Joe Keery Imagines

Rocket's Red Glare-Joe Keery

Joe's POV

I walked into my apartment, the weight lifting off my shoulders as I shut the door. I took my backpack off my shoulders and plopped it onto the table. I opened it and immediately started emptying it. Once the contents were spread around the table, I ran my fingers through my hair. I was just about to sit down when my phone started ringing.

"Hey," I answered.

"What are your plans tonight?" Dacre asked.

"Nothing," I shrugged, finally sitting down.

"Nothing?" He scoffed. "Come on, man. It's the Fourth of July."

When I didn't say anything, Dacre sighed. "Look, I know you haven't been feeling like yourself since the breakup. I get it. But it's been two months. You can't keep living like this, man."

"Dacre," I sighed, trying to interrupt him but he was on a roll.

"You've done nothing but work the past two months, Joe," Dacre continued. "You come to work and then you go home. We invite you to get dinner or drinks almost every day and you always refuse. I get you need time, but you can't keep yourself locked up forever."

"I know," I mumbled. "I just. . . I'm not ready."

"I understand," Dacre sighed. "I don't want to push you, Joe, but we're worried about you. If you're up for it, Matt and Ross are hosting a Fourth of July party at Matt's house. It's at 7 if you're up for it."

"I'll think about it," I said even though I knew I wouldn't go.

* * * * *

Later that night, I was watching a Fourth of July movie marathon, slowly drinking through a six-pack. I muted the tv when I heard the fireworks starting. I went out onto my balcony and watched as the sky began to light up.

I nearly dropped my beer when a blood-curdling scream broke through the fireworks. I looked down but saw no one hurt or screaming for help. I didn't realize where the scream was coming from until another firework went off. That's when it all clicked.

My next-door neighbor, Y/N.

Y/N's lived in the building longer than I have. I didn't know much about her. She pretty much keeps to herself. From the gossip that's spread around the building, Y/N was in either the Army or the Navy until she was medically discharged. The rumor is that she was taken as a POW in Afghanistan or Iraq or Iran and was tortured. The country changes every version. So does the level of tragedy. 

I put my beer bottle on the table outside, not caring that it fell over. I turned on my heel and ran out of my apartment. I stood in front of her door, knocking as hard as I could.

"Y/N!" I yelled. "Y/N, it's me. It's Joe. Open up!"

I held my breath but couldn't hear anything coming from inside. I knocked again, but still nothing.

"Come on, Y/N," I mumbled. I cleared my throat, raising my voice. "Y/N, I thought. . . I thought I heard a scream. Are you alright? If you're okay, say something. Please."

I raised my hand to knock but a stream of fireworks went off. As soon as they went off, Y/N screamed from inside.

"Y/N!!" I tried yelling but the fireworks lasted longer than expected. I pounded on the door and rattled the doorknob. My heart jumped into my throat when I heard Y/N sobbing inside. I took a few steps back when I realized what had to be done.

"I'm sorry, Y/N," I mumbled.

I brought my leg up and kicked in the door. I felt a little guilt when I saw the broken door but that went away when another firework went off and Y/N let out another scream.