Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry this one took so long. I've been quite busy between moving and skyping with the lady. But I finally busted this one out. I know Skins Fire had a shit ton of drama and we are all very upset with the way they wrote things, unfortunately, this chapter won't be very uplifting. It's rather dramatic, honestly. However, I do foresee plenty of soft mushy times in the future.
Chapter Nine: Bow Tied
Emily was in her bedroom, lying on her bed wrapped in a towel. She was dreamily scrolling through the texts she and Naomi had been sending throughout the week. It felt too good to be true. They would be up late into the evening going back and forth between intellectual and trivial topics. They both had very busy schedules so they had not been able to physically meet up. It was okay though, because after counting down the days, it was finally Friday. Emily had finished all of her assignments so she could focus on enjoying their date.
"What are you smiling about?" Katie walked into Emily's room.
"What the fuck, Katie, don't you knock?" Emily practically threw her mobile across the room. She was not sure if she was ready to have the talk with Katie.
"Psh, I've seen you naked a million times, Em, we used to share a room together, 'member?"
"That's not the point, Katie. What do you want?"
"Jesus, I just came in to see how my little sister was doing."
Emily was annoyed by the fact that Katie always referred to her as little because they were only seconds apart. She was sure she was the stronger one between the two of them, younger or not. Emily let her anger dissipate because Katie had been making an extra effort to be a good sister since their last talk. Maybe she'll react differently now. "I have a date tonight." Emily could not stop the big smile from spreading across her face.
For a second Katie frowned but Emily did not notice. Emily saw her sister smiling back at her. "So what are you going to wear?" Katie knew fashion was enough to get herself excited. It was not that she was not happy for Emily but she was scared of who Emily was going on a date with. Ever since they were little she knew Emily was always different. It scared her to know that something could make them different when they were twins. She feared the day the difference would be openly acknowledged and would separate them forever.
Emily frowned, her excitement deflated. She had wanted Katie to ask "who?" but did not get that satisfaction. "Katie..." Emily's voice was hoarse the way it usually was when she was sad.
Katie sat down beside her sister on the bed. Emily was now sitting upright holding her towel up with one arm. "I know," Katie said and looked away. Katie's voice reflected her sister's in that it was also sad.
"What?" Emily was shocked. The beginnings of tears streamed down her face. She sniffled to try and stop them but it was no use.
"I know you're..." Katie took a deep breath. "I know that you're going on a date with a girl."
"What?" Emily was in complete shock. She had not prepared for this answer. For years she had thought of all the potential outcomes of her coming out to Katie would have but never had she thought of Katie being the one to tell her that she knew Emily was gay; definitely not with herself sitting on the bed in a towel, crying. She had expected for her family to completely disown her, the way they expressed their bigoted views so frequently. So to see this other side of her sister left Emily unsure of how to feel. She knew happiness would be the normal response but she had been so ready for it to go wrong. She was too shocked to feel appropriately within the moment.
"I've known that you don't like boys for years." Katie could not be direct and say the word "gay." She had played with the word on her tongue in privacy, preparing for this conversation and had never felt comfortable with it. She was trying not to cry, to stay strong for Emily. Deep down she knew Emily was gay and did not want to admit it. For so long she knew Emily was unhappy. She tried setting her sister up with so many boys but knew none of them would ever be able to make Emily any happier. Katie felt the responsibility to defend Emily, knowing that people that were gay had such harder lives, getting bullied or even committing suicide because of it. She thought maybe she had been so hard on Emily, growing up, to prepare Emily for the harsh world that she had ultimately forgotten the importance of being a supportive sister. "I'm sorry, Emily. I tried to protect you. I still love you."
Emily reached out her free arm and hugged her sister. She was full out sobbing. Her body trembled with each intake of air. Katie was also crying, but over feelings of past guilt. "I forgive you, Katie," Emily managed to say brokenly between breaths.
