Alone, Together (julian casablancas fanfiction)

Chapter One: Fate or Destiny?

Part One

New York City, New York, 10002

1999

"Do I really want to go out?" Gemma turns and faces her best friend Ginger, who looks at her and nods. Gemma stares in the mirror and questions if her outfit is too kiddy, stupid, or not enough for the party. She's wearing a black dress and orange and black witch tights.

"Of course! C'mon, we are Seniors and this is the first high school party of the year. We can't wimp out." Ginger says, as Gemma walks over to her closet to put on black converse.

For the first time, Gemma Clark was going to a Halloween party at some rich New York kids house. The only reason why she was invited was because she ended up sorta becoming friends with one of the popular guys, and Ginger is somewhat popular.

"Let's go! We don't want to be too late." Ginger grabs Gems hand and rushes out of her room. She says goodbye to her mom, who is slouched on the couch reading, and hop into Ginger's beat up Volkswagen.

"I'm so envious you can drive." Gemma says, buckling in.

"Cheer up, Gemma! You'll be getting your license in no time!" Ginger starts up the car and heads down 23rd st. Gemma wonders how she is seventeen and still doesn't have a license.

"Do you even know where we're going?" Gemma glances at Ginger, who is steering with her knees, trying to reapply her black lipstick.

"Yeah, it's down where Albert used to live." 

Albert Hammond Jr.

Albert used to be Gemma and Gingers best friend. They were the dynamic trio, but he got shipped off to boarding school in Switzerland in the 8th grade. They haven't seen him since, but there are rumors he's back this year.

"Wow, I almost completely forgot about Albert." Gemma says, as she drifts away into a trance. 

"Have you seen him this year? He's supposed to be back." Ginger turns onto a road with multiple cars lined up against the street and Halloween decorations up on one of the doors.

"No." 

Ginger parks the car along the sidewalk, they were fortunate to get parking near by.

"Do you think Albert will be here?" Gemma asks, adjusting her jacket and pulling down her dress.

"Maybe? I heard Harry invited a lot of people to this party." Ginger shrugs and they both walk up to the door.

When they walk inside they are bombarded with loud music and people everywhere. Gemma walks into the living room, which is engulfed in smoke and drunk people, who are already scattered across the floor.

"I'm going to get a drink." Ginger yells into her ear. Gemma nods as she feels slightly afraid to be standing alone at the party.

She watches Ginger disappear through the crowd, so she decides to walk around and ends up stumbling out to an outside patio where people are playing cards on a small table.

She's aware of the time passing and after thirty minutes Ginger is no where to be seen. Slightly annoyed, Gemma decides to wander back in the house and look for her.

"Gemma! Wait up." Gemma turns around as she is halfway up the stairs. She glances down and sees Albert at the bottom of the steps.

"Albert Hammond Jr.?" She questions, as he races up the steps towards her. She almost didn't even recognize him. He has very curly hair now and he dresses like he gets his clothes from a dumpster.

"Hey, how have you been?" They embrace in a quick hug, while they both continue walking up the stairs and down a hallway.

"Well, as you know, I was in Switzerland. It was fucking hell—but I'm back now. Shit have things changed." Albert explains, wrapping his arm around Gemma. She finds it off putting and tenses up. She can't tell if he's drunk or high, she finds it weird he is acting like this.