Tomorrow was Zoey's interview. She still hasn't painted her canvas. Zoey even locked herself in the room with it for 24 hours. Nothing. Zoey sighed in frustration. "Why is this so hard?" She yelled. Zoey finally left. "Hey you okay?" Lily asked. "No. I fucking give up." Zoey plopped onto the couch. "You can't give up." Lily frowned. "This is your dream." She said. "I can't do it! My mind goes blank just like the canvas. I can't focus and I can't breathe. I'm struggling so hard and I'm gonna ruin my chance and interview." Zoey covered her face with a pillow. "Really? You're just gonna give up?" Lily stood up. "I might as well." Zoey sighed looking at her. "After everything Josh AND Tyler went through to get you this? You're just gonna throw a fit and give up? What would Josh think? Do you think he gave up on his dream? Tyler's? Imagine where they'd be if they did. You really wanna quit? Do that to yourself?" Lily crossed her arms. "No.." Zoey looked at her. "Then get up. Zoey you can do this. Don't let your stress get you. Go take a walk. Listen to music. Find some inspo." Lily pulled her up. Zoey smirked. "You're right." She smiled. Lily hugged her. Zoey hugged her back. "Now get your ass out there and find your muse." Lily pointed at the door smiling.
Zoey slipped on her flip flops and headed out. She walked down the street admiring the trees. I could do fall? No not original. Everyone does that. Zoey questioned. "Something that screams me." She said. 30 minutes turned into 50 which turned into two hours. Walking and walking. Zoey turned her music up. Just then Josh called. "Hello?" She answered. "Heyy." He said. "Hey Spook." She smiled. "Did you finish it yet?" He asked. "Nope. Not even started." She sighed. "Oh baby." Josh frowned. "I can't find any inspiration. I've been walking for hours now." Zoey explained. "Hours? Is Lily with you?" His voice sounded tense. "Nah." She shrugged. "You're alone?" She heard him moving around. "I'm fine Josh. I've walked by myself a lot." She laughed. "But I'm not there. What if something happens? You're all by yourself." The sound of a door opened on his end. "Josh it'll be okay babe. I'll head home if I don't feel safe and call Lily. Promise." Zoey smiled. "You swear?" He asked. "I swear Josh." Zoey grinned. Josh sighed a bit in relief. "Where are you now?" He asked. "Just passed your place." She laughed. "Oh." He snickered. "That's a long way. Please be careful." He pouted. "I will." She snickered. "Is it nice out?" He asked. "Yeah. You?" She asked. "A little chilly." Josh told her. "Coat. Don't get sick." He could just feel her wagging her finger at the phone. "I do wear it." He laughed. "Good! Also I saw you in your beanie." She said. "Oh?" He snickered. "Yeah Twitter stuff with fans. You look so cute!!" She giggled. "Yeah?" He blushed. "My Lil beanie baby!" Zoey bit her lip smiling. Josh laughed and blushed. "I'm wearing it right now to be honest." He told her. Zoey gasped. "Skype?" He asked. "Skype!" She hung up.
Josh laughed and called her. "Ahhhh!! You are!!" Zoey fangirled. Josh grinned big. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just love beanies and you're so cute in them and ahhh." She smiled. She could see Josh blushing as he smiled. "Blushy beanie baby." She snickered. Josh blew her a kiss. Zoey blew one back. "You're such a dork. A cute one. With a beanie." She said. "Why thank you." He nodded and laughed. Josh leaned on his hand watching her walk. She was so beautiful. "I can't wait to see you after." He smiled warmly. "Me too." She bit her lip. "I'm never gonna let you go." He snickered. "You won't have too." She smiled as her pink hair blew in the breeze. Josh's heart skipped a beat looking at her smile. The sun shined on it perfectly illuminating that smile he oh so adored.
Josh had to eventually go and Zoey started walking back. It was now evening time. She'd been out several hours. Still nothing.
"Pour your heart into it.."
Josh's voice played in her head. Zoey stopped in her tracks. My heart? She thought looking down. My heart onto the canvas? Zoey questioned. Suddenly she looked forward. Her eyes widened. She knew what to do. Zoey ran as fast as she could back to the apartment. Her head flowing with ideas.
