Love Lessons (Part Ten)
The second Naomi spotted Ruby, she felt herself break into a smile, allowing herself to forget Emily and any pain that was associated with her. The two of them made their way to Keith’s pub, knowing it was the only place that would serve underage teenagers so freely. The downsides to Keith’s pub were Keith himself, and the fact that it normally contained Cook. Tonight was no exception as Cook, Freddie, Effy and Pandora all sat huddled round a table, walking in Cook immediately spotted Naomi and called for her.
“Naomikins, come see your Uncle Cookie!” Cook called, making Naomi laugh as she pulled Ruby along to meet her friends. Slightly nervous what they would think, pre-empting some kind of reaction from Effy, who could read something into any situation whether it was there or not. “Who is your friend? Fit!” Cook called, interrupting Naomi’s thoughts.
“Gay.” Naomi replied simply, ignoring Effy raising her eyebrow as she noticed the slight electricity between the two girls in front of her. Instead concentrating on Cook, whose face dropped with disappointment. Naomi wasn’t sure why she felt the need to promote Ruby’s sexuality, why she was so desperate to get Cook’s leering eyes off of her, it must be a friend thing.
“Shit, all the fucking decent girls these days are giving up on the cock! Clearly they’ve never experienced mine!” Cook laughed, winking at Ruby, who deliberately chose a seat next to Cook, resting her hand on his thigh, enjoying watching him squirm. Ruby leaned in and whispered something in his ear that put a massive grin on his face, Naomi watched carefully, wanting to know what it was she’d said that had put Cook in such a good mood.
“She said she’s bi.” Effy announced, having lip-read the whisper. Announcing it to put Naomi out of her misery. Watching Naomi’s face change, the slight look of annoyance that Ruby was sitting with Cook. “Fucking sit down Naomi.”
Naomi did as she was told, planting herself in between Effy and Pandora. Trying to ignore Effy, because frankly it was bloody annoying having a friend that just knew bloody everything. Even before Naomi knew half the time.
“You fancy her.” Effy muttered in Naomi’s ear, Naomi turning to glare at her, hating the knowing smile that Effy was giving her. Hoping that Ruby was paying no attention to the mostly wordless exchanges that were occurring between herself and Effy.
“No Emily tonight?” Pandora questioned, confused when everyone shot her an exasperated look, clearly Pandora had forgotten that Naomi and Emily had split up. Unaware of the awkwardness that surrounded her.
“Emily and me, we’re not together anymore Panda.” Naomi explained, her voice quivering when she said it, because it just didn’t sound right, the words felt wrong. Emily was supposed to be here, like every other night they’d spent together in this pub, small touches, lingering glances, hands resting on thighs to create a fire that would try them both insane with desire until they could go home (or that one occasion where they tried the toilets of Keith’s pub, vowing never again, because they were a public health hazard. And seriously, no matter how hot your girlfriend is, you can’t help but be distracted by that.)
“Oh... Are you two together then.” Pandora asked, pointing at Naomi and Ruby. Wincing slightly, when Effy delivered a swift kick to her best friends shin.
“Pandora shut up.” Effy sighed, giving her a stern look, knowing that Pandora was simply adding to the awkwardness that was already lingering in the room.
“I’m only blimmin’ asking! No one tells me anything round here, I can barely keep up with you lot!” Pandora complained, rubbing her sore shin, almost on the verge of tears which made Effy feel a little bad. Naomi gave Pandora’s arm a little squeeze to assure her that it was ok, that she wasn’t angry.
“No we’re not Panda, we’re just friends. I should probably introduce you, everyone this is Ruby, Ruby this is Freddie, Effy, Pandora and the cock head you’re sat next to is Cook.” Naomi smiled, shooting a glare at Cook, which he responded to with a wink.
“Nice to meet you.” Ruby smiled, taking in the group of seemingly very different people. Laid back and beautiful Effy, sweet if a little strange Pandora, angst-ridden dreamer Freddie and finally the charming yet utterly vile Cook. Never would she have associated Naomi with these people, but they worked, fitted, a group of misfits clinging together for comfort and company.
“Right come on guys, drinking games! I wanna get drunk and I wanna have fun, and if this game is to involve a bit of snogging then that would make it even more fun.” Winking at Ruby, Cook flashed one of his dirty grins to the group, nudging Freddie to try to gain support for his idea.
