Cheers to fookyeahskins, Beck89, M, Alice Boricua, niceoneBlondie, B, fakevegan, desertdessert, CrystalKR1, fleetingcourage for sticking with me on the last chapter, especially the ones that never reviewed before and decided leave one. Makes me glad I've a few more awesome people out there that kinda still like this story. Or not.

No other pairings are happening, just Naomily but it aint gonna be much here I'm afraid, just sticking to the theme. Seems like lots of things are messy and happening altogether at the same time but it's part of the plan. Give me a couple of chapters to get to there. I promise I do have something in mind.

Game of Thrones Season Two has started! Shout out if you watch it and spot the easy reference here.

Chapter Eleven – Collide

Naomi

"Penny for your thoughts dear?"

I was sprawled on the living room couch, staring motionless at some program on the telly. Just staring. I had no idea what it was showing; I just wasn't there. Noise emitting from the telly was just white noise, undecipherable to my ears, a load of nonsense. I must have been in a daze, because I didn't even hear or notice mom slipping in and sitting beside me.

"Nah just some stuff, it's nothing." I mumbled, not really wanting to make conversation at this point. I was tired and wanted to be alone, not to sort out my thoughts, they're too tangled up, but just wanting some space and peace.

I'm tangled up in you.

"Alright," my mom paused a bit, "you know I'll always be there when you need a listening ear." She smiled affectionately at me.

In her eyes, I could see the care and concern for me. Worried and aging lines etched thinly across her features. I knew she was there, for me, all the time. I just didn't want to worry her about something trivial, something I'm not even sure I should be worried. But I realised every parent would want to know what their child is thinking, their good and bad times, and us being us, we just close up as we get older, and it breaks their heart.

She got up, tucked a bit of hair behind my ear and kissed my temple before walking away.

"Mom."

She halted in her steps and turned around with a tiny smile, I gestured for her to sit again.

"I just… ended things with someone." I didn't mention Angela's name because I've never introduced her to my mom but she does know I date girls.

Mom sat quietly, waiting for me to proceed. I took a deep breath before continuing.

"But the thing is, I didn't feel bad about it – I mean I did, do – but that's not why I'm – upset or whatever."

I looked at my fiddling hands, trying to find the words to express myself, something which I'm not that good or eloquent in.

I paused again to collect my thoughts, "Because, I think I kinda like someone else, when I was with her – I know, it's rather fucked for me to do that but I swear I didn't cheat on her."

"And you're feeling guilty about that?" Mom prodded.

I looked at her and frowned a bit in thought, "I should be, shouldn't I?" Mom smiled and shrugged. "But… I don't think I do." When those words left my mouth, I felt like I was such a horrible person. I mean like, what kind of heartless person am I?

"What are you upset about?"

"Because I don't think she likes me like how I like her." I said it again, out loud this time. That unmistakable wrench in the gut surfaced again.

"How do you know that?"

"I kissed her and she pulled away from me like she was shocked, like it was wrong. I fucked up our friendship – things were going so well between us. I really liked her company." I realised my mom must be confused about our relationship as I'd never told her about my friendship with Emily. "She's a girl that helped me in my math – that I feel very – happy – when I'm talking to her or just – walking her to class or looking at her, you know."

I'm open you're closed.

She nodded, a smile gracing her lips again.

"But I just had to fuck this up – and now I found out she doesn't like me. Urgh! It's going to be so awkward between us." I rubbed my eyes with my palms, sighing. "How can things ever go back to how it was before? How can I treat her like a friend again?"

"You could try?"

"I know but – I just feel like – I don't want to, you know what I mean?"

"She seems like a lovely girl."

"You haven't even met her mom." I stated pointedly.

"But like you said, she makes you happy. I've never heard you say that about a girl before." She gave me an all-knowing grin.

I sniffed and unwittingly twisted my mouth into a strained smile as I recalled that I did say it and that I was indeed happy in Emily's company.

"People that make us happy are never the people you'd expect. So when you find someone, you've got to cherish it." She brushed my fringe out of my eyes. "And that even means just having them as a friend."

I'm quiet you know
You make a first impression.

