Love Lessons (Part Five)
It should have been awkward, but it wasn’t, because for some unknown reason JJ and Katie had forged a friendship. Katie’s lessons were strange, unorthodox, slightly graphic, inappropriate... Fun, and as they laid out on Katie’s bed, top to tail, telling stories, it only felt like their bond was getting stronger. Katie liked that he listened, JJ liked that she laughed at his jokes, it was a friendship that had emerged from nowhere, but neither could see them turning back now.
The gentle banter was only interrupted by a tentative knock on the door, lifting her head Katie spotted her brother peaking through the door, for the second time that day, and almost began to hurl a collection of abuse in his direction. Katie only paused when she examined the look on James’s face, his cheeky grin had been replaced with something far more serious. Softening her glare, she indicated for James to enter the room, waiting for some kind of explanation.
“Somethings wrong with Emily.” James muttered, bowing his head, which only served to confuse Katie further. “She’s crying, she won’t stop crying.” His look of concern breaking Katie’s heart, because for James to actually be worried about one of them, it must be bad.
“I’ll go and check on her.” Katie assured, ruffling her little brothers hair, an affectionate act to let him know that everything was alright. Even if she had now become attuned, to the tortured sobs emerging from the living room, that got louder the further down the stairs Katie got.
“K...Katie?” Emily managed, through ragged breaths, curled up in a ball on the floor. Katie was a little taken aback at the sight, not knowing what to do, other than to kneel down next to her sister and take her in her arms.
“Hey, it’s ok, I'm here Emsy, I'm here, what’s wrong?” Katie soothed, brushing the younger twins hair from her face, where it had stuck with her tears. Katie tightened her grip, as Emily’s sobs worsened.
“I let her go.” Was all Emily could manage to force out, not needing to say anything more, Katie suddenly understood
**
When her mum called her downstairs, told her that someone was at the door for her, Effy was slightly confused. It wasn’t as she was Miss Popular at the moment, sighing she made her way to the front door. Strangely, she wasn’t shocked to see Naomi standing there, if anything it was the only person she expected. What did shock her, however, was when Naomi practically collapsed into her arms. Effy blinked, surprised by the physical contact, but held on tightly, eventually leading Naomi inside and up to her room.
“Vodka?” Effy offered, chucking a bottle onto the bed, which Naomi greedily accepted, chugging it down with such ease you’d think it was water. “Shit calm down Nai, what’s wrong? You and Emily had an argument?” It was literally the only thing Effy could think would be able to penetrate Naomi’s rock solid armor, fucking love fucks you up.
“It’s over.” Naomi forced out, the words burning the back of her throat, or was that the vodka? She was sure if there was a distinction, she decided to drink some more, just to experiment.
“Fuck off is it, you’ve had a crappy row and tomorrow she’ll phone you up and everything will be fine again.” Effy sighed, grabbing the bottle from Naomi, drinking it down. Relishing the company, but wishing it was under better circumstances. She collapsed onto the bed next to Naomi, shifting the other girl over so they could both lay comfortably.
“I asked her to move in with me... Shit i’m a fucking idiot.” Naomi muttered, mentally kicking herself, at how exposed she’d become, and how it had so epically failed. Be brave, Emily really needed to take her own advice.
“Fuck. Never thought of you as a commitment type.” Effy smiled, that sort of knowing smile that made Naomi want to punch her. Passing the vodka back over to Naomi, she really needed it more that her at that moment, Effy thought.
“I’m not a commitment type, i’m a fucking loner that doesn’t let anyone in. Then she comes along, she changes everything, my entire life, she make me into this... This person, and then she fucking gives up, says it’s too hard, says her parents will never accept it so that’s it. Game over.” Naomi snapped, furiously downing the bottle, it was practically empty now, even Effy had to raise an eyebrow at that.
“Their mum is one crazy bitch, she came after me... After the incident.” Effy muttered the last part, because despite everything, she was ashamed at what she’d done. It was the thing that kept her awake at night, despite all the other mistakes in her life, this was the one that scarred her.
