Effy
We all stood there, in court, waiting for Cooks fate to be unravelled. The judge deciding what was going to happen to him.
"The actions taken by James cook were very serious, selling illegal drugs, Attacking and nearly killing a man and running away from your four weeks set at young offenders you will not be put of lightly" the judge declared
Cook just nodded as he stood in trial, hands in pockets looking fiercely into the judge's eyes, not good Cook.
I felt for him having to go through all this just because of his over protective instincts of beating the fuck out of anyone who messes with him or his friends. This was the first outing were I didn't pour out tears since I hadn't left my apartment for weeks only time I went out was… was Freddie's funeral such a sensitive subject I didn't want to think about it but I had to he meant so fucking much to him I opened up to him but lost him and its killing me not to have him or be able to control him with his love for me.
My mum tried to send me to a new psychosis but no fucking way when john foster turned out to be a mental case, why didn't she understand that?
"We have come to a decision of what to do about you mischiefs' young man…" the judge spoke sternly
This was it the moment we learn what is going to happen to Cook, no one could stop this from happening
Naomi
Thoughts whizzed around my head as I stared at the vulnerable, desperate person positioned in the middle of the room, my best friend who was going through all of this for me and I was letting him without even a fight I was weak and upset with myself for allowing this to happen
Was I really being a true friend?
Cook, my Cook was so alone and defenceless and I wasn't helping him, was all this meant to be happening it didn't feel right, not at all
I felt a gentle squeeze of the hand as Emily looked adoringly into my eyes as I turned to look at her
"It is okay, Cook can do this" Emily whispered as the soft words hit my ears. As if she had read my mind or something.
That's one reason why I loved her so much there neaten be words she just understands me. I nodded and gave her a small smile. Cook made a quick glance at me as I saw his cheeky grin was this a joke to him. I tried to smile back but didn't have the strength so he got a crooked smile in return that seemed good enough for him as he gave me a nod
"Excuse me! Are you even listening" the judge squealed making Cook jump "This is no time for lolly-gagging young man, frame yourself do you have no manners this is very serious business so I suggest you start taking it in" Finished off the judge then returned to looking at a piece of paper
"Of course I was listening, how I could ignore such a beautiful women like yourself" expressed cook, the judge blushed, and I smirked at cooks charms that he had tried on me as well before in the past. Everyone laughed in the stands as Cook winked at me, good old Cook still had his humour
Emily
When I got my breath back from all the laughing and the court had hushed down I started thinking about that day, when we got called in by the police to see Cook, he had been arrested for beating up John Foster. It had been a couple of weeks since we had seen cook and Naomi started to worry even though she tried to hide it from me
Flash back to that day and the past
"Well good morning to you to" Naomi gasped as I backed away from a passionate kiss
"I wanted to wake you up in a not-so-bitchy way" I replied gleaming back at her
"If only you did that every day" She joked sitting up and leaning on her elbow
I playfully hit her as we both giggled
"Any way why do we need to be up its only" she yawned as she turned to the panda clock on her bedside table "9:30 Ems!"