I chewed my lip, thinking about those words. It's true, with Emily I feel happier, less alone, less lonely. Yeah I had many girlfriends but sometimes I just get the feeling of loneliness, like even though I was with someone, I was still very much alone. I don't know if something is wrong with me and I choose to ignore the fact that there was still an empty space unfilled. That part was found and filled by Emily. It's like, with her, something falls into place, and she suddenly completes me. It might seem odd to feel that way for a person I hardly ever hung out with but for the times I am with her, the dozens of conversations we strike up effortlessly and playfully, it's just this indescribable grand feeling in my chest that I can only equate that to happiness every time we collide.

"Thanks mom. I'll try."

"Anytime love. I'll be getting to bed now, sleep tight." She gave me another kiss on the head and went upstairs, leaving me by myself again.

I felt like a little weight has been shifted off me after talking to my mom. I think I'll do it; I'll have Emily as a friend even though it's going to be hard. It'll take a while, but I'll get there.

I worry I wont see your face light up again.

I decided to ask James to chill out with me after school today, to just like, be in his company like old times, because he gives me that kind of ease and comfort and friendship that I get being with him. Well I get that too with Emily but I can't possibly ask her out, not yet anyway, I'll get to it. Also I know he has been slightly worried about me as I had "disappeared" from him for the past few days, replying short texts and keeping to myself. I kind of crave his company, like he's the constant and unchanging anchor where I can feel things are still the same even when they're not.

I spotted him down the hall after our last class of the day. He was in a different class.

"James," I caught up with him, "Wanna go somewhere to chill?"

"Now?" He question and looked unsure. He turned his head around to someone behind him, to Emily, that was just behind him. How did I not notice her behind? I can seriously be kind of blindsided most of the time.

Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find that you and I collide.

My heart stopped, and sped up again instantly because I'm now face to face with the girl that I've so desperately wanted to see, yet avoided like I didn't. My eyes flicked quickly over her and I can't help solidify that silent acknowledgement to myself that I did like what I saw. Her hair, half tied up into a ponytail with her fringe swept cleanly away from her eyes. Her clothes, a pair of tight fitting jeans and a huge comfortable hoodie. Okay, that doesn't look fantastic but I really liked it anyway. Her face, flawless. She was looking at me with a small smile, dark brown eyes locked onto mine. I didn't want to take my eyes away from her.

"Hi." She breathed out, her smile pulled wider and I found my mouth tugging up in an attempt to match hers.

"Hey." I wanted to say more to her, but I didn't know how because the next line I would have said was to tell her how beautiful she looked and that just would not be appropriate.

"Yeh, actually Emily an' I are gonna get some lunch and hang out. You… wanna come with us?" James asked. He looked at Emily, as if urging her to agree with him.

"Yeah Naomi, join us?" She asked, sounding hopeful. At least that's what I think it sounded.

I felt a bite of jealousy. Why is James, my best mate, hanging out with Emily? I hadn't even seen them communicate much after school. I'm supposed to be closer to Emily, not him. James looked a bit sheepish, the kind of look that I recognized on him as though he had been caught doing something he wanted to be kept a secret. As though, he wanted to be alone with – Fuck, no – it can't be that he…

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to suppress the growing surge of jealousy in me. I looked from James to Emily and back to James. Could James be the boy that Emily had fancied, the one that she told me that she liked his eyes? James shifted awkwardly under my stare and Emily fidgeted and blushed shyly. Seven hells!

I felt my head starting to spin; this sudden realisation of information is making me feel nauseous and overwhelmed.

"Erm, no," I cleared my throat, "I – I've got basketball practice later." I thought I probably saw Emily's face fall. Probably.

James frowned, "But yer just ask me if I wanted to chill wif ya."

"Well I forgot – slipped my mind about practice…" I wanted to flee from this scene right now. "Gotta go now."

"Call yer later okay?"

"No – yeah – anything." I muttered.

I left the pair of them as I pushed blindly past students with a thin film of water starting to cloud my eyes and a crushing pain in my chest.

Don't stop here
I've lost my place
I'm close behind.

Perspiration dotted my brow as I practiced my final few shots before the match started. I could feel I wasn't in my best form to date. Over the past few practices, I hadn't been shooting well nor feeling match-ready at the moment. But I couldn't let it show, as captain, you've got to show strength for the team even if you're weak.

