This Life • (J.C)

[-8-]

Joy awoke to the sound of soft snores; her neck muggy, covered in a thin layer of sweat. One eye at a time, her lids peeled open. She looked down, seeing the familiar dirty fingernails resting across her waist.

She sat up; Julian's limp arm sliding down to her hip as she looked over to observe the body next to her. Jules wasn't the only body in the bed with her; Fab was curled up behind Julian—his arm around Julian's neck.

She sighed, scooting out of the bed in annoyance. She was annoyed that she had to share a bed with Jules and Fab—annoyed she let herself drink so much last night.

Albert... fucking Albert.

But she couldn't really put all the blame on him; it had all been Julian's scheme of renting her room out like a brothel, giving away her keycard like a condom.

Joy stood at the end of the bed, staring down at the boys in confusion. If she had to describe the band to someone, she'd say they were like brothers. But looking at the them now... perhaps they were past that. It was puzzling to say the least, but it still made Joy giddy witnessing such a bromance.

Julian snorted, rolling over on his back—Fab's arm still draped over his neck, causing Julian's snores to grow louder.

Oh, fuck.

She remembered showing him the scars on her legs. She remembered him hooking his fingers in the elastic of her thong—the kiss below her navel as he mumbled against her flesh, asking if it made her uncomfortable. That wasn't the worst part; she remembered telling him that she didn't want him to stop.

She covered her face in embarrassment, making her way out of the room. She closed the door as quietly as she could, knowing deep down she could slam the damn thing and it still wouldn't wake them.

In a hungover haze, she walked to her room. Joy knocked on the door, hoping Albert would wake up. She needed a shower—now was the perfect time, considering the two people that always played tricks on her were passed out in their room.

Her soft knocks grew louder, silently praying that Al would answer the door. "C'mon." She groaned.

"Hey." A voice spoke behind her. Joy whipped around, confused to see Albert. She glanced back and forth between the door and Al.

"Wha- when did you get up?"

"About two hours ago." Albert spoke nonchalantly, taking a sip of coffee from his styrofoam cup.

"It'll be quick, huh?... Liar."

"I was quick. I was in and out in under twenty minutes." He smirked.

Her brows knitted befuddled. "Wha- then where were you all night?"

"With Ryan. The afterparty happened in his room. Sorry you weren't invited."

"So you're telling me that I had to piss in a glass vase for no reason, I could've just went to my own room last night?" She scoffed at her own stupidity.

His eyes narrowed skeptically. "I passed Julian in the hall last night, I gave him back your key. He... He didn't give it to you?"

"No." She huffed, rubbing her temples in a circular motion. "You mean to tell me that Jules has my key- that he's had it all night?"

Albert laughed. "Yeah, that's exactly what I'm telling you."

"Jesus Christ." She mumbled. "Well... can you get me back in their room? I guess I gotta retrieve my key."

"I mean... I can try." Al turned, strolling down the hall. Joy followed, her stomach twisting with nausea from last night's excessive alcohol consumption.

They stopped in front of Julian and Fabrizio's room, Albert giving the door a knock. "So what happened at the afterparty? What happens at those things?" She asked, trying to make conversation.

"Things you wouldn't approve of, which is why you're never invited." He grinned, knocking on the door again.

"How would you know?" Joy smirked.

"'Cause your job is to keep us in line. You see what kind of lines we cross... Well, you'd be pissed."

"So orgies, huh?" She snickered, watching Al pound the side of his fist against the door.

"No. Those you could be apart of." He winked. Albert turned his attention back to the door. "Police, open up!"

The sound of a groan followed. "Fuck off!"

"Now I'm really interested in what it is you guys do when I'm not around." Joy leaned into the wall, struggling to hold herself upright. The past three weeks she'd had a hangover, but this was the mother of all hangovers. Not to mention the embarrassment she had; brought on by herself with the whole "Julian" situation.

God, please don't remember it, she thought to herself. If he did remember it, she hoped he wouldn't bring it up.

Albert continued pounding away at the door, declaring himself a police official. "We gotta tip, we know about the kilos of coke!"

"God, go away!" Julian yelled, followed by the sound of thumping and scuffles.

"Not til you open the door." Albert sipped his coffee, casually glancing down the hall.

"I just want my key, Jules. Just give me back my key." Joy spoke through her teeth, pinching the bridge of her nose. Albert was shaking his head, pursing his lips.

It apparently wasn't wise to admit that.

But to their surprise, the door swung open, revealing a tired eyed Julian. The side of his hair was in tangles and knots, the other side tousled—sticking up in random directions. His Bob Marley shirt was wrinkled; his eyes puffy with swollen lips.

"Here." Julian spoke with a crackling rasp. He flung the keycard at Joy—before it had time to fall to the floor, Julian had slammed the door in their faces.

Joy closed her eyes, releasing a tired breath, bracing herself to bend over and pick it up—she dreaded it. When she opened her eyes, Al was handing her the key.

"Thank you. Sometimes... I don't know what I'd do without you, I swear."

"It's not a problem. Sometimes you just gotta roll with it, play along." Albert sipped his coffee, turning back toward his room.

She nodded, keeping her eyes on Albert's back as he trailed down the hall. Play along—so that's what was happening. Everything was just a game and Joy just needed to "play along" to get through it.

It made sense; every time Albert went along with the craziness it simmered down quicker. A small smiled tugged at the corners of her lips. It was relieving to know that what had happened last night was all just a game.

But there was just one problem... Joy would be damned if she played along.