The Story of a Dying Girl

Hello again! So, here is the next chapter. I am still on chapter 10, but I will finish it today. Thanks again for reviewing and reading! It always puts a smile on my face.

So here we go!

Chapter 6:

"Five more minutes," I groan out to no one as my alarm decides to be helpful and rings out.

For fuck's sake.

I never know whether of not to set an alarm.

Not setting one makes me late, setting one makes me want to claw my ears off.

Today I chose the latter.

I already fucking regretted it.

I got ready and ran down the stairs, somehow already kinda late.

The bus was starting to pull away by the time I jumped in.

"For fuck's sake," the bus driver bitch muttered.

I joined Cook in the back and watched the trees and houses rush passed us.

Everything whizzing by, rushing out of sight, one blur of color.

I got off the bus with Cook and he started to walk towards a group of popular, beauty girls.

"I'm gonna see if I can get a shag in before school starts. What are you gonna do?" He asked.

"I'll probably just walk around and shit."

I watched as he confidently walked into the large group, smirking, eying up the one with the biggest tits, rubbing his hands together like he would when he went after the stoners.

I walked to the field, watching as Theo Matework and Max Hubrix were passing a soccer ball.

"Hey Naomi," Theo said and passed the ball over to me.

My soccer skills were pretty average, so we passed for a bit, as Max rambled on about something, I think it was something about his girlfriend and condoms and something.

"Oh shit, I should probably go," I said and they waved bye, continuing to pass the soccer ball.

I walked back to the campus, passing by the bleachers where the some of the stoners waved to me.

I walked quickly, because we all knew what happened under the bleachers before school.

Sex.

Sex happens under the bleachers.

I walked to where a math nerd, Dan Rewert squatted down, picking up a math book and notes that had fallen from his hands.

I bent down and helped him out.

"Hi Naomi. I'm just studying for a quiz, not that I didn't already study, I just want to be extra prepared. Especially if there is any extra credit."

"I know how you feel, mate," I said, handing him some of the notes I had collected.

He smiled and then he was on his way.

"Hey."

I heard a husky voice to my right.

I whipped around quickly, almost losing balance and falling.

"Hey."

She had a cute bow on her head and she was blushing, a pink tinge staining her cheeks.

"You alright there?" She laughed.

"I think so."

"So…"

"What?" I asked, not really sure where she was going.

"Our date?"

"Oh yeah! That! What about it? Do you want to cancel it? Oh shit, you want to cancel it don't you? Fuck. I was being stupid wasn't I? How could I have expected you to like me, I mean, you're… Emily Fitch. Shit. Shit. I'm sorry. Jesus, how stupid can I-"

She pressed her lips to mine and I forgot completely about my rant.

She pulled away, smiling.

"So, you still want to go on the date? Either that or I am seriously bad at reading signals."

"Of course I want to go, Naomi."

"Then why did you want to ask me about it?"

"We don't exactly have a plan do we?"

"…No…"

"Exactly."

"So… I'll… pick you up at…"

"Six."

"On…"

"Friday."

"Okay."

"Well we got that settled. Walk me to class?" She looked up at me and I drowned in her warm chocolate eyes.

"Y-yeah."

She began walking to her history class, carrying her heavy textbooks and talking about how Katie and her brother got in an argument last night because he stole her dress and ruined it.

I looked around and saw guys following girls who were out of their league and carrying their books, desperate to get a date with them.

I reached over and picked up Emily's books from her grasp, surprising her a bit.

"I got them," I said, holding them as we continued walking down the packed hall.

I figured I was kinda one of them, with this beautiful girl who was way out of my league.

"So…" She said, stopping right by the door of her class.

"So…"

"This is me."

"Okay."

She stared at me expectantly.

"Oh shit your books!" I said, handing them back to her as it hit me why she was looking at me.

She laughed.

"Thank you… for carrying them."

She kissed my cheek.

"I'll see you later?"

"Yeah."

I walk to my English class, where not even Mr. Dirken's ranting and annoyed looks can wipe the smiling off my face.