She bursted into the apartment. "Zoey?" Lily turned around fast. "Can't talk! Idea!!" Zoey ran upstairs smiling. Lily smiled and shut the front door. Zoey ran into the room and shut the door. She set her phone down and starting mixing paint. Stroke by stroke Zoey started painting. Different shades of pinks and reds. Black and orange. White and yellows. Zoey had the biggest smile on her face. This. This would be her greatest creation.
~👽~
Zoey woke up to Josh skyping her. She yawned and picked it up. "Morning." He smiled. "Hey." She yawned. "Did I wake you?" He asked. "Its okay. I had to get up to get ready anyway." She smiled. "Did you do something?" Josh looked at her concerned. "I did." She grinned. Josh smiled. "Show me." He said excitedly. Zoey stood up and reversed camera sides. Josh's jaw dropped. "Z-Zoey.." He was in shock. "W-what is that?" Josh sat on his bed. "You said pour my heart into it." She smiled. "You're my heart." Zoey added. Josh's eyes widened more.
Zoey had painted Josh. His face. It had paint splatters in the back of all different colors and mainly pink. Blending with his pink curls. Zoey had painted different things around his head in the background. He recognized them. Concert photos. Hands of the clique making the symbol. His drums. Tyler jumping off a piano. He saw some stuff from msg. References to SNL. "Oh Zoey." Josh put his hand on his chest. "It looks just like a photo." He furrowed his brow and smiled. "No matter what I do, you're always in my head. You're in my heart. So I painted what I love. The very person who constantly inspires me and motivates me. The man who saved my life. My heart." Zoey smiled. She turned the camera back to selfie mode and stood in front of the painting. Josh got teary eyed. "Zoey." He was speechless. She just stood there smiling big. Paint all over her and him in the background. "Oh! Almost forgot!" She got down and showed him the title of the painting.
"Cotton Candy Drummer Boy."
Josh felt his heart explode into sparks. He was speechless. Josh wiped his eye not wanting to cry like that. He just smiled and laughed. "It's amazing baby!" He grinned. Zoey saw he was teary eyed and smiled big. "Thank you. Stayed up all night doing it. I'm surprised I even finished it." She giggled. "If I could come through this screen I'd give you the biggest kiss and hug you until the end of time. Oh my god Zoey." Josh couldn't stop smiling. Zoey blushed and giggled. Her smile was full of life just like her painting. Josh was so happy and proud of her. "I love you so much." Josh ran his fingers through his hair smiling like a dork. "I love you too baby." Zoey beamed. "Hey I have to go. I've got to set the fan in front of it to make sure it dries in time and get ready." Zoey told him. "Okay. Call me before you leave. I'll wait." He smiled. "Thank you Josh. You're so supportive." She smiled and hung up. Josh laid down smiling. He covered his face. Tyler knocked and walked in. "Hey-you okay?" He looked at Josh. Josh removed his hands to reveal his smile. "I'm in love." He bit his lip. Tyler smiled. "What happened?" Tyler sat on the bed. "Tyler. Oh my god." Josh laughed and blushed. "She painted me. For her big canvas requirement." He rubbed his arm. "What? Dude that's sick!" Tyler gave him a high five. Josh explained what it looked like in full detail.
"Oh wow." Tyler raised his brows. "Tyler. I have to do it. I don't know if I can wait until December. We have too." Josh smiled big. "Its a big step in a relationship." Tyler told him. "Were ready. I'm ready." He played with his pants. "I support it." Tyler hugged him. "I don't know how to wait until December. I wish I could now. What's to stop me from when I see her." Josh laughed. "Its important. You'll wait." Tyler smiled. "Its a great thing. I can't tell you how happy I was with Jenna." He added. "Do you think Zoey will say yes to it?" Josh looked at him. "She's crazy about you." Tyler smirked. "Yeah." Josh sighed and smiled. "I'm crazy about her too." Josh said.