This time, we're up against a fairly strong team. Last year we played against them and they were a rough and tough one. We narrowly won that match and they weren't too happy about that. We had bruises from that match from all their underhand pushing and shoving. Needless to say we were given more free throws. That's how we managed to pull ahead.

I especially disliked their center, this tall girl with long black hair. Her name's Mandy. She's probably almost half a head taller than me and when she raises her hands in defense, her arms go way longer than anyone, like an orangutan. It's kind of frightful but it works well. The main thing is that because she's not fast enough, she uses methods like bumping and obstruction to dispossess us. It doesn't not work all the time and she gets called for a foul but it kind of breaks our flow and it frustrates us.

"Come on girls, come together!" Coach Anthea clapped her hands for attention.

We huddled together, arms around each other. We do this every time before a match. It gives us this togetherness in one spirit and mind, and it boosts our confidence. I instinctively tightened my grip on them.

"Listen. That team's gonna be rough. They're gonna bump you – push you – frustrate you, but you're not gonna let it get to you – because you're much better than them. You've practiced hard. You're good. I want you to go out there and own it – and show it to them you don't have to play dirty to win. You play with your heart." She placed her hand in the middle and we followed suit, piling our hands up on top of each other's.

"Rounders!" We pushed our hands down and yelled in a cohesive unison, tapping our palm on our own heart after that.

I looked up at the stands, knowing James would be at the same place he usually sits. I knew Emily should be sitting with him now, which she was, of course. I witnessed Emily taking a sip from a straw from a cup James was holding for her. I'm assuming they're together now. I wanted to scream so badly in annoyance, march right up to them and strangle James with my hands. But – I shouldn't think like this because as his best mate, I should be happy for him if he's found a girl he likes and makes him happy. I should pat him on the back, congratulate him on an excellent find and share his happiness.

I must be staring a tad too long again as James was suddenly waving excitedly at me and showing me a thumbs up. Emily was also smiling broadly at me and clapping, looking gorgeous in the school colours. I nodded and managed to flash a feeble smile and wave back before turning away and catching Mandy's eye. She looked at me, with a smirk on the face that resembled nothing like the ones Effy does, and raised an eyebrow in a condescending way. I bristled inwardly, biting my lip and turning by back towards her, closing my eyes, settling my mind and tuning my concentration back to the match ahead. I mustn't let something like that unsettle me.

Play with your heart. Anthea's words floated into my mind. My eyes snapped open, this time alert and determined. I looked down at my well-worn basketball shoes, the gift from my mom, a reminder like she's almost here, cheering me. My mouth twitched into a quick smile and just like that, my confidence was restored. I was surrounded by people that believed in me.

I was ready.

.

.

The third quarter started and we were just a point down, fifty to fifty-one. It wasn't a big problem. Our scores were always pretty close since the match started. We'd lead by two points but they'll come back with a three-pointer, or we'll lead again by a three-point play. It's all rather exciting for the audience but deep in us we knew we couldn't let anything fuck up. It was stressful but I was riding on the adrenaline, soaking the pressure up.

We hadn't been collecting too many fouls from the other team. Apparently they had changed their tactic and had taken to marking each of us rather well. We were still able to handle them due to our nimble footwork and lightning fast changes in direction.

The ball was in my hands and once again one of them was on me in an instant. I quickly did a three-sixty pivot turn around her and managed to outpace her, hurtling down the right flank of the court before looking up and passing it to Cindy on the left flank. Suddenly out of nowhere, a long arm stretched out and intercepted the ball. Mandy's fucking long orangutan arm. Angry shouts rang throughout the stadium.

"Fuck." I managed to muffle my indignation as I hastened to get back into defense.

Kate was first to get to her but the girl had passed the ball to another player that was unguarded and she finished it with another two points.

I raised my hand up to Cindy in apology for not looking carefully as to whether she was guarded. Damn it. I shouldn't be getting too careless. Now we're three points down.

We restarted again with Kate bringing the ball up. I dodged my defender and ran out to receive the pass at the edge of the three-point line. I raised my hands, my body in a stance pretending to shoot. Another defender was instantly jumped in front of me with her arms raised in an attempt to block my shot. I lowered my hands quickly and did a bounce pass, past the defender's left to Ashley who collected my pass. My defender spun around and went for her, leaving me free. Mandy was on her too, she was getting out numbered soon.

