Overkill // Joseph Quinn

18- chokehold

The email remains unattended throughout the past couple of days. I've been on a writing binge trying to figure out something to 'wow' Drew with, but nothing is sticking.

Overkill is still too new for me to let go of, even if it's just letting somebody simply listen to it. Joseph is the only one I consider listening since he's been bugging me about it ever since Jamie brought it up. I now sit beside Joseph who is trying to use my technique for gaining inspiration for music.

"It's as simple as looking at a plant and making metaphors about it?" He asks with a mouthful of food. He insisted on going back to our first outing since he's been in L.A. Marty was just as excited to see us like before.

I swallow the remaining bite in my mouth and shrug. "I guess, just depends on how you feel in the moment."

He laughs quickly and tosses his napkin into the trash bin next to us. He wipes his hands briefly along his jeans and looks over at me but I've been staring this whole time.

"It depends on how I feel about the plant?" He remarks sarcastically. I narrow my eyes at him for questioning my techniques and finish up my slice. I clean up after myself and begin my rant.

"For example, this flower," I stand up and pick the almost dead flower from the ground and hold it up in front of me, "such a beautiful aspect to this earth has now lost its beauty. But if you're in a positive mood, you can write about how it's still beautiful with its strength to still hold on. If you're in a bad mood, you can write about how such a good thing still has an end."

Joseph listens closely as his gaze on the flower is closer. He sticks his tongue out in concentration on what he wants to see the almost dead flower as. He hums softly before snapping his fingers together.

"I like the first one better." He smiles widely and takes the flower from my hands. He places it back in its rightful place and nods his head in satisfaction. "Still beautiful."

I smile at his choice and pick another flower from the ground. I spin around to see his reaction, but he stills holds a smile.

"Are you wanting me to come up with something on my own now?" He asks and I nod in response. He takes in a deep breath and eyes the fully bloomed and vibrant flower that I've ripped away from its natural place. "I think that flower can appreciate you picking it, even if it's not where it's supposed to be. Maybe it's happy you chose it because that means it stood out to you."

My jaw slightly drops at his effortlessness. I nod my head in approval and take a glance at the flower before putting it back next to the wilted one.

It took me a while to make myself get out of the house. If it wasn't for Joseph practically begging me to escape, I would still be at home frantically writing for Drew. I've tried to keep every negative thought about my life recently to myself to avoid the ending of Joseph and I's last hangout. The biggest blow in my life right now is Jo, but I'm still able to keep those thoughts stored away until I'm back home alone again.

"Are you excited to go back to Atlanta?" Joseph asks as we walk side by side through downtown L.A. I keep my eyes forward and think of my answer.

"Honestly, yeah. As much as I love being here, Atlanta has already become my second home." I look over and see Joseph smiling at my answer, keeping his eyes forward. I smile too. "What about you?"

He sighs and shrugs, unsure.

"Everyone is lovely. I just sometimes miss the calm and quiet. Nothing is calm and quiet when everyone is together." He exaggerates the last sentence which makes me laugh.

We suddenly stumble upon a small tent that's open to the public. There's a variety of different antique jewelry and other items that would look amazing in my apartment. I'm instantly drawn to the old wooden patterns and clocks that date back to at least the 50's.

"Look at this!" I hesitate to grab it due to its possible fragility, but the chipping of the wood grabs my eye. It's an old jewelry box that has a little lock in the middle. The lock looks like it's about to fall off, but it's still so adorable.

"How are you guys doing this afternoon?" The presumable owner of this shop approaches Joseph and I.

"I'm great. Where did you get all of this stuff?" I turn my attention back onto the jewelry box and rub my fingers delicately around the paint.

"Oh, I've been collecting this stuff since I could remember. I don't have much room for a lot of it anymore so I figured I'd give it to those who appreciate it just as much. And you seem like a perfect candidate." The older man smiles and points at the box I'm currently obsessing over.

"Would you like me to get this for you?" Joseph whispers softly into my ear. I look up at him almost instantly and suddenly regret it as our noses gently brushed against one another. I swallow down my rush of nervousness and he pulls away after 5 long seconds.

"N-no, I can get it. How much is it?" I look over at the man again as he places his hands on his hips.

"It's all yours for the cost of nothing. You seem like you'll take good care of it." His smile is crooked I now notice which brings me some sort of comfort. "Please, take a look around."

I take his offer as well as the jewelry box that's already in my possession. I go over to the jewelry and spot a familiar looking ring.

"This looks like the one I wear on set." I pick it up to show Joseph. He takes it from me and studies it for a while but I'm already off to another section of the small tent.

Everything is so perfect I almost want to sell this nice man out. If I had no other plans for the day I would, but this box will do me just fine. After a while of searching around, I have to force myself to get out of this tent.

"Before you go," The old man gets up from his seat and approaches me, "in case you'd like any thing else in the future. I'm sure not many will come around." He hands me a crinkled piece of paper with a number and name on it. I smile and nod appreciatively.

"Thank you, George. I have a feeling all of this will soon be in my apartment." I joke and wave him goodbye.

"He was nice." Joseph speaks genuinely as we continue walking. I take a second to study his demeanor and he seems to be happy. I wonder if he enjoys being around me as much as I enjoy being around him. It's like my aura changes from a dark, gloomy purple to a bright, happy orange. He's strangely, yet so easily, capable of switching around my mood.

A smile is spread across my face on our journey back to my apartment. I love getting new things especially when they've been noticeably loved by the previous owner. George really seemed to have a love for these things as do I. My cheeks almost cramp up with my wide smile that everyone probably thinks I'm crazy for.

"Eden?"

I furrow my brows and look up at Joseph who looks just as confused. Both of us had already stopped in our tracks, but the smile still remained strongly on my face. I turn to my side and didn't see anybody, the same on the other side. I finally turn around as the person called my name again and my smile was instantly dimmed to a frown. I almost wanted to cry and run away from her and Joseph. I wanted to take the jewelry box out of Joseph's hands and crumble it to the ground to have it feel the same as my heart does in this moment.

"What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see your sister?"

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shits.. about.. to go.. down

work and school have been kicking my butt. my brain is too tired to be creative ;(((((

love you guys though, i still see all your nice messages!!!!!!!!!!