Hellooooo!
Finally it's the weekend. I will begin by saying that I'm glad that that the last chapter went down so well with people, because I didn't know if the speech at the end was a little OTT, but it felt organic enough at the time - and clearly most of you agree, so thanks :) You guys are the best and so awesome, and I know I've said it many times now but I will reiterate it until I wear the keys out on my board because it's true! So I thank you for reading as always, for reviewing and just generally be awesome, aha.
Just a little heads up, the chapter contains some facts about the NHS (situated in the UK) which I researched a couple weeks back and jotted down in anticipation of using at some point further along in the story. The sad thing is I'm not sure they reflect the NHS anymore because let's face it, it's changing so rapidly these days that I'm positive these statistics no longer represent the truth of the matter.
So, like Naomi would encourage I'm sure, I believe we as human beings ought to try and educate ourselves in world of politics – at least in the spectrum where we can make a difference – and see about making our votes count. This goes to all civilians of the world though, because we all have the right to be equal and to live respectfully without fear of racking up ridiculous sized bills as a subsequence of episodes that's usually out of our control!
Anywho, rant over - on with the story!
"Are you ever gonna tell me who that fucker was?"
"What?" I ask as we leave the classroom, my eyes darting to Katie when she merely scoffs indignantly at me, as if expecting that I already know what she's going on about because we're twins - I'm not a bloody mind reader.
"The insane bitch that fucking played and hurt my sister. It pisses me off that you won't tell me, especially when I know it was a bitch from this college. Are you sure it wasn't Campbell?" I feel my head shake as I exhale loudly, pulling at the bag strap as we walk down the hallway together.
"It wasn't Naomi. Can we please just drop it?"
"But this crazy bitch should be sectioned after-"
"Katie!"
"Was it her?" She stops us, pointing to some random girl who I barely know leaning against the wall talking to some people.
"No."
"You sure? She looks your type, what with the mullet and checked shirt. Oh my god, is she wearing Birkenstocks? What is with you lezzers? You wear them like they're lesbian Prada." I pull Katie away from the poor girl and down to the end of hallway where it's significantly quieter and away from prying eyes.
"Just give it a rest. I'm not going to tell you because it doesn't matter anymore. I'm with Naomi." Which I am, just not officially.. yet. When I think about it, the other night was the perfect opportunity for us to become exclusive with one another, what with the topic of liking each other coming up, but we kind of got distracted with other words.. and lips.. and cuddling.
"She's no better, you know?" I push the thoughts away as I stare at Katie, wondering what the fuck she is on about as she assesses her nails with a scowl on her face.
"I mean, floral and dungarees? Christ, you'd think she'd learn by now those ugly monstrosities went out of fashion for a reason. And what is up with those button accessories? Did she join some lezzer button club and make them herself or something?" I sigh loudly and look up to the ceiling, silently wishing that it would just cave in and swallow us whole so I can get some much needed peace from this constant buzzer that is my sister.
"Now that she's nabbed herself a Fitch, she better drop those 'lesbi-alls' and 'adventure sandals' for some items from an actual clothes store. I mean it, Ems. No more Rainbowland and charity shops." I slowly lower my eyes back to Katie, on the verge of exploding, only to have her cut me off like always by opening her big trap again.
"Maybe you can get her subscribed to some fashion magazines while you're at it, or take her debit card and buy her a new wardrobe. Though clearly she needs to educate herself about what 'fashion' is, so I'd do the magazines if I were you." She suggests in a flippant manner, getting her phone out and looking down at it with the same amount of enthusiasm she's importing into this conversation. I glare at her for a moment, feeling my arms cross on their own accord as I admit quietly:
"I wish you two would just get along." She exhales, seemingly exasperatedly by this, as she tears her eyes away from the phone to stare indolently at me.
"She's like my nemesis, Ems. Not my fault she's such a freak. Anyway, what do you think I've been doing for the past five minutes? I don't have to give her tips on how to stop looking so fucking weird - which you're welcome for, by the way." I roll my eyes and pull at my bag strap yet again; perhaps hoping that it would suffocate me, for anything at this point has to be better than this moment right here.