“Why would it involve snogging?” Naomi asked, none of the drinking games they’d played before had ever involved the meeting of lips. Christ, the group got around with each other enough as it was, they didn’t need games to start a frenzy of snogging amongst them.
“Its a new game... Cook’s game... It involves snogging.” Cook insisted, trying to formulate some rules in his head, his basic plan was to get the girls snogging him, and the girls snogging each other. Whilst simultaneously getting Ruby drunk enough to want to shag him, or failing that, he was pretty sure Effy wouldn’t mind another round with the Cookie monster.
“I’m up for it.” Ruby shrugged, surprising Naomi, and exciting Cook into such a frenzy that the group thought they might have to restrain him.
“Me too.” Effy smiled, grinning wickedly at Naomi before giving a subtle look to Cook that wasn’t missed by a heartbroken Freddie.
“No way, not me, Thommo wouldn’t like it.” Pandora explained, removing herself from the game. Her relationship had been more than a little unsteady since Thomas found out about her relations with Cook. It was best to keep away from anything like this.
“Right well Panda you’re the referee of Cook’s awesome drinking game, I'll go and get us some shots.” Cook grinned, practically bouncing to the bar as the barmaid stacked a tray with a succession of shots.
“We don’t have to play Eff, we can choose not to play.” Freddie almost pleaded, he wanted Effy to stand up and refuse to play, wanted her to be like Panda and acknowledge that she couldn’t play because she had someone that was too important to her to want to play. Freddie wanted Effy to acknowledge him.
“I want to play.” Effy insisted plainly, not meeting Freddie’s lovelorn gaze. Ignoring Naomi’s judgmental eye-roll and pretending she didn’t see the look of immense confusion on Panda’s face.
“Right.” Freddie replied softly, downing the contents of his pint glass. Realising he’d need a lot more alcohol inside of him, just to stop his heart from aching.
“Sorry about this.” Naomi leaned over the table, smiling at Ruby who was tearing a piece of paper into little strips. Writing little dares on them, trying to make Cook’s game a little more exciting.
“Don’t apologise, your friends are cool.” Ruby nodded, scribbling on the paper, Naomi trying to catch a glance of the words, but failing to see what dares Ruby had in store for the group.
**
“Drink this. I’ll send a text to madam and tell her she needs to get her arse back here.” Gina smiled, placing the steaming mug of green tea in front of Emily, kissing her cheek before rummaging around in her bag to find her Nokia 3310.
“Gina don’t worry about it. I was late, Naomi obviously thought I wasn’t coming so she’s gone out instead. We should just let her go out and enjoy herself.” Emily sighed, blowing on the mug of steaming liquid, trying to ignore the fact that her heart was aching a little bit.
“She should have waited. She’s been moping round here since the two of you parted ways, and I've had enough. It’s about bloody time you got back together, even Pauline thinks you should get back together.” Gina explained, hurrying around, frustrated when she got the voicemail of Naomi’s phone.
“Pauline?” Emily questioned looking up at Gina, raising her eyebrow in confusion as she tried to remember which of GIna’s many friends was called Pauline.
“That stray cat that keeps coming to the backdoor, it seemed weird just calling her cat so I’ve named her Pauline.” Gina smiled, Emily trying to stifle laughter at the absurdity of the comment, but at the same time completely enjoying being back in Naomi’s house with Gina who she dearly loved.
“So a cat thinks me and Naomi should get back together?” Emily asked, rolling her eyes. Taking a sip from the mug, trying not to recoil at the fact that it tasted a bit like hedge, before meeting Gina’s gaze again.
“The whole bloody world thinks you and Naomi should get back together. She’s a miserable bugger without you Emily!” Gina laughed, trying the phone again but still getting Naomi’s voicemail. “Darling daughter will you pick up your bloody phone, there’s a beautiful redhead waiting in the kitchen for you. So hurry on home, or else I’ll have to pull out the baby pictures Naomi, don’t think I won’t!”
All Emily could do was laugh, if she had to be stuck waiting for Naomi with anyone, she was glad it was Gina.
**
“...Well then Tom said that we would have to break up because he was moving away, and I was pretty upset, but I think I'm over it... Though I'm wearing the dress that Tom bought me, and my mum said that was a little weird, considering I'm on a date with you, but I think it’s a waste of a good dress if I don’t wear it don’t you think?” Jodi stuttered, launching into yet another conversation that concerned her ex-boyfriend, JJ could tell she was nervous, and he wasn’t completely sure if she even was aware how every story centered on her ex, but still it was a little off-putting.
