After three consecutive day's at college, it was weird to be able to have a lie in the next day and as I knew Lauren would be coming till half nine there wasn't any rush for me to be as organised today. I grab my phone off my bedside table and go on my Instagram, then I have the idea to search for West again, when I finally find his account, before I could regret it, I press follow, then I go to my Instagram and post a picture.
I start to think about all the things I need to do today when I remember that I already have plans with Annie, Mark, Rose and West, I'm excited but nervous because this will be my first group outing in a while and there's the small issue of letting my mum know, but before I have time to worry myself anymore, Lauren is walking through my bedroom door.
"Morning Effie how are you today?" she asks placing her bag on the floor and coming over to my bed.
"I'm good thanks Lauren, I haven't got my outfit out, but I know what I want to wear, please could you get my denim dress with the denim belt and my converse?" I ask, slowly sitting up in my bed, I watch as Lauren gets my dress out of my wardrobe and then she comes over and helps me get dressed and transfers me into my chair, making sure I'm secure and letting me drive over to my vanity to apply my makeup.
Lauren waits for me while I apply a light pink smokey eye, mascara and a dark nude with a hint of pink lipstick, my spasms are slightly worse today because of my nerves, so I'm glad Lauren stays around because I end up having to reapply my lipstick a couple of times before it looks good enough, just as I'm applying it for the last time, my phone chimes and Lauren brings it over to me.
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I open my Instagram and take a look at my notifications, they read:
West13 followed you
West13 commented on your photo: Looking beautiful as always babygirl xx
I blush and giggle, alerting Lauren.
"Mr Lover-boy again by any chance?" Lauren says as she smiles at me while opening my bedroom door.
"Yeah, he just commented on my latest Instagram post, and I'm actually seeing him today." I reply to her, smiling, my blush slightly decreasing as I head downstairs in the lift. We go into the kitchen and Lauren helps me get my breakfast sorted before sitting down next to me at the kitchen island.
"Is it a date?" Lauren questions as I add some strawberries to my yoghurt slowly, trying not to drop any.
"No, not a date, a few people from group have invited me to hang out the mall and I said yes, that reminds me, I need to message the group chat to see if anyone can walk with me, I don't trust myself with how bad my spasms are today." I say, before grabbing my phone to text the new group chat.
Outcasts, Freaks and West
Effie: Hey Guys, what time are we meeting, and would anyone be able to walk with me? I'm struggling today and don't want to fall off a curb or anything :D
Annie: 11 O'clock and I live at the other end of Righton, so it's out of my way but if no one else can, I will Hun x
Rose: I'm driving there
Mark: Tessa is dropping me off on her way to work, sorry Effie
Annie: The only person we haven't heard from is @West, you okay buddy
West: Sorry was just in the shower. I can baby, just give me five minutes to get ready and I'll walk round to yours as it's 10 now xx
I blush, knowing that he called me baby knowing there were other people to see makes me really happy, or it could have been the shower comment that I can't get out of my head.
"Everything sorted Effie?" Lauren says, making me jump because I forgot she was there.
"Yeah, everything's sorted, West is picking me up in five, looks like you'll get to meet him, please don't embarrass me Laur." I laugh, before quickly eating my breakfast and checking I have everything including a plastic straw, lipstick, purse with my card in, wipes and a compact mirror, just as I've finished repacking my bag, there's a knock at the door and before I can say a word Lauren is opening it. I quickly leave a note for my mum, letting her know I'm going out, but I'll see her later as she's still in bed. I put my bag on the back of my chair and head to the main door, where Lauren and West are still chatting, and when I get closer they get quieter.
"Don't go quiet on my behalf, unless it's something you don't want me to hear?" I smirk, waiting for a response from either one.
"Oh it's nothing bad, Lauren was just filling me in on how you react to my texts most of the time." West reply's, coming closer to me as Lauren signals to me that she's leaving, clearly not wanting to interrupt, I watch her slip out the door as I see West crouch down beside me in my peripheral vision, so I turn my face towards him, and I lean my forehead against his.
