Cook & Effy: Five Years Later

Freedom.

I was due to be release within hours and I couldn't tell you how excited I am to get out of this shit hole.

My face looks like shit as well because I got into a fight with this slag. She tried to nick my stash and almost mucked up me getting out of her. I cannot fuck that up.

The time came quickly, as I gathered my things and left the building. When I got on the other side of the gate, I was shocked at who I saw waiting for me.

"Cook?"

He smiled at me, "Hey Princess."

"What are you doing here? I thought Panda was picking me up?"

"See I got out yesterday yeah and the first thing I wanted to do was see you."

There were so many thoughts going through my head at the moment. Naturally, I went with my first one.

I started to walk towards him with a fast pace and as soon as I got close enough to I punched him hard.

He staggered back a little, but it didn't look like it hurt him all that much.

He stared at me in shock, "Have you lost your bloody mind Eff?!?"

"I hate you Cook!" I screamed.

"You knew Freddie was dead for nine years and neglected to tell anyone!"

"Eff—

"You left all of us to deal with the fact that we thought he just disappeared!"

"Eff!"

"You left me! I loved you, I loved both of you and you both left me!"

He watched me in disbelief.

"Only difference is, Freddie didn't have a choice."

I nudged him as I walked past.

"Take me home... fucking wanker."

I got in the passenger seat and waited for him to get in.

On the ride home we sat in silence, with only the wind in our ears. I really had a lot more to say to him, but when will it ever be a good time to.

"You've never said that..."

"What?"

"You've never told me you loved me... not to me anyways."

"It was kind of obvious Cook."

"You loved Freddie more."

"Cook, you and I we're too much alike. It would have never worked if I had chosen you in college. Freddie, he made sense. He was—

"Easy. He was easier to be with. And since you loved both of us, you just went with the easier option. Right?"

"I regret it..."

"What?"

"Choosing him."

Cook sighs and pulls over.

"No you don't."

"If I had chosen you, maybe he'd still be alive."

"Oh and what I'd be dead?"

"No, you would have beat the shit out of Foster and asked questions later."

He smiles.

"Freddie was sensitive, caring, loving. I didn't deserve him. Now he's dead."

"Panda told me you blamed yourself."

"Well Panda doesn't know when to shut up."

"It's not your fault, yeah?

"He was a demented fuck. It had nothing to do with you Eff."

"Can we not talk about it anymore..."

"Yeah okay. Where do you want to go now then? Because you don't have a place to live Eff. And your parents moved away."

"Where are you staying?"

"A motel until I can sort things out."

"Take me there then."

"I thought you were staying with Panda?"

"Panda has enough to worry about. She doesn't need my shit."

"Oh you mean cause she's up the duff?"

"Yeah."

"What about your brother?"

"My brother has a family now; I don't want involve him in my fucked up life."

"So it's my motel then. Sorted."

He put the car in drove and got back on the road.

Cook was held up in a decent motel, shockingly. It was a pig sty inside though.

"Sorry, hadn't much time to clean up."

"You made all this mess in one day?"

He smiled as he sat my stuff down.

"Only you could..." I mumbled.

"You hungry? I got some leftovers from last night."

"Cook, I've been locked up in prison for five years."

I take my dress off and drop it on the floor.

"The last thing I want to do right now is eat last night leftovers."

He looks at me and clears his throat, "Well alright then."

He picks me up and tosses me on the bed.