“What when you beat the crap out of Katie and left her to die.” Naomi added, biting her lip as she watched Effy flinch, perhaps this wasn’t a topic they could joke about.
“Yeah thats the one.” Effy smiled. She couldn’t help it when she was around Naomi, they were just so uncomplicated, so alike that there was no room for bullshit.
“I silently applauded you.” Naomi admitted, laughing slightly, before feeling guilty at the comment. Thinking all the time of what Emily would say if she could see her now.
“Thought you and Katiekins were besties now?” Effy asked, shoving Naomi, before going to search for cigarettes, drawing one out of the pack, lighting it and passing it to Naomi, before reaching for her own.
“Tolerated her for Ems, guess I don’t have to now.” Naomi sighed, she did kind of like Katie, but it wouldn’t feel right now. Nothing felt right now, everything had changed, Emily had changed everything with her decision.
“Is that why we’re on speaking terms again?” Effy asked, wondering why she was Naomi’s first port of call, before remembering that really, there was no one else.
“I thought all our texts showed that I had no issues with you.” Naomi smiled, acknowledging their secret friendship that had existed throughout everything, the texts that acted as a mutual support. The texts that neither could admit to, because they were supposed to be on different sides of the line.
“Ignoring me in public though.” Effy reminded her, a slight indication of the hurt she felt when Naomi wouldn’t even meet her eye, she didn’t blame her, it was involuntary pain, human emotion rearing its ugly head.
“You tried to kill my girlfriends twin sister.” Naomi reminded her, though dropping her hand over Effy’s, a kind of apology, even though Effy didn’t really deserve one.
“Ex girlfriend.” Effy smirked, because being bastards to each other was fun.
“Thanks for the reminder.” Naomi groaned, too drunk to get more upset about it, she was at the stage where she’d probably fall over if she stood up. Instead settling for laying her head down, trying to push thoughts of Emily away.
“Anytime.” Effy muttered, dragging hard on a cigarette, blowing it out into the bedroom. Watching Naomi carefully, and wondering if she would ever love someone enough to actually hurt, to look like she was physically in pain, as Naomi was now.
“You going to Freddie’s party?” Naomi grunted suddenly, lifting her head up a little too quickly, feeling dizzy before dropping it again.
“I’m supposed to be, didn’t think you would though.” Effy challenged, trying to imagine quite how a drunken Naomi would cope with Emily now, all she could see was disaster. If it wasn’t Naomi, she’d probably quite enjoy the floor-show, but instead she felt some kind of responsibility to look after her.
“Emily is under lock and key at the moment, her mums grounded her until she straightens up, consequently she won’t be there, consequently I can get really fucked up without thinking about her.” Naomi explained, slurring her words slightly, the vodka fully taking control. She stood up, stumbling over to Effy’s stereo, finding the CD she wanted to listen to.
“Could you get anymore depressing?” Effy sighed, smiling at Naomi’s choice of music.
“Dance. Dress. Party.” Naomi demanded, swinging her hips badly out of time with the music. “I just wanna say, I haven’t been away.”
**
JJ was still sat on Katie’s bed, awkwardly waiting for her to return, establishing after about ten minutes that she probably wasn’t and deciding instead to sneak downstairs. That wasn’t so easy, what with James and his friend, who JJ vaguely remembered Katie saying was called Gordon, sat on the top stair.
“What are you two doing?” JJ asked, leaning against the banister, looking down at the two boys. James with his messy blonde hair, and the skinny boy next to him, who looked a lot less legendary than he’d been made out to be.
“Listening to Katie and Emily. I think the lezzers have split up.” James shrugged, straining to listen to the conversation.
“Must be fucking fabulous, having them under the roof. Real shame that the dyke fest had to end.” Gordon smiled, nudging James who started to laugh.
“Perhaps you two should have a bit more respect.” JJ sighed, giving a disapproving look to James, who simply glared back at him.
“What do you know about respect? You were just giving my sister one.” James laughed, turning to Gordon who gave him a high five. Watching as JJ shifted uncomfortably, not knowing quite how to explain what had been happening in the bedroom.
