I am so sorry for the delay in updating, especially after you guys left me the best reviews of life! AND OH MY GOSH YOU VOTED TOO! I LOVE YOU. You are all so freakin' sweet, I don't even have to buy candy coke bottles anymore! Can you believe Miss-Maraudeur left me a review?!(sorry for the - replacing the . stupid thing wouldn't save for some reason)... well, a vote... that means she is reading! The authors I look up to *Ahem! Ever heard of Manifolds?* are reading my story! It's just so... crazy. Like, really. Wonderful readers and writers... I wonder if scriptmanip *Ahem, Resting on Your Laurels! Come on!* is reading too... If you are, Hiii! You rock! I'm sending every single one of you the biggest virtual hug EVER, because if I could travel all around this world, find you all and give you a real hug; I would... Okay I'm appreciative, not creepy :S Sorry.

On with lucky number 13!

Emily POV

I wonder if this is how Katie did it all those years ago. Did she stand outside as I'm doing now, and watch Naomi go into the shop and sit down; blissfully unaware that she is about to be face to face with someone she wasn't expecting? Did Katie buy a pack of fags as I have, and smoked the only one taken from the pack quickly discarded as rubbish seconds after it was purchased? Did she watch the smoke escape her lungs infront of her face, as her intestines did jumping jacks inside her torso? Knowing how different me and Katie are from each other, I'd venture to guess she did nothing of the sort.

I inhaled one last lungful of the tobacco stick, that is probably filled with more rat poison than the plant, and stub it out on the brick wall beside me. I watched Naomi walk into the coffee shop, and I wanted to kick myself for my hearts' sudden loss of function as it skipped at the sight of her. It really is strange, seeing her again. I can fully review the moment as well, when it's on my schedule. I can't help but miss her blonde locks that I've become so accustomed to associating with her. She is still stunning, but I guess my familiarity has made me a bit bitter about her new appearance. Her style has gotten better though, but I'm sure my sister would still have a few choice words about it.

I bet that sweater is really warm, I thought.

Then, I look down at myself and take in my own appearance. I am wearing Septembers' sweater, and it too is warm and comfortable on me. It smells of her, and I pull the collar up to my nose and let the smell of her hairwash and perfume invade my senses. I have to remember what I have, who I have. The strength that Sept has given me all these years has turned me into someone like this, someone who would confront Naomi. Someone who would demand answers to things, someone who knows who she is and what she believes in. It's in this moment, observing myself and the strides I've made over these last few years, that I recieve the confidence that I need to enter that coffee shop, and sit down at that table with Naomi Campbell.

So I walk across the street and place my hand on the door, pushing myself inside. The door doesn't have a bell attached to it, which I am quite grateful for seeing as how I want the full element of surprise. As I walk over to her table, I hear the gentle music playing quietly in the shop, and I can't help but hate how tragically romantic it sounds. Fucking great.

Lay your life on mine and I'll carry you through

Make good use of time and I'll stand with you

Cause I've got all my life to love you and so do you

I'm walking in and her back is to me. She has her phone on the table and her hands folded in her lap, as if she is waiting for a text message giving a vague explanation for an inability to meet her. Well, she's not going to get off that easy. I plunk myself down on the seat in front of her, the one that I saw her pull out a little earlier when she sat down, and I'm surprised to see her face go from shock to amusement.

"You know, you're the second Fitch to do this to me. Unfortunately Katie beat you to it years ago, hon"

The way she says 'Hon' makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

"So you were expecting me"

"Something like that" She smirks. "I've ordered us tea, I hope your taste hasn't changed"

Before I have a chance to open my mouth, she replies "It's actually a win win for me. I knew if I was meeting September you would have engraved that strange tea love of yours into her, seeing as how you did it to me when we were together. I still do it today you know"

I can tell she is genuine, because she is smiling and it's as if this simple memory gives her intense joy. The barista comes over with two mugs of tea and places them down at the table for us. I look to Naomi for her to tell me which one is mine when she shrugs

"They're both the same. Fig Rose Herbal Tea. It's supposed to be their flavour of the month"

She takes a sip of it and looks to me and raises an eyebrow as if to ask 'are you going to try it?' So I take a sip and it's actually not bad. Kind of sweet, but floral. Refreshing in a way other than mint. I realize I haven't said a word since sitting down, so I decide to say something non-chalant.

