A/N: I started to write the next chapter and realised it was going to be really long so I've split it. Hopefully I can still do the twists and turns without it being left hanging (I did promise).

This story is far more angsty than I anticipated, possibly because I'm not having a great time at work at the moment so I'm taking some of my frustration out on this. But please let me know if it's getting a bit irritating as I'd hate it if people stopped reading because they got bored or hacked off.

Thanks for the reviews and I really do hope you're still enjoying this. I will update soon as quite a bit of the next chapters are already written.

Naomi stood awkwardly in the corner of the room holding a beer, she'd helped Effy set everything up and music was blaring from the speakers that JJ and Cook had hooked up to the docking station for them. She glanced around, the house was filling up at an alarming rate so word must have got round. Parties at the Stonem residence tended to be big events mainly because of Effy's brother Tony's reputation. It looked like everyone was expecting Effy to take over his mantle and give them a night to remember, or rather a night which was so good that you couldn't actually remember it yourself but could piece it together like an elaborate jigsaw from other people's accounts.

There were a fair few people from school here too which always made Naomi nervous. She was happy letting her hair down with a few close friends but she didn't want to make a twat of herself in front of the whole school, she'd never live it down. She jumped as someone grabbed her waist.

"Alright babes, you look like a teacher at a school disco." Cook said laughing.

"Fuck off Cook, it's ok for you, no one expects you to be anything other than a good time party boy. How can I give detention to people if all they're thinking when they look at me is 'she got wasted at that party and made a dick of herself', I'd have no credibility or authority at all." Naomi replied indignantly.

Cook rolled his eyes, "Jesus Naomi, why don't ya live a little. You're 17 not bloody 70, actually that's probably an insult to 70 year olds. Have a few shots of tequila, maybe a pill or two and chill the fuck out."

Naomi sighed, Cook had never understood her reluctance to get wasted in front of anyone other than a select few people. It all boiled down to the control thing again she supposed, she didn't want to be in a situation where she was out of control unless it was with people she trusted. That meant she only got drunk with people she knew really well and she never did drugs, that was too scary to contemplate. She looked around the room again and heard Cook chuckle.

"Searching for anyone in particular?" he said with a knowing smirk.

Naomi tried to look nonchalant but knew she had failed miserably, it was obvious she was scanning the room for Emily. They hadn't spoken since the classroom 'incident' and text message earlier in the week but on the few occasions their paths crossed they had managed to smile at each other. She hoped they could at least have a conversation tonight, a small step towards being back to the way they were. Yeah and maybe more than a conversation, she thought and then blushed, she was really trying not to think too far ahead but all these thoughts kept popping into her brain and she was finding it hard to stop them. She was brought out of her thoughts by a nudge from Cook. She followed his line of sight.

"Cook, that's Katie, you can usually tell by the way she's dressed." Naomi said dismissively.

Cook raised his eyebrow, "I know that's slapper red, but if she's here then lezza red probably ain't too far behind. I thought you was the clever one here."

"It's were the clever one, I thought you were the clever one. Jesus, how did you get into the sixth form Cook?" Naomi responded.

Cook pretended to look hurt, "That's one of the things I really don't miss, ya know that? Always correctin' me."

Naomi pushed him, "You know you love it really."

He winked at her, "Makes me a better man, babe. Oh and I got into sixth form by seein' to Harriet, right little goer she is, couldn't get enough of the cookie monster."

Naomi spluttered, "Cook you can't go round saying things like that, people might believe you."

Cook raised his hands, "I can't help it if women can resist me."

Naomi rolled her eyes and was about to make some sarcastic reply when she spotted Emily across the room, she didn't mean to stare but she couldn't help herself. It wasn't anything to do with what she was wearing or anything like that it was just everything about Emily made her skin tingle. The redhead obviously felt her staring because she paused and turned to look at Naomi, she smiled and gave her a half wave. Naomi raised her hand in greeting back and Cook patted her on the shoulder.

"Right that's my cue to disappear. If you change your mind about the tequila or pills come and find me later." He said before walking off.

"Cook don't leave me alone," the blonde hissed but she realised it was too late. He'd gone and the redhead was making her way over. Just act normally, be calm and cool, Naomi repeated to herself.

"Hey Emily, how's it hangin'?" she said in a weird voice as the redhead reached her. For fuck's sake, what the hell was that? she thought as she inwardly groaned.

Emily stared at her, "Are you ok? You're not pissed already are you?"

