Hey all, or rather you, yes you, that is reading this right now, thank you for reading. ( As well as alerting, favoriting, and or reviewing if any or all of the above apply to you).

Again, sorry it's been a bit. I'm really not trying to make a week timespan between chapters a habit. Life just sort of gets distracting sometimes hah.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that reviewed! You're lovely. HappyAsIAm.x, phantomfundraiser, hrtbts, LoveTypeThing-SureTypeThing, gayasawindow :)

Let me know what you think!

I don't own Skins or anything of the sort.

P.S. Just remember it's a Naomily marathon my friends, not a sprint ;)

Chapter VII: I'd be lying if I did now say I wasn't intrigued

..

..

The next few weeks pasted in a blur, as they sometimes do. Only little vignettes of memories sticking out in hindsight. Naomi hadn't talked to Math Girl, Emily, since that walk back from class. Though the redhead did accept her friend request. It was happenstance Naomi saw her everywhere, but that coincidence seemed to end at sightings. Or for the time being at least.

Naomi: Ohmygod.

Alex: What?

Naomi: she accepted my friend request.

Alex: pictures.

Alex: now.

Naomi rolled her eyes.

Naomi: I haven't even looked at her profile properly and you're already trying to creep?

Alex: I've already tried to creep. Let's be serious. But I can't see any of her information, she's got that set private.

Naomi: You've already tried to?

Alex: Oh, don't act like you're surprised. Pictures. Now.

Naomi shook her head at her best friend as she began to click through Emily's photos. 74 in total. Naomi copy and pasted the URL of a few choice photos to Alex.

Alex: Ooo

Naomi: Satisfied?

Alex: Quite.

Alex: She's cuuute Naomi. Well done.

Naomi: Shut up.

Naomi: You think?

Alex: Definitely.

Naomi: Do you think she's…you know

Alex: Do I think she's what?

Naomi let out a sigh, Alex was going to make her ask.

Naomi: Do you think she's, you know, gay?

Alex: What's her information say?

Naomi: Doesn't.

Alex: Status?

Naomi: Doesn't.

Alex: Hmm. Well that's not necessarily bad. Actually I think that's a good sign.

Naomi: You think?

Alex: Definitely. If she were completely straight, it would say so.

Naomi's heartbeat increased a bit. She didn't know why she cared so much about the answer. It's not like it affected her either way. But really, she knew it would effect her, either way.

"Shall we?" A familiar voice pulled her out of her thought. The mystery of Math Girl, of Emily, would have to wait to be solved until later.

"What?" Naomi said shaking her head back to the present. "Yeah." She stood up from her chair.

Sophia entered her room and walked toward Naomi's bed.

"So how are we going to do this?" She asked.

"I figure we each start on a side," Naomi said pointing to the foot of her bed as she walked toward the head, "Then we just sort of slide it down, and take it to the hall?"

"Sounds like a plan." Sophia nods.

With a bit of a struggle the two girls pulled Naomi's bed off of its lofted frame dropping it onto the floor with a thud.

"Bugger, Naomi, I feel bad." Panda said walking into the room to her roommate's mattress on the floor. "You don't have to do this."

"No its fine Panda, you haven't seen him in ages." Naomi assured her.

Justin, Panda's boyfriend, was coming up to visit for the weekend. So rather than dealing with the awkwardness of Panda and her boyfriend wanting to 'surf n turf' while she's in the room she opted to just move into Effy and Sophia's room for the weekend. After Sophia offered and Effy agreed that is.

"Whizzer!" Panda smiled. "Thank you so much Naomi! You're a bloody saint!"

Naomi smiled as she followed Sophia out the door with her mattress. Dragging it down the hall with Sophia; slowly walking into what she called sexile.

With both Sophia's and Effy's desks located under their lofted beds there was plenty of space for Naomi's mattress which was unceremoniously dropped in the middle of the room.

Both Naomi and Sophia sunk down onto Naomi's new makeshift bed catching their breath. The move cost more energy than either was willing to admit. Effy let out a chuckle. She was perched in her bed, sketchbook in hand, looking amused after witnessing the two girls struggle.

Panda skipped into the room. "Seriously, thanks again Naomi."

Naomi waved her off, this being the tenth time Panda has thanked her in the last twenty-four hours. "Stop thanking me. Just promise me you'll get some so you stop mentioning every hour how long it's been since you've last done it."

Panda grinned.

"No problemo Naomio." She giggled at her own phrasing. Then added in a more serious tone, "And remember if Alex ever visits I'll do you the same. I can come stay here if she comes, right Eff?" She looked up at the brunette.

"Sexile Island is always open to castaways." Effy smirked.

"Wait what?" Naomi said confused at Panda's offer. "Why would you need to be out the room if Alex visited?"

"You know," Panda leaned forward slightly, raising her eyebrows, "So you could surf n' turf."

Naomi let out a high laugh before going silent realizing Panda was being serious. Her heart increased a bit.

"Alex?" She questioned, "…I'm not dating Alex."

"Oh?" Panda said now furrowing her brows. "You're not?"

"No!" Naomi said a bit louder than she intended. "Why would you think that?"