Zoey finished her makeup. She straightened her hair and debated on what to wear. Zoey tried on some dresses but nothing worked. She glanced at the dress in the back. It was a solid red dress. It was a mid length dress that was flowy at the end. She tried it on and smiled. She slipped on some black heels and then put on her matte red lipstick. Zoey took a deep breath and grabbed her artwork. She managed to fit it all in the car and got in. Zoey put her phone on the clip holder that was on the dash. She turned it so her phone faced her and skyped Josh.
"Hey beautiful." He smiled. "Are you driving?" He asked. "Yeah but you're on the dash right now don't worry." She laughed. "Oh thank god." He breathed. "You're gonna do great baby." He yawned. "You should really sleep." She smiled as she drove down the road. "Not yet." He smiled. "Josh?" She said. "Mhm?" Josh stretched. "I'm really nervous." She bit her lip. "That's okay. It shows you care. You're gonna do fine baby." He smiled. "I wish you were here." Zoey sighed. "Me too baby." He frowned.
"This is it." She sat there. "What are you waiting for?" He raised a brow. "Nothing. I can't move." She started laughing nervously. "Look at me. Zoey look at me." Josh got closer to his camera. Zoey looked at him. "I believe in you. You go in there and show them who Zoey Dawson is. Show them your sick art. Blow them away. You can do this." He smiled at her assuring. Zoey smiled. "You're right." Zoey unbuckled. "I can do this." She smiled big. "Good luck Zoreo." Josh blew her a kiss. "Thank you Josh." She blew one back and they hung up. Zoey grabbed her art and headed inside.
"Ms.Dawson, they're ready for you." The lady called out. Zoey took a breath and went in the room. "Hello." She smiled. "Good morning." They smiled. It was a man and woman. "Please set up your canvas and have a seat." The man said. Zoey nodded and put up her canvas of Josh. She set her papers of artwork on their desk and sat down. Immediately they took to her canvas and whispering. They nodded. "Welcome Zoey. We've heard quite a lot about you." The man looked at his paperwork. "I hope its all good." She smiled. "It is. We see you've done artwork for Twenty-one pilots?" The woman asked. "Yes I have." Zoey nodded. "Hmm. Impressive." She whispered. "So tell us about your creations here." The woman smiled. They grabbed the one with the rose. Zoey explained the meaning behind it. "Really now? Got to say, I love your rose. It looks like I can just touch it." She said. "Its really wonderful. The shading and symmetry is outstanding. Your petals are flying off the page." The man pointed at things. "Tell us about this one. I'm eager to here." He said grabbing the other. "Rising from the Abyss?" The woman asked. "Rising out of the darkness in a sense. Rising out of the abyss of sorrow." Zoey explained. "Tell me, what inspired this piece exactly?" He asked. "Oh. I've gone through some hardships. I went to a really dark place. I'm better now! This represents that. I'm rising out of the dark and into the light." She smiled. "Interesting." He nodded. "Were glad to here you're doing better. It'd be a shame to lose talent like this." The woman smiled. "Thank you." Zoey smiled. "Now what I want to hear about is this. Behind you. What a gorgeous piece. Who is that?" The woman asked. Zoey stood up and walked over to it. "This, is my boyfriend. Josh Dun. I was stressing out lately about what to do for this project. I needed something fresh, original, something me and from my heart. When it really came down to it, Josh is my heart. He's helped me through so so much. I don't think I'd be here without him." Zoey smiled. The woman placed her hand on her chest as the two smiled. "He's been the light in my darkness, I honestly don't know how he puts up with me." Zoey snickered. They laughed. "But he's always there. Josh always supports me especially my art. Even when I've doubted myself he never did. He's constantly encouraging me to work hard." Zoey sniffed. "What is all this in the background?" The man asked. "Different things from the tour and things that remind me of Josh. This is the symbol the band does. Oh, this is Josh's best friend Tyler. He's the lead singer. This was from when they performed msg. Josh is the drummer so I had to incorporate his drums. He's into the whole space thing like me so I added kinda of like a splatter of it in the back mainly of pink." Zoey pointed it out. "Honestly, this is just beautiful. The meaning is absolutely touching. Its such a wonderful thing to have someone like that in your life. You never let them go." The man said. "We'd like a moment to look closer at your canvas." The woman said. Zoey nodded and stepped aside. They both walked over to the canvas and starting pointing and whispering. Zoey's anxiety raised. She held her necklace charm and did her mental exercises. Naming things in the room to steady and ground herself. "Alrighty Zoey." They sat down. "If you could step outside for a moment. We have some things to look into and discuss." The man told her. "Okay. Thank you." Zoey smiled and left. She sat down and breathed. She was still nervous as hell. What if she didn't get it?