"What the fuck are we lounging around here for? Let's go into town. You can start looking for what she can wear, though the clothes won't change how stupid she looks. I mean come on, short peroxide hair? She's not Blondie. She must have a complex with living in the past or something-"
"I can't Katie, I've got plans. I'll see you later, okay?" I swiftly declare and move away to bring my phone out, feeling thankful that I've finished for the day and in knowing that it's Naomi's day off. Why didn't I just do this sooner? I cast my eyes back to Katie who simply huffs at me and saunters off down the hall, already pressing the phone to her ear to contact her wonderful entourage that will cater for her every need. I dart my eyes back to my phone and scroll through my contacts, stopping to press the call button only when I see her name:
Can we go somewhere?
I.. Sure, where?
Anywhere.
"I did say anywhere.." I quietly muse to myself, placing yet another poster against a bus shelter and taping it there. I allow my eyes to roam over the bold print again, reading the information reflecting back at me as I stall for a moment.
"I was gonna do this before you called. Besides, people need to know what's happening, Em. We can't keep burying our heads in the sand hoping that those tossers will make a difference when they're the ones who placed us into this state of crisis in the first place. It was only a matter of time until they chose to privatise the National Health Service." Naomi laments before walking in stride with a woman pushing a stroller, making her briefly come to a stop to accept one of her flyers.
"'You need the NHS – now it needs you'." I hear her remark automatically as I allow my eyes to return to the poster, reading the same slogan word for word. I return my gaze to Naomi who now watches the woman walk off with the kid, browsing at the flyer half-heartedly. I can't help but smile as she fidgets on the spot, aligning the flyers in her hands – it's a nervous tick that I've come to learn of in recent times, and she makes it look rather cute, actually.
"It's been around since 1948 Emily, 1948. People take it for granted. Sure it can be shit at times but it's free, and it's available to everyone. Yet no one cares that as of right now one in ten GP surgeries are being run by private companies, and that figure is bound to increase: that combined with billions of pounds of cuts, thousands of nurses being dismissed and up to 20 billion pounds being handed over to companies like Boots, the health service as we know it will cease to exist. Once it's privatised, it'll be too late. And only then will people start care about it. So it's important to make a difference now while we still can. Don't you agree, Ems?" She looks to me then, eyes wide with courage and excitement, and I swear I've never seen her look so beautiful in my whole life.
"I feel it in my bones; you, Naomi Campbell, are going to change the world." She dips her head bashfully as if baffled by the thought, though I can't see why. She's fucking remarkable, yet she's the only one who doesn't know it. I watch as she sniffs, directing her eyes back to me as she bites timidly on her bottom lip.
"One flyer at a time, eh?" She comments offhandedly, waving the flyers in the air like it doesn't matter – yet I know it does. I can't help the broad smile that works its way to my lips as I continue to gaze at her, overcome with glee. I didn't know it was humanly possible to feel this much for someone before, it's like my insides are going to burst because surely it can't be right for all this to just be contained. It's too much, it's everything. And when she looks at me for long periods of time with the faint hint of a blush, I just..
"Oi, you two! What do you think you're doing?" We turn simultaneously to see a man marching towards us on the pavement, wearing uniform like one of those snooping neighbourhood watch type.
"Shit." I exhale under my breath as I clutch at the posters aimlessly, wishing that the evidence would just evaporate into thin air before he gets here.
"You think you can just flypost around here?" I look to Naomi who darts her eyes to me, bobbing her head to the side suggestively before bursting out into a run in the opposite direction. I gawk for a moment before sharply coming to my senses and hastily following as we run away from the man who's quick on our trail.
"You need permission to- oi! Oh no you don't! Stop! Come back here!" I watch as Naomi curses, side stepping several people as she goes, and I can't help the breathless laugh that escapes as I catch up with her, even though the guy is still beckoning for us to stop. It's then that Naomi decides to cross the road rather dangerously, causing me to halt momentarily in shock before I join her, making sure to look both ways before I do.
It's only as I catch up to her once again that I notice her speaking to the same woman from before, all the while pushing her child in the bram.
"See what we do to make sure your son gets to have free health care? Read the flyer and stand up for what you're entitled to!" She remarks before we spot the guy attempting to cross the road, still fast on our tracks.
