I slightly opened my eyes to see nothing but darkness. I didn't know who I am, where I am or what I am doing, but I didn't worry about anything. I felt like I didn't even have to.

Something extremely warm was pressed firmly against my back, but it was rather pleasant. Very pleasant, actually. I snuggled a bit closer to get more of the feeling, if that makes any sense.

I met a hand on waist, so by now I figured out it must be a person here, with me. But I was too sleepy to think who it might be. I closed my eyes and gave in to the feeling, squeezing the hand lightly. The person moved closer and I sighed.

--

"There is a house," somebody turned up the volume, and the music blasted even louder through the whole building, "in New Orleans, they call the Rising Sun."

I smiled widely, but it turned into a grimace once I opened my eyes to be, almost literally, blinded by the warm sun pouring on the bed. Why didn't Johnny close the blinds?

I looked to my right to see nothing but sprawled sheets. Means he's gone.

But as I looked around the room, I noticed that not completely. His boots still sat by the drawer and his jacket hung on closet's door handle. The jewelry minded its business on the desk nearby.

So, I guess he's the reason I'm hearing music loud enough to cause an earthquake, but at least I'm blessed with The Animals and one of my favorite songs of all time.

I laid there for a while, enjoying the music and mentally preparing for the day. I thought about last night and I couldn't help but smile.

It was dope and I wish I had done it sooner. I don't quite remember all of it, more like just moments, but I recall feelings very well. Man, getting high is my favorite thing now.

And I don't even feel bad the morning after, which gives us the weed>>>alcohol conclusion.

I thought that Johnny probably had his business in waking me up, so I decided to get out of bed and wash the sleep out of my eyes in the bathroom.

Once I didn't look mostly asleep anymore, I made my way downstairs. The music was getting louder with each step I took, and I figured out it's coming from the kitchen.

I entered the room just to feel my jaw dropping slowly. The table had all different kinds of breakfast on it, like toasts, croissants with jam and butter and I also saw some cereal boxes. The steam was still leaving two cups of tea, right next to the orange juice that looked fresh as ever.

Johnny's back was facing me as he currently looked for something in the fridge, in meanwhile tapping his right foot to the rhythm of the song. I noticed there were undone sandwiches on the table top.

I turned the music down a bit since it was loud enough to make the walls shake. Actually, I think they did a bit. Damn, these speakers really have potential.

Johnny turned around and greeted me with a smile. Honestly, I don't think there is a better way to start the day. The sun shone here in stripes, due to half-opened blinds.

"Aren't you like deaf by now?" I giggled, slowly approaching the table.

"What? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you." he replied with a shit-eating grin. "Good morning, by the way." he added.

"Good morning to you, too." I replied. "Johnny, what's all this?" I pointed to the food. It's enough for at least 4 people.

"I wanted to make a breakfast for you, but I didn't know what you'd like," he said, kinda worried. "So I made some of everything."

I internally fainted at how sweet this man is. "Oh, Johnny, you didn't have to. I'd be fine with anything." I answered softly.

"I also have a little something for you, but you gotta eat first."

I frowned. A little something? Due to what occasion? But I guess I really won't know until I eat my breakfast. Though the question is, which one?

After a while of considering every one of them, I decided on croissant with jam. I really liked it the last time Johnny made it for me.

I took the first bite while he sat down on the chair opposite to me, just like last night.

"So? How do you feel?" he asked, sipping on tea.

"Great. The best ever." I replied with my mouth full and he chuckled. "I wanna be high all the time."

"Unfortunately, it's called addiction."

"Snoop Dogg would disagree with you." I pointed out.

Suddenly, Paranoid by Black Sabbath came on and I jumped out of my seat and rushed to turn up the volume. I'm so happy Johnny's music taste is basically the same as mine.

For the whole meal we talked more about last night and even the scripts. I feel like the mornings I get to spend with Johnny are so precious and anything else just doesn't compete.

We tried to eat the most we could so there wouldn't be a lot left, and after we were done I just collapsed down onto the sofa and closed my eyes. I had a stomachache for a moment but it passed eventually.

Gorillaz were playing in the background while Johnny disappeared somewhere.

"I know it's early," I heard his voice in the corridor. "But I want to give it to you today."

I sat up, curious what he had for me, and noticed that he was holding a canvas, the one you use for paintings. Though he carried it in a way where I only saw the back of it.

He