"Sorry I couldn't sleep" I answered
"So you decide to wake me up to, I don't do that to you" she whined
"Yeah and I hate when you do that because it means I wake up with you not there, like you should be" I exclaimed
"I don't mind a bed to myself once in a while" she sarcastically spoke, it hurt when she said that but I didn't show it
"Well I guess you don't mind having a shower by yourself either" I announced
"No Ems we got to save water" she jokingly cried
"I don't mind a shower to myself once in a while" I mocked
"Ems…" she winced. Naomi crept up behind me as I sat at the end of the bed and wrapped her long arms around me placing her head between the figure of my neck
"Don't be a bitch" she muffled as her face lay into my shoulder
"That's what exactly I am trying not to do" I informed her as she chuckled, I then turned round and tickled her as she wriggled about on the bed both of us happy and laughing I then left her to recover and sprinted to the bathroom she soon followed by but I shut the door in her face
"Nooo…" she cried
I couldn't resist her helplessness as if her whole world would come crashing down if I didn't open that door
Oh yes Emily, she loves you
As I unlocked the door and the hatch made a clicking noise I swiftly opened the door
"See I am not a bitch" I cheekily grinned at the gorgeous blonde before me
"Awww… and I was hoping for Katie to be hiding behind this door" she teased
"And I was hoping I would get the real famous Naomi Campbell, she's fucking hot, but instead I get the downgraded version; disappointment" I pointed out as she smiled at me
"I am sorry" she expressed with a sudden frown "but I like to think I am a better shag then her"` she admitted with a wink
"Well I am only in it for the sex so that's perfect" I announced leaning against the door
"Oh and thought it was because you loved me and my amazing personality" she responded
"Maybe that to" I sneered "now about your amazing sex skills, let's really find out how good you are" I suggested pulling her into the bathroom by her shirt and closing the door behind us
Katie
I picked up the shirt in the clothes shop suggesting it to Effy she just looked at me slightly disgusted that I would like such a thing
"Sorry but do I have a rough hippy style like you…No I don't" I explained to her
"No you have a slutty, dirty look and have an eye for leopard skin" she claimed
"You Bitch!" I shouted even though the leopard part was true
She just smirked at me
"Take it you don't like it" I asked
"It's fucking horrible" she admitted whilst taking it out of my hands and shoving it back on its hanger
"I thought it was rather nice" I replied
She gave me an infamous Effy look and I understood, shut the hell up Katie
"Fine you pick out something for me" I decided
"I shall" she notified and walked off to the part of the clothes shop were all the dark depressing clothes were
Great…
Effy
"Nope, no, ha defiantly a no go aha..." I whispered to myself picking out an outfit for Katie that actually covered her up but still looked good it was dark grey with random words and a face of a women on it something I would wear, so instantly I liked it add a few bangles, leggings and a long necklace and it would look great
Ring, ring…ring, ring
My phone vibrated in my pocket as went to pick it up before answering I checked the caller ID my heart sank when it wasn't Freddie I hadn't seen him for weeks, were had he gone? And for a matter of fact I hadn't seen cook for ages either maybe he's gone to find him. I decided to answer it since it was Naomi calling
"Hello" I answered
"Effy…" Naomi stuttered out at the other end of the phone, her voice in shock
"Naomi you okay?" I asked worriedly
"Yeah…am I am fine, it's just…" I gave her a few seconds to finish of her sentence but she seemed like she didn't want to
"Naomi what's going on?" I objected wanting her to get to the point already so I knew what the fuck was happening
"The police they…they found cook" she mumbled
"Found him, what do you mean found him? He wasn't missing in the first place was he?" I was confused
"They found cook in john Fosters basement" she informed me
"What my psychosis, what was he doing there?" I questioned this was all so muddled up
"Yeah him, and he was found smashed up like really bad" she was nearly in tears
I gasped "Is cook okay?" I shouted down the phone angry because I didn't understand
"Yes… he's okay"
"Okay? What the fuck does that mean Naomi is he going to be alright?" I was Furious at the limit of answers I was getting
"Yes he will… but I don't know if john foster will be" Naomi stated calmly
"What? Why? Who?" I babbled wanting to know the answers
"I don't know" she whispered
"Naomi stop telling me bull shit and give me some real answers!" I screamed down the phone
She started crying and I felt guilty I don't know where that came from all that rage. There were a few sniffles coming from the other end of the phone the Naomi spoke again
"The police rang me told me about them finding cook beaten up and how John foster was there as well they think Cook beat the man half to death but nobody knows why they have taken in cook for the past few weeks, that's where he has been and none of us even knew, Cook isn't telling them anything so they want me to come in and speak to him, thought you should come to"
I was silent for a moment taking it all in, it was all too much
"And also Effy…."Naomi carried on "They found some of Freddie's clothes with blood on them" she stuttered, I knew she didn't want to tell me that. Tears suddenly filled my eyes and they began to pour out I didn't understand why I was crying
No Effy don't be silly that wont of happened why would John Foster do that to Freddie
"No it will be cooks clothes, Cooks blood" I expressed wanting to be right
"Just come to the police station Effy" she whimpered
"Okay I'll be there in 15 minutes" I uttered out then hung up grasping on the phone knowing it was the portal to reality
"Effy…" Katie whispered I turned round and looked at her, she was stunned and didn't move, my mascara had run and I probably looked a mess but I didn't care, I remembered that I was still holding the outfit I had picked out for Katie, I dropped it as it made a clang noise as it hit against the hard floor wishing I could be like that and just keep falling and falling
Katie ushered over to me wrapping her arms over me as I dug my face into her shoulder
"Shhh…. It's okay… it's okay Effy" she whispered to me calming me down, it helped that she was there for me even though she didn't know what the fuck was going on, who was I kidding I didn't know what was going on
"Please Katie… please take me to the police station" I pleaded
She drew me back and looked into my eyes then nodded
Thomas
"What do you call this, hey?" the manager yelled as we sat in her office watching the CCTV tape of this afternoon event.
