Love Lessons (Part Seventeen)
The minute Naomi stepped inside her house, taking in the aroma of cooking food, she was immediately grateful that Emily’s romantic surprise involved food, the running from the police had certainly built up an appetite. Kicking off her shoes and shrugging off her coat, Naomi tiptoed in the kitchen, planning to sneak up on Emily and surprise her with a kiss, instead Emily was slumped at the kitchen table, tears in her eyes, not realising that Naomi was stood watching her.
“Ems? Ems, what’s wrong?” Naomi panicked, rushing over to Emily, dropping to her knees and reaching out to stroke Emily’s face. Naomi noted the surprise in Emily’s face, and the sudden change in Emily’s demeanor, as if she was trying to pretend she hadn’t been caught crying.
“Oh nothing, hi you.” Emily smiled, leaning down to kiss her girlfriend, hoping that Naomi would forget about the crying if she deepened the kiss, get Naomi caught up in the moment.
“Why have you been crying? Emily what’s wrong?” Naomi quizzed, pulling back from Emily, concern etched on her face. Naomi was never going to let something like this slide, Emily had to come up with an excuse and fast.
“I’m being a big wimp, cut my finger earlier. It’s alright though your mum sorted it out, it just hurts a bit.” Emily smiled, holding up her plaster covered finger to act as proof, Naomi’s face immediately softened, kissing the tip of Emily’s finger.
“Better?” Naomi grinned, placing another kiss on Emily’s lips, loving being able to put a smile on Emily’s face with the simplest of actions.
“Much better.” Emily nodded, trying her hardest now to give away nothing about how she was feeling, cursing herself for not keeping a better eye on the time, for letting Naomi see her upset. It made Emily wonder how on earth she was supposed to contain this horrible secret, when it was upsetting her as much as it was.
“You said my mum helped, is she home? Thought she’d be spending the day with Kieran?” Naomi asked, moving over and picking at some of the food that was waiting to be served, recoiling as Emily slapped her hand away, pouting at Emily, she slumped down at the kitchen table drumming impatiently.
“Erm no she’s home, I kind of invited her to our dinner.” Emily admitted quickly, pulling out plates and starting to dish up the food.
“Wow Ems you really do know how to romance a girl, invite her mother along!” Naomi sighed rolling her eyes as she realised the table was set for three, fantastic, she thought to herself, a sexy night in was looking less and less likely.
“It’s just dinner, then we can spend the rest of the night together, I got a couple of films from Blockbusters earlier.” Emily smiled, pointing to the bag of DVD’s sitting on the floor, watching as Naomi reached inside, scanning the titles.
“Oh I’ll just invite my mum to watch those with us as well.” Naomi scoffed, placing them back into the bag, rubbing her temples before turning back to Emily.
“We could do...” Emily shrugged, seriously contemplating involving Gina in their evening plans as well as their dinner plans, she knew it was a bad suggestion the moment an appalled look spread across Naomi’s face.
“Emily! I’m not being serious, bloody hell, the woman is irritating enough as it is, I don’t really need to spend an entire evening with her!” Naomi laughed, expecting Emily to join in the joke, she was always saying little things about Gina, only this time Emily wasn’t laughing as well, she looked stern and serious.
“Don’t be like that Naomi, you don’t mean it.” Emily scolded, shaking her head. Knowing that Naomi wouldn’t be saying these things if she knew the truth, wishing she could share the Gina’s secret with Naomi, to try and make all of this better.
“Oh I do.” Naomi grinned, nudging Emily, trying to raise a smile from her girlfriend, completely confused when all she got was anger.
“Naomi can’t you just be nice for five fucking minutes?!” Emily snapped furiously, finally losing her temper with Naomi, she immediately regretted it, she was letting her emotions show, Naomi was going to know that something was wrong.
“What the fuck is up with you, as lovely as it is you joining the Gina fucking Campbell fanclub, you’re MY girlfriend, so a bit of loyalty wouldn’t go amiss.” Naomi sniped back, feeling rage build up inside her, the meal Emily had prepared was sat on the side getting increasingly cold as the argument took over.
“Grow the fuck up Naomi.” Emily muttered turning to the food, trying to salvage the meal, trying to avoid Naomi’s eyes, afraid that they would see through her and tear the truth right out of her.
“Whatever. How about I go out and leave you two to it, clearly my presence isn’t appreciated.” Naomi stropped, walking towards the kitchen door, intent on leaving Emily to it if she was going to act like this.
“Just stop it.” Emily cried out, bursting into tears that immediately caused Naomi to spin round, marching back in Naomi’s direction as Emily paused, muttering “I’m sorry.”
