulled her body flush against mine, I hadn't meant to do so but it seemed my body had taken over.
I didn't even care that people might be looking, when she looked up at me and my name tumbled off of her ridiculously plump lips I felt like I'd die if I didn't kiss her. She seemed to read my mind though, and death was imminent.
"Naomi, please…" She said, tremulous, "If we start…I won't be able to stop…" A sweet death.
"I don't want to stop, I never want to stop anything when it comes to you, never again." I didn't know if my passionately murmured words were making sense but they were all I had. It was late, a lot of people were dispersing, I could feel them but all that I could see was her.
"I-I have to go." She said, pleading. She pulled back from me and my grip on her slowly ebbed away until she stood a short way away from me. I watched as she looked away from me and wiped a cheek as she walked away through the crowd of people.
I wasn't really sure what happened after that but Effy said she made sure Emily got home and did the same with me. Despite everything that had happened, Emily and I had done very well at the gala, or so the constant stream of letters for Effy, not Tony, were suggesting. I walked past Effy's office to see that Tony had stopped by, he had his arm around his sister's shoulders, giving her what looked like a congratulatory shake. Effy's smile was uninhibited, she didn't hold back when it came to her brother. The two were looking over the letters Effy had received, I'm sure Tony knew he didn't have anything to worry about.
As I walked along Katie and Mini headed past me, arms linked, "Alright, sensational?" Mini's nicknames baffled me, "Did well last night then?"
"So they tell me." I held onto the front of my short sleeved jacket, hoping I was keeping my smile out of smug territory.
"Everyone's fucking raving about you, right, Katiekins?" Mini addressed her companion, who was actually looking at me with a shit eating grin.
"Everyone." Katie confirmed.
I was about to question Katie when my phone went off, I apologised quickly and grabbed it, hoping to see anyone but that name. Well, I hadn't wanted the name 'Sophia' in my phone so instead the number came up as 'Don't Fucking Answer, the Bitch is Bat Shit'. I frowned at the screen.
"What's the deal?" Mini asked, peering at the screen, I hastily pulled it away and smiled at them both as well as I could.
"I have…I have something to do, I'll just…" I made my expertly offhand exit with looks of confusion from the two girls. I walked along with the phone in my hand, staring down at it, happening to bump into someone.
"Naomi!"
I looked up to see a cheery Grace smiling at me, "Gracie, hey." I couldn't help but perk up in the presence Grace; she was like happiness in human form. My phone had finally stopped ringing and so I stowed it in my pocket. "What's up?"
"I wanted to talk to you actually." Grace said, surprising me. It's not like I didn't love Grace, everyone did, but we hardly ever found the time to time one of one. I assumed it was work related.
"Sure, of course." I agreed and, once again surprising me, she led me off to her office. Walking in I looked around with a smile, her office was…homey. She had pictures of her family and her boyfriend Richard pretty much everywhere. "So, what's on your mind, Gracie?"
Grace took a seat in one of the two of the plush chairs in front of her desk, turning it to face the other, "I'd actually like to know what's on your mind."
I stared at her for a while before chuckling and taking a seat opposite her, "If I wasn't sitting as opposed to lying down I'd swear this was therapy…"
"That's one way of thinking of it", she shot me her wide grin and sat back, "Just relax, Naomi. I wanted to ask you about Emily."
I just went along with whatever this was, "Are you an admirer of Miss Fitch?" I settled back and crossed a leg over the other.
"I haven't met anyone who isn't but I know you are." She seemed excited in that fact, "I've been watching you two."
I really didn't need another stalker on my hands, "That's a little creepy, Gracie." I winked, keeping things light.
"No, it isn't, Naomi." She beamed, "It's wonderful. I'm here wondering why you haven't embraced it yet."
"Embraced it?" I looked around for some sort of clue as to what she was going on about, "My…creepiness?"
"No, honey." I know this was a weird thought…but Grace reminded me of my mother, "What you and Emily have. You've been fighting it, but why?"
I was pretty stunned that Grace had taken so much notice, "What do you think we have?"
Her smile was knowing, "An unstoppable force."
It was like a weight off of my back knowing that I wasn't able to deny these things anymore, "I'm not fighting it anymore. I'm letting her take the time she needs."
"What does she need time for?" Grace tilted her head and held it in her hand.
"Well, she needs time to…" I pressed my lips together, scouring my mind, "…to…trust me…"
"Nobody's going to be able to convince her to trust you but you." She informed me simply.
I mulled this over.
"I should talk to her, yeah?"
"I think that would be wise."
Prepare yourself for the next chapter. Reviews make a happy BDF, which makes me...write faster or something... yeah...
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~BDF