You’ve talked about him quite a lot tonight.” JJ hinted, hoping that Jodi would realise what she was doing, and change the subject to something else.
“Tom always said I talked a lot, a lot about him, he liked it though.” Jodi smiled nervously, not quite picking up on what she was doing wrong here. She stabbed at a piece of carrot with her fork, and chewed quietly.
“Well, that’s because you were talking about him.” JJ tried to explain, of course her ex-boyfriend enjoyed her talking about him! Why couldn’t she see however, that talking about your ex whilst on a date with someone else, probably wasn’t the best seduction tactic.
“Yeah... So you should totally meet Tom next time he comes to visit, you’d get on really well.” Jodi continued, completely oblivious to JJ’s frustration.
“He comes to visit?” JJ asked, his eyes widening at the prospect of going out with a girl who regularly received visits from her ex.
“Yeah, we’re still pretty close.” Jodi explained, her fingers caressing the bracelet her ex had bought her the last Christmas. Finally understanding that maybe she wasn’t exactly being the best date in the world.
“You’re not really into this date are you? If you’re thinking about someone else...” JJ sighed, sipping at his water. Trying to give Jodi a supportive smile, because it wasn’t her fault that she was still in love with someone else. Love was uncontrollable.
“I’m not... It’s just Tom sometimes says... “ Jodi tried to defend, giving up on her defence when she realised that nothing JJ was saying was untrue, she really couldn’t stop thinking about Tom. As nice as JJ was, she couldn’t be dating right now.
“Jodi, I think you’re lovely. But I really don’t think you’re over your ex. Maybe you should get back with him?” JJ suggested, realising that it was probably strange to spend a date convincing the girl that she should get back together with her ex-boyfriend. Jodi was nice though, and she deserved to be happy, and JJ was pretty sure he was as uninspired by this date as she was.
“You think so?” Jodi asked with a nervous smile, blushing as she though about the possibility.
“Do you love him?” JJ questioned, because if the answer was yes, then he believed the solution was simple.
“I love him loads.” Jodi admitted, butterflies in her stomach fluttering as she thought about him.
“How does he feel about you?” JJ asked, leaning across the table sightly, smiling at Jodi to let her know that it was ok that this date had turned out like this. That he wasn’t offended or upset.
“He didn’t want us to split up, it was just the distance y’know.” Jodi explained, threading her fingers together nervously.
“Maybe you should go and phone him, have a chat with him, talk things over. I’ll pay up here. Let me know how it goes, ok?” JJ smiled supportively, gesturing for the waiter to come over, pulling out his wallet.
“JJ you’re being too lovely, you should be shouting at me right now. You certainly shouldn’t be paying for the meal.” Jodi squirmed, she was blushing, embarrassed at the situation. It seemed very strange that JJ was taking it so well.
“You were a wonderful date, and I'm sure we’ll be great friends. My heart isn’t really in it either if I'm honest.” JJ shugged, placing his hand supportively on Jodi’s arm, to let her know that everything was ok.
“Is it Katie Fitch?” Jodi asked shyly, she noticed the shock on JJ’s face and wondered if she’d crossed the line slightly.
“Katie?” JJ asked confused, he wasn’t sure if it was anyone, he just knew that this date didn’t feel right. Jodi was lovely, but he didn’t feel the pull towards her that he’d felt with other girls.
“Don’t get embarrassed JJ, I've seen the way the two of you look at each other.” Jodi smiled, she’d also heard a couple of JJ’s friends gossiping about it.
“We’re just friends, me and Katie are just friends.” JJ stuttered, growing more and more uncomfortable by the minute. He truely didn’t know what to say, but as he started to think about it, he wondered whether Jodi might be right.
“Oh sorry I must have got the wrong end of the stick. Thank you for a wonderful night JJ, i’m sorry I wasn’t much company.” Jodi hurried, placing a small kiss on JJ’s cheek, before hurrying off out of the restaurant.
“That’s ok...” JJ sighed, knowing that he needed to go and see Katie, he had to see her now.
**
“Right well your choice is... A snog with me, or Ruby has to give you a lovebite on any part of your body, below the neck!” Cook cheered, pulling out the dare from the collection of folded pieces of paper that sat in a pint glass in the center of the table. This was going to be good Cook thought, because quite frankly, either way he was going to win. “Come on Naomikins, we’ve done this before, fancy round two?”
