playboy | joshler ✓

- one -

Josh hated having to come to Joseph Enterprises to pick up Audrey. He hated the whole 'we have a lot of money here, and you could be trying to steal it' aura he got when he entered. But, Audrey worked here, and he had no other choice.

Him and Audrey had been roommates for six years now, and at this point, they were best friends. He couldn't just tell her to take the bus home.

As expected, the receptionist gave Josh a suspicious look, taking in his informal attire. Josh had gone to work in sweatpants and a hoodie today, too exhausted to put any real effort into his image. Being in a building full of people in pencil skirts and spotless suits, Josh stood out like a sore thumb.

Josh didn't pay any attention to the receptionist, though. He collapsed into one of the leather seats in the lobby, sighing. Pulling out his phone, he sent a quick text to Audrey to say that he was here, and then pocketed his phone and relaxed into the comfy chair.

He closed his eyes, to try and undo the tense feeling still in him from working for too long. His hands still had streaks of paint, as his clothes (and, most likely, his face). He had been late to pick up Audrey, and hadn't been able to stop by their apartment to take a quick shower.

A drowsy feeling started to overtake Josh, so he instead chose to stand. He didn't want to fall asleep in a building full of people that had big egos. He'd be humiliated and probably kicked out.

"Josh!"

Said boy turned around and smiled in relief upon seeing Audrey. She was walking as fast as her high heels allowed her, holding two cups of coffee in her hands.

"You look terrible." She stated as soon as she was close enough.

Josh scoffed but accepted the coffee she held out. "Nice to see you too, Audrey."

"No, seriously." The two began to walk to the exit. "Are you still working on that one piece?"

"The kitten one?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah," Josh nodded. "It's taking longer than I thought. I love cats and all, but my boss needs to chill. I wasn't even planning on giving her daughter anything for her birthday, but here I am, spending entire nights on a piece that won't even be mine."

Audrey shook her head. "You're too sweet Joshua. You'd never turn down your boss."

As much as Josh hated it, he knew it was true. Things were worse when he had his naturally colored hair and no tattoos or piercings. He just looked like a very nice and kind person. His boss, and other people, saw that, and took advantage.

In the end, Josh had been inspired by how Audrey dealt with it - she had been treated the same way - and did the same. Both helped each other to dye their hair, and gripped each other's hand when getting a tattoo, and cheered whilst the other got all of their piercings.

"You don't turn down your boss either," Josh challenged.

Audrey rolled her eyes. "My boss is the CEO of this whole place. If I turn him down, I get fired."

The two got in the car, Josh in the driver's seat. With no way to argue against that, Josh opted to pout at his roommate. "Don't point out my flaws, A."

"You point out mine."

"Because we're bestfriends."

Audrey chuckled. "What a great reason."

Josh turned the key of the car and drove to their apartment.

"Do you have plans for tonight?" Audrey asked, twisting herself in her seat to face Josh.

"Um, yeah. I want to finish a piece. Not the kitten one."

"Oh, my God, Joshua. You spend all your time in your studio!" Audrey complained. "C'mon, don't let me come to my business party alone."

Josh shrugged sheepishly. "I'm more comfortable in there. People can be scary."

"Okay, so you're a little shy, but I'll be there the whole time."

"I don't know," Josh groaned hesitantly. "That piece has been bugging me. I don't know what to put for its focus."

"You need some distraction," Audrey declared. "It's tonight, so you have no work tomorrow. Josh, you can't say no to a party on a Friday night."

"I can if it will interfere with my mood." Josh countered. "I'll lose inspiration."

"You don't have inspiration, you said so yourself!" Audrey scoffed.

"I don't even work at this stupid company, I can't just tag along." Josh said instead of arguing that he had a lot of inspiration, because he really had none.

"You sure can. I'm the assistant of the CEO of this company, I'm like fourth in charge." Josh's roommate grinned.

Josh groaned, knowing he had lost this debate. "Fine, I'll go to your dumb party."

Audrey cheered, clapping. "It's for your own good, Joshy!"

Josh shook his head and sighed. "I'll be wasting valuable time."

"No, you might even find your piece's focus!"

"Right, I'll totally find my piece's focus at your business party, A."

"Oh, shush. You just might." Audrey snickered. "You never know."