Fix me

Chapter 34

'Kimba? Lily's on the way over with the paper, are you ready?' Cheryl calls into the bedroom.

'Yeah, coming.' I reply, pulling on my other shoe and following Cheryl to the front room.

Today, the paper we spoke to published the story. Cheryl's phone has been ringing with texts all morning, from family, friends, all wanting to know if it's true. According to Lily the world of celebrity has gone into meltdown or something. She's coming over with the paper, something about proofreading it, because if anything we said had been twisted or written differently, we can sue them.

'Adam texted me.'

'Yeah? What did he say?'

'Just expressing his shock we actually did it, wanted to know if we're alright.'

'Aah, bless him. Has he seen that cow since?'

I laugh at her description of Jen. 'No, don't think so. Have you spoke to Gary?'

'No.' Cheryl sighs. I notice her expression change, and she stands behind the sofa, picking at it at the corner. 'Chez.' I say softly, making my way to stand beside her. I brush her hair back and take her hand off the sofa. 'I know how much Gary means to you babe, but he'll come around.'

'I don't understand why he's being such a... you know.'

'He'll come around, I promise.'

'Is that what you thought about your mum?'

I feel my stomach twist uncomfortably when she says this, and I look away. 'I'll stick the kettle on for when Lily gets here.'

Cheryl follows me into the kitchen. 'I didn't mean that.'

'It doesn't matter.'

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by that, Kim... I'm just stressed.' Cheryl sighs, blinking her huge brown eyes sadly at me. I hold my hand out to her, starting to smile. 'Hey, here's something you should know.'

'What?'

'Stressed, are you? Well... stressed spelled backwards...' I wait a few seconds, watching Cheryl frown, trying to figure it out. 'Is "desserts"! So, shall we have some cake with this tea?'

Cheryl bursts out laughing. 'That is the worst logic I've ever heard!'

**

A while later after Lily has been and gone, Cheryl and I are just cuddling, her head on my chest. 'Am I too heavy? She mumbles.

'Don't be daft! Stay right there.'

'I can feel your heart beating.' Cheryl sighs, and I see her dimple pop out as she smiles.

'I could just stay here forever, you know.' She continues. 'Just here, just me and you, in our own little bubble.'

'Me too babe.'

'But unfortunately...' Cheryl sighs, sitting up, 'I have a hot date at the studio!'

'What do you mean unfortunately?! Aren't you excited?'

'Yeah course I am, I'm just not really in the mood, I'd rather stay here with you.'

'You'll be fine when you get there babe.'

'Why don't you come with us?' she says hopefully. 'You can meet Rihanna!'

'Nah, it's alright I'll be fine here--'

'Aah, are you shy? Come on, it'll be fun!'

'Actually, I was... I was gonna phone my mum.' I say very quietly. Cheryl starts to smile, sits on my lap. 'Really?'