15 minutes later they called her back again. Zoey walked in and sat down. They didn't look satisfied. Zoey felt sick. "After much deliberating and looking things over closely." The man sighed. Her anxiety was never higher than right now. "We would love for you to join us." The lady smiled. Zoey's eyes widened. "Your talent is beautiful. Your technique is flawless and raw. The emotion and depth that you put into your work is outstanding." The man smiled. "We're more than happy to have you." He reached his hand out. Zoey shook their hands and smiled big. "Thank you so so much!" She smiled. "Its our pleasure. We look forward to seeing your future work." The woman smiled.
Zoey ran out the building smiling. "Yes!!" She spun around. Zoey started dancing around. She was teary eyed. She immediately called Josh. "Hello?" He yawned. "Sorry. I thought you'd wanna know what happened." Zoey sniffed. Josh rubbed his eyes and sat up. She sounded like she was crying. "What happened?" He frowned. "I...I got in!!" Zoey yelled. "What?!" Josh stood up. "I did it Josh!! We did it!" She cried laughing. "Oh my god baby!! I knew you could!! I'm so proud of you!" Josh was beaming. Josh ran into Tyler's room. "She got in!!!" He yelled. Tyler rolled over. "What man?" He stretched. "Zoey got in!!" Josh threw his arm up. "That's sick dude!" Tyler smiled. Josh ran out talking to Zoey and praising her. Tyler snickered and went back to sleep.
"Zoey I'm so proud of you!" Josh said excitedly. "Thank you Josh!!" She giggled sniffling. "God if I could I'd pick you up and spin you around right now." He smiled big. "Save it for another day." She smiled. "So what happens now?" He asked sitting on his bed. "Well they don't wanna put me in classes right now because the holidays. So they want me to start fresh in January." She told him. Josh's heart sank. "January?" He asked. Zoey was supposed to finish touring with them after Christmas. "Yep. You know what the best part is?" She asked. "What?" Josh rubbed his leg. "I can actually take them online." She smiled. "Wait so-" "I can still come with you. The first couple courses I have are simple stuff I know. Its like review almost. Each course is like two months long I believe. My actual classes don't start until the summer. Well be back by then." Zoey smiled. Josh breathed happily. "That's fantastic babe." He laid down with a grin. They talked for awhile longer before Zoey made Josh get off so he could sleep.
When Zoey got home she told Lily the good news and they hugged. They agreed to celebrate another time because Zoey was too exhausted. She ran upstairs and plopped on her bed. She kicked off her heels and cuddled her bear. It smelled just like Josh. She smiled and soon enough Zoey was napping.
~👽~
A couple days had gone by. Zoey was lucky enough for some of the clique to be periscoping the concerts. It made her feel good that even though she couldn't be there she was still able to see Josh do his thing. Even if it was from a distance on the other side of the world. Josh loved that she tried hard to make sure she could see him perform. It meant everything. Even if he was miles and miles away he felt her love and support radiating on him.
Zoey was dancing around in the kitchen making dinner. She had headphones in. "I'll stay awake. Cause the darks not taking prisoners tonight." She sang. Lily walked over and heard the lyrics clearly. How her eardrums still functioned so well lost Lily. She started dancing up next to Zoey. Zoey laughed and unplugged her headphones. "Rap battle?" Lily smirked. "Rap battle." Zoey smirked. They both tried rapping the second verse. Lily did fairly well. She messed up only once on the second line. Zoey nailed it. "No fair. You were with Josh for months hearing it over and over." Lily laughed. "Hey. No reason you couldn't practice. That's my practice time." Zoey winked. Lily scoffed and laughed. "However I have had help from a certain someone." She added. "No surprise there." Lily snickered. "So what are you making me?" She smelled Zoey's pan. "I'm making US tacos." Zoey stirred the meat. "Fuckkk yeessss!" Lily clenched her fists and rolled her eyes back. Zoey laughed at her. "Imma snap this and send it to Josh. Sucks to be him." Lily laughed manically. Zoey just laughed.
