Title: Always Attract – Chapter 9

Author: kreia03

Rating: M

Warnings: Some swear words

Disclaimer: I don't own Skins. I just wish I do.

Summary: Party time

A/N: Pretty long one..don't get bored :D

As soon as Vera walked out of the door, Naomi's thoughts fell back to what she had just seen in her head. She remembered seeing herself, lying on the floor. She was looking up at the ceiling of what seems to be a room, somebody's room. God knows who. Apparently, she was talking to someone. Someone who had a deep, husky voice. Funny, she found it lovely, like music to her ears. She repeated the scene in her head over and over again, just to hear the very same voice. She couldn't find the exact reason why she wanted to hear it. All she knows is that it makes her happy. There was something in that voice, something that she couldn't point out, but she can't be bothered. She just wants to hear it again and again, like a song that will keep playing in her head.

"Uhm, hey Naomi."

Naomi turned and saw Rhianna popping in into the room. She smiled and lifted her hand beckoning her to move closer.

"I was wondering if you want to go bike riding with us." The shy girl asked.

"Erm, I would love too. But I don't know if I could ride a bike." Naomi answered, biting her lip.

"Oh right. Sam, Skye and Cathryn will be with us though. They could teach you how in case you don't know."

"Well, if you say so. I could go, I suppose." The blonde replied politely.

"Cool! We'll be waiting down stairs. Come down if you're ready!" Rhianna cried out and briskly left the room.

In a few moments, Naomi joined the sisters down stairs.

"Hey pretty blonde!" Cathryn greeted.

"Hey."

"So you ready to go bike riding with us?" Sam excitedly asked.

"Yeah, about that, I don't really know if I can ride a bike." Naomi shyly replied.

"Don't worry, we'll teach you how just in case." Cathryn assured.

"Wow. Thanks." The blonde smiled.

Grabbing one bike, Sam handed it to Naomi and motioned her to ride it. Naomi nodded and mounted the bike. Placing one foot on the pedal, she took a deep breath and started pedaling.

"All right! She knows!" Sam cried out and gave her sisters a high five.

"Hey! Wait for us!" Skye shouted and laughed.

Naomi came to a full stop. Turning her head, she mouthed sorry and laughed. She was soon joined by the sisters.

"Right. Follow me!" Sam called out to the rest of them.

Naomi pedaled once more and was then trailing behind Skye. Soon, the road was full of the girls' laughter and giggles. Feeling the fresh air, Naomi inhaled deeply. She felt free. She was loving every minute of it. The cool wind on her face, the laughter of her friends. She was forgetting momentarily that she had no memory at all.

Flash.

"I know you, Naomi. I know you're lonely .I think you need someone to want you. Well, I do want you. So be brave and want me back!"

Naomi hit the bike's breaks so hard that she was nearly thrown away. Another picture had just played in her head. And that scene had the same husky voice that's been haunting her all morning. Wait. Haunting? No. She chose to play it in her head. She knew she should be happy to hear something new from that voice again, but she couldn't afford to. Instead, it was breaking her heart. Hearing the pain and suffering in that voice as it cracks down, makes her feel the same pain. Indeed, it felt like she was being torn apart.

"Naomi!" Skye shouted and rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah. I am. Sorry, I..uhm..I hurt my foot, but its okay now." She lied, wiping the bits of sweat from her forehead.

"Oh, okay. Can you still go?"

"Of course." She answered, giving Skye a faint smile.

O+O+O+O+O+O+O+O

Emily was staring keenly at her reflection in the mirror. "Fucking hell." She muttered. She looked like a total mess, and she was supposed to be dressing up for the party they'll be going tonight. She had her hair straightened out already, but she still looked all worn-out. Probably, because of her eyes having dark circles around it, not to mention its puffiness as a result from all her crying. She heaved a sigh and threw the eyeliner she was holding. Why should she even bother dressing up? It's all the same anyway.

"Party's never exciting without you in it." She remembered telling Naomi before. She shook her head, trying to get rid of her thoughts. She was feeling her tears building up again.

"Jesus Christ Emily! Get a grip! You've done enough crying for one day! Fuck's sake!" She muttered, scolding herself.

The door swung open and Katie slipped in into their room.

"Ready Em?" She asked

"I guess so." She mumbled.

Katie rolled her eyes and grabbed her twin's hand. "We'll have fun tonight Em. I promise."

O+O+O+O+O+O+O+O

"Are you sure it's okay for me to go to this party? I mean, I don't personally know Skye's friend." Naomi asked Vera as soon as she met her down stairs.

Vera smiled and said, "Of course. Skye told her friend about you, so don't worry."

"Oh, okay then."

"You look stunning by the way." Vera said, eyeing Naomi's dress.

"Thanks. You too." Naomi mumbled, feeling herself blush.

"Right, shall we go?" Skye popped in.

Naomi and the rest nodded and made their way to the party. The bar was just a few blocks away. Apparently, it was Skye's friend's birthday. As they arrive, they were politely greeted by the host, who goes by the name of Charlotte. Skye introduced Naomi to her and she gladly shook her hand.

"Welcome Naomi. Have fun!" Charlotte said.

Naomi muttered a simple "thank you and happy birthday" and followed Vera inside. Sitting at the bar stool, she stared at the dance floor which was full of tanked up people.