I've got a date with Emily Fitch.

I got to kiss Emily Fitch.

I got to walk Emily Fitch to class.

And it is right in the middle of my silent celebration that a silent panic sets in.

What was I supposed to do now?

No date had ever been not awkward, or like really that enjoyable.

I'm gonna fuck this up.

And then I won't have dates with Emily Fitch.

And I won't get to kiss Emily Fitch.

And I won't get to walk Emily Fitch to class.

Oh fuckity fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuckity fuck me fuck fuck shit wanky bollocky shit-

"Miss Campbell, what do you think of this?"

I look up from the notebook at which I was staring so intently at and look at the board.

Oxford commas.

I KNOW THIS ONE.

"Oxford commas can completely change a sentence's meaning."

"Very good, Miss Campbell," he says, but he doesn't really seem enthused.

If he had asked he literally anything else, I would have been screwed.

No, but really.

The bell rung and I continued my silent panic as I wandered through the hall to Mrs. Incart's class.

She sat at her desk today, not crying, but instead smiling.

"Hello kiddies! What do you guys think of my new ring? Jerry bought it for me."

She proceeded to show off her very large, flashy ring.

I zoned out as she said something about Jerry and shit.

Probably that they're deeply in love.

But you can see the pain and fear in her eyes.

The way they plead and beg with you to tell her that they love each other.

I decide to stop looking at her eyes, and start looking at my notebook instead, that way I don't have to think about how the only reason she caked so much make up on is because she's tired, she's defeated, she's sad.

The day continues, and I find myself sitting next to Cook, still in a silent panic.

"You okay Naomio?" He turns to look at me when he realizes I'm not laughing hysterically at the movie playing on my phone.

"I don't know what to do on my date with Emily. I always fuck up my dates."

He seems to be lost in thought for a moment.

"But what about that one date with Helen?"

"I almost threw up because I had gotten food poisoning."

"The one with that one bird… Kristen?"

"She got a call that her cat died halfway through the date and left before I could even try to comfort her."

"Cynthia?"

"I made out with her and then she went outside and threw up. Apparently she had the flu. I was sick for a week."

"Oh yeah. All those things did happen," Cook says, finally remembering.

"So, where should I take her?"

I can hear the gears in his head grinding until he snaps his fingers and gives me a look that screams, "This idiot is a genius."

"Mini-golfing. You can wrap your arms around her and show her how it's done."

"Yeah! That's a good idea."

"And then you can grind up on her from behind."

"… Well, you've ruined mini-golfing."

"Sorry, I don't really do dating."

"Fuck it, I'll figure something out."

The week goes by, and I spend my days at Cook's house.

I don't visit Emily, because I feel like things would be weird if I saw her before our date, but that doesn't really make sense because I walked her to class on Wednesday and I say hi to her in the halls.

It's Friday, and I'm sat in my last class, gripping my pen, waiting for the bell to ring out so I can be free for the weekend.

I had finally decided on a date, but I had been practically ripping my hair out going mad trying to figure what it would be.

It would be at a park I found about 30 minutes away from my house, where they played movies on Fridays. I thought that we could have a picnic (with good food, not shitty stuff mum makes).

And then the bell rung and I practically flung up from my seat, packing my stuff and rushing out, desperate to get the hell away from class.

I climb into the bus and watch as Cook jumps on and sits next to me, smiling.

"So today's the day then?" He smirks.

Cook knows I've been shitting my pants worrying about this date.

"Yep," I said, popping the p.

The bus drops me off and I run upstairs, looking at the time on my phone.

3:24

Okay.

I had to pick up Emily at 6:00.

That gives me two hours and thirty-six minutes.

I plan out an outfit, which is basically the same thing I always wear only with a button up shirt.

I couldn't do fancy if I tried.

3:56.

How the fuck is time passing so fucking fast?

Okay.

Calm, Naomi.

Calm down.

I take a shower, thinking that it would be a good idea, but I'm not really sure why.

