Today was the day Josh and Tyler had to leave. Josh looked at his phone. Nothing. Still no calls no texts. I guess she's not coming. Josh frowned. He grabbed his suitcase and got into the cab. Josh went through his phone on the car ride there. Going through his pictures of them. Josh smiled. He thought maybe when he came back things would be fine. He rubbed his thumb across his phone screen. Staring at her picture. My bubblegum girl.
Zoey finally crawled out of bed. Her hair was a mess and she looked like shit. Zoey slumped downstairs. "Oh." Lily gasped. "I know I know. I look terrible." Zoey waved her hand. "No I thought you left." "Where would I go?" Zoey scoffed. "To see Josh off. They leave today remember?" She said. Zoey nearly dropped the milk. Her eyes widened. She was right. Josh was leaving today and Zoey wouldn't see him for a month. She closed her eyes. "And?" She said. "Zoey Dawson. Stop trying to be strong. Stop trying to act like everything is fine. I know you better than anyone. Zoey you are NOT fine. Josh is your world. For gods sake he saved you Zoey. You love him more than anything and I know you're depressed without your drummer boy. So stop this bullshit. If he's not gonna fucking talk to you you do it. Grow some balls and fucking talk to him Zoey. I will not let you ruin the one thing that is keeping you on this earth with me." Lily stood up. Zoey just looked at her in disbelief. "Go to him. Before its too late. Make things right. Swallow your pride. Do not let your blurry get the best of you!" She put her hands on her hips. Zoey frowned. Zoey walked away and went upstairs. "Zoey!!" Lily called.
Zoey stared at the wall in the bathroom. Thinking of what she said and Tyler. Zoey pulled at her hair.
"I love you." Josh's voice played in her head.
Zoey got up and grabbed her phone. She hesitantly brought up Josh's contact and called him. It kept ringing but no answer. "Come on. Answer why I've got the courage." She paced. Nothing. "Fuck." She rubbed her face. Zoey looked at the clock. Maybe he doesn't wanna talk to me...She frowned. No. Zoey pinned her hair up and wiped her eyes. She got dressed and grabbed Lily's car keys from her room. Zoey ran downstairs. "Where are you going?!" Lily asked. "To do the right thing." She ran out the door. "Fuck yes!!" Lily ran with.
Tyler and Josh walked up to the gate. "It's okay man." Tyler patted his back. Josh had a frown on his face the whole time. They stood in line waiting to board. Josh had his phone turned down and missed her call. He had no idea. He looked around and saw a couple hugging. His heart felt heavy. He had half a mind to run back to Zoey but he couldn't do that to Tyler.
Lily and Zoey ran into the airport. They headed to the front desk. "Which flight is for Germany?!" Zoey asked. "Which one ma'am?" The lady asked. "Berlin." "Let me look. I'm afraid they're about to depart." Zoey ran ahead. "Ma'am!" She yelled.
Fuckfuckfuckfuck. Zoey ran looking for his flight. She saw a gate. Her heart skipped a beat. Zoey ran threw the security. "Whoa!" The guard yelled. "She's okay!! She's okay!!!" Lily yelled. She held them off and distracted them. Zoey ran to the gate as fast she could. They shut the door. "No!!" She hit the door. "You have to let me on!" Zoey yelled. "I'm sorry they're leaving right now." The man told her. Zoey looked out the window and saw it depart. She covered her mouth. "I was too late. No." Zoey teared up. Lily ran up behind her. "I missed him." She frowned. "Oh Zoey." Lily furrowed her brow and hugged her. Zoey hugged her back and felt like her whole world came crashing down at once. She looked up and saw someone with bright pink hair. Her eyes widened. It was Josh with Tyler. There was two flights. Zoey let go of Lily and just ran. Tears rolling down her face. "J-josh." She choked. "Josh!!" She yelled running to him.