They stayed like that for a while before Katie pulled away. "Stop crying. We've got to get you ready for tonight." Katie smiled. Emily let out one small burst of happy tears at her sister's new happiness for her then took a deep breath and stopped crying. She washed her face and came out of her bathroom to find Katie in her closet. "How about this?" Katie was holding up a purple dress they worn, matching, to an old boyfriend of Katie's party.
"I actually had something else in mind." Emily bit her lip, smiling. She got down on her knees to pull out a box from beneath her bed. She put it on her bed and twisted the lock to open it.
Katie squinted her eyes, "there's not going to be some dildo in there or fanny magazines right? I don't need to see that." Katie feigned gagging.
"No." Emily rolled her eyes. Opening the box revealed a stack of photos at the very top. She took them out and set them on the bed, but Katie started flipping through them. "Careful, don't get your fingerprints on those."
"Oh be quiet, I know how to look at a photo." Emily watched as what seemed like her returned loving sister from many years ago took several seconds to a minute to stare at some of them. "These are really good, Emily."
"They're alright."
"Shutup. These are fucking better than alright. If you don't do something with these, I will." Katie was back to her normal, bitchy self but it was about doing something good, selflessly for Emily. "These belong in a gallery."
"You really think so?" Emily was still shy about her talent, even if it was her twin.
"Absolutely." Katie stopped at a picture of Freddie doing some tricks high up in the air, on his skateboard. "Wow, that's so cool. Who is this?"
Emily laughed. "That's Freddie."
"That's Freddie?" Katie looked like she was adjusting to a new idea of him. "What do you like about him anyway, isn't he just some stoner?" Her bitchy tone was not convincing.
"He's appreciates a decent joint, but he's so much more than that, Katie."
"Sure, that's what they all say."
Katie was obviously looking for Emily to elaborate. Emily could tell and decided there would be no harm in it. "He's an amazing artist with sketches that are a lot better than my photos. He's shows so much maturity and love for his autistic roommate. He has done some of the sickest skateboarding tricks I've ever seen. He's actually really intelligent but he doesn't talk about studies too much. I only know because JJ's told me about his exam scores when they've swapped. He's my best mate." Emily smiled.
"Cool." Katie nonchalantly put the picture aside. "So, what did you take the box out for?"
Beneath all the photos was exactly what Emily had been looking for. A satin red bowtie and a box were resting at the bottom of the wood.
"Those?" Katie looked at them confused. "Oh my god, are you one of those lesbians?" Emily glared at her. Katie sighed, "I guess my fashion skills are amazing enough to work with whatever you throw at me."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Naomi stared at her wardrobe. Getting dressed for the party with Effy had been different because she did not have the intention of impressing anyone. Now all she wanted to do was wear something that would grab and hold Emily's interest.
5:42pm: Effy help meeee
Effy: 5:53pm: whats wrong
5:54pm: I can't decide what to wear.
Effy: 5:56pm: stubborn campbell has a d8?
6:00pm: Can I not just want to fucking look nice?
Effy: 6:03pm: I red tht as I just want to fk, haha
6:05pm: Stop that.
Effy: 6:08pm: so u r thinkin abt it
6:10pm: I am not talking about it.
Effy: 6:13: hve u dreamd abt her yet?
6:15pm: Once, now will you please shut the fuck up and help me?
Effy: 6:18pm: blue dress
Naomi tossed her phone onto her bed. Shivering as water from her hair dripped down her naked body, she flipped through her clothes. There was one dress she had never found the right occasion for, but it seemed tonight was the night. She took it off the hanger and held it up to her body in the mirror. Wow.
The blue of the dress matched her eye color perfectly. The dress had actually been a gift from her mother's boyfriend, Kieran, when he moved in, as a sort of peace offering. He definitely did not pick it out, seeing as he had no fashion sense whatsoever, not that he gave a fuck; he had spent a day bitterly whining as Gina had suggested they go together. Naomi was not particularly thankful for the dress specifically because such a fancy dress seemed impractical, but she appreciated the kind gesture in general.