“Emily come on what’s this all about? You’re in such a weird mood.” Naomi sighed, reaching out to wrap Emily in her arms, completely confused by whatever was going on with Emily. Clearly her girlfriend had something going on, something she was withholding, she just needed Emily to share, there was no way she could make things better by just guessing.
“Just kiss me and tell me everything will be alright.” Emily murmured, desperate for Naomi’s assurance. It was the only thing she felt she could rely on, everything she needed right now.
“Of course it will.” Naomi shrugged, not sure what Emily meant, coaxing Emily to look into her eyes, pulling her chin up with her finger. Naomi shot Emily a puzzled look that begged for an explanation.
“Say it.” Emily insisted, begging Naomi to ease her worries away like she had so many times in the past.
“Everythings going to be alright.” Naomi promised, not exactly sure what she was promising, but unable to dwell on it as Emily pushed her into a forceful kiss. Only interrupted by Gina wandering in to check to see if dinner was ready.
**
Somehow they’d ended up on JJ’s bed, Katie straddling JJ, the kissing intensifying as Katie’s hands slipped under JJ’s T-shirt almost clawing at his chest. There was a safety that Katie found in being with JJ and suddenly her nightmares seemed less prominent, maybe this was partly about proving that she hadn’t been totally screwed up by what could have almost have happened to her, but she was enjoying it and so was JJ. Though JJ found himself a little unsure about what to do with his own hands, contemplating stopping the kiss to ask Katie, but remembering that most of this was just about instinct. Settling for resting his hands on Katie’s lower back, steadying her on top of him. The contact of his hands on her warm, soft skin immediately gave him butterflies, his throat constricting with nerves, he tried to force away thought and just let himself become engaged in whatever it was he and Katie were doing. Of course wondering about how far this was going to go, in turn started off a whole new collection of worries, were they going to have sex? Would Katie make it clear or was he supposed to make some kind of move? It was making his head confused, and Katie could immediately tell that he was distracted.
“What are you thinking about?” Katie asked, pursing her lips together into a tight line, narrowing her eyes into an inquisitorial glare.
“Sex...Oh bobbins.” JJ shook his head, cursing his stupid brain for blurting out the truth, closing his eyes tightly to avert from the way Katie was looking at him. There was a slight rustling, a movement on top of him as Katie seemed to shift, before the noise stopped and the room fell silent once again. JJ could still feel Katie there, resting on his lap, but he couldn’t quite work up the courage to open his eyes.
“Open your eyes JJ.” Katie commanded, JJ did what he was told, gulping hard as he took in the sight in front of him, Katie having removed her top, she was smiling back at him, almost looking as nervous as he did. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to yeah?”
“Isn’t that what the guy is supposed to say to the girl?” JJ pondered, smiling at Katie’s concern, but struggling to contain himself, especially as Katie began to lift up his own top. The second he felt the cold air hit his chest, he immediately wanted to pull Katie close to create heat between them.
“I just don’t want to rush you, I want you so fucking much, but we’re special yeah? So just kissing you is just as good.” Katie explained, placing a forceful kiss on JJ’s lips to prove the point.
“I want this.” JJ murmured, reaching round to unhook Katie’s bra, she was taken by surprise as she felt it slide down her arms, gasping as she watched JJ’s cheeky grin spread across his face.
“You’re beautiful.” The words made Katie shake, no guy had ever said them to her before, they meant so much, she knew it was the way JJ felt, could see from the way he was looking at her like she was the greatest girl on the planet, the only one that mattered, that this was meant to be.
“JJ...” Katie started, jumping out of her skin as the bedroom door flew open and JJ’s mum walked in with a tray, two glasses of mango juice and a plate of biscuits piled on top of it. Katie squealed, grabbing JJ’s T-shirt that was hanging from the edge of the bed, pulling it on over her head.
JJ’s mum stood momentarily shocked, the tray dropping from her grip, the glasses smashing on the floor, the biscuits bouncing off into various directions. Her mouth slightly agape as she struggled to find words, instead turning on her heels and marching straight back out of the room.
“Fuckerations.” JJ muttered, eyes wide as he scanned the destruction on his bedroom floor, before looking over to Katie who was struggling to contain a giggle. “I should go and explain, sort things out, say sorry or something.”
“Jay I'd sort that out first.” Katie smiled, looking down at JJ’s prominent excitement. JJ immediately crossed his legs embarrassed, trying to avoid Katie because there was no way looking at her was going to sort anything out.