Tyler looked up. "Dude!" He smacked Josh's arm. "What?" He asked looking up from his phone. He saw Zoey called him and was gonna call her back. A familiar voice yelled his name. He turned around to see Zoey running towards him. Josh's eyes widened and his heart sped up. "Zoey?!" He called out. He dropped his bag and let go of his suit case. Josh ran to her. She smiled crying and sprinted faster into his arms. Josh grabbed her and lifted her up while hugging. "I'm so sorry!!" She cried wrapping her legs around him. "I'm sorry Zoey!" He spun her around. "I thought I missed you." Zoey clenched the back of his jacket crying. "You didn't." He smiled hugging her tighter. "I'm so sorry." She kissed his cheek. "No baby I'm sorry." He set her down. "I didn't mean a thing I said. You're not a bitch. I was just upset and I understand why you were." He held her face. "I know its so cliché but I couldn't leave it like this. I should have said something sooner." Zoey rubbed his chest. Josh teared up and smiled. "I didn't mean it. I do need you. So much. I'm crazy about you Zoey. I've never felt this before. Debby means nothing to me. I haven't talked to her since. I'm sorry you thought something was happening. I would never do that to you. I'd rather die first. You're my universe. These past weeks have been hell and it took that for me to realize how much I need you in my life." He held her face and smiled. "I love you Josh. So much." Zoey cried hugging him. "I love you too Zoreo." He squeezed her. "I was so depressed without you. I almost relapsed. But every time the thought came you were there. Telling me to stop. Saying it'd be okay. You wouldn't get out of my head." She smiled through her tears. Josh furrowed his brow and smiled. He kissed her passionately. Zoey wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm always here." His forehead touched hers. "Always." She cried. "Always." He sniffed and smiled. Zoey pulled him into another kiss. Josh held her tightly. Tyler smiled at Jenna. "I told you things would be okay." He grinned at her. Jenna laughed and hugged Tyler. They watched them kiss. Lily was smiling at them. "I'm not gonna cry. No I'm fucking not." Lily sniffed. "Well fuck." She smiled and rubbed her eyes.
The lady called for final boarding for his flight. Josh looked back and then at Zoey and frowned. "Its okay." She smiled. "I don't wanna leave you." He held her face. "You gots too." She giggled. "This isn't goodbye." She hugged him tightly. Josh kissed her head and held her as she walked him to the gate. "Please text me as soon as you get off." Zoey rubbed his cheek. "I will. I promise." Josh kissed her. "Call me when you can. It doesn't have to be everyday. Skype me whenever. You have my username. I don't care what time it is for me. I'll turn my phone up. Call me or Skype when you can I will answer." Zoey hugged him tightly. "I will text as much as I can. I'll call after each show. If I don't respond back right away I'm probably sound checking or something but I will as soon as i can baby. God I love you so much." He hugged her. "I love you too. Don't miss your plane." She squeezed him. Josh gave her one more good squeeze and then kissed her. "Josh." Tyler called him. Josh frowned and smiled when he looked at Zoey's smile. "Stay safe baby." He said. "I will. You too." She smiled. Josh kissed her once more before being pulled away by one of the crew. "I love you Josh!" She waved. "I love you too Zoreo!" He smiled and waved back. Lily hugged her. "See? Now was that so hard?" She asked. "Yeah it was. I had to say goodbye." Zoey frowned. "Well if you two weren't moping then you coulda sent the last weeks together. You will see him soon enough." Lily smiled. Zoey smiled and bit her lip. Lily drove them home.
The car ride was stressful. Zoey was so used to being with Josh on the plane. She worried about him. "He's gonna be fine." Lily patted her shoulder. "What if-" "No what ifs." She wagged her finger. "Okay." Zoey popped in her headphones. She listened to Twenty-one pilots on the rest of the ride back.
~👽~
Zoey woke up in the middle of the night. She had a nightmare. When she rolled over she saw Josh had texted her.
👽Spooky💚: hey baby. Idk when u will see this but I'm here and safe.
👽Spooky💚: its like 8 in the morning. Tyler was snoring on the plane.
👽Spooky💚: I rly miss u
👽Spooky💚: so I googled it and I just realized its probably like 1-2am for u. I'll stop spamming. Sleep well. Ily
Zoey grinned and texted him.
👑Zoreo💚: I'm awake now
👽Spooky💚: why???
