Hi :) Thank you so much for your reviews. I feel honoured that people even took the time to read it, so yeah, thank you. I hope you like it. Peace out.
Naomi walked back over to Freddie and JJ with a funny feeling in her stomach that she couldn't quite put her finger on. It was either food poisoning from a dodgy looking burger she'd eaten at an even dodgier looking diner earlier, or it was…butterflies? Nahh, can't be. Naomi very rarely experienced butterflies, not since last year when she'd caught a glimpse of a Tufted Puffin never seen in Britain before. And there were certainly no Tufted Puffins here.
Nope, just a gorgeous redhead with eyes I want to drown in.
WOAH! Where had that thought come from Nai? You don't fancy girls!
'You alright Naomi? You look a bit…flustered.' Freddie asked.
Her head snapped up, 'Huh? Yeah yeah, fine…' Her voice trailed off, clearly not paying much attention.
'Are you sure?' JJ began. 'I would have to agree with Freddie that your skin tone is clearly betraying the flushed, sanguine glow that typically betrays embarrassment, illness or sexual arousal. Now, since I know that you aren't easily embarrassed and that there is not much potential for sexual gratification in our current situation, I can only conclude that you're coming down with something, in which case I request that you keep at least 1.5 metres away from me for the next 2 to 4 days and in the meantime, have some calpol. You're never too old for calpol my mum likes to say. In fact, calpol has been known-'
'JJ! Bloody hell mate.' Freddie cut JJ off before he could start weighing up the pros and cons of calpol versus tixylix.
Naomi silently thanked Freddie; she didn't much feel like explaining that her current state was due to the presence of a certain volunteer. A female volunteer at that. Naomi was straight. Yep, straight as an arrow, I like boys, hairy chests and rough skin and stubbly kisses and penises and dangly balls…
She is breathtaking though. Naomi glanced over to where Emily was sat, looking deep in thought. Naomi couldn't help but admire the way her hair seemed to shine, and her skin seemed to glow, even under the harsh lights in the dining room. How can she look so flawless after a whole 24 hours of travelling? Suddenly, she glanced in her direction and their eyes met. Naomi's stomach seemed to drop, and she quickly turned away to scan the room, hoping that it looked natural. Shitfuckbollockywankshite! Caught perving on a volunteer, just great! I hope she doesn't think I'm a complete freak.
Then again, maybe she doesn't mind…Naomi thought as she recalled the way Emily had been staring at her when she first arrived. She'd definitely checked her out; Naomi thought she even caught a glimpse of lust behind her eyes. I can't believe I have to share a room with her, why couldn't there have been any free space anywhere else? Naomi had a sneaky suspicion that she wouldn't deal with being in close proximity to Emily all that well.
She was snapped out of her reverie by Freddie dragging her over to sit down with the volunteers to get to know them.
The rest of the night was spent playing cards, drinking vodka and chatting. By the end of it Naomi thought she'd learned most people's names and might actually remember them. Better than last year when I spent the first 3 weeks of the expedition calling that guy 'chews with his mouth open guy'. Still can't even remember his name now.
Naomi had been coming on this expedition every summer for 4 years. The first year she had been a volunteer herself, when she was 20. She had made such a good impression that she was invited back as a researcher the next year. When she graduated, she got herself a job at the British Trust for Ornithology, which she adored, but she wanted something more. She had quit her job just a few weeks ago and had accepted a place at Bristol Uni where she was starting in September, to do her master's degree.
By around midnight people had started drifting off to bed. Their minibuses were leaving at 7 the next morning and everyone was pretty tired from the long journey here. Naomi was too wired to sleep though, she loved this expedition, and her excitement had never once dwindled over the 4 years she'd been coming here. She just couldn't wait to get out in the jungle and set up her bird nets. She never ceased to be amazed at the beauty and biodiversity of birds in the tropics. Eventually it was just her, Freddie, Cook and Emily left sat in the dining room. She had been avoiding talking to/looking at/making eye contact with/thinking about Emily all night, but now that there were so few of them present, it was kind of awkward. But Cook's vodka had instilled a bit of her usual confidence back into her. Fuck it, got to talk to her at some point…
'So, Emily, what animals are you most hoping to see on this trip?' Emily looked at her and Naomi was glad she was sat down because just that action made her knees go weak. What is WRONG with you Naomi? Jeeez, get a grip, she's just a girl. A totally smokin' hot girl, yes, but a GIRL.