“Right yes, will probably head to the bathroom. Err... I’m sorry Katie, maybe we should try this again when I don’t have a parent in the house, I mean I want to try it again... If you’ll let me, I hope I haven’t lost my opportunity.” JJ stuttered, searching for another T-shirt to pull on seeing as Katie looked so comfortable in the one he’d been wearing previously.
“Course we will idiot.” Katie smiled, standing up and kissing him. Watching him walk away, Katie started to pull of JJ’s T-shirt, finding her own clothes strewn across the floor. Standing up, Katie chuckled to herself, wandering round she dropped the T-shirt onto JJ’s desk, wandering bare chested she suddenly caught sight of herself in the mirror. Aware that her bruises were standing out against her pale skin. Suddenly entranced by the sight of a deep purplish mess spread across her skin, Katie’s mind flashed back to the feeling of the guy who had attacked her, his hands on her, pulling her with such force and aggression. Letting out a strangled sob, suddenly she didn’t feel sexy anymore, or beautiful, she felt damaged.
**
The rest of the night had passed by uneventfully, conversation at dinner had been strange, Emily quiet, Gina overcompensating as she nattered away, Naomi sat in the middle puzzled yet aware that things weren’t quite right. Gina had excused herself straight after dinner, and the girls had settled in to watch one of the movies that Emily had rented. Half way through Emily had insisted that she wanted to go to sleep, but that Naomi should stay and finish the film, when Naomi joined Emily in bed an hour later, Emily was fast asleep and Naomi’s plans for a romantic night in had been well and truely destroyed.
Emily awoke before Naomi, watching her girlfriend sleep she couldn’t almost feel the words of Gina’s secret resting between her lips, desperate for their escape. Emily contemplated waking up Naomi and telling her everything, rationing with herself that it was a selfish action, trying to force herself back to sleep. When Naomi eventually awoke, she tried to kiss Emily, tried to ignite the passion she’d wanted to desperately to indulge in the night before, but Emily simply smiled, making some teasing joke about waiting, really she just couldn’t bear Naomi showing her affection. Naomi sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time, explaining that she had to go into town, not extending the invitation to Emily, leaving her girlfriend alone in bed.
Spreading herself out on Naomi’s bed, Emily felt a bit like an intruder, pushing Naomi out of her own home, it was clear to Emily that Naomi had gone out to get away from her. Emily sighed, deciding she needed to get her head together, stop being so bloody obvious, this was all going to be over in a few days, Gina would get her results and everything would be okay. Emily pulled herself up, she figured that being away from home for two days already had been too much, she was surprised her mum hadn’t rang her to complain, figuring Katie must have smoothed things over for her. Reaching down blindly, reaching for a top she knew she had dropped down the side of Naomi’s bed the day before, Emily’s hand instead met with something different, something furry. Retracting her hand, Emily swung herself over the side of the bed, dropping down to be met with the terrified glare of Pauline the cat.
“Hi.” Emily spluttered, realising only after she’d finished her greeting, that she was infact talking to a cat who wouldn’t understand or reply. Pulling herself back up onto the bed, Emily scrunched up her face as the cat jumped up and settled next to her, Emily had never been a fan of cats and this one wasn’t going to be an exception. Emily tried to create a distance, but found that Pauline would simply move closer to her with every escape attempt.
“I’m going... Maybe you should go downstairs because Naomi probably won’t be happy with hairs all over her bed... Fucks sake, I'm talking to a fucking cat!” Emily muttered, brushing a hand through her hair, close to finally shifting herself off the bed when Pauline made an epic leap to curl herself up on Emily’s lap. Letting out a high pitched squeal, Emily threw her hands up, hoping that it would be enough to scare away the furry intruder. The cat however was completely unfazed, nuzzling in, and letting out a satisfied purr.
“I don’t like you! Please stop it with the weird noises and leave me alone, fucking freak.” Emily grumbled, pushing Pauline away with both of her hands, but the cat was steadfast in its resolve, determined not to move from its comfortable spot.
“Ems darling are you alright?” Gina asked cautiously popping her head around the door, laughing as she saw Emily being held prisoner by the cat, walking over and lifting the cat up, cuddling it close to her own chest.
“It sat on me.” Emily cringed, brushing off the multitude of cat hairs that had stuck themselves to her jeans, Gina watched amused, stroking Pauline’s head who gratefully rubbed up against Gina. “It’s so fucking smug! Look at it!” Emily gestured towards the oblivious cat.
“Emily if you’re angry at me come out and say it, don’t take it out on a defenseless animal.” Gina sighed, placing the cat back down who scampered out the room, unaware of the tension she was leaving behind.