I looked a JJ giving him the 'what the fuck' look we were only messing about when I pushed JJ into the sweets and the whole shelf came tumbling down causing a rainbow of colour across the shop floor
"What do you boys think you're playing at" she screeched "This isn't a place to mess about and do what the hell you want to do it's your jobs well won't be very soon if this carries on" she bellowed
"We are terribly sorry Sarah" I responded with especially big puppy dog eyes
"You should be" she signed with frustration, "and its miss to you" Sarah glared at both JJ and me
"We were just joking about we didn't mean for it to get out of hand like that" JJ explained stuttering due to the fear of the scary boss
"Which is exactly what you should not be doing, joking about scaring off the customers and damaging the products!" she replied a bit louder then was needed, I think JJ got the point
"It won't happen again" I encouraged trying to calm her down
"I should hope so otherwise you won't work here anymore. And of course this will be coming out of your salaries" she insisted
"Of course, yes, yes defiantly" I pushed out of my lips, just wanting to leave the room
"Good now you may leave" she announced walking to her desk, putting on her glasses and reading of the paper she had just picked up
"Thank you" I whispered even though I was grateful for nothing but my mother always taught me proper manners as I nodded and left the room with JJ.
"So naughty boys are you getting fired" Lara joked
"Errmm… no just a light warning" JJ informed with a smile
"Good because this job would be crap without you working by my side" she expressed wrapping her arms around JJ and kissing him elegantly on the lips
"Yes I can't imagine working without my best friend and girlfriend to mess about with" he declared
"Even though we all know the messing about you do with me is very different to the messing about you do with Lara" I winked nudging his arm
JJ laughed awkwardly and kept glancing between me and Lara
"Oi! Cheeky" Lara burst out as she kept embracing JJ having her arm around his waist and his arm around her shoulder as we walked down one of the isle
"Well my shift is nearly over so I am going to go get some things from my locker before I leave, I will see you later yes?"
"Yeah course bye Thomas great shift today especially getting Sarah shouting at us" He laughed
"Oh whatever you were shitting a brick when she called us in" I retaliated playfully
"Sorry but who isn't scared of a women who is half man beast" he implied
We all howled with laughter at our moody boss who we all had very strong hatred for, making our work here miserable whenever she could
"JJ that is outrageous, putting the coca cola bottles next to the rainbow swirls you've got it all wrong you're going to have to start again" I quoted an imitation of scary Sarah
"No Thomas No! No! No! You can't serve the red lollies in a pink basket the colours clash!" JJ mocked as we all chuckled
I wiped away my grin as Sarah walked by if she had been a second earlier she would of heard us joking about her I looked at JJ and Lara both trying to hold in their laughter about to piss their pants. Sarah walked of and a wave of giggles was heard from us
"Right I am off see, you laters" I waved goodbye and steadily walked to the locker rooms I only had 5 minutes then I could clock out but Sarah would go mental even if I left 2 minutes before my shift was over so I was biding my time
it had been an eventful day being threatened of losing my job I think I could get another under paid crappy job if I did get fired but good thing I didn't because I needed this pay check at the end of the month to pay for my family's new house I was bringing home the money and my brother, sister and mother depended on me a lot of responsibility for a 18 year old me thinks
I opened the door slyly checking Sarah wasn't going to pop out from somewhere and start yelling at me for leaving a few minutes early but I had to get out of here I was tired and needed some rest before I went to my next job to tell the truth I couldn't wait to leave all this, the working. The drugs, the alcohol, the pricks and her, the girl I loved…
I opened my door quickly nearly whacking myself in the face with the metal door I then rummaged through my locker it was full of crap sweet wrappers, empty beer can's and also a packet of cigarettes which I picked up and shoved in my pocket and threw my work apron into the locker.
