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Chapter 4

There is nothing Emily Fitch loved more than the feeling of being on her moped; it was the only time she felt free. There was nothing but the wind on her face and her own thoughts to keep her company as she zipped down the street. Which is why she just nearly ran down some poor pedestrian.

She was so busy thinking, lost in her thoughts, that she didn't notice the crosswalk in front of her and she most definitely didn't notice the blonde girl in the middle of it, but she managed to stop just inches from the scowling girl.

"Jesus," Emily said, leaning her head down on the cold metal in front of her.

"What the fuck!" Naomi yelled at her. "Are you actively trying to kill me now?"

Emily raised her head and glared at the blonde. "I didn't mean to fucking do it! I just didn't see you."

"What kind of wanker was stupid enough to let you have one of those things?" Naomi loudly asked.

"Excuse me?" Emily asked.

Naomi motioned between the redhead and the moped. "You're dangerous enough just walking around; you don't need something like that to make you an even bigger menace to society."

"I'm not a menace to society!" Emily insisted.

"Tell yourself that," Naomi replied, rolling her eyes.

"Could you be any more of a bitch?" Emily asked.

Naomi shrugged. "Probably—do you want me to try?"

"You better move," Emily said, glaring at the blonde. "It'd be a shame if anyone else came along and ran you over."

The blonde just laughed sardonically and flipped Emily off as she took off down the street. Emily angrily drove to the first empty parking spot she saw in front of her dorm building and skidded to a halt. She stomped up to the elevator and from the elevator she stomped to her door, which she threw open.

Effy looked up from her textbook. "Good day?"

Emily jerked her helmet off her head and threw it into the couch, beside Effy. "Oh yeah—best day ever."

"What happened?" Effy asked, setting her book aside.

"Nothing," Emily huffed, crossing her arms and taking a seat in one of the chairs.

"Seriously Em—" Effy sighed. "What's wrong?"

"I kind of, sort of—almost hit someone with my moped," Emily admitted.

Effy studied her for a moment. "So—Naomi is okay, though?"

Emily scoffed. "How the hell did you know it was her?"

"I told you—I know everything," Effy said nonchalantly. "Besides, only she could make you angry enough to throw your helmet at me."

"I did not throw my helmet at you!" Emily exclaimed.

"You were totally aiming for me," Effy replied and Emily couldn't help but smile. "There we go."

Emily frowned. "What?"

"I made you smile," Effy replied.

"So," Emily said, wiping the smile off her face and rolling her eyes.

Effy paused, watching the redhead for a moment. "Did I ever tell you my partner's answers for that ridiculous assignment we had to turn in last week?"

"No," Emily replied.

"Guess what she said when I asked her what the best book ever written was?" Effy asked, grinning.

"Oh god," Emily replied. "What?"

"Twilight," Effy answered, causing Emily to laugh.

"Does that mean she's never read another book in her entire life?" Emily wondered.

"That's my only explanation," Effy said, shaking her head. "She also said that her favorite show is Pretty Little Liars."

"You're joking," Emily replied.

Effy shook her head again. "I wish."

"Is that all?" Emily asked.

"Oh no," Effy replied. "Her favorite band is The Saturdays; her favorite color is pink; and when I asked her which dead person she'd like to have dinner with, she said Cheryl Cole."

"But she isn't dead," Emily stated.

"Yeah—" Effy said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh my god," Emily said, bursting out laughing. "It's the anti-you."

"See," Effy replied. "You could have it worse."

Emily laughed. "I don't know about that; does she hate you?"

"No—"

"Does she insult you every time she talks to you?" Emily asked.

"No—"

"Then I win," Emily replied.

"At least she doesn't like Twilight," Effy grumbled. "She talked for ten minutes about why Edward would make the perfect boyfriend."

Emily laughed. "Poor you. How did you get her to stop? Gag her?"

"I told her that having a dead boyfriend wasn't all it's cracked up to be," Effy replied.

Emily grimaced, sighing. "I can imagine that would stop her talking."

"Yeah," Effy replied. "It's the perfect thing to get people to leave you alone."

"Katie told me not to tell you this—" Emily sighed. "Cook called her yesterday, checking on how you are."

Effy nodded. "How is he?"

"Better," Emily replied. "But still struggling with the fact that he killed someone—even if it was self defense against a murderer."

Effy silently stared at her hands and Emily watched her with concern.

"Are you ever going to talk to him?" the redhead wondered.

"One of these days," Effy replied. "I just—when I think of him, I think of Freddie."

"I know," Emily said, sympathetically. "You should really talk to him soon, though. I think he blames himself."

"Blames himself for what?" Effy asked, frowning.

"For Freddie's death," Emily replied.

"But—" Effy shook her head. "Why?"

Emily shrugged. "That's just what Katie said—but my guess is that he blames himself for what happened with you and so he feels like what happened with Freddie was his fault."

"That doesn't make any sense," Effy stated.

"Well maybe you should tell him that," Emily replied.

Effy nodded. "Thanks for telling me."

"I just—I thought you should know," Emily said, shrugging. "Katie was afraid you'd—"

"Try to kill myself again?" Effy asked, a small smile playing at her lips. "You two can mention him, you know. You can say Freddie's name without worrying about me offing myself."

Emily couldn't help but laugh even if it wasn't really that funny. "I know."

"I have you looking out for me now, and that means a lot more than you know," Effy said, sincerely, causing Emily to blush. "Don't worry; I'm not hitting on you or anything."

Emily blushed even more. "I'm not—I didn't—stop laughing at me."