"Ash!" I shouted.

I was still hovering at the three-point line. She whipped her head in my direction and flung the ball out to me. I was still unguarded but I only had a heartbeat to think before I was swamped. Admittedly, three-pointers weren't my specialty, I was better at creating play. But this was a chance to get our score level, I couldn't pass it up.

Taking a deep breath, I took a brief aim at the hoop and released the ball out of my hands; every bit of me yearning for it to get in yet hoping someone from my team would be able to catch the rebound if it didn't.

I shouldn't need to worry so much as it fell right through the hoop with a decent plop sound. A round of cheers and loud thumping exploded around the stadium. I was ecstatic and hopped a little in joy. We had a long way to go but this certainly boosted our confidence by a bit. At least we were level now.

"Sweet." Ashley and I fist bumped.

We had no time to slack because the other team had started on their attack again. We were back to defense. They had attempted a three-pointer with an aim to pull ahead but the girl missed and it rebounded off the board. There was a flurry of hands in the air under the net; the ball never specifically landing in anyone's but was being tossed frantically about – and fuck yes, Shannon managed to get possession of it, flinging the ball out to me.

I had to break fast since most of them were still behind me. I tore down the middle, dribbling as fast and deftly as I do and I realise I was being met by an opposing player. Mandy was a few steps in front of me in a crouching stance, arms and legs stretched out in defense, anticipating my every move. I was not going to let anything hold me up, especially not this ape. If I moved left or right, she'd be able to read me and disrupt my flow. There was only one thing I could think of.

I continued head on towards her and before I was about to knock into her, I switched the ball to my left hand and bounced it through her open legs in one fluid motion. Shouts and laughter rang out again as I sidestepped her and chased after the loose ball, retrieved it and performed a well-practiced layup, getting the ball through the hoop and getting two points.

Cheers resounded throughout the stadium again. Man I can get used to this. The sound of cheering, people shouting your name, my coach shouting in approval, and Emily jumping in excitement.

One thing I must congratulate myself is my ability to think of Emily subconsciously and somehow just instinctively spotting her out of the throngs of people she's surrounded with. Her red hair definitely helps, powered with my awesome eyesight. Seems I have a few good skills; getting balls through legs, shooting hoops and Emily-spotting.

I turned and saw Mandy looking at me with a scowl. I raised my eyebrow and arranged my face in an attempt to appear smug and condescending to further infuriate her. It must have worked as she narrowed her eyes and her scowl deepened making her look more ape-ish. I don't ever taunt players from the opposing team nor flaunt their fuckups in their face, but for Mandy it was different, she was the one that appeared hostile and maleficent from the start. I was just giving her her own bitter pill.

I know I shouldn't be celebrating too early since we're just in the third quarter but I was just beside myself from successfully accomplishing a brilliant maneuver.

Suddenly within the next few minutes, the pace of the game changed. It was faster and a lot more physical. Underhand shirt tugging and blatant obstruction started to take place. Sure we got some free throws but we were being roughed up quite a bit. Every time when one of us got the ball and started dribbling, we'd be immediately tightly surrounded by players, leaving not much space to create play or pass the ball. That made us pass the ball much faster than we could read each other's movements, thus leading to error, causing a few turnovers. We were down by three points again.

It was our turn to start, with Kate bringing up the ball again. She dribbled quickly, outpacing a defender before cutting in from the left. Immediately two players surrounded her but she managed to do a weak bounce pass to me, which I thankfully collected. Someone was marking me again but I started dribbling, trying to get away from the defender and nearer to the net. Realising that there was a bit more space to the right; I switched the ball to my left hand and feigned an attack on the left, forcing my way through as legally as possible before changing my direction to the right.

That worked. I confused my defender for a second and got a decent enough space ahead of me to perform a layup but I had to get closer to the hoop. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the other players advancing towards me but I was getting close enough to shoot. My legs geared into position as I lifted off, body in midflight, my eyes fixed on the target spot, my right arm raised with the ball in my hand, stretching and flicking my wrist to release the ball.

I felt something hard collide into me from my side as my eyes watched the ball deflect off the top corner of the box and into the net. It was more than just a bump but a rather seemingly intentional and impactful one.