Naomi stood like a rabbit in the headlights, before shaking her head and laughing, "Sorry I really don't know why I said that, what a tit. House parties make me nervous because you tend to know most of the people you make a fool of yourself in front of."

Emily smiled, "God I wondered if some weird hippy friend of your Mum's had inhabited your body."

Naomi shrugged, "Like I said nerves make me do stupid things."

"So you plan to make a fool of yourself tonight do you? This I have to see, so let me know when it's going to happen." Emily said with a grin.

Before she could stop herself Naomi replied, "It'll probably be something to do with you so you'll already be there."

They both looked away awkwardly and started to blush. It was Naomi who turned back first.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud. Let's change the subject. So, how have you been?" Naomi enquired.

Emily looked at her and raised her eyebrow, "Before or after you fucked me in a classroom and walked away?"

Naomi flinched, "I thought we sorted that out."

Emily sighed, "Sorry, we did. It meant a lot to me that you apologised, it was big of you to admit you were in the wrong."

Naomi stared at her incredulously, "What do you mean I apologised? You were the one who apologised to me. I didn't admit anything."

"Yes you did, you sent me a text to say that you didn't mean to be so detached when we, you know, had sex and that you were sorry about the detentions impacting on my university application." Emily replied indignantly.

Naomi scoffed, "No I didn't. You sent me a text saying that you really wanted what happened in the classroom to happen and that you were sorry for using Melissa to make me jealous."

They stood facing each other off, each refusing to back down. Suddenly Melissa appeared at Emily's side.

"There you are, I thought you'd abandoned me." She said to the redhead.

Naomi sneered, "What the fuck is she doing here? There's no way Effy would have invited her."

"I invited her, she's with me, sort of like a date. Do you have a problem with that?" Emily spat back at her.

Naomi shook her head, "No, no problem at all, what, or who, you do in your spare time is of no interest to me. I guess that proves you didn't send the text though, I thought it was far too nice for a two faced bitch like you."

Emily found her hand involuntarily connecting with the blonde's face as she slapped her, "How fucking dare you speak to me like that."

Naomi's hand flew up to her cheek and she looked sadly at the redhead, immediately Emily started to apologise but the blonde stopped her.

"I think you've made your point Emily, enjoy the rest of the party." She turned and walked away.

As she was going Emily heard her shout, "Cook, where are you? I want that fucking tequila."

Next to her Melissa has her hand over her mouth, "Jesus Em, what the hell just happened?"

Emily shook her head, "I don't know, it doesn't matter, it's nothing."

Melissa didn't have the sense to stop, "But it can't have been nothing for you to slap her, everyone was staring."

"Melissa, why don't you just leave it alone for once? It was nothing, ok? I'm going to get a drink." She made her way to the kitchen and saw everyone watching her as she went.

Well Naomi was right about one thing the talking point of the night so far is definitely something to do with me, she thought with a sigh.

Effy was in the garden having a fag when Panda bounded up to her.

"Alright Eff, wizzer party and Tommo is here so I can find him later and snog his face off." The blonde girl said.

Effy smiled, "Sounds like a plan Pandapops."

Panda grinned at her, "So what about you? Have you worked out who your next victim will be yet?"

Effy rolled her eyes, "Jesus Panda, you make me sound like a stalker or a psycho. But no I'm not looking for anyone or anything tonight. Bigger fish to fry."

Panda looked excited, "Like what? I'll be your wingman if you like. I mean I know it's normally Naomi's job but she's not going to be much use is she?"

Effy stared at her, "What do you mean?"

Panda gulped, "Err, I don't mean to tell tales or anything..."

"Spit it out Panda." Effy said.

Panda sighed, "Well after she had the argument with Emily..."

"What argument with Emily?" Effy asked.

"I dunno, she was chatting with Emily and then they started to argue and Emily slapped her. After that she found Cook and started doing tequila shots." Panda filled her in.

A look of panic crossed Effy's face, "Did anyone else see her fighting with Emily?"

Panda nodded, "Everyone in the room was staring at them."

"Oh fuck this is bad, really bad. Naomi will freak if she thinks people are talking about her. And she's doing shots of tequila?" Effy said.

Again the blonde girl nodded, "I think she might have taken a pill as well, I saw Cook giving it to her."

Effy stubbed out her cigarette, "Shit Panda, I need to find her straight away and I need to get Katie."

"I think I saw her grinding against some random lad in the lounge." Panda told her.

A flash of irritation passed across Effy's face, "That figures, selfish cow."