I think it's just something that people do.

Or maybe it's just something do.

I don't really know anymore.

I get out of the shower and take a look at the time.

4:25.

I take a deep breath.

Calm down.

I dry my hair, the hot air hitting my back and my neck.

I brush it out and apply a bit of make up like I always do.

It really might as well have been no make up, because I pretty much look exactly the same.

I go into my room and get dressed.

5:03.

Okay.

57 minutes until I go pick her up.

I can do this.

I pick up a book I'm supposed to be reading, and try to get through it, but I'm too distracted and I end up reading the same paragraph a stupid amount of times.

5:34.

26 minutes until I pick her up.

I start to pace, yes pace, around the room, going over what to say.

"Hey Emily! How's it going?"

"No."

"'Sup Ems?"

"Definitely no."

"How's it hanging?"

"Fuck no. She's not a fucking monkey. She's not hanging from anything."

5:47.

13 minutes.

I decide to stop slowly torturing myself and go downstairs, where the picnic basket and mum's car keys are waiting for me.

I grab a blanket and walk outside.

I get into the car, putting the basket in the trunk and driving to Emily's.

I pull up three minutes later.

I think that I should just sit in the car, that way I don't have to sit in an awkward silence with Mr. Fitch as he silently threatens me with his eyes and not so silently threatens me with his mouth.

But part of it feels odd to just sit outside in my mum's car waiting as the time ticks by, and I decide that I will have to go inside sometime, so I do.

I walk up to the red door, and part of me almost wants to see Mrs. Fitch instead of her husband, but then again from what I've heard, she can be a right bitch sometimes.

Mr. Fitch answers the door in a tight t-shirt and sweatpants. He's smiling, but I know that that doesn't mean shit, because at one point he may have smiled at Scotty Renold, and look what happened to him.

He was using crutches for three months.

"Kiddo, why don't you come inside?"

I walk to my impending doom.

"Thank you Mr. Fitch."

"I told you, call me Rob." He smiles.

I will never call him Rob, because I have a feeling that the minute I do, he will become upset, like that was some kinda trap set to see if I was stupid enough to call this man by his first name.

I would like to think that I am not that stupid.

"So, Naomi…"

I turned my head as I heard Mr. Fitch start to talk.

"You know the rules."

"If I hurt her, you'll hurt me?"

"Atta girl. And back by 10:30. Not a moment later."

I look around awkwardly, not really sure where to look or what to do with my hands, or how often I can blink or if I can sit down or if-

"She's just getting ready."

His voice cuts through my awkward standing.

"Okay."

I don't really know what else to say.

I feel like I'm standing for an eternity until I feel a small tap on my left shoulder and I look behind me to see Emily Fitch in skirt and cute top.

She grabs my hand and we walk outside to the car, where I open her door for her because I used to see my dad do it, and my mum would always smile.

He would always hold her things and give her his jacket and she would smile brightly.

Looking back at it, it's easy to remember how my dad stopped doing all those things and mum stopped smiling and they stopped kissing and she stopped holding his hand and he stopped being there.

But that's not important, or at least, not right now.

She gets in and I run to the other side, opening the door and sliding in.

I turn to look at her.

"You look really nice."

She blushes.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

I start to drive and she keeps asking me where we're going and what we're doing and when we're be there and all of that and I almost tell her, but I decide to keep it a surprise instead.

We continue to drive and she turns up the radio, flipping through a few stations before deciding it's pointless.

I reach over and fiddle around, trying to find something good before stopping.

And if a double-decker bus

Crashes in to us

To die by your side

Is such a heavenly way to die

And if a ten ton truck

Kills the both of us

To die by your side

Well the pleasure, the privilege is mine

(The Smiths- There is a Light that Never Goes Out)

The lyrics sing out and I smile.

"He wasn't a hugely romantic guy, was he?" Emily laughs and turns it up.

"I don't know, I think there's something romantic to it. The idea that, this awful way to die is okay with him, that it's a pleasure, because the person he loves most is there, and how could he possibly be sad when they're there."

