A/N: It's a long AN so skip right ahead if you want to. So, I'm kinda surprised that there are actually so many viewers on a story, I would have never guessed. I found out that there was this traffic graph to track the story I've written 2/3 days after I have posted and to think that I thought only 2 person read it when it was bout 90 plus peeps, whew no pressure there. And, hello fellow Singaporean readers!

Anyway, a big thank you to those that have favorite, follow and review. It's greatly appreciated cause it's seems to be burning my desire to write.

Now about the story, I forgot to mention in the prelude that this story line was inspired by a drama called "The Fool", I just add in bit and pieces of my thoughts in it. Another thing is I don't really know my locations around UK so I try to avoid the mentions of places as much as I can, however, it'll pop up and if I'm wrong feel free to correct me. I might be updating the next chapter in a week or two because of a really busy work schedule next week, just a heads up.

Disclaimer: Nope, don't own Skins nor The Fool. No, I do not have a beta reader either.

Chapter 1

The eve of Naomi's birthday was spent at work, just like her every other day. She reports to the post office in the morning and greets her fellow colleagues. Before she even got to sit down when she reached her desk, she received some sort of trivial work that is out of her job scope. However, Naomi being one who cannot seem to refuse when asked to help readily takes on the assignment.

She rushed to finish her paperwork along with the additional work given to her before six in the evening and squeezed through the peak-hour crowd to get home for dinner. Reaching home to the smell of dinner wafting through the air and feel much more comforted that someone is waiting for her to return home every night.

Her mother, Gina Campbell, had brought home an orphaned infant who belonged to an insane friend of hers who believed that art pieces are worth much more after the artist has passed away. The mother of the infant committed suicide to prove that the statement was all but bullshit. Naomi was 5 years old then and she has taken James Cook who was 4 years younger to be her little brother ever since.

When Naomi was 19, Gina passed due to two consecutive strokes, Naomi only had Cook left. So, she did everything she could to play the roles of both parents to provide the proper care for him. She gave up her studies, got a job at British's post office to support the family and to prevent Social Welfare from taking Cook away from her since he was still under legal age. She would also read up on books to help Cook with schoolwork and counsel him whenever he needs some advice.

Cook behaved as much as a 15 years old pubescent boy could and played the role of a 'house-husband' or in their case 'house-brother' in the family. He took a part-time job at a pub to help with the expenses and as the pub actually operates in the morning, he would be home by mid-afternoon. He would tidy the house while Naomi is at work, cook dinner before she gets home and every once in a while, drag her to a nearby club to loosen up. The logic was simple, Cook only had Naomi left too.

Despite the odd system they have got going, it worked well for both of them.

"Cook, I'm home!" she shouted by the door. She found him in the kitchen as usual in his baby pink apron, a gift Naomi gave to him a few years back. Although the gift was bought on impulse and she meant it as a joke then, he has insisted on wearing every time he cooks. As soon as she stepped through the threshold of the kitchen, she is engulfed in a bear-hug which she returned in ease.

"Welcome home sis", Cook whispered in that rare affectionate tone that only she gets to hear before letting go and returning back to his exuberant mode. "So how's work today Naomikins? Managed to ask that bird of yours out for a date?" he asked as he brought dinner out to the yard, placing it on the wooden dining table where they have been dining alfresco for as long as they can remember.

It was a tradition started by Gina which she insisted that her children shall eat out in the open as often as they can. Unlike other families that sit around the television as they finish their meals, Gina wanted hers to enjoy the beauty of nature and life. So she sets out to make the short wooden table with her children and made them have their meals under the open sky whenever the weather permits.

"Work was tiring today but the good news is Thomas and Panda have officially got together", Naomi smirked thinking about how obvious it was that those two are head over heels for each other.

"Thank fucking finally!" Cook exclaimed before settling down by the table on the grass patch, prompting Naomi to sit down as well.

"You know 'that bird' of mine has like a dozen or so people going after her so no, I do not have a date with her…" Naomi continued with a loud sign to end her sentence.

"Don't worry. Cookie has got it all planned out for you", a sly grin appears as he produced two tickets from the back pocket of his jeans. "Here's your advanced birthday prezzie, use it to ask her out", he pressed it into Naomi's hand eagerly.