"Do you want a drink?" She heard Vera ask.

Naomi nodded. She didn't know if she drinks, but surely, one shot wouldn't hurt. Vera motioned two drinks to the bar tender, who quickly pulled out two glasses and filled it. Vera took the glasses and handed her one. Lifting her glass, Naomi consumed the whole liquor in one swig.

"Hey Naomi, let's dance." Vera said. Grabbing Naomi by the wrist, she pulled her to the dance floor.

Naomi snorted and laughed. A new song was being played by the band and Naomi swayed to the beat, the bass making its way.

Once upon a time

Not so long ago

Tommy used to work on the docks

Union´s been on strike

He´s down on his luck. It´s tough, so tough

Gina works the diner all day

Working for her man, she brings home her pay

For love - for love

Naomi raised her hands high as she danced to the beat. She was feeling it. She doesn't know if she's the kind of person who likes parties, but she's definitely enjoying this one. Probably, because of the song, but she can't be bothered.

Flash.

"I'm telling you, that is fucking good shit !"

"What have you done?"

"Eat a cake, Panda. It's gonna be a long night."

She says we´ve got to hold on to what we´ve got

It doesn´t make a difference

If we make it or not

We´ve got each other and that´s a lot

For love we´ll give it a shot

Naomi cocked her head to her side. Flashbacks, she's having flashbacks again. She felt Vera's hand hold hers. She turned to face her and saw that she was smiling. She forced back a smile.

Flash.

"Pinot Grigio, or...cider oblivion?"

"Anything...Just give me a fucking...Just... Just give me a..."

Kiss.

"It's only the drugs right?"

Naomi's hand flew to her lips, touching it. She knew that voice. It was the very same voice she'd been hearing all day. She tried to see her face, but she couldn't. Like Katie's, it was all blurry.

Whooaaaaaa! We´re half way there

Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer

Take my hand, we´ll make it, I swear

Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer

Flash.

"I'm not gonna open the door. My face is all puffy. I've been crying a bit."

"I don't care." " I do want someone. Need someone. You're right."

"And?"

"And, when I'm with you, I feel like I'm a better person. I feel happier. Less alone. Less lonely."

Suddenly, Naomi found it hard to breath. Her head started aching, her whole vision spinning. She dropped Vera's hand and darted out the door. She needed air, she needed to breath. She felt like she was choking. She heard Vera call her name but she didn't dare to look back. She needed to get out of this place, get out of this mess.

Tommy got his six-string in hock

Now he´s holding in what he used

To make it talk. So tough, it´s tough

Gina dreams of running away

When she cries in the night

Tommy whispers, Baby it´s okay, someday

"Oi Ems! Take it easy!" Katie called out to Emily who was finishing her vodka. She had no idea how many Emily has taken already.

"Hey, just let me. Okay?" Emily retorted, drowning herself with vodka and popping the third pill in her mouth. For once, she wanted to forget everything, every fucking thing that's happening. She wanted to forget all her pain, all her worries, everything! Except her, except Naomi. She'll never dare.

We´ve got to hold on to what we´ve got

It doesn´t make a difference

If we make it or not

We´ve got each other and that´s a lot

For love we´ll give it a shot

Effy went to the twins' table. She smiled at Katie and eyed Emily.

"She won't take it easy." Katie said, worried.

"Just let her. We're giving her a break right?" Effy smirked, her gaze going back to Emily.

"Katie.." Emily called, her eyes droopy, her voice sounding drunk. Katie turned to her.

"I wanna get totally, totally fucked up."

Katie bit her lip and hesitated. She didn't know what to say. She had never seen Emily like this before. Worse, Emily had never asked for something like that before. To her surprise, it was Effy who answered.

"Right. Come with me Em."

Whooaaaaaa! We´re half way there

Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer

Take my hand- we´ll make it, I swear

Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer

Livin´on a prayer

Effy grabbed Emily's wrist and they jostled their way to the dance floor.

"Dance Emily. Forget everything."

Emily threw her hands up in the air. She danced it all out, letting go of her inhibitions, her worries, her pain. She didn't care if she was gonna pay for this the next day. She knew that when she gets totally fucked up, she'd get to be with Naomi, get to be with the girl she genuinely and sincerely loved.

Oooooooh

We´ve got to hold on ready or not

You live for the fight when that´s all that you´ve got

Katie left the table and joined her twin and Effy on the dance floor. She promised Emily that she'd let her have fun tonight, so she'll give her what she wants. If she wants to get totally wasted, so be it.

Whooaaaaaa! We´re half way there

Whooooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer

Take my hand and we´ll make it, I swear

Whooaaaa! Livin' on a prayer

"Whooaaaaaa! We´re half way there!" The twins sang at the top of their voice, jumping and dancing to the beat, hand in hand. Katie took Effy's one hand, Emily the other. All three of them jumping, singing, and shouting. Their voices blended with the music as one by one, their friends huddled in.

Naomi decided to go home and leave the party. On her way, her thoughts fell back to all the scenes she had seen. Katie, Panda, the husky voiced girl, the kiss. She knew right then and there that she had to sort out this mess. She needs to find out who she is. She'll find out who she is.

One night, two girls struggling, one to remember, one to forget.