fuck you, peachy | skins

29. Effy

Ayla sits on the edge of the campsite watching the light of the sparklers dance through the air, everyone chuckling with euphoria. The mushies had gone straight to her head and instead of having fun, she was being confronted by a lot of thoughts she had tried to bury.

"I am so fucked" Freddie chuckles to Effy a few metres in front of her, throwing his head back in happiness. "Listen, before. In the shed, what were you gonna say?" Effy is about to tell him until she notices Katie walking over.

"I'll tell you later" she smiles seductively. "Bye". Freddie's eyes follow her as she stumbles towards Ayla, barely noticing Katie who tugged on his sleeve for attention. Effy sits down next to Ayla, leaning on her gently with a smile on her face. Ayla doesn't repay the affection but Effy doesn't realise; too fucked. 

"Eff, you need to stop. I don't think..." Ayla says softly, watching as Katie practically pleads for Freddie's attention. 

"Hey hey hey" Effy cuts her off, putting her finger to Ayla's lips to shush her. "No stopping tonight, only starting". It's silent for a moment. "Did you see me and Freddie just now?" 

"I think you should stop Effy," Ayla repeats. "You're hurting Katie. I know you love Freddie and I'm all for that but you shouldn't be doing it like this.". Effy is silent for a second, processing what Ayla has said before her expression turns sour and her tone defensive. 

"Well if you don't want to support me you can fuck off"

- 

"Hey J, can I come in?" Ayla taps on JJ's tent lightly, having fucked off as Effy wished. JJ had decided it was time for bed, unlike the others who were getting more and more giggly by the second. It was all too much for Ayla and she desperately needed some time out with someone sober.

"Oh um...." JJ replies awkwardly from inside. "I..."

"JJ, if you're wanking can you just put it away. I need someone to talk to". JJ unzips the tent door and looks at her.

"I'm not wanking. I... I'm just worried you're not gonna like my camping decor"

"J"

"It's not like you'd judge me, you're too kind for that. It's just... you're cool and I don't want you to dislike my space themed bedding."

"J"

"Okay, come in" he gives in, inching to the side and gesturing for her to enter. The second she got inside, and away from all the giggles, she felt much more at peace. It was like a nice warm, comfy oasis from all the lies and liars dancing around outside.

"May I lay down?" Ayla asks, looking around with her eyes squinted, very monged. JJ nods, a green light that allowed Ayla to flop down onto his little bed contently with the first smile she had had all night. JJ covers her with a blanket which was covered in planets and sits at the end of the bed. 

"Is this the decor you were worried I wasn't going to like?" Ayla asks, talking about the blanket. He nods. "Well I like it J". Ayla can tell by his smile that this makes him blush, even though it's dark. "Can you teach me what all the planets are called, I've forgotten"

"Sure. There is..." JJ begins excitedly before he is cut off by a loud bang from outside. A bang that takes Ayla out of that mere minute of happiness she had had. 

"What's going on guys" JJ yells out but before anyone can reply another bang echoes through the trees. JJ unzips the tent hastily and steps outside, Ayla propping herself up on her elbows so she can look outside through the now open door.

"Turn the music off" Freddie mutters and Thomas does so immediately. The bang sounds again, Ayla watching as everyone peers around in fear. It sounded like a gun. She knew it would have been best for them to choose another campsite considering those guys that harassed them at the service station knew that they would be at Gobblers End. The shooting became more frequent and was soon accompanied by a malicious laugh.