"Fuck sake, Plod is still following us. Quick." She pulls on my arm and drags me down an open, vast alleyway, sprinting all the while until we come to an untimely stop.
"Shit, it's a dead end." I voice with dread, dragging my eyes around the narrow passage with clear disdain. All I see are windows, balconies and rubbish bins – fantastic.
"Quick, up here." She jumps up to reach the bottom of a ladder that's hooked on the side of a balcony and pulls it down low enough for me to reach. I frown slightly before immediately climbing up it, only turning my attention back to the entrance of the alleyway once I step foot onto the balcony. Naomi soon follows, dropping her flyers onto the floor to pull the ladder up with her until she has it on the balcony with us. She puts it down on the floor and hunches down, pulling me with her.
"Shh." She mutters looking over the balcony side as I rest my papers down with hers. I steal a quick glance at the balcony doors next to us, feeling instant relief when I see them closed with the curtains drawn. I then look around at this level and can't help but find it silly to have a balcony when the view is of your neighbouring flats; all bare and barren. I mean, how futile is that? I go to follow Naomi's line of vision but instantly stop when I detect heavily breathing from down below, with feet smacking against the concrete.
"What the.. That-that's not possible." I hear Naomi snicker as she settles down beside me, finding it amusing. This makes me look at her rather sternly, sending her a mute warning to keep schtum.
"Where did you two go?!" He demands forcefully to no one in particular, and having a hissy fit from the sounds of it as he pitifully knocks some bins about.
"I hate this job." Is the last thing we hear as we remain crouching down on the floor of the balcony with smiles on our faces. After a long period of silence between us, Naomi decides to pop her head up over the balcony to check, tittering softly to herself.
"That was eventful."
"Eventful? Need a stiff drink after that, and you're buying."
"Alright alright, chill will you?" She mutters settling down beside me with a grin. I huff faintly, trying to stabilise my heartbeat after that performance. It was quite fun actually, but she doesn't need to know that.
"I wouldn't let anything happen to you, you know?" Against my best wishes I smile, finally looking at Naomi who seems to be in another world entirely, staring at me intently.
"Nao-" I feel her lips press against mine gently, yet firmly. I exhale softly with surprise as I go to kiss back, only for her to pull away.
"Sorry, I just.."
"Don't, don't be sorry." She smiles slightly at me, her eyes uncertain as she continues to watch me closely.
"Fuck sake." I blurt before leaning forward and capturing her lips, feeling all too tempted to deepen the kiss yet I break away, letting my lips linger near hers for a moment for emphasis before I do. I lick my lips quickly and seek out her eyes.
"Don't feel awkward, don't be sorry. If you want to kiss me, then do it: you're allowed." Her eyes stare back at me as she absorbs the information, nodding slightly as she tilts her head to melt her lips into mine again. I can't help the smile that appears as I kiss her back, feeling utterly on fire even though my mouth is the only part that is being touched. When oxygen becomes an issue, she draws back and pecks my forehead.
"Right, how about we get some Vodka from the off-license and go back to mine? Think we've done enough gallivanting today." I give her cheek a chaste kiss and watch her lips curl before pushing myself up to stand.
"Sounds good to me."
I take a generous swig before I hand the bottle back to Naomi, moving to lie back down onto the patch of grass so I can look straight up to the sky. I tilt my head to the side and squint slightly, sure of what I see.
"Rabbit."
"What?" I look to Naomi who takes a swig of Vodka, turning to me all blurry eyed.
"It's a rabbit!" She follows where I point and tries to discern the rabbit through the clouds above us, twisting and turning her head yet never quite changing that look on her face – the one that tells me she can't see it.
"Don't see it, Ems." I puff and force myself up on my elbows, leaning close to her to guide her through it. I point and illustrate the angles but she just doesn't see it, no matter how many times she narrows those pretty eyes of hers.
"Think you've had enough drink f-for today." She slurs, barely capping the bottle before it falls down onto the grass beside us. She wobbles slightly as she sits there, eyes on the sky.
"Says you."
