Call it Fate, Call it Karma

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I was having a great time, dancing and singing along in the crowd of people until some drunk guy in the back row called out some poorly thought up insults when a song finished.

"You guys suck!" he yelled out. "Fuckin' faggots!"

I gasped, along with a few other people. I was ready to jump the guy, but I instead chose to watch anxiously to see what Julian would do.

Julian gripped the mic with a raised eyebrow. "Say that again, man."

"You're gay!" The idiot slurred. People turned around and cussed at him. I was glad no one wanted to join him in his drunken stupidity.

"So what if I am? What's wrong with that?!" Julian fired back. "You a fuckin' homophobe, yeah? Well this is for you, asshole." He let go of the mic and walked over to Nick as the next song started up. He placed a hand on Nick's cheek and pretended to make out with his neck and Nick laughed to himself, focusing on his guitar.

Julian was pretty drunk at this point. People had been buying the band beers all night and he didn't wanna say no to anyone, so he politely said thanks and drank every beer he was offered. Needless to say, he was quite popular.

I turned around to see a few people that were dancing with me before proceed to aggressively drag the drunk man out.

I laughed and gave Julian a thumbs up when he caught sight of me and he smiled.

"Thanks guys! This next one's for a lady friend of mine--fuck! I mean...ours." he slapped his forehead after his fuckup, but shook it off and grabbed the mic.

I pointed to myself with a confused look and Julian nodded, then starting to sing.

The first part of the song was a blur to me, because I was too busy dancing and I think I'd heard the song once before, but once I looked up at Julian, I was lost...I was lost in his eyes as he sang. "I just want to mis-a-behave. I just want to be your slave." He pointed to me with a wink of his eye.

I stopped dancing and just stared as my face heated up. Some lyrics stood out in my mind, and some didn't. People pushed me around as they swayed side to side, but I stood still with a puzzled look on my face.

"You ain't got nothin' I want, but I want it all! I just can't figure out..nothin'!"

I was confused by the first part. What did he mean by that?

"I wanna steal your innocence."

Is he talking about when we were back in school, perhaps? Because, yep...innocence stolen.

"To me my life -- it don't make sense."

Relatable.

"The little problems -- they're not yours -- they're mine. Come on, listen to what I say. I've got some secrets that'll make you stay."

Is he talking about his drinking problems?

"I just want to turn you down. I just want to turn you around!"

He's turned me around alright.

I spaced out for a bit as I tried to figure out more of the lyrics.

"Together again! Like the beginning!"

That was when I grabbed a beer off of some dude next to me and chugged it down. It wasn't long before The Strokes had finished their set and the next band was getting ready.

"Thanks...thanks everyone!" Julian slurred, leaning on the mic stand. "You've been great, and we've been, and still arrrrrrre The Strokes!"

Everyone cheered. Not one person in the room wasn't clapping and yelling for them. It was amazing! Ryan looked quite impressed. He stood up and gave them all a hug when they walked off. Julian planted a big kiss on his cheek and thanked him for scoring them the gig. I think bar owner paid them $200 or something.

I pushed away from the crowd to join them all by the back doors. They were too busy receiving compliments and more drinks from people that they didn't notice me awkwardly standing there.

Ryan noticed me though. "Hey, Jade."

"Ryan!" I greeted him with a hug. "Look at what you've done! Everyone loves them!"

"They did that themselves." he chuckled, choosing to take the humble approach. I admired him for that. "I was quite pleased with how Julian handled that drunk asshole situation. I'm glad I signed these guys."

"Yeah, they're great!" I nodded eagerly. "So...after party or what?"

"Nah, they just wanna go home and sleep."

"Thank god." I relievedly sighed. "So do I!"

"I've really gotta go." Ryan said, pulling on his jacket. "Tell those famous rockstars I'll see them next week." He pointed at the guys, who were still mingling.

"Another gig?"

Ryan nodded. "Hopefully."

"Alright, well I'll see 'ya!" I waved, watching him walk out the door.

"Bye!"

It was now raining heavily outside and I really wanted to get home. I realised if I didn't get the guys out now, I never would. "Hey, fellas! Time to go! Party's over!" I shouted, pushing through a group of people. I froze when I saw some chick with her arm around Julian. She was whispering something in his ear...and he was laughing! I watched as she traced a finger up and down his chest, obviously trying to seduce him in some way. I bit my tongue and grabbed hold of Nick by the back of his blazer, yanking him toward me.

"Woah, Jade!" he managed to say once he'd balanced himself. "What was that for?"

I snatched the beer he was holding and chugged it down, then wiping my mouth with my sleeve. "I'm really proud of you guys and you did amazing. Like, I really fucking love you all, but we have to go now! Just fucking get them while I call a cab."

"Uhh, okay?" Nick watched as I aggressively pulled my phone out to dial up a number. He walked back over to the band and spoke to them. I watched, gritting my teeth as the chick pulled away from Julian after writing her number on his arm, then walk away with a sleazy wink of her eye. It reminded me of that whole Samara ordeal after Julian and I broke up for the first time -- one I'd much rather forget.

After calling for a couple of cabs, I put my phone away and waited outside in the rain. I stared out into the darkness and fog, motionless as I thought to myself.

"Jade?" Fab walked outside. "You're soaking wet!"

I ignored him and sighed relievedly when the cab rolled up. "Cabs here!" I called out, resulting in the rest of them to walk out and gawk at my messy self. My makeup was all run down my face and I looked like a drowned rat.

We all got in a cab. Julian, Albert and I in one, and the other three in another, so we could all go to our apartments. Albert and Julian tried to speak to me, but I ignored them, muttering I was tired, which was true, but not true enough to result in me completely ignoring them. Albert caught site of Julian's arm at one point, licked his hand and started aggressively trying to wipe the girls number off as Julian rolled his eyes.

When we got home, I pulled off my wet clothes and went straight to sleep in Albert's bed.