👑Zoreo💚: nightmare
👽Spooky💚: u need to call me?
👽Spooky💚: u can
👑Zoreo💚: no i don't wanna bother u. I'm okay now. It was about u.
👽Spooky💚: me?
👑Zoreo💚: plane crashing blah blah blah
👽Spooky💚: ohh well I'm ok 😊
👑Zoreo💚: I see 💚
👽Spooky💚: I miss u
👑Zoreo💚: I miss u too.
👑Zoreo💚: can I call u?
He read it and didn't reply. Zoey frowned until she saw Josh calling.
"Hey." She answered with a smile. "Hey beautiful." She could hear him smiling. "Beautiful? You can't even see me." She snickered. "I don't need to to know you are." Josh said. Zoey giggled. "One month." He said. "One month." She smiled. "Do you wanna vent about your dream?" He asked. "No. I'm on the phone with you so I know you're safe." Zoey ran her fingers through her hair. "You're so cute. Did you have a good day?" He asked. "Ehhh." "What's wrong?" Josh's tone sounded concerned. "Just saying goodbye." She snickered. "Oh yeah. That was pretty rough." He laughed. "So what's it like in Germany?" She laid on her side. "Hang on." He said. "Okay." Josh hung up. Zoey was confused until he called her on Skype.
She saw his face light up. "Hey!" He grinned. "Heyo!" Zoey bit her lip smiling. "Hang on." He smiled. Zoey nodded and she saw Josh lower his phone near his chest. He walked outside and lifted his phone up so Zoey could see him and then part of outside. "Oh wow!" She smiled. "It's pretty beautiful." Josh spun the camera around. "I see." She sat up. "Not as much as you though." He smiled warmly. Zoey blushed. "Well as you can see this is what I'd like to call my bedroom." Zoey stood up and spun around. "How lovely." He snickered. "Wait spin back to your left." He said. Zoey did so. "Is that the stuffed bear I got you?" He pointed at the bed. "Oh yeah." She turned around and grabbed it. "I sleep with it when you're not around." She grinned. Josh blushed. "Really?" He asked. "Yeah." Zoey held it. "Damn." He frowned. "What?" She asked. "I didn't think of something like that for me." He pouted. "Oh." She snickered. "Damn." He sat down. "Mail me one of your shirts or something." He joked. "I would if I knew you'd get it." Zoey laughed. Josh smiled big. "What?" She asked. "Your laugh." Josh rubbed his face. "God I miss you so much." He sighed. "I know.." She sat on the bed and leaned against the headboard. "I can't believe everything I said to you. I made you cry. And I-" "Shhh. Its okay baby. I messed up too. Its okay now." She smiled. Josh furrowed his brow and smiled. "I love you." He said. "I love you too." She smiled. Zoey rubbed her eye. Josh knew she was tired but she can't sleep after nightmares. He always cuddled her and rubbed her head until she could. "What time is it?" He asked. "Like 3 something." She shrugged. Josh frowned. "You should try and sleep." He told her. "I don't think I can." She frowned. Josh looked down then smiled at her. "Lay down." He said. "What?" She asked. "Lay down. Get comfortable and set me on the night stand." He smiled. Zoey propped her phone on its side on her night stand. She took off her shirt. Josh blushed seeing her in her bra. Zoey grabbed the stuffed animal and cuddled it as she laid down. She pulled the blankets up and turned up her phone volume. "Okay. I guess I'm comfy." She smiled. "Good. Just relax and hold the animal I got you. Imma just talk to you about these past two weeks and today." He smiled. "I mean I'd sing but I'm terrible so this will do since I can't hold you." Josh grinned. "You have a beautiful voice Josh. I wish you'd use it more. I've heard you sing." She smiled. Josh began telling her how much he missed her over the weeks and all he went through.