“You have to tell Naomi.” Emily insisted “This isn’t fair, I can’t lie to my girlfriend and you shouldn’t be asking me to!” Releasing a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding, Emily felt lighter from releasing her frustrations.
“Emily please.” Gina muttered, tears springing to her eyes.
“I’ll lose her, not you. She’ll always forgive you, you’re her mum, you might be sick, she’ll understand. Me betraying her she will never understand, I’ll just be someone else in her life she can’t trust. I want to help you Gina, I really do, but I won’t risk my relationship to do it.” Emily sighed, pushing past Gina desperate to escape from the Campbell house, needing so badly to be outside, to be on her way home, to be away from everything.
**
Naomi needed a bit of space, she took a bus into town and had a quick wander round all the shops in the high street, of course it was a useless method of forgetting about Emily, whenever she went in a shop she’d spot something that would remind her of Emily, or something that Emily would love.
Heading up a side street, Naomi eventually found the smaller shops she loved. Independent shops that she preferred spending money in, rather than the large corporate owned chains that her mother had drummed into her from a young age were basically evil. Calling into a record store, she began to flick through the masses of CD’s, not really sure what she was looking for, but it was giving her something to do.
“Naomi! Hello, how are you my friend?” The voice that was so distinctively Thomas, made Naomi spin around, her smiling friend was beaming at her, an armful of vinyl clutched to his chest.
“Hey Thomas, I’m alright. Never seen you in here before.” Naomi forced a smile, not really wanting to make conversation with someone that was so permanently happy, not when she was feeling down. But Thomas seemed like he was settling in for an exchange of words, even placing down his vinyls so that he could dedicate his full attention to the blonde.
“It’s a good place for whizzer tunes, I’ve picked up some very good music.” Thomas nodded, Naomi smirking slightly at how Thomas’s vocabulary now included some of Pandora’s random words.
Thumbing through Thomas’s choices, Naomi nodded in approval to the ones she recognised, a look of confusion at some of the more obscure records. Thomas watched her, picking up on Naomi’s mood, noticing something was bothering her beyond what music he would be listening to.
“How are things with Emily?” Thomas asked, Naomi’s head jerking up at the mention of Emily’s name. Chewing on her lip, Naomi pushed the pile of vinyl back towards Thomas, he made it very easy to want to open up to him, but she wasn’t sure she could explain something she didn’t understand herself.
“I thought I was suppose to be the complicated one, why is Emily making this so hard?” Naomi admitted, shrugging and turning back to the CD’s she’d been looking through, Thomas placed a hand on Naomi’s shoulder, forcing her to look at him.
“Love is never easy.” Thomas sighed, it was something he knew only too well. “Did Emily ever tell you about the night I found her at the bus stop? I’ve never seen anyone so broken, so in love. Whatever Emily is doing, I don’t think she means to hurt you.” Naomi felt her heart pound slightly, Emily had shared a few details about that night, she knew that it had been after she’d told Emily she wouldn’t go to the Love Ball with her, after she’d hurt Emily so badly. To hear that Emily’s love was so obvious even after that, it made Naomi ache. Naomi nodded a yes, but her expression indicated that she didn’t want Thomas to expand on the subject, she couldn’t hear about Emily crying and suffering because of her actions.
“She’s hiding something from me, I can see it, she can’t hide things like that without me noticing because I know her.” Naomi sighed, running her fingers through her hair, admitting what had been haunting her all day, the fact that she knew Emily was lying about something, she just didn’t know what.
“Do you trust her?” Thomas asked, his brow furrowed, watching Naomi’s expression change to one of quiet contemplation.
“Yes, I mean it’s nothing like that, I know she’s not cheating or anything. Well, I don’t think she is, she wouldn’t would she? There’s something wrong though, the thing about Emily is normally everything is so obvious. She doesn’t trust me with something, but I trust her with everything.” Naomi stuttered through her thoughts, chewing on her lip again, flinching as she broke the skin, bringing her finger up to the now bleeding lip.
“I trusted my Pandora with every fiber of my being, my trust was wrongly invested, make sure yours isn’t.” Thomas muttered solemnly, his own heart clearly dented by Pandora’s actions.
“I thought you two were back on track?” Naomi asked, they’d seemed so together every-time she’d seen them, Pandora had seemed so dedicated to earning back Thomas’s trust, and Thomas had seemed so eager to work at it.