"I'm sorry," Effy replied, still laughing. "I was only joking and you're too easy to wind up."

Emily huffed. "It's not funny."

"Don't be like that," Effy said, getting off the couch to grab Emily's hand, pulling her back into it.

Emily landed on the couch, nearly in Effy's lap. The redhead tried to move, but Effy wrapped her arms around the smaller girl and gave her a quick hug before releasing her just a quickly. Emily was getting used to these odd moments with Effy; the brunette wasn't usually an affectionate person, but every now and then, she would surprise Emily. It seemed to be happening more and more and Emily hoped it was a good sign. Maybe it meant Effy was going to be okay after all.

"What are you thinking about?" Effy asked her.

Emily looked over at the brunette and shook her head. "Nothing important."

Effy nodded, wearily eyeing her friend. "You're a terrible liar, Miss Fitch."

"I am not!" Emily said, crossing her arms.

Effy just laughed. "Like that time when you were twelve and lied about letting the class pet free. Everyone knew it was you by the look on your face and you haven't changed."

"I believe my lying skills have improved since then," Emily said, smiling.

"No they haven't," Effy said, shaking her head.

Emily paused and stared at the other girl, confusion spreading all over her face. "How did you know that?"

"Know what?" Effy asked.

"How did you know something that happened when I was twelve?" Emily asked.

Effy shrugged. "Katie told me."

"Now who's lying?" Emily asked.

Effy smirked. "Fine—I went to school with you for a few weeks back then."

"You did?" Emily asked, frowning. "Why don't I remember that?"

"Like I said; it was only for a few weeks," Effy replied.

Emily shook her head. "And you actually remember me."

"Of course I remember you." Effy smirked. "I remember all."

"Sorry God," Emily joked. "I forgot." She paused, thinking. "I really don't remember you back then."

Effy was still smirking. "I don't think we ever talked, but you know me—I watch people." Effy looked at the clock on the wall and sighed. "I'm going to be late."

"For what?" Emily asked, frowning.

"My evening class," Effy replied.

"Oh yeah," Emily said, nodding. "I forgot you have that on Wednesdays."

"Yep, gotta run." Effy leaned over and kissed Emily's temple.

"Jesus," Katie said, causing the two to jump. "Why are you always kissing when I come in?"

Emily rolled her eyes. "We weren't kissing."

"Is Katiekins jealous?" Effy mocked, kissing Katie's cheek as she passed by her.

Katie glared at the brunette, who just laughed and closed the door behind her. The twin wiped her cheek where Effy had kissed her, like she was going to catch something if she didn't get it off.

"What is with her?" Katie asked. "One day she's sulking, and the next she's like this."

Emily shrugged. "I wouldn't be too concerned with it. I mean—yeah we need to watch out, but I think she's doing okay right now."

"Don't you worry about her?" Katie asked.

Emily shook her head, frowning. "Of course I fucking worry about her! She's my best friend."

"I'm sorry," Katie apologized. "I didn't mean it like that."

"It's fine," Emily replied, trying not to snap at her sister; it wasn't her fault she'd had a shit day.

Katie sat down beside her and looked over at her. "What's wrong?"

"Who says anything is wrong?" Emily replied.

"Don't even," Katie said, sneering. "You are a fucking terrible liar."

Emily rolled her eyes. "I just had a bad day, okay?"

"Why?" Katie asked.

"That girl," Emily said, shaking her head.

"That bitchy Campbell girl?" Katie asked.

"Yeah," Emily replied.

Katie stood up. "I'll be back."

"Where are you going?" Emily asked, grabbing Katie's arm.

"To kick her ass," Katie replied

Emily couldn't help but laugh; how many times had her sister been an even bigger bitch to her than Naomi was being? But here she was, trying to walk down the hall and punch a girl for doing the exact same thing.

"What?" Katie asked, exasperated. "What's so funny?"

"Katie—" Emily shook her head. "If you punched every person that said something mean to me, you'd have to punch yourself a lot."

Katie frowned and put her hands on her hips. "Excuse me?"

Emily smirked. "You say a lot worse to me than she does."

"Whatever," Katie said, tossing her hair.

"Besides, we're not kids," Emily stated. "I don't need my big sister going and beating up the girl that's picking on me."

"Fine," Katie huffed, sitting back down, "but if she ever says anything else to you, let me know so I can kick her ass, yeah?"

"Thanks, though," Emily said, smiling at her sister; it wasn't often that she got so protective.

"You might want to get ready," Katie stated.

"For what?" Emily wondered.

"I have a date tonight," Katie replied. "And he had a friend—"

"Oh god," Emily said before her sister could finish.

"Come on," Katie begged. "Give me one good reason for you not to go."

Emily opened her mouth several times before sighing. "He's just not going to be my type."

Katie rolled her eyes. "You don't know that."

"They're never my type," Emily mumbled.

"Maybe this one will be," Katie said, grabbing her sister's arm, and dragging her to the bedroom.

Emily just did as her sister wanted; it was easier than fighting her. The first time she'd spoken to Effy, the brunette had asked her if she was the doormat and nothing had really changed since then. She stood up to her sister a bit more, but she still usually just did what Katie wanted because she wanted Katie to be happy—even if it sometimes meant sacrificing her own happiness in return.

Please don't take too much offense if you like any of the things mentioned in this chapter. While I do think Twilight is the scourge of the Earth and I do hate pink, I've never missed an episode of Pretty Little Liars, I've had a crush on Cheryl for nearly 9 years, and The Saturdays may or may not be one of my favorite groups…ahem.

Now that those embarrassing admissions are oven…please take a few seconds to review!