“I was not... I... It was a simulation.” JJ rushed, observing as the two younger boys looked at each other slightly confused, before Gordon piped up.
“She was pretending to shag you?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, looking JJ up and down, before turning back to James, still confused.
“Well, erm, yes.” JJ coughed, squinting his eyes at how ridiculous he realised this all sounded. Pushing his hands into his pockets, he rocked on his heels, trying a smile as a way of ending the conversation.
“Why?” James asked, pushing for details, because frankly he didn’t quite get why his sister had been pretending to have sex with this weird curly haired boy.
“Sometimes thats what people do.” JJ shrugged, even though he knew it wasn’t, and James and Gordon knew it wasn’t.
“No its not.” Gordon challenged, he was quite the expert on sex, well he thought he was anyway after reading the vast collection of his older brothers adult magazines.
“You’re too young to understand.” JJ hurried, pushing past the two boys to get down the stairs. Hoping he could sneak past the living room without Emily seeing him, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to offer her any supportive words right now, and he didn’t fancy explaining what he was doing there either. His sneaking plan was swiftly ruined, as he tripped into a table, knocking a vase onto the floor, which smashed making the loudest possible sound JJ could imagine.
“What was that?” Emily sniffed, looking up from her sisters arms, mascara stained cheeks.
“Oh bobbins, crapification, buggering tits.” JJ stammered, trying to gather up the smashed pieces of glass, only succeeding in making the mess worse. Looking up to see the two Fitch girls looking at him.
“JJ you knob.” Katie sighed, moving him out the way as she grabbed a dustpan and brush and began to clean up the mess.
“What are you doing here?” Emily asked, still sniffling, wiping her nose on her sleeve. JJ would have done anything to give her a hug right now, but he knew it was highly inappropriate, and that there was a good chance that Katie would hit him if he tried.
“He was helping me with my homework.” Katie quickly lied, smooth and easy all JJ had to do was nod and agree. “Then he’s coming with us to Freddie’s party.”
“There’s no way i’m going to Freddie’s party. Why would you even want to go to Freddie’s party?” Emily sighed, gratefully accepting JJ’s hanky, she dried her tears, blowed her nose and then handed the hanky back to JJ.
“We’re making an appearance. Fearless Fitch’s Em. Plus, Naomi won’t be there, she hates party’s at the best of times, she won’t be there the day you split up.” Katie assured, squeezing Emily’s hand.
“It might be fun Emily.” JJ smiled, rubbing Emily’s shoulder. Subtly dropping the damp hanky down on the floor, flinching slightly, because as beautiful as Emily was, her snot was not.
“Fearless Fitch’s” Emily repeated, mulling the idea over in her head. It might be nice to get drunk and just forget about things, and Katie was right, Naomi didn’t even want to go to Freddie’s party anyway, she wouldn’t be there after everything that had happened.
“And JJ!” JJ piped up a cheery voice, giving the pair of them a thumbs up.
“Dick.” Emily and Katie sighed in unison, heading upstairs to find something suitable to wear.
**
The closer they got to Freddie’s house, the louder the music sounded. It was filling almost the entire street, and Effy could see most of the college traipsing in and out of Freddie’s front door. Effy was practically pulling Naomi along by this stage, it was going to be a long night. Naomi was self consciously pulling down the incredibly short dress she’d borrowed from Effy, even drunk she was still insecure. It was showing off her long legs, and would end up garnering a lot of attention, attention that Naomi didn’t really want.
Naomi was mumbling something to Effy, though Effy couldn’t quite make out the words, instead settling for nodding in all the right places, to at least create the appearance that she was listening. Spotting Cook and Freddie up ahead, standing outside of Freddie’s house, Effy took a deep breath. Things were still awkward, still unsettled, still as fucked up as before.
Cook and Freddie had barely even been able to greet the girls, before Naomi took a wrong step, toppling over, luckily ending up in Freddie’s arms. Effy couldn’t help but snigger at the sight.