“Something I have realised, that even if the heart loves, sometimes the mind cannot let go of betrayal. It haunts you, poisons you, and it becomes too difficult to love when all you see are the lies that tore you apart.” Thomas explained, with a sad smile, he bid Naomi farewell, carrying his vinyls to the till to pay for them. Naomi stared watching until she saw Thomas walk away, swinging his carrier bag, she watched him all down the street until he disappeared out of sight.
“Ems? Ems, what’s wrong?” Naomi panicked, rushing over to Emily, dropping to her knees and reaching out to stroke Emily’s face. Naomi noted the surprise in Emily’s face, and the sudden change in Emily’s demeanor, as if she was trying to pretend she hadn’t been caught crying.
“Oh nothing, hi you.” Emily smiled, leaning down to kiss her girlfriend, hoping that Naomi would forget about the crying if she deepened the kiss, get Naomi caught up in the moment.
“Why have you been crying? Emily what’s wrong?” Naomi quizzed, pulling back from Emily, concern etched on her face. Naomi was never going to let something like this slide, Emily had to come up with an excuse and fast.
“I’m being a big wimp, cut my finger earlier. It’s alright though your mum sorted it out, it just hurts a bit.” Emily smiled, holding up her plaster covered finger to act as proof, Naomi’s face immediately softened, kissing the tip of Emily’s finger.
“Better?” Naomi grinned, placing another kiss on Emily’s lips, loving being able to put a smile on Emily’s face with the simplest of actions.
“Much better.” Emily nodded, trying her hardest now to give away nothing about how she was feeling, cursing herself for not keeping a better eye on the time, for letting Naomi see her upset. It made Emily wonder how on earth she was supposed to contain this horrible secret, when it was upsetting her as much as it was.
“You said my mum helped, is she home? Thought she’d be spending the day with Kieran?” Naomi asked, moving over and picking at some of the food that was waiting to be served, recoiling as Emily slapped her hand away, pouting at Emily, she slumped down at the kitchen table drumming impatiently.
“Erm no she’s home, I kind of invited her to our dinner.” Emily admitted quickly, pulling out plates and starting to dish up the food.
“Wow Ems you really do know how to romance a girl, invite her mother along!” Naomi sighed rolling her eyes as she realised the table was set for three, fantastic, she thought to herself, a sexy night in was looking less and less likely.
“It’s just dinner, then we can spend the rest of the night together, I got a couple of films from Blockbusters earlier.” Emily smiled, pointing to the bag of DVD’s sitting on the floor, watching as Naomi reached inside, scanning the titles.
“Oh I’ll just invite my mum to watch those with us as well.” Naomi scoffed, placing them back into the bag, rubbing her temples before turning back to Emily.
“We could do...” Emily shrugged, seriously contemplating involving Gina in their evening plans as well as their dinner plans, she knew it was a bad suggestion the moment an appalled look spread across Naomi’s face.
“Emily! I’m not being serious, bloody hell, the woman is irritating enough as it is, I don’t really need to spend an entire evening with her!” Naomi laughed, expecting Emily to join in the joke, she was always saying little things about Gina, only this time Emily wasn’t laughing as well, she looked stern and serious.
“Don’t be like that Naomi, you don’t mean it.” Emily scolded, shaking her head. Knowing that Naomi wouldn’t be saying these things if she knew the truth, wishing she could share the Gina’s secret with Naomi, to try and make all of this better.
“Oh I do.” Naomi grinned, nudging Emily, trying to raise a smile from her girlfriend, completely confused when all she got was anger.
“Naomi can’t you just be nice for five fucking minutes?!” Emily snapped furiously, finally losing her temper with Naomi, she immediately regretted it, she was letting her emotions show, Naomi was going to know that something was wrong.
“What the fuck is up with you, as lovely as it is you joining the Gina fucking Campbell fanclub, you’re MY girlfriend, so a bit of loyalty wouldn’t go amiss.” Naomi sniped back, feeling rage build up inside her, the meal Emily had prepared was sat on the side getting increasingly cold as the argument took over.
“Grow the fuck up Naomi.” Emily muttered turning to the food, trying to salvage the meal, trying to avoid Naomi’s eyes, afraid that they would see through her and tear the truth right out of her.
“Whatever. How about I go out and leave you two to it, clearly my presence isn’t appreciated.” Naomi stropped, walking towards the kitchen door, intent on leaving Emily to it if she was going to act like this.
“Just stop it.” Emily cried out, bursting into tears that immediately caused Naomi to spin round, marching back in Naomi’s direction as Emily paused, muttering “I’m sorry.”
“Emily come on what’s this all about? You’re in such a weird mood.” Naomi sighed, reaching out to wrap Emily in her arms, completely confused by whatever was going on with Emily. Clearly her girlfriend had something going on, something she was withholding, she just needed Emily to share, there was no way she could make things better by just guessing.