There she was so perfect, her brightly coloured clothes daring to be different to all the other girls and her cheeky grin that brightens up my day. She's so beautiful I was lucky, when I had her but I threw it all away for what; a quick shag with some girl I thought I was better than that but really I was exactly the same as Cook I had shamed myself, disgraced my family and dishonoured my girlfriend, ex-girlfriend.
I put down the picture of Panda I had been looking at, her arms wrapped around me both of us gleaming with joy in the photo I remember the day it had been taken the little group of me and eight other people I called friends went to the water park, it was such a beautiful day.
I smiled at the thought of how it took me ages to persuade Panda to un-dress and get into her bikini because she was so self-conscious, but I didn't know why because her body was perfect, is perfect.
We stayed at that water park all day Panda insisting we had to go down all the slides together which of course I didn't mind then in the wave pool I dragged her to the deepest bit with her kicking and screaming but she eventually stopped when I held her tightly in my arms, she trusted me to keep her safe.
We stayed till late at night the nine of us in a field near the waterpark smoking a couple of drags between us, each with a beer and roasting marshmallows on the fire what took us bloody ages to start
I missed those days when I was happy I didn't realise how fragile everything was and how easily I could screw up she meant a lot to me, Panda did, If only she realised that and that I would do anything to get her back. I closed my locker, still grasping onto the precious photo and walked out of the room determined to do fix this.
Katie
I didn't understand why I was in the police station, I didn't understand why Naomi was in tears with Emily cradling her and I didn't understand why all the police men working were giving me worried glances. But I didn't ask, whatever was wrong was causing a lot of distress so did I really want to know?
"Mrs Campbell?" the police man noted, Naomi looked up into the sorry looking man
"Cook is ready for you to see now" the man notified "Your friends may come to"
Naomi nodded and glanced at Effy, me and Emily. Emily rubbed the back of Naomi relaxing her
"Come on babes, it's going to be okay" Emily reassured as she stood up putting her hands up so Naomi could grab them. We all walked down a long corridor towards a room with a sign above it saying 'interrogation room', I was stunned were we about to be questioned about, I grabbed Emily's arm
"Ems… what's going on" Three pairs of eyes looked into me burning into my skin
"You don't know" she replied stuttering the words in shock. I shook my head; Emily looked at Naomi who also looked shocked. I could tell Emily wanted to tell me before we went in to the room but the police man insisted Naomi went in now
"Emily please don't let me go in there without you" Naomi pleaded
"Of course not" Emily responded glancing between me and her
"I will tell her… you go in and we will come in in a Minuit" I quickly glanced at Effy as she spoke, why did everyone know what was happening
Naomi nodded and whispered "thanks"
"Effy will explain what is going on but I got to go in there with Naomi now I will see you in a minuet, okay?" Emily informed me then took Naomi's hand and walked into the room closing the door behind them
I looked down at my shoes in the awkward silence between Effy and me as we stood in the empty corridor. I gave her a few moments to think about what she was going to say
"So did you miss cook while he had disappeared" she bluntly spoke
"Didn't realise he had gone away" I harshly admitted
She smirked "you didn't notice that the loud mouth of our group had vanished"
"Well we haven't really been hanging out as a group lately have we?" I noted, it was true we all had suddenly separated after the shed party Naomi and Emily went back to living and loving, Me and Effy spent quit a lot of time together. Panda was just panda and went out partying with guys to hide the fact that she was still hurt from the actions the love of her life did, shagging someone else. Thomas and JJ worked all the time and also JJ was always with his girlfriend which I wouldn't blame him because as soon as I find someone half decent I'll be off.
"True" Effy mumbled breaking me away from my thoughts "Katie, Do you remember Cook leaving Freddie's shed that night when we were celebrating his birthday?"