"I still haven't talked to her." He said. "Why not?" Zoey yawned. "Zoey. It almost cost me the best thing in my life. I don't care how good of friends her and me are. I almost lost you." He told her. Zoey smiled. "I love you." She reached her hand out towards her phone. She put her finger on the screen. Josh put his finger on the screen. "I love you too." He smiled. "I'm sorry I snapped." She frowned. "I forgive you. Honestly when I think about it, from your point of view I'd be hurt too." Josh smiled. "When you get back.." Zoey looked away. "What?" He asked. "Can we redo our 6 month? I feel bad for ruining it." She asked. "Of course we can." Josh smiled. "You're so adorable." She covered her face hiding her smile. "I wish I could kiss you right now." Josh bit his lip. "Same." She smiled. "Okay. How about we try something silly?" He snickered. "What?" She shifted. "On the count of three..." He shook his head. "Whaaaat?" She sang. "Kiss your screen." He smiled. "Kiss the screen?" She giggled. "It's not the same but close enough." He shrugged. Zoey leaned forward. "Alrighty Spooky." She grinned. Josh smiled. "1, 2, 3." Zoey said. They both kissed the camera at the same time. "I almost felt it." Josh snickered as he blushed. Zoey giggled and snuggled back with her red bear.
She yawned again. Josh frowned. He wanted her to rest. Even a nap. "You're not staying up to talk to me are you?" He asked. "No. Its something I'd do but not this time." She laughed. "What can I do?" He asked. "Just relax and smile." She rubbed the screen. Josh smiled. He remembered what Zoey said about him singing before. How much she liked his voice. "Close your eyes." He said. "Okay?" Zoey snickered and closed them. Josh took a deep breath. "Wise men say, only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in love with you." Josh sang. He watched as a huge grin spread across her face. He cleared his throat and smiled. "Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? If I can't help falling in love with you." Josh watched her. "Like a river flows. Surely to the sea. Darling so it goes somethings were meant to be. Take my hand. Take my whole life too. Cause I can't help falling in love with you. Like a river flows, surely to the sea, darling so it goes something were meant to be." Josh took a deep breath. "Take my hand. Take my whole life too. Cause I can't help falling in love with you. Cause I can't help falling in love with you." Josh smiled at Zoey. "But I can't help falling in love with you." He sang softly. Zoey didn't move. He looked closely and saw her breathing. Josh grinned big. She was asleep. He managed to somehow sing her to sleep. Josh sat there watching her. He muted his end so no sounds from his end woke her. Josh stayed in the call. He got out his laptop and started watching Netflix. Zoey was kind enough to give him her account password so he could watch stuff while they toured. Josh set his phone by the laptop so he could keep an eye on her while watching stuff. He wouldn't stay the whole time she slept, just long enough to when he was sure she was deeply asleep.
Josh was watching one of the first shows him and Zoey watched together, American Horror Story. He decided to rewatch the first season. However, Josh found himself watching Zoey sleep more than the show itself. He laid his chin on the table and watched her. She shifted and turned on her stomach. He watched her nuzzled her bear. Josh smiled warmly. After about 20 minutes he finally hung up and decided to go exploring. Zoey would want pics anyway and she wasn't gonna be up again until later when it was night for him.
He threw on his coat and headed out into the streets of Berlin. He kept his ring volume high incase Zoey called. Josh was so grateful to have her. It was gonna be a long month without his bubblegum girl. Zoey would have loved to be here. The chilly weather and all the leaves. It was gorgeous.
Zoey rolled over and looked at the clock. It was 1 o clock. She yawned and stretched. She glanced at her phone. Zoey unlocked her phone. It opened up to their Skype chat. She read what time he hung up. Why did he stay so long after? She questioned. Zoey texted him.
👑Zoreo💚: stay safe |-/
👽Spooky💚: I am. U too |-/
👑Zoreo💚: did u explore?
👽Spooky💚: yeah u woulda loved it.
👽Spooky💚: good afternoon btw or is it morning? I forget lol
👑Zoreo💚: afternoon lol did u take pics?
👽Spooky💚: check Snapchat
Zoey did just that. She beamed when she saw the picture of him. Zoey screenshot it and sent it to him.
👑Zoreo💚: who is that handsome devil? 😏
👽Spooky💚: omg haha
👑Zoreo💚:angel*
👽Spooky💚: did u sleep good?
