A/N
I didn't really get too much time to edit this one, (studies + work). So I do apologise if there are any errors, hopefully nothing too major (fingers crossed). Again, feel free to let me know if you spot any, I'd really appreciate it, (it gives me an idea on what to look out for next time!). It is a fairly fast chapter release but in truth it was half done by the time I decided to publish my very first chapter, (plus, first chapter hype kind of kicked me into a whole new gear). Please don't hesitate to critique, it will let me know what to do/ not to do in the future!
Am I being too slow in this chapter? Too fast? I don't know, i'm still new to this but be my guest to provide your opinion/ suggestions. I had a few different scenarios in my head but decided to reign in the intensity, being the 2nd chapter. I do plan to build it up gradually though. I don't want to spoil anything so I'll end this A/N here. Thanks for reading. :)
The flight was surprisingly empty, though I lost Naomi and her mother whilst looking for my seat.
"Looks like we can spread out on this flight", my dad winked at me as he nodded toward the empty row of seats behind our own.
He was right, the cabin was fairly empty, something I was more than happy about. Our row was completely empty from window to window save for my father and myself. Dad waited until just after the seatbelt sign flashed off to jump up and move to the row of seats behind our own.
He sat down and rustled my hair from behind.
"Sweet dreams love", he chuckled with child-like enthusiasm as he lay down along the row.
I lay down to rest as a stewardess came around notifying passengers to close window shutters and turn off lights. Sometime after, I woke from my slumber to Naomi's hushed whispers.
"Emily?..." she paused, "Are you still asleep?".
I froze. Her lips were just millimetres from my ear. I held back a shiver as I felt her warm breath on my ear. Naomi straightened up to leave, assuming I was still sleeping. Without thinking I grabbed her hand and tugged her back. Naomi yelped at the sudden touch, losing her balance and falling in a heap on top of me.
"Ouch!" I gasped as she scratched the side of my eye in her fall.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry" she stammered looking at where her nail had left a red trail.
"No, don't be, it was my own fault" I insisted.
"Here, let me see...I'm sorry..." she repeated, tracing a cool finger along the mark.
"Shall I get some ice?" she queried looking concerned and standing up.
"It's fine, honestly, it was more surprise than pain" I smiled as I pulled her back down to the seat gently. she returned a still worried smile and sat back down.
"So what are you doing here?" I questioned sitting up and pulling my knees to my chest.
"I wanted to see you" she replied nonchalantly, mimicking my posture and pulling up her knees.
I looked at the seat in front, embarrassed. I know I had no real reason to be embarrassed she had said it with such indifference.
"Your dad seems to be comfortable", she noted, pointing a thumb to the row behind ours.
I peered over the seats at my father sleeping soundlessly.
"Good luck trying to wake him" I laughed as I turned back around to face Naomi.
She paused a while then stifled a snicker.
"What?" I asked bemused.
She removed her hand to speak only break into a fit of giggles.
"Seriously... what?" I asked again, becoming uncomfortable. It was clear her laughter was somehow directed at me. I wiped a finger along the scratch subconsciously, looking back at Naomi who was still crunched over in an attempt to stifle the fit of laughter.
"I..." "I just..." She breathed "Remember", she broke the cabins silence with her laughter and with a startled expression quickly covered her mouth with a knit cuffed hand, stifling her laughter once more.
So contagious was the snickering that I soon found myself smiling, still puzzled. Naomi took several deep breaths and looked back to me, snorting once more as she did. She took a deliberate breath and composed herself.
"Turbulence..." she managed to spit before falling into a fit of giggles again.
I looked at her, perplexed for a moment before realisation hit. I had prayed no one had seen me pin ball when we experienced turbulence on that first flight. I covered my face with my hoodie sleeved hands as I remembered being tossed between my father and the chair in front of him.
Naomi calmed down somewhat and gently removed my hands.
"Sorry..." she started, "I didn't mean to offend you, I just thought it was funny the way you bounced..." she inhaled, managing to maintain her composure, "between your dad and the chair... That guys face, just every time I remember it and picture it..." She grinned as her shoulders shook in silent laughter.
