An alarm clock set off across joes apartment. It was cozy, boom dust filled the room, and Joe had fallen asleep awkwardly on the couch with his laptop open, it had fallen to the side, awkwardly leaning against one of his open legs and the couch seat.
Immediately he let out a low throaty groan, feeling the dull ache in his neck like he'd slept wrong,
'Jesus Christ-'
He blinked in the sun light quietly, his fluffy hair going everywhich way in curls, looking down at the laptop that had gone into sleep mode, he tapped the sensor curiously, Ella's Facebook opened immediately,
'Was I really up that late researching- oh fuck my neck'
He yawned, logging out of the page swiftly before shutting his laptop and tossing it to the side, getting up with a stretch.
"What is that smell-" he stopped, slowly leaning in to smell himself, "that's me, ew" he grumbled, shoving off the sweater he had fallen asleep in. They were still yesterdays clothes, Joe had been so engrossed in Ella's life, he had fallen asleep. He noticed the personal items he had taken from her apartment, they had been carelessly thrown onto his coffee table, he patted his body, before looking around sleepily, clicking his fingers and walking into the other room, he came back out holding a box, it wasn't labeled, and when he took the lid off, there was only one item inside. A single photo of Ella inside her apartment. That was it, but with the added company of some underwear and a tampon. He shoved them in, closing the box and moving to his bathroom, glancing up at the roof, before looking at the toilet, stepping up as if it was a step ladder and removing one of the roof tiles, slipping the box in and placing the tile back in its spot.
"Out of sight, out of mind,"
Soon enough Joe took a shower, finally, he hadn't even noticed the small trace of blood around his fingers, scrubbing it off under the shower head, even using some pine soap he had. He smelt enough men to realise they did indeed, need soap.
Joe dressed in a plain light blue button up and some dark jeans. Struggling to get his shoes on when he realised he was running so late. Tripping as he hopped on one foot, attempting to grab his book bag.
'Shit, shit, shit,'
*
Joe almost ran into the door as Ethan stood inside, finalising the till for the day.
"Good afternoon boss," he smiled,
'Why are you always happy? Probably cause your getting laid,' Joe thought, entering the bookstore and grabbing his apron from the door.
"Sorry- sorry I ah- slept in," he muttered, stretching his neck without realising it, he noted the cheesy eighties music already playing in the store, it was his fault for being late.
"Check it out," he smirked, placing a tray onto the counter, "chia and caramel muffins,"
Joe eyed the muffins with a fake interest, "did you make these?" He questioned,
"Yeah! To practice for the opening of summer regions book, I thought why not!" He motioned to them,
'I would rather eat my own foot'
Joe smiled awkwardly, grabbing one of the muffins, taking a small bite, nodding, "it's ah.."
'Dry,'
"Good," he smirked. Chewing the food and placing the half eaten muffin back into the plate, "save it for me pal," he smirked, stepping back and grabbing the trolley that was already waiting for him.
Joe scooted the trolley to a corner aisle, looking down at the small ladder, stepping up and going through some books that needed to be stocked, Joe pulled his phone out of the sleeve in his apron, he'd already gotten access to her messages, it was easy, he found her number linked into whatever social sight she was apart of, it took a little digging, but it was there.
'Shit, your neighbour died, what a shame' he thought, scrolling through the newest texts of the morning.
Joe almost dropped his phone when a woman's voice interrupted his snooping, quickly dropping his phone into the pocket of his apron,
"Ella?! Hey- ah- sorry you scared me," he laughed, scratching the back of his neck as he stepped off the ladder.
"I'd guess you, but maybe that's to easy," he smirked playfully,
'Trust me Ella, you can waste all my time'
Eyeing her, he carefully moved around her in the right space, "your book is right behind the counter where I left it,"
He walked backwards before turning on his heel, scooting Ethan out the way before ducking down to grab the book, 'now is your chance, ask her on a date,'
Joe scanned the book, but before taking the cash from her he stopped, "forgive me if this is forward, ah, I was just wondering.."
'Spit it out, why are woman so hard to talk to?'
"There's this book opening this weekend, it's at some flashy new bookstore across town, but all the locals are invited,- did you maybe- you don't have, you can bring a friend if you want, ah-"
'I can feel my balls disappearing,'
"Did you want to maybe come with me? Go- go with me," he clarified. Trying to ignore Ethan in the corner who was obviously listening by the goofy smile on his face.