👑Zoreo💚: yes I did. Thank u Josh. I love ur voice so much. 😍
👽Spooky💚: I'm glad. :)
👑Zoreo💚: why did u stay so long after?
👽Spooky💚: to make sure u slept soundly and stayed asleep.
👑Zoreo💚: awe Josh
👑Zoreo💚: u didn't have too
👽Spooky💚: Ik but still
👑Zoreo💚: ily
👽Spooky💚: ily too Zoreo
👑Zoreo💚: 😏😂
👽Spooky💚: can I Skype u later?
👽Spooky💚:before I sleep?
👑Zoreo💚:of course baby! You dont ever have to ask. 💖
👽Spooky💚: Tyler says hi btw lol
👽Spooky💚: and sick ❤
👑Zoreo💚: hello tyjo and indeed 😆
Zoey sat up cuddling her bear as she texted Josh. She felt bad after their fight. She wasted two weeks ignoring him when she could have spent them with him. Now she had to wait a month to see Josh. Zoey couldn't explain how grateful she was for him. It was thanks to him and Tyler she had her art interview in a couple days. She was hella nervous. Zoey read over the pamphlet. She had to present some of her artwork. Both new and old. They asked for a lot but considering the school she wasn't surprised. Zoey realized how much work this was gonna be. She started to worry she wouldn't have enough time to finish it all. Zoey looked at her phone and then the pamphlet. Text Josh or start working? Zoey pulled at her hair. She thought of what Josh would want. Zoey texted him why she had to go but to Skype her later. Josh was understanding and gave her words of encouragement.
"Pour your heart into it. Make it scream Zoey."
Zoey grabbed the car keys and headed out to the store. She needed to get A LOT of things.
At the store she pushed the cart around. "Let's see. Paint, sketch pencils, and canvases." She sighed. Zoey went to the canvas aisle. They required a 3x3 foot canvas, some smaller one, and some paper drawings. Zoey looked around. She was thinking of what she would do. It had to scream her and wow them. Josh and Tyler pulled some big strings and she was talked up a lot. It had to be original and knock them out their seats. She was starting to feel the pressure. Zoey grabbed a canvas and then a smaller one. She headed to the paint aisle. She couldn't buy paint without knowing what to do. Zoey just grabbed one of each color. She'd use all of it all some point anyway.
~👽~
Zoey was in their spare bedroom. She had the canvas hung up and she sat down with the paint staring at it. Her mind was blank. This couldn't be a worse time to go blank. She only had four days. Zoey took a breath and laid on the floor. Her sketchbook lying next to her. Zoey popped in her headphones and closed her eyes. Something original. Something you. What is me? She squeezed her eyes. Zoey opened them and sighed in frustration. Roses. She smiled. Zoey loved drawing roses and she did a hella good job at it. That won't wow them enough. She rolled her eyes. Why was this so hard? Zoey sat up and opened her sketchbook. Goner came on shuffle. Zoey bit her lip. "Somebody catch my breath." She whispered. Zoey closed her eyes. She grabbed a pencil. She began to draw. What she felt. What she heard.
Three hours later Zoey came out with a beautiful drawing. It was a rose. With some petals flying up and turning into birds. It symbolized the beauty of being free. Not letting the dark drag her. She made sure to incorporate one of the birds red. Zoey made her signature and smiled. She labeled it, "Catch my breath", it wasn't the best but she figured it worked. Zoey flipped the page. She was known for her darker drawings. So she did just that. Sketching out a silhouette reaching upward and blacked out hands grabbing her legs. She colored it making it look underwater adding all the air bubbles. At the top it included rays of sunshine stabbing through the water to what looked like burning off some of the hands.
"Light In The Darkness."
She wrote. Zoey frowned. She didn't like the name. "Rising out of the Abyss.", she wrote instead. Zoey smiled and leaned her head on her knee. Zoey looked at the clock. It was midnight for Josh. Her eyes widened. He never called? Zoey dropped her book and crawled over to her phone.
👑Zoreo💚: Josh??
👑Zoreo💚: r u ok?
👑Zoreo💚: plz answer
👽Spooky💚: I'm fine 😊
👑Zoreo💚: don't scare me!