"It's not that funny..." I muttered as I pulled my hands from hers and looked away.
"You're right, sorry. You just seemed so composed the whole flight, it was funny to see you so panicked" She took my hand again and held it in both of hers, looking at me sincerely. "I meant no offence, honest".
I forced a slight smile, I felt slightly uncomfortable at the touch.
"It's fine..." I paused "...it was kind of funny". I smirked, remembering my panicked flailing and imaging the poor passengers face.
"You were watching me?" I asked suddenly, surprised as I realised what she said.
It was Naomi's turn to look away embarrassed, dropping my hand as she did.
"Well... I was curious... And you looked my age is all..." she mumbled, trailing off as she pulled at the fibres of the chair in front.
"So that's why you were looking at me in the airport?" I asked feeling like an idiot at having considered any other reason.
My shoulders sank. That's probably why she'd looked at me that way as well. Remembering my flailing would probably bring anyone to tears of laughter, let alone a smirk and a wink. Idiot. You've never actually been hit on, what makes you think things have changed. Besides... she's a girl. Why did I even consider something like that. Why was I even upset about it?... It's not like I'm used to being hit on so I have a reason to be offended at finding out otherwise. I broke my thoughts when I realised Naomi hadn't replied, I looked up, she was still pulling at fibres avoiding eye contact.
"Nao-?"
"No" she answered bluntly, cutting me off.
"What...?" I didn't know how to word my question... Or even what to ask.
"Do you want to play a game?" Naomi jumped up suddenly, eyes bright with excitement.
I was taken aback by her sudden change in demeanour.
"S-Sure" I stammered still surprised. "What did you have in mind?"
She paused a moment, thinking.
"I don't suppose you have a deck of cards, do you?" she questioned, looking at me expectantly.
"No, sorry" I replied regretfully.
"Hmm..." Naomi rubbed her bottom lip in thought. "20 questions then!" She announced raising an index finger upward in triumph.
"Ah... There's not really much to know about me" I answered candidly.
"Of course there is!" She insisted. "I'll start and prove it to you...hmm...ok got one, what school did you go to?"
"Roundview" I responded plainly.
"Oh I know that place" she chimed, "my mum dated a teacher who worked there"
"No way" I laughed, "I didn't realise any of those teachers were close to being in your mothers league".
Naomi shrugged.
"Well he was nice to mum I suppose that's what counts, besides it's not always about looks or status or..." She trailed off, looking away with a sigh. "Anyway... Your turn" She forced a slight smile as she looked back at me.
"Oh no-no, I never meant it in a bad way. I meant. I mean I didn't mean. I just meant..." Naomi looked at me, an eyebrow raised as I struggled to form a coherent sentence.
"Never mind..." I gave up and hung my shoulders in defeat.
"...It's still your turn you know" Naomi reminded me after several seconds of silence.
I thought for a moment.
"Why are you moving to Australia?...Or just visiting?" I asked looking at Naomi questioningly.
"Believe it or not my mum also got a job offer...The pay is wild, plus the company provides the house... Crazy right?" She shrugged and gave me a wry smile.
"Wow, that sounds great" I shook my head, eyebrows raised in disbelief. I wondered what kind of occupation her mother had for the company to provide such hospitality.
"My turn..." Naomi smirked impishly.
"First kiss; who, where, when. Go" she continued, nodding once as she concluded.
My throat dried up at the question. I honestly had never really kissed a boy, apart from JJ but that didn't count. At least I didn't count it. It was a favour, not a meaningful kind of kiss.
It had been JJ's 15th birthday party and we were all over at his place while his mum was on a trip; Effy, Panda, Freddie, Cook, Katie and I. Cook decided to start the whole "if the knife comes out dirty, kiss the nearest girl" birthday routine. Of course JJ ended up withdrawing the knife, sticky with chocolate. Effy and Katie immediately had to use the restroom while Panda noted that she couldn't cheat on her boyfriend Tom. It was down to me, so, feeling bad for JJ I went for it. Needless to say I'm certain that was his first kiss too. There were no sparks, no fireworks, nothing amazing happened. It was just. Disappointing. I'm not sure whether it was the thought of what I had done or the copious amount of drinks I had previously, that brought up the contents of my stomach several minutes later.