"Yes" I replied " he left pretty early I thought he was meant to be the party animal" I joked laughing as my mind flashed through memories of Cook on party nights and how he always got so excited, but then my grin suddenly disappeared as I saw Effy's face she was serious it was no times for jokes
"Well Cook left to go see John Foster"
"What that weird psychosis of yours?" I was confused
"Yes him, cook went to his house and beat the fuck out of him but got a bit smashed up himself…but his fine not too sure about Foster though"
"What why?" I shouted louder then what was needed
"I don't know, that's why the police called us down here to find out because there so crap at their job that they need a bunch of teenagers to do it for them" she debated adding in her own opinion
"How do they know cook beat up Foster?"
"Cook admitted doing it"
"He did what?" for the thousandth time today I was shocked
"Because Cook is such a Fucking gentlemen he admitted that he beat John half to death, we don't know if this is true because Foster is currently in a coma but the police are certain that he's telling the truth you know, due to his history of violence"
I nodded in agreement, then smirked at Cook being a gentlemen
"What so funny Fitch" Effy looked confused
"Cook… a gentleman" we both burst out laughing
Cook
I sat on the wooden chair leaning onto the table, clicking my knuckles in nervousness I hadn't seen Naomi in weeks and all she knew was that I had nearly killed a man I don't think she'll be too impressed especially when she doesn't even know why; no one did, except me and John Foster his name wanted to make me throw up
The door clicked as it opened Naomi's head poking round and giving me an insecure smile she was staying strong for me as usual. I didn't know what to say but before I could say anything Emily walked in the room as well I was okay with this but I just didn't expect it I thought Naomi might of wanted to hide this from her.
"Naomikins, Emily princess" I declared to them putting on a poker face that I as fine
"Cook" they both greeted as they sat down on the two chairs opposite to me
"Nice to see you Bo…" Naomi quickly cut me off
"Cook we haven't come here to fuck around we need answers" she informed me firmly as if she was an investigator
"Of course you do a lot of people do" I responded
"Cook you beat up John Foster" she spoke as if I didn't know
"So I did, well done you've been doing your research" I joked
She sighed in frustration that's what I loved about Naomi she didn't take bullshit of people
"Cook…" I turned to Emily as she pleaded, her eyes bored into me as if leaving a hole in my skin
A wave of seriousness came over the room as I sat up and leaned against the table
"There recording this, whatever I say, I like my privacy" I glanced over at a mirror I knew people were stood behind it watching me it was like in the movies
"Well I am afraid people who assault other people for no reason don't get privacy" Naomi bluntly replied
"I did have a reason, a pretty fucking good reason" I roared at them
"Then why haven't you been telling the police" Naomi spat back
"Because they don't listen they don't give a shit" I declared even thought that wasn't the truth
"Bullshit!" Naomi accused I knew she was getting annoyed with me and wouldn't take much more
"Naomi…its okay give him a chance" Emily whispered reassuring her by rubbing her back gently if only I had someone to be there for me
Don't be a dick cook, you do; you just throw it away
"Cook we are here for you, we want to help you but we can't do that till you tell us why you did it, be brave Cook" Emily Urged. I wanted to tell them so badly but I couldn't I would be betraying myself, I had vowed not to say anything
Naomi
I looked deeply into Emily's loving eyes squeezing her hand tightly and giving her a small smile. I remembered the last time Emily told me to 'be brave' when I used to run, when I used to be scared like cook but I am not now, well at least not scared of loving her but I am still terrified of losing her she had become part of me and I couldn't live my life without her I would be nothing
"I just…just can't, I am sorry" he begged his face suddenly saddening
"You can cook, don't disappoint yourself" I pleaded I needed answers
"That's what I am trying not to do but you just make it so hard" he yelled raising his voice
"The only person making it hard is you!" I spitefully through back
"You don't understand!" he cried, his eyes began to fill up with tears
"Help us understand then" Emily Expressed
"I…I…" he stuttered tears now falling down his cheeks as he sniffled whipping his nose with his sleeve
"Tell us, please" I nagged
"No because as soon as I fucking tell you then that's it, it makes it real that he actually did it!" Cook began to crack as he shook back and forth, this wasn't the cook I knew this was a frightened, lonely kid
"What do you mean what he actually did, who?" Emily requested
"John Foster" Cook replied his face full of tears, snot adding to it as it ran from his nose. He was a total mess as he wrapped his arms around himself, what had happened to make Cook be like this to turn him into something so unknown
"What did John Foster do cook?" I asked sternly
"He killed him!" Cook spat out
I gasped, stunned at what he had just said, no that can't be, murders happen on TV and in books not in Bristol
Emily started to shake as I wrapped my arm round her hiding her from the painful truth of death
"Wh…Who did he kill?" Emily sputtered out as I dug my face into her cheek not wanting this to be real
Cook sat there for a moment biting on his nails his hands soaked with tears along with his face
"Who Cook" Emily screamed out as I began to shake against her, I defiantly wasn't the strong one in this relationship
He stared at us both not wanting to say the words, he mouthed them making no sound as we carried on waiting for the answer
"John Foster killed Freddie!" he sobbed putting his face into his hands
The door clicked shut as we all turned and saw Effy, the one person who didn't deserve to find out this way.
