Call it Fate, Call it Karma

Last Shot

Conveniently enough, Colin had a friend whose highrise apartments rooftop had a great view of the building, so we made our way over there.

I was glad Colin agreed to be the guys' photographer when Albert asked, because I felt any other person wouldn't have been able to tolerate the childish antics that went down. Fab almost fell off the side of the building at one point while Adam chased him around for a cigarette.

"Adam cut that shit out, man!" I scolded him, throwing him a cigarette of my own. "If he dies then this shoot would've all been for nothing! A complete waste of film!"

"Glad to know you think so highly of me." Fab said sarcastically, crossing his arms with a pout.

"Aww Fabbie, you know I love you!" I pulled him into an aggressive hug and ruffled his hair upon release. "Now get back over there and finish up. You're a star, baby!"

Fab poked his tongue at out at me and trudged back over to the group, who were all huddled together for the last few shots with the most amazing view of the cityscape and sunset behind them.

"This is lovely." I told Adam as I sat on a ledge and took in the view.

Adam took a drag of his cigarette and shrugged. "Meh, it's okay."

"Don't be miserable." I nudged him.

"Fine...it's breathtaking! Absolutely gorgeous!" he exclaimed quite melodramatically as he raised his cigarette in the air.

I giggled and shook my head. "I hate you."

"You couldn't if you tried."

"Whatever," I chuckled. "...anyways, I think the guys are going to the studio after this. Wanna come check it out?"

"You know I do!" he replied quite enthusiastically, nodding his head. "Can't believe they're gonna have an album out soon!"

"I know, right?! They've come so far. I'm so proud!" I suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion and I laughed at myself. "I better stop before I cry."

"Yeah, we don't want that." Adam handed me his cigarette with a smirk.

"You guys wanna jump in for a picture?!" Colin called over to us. "Last shot!"

"Of course!" I squealed, grabbing Adam's arm and pulling him behind me.

We huddled in with the group, everyone laughing and throwing their arms around eachother as Colin held up his camera. Fab and I ended up in the middle front, because everyone else was taller than us and we squeezed eachother in a side hug and grinned widely as Colin said, "say The Strokes!"

"The Strokes!" Everyone cried out in unison as the picture was snapped.

"And that's a wrap!" Colin announced, applauding before packing away his camera.

The Strokes all enveloped him in a hug, thanking him for the shoot. He was invited to come hang out at the studio, but he politely declined, as he wanted to start developing and sending the photos as soon as possible, as he was quite excited to have his work be displayed in European magazines.

Eventually, we all managed to make it to the studio in one piece. Adam was quite amazed as he leaped all around, gawking at all the instruments and recording equipment. Julian gave him a little tour and spoke about his ideas for the record, and I just sat by myself in a corner, watching awkwardly as the rest of the guys jammed.

It only took Julian a couple minutes to realise I was alone, and he told Adam to go help Albert with something, before walking straight over to me.

"You okay?" he asked, sitting across from me on an amp.

"Yeah," I said with a reassuring smile, then shrugging. "...just don't know what to do with myself is all." I finished with a light chuckle. "You should be rehearsing!"

"Nah, I'm good." He turned to his left and picked up a guitar. "I'm going to serenade you now."

I giggled amusedly. "Oh, are you?"

"I am." He nodded as he began plucking the strings. "This one I hold near and dear to my heart." Julian said, before aggressively strumming the guitar and beginning to sing a Ramones song with a scratchy voice. "Now I wanna sniff some glue! I just wanna have somethin' to dooooo! All the kids wanna sniff some glue!"

I burst into a fit of laughter and snatched the guitar off him, setting down beside me. "You got me all excited for nothing!"

"Was that not good enough for you?" he asked with a pout.

"Fine...it was beautiful! But I was hoping for something a little softer and sweeter. Teenage Lobotomy, perhaps?"

Julian reached for the guitar. "I can do that!"

I slapped his hand away and frowned at him with a smirk. "Later. Go rehearse! Go!"

"Fine!" Julian huffed as he stood up. He removed his jacket and threw it over my head with a nasal laugh, before running off to join the rest of the band.

I pulled the jacket off my face, which smelt of mostly cigarettes and just...him, and I put it on with a smile as my gaze reverted to the group of guys all huddled around Fab's kit as he drummed a beat. Adam danced around like a complete moron as the band began playing a popular song off their setlist. He caught me looking at him and motioned for me to come over with a nod of his head.

"No way!" I called over the music, but I knew he wouldn't take no for an answer. I groaned, looking down to hide a smile as Adam pranced over to me and extended his hand.

Julian picked up a microphone and pointed to me as he spoke into it. "You know you want to, Jade!"

"Fuck you!" I yelped as Adam grabbed my wrist and pulled me up. It only took me a few seconds to roll my eyes and shrug, before joining in on the dance.

"...and every night, she just can't stop sayin' New York City Cops! New York City Cops! New York City Cops—they ain't too smaaaart!"