👑Zoreo💚: u didn't call
👽Spooky💚: I'm sry. I wanted to let u get ur stuff done.
👑Zoreo💚: I've got part of it done. Call me rn mister. I'm on my laptop.
Josh smirked. My Zoreo. Always thinking about everyone else. He Skyped her. "Hey!" She waved. Josh smiled big and waved. Josh was sitting up in bed. She saw the lights dimmed and him shirtless. "Did I wake you?" She asked. "No baby." He smiled. "Good. You should be asleep though." She frowned. "Let's talk about you." Josh grinned. "Um what about?" She asked. "Are you excited for your interview?" He scratched his neck and smiled. "Yeah but I'm really nervous." She frowned. "Why?" He looked at her. "What if they don't like my stuff?" She told him. "Zoreo, you're so talented. I wish I could do even half the stuff you can. Don't underestimate yourself. I believe in you. I know in my heart you're gonna impress them. If for some reason they don't like it then screw them." He encouraged. "No screw them. They're a big school-" "If they won't take you they're not good or worth it in my book. At all." Josh stated. Zoey smiled warmly. "Show me what you've got so far." He smiled. Zoey nodded. She grabbed her book. Zoey showed Josh the first one with the rose. Josh looked closer. "Whoa." His eyes widened. He looked at the red bird and then the title. He smiled. "It represents the beauty of being free. Being able to finally breathe and just fly away." She smiled. "I did a rose because I find beauty and love with them." She pointed at it. Josh smiled. "Its beautiful Zoey. And the meaning is wonderful. When I look at it," Josh shook his head. "You can just feel the meaning. The level of depth and emotion in it. The way you have petals flying off and becoming these birds flying away, it tells a story." He smiled at her. Zoey grinned big. "Really?" She asked. "Yes." He nodded. "Okay now the next one is a little dark.." She flipped the page. Josh's smile left. "Dark?" He asked. "No no I'm fine. Dark is just what I'm good at and its not completely dark. There's some light to it." She smiled and showed him. Josh had to do a double take. It was gorgeous. "Oh wow! Zoey, god you never cease to amaze me!" Josh moved his laptop closer. "Can you bring it a little closer? I wanna see the hands." Zoey moved it closer. She had those little details like the knuckles and all highlighted in white. The way the hands burned off looking like they vanish away and faded. The sun rays cutting like blades. He admired the other details like the water movement when she reaches up and the air bubbles. Her dark to light gradient and how the color of the water pops but it isn't overpowering. Josh rubbed his mouth. "Zoey its flawless. I'm so speechless. How long did these all take?" He asked. "All day." She shrugged. "I would kiss you if I could. You have to show these to them." He smiled. "I will." Zoey grinned. "Thank you." "Don't thank me baby. You're so talented." Josh bit his lip and smiled more.
"What's that behind you?" He asked. "Hm? Oh." Zoey lifted the laptop and showed him. She set it back down and laid on the floor. "3x3 canvas." She said. "Foot? Its huge." He raised his brows. "Requirement. I have to paint something on it." She told him. "What are you doing?" He asked. "I have no idea." She sighed and covered her face. Josh could tell it was stressing her out. "Hey." He said softly. Zoey peeked through her fingers at him. "You can do it. I believe in you." He smiled. Zoey felt her heart flutter. She smiled at Josh. "You do?" She asked. "Of course. You can totally knock it out. You're gonna leave them speechless and begging for more." He grinned. "I love you." She smiled. Josh smiled like a dork. "I love you too." He blushed. "Well its late so imma let you go. Text me when you wake or something." She smiled. "Alright babe. Thank you and I love you. Please get some rest." He said. "You too dork." Zoey snickered. Josh laughed. "Goodnight Zoreo." He touched the screen with his hand. "Goodnight Drummer boy." She did the same. Zoey kissed the camera and smiled. Josh laughed and blushed. "I love you." He said. "I love you too." She sat criss crossed. She smiled and waved at him. Josh waved and blew her a kiss. They hung up. Josh shut his laptop down and put it away. He laid down and could not wipe away his grin. He was so in love with her. Josh drifted off to sleep.