lust for life • james cook - skins

11 - eve

I instantly spot Cook in the distance as I approach the meeting place he told us to come to. There's apparently some big party on tonight, Cook organised it so that all of us could go together.

His back is turned to me, he's talking to somebody else. As I get closer, he turns around, spots me and waves eagerly, putting one arm around who I'm assuming to be Effy.

They're extremely close these days, I'm not sure if they're actually together or if they're just fucking around but either way, it hurts. I can't seem to get over him. I see too much of him to even remotely try and begin to lose any type of feelings I have for him.

I seem to be early, despite coming at the time Cook told everyone to come at. I adjust the strap of my handbag on my shoulder as I approach the couple.

"Where's everybody else?" I ask, stopping a couple feet away from the pair.

Cook shrugs, eyeing me. "Dunno, love," he murmurs. "They'll be here soon enough."

Effy smiles at me. "You look nice, Eve."

I blink at her in surprise. "Oh, thanks Eff, you do too."

She does look really nice. I quite like how I look today as I did make a big effort, as I usually do for parties, but Effy seemed to outshine me somehow. Not that it's a competition, it's just exhausting being friends with her. If you'd even call us 'friends'.

"Yeah," Cook says, absentmindedly. He's staring at me. I start to feel hot and embarrassed, so I look away, pretending to look around for the others.

I spot two figures swiftly approaching from behind Cook and Effy. I instantly pick out that it's Freddie and JJ. I wave at them and they wave back, joining us.

"There's my boys," Cook grins, throwing his arms around the two lads' shoulders. I notice a hint of irritation on Freddie's face.

"Good evening, Cookie," JJ smiles at Cook, receiving a loud laugh in return.

"Why so formal, J?" He chuckles, lightly slapping JJ's back, causing the boy to flinch.

JJ blinks at him, confused. "Just saying hello."

Cook is about to say something, but he is cut off by the rest of the group coming up to us. "Hello, ladies," he smiles, reaching out and patting Pandora and Katie on the cheek as they were closest to him.

"Hi, Cook," they mumble in unison, as Emily, Naomi and some random boy join the circle that is now formed.

Pandora grabbed the boy by his arm and pulled him over to stand beside her. "This is Thomas," she introduces proudly. "He needs our help tonight."

The group greets Thomas as he beams at everyone. "So glad," he smiles, a distinct accent coating his words.

"Thomas has gotta get 300 quid by desperate housewives tomorrow, otherwise Johnny White's gonna make him eat-"

Panda is cut off by Freddie interjecting in shock. "Johnny White?"

"He's got thirteen ounces of weed in the bag," Effy explains, her eyebrows raised.

Cook pulls his hand out of his t-shirt. "Hang on, thirteen ounces?" he asks, pure amazement on his face.

"Yes," Thomas smiles at him. "If you help, I could give you much. It's excellent weed."

I can't even comprehend where Thomas could possibly have been to have gotten that much weed, and why he owes £300 to Johnny White.

Cook opens the bag, and a reek of weed instantly fills the air. He whoops in excitement. "Man, that's pungent, I love it!"