“I’d rather eat cat turd.” Naomi replied acidly, before realising that the other option was just as off-putting, but for completely different reasons.
“Well Rubes, you better get choosing a body part for tasting!” Cook laughed wickedly, rubbing his hands together with glee at the thought of the sexy moment to come.
Ruby stood up, smiling awkwardly at Naomi, she could see that Naomi wasn’t exactly comfortable with what was about to happen. Cook leering wasn’t exactly helping either, nor was the look that Effy was giving to Naomi.
“Stomach ok?” Ruby laughed, trying to diffuse the awkwardness. Dropping to her knees, Pandora was giggling, Freddie and Cook were nudging each other and cheering, Naomi blushing as she pulled up her T-shirt high enough to allow Ruby access. Naomi let out a little gasp at the sensation of a mouth on her torso, kissing and sucking, trying to put enough pressure to leave a mark. Naomi tried not to close her eyes, tried not to look like she was enjoying this, breathing a sigh of relief as Ruby broke away.
“That was fucking hot! Christ Rubes come and suck this!” Cook shouted, motioning towards his crotch, Ruby walked over and gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, sitting down and downing a shot.
Naomi touched her stomach, pulling her top down to cover up the mark, laughing to try and pretend that it wasn’t awkward. In the process knocking her bag on the floor, her phone spilling out. Reaching for the phone, she could see numerous missed phonecalls and texts all from her mother, noticing a voicemail she excused herself from the group so that she could listen to it.
**
Rob pulled himself up off the sofa at the sound of the doorbell, Jenna groaned at the loss of warmth, having been cuddled up on the sofa with her husband. The two of them enjoying a film together. Swinging the front door open, Rob looked over to the tall curly haired boy in front of him, recognising him as the same boy that had taken his Emily to the Love Ball.
“Hello Mr. Fitch. You might remember me, I’m Jonah, Jonah Jeremiah Jones, or JJ to my friends. I’ve come to speak to Katie if I may.” JJ smiled, feeling slightly intimidated by Rob, especially as he flexed his muscles.
“Katie you say? She’s upstairs doing her homework, I don’t know if I should really be interrupting her.” Rob sighed, crossing his arms and trying to stare JJ down.
“Well I’ve come to help her with her homework actually Mr. Fitch. I’m very good at History, I got an A grade in my recent results, so I’ve come to give Katie a bit of tutoring.” JJ smiled, knowing that he wasn’t very good at lying, but also knowing it would be very difficult to get past Rob otherwise.
“Right then lad, you better get upstairs. But tell Katie that the bedroom door stays open the whole time and if I hear that bed creek in the slightest, I’ll be up there so fast you won’t even hear me coming.” Rob threatened, letting JJ walk past, eyeing him suspiciously as he climbed the stairs.
JJ knocked on the door nervously, taking a deep breath as he waited for Katie to open it. She was surprised to see him, but she let him walk in, watching as he sat himself down on the edge of Emily’s bed. Katie went to shut the door, but JJ motioned to her not to.
“Your dad doesn’t want the door shut. He doesn’t want me to take advantage of you, if he hears anything that sounds even remotely like sexual activity, he’s going to render me unable to reproduce.” JJ stuttered, his hand consciously covering his package, at the thought of Rob launching any kind of attack on him.
“Why aren’t you on your date?” Katie asked, feeling her heart race slightly. JJ really did look nice, and his aftershave smelt so good, it was ridiculous, but the blue of his eyes was far more mesmerizing than Katie had ever realised.
“We’re incompatible, and both like other people.” JJ explained, smiling at Katie as she sat down on her bed, their knees almost touching across the gap between the beds.
“She still hung up on her ex? Suppose you’re still thinking about Emily right?” Katie sighed, was there really no way of stopping JJ lusting after her sister? It was wrong, and stupid and she hated it.
“I don’t like Emily. I don’t have any feelings for Emily, what happened with Emily was never right and I wish it hadn’t happened. I wish I'd waited for someone special, for someone right...” JJ muttered, needing Katie to understand that
It was an overwhelming desire, a need, and it wasn’t pity. It was everything that Katie wanted, with the person she never dreamt she would fall for. Leaning in and kissing him, it felt different to before, because she was embracing this feeling, not telling herself that it was all a game.