"Says me! I'm an expert in these things, Ems. And I can tell you in no uncertain terms that I call bullshit. There's no rabbit in the-oh my god, I see it!"
"See, I told you!" I cry out, whipping my head back to the sky in hopes to witness it one more time.
"No, it's a tortoise! Look!" I feel the frown form before I direct my eyes back to Naomi, who seems proud and full of herself as she gazes up in amazement to the sky. Yet it soon evens out as I watch her, my lips even curling into a firm smile as I fast become captivated by this look she carries. It's so carefree; so unlike Naomi and yet so Naomi. I think I'm still getting used to the fact that she's actually allowing me to see her in this light, so unreserved and natural. It's wonderful is what it is.
"Yeah, you're so not having anymore, Naoms." I announce, pulling the bottle to my side for safe measure. She turns her attention back to me and for a moment I expect her to say something snarky but instead she just smiles at me, all giddy and relaxed.
"You know Ems, you kinda look like tortoise." She confesses randomly as she inclines her head, peering through hooded eyes.
"Bloody hell, you really are drunk. Wait, how the fuck do I look like a tortoise?"
"All hunched and cute and barely moving at all." She mumbles, chuckling as she tries to reach for the bottle of Vodka which I grab and hold out of distance.
"No, no more for you.. Duckling." I giggle, placing the bottle down out of her grasp.
"Duckling? How the fuck do I look like a duckling? Is this about my nose, because the swellings gone down now?" She asks as she tentatively touches her nose, as if feeling self-conscious about it.
"I said duckling because the colour of your hair, you silly twat. It's the first animal I thought of."
"Could have called me a lion, won't get a mane like this anywhere else." She says shaking her head slightly, making the tresses sway from side to side. She then stops and crosses her arms, sniffing slightly.
"But no, you had to call me a duckling."
"Babe, you called me a tortoise."
"And I explained why, because you're all huddled and looking cute; at least mine made sense."
"Naoms, you're saying I have shell on my back."
"Now you're just m-manipulating what I said, you know I- argh, can't be bothered." She whines collapsing back onto the grass. I snicker slightly, watching her for a moment before I join her. A couple seconds later I hear Naomi's phone ring, causing her to curse a few times as she attempts to search for it on her person. I can't help but roll my eyes as I locate it in a heartbeat and pull it out for her, which she marvels at for a moment before she figures out how to answer it.
"Hello? Cook! Hi! No, I'm not drunk.." She exclaims giggling slightly as she looks away from me. I feel a pang of jealousy as I watch her smile with ease at listening to his words, wishing that I was the one putting the smile there in the first place. I don't think I'll ever understand their friendship, I mean, he's a tosser. He's clearly into her, and it's damn well uncomfortable to be around when he's trying it on, even when on the phone. Especially seeing that he kind of knows about how I feel about her.
"Can't Cook, busy." As she says this, she slips her hand into mine and just like that she reinstates her place back here in the garden with me; her eyes now on me as she offers me a side smile.
"Cook, fuck off yeah? I'll see you at college tomorrow." And just like that she hangs up and flings the phone down to the grass.
"Actually…" Her hand fiddles with the grass ends until she grasps the phone, and goes through it until she finds what she's looking for, moving the phone to hold over us in the air.
"What're you doing?" I inquire looking to her curiously as she leans close to me.
"What does it look like? If I have to explain this.."
"Okay, shut up." I sputter, turning to look at the phone just in time as she captures the moment with her phone. But as she looks at the screen, I detect a patent Naomi scowl emerging.
"Fuck sake, it's blurry." I snicker as I look at the image myself.
"Here, let me." I take the phone and hold it above our heads as I lean close to Naomi, making sure to take the picture as I do. I feel her tense slightly as she feels my lips connect rather sloppily with her cheek, but I persevere, determined to take a good picture. After it's done, I reflect happily before I take an individual shot of myself, handing the phone back to her.
"See, now you have a homescreen and contact picture."
"How sentimental." She teases, looking at the images before she puts the phone away with a small grin.
"Says the one who initiated it first."
"Shut up."
"Oh, hello love, didn't expect to see you here! I thought Naomi would be out all day with those flyers. You did hand them out, didn't you?" We sit up to see Gina standing by the backdoor with a smile on her lips, seeming noticeably at ease with the sight of us before her.
