This Life ? (J.C)

Joy stood in front of the mirror; her long brown hair in a ponytail. She sleeked the ends of her medium length bangs down with gel, hoping to keep them in "fringe" form, swept to the side of her face. She wore a black wired choker and an oversized gray cable knitted sweater that hung off her shoulders. Her light wash jeans were tight—skinny jeans and converse.

Movement in the mirror caught her eye, causing Joy to gasp lightly. She turned, looking in the doorway to see Julian standing with a smirk. He was all "dressed up." Ripped jeans and a white button up shirt with a collar, along with a blazer and salmon colored tie. He looked... interesting.

His style was always changing, but two things remained; ripped jeans and old shoes. It was as if he thought people only looked at him from the waist up, despite Jules actually admitting that while on stage, people were eye level with his shoes. He was a confusing young man.

"How do you keep getting into my room?" Joy tried seeming annoyed, but she was actually quite impressed.

Julian narrowed his eyes playfully, flashing her keycard smugly before tossing it onto the vanity. "You really gotta keep up with that thing."

"What do you want?" Joy asked, going back to sweeping her bangs to the side.

"I think you know what I came here to ask, but you wanna act all oblivious." Julian spoke, leaning into the doorframe with folded arms. He wore a self satisfied grin.

"I'm not acting, I'm genuinely oblivious."

"I just thought you were making a fashion statement, wearing sweaters and long sleeve shirts in ninety degree weather." Julian stepped into the bathroom, making his way behind Joy as she pretended to fix her hair.

She hoped that it would never get brought up—she thought Julian would've forgotten about it, or simply not cared. It wasn't his business, after all.

Being taller than most girls, she took comfort in being surrounded by even taller boys—Julian nearly 6"2. The shortest member of the band was Fab, and even he was an inch or two taller than Joy.

Julian stood behind her, playfully smacking her ponytail, making it sway. She snapped her head around, flashing him a look of annoyance. He grinned lazily—he looked stoned, but didn't reek of weed for some reason. It was still suspicious, none the less.

"So what happened to your arm?... And your leg?" Julian went back to slapping the end of her ponytail, despite her head being turned away. Every time she moved, his hand followed the length of her hair.

"Will you stop that?" She chuckled, turning around to face him.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. You don't have to sweat your tits off to hide it, it's not even that noticeable."

Joy narrowed her eyes, folding her arms over her chest. "Well, you noticed it and you're asking me about it. What happens when a stranger notices and asks-"

"Tell em to go fuck themselves." Julian spoke with a smile, reaching his hand around the back of Joy's neck to smack her ponytail again. "Or you could lie. Make up some badass story."

"Motorcycle accident?"

"Yeah, or like... a shark attack, maybe?"

"How funny, that's exactly what happened." Joy turned back around, gathering her makeup off the sink to put it back in the bag.

"I don't believe you." Julian laughed; his chuckle deep and childlike.

"It's true. I was swimming off the coast in the pacific and got bit."

"Great white?" Julian chuckled again.

"Lemon shark. Shallow water, near the reef."

"That doesn't make sense, you're from New York."

"Hey." Joy turned around again. "A girl can vacation, right?"

"Not with your salary." Julian lazily raised an eyebrow.

"Fuck you." She chuckled.

Julian yawned, casually moving toward the sink. He braced his palms on the counter, raising himself up to sit on the edge. He kicked his legs in and out before moving them out of sync. He was slouching; his hands in his lap.

"What made you do it?" He asked.

Joy's eyes widened; her mouth parted as a small scoff escaped her lips. "Why are you pressing this?"

"I dunno... I'm just curious, I guess. I mean, what made you wanna kill yourself?"

"What makes you think-"

"Don't act dumb." Julian interrupted. "You didn't wanna get questioned, you shoulda thought about that before you wrestled me naked in a bathrobe."

"Why do you wanna know?" She finally asked, turning around to lean her lower back into the edge of the sink. Julian shrugged with a frown.

The truth was, he had his reasons. Joy sighed in defeat—perhaps if she told him, it'd never get brought up again.

"It's hard to explain. I just... did it. I don't know. I was... sixteen- seventeen?... I can't remember. Just an emotionally charged teenager, I guess."

Julian hopped down from the sink. "I still don't believe you, but... I'll let it slide. That doesn't explain your leg."

"I used to be chubby, never wore shorts. So instead of cutting up my arms, I cut up my leg. There, happy?"

"No." He grimaced. "But... I can believe that. What do you mean were, you're still chubby." Julian smirked, smacking her ponytail one last time before turning to leave.

"Dick." Joy grumbled, going back to packing her makeup bag.

Julian peeked his head into the bathroom. "I'm kidding, you're not chubby... Just your ass."

She picked up a hair clip, chucking it at Jules. He ducked, missing a clip to the face by a mere inch. "Asshole!" She yelled.

"Where it counts, babe... you're only chubby where it counts." Julian smiled, making prayer hands.

She flipped him off. "In the lobby at five, Jules... I mean it."

"Look at me, I'm dressed. I'll be there." He winked.

He wouldn't be there.