"Hey, beautiful." He says, leaning in to kiss me, and as soon as his lips meet mine, I relax and I lean in further and put my hands on either side of his face as he begins to smile into the kiss, he wraps his arms around my waist, then pulls his face away from mine and moves his lips to my neck, gently kissing the areas he can reach, it takes me a minute to realise we should be setting off now, but just as I'm about to say something he applies more pressure to the kisses on my neck making me moan against his ear, to which I can feel the smirk on my neck as he moves back to my lips before pulling away. 522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE01iKVrVuT
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"As much as I would love to continue this, unfortunately, we have plans." He says, kissing me one last time before he stands up and opens the door to let me out and we start our walk to the mall, one of my hands driving my chair and the other being held by West.522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNj2zF4D4k
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As we get closer to the mall, my nerves begin to show themselves more, making me drive with increased weariness and edge. Somehow, West picks up on this and directs me to a bench in a little wooded area just off the side of the path, he lifts my tray up with my remote attached and places his hands over mine softly, stroking them for a while before speaking up.
"What's wrong Effie?" West asks, curiosity written all over his face.
"Nothing babe. Just got a lot of things on my mind, that and I'm really nervous for today, which is making it difficult to relax." I say, looking down trying to fight the tears that are behind my eyes. I feel West's hand leave mine as he pulls me towards him slightly, our legs brushing lightly. He softly places a finger under my chin, and he lifts my head up to his level.
"I can't take your nerves away, but I might be able to help you relax." He says slowly, his hand on my thigh as his thumb draws circles on the inside of my thigh.
"What do you have in mind? I don't want to be late." I reply, smiling slightly, but I'm taken by surprise when I feel his hand on my thigh travelling higher, under my dress, his thumb still drawing circles. I go to say something, but my mind is clouded as I feel his hand reach my underwear.
"Tell me to stop and I will baby, just thought a pleasant distraction might help." West whispers, before using his other hand to gently pull me in for a kiss, which I reciprocate immediately, letting him know it's okay to continue with a kiss. I feel him gently slip his finger into the material. Just as I can feel like we could be going somewhere, my phone chimes, making him remove his hand, but not before he kisses me softly and whispers in my ear.
"we'll continue that another time baby, you should check your phone." I giggle at his statement before checking my phone
Outcasts, freaks and West
Annie: Where are you @West and @Effie! Thought you'd be here by now unless your ditching to do something else? x
Effie: on our way, I was struggling a bit and got distracted, be there soon x
I grabbed West's hand and we got there ten minutes later. I got greeted by a hug from Annie, a smile from Mark and a nod from Rose.
"Where were you? We thought you'd got in trouble of something ridiculous." Annie says after calming down a bit.
"Didn't you get my text? I did explain." I respond, rolling my eyes in a joking manner.
"I did get your text, but that doesn't mean I have to believe it." She smirks, looking between me and West, clearly expecting an answer.
"I don't really think that's any of Annie's business, Do you baby?" I hear West's reply, but the words don't register for a few seconds and then I feel West put his hand in mine, an then I respond.
"I agree babes, definitely not their business." I say, throwing a smirk in Annie's direction.
"God you two are weird! Which shops are we hitting first?" Annie says, dropping the subject of where me and West were, probably realising she wasn't going to get anywhere with that line of questioning.
"Topshop and Forever 21 are pretty great, I'm thinking of buying some new clothes, but it's up to you guys." I say, not wanting to be too demanding.
"Sounds good, will you need any help in the changing rooms?" Annie asks, I can feel everyone's eyes on me and everything begins to seem tense, I can feel myself wanting to get out of there, so that's what I do, I just drive towards Forever 21 without looking back to see all their awkward facial expressions.
I get inside of the mall and then I have to pull over, one because I'm shaking like a leaf and secondly I can feel the tears threatening to fall out of my eyes, I feel like texting them and saying I'm going to go home, but just as I'm about to text, Rose is wandering over to me as the others walk through the doors and straight passed us and to Forever 21 by the look of it, which stings given I thought West would make sure I was okay.
"You okay?" I'm snapped out of my thoughts by Rose, who's sat on the floor next to be.
"Not really, Annie's question really got to me and I know that's stupid, I just didn't know what to say." I say sighing, I sound like a brat but stuff like that gets to me more since Seth.
"Don't worry about it, West explained why you might've reacted like that, it's just a bit difficult for everyone to get used to a new person in our group, let alone someone with a disability, if you want some help and don't want to ask Annie, why don't you ask West? And I can give glares to anyone who says anything or jokes about it. Deal?" I'm taken aback with Rose's kindness, I nod my head and smile, the Rose stands up and we go meet the others.
As me and Rose get closer to Forever 21, I can see West, Mark and Annie are waiting outside the entrance and I give them an apologetic smile, trying to let them know I'm okay and that I'm sorry, Annie and Mark both give me a hug at the same time, then they go into the shop along with Rose, leaving me to talk to West. I wheel closer to him and reach out for his hand, which he accepts half-heartedly.