Once she slipped it on, she saw the bottom flow perfectly a few inches above her knees. It was at just the right length for her height and long legs. The top of the dress was beautiful and sexy, showing a glimpse of her cleavage and leaving her arms and collarbones on display. She smiled excitedly at her reflection, flattening the visible creases until the fabric was smooth and tight across her body. All she had left to do was style her hair and do her makeup before she would be ready.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
The club was near the center of the university campus - the girls lived on opposite ends of it. They agreed to meet up at the club, where they would join the rest of their friends.
Naomi had arrived first. Naomi was still incredibly nervous, despite having hung out with Emily alone a few times already, because this was officially the first date. What if she doesn't like my dress? What if I am a terrible dancer? What if she doesn't show up? What if she changed her mind? The longer she stood there, the worse her anxiety grew. Quickly, she lit a fag from the pocket of her jacket and exhaled stress in a cloud of smoke. She watched as groups and couples passed her by, entering and exiting the nightclub. She could feel the bass reverberate through the wall she leaned against.
Naomi was admiring the beauty of a woman in a fitted white button up shirt, black vest, shiny belt, and black skinny jeans. Long, brightly dyed red hair that matched the woman's red bowtie was so eye-catching and attractive. Who am I kidding? I'm totally attracted to girls... She had never seen a woman pull off being dressed masculine while looking so femininely gorgeous and sexy. Naomi then noticed Katie and some blonde girl that she definitely did not recognize, were accompanying the girl she had been checking out. Wait, Emily? Holy fucking shit. Wow... Naomi was blatantly staring at Emily as the group walked in her direction. Only once they were standing right in front of her did she manage to take her eyes off Emily's body and make eye contact with the loveliest pair of brown eyes surrounded by a perfect amount of makeup she had ever seen.
"You can fucking close your mouth now." Katie said but the girls disregarded her comment. She did not like the idea of anyone gawking at her baby sister.
"You look stunning." Emily was the first to say something as she gave a once-over of Naomi's body. She had paused between each word for emphasis.
Naomi would have complimented Emily if she were able to stop thinking the sexual urges rushing to her mind. Katie awkwardly cleared her through loudly enough that Naomi snapped out of it; "Not so bad yourself, Fitch-errr, Emily." She had to correct herself because she was now in the presence of two Fitches. There you go. Calm. Cool. Collected.
"Let's go inside yeah, it's fucking freezing out." Katie was still uncomfortable with her sister openly checking out and flirting with a woman. She just had to direct her feelings elsewhere for the rest of the evening.
Emily raised an eyebrow in shock at her sister's move on her friend but was ultimately glad she had invited them. "Look there's Thomas!" Panda exclaimed as she bubbly followed after Katie. Thomas was standing by the front door waving them in, completely skipping all the irritated people in the line.
"Panda! I am so glad to see you. These are your friends?"
"Mhm! Aren't they wonderful?" she exclaimed.
"Come inside." Thomas opened the door for them, waving to one of his coworkers to temporarily take his place. Everyone shuffled through the entryway. Their eyes adjusted to the colorful flashing lights that were dancing around the room and the occasional strobe flashes. The music was significantly louder than what they had expected from outside of the club. It was also much warmer inside, but fortunately it wasn't overcrowded; they could walk through groups of people without completely shoving them over. He took them to the cash register and opened a drawer, pulling out a bunch of wristbands. "VIP. Free drinks tonight for you guys." Thomas smiled as everyone cheered. "I will find you later tonight, Panda. For now I must work."
"Alright!" Panda smiled dreamily at him before she was being dragged away to the bar.
Emily was looking around the club from where they were standing. Her height was making it a bit difficult to see very much though. Naomi noticed and hesitated to ask, "Are you... looking for someone?" She was nervous that Emily was checking other girls out, unsatisfied with her date.
"I invited JJ and Freddie, they said they're already inside." Emily pulled out her mobile. But just as she was about to text Freddie asking where he was she felt arms wrap around her shoulders.