"Yeah," she says quietly and it's almost drowned out by the music, but I hear the faint whisper.

We continue to drive down the road, listening to music that I love with Emily Fitch and it makes me truly happy to think in my life, in my very uneventful, boring life, I am getting to experience something so truly magical and special.

Because I really like Emily.

I like the way she blushes when I compliment her, and how she laughs at my jokes, or just how she laughs. I like her smile and I like the way she sneezes. I like that she's funny and I like how smart she is. I like how she cares about people, and how she's, just… good.

I like her personality. And also her face.

And the rest of her too.

But I feel like that's too much at once, so let us go back to me driving down the road as Emily is smiling and I'm smiling.

I park the car once we get to the park, and I run around to the other side, opening the door for her.

Dad did it.

Mum liked it.

I did it.

Emily liked it.

I grabbed the basket and the blanket and we walked into the park, where spots were taken and it was crowded and kids were running around.

But I had a plan.

Emily started to walk towards the area, but I grabbed her hand and pulled her to a different area.

She followed me up this grassy hill, and when we reached the top, I looked around.

I had been to this park often when I was little, and I remember finding this little secluded hill, hard to find, but perfect to see the movie.

I spread out the blanket, trying to smooth every single section before realizing it was pointless and plopping down as elegant as I imagine a baby elephant would ice skate.

Emily sits down next to me, and I check the time.

6:37.

Awesome, the movie should be starting any minute now.

I slowly unpacked the basket, pulling out a confusing combination of contents in containers.

Alliteration.

I had asked mum to pack it, and I was just glad it wasn't vegan poop.

In one container was pasta, and in another was popcorn, and in another were chocolates. In one there were hotdogs wrapped in tinfoil.

I sat it down on the blanket in front of Emily, not realizing that while I did so, she began to eat it.

"Okay, and here we have…" I turned around from where I was pulling out the last container and watched as Emily finished her hot dog.

"Or you could do that," I said in awe as she picked up one of the containers of pasta.

She blushed a bit and put the container down.

"I'm eating a lot, I should slow down," she said kinda self-consciously.

"No, no, no, don't stop. Eat the pasta, it looks good," I reassured her immediately.

She smiled and picked up the container, eating it quickly as I began eating and then I heard a noise.

On the large gray wall that sat sadly in front of the park, Ferris Bueller's Day Off began, and I heard Emily squeal.

"You remembered?"

"Of course." I smiled.

I opened up the container of popcorn and we got comfortable, her leaning into my side.

I wanted to put my arm around her, but I wasn't entirely sure how to just casually do this.

But I had a plan.

It's full-proof.

I yawned loudly, kinda obnoxiously, and stretched my arms over my head.

When I lowered my arms, I cautiously put my left one over her shoulder, hoping that she would just accept this and think to herself, "Has Naomi's arm always been there? Oh, I guess it has. I guess I just didn't notice."

She did not think this.

Instead she laughed.

I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What?"

"That's the oldest trick in the book!"

I smirked.

"Well… it's working isn't it?"

"Yeah, but I wouldn't exactly call it smooth."

Well…

She had me there.

But she didn't say anything else, instead she grabbed my hand and pulled my arm more around her, and I turned my head from the movie to look at her face, and I could see her smiling softly, but I don't think it was because of the movie, even though it is fucking amazing.

And that's how we stayed for the whole movie.

The sky was dark and I looked around at all the people scrambling to get to their cars and leave, like fucking feeding time at the zoo.

I took off my jacket and handed her my jacket, because she looked a bit cold. She put it on and smiled gratefully at me.

I leaned back onto the blanket, clasping my arms behind my head and watched as Emily looked down at me and followed suit.

"That," I said pointing towards the starry sky, "is the big dipper. You can see the handle… there."

She looked up at the sky, following where my hand was pointing.

"That?" She asked, pointing to a cluster of bright stars.

"Yeah."

"And that," I said moving my hand, "is the Andromeda."