"You okay babe?" I question, not feeling entirely comfortable with the silence.
"Not really, I was trying to not get annoyed at Annie for what she said, and I took it out on you instead, I'm a jerk, I'm sorry Effie." He says squeezing my hand softly and then he bends down to kiss me gently before he gestures at the store.
"Before we go in, can I ask a favour?" West is still at my level so I can still whisper in his ear.
"Sure, what's up baby?" he says, his breath tingling slightly against my neck.
"If I need help in there, can I ask you? Rose says she'll speak to the staff and explain." I say, feeling embarrassed.
"Yeah, of course, and there's no need to be embarrassed babe, whatever you want, all you have to do is ask." He smirks, leaning his forehead against mine, before giving me a quick kiss and then we go in and find everyone else.
Once we've found everyone, me, Annie and Rose all go off to start shopping, we all end up choosing clothes for each other, I end up with four dresses, twelve tops and I could only find two pairs of shorts which was a bit disappointing.
I signal to the girls that I'm off to the changing rooms and the girls follow with their clothes and Rose quickly talks to the staff and explains the situation as I get West, once I've got West, I try and find the 'accessible' changing room which isn't actually that accessible. I pull myself into a standing position with the help of a handle that's fastened on to the wall. I start with trying on all the items of clothing I can put on myself, which include a casual burgundy dress, a casual black dress with a white collar and a couple of the simpler tops. The next item I happen to grab happens to be a yellow top with a sweetheart neckline, no shoulders, but it does have sleeves and it also has a zip at the back to secure it, damn it.
"West, I need some help please!" I shout, hoping he can hear from the other side of the door. A few seconds later West enters the cubicle and he comes over to me.
"What do you need me to do baby?" West asks, his arm snaking around my waist slightly, and for a moment I am slightly uncomfortable because I'm just in my underwear and strapless bra due to trying the dresses on, but the feeling only lasts a minute or so before I'm showing West the zip. While West stands behind me with his hands on my waist, I quickly manage to slip my arms into the sleeves and then I somehow manage to hold the front part to my chest while West slowly zips it up, his fingers brushing the top of my spine, making me shiver, as the zip reaches the top.
"Wow... You look gorgeous." I hear him whisper, and as I turn my head to look in the mirror, I can feel feather-light kisses being placed on my shoulders and then my neck, which makes me giggle.
"If you stay in here any longer, people will definitely say something, I'll be finished in a bit and then you can have me all to yourself." I smile, pulling his hands away from my waist and then I watch West as he walks towards the door, not before sending me his signature smirk and then he's gone, leaving me to try on the rest of the clothes.
After trying on the rest of my clothes and paying, we all meet back outside the store.
"What does everyone want to do now, it's two o'clock, so maybe we could get something to eat?" Mark questions and my panic begins to set in again, with my spasms being pretty bad today, I hate the idea of eating in front of people. I'm about to say I have to go home when my phone pings.
West: I know you might not want to eat with the rest of the group, but I'll be there with you and if you still don't want to be there, we can go, just try, for me? Xx
I hadn't even realised that West had got his phone out to text me.
"Sure, I'm in no rush to go home, where are we heading?" I ask, catching West's eye in the process and I see there is a slight smile on his face.
"Personally, I don't mind Taco Bell, if everyone else is okay with that?" West speaks up, and I smile to myself, trying to keep a laugh in.
Everyone agrees to go to Taco Bell and we set off to find the closest one, which happens to be upstairs, so we have to find a lift. After finding a lift and making our way upstairs, we find and enter Taco Bell and try to find a table that will fit us all on, including my wheelchair. As everyone goes up to order, West stays behind with me.
"Are you going to order Baby?" He asks, pulling a chair to sit next to me.
"It's too busy at the moment and it's probably best I don't order anything to just be on the safe side." I say, trying not to cry. I hate feeling like this, it makes me feel like I shouldn't go out in public or something.
"Are you Hungry babe?" West asks, taking my hand and holding it on the table.
"I mean yes, but I can get something when I go back home, it's no big deal." I say, not meeting his soft gaze.
"What do you want to eat? I'm getting it and I won't take no for an answer." He says, waiting for my order.
"Fine, thank you, I'll have nachos supreme and a strawberry freeze please." I say, offering a smile and a hand squeeze in return, he gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before joining to order queue, and just as West goes, Annie, Mark and Rose return with their meals.
