dandelions ➥ joseph quinn

12

"are you serious?" maya hawke laughed, raising an eyebrow at the blonde in front of her.

"dead serious." mari responded, shrugging as a small smile found its way on her face.

"mari is like the best uno player. i don't understand how she's constantly winning, unless of course, she's cheating!" sadie yelled, accusingly pointing a finger at mari, trying not to laugh.

"first off, i don't cheat!" mari stated, rolling her eyes. she then smacked away sadie's finger, shaking her head. "second off, calm down ginger."

"damn, she called you a ginger, you're gonna let her say that?" caleb called out, shaking his head as he smiled.

"i used to call her ron weasley so i feel like we've grown." mari said, sadie and her looking at each other.

"yeah, matured." they both nodded and laughed.

"see, i knew i was going to like you, mari!" gaten stated, making mari smile brightly.

"okay, as much as i would love to spend more time with everyone, it's already midnight and unfortunately i do have a recording session tomorrow morning at 8 and i am exhausted."

mari placed her napkin on her plate and stood up, making everyone protest.

"come on! just a little longer? i feel like we still have so much to talk about!" millie asked.

"i know, but we'll have enough time to get to know one another more. cant go spoiling the most interesting parts of myself on the first date." mari laughed, slinging her purse onto her shoulder.

"you're such a grandma, m&m." sadie frowned, trying to hide the yawn she just let out.

"well this grandma isn't going to let you hear anymore of her upcoming album." mari laughed.

"i was kidding!" sadie grumbled as mari hugged her from behind.

"liar."

mari went around and hugged everyone. she waved goodbye to everyone and started to make her way to the exit as she heard everyone go back to talking and laughing.

she hurried to the parking garage, realizing how it may have been a good idea to wait for everyone to leave so they could all walk to their cars together. a small petite woman in hollywood at midnight in a parking garage is the perfect opening scene to a horror movie.

as mari started her 5 minute walk to her car, she heard footsteps behind her and her heart started racing. as she was about to started rushing to her car, she felt a hand on her shoulder and she screamed, turning around with wide eyes.

"Oh god, I am so sorry!" Mari was breathing heavy, trying to calm herself down as she realized Joseph Quinn was standing in front of her. "I called your name a couple of times."

"I'm sorry, Joe, I didn't hear you." Mari took a deep breath, shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts. "What are you doing out here, did I forget something?"

"No, but I didn't think it was safe to walk by yourself to your car at 12 o'clock at night in Hollywood." Joe explained and Mari laughed, nodding as she agreed.

"yeah, I realized that too." Joe laughed and gestured forward, causing the two to walk side by side. Mari had to walk painfully slow as Joe was not trying to hurry.

"So, it was really nice meeting you." Mari said after a couple seconds. She focused on a small pebble on the floor, kicking it softly as they walked.

"It was nice meeting you too." Mari cursed herself in her head, feeling the silence breathing down her neck.

"Are you excited for filming?" Joe nodded, a smile finding its way on his face.

"Extremely. Aren't you?"

"Of course, I am. I can see why you're excited." She smiled, Joe looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

"And why is that?"

The two approached Mari's car and she leaned against it to talk to him, not wanting to night to end just yet.

"oh come on. You soon will become Eddie Munson, the sexy outcast dungeon master of Hawkin's D&D club, Hellfire Club. You get to play a metalhead, which is sick as shit anyways. Plus, I have a slight hunch you'll be very popular with the fans."

Joe laughed, an ever so slight blush appearing on his cheeks. Mari couldn't help but laugh as well.

"sexy dungeon master?" Joe questioned, making Mari stop laughing and stare at him, biting her lip. "Pretty sure that isn't in the character keys."

"oh whatever!" Mari groaned, laughing as she felt her face heat up from the embarrassment.

"I mean, you get to become Elena Nicole. New Hawkins high student who catches the eye of the sexy Eddie Munson in your little cheerleader outfit." Mari snorted, shaking her head and covering her face with her hands.

"Are you ever going to forget that I called Eddie sexy?"

"I will write it down in my phone so I never forget."

Mari rolled her eyes playfully and smiled at Joe. "Ego the size of texas, I see."

Mari tried to hide the yawn that escape her lips, but Joe saw it and decided to wrap up the conversation.

"You should head home and get some sleep, Mars."

Mari blinked, processing the nickname he just used on her before smiling happily and nodding.

"Are we already on a nickname basis?" Mari teased, straightening up so she wasn't leaning against her car anymore. Joe looked down at her, fully noticing the height difference between him and the girl.

"That tone of voice scares me, love."

Mari snorted, clearing her throat before smiling at him. "Don't be scare...JoJo"

"That is a horrible nickname for me."

"I know." Mari shrugged, unlocking her car and turning towards Joe. "I'll see you soon?"

"Absolutely. Shoot me a text when you're home safely."

Even the simplest act made her stomach flip with butterflies. "I will. Goodnight, Joe."

"Goodnight Mars."

Mari got in the car and shut the door, turning it on before pulling out of the spot and waving goodbye to Joe. As she drove home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of peace.

She was apart of a cast where everyone loved one another and she was so excited to continue on with the journey that is elena nicole.

she was especially excited about being Joe's potential love interest in the show. not that she would ever admit that, to anyone.

Mari pulled into her driveway, turning off the car and making her way into her house. after doing her night routine and collapsing into bed, she grabbed her phone from her nightstand and opened her texts.

unknown was changed to joe quinn :)

m&m🦋
hey
it's mari
i'm home and safe in my bed :)

joe quinn :)
oh good
i thought you got kidnapped

m&m 🦋
nope
not today, sadly.
i survived yet another
attempted kidnapping.

joe quinn :)
damn.
there's always tomorrow.

m&m🦋
i like the way u think jojo

joe quinn :)
and that's the cue for bedtime
go to bed.

m&m 🦋
sir yes sir 🫡
goodnight jojo 💜

joe quinn :)
goodnight, mars. ❤️