Another Sunny Afternoon (The Strokes Fan Fiction)

Paranoid Android

I stormed up the stairs in my apartment building.

It was almost 2 am, and the cab I was in somehow got stuck in traffic on the way home.

Julian had called about 7 times, leaving a voicemail with each one, sounding depressed. In one I could hear Albert say:

"Give it up, Julian. She won't answer you anytime soon, and soon enough she'll start avoiding you."

I sighed as I wiped my face with the back of my hand for the 6th time. I unlocked the door to be surprised that Fab and Nick are there, watching some 80's movie.

"Annabel Lee, you're finally home! I-"

Nick turned and the smile he had was erased from his face, replaced with a worried look.

"Annababy, are you alright?" Fab asked, getting up.

"I just need to go to bed, clear my head," I replied, scratching my scalp.

Fab raised his eyebrow, but sat back down.

Nick got up and opened the cabinet under the TV, taking out a bottle and handing it to me.

"I think you'll need it, just in case," he smiled at me.

I faked a smile. I gave him back the bottle and nodded.

"Thanks, but I'll just sleep."

But that didn't happen.

I tried to sleep, but every time I woke up, because of nausea and to go throw up.

And at one point I had thrown up so much, all that I was doing was dry heaving into the toilet. Fab had came in each time to hold my hair back and make sure I was alright.

When I finally did fall asleep, it was almost 7 a.m., and Nick and Fab sat next to my bed, almost like guard dogs.

"Get some sleep, we're leaving for the tour in 6 hours, and you'll need your rest for then," Fab smiled, patting my forehead.

But I didn't want to go anymore.

--------------------------------------------------------

"Annabel, are you alright? You don't look well," Ryan asked, moving my head.

He was right. I was pale, which is weird for my skin color, my hair looked flat, and my eyes were droopy.

"I had a long night," I told him, semi-lying.

"Well, alright. If you need anything, I'm in the back," he smiled, turning on his heels and walking away.

I looked around. Julian wasn't around yet, and I was pretty god damn thankful for that.

I felt nauseous again and I think Fab could tell, because he rushed over.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You wanna talk about what happened yesterday that has you so sick?"

The memories start to flow again, and I felt like going and sticking my head into the garbage can.

"It's with Julian, isn't it?"

"Fab unless you want me to fucking dry heave into that can over there, please, shut up."

"He stood you up, didn't he? Didn't he?"

"Fab, drop it. Can you just get me a ginger ale?" I asked him, sounding exhausted.

"Fine," he mumbled, walking away.

I groaned.

"Do you think she'll be here?" I could hear Julian ask.

"If she is, which she is, she'll avoid you at all costs, like I told you yesterday," Albert retorted.

"That was a stupid move you pulled yesterday Jules," Nikolai said.

"I agree Nikolai," I said out loud, my eyes closed.

"May Julian fucking Casablancas know that Annabel Lee Edgar Allan Joseph can't deal with bullshit like that, for it makes her psychically sick to her stomach."

"Well, Nikolai, let our dear little Annabel L know that Julian feels full remorse for what he did, and if he can kindly explain to her what happened, she wouldn't be so fucking sick to her damn stomach!"

"Fuck off Casablancas," I spit out coldly and nonchalantly through gritted teeth.

"Same to you, Joseph," he replied.

"That's why you're on fucking crutches, asshole."

"Oh, really? Well, at least I-"

"Okay, who's ready to go!?" Ryan came back in, joyfully with Nick and Fab.

"Not me!" I replied.

"Stop being like that," Ryan scolded me.

"I have any and every reason to be like this," I objected, making eye contact with Julian.

"Well, find a reason not to be, Annabel, cause this shit is not gonna work and I'm not going to treat you like a little kid."

"Fine."

"Alright, when we land in Japan, here's how hotel rooms will work. Albert and Fab in one, Nick and Nikolai in the next one, I have one alone, thank god, and Julian and A.L. in the last room."

God, why?

"Can I stay with you Ryan?" I begged him, getting up.

"No, A.L., it's final."

"Shit," I heard Julian mumble under his breath.

I thought the same.