“Just kiss me and tell me everything will be alright.” Emily murmured, desperate for Naomi’s assurance. It was the only thing she felt she could rely on, everything she needed right now.
“Of course it will.” Naomi shrugged, not sure what Emily meant, coaxing Emily to look into her eyes, pulling her chin up with her finger. Naomi shot Emily a puzzled look that begged for an explanation.
“Say it.” Emily insisted, begging Naomi to ease her worries away like she had so many times in the past.
“Everythings going to be alright.” Naomi promised, not exactly sure what she was promising, but unable to dwell on it as Emily pushed her into a forceful kiss. Only interrupted by Gina wandering in to check to see if dinner was ready.
**
Somehow they’d ended up on JJ’s bed, Katie straddling JJ, the kissing intensifying as Katie’s hands slipped under JJ’s T-shirt almost clawing at his chest. There was a safety that Katie found in being with JJ and suddenly her nightmares seemed less prominent, maybe this was partly about proving that she hadn’t been totally screwed up by what could have almost have happened to her, but she was enjoying it and so was JJ. Though JJ found himself a little unsure about what to do with his own hands, contemplating stopping the kiss to ask Katie, but remembering that most of this was just about instinct. Settling for resting his hands on Katie’s lower back, steadying her on top of him. The contact of his hands on her warm, soft skin immediately gave him butterflies, his throat constricting with nerves, he tried to force away thought and just let himself become engaged in whatever it was he and Katie were doing. Of course wondering about how far this was going to go, in turn started off a whole new collection of worries, were they going to have sex? Would Katie make it clear or was he supposed to make some kind of move? It was making his head confused, and Katie could immediately tell that he was distracted.
“What are you thinking about?” Katie asked, pursing her lips together into a tight line, narrowing her eyes into an inquisitorial glare.
“Sex...Oh bobbins.” JJ shook his head, cursing his stupid brain for blurting out the truth, closing his eyes tightly to avert from the way Katie was looking at him. There was a slight rustling, a movement on top of him as Katie seemed to shift, before the noise stopped and the room fell silent once again. JJ could still feel Katie there, resting on his lap, but he couldn’t quite work up the courage to open his eyes.
“Open your eyes JJ.” Katie commanded, JJ did what he was told, gulping hard as he took in the sight in front of him, Katie having removed her top, she was smiling back at him, almost looking as nervous as he did. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to yeah?”
“Isn’t that what the guy is supposed to say to the girl?” JJ pondered, smiling at Katie’s concern, but struggling to contain himself, especially as Katie began to lift up his own top. The second he felt the cold air hit his chest, he immediately wanted to pull Katie close to create heat between them.
“I just don’t want to rush you, I want you so fucking much, but we’re special yeah? So just kissing you is just as good.” Katie explained, placing a forceful kiss on JJ’s lips to prove the point.
“I want this.” JJ murmured, reaching round to unhook Katie’s bra, she was taken by surprise as she felt it slide down her arms, gasping as she watched JJ’s cheeky grin spread across his face.
“You’re beautiful.” The words made Katie shake, no guy had ever said them to her before, they meant so much, she knew it was the way JJ felt, could see from the way he was looking at her like she was the greatest girl on the planet, the only one that mattered, that this was meant to be.
“JJ...” Katie started, jumping out of her skin as the bedroom door flew open and JJ’s mum walked in with a tray, two glasses of mango juice and a plate of biscuits piled on top of it. Katie squealed, grabbing JJ’s T-shirt that was hanging from the edge of the bed, pulling it on over her head.
JJ’s mum stood momentarily shocked, the tray dropping from her grip, the glasses smashing on the floor, the biscuits bouncing off into various directions. Her mouth slightly agape as she struggled to find words, instead turning on her heels and marching straight back out of the room.
“Fuckerations.” JJ muttered, eyes wide as he scanned the destruction on his bedroom floor, before looking over to Katie who was struggling to contain a giggle. “I should go and explain, sort things out, say sorry or something.”
“Jay I'd sort that out first.” Katie smiled, looking down at JJ’s prominent excitement. JJ immediately crossed his legs embarrassed, trying to avoid Katie because there was no way looking at her was going to sort anything out.
“Right yes, will probably head to the bathroom. Err... I’m sorry Katie, maybe we should try this again when I don’t have a parent in the house, I mean I want to try it again... If you’ll let me, I hope I haven’t lost my opportunity.” JJ stuttered, searching for another T-shirt to pull on seeing as Katie looked so comfortable in the one he’d been wearing previously.