“Christ is she alright?” Freddie asked, scooping up Naomi as she fell towards him, giggling as she leant into Freddie’s chest. Freddie moved Naomi’s hair out of her face, balancing her so that she didn’t fall over.
“Emily and Naomi have split up.” Effy quickly explained, the boys not being able to hide their shock at the admission. Cook protectively wrapping his arm around Naomi, who wasn’t even aware that she was being discussed.
“I’ll look after you babe.” Cook gave a small smile, kissing the side of Naomi’s head. “Why did you let her get so fucked?” Cook glared at Effy, she rolled her eyes, almost wanting to laugh at how ridiculous that sentence sounded coming from Cook. She couldn’t deny that he genuinely seemed to care though, holding on as Naomi’s head lolled on his shoulder.
“Cook mate leave it, I'm sure there wasn’t a lot Eff could do to stop her.” Freddie smiled at Effy, that look of desperation, standing up for her, hoping and wishing that she would respond and be everything he wanted her to be. Effy hated it.
“No. It is my fault. I gave her the vodka, I should have stopped her, I'm a shit friend.” Effy replied, slumping down on the ground outside Freddie’s. Cook sat down as well, resting Naomi in between them, Freddie taking the cue to sit down as well, opposite Effy, their knees touching.
“I nearly fucked Cook once Ef, but I couldn’t cos i’m a lesbinem” Naomi giggled, the other three looking at each other, before joining in the laughter at Naomi’s admission. Cook rolled his eyes at the memory.
“First and only time I've been turned down.” Cook chuckled, retrieving a beer from his bag, passing it over to Freddie, taking another one for Effy and finally one for himself.
“Wha bout me?” Naomi slurred, indicating towards the beers, burying her head in Effy’s shoulder, who kissed her forehead. Huddling closer to Naomi as she noticed the blonde girl shiver.
“Sorry babes, think you’ve had enough.” Cook smiled, rubbing Naomi’s knee, who reached out to stroke Cook’s ears.
“You got lovely ears.” Naomi hiccuped, laughing at herself. The other three shaking their heads and smiling. They’d never seen Naomi so out of control, she’d always been the sober one, watching everyone else around her. No-one mentioned Emily.
“Where’s J?” Freddie asked Cook, looking at his watch, it was unlike JJ to be late for anything. Cook searched the crowd of party goers that were moving in and out of Freddie’s house, wondering if they’d failed to spot JJ arrive.
“I’ll send him a text.” Cook grunted, downing the rest of his beer, typing out a quick text to their missing friend. It was a couple of minutes before he got a reply, a simple text explaining that they would be there soon. Cook showed the message to Freddie who shrugged, JJ had been especially distant the last few days.
“I’m single, ready to mingle... Where’s the ladies?” Naomi laughed, throwing her head up and looking around, trying to stand.
“Well, at least she’s not having a sexuality crisis anymore.” Effy laughed, pulling Naomi back down, who swiftly fell, landing in a pile on the floor.
“Naomi?” The sound of Emily’s panicked voice cut through the laughter of the group, everyone tensed, apart from Naomi who was far more interested in Freddie’s shoe. “What the hell is wrong with her?”
“Ems she’s just a bit drunk, leave her will you.” Effy sighed, flinching as Emily lurched towards her, Katie and JJ appearing behind her, having to restrain her from punching Effy.
“What is she doing here with you? What have you given her you twat?!” Emily spat, leaning down and trying to reach out to Naomi, who groaned and moved away, falling into Freddie’s lap.
“Emily will you just back the fuck off! She’s upset because she asked you to move in with her and instead you dumped her, so who can blame her if she wanted to get off her face! She’s with me because we’re friends, so will you just leave her alone.” Effy growled, saying probably the most anyone had ever heard her say, surprising the whole group.
“I’m taking her home.” Emily insisted, pulling Naomi up, staggering slightly as Naomi leant into her ex. “Come on Naomi, just start walking yeah.”
“I’m going to be sick.” Naomi groaned, swaying slightly before throwing up, splashing Emily’s top. Emily gagged, shaking her head as she pulled Naomi along, the rest of the group watching.