"Sept isn't much of a tea person when we go out. I think it's because I make so much at home, she usually gets apple cider or one of those iced green coffee lime things."

She nods in response and takes another sip, and I ask "How have you been?" at the same time she says "September is really wonderful" We have both heard what the other has said, and it's as if now we are in a boxing match, bouncing around each other in the ring waiting to see who is going to respond first. So I throw the first punch and reply "Yes, she is amazing. And she really liked... likes you. I was contemplating slipping her some sleeping pills before you came over 'cause she was so bloody excited" Naomi nods, and gives me a bright smile in return. So I decide to add with a small chuckle "She can be such a toddler sometimes". She laughs at this, and looks to me as if she is waiting for me to continue. And when I don't, and give her a pointed look to answer my question; she decides to reply.

"I have been fine. Well, Effy would argue with me but whatever. I feel okay, you know? better than I have in a while." And her response is so vague, yet says so much because I know her so well. She realizes this and shifts a little in her chair, and I know I make her uncomfortable. She is about to say something again when I cut her off.

"So Naomi. What am I to do with you?"

"I..." She murmors "...I don't know what you mea-"

"Look" I begin "I'm here, meeting you, for a reason. I think I need answers from you. I need to ask questions and I need them answered. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course I can"

"Okay. Well, I need to know if you still feel the same"

She looks confused, so I clarify "Do you still think I'm weak for taking you back all those years ago?"

"No" Is all she says. So I nod to myself and continue "Right. Wel-" before I'm cut off by her interjection. "Anybody can say fuck off to someone who has wronged them. I've learned first hand how hard forgiveness is, and I've always admired that about you. You were able to forgive me for Sophia and I've never been able to forgive myself, for anything. That's one of the big goals of my therapy actually, learning to forgive"

So there's no home for doubt

If you're scared we'll work it out

And the lives that we share could be anywhere

I'm shocked, I didn't think she would ever attend therapy. So I decide to go the cheeky route and reply with "Naomi Campbell, in therapy for being self riteous. What a shocker"

i can see that my comment had a harsher effect than I had intended, because her shoulders slump a little and she starts playing with her cup. A few moments pass before she is able to speak again.

"Do you think we'll ever be able to get to an okay place?" She asks quietly

"I don't know, Naomi. Are you on bipolar pills? Do I have a guarentee that your mood is going to stay level for any amount of time?" Again, a little harsh. I hate myself for still being bitter but we've never been able to hash this out.

For as long as you're mine we can stand the test of time

For the cost is too high not to love

"I'm not her anymore, Emily. I'm not afraid anymore. Sure, I can be sarcastic still but that's only so people don't mess with me. I'd like to think I've gotten my head out of my ass because I can actually care for Effy, who let me just say is a handful at best. I'm working on bettering myself and I'd like to think I've made progress." I'm not particulatly warming up, but I guess since I don't really know how this whole 'confronting-the-ex-who-scarred-you' thing goes, I guess I can just listen for a minute.

"Look, I'm not asking to be together again, I'm not asking to be your friend. God knows I have no right to ask a thing from you." She is struggling now, and i'll be damned if this is all it takes for me to forgive her again. She has done too much damage.

"I stand by what I said all those years ago. You deserve happieness, and all the beautiful things life has to offer. You have gotten all of that, and I am so happy for you. The worst thing I have to live with every day, is knowing that I wasn't strong enough to be that person in your life who could give you that. The love you deserve, the ki-" I cut into her sentence with words that I never thought I would say out loud.

"YOU were always enough for me, Naomi."