"Well, because you know, you're always talking to her…" Panda offered as if it were obvious.

"She's not my girlfriend." Naomi said suddenly aware of the surprised expressions on all the faces in the room. "I'm not, I'm not gay." She added looking around at the three girls in the room. Suddenly uncomfortable with all the attention on her.

Even as she said the words her mind instantly went to Emily. She wasn't though, she wasn't gay. She just…Emily just intrigued her. That was all. That was all she told herself.

Naomi let out a sigh running her hand through her hair. She didn't have a problem with gay people, her best friend was gay for Christ's sake. She prided herself on being a straight ally. But this always happened. People always assumed she was gay. And it always made her uneasy when they did so. And it shouldn't because it was silly really, why did it matter what people assumed, correct or not? But it did.

"Sorry," Panda said looking a bit confused, "You just never really mentioned any boys…"

Naomi shrugged as if it didn't phase her, "It's fine. You're not the first who thought I was, doubt you'll be the last." She offered up a small smile, trying to will the awkwardness in the room away. Very aware of the different yet equally unsettling looks she was receiving from Sophia and Effy.

"Ladies!" A deep voice rang out and into the room. "Looks like you're missin' a bit of the Y chromosome in here."

"Why are you here?" Naomi retorted, looking up to see Cook lazily leaning against the doorjamb.

"To see you Blondie, why else?" Cook smirked.

"Tosser."

"Ya love me."

Naomi rolled her eyes. Though if she were being completely honest, she was grateful for the break in awkwardness. The focus now off of her.

"So's this the shagging bed then?" He asked plopping himself down in between Sophia and Naomi on the mattress. "Convenient location. I like it."

"This is my bed." Naomi replied shifting so they're no longer touching.

"Didn't answer my question." He quipped, "but I'll take that as a yes."

Naomi rolled her eyes.

"Seriously though, why are you here?"

"Oh right, always all business, how could I forget." He sighed dramatically, "just trying to be a bit sociable and all."

Naomi looked at him expectantly.

"JJ wanted me to give you this." He said handing her a folder. "Guess he got started early on the next project, wanted your opinions."

"Oh," Naomi stated, "thanks."

Cook nodded but didn't get up.

"What d'you want Cook"

"Just to know the names of your lovely friends is all." He coos. "Well and to tell you bout a party tonight. Which," he adds looking to each of the girls in the room, "you're all invited to might I add."

"And why would we come?" Naomi retorted.

"Because we're chums," he said playfully booping the tip of her nose with his index finger. She swatted it away. "An it'll be a bloody good party. An you can get pissed an make poor life choices wif me. I'm real good for that, I am." He winked.

"We're not friends." Was Naomi's only response.

"Aw," he grabbed his over his heart and falls back onto her bed as if she'd shot him. "I'm hurt." He feigns with a grin.

Naomi rolled her eyes.

..

..

Naomi had decided to stay in for the night. Didn't really feel up to drinking. She'd been thinking too much again. Tomorrow night they were all going out to dinner and then to a party off campus anyway.

Panda was off with Justin doing who knows what, well Naomi had a very good idea what, she just rather not think about it. Effy was over at Tony's like every other Friday night.

So Naomi sat on the curb of the sidewalk outside her dorm with Holly and Sophia. She had spent the evening with the two, neither of which drank, so she figured it was a safe bet. The three had been hanging out in Sophia's room until they got bored and decided to walk around.

Sober and bored Naomi sat on the curb: a thrilling Friday night. She leaned forward resting her head on her propped up arms Sophia stood up mumbling something about something in her car and wondered off down the car park.

Holly and Naomi began chatting about the class they had together, a literature class titled "Great Ideas" which all freshman were required to take, or as most of the students preferred to call it "Great Fucking Ideas."

A figure walked out from the dark through the car park toward the two girls. As the person approached Naomi realized it was not a returning Sophia, but some guy. Weaving slightly as he walked he saw the girls and headed toward them.

Coming into the light Naomi noticed two things right away, besides being obviously drunk; he seemed almost unreasonably happy and had a very endearing smile.

"Holly!" he bellowed cheerily. "What you up to on this fine night?"

The boy had dirty blonde hair and eyes almost as blue as her own. His cheeks were a shade pink she supposed was from drink or maybe the cool night air.

"Hi Will," Holly returned the smile, "Just sitting." She answered shortly, not furthering the conversation.

"Aw, you guys didn't go out?" He asked. Naomi noticed he had an Irish accent.

"No, quiet night in." She answered.

"Where's the fun in that?"

Holly rolled her eyes. "Don't always need drink and a party to have fun you know?" Holly didn't really fancy being around drunk people, found them annoying. It was one of the reasons Naomi hadn't spent a whole lot of time with her. While Naomi certainly was not in the league of Effy or the boys at her brothers flat, she did enjoy drinking.

"I know, I know," he agreed, "But can't hurt the fun right?" he grinned at Naomi looking for support, swaying a bit.

"Will," Holly sighed, "Go to bed." She obviously not wanting to deal with a drunken kid.

"Yeah, yeah," he waved her off jovially, "All in time love."