"Where's West and Where's your food?" Annie asks, curiosity her main facial expression today.
"He's ordering for the both of us now." I reply, hoping that there won't be many more questions.
"what's he been like with you? He seems like a completely different person when he's around you." Mark asks, looking up from his burrito slightly, and at this point, I'm just wanting the ground to open and swallow me whole.
"He's great, one of the best guys I've known in a long time, and I didn't know what he was like before, so I couldn't really tell you how different he is." I sigh, hoping I've said the right thing, but they don't have time to ask anything else because West comes back with the food. He sits as close to me as possible and hands me what I ordered.
"If you need any help, just ask, I'll be right here if you need me." West whispers to me before starting a conversation with Annie and Mark, Rose is silent but you can tell she's observing and listening to everything that's going on. I slowly start to eat my nachos, trying to keep my spasms as minimal as possible and luckily, I manage to succeed. Once I've finished West takes my rubbish to the bin and then just as I'm about to see what we're doing next, I receive a message.
Mum: Hi Effie, can you please set off home now, I'm off out with a friend tonight and I want you back before I go out. X
"Sorry to be a buzzkill, but it looks like I am needed back at home by my lovely mum, who insists on acting like more of a teenager then her seventeen-year-old daughter." I say sighing, not really wanting to stay in an empty house again.
"I'll walk you back then baby." West say's, Making everyone speechless. We quickly say bye to Annie and Mark, and I give a brief smile to Rose before me and West start walking back.
After walking/wheeling for forty minutes, we finally come up to my drive.
"So, today wasn't too bad, was it? There were some good bits." West say's leaning against the driveway wall.
"Definitely better than I thought it would be, mainly because of you though." I reply smiling, wheeling closer to West till I'm in front of him.
"Oh is that so and why might that be?" He asks, holding his hands out to pull me up after I undo my lap belt.
"Hmmmm... Well there was that incident on the way there, there was the yellow top in the changing room and then Taco Bell if I remember all that correctly." I say, relaxing into his arms, which are around my waist loosely. West slowly bends his head to place a kiss on my lips, before pulling away and looking at me.
"Do you want me to come in with you beautiful?" He asks, and I smile, already knowing the answer.
"Yes please, if you're sure?" I reply, I then kiss me once more before sitting back down in my chair and we head towards my front door. As I enter the house, I can hear my mum in the living room, me and west quickly put our stuff down and I head in first, West following behind.
"Mum, I'm home!" I shout above the TV, which she seems to have on extra loud for some reason.
"Where have you been? I've been expecting you back for ages." My mum says as she turns to face me from her regular position on the sofa.
"I told you I was going out today and that I'd see you later on tonight, I was at the mall with some friends and I had to walk back." I say sighing, wondering when she'll notice West.
"Yeah, I got your note. Are you not going to introduce me to your friend?" She reply's, nodding towards West, here goes nothing, but before I can say anything, he beats me to it.
"Hi, my name's West, I met Effie at a support group a few day's ago." He speaks calmly, which doesn't surprise me.
"Nice to meet you West. I'm off out tonight Effie and I won't be back till the morning, West, your welcome to stay if you want, see you in the morning Effie." And with that last statement, my mum is up and gone like she was never there to begin with, which leaves me and West.
"Is she always like that?" West asks, coming around to face me.
"What Devoid of emotion and selfish, yep pretty much, apart from if her bipolar and depression play up." I sigh, I don't even want to know what West is thinking right now.
"Do you want me to stay? It's completely up to you and I won't try and change your mind or anything, just tell me what you want me to do." West ask's, bringing up the elephant in the room.
"I wouldn't mind the company. Will you need to get any clothes or anything?" I say, lifting my head up to smile.
"if you don't mind me sleeping shirtless, I should be alright baby." And as he says that, I can already tell they'll be a smirk.
"Well, I'm not staying down here, I'm off upstairs, if you want a drink or a snack, you know where the kitchen is babe." I say smirking as I head towards the lift, but then West sneaks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my neck.
"Do you want anything beautiful?" he asks as I feel him smile against my neck.
"There's a couple of cans of cider in the fridge as well as some chocolate if you'll be ever so kind." I say, relaxing into his neck.
"Anything for you babe." He gives me a couple of teasing kisses on my neck and then goes to the kitchen, I gather up my thoughts and head upstairs to my room, preparing myself for the night. 522Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlQuBPB0W7u
