Chim - Freedom When I'm With You

* Chapter One *

Kimberley's POV:

It's a Saturday morning and I've just woken up to the sound of my alarm blaring. What a mad couple of months it's been, myself and the rest of the band have just finished touring the UK and it's safe to say that I'm exhausted. I think it's a day for some alone time.

I get out of bed and make my way over to the bathroom, brushing my teeth and running myself a bath at the same time. I choose my favourite oils and bath salts and the bathroom instantly smells like heaven. Lavender is my favourite.

I remove my silk pyjamas and step into the inviting bath, instantly relaxing into the warm water. I lay there feeling at peace and replay some memories of the last couple of years in my head, the girls and I really haven't had a break. We travelled to make a documentary where Cheryl complained the whole time especially when were in Greece, we filmed Ghost Hunting with Girls Aloud and Cheryl wouldn't stop antagonising the spirits much to Sarah's dismay and I chuckle as more memories play in my head. Then there's the tours we've all been on and having to share bunks with Cheryl on the tour bus, the emotions we've shared, Cheryl smacking my ass during 'Call Me Maybe'... the truth is everything goes back to her. It always has.

The only person who knows about my true feelings for Cheryl is Sarah, which is ironic because she's the loudest but she has always kept this secret quiet.

The sound of my message tone is heard in the bedroom, I sigh knowing that my relaxing moment is over. I finish washing my body with my lavender shower gel and quickly grab my towel from the back of the door and wrap it around my body, walking into the bedroom to see who could be messaging me at this ungodly hour.

Hardcore 🍹

Good morning Kimberzzz, we need to talk, I'm coming over at 1pm and I'll bring the booze.

I roll my eyes, it seems that my day for alone time is over and its just typical that Sarah would supply some alcohol for the afternoon ahead. I type out a quick text in response and decide I better get ready for the day ahead.

***

The morning flies by and its 12:45pm before I know it. I managed to have some breakfast, get myself dressed into something casual as we will just be staying here and decided to have a tidy up, not that anything is ever really out of place. Then the doorbell sounds throughout the house, following by a lot of banging on the letterbox. Well Hardcore has arrived that's for sure.

"Kimberzzz!" Sarah shouts as I swing the door open. I just laugh at her, open my arms up for a quick hug and we make our way inside.

We make our way to the kitchen and sit at the breakfast bar making small chit chat, Sarah pours the wine into the glasses which I already put on the side, knowing that she wouldn't hesitate and would just get straight to drinking.

About half an hour had passed at this point, we'd spent some time talking about the tour we had just been on and generally just had a natter about what we were planning to do next.

"So what's this really about then Saz?" I ask, having a little bit more courage now that I had drank two glasses of wine.

"Oh nothing in particular. Just wondered how you were feeling."

"You mean because I won't be seeing Cheryl as often as I'd like?"

"Hmm... well its gotta be hard Kim, you spend months and months with the woman you love and then its over isn't it?"

I ponder on the thought, the woman I love... she's right. I've loved Cheryl from the moment I set eyes on her at the Popstars auditions and she asked me what foundation I use.

"Well, this happens every time, I spend months with her and then once its over she goes back home to Ashley and I come back home to... this." I answer, waving my hand around the room, indicating what this was.

"You have to tell her Kim."

"I know, its only right for me to, I just don't want to ruin our friendship that's all, I don't want to lose her completely Sarah, I'd be devastated."

"I know Kim, but what if she loves you back?"

"And what if she doesn't?" I reply quite harshly. I wince, not meaning to be so harsh with my best friend.

"She's not happy with Ashley though Kim, we all know that. How about we make a plan? Grab some pen and paper and let's plan how you're gonna win this girl!"

I smile widely, getting up and running to grab the closest thing to paper I could write on. I return to the breakfast bar, setting it out so we can start planning.

"What's the box of tissues for Kim?"

"It was the closest thing to paper." I laugh as she rolls her eyes at me.

"Come on then, let's get planning!"

So that's how my best friend and I spend our evening, writing out a plan on tissues and drinking more wine until we end up in the living room, dancing the night away.

Cheryl's POV:

A fist smashes into my face, another fist and then he's slamming me body against the wall. Here we go I think to meself, back to normality. I just want him to love us how he used to, he never used to be like this, not the old Ashley. After the last tour the girls and I did, something in a Ashley changed and he's never been the same since, beating us and using me body for his needs whenever he wants with no care about what I want. I'm brought out of me thoughts by his shouting.

"Answer me you slut!"

"Answer what?"

"My fucking question Cheryl, why do you insist on touching Kimberley on these tours? Why do you think it is acceptable to slap her ass? Huh?"

"Its just a bit of banter Ash, just for the fans."

"No it's not and you are mine." He tightly holds my wrists, slamming my face against the wall, breathing heavily in my ear.

"Please Ash, you know I love you. It's not like that, it really is just banter."

He grabs us by me hair and pushes us onto the bed, I know what's coming and I just let it play out. I have no strength to fight him off anymore and if I do it just makes him worse. He pulls me pyjamas shorts down and I take a sharp intake of breath as he forces his way inside of us. The tears fall from me eyes but I don't make a sound. I wouldn't dare make a sound.

He's finished using me body for what he wants and throws me shorts back at us and I flinch pulling me knees up to me chest. He's about to leave our bedroom but he turns and looks at us before opening the door.

"It was only banter." He says with a vicious grin before he exits and makes his way downstairs.