Halfway Valentine | Chapter XVIII: Sappily Ever After

Seven AM was too early for anything, especially to be ready to get on a bus and drive forever. Today, we're headed to Nagano for the overnight snowboarding trip. It was always nice to kick about with my crazy friends but I would also like to be alone with my girlfriend from time to time.

I guess the horoscope was right: I am a clingy Gemini.

"I can't believe we're bunking with all of them," I groaned and dragged my stuff toward the bus.

"I did what I can do, Em," Naomi said. "There is only one cabin available."

"But how are we gonna spend some quality time together?" I groaned again. "What about your need for heat?" I cocked a teasing eye at her.

Chuckling, Naomi put her arm around my shoulders and drew me to her. "You're the sneaky one, babe," she murmured against my ear. "I believe you can come up with ways." She pushed her backpack into the back of the bus.

"Hey, Halo, you cheated." Panda put her hands on her hips like a little girl. "You can only bring one huge bag and one small bag."

"Whoever made that shitty rule should've come and helped me pack." Halo yawned.

"We're only gonna be there for eighteen hours, Halo." JJ walked up, tossing a stress ball into the air then catching it with his hand repeatedly. It was like he couldn't sit still for one minute; he was so excited.

"That's what I mean. We're gonna be there for eighteen hours," Halo said as she climbed onto the bus. "I wanted to try snowboarding in a panda costume so I brought one. Now c'mon, guys! And stop looking at me like that."

Weird, I thought. I am fucking surrounded by really weird people in my life.

Naomi and I followed them inside and looked for empty seats. I took the window seat behind Effy and Karen, and Naomi slid in beside me. Panda and Halo were just at the opposite aisle, talking nonsense and eating assorted candies. Freddie, JJ and Sean were playing with their PSPs and DS Lites. Cook was sitting alone, talking on the phone with Katie. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thomas in the back fooling with a Lomo camera.

"Girls, say chi-zu!" Thomas appeared, aiming the camera lens at us. We struck a cute pose for him. Then he went on clicking off photos of the others.

"Which reminds me . . ." I reached down to take my digital camera from my gym sack on the floor. Whilst I was face to my knees, I ruffled my hair to get it to stop clinging to my scalp and did a massive flip, hitting Naomi in the face with the ends.

"Ow." She peeled my hair from her eyes whilst eyeing me. "Jesus Christ, Em. Lucky you, I'm in love with your long, red hair or—"

"Or what?" I challenged, chuckling. "You know you can't hurt me."

"Right." Naomi put her red-rimmed Ray-Ban sunglasses on. It made her look hot ten degrees more. "Lucky you, I love you."

"I know." I giggled and dropped a quick kiss on her cheek which made her smile. "Let's take a photo, Naomes," I said giddily, flipping down my sunglasses. "C'mon."

"Could you be more fucking touristy?" she asked, not embarrassed, but amused by me.

We posed—with Naomi making a wacky face and me kissing her cheek, and did one of those pictures where one of you holds the camera out as far as you can to make it look like someone else took the photo.

I looked at the image on my digital camera. "Oh, fuck. I might've accidentally zoomed it."

The image was cut—only showing half of our noses and down to our collar bones—which actually made me think of a scandalous but very sweet idea.

I switched the mode from camera to video and asked Panda for some sour watermelon belts. Taking off our sunglasses, I then asked Naomi to munch from the other end of the candy and we'll meet halfway. All the while we were chewing the rubbery candy, moving closer and closer to each other, the video was recording. And when our lips met in the middle, I took her bottom lip between my teeth, nipped it then sucked it which elicited a quiet moan from her. Then I plunged in to kiss her with such intensity that Naomi had to raise her hand to hold on to the head rest in front of her for some support. Naomi's lips were so much sweeter than the candy, I'm telling you.

With everyone quiet and half awake, I smirked at Karen who was entertaining those close to her with insane stories that made them gasp and laugh. Sometimes she would pause for effect. That girl just knew how to keep them all ears. Shifting my attention to the camera in my hand, I replayed the video and smiled to myself. The clip had a certain undertone:

Our lips meeting halfway . . . Just like Naomi and I meeting halfway. Here in Japan. And I thought even though fate had a sick sense of humour, it was somehow laudable for letting us chance on each other. Naomi was right: Lucky me.

I glanced at the blonde sitting beside me and couldn't help but smile again. She had already dozed off on my shoulder and she looked so glowingly beautiful. I looked down at our interlaced fingers and thought of how perfect the moment was.

I lowered my head to drop a soft kiss onto her forehead. Oh, Naomi, said a voice inside with real suffering. You're going to kill me with cavities.

She was even going to kill my cavities with cavities.

Pressing my cheek against her sweet-smelling hair, I squeezed my eyes closed and inhaled deeply. Even without lifting a finger, even without saying a single word, Naomi never ceased to mesmerise me. With wonderful thoughts circling my head, I slipped into a deep slumber . . .

I was having the greatest dream—starring myself, a blond girl who looked a lot like my girlfriend (okay, she was actually my girlfriend, Naomi Campbell), and a stick shift—when the bugle blast exploded in my brain.  

It was a horn, courtesy of James Cook's silver horn. Why he brought one? I have no fucking idea.

I snapped awake, mentally telling Cook just what I could do to his horn. Drowsily, I looked out the window and saw that the snow outside was fairy-tale white. No cloud marred the eerie, icy blue of the sky, and the sun glinted off the glossy bark of trees. What a perfect day for snowboarding, I thought. And what a perfect day to make a clown out of myself, too.

Shoving his horn back into his backpack and putting on his bonnet, Cook cried, "We're here! The mountains are waiting! Let's hit 'em, ye mongo saps!"

I removed my goggles, kicked off my snowboard boots, propped my ultra heavy snowboard against the wall, then nudged against the door into the cabin. I had left the gang at the Mogle Course. They were still in the middle of their Linking Turns lessons with a couple of pro Japanese snowboarders. Naomi had already snuck out and was probably waiting inside by now and I had to give the 'my ankle is still throbbing' excuse to the gang. Thank God, they didn't get suspicious of the sneaky couple gone M.I.A. Except for Effy, of course, who had that knowing smirk when I stammered my pathetic excuse.

"Ugh, it smells like fucking feet in here," I groaned loudly with a scowl, slipping out of my heavy jacket. "I think it's Cook's or Sean's."

"Definitely just one of those pigs," I heard Naomi answer.

I drew down my pants and dropped it onto a chair, then shambled across the floorboards over to the mirror to check my legs for bruises. I slid backwards and badly landed on my butt quite a number of times during the Toeside Traversing lesson and it was a pity that even with my feet I was hopeless. I let out a long, audible sigh, mirroring my exasperation.

"God, I should've known I wasn't totally straight the first time I laid eyes on Olivia Wilde in Alpha Dog." Lolling on the couch in the cabin, Naomi studied the cover of Cook's Maxim magazine. "So fucking fit."

I dropped onto the couch next to her, took a peek at the cover and snorted. "She looks like she's always battered but she loves being in pain. I don't like her facial expressions at all."

"Your vision's skewed by malice."

"It is not," I said a little too defensively. "I'm just telling you what I see."

"You're jealous." She smirked. "Wow. That's a first for Emily Fitch."

I took the magazine from her.

"I'm not jealous. Why would I be jealous?" Laughing, I sent the magazine sailing. Olivia Wilde, the hot masochistic woman, landed facedown. "Her body's Photoshopped. And she has nothing on me, hun."

"It doesn't seem Photoshopped to me. Plus, she's got gorgeous, magnetic eyes."

I lifted a brow. "Gorgeous?" I echoed. "You think she has gorgeous eyes?"

"Um-hmm," Naomi hummed, unperturbed, reaching for the magazine again.

"And magnetic?" I attacked her, tickling the sides of her body.

"Yes, sexy magnetic. Ems, stop—!" she shrieked, twisting as I tickled her. "Sinfully attractive." Giggling vulnerably, she gave me a friendly shove.

"I'm honour-bound to erase Olivia What's-her-name from your mind." I seized the magazine out of her hand and threw it forcefully onto the carpet.

"Olivia Wilde," she said primly. "And I don't know if you can. I mean, she's so ethereal, like the scourge of the Universe, and her body's so . . ." She gave a mock shiver. "So appetizing."

“So appetizing, huh.” I smirked devilishly. "We'll shoot for a fucking contrast."

With one swipe I dragged my hand down her breezy plaid top and sent buttons flying.

"Emily!" Caught between shock and amusement, Naomi started to shove me back. The laughing protest ended on a strangled gasp as I fastened my mouth to her neck.

The hands that had playfully pressed against my shoulders tightened like vises, short, neat nails digging crescents into my flesh. I felt her heart stutter beneath my gluttonous mouth. My hands were already tugging aside the remains of her top, then streaking over bared skin to arouse and demand. The early-spring sun streamed through the windows, fell over her in hot white light. Her skin was damp from it, from my rough, impatient touch. With my mouth still feasting on her, I slid my hand under the baggy leg of her shorts and drove her vehemently to a fast, fiery climax.

"Jesus, again," Naomi begged, out of breath. Driven myself, I fixed my mouth on hers, swallowing her cry as I pushed her higher.

I wanted her like this. I wanted to possess her, to brand her, to feel her body rock fitfully under mine, until my own magic was sunk deep.

I tore at her clothes even as she tugged and yanked at mine. My breath was hot on her flesh, her mouth streaking hungrily over me, sounds of desperate excitement humming in her throat.

I gripped her hand, guiding it down over my aching own, urging her to claim me as I claimed her. Our hearts galloped together in a mad race. Our fingers worked together ruthlessly, relentlessly. Indescribably exquisite aches took over our bodies until our twin cries of triumph shivered on the sultry air.

When she released me, I nestled my body up against her. My own mind cleared gradually. "I guess I protected my honour," I murmured. She gave a strangled laugh.

"I didn't know—God, I can't breathe." Naomi tried again. "I didn't know tweaking your ego would be so . . . rewarding."

"You okay now?" I asked against the arch of her throat.

Naomi sighed. "Very."

"Satisfied?" I pressed my lips onto her neck.

"Completely."

"Feelin' warmer?"

"Incredibly," she replied. "Thanks to your body heat, babe."

"Good," I said, inordinately pleased. "Now who's Olivia Wilde again?"

"No one compared to this naughty, passion-drugged redhead I know," Naomi gladly answered. She drew back to look at me. "Is your breathing normal now, Em? You all right?"

"Like Panda would always say," I replied, "super duper!" My Panda impersonation made her chuckle.

"Then this is probably a good time to ask you to think about something."

"Hmm. I don't think I can think just now."

She let out a giggle. "Just put this in the back of your mind." The blonde's hand gently massaged my back. "Let it stew there for a while."

My brows furrowed. "What am I supposed to stew about?"

"Moving in with me."

I jerked back and stared at her. "Moving in with you? Where?"

"Yes. In my room. Room 405, in case you've forgotten," answered Naomi, smirking.

