lust for life • james cook - skins

17 - eve

I close my eyes as I try to drone out the thumping music and the loud chatter of excited rave goers, even for just a moment. I'm waiting in line with Effy to get into a club. It's Thomas' night tonight, he invited us all to come and party with him, in honour.

It's a bit tense between Effy and I. She knows I like Cook, I know she likes Freddie. Ever since Freddie kissed me in front of her and Cook, she's been quite cold toward me, colder then usual, might I add.

"Just like old times, eh?" I nudge her as I say this, trying to break the tension, even just a little bit.

She smiles and nods. "Yeah."

I nod awkwardly, stumped for words. It's like talking to a brick wall, though nowadays, I feel like a wall would be more responsive than Effy at times. She was more talkative when she was mute, if that makes sense.

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye as she leans her head against the rough wall. I look around, searching desperately for some kind of distraction, anything to ease the awkwardness.

Ah, Naomi.

She shoves her way through the queue, receiving passive-aggressive comments from the people in line as she does so.

She smiles at us as she finally reaches us.

"Hey," Effy mumbles.

"Hi, Naoms," I greet her, relief running through my veins to see someone else joining us.

Naomi looks at Effy for a moment after squeezing my arm in greeting.

"You okay?" She asks her.

Effy just half-smiles and shrugs.

"No Cook?" Naomi presses. I wince slightly at that. I can't help it. Any mention of his name and his association with Effy, especially in front of me, and I just automatically react in some type of way.

"Why would there be a Cook?" Effy asks defensively.

"You're seeing him, aren't you?" Naomi raises her eyebrows at her. I stare at the ground awkwardly.

"I'm fucking him occasionally," Effy responds. "I'm not, seeing him."

Naomi stares at her for a moment. "There's a distinction?"

"Yeah."

Naomi raises her eyebrows in acknowledgment, while I shuffle my feet, desperately hoping that this is the end of the Cook conversation.

"No Emily?" Effy asks Naomi, a slight smirk on her face.

Naomi hesitates for a long moment, while I perk up to listen. I don't hear much about Emily and Naomi. There's definitely something going on, but they're very secretive about it. In a sense. Everyone kind of knows, but nobody really knows, if you get me.

As she opens her mouth to answer, Effy interrupts. "Truth."

"That obvious?" Naomi sighs, glancing between Effy and I.

I nod, smiling. "Don't have to be a genius to work it out."

"So?" Effy's still trying to drag an answer out of Naomi. Getting Naomi to open up about Emily is like trying to draw blood from a stone.