"Cook, you know you don't have to…" she started while she brought the tickets to eye level and read what the tickets were for. "…the Film Awards 2015 at 7pm. Film Awards! Holy Fuck! The Film Awards! Cook, what?!" she started to squeal as she stands up and threw herself into the arms of Cook's.

Cook caught himself with grunt before both of them fell over. "Jesus sis, I didn't see you getting this excited when you got your gifts last year", he started to drag her off when she peppered kisses on both his cheeks. "Ew… Fuck off Naoms!"

He took a black box placed beside the table and pushed it towards her shoulder, "your last gift, now calm your tits, ugh…"

She opened it up, picked up the spectacles within and eyed it with a slight frown before looking to Cook. "Umm…You know I don't wear specs Cook. I know I have a degree but it's only 20/20, why do you think I need one?" she questions with a puzzled look.

"It's a fashion statement! I read it in a lady's magazine the other day, it says it makes a girl look more attractive".

"By lady's magazine, do you happen to mean your porno mags?" she asked while putting the spectacles on.

"Yeah yeah, whatever," he says with a wave of his hand.

"How do I look?" she asked as she raised her eyebrow and gave Cook one of her radiant smile.

"You look mint, I'm sure your lady will agree to that date tomorrow".

"Yeah, thanks Cook" she ruffled his sandy blonde hair before returning to her seat by the table. They discussed the possibilities of how to broach the subject of Naomi's date tomorrow while finishing dinner.

Naomi made her way to work the next day via the tube with her new spectacles sitting on her cheek. While she was waiting for the tube to arrive, she saw the posters of Emily Fitch pasted along the walkways of the tube. A wide smile spreads across her face as she admired the poster, she whispered a "she's so pretty" to herself as she got onto the tube. She stopped by a coffee house and got two cups of coffee before reaching her office building.

She walked towards the reception desk of her office building with two cups of coffee in her hands. She wrote a quick note then attached both the note and a ticket onto the coffee. Just as she was placing the coffee on the designated area, she saw the other dozen or so cups there as well with notes like 'You're so beautiful today', 'Would you go on a date with me' and 'I HAVE A HUGE CRUSH ON YOU'.

'Jesus she sure is popular,' she thought wistfully as she leave for work.

"Miss Campbell!" her crush who had been occupying her thoughts lately called out to her.

"So-Sophia. Good Morning…" she paused, considering her choice of words to prolong the conversation. "Ho-how are you?" she stuttered out with a forced cheeriness. 'Really… That's how you keep the convo going?! C'mon you can do better than this' she started to close in on her thoughts when Sophia hit her in the shoulders.

"You fool!" Sophia took another hit to her right shoulder.

"Oww… What the fuck did I do?" Naomi asked indignantly.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?" Naomi was utterly confused by Sophia's outburst.

"If you like me, why didn't you tell me?" Sophia's answered with another to Naomi's left shoulder this time.

Naomi held her hands up to cover her shoulders before she receive another hit and rambled "Huh? I mean I didn't… No, I-I do, just…"

"Don't you..." Sophia cut in before Naomi could finish her sentence. "Don't you… Umm… Don't you…" Sophia paused seeming to think what to say next. "Fuck, I forgot my lines again. How the hell am I supposed to pass the auditions?!" she lets out a frustrated groan as she turned on her toes and stomped away.

Naomi follows beside Sophia as she went, "Lines? What do you mean by lines?"

"Lines," Sophia looked at Naomi with one eyebrow raised like as if that one word would explain it all. When Naomi still look at her with question marks, she continued with her explanation. "Like script lines. I'll be going for an audition to get the role in this new television series and become the next superstar," Sophia finished with a dreamily look in her eyes.

"Oh. Okay," Naomi replied unconvinced.

She snapped out of her dream-like state when both of them reached the reception desk, "And no, I'm not going with you to the Film Awards. That's so boring and I have more important things to attend to."

"But Emily Fitch is going! Isn't that worth going?" Naomi continued, hoping to persuade Sophia.

"What's the big deal about her? I'm sure she's just a bitch back stage when the camera's not looking" Sophia walked away ending the conversation.