They made their way back into the house and looked for Naomi and Katie. Naomi was nowhere to be seen but sure enough Katie was in the middle of the lounge dancing with some guy. She was moving incredibly suggestively and most of the room was watching.

Effy walked straight up to her and roughly pulled her away, "Katie, a word please."

"Fucks sake Eff, I'm busy with..." she paused, "what's his face there." Katie continued with a scowl.

Effy sneered at her, "You do realise you're making a total show of yourself, no wonder you have the reputation you do."

Katie pulled her arm away, "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means, if you behave like a slapper people will call you a slapper." Effy replied.

Katie stared at her, "What is wrong with you?"

Effy paused and stared at her, she shook her head before continuing, "Remember why we had this party in the first place? You were supposed to be keeping an eye on them while I went for a fag. Did you realise that while you were dry humping some bloke they'd had a fight and now Naomi is off her tits somewhere and God knows where Emily is?"

Katie sobered immediately, "Sorry I forgot, I just got a bit carried away. So what do we need to do?"

Effy calmed down a bit, "I shouldn't have been so long in the garden. We need to find Naomi to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid. She's been doing shots and she's had a pill. Naomi never takes drugs because the effect they might have scares the shit out of her. Then we need to make sure Emily is ok too, she's with Melissa and God only knows how she might take advantage if Emily is a bit wasted. We should probably split up."

Katie shook her head and took Effy's hand, "No, we'll work better as a team. Right Naomi's not in here so let's start in the garden and work our way around."

"Ok, sounds like a plan." Effy smiled at her as they made their way back outside.

Meanwhile Emily stood on the landing doing a little dance. She was desperate for the loo but they were all occupied, she had been waiting outside the bathroom for some time now but it was the only one without a massive queue. I don't care what anyone says, I'm next in, she thought as she continued to jog on the spot.

Suddenly she heard a loud moan coming from the other side of the door accompanied by a woman's voice, "Oh that feels good."

Then she heard a familiar voice replying. Oh Christ, don't let this be happening, she thought.

"I told you I was goin' to fuck you good and proper. They all come to the cookie monster in the end." Cook said.

This is all I need, desperate for a piss and now having to listen to Cook shagging. Looking on the bright side at least it's not Naomi in there. Emily thought as she crossed her legs.

Suddenly the door started to rattle as someone was pushed against it and the woman began to grunt loudly, "Fuck me Cook, oh yeah, yeah, fuck me baby."

"Squeeze my balls, come on babe, squeeze them, that's right." Cook responded.

Emily buried her face in her hands, this was excruciating and if she wasn't so desperate for the loo she'd be long gone. She heard a loud groan and sighed with relief, at least they'd be out soon. She watched as the door opened and a woman she didn't know came out adjusting her clothing, she had blonde hair and looked a bit like Naomi if you squinted hard enough.

"Cheers lover, that was fun. We'll have to do it again sometime." She said in a thick Bristol accent.

Cook winked at her, "Anytime babe, anytime."

Emily quickly shoved him out of the way, "Move, I've been waiting ages."

"Woah there red..." he started as the door was slammed in his face.

After a few minutes the toilet flushed and Emily came out of the bathroom drying her hands.

"Better?" Cook asked with a smile.

Emily blushed and nodded, "Sorry my bladder was about to burst. I didn't mean to listen."

Cook raised his eyebrows, "Doesn't worry me babe, if I knew you were outside I'd have asked you to join us. A bit of girl on girl muff diving always makes me horny, especially if I can fuck one of them at the same time."

Emily grimaced at him, "Do you always have to be so vile?"

Cook studied her, "You don't think much of me do ya?"

Emily paused and thought carefully about her reply.

Cook laughed, "If it requires that much thought then I don't think the answer is a good one."

Emily shook her head, "Actually what I was thinking was that I really wanted to not like you, but I can't help it, you have a certain infectious charm which is difficult to hate."

"Why did you not want to like me?" Cook asked interestedly.

Emily shrugged, "I'm not sure."

Cook paused and tilted his head to look at her, "Come on red, you can do better than that. Was it because you thought I was back with Naomi after I cheated on her?"

Emily looked shocked, she didn't realise Cook knew about her and Naomi, "Why would that bother me?"

Cook laughed, "Listen red, you can try the innocent act with everyone else but it won't work on me. I know she's the girl from Cyprus, I know you fucked in the pub toilets that night and I know you've hardly spoken to each other since."

"How do you know?" Emily asked.

Cook shrugged, "I've know Naomi a long time so I guessed part of it from the way you both were acting. Naoms filled in the gaps for me. So is that why you wanted to hate me, cos you were jealous?"