As soon as the words leave my mouth, it's as if time stops. I feel like for the first time, she is actually hearing me, my words, my voice. She is hearing ME; all that I am. All that WE were. This life we were meant to live together, the fact that it doesn't exhist effects us both. And from what I can see, I've done alright. But Naomi, she has been suffering. While I had to deal with anger and heartbreak, she's had to deal with a lot more. She's hated herself for so long, and I feel empathy for her. The things Naomi has done to me, the things she has put me through... I would never wish this on her. This punishment. I came here thinking I needed to punish her, to get revenge or to make sure she knows that I'm okay; but the reality is she has always needed me. She has always had me in her life and she fell apart when I left. She is learning to build herself again and I can't find it in me to be angry at her anymore.

It's like this. Say you're driving down the street, in a brand new car, great life, great job; the works. It's a beautiful sunny day and you decide to take the scenic route home. Then, at the side of the road with a sign that says 'Please help, starving', you see the guy who used to bully you at school. That guy everyone thought was SO cool and SO hot, the one who snogged that girl you had a crush on while shoving you into lockers and calling you filthy names every chance he got. The one who followed you home one day so he could throw things at the back of your head as you walked. That guy who now is covered in dirt from god knows where, riddled with desease, and addicted to heroin; he's begging on the street corner while you're out enjoying the day with all the happieness in the world. He did some horrible things to you, and has been the leading cause to some of you're insecurities throughout your life. But you can't help but feel bad for him because the punishment for his crimes are... well... you get it. And even though he makes you doubt yourself every now and again when you look at your reflection in the mirror, you wouldn't wish this fate on him. You can't hate him anymore, because you won in the end. Granted, I wouldn't call me the 'winner' or compare Naomi's life to that of a crackhead, but I just can't hate her anymore. I need to move on, and so does she. We need closure from each other and that's why we are here. I take a deep breath before starting my next sentence, because I know it is going to change everything.

"I don't hate you Naomi. What happened between us was... shit. But I'm willing to move on. And you should too, really. I'm... you don't owe me anything. I didn't die, I'm here, and... I'm okay"

Put your cares on mine and we'll carry them through

Walk the firing lines with the power of two

Cause I've got all my life to save you and so do you

She is looking at me, and it's as if she isn't quite sure how to respond. Her eyes dart quickly from side to side, and if I wasn't paying such close attention to her I probably wouldn't have noticed this. Her gaze shifting between my eyes, as if searching for the response inside my retinas. She opens her mouth and shakes her head a little while she says a simple and hesitant

"...Good"

I can't stay here anymore, I need to go home. Back to my life, back to September, and away from this bloody song that seems to be playing on a fucking loop through this place. But for some reason when I strain to hear it, I can't.

"Look, I have to get home. I'm exhausted and I need sleep. But thank you for staying to meet with me, and I wish you all the best with your therapy" I stand up to leave and she stands as well, eyes still glued to me. She looks as if she is struggling with something, but before I can ask what it is, she closes the gap between us and wraps her arms around me. And it's strange, being in this oh-so-familliar embrace with a girl I once knew, a girl I once loved. It's almost as if we've never left each other, as if we don't have a history we just spent the last hour working through. I find myself hugging back and I know I miss this. I miss her, and she still smells of soft lavender and vanilla. I know that I want her in my life, I want to know her again. But it's too soon for any of that. Right now, this is as far as we go. Right now.

We break from the hug, and she is teary eyed, but still manages to give me a sweet smile before saying. "Get some sleep. I'll see you around, Emily"

I nod to her and return her smile, and as I leave I chance a quick glance back to her and say "Just give it time, yeah? We'll get there" Before exiting the building.

For as long as you're mine we can stand the test of time...

For the cost is too high not to love.

Naomi POV

I walked into the front door of my flat, and I've never been so happy to be home. I left the house today thinking I was going to be hanging out with new friends, maybe have a threesome... okay maybe not, but still. I didn't expect the night to turn out like this. Emily was the one texting me to meet her, which means that she read my text. I don't know what is more embarassing, knowing she read it, or the fact that she didn't say anything about it to me at the coffee shop. I hugged her, and she still smelled the same. Her hair was still so soft and... I need to deal with this. I need to deal with the fact that I'll always love Emily Fitch, but that I can never have her. I have to deal, but I know that I want her in my life. I'm not going to push, but hopefully now that we live in the same area I can at least run into her at coffee shops or something.

