Call it Fate, Call it Karma

Impeccable Timing

"Great show, as usual!" I exclaimed, hugging all the guys like I always did as soon as they came off stage.

"Watch out, I'm sweaty!" Fab warned me, stepping back a little.

"I don't care!" I laughed, pulling him back as I wrapped my arms around him. His hair, which was indeed quite soaked with sweat, felt kinda gross as it brushed past my cheek, but I really didn't care, I was too excited for them. I then let him go and hugged Nikolai, who was second last to walk off stage. Second last...where's Julian? How could I have not noticed him walk off stage already?

I let Nikolai go and began to scan the perimeter. Julian was nowhere to be seen. I figured I'd head back to dressing room to see if he was there or to ask around a bit if he wasn't.

Everyone but Julian was in there getting ready to leave. I rushed over to Ryan who had his head in a box of shirts.

"Hey Ry," I tapped him on the shoulder. "...have you seen Jules?"

"I think he's at the bar." Ryan said, pulling a couple shirts out. "I forgot to try and sell these during their last song. Could you quickly help me out before everyone leaves?"

I really wanted to go find Julian, but I knew how excited Ryan was over the shirts, and I could just find Julian afterwards, so I nodded and grabbed an armful of shirts. "How much?" Also, a bit of extra cash might convince Julian he really doesn't need his job.

"We'll start at fifteen bucks each."

I nodded and followed him outside, clearing my throat. "Strokes merch! Get your Strokes merch! Fifteen bucks a pop!" I called out as we approached the large crowds. "Limited first editions!"

"This ain't no bootleg shit, folks!" Ryan chimed in.

Much to our surprise, people flocked over and the shirts were gone in a matter of seconds. We only had 30 to sell, but it was still shocking they sold out so fast. I squealed as I struggled to quickly stuff all the cash in my pockets so it wouldn't blow away in the wind.

Ryan quickly ushered me inside to the now remotely empty venue, apart from The Strokes and some of the bar staff. I raised handfuls of money in the air and laughed at the guys' reactions.

"They actually sold?! All of them?" excitedly asked Nick while running up to me.

"Every last one!" I replied bringing him in for a hug. "You guys are the next big thing!" I pulled away from him with a sour expression on my face once I caught a whiff of his shirt. "Dude, you reek of booze and cheap perfume! Get outta my sight!" I finished with a laugh to let him know I wasn't completely serious. I was surprised he found the time to hook up with a groupie or two in the short time Ryan and I were gone. I wonder if that was the case for the other guys. What if it was for Julian? I mean...he did disappear for a while.

I caught sight of him at the bar with his back to everyone and I slowly approached. He finished a shot of vodka and turned around, looking a little shocked to see me right in front of him.

"Hi, Jules...you okay?"

He looked up at me and I didn't even need to hear him speak to know he was drunk. There was just something about his eyes. I could always tell what was up with him just by looking into them for a few seconds.

"Yeah, are you?" he harshly spat out the last word. "You've been avoiding me. What did I do?" He stood up and stepped forward so he was a couple inches away from me. He was so close I could smell the alcohol on his breath. I couldn't smell anything feminine on him though, so thank God for that.

"Y-You didn't do anything," I stuttered, looking away from him. "...it's all been me. I'm sorry for avoiding you. I just...didn't know what to say. Something's going on with me, I guess."

I looked back up at him, studying his face as it softened. His hand reached out to my face and tucked some of my hair behind my ear, then lingering on my cheek. His touch sent shivers down my spine for some reason and it shocked me a little, so I flinched. But Julian must've taken that as a negative response, so he quickly retracted his hand and frowned again, then hurriedly stumbling off to join the group of guys who were about to migrate outside to find some transportation home.

I sighed as I walked slowly behind them. I pulled Albert back beside me and leant into him, groaning.

"What's up?" he asked, linking arms with me.

"I dunno, man. I tried to talk to Jules, but things are just...weird."

"Things are only weird 'cos you're making them weird." he replied nonchalantly. "Just sit down and talk with him. Tell him exactly what's going on and how you feel."

"You're right," I sighed. "...but I can't now! He's drunk!"

"Your timing is impeccable." he chuckled, rolling his eyes.

"Fuck you." I nudged him.

We then split up into two cabs; Albert, Julian and I in one, and Nick, Nikolai, Fab and Ryan in another.

The ride home was kind of awkward. None of us spoke to one another, and it was the same on the walk up to our apartment, too. I didn't wanna go to bed with Julian possibly being mad at me, so I pulled him into the kitchen to talk when I was sure Albert was in bed.

"Julian, I'm sorry for being a bitch. I've just been missing you a lot lately and I know that sounds weird 'cos you haven't gone anywhere, but like...you're always tired and just not really yourself, y'know? I miss hanging out with you and talking and doing stupid shit." I stopped talking to look over at him and I started angrily laughing at myself. He was swaying a little as he tried to keep himself upright and alert. "Ugh, I'm so fucking stupid! You're drunk. Why am I doing this now?!" I spat, throwing my hands up in defeat and walking away.

I stormed down the hallway and into Albert's bedroom. It was lucky he'd just finished changing because I walked right in and collapsed onto his bed. With no questions asked, Albert shook his head and sighed as he covered me with a blanket and climbed in beside me.

"I tried talking to him," I mumbled with my face buried in a pillow. "...it's like I forgot he was drunk."

He sighed. "Once again, your timing-"

"-is impeccable." I finished his sentence. "I know." I groaned. "I don't appreciate the sarcasm right now though."