"Found you!" Emily grabbed Freddies hands and hugged him. She hugged JJ too, who was standing beside him. Naomi bit her lip and looked around wondering if she was just going to feel out of place tonight.
"I'm so glad you guys could make it! JJ are you alright?" Emily realized a nightclub was not exactly JJ's place of comfort.
Freddie threw his arm over JJ's shoulder. "JJ's all drugged up, he should be fine." They both looked at JJ who was currently staring at something further down the bar. "JJ? JJ!"
"Sorry." JJ started blushing heavily.
"Oh my god, were you checking a girl out?!" Emily teased and he blushed grew hotter.
"Quite possibly."
"You should go say something to her," Emily encouraged.
"Do it!" Freddie shouted over the music.
"I guess I have a fifty-fifty chance." He fixed his sweatshirt as if it actually made a difference to his appearance and was about to walk away from the group before Emily tugged his arm.
"Wait! You guys meet Naomi. She's... my date tonight." Emily smiled at Naomi who gave a small wave and tightly pressed her lips together.
"Hi."
"Yeah... we met." Freddie feigned excitement to the best of his ability. It was not that he had anything against Naomi personally. He frowned for a second when Emily let go of him from their hug and wrapped her arms around Naomi's waist. Naomi's grumpiness almost instantly faded away; all that remained were her anxieties.
"You look like you could use a drink." Emily looked up to Naomi's eyes questioningly. She knew something was a bit off but could not figure out what it was.
"Yeah."
Emily flagged the bartender down and ordered. "Tequila shots all around, please." Katie, Panda, Freddie, Emily, and Naomi each grabbed a shot and a lime wedge off the tray.
"To a good night," Emily said before everyone swallowed the first round.
"I need some boys." Katie sighed and glanced at Freddie before adding, "Someone sexy better buy me a drink."
"But Katie, you have a free drinks pass," Emily pointed out.
"That's not the fucking point." Katie walked away from the group, both twins rolling their eyes at each other.
"Charming." Naomi mumbled.
"Hmm?"
"I didn't say anything." Naomi looked around instead of at Emily.
The obvious tension was making the Panda and Freddie uncomfortable. "I'm going to go check on JJ." Freddie excused himself.
"It's so beautiful." Panda was staring at the dance floor. "So many colors and people; I love it." It was clear what she wanted to do at that moment.
"Want to dance, Naomi?" Emily suggested, on the same boat as Panda.
"Dancing isn't really my thing." Naomi shrugged.
"Oh come on... please?" Emily made puppy eyes.
"No, Emily. I don't want to." She said it far too seriously for anyone uninterested in pissing her off to press further.
"Fine." Emily was upset by how terrible the date was going. Sure, they had instantly felt attracted to each other when they saw each other outside, but things went downhill on the inside.
Naomi sighed, "Sorry. Why don't you dance with Panda? I'll find you later. I just need a fag."
"Okay." Emily wanted to believe that Naomi taking a smoke would solve everything but she could not. Still, she allowed her hand to be grabbed by someone other than Naomi, as Panda enthusiastically took her to the dance floor.
"Vodka and tonic," Naomi ordered as soon as they left. She chugged down the contents of the glass quickly. She enjoyed the slight distraction of the burn down her throat. What she did not expect was the feeling of slim fingers on her shoulder. "Get the fuck off, tosser-oh, Eff. What are you doing here?"
Effy raised an eyebrow. "Clubbing. Having a good time. Same as everyone else in this room, aside from you," she added pointedly.
"Yeah, I think I fucking know that."
Effy rolled her eyes and grabbed Naomi by the hand. She dragged her out of the club to the back door, the smokers patio. "What the fuck is your problem, Naomi?"
"Nothing."
"Naomi..." Effy pressed as she lit her and Naomi's fags.
"Look, it's not fucking rare that someone just doesn't like dancing, okay?!"
