Shutter ❋ Joe Sugg AU

4 ❋ Joe

"Honest to god Caspar, if you don't clean up this mess I am moving out!" I shouted in desperation as I stood amongst the war zone that was once our kitchen. Dirty plates were littered everywhere, empty pizza boxes were stacked on the counter and there was a pungent smell wafting from one of the cupboards. I knew for a fact that all of this carnage was created by Caspar, because I always cleaned up after myself. That was our mutual agreement - whoever made the mess has to clean it up.

"It's not that bad Joe! Stop being a drama queen." Caspar said from his position on the couch. He had an xbox controller clutched in his hand and his long legs were propped up on the coffee table.

"Not that bad?! THE SMELL IS BURNING MY NOSTRILS!" I yelled out in frustration at his incurable laziness.

When he didn't respond it only fuelled my anger more. "That's it." I muttered under my breath as I walked out of the kitchen and towards our TV.

"Joe, I can't see! What... What are you doing?" He said as I bent down to unplug the entire system. The TV went blank and I turned around to face Caspar, my arms crossed firmly over my chest.

"What the fuck man!" Caspar yelled, but I wasn't going to budge on this.

"Clean up the kitchen."

"No."

"Do it."

"I said no!"

"FUCKING DO IT OR ELSE I'M THROWING THE XBOX OUT THE WINDOW." I yelled at the top of my lungs. I just hoped the old lady next door to us wasn't listening.

Caspar looked genuinely worried by my threat, and his gaze flickered to the console with panic. "Okay, let's not do anything drastic here Joe. I'll clean up the kitchen, alright?"

I watched with satisfaction as he hastily stood up from the couch and walked behind the kitchen counter. He began to pile the dishes into the dishwasher, while occasionally shooting a suspicious glance back at me. I allowed myself a smug grin before settling down on the couch to watch him clean.

I made sure that the kitchen was spotless before I let him retire, and even though he probably hated me now I knew he would get over it.

"Good job Casp!" I said when he was finally finished. I followed up my praise with a firm pat on the shoulder, but it was a mistake because he punched me hard in the arm.

I winced from the pain and decided to let him get back to his game. I walked downstairs because I didn't really want to be in the lounge with Caspar, and when I got to my room I flopped down on my unmade bed.

It was raining today, and this had a depressing affect on my mood. I couldn't go outside, so I was forced to mope around the flat for the day - something which I have never enjoyed doing. Caspar had a shift at Monty's later tonight, so I knew I was in for a lonely few hours later on.

I was supposed to be out working, saving my money in a dead end job until I could make something of myself. I remember a few months ago when I made the move to London - I was so excited to be getting out of Bath, in fact the best day of my life was when I first set foot in our apartment. Back then I had ambitions, and I pictured myself rising to the top of the corporate ladder in less than a year. Or maybe I would become a film maker. Or maybe I would be a travel agent, visiting even more exciting places than London.

Back then I had plans, but after a few months of living off my petty life savings and clubbing most nights, I can't help but think that my life in London isn't working out the way I wanted it to.

That thought seemed particularly relevant today, as I lay on my bed staring at the off white ceiling. What the fuck was I doing with my life? I was supposed to be out chasing those dreams I had. Now they seemed out of my grasp, as if they were only a mirage shimmering in the distance. My money was slowly being drained and with it went my will to change.