CHAPTER 3.

April 2010:

Emily:

I guess you never really know someone huh? Well, actually I didn't really know her in the first place but I can't say I expected her to have such an insanely violent streak.

If i'm completely honest, I had no problems at all with what she did. Andy's a complete tosser and the fact that he can no longer procreate is like God giving me a wink and a high five but perhaps a certain level of subtlety on her behalf may have been more appropriate... I don't know.

Since she started here, she's been a complete mystery wrapped up in a beautiful blonde package. That's how I see her. The rest of my school are not so generous in their opinion. The words `weird, loser, fucking bitch, snob' are thrown around easily by everyone in our year and alot of the other students to describe her. Oh and now we can add `pyschotic cock cutter' into the mix. Fantastic.

I think there is so much more to Naomi Campbell. Maybe more so than even she herself realizes. Yes Em, in your infinite wisdom of having known her just over a year, a total of two coversations, one debate, countless glances and an `almost kiss' makes you an expert on the matter. Ah yes, the the kiss that almost was.

I'm pretty sure i'm gay (the Andy fiasco reaffirmed that for me) and I have no problems with that but there is no way in hell i'm going to tell my family or friends. Yep, I just ooze confidence and self worth don't I? It's hard to be ok with yourself when you've lived in the shadow of your sister your whole life, being judged and compared.

So, there we are at Effy's house early last month. Her parents are away, the music's blaring, massive amounts of alcohol and small bags of pills are making their way around the living room. I wouldn't say it's not my scene, I like spending time with my friends, have developed a close affinity to vodka and have no problems popping the occasional recreational drug. I'm just not down with the sweaty, grindy boys who think the twin thing would be the hottest experience ever. So yeah, after the first Beavis and Butthead impression of `huh uhhu huuuh, twins' from the group of guys sitting on the counter, I made my way out of the kitchen swiping a full bottle of vodka with my left hand and my right giving the bird to the tossers. I threaded my way between the masses in the hallway and living room, stepping over Cook's sprawled legs and out into the warm evening air.

`Thirsty much?' Effy appears next to me with a spliff between her lips and glances down at the bottle in my hand.

`Wasted much?' I counter back, noticing her glazed, red eyes.

She shrugs and offers me a drag which I gladly accept.

Effy has been my best friend since Kindergarten. We were buddied up on our first day and have been in the same class almost every year since. She and Katie became close at the beginning of high school and often go `on the pull' together as clearly, I have no interest in doing so. She's the only person I have ever told that I thought I might be into girls. In typical Effy fashion, she scoffed and said `Do you reckon?' Apparently she had an inkling but wanted me to come to terms with it myself. She's also the only person who knows that I may have a teeny crush on Naomi. Again, the response was a scoff followed by `Do you reckon?'

She throws an arm loosely around my shoulders and we stand there in comfortable silence, watching the sun slowly dipping below the horizon. Eventually Effy gives a contented sigh and reaches into her pocket, bringing out a matchbox and giving it a small shake.

I smile, the rattle the small box elicits is a familiar and friendly sound. Opening it up, she slips out a small white pill and brings it up to my lips. I obediently stick my tongue out and she places it lightly in front of my tongue bar. (Yep, piercings are my little attempt at rebellion and individuality. There is NO way Katie would stick metal in her body)

I swallow as I watch Effy reach back into the box and then frown slightly as she opens my hand and places another pill in my palm.

`I'm right thanks Eff, one will do me. I don't want the vodka to get ignored' I grin and give the bottle a shake.

`It's not for you.' She tilts her head in the direction of the garden path.

`Eff... what...?' I ask, utterly confused.

`You might find a...friend.' She smirks, nods in the same direction and turns back into the house.

`Fucking hell.' I mutter. I love Effy to death but seriously, the mysterious thing wears a little thin.

I sigh while pocketting the pill, take a swig from my bottle and head towards the garden path. I have no idea what awaits me but if there is one thing i've learnt, it's to trust Effy.

