"So talk." Emily flops down on to one of the chairs in the front room, looking like a sulking teenager with her arms folded across her chest. She looks nothing like her usual put together self. Her hair is matted with sleep, and tied back in a hasty ponytail. There are dark circles under her eyes, though these are nothing new; she's probably had more than a few restless nights lately, she's just usually better at hiding their toll.

I feel put on the spot, standing there in front of her, wringing my hands together as I try and come up with the magic words that will make this all better. There are none. "I'm a complete and utter dick." Emily's brow raises at my less than poetic start, but at least she lets me continue. "I screw up everything I touch. I always have. When I met you that day at the gym, I wanted so badly to impress you; to have you like me...I had no idea you were with Freddie. As soon as I found out, I wanted to tell you-"
"But you didn't." Emily's gaze is cold and accusing as she interrupts me.

"No. I didn't." I nod in agreement. "I let Effy talk me out of it."

"Effy." Emily repeats the name. It seems to leave a foul taste on her lips. "She's your flat mate. The one who's been shagging my fiancé...How long has it been going on?"
"You should ask Freddie that. It's not my place to-"
"God damn it, Naomi! You should have told me everything as soon as you figured out who I was!"

She's right. I was a coward. I should have been honest with her. "I was scared you'd hate me." I admit; after all, the truth is better late than never. "I didn't want to lose you. I was selfish and stupid, and I'll understand if you don't ever want to see me again. I just needed you to know...I needed to tell you that..." The words I want to say just won't come out. They've got clogged up in my throat and it feels like I'm about to choke on them.

"Tell me what?" Emily snaps, her patience wearing thin. There's a desperation to her voice though, like she's still waiting for me to come up with the words that will make everything all better. I kneel down in front of her, taking hold of her head in my hands. She doesn't try to stop me, which is a good sign in itself. I run my thumb gently over her cheek as I stare intently in to her eyes, trying to convey just how much I mean the words that are about to pass my lips.

"I-"

That's all I manage to get out before Emily lurches forward, crushing her lips against mine. The kiss is every bit as desperate and needy as our first one was; it seems like a lifetime ago now. Emily's fingers dig in to my shoulders as mine undo her loose ponytail, and become tangled in her luscious red hair. We cling to each other like it's the last time we'll ever see one another; I pray to every divine entity I know of that it won't be.

We're both breathless by the time we pull apart. Neither of us moves very far though. I can still feel Emily's ragged breath against my cheek as our noses touch, almost carrying on the kiss for us, while our lips take a break. Emily's eyes close over as she takes a deep, steadying breath. "I love you too."

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"That's the last of it." I slam the car boot down on the last box of my stuff that I've just taken out of the flat I've shared with Effy for the last couple of years. It feels like the end of an era. "Give me a minute?" Cook gives me a small nod and a tight smile as he climbs up front in the car to wait for me. Effy is waiting by the gate for me, her arms crossed over her thin frame. She has a shawl draped over her shoulders, and fresh tears in her eyes.

"You don't have to do this you know." She says, not for the first time. It's been a couple of weeks since the truth erupted out and Freddie moved in.
"I do." We've tried to make it work, but there's only so much I can take of feeling like a third wheel in my own home. I'm moving back in to Mum's for a little while, just until I sort myself out. "We all need some time."

It's been tense. Freddie and Cook still aren't speaking, though Cook is trying his best to get back in my good graces; hence why he's helping me move my stuff across town to Mum's house. Effy and I are still on shaky ground. Our friendship isn't what it used to be, but hopefully, with some time and some space, we'll get there again. Emily and I are taking it slow, trying at being friends before we move on to anything else. It's frustrating at the best of times, and we tend to kiss a lot more than 'friends' should, but we both agreed it was for the best.

Effy nods, fighting back a sniffle as she moves in for a hug. We've been friends for too long to let this come between us. After an extra tight squeeze, we say our goodbyes and promise to meet up for coffee soon. As sad as I am to be leaving Effy and the flat behind, there's an overwhelming sense of relief as I slip in to the car beside Cook.
"You doing okay Blondie?" His hand finds my knee and gives it a gentle pat. I nod, too drained to bother answering him.

I cover his hand with one of my own, so as not to offend him. I'm glad we're okay again. He's like a big brother to me sometimes; just one that likes to hit on me a lot. "I hear Red's planning on coming out to her parents again tomorrow." Cook tries to make small talk as we get stuck in late afternoon traffic. I nod again. I offered to go with her, for moral support, but thankfully she turned me down. I'm pretty sure Rob has already figured out what's going on, but I don't fancy being there when Emily tells her mum she's gay. At least she'll have Katie's support this time. The ice queen has even started to thaw out with me. I can't see us all sitting down to Sunday dinner any time soon, but I suppose it's still a start.