"No, she's not," Naomi answered petulantly to nobody but herself. 'I'm sure she's a lovely person.'

Meanwhile, on a flight back home from Paris was the Fitch twins seated in the First Class seats. A middle-aged man with scruffy hair and a beer-belly was walking along their aisle when he accidentally bumped into the flight attendant. This resulted in a spilled cup of orange juice cascading down the man's beige coloured fur coat and onto the carpeted floors.

"You idiot," he exclaimed as he took off his coat. "Do you know how much this coat cost me?! How do you expect me to wear it with this huge stain on it? It's going to stain it for good!" he continues to scold the attendant in his fake posh accent while the stewardess was apologising profusely.

"That's enough," Emily Fitch who was sitting by the aisle seat took of her shades looking up into the eyes of the unreasonable man.

"Emily," Katie warned, unsure of what Emily was going to do and being her manager meant that she has a responsibility to ensure that it was nothing that would spoil Emily's celebrity image.

Emily reached out towards the man with a charming smile to signal him to pass her his coat. When the man recognise it was Emily Fitch, one and only in person, he immediately shut up as a face-splitting grin spread across his face. He obediently passed her his coat and realised a second later that Emily was marking her signature at the back of it. She handed it back to him with a genuine smile (as genuine as years of acting has allowed her to) before saying "since you can't wear it anymore, might as well admire it".

The man let out a throaty chortle feeling appeased as he thanked her and walked away without another glance to the attendent. The air stewardess giving her a wide smile with a nod of her head to acknowledge and thank Emily for her help.

"Nice save Emsy, thought you would've blew your top on that one though. Anyway before I forget," Katie lowered her voice to a whisper when pronouncing the name, "Miss Shanick, has got a box of jewellery sent to our house to congratulate you for tonight's ceremony" she informed with an eye roll.

Emily puts her sunglasses back on and this time a true honest smile tugged the corner of her lips when she turned to Katie, "Got it, Kay. Thanks."

"Better thank her when we touchdown," with that Katie went back to reading her magazine.

'Yeah. I will," were Emily's last thoughts before she drifted off for a nap.

Naomi walked into her department finding Kieran, the department head, standing at the pantry and holding a discussion with Thomas, Panda and JJ.

"Good Morning!" Naomi called out with enthusiasm as she approached them. The others replied with so much as a nod of their heads other than Panda that greeted back with equal amount of cheeriness. "Notice anything different today?"

The 4 of them looked on for a moment, "No, Campbell, you would look different the day you actually sign me some policies," sarcasm dripping in Kieran's reply. "Do you see anything Tomone?"

"I'm sorry sir, no, I do not notice anything amiss from Miss Campbell today…" Thomas Tomone, working in the sales department with Naomi, looked towards Panda and JJ who were sitting to the left of him, both of them shaking their heads as well.

"New hairstyle perhaps. Have you gotten it trim Miss Campbell?" that was Jonah Jeramiah Jones, JJ in short, the department's statistical reporter.

"Yeah, that it lass?" Kieran asked.

"No. Somewhere on my face?" Naomi asked again hopeful that they will notice this time.

The 4 of them leaned closer towards Naomi's face, scrutinising every inch of her face and finally, Pandora Moon, also known as Panda. She's the receptionist for their department, raised her hand with a look of eureka. "I know, you've got new whacky earrings!" Panda shouted when Naomi acknowledged her raised hand.

"No..." Naomi said keeping up her smile. "I've got a new specs on. See," Naomi then took the spectacles off then put it on again to show the contrast.

They all leaned back and walked back to their respective seats whispering something along the lines of "I thought she has always worn specs?"

Naomi remove the huge frame from her face and returned to her work unfazed by their lack of response. The day got on as she tried to make sales to businesses on the policies which the postage was trying to sell. The only change was Kieran interfering before going to lunch, telling Naomi that she needs to start hitting the quota if she wants to continue working.

After Naomi has helped the postage department sent a package to the delivery office, she went back to her seat to collect her bag and head towards the concert hall where the Film Awards would be held.