I make it to the bottom of the garden and pull up short with a slight gasp at the sight that greets me. Naomi is lying on the grass with both hands under her head, earphones fitted snugly into her ears and gazing up at the tree she is under. She's oblivious to my presence and I can't help the small smile that appears on my face as I watch her mouth mime to the music as her foot keeps in time to the beat.

I take a deep breathe and walk towards her. It takes a few seconds but she glances at me and sits up with a start, headphones falling.

`Hi.' I say with false bravado.

`Hey.' She replies warily.

`Do you mind if I...' I gesture to the grass next to her.

She glances down to where I'm pointing and then looks back up at me, saying nothing.

`If I sit.' I finish, shuffling to the other foot.

She continues to look up at me, still saying nothing.

`Right.' I spin around and am about to storm off when I hear her cough behind me.

`It's wet.'

`Um, what?' I turn back.

`The grass. It's wet there. I um, I spilt my drink.' She stutters.

`Ok. Uh, what about there?' I point to her other side, `Was your uncoordination limited or is the general vicinity a no-go zone?'

Her eyes narrow slightly but I see the slightest twitch in her lips.

`No, there's fine.' She nods and holds my gaze.

`Great!' My attempt to sit down gracefully is quickly thrown out the window as I manage to catch the toe of my right shoe on a mound of grass, try to regain my balance by sticking out my left foot which neatly makes me ankle tap myself. I go down in a heap. At least my landing is soft. Of course it is, I landed right on Naomi's lap.

The look on her face is complete shock and I can only imagine mine is one of complete dismay. The seconds tick by as we stare at each other until Naomi breaks the silence by clearing her throat.

`Ahem, Emily. Should we discuss the uncoordination factor now or do you want to wait until you remove yourself from my lap?'

`Oh yeah, of course.' I stutter and feel the blood streaming up my neck and flushing my face in humiliation.

Naomi raises her eyebrows at me and I realise I haven't moved.

`Fuck, right... shit sorry.' I come to my senses and start to scramble off her lap.

`Wait!' Naomi shouts and pulls me back onto her lap.

I grab onto her shoulders to steady myself and look at her with utter confusion.

`Um, wrong side. It's wet there, remember?' She says quietly.

I'm more than aware of our close proximity as it dawns on me that my hands are still resting on her shoulders and more so, her hands are lightly gripping my waist.

`Right, thanks.' I smile softly and together, we manage to deposit me on the other side, dry but embrassed as hell.

About a minute of uncomfortable silence follows as we both avoid looking at each other.

`At least tell me you're drunk and that's what contributed to your lack of understanding the laws of gravity?' Naomi breaks the silence with smirk.

I hold up the almost full bottle of vodka that somehow managed to stay intact.

`Sadly, no. That's just a secret talent I have.' I sigh with a grin.

I hear her give a slight chuckle next to me as I unscrew the cap on the bottle and tilt my head back, taking a big swig and grimacing at the burn in my throat before passing it over to her.

`Tah.' she says gratefully before mirroring my action.

`So, I don't usually see you at these kind of things.' I jerk my head back in the direction of the party.

`No.' she agrees thoughtfully but doesn't elaborate. I don't push it, not my business anyway.

We pass the bottle back and forth for the next little while, making small talk about school, teachers, students.

`You should come more often. They can be... fun.' I nudge her with my arm.

She just looks at me strangely.

`Well, I mean... it depends what your definition of fun is of course.' I say hurridly, `feral guys, shit music. But then there are the upsides of alcohol, drugs and red heads throwing themselves into your lap!' my confidence seems to be growing with each swig.

