Chapter Three – Rocket Scientist
Naomi
So here I am, leaning against the wall outside of the classroom door. I have my big purple Urbanears headphones on and tapped my foot to the music as I waited. I was early for today's session with Emily.
Yeah I kicked up a great fuss about being tutored. I couldn't see past my elephant sized big ego but I went home and turned it over in my head. As much as I hate to admit it, I did need help in my math. I had to get my grades up if I wanted to enter the university next year. Anyway come to think about it, Emily was rather pretty. I'd rather have her than some fugly, greasy, cross-eyed boy that rather stared at my ass or tits than help me improve my grades. It was a situation full of win. I just might be the one getting distracted instead.
I know I have a girlfriend and I we get along rather well. Still, sometimes I can't help myself from looking at pretty girls. But just to get this straight, I won't cheat on my girlfriend.
From my peripheral, I saw her coming up from the stairs. I smiled inwardly; she was looking rather pretty again, a nice skirt and cardigan over a top again. I reckon that that's probably her style; it's nice.
I slipped off my headphones as she came up to me. Her eyes widened.
"Why do you look so surprised?" I raised an eyebrow at her, faking a little of my bitchy side on her. "Did you think I wasn't gonna turn up?"
"Yes. I mean no! I don't know…" Emily shook her head and lowered it, her fringe covered a fraction of her eyes and her cheeks were slightly pink. She looked so cute and nervous.
Woah wait a minute. Emily's voice, now where did that come from? I hadn't expected that husky tone to emit from a petite sized girl. I sort of remember Katie's voice, always loudly attracting attention, borderline on squawking like a ruffled bird and with a slight lisp. I'd expected Emily to sound something like her, they're twins after all, but this was surprising, fascinating in fact.
I laughed in reply, to put her at ease, "Come on. Let's get this over and done with. I gotta go for practice later." I opened the classroom door, "After you."
She quickly shuffled past me into the class, looking around and choosing a table to use, finally settling on one. She sat on one chair and gently placed her bag on another, removing the textbook as she waited for me.
I pulled out the chair beside her and flopped myself on it, throwing my bag and shoe bag on another. We fell silent for a moment.
"So... I'm Naomi. Don't think we've properly met." I first broke the ice by giving her a big grin and extended my hand towards her.
"Emily." She took my hand and shyly shook it with a tiny smile. Her hand was small and felt warm and soft. It felt good in my hand but the contact was far too short for my liking. Once again I was drawn to her dark brown hair and matching chocolate brown eyes.
"You've a twin sister am I right? Same height, same hair, rather interesting taste in fashion, reputation for shagging loads of the guys on the football team; I assume you're nothing like her?" I asked the obvious, wanting to create conversation but wanting to hear more of that raspy tone in her voice again.
"Damn right I'm not. Glad you noticed that." She flashed me a bright smile, making me feel pleased. "People usually don't notice our differences or even notice me at all." I noticed a sad edge to her voice at that last sentence.
"I'm sure they're missing out knowing someone like you." Those words slipped out before it went through any filter in my mind. I had a sudden notion to assure this girl that she wasn't invisible. I barely knew her yet I'm already comforting her. I guess I knew how it was like being in a crowded room yet feeling invisible.
I was once like her. When I was much younger, my mom and I used to move around the country, never settling down permanently. I was never in the same school longer than a year. This didn't help in the friends department. Before I could form a firm friendship with anyone, we had to pack up and move. It wasn't my mom's fault, jobs were scarce, my dad was non-existent and I was still young. My mom worked hard to put me through school as much as she could, sometimes working two jobs a day. But the amazing thing about her was that she was still optimistic about life. Sure we had it hard but she always never failed to cheer me up and be there for me when I was sulking during my early teenage years. It was only when we came to Bristol and she got a better paying job in a café that we managed to stop moving about.
"But you barely know me." Emily exclaimed in surprise.
"I guess we better should then since you're holding my fate in your hands. I'll have to charm you into not ratting on me if I skip a couple of these sessions with you." I winked at her in good fun. She blushed again. Mission accomplished. I made a mental note that it's going to be my hobby to make her blush. I just liked to see her all shy and cute.