"How do you know all of this?"

I laughed one of those melancholy laughs that occur when you remember a distant memory from a happy time in your life, maybe it was a time before it all went to shit, and maybe it wasn't.

"My uh, my dad taught me when I was little," I said smiling softly.

"Really?"

"Yeah, he uh… we would sit outside when we went camping… my parents were huge hippies… and he would lie down on the grass with me, and point them all out."

"That sounds fun," I could hear her smile.

"It was. And he would ask me these really odd questions. Like… 'Do you think that on one of those stars, there are a dad and a daughter pointing at the earth?' or 'Ever wonder about all those damn stars and why they are there and what they mean?' and I would say, 'Dad, that's a really stupid question.' But secretly I thought they were great."

She laughed a bit and moved her head so it was on my chest, and I realized how cliché this was.

Stargazing and talking about old memories.

But I was happy.

"When's the last time you went camping?" She asked after a bit.

"I go camping with Cook all the time."

"Really?"

"Yeah… and one time Cook, his little brother, and I even camped out in line for a video game release."

She laughed.

"How was that?"

"Oh it was shit! We all got sick. Turns out we didn't pack enough blankets and we nearly froze to fucking death. We did get the game though, so there's that."

She laughed loudly into the quiet night.

"When's the last time you went camping with your parents?"

It felt odd to be so open, but I concluded this:

Emily Fitch was an open person. I was a closed person.

But Emily Fitch made me an open person, or at least around her.

I unclasp my hands and move my arm down to where her head is, resting it just a bit above.

"I went when I was like nine or ten, with my mum, but it wasn't the same," I try to keep bitterness out of my voice, but I don't succeed.

"Oh? Why?" She cuddled into me, arm around my waste and I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her, putting my other hand back under my head.

"My dad wasn't there. He uh… well he left when I was seven. Just packed his things and drove away. And it was kinda shit for a long time. My mum and I tried to go camping without him but… it was just like a painful reminder that he wasn't there."

She could feel my body tense.

"I'm sorry. He missed out on a wonderful person."

"He's missed out on a lot of things," I say thinking of all the times I could've used my dad in my life.

And it's quiet for a bit, but this is different.

It's a comfortable silence and I don't feel the need to break it, but I do anyway.

"The jacket… it was his and… it was one of the only things he left. He would wear it to piss me mum off, you know the whole war thing. So… she sewed a big ass peace sign to the back to spite him. I like to wear it… and think that maybe it would piss him off a bit. But I really wear it because it reminds me of happy times."

"Oh," Emily said and started to move to give it back to me, realizing how special it was, but I stopped her.

"I like… I like it when you wear it."

She relaxed and we just laid there, talking and laughing about stupid little things.

"What time is it?" She asked.

I grabbed my phone and checked the time.

"9:48," I read aloud.

"I guess we should probably start to go back, unless you want my dad to murder you slowly and painfully," Emily laughed like it was an exaggeration, but I wasn't so sure.

Poor, poor Scotty Renold and his inability to keep it in his pants.

She sat up and we began to pack, walking back down to the car.

I opened up her door and she climbed in.

"So chivalrous," she laughed.

I put the things in the back and I climbed in.

"That's me, Miss Chivalrous."

And with that I started the car and we began to drive.

It was quiet and I reached my hand and fiddled with the radio yet again, hoping to find the same channel from earlier.

I heard the opening notes and smiled, turning it up louder.

Good feeling, won't you stay with me just a little longer?

It always seems like you're leaving when I need you here just a little longer

Dear lady, there's so many things that I have come to fear

Little voice says I'm going crazy to see all my worlds disappear

Vague sketch of a fantasy laughing at the sunrise like he's been up all night

Ooh, slipping and sliding, what a good time but now, I have to find a bed that can take this weight

Good feeling, won't you stay with me just a little longer?

It always seems like you're leaving when I know the other one just a little too well

Oh, dear lady, won't you stay with me just a little longer?