I levered myself up so that we sat facing each other on the couch. "You're crazy," I said. "My room's less cluttered."

"But I hate those Marilyn Monroe posters on your closet doors," she argued, putting her top back on.

"I hate those angsty posters covering your walls," I shot back.

"My room's closer to the stairs."

"My room's in front of the kitchen."

"Fine," Naomi sighed out, a bit grudgingly. "I'll move into yours. But those Other Blonde posters have got to go."

 

We're going to live sappily ever after, I thought as Naomi and I walked down the cobblestone street toward the other side of Kobe harbour.

It was Valentine's Day and the two of us came to a compromise that tonight was Naomi's turn to set up a date and amaze me. This morning I have surprised Naomi with boxes of Garibaldi biscuits, a bunch of white calla lilies—her favourite—and a sexy red robe in her abandoned room. The afternoon was spent in my room, eating Naomi's haute cuisine and watching the cheesy 'Naomily' montage video that I made with the help of Halo's tagged photos of us and Effy's surprising Vegas Pro video-making skills. I also included our sweet bus kiss in the video. It made Naomi really happy and I could not ask for more.

"Just where are you taking me, anyway?" I asked and felt like a fairytale girl, Little Red Riding Hood or something—minus the always creepy element of a witch, a wolf, or a poisoned apple.

"Jesus, Em. Can you ever just wait and see?" Naomi asked. She held my hand; our fingers interlaced and she pulled me around a corner up a small path.

"What is this place?" I asked, letting go of her hand so I can stop and smell the roses – literally – that flanked the walls of the garden path. The narrow passageway led up from the street and the harbourside to a set of stone steps into which a metal railing is set.

"Hold on as you climb, babe—it makes it easier," Naomi said, walking in front of me then waiting. "Do you want to lead?"

It could be a loaded question: Do I want to take the figurative reins of the relationship? "Do I want to make all the decisions?" I asked, slightly panting from the steep steps and steady pace.

Naomi snorted. "No, you twat. I meant, do you want to go in front of me? That way, if you fall, I can catch you. I know how hopeless you are with your limbs."

Talk about words that sounded like cheesy love songs that made me swoon regardless. "Sure. I'll go first," I answered, smiling to myself at my girlfriend's thoughtfulness. "As long as it's not just an excuse to check out my arse."

The blonde cocked her head to one side and smiled in the moonlight. "That, too."

We kept climbing, the steps winding around the hillside until we reached the top.

I stiffened and my cheeks drained of colour as soon as I caught sight of something. 

"Oh, God, no. No, no, no. Naomi, no . . ." I was muttering under my breath. "No," I choked.

There was a Ferris wheel straight ahead. A tiny one, almost hidden behind the huge trees. But, still, a fucking Ferris wheel.

"It's gonna be all right, babe," Naomi assured me with a smile.

I was shaking my head in disagreement, still staring horror-struck at the killer machine.

Naomi softly took my shoulders and turned me to her. "Do you trust me, Emily?"

I nodded.

Naomi gave me a tender level stare. "Then you will believe me when I say that nothing horrible is going to happen when we ride that thing."

I shook my head. "It sounds fucking absurd but, really, that thing?" I said, gesturing at the Ferris wheel. "That thing is going to be the fucking death of me. My biggest fear, Naomes. Biggest."

Naomi then gently cradled my head in her hands. "Listen to me, Emily," she began earnestly. "You can never overcome your biggest fear if you don't face it." Her eyes were urging me to believe her. "And it's never going to stop terrifying you, haunting you, until you grow some fucking balls and deal with it."

I took in the serious, sensitive look on Naomi’s face for a moment.

"Have you faced yours, Naomi?" I asked at length. "Your biggest fear, I mean."

She gave me a long look before she opened her mouth. "I have," she answered softly, "and that was when I took a chance with you."

When her hands went limp, I stepped back on shaky legs. My eyes were huge and fixed on her face. It took me a moment before I could breathe again.

The blonde reached out and touched my cheek lovingly. "See how fate truly has sick sense of humour, Em?" she went on, now smiling. "I'm now madly in love with the person that I used to be most afraid of."

No amount of Oprah-watching, no amount of Disney movies, no amount of Boyz II Men songs or even fan fiction reading could prepare you for the sweet, melodic words that could come out of Naomi Campbell's lips. I had lost my language skills and instead opted to just look at her with a loving smile on my face.

Naomi smiled back, then held her hand out to me. And the minute my hand was back in hers, some traces of freaky nerves disappeared.

Still slightly trembling, Naomi squeezed my hand and led me onto a gondola. We took our seats and she fastened the lap bar to us.

"I brought you some treats," Naomi said, taking a box of a variety of desserts from her bag. "I know you fancy chocolates so . . ." Cue the stringed instruments as my heart soared whilst I investigated the food further. Chocolate mint cake with fudge topping; chocolate biscuit balls, and good old-fashioned chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Mmm.

"You baked all of these?" I asked, very impressed.

She nodded. "Yep. Try this one . . ." She dipped a finger into the chocolate fudge and brought it to me to lick it off. Mmm. Food and love = perfect combo.

"You know, Naomi Campbell, you might be able to hide from other people but . . . under your sarcastic, bitchy blonde exterior . . ." I murmured, touching her hair and putting it behind her shoulders, "is a lady full of sweetness and passion. You should try working as a pastry chef. Or become a politician, with that fiery blood in your veins. Either way, you're going to kick ass."

"So you don't think I'm destined to become a popstar or something?" Naomi asked, tilting her head and mime singing into her dessert. "I'm good at head-banging and fist-pumping."

"I didn't buy that popstar thing for a sec, babe. You're way too realistic for that."

Naomi only chuckled adorably. God, how I love that sound. I didn't realise that the Ferris wheel was already moving whilst we were having a chat about chocolates and Naomi's possible career options.

"Look, Ems!" Naomi pointed down at a boat shimmering with colourful lights. "It's the pirate ship we took a photo with earlier."

I glanced down at the vast sea. Dark, eerie water. We were now at the top and have stopped mid-air. The screws above us were creaking, the gondola swaying, and I began to imagine a Final Destination-inspired scenario. With my knees shaking, I was starting to feel sick again. Naomi must have noticed as she looked at me, slightly worried.

Smiling tenderly, Naomi cupped my cheek. "This should probably help you relax . . ." She leant in to give me a soft, thorough kiss that was different from our previous kisses. Sweet lips brushing, tongues dancing, fingertips gliding, sighs merging. My lashes fluttered down, my arms automatically slipped around her waist. When the kiss grew more passionate, I let myself forget everything else, and just feel. Hushed explosions shuddered through my blood.

When the blonde released me and my eyes flew open, I knew I was forever changed.

"Happy Valentine's, Emily," said Naomi so softly. "I love you."

I smiled and nodded. “I know.”

She brushed my cheek with the back of her hand. “Don’t forget it, though.”

"Naomi," I said, rolling over to face her, the waves now at my back as we lie on the oversized beach blanket. "Do you think all these people know where they're going?" I gestured at a small group of people walking along the shore of Shiga Beach.

"Sure, they're heading for the water," she said, half joking, and half impressed by my insightfulness.

"In life, I mean."

Naomi raised her eyebrows. "What are you trying to say, Em?"

"They look like they all know, don't they? All these people look so sure of themselves."

"Let me guess, something's bothering you."

"It's my life," I said. "My life's bothering me." I squinted in the bright sunlight and propped my head up with one hand, tracing an invisible pattern on Naomi's bare tummy with the other. I've seen the blonde in her sexy lingerie, but if we're talking about the 'under-dressed Naomi with clothes on' category, I would have to say the black string bikini she was wearing would be the winner by knockout. "And it's all your fault."

"My fault?" she said, raising her brows at me. "How's it my fault?"

"You have been a bad influence and a big distraction," I said. "Now I haven't the least inclination to go home and work on my research paper."

"Babe, it's fucking spring break. It's normal to just take a breather."

"No, it's not like that." My eyes locked with hers. "It's like I'm about to finish this paper . . . but I don't care anymore. I haven't cared for months since I've been here. Haven't you noticed how easily I'm distracted?"

Naomi smirked. "I attributed that to my magical fingers, powers of persuasion and mind-numbing sex appeal."

I leant down and kissed her. "There's that, too." Then I let out a sigh and mindlessly toyed with a loose string of her bikini. "I don't know, Naomes. I've always had direction in my life. I was so busy working to reach my goal that I didn't realise the goal was no longer something I truly wanted."

"What do you want, then?"

“I want some changes. Maybe pursue a career in music or literature or something. I want to stay here in Japan and, you know, I just want to be with you. Just a carefree life here,” I said, then emphasised, “With you.”

"That's really sweet, babe," Naomi said, laying her hand on top of mine and squeezing it. "But maybe you're just burned-out."

"Maybe you're right," I said, sending her a weak smile in apology and embarrassment. "Sorry, I turned weird on you," I said and flopped down on the blanket, the sand's heat warming us from underneath, our hands clasped together, even though we were both slightly sticky from the sun-screen.

"It's simple, Em. You just need to relax." Naomi’s eyes grew lazy. Her mouth quirked into a naughty, teasing smile. "Maybe you need to spend more time reading books or going to karaoke boxes or doing 'things' with me on the kitchen table or—”

"Or maybe you've been sexually-deprived for most of your life, Emsy," Halo interjected from above us. Her body cast a shadow on us and Naomi and I laughed at her comment.

Then Naomi and I sat up, grinning mischievously at each other whilst I tried to fix the bikini wedgie I had managed to acquire. I gratefully followed their lead to playful flirting and tried to look thoughtful.

"Hm. It could be catching up to me, right, babe?" I said, leaning close to Naomi. "I've been awfully deprived."

"Exactly," Naomi said, eyeing me sexily. "If we concentrated very hard on this problem, we could have it solved in no time."

"It's worth a try," I said, laughing inwardly at Halo's scowling face. "How long do you think it'll take?"

Naomi pursed her lips. "Depends on how hard we concentrate."

"I wouldn't want to injure you," I murmured with a naughty smirk. "My nails are getting longer."

Naomi winked at me. "I'm insured, babe—"

"Okay. Ew." Halo held up her palms. "Stop this filthy conversation right now, seriously. Stop. I'm having an itch. Chrissakes."

Naomi and I laughed at Halo's disgusted face. We did a high-five. God, I love this. Halo wasn't aware that the two of us were always up for little games. Little smutty verbal games, that is.

Panda emerged from her tent, wearing a bathing suit, complete with a mask and a snorkel. "Girls, wanna do something mega fun?" she asked perkily. "C'mon! Let's race to the water!"

“Hey!” Sean called to us. “Aren’t you gonna invite us?” The rest of the gang appeared.

Together, the eleven of us ran down the lake, out to the end of the dock, and jumped into the water, screaming at the top of our lungs.

"Woo! That feels wicked good!" Panda cried happily, when she surfaced again.