“Course we will idiot.” Katie smiled, standing up and kissing him. Watching him walk away, Katie started to pull of JJ’s T-shirt, finding her own clothes strewn across the floor. Standing up, Katie chuckled to herself, wandering round she dropped the T-shirt onto JJ’s desk, wandering bare chested she suddenly caught sight of herself in the mirror. Aware that her bruises were standing out against her pale skin. Suddenly entranced by the sight of a deep purplish mess spread across her skin, Katie’s mind flashed back to the feeling of the guy who had attacked her, his hands on her, pulling her with such force and aggression. Letting out a strangled sob, suddenly she didn’t feel sexy anymore, or beautiful, she felt damaged.
**
The rest of the night had passed by uneventfully, conversation at dinner had been strange, Emily quiet, Gina overcompensating as she nattered away, Naomi sat in the middle puzzled yet aware that things weren’t quite right. Gina had excused herself straight after dinner, and the girls had settled in to watch one of the movies that Emily had rented. Half way through Emily had insisted that she wanted to go to sleep, but that Naomi should stay and finish the film, when Naomi joined Emily in bed an hour later, Emily was fast asleep and Naomi’s plans for a romantic night in had been well and truely destroyed.
Emily awoke before Naomi, watching her girlfriend sleep she couldn’t almost feel the words of Gina’s secret resting between her lips, desperate for their escape. Emily contemplated waking up Naomi and telling her everything, rationing with herself that it was a selfish action, trying to force herself back to sleep. When Naomi eventually awoke, she tried to kiss Emily, tried to ignite the passion she’d wanted to desperately to indulge in the night before, but Emily simply smiled, making some teasing joke about waiting, really she just couldn’t bear Naomi showing her affection. Naomi sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time, explaining that she had to go into town, not extending the invitation to Emily, leaving her girlfriend alone in bed.
Spreading herself out on Naomi’s bed, Emily felt a bit like an intruder, pushing Naomi out of her own home, it was clear to Emily that Naomi had gone out to get away from her. Emily sighed, deciding she needed to get her head together, stop being so bloody obvious, this was all going to be over in a few days, Gina would get her results and everything would be okay. Emily pulled herself up, she figured that being away from home for two days already had been too much, she was surprised her mum hadn’t rang her to complain, figuring Katie must have smoothed things over for her. Reaching down blindly, reaching for a top she knew she had dropped down the side of Naomi’s bed the day before, Emily’s hand instead met with something different, something furry. Retracting her hand, Emily swung herself over the side of the bed, dropping down to be met with the terrified glare of Pauline the cat.
“Hi.” Emily spluttered, realising only after she’d finished her greeting, that she was infact talking to a cat who wouldn’t understand or reply. Pulling herself back up onto the bed, Emily scrunched up her face as the cat jumped up and settled next to her, Emily had never been a fan of cats and this one wasn’t going to be an exception. Emily tried to create a distance, but found that Pauline would simply move closer to her with every escape attempt.
“I’m going... Maybe you should go downstairs because Naomi probably won’t be happy with hairs all over her bed... Fucks sake, I'm talking to a fucking cat!” Emily muttered, brushing a hand through her hair, close to finally shifting herself off the bed when Pauline made an epic leap to curl herself up on Emily’s lap. Letting out a high pitched squeal, Emily threw her hands up, hoping that it would be enough to scare away the furry intruder. The cat however was completely unfazed, nuzzling in, and letting out a satisfied purr.
“I don’t like you! Please stop it with the weird noises and leave me alone, fucking freak.” Emily grumbled, pushing Pauline away with both of her hands, but the cat was steadfast in its resolve, determined not to move from its comfortable spot.
“Ems darling are you alright?” Gina asked cautiously popping her head around the door, laughing as she saw Emily being held prisoner by the cat, walking over and lifting the cat up, cuddling it close to her own chest.
“It sat on me.” Emily cringed, brushing off the multitude of cat hairs that had stuck themselves to her jeans, Gina watched amused, stroking Pauline’s head who gratefully rubbed up against Gina. “It’s so fucking smug! Look at it!” Emily gestured towards the oblivious cat.
“Emily if you’re angry at me come out and say it, don’t take it out on a defenseless animal.” Gina sighed, placing the cat back down who scampered out the room, unaware of the tension she was leaving behind.
“You have to tell Naomi.” Emily insisted “This isn’t fair, I can’t lie to my girlfriend and you shouldn’t be asking me to!” Releasing a breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding, Emily felt lighter from releasing her frustrations.