“Think I should go help?” Cook asked, starting on another beer.
“Let her struggle.” Effy smiled, hoping something good would come of this night, clearly Emily still cared about Naomi, maybe this could be the thing to bring them back together.
The gentle banter was only interrupted by a tentative knock on the door, lifting her head Katie spotted her brother peaking through the door, for the second time that day, and almost began to hurl a collection of abuse in his direction. Katie only paused when she examined the look on James’s face, his cheeky grin had been replaced with something far more serious. Softening her glare, she indicated for James to enter the room, waiting for some kind of explanation.
“Somethings wrong with Emily.” James muttered, bowing his head, which only served to confuse Katie further. “She’s crying, she won’t stop crying.” His look of concern breaking Katie’s heart, because for James to actually be worried about one of them, it must be bad.
“I’ll go and check on her.” Katie assured, ruffling her little brothers hair, an affectionate act to let him know that everything was alright. Even if she had now become attuned, to the tortured sobs emerging from the living room, that got louder the further down the stairs Katie got.
“K...Katie?” Emily managed, through ragged breaths, curled up in a ball on the floor. Katie was a little taken aback at the sight, not knowing what to do, other than to kneel down next to her sister and take her in her arms.
“Hey, it’s ok, I'm here Emsy, I'm here, what’s wrong?” Katie soothed, brushing the younger twins hair from her face, where it had stuck with her tears. Katie tightened her grip, as Emily’s sobs worsened.
“I let her go.” Was all Emily could manage to force out, not needing to say anything more, Katie suddenly understood
**
When her mum called her downstairs, told her that someone was at the door for her, Effy was slightly confused. It wasn’t as she was Miss Popular at the moment, sighing she made her way to the front door. Strangely, she wasn’t shocked to see Naomi standing there, if anything it was the only person she expected. What did shock her, however, was when Naomi practically collapsed into her arms. Effy blinked, surprised by the physical contact, but held on tightly, eventually leading Naomi inside and up to her room.
“Vodka?” Effy offered, chucking a bottle onto the bed, which Naomi greedily accepted, chugging it down with such ease you’d think it was water. “Shit calm down Nai, what’s wrong? You and Emily had an argument?” It was literally the only thing Effy could think would be able to penetrate Naomi’s rock solid armor, fucking love fucks you up.
“It’s over.” Naomi forced out, the words burning the back of her throat, or was that the vodka? She was sure if there was a distinction, she decided to drink some more, just to experiment.
“Fuck off is it, you’ve had a crappy row and tomorrow she’ll phone you up and everything will be fine again.” Effy sighed, grabbing the bottle from Naomi, drinking it down. Relishing the company, but wishing it was under better circumstances. She collapsed onto the bed next to Naomi, shifting the other girl over so they could both lay comfortably.
“I asked her to move in with me... Shit i’m a fucking idiot.” Naomi muttered, mentally kicking herself, at how exposed she’d become, and how it had so epically failed. Be brave, Emily really needed to take her own advice.
“Fuck. Never thought of you as a commitment type.” Effy smiled, that sort of knowing smile that made Naomi want to punch her. Passing the vodka back over to Naomi, she really needed it more that her at that moment, Effy thought.
“I’m not a commitment type, i’m a fucking loner that doesn’t let anyone in. Then she comes along, she changes everything, my entire life, she make me into this... This person, and then she fucking gives up, says it’s too hard, says her parents will never accept it so that’s it. Game over.” Naomi snapped, furiously downing the bottle, it was practically empty now, even Effy had to raise an eyebrow at that.
“Their mum is one crazy bitch, she came after me... After the incident.” Effy muttered the last part, because despite everything, she was ashamed at what she’d done. It was the thing that kept her awake at night, despite all the other mistakes in her life, this was the one that scarred her.
“What when you beat the crap out of Katie and left her to die.” Naomi added, biting her lip as she watched Effy flinch, perhaps this wasn’t a topic they could joke about.
“Yeah thats the one.” Effy smiled. She couldn’t help it when she was around Naomi, they were just so uncomplicated, so alike that there was no room for bullshit.