Naomi quirked an eyebrow. Holly must know him from one of her classes; she didn't recognize him from their floor.

After a long fifteen minutes of Holly trying to convince a quite drunk Will that he should just head off to bed, and leave them alone, he concedes. The two girls are now standing, Holly gently nudging Will in the direction of his dorm.

As he was about to walk off Naomi noticed his shirt for the first time, it was a brown band t-shirt.

"You know Matt Nathanson?" She asked aloud automatically, as she read his shirt. Matt Nathanson was scrawled across it over a sketch of a tree.

"You know Matt Nathanson?" he asked incredulously, his face lighting up.

"Yeah," Naomi said speaking of the American singer, "he's one of my favourites."

His face looked like Christmas morning at Naomi's statement. He wrapped her up in his arms in a huge hug, picking her feet right up off the ground, twirling her round. Naomi is taken completely off guard. She was not a hugger, even with her friends, let alone a complete stranger.

He finally put her down after a few spins. Looking past the inappropriate hug, she was impressed they didn't tumble over considering how drunk he was.

"I love Matt Nathanson!" He enthused, "Not too many people know of him."

"I know." Naomi couldn't help but smile back. "He's lovely live."

A childlike grin seemingly now permanent on his face he looked at Naomi properly. "What'd you say your name was again?"

"Naomi."

She heard Holly let out a frustrated sigh. Will seemingly had no intention now of leaving.

"Sophia!" Holly said looking over Naomi's shoulder. Will and Naomi had been talking music since she noticed his shirt. "Where'd you go?" she asked.

Naomi turned in time to see Sophia giving her and Will, who was still standing close since their hug, a skeptical look.

"Was a bit chilly, went and got a jumper," Sophia said pulling at the fabric of the jumper she now wore. Never talking her eyes away from looking between Naomi and Will, "I'm gona tuck in for the night."

..

..

Later that night Naomi was laying on her bed in sexile. It was dark in the room besides the light emitting from her laptop screen, which was perched on her stomach as she typed. Sophia had gone to bed an hour or so before.

Alex: THEY WHAT?

Naomi: YEAH! They thought we were dating.

Alex: Bollocks.

Naomi: Like you were my proper girlfriend and shit.

Alex: HAHAHAHA

Naomi: Right?

Alex: Haha oh that is too good. Can I hold your hand when I visit?

Naomi: Haha not funny. Apparently everyone things I'm gay anyway, don't need to give them another reason to.

Alex: Hahaha aw come on, it'd be all cute. Malex style.

Naomi: What style?

Alex: MALEX. Ohmygod.

Naomi: Pardon?

Alex: FROM THE OC! MALEX!

Naomi: What are you fucking going on about? Malex? Is that even a word?

Alex: Sometimes I don't know how we're friends. Malex. As in Marissa Cooper and Alex Kelly from The O.C., that American show I've been telling you to watch for forever now.

Naomi: The lesbian smut show?

Alex: NO! That's The L Word. You've seen The O.C., I've made you watch it with me!

Naomi: Did I?

Alex: California, beaches, Olivia Wilde, hand holding, Rachael Yamagata, Olivia Wilde. Did I mention Olivia Wilde?

Naomi: Oooh. Girl with the purple streak in her hair?

Alex: Ugh. Yes.

Naomi: What about it?

Alex: You're hopeless. Nevermind. So they really thought I was your girlfriend?

Naomi: Yes! And apparently all of them did.

Alex: hahah. Aw man. Not to break your heart mate, but you're not exactly my type.

Naomi rolled her eyes.

Naomi: Right back at you.

Alex: Yeah, now maybe if I dyed my hair bright red…

Naomi: Sod off.

Alex: Oh come on. Don't tell me you're still on about not liking her.

Naomi: I don't.

Alex: that's shit and you know it.

Naomi: I don't…she just..

Alex: Intrigues you yeah, yeah. So you've said. But are you ever intrigued by something you don't like?

Naomi rolled her eyes at her friend. A habit that had increased as of late.

Alex: You don't have the stones to admit you like her just yet. I get it. But don't think you're fooling me even if you are trying to kid yourself.

Naomi let out a sigh. What was she suppose to say to that?

"Hey…"

Naomi jumped. She didn't realize Sophia was still awake.

"Could you like stop typing…I can't fall asleep…sorry" the brunette mumbled from up in her bed.

"Sorry, yeah." Naomi apologized. "I didn't realize you were still awake."

Naomi: I've got to go.

Alex: Oh don't be all upset I'm just saying what we both already know.

Naomi: No I'm not mad. Though you're a complete prick. Sophia says that the typing is keeping her up.

Alex: What? What are you banging on the keyboard or something?

Naomi: No. I don't know. I'm off.

Alex: That's bollocks. She's probably just jealous you're talking to your girlfriend.

Naomi: Shut up. Arse.

Alex: Gnite lover.

Naomi: I'm rolling my eyes at you. Gnight.

Naomi shut the screen to her laptop and placed it on the floor next to her. She looked up at the ceiling in the dark room as her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness. She let out a shaky breath placing the heels of her hands into her eyes. She didn't even know the girl told herself. She liked the girl. She admitted to herself.