"Em?" Naomi poked my knee lightly, snapping me out of my recollection.
"Yes?" I replied quickly. "Oh-Uhm... A friend, JJ. His house. His fifteenth birthday party... it didn't mean anything..." I fiddled with the sleeve of my hoodie awkwardly, pulling it over my hand and curling my fingers, holding the cuff in place. "It didn't mean anything" I repeated, frowning.
"Sounds like a wild party" Naomi teased.
"You don't know the half" I laughed. "What about you?"
"Easy one...Ashley, the daughter of mums colleague, her bedroom, fourteen years old" She nodded as she counted her fingers, ticking off the details one by one.
I shifted uncomfortably in the seat. Daughter?
"Daughter?..." I repeated my thought out loud, a puzzled expression on my face.
Naomi glanced at me sidelong , judging my reaction.
"You've had your turn" She winked as she pulled a blanket over her knees.
"So this JJ..." her brow furrowed at the nickname. "Was he your first and only kiss?".
Naomi turned to me, scrutinising my reaction. I dropped my eyes to the chair. If I said no, she'd think I was a loser. What, 17 and never kissed a boy... As anything more than a party favour... If I said yes she might think me a sleaze. I stared vacantly at the fibres on her blanket. Was the air always this heavy? Why was she even so interested. I felt Naomi shift on the seat and lean toward me.
"Well?" I looked up into the intense blue eyes of the girl now perched on her knees centimetres from my face.
"Well?" she repeated, leaning in further.
I gulped, the lump in my dry throat growing with trepidation. She was so close I could feel her breath, warm against my lips. I froze in place, aware of nothing but the girl sat before me.
Not just blue, I thought as I inspected her eyes. There were flakes of grey, spots of green, a flower pattered iris. Light freckles on her nose. A wisp of blonde hair played on her eyelash as she blinked. Things I hadn't noticed, hadn't had the chance to. I felt myself moving, leaning toward her unwillingly. I could do nothing but submit to the magnetic force taking a hold of my body as the gap between us closed slowly.
The lights came on abruptly and the cabin was flooded with light. I jumped back, snapping out of the spell.
"I-I have to go to the bathroom" I stammered as I hurried away to the restroom.
I hastily slammed the sliding door shut behind me. My breathing was erratic as my heart pounded like a jack hammer. What... was that?... I stood wide eyed as I thought over what just happened. I almost kissed her...The memory replayed in my head. She almost let me... I shook my head, using a clammy hand to swipe my fringe from my eyes. I stood, holding my weight against the sink for several moments, allowing my breathing to slow somewhat as I looked in the mirror at my reflection. The girl looking back was a stranger with her solemn brown eyes, burgundy hair and pale face. This wasn't me, this kind of thing doesn't happen to me.
Daughter... I shook my head once more as I recalled the answer Naomi had given so easily. I couldn't go back out there and face her. Not after what I had almost done. I hung my head against my palms mortified. What was I thinking?
"What was that? "I asked myself again aloud.
She'd probably never want to talk to me again. She was probably horrified.
"Oh god" I muttered to myself as placed a hand over my eyes and winced as I recalled the event. No. I had to go back out there. I couldn't stay in here the rest of the flight.
"I need to apologise..."
Maybe if I pretend like nothing happened. If I act as indifferent as she had on her answer, maybe she would accept it as a kind of joke.
"A joke" I mumbled looking back into my own chocolate eyes.
Unlocking the door and sliding it open I was confronted by a passenger, waiting to use the restroom. I smiled in embarrassment, ducking my head as I hurried past, hoping he hadn't overheard me conversing with my reflection.