You know it always seems like you're leaving when I need you here just a little longer

(Violent Femmes- Good Feeling)

The song played out and when it ended, I looked over at Emily, who had her eyes closed and a small smile on her lips.

"That should be it."

"Be what?" I asked confused.

"That's our song."

"Our song?"

"Each relationship needs a song."

"Relationship?" I asked smiling.

"Well, uh… um," she struggles, embarrassment clearly etched on her figures.

I pull over as soon as I get the chance.

"Emily," I say and she looks over to me, still blushing and looking very embarrassed, "would you be my girlfriend?"

She smiles and pulls on my shirt collar, kissing my deeply and practically trying to pull me into her seat.

"I'd love that."

I smile and I cup her cheek gently, leaning in and kissing her softly.

I start to drive again, a smile still plastered to my face.

Lights and signs pass by in a haze as I drive along, occasionally looking at Emily, who is smiling as she leans her head against the window.

I continue driving until I reach her house.

I unbuckled my seatbelt, and watched as Emily did the same and began to open the car door.

"Wait, just give me one second," I said before scurrying out and opening the door for her.

I held out my hand and she grabbed, it getting out and holding it while I closed the car door shut.

She took off my jacket and handed it back to me.

"I… really like you," I said in a quiet whisper, looking down at my shoes.

She grabbed my chin gently and tilted my head up so I was looking her in the eyes.

"I really like you too Naomi."

She tilted her head to the right and leaned in a bit.

I met her lips and we kissed, tongues caressing each other, my hands on her hips while she slung hers around my neck.

We stopped after a bit, and I watched as she smiled.

"I'll see you on Monday, girlfriend?" She said.

"See you then… girlfriend."

I rolled the word around in my mouth.

Girlfriend.

I liked it.

I saw her open the door, making sure she got in safely before I climbed back into my mum's car, driving away.

That night when I closed my eyes I had one last thought.

Emily Fitch was my girlfriend.

Yep.

Thanks for taking the time to read! Let me know what you thought.

Also, quick thing, not important, so you can stop reading if you want.

There's a song called Red Headed Girl by the Tijuana Panthers. It just always reminds me of Emily, because of the red hair. Not my favorite song, but I like it. I'm really into indie and 70's and 80's stuff.

Also, I was rereading this story I really like called Life With You by Hez-xx, and I found a guest review under the name, I'm a Guest, there about Skins Fire, and I don't know, but I really like it.

So I decided to quote it. Thank you to the guest who wrote this.

"I have read a lot of Naomily fanfics. They have helped me deal with the shit Skins Fire left us. Seriously, what the fuck was that? I discovered Naomily not long ago. I attribute them to helping me come to terms with my own sexuality and that I don't have to be ashamed or scared and that I can be happy. This is the very first Naomily fanfic I read. I have reread it countless times. It is not your most read fanfic, but this means the world to me. On the Skins Fire thing, I just wanted to say that maybe Naomi didn't die. There are stories of people coming back from terminal cancer. Maybe they never showed her death because she never did die. Maybe it was just showing that this is just another testament to Naomily fans. They lived because fans loved them, and now the show is over, and the fans continue to keep them alive. Naomi never died because those who loved the ship know better. They are still alive, but they are not on screen anymore. It is up to the fans to keep them alive. And we will. This probably sounds delusional, but these characters changed my life and taught me that I don't have to hide who I am and keep my sexuality under the rug and repress it like something I should be ashamed of. Your story helped me in more ways than I can ever tell you and I know it might not have seems like a big deal when you wrote it. Maybe you were just writing a cute one-shot. But it has changed my life, and I know that sounds silly and that you may never read this and that's ok. I just wanted it to be here so that one day you could know, even if you never do. Warmest regards."

-I'm a Guest

I don't know, I just liked that perspective on it, that the reason they never showed her death was because it was up to us to keep them alive.

Anyways, let me know what you thought. Next chapter will be posted on Monday or Tuesday, most likely Monday, but possibly Tuesday.

Thanks for everything.