Effy
No it isn't true; it can't be true John wouldn't have done that to Freddie, he wouldn't have done that to me. My heart may not have believed it but my mind did, as my eyes became over flowing with tears my knees buckled in as I collapsed to the floor hitting my fists angrily against the floor begging for it not to be real for me to suddenly wake up and for all of this to have been a dream.
My knuckles began to bleed but that didn't stop me, it just brought me to reality as the pain kicked in I needed it though, another emotion other than sadness
A fragile hand pressed against my shoulder as they pulled me back into a tight hug as I grasp round them to hanging on for dear life that is what it felt like.
"It's okay…everything will be okay" Katie began to mutter into my ear reassuring me I knew what she was saying wasn't true but it still made me feel better as she gently stroked my hair
I felt alone in darkness once again, Freddie was the one who dragged me out of it but I am now crawling back under my rock and staying there so I never get hurt again it was all too much the emotions buzzing round my head I didn't know what to do should I be angry?, sad?, hurt? I couldn't handle love so how was I going to handle death?
I lay in Katie's embrace for what felt like hours I couldn't stop crying, tears just kept coming.
When I looked up from Katie's wet shoulder I saw Naomi cradling cook in her arms as Emily stroked his back reassuring him her touch intensifying. Cook, didn't deserve this either did I, no one did yet it still happens
"Salutations everyone" JJ greeted us gleaming with joy until he saw the state we were in, his grin suddenly dropped
"Who's going to tell him then?" Naomi demanded looking up at everyone, her mascara running from the weeping
Katie
We all looked at JJ with guilt, take it no one was going to tell him then, I locked my eyes with Effy she held me tightly she didn't want me let go of her I mumbled in to her
"He has a right to know, I need to tell him" her gripped tighten so I couldn't move at all but after a moment she released me and replied
"I look up to you Katie; I could never be as strong as you"
I never had a choice of letting someone else be the strong one
I stood up; my legs felt weak as I dragged my body over to were JJ stood in confusion I regretted being the one to tell him
"JJ you're probably thinking what the fuck is going on" I started
He nodded at me he's eyes widening with the tension
"I...i don't know how to tell you" I whimpered, now I understand why cook took forever to tell someone "It's just… so…I…." I through a load of words out of my mouth I needed to think of how to tell him
"Pleas Katie, just tell me" JJ looked deeply into my eyes as I changed where I was looking from fearing him slightly. My skin tensed as a soft hand slipped into mine I quickly glance, it was Emily the one person I really did need at the moment
"JJ do you know we haven't seen Freddie in a while" I spoke calmly
He nodded once again
"Well that's because…" I bit my lip trying to fight back the tears "it's because John foster murdered him" I cried. He looked at me I couldn't tell what he was feeling
"No…no that's…its…No" he mumbled
"JJ it's true, he murdered him before I could save Freddie…I am sorry I should have been there…I should of fucking saved him" Cook screamed then began to shake again as Naomi hugged him even tighter
"No…" he roared pushing me and Emily out of the way and flipping over the table to get to cook, he ripped cook out of Naomi's arms as she screamed. JJ pined Cook against the wall we all watched I couldn't move I was in shock
"You did this you made him run away because you are such a selfish fucking cunt you should be the one dead right now you weren't there for him, all the fucking times he was there for you does that not mean anything to you, you're a pick and don't deserve friends this is what you do to people cook make them run away make them scared and you think it's funny you bastard Freddie didn't deserve this, you didn't deserve Freddie he always had your fucking back you Absolut dick " JJ declared screeching at cooks face, inches apart.