The first thing I notice, is the quiet. Sure, it's usually quiet, but that's when Effy is either in bed or out trying to pull. And I know it's the latter, because she told me she was going out while I went to my 'snooze fest' of a hang out with friends to eat dinner at their flat. But for some reason, her shoes are at the front door and the TV is on. And I'm actually quite thankful, because I really need some of her all-seeing advice right now. So I take my shoes off and walk into the livingroom, where I find a zoned out Effy quickly switch off the TV upon my entrance, as if to say 'okay, you've got my attention for exactly 2 minutes; Go'. But I know she is more than curious, because she did after all turn off the bright box with moving pictures and vivid lights. I sit down on the sofa next to her, and let out a sigh before placing my feet up on the coffee table in front of the sofa. And I know it annoys the shit out of Effy when I do this, but she let's it slide for some reason tonight. And if my brain wasn't so overloaded with my latest drama, I may have even asked her why she wasn't trying to scold me with a hot iron. It's this sudden change in behavior that makes me want to say something to fill the uncomfortable silence that I thought didn't exist between me and Effy anymore, so when I blurt out "Emily was her girlfriend", I hear her say "I met someone", we both snap our eyes to each other in that moment; and it becomes and instant stand off of confused and intrigued blue eyes. She knows I am about to make her repeat herself, but she quickly retorts with:

"Oh no you don't Campbell, Fitch comes first. You know that"

Ugh. I can't argue with that.

I give her my Campbell eye roll and say "Fine! But you had better tell me what the fuck happened to YOU tonight, Elisabeth Stonem"

She knows when I use her full name, that I mean business. So she gives me one of her trademark smirks and nods to me with sparkling eyes declaring that we have a deal. So I go on and tell her everything that happened tonight at their flat. How Emily reacted, how Sept acted, and how Emily later tricked me to meeting her at a cafe so she can get some answers. Effy laughed at that, obviously finding it amusing that it was the second time in my life that I got fooled by a Fitch, but I carried on as if she didn't say a word. I talked about how it felt to hug her again, how she still smelled of fresh lilies, and how I felt horrible that I may have messed things up for Emily. How I wanted to kiss her cheek right after I hugged her, and before I could say anything else, Effy snorted out a laugh that she must have been holding in for a while; because it looked utterly painful when she finally let it out.

"What the fuck was that for?"

"It's just so... I don't know what to say. There are a million different scenarios that could have brought you and Emily together again. But this? Come on, Nai. Tell me you don't feel like you're in the middle of some ostentatious teen drama written by Jamie Brittain or Bryan Elsley"

Seriously, Effy?!

"Of course I do! You think I don't feel utterly rediculous? But I don't know what to do. Should I avoid her and stay away? Should I try to make an effort to connect?... Shou-"

"Stop fidgetting Campbell!"

I still myself, because Effy yelling is so unnatural that it freezes me instantly. I guess I have been mucking about with things whilst talking to her. She takes a deep breath after I become stone, and says

"Look. Don't make it so complicated, okay? She has your number, so if she wants to see you she'll text. And if she doesn't, you live close so-"

"But that's just it! What do I do if she doesn't want to see me, and we jut end up at Tesco's at the same time or something!"

She pinches at the bridge of he nose as if I've just asked her for the millionth time what the square route of 5 is. "Fucking relax. I'm the basket case here, remember? Right. So if you 'run into each other' at Tesco's, just say hi; you twat"

"Not everything is that simple Ef"

"It's not so complicated either, Naomi"

She has a point.

I hope that was worth the terrible wait time I made you endure! and if that last scene with Em and Naomi seemed vaguely familiar to some of you, it was inspired by S6 of the L word when Shane bumps into Molly at that store with the big... bowl... Anyways! I will see you soon! Well, I'm going to try and update but I've got some stuff to do... mainly wait for The Last Of Us to come out on Friday so I can pick it up and get into some kick ass zombie action... No! I WILL update! I'm putting a reminder in my phone *click click click*

XO Violet