“I silently applauded you.” Naomi admitted, laughing slightly, before feeling guilty at the comment. Thinking all the time of what Emily would say if she could see her now.
“Thought you and Katiekins were besties now?” Effy asked, shoving Naomi, before going to search for cigarettes, drawing one out of the pack, lighting it and passing it to Naomi, before reaching for her own.
“Tolerated her for Ems, guess I don’t have to now.” Naomi sighed, she did kind of like Katie, but it wouldn’t feel right now. Nothing felt right now, everything had changed, Emily had changed everything with her decision.
“Is that why we’re on speaking terms again?” Effy asked, wondering why she was Naomi’s first port of call, before remembering that really, there was no one else.
“I thought all our texts showed that I had no issues with you.” Naomi smiled, acknowledging their secret friendship that had existed throughout everything, the texts that acted as a mutual support. The texts that neither could admit to, because they were supposed to be on different sides of the line.
“Ignoring me in public though.” Effy reminded her, a slight indication of the hurt she felt when Naomi wouldn’t even meet her eye, she didn’t blame her, it was involuntary pain, human emotion rearing its ugly head.
“You tried to kill my girlfriends twin sister.” Naomi reminded her, though dropping her hand over Effy’s, a kind of apology, even though Effy didn’t really deserve one.
“Ex girlfriend.” Effy smirked, because being bastards to each other was fun.
“Thanks for the reminder.” Naomi groaned, too drunk to get more upset about it, she was at the stage where she’d probably fall over if she stood up. Instead settling for laying her head down, trying to push thoughts of Emily away.
“Anytime.” Effy muttered, dragging hard on a cigarette, blowing it out into the bedroom. Watching Naomi carefully, and wondering if she would ever love someone enough to actually hurt, to look like she was physically in pain, as Naomi was now.
“You going to Freddie’s party?” Naomi grunted suddenly, lifting her head up a little too quickly, feeling dizzy before dropping it again.
“I’m supposed to be, didn’t think you would though.” Effy challenged, trying to imagine quite how a drunken Naomi would cope with Emily now, all she could see was disaster. If it wasn’t Naomi, she’d probably quite enjoy the floor-show, but instead she felt some kind of responsibility to look after her.
“Emily is under lock and key at the moment, her mums grounded her until she straightens up, consequently she won’t be there, consequently I can get really fucked up without thinking about her.” Naomi explained, slurring her words slightly, the vodka fully taking control. She stood up, stumbling over to Effy’s stereo, finding the CD she wanted to listen to.
“Could you get anymore depressing?” Effy sighed, smiling at Naomi’s choice of music.
“Dance. Dress. Party.” Naomi demanded, swinging her hips badly out of time with the music. “I just wanna say, I haven’t been away.”
**
JJ was still sat on Katie’s bed, awkwardly waiting for her to return, establishing after about ten minutes that she probably wasn’t and deciding instead to sneak downstairs. That wasn’t so easy, what with James and his friend, who JJ vaguely remembered Katie saying was called Gordon, sat on the top stair.
“What are you two doing?” JJ asked, leaning against the banister, looking down at the two boys. James with his messy blonde hair, and the skinny boy next to him, who looked a lot less legendary than he’d been made out to be.
“Listening to Katie and Emily. I think the lezzers have split up.” James shrugged, straining to listen to the conversation.
“Must be fucking fabulous, having them under the roof. Real shame that the dyke fest had to end.” Gordon smiled, nudging James who started to laugh.
“Perhaps you two should have a bit more respect.” JJ sighed, giving a disapproving look to James, who simply glared back at him.
“What do you know about respect? You were just giving my sister one.” James laughed, turning to Gordon who gave him a high five. Watching as JJ shifted uncomfortably, not knowing quite how to explain what had been happening in the bedroom.
“I was not... I... It was a simulation.” JJ rushed, observing as the two younger boys looked at each other slightly confused, before Gordon piped up.
“She was pretending to shag you?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, looking JJ up and down, before turning back to James, still confused.
