CHAPTER FOUR

"ain't no sunshine when she's gone
it's not warm when she's away..."

☆☆☆

Monday morning arrived and that meant work. And lots of it. Kassidy was currently unemployed but on a job haunt and I was on a job that did not pay well at all. I'd probably need a second one but for now I had to focus on getting ready for the one I actually had.

The weather was warm today so I just wore a baggy Led Zeppelin T-shirt and bell bottomed pants. I quickly ate breakfast, took a deep breath and left. I knew it was going to be a tough day because honestly my coworkers weren't the best. At least I was doing what I loved.

After a bad day of work I was on my way back home but there was one problem. I missed the bus so I thought I'd walk back home because it was getting chilly and the next bus was coming in 20 minutes. I've always liked walking so I didn't really mind it and our apartment was like 25 minutes away. The thing that made this whole situation kind of hard tho was the fact that the weather turned from sunny to rainy and like yesterday, it was raining a lot.

I really don't mind cold weather, in fact I prefer it over sunny weather but let me remind you I'm only wearing a t-shirt and I'm only human. I got cold of course.

You're as cold as ice turututu you're willing to sacrifice our love

Wait not the time Juliette, not the time.

So there I was, walking in the rain, freezing, at 10 pm.

I've definitely had better days.

Izzy's POV

I was sitting alone in the living room reading a book whike drinking some beer. Well I couldn't really focus on the book because I couldn't help but think about Juliette. I don't really know anything about her yet but I am willing to change that. I just see her and want to learn more about her y'know? She seems funny and a nice person in general.

A great personality and beautiful looks are not a common combination.

I finally closed the book because I wasn't paying any attention to what it said and went to my room. Axl left about an hour ago and he's probably spending the night at some random chic's house which means I'd be home alone till tomorrow.

I decided I should take a shower

I know, weird.

And that's exactly what I did.

Greasy Stradlin is not so greasy anymore.

I got out of the shower but I didn't bother to wear anything other than my boxers and went to the kitchen cook some food.

I made an omelette and I sat down and watched some TV.

Once again my mind drifted on Juliette. It's like I couldn't control myself when it came down to her

Who am I kidding, I know I can't control myself when it comes down to her.

Unfortunately she clearly stated she wasn't looking for a relationship right now.

Unless she met someone who's worth it.

Juliette's POV

After this near death experience, I made it. 

I'm still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I'm still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I'M STILL STANDING YEAH YEAH YEAH

Am I being overdramatic? Yes.
Am I going to stop? No.

I got on my floor ready to take out my keys when I remembered something

Oh no.

Of course as if this day couldn't get any worse oh wait, IT DID!

I desperately knocked on the door, hoping that someone would open but nothing.

That someone could be a murderer as far as I'm concerned because I just want get hooome.

Wait, Izzy could be home right now.

I rushed to his apartment door and knocked.

Izzy Stradlin if you're home right now I will love you forever.

And he opened. I almost hugged him.

But I didn't because I was, once again, soaking wet.

I was so f*cking relieved and-

Oh. The boxers are back.

"Juliette are you okay?" my very own Prince Charming asked worried. "Well I've had better days and I got locked out of my apartment"

I couldn't look at him in the eyes because I was really embarrassed.

"Come in! Let me bring you a towel, you go and take a warm bath and I'll make you some tea" before I could say anything at all he was gone. I stepped in and awkwardly stood in front of the door because I didn't want to make a mess. Izzy appeared again with a clean towel and some clean clothes that I could wear.

I take everything bad I've ever said about him back. Izzy Stradlin you are my hero.

"Here take these, go have that warm bath and then you can tell me about your day alright?" this time I did look at him and I smiled. He was being so sweet and I wanted him to know how much I appreciated it. "Thank you, Izzy" I said and I couldn't resist anymore. I hugged him. I went in for a quick hug that I didn't expect him to return but he did and it lasted longer than I thought it would.

But I was definitely not complaining.

"No problem doll" he said and shyly smiled while looking at the floor. I smiled at how shy he was being, kissed his cheek and made my way to the bathroom without looking to tease him.

And maybe because I was too scared to do so... I mean what???

Izzy's POV

She hugged me and kissed my cheek.

Everything's fine. I'm not freaking out, you are.

I was watching her go to the bathroom because I didn't really know how to act at this point, I was just completely shocked.

And then I remembered something something that made me snap out of it. The tea.

I made her the tea with no sugar because I forgot to ask and grabbed my guitar and started playing and softly singing.