"I'm gonna miss you, guys!" Floating in the water, Halo threw her arms open dramatically and pleaded, "Group hug!"

Dog paddling to one another, we rushed together and shared an enthusiastic hug.

It was a really cold night. I padded over to the tent, where I'd left my jacket, and put it on. Huh. I felt something in my pocket that hadn't been there before. I pulled it out—a folded-up piece of paper. My name was written on the outside in bold capital letters. I opened it. It was a hand-written note.

I chuckled inwardly. Or rather, you will be waiting, I thought. Well, well, well. It appeared that some desperate blonde had kidnapped my Blue Poring and she wanted my body in exchange for it. Someone had truly learned from the sneaky Miss Fitch. I looked around the tent and, true enough, my dear plush toy was nowhere to be found.

The full moon was bright enough to illuminate the entire dock. I headed for the lifeguard stand, wearing a printed bikini bandeau top and an unbuttoned pair of denim shorts.

Unclaimed towels. One swim fin. Half of a sandwich. But no — Wait, what's that sticking out of the lost-and-found box? Yes! Blue Poring.

"Emily Fitch," a certain blonde purred. "You came . . . But did you really come for the plush toy, or for some sweet lovin', huh?"

I looked around. Where is she?

"Over here, babe." The soft sound of water slapping made me peer out into the lake. She was definitely out there swimming.

"I can't see where you are, you cunning cow," I told her, stifling a laugh. "And don't use psychological projection on me. It's you who truly wants my body."

Water suddenly splashed to my face. Then some giggling. "Ems!"

"Oh, hi, stranger. Thanks for kidnapping Blue Poring," I called back to her. "Have a great swim. Bye."

"Wait a sec," she called to me. "Could you come over here, please?"

"Why? So you could ambush me?"

"There's something important I need to tell you, Emily," Naomi said. "And I really don't want to have to scream it to you."

I went out to the end of the dock. Now I could see her blond hair, slicked back by the water, glinting in the moonlight. "What's up, kidnapper?" I asked her.

"Come a little closer," she suggested.

I knelt down near the edge of the dock.

"Did you know that if a girl gives up all meat, eggs, and yadda yadda, she ends up with an un-fucking-believable body?" she teased.

"Yes. I do have a girlfriend and she's a vegan," I said. "And her body is just fucking wow."

She flung something at me that hit me in the face.

It was the top of her bikini.

"I thought you might like to check it out for yourself," she offered. "Up close. And very personal."

I leant over closer to her. "That is a generous offer," I told her. "But I have this girlfriend. And she's wholesome and pure and she doesn't steal anyone's—Agh!"

Naomi bounced half out of the water, grabbed my arms, and toppled me over into the water.

"Well, well, well. Naomi's true colours are showing," I said, when I surfaced again. "I can't believe you used poor, innocent little Blue Poring for your personal gain."

"Wow. You did wear a really nice bikini!" Naomi laughed, then did a surface dive. I looked around. She popped up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. I dog paddled to face her.

"Nice move," I said, narrowing my eyes seductively at her. A smirk tugged one corner of my mouth. "Ever tried doing it underwater?" I asked as my fingers tugged the strings of her bikini bottoms.

A slow, pleased smile spread across Naomi's face. "Welcome back, perve."

"Is this how you're going to be, Emily?" Naomi asked curtly as we walked back to the bonfire place where the gang was clustered.

I looked over my shoulder and asked innocently. "How am I being?"

"Sarcastic," she said. "Because if so, don't talk to me."

I just rolled my eyes and puffed a breath of irritation. Jesus. I don't even know how the hell we ended up fighting. I was sure we were having a dumb conversation again. I think it was something that had to do with Misaki's text about the Los Ma outing but for all I knew it could be about her bikini. But I don't even see a problem with her bikini. She looked so bloody scrumptious wearing it.

"There you are! I was looking all over for you two!" Panda squealed, running over to us as soon as we reached the bonfire. "Whizzer! Naomi, you're just in time to help us toast marshmallows." She then turned to me. "Emsy, do you want to play Twister?"

"I don't think I can play anymore, Panda," I said wearily. "Someone drained all my energy tonight." I shot Naomi a sideways look.

Naomi fixed me a look. "So now you're saying that you're sick of talking to me?"

"I wasn't talking about that. Jesus," I snapped. "I meant the underwater . . . you-know-what. That took a lot of my fucking strength. Floating and balancing and ki—”

"Okay, okay. I get it," she sputtered, waving a dismissive hand. "Chrissakes, Emily."

Panda stood frozen, merely watching the two of us as we argued.

It was my turn to flare up. "What? So now it's my fault?" With a huff, I spun round my heel and padded toward the group on angry feet. "Fuck's sakes. I can't take this anymore," I muttered, quickening my pace. Furiously, I sat down on a blanket and stared at the raging flames of the bonfire in heated silence.

Naomi hesitantly sat down next to me. "Em—”

My tone was flat. "I don't want to talk to you. I'm tired."

"I'm sorry," she said quietly.

I only kept on staring at the fire.

"I'm really sorry, Emily . . ." Naomi reached for me but I jerked away.

"Don't touch me. Don't talk to me," I said tartly.

She wrapped her arms around me. "I'm sorry, Ems. Forgive me?"

I shook my head and was about to react when Naomi suddenly claimed my mouth and pressed a soft, lingering kiss onto it that instantly softened my heart.

When she broke the kiss she asked again with such cuteness, "Forgive me?"

"Dammit, Naomi," I muttered. "I hate that I fucking love you so—"

"And . . . cut!" Thomas stood with a video-cam aimed at us. "Well done, girls. Superb acting performance," he said, putting the camera down. "Ladies and gents, that was another great episode of Naomi and Emily: Chaotic."

Naomi started to chuck roasted marshmallows at him, as the rest of us laughed. "You want chaotic? I'll fucking show you chaotic!"

A thin fog that had crept in gave our campground an eerie feel. As the minutes passed, the fog thickened and things began to feel damp. Thomas had been snapping photos and taking videos of us nonstop. To keep the flame alive, JJ had been blowing and adding small sticks to the fire nonstop. Panda and Halo had been roasting marshmallows nonstop. Effy and Freddie had been puffing cigarettes nonstop. Karen had been talking nonstop — telling a story about the last time she went camping and all these weird things happening. I'm not sure; I wasn't really listening. My attention was captured by the blonde in my arms. Naomi was busy playing Tap Tap Revenge on my iPod, and just watching her clever, magical fingers tapping on the screen was oddly captivating.

"Hey, freaks!" Sean called, padding over to us, Frisbee in hand. "Anyone up for some disc action? It's glow-in-the-dark so you can see it coming."

"No," Panda said, frowning. "It's time for ghost stories!"

The boys laughed. "Oh, man," Thomas said. "You girls are too fucking girly!"

Cook stood up and dusted the sand from the back of his trunks. "We, boys, are gonna go play. Hopefully when we get back, ye're done with those tales loaded with bloody ballsch," he said. "Sayonara, ladies!"

"JJ, you comin'?" asked Freddie.

JJ shook his head. "Nah, I'm just gonna stay here. I love scary stories."

"Right." Cook snorted. "Stay gay, GayJay," he jibed before the four boys made their way and disappeared behind the trees.

The night air grew even more foggy. And Karen was halfway through her spine-chilling story of this famous Japanese monster Kuchisake-onna or The Slit-Mouth Woman who was actually a beautiful woman but the lower half of her face was hideously deformed — her huge mouth sliced from ear to ear and gapes open like a Chelsea Smile, revealing rows of sharp teeth and a big red disgusting tongue twisting and twirling inside. She always carried a huge pair of scissors, and wore a surgical mask to cover her unsightly scars. Eeep.

"Blooming ‘eck! You're joking right?" Panda hugged her knees tighter. "Please tell me Karen is only kidding." She glanced over at Halo, then at all of us, all huddled around the fire.

"She sounds real. Like scary real." Halo looked scared. I couldn't tell if Halo was acting or she really was afraid.

Naomi snorted. "This is a big joke. That chick is a fucking urban legend. And that rumour was so three decades ago."

"But there were reported sightings," said Karen. No one could tell if she was kidding or serious.

"Sightings? Where?" Panda looked skeptical. For the first time.

"Creepy, isn't it?" JJ, joined in on the conversation. "That time, police even patrolled 24/7 and schools sent teachers to accompany students home. And it was even said that her terror begins during spring time." You could hear a pin drop around the campfire.

Then Effy started to speak. "Imagine this: You're sitting right here. And you hear a faint noise coming from behind those trees. Then a beautiful girl suddenly appears, standing right there. She approaches you and asks, 'Am I beautiful?'. Before you can respond, she takes off her mask, revealing her horrible face. Then she asks again, screaming, 'Am I beautiful now?'"

"If I say 'no'?" Halo asked in terror, her knees obviously shaking.

"She will take out her scissors and fucking kill you right away," Effy answered. "Chopping your head off."

"And if I say 'yes'?" I asked, feeling a bit scared as well.

"She will slice your mouth from ear to ear and you will end up looking just like her," Effy said. I cringed at the image.

Suddenly, there were sounds coming from behind the trees that elicited gasps from some of the girls, including me. Halo and Panda ended up hugging each other, scared-stiff.

Naomi grabbed my hand. I lifted my brows at her questioningly. She just gave me an alarmed look.

I had to admit, the timing of those weird noises was unnerving. I wrapped a blanket around me and Naomi, and we snuggled closer.

Panda's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. "You mean, either way, there's no escape?" she asked, glancing nervously at the trees.

"If you're as sarcastic as Naomi Campbell," Karen answered, "then you could probably survive."

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Naomi’s arched her eyebrow.

"If you give an answer like 'Oh, I don't know, really, because you just look normal to me'. Naomi Campbell sarcasm will save you. Slit-Mouth girl will be confused and you'll have time to run away," Karen explained. "You get my point?"

Halo opened her mouth to react when—

"BOO!" Someone big and hairy suddenly jumped behind Halo and Panda, making them leap from their seats and scream without thinking.

All the girls, bar Effy and Naomi, let out a shriek. Naomi was about to start fumbling for some kind of a blunt object to use as a weapon. As soon as I realised that it was just Thomas wearing Halo's panda costume, I laughed at my girlfriend.

The boys then appeared from behind the trees, falling over each other, almost breathless from laughter.

"Ye girls wanted scary? We gave ye scary!" Cook cried, shaking with laughter. "Holy Jaysus. Good one, Thom!" He gave Thomas a solid high five.

When Thomas removed the panda head, Halo and Panda dashed toward him and started kicking him.

"Don't fucking do that again, you dickheads!" Halo barked. "You freakin' scared the shit out of us! Next time you do that, I swear I'm gonna knock your heads off!"

Everyone around the bonfire was now laughing hysterically, including Halo, herself. Oh, dear. Good times. Good times. I suddenly remembered that time when they had surprise attacked us in Karen's room. Two points for the two lads.

