The Desired Effect

Novemeber Nights

Jaz and Poppy had spent the past hour sipping green tea at their tiny kitchen table, discussing Poppy's job offer. Their kitchen was cosy, just enough room for a few cupboards, a small fridge which only contained a small carton of milk, an apple and a handful of potatoes, the 2 person circular table and a sink. It was just right for Jaz and Poppy. Sunbeams shone through the large window, illuminating the room.

"Look babe, there's nothing more I can say to convince you" Jaz announced, moving her hands from her mug to take Poppy's free hand, her pale eyes looking to lock with Poppy's tired ones. "Just think about it yeah, don't be hasty and don't be picky. You only live once" Jaz punctuated her sentence with a laugh and broke her serious smirk with a massive giggle. Poppy's serious expression also faded into a light smile. "I tell you what!" Jaz announced, slapping her palms onto the table, startling Poppy slightly. "Let's invite a few people around and have some drinks tonight, give your brain a break" Jaz nodded to herself as she spoke, as if praising her own idea.

"Ok" Poppy nodded a little less enthusiastically. Poppy wasn't so keen about partying especially considering she was underage over here. That hasn't stopped her from enjoying herself though. The girls would often have friends around, most of them being Jaz's college friends or the musician type that Poppy had been working with, so most of them were at least 21. The age difference on the whole wasn't an issue, Poppy is the worldly and mature kind. People were often baffled by her age, 'you look so young but you're so confident and smart' they would often say. Poppy would just shrug and carry on drinking or whatever it was she was doing.

As soon as the idea settled, Jaz was on her phone, inviting people over. Then she began to clean up the flat. For a moment, Poppy took the opportunity to watch her friend, a welcomed distraction from the chaos in her mind. She was completely torn between taking the job and leaving it. She would convince herself out of it but her thoughts always came back to the fact that she was currently jobless. 'I'll sleep on it' she eventually told herself and turned her attention to preparing for the evening. Jaz was playing some indie Lo-fi to through her speaker, getting them both in the party mood. They cleaned up their rooms before decluttering and sanitising the kitchen and bathroom. When satisfied, Jaz took a trip to the local cheap liqueur store while Poppy went to the supermarket for some oven pizzas, chips and other snacks and mixers.

By time they returned, the daylight began to fade and night was upon them. It wasn't long before they had company.

"Come in, come in!" Jaz greeted the first influx of guests enthusiastically. In came their best friends Aya, Harry and Max. They were Jaz's college friends but they all got on like a house on fire. The guests strode into the kitchen and towards Poppy.
"Let's get this party started!" Aya cheered as the gang greeted Poppy with a lazy, big bear hugs, arms tangling around one another.
"Hey Jaz, you got ice?" Harry suddenly asked with a sense of urgency. The gaggle began to chatter and laugh as they fixed themselves drinks and settled in. They were shortly joined by another handful of friends. The tiny kitchen now overwhelmed with people. Alcohol and laughter was now in full flow.
"Right, if you're gonna smoke, do it by the fucking window!" Jaz demanded, shooting a signature glare in Max and Harry's direction. Laughter and more upbeat indie beats filled the small flat. Bodies filled up the small kitchen  and discarded beer cans began to litter any available surface.

Poppy was on her 3rd vodka coke and she was starting to feel the buzz. The edges of her vision was blurring and her mind was wandering with ease. She sat on the windowsill enjoying being within and without of the party for just a moment.
"Hey kid, you alright?" Harry sat down opposite her on the windowsill. Their shoes touching. His mucky white sneakers a contrast to her beaten and scuffed docs. They both smiled fondly at the sight before both turning to look down at the bustling street below.
"Yeah I'm good thanks, are you?" Poppy smiled, appreciating the company. Harry has become a sort of older brother figure to her.
"Good. Jaz tells me you've got a new job?" He announced, digging into his pocket.
"Oh..." Poppy swallowed, "um yeah" she nodded, surprising herself. 'I guess I'm taking that job then' she thought to herself.
"That's awesome kid, remember me when you're rich and famous yeah" he laughed, finally finding what he was rummaging for, his cigarettes and lighter.
"You're basically my big brother Harry" she sassed back, now watching him instead of the people below. He confidently pulled out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, the lighter in the opposite hand. In one swift movement he lit the cigarette and returned the lighter back to his pocket. Taking a deep, satisfying drag of the cigarette he closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
"Smoke?" He asked, suddenly dropping his head down to offer Poppy a drag. She nodded and leant forward, taking the burning cigarette from his fingers. Then she imitated Harry, closing her eyes as she took a deep drag, feeling the instant relief as the nicotine entered her blood. She savored the moment before handing it back to Harry. They enjoyed each other's company, watching the city buzz below and their friends make fools of themselves. All of a sudden Poppy felt a sense of relief and weight being lifted. She wanted that job. She would send an acceptance email first thing on the morning, she decided. She blamed the combination of alcohol, nicotine and Harry and Jaz's influence for the change of heart.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Meanwhile, over 2,500 miles away under the baking sun of Las Vegas, Brandon was heading home from a busy day at the studio. Being 3 hours behind New York, it was only 7pm there. Brandon had spent the day at the battle born studios, by himself trying to finish off the lyrics and chords for some of his songs. He was gearing up for recording his second solo album. His day had been somewhat successful but now he was tired and his hands began to ache. Jumping in his truck, he let out a yawn and prepared himself for the drive home. It was only a 20 minute stretch across town and away from the hustle of the city. Brandon drove steadily, the traffic quite low at that time of the evening. The sun was making its descent, casting an orange glow across the city. It was mid winter but the Vegas climate meant that the temperature always remained pretty high.

Relaxed by the drive, as always, Brandon stuck on the local rock station. The only good station in Vegas, in his opinion. He nodded his head and tapped his thumb against the steering wheel as he made his way home. He didn't like being home much, especially now. Since there was only him, it was a lonely place. Luckily Brandon didn't mind his own company but he still did what he could to not end up stuck alone at home for too long. He'd often visit his family or see if any of his few friends were in town. Tonight however, he was out of luck.

When he eventually arrived at his modest house, he set about fixing himself some dinner. He opted for his trusty chicken and rice along with a glass of icy coconut water. He stood waiting for the food to heat up, the worries that were at the back of his mind now edging forwards, slowly becoming the focus of his attention. It was all work related and he did his best to ignore them but they wouldn't budge. As soon as the food was ready he waltzed over to the sofa and ate. He was ok when he was busy but the second he was idle, his mind went into a autopilot and it had a knack for slipping into a negative downward spiral. Pushing his now empty bowl to one side, he held his head in his hands. He inhaled and closed his eyes, trying to ease his mind. The darkness in his mind scared him sometimes. Within seconds he pushed himself up and out of the chair, he had to do something to stop himself going insane. So he washed his dishes then got himself ready for an evening run. He didn't care how long he was going to run for, he just needed to get out and feel something, even if that meant feeling exhausted afterwards.