"We'd better start, or I'll have to report you for distracting me and wasting time." She playfully said gesturing at me to take out my books.
Distracting her? I wondered what she meant by that.
"What don't you understand?" She flipped through the previous tutorials.
"Everything."
She frowned, a little crease appeared on the bridge of her eyebrows and I so wanted to impulsively reach out and smoothen it. Campbell just what the fuck are you thinking! Keep your hands to yourself!
"You can't be serious. I'm sure there are certain parts which you do."
"Nope." I threw up my hands and waved them dramatically in surrender. "Totally mind boggling, not a fucking clue."
"Maybe I could start from the first chapter, build the initial foundation and redo a couple of questions from the tutorials. Would that be good?"
"Anything you say madam. I'm all yours." I threw her a mock salute and she chuckled, her low throaty laughter settling warmly in my stomach, making me strangely happy.
I shifted a little closer to her side, immediately getting a delightful whiff of her hair. It smelt like something fruity. Her hair fell around her shoulders and I almost wanted to reach out to touch it to get a feel of it. I was positive that it would flow like soft silk through my fingers. Suddenly realising what my mind was thinking again, I mentally snapped myself out of it. For fucks sake, you've just met her and she's helping you, you've also got a girlfriend so keep your tongue in your mouth, you're seriously just as bad a James sometimes!
Emily was great. She really knew her stuff well, it's no wonder she was top of the class. I absolutely benefitted more from her than any lesson in class. I paid more attention to her than Angie to be honest, mainly because I was rather drawn to her voice. At times I would unintentionally drift off just listening to the way she spoke, noting the rising and falling of her tone and the different words where her voice would break and become slightly huskier. She would somehow notice I'd drifted away and nudge me gently and patiently repeat it again. I didn't mind, not when I could listen to her all over again.
I threw down my pen at the third chapter we were about to start.
"Now this is the shit I completely don't get."
"Really?" Emily raised her eyebrows at me, "Seems like you didn't understand anything from chapter one actually." She grinned at me playfully.
"Cheeky." I smirked at her, liking how comfortable we got over a short time span. "But this one really got me. I mean, what the fuck is that curly line for!"
"That's integration, didn't you pay any attention in class?" Emily said a little exasperatedly.
"I tried!" I defended myself, "But Angie's always going too fast. Not everyone's a genius like you."
"I'm not – I'm not a genius." Emily mumbled. She probably thought she was being a little condescending.
"No I mean it, you're pretty smart." And the pretty part too. "You should feel good about that." I looked at her and smiled sincerely.
"Thanks… you're better at politics than me though." She averted her eyes and blushed, her fingers playing with the ends of her hair. She was obviously not used to compliments. "Shall we continue?"
I groaned, "No! Can we call it a day?" I gave my best petulant pout, crossing my arms and putting on my badass delinquent attitude, looking at her with sad puppy dog eyes.
I saw her eyes flick to my lips and back to my eyes within a microsecond and I suddenly felt a little self-conscious.
"I guess it's about two hours and we've made some progress…"
"Yay!" I lifted my hands into the air in victory.
"You make it sound like it's a torture learning from me." Emily gave a small smile but her eyes looked unsure, even a little afraid.
"Definitely not! I'd rather take your lessons than Angie's anytime." I assured her. "This has been great. I really needed it more than I thought. I'm glad she made you tutor me rather some dickhead that's more interested in my tits."
She chuckled a little uncomfortably and looked at me with those brown eyes. Just looking, in the way that was indescribable, like I was the most important person in the room (well I was the only person anyway). Her eyes were reflecting off a tiny shimmer of light. I noticed her big and perfectly shaped almond eyes and how her lashes curled without the help of mascara. It was mesmerizing. My eyes flitted over her other features; her neatly shaped eyebrows and cute button nose, lastly settling on her rosy pink lips that had curled up into a smile. I think I held my breath for a bit as I felt my heart thump faster as we shared a small and brief moment just looking at each other and smiling.