I glanced around the group, a faint smile on my face. We had all come so far this semester. It's unbelievable what five months of amazing friendship could do to you.

I watched as Karen danced with her hands over her head, doing some kind of sexy thing that looked perfectly natural for her.

"This is how life should be," Cook said, dancing comically in a circle around Karen and then Halo. "Two well fit birds for every lad. As I live an' breathe!"

I felt a hand slip around my arm. It was Naomi's.

"What a bunch of loonies," she said, watching them in amusement. "And, good God, they are our friends, Ems . . ."

With a smile on my face, I nodded. "Much to our horror, yes."

I opened my eyes to the first rays of morning light that hover and wave above the horizontal line at Shiga Beach and found myself waking up wrapped in a soft, milky arm. Mmm. I turned around and was welcomed by a smiling girl, her head propped up with one hand. Naomi looked so adorable. I don't know if it was just my eyes or if the heaven indeed opened up and put some kind of halo on her head. Strikingly beautiful. Needless to say, I simply gazed at this lovely creature who was still grinning next to me. One of the reasons I fell for her.

"Hey," she softly said with that adorable smile still plastered on her face.

"Hey back atcha," I told Naomi just as tender, raising my head to place a gentle kiss on her cheek. I brushed my fingers against her soft perfect face, tucking in those damp strands of blond hair that fell. Her face automatically turned red. After all this time, I could still make her blush.

We gawked at each other for several moments, with her — merely grinning and chuckling, and me — just staring at her with a bemused expression. I needed to know what she was thinking. Usually when she was like this, she was up to something.

"What?" I asked her with a hint of fake annoyance. She only kept on grinning at me, and giggling. Not saying anything. Okay. Now I'm desperate. "What?" I repeated just to make sure she heard it.

"It's just that . . ." Naomi mumbled whilst tracing her finger up and down my arm. Naomi was so good with cliff-hangers. Most of the time she just slaps you with the truth, but sometimes she could leave you guessing. "It's just that . . . I don't know . . ."

But since Naomi and I were somewhat two of a kind, I knew more or less what was going on in her mind. "It's just that you can't believe how pleasurable it is to simply wake up next to a person who got dibs on your heart. Even if, as you open your eyes, you realise your hair is wet with the dew from sleeping outside of your tent and your whole body aches with the remnants of last night's festivities?" I said to her.

"And there are marshmallows sticking in your hair," Naomi added, untangling a piece from my hair. She looked at me. "Yes, yes, and yes. How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Read my mind. Those were my exact thoughts. That was so fucking creepy, Em, I swear." She seemed genuinely taken aback.

I shrugged. "Well," I said, "passion-drugged minds think alike."

Naomi nudged me with her thigh. We both laughed. I loved moments like this with Naomi. Inside me, there was an urge to kiss her. But I like teasing her. Let her give in first. We gazed at each other's eyes for a while before she gave up and leant over for a kiss. I pulled back a bit, evading her lips. She stopped about three inches away from my mouth and narrowed her eyes at me. Then I stuck my tongue out and grinned at her.

"Okay. Now add 'infuriatingly immature' and 'a fucking tease' to your About Me." She laughed her way into the kiss. "Emily, you're killing me."

It was a very sweet and passionate kiss. We had a delicious battle of mouths for like a minute and when our lips parted ways, an awful lot of chuckling followed. God, how I love this girl. 

Then there were more giggling, kissing, pushing, kissing, cuddling, kissing, pulling the blankets, and kissing until I got on top of her, sandwiching her hips with my knees. We wrestled several times. Whilst struggling to push her back to her side on the blanket, I caught her grab something from under her bag that she used as a pillow. She stretched her hand behind my back, trying to hide it from me. As we were tussling on the blanket, the thing hit my back.

"Ow. What the hell is that?" I sat up, scowling at Naomi whilst stroking my throbbing back. 

Naomi sat up too. "Are you okay, baby? Shit. I'm sorry," she said apologetically as she scanned my back. That thing has got some deadly edges on it, I swear.

"What is that thing you're holding?" I demanded. "Let me see—!" I tried to get it from her hands. We had to wrestle for a while again until I was able to seize it from her. It was a small red box.

She puffed a heavy breath. "Oh, fuck it, it's for you anyway," she told me with a tinge of mock annoyance in her voice.

"Huh? What for, babe?" I was slightly surprised. "Don't tell me we're celebrating a 25^th day-sary."

"Just look at it, will you?" Naomi snapped back with anticipation on her bushed face. We were both drained from minutes of brawling each other.

I opened the box and saw a silver necklace lying inside. I looked at it closely and spotted the cute heart pendant. My lips parted in surprise and delight. My heart brimmed with joy. I didn't really know how to react. This is a pretty big thing to belong in such a small box, I thought. I never thought Naomi had such incredible thoughtfulness in her. I guess I was really just about to discover this side of her.

"Well?" Naomi nudged my arm, her brows raised. "What do you think?"

I gave her a loving kiss, squeezed her hand, and said, "I think it's beautiful. Wow. I never thought you could be this abnormally mushy." I giggled.

Naomi only rolled her eyes. "I also got one for me. So we both have matching blings." She reached for her bag, opened the outside pocket, and took out the necklace.

"Abnormally mushy, indeed," I muttered. She scowled at me before smiling the smallest of smiles to herself.

"Let's put it on then," she said, snatching the necklace from my hand and putting it around my neck with childlike excitement written all over her beautiful face.

I took hers, clasped it around her neck as well and planted a kiss on her shoulder. "This is so gay," I told her, smiling. "You make me feel so gay."

"I know," she said. "Let's be gay together." We both laughed.

"Thank you, babe," I whispered into Naomi's ear. Then I moved my lips down to her neck and placed quick, gentle kisses all over it.

"Mmm . . . ticklish," she said, giggling. No matter how many times, I will never tire of hearing her giggle. It was music to my ears.

Naomi then turned to face me and she looked even more radiant. I wasn't able to control myself so I leant in and pressed my mouth on hers. I placed a tender kiss before breaking it and lightly resting my forehead against hers. Our noses were fondly grazing each other for a moment. "I love you," I whispered. "And as long as I can remember, I've wanted only you—"

"Ems!" A giggle broke out of Naomi's lips, and yet another kiss was shared. "Who's abnormally mushy now?"

"Shut up," I murmured, smirking against Naomi's lips before polishing off the kiss.

To celebrate our first month together, I took Naomi to a secluded spot on Mount Hiei overlooking Lake Biwa and the vibrant city of Otsu. We spread Naomi's old blanket under a tree. She had lain with her head on my shoulder, her arm around my waist, and her leg on top of my leg. I was staring through the branches, mindlessly playing with her blond curls, only enjoying the comfortable silence. Over the low music from my iPod and the chirping crickets, our hearts pounded peacefully together.

I tilted my head down and kissed the top of Naomi's head. She let out a blissful sigh and further tightened her embrace.

I tucked a rolled jacket under my head and looked out at the lake, where pale fingers of moonlight nudged past clouds to brush the water. The silhouettes of boats rocked gently in the current.

"Good thoughts?" Naomi asked, leaning over me now.

"Mostly."

"Want to tell me about them?"

"I was thinking that I feel better when I'm with you than I ever have in my life." I drew my head back to see her better. "You know what I mean?"

"Yes. And I fail to see the problem," she said when she heard the anguish in my voice. She threaded her fingers through my hair. "We're together now for a month. Officially, I mean."

"I know, I know," I said, rising to a sitting position. I rested my forehead against my raised knees. "But I don't know, like in the long run . . ."

"I see," she said quietly, sitting up. "Does it have anything to do with the matching necklaces? It's not like I'm proposing to you or something—”

"No, no," I shook my head dismally, though I didn't lift it. "I love the necklace, okay? I thought it was really sweet."

Naomi placed her hand on my back and beneath my top, moved it up to the base of my neck, then all the way down to my waist. Back and forth, lovingly. "Then what is it?"

"We've only been together for a month and I feel like we're already running out of time."

She removed her hand out of my shirt. "You're over-thinking things, Ems."

"Well, our relationship is worth over-thinking for."

Gently, Naomi placed her hand beneath my chin and lifted my head.

My eyes were brimming with tears when they met hers. "How come I just met you now?" I asked.

"Save the best for last, Emily. And you know that I'm the best," she teased. When the corners of my mouth twitched with an answering smile, she said seriously, "Maybe we just met now because the universe wanted us to see how better together we are. I mean, our past relationships did kinda suck, right? They sucked so fucking bad."

I only chuckled and nodded my agreement.

"Look, Ems," Naomi said, looking at me intently. "Let's not think about these depressing things, yea? Let's just enjoy what we have one day at a time. I want you to be happy with me. I want us to be happy together."

My eyes held hers. "I want you to be happy with me too, but I'm afraid I'll fail you."

Her hand slipped to my bottom and gently squeezed it. "Okay. What triggered these paranoid thoughts exactly?"

"Ninna and her Japanese boyfriend split as a mutual decision because Ninna was going back to Copenhagen. Jake broke up with Mai Ly after a week of trying long-distance. And now I don't see Mai Ly in the shower room anymore. I doubt she showers anymore since the break up. She was that devastated."

"And you're worried about us breaking up, or how you and I would end up all smelly after it?"

I let out a soft chuckle despite my misery. "Both," I answered. "I don't know, Naomi. If ever we break up . . . I don’t know. Maybe I'll start checking out the Japanese online match-making thing. Or I'll just poke a random girl on Facebook and message her 'Hi, beautiful! Do you wanna hook up? But that's only if you're up for mediocre sex because I just broke up with the love of my life and I don't think I will be able to revitalise my libido ever'. Or maybe I'd really end up as an old maid just like what your Aunt Gertrude said."

Naomi only chuckled, to which I pouted and added, "What about you, Naomes?"

"If ever we break up . . ." she began slowly, "I don't really know, Ems. I can't imagine not being with you. I don't want to imagine. I don't think I can take in that dreadful prospect, you know."

I moved behind Naomi and circled her waist with my arms. It was still a wonder just how perfectly our bodies fit together. Then I dug my hand into my gym sack and took a small, long box. I held the box in front of her and opened it. "I got this for you, by the way."

Naomi said nothing as she stared at its contents. The bracelet was delicately fashioned of fancy oval gold links, cut to catch the light and joined together by the combination of blue and red gems. Sapphire and ruby flashed in the moonlight. At the center a filigreed N and E flanked a brilliant array of fancy gems that shaped a heart.

"The letters N and E are self-explanatory, I believe," I said softly. "The heart shows the two of us bound by our love."

She had that lovely smile on. "It's beautiful."

"Like the girl it's made for, yes," I said, slipping it out from the box to clasp it around her wrist. "Happy monthsary, Naomi." I planted a tender kiss on the bare part of her shoulder.

"Emily, this is just too much . . . too wonderful," she said quietly, rubbing a fingertip over the bracelet. "Thank you."

When Naomi turned to face me, I claimed her lips, kissing her softly, gently. When I drew back I saw her so fragile. "I love you," I said, gently brushing the back of my hand against her cheek.