Emily's sighed, if Naomi had confided in Cook then maybe she could too, "It's partly because I was jealous of you having a relationship with her, but also because I thought you were a dick for cheating on her, I couldn't understand why anyone would hurt her like that."

Cook looked uncomfortable, "Yeah, well I am a bit of a dick and I'm not proud of the fact I hurt her but something had to give."

"What do you mean?" Emily said.

Cook took her arm and moved her to a deserted corner, "Look if I tell you something you can't tell anyone else ok? I'm trusting you to keep this a secret."

Emily looked unsure, "Cook if this is some kind of joke I'll kill you."

Cook shook his head, "It's not, I promise, but you wanted to know why I cheated. You know my reputation right? I'm Cook, I couldn't give a fuck either, Jack the lad, love 'em and leave 'em all that stuff?"

Emily nodded.

"Well it might surprise you but I do give a fuck about some things and Naomi is one of them. I really love her." Cook continued.

Emily looked surprised, "So why did you keep cheating on her?"

Cook sighed, "I'm getting to that but it's complicated. We've known each other for years, I helped her out a lot when her Dad walked out and we've always been really close. So it seemed natural for us to start going out with each other but in a lot of ways it was a mistake. I mean don't get me wrong the sex was great, you'll know all about how good she is in the sack."

A mixture of emotions passed through Emily, at first she was jealous at the thought of anyone else being with Naomi but this was quickly replaced by pictures of the blonde naked and writhing beneath her as they had sex. She turned bright red and coughed.

Cook laughed, "Don't worry I picture the pair of ya at it all the time too."

Emily hit him, "Well don't. You were saying?"

Cook winked at her, "Where was I? Oh right, so we got together and bumbled along for a couple of years but most of the time we were more like brother and sister really, or rather Naomi treated me more like her brother. She loves me a lot but not in the way I want her to, not in the way I love her. Her heart was never really in it."

"Oh Cook, I'm really sorry. I didn't realise you were in love with her, I don't think Naomi knows either." Emily said.

Cook smiled ruefully, "She knows, on some level she's always known even if neither of us acknowledged it. But it doesn't matter I'll get over it eventually. The point is we could have carried on like that, it wasn't bad, in fact it was pretty good most of the time. But it was safe and secure, it was never going to turn her world upside down. She wouldn't have ended it so I thought I'd better do something before we woke up one day, 30 years down the line and wondered where our lives had gone. So I cheated on her, I thought it might shock her into finishing with me. It worked at first but then she forgave me. So I did it again, and again. But every time she took me back."

"Why did she keep taking you back? I mean she's a beautiful, intelligent, strong independent woman, why did she put up with being treated like shit?" Emily asked

"I was like her security blanket, apart from Effy and Gina I've been the one constant in her life. Each time we broke up she'd go off the rails a bit, drink too much, shag around. I think it scared her so she came back to what she knew. Oh come on red, don't look so disapprovin' " Cook said.

Emily stopped frowning, "Sorry, it's not disapproval, the thought of her shagging around makes me jealous. But Naomi's a big girl, she's free to do whatever she wants."

Cook stared at her before he shook his head, "Except she ain't anymore is she?"

Emily looked confused, "How do you mean?"

"She's not free anymore, not since she met you. Christ, I've seen the way she looks at you, and I know exactly what it means because I've spent so long wishing she'd look at me like that. You're the one who's turned her world upside down." Cook replied.

"Really?" Emily said with a shy smile.

Cook nodded, "She's crazy about you, won't shut up about how fantastic you are. It's pretty annoying, especially if you're in love with her yourself."

Emily frowned, "That must be really hard for you."

Cook shrugged, "It is a bit but I want her to be happy, if it's you and not me that makes that happen then how can I object?"

Emily sighed, "We don't seem to be making each other happy at the moment. I slapped her earlier."

Cook chuckled, "Yeah, she told me about that. Naoms got pretty wasted afterwards. Why don't we go and find her and you can apologise."

As they made their way to the stairs Emily stopped and kissed him lightly on the cheek, "Thanks Cook, I know that can't have been easy for you and don't worry I won't tell anyone."

He grinned at her, "If you really want to thank me you could let me watch you fuck Naomi, maybe even join in?"

Emily rolled her eyes and pushed him, "I knew it wouldn't be long before the other Cook made his reappearance."

Cook laughed, "So that's a maybe?"

"No Cook, it's a resounding never in a million years." Emily smiled as they walked downstairs.