I looked up as I approached my seat. Naomi was gone. My heart sank. Idiot. This is your fault. I mentally kicked myself. I didn't blame her for being freaked out and running away. I sat down and sighed. Everything I ever enjoyed ended up being taken away from me somehow and now Naomi's friendship was gone too. I pulled up a blanket and cried quietly against my knees as I felt sorry for myself.
"Em?"
I looked up in surprise, eyes puffy, red rimmed and teary as I heard Naomi's concerned voice interrupt my self pity. She looked back at me wide eyed with worry as she held two glasses of soft drink, one in either hand.
"Is everything ok?" she asked putting the drinks down on an open table tray and sitting down.
Is everything ok?... I repeated the question to myself. I'm leaving behind my mother, brother, sister and friends. I'm leaving everything I learned and loved behind. I sulked as I wiped a sleeved hand under my nose. I probably look disgusting right now, I don't want her to see me looking like this. I buried my face into the blanket. My shoulders shook as I wept silently, tears soaking into the material.
"Em?" Naomi Gently swiped my fringe aside as she lifted my chin tenderly.
I looked into the blue eyes that sat before mine. Self conscious, I attempted to turn my face away. Naomi held my chin firmly but gently in place, resisting my movement.
"Emily, you can talk to me..." She smiled kindly, sincerity in her eyes. "You know... My parents had a divorce when I was fifteen..."
Naomi sighed, her eyes distant in thought as she released my chin.
Was that the reason for my tears? No... at least not entirely. I'd already come to terms with my parents split. Why was I so upset. Was it the build up of everything or was it just my fear of having ended our friendship. How could she pretend nothing happened. Be so unfazed by it. Wasn't this a good thing though... That she didn't care. My head swam with questions.
"I won't force you, take your time and when you're comfortable..."
Naomi left the statement hanging. Was there more meaning to that comment? I peered over the ripples of the blanket at the beauty who sat before me.
"Anyway I thought maybe you wanted to watch a movie for the remaining 2 hours of the flight?" she shrugged toward the drinks she had placed on the tray table.
I sniffed and wiped my puffy eyes as I nodded into the blanket, the friction causing my hair to become static.
Naomi laughed as she pushed down the blanket revealing my features as her other hand patted down the wild strands of hair the blanket had charged.
"Alright Einstein, enough sulking, you'll feel better with a movie and some sweets" a cheeky smile playing on her lips as she produced a bag of m&m's from her coat pocket.
Naomi was right, I did end up feeling better as we huddled up to watch a comedy, snacking on the sweets and sipping our soft drinks.
The flight ended too quickly and before I knew it I was walking along the air bridge once more. A feeling of overwhelming sadness loomed over me as I realised the friend I had just made would be going her own way.
I ended up exchanging emails with Naomi as we stood at the taxi pick up zone. She promised to message me her number as soon as she got her phone sorted out.
My face must have given away my feelings because the moment Naomi turned to me, she grasped me in a hug.
"I promise to be in contact with you as soon as we settle in ok? If not before... Who knows, maybe we'll end up being neighbours!" She winked as she released me and turned to enter the taxi.
I watched Naomi, a hand raised in a farewell gesture as the taxi drove off. My own hand dropped slowly to my side as it disappeared.
"Come on love, I'm sure you want to see our new home"
My dad took my hand affectionately nodding toward a taxi, the driver of which was working to put our luggage in the boot.
I stared blankly out the window at the scenery zooming past us as we drove. Everything looked different. The trees and grass were less green, the sky a darker shade of blue. The air was more dry. The signs, buses, cars and taxis were different. I sighed at each unfamiliar item.
We drove alongside the coast a while. A vast expanse of deep blue ocean as far as the eye could see to our right. A slight taste of salt lingered in the air as the sea breeze wafted through the open car window. The suburb was a great deal quieter than Bristol and the usually peaceful sound of waves crashing against the cliffs did nothing to lighten my mood.
The taxi slowed and pulled into a driveway beside a removalist truck in the progress of being unloaded.
"Welcome home", I muttered to myself as I took in the modern two story house.