'Ermmm, Capuchins would be cool' she said with a shy smile. 'and Tapir as well, but I know that's a bit of a long shot. But what I'd REALLY love to see and I know it's never guna happen is a Harpy Eagle. If I saw a Harpy Eagle I could die happy.'
'Oh my God, me too!' Naomi responded happily, a grin quickly spreading on her face. 'I've been dying to see a Harpy Eagle since I started coming to Guyana, but I never have. It's not fair. They're just so fucking cool.' Harpy Eagles were the largest bird of prey in the world, relatively abundant in Guyana because much of its habitat elsewhere had been destroyed, but still incredibly elusive and difficult to see. They were an ornithologist's wet dream basically.
'I know right! Who knows though, maybe we'll see one this year. 'Cook chimed in with 'Fuck that, I wanna see a jaguar me.'
'Maybe' Naomi continued like Cook wasn't there. 'A friend of mine had a tip off that there are a pair nesting not far from one of the camps. I'm guna take a small group with me to check it out; you get first dibs if you want to come.' Emily's face seemed to light up at that. Her smile grew even wider and she somehow got even more beautiful. She's so adorable.
'Really? That would be awesome! I'd love to come, thank you so much!' Emily's enthusiasm was infectious.
'You're welcome.' Naomi said quietly as she began blushing for no apparent reason. Emily was still beaming at her and it was making her feel self conscious that she'd had hardly any sleep the past 2 days and must look like a bag of shite.
'So you like birds then?' Naomi asked her after a few moments of awkward silence.
It was Cook who answered her question though. 'Ohhh yeah Emily likes birds don't ya luv? You and me both kid, you and me both.' He said winking at her and grinning like an idiot. Emily immediately blushed furiously, making her skin almost the same colour as her hair. Why are they being weird? Is he alluding to something…?
Emily glared at Cook with a look that Naomi never wanted to be on the receiving end of. 'Yes, I love birds.' She said earnestly, her face softening as she turned to Naomi.
Freddie glanced from Emily to Cook, and then back to Emily again. 'Wait…what's he on about? Are you gay, Emily?' Naomi's heart skipped a beat. Emily seemed kind of embarrassed that everyone was staring at her, but she answered confidently 'Yep, gay as a window.'
Wow, she's totally gay. Not that I didn't have my suspicions, but still. Wow. Why am I so happy about that? Naomi felt all warm inside. From the vodka, she told herself.
'Oh aye, right little muffmonkey this one. Eh Ems ya don't reckon you could film it for us next time could ya?'
'Fuck off, tosser. Looking for tips are we?'
'Oi! I can assure you ladies the cookie monster is more than capable in the sack, I'll show you if ya like?'
'No thanks Cook; I'd rather shag an open wound.' Emily retorted with a smirk.
Cook howled with laughter. 'What about you Blondie? Fancy a go?' Urgh God no.
'I have to decline Cook, it's against regulations for staff and students to go at it…Plus I'd rather shit in my hands and clap than touch you with a bargepole. No offence or anything.'
'None taken luv, can't please everyone can ya? Let us know if you change ya mind though, cos…' He leered at Naomi appraisingly, 'I'd hit that like the fist of an angry god.' He said with a wink.
'Christ, you really are disgusting.' Naomi laughed, she liked this guy.
'Right, I hate to break up this love fest but we should all get to bed, and since I'm in charge, you all have to do what I say.' Freddie grinned at everyone, clearly relishing being the boss of everyone.
Emily agreed, 'Yeah, I want to get at least some sleep before tomorrow, I must have bags like Tetley's right now. I don't even want to look in a mirror.'
'You look wonderful to me.' The words were out of Naomi's mouth before her brain even registered them, and she mentally smacked herself in the gob. Why is there no filter between my brain and mouth?! Shit, don't blush, it was just a friendly comment. Her body ignored her request and blushed anyway.