“Well, erm, yes.” JJ coughed, squinting his eyes at how ridiculous he realised this all sounded. Pushing his hands into his pockets, he rocked on his heels, trying a smile as a way of ending the conversation.
“Why?” James asked, pushing for details, because frankly he didn’t quite get why his sister had been pretending to have sex with this weird curly haired boy.
“Sometimes thats what people do.” JJ shrugged, even though he knew it wasn’t, and James and Gordon knew it wasn’t.
“No its not.” Gordon challenged, he was quite the expert on sex, well he thought he was anyway after reading the vast collection of his older brothers adult magazines.
“You’re too young to understand.” JJ hurried, pushing past the two boys to get down the stairs. Hoping he could sneak past the living room without Emily seeing him, he wasn’t sure he’d be able to offer her any supportive words right now, and he didn’t fancy explaining what he was doing there either. His sneaking plan was swiftly ruined, as he tripped into a table, knocking a vase onto the floor, which smashed making the loudest possible sound JJ could imagine.
“What was that?” Emily sniffed, looking up from her sisters arms, mascara stained cheeks.
“Oh bobbins, crapification, buggering tits.” JJ stammered, trying to gather up the smashed pieces of glass, only succeeding in making the mess worse. Looking up to see the two Fitch girls looking at him.
“JJ you knob.” Katie sighed, moving him out the way as she grabbed a dustpan and brush and began to clean up the mess.
“What are you doing here?” Emily asked, still sniffling, wiping her nose on her sleeve. JJ would have done anything to give her a hug right now, but he knew it was highly inappropriate, and that there was a good chance that Katie would hit him if he tried.
“He was helping me with my homework.” Katie quickly lied, smooth and easy all JJ had to do was nod and agree. “Then he’s coming with us to Freddie’s party.”
“There’s no way i’m going to Freddie’s party. Why would you even want to go to Freddie’s party?” Emily sighed, gratefully accepting JJ’s hanky, she dried her tears, blowed her nose and then handed the hanky back to JJ.
“We’re making an appearance. Fearless Fitch’s Em. Plus, Naomi won’t be there, she hates party’s at the best of times, she won’t be there the day you split up.” Katie assured, squeezing Emily’s hand.
“It might be fun Emily.” JJ smiled, rubbing Emily’s shoulder. Subtly dropping the damp hanky down on the floor, flinching slightly, because as beautiful as Emily was, her snot was not.
“Fearless Fitch’s” Emily repeated, mulling the idea over in her head. It might be nice to get drunk and just forget about things, and Katie was right, Naomi didn’t even want to go to Freddie’s party anyway, she wouldn’t be there after everything that had happened.
“And JJ!” JJ piped up a cheery voice, giving the pair of them a thumbs up.
“Dick.” Emily and Katie sighed in unison, heading upstairs to find something suitable to wear.
**
The closer they got to Freddie’s house, the louder the music sounded. It was filling almost the entire street, and Effy could see most of the college traipsing in and out of Freddie’s front door. Effy was practically pulling Naomi along by this stage, it was going to be a long night. Naomi was self consciously pulling down the incredibly short dress she’d borrowed from Effy, even drunk she was still insecure. It was showing off her long legs, and would end up garnering a lot of attention, attention that Naomi didn’t really want.
Naomi was mumbling something to Effy, though Effy couldn’t quite make out the words, instead settling for nodding in all the right places, to at least create the appearance that she was listening. Spotting Cook and Freddie up ahead, standing outside of Freddie’s house, Effy took a deep breath. Things were still awkward, still unsettled, still as fucked up as before.
Cook and Freddie had barely even been able to greet the girls, before Naomi took a wrong step, toppling over, luckily ending up in Freddie’s arms. Effy couldn’t help but snigger at the sight.
“Christ is she alright?” Freddie asked, scooping up Naomi as she fell towards him, giggling as she leant into Freddie’s chest. Freddie moved Naomi’s hair out of her face, balancing her so that she didn’t fall over.