She looked down first, breaking the eye contact and I cleared my throat abruptly.
"Think I better get to practice. The team's waiting for me." I shoved the papers and books into my bag and picked up my shoe bag.
I saw her open her mouth and hesitate, closing it again.
"Anything?"
"Do you… mind if I watch you – I mean sit in to watch your team train?" Emily stuttered and looked expectantly at me.
My eyebrows shot up in surprise. That was a first. None of my girlfriends have ever expressed an interest in watching me practice with the team. Sure they'll always be at every match cheering for team and I but they never really wanted to sit in during practice. Once, one of my ex-girlfriends had to wait for me to finish my practice before we could go out. She complained I took too long to round up a session and take a quick shower and gave me a cold shoulder for a couple of days. Anyway from then on, I never arranged a date after practice; I never want to go through that kind of shit again; plus I never could gauge how long I would stay in the court. Even better for me, I could take all the time I wanted.
I probably held the silence a tad too long because she looked embarrassed.
"Sorry… Maybe it isn't a good idea. I – "
"Yes!" I blurted out loudly. Now just where did that come from? She was looking uncomfortable and I didn't want her to be. "You're welcomed but don't you think it would be a waste of time? I'm sure you'll have other things to do, places to be at."
"Really?" She was looking at me with a huge smile on her face. Just a simple thing could produce that wonderful smile on her face that's somehow making my heart dance awkwardly in my chest. "Nope nothing much on later. Kind of pathetic I know."
"Hey." I instinctively lifted her chin that she had lowered again with two fingers and brushed away a few strands of hair that had splayed across her cheek. My fingers tingled as they came into contact with her smooth skin. I withdrew quickly, like I had been shot by static upon realising what I had done; seeing her eyes widen and a tiny blush creeping into her cheeks. "Not at all," I could only managed a small smile back at her because my stomach had knotted itself when Emily flashed me another happy smile.
We chatted a little as we headed down to the indoor court. I'd barely known Emily but I was comfortable with her. I'm actually not an extrovert as people generally make me out to be at the first encounter. I try to be friendly, but that took a while for me to become what I appear to be now. But after the initial stage, I usually slip into silence, gladly letting James take over the talking. His volubleness makes up for my occasional interjections. That's why I usually love to be around James. I could retreat like a hermit into myself and feel comfortable once again. This has worked perfectly with the girls I've dated because they love a listening ear and I seem to be good at that.
But on court I was a different person. It's like I have a double personality. Naomi on court is different from the Naomi off court. I was the team captain and I take that seriously.
"Fi-fucking-nally" coach Anthea spat out as I arrived on court with Emily trailing shyly behind me.
"Sorry I was having extra lessons with Emily. Guys, Emily. Emily, team." I did the introductions with brevity. "She wants to sit in and watch us practice."
"We do have names you know." Ashley, a well muscled girl with short black hair, the team's power forward rolled her eyes at me and introduced the rest of them.
"I know! You're Katie's twin sister! I've seen you around." Shannon exclaimed. She plays centre. A rather tall girl, couple of inches taller than me with long auburn hair in a ponytail and bright green eyes.
"I'm really nothing like her actually." Emily smiled pleasantly and shook hands.
It does seem that Emily's trying to distance her association with her twin sister. I like that; we all need to have an identity for ourselves.
"Definitely not." Shannon grinned back.
"Alright enough of your girly chatter." Anthea cut in, "We've got a practice to start. Naomi, why don't you hurry the fuck up and sit your new girlfriend down somewhere where she can drool over you."
"Coach!" I yelled, my face turning red. "She's not my new girlfriend!"
I looked frantically at Emily whose face had turn beetroot red, refusing to make any eye contact with anyone, staring fixedly at her shoes.
Anthea just gave a flick with her hand dismissing my protest. My teammates were grinning widely at me like a bunch of drugged Cheshire cats. I gave them a deathly stare and grabbed Emily by the elbow, who seemed to have become immobile, to the stands.
