This Life ? (J.C)

The room was packed—people were standing shoulder to shoulder while others were sitting in the bed and even on the arm of the small sofa. Smoke filled the air; a fog of cigarettes and marijuana with the stench of booze.

The girls.

There wasn't a single girl that wasn't hovering over a member of the band. Nick sat on the sofa with his Fender in his lap, casually playing a Jimi Hendrix tune. Two girls sat on each side of him, two others standing before him, just begging for his attention.

Albert was lying in the bed, facing the ceiling as marijuana smoke billowed above his face. Once again, two girls were on each side, lying next to him as they took turns passing the joint. There was a young woman lying on her side above his head, stroking his thick curly locks.

Nikolai was displaying his cool witty self, making a group of girls laugh. He was a man of few words, but when he opened his mouth, people listened.

Fab stood in the corner of the room, chatting up a few guys that tagged along from the bar. There was a girl on his back, holding onto Fab's neck, piggyback style. He swayed side to side casually, smiling.

The Strokes—girls wanted to sleep with them, guys wanted to be them. Even Ryan, the sixth Strokes member; there was no doubt in Joy's mind that he was getting laid tonight, too.

Her eyes followed Al as he sat up in the bed, handing off the joint. He stood, pulling up the girl that had been stroking his hair for the past forty-five minutes. He held her hand, walking over to the recliner in the corner.

Joy snickered quietly to herself, turning the beer up to her lips at what she had witnessed for the fourth time that night.

Julian was sitting in the leather recliner, gently rocking back and forth with a girl in his lap and one on the arm of the seat. She watched as he'd take a swig of beer, then rock back fiercely, causing the girl on the arm to fall into the floor.

Joy shook her head at the sight; if he had been any other guy, that girl would've slapped him. But because it was Julian Casablancas, the girl welcomed his playful abuse.

Al held out his hand, talking to Julian. He smirked, digging in his pocket, handing Albert a keycard. Al was getting laid.

Julian's eyes trailed to Joy's, flashing her a devilish grin.

Her eyes went wide, stepping in front of the door as Al and his lady friend made their way out; hand in hand. "Ah, wait a second. Did Jules just give you my room key?" Joy asked.

Albert smirked, following it up with a shy laugh. "Maybe."

"I don't think so, use someone else's room."

"C'mon, Joy... don't be like that." He glanced over at his lay. "It'll be quick, I promise."

"Ew." Joy mumbled.

"You shouldn't have made him do the interview alone... it's payback. Like I said, it'll be quick." Al kissed Joy's temple, stepping around her with his date for the night.

"Asshole." She growled through her teeth.

She stormed through the crowd, marching toward Julian with anger filled eyes. His smile grew wider—making the connection that Joy knew what he had done.

She kicked his shoe, causing the rim of the bottle to slip from his lips with a chuckle; a trail of beer running down his chin.

"Hey." The girl in Julian's lap shot Joy an annoyed glance. She kicked his foot again, the motion jarring the girl in his lap.