The Story of Us

Chapter Seven: Naomi

Chapter Seven: Naomi

I rolled out of bed around 7:30. I had classes at 9:00, 11:00 and 1:30. It was a pretty busy day. I walked into the small suite kitchen in my tank top and boxer shorts, my hair up in a messy bun. I started grinding the coffee beans. I still couldn’t believe what had happened last night. When Beth had gotten home, I was in bed pretending to be asleep. Once I knew she was out, I had snuck into the other girls room and vented to Ashley about everything that had happened. Cassie had been in the corner in her own world—ear buds in, paintbrush in hand.

I heard my bedroom door open and close behind me. You could tell it was ours because it squeaked really loudly when you shut it. I pretended not to hear though and kept grinding the coffee. I wasn’t going to be the one to make the first move.

“Naomi…” I heard her say behind me.

I shut off the grinder and turned around, my palms against the counter top behind me, “Yes?”

“Can we talk about last night?” she said

“Sure. Go for it.” I said, turning back and getting ready to scoop the grounds into my French press.

“Well, I think you kind of over reacted.” She said, and I could just tell she was making an annoying Beth face that screamed, ‘I know everything’.

I whirled on her, spilling grounds all over the floor, “Over reacted?!” I cried, brandishing the scooper, “And how, Beth, did I over react?” I said, spitting out the last two words.

“Well, I don’t think you should have gotten so mad at Liam like that.” She said, folding her arms over her chest and sticking out one hip like a diva.

“Um, friends don’t lie to each other. Ever. He lied to me, and that is not ok.” I said angrily. I couldn’t believe she was saying this!

“But he did it for me.” She said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“It doesn’t matter who asked him to lie! He still lied to me. Him and I, we don’t lie to each other. And why would you ask him to lie to me Beth?” I said with a sigh.

“Because I…” she paused, “because I don’t like how you act around him. You act like you are in love with him.”

I was totally flabbergasted. I couldn’t believe she was using that as an excuse! “I am not in love with Liam! We have known each other since we were kids, we are just really close.”

“So you guys have no past? At all?” She said accusingly.

“No! Nothing!” I said loudly, “But that isn’t the point! You can’t ask my best friend to lie to me!” I said, waving the scooper around and flinging coffee grounds everywhere.

“He’s my best friend.” I heard her mutter under her breath.

“What did you just say?” I said, furious.

“Nothing!” She said as she stomped towards our bedroom door, “Let’s just forget this all ever happened, ok?”

* * * *

I was walking out of class at 12:00 when I heard Liam behind me, “Naomi, wait up.”

I kept walking.

“Naomi!” he said as he ran to catch up, “Seriously, Nay, I am really sorry. Please forgive me.” He got in front of me and started walking backwards. “I am going to have to resort to singing if you don’t.”

I just glared at him.

“I’VE BEEN DREAMING OF A TRUE LOVE’S KISS, AND A PRINCE I’M HOPING—“ I cut him off by clamping my hand over his mouth.

I couldn’t contain my laughter as I tried to say, “Ok, ok, just stop singing!”

He shouted, “YES!” as he picked me up in a huge bear hug and spun me around, “You are the absolute best!”

I smiled coyly, “I am, aren’t I?”

“Hey, SO this afternoon I have to go to the mall to get a new nice shirt for this Yale Alumni dinner my parents are making me go to with them. Will you come with me to help pick it out?” He said, giving me the classic Liam puppy dog eyes.

“Sure,” I said, “What time?”

“Um… I know you have a class at 1:30, so how bout I come get you and we leave from there at 2:30?”

“Okie dokie!” I said cheerfully as we parted ways and I went to meet Ashley for lunch.

 ***What will happen at the mall with Liam and Naomi? And what about with Adam and Ashley when they are working on their project together? Trust us, you are in store for some exciting bits!! STAY TUNED TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!***