"Sorry about that." I tilted my head addressing them. "Annoying bunch of twats. Coach's no better. They think that every time I bring a new girl, she's automatically my new girlfriend. I can't believe my reputation has become like that." I dumped my bag unceremoniously on the bench and whipped off my baggy t-shirt. Unzipping my bag, I fumbled around for my singlet noticing that Emily was still silent. I looked carefully at her and noticed she had her face turned away from me, still furiously red. "Emily?"
"Y-eah?" She turned back at me as I was putting on my team singlet and slipped on my sweat wristband.
"Gotta go now. I promise you it's dreary, according to the statistics collected from ex-girlfriends. You can just leave if you're shit bored."
"But you're never good at math, how'd you know you got it right?" Emily smirked at me and I laughed. "Anyway I brought a book," she patted her bag. "Don't worry about me okay. Just practice hard."
I felt oddly delighted at that. Hardly anyone outside the team, besides my mom and James, has encouraged me just for a simple and routine practice session. People usually cheer us on when we're in the match but they'll never really know how much hard work we put in during practice. It was not as simple as it sounds, just practice some random shooting, dribbling or different plays but we had to get our fitness level to top notch. It includes exercises like sit ups, shuttle run, box jumping, squats and even strength training, just to name a few. The mental test is when we get on court, facing our opposition team to the screams and yells of a whole lot of spectators. But the adrenaline rush is fucking awesome.
And hard I did train during that session. Something in me wanted to impress that girl over there that was reading her book but occasionally looking up and flashing me a bright smile every time I happened to look over, like she was reassuring me that she wasn't bored, even though she had her book out. Okay not exactly happened to look over at her. I just instinctively searched out for her, hoping she was still around and feeling rather glad she still was.
"Great job." Anthea barked at the team after the training was done. "Kate, we just have to work on increasing your vertical jump, so that you can get that height over the defense. The rest of you keep it up." She thumped us on our backs and bade us to the showers.
I jogged to the stands where my bag and Emily was. She had kept her book and was standing up with a smile on her face again. She hadn't left.
"You were great!"
That sounded really genuine. Though I've always heard it many times, somehow Emily made me feel like I was praised for the first time.
"Thanks." I replied a little shyly. "I better shower now."
She nodded, "I think I should be going too. Thanks for letting me sit in."
"Glad to know you didn't get bored."
"See you." She flashed another happy smile, gave a little wave and turned her back to leave.
I glanced at the clock in the court, it was close to six and I was hungry. My mom wouldn't be home to make dinner so I had to settle it myself. A wild idea came to me.
"Emily!" I shouted.
She turned around looking surprised. I was just thankful that my teammates had all gone into the showers.
I jogged up to her. "Say… do you want to have dinner with me, I mean – I don't have dinner at home. If you don't mind – We could – If you don't have to be home – I mean –"
Smooth Naomi, smooth. Why the fuck are you stuttering? Why are you even nervous? Just two friends having dinner, not that she would consider you a friend yet, but – ARGH, bad idea, abort now!
"I'd love to." A smile exploded from the gorgeous face of hers.
I think I equally matched that with one of mine instantly. Score! I mean… "Great!" I was delighted. Emily didn't seem to notice my pathetic stutter.
"Just let me text my mom."
"Right. Give me fifteen minutes!"
I hurried into the showers and showered at breakneck speed. I brushed my hair with my hands and put on some deodorant. Yelling goodbye to my teammates, who are taking their time, I emerged from the lockers and saw Emily patiently sitting on a bench and texting on her phone. She looked up at me and smiled as I approached her.
"Where to?"
"I know just the place."
.
.
With my bike between us, I pushed it as we walked to a fast food diner a few blocks away from school. I chained it up outside and headed in and got a table by the window, looking out into the street. She sat at the table while I ordered at the counter for both of us, identical set meals, a cheeseburger meal with fries and diet coke.
I settled comfortably into the squashy old and beat up red seat across Emily.
"Thanks! I'm so fucking hungry now." Emily said enthusiastically as she open the burger wrapper.