Cook was terrified, he didn't react, didn't push JJ off him nor did he shout back at him. He just cried thinking what JJ had said was the truth, but it wasn't; Freddie's death wasn't cooks fault.
No one had ever been scared of JJ not even a 6 year old little girl who called him gay once, even though she probably didn't know what it was. But here was Cook the toughest guy I knew cowering at the grasp of JJ.
JJ lifted his hand up into a fist as Effy winced when JJ went to punch cook I looked away not wanting to see best mates beating each other up, it wasn't right
"I am not going to punch you because I don't want to lower to your level" I quickly glanced back when I heard JJ's voice he hadn't hit cook but stopped his fist just a couple off centre metres before his face, cook had his eyes closed as I imagined he had flinched thinking JJ was going to punch him "I WOULD NEVER WANT TO BE LIKE YOU" JJ expressed Emphasizing the word never
JJ then released Cook as he slowly slid down the wall that JJ had him compressed against as he rocked himself back and forth muttering words to himself, anyone who would of seen this would of thought he was mental but I didn't he was trying to convince himself that it wasn't all his fault.
The whole room froze as JJ stormed out leaving the mess behind him wasn't the reaction we really wanted from JJ, but he did find out his best friends had been murdered he wanted someone to blame it on and unlucky for Cook it was him.
Emily
I rushed over to Naomi, cupping her face into my hands checking she wasn't hurt any where
"Are you okay?" I asked her anticipating for an answer but she just stood in shock, I pulled her into a tight hug as she dug her face into my shoulder I wanted to give JJ a piece of my mind for going near my girlfriend with rage even if he hadn't hurt her it still scared the shit out of her, nobody messed with Naomi on my watch.
I pulled her away after a while so I could see her face she was still stunned as her mouth kept closing and opening
"It's alright Naomi, everything's alright" I whispered trying to reassure her as I looked deep into her eyes.
I was disappointed with myself for just standing and watching it happen I should have interfered in with the whole scene but to admit it I was scared, scared of JJ I didn't know why, I had never seen him like that so I didn't know how to handle it.
Naomi rested her forehead against mine as we stayed there for a little while blocking out the world around us. We both pulled back at the same time locking each other's eyes. I gently grabbed her hands as she relaxed into my grasp
"You okay"" I questioned this time I wasn't as impatient for the answer
"Yeah I am fine" she replied, giving me a small smile
"You sure" pushing the question even further just wanting to make sure she was 100% positive
"Yes, I just got a bit scared" she answered "you probably think I am a right fucking coward" she whispered slightly embarrassed
"No Naomi, I would of ran for the hills if JJ came charging at me like that, you were brave; like you always are"
"Shit! He pushed you out the way didn't he?"
"He tried to but I moved out the way before he could don't worry, I am fine" I smiled at her concern for my safety
"Good" she gave my hands a tight squeeze "If he did hurt you I would have battered him!" she explained, I giggled finding her protectiveness adorable
"You may have wanted to off let him calm down after his anger though because he might have actually stood a chance against you with all that rage"
"you mean I didn't have a chance against him just then, See you do think I am coward I just sat there and screamed" she whined
"Yeah just a bit" I giggled, she smiled at me "but you're my coward" I added staring sweetly at her
"Your so fucking cheesy ems" She let out a small laugh
"I know, but you love it" I indicated with a wink, she placed a small peck on my lips as I was relieved that she was okay.
I peered around the room, I had forgotten for a second what had just happened, that's what Naomi did to me she lifted my mood, cheered me up when I was sad and made me feel safe when I was scared. Cook was curled into a ball; Naomi noticed where I was looking
"Come on, let's go see him" she noted as she kept hold of my hand while we walked over to him. Katie was with Effy as they both cried, I was glad they had each other to get through it, they had become so close recently after all the shit went on I actually am surprised that there now best friends but each to their own I wasn't going to start telling Katie who she should and shouldn't be friends with just because I wasn't so keen on certain people.
