Call it Fate, Call it Karma

Annoyance

Manic laughter could be heard from down the hall. I looked up to see Fab running down the hallway, carrying a couple shirts.

"Fabrizio!" I pulled away from Albert and stood myself up.

Fab continued to laugh as he jogged over to us. He was quite obviously laughing at Julian.

"It's not funny!" I said, shoving him.

"Look at him!" Fab pointed at Julian, who was still covered in his own vomit. He then turned to me, bewildered at the sight of me in my bra with a blazer draped over my shoulders. "Look at you!"

"Alright, you've had your laugh." I shook my head, kneeling down beside Julian. I signalled for Albert to get up. "Help us strip him down."

I snatched a shirt off Fab and pulled it on. I looked down at it to see it was covered in stains and someone had put out a cigarette on it at one stage. I was gonna scold him for it, but I'd rather that than a shirt covered in puke.

Albert sat Julian up and I pulled his shirt up over his head. I wiped his face with a clean part of the shirt, then tossing it away.

"Jade, go hail a cab and we'll bring him down." said Albert as him and Fab lifted Julian to his feet.

"Sure." I was thankful I got the easy job. Albert was probably feeling sympathetic for me.

I jogged downstairs so they could use the elevator and I ran out onto the street, immediately yelling at every passing taxi until one stopped. I informed the driver that my friends would be down in a second and I jumped in.

I looked out the window to see Fab and Albert dragging Julian over to the cab. I held the door open for them and they sat with Julian in the back.

The taxi driver looked at his watch, and then at Julian, and then at me. "Christ, it's barely six o'clock!" he gawked. "You kids are gettin' worse with every passin' generation!"

I forced a smile and said nothing as he started up the car and drove off. Mind your own business, prick.

"Just put him in my bed." I said as I gulped down a glass of water as soon as we got inside.

"Are you sure? I don't mind babysitting." asked Albert.

"Thanks, but it's okay. Go on." I waved my hand and Fab and Albert dragged Julian into my room.

I took a few deep breaths and fell onto the couch. I was exhausted. I picked up my phone and ordered a pizza because I figured Fab would stay the night and complain about our lack of food once again.

"Done and dusted." said Fab as he and Albert walked in to join me.

"Thanks for helping us, Fab." I kissed him on the cheek. "I've ordered a pizza."

Fab rubbed his hands together with a grin. "Sweet!"

"So, what were the others up to today?" I asked him.

"Oh, we were just fucking around and shit. Nikolai locked himself in the bedroom with his bass all day. He's getting real serious about the band and all. I think it's 'cos Ryan seemed to like us." Fab explained with his usual cute smile.

"That's really great, Fab. What do we do about Jules, though?"

"I think he'll be fine once he realises shits gonna happen soon." he said.

"What's that on your pants?" Albert asked after dropping his phone. He must've seen my cigarette burn when he picked it up.

"Nothing." I shrugged, hoping to change the subject.

Fab leaned over to look at it. "You're an idiot."

"Tell me something I don't know." I sighed, throwing my head back. "I was angry, okay?"

"Does it hurt? Are you okay?" Fab asked.

I ruffled his hair with a smile. "I'm fine." 

It wasn't long before the pizza came. Fab insisted on paying, which lead to a quick argument. I pushed him out of the way at one point and stuffed some money in the pizza guys hand. I yelled at him to keep the change as I grabbed the pizza and slammed the door. Fab groaned, admitting his defeat, but soon lightened up at the sight of the pizza. We all cuddled up and enjoyed a couple of movies before I decided it was time for bed.

"Goodnight." I kissed each of them on the cheek, had a quick shower and then tiptoed into my room.

I turned on my lamp and was surprised that Julian hadn't thrown up anywhere. He smelt of puke, but I could endure it for one night. I slid in next to him and flicked off the light. Julian started to toss and turn, letting out soft groans.

"Jules, are you gonna puke?" I asked with clear annoyance in my tone.

I flicked the lamp back on and saw he was propped up on his elbow, staring at me with his big brown, tired eyes.

I rolled my eyes. "So...are you?"

Julian shook his head in refusal, continuing to stare.

"Go back to sleep then." I turned off the lamp and lay back down. My eyes widened as I felt Julian inch closer to me. He got so close that we were practically spooning. He then draped his arm over my waist and squeezed me tight, nuzzling into my neck. I decided to ignore it, figuring he was fucked out of his mind and didn't know what he doing...but then he gave me a sloppy kiss on my cheek, obviously aiming for my lips...that was the last straw for me.

"You can't do this to me, Julian!" I shouted, flicking on the lamp as I pulled away. "It's the shit like this that fucks me up!"

Julian stared up at me, looking quite confused in his drunken haze. He rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling as if nothing had happened.

The door soon opened and in rushed Albert. "What's going on?!"

"I can't do this!" I shouted again, storming out of the room. I paced about the living room for a while until I collapsed onto the couch.

Albert walked in and sat beside me. "Jade, he's drunk. He didn't mean it."

"Exactly! He didn't fucking mean it!" I cried. "No one ever means anything anymore..."

"Did you...did you want him to mean it?"

I balled up my fists in anger, my nails digging into my palms. "Don't ask me shit like that, Albert." I spoke through gritted teeth. I knew that if I didn't find something to distract myself with, I'd actually contemplate his question. "Quick, have you got a joint?"

"I, uhh..." Albert patted down all his pockets and got up. "I'll go ask Fab."

I sighed as I spread myself out on the couch. "Thanks."