I noticed she lifted off the top bread, scrapped off the chopped onions and pickles, and instead neatly laid a row of fries horizontally over the beef patty, topping it up with chili sauce. Interesting. I cocked an eyebrow in amusement at that eccentric combination and taking note that she didn't like onions and pickles. She must have seen my amused look.
"What? It's delicious!" She said thickly between chews, I could barely make out the words. She was munching happily on the burger and looking so satisfied. I couldn't help but break into a grin at that display of cuteness.
"Okay." I shrugged and imitate the same burger and fries combination. "Hmm, you're right." I said, taking a bite, "It's not bad."
We just sat like that, eating and drinking, talking about everything to nothing. It was so easy to talk to her and I found myself talking more than I usually would with my girlfriend. Emily actually listens to me and is interested in what I've to say.
"Yeah that was the best game ever." I slumped back against my seat with a smile and relaxed, my tummy full, reminiscing about last year's basketball finals. Emily was still nibbling on the leftover fries that I couldn't stomach anymore. Man for a size like that, this girl can really eat. "We were a point behind with five seconds on the clock and I received a pass from Kate, bounced like a fucking manic and just fucking made a clutch shot. I wasn't even sure I aimed – and it just neatly fell into the hoop! Thank fuck. I don't even remember the score now but – "
"Sixty-eight, sixty-nine." Emily butted in.
"I guess so." Wow this girl can really remember the statistics. "I was so fucking ecstatic that – "
"You pulled off your jersey." Emily finished off, her face was possibly also reflecting off a similar dreamy look akin to mine.
I grinned. "Oh yeah that, I was actually trying to say that I ran to coach before the game even ended because there was only a second left on the clock. But yeah… and that too."
Emily had snapped back from her dreamy state and was looking rather red in the face and silent. I didn't really know why. I slid further down on the seat and our knees touched under the table. I gently bumped her knee. "What's wrong?" Believe it or not, I couldn't figure out why I cared about her every change in emotion and I've just known her for what, five hours?
"You were amazing there." She looked at me, her eyes brown eyes shining with… admiration. It was sincere; I've received compliments but I've never always thought I was great. Emily is making me sound great with just this simple sentence that I've actually heard many times. I could fucking kiss her right now.
But no, these thoughts shouldn't be entertained, because she's straight and I have a girlfriend. I just smiled and bumped my knee against hers again, "Thanks." I changed the topic, "You're fucking awesome too you know, at math. You can be like… a fucking rocket scientist someday."
She gave a cute giggle and my stomach did a flip. "Well at least I'm good at something but no, I don't want to be a fucking rocket scientist." She finished the fries and licked her fingers from the salt. Such an apparent innocent gesture was making my imagination suddenly run amok.
"So what do you want – " My sentence was cut short by the ringing of my phone on the table. I glanced at the screen that was flashing the name 'Angela'. "Sorry it's my girlfriend," I answered it. "Hey babe what's up?" I looked at Emily who was suddenly looking uncomfortable and fiddling with her phone. "I'm having dinner with a friend now… I told you I had practice today… Yes I'll come over right now. Bye, yeah me too."
I hung up the phone.
"So I think we'd better leave now, since you need to meet her?" Emily's voice had suddenly turned a little flat.
"No hurry just let her wait. I'm rather enjoying myself with my friend." Emily must have thought I would hurry off to my girlfriend but upon hearing this, the corners of her lips tugged into a small smile.
"Wouldn't see be mad at you?"
"All the better, we'll make up with hot angry sex." I winked at her.
Emily immediately turned red again and sucked at the straw of her drink, her eyes were looking intently at the table. Could she be uncomfortable because I liked girls? I usually didn't give a fuck about people that made such a big deal about that, I could do without their friendship but Emily feels different to me, I'd want to have her as a friend and I didn't want the fact that I liked girls to affect this friendship.
"I think I should be going home now." She finished her drink and stood up. "You ready?"
I nodded and downed my drink, standing up and following her out.
"I'm going this way," she pointed. "Bye, have a good time." she gave a smile and tiny wave.
"Let me fetch you home." Seeing her looking surprised I add, "It's along the way." I lied, it wasn't but I didn't want her to walk home alone in the evening. Plus I wanted to spend some more time with her.