“Emily please.” Gina muttered, tears springing to her eyes.
“I’ll lose her, not you. She’ll always forgive you, you’re her mum, you might be sick, she’ll understand. Me betraying her she will never understand, I’ll just be someone else in her life she can’t trust. I want to help you Gina, I really do, but I won’t risk my relationship to do it.” Emily sighed, pushing past Gina desperate to escape from the Campbell house, needing so badly to be outside, to be on her way home, to be away from everything.
**
Naomi needed a bit of space, she took a bus into town and had a quick wander round all the shops in the high street, of course it was a useless method of forgetting about Emily, whenever she went in a shop she’d spot something that would remind her of Emily, or something that Emily would love.
Heading up a side street, Naomi eventually found the smaller shops she loved. Independent shops that she preferred spending money in, rather than the large corporate owned chains that her mother had drummed into her from a young age were basically evil. Calling into a record store, she began to flick through the masses of CD’s, not really sure what she was looking for, but it was giving her something to do.
“Naomi! Hello, how are you my friend?” The voice that was so distinctively Thomas, made Naomi spin around, her smiling friend was beaming at her, an armful of vinyl clutched to his chest.
“Hey Thomas, I’m alright. Never seen you in here before.” Naomi forced a smile, not really wanting to make conversation with someone that was so permanently happy, not when she was feeling down. But Thomas seemed like he was settling in for an exchange of words, even placing down his vinyls so that he could dedicate his full attention to the blonde.
“It’s a good place for whizzer tunes, I’ve picked up some very good music.” Thomas nodded, Naomi smirking slightly at how Thomas’s vocabulary now included some of Pandora’s random words.
Thumbing through Thomas’s choices, Naomi nodded in approval to the ones she recognised, a look of confusion at some of the more obscure records. Thomas watched her, picking up on Naomi’s mood, noticing something was bothering her beyond what music he would be listening to.
“How are things with Emily?” Thomas asked, Naomi’s head jerking up at the mention of Emily’s name. Chewing on her lip, Naomi pushed the pile of vinyl back towards Thomas, he made it very easy to want to open up to him, but she wasn’t sure she could explain something she didn’t understand herself.
“I thought I was suppose to be the complicated one, why is Emily making this so hard?” Naomi admitted, shrugging and turning back to the CD’s she’d been looking through, Thomas placed a hand on Naomi’s shoulder, forcing her to look at him.
“Love is never easy.” Thomas sighed, it was something he knew only too well. “Did Emily ever tell you about the night I found her at the bus stop? I’ve never seen anyone so broken, so in love. Whatever Emily is doing, I don’t think she means to hurt you.” Naomi felt her heart pound slightly, Emily had shared a few details about that night, she knew that it had been after she’d told Emily she wouldn’t go to the Love Ball with her, after she’d hurt Emily so badly. To hear that Emily’s love was so obvious even after that, it made Naomi ache. Naomi nodded a yes, but her expression indicated that she didn’t want Thomas to expand on the subject, she couldn’t hear about Emily crying and suffering because of her actions.
“She’s hiding something from me, I can see it, she can’t hide things like that without me noticing because I know her.” Naomi sighed, running her fingers through her hair, admitting what had been haunting her all day, the fact that she knew Emily was lying about something, she just didn’t know what.
“Do you trust her?” Thomas asked, his brow furrowed, watching Naomi’s expression change to one of quiet contemplation.
“Yes, I mean it’s nothing like that, I know she’s not cheating or anything. Well, I don’t think she is, she wouldn’t would she? There’s something wrong though, the thing about Emily is normally everything is so obvious. She doesn’t trust me with something, but I trust her with everything.” Naomi stuttered through her thoughts, chewing on her lip again, flinching as she broke the skin, bringing her finger up to the now bleeding lip.
“I trusted my Pandora with every fiber of my being, my trust was wrongly invested, make sure yours isn’t.” Thomas muttered solemnly, his own heart clearly dented by Pandora’s actions.
“I thought you two were back on track?” Naomi asked, they’d seemed so together every-time she’d seen them, Pandora had seemed so dedicated to earning back Thomas’s trust, and Thomas had seemed so eager to work at it.
“Something I have realised, that even if the heart loves, sometimes the mind cannot let go of betrayal. It haunts you, poisons you, and it becomes too difficult to love when all you see are the lies that tore you apart.” Thomas explained, with a sad smile, he bid Naomi farewell, carrying his vinyls to the till to pay for them. Naomi stared watching until she saw Thomas walk away, swinging his carrier bag, she watched him all down the street until he disappeared out of sight.