While they were eating Zoey got a text.
Unknown: is this Zoey?
Zoey: may I ask who this is?
Unknown: its Debby.
Zoey nearly dropped her phone.
Zoey: how did u get my number?
Debby: I asked a friend. No it wasn't Josh.
Zoey: ik it wasn't Josh. He doesn't just give my number out. He respects me.
Zoey: what do u want?
Debby: can we talk? Like meet up?
Zoey: why?
Debby: I need to explain somethings.
Zoey: when?
Debby: tomorrow if that's okay with u
Zoey: where?
Debby: anywhere u want.
Zoey: the Starbucks.
Zoey: ya know, the one u were hugging my boyfriend at?
Lily was looking at the convo while they texted and nearly choked reading that. She held in her laughter. "Sassy." Lily snickered. Zoey rolled her eyes and laughed.
Debby: yes I do...
Debby: I guess I deserved that..
Zoey: yeah.
Debby: 2pm work?
Zoey: yep
Debby: ok
Zoey: 👋 k see u then
Josh called Zoey. "Hey baby." She answered. "You're having tacos without me?" He asked. "So I see she did send you it. I'm sorry. I'll make you all the tacos you want when you get back." Zoey smiled. "Ooooo Joooshhhh." Lily sang. "Stop it!" Zoey pushed her. "Anyway," Zoey walked to the kitchen. "Guess who texted me?" She asked him. "Who?" He questioned. "Debby." Zoey said. Josh's eyes widened. "What? How?? I didn't give her-" "I know Joshy. She said some friend. She wants to meet me tomorrow and talk." Zoey told him. "Are you gonna?" He asked. "I am." She stood up straight. "Is that a good idea?" Josh questioned. "Yeah. I got some things to say." She said. Josh heard the sass in her voice and snickered. "What?" She asked. "Nothing baby." He smiled. "I need to settle things. Like I'm not gonna make y'all not talk and all. I'm not gonna be that girlfriend. But I need to lay down some rules. Especially with the hugging." She put her hand on her hip. "You're so cute." He laughed. Josh had never seen Zoey get protective and possessive. He thought it was adorable. "Touching my man." She growled under her breath. Josh smiled. "I love you Zoreo." He said. "I love you too drummer boy." She giggled. "God I miss you." Zoey sat on the floor. "I know baby. I miss you too." He sighed. "How have you been sleeping?" He asked. "Ehhh." She shrugged. "Zoey. I told you to call me if you can't." Josh frowned. "I can't rely on you all the time. I'd love too but you can't answer all the time. You have a life besides me." Zoey told him. "Yes but you are a HUGE part of my life. You're right I can't always answer but I will try. I hate the fact you're losing sleep. Its not good for you." Zoey heard him walking. "Enough about me. Where you heading to handsome?" She smiled. "You know I'm walking?" He asked. "I can hear your boots dork and your coat shifting." Zoey laughed. "Oh." He snickered. "I'm just out exploring. I keep meeting all these fans and its so great. Some of them have shown me their art. Its unreal the talent." She could tell he had a grin. "I'm so happy for you. I know its something you love." She giggled. "It is. Some of them asked about you too." He smiled. "Really??" Zoey was shocked. "Yeah they say hi. Its great." He smiled. "Awee." She put her hand on her chest smiling. "Do you blame them? You're great." He said. "No I'm not." She laughed. "You totally are babe. You're so sick." Josh told her. "You're pretty sick too." She smiled. "Thanks gorgeous." Josh laughed. "Can I see you?" He asked. "Mhm." She smiled. They hung up.
