The Look Of Knowledge

19. Physics

Present

Albert

Julian's foot was impatiently tapping the floor and even though I understood his concern, he was annoying the crap out or me.

I think Julian built something up out of Rich. He wasn't really that bad. Was he imprudent and careless? Yes. Was he crazy and stoned 24/7? Well, yes. But would he really hurt Mika? Or course not, he would't do that.

"Jules..."

"It's almost been half an hour" he stated fixing his eyes on the pack of cigarettes I left on the table.

"Dude, you don't just break up in five minutes a relationship of years" he was still staring at my cigarettes, it looked like he really wanted a smoke.

"You quit right?" I asked, knowing the answer but more intending to make Julian remember that.

"I did. Almost two years now." he said taking the box and observing the package. "Juliet quit too, for the pregnancy and all.. I thought I should be there for her"

"I'm proud of you, man. You've been a great dad. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you lately..." I began, I know Julian had it rough when he was little, and when I found out Juliet was expecting his baby I thought it would destroy him, but he got it together. Obviously he had to abandon his other baby to take care of the new one. Nick didn't seem very understanding of the situation when Julian started to back off the band but I know him. He'll find his balance, I know.

"Thanks, I'm the worst tho" He put down the Marlboros and looked at me. "I gotta tell you something. I mean, I don't have to but I thought you should hear it from me before it leaks and you read it in the tabloids" his voice was uneasy and I know I wasn't gonna like his news but I listened anyway.

"Spill" I said.

"I'm.. starting a new project, with some dudes I met, Alex.. and Jeff Kite, you know them"

"Yeah, they're from Phrazes, right? Are you recording a new album?" I asked. To be honest, I was partly mad, because I was really expecting to get the band together to do stuff. But this was obviously going to create a barrier between me and what I wanted for The Strokes.

"No, not yet at least. It's just a new band I formed, nothing formal, it's just, like, we're experimenting and doing things I've always wanted to try that don't fit with the sound of The Strokes, you know.." I just nodded, I wasn't just mad, in my mind I punched him twice. But there was no point with Julian, he was always gonna do whatever he wanted or felt he needed to do. I hated the fucking thought of him having another fucking band but I was used to cope with his shit.

He looked at me, his eyes expecting feedback.

"Alright man, you gotta do what you gotta do" I simply said, deciding not to go further into that subject. I knew he'd always wanted something else to fulfill his musical needs. Julian's very hard to please, believe it or not. But anyway, the more I thought about it, the more I understood him. You can't fight the music.

"Remember that guy Beardo we saw playing in L.A? Well, he's co-" Julian was cut off by a slamming door. We both turned our heads to the hallway and Julian immediately stood up.

A red eyed Mika walked quickly towards the main door holding luggage on her both hands. As she passed next to us she threw Julian a fulminating look and backed off before he could get anywhere near her.

"Go fuck yourself" she said to him coldly as she opened up the door and stormed out of my house.

I was just as puzzled as Julian, who looked at me furrowing his eyebrows.

"Man, what did you do?" I asked, sure of the fact it had to be something really bad to piss Mika off like that. She always likes to talk problems through, but it looked like she had no intention of doing that with Jules.

"I don't... I don't fucking know" he babbled nervously. Suddenly his face changed to white and his eyes widened. "...Shit."

He rushed to the door almost tripping with a step and ran off, leaving my door half opened. I walked up there and closed it, then a sigh escaped my lips.

My thoughts went from what the fuck happened with Mika to if I should go talk to Rich or something. But then I realized Jimmy Fallon was on an probably missed the first 5 minutes of it.

So I jumped on the couch and turned on the T.V.