`Yeah.' she chuckles with a slight nod, `speaking of which.' She grabs a crumpled cigarette packet from her pocket and pulls out a spliff. Lighting it she takes a massive drag and holds it deep in her lungs. She tilts her head up, closes her eyes and lets the smoke stream from her lips. I feel my jaw drop slightly and I can't tear my eyes from her face. Fucking sexy. I shake my head slightly, how is it I'm getting turned on by smoke?! Oh, that would be the MDMA coursing its way through my system. Fuck, forgot about that!

`Emily?'

As my eyes come back into focus and my brain starts to function again, I realise Naomi is looking straight at me.

`Sorry.' I stammer and without asking, pluck the spliff from her fingers.

`Please, go right ahead.' She says in amusement.

I take a deep drag while reaching into my pocket to retrieve the forgotten second pill. As I exhale, I raise it up to Naomi's eye level. She narrows her eyes suspiciously for the briefest of seconds before recognition spreads over her face.

She licks her lips (hot), opens her mouth, slowly sticks her tongue out (HOT!) and licks the pill from my fingers (FUCKING HOT!) never breaking eye contact. Thank you Effy, you evil genius!

I swallow deeply and audibly and just know my face is the same colour as my hair.

`Thanks.' she says softly but I'm lost for words so I just nod like an idiot.

She smiles and reaches down for the bottle of vodka.

`Drink?' She offers with a smirk. I nod again and grab the bottle, our fingers touch briefly and I hear a strange sound coming from deep in my throat. I cough in a lame attempt to cover it up and take a massive swig. Relishing the burn in the back of my throat and glad to have a distraction. Naomi takes another hit from the spliff and lies down on the grass, popping one headphone into her ear and holding out the other one towards me.

I smile, shrug, take the proffered plug and lie down next to her.

`And what are we listening to?' I query as i settle it into my ear.

`Shuffle mode.' she closes her eyes and for the next half hour we lie comfortably. The tunes ranging from Portishead, RHCP, Metallica and even Skepta. If I wasn't so content with the feeling of the soft grass against my back, I would be itching to dance. When Regina Spektor's `Samson' comes on I smile.

`Such a beautiful voice. You and Effy should hang out, she's her biggest fan.'

Naomi opens her eyes and looks over at me with an expression I can't put my finger on.

`What's she like? Effy.'

`Amazing, intelligent, deep, loving.' I rattle off with a fond smile.

`You must really love her.' Naomi nods and sits up causing the earphone to pop out of my ear.

`Yeah. I do.' I reply simply.

`So, um. How long have you been together?' Naomi asks after she's cleared her throat.

`Wait, what?' I sit up in disbelief.

`It's ok. I won't tell anyone, though I'm pretty sure everyone already knows.' She shrugs.

`Wait. No... we're not. I mean, she's not even... I mean. No, we're not together!' My brain can't seem to form a proper sentence.

`Oh.' she replies and looks... relieved? What the hell?!

`Why would you...?' I trail off.

She turns to look at me with a slight frown.

`Well it's not really a stretch is it. You two are together all the time. You're super affectionate with each other. You're both well hot and the biggest giveaway Emily... you're gay.' It's not a question, it's a statement.

`I, um...I...' my shoulders slump and I sigh `I... I don't know.'

`Hey.' she says softly and gently places her hand on my bicep, `It's ok.'

I look up into her eyes. My God, they're crystal blue. I feel her thumb start to rub my arm slightly and my eyes automatically dart down to watch. When I look back up, she's still watching me. Hang on, she called me hot. She's rubbing my arm and staring into my eyes. What the FUCK? Naomi's gay?!

Next thing I know, she's leaning her face down to mine. I can feel her breath against my face and somehow my hand has made it's way up to her cheek. Time is moving so slowly as our lips make the slightest contact. Then, nothing. She's pulling away with a look of horror on her face. Multiple emotions wash over me within a millisecond, confusion, rejection and anger. I unsteadily push myself off the ground to my feet, not giving a shit about my dignity anymore. I stand for long enough to shoot her another death stare, turn on my heel and storm up the garden path.

Fuck you Campbell.