"Yes mum."
"Greg managed to get us some more, so I'll leave a couple for you on the table. Anyway, a few friends are going to be coming by later to stay for a while. Now, would you girls like some tea?" It's only now that I realise we're still holding hands as Naomi squeezes mine rather tightly. I look to Naomi who seems to be rather pissed off.
"I thought you weren't doing this anymore?" She asks, sounding rather strained as she speaks.
"Oh it's only for a few days, dear. Don't make such a fuss."
"Mum, the last time one of your 'friends' was here I had to invest in a new laptop; I lost all my work."
"You know Jenny never meant for that to happen."
"She sold my laptop!"
"And you know she tried to get that memory thing back for you. Nothing she could do once they sold it, love." She sighs heavily as she lets go of my hand, and I instantly miss her the second she does.
"Great, just great." She blusters getting up onto her feet, be it erratically.
"That was a long time ago, Naomi, and she needed our help."
"No, she didn't. You just bring all the strays into our house because you want to help them and I'm sick of it."
"Now you know it's not been like that nowadays since you told me how much it bothered you but we do have a house, Naomi. We have spare rooms and people need-"
"And what about what I need, mum? Fuck sake." She sniffs, shaking her head before reaching down and grabbing the bottle of Vodka.
"Naomi?" I call from the small patch of grass in the garden, watching disconcerted as she moves away. I manage to get up and follow her as she leaves through the side of the house, glancing back to Gina's melancholy looking face one last time as I do.
"Naomi?" I plea again, blinking several times in the hopes to see more clearly as I adjust the bag on my side. We've both drunk too much, and she's swigging back the final droplets from the bottle as she makes it to the front of her home. She finishes it off and dumps it into the recycling box before moving to her bike.
"Naomi, you shouldn't ride when you're like this. Naomi, just- will you stop?" She exhales loudly as she plops herself down onto the seat of the bike, trying to steady herself with her legs on either side of it. I walk to where she is feeling thankful that she's listening and knowing that she must be quite upset right now.
"Why don't you come back to mine?" Her eyes narrow, not exactly thrilled at the idea, which I can't exactly say I blame her for, really. I sigh softly, placing my hands over hers as they rest on the handlebars.
"Well I don't know, clearly you don't want to stay here."
"Was just gonna head to pub, meet up with Cook and Effy." And there it is again, that distinct weight that materialises out of nowhere to make me feel inadequate, insignificant. I know it's all on me, and that Naomi has no idea that she's indirectly causing this, but it hurts all the same. It's like she's trying to escape and she doesn't want me to go with her – like she'd rather be with them than me.
"Oh.."
"Yeah, so are you gonna get on or what?" I must narrow my brows because she rolls her eyes and moves the handlebar from side to side; watching the front wheel curl and straighten, curl and straighten, and curl and straighten.
"Well you're coming with me, right? So hop on." I feel the surge of warmth flutter through my heart, and increase its beat in a matter of moments. I allow it to fluctuate as I take a moment to enjoy the feeling before I try to regain some control.
"But we've been drinking."
"I don't think drink driving laws apply to bicycles, Ems. And anyway, I know what I'm doing so I won't be found unfit to ride.. If you're so worried, wear this." She offers, dragging us to the side slightly as she bends down and picks up a helmet. I can't help but cringe as I see it, which causes Naomi to cackle rather loudly.
"I think Katie was right; you really should change your wardrobe."
"For your information, it's not mine. But thanks for letting me know where you stand with certain designs." She grumps rolling her eyes, her hand still holding the helmet for me to take.
"Well go on then." She shoves the helmet in my hands and smirks at me.
"Argh, you're really gonna make me do this, aren't you?" I exhale as my eyes absorb the array of whites, yellows and lime greens.
"Sun won't shine forever, hun." She states straightening up on the seat and placing her hands back down onto the handlebars. I sigh profoundly and bring the helmet to my head, feeling it mentally scold me as I put it on. At least from this angle I won't be able to see the floral arrangement again.
"I thought you liked daisies anyway?"
"Shut up."