"Oh. You're sure about that?" She looked unsurely at me and at my bicycle. "I think it's alright..."
"Not a problem. Why, you don't believe I'm strong enough?" I teasingly challenged her.
"I believe you are. Alright, let's go then." She looked expectantly at me.
Smiling, I pulled on my knitted dark blue beanie to keep my hair in place when I cycled and mounted my bicycle.
"Just sit sideways and hold on to me."
Emily settled herself on the metal seat behind above the rear wheel and wrapped her right arm gently around my waist. I felt oddly delighted at the contact.
I pushed off, a little unsteady at first but stabled and as I started pedaling. "Geez Ems you're heavy," I joked.
To my surprise, she lightly smacked my ass with her other free hand. "I am not! You asked for it, now stop complaining!"
I chuckled and pedaled faster, her other arm came up and both arms encircled my waist a little more tightly. The pace of my heart whirled as quickly as the wheels of my bicycle turned. We pedaled in a serene silence, enjoying the gentle breeze and the colors painted on the buildings from the setting sun. I weaved around puddles of fresh rainwater so she wouldn't get the spray of water from the wheel on her shoes or clothes. I occasionally turned my head around and saw her beautiful brown hair fly elegantly behind her. Fuck, she's really rather beautiful.
At last I approached her home, a brick house with a garage on the left and a front door with a piece of frosted glass. I gently braked and came to a gradual halt. She removed her arms and I missed the warmth that had been generated where she held me, and slipped off the seat.
"Thanks for the ride." Emily shyly said.
"You're welcome." She was about to turn when I blurted out, "Emily…" I liked saying her name; I liked the way it rolls off my tongue smoothly. "Can I ask you something?" She was looking at me with a questioning look. "Are you okay with me – you know – dating girls, because it seems like you got uncomfortable when I mentioned my girlfriend. It would be shit if you did cause I really like you – as a friend, and I hope this would not come between us. I know I have this reputation of having many girlfriends and but – but it doesn't mean I would – try to date you – I mean! You're very dateable – I'm not saying you're not! I wouldn't date my friends. I mean – " I stopped speaking abruptly because I reckon I'd totally try to date her if she would be into me and if I didn't have a girlfriend.
And for the second time I chided myself. Smooth Naomi, smooth. Word vomit and incoherent rambling, what the fuck has gotten into your ability to construct proper sentences around this girl.
Emily was looking between being somewhat… upset? – and confused. Great, now she's going to run from me.
"I don't mind you dating girls Naomi," she said softly. "And I'd very much like to be your friend too."
Oh thank fuck. I was relieved.
"Great."
We smiled at each other for an inappropriate amount of time before I cleared my throat.
"I guess you should be going."
"Yeah… see you for the next session."
"See you tomorrow in class."
I must have said the right thing because the sparkle in Emily's eyes twinkled back at me. And that made me feel good.
I climbed onto my bicycle and saw her enter her house after giving me a last wave and smile, and pushed off my bicycle, pedaling hard.
I was just simply happy to have met Emily. She was a very nice girl, pretty, smart and I feel like I could have long hours of conversations just listening to her voice or just sit quietly with her and be comfortable. We could become great friends. This easiness is somewhat surprising to me since I've only known her for a day and I thought I could only be this comfortable with James. I want to get to know her better, to find out everything about her, what she loves and what makes her tick, to paint a full picture of her personality; everything.
While having this monologue in my head, I realised I was actually heading home when I should be going to my girlfriend's place. I huffed and made a detour to her house, wondering how the hell I was going to make it up to her.
I'm sorry if you guys were expecting to find a bitchy Naomi, I couldn't write her to be one, was never my intention but I almost did consider changing that. That's why your reviews are very much appreciated, they make me rethink and second guess my original plot, and of course bring a smile to me when I read them. So thank you M, fookyeahskins, crazziii, i, shewritesforher, miluvrox, staycoolsodapop, mUfF MuNcHeR and gemmaperidot.
Let me know your thoughts? Have a great new year! Cheers.