Naomi ended up attending the show alone and as the stars were making their entrance, she squeezed through the crowd in time to see Emily Fitch stepping onto the red carpet. As Emily walked towards Naomi's end of the barrier, a bunch of fangirls begged Emily to take a picture with them. Just when Emily was about to leave, Naomi stretched out her hand shyly towards Emily's direction and looked up through her lashes to see Emily shaking it as she passed.

Naomi still stunned by what had taken place stood rooted to the spot when the crowd started to make their way into the concert hall after the last of the stars have went in. She held her right hand, moving it above her chest with all her teeth shown through her wide grin as she started moving along in daze. She sat amongst teenage girls throughout the whole ceremony. Apparently, Cooks' tickets were meant for the free-sitting area.

The ceremony drones on until Miss Shanick was introduced to give away the Best Actress Award of the year. Miss Shanick was an up and coming businesswomen and daughter of an ex-lawyer, current minister who is undergoing elections. She walked up to the mike with a card, announced the award to be given out and did the customary paused for suspense effect before reading "Emily Fitch" to the audience. As the saying goes, the crowd goes wild and so did Naomi as she screamed her lungs out with the other fans.

Emily Fitch, deserving of this award, acted out a surprise expression for the camera. When in actual fact, she has already been informed beforehand to attend the rehearsal which she had missed. She did the pleasantry hugs and air-kisses to those who came to congratulate her then made her way onto the stage. She walked towards Miss Shanick who was a good few inches taller than her, took a bouquet of flower from her hands before giving her a hug that was longer than necessary.

When Emily went forth to the mike to make the usual speech awarders would make to thank their producers and fans when they receive a prize, Miss Shanick seemed too enraptured by Emily. The cameramen zoomed in on Emily's features during the speech, apparently noting the beauty of the jewellery donned on her. When the speech ended, Naomi clapped with vigour, touched by the simple thanks from Emily Fitch to her fans. Unbeknownst to Naomi, Cook was sitting behind their house's television watching the ceremony unfold as the camera turned and panned in on Naomi's area.

There was an undeniable bounce in her step and a gigantic smile on her face as Naomi was walking to the bus station after the Film Awards have ended. She took out her mobile phone to check the pictures she have captured during the ceremony hoping that there will be at least a few good ones. To her disappointment, almost all the pictures were blurred up.

"Bollocks, some shit photography skills I have" she scolded.

A few more steps in and a smile crept onto her face again. 'At least I managed to shake her hand just now, not sure if I'll be washing it tonight' she thought to herself. The thought that she spent her birthday in the same room with the women of her fascination definitely made it the best present she had in years and she reminded herself to thank her brother again when she get home.

Then, a loud screech from behind brought her out of her musings and she turned just in time to see a silver coloured car swerving towards her. She started to panic and was rooted to the spot, looking on with wide eyes as the ominous white light approached closer. Seconds passed slowly as her body started to act on its own accord; she crouched down, holding her hands up to provide some form of protection for her head and screamed out loud.

Just when she thought that her birthday was going to be marked as her death anniversary, the car turned and pulled to a stop in front of her. She fell onto her butt, toppling the rubbish bins behind her and took in a few deep breaths trying to calm her racing heart.

A few seconds later, she looked up towards the passenger side of the car and heard a sweet husky voice with a hint of shock in them asking her to get into the driver's seat. When she still remained on the ground, the same instruction came from the passenger again only this time more insistent and with a sense of urgency. She made her way to the other side of the car, sat down and started to process what had happened.

She noted that the presence of the driver was no longer there when she got into the car. Before she managed to put a word in, the female passenger broke the silence. "I need you to pretend that you were the one driving, okay?" she pleaded. "I don't have time to explain but please, just for the next 5 minutes".

Just when she was going to ask what was going on, a sound came from the roof of the car and the door was yanked open. A man with tanned skin and shaggy brown hair started snapping pictures with the DSLR camera that hung around his neck. The pleased smirk plastered on his face faded when he noticed it was Naomi in the seat.

The man then surveyed the entire car then laid his eyes on her and finally to the passenger. "Where the fuck is she?!" he yelled with a sneer on his face. "Answer me, Emily Fitch! Where the fuck is Mandy?!" he repeated while moving back, clicking away on his camera around the surrounding and looking around for this Mandy person, hoping to spot her somewhere.

