The lost son ~John Frusciante and Josh Klinghoffer

85. What you're smoking Mary Jane

Do you want me to put out a completely crazy chapter? I'm bored with this story and I wanna write something more exciting.
Love you guys 💕
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Sadly, we didn't get to meet our flatmate that day as she was at work.
"She's a bartender, she works afternoon and night shifts." The real estate agent told me and Maggie.
"She's a girl! I told you, Josh! I knew it!" Maggie whispered into my ear and kissed my cheek.
"I'm sure we'll get on just fine." I told the agent.
I signed the lease contract for 6 months and we were allowed to move in right away. I really hoped it was a good decision, even though my gut instinct told me so.

We carried all of our stuff into the flat and were pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of red wine and two glasses, along with a really nice note from the real estate agent on the kitchen table.
"Are we gonna have a drink?" Maggie asked me.
"You're too young to drink, kiddo." I said and ruffled her hair.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yep. Alcohol is for adults."
"I thought sex is also for adults only..." Maggie messed with me.
"Shit, okay, fine. But we'll only have one glass." I said.

None of us managed to take a sip as we heard someone unlock the door to the flat.
"That's our flatmate!" Maggie whispered to me.
God, I hoped that she was cool.
We heard footsteps getting closer and closer to us, and then we finally saw her.

A young girl stepped into the kitchen with a big smile on her face. She had jet black hair with a short fringe and was wearing ripped black jeans and a Led Zeppelin t-shirt. When I looked closer, I noticed that she had 2 piercings in her lips and one in her nose. I got a feeling that we were gonna get along just fine.
"Hey, guys! I'm so excited to meet you! I'm Mary. Mary Jane, actually." She said.
"Hi! I couldn't wait to finally see you! Oh my gosh, you're stunning! I absolutely love your style! I'm Maggie and this is my boyfriend Josh!" My girlfriend introduced us and hugged the girl.
I went ahead and gave her a hug as well.
"Nice to meet you, Mary Jane. That's such a great name." I said.
"Yeah, it's probably the only thing I'm grateful to my parents for. Look at us, all rocking band shirts and all. I couldn't wish for better flatmates than you guys!" Mary said.
"And what about your previous flatmate?" Maggie asked her.
"Ah, her name was Stephanie. I loved her so much. She was a musician and she moved to Ireland last month 'cuz she got a record deal." Mary explained.
"Josh is a musician too!" Maggie said.
I lightly kicked her in the ankle and mouthed "what are you doing".
"And how about you?" Mary asked Mag.
"Oh, I just graduated from high school. But I used to model." Mag said.
"Really? Yeah, I can totally see that. You're stunning." Mary told her.
"She was on the cover of Vogue." I said and wrapped my arm around Maggie's waist.
"Oh, wow. That's amazing! How did you do that, girl?" Mary asked.
"My friend's a photographer... That's a long story. But please, tell us something about yourself, MJ." Maggie asked.
"MJ? That's new. You're American, aren't you?" Mary asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry, we often refer to one another with initials. Yeah, we're from LA." Mag explained.
"Wow, how cool is that? I've always wanted to go to LA!" Mary said.
"We'll be more than happy to take you there!" I said.
"What are you even doing in London?" She asked us.
"Well, I fell in love with the city when we visited London last year. So I talked Josh into moving here as soon as I graduate." Maggie said.
"And where are you from, Mary Jane?" I asked.
"I'm from Birmingham. I guess it's time for me to share my story. But before that, can I have some of that wine?" She asked.
I nodded and she look a large sip straight from the bottle.
"Okay. So I'm 20 and I've been living here for 2 years. Well, not exactly here. I was homeless for the first 3 months. Then, when I finally found a job, I lived in a room with 3 different people for a year. Eventually I saved up some money and found this place. I helped renovating the entire flat so that I could afford the rent. So yeah, I designed the kitchen and both rooms..." Mary said.
"You designed them? You're so talented!" Maggie told her.
"So you ran away from home?" I asked.
Mary emptied the bottle of wine, looked down and nodded.
"Do you wanna talk about it? I'm there to listen." I told her.
"No... There's nothing to talk about, really. My parents are jerks. My dad is an alcoholic who used to beat my mom and me. I'd rather be homeless here than live with them again..." Mary said and started sobbing.
"Come here. You poor thing. I'm so sorry." Maggie told Mary Jane and pulled her into a hug.
"I'm sorry you had to go through this, MJ." I said and also gave her a hug.
"Did I tell you that I love your t-shirt?" Mary asked me.
I nodded and smiled awkwardly. I was wearing a worn out t-shirt with Radiohead's OK Computer album cover on it.
"Are you a fan of Radiohead?" I asked Mary.
"I wouldn't call myself a fan, but I enjoy their music." She replied.
"Josh's voice is so similar to Thom Yorke's, that's crazy! You have to hear him sing!" Maggie said, visibly excited.
"Babe, what are you talking about? I feel so awkward whenever you praise me like that." I told Maggie.
My face turned bright red.
"I'd love to hear you sing, Josh!" Marry told me.
"No, no, no way." I protested.
"Oh, come on." Mary persisted.