It wasn't that I didn't like Effy it's just I have never really spoken to her alone, never got to know her. Naomi told me about the side of Effy that not many people saw the side were she cared about people and their feelings and wanting to help, the only side I saw was the manipulative cow were she would play Cook and Freddie like puppets on strings but that's all in the past now, partly because there's no more Freddie but also she stopped messing with their head and let Freddie in, leaving Cook in the darkness like everyone did.
The thing is about are group is we don't really know each other were not like some kind of sleepover club; the show what Katie would make me watch when we were little, where we they're all best friends; there's none of that were just able to make each other laugh that's all that matters also we all like to party so that's an extra perk we have a good time with each other at that's the important thing
it is till serious shit happens and we have to rely on each other I wouldn't trust any of them to be honest except Naomi of course and Katie because she's my sister but what I am trying to get at is we each have someone, JJ has cook, Katie has Effy, Thomas has Panda and I am lucky enough to have the beautiful Naomi it used to be different but that's all changed now since the recent events but were all happy like this then when we feel like it we all meet up as a big group this means were not all close buddies and that's just the way it is
"Cook…Cook…come here" Naomi whispered gesturing Cook to hug a knelt down Naomi I stood over the two of them as Cook practically jumped on Naomi hugging her as if it was the only thing he had, she looked up at me and gave me a sad look as I went down on my knees
"It's alright cook, were here for you were not going any were you're gonna get through this" I assured him as Naomi gave me a coy smile
"You really think so princess" he feared unsure about it
"Come on Cook it's you were talking about course you will" I commented
He gave me half a smile
"But…" He started "it's true what JJ said it was my fault I drove him away so now he's never coming back" he added starting to look gloom he had calmed down now and the tears had disappeared
"No Cook don't ever think that what John Foster did was all up to him you couldn't stop that no one cook but you tried to, you tried your best to" Naomi mentioned
"But sometimes trying your best just isn't good enough Naomikins I failed him poor Fredster I wasn't there for him" Cook said
I didn't know what to say, nothing I say could change what happened so I just stayed quit letting Naomi talk she was good with words that's one of the many things I love about her
"No one was able to be there for him that doesn't mean it was any of our fault, whatever drove Foster to do it will never be a good enough explanation for killing such a good guy, we just got to stay strong Cook Fred's would of wanted that"
We both nodded In agreement with Naomi's words, she was right Freddie would of wanted us to get through this
"I don't know what to do; I have now officially lost both my best mates" he noted
"Don't do anything, just let JJ calm down people handle things differently and JJ's way of getting through it is anger, taking it out on people give him some time to calm down he will probably come back and apologise to you" Naomi insisted
"He doesn't need to apologise" Cook grunted
"Either do you, it wasn't your fault" I added trying to get his head around the fact the he didn't cause this
"Those bloody police should of let me finish Foster off he had it coming"
"I know cook, I know" Naomi agreed, stroking Cook gently down his back, something Naomi did to me when I was frustrated or upset in any other case I would be going mental but Cook needed us he needed to feel that we did care about him.
We stayed there for a while till the police came in they must of wanted to give us all time to calm down and dry are eyes we were all inn a state, shedding tears for are dear friend Freddie
"Ermm...excuse me but I am afraid we have to take James to interrogation"
We all looked up to see the sorry looking faces of two police men
"It's Cook… my names Cook" Cook stated his voice seemed annoyed
"We will come and see you tomorrow, okay?" Naomi mentioned as she got up
"Make sure you tell them everything you know Cook" I insisted he nodded at me with is sad eyes
I hovered over to where Effy and Katie sat on the floor cuddled into a bundle. I placed my hand n Katie's shoulder as she looked up at me
"Time to go sis" I informed her as I helped them both up
I tensed when someone gently took my hand but then relaxed when I realised it was Naomi, she had just finished of saying good bye to Cook and we were ready to go
We nodded good bye to the police as they thanked us for are time, I held the door open for Naomi as she glanced back to Cook
"Think about what I said Cook" she spoke before leaving hand in hand with me. I hadn't noticed Naomi whispering to Cook when she was saying her goodbyes; what did she mean when she said think about what I said, think about what?