"You realize someone else is probably grinding with your date right now."
"I fucking know that." Naomi grimaced.
"And doesn't that bother you?"
"Obviously."
"So... why aren't you out there?" Effy was relentless.
Naomi sighed. "I can't dance."
"So you're throwing a fucking tantrum?"
"I am not. I'm awkward and lanky and she's all outgoing and 's just-I don't want to disappoint her. "
"And you aren't right now?"
"For fuck's sake, do you always have to be right?" Naomi stubbed her cigarette and pulled open the door. Just as it was about to close Naomi stopped it and poked her head out. "Thanks, Eff."
Effy smiled. "Go get her."
With that Effy returned to smoking and Naomi began hunting down "her girl" through the thickness of the crowd. The darkness and strobe lights were slightly disorienting but she managed to spot one red haired girl. Thank fuck, she dyed it, or I'd have never found her. What bothered her was seeing some stranger wrapped around Emily's body, hands on hips and head intently close to her neck. "Mind if I cut in?"
The other girl was wearing a cut up t-shirt, jean vest, and some leather pants. "Hell yeah, I do. Fuck off."
"You fuck off." Naomi glared and just as she thought she was about to slap the girl, Emily cut in.
"Sorry, you're an alright dancer but that's my date." Emily took Naomi's hand and walked them somewhere else on the dancefloor. They found Panda and Freddie, along with JJ and some other girl, different from the one he had pursued at the bar. Then Emily noticed that Katie was grinding against Freddie who seemed to be enjoying himself, even if clubbing was a bit intense for his stoner attitude.
Naomi took Emily by the hand to stop her from moving, and make her pay attention. "Emily, I have a confession."
"Yeah?" She had to shout over the music.
"I don't know how to dance."
"What?"
"I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DANCE." Naomi blushed.
Emily chuckled. "I heard you, I was just surprised."
"Fucking great. Laughing at me." Naomi was about to walk away. She could not take being embarrassed by someone she felt so naturally compelled to impress.
"Oh stop it, Naomi. You're being ridiculous." Emily turned around, grabbed Naomi's hands, and put them on her hips. "Here, let me show you how." She started rotating her hips slowly and it was making Naomi feel light-headed. They were pressed together completely. "Like this." Naomi followed the rhythm of the shorter girl's hips. Her stomach nearly dropped to her feet when Emily did a trick that involved going down and coming back up facing her. This time she had her leg between Naomi's and Naomi's leg between hers as they continued grinding.
"Fuck, you're amazing." Naomi mumbled.
"Mm?" Emily said into her ear.
"I said, fuck, you're amazing," Naomi repeated, bending down to Emily's ear.
"Kiss me," Emily said and pulled her face away from the side of Naomi's face. She wrapped her arms around the back of Naomi's neck and tighter and tighter as Naomi bent lower.
Their lips crashed together. Naomi had felt the tension build ever since they started dancing-no-ever since she saw Emily's new hairstyle. She felt Emily take her bottom lip between her soft lips and suck gently before releasing it. "Fuck." Naomi whispered when they stopped to breathe.
Suddenly a group of males started wolf-whistling. They had surrounded Emily and Naomi. "DO IT AGAIN!" "HEY LADIES, HOW ABOUT A THREESOME?" "FUCKING DYKES!" The guys were shouting all sorts of atrocities in their direction. Naomi panicked. She felt her heart racing. She was not a dyke. She was not inrerested in a threesome. And she definitely was not interested in kissing Emily for the benefit of everyone else.
She broke away from Emily despite the plea after her, "Naomi! Please! Naomi, wait!"
Some guy howled and laughed at them. Naomi turned around briefly as she was shuffling away to see Emily punch a guy. Naomi could not bear to see what happened next. She ran as fast as she could out the door and took a taxi to the first place that she thought she could find comfort.
Author's Note: SO let me know in the reviews your favorite lines, favorite parts, whatever you wish. I greatly appreciate it, thanks. Much love, Shira.