She let out a quick, catchy sigh. "I didn't realise how much I needed the words."

I gave a small smile. "Pretty scary, huh?"

"Yea." She took my wrists and drew me to her for a burning hug, holding me tight whilst the first flood of pleasure poured through us. "I don't mind being scared. In fact, I like it, so if you'd like to tell me again, it's okay."

"I love you. I love you. I love you." I hugged her back and pulled her down the ground with me, making her laugh as we tumbled on the grass. "You'd better hold on to me, babe," I warned her, echoing her words, and tugged her shirt over her head. "I'm about to scare you to death."

At the top of her vocal range, Panda crooned Dionne Warwick's "That's What Friends Are For", turning her beer bottle into a microphone. The three of us were gathered in Halo's room to honour the final GNG session by watching an episode of Glee, enjoying Halo's brownies and my spaghetti, and packing Halo's luggage together. Now we're standing on her bed, doing what the three of us do best: Making proper fools and cheeseballs out of ourselves.

Halo took the improvised microphone and slid her arm over my shoulder. I could smell alcohol on our breaths, and the three of us were swaying like we're into the music and a bit drunk, or maybe both. "That's what friends are for . . ." she sang.

"Keep smiling, keep . . ." I sang and then asked her, "Is it shining? I never know what she says after that . . ."

Halo and Panda laughed, which made me laugh, and it dawned on me how truly ridiculous the three of us could be together. Especially, drunk together.

"It might be shmuckering," Panda said. "No, that wouldn't fit . . ." She pursed her lips.

The door opened and Ayami's head poked in. "Halo-chan, got all your stuff ready?"

Halo nodded. "Yep. I'll see you down at the lobby in a minute."

"Hai (All right)." Ayami left.

"Keep singing, Halo," Panda prodded.

"Why, I thought you'd never ask," Halo said, and crooned, "Keep smiling, keep whatevering . . ."

"Knowing you can always count on me — for sure . . ." I sang, and then we all joined together for the last line, singing with our hard-core-ballad faces on, all crunched up and dramatic. At which point applause echoed throughout the room.

"Bravo! Bravo!" Sean said as he clapped and nodded. "Destiny's Child or The Jonas Sisters?"

"Alvin and the Chipmunks," Halo answered. "Thankyouverymuch." She did a curtsy.

"I’m Alvin," Panda added. "They’re the chipmunks."

"They’re all chipmunks, Panda," Halo said dryly.

"Well, I want the one with the name," Panda mumbled, making the rest of us crack up.

The three of us bowed.

"Ironically, it's really time to take a bow, H. Lo," Sean said, smirking. "Our cab's here already."

One by one, the rest of the gang appeared in the room. Some of them in tears; some of them suppressing tears. But it was very obvious that each one of us felt just as horrible as the other.

"Time to say goodbye," Karen sang out in an operatic voice. Her tear-streaked face told that she had done an awful amount of crying already.

Halo threw open her arms. "I want a group hug first!" she sobbed.

"Freak Hug!" Sean howled. And then the sobbing got louder. Even the boys weren't excused from the crying time.

And for one last time, the eleven of us shared a very intimate embrace that mirrored five months of awesome and unforgettable friendship.

I walked and walked along the shore of Lake Biwa, my head aching and swirling a bit predominantly owing to the effect of cheap vodka. I carried on, making certain I would leave as few and little footprints as possible on the expanse of ivory sand despite the awful weightiness that I was feeling on my lower limbs. I just needed to be alone.

I was still having such a hard time accepting the departure of my friends. I thought this Los Ma trip would help a little bit with the void I was feeling but it didn't. Not yet, I guess. My friends and I, we had such great times together. They were just there one second and then — Shazam! — they're gone in the next. Five months is too short, I suddenly realised.

Everything is temporary in Japan, like what most of my fellow exchange students would claim. I think it's partly true, but mostly false. Perhaps, physically, Halo, Sean and Karen weren't here anymore, but our epic memories and matchless friendship will definitely live on.

I ended my short journey sitting on the edge of a massive rock playing Tap Tap Revenge on iPod. I've had quite a bit to drink but there was still a can of 450ml Asahi beer sticking out beneath me, just abutting my right foot. I puffed a frustrated breath. I was just glad to be away from the blaring J-Rock music, asthma-inducing fumes, and the throng of gyrating sweaty people who were pissed beyond repair. This, right here, is just perfect. The music faded, the atmosphere became less humid and putrid, and I knew I had been triumphant with my escape plot.

After a long, heavy sigh, I looked up at the sky which then seemed to be a canvas of vast black paint and little specks of white arranged randomly. It was breathtaking. I'd never seen that myriad of stars in my life. I mentally groaned with the regret that I should have paid more attention to my girlfriend when she was jabbering nonstop about constellations and all that cosmic stuff. Right now, I could have been having a blast just pointing and tracing them with my fingers and eventually recognising them.

Another heavy sigh escaped my mouth. I needed Naomi.

I took my phone out of my pocket and called her.

"Hey, Em," she answered sweetly yet huskily. She sounded like she just woke up from her sleep.

"Hey. I'm sorry if I woke you up, babe."

"Nonsense," she said. "How's the Los Ma party?"

I groaned. "I need you now more than ever," was all I could say.

"Aww, poor baby. You just can't live without me, can you?" she cooed. Then her tone suddenly became serious. "Wait a sec. You sound drunk."

"I am, because I hate this," I whined. "Why does this have to be an exclusive Los Ma trip? I just want to cuddle with you right now."

"Okay. I'm feeling slightly smothered now," she joked. "The horoscope wasn't lying after all." She chuckled. "You're so clingy, Ems."

"Stop being a cow and just comfort me."

"I love you," she said simply.

I let out a sigh of contentment and smiled. "Thank you," I breathed. "And I love you, too."

"Stay away from wild panda bears, okay?"

I laughed then. "Thank God, Thomas didn't bring that costume or the Japanese girls here will surely throw a hysterical fit and we'd all end up deaf for life. Their speaking voice is ear-shattering enough. How much more if they scream . . . Oh, dear, no." I heard her laugh.

"Yea, I feel you . . ." she said, still chuckling. "So, I'll just see you tomorrow morning? Pancakes will be waiting on your desk."

That made me smile. "You're the best girlfriend ever. I love you."

I can hear the smile in her voice too. "I know," she said. "Sweet dreams, my Emily." She yawned.

"Good night, Naomes. Don't miss me too much." I heard her giggle before we got disconnected.

I heard footsteps behind my back but I didn't make an effort to turn my still-woozy head around to have a glimpse at the nearing creature. I held my breath, almost squashing the iPod, hoping this intruder (a) would just leave me in peace; (b) wasn't one of those sleazy, annoying tossers back at the party; or (c) wasn't holding a knife or some sort of lethal weapon. Jesus, no, I choked. The intruder then appeared, smirking in front of me in all her glory.

For a lake with an area of about 670 km², Lake Biwa seemed to be so absurdly tiny. Not that I would mind her company.

I let out a breath of relief. "For a second, you scared me there, Misaki," I exclaimed before turning my attention back to the Tap Tap Revenge game. “Jesus,” I muttered under my breath, clutching my chest with a free hand.

I was then aware that the Japanese girl had lowered her head and was watching me with an amused smirk whilst I looked like a dumbass tapping away crazily. After a few strikes on the rushing balls of red, blue, and green and DJ Tiesto's song had ended, I shot my head up and gave her an inquisitive look followed by a teasing tone, "What now, your pastime is sneaking around and giving random people a heart attack?"

"Not so random, actually. Just cute little dorks . . . like you," she matter-of-factly said, still grinning. "Party's over there. Why are you here geeking out?"

"I'm a little drunk. And I'm scary when I'm a little drunk," I mumbled, still mindlessly tapping on the iPod screen. "You said so yourself."

"Sorry for breaking into your little world . . ." She was drawing odd shapes on the sand with her feet.

"Nope," I said. "Actually, I would like for you to join me in my little world." I patted on the space to my right gesturing for her take a seat. She acknowledged it with a tiny smile and sat beside me, stretching her arms and then turning her head sideways to look intently at me.

I stayed gazing at the crashing waves when an amusing realisation popped in mind. I cocked an eye at the girl beside me. "You do realise that you're a bit drunk, Misaki," I said. "Not from Coke, surprisingly."

"I've had a bottle of beer, yes," she answered sheepishly.

"Your face had turned as red as that can of Coke in your hand and your feet don't do these crazy movements when you're normal."

Misaki drank the last of her soda. "You are very observant, Emily Fitch," she said, smiling. "I'm impressed."

"You don't know an awful lot of things about me. You'll be surprised," I told her with a wink.

She raised her brows. "Like what?"

"Like most of the time I prefer to be alone just thinking on my own or with a company of a sane person just babbling about anything under the sun . . . or the moon—whichever is up there," I gazed up at the bedazzling image covering us.

"Like this?" Misaki said as she snatched the beer lying underneath me and gulped on it. The beer might have been pretty warmed up and bland by now, judging from the utter look of disgust on her face. "Iya (Eugh)!" she silently exclaimed in a very cute way.

I chuckled, shaking my head in amusement, then switching back to my thoughts, "Sweetheart, I said sane. And you are nowhere near sane, believe me. Not even remotely—" A playful slap on my arm cut me off. When I saw her reaction, I giggled.

Then I saw Misaki staring at something on my back. "Emily—"

I stopped giggling and felt a jolt of fear.

Her eyes held horror. "Emily, don’t move."

I shot her a sideways look, scared stiff. "What?" My voice wavered. My pulse beat in my throat.

"There’s something . . . crawling . . ." She looked at me cautiously, "with little legs with some sort of pincer . . . and a shell—"

I let out a squeal. "Fuck! Get it off me! Get it off me!" I jumped to my feet, shrieking, hopping madly, and brushing my back with my hands hysterically. I stopped when I realised there was no hermit crab whatsoever and Misaki was stifling a laugh.

I shot her a malevolent glare.

Misaki let out a peal of laughter. "Oh, my God, Emily-chan!"

My terror turned instantly to full humiliation. "For Pete’s sakes, Misaki! That was not cool, at all. Not cool."

Still giggling, she rubbed her palms together. "Revenge is sweet."

"I hate you!" Still annoyed, I walked back to the rock and took a seat beside her again.

Misaki laughed even harder. "You should’ve seen your face. It was priceless." She wiped her eyes.

I couldn’t help but laugh at what I just did as well. “Jesus. I forgot you were quite the prankster,” I said, smiling. "Thanks for being here. That was quite an upper, I have to admit." I turned to look out at the lake again. Misaki followed my gaze.

"Page 178," Misaki said softly, "Doubyou ai-awaremu. Misery loves company."

"I’m not miserable," I corrected right away.

"You’re full of drama."

I turned to her with a glower. "Full of drama? One could only use so much drama in her life. Especially, me."