"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away

Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away"

I was so focused on the song that I didn't realise Juliette in just a towel was looking at me play while she was smiling.

Her smile...

"No! Please don't stop, I love that song!" she said and her smile reached her ears. I wanted to say "No." but I seriously couldn't. "Uh okay sure" I replied, not wanting to dissapoint her.

"And I know, I know, I know,
I know,I know, I know,
I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know,
I know, I know
Hey, I oughtta leave young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away"

She smiled and starting clapping making me smile too and jokingly bow. "You're really talented..." "I think you are overreacting but thank you" I said and tried to hide my smile. "Can you do me one favour?" Juliette said. "Yeah what is it?" "Please don't ever try to hide your smile, it's really cute" she said and winked before going to the bathroom again to get dressed.

I think I just melted.

Juliette's POV

I got dressed, went to the kitchen where Izzy was and sat down at the table.

"How many sugars would you like?" "Just 2 please" "Here you go" Izzy said and smiled at me and I happily returned the smile "Thank you Izzy, not just for the tea but for everything." "Anytime doll."

He sat down and we quietly drank our tea enjoying the silence. This time it wasn't awkward, it was comfortable.

"So what happened today anyway?" Izzy spoke and broke the silence. "oh I had a bad day at work, missed my bus, I started walking home but it started raining aaand I forgot my keys. Ain't that magnificent?" "That really sucks wow. Excuse me for kind of changing the subject but what do you do for living anyway?"
"Acting." "Want to become a big Hollywood star?" "Oh no, definitely not. Sure being a Hollywood star means money and money sometimes does make life easier but I'm just not made for the spotlight." I said and smiled a little bit. "I get that... Luckily if the band's going anywhere I personally    have Axl and Slash and they can definitely handle the spotlight better than me" "Not a big fan of it too huh?" "No." Izzy said and we slightly laughed.

About an hour later I was getting kind of tired.

"I'm getting kind of tired you know, got work in the morning" "Yes of course let me show you my room." "What? You think I'm going to let you sleep on the couch?" "You think I'm going to let YOU sleep on the couch?" "Fair point but Izzy I feel terrible" "You don't have to feel bad sweetheart" Izzy quickly said and smirked. "Sweetheart. That's new isn't it?" I said amused by the new pet name he picked for me. "Yeah, it is. If you don't like I'll gladly call you Princess again" he winked at me. "No no no sweetheart is fine, thank you. Probably my favourite one so far!" "I'm really glad about that."

He showed me to his room and gave me a new clean pillow.

"Goodnight Izzy" "Goodnight Juliette"

I laid on his bed tried to sleep.

But after trying for about 1 hour I couldn't so I got up and went to the window and looked out of it. The night sky was beautiful and full of stars. I've always loved night and I definitely preferred it over morning. I looked around Izzy's room and smiled. His room was pretty clean and organised. He had some song lyrics on his desk but I don't look at them because I did not want to be rude and disrespect his privacy.

I looked at his guitar collection.

So this is where the magic happens.

I heard the door open and turned around to see Izzy standing in the doorframe.

"Couldn't sleep doll?" "Nah I'm just sleepwalking mate" "Ah shit my bad then" Izzy said and chuckled "So what happened Pretty-boy?" I asked him, curious. "I'm sorry for disturbing your thoughts but it's really f*cking cold in the living room and I have some extra blankets here" "Or you could maybe sleep here. I think your bed has room for two" I smiled shyly "That would be nice, are you sure tho?" "Yes, of course" I said and Izzy went to bring his pillow. We laid down and talked about random stuff  before deciding to go sleep.

Not gonna lie, sleeping next to him does feel better.

About 10 minutes later I was starting to fall asleep and I felt Izzy's hand around my waist which resulted in me smiling like an idiot but instantly falling asleep.

The next morning  I woke up and Izzy's hand was still around me. "hey Pretty-boy" I softly said and poked his face "Izzy I have to get to work" but that just made him hug me tighter "Nooo don't go yet you're comfortable" Izzy said and I started laughing "Izzy I'm gonna be late!" "FIIINE" he said as released me. "Thank you. I'll wash the shirt and drop it off when I'm done" "No don't worry about that. Keep it, it looks better on you anyway." he said and smiled. "Thank you very much Izzy" I said as I smiled and left.

I rushed to my apartment and knocked on the door. Kassidy opened with a really confused look on her face "Don't have time, I'll tell you everything later. Now move because I need pants or else I'm gonna be late" "Really glad to see you too Jules" Kassidy said and laughed.

Oh explaining this to her later is not gonna be fun, is it?