“Is this a lesson?” JJ stuttered, pulling his head away. He was confused, because though he’d just worked out his own feelings. He certainly didn’t think that whatever he felt was going to be reciprocated.
“No. It’s a kiss.” Katie sighed, gently kissing JJ’s neck, pulling back to enjoy the look of astonishment and passion on JJ’s face. He wasn’t like other boys she’d been with, always expecting more. They didn’t need more, because a kiss had never felt so intense or intimate before.
“Are you kissing me?” JJ whispered, not quite believing what was happening, taking Katie’s hand, holding it as if he was checking that she was real, to confirm to himself that this wasn’t a dream, this was really happening.
“Do you want me to stop?” Katie asked, steadying herself on JJ’s arms, holding herself upright. She reached out and let her hand stroke along JJ’s jawline, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers.
“No... I really don’t.” JJ managed, feeling Katie’s lips collide with his once again, pulling her close. Letting Katie take control, because he was so nervous, her tongue quickly finding its way into his mouth. JJ didn’t think he’d ever felt anything quite so wonderful in his entire life.
**
Naomi stormed through the front door of her house, not even walking into the kitchen, she called out from the hallway to Emily.
“Upstairs! Now!” Naomi snapped, thumping up the stairs and pacing round her bedroom. Waiting until she heard Emily’s gentle footsteps, making their way up to Naomi’s room. The door creaking open, the sweet and nervous looking redhead looking at her.
“So you’re here are you?! Fucking hell Ems you’re only what, three hours late?” Naomi yelled, all the anger and frustration that had been building up inside her being released in one burst. Emily almost looked scared, she’d never seen Naomi like this before.
“I couldn’t get out. I couldn’t get out of the house, my mum...” Emily trailed, nervously wringing her hands together and she tried to explain. Knowing from the look on Naomi’s face that whatever she said was useless.
“I can’t do this anymore, we really are over.” Naomi shouted, rubbing at her eyes, feeling like she could cry but trying to be strong enough not to. When she pulled her hand away, she was confronted by Emily, hovering so close she could feel every breath.
Grabbing hold of Naomi, Emily kissed her with such an intensity Naomi thought she would fall over. Emily was desperate, needed to explain everything, hoping that her kisses would do most of the talking.
“I want us to get back together.” Emily whispered, pulling herself away slightly, before leaning back in, placing gentle kisses along Naomi’s jawline. Savoring the taste of Naomi’s skin, something that felt more and more amazing each time she kissed it.
“Quit playing fucking games!” Naomi snapped, pushing Emily away fiercely, the force of the movement shocking even her, as she fell back against the bed.
Emily staggered, finding her footing, before launching another attack on Naomi, desperate to show her that she was serious. Naomi being on the bed was perfect for Emily, it made it easier to crawl on top of her, their eyes meeting, questioning each other before finding the answer. This time it was Naomi that leant in to capture Emily’s lips, her heart racing, knowing that this was right. They kissed desperately, Emily’s hands moving under Naomi’s top, caressing her skin. Naomi shuffled, sitting up slightly so that she could pull off Emily’s top. The groan that she released at the sight, making Emily giggle, Naomi sticking her tongue out at Emily, making quick work of pulling off Emily’s bra whilst she was distracted.
“Bloody hell, someone’s keen.” Emily laughed, feeling very exposed, but the look on Naomi’s face quickly gave her back her confidence.
“Emily... You’re serious right, you want this, you want me?” Naomi asked nervously, feeling Emily pressing up against her, not quite sure if she could stop this now even if Emily’s answer wasn’t the one she wanted.
“I love you, we should be together.” Emily smiled, leaning in and whispering in Naomi’s ear. “Be my girlfriend.”
That was all it took for Naomi to force Emily upwards, flipping her over and taking control. Emily loved it when Naomi took charge, kissing down Emily’s body, loving it as she squirmed in excitement.
“Lose this.” Emily murmured , tugging at Naomi’s T-shirt. Naomi obliged, shrugging off her T-shirt, tossing it aside before leaning back in to carry on kissing Emily’s. Noticing that Emily was no longer responding, she was laying stiffly, which made Naomi pull back.
“What?” Naomi breathed, confused at Emily’s expression.
“What the fuck is that?” Emily asked, pointing to the very red, and very obvious lovebite on Naomi’s stomach. Pushing back Naomi aggressively, as Naomi tried to find an explanation.