The Story of Chloe Burbank

Chapter 2: Holding Hands

"...twelve ounces of marijuana, a water bong, fifteen nudie mags, and to top it all off, it was in a stolen car! And how old are you?"
"15"

Chloe gradually came into consciousness. The TV was still on, probably had been for hours. She woke up just in time to see two police officers shove a-was that a kid?!- into the back of their squad car. She groaned and re-burrowed back into the covers.

Chloe blindly stuck her hand out where Joji's chest should have been, but wasn't. She mumbled under her breath and sat up. Through the sliding glass door she saw Joji sitting on the balcony, his feet up on the table and cigarette in hand. She wrapped a blanket around her and shuffled outside to meet him.

"Morning." Joji called, a grin spreading across his face.  Chloe sat down on the chair beside him. "What time did you wake up?" She yawned.

"About an hour ago, but I just got off the couch a few minutes ago."

"Why didn't you wake me up?" She whined, picking up and opening her pack of Camel Turkish Golds.

Joji always made fun of her, laughing saying, "Why even bother smoking if you're gonna get the pussiest shot on the market?"
Which she'd reply with:
"Why bother going to the store if you're gonna pick the nastiest flavor?"

She pouted and flicked the lighter. She despised when she was the last one up, even if it was just the two of them, she hated being the only one asleep. It made her feel like a burden.

"Because." He said simply, as if it explained everything.
"Fair enough." She nodded, because it did.

There's something about sleeping with somebody, not sex, though the sex was amazing, but actually sleeping next to each other...fluffy shit like that they secretly loved, but would never admit to it.
"You hungry?" Joji asked, blowing chemical ridden smoke out into the beautiful fresh Brooklyn air.
"Starved." Chloe remarked, doing the same.

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"So I'm thinking of starting up some new music." Joji told as he popped a donut hole in his mouth.
Another one of their things, the tiny little coffee shop a block from his apartment was their go-to hang out. The coffee was absolutely disgusting and the pastries were always stale, but the seats pulled the slack with their ethereal comfiness.

Chloe poured sugar packets in her coffee. "For Pink Guy or the show in general?"
"Neither, actually. I'm thinking about making my own music. Joji music you know. Apart from the show."

Chloe raised her eyebrows.

"I'm thinking of kinda like a low light kinda sound. Chill, staring out your window at 3:00 in the morning listening to the rain, smoke music, Melancholy-Mellow music."

"I dig. How do you think the fans'll react?"

Joji shook his head and furrowed his brow.

"I'm not sure. I mean I hope they like it...but it's more for me you know. I don't even know if I'll release it. I may just keep it around for us and a few friends and all that..."
He trailed off. Chloe reached over the table and squeezed his hand.
"Hey...look at me,"
Joji lifted his head and met her big beautiful eyes.
"You don't owe them anything." Chloe said with a loving voice.
Joji released a breath he didn't know he was holding. He felt relieved, and he wasn't quite sure why. He squeezed her hand back.
"Thanks for reminding me."
"Any time."
They held their gaze in a comfortable silence. 
And it was just like Uma Thurman said it would be.
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Joji and her held hands on the walk home, and they both knew that could only mean one thing. Joji practically slammed the door shut behind them and they both immediately starting taking their clothes off and raced towards his room.
           ----------------------------

Joji and Chloe lay on their backs beneath the comforters of Joji's semi-broken Full sized bed, looking at the ceiling and panting

Chloe checked the time on her phone and slowly sat herself up. "I better get going." Joji groaned and gave her his ugliest sad face. She laughed and jokingly threw the covers in his face. "Help me find my shirt."
Joji rolled off the bed and onto the floor. "I don't wanna move."
"Me either, but I gotta shift in two hours."
"That's two whole hours away." He whined, rolling over and sitting up.

"You know damn well if I don't go now I never will. I am a professional procrastinator, and it's taking every fiber in my being to get out of bed and put on these goddamn leggings so help me find my shirt!" She chuckled. Joji walked into the kitchen and retrieved her hoodie from the floor and strut back in. He tossed it to her and she slipped it over her head and redid her hair. She put her boots on at the door.

Joji held her at the door, and she hugged him back. He eased up enough to kiss her, and rock her side to side. She popped the elastic of his boxers and he gave a surprised yelp. She giggled and rushed out the door before he could get her back, yelling a quick "Bye, love you!" before she ran down the stairs. Joji grinned wide as he shut the door. "Love you too."