"Emily-chan, please," Misaki said mirthfully. "You are undeniably a drama queen. That's an accepted truth already. Now let's move on, okay?" She was smiling to herself, enjoying teasing me.

"Excuse me?" I shot her a fake scowl. "Is it my bloody fault that drama stalks me everywhere? I believe it's just my shining personality. Look at you, you find me irresistible!" I teased.

Misaki threw me a scowl and I just looked at her in feigned pomposity, until we both couldn't control it anymore and we burst into fits of laughter. We laughed so hard, I thought I was having stomach cramps. It was such a nice, familiar moment—like we were joking around the same way we did before . . . back when we were merely friends. Then again, we're still merely friends.

"Shining personality, eh?" she finally asked, raising a brow.

"Oh, moi? Are you talking about me?" I playfully bumped my shoulder to hers.

She snorted. "Shining personality," she echoed hollowly. "Huh."

"Gosh! You're still talking about me! Irresistible, indeed." I giggled.

"I hate you," she said, smirking, looking down at her feet. "And I miss you. And . . .”

My head snapped to her right away when she faltered. I don’t like the sound of this.

Her face suddenly turned sober. “And I'm going to miss you."

My brows knitted in question. "What do you mean?"

She drew a long breath, but didn’t answer. All of a sudden I felt fear again. What was going on?

My voice was a meek quaver. "Misaki?"

"I got a scholarship to Rutgers," she answered finally. "I will be staying there for a semester."

“Oh,” I said, incredibly taken aback. I bit my lip. "When are you leaving?"

"In ten days,” she said. “Just in time for the orientation and special classes."

A wave crashed below us. I felt a tightness in my chest and throat.

"Wow," I said lamely. "I mean, I'm really happy for you, Misaki-chan. But I would be the biggest liar if I say I won't miss you."

She sighed then smiled faintly. "I will miss you, too."

"And I still owe you that walk," I said, putting a tender hand on top of hers. "Maybe . . . we can take it when you get back?"

Misaki nodded and smiled at me. I couldn't help but smile back. She had the exact same smile she'd had when I first met her. Though I was careful not to let her know, it still melted my heart.

But it was time to let her go, I thought, giving her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it.

It was time to let us go. 

"Mmm . . ." I sniffed Naomi's freshly made pancakes. "I don't think I will ever get tired of your pancakes, Naomes."

Naomi placed a hand on my knee, warming me through and through. "I don't think I will ever get tired of your sweet talkin', Ems."

"So," I mumbled through a mouthful of pancakes, "I'm finally meeting the lovely Gina Campbell." I was slightly nervous but very, very thrilled. "I'm kinda excited."

"Trust me, you do not want to be excited." Naomi positioned her laptop in front of us on the desk and set up the webcam. "My mum is the Queen of All Cows."

"That's not a very nice way to speak of your mother."

Naomi's mouth dropped open. "And you're to talk."

"C'mon, it's not gonna be that bad. This is actually way better than the mere thought of you meeting my mum."

She nodded grimly. "Yea. I still have to prepare myself for that one." She logged on to Skype and her mouth instantly formed a dour smile. "But going back to my mother . . . Don't say I didn't warn you." She tapped on her laptop's touchpad.

"Naomi darling!" Naomi's mum greeted right away. When she saw me, her eyes lit up. "Is this—?"

"Mum, this is my girlfriend Emily," Naomi filled in.

"Hi, Miss Campbell," I said, a bit timidly and a little flushed.

"Just call me Gina, dear," Gina said, smiling sweetly. "So you're the famous Emily Fitch Naomi's been talking nonstop about?"

"Mum—" Naomi warned.

"I've heard a lot about you, you little cutie," Gina added. She turned to face Naomi. "Naomi, she's much cuter than what you described her to be!" She shone me a big smile. And now it's no wonder where Naomi got her disarmingly sweet smile.

"Mum, stop," Naomi said, her cheeks slightly reddening. "You're embarrassing me."

I beamed at her mum. "Thank you, Gina."

"Poor Naomi there broke down and cried over you this one time we were Skype-ing," Gina blurted out. "It does make sense to me now—”

"Mum, stop already!" Naomi snapped, her face as red as tomatoes. "Chrissakes," she muttered. Gina and I chuckled at her expression.

"Anyway, Emily, I hope that I could meet you. In the flesh, you know," Gina said lightly. "You're welcome to Melbourne anytime you want. We'll have a little backyard barbie for you."

I shone her a grateful smile. "Definitely, Gina. Thank you."

To our surprise we saw that Gina wasn't alone. There was a deep voice that growled. "Is that my baby Naomi?"

But rather than the Amazon I was expecting, I was greeted by a petite woman with a scowling face who looked to be in her fifties. She had long blond hair that she wore in a tight braid down her back. She wore dark red lipstick and plum eye shadow. Her revealing top firmly whispered her cougar tendencies.

"Hi, Aunt G," Naomi greeted. "This is Emily."

"Hello there, Emily," the woman said, her face still somber. I only stared at her blankly, speechless.

"Ems, that's my Aunt Gertrude," Naomi muttered, nudging me. "Say something."

Blinking away jolt, I stammered, "Hi, Gertrude. It's – uh – it's nice to finally meet you."

Gertrude nodded tersely. "Let's get the shock factor out of the way, shall we?" she said. "I'm fifty-six years old, divorced a couple of times and now a very horny widow. I used to be a schoolteacher in Cessnock, and now I've been working as a counselor at this local summer camp here in Melbourne for thirty-five consecutive summers. My good sense told me to not to return to Camp Barney when Barney Walters Sr. sold the camp and rather just flee to the mountain caves of Tibet to live a life of self-imposed social seclusion, but at this point I think it must be programmed in my genes to be always here in Melbourne around this time."

"That's very interesting," I began, but clearly Gertrude wasn't finished, because she went right on.

"Yes, my father is Szilárd Rigó – the famous theatre critic, and, no, I didn't agree with his review of the Margaret Mead musical Margaret! that everyone got all so fired up about. I thought the show was pure rubbish and I told him so. I have two kids – one each from my first two husbands. My last husband, Charles – eight years my junior – who was struck by a goddamn lightning had erectile dysfunction so, yes, we didn't get to be so lucky. And Emily dear, are you enjoying my niece's fingers stroking your thigh?"

I blushed from scalp to toe.

"Chrissakes, G," Gina said. "You're scaring the kid."

"I wasn't called Dirty Gerty for nothing." Gertrude turned to me again. "Do you have any other questions, Emily?"

"Likely, if she'd had a chance to formulate them," Naomi replied dryly. Gertrude took a bottle of red wine from the small table beside her then poured some onto a wineglass.

Gina turned to me, smiling sweetly. "So how long have you been officially together?"

"A month and a half," I answered.

"That's lovely," Gina said, grinning. "Does my daughter make strange noises during . . . you know . . . ?"

Naomi shot her a glare. "Mum!"

But Gina was adamant. She raised her brows. “Emily?”

"Well, she – uhm—" I stammered. "She could get very freaky . . . sometimes—”

"Em!" Naomi turned to me scowling, then she slapped my thigh. I only shone her a sheepish smile, and Gina was shaking with mute giggles.

Gertrude smirked. "I'm telling you, Gina, messing around with girls is so much better. They say you get down and dirty but it wasn't dirty at all. Women are like flowers. Sweet, soft and perfumed. Am I right, sweeties?" She took a sip of her wine.

Naomi's mouth dropped open. "What?" she gasped. "You had a lesbian stint, Aunt G?"

Gertrude laughed uproariously. "It was four decades ago and I was infatuated with my best friend, Julie Hartley. Teenage friendships can be very intense, you know,” she said. “Ours was more than intense."

I gave my head a little shake. Wow. I had expected the Campbells to be incredibly blunt but not as blunt as this. Really. Wow.

"So,” Gertrude began. “What are you two planning after?"

Naomi and I looked at her. "Huh?" we both said, clearly confused.

"Escape to Cyprus? Or get married after graduation or something? I heard you can change your surname now like what Portia de Rossi's gonna be doing. So will it be Naomi Fitch or Emily Campbell?" She was on a roll. "Then you can adopt babies or try the sperm donor thing. I'm telling you, I'm all for whoever will be carrying the baby. Either way the baby will be a very beautiful child, isn't it Gina? And please tell me you two are gonna be settling down here in Melbourne because there's this really wonderful park—"

I nudged Naomi with my knee, turned to her and mouthed the word "help".

"—here in our neighbourhood. I could reserve the place for your wedding say in year 2018? See, girls, 8 is a very lucky number says the Chinese. Did you know that in China you have to pay extra to have the number 8 in your phone number or license plate? So, yea, it's a very special number. So what say you? And you could—”

A ring of the doorbell cut her off. Thankfully.

"Oh, that must be our sexy, 21 year-old masseur, Raulito. Don't you just love his name? Rrrraulito," she purred, placing her wineglass on the table. "Excuse me for a while." She stood up and spun on her heel but not before saying, "And by the way, girls, I'm taking your silence as a unanimous 'yes'."

Oh. Dear. God.

I doubled over with laughter. Tears filled my eyes and I couldn't speak. Naomi, dressed in a pair of blue leggings and a loose white shirt, sat on the lounge couch and blandly ignored my fit of hysteria. "She said, Naomi darling, I just called up because my sixth sense is telling me to pick up something black and the cordless phone was the first thing that I spotted.' And I was like, 'Oh, what exactly is that sixth sense of yours, Aunt G? Nonsense?'"

This cracked me up all the more. "Oh, my God!" I said, swiping tears of hilarity from the corners of my eyes.

She gave a shrug. "Yes, well . . ."

"Are you sure your aunt didn't fall down and hit her head somewhere when she was a kid?"

"I think it's fucking genetic," she admitted, sending me into new fits of laughter.

With more love than I'd thought possible, I crossed the room and slipped down next to her on the couch. "Christ, I forgot how funny you are," I said softly. "I love you."

My admission touched her. She pulled me close, not wanting even the smallest space between us. "We've wasted so much time running and chasing each other, Ems."

"I have to agree," I admitted with a sigh. "Love makes you dumb."

"But now we know better, yea?"

I only nodded my head, melting against her.

Naomi drew me close and talked into my hair. "Want to further make up for lost time? The tatami room looks inviting."

I grinned up at her. "Why, I thought you'd never ask."

An hour later, I lay beside Naomi, my hand lightly running over her abdomen, my breath soft in her ear. She'd made love to me with a tenderness that had surprised and delighted me.

Her fingers grazed the arm I had thrown over her chest. Glancing up, I saw that her eyes were focused on the wooden walls of the tatami room, as if she were thinking far, far out somewhere. "What are you thinking about?" I asked.

"You."

"Liar," I said. "I see the way you're looking at the wall."

"I was thinking about Firefighter Pig and Blue Poring . . ."

"What about them?"

"If they mate, their babies would look like Chinese meat buns, don't you think?"

I burst into chuckles. "I haven't thought about that. But you're actually right," I agreed. "Chinese meat buns with red firefighter hats."