Emily didn't seem to mind the 'friendly comment', in fact she was positively glowing at the compliment, grinning like a mad woman and blushing down to the roots of her hair. Well, that could've gone worse, maybe I should say stuff like that more often. NO Naomi, she's a student, get a grip.
'Christ, get a room will ya, and invite me along for the party, or at least take my video camera, I've got a tripod and everything, you-' Cook was cut off by a slap to the back of the head from Freddie.
'Goodnight ladies.' Freddie said as he dragged Cook off, still grumbling and rubbing his head.
And then it was just the two of them.
The tension in the room seemed to have increased ten-fold, and neither girl knew what to do about it.
'We should get some sleep, early start and everything…' Naomi offered lamely.
The awkward silence stayed as they were ascending the stairs to their room. This is horrendous, I hope I didn't freak her out by saying she looked wonderful, where did that even come from? Not that she doesn't look wonderful of course, because she does, even know, from this angle…Naomi was walking behind Emily on the stairs and was eye-level with her arse, which was, admittedly, perfect. Naomi was brought out of her musings by Emily addressing her. 'Sorry what did you say?'
'I said I hope you don't snore. I might have to smother you in your sleep if you do.' Emily said jokingly.
'Ah shit, sorry, I have severe sleep apnea. You're just guna have to put up with me all night. I've been told I sound like a wounded warthog in its death throes, so good luck with that.'
Emily chuckled, 'Yup, you're definitely getting smothered. Now how could I make it look like an accident? Hmm…' Naomi chuckled along with her, the earlier tension between them gone. She's funny. And she likes birds. She's cool. Naomi concluded in her head, and decided to make an effort to get to know her a bit more. A decision which has nothing at all to do with how incredibly attractive she is of course.
They arrived at their room eventually and both snorted with mirth as they opened the door and heard Pandora snoring like a roaring lion. 'Guess we'll both have a hard time sleeping tonight-' Naomi was cut off when she walked in and saw that there was only 1 bed left for them both. Pandora was asleep in a single, and they had a double. Oh crap.
'Well, looks like we're sharing then.' Emily said with a smirk, as she grabbed her toothbrush from her bag and headed to the bathroom.
Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap. Oh crap.
Naomi changed into an oversized t-shirt and a pair of boxers while Emily was in the bathroom, all the while dreading the night to come. I barely know the girl, and now we have to share a bed! And it's not even a big bed, we're going to be really close. Like, touching nearly. This is bad, really bad. Shit shit shit.
Emily came out of the bathroom wearing a pink onesie with a cow pattern on it. A onesie, really?
'A onesie, really? How old are you again?' Naomi teased. Although she thought Emily looked super fucking cute in it, and there weren't many people she could say that about while wearing an adult onesie.
'What?! They're comfortable, and warm.'
'Oh yeah, that's what you're guna need in neotropical climate, warm PJs. You're guna be boiling tonight, and I don't need no radiator sleeping next to me.'
Emily had no retort to that, so just stuck her tongue out at Naomi instead.
She's so cute.
When Naomi returned from the bathroom, Emily was already lying in bed. Right in the middle of the bed.
'Oi, budge up will you.' Naomi flashed her a smile.
'Sorry, I didn't know which side you liked, so I took both.' Emily replied, moving out of the way so Naomi could climb in.
When they'd both settled down, the tension between them returned, punctuated only by Pandora's occasional snorts. Naomi was lying flat on her back, rod straight with her hands folded above the covers, completely uncomfortable.
'Bloody hell Naomi, you look like Nosferatu, relax will you, you're making me nervous.'
Naomi let out a small laugh and just like that, the tension dissipated. She rolled onto her side to face Emily and suddenly had the most overwhelming urge to lean over and brush those full lips with her own. Now that was a very gay thought Naomi. Okay so maybe I'm not 100% straight… Admitting it to herself didn't feel as scary as she thought it would. It felt good. It felt right. Okay so maybe I like this girl…
'I can't believe you're wearing a onesie.'
'Oh fuck off.'
Yup, this summer is certainly going to very interesting.