“Emily and Naomi have split up.” Effy quickly explained, the boys not being able to hide their shock at the admission. Cook protectively wrapping his arm around Naomi, who wasn’t even aware that she was being discussed.
“I’ll look after you babe.” Cook gave a small smile, kissing the side of Naomi’s head. “Why did you let her get so fucked?” Cook glared at Effy, she rolled her eyes, almost wanting to laugh at how ridiculous that sentence sounded coming from Cook. She couldn’t deny that he genuinely seemed to care though, holding on as Naomi’s head lolled on his shoulder.
“Cook mate leave it, I'm sure there wasn’t a lot Eff could do to stop her.” Freddie smiled at Effy, that look of desperation, standing up for her, hoping and wishing that she would respond and be everything he wanted her to be. Effy hated it.
“No. It is my fault. I gave her the vodka, I should have stopped her, I'm a shit friend.” Effy replied, slumping down on the ground outside Freddie’s. Cook sat down as well, resting Naomi in between them, Freddie taking the cue to sit down as well, opposite Effy, their knees touching.
“I nearly fucked Cook once Ef, but I couldn’t cos i’m a lesbinem” Naomi giggled, the other three looking at each other, before joining in the laughter at Naomi’s admission. Cook rolled his eyes at the memory.
“First and only time I've been turned down.” Cook chuckled, retrieving a beer from his bag, passing it over to Freddie, taking another one for Effy and finally one for himself.
“Wha bout me?” Naomi slurred, indicating towards the beers, burying her head in Effy’s shoulder, who kissed her forehead. Huddling closer to Naomi as she noticed the blonde girl shiver.
“Sorry babes, think you’ve had enough.” Cook smiled, rubbing Naomi’s knee, who reached out to stroke Cook’s ears.
“You got lovely ears.” Naomi hiccuped, laughing at herself. The other three shaking their heads and smiling. They’d never seen Naomi so out of control, she’d always been the sober one, watching everyone else around her. No-one mentioned Emily.
“Where’s J?” Freddie asked Cook, looking at his watch, it was unlike JJ to be late for anything. Cook searched the crowd of party goers that were moving in and out of Freddie’s house, wondering if they’d failed to spot JJ arrive.
“I’ll send him a text.” Cook grunted, downing the rest of his beer, typing out a quick text to their missing friend. It was a couple of minutes before he got a reply, a simple text explaining that they would be there soon. Cook showed the message to Freddie who shrugged, JJ had been especially distant the last few days.
“I’m single, ready to mingle... Where’s the ladies?” Naomi laughed, throwing her head up and looking around, trying to stand.
“Well, at least she’s not having a sexuality crisis anymore.” Effy laughed, pulling Naomi back down, who swiftly fell, landing in a pile on the floor.
“Naomi?” The sound of Emily’s panicked voice cut through the laughter of the group, everyone tensed, apart from Naomi who was far more interested in Freddie’s shoe. “What the hell is wrong with her?”
“Ems she’s just a bit drunk, leave her will you.” Effy sighed, flinching as Emily lurched towards her, Katie and JJ appearing behind her, having to restrain her from punching Effy.
“What is she doing here with you? What have you given her you twat?!” Emily spat, leaning down and trying to reach out to Naomi, who groaned and moved away, falling into Freddie’s lap.
“Emily will you just back the fuck off! She’s upset because she asked you to move in with her and instead you dumped her, so who can blame her if she wanted to get off her face! She’s with me because we’re friends, so will you just leave her alone.” Effy growled, saying probably the most anyone had ever heard her say, surprising the whole group.
“I’m taking her home.” Emily insisted, pulling Naomi up, staggering slightly as Naomi leant into her ex. “Come on Naomi, just start walking yeah.”
“I’m going to be sick.” Naomi groaned, swaying slightly before throwing up, splashing Emily’s top. Emily gagged, shaking her head as she pulled Naomi along, the rest of the group watching.
“Think I should go help?” Cook asked, starting on another beer.
“Let her struggle.” Effy smiled, hoping something good would come of this night, clearly Emily still cared about Naomi, maybe this could be the thing to bring them back together.