She simply smirked at the ceiling. And I knew there was really something that had been bothering her so I took the plunge. "Seriously, though, what are you thinking?"

She twisted to gaze down at me, her fingers tenderly tracing my winged brows. "I was thinking about, you know, our future . . ."

"You were?" I lifted myself up on my elbows, my hair tumbling around my bare arms. "Well, then, what do you think?"

"Am I still normal if I think Aunt G's actually making some fucking sense?"

"Of course, you are," I said soberly. "I've thought about our future too."

"You have?"

"Yes. I mean, I don't know, Naomi," I said softly, laying my head against Naomi's warm chest once more. "I love you and I don't see myself with anyone else, really—"

"Emily-chan, are you here?" Ayami's sickly-sweet voice called out from the lounge.

I jerked upright. "Yes, Ayami-chan," I shakily called back to her, yanking on my shorts. "Chotto mattete ne (Just wait a sec)." I gulped and glanced nervously around the room to look for hidden cameras. I let out a sigh when I found none. Thank God.

Hastily straightening my shirt, I slid one door open.

"Mr. and Mrs. Yoshida want to see you," Ayami said. "They're waiting in their office."

"Okay," I choked. Oh, dear. What have I done this time?

"Friends, Romans, fellow dorm slaves, Paddy's Day ninjas," I called as I headed toward the beer bottle-crowded table where the gang was gathered round. "How goes it?"

"It goes," Naomi replied. "What's up, babe? What's that thing you're holding?"

"I bring you great news," I said, holding up the thick folder in my hand. "Here in my hands is the list of the new dormers."

The boys around the pool table immediately dropped their billiard sticks on the table and eagerly waited for the precious folder.

"Jaysus! Please, hand it over, Emilio," Cook exclaimed. "Lemme see!" I dropped the folder onto the pool table and the boys excitedly flipped it open.

"New dormers begin arriving tomorrow morning," I announced, dropping onto a couch to slip into Naomi's waiting arms.

"And how come you know all these things?" queried Effy who was sitting beside me.

"You won't believe this but," I said, pausing for effect, "I think I just got promoted to Head of House, replacing Karen this semester. I will be guiding the new students with Ayami." I took the bottle of beer that Naomi gave me and took a quick gulp. Naomi gave me a soft peck on the cheek and murmured an "I'm proud of you, baby."

"That's wicked cool, Emsy!" Panda squealed. "You get to speak over the dorm sound system and break into Mr. Yoshida's vault. I heard he keeps a hockey mask and an axe in there. I think he might be that Friday the 13^th villain's son or something."

This was just one of those moments when I terribly miss Halo's presence. I think if she were here, she would've commented something like: (a) the rational way – "Since when did Jason Voorhees become Japanese?"; or (b) the absurd way – "Hmm, yea . . . Jason might've accidentally impregnated Sadako or something and—poof!—it became Mr. Yoshida! No wonder he's such a horrible person."

"Lads, read away!" Cook implored, gulping on his Guinness beer. "Make my birthday even more special, c'mon."

It was March 17. Saint Patrick's Day. Cook would like to think Paddy's Day was his second birthday. The gang, not really disinclined to getting pissed every single night, decided to drop by Keith's Pub. The pub had the Irish feel: from the green bikini-clad waitresses to the green alcohol drinks to the free mint chocolates to the green lights to the infectious Irish music and down to the Guinness beer-drinking contest.

"Roderik Smelkowitz," Thomas read off the top page. "How would you like to be in college and stuck with that shitty name?" The boys cracked up.

Thomas flicked to the next page. "Boyle, Evan, 22, UBC . . . I guess he's next in line to Seanski."

"Blooming Nora! He's gorgeous!" Panda gushed, looking at the profile. "Like David's clone, innit?"

"Just wish he isn't as douchebaggishly annoying as him," Freddie said coolly, placing a basket of fish and chips on the table. Just a little trivia: Another McClair had taken over the pub. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, our dear Freddie had managed to carry on the McClair legacy in Keith's Pub.

"Collins, Toby, 23, Vassar College," Thomas held up his photo. "Blond as Viking. And roughly the size of a Sumo wrestler."

JJ winced. "Finally, someone to be very afraid of besides Yoshida-san."

"Thomas, what're ye gay?" Cook jeered. "Skip to the girls, will ye?"

"Stoyanova, Natalia," Thomas read from the page, "23, a BP Oriental Studies student from New Bulgaria University."

Freddie took a peek. "She looks like one of those hot girls in wet T-shirts doing carwash in TV commercials."

JJ snatched the page from Thomas's hands. "Holy dooley! Another blonde!"

Thomas went on: "Damn, there's more of them . . . An 8.2 . . . So-so . . . Ooh lala, mamacita! . . . Whoa, green-eyed chick! . . . Nah, she's okay . . . Finally!" Thomas took a page and beamed at it. "A really cute Korean girl. Gyeon, Sang-min. Nickname: Sarah. 21, BA Public Administration, Dongguk University."

"Those chicks are nothing compared to this one, Thomas," Freddie said, staring at the paper in his hands. "Check this out . . ." He began to read: "Zoe Hammond, 20, BA Asian Studies, Victoria University of Wellington—”

"Holy Jaysus fock!" Cook cried, seizing the file from Freddie. "She makes 2x2 photos look like Sports Illustrated centrefolds." He shook his head sadly. "I think I'm gonna be sinning this new semester, lads. Keep her away from me, please. Katie will fockin' kick my arse."

Quickly, they went through the rest of the files. When they reached the end of the last file, Thomas and Cook stared at each other, until Cook howled with unrepressed excitement. "This has got to be the hottest semester ever," he said. "I think Cook's Search will have a renewal of contract. Dear Jaysus!"

Still whooping, Cook threw the folder in the air and the files fell down to the floor.

"Not a good omen," Effy muttered, watching the hooting boys. She took a long drag on her cigarette. "Expect more fucking drama this semester."

"Emilio man, ye feelin' good with this, huh?" With a dopey grin, Cook poked me with his billiard stick.

Staring at the scattered pages on the floor, I gulped on my beer then forced a smile. Actually, I don't feel good with it. With every one of us not-so-single?

Not. One. Bit.

I lounged in the bathtub with steaming water whirling and pulsing around me, my eyes half closed. It was three o'clock in the morning, and I had two more hours before Mrs. Yoshida comes in to clean the tub.

I felt as lazy and smug as a cat curled in a sunbeam when the shower room doors suddenly slid open. My eyes flew open and saw Naomi wearing the sexy red robe I gave her, edging her way toward me. She was holding a bottle of vodka.

"Okay. What are we celebrating now?" I asked, half-surprised, half-amused.

"You're here. I'm here. Alone in the shower room," she said, laughing at me with her eyes as I covered my body with my arms. "That's enough reason to celebrate."

I was afraid of being alone and naked with the blonde in the shower room which didn't make sense because I was certain the blonde had already memorised my uncovered body—each mole, each little scar, each sensitive spot.

"Hm," I said. "But the question is: Am I in the mood for celebration?"

Grinning wickedly, she sat on the edge of the tub. "You will be."

I rolled my eyes. "Yea, right," I scoffed.

"Can I hop in the tub with you?" Naomi asked, tracing random shapes in the water with her fingers. "Please?"

She was still grinning at me. I scowled at her. "No. You're a spoiled brat."

She stood up. "But you can't say no to me . . ." Eyeing me seductively, Naomi slowly slipped the robe off her shoulders and let it drop on the floor. "You just know it, Emily. . ." Her voice was deep and stimulating.

Naomi smirked triumphantly at my narrowed slits. Then gingerly, very sexily, she stepped into the tub, one long, flawless leg first then the other.

"All right," I said, staring at her as she slowly dipped in. "You win this time."

Naomi's eyes roved my face. "You look bothered. You could really use a drink, Ems." She took the cap off the bottle then handed it to me. "Is this still about your phone conversation with your professor last night?"

"I could read between the lines, Naomes. My professor thinks my topic is rubbish in the first place. And then he knows that my heart wasn't in it. He told me that letting me go to Japan was a big mistake. I think he fucking wants me out of the department."

"I told you, you need to relax, babe. It will all pan out. Just take things in stages."

From the opposite end of the tub, Naomi watched my tension ease, degree by degree.

"And more kids will be arriving later," I said, letting out a sigh of exasperation. "I don't know . . . Just different emotions all over the fucking place. I'm nervous about my socialising skills too, you know. I don't think I'm good enough to replace someone like Karen."

"Mr. and Mrs. Yoshida trusted you with this. That means they saw something in you that other people don't have. I'm not sure what it is but I know you will do great, Ems. Just loosen up a bit," she said, rubbing her foot up and down my slick slippery leg. "Let me loosen you up a bit."

Raising a brow, I said, "You're just pep-talking me to perk up my libido. Because you badly need my body."

Naomi only smirked. "I like the way your eyes get dark and edgy." She slid forward and laid her body over mine. Water sloshed lazily over the lip of the tub. "And you get these creases right here," she rubbed her thumb on the spot above each of my brows, "that I get to smooth away . . ."

Her free hand was busy smoothing something else. "And all the while we believed I was the sneaky one," I said with an arched brow.

"Like I always say, we're two of a kind." Naomi nipped at my lips. Her hands cruised over my hot, soft skin.

Whilst the jets of water frothed around us and between us, I stroked a hand through her damp hair. It felt so good to be here, to know that at any moment the comforting heat could erupt into explosive heat. "I'm starting to enjoy communal showers," I murmured. "Especially the warmth of your body over mine . . ."

"And my mind-numbing sex appeal," Naomi added.

I smiled. "Yes, that too."

She cupped my chin in her hands and kissed me lightly. "I love you."

I smiled, pushing her hair back, framing her face. "I know," I said softly. "And I don't think I could have gotten through last night without you." I pressed my lips to her shoulder.

"You don't have to get through anything without me."

"I know." My lips slid up her throat. "And that's why I love you so." Then my mouth met hers.

"There's something I very much want to do." Naomi nipped at my lip until my eyes fluttered closed.

"Yes."

"I very much, mmm, very much . . ." She traced my lips with her tongue, dipped slowly inside to savour. "Want to drown you in my love."

I hurried down the lobby after getting a call from Mrs. Yoshida. I was ordered to update the bulletin board. I was just attaching the plastic magnets with the names of the new residents when I heard the dorm manager's office door slam shut.

"Excuse me." An unfamiliar female voice called. I turned around and was met by a long pair of tanned legs. I looked at the mysterious girl from toe to head.

It was Zoe Hammond. The Zoe Hammond the boys were drooling on the other night. Stunning tall, athletic body. Flawless light brown skin. Long chestnut brown hair that exposed high, apple-round cheekbones and wide, luminous eyes. She wore a grey tank top over a black sports bra and denim shorts that revealed her nice-looking muscles. Do her up with Lycra and she would look ready to hit the gym.