Maybe due to the shock or the ridiculous beach hat at this time of the night, Naomi turned at breakneck speed and for the first time after being in the driver's seat realised that it was British's finest female actress, top model and her fascination during the Film Awards, Emily Fitch.

"Fuck me…" Naomi muttered softly so the man could not hear. Partially meaning her words literally and partially figuratively.

"What the hell are you?" the man continued, directing his words towards Naomi while lowering his camera.

"Mr McClair, I think I may have injure my neck. Will you please call the ambulance for me?" Emily calmly requested, turning stiffly to look in Naomi's direction to prevent any more questions from being directed at Naomi.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Katie fought her way through the barrage of questions from the swamp of reporters outside and got to level where the private wards were situated at. She found Emily with a guest in her room and greeted politely before urging Emily to start filling her in. After a quick round of introductions between Katie and Naomi, Emily started updating Katie on what had transpired that led her to the hospital while Naomi stood by the corner quietly comprehending the night's event.

Once they were done forming a plan, Katie approached Naomi and put on her manager role. "Okay, Miss Campbell," she began. A realisation of the postal worker's name passed through her mind and she wanted to mock Naomi but knew that it is probably not the best idea when you want to ask someone for help. "We've got a shitload to go through so let's cut to the chase. How much are you asking for?" Katie prepared herself just in case she needed to negotiate if the price was too unreasonable.

"I've not said a word actually," Naomi replied noticing that both similar pair of eyes in the room were now looking at her.

"Yeah, I know that," Katie gave Naomi an eye roll. "I meant how much you are going to ask to keep schtum about this"

"Well, it's not my fault if you do not know how to ask a question, is it?" Naomi bit back, unable to tolerate Katie's rudeness. "There's no need to be rude and I wasn't going to ask for anything," Naomi looked at Emily as she was saying that.

"It's okay Miss Campbell, just name your price, there's no need for fishing." Emily cut in before Katie could reply.

"We would do our best to satisfy your terms," Katie finished, once again putting on her professional image when she started to see that Naomi was either a dumb blonde (even though Katie could tell she was a bottled-blonde, it was just an expression) or a very smart blonde that knew how to play dumb.

"No, no, really," Naomi said while lightly shaking her head. "I'm a big fan of yours Emily Fitch and to be able to help you is such an honour. Not to mention that today was my birthday and being in your presence… Oh wait, I-I mentioned it." Naomi let out an awkward chuckle with a scratch to her head before continuing.

"Anyway, what I'm trying to say is I know you won't remember me after today but for me, this secret is ours. It's special and this itself is sort of a really great present for my birthday." she finished with as much sincerity as she can put into those words.

Emily observed Naomi's behaviour throughout her little speech and was more than amused with how Naomi was behaving. She was still uncertain if Naomi would walk out the room and start blabbing about what had taken place. "Surely, there must be something you would want in return?" Emily asked once more, hoping to break through this act of Naomi, if it was an act.

A thought occurred to Naomi, "There is something…"

"Spill then," Katie spat out as her patience wore thin. Her actions received a sharp glare from Emily who have thought that she finally found something to bribe Naomi with.

"Signatures," Naomi stated. "I would like to your signature Emily Fitch. Nine of them to be exact."

Emily looked to Katie face with a surprised written all over it and was pretty sure that her face held one of a similar expression.

Naomi was watching Emily proceed with her request in awe. The moment the nine papers with Emily's name signed in screaming black marker were placed into Naomi's hands, she bowed with such respect that once again left the Fitch twins in stunned silence. "Thank you, I really can't explain to you how special you've made my birthday."

As the Fitch twins were being chauffeured home from the hospital in their private car-van, they stopped at a traffic light. Coincidently, it was beside the bus Naomi had boarded and Emily caught sight of Naomi in her periphery vision.

She turned to see Naomi flipping through the autographs in her seat. Naomi was wearing such joy on her face as she let out a chuckle before covering her mouth to stop herself and looked around to ensure that no one had saw what she did. Then, she let out a deep sigh and contentment washed over her face.

A warm feeling filled Emily's heart seeing Naomi's reaction to something as simple as ink on paper and she pondered as the car drove off, 'Six more months and things will be back to normal. I'll find happiness again.'