I stretched my left leg out to brace my fall as I landed, my full weight in that moment, was supported by that leg. I was trying to keep myself upright and on my feet but the inertia proved too great and I stumbled forward, grazing my right knee and elbow in the process.

The shrill whistle sounded and angry shouts echoed around the stadium. I looked up and saw my teammates surrounding Mandy, gesturing furiously. Shannon, who was about Mandy's height, had her forehead almost bumping into Mandy's as she rained words at her. Coach and referee stepped in and separated them before a potential fight broke out. The referee was having a word with Mandy who looked entirely nonchalant and disinterested. That fucking ape must have intentionally collided into me. The crowd was making a hell lot of noise right now, mostly loud boos and jeers and occasional audible profanities.

I dusted my grazed knee and blew on my elbow before attempting to heave myself up. The skin had just torn but it wasn't deep enough, so the pink flesh hadn't appeared but I knew it was going to hurt in water. I propped up my left knee to push myself up but a sudden sharp but dull pain rippled just behind the left knee causing me to stumble back down with a grimace, clutching the offending part with my hand.

This was odd. I gingerly stretched my leg out but was met by a pain that was more biting that the first. I reckoned I must have not done my stretching properly before the match. I tried putting my leg straight out again and reached my hand to my foot, thinking I could like, stretch out the pain and it'll be okay. It usually works. But the pain remained and possibly increased. Maybe if I stood, it would be better.

"Need a hand?" Cindy held hers out to me. I grabbed hers and pulled myself up, this time with my right leg.

I shifted some weight onto my left leg, testing and placing it on the floor, trying to straighten it out. Pain shot through my body, causing me to shut my eyes and scrunch up my face. No I can't be injured right now. I need to finish this game. Probably if I start running, it'll go away.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" Cindy asked, her eyes flicking concernedly at my knee and elbow.

I huffed, "Yeah I'm fine. Just need to stretch a bit." The stubborn side of me refused to succumb to weakness even though every tiny increase in pressure on my leg was emitting bursts of pain.

The whistle blew again and I was given a free throw. I hobbled up, with much difficulty to the free throw line and took the ball thrown at me.

I forced my leg straight, wincing inwardly, and formed my stance. Blocking out the throbbing pain at my knee and the escalating noise from the crowd, I performed my pre-freethrow routine, twirling the ball on my finger and bouncing it a couple of times before uncurling my spine and flicking the ball up towards and into the hoop, completing a three-point play.

It was a relief the ball went in because I wasn't feeling myself when I took the shot. The pain distracted me and I feared I wasn't shooting the way I usually practiced. But I didn't have time to dwell on that because the game started again and the ball was already at the other half court.

I started to run, thinking I could outrun the pain and it'll disappear but another different pain ripped through me. This time it was searing, like a white-hot burning pain tearing and gnashing through my sensory system. I cried out and grabbed my knee, as I fell spectacularly to the floor. I knew it was bad this time. Never have I had such distress and discomfort over a small ache. This had to be a serious one.

I shut my eyes and bit my lip as I grabbed onto my knee, desperately trying to keep the pain at bay but it wasn't working, and every slight movement was killing me.

A mass of bodies surrounded me, hands gently pushing me to lie down. Lots of people were talking at once, either to me or at each other but I couldn't make out a single word. My whole being was invested in the pain.

There was a close shout somewhere, "Give me some space!"

A pair of rubber-gloved hands were touching my face and calling for my attention.

"Naomi. I need you to relax." A calm voice spoke into my ear.

My muscles and body were tensed up. I opened my eyes a fraction and saw that our medic was crouching beside me. I had nothing to worry. He'd fix me up properly and the pain would go away and I could continue playing. I nodded a little in acknowledgement and he turned his attention to my leg, spraying something on it that was bringing a cooling sensation.

I lolled my head to the side as I tried to relax, feeling the cool of the spray sooth the pain a little.

"I'll need to get her off the court." I heard the medic speak to someone else, probably coach.

The medic strapped me up and unknown hands quickly lifted and put me on a stretcher. It was then I realised I couldn't continue to play. I saw two people from afar running down the stairs onto the court towards me. I couldn't quite make them out but I saw a flash of red before I shut my eyes and brought my arms over my face trying to shut out the pain.