"Mrs. Yoshida in there told me you’re Emily Fitch?" she added with raised brows.

"Erm, yes," I said, a little shy. "That's me."

"I'm Zoe," the girl said, holding out her hand to shake mine. "One of the new dormers." She offered a bedimpled smile.

"Nice to meet you," I said, returning Zoe's smile.

"So you're my dorm guide for today?" Zoe asked, her brown eyes sparkling. "And the Head of House for the whole sem?"

I nodded grimly. "Unfortunately, yes."

The door alarm buzzed. A couple of boys and a girl came pushing through the lobby doors, with bags in tow. Mrs. Yoshida came out of the office to welcome them.

"Hi, everyone!" The Korean girl, Sarah, came in giddily. She gave Mrs. Yoshida a hug and they had a very animated chat in fluent Japanese. Okay. Another freak.

A boy with dark blond hair and boyish good looks dropped his guitar case on one couch. "Oh, Christ. Fucking jet lag," he grumbled. "I need a drink." He walked over to the vending machine and saw us. "Oh, hey. I’m Evan," he called with a wave of his hand.

We smiled back. 

"Cute," Zoe said, eyeing him.

"Yea," I said, faking enthusiasm. I didn’t feel like it was the right moment to let out a shocker.

A deep clearing of throat made me turn around. A boy with languid slate grey eyes and buzz-cut hair stood. "Can I just skip the damn dorm tour?" he said dryly with heavy Polish-accented English. "I’ll just figure this dump out for myself. I need some sleep." 

I managed a smile. "Um – I, uh, guess it’s—"

Suddenly he turned on his heel and made his way to the stairs, not even waiting for my answer.

"Way to make a first impression, huh?" Sarah commented, glaring at the guy. "What a jerk." She then turned to us, beaming. "Hi, I’m Sarah." She gave me an enthusiastic hug. Then another to Zoe.

"I’m Emily, your dorm guide," I said. "And this is Zoe—"

"And . . . I’m Evan." The Canadian boy waltzed into our small crowd. "Hello, girls." We exchanged a few handshakes.

Sarah grinned. "So shall we start the tour now?" She looked at me expectantly.

"Yea. Sounds awesome," Evan added. "Let’s do it."

Zoe looked at me with raised brows as if waiting for me to do or say something. "Emily?"

"Right," I said, clapping my hands together. "Well . . ." I stretched out my arms and shone them my widest smile. "Welcome to Casa Gaijin!" I tried to make it sound hearty but I think I failed.

Zoe laughed – not a big laugh – but not a girlie little giggle either. "Casa Gaijin?" she echoed. "Really."

My face grew hot. Shut up, Emily, a tiny voice nagged. Okay. I just sounded fucking pathetic. How come it sounded so cool when Karen said it? Life's unfair.

"This way, please." I led them across the lobby, then upstairs to the floor kitchens and bathrooms, the laundry room, the stairs leading to the forbidden rooftop, and into the lounge. There we stopped.

"This is where all great things happen," I said, gesturing around the entire room. "Besides the rooftop, that is. Directly to our left is the computer area . . . There's a mini library in the far left corner . . . And behind those wooden sliding doors is the tatami room."

Sarah raised her hand, her eyes narrowing at me. "Question," she said. "I heard there's a new rule: No naughty things in the kitchen and in the tatami room. Is that true?"

I smiled. "Good question," I said lightly. "The answer is yes. And I believe I was partly to blame for that."

Zoe laughed. "I like breaking rules. But given that you're the Head of House now, should I be afraid of you?"

I chuckled. "I'll see what I can do," I said. "But I have a soft spot for fellow troublemakers so fuck it, yea?"

Zoe grinned. "I like her already," she told the group.

Evan went inside the computer area, and Sarah checked out the mini-library.

"Hiya!" JJ sang out, striding into the lounge. When he saw me and Zoe, his eyes lit up. "I'm JJ." He stuck out his hand to shake Zoe's.

Zoe smiled at him. "Zoe," she said, shaking his hand. "You are very cute, JJ. Your hair, above all." She ruffled his hair.

JJ instantly blushed. "Erm – thank you, Zoe. You're a spunk, too. I’m getting over-stimulated just talking to you now. I mean, you’re exciting me. Not that I'm hitting on you or anything. See, I have a girlfriend and we're engaged now for fifteen months and eleven days so that's like 456 days already and—Ow!"

I swatted JJ across the head.

“Emily! I told you not to do that anymore,” JJ grumbled, rubbing his head. “Just a glass of mango juice and I’ll be back to normal.”

I turned to Zoe with a smile. "Sorry, 'bout that. JJ gets locked-on sometimes. Especially when he’s over-stimulated—"

“Over-stressed,” JJ quickly corrected.

I gave a snort of laughter. “Fine. When he’s over-stressed.”

For a second she seemed weirded-out but she smiled back. "Okay." She let out a little chuckle. "Anyway, I have a little concern and since you're the Head of House, Emily, I might need some of your help."

"Shoot," I said.

"See, my grandma called up the dorm managers, asking them to keep an eye on me," Zoe said. "I have a curfew. 12 midnight, I was told. And it sucks." She let out a snort of disgust. "Anyway, I cleverly purchased and packed an inflatable woman who, according to the label, is named Fondle. I plan to leave Fondle to snooze in my place until I get back to the dorm after midnight curfew. And I'm simply asking you to keep mum about it."

JJ laughed. "That's funny! Can you imagine anyone actually—" He realised Zoe wasn't laughing. "Wait. You mean that wasn't a joke?"

"Only time will tell," Zoe replied mysteriously.

Back at the lobby, JJ and I were leaning against the wall, watching the new kids as they settle down and talk to the dorm managers for a quick orientation. More dormers will be arriving later so I was just trying to take it easy as I was preparing myself for more dorm tours later. JJ volunteered to be my assistant given that Ayami was not present. Another emergency-shopping.

"Sarah’s super cute, isn’t she?" JJ nudged me, whilst he eyed the Korean girl casually sipping tea and reading a Japanese newspaper on the couch. "And she looks like she's really smart. I wonder if she plays Zelda too . . ."

"I doubt it, Jay," I said dully. "She looks like a no-nonsense type of girl—"

"Hey!" JJ said indignantly. "Video games are not nonsense."

"That’s not what I meant," I said patiently. "What I meant was . . . was – never mind." That was exactly what I meant, actually.

"And Zoe’s flamin’ hot, yea?" JJ’s eyes lit up when Zoe flashed us her dimpled smile.

"Flamin’ hot, yea. But not my type."

"Not your type?" JJ asked, eyes widening. "I can’t believe Zoe’s not your type. I get these strange sensations by just looking at her," he paused. "Oh, bobbins. I said that a little too loud, hadn’t I? Not that that is cheating. I mean, that’s – that’s not cheating, is it?” he sputtered. "Holy dooley. Is it?"

"It is not, JJ, unless you put your hands on her tits in your non-locked-on condition," I answered dryly.

"I think she likes me, though," JJ said. "I see her sneaking glances at me. It's my hair, I'm telling you. My hair's got magic."

I only rolled my eyes, and folded my arms.

"Look." He wiggled his hair. "Just a li'l flip to the right . . . and a flip to the left," he shook his head, "and . . . presto!" He smiled smugly. "She's looking at—"

"Hey, Emily," Zoe called. "Can you give me a hand with my stuff?" she asked. "Please?"

"Sure," I said, then cocked an eye sideways. "Try again, JJ." Stifling laughter, I walked over to Zoe and grabbed one of her huge bags when I felt a pair of arms circle my waist from behind.

"Ems, I'm going to get groceries," Naomi said, placing her chin on my shoulder. "You want Temmy's Choco or Honey Pops this week?"

"Choco Pops, please," I replied, smiling sweetly at Naomi. I saw her eye Zoe curiously. "By the way, Naomes, this is Zoe," I offered as an introduction. "She'll be staying next to your old room. In Jake's former room."

Zoe's brows knitted in question. "Old room?"

"I moved into my girlfriend's room," Naomi explained, with a slightly indignant tone. "In Emily's room, that is," she emphasised. Uh-oh.

"Oh," Zoe said simply. Her eyes had that certain twinkle which somewhat alarmed me. Double uh-oh.

Naomi's smile was rather triumphant. "Gotta go now, babe." Naomi dropped a kiss on my cheek before turning on her heel and making her way out of the building.

Zoe turned to me again. "Girlfriend, huh?"

"Yep, she's amazing," I said, gazing at Naomi's retreating figure. "She’s the best. I love her so much . . . I mean, I—" When I turned to look at Zoe again, she was looking a little less psyched. "Sorry, I get carried away from time to time." I smiled sheepishly.

"Hm." She smirked, folding her arms. "I see you get locked-on, too, huh, Emily Fitch?"

I let out a chuckle, and shrugged. "I know. It's embarrassing. Seems like—"

I was cut off by the sound of the door alarm and a couple of blond girls came in.

"Shit the bed! Fit girls incoming!" Cook yelled from the stairs, cupping his hands by his mouth for volume. He came strolling over to us, followed by Thomas and Kurt Cobain-wanna-be Grunwald. "How heavenly is this place, really?" They walked over to us.

Cook's eyes lit on Zoe and Sarah. "Speaking of which . . ." He stuck his hand out to Sarah. "Hi, I'm Cook. James Cook. Just Cook for short."

Sarah shook it firmly. "I'm Gyeon," she mocked. "Sarah Gyeon. Just I’ll-slap-your-face-eight-times-if-you-touch-my-ass-again for short."

"And Blunt is her middle name," Thomas commented. He, JJ, and Grunwald laughed at Cook’s bemused face.

Cook removed his hand from Sarah’s butt. "Ye’re a fierce one, eh?" he said, smirking. "But I like ’em mollies brutal. I like me some pain."

Sarah only rolled her eyes and sat back on the couch.

Then Cook regarded Zoe with a sleazy grin and waggled his tongue. "Hey, babes."

Zoe raised one brow. "I don't mean to ruin your game, but my name’s—"

"Hammond," Cook filled in, grinning. "Zoe Hammond," he said. "I know, babes. I saw ye in my fockin’ dreams last night."

"Oh, yea . . . I do remember you." Zoe narrowed her eyes at him and pursed her lips as if in thought. "You were the one with the crayola dick, right?"

All of us burst into laughter.

"Yea, that was him, Thomas said, clapping Cook's back. "That was him, indeed."

But Cook wasn’t about to give up. He sized Zoe up. "Ye've got great definition, love," he told her. "Ye into sports?"

"I'm a swimmer," Zoe acknowledged.

"Great, we can hit the gym pool together sometime," Cook said, wiggling his brows suggestively. "Or the bath tub. Whichever ye prefer, babes." He winked at her in a sleazy manner.

Zoe stared at him hard. "Thanks, Cook,” she said. “But I'd prefer getting all wet and wild with chicks." Then she turned to me with a smirk so devilish. "This is going to be one helluva semester, Emily. Don't you think?"

I froze. Oh. Dear. God.