Zoey quickly fixed her hair and shirt. She answered his Skype. "Beanie baby!!" She smiled. Josh laughed and blushed. "What's up bubblegum girl?" He smirked. "Nothing." She bit her lip smiling. "Why are you on the kitchen floor?" He raised a brow. "Oh. I didn't wanna go upstairs but I wanted privacy." She snickered. "Too bad you didn't get it." Lily popped up from the counter. "Lily!" Zoey gasped. "Get off! I told you not to lay on the counter man." Zoey shook her head. "Ugh. Fine mom." She jumped down. "Hey Josh!" Lily waved. "What's up Lily?" Josh laughed. "Nothing. I'm leaving. Y'all are boring." She shrugged and went upstairs. "Well dang." Josh snickered. "Anyway, show me around babe." Zoey laughed. "Oh okay." He smiled. Josh flipped the camera so she could see his point of view. "Here we have some trees. Some more trees. People. This is the ground of um I dunno. Some more trees." He pointed. "Wow wonderful tour guide." She snickered. "Isn't it great when your tour guide doesn't even know where they are?" Josh laughed. "Totally." Zoey smiled.
Zoey laid in bed drawing. She was sketching out flowers and a skull. She had a skull with flowers growing around and out of the top. She looked at her stay alive tattoos. A smile spread across her face. Zoey started tracing it with her finger.
"You have to stay alive. Stay alive for me." He smiled. Josh leaned closer and kissed her. "I love you Zoey Dawson." "
"You could be my girlfriend?"
"And I swear if you EVER talk to my girlfriend again I will break your jaw. I dont even wanna see you look at her. You touch her and I will end you."
"Tyler and I have also looked into the art school you wanted. We know someone who made a few calls and you have an interview with the school in October."
"That's my girl."
Zoey laid back smiling. Thinking of Josh. Everything he's done for her. How he's cared. She started tearing up staring at the tattoos.
"Listen, i'm so sorry, i'm in a rush I didn't see you coming!" She plead as she gathered her things. "Oh it's ok! I shouldn't have been running, are you ok??" The cotton candied boy asked in worry.
"I'm Josh but you can call me spooky too." He grinned. "Spooky?" She laughed. " Totally. DJ Spooky Jim." Josh laughed.
"I saw the other drawings too" they were both quiet for a minute. "I want yo-" "Josh dont-" "Zoey. I want you to know I'm here for you." He held her hand tighter.
"I know this is gonna sound crazy. But Zoey. I love you. I've never felt so strongly about something. I realized that in the dream and right now. You are the best thing that's happened to me. I dont know what my life would be right now if I hadn't took that route. I wouldn't have met you. Zoey Dawson you're my everything. You're my world. Its only been a month, I know, but the love I have for you..it doesn't go away. Each day it gets stronger. I don't wanna be without you. I love you so much." He looked into her beautiful chocolate eyes.
Zoey cuddled her bear and sniffled. She had the hugest smile. Josh was the best thing in her life. She wouldn't be alive if it weren't for him. All his love and support. His genuine care right from the start. The very first day she met him there was just always something about Josh. Zoey could never figure out what it was. Maybe there was such a thing as fate? Maybe this was the break she'd been praying for. Even through the hardships she wouldn't trade it or him for the universe. Josh is the only person who's ever truly believed in her. Sure Lily did to her extent and her family but not like Josh. He was a constant blessing and still was. He was the very life force driving her to get better. Keeping her alive and hopeful. Zoey knew with him she could do anything. She knew with Josh, Zoey could be happy. She smiled through her tears. "Joshua William Dun." She smiled. She got a text.
👽Spooky💚: hope i don't wake u baby just wanted to say ily and I hope u sleep well
👽Spooky💚: I love you*
👽Spooky💚: stay alive beautiful |-/
Zoey read them and cried more.
👑Zoreo💚: I love you so much Josh. Please don't ever leave me. Please. ❤
👽Spooky💚: I nvr would ❤
👑Zoreo💚: ur my whole world. God I love you.
👽Spooky💚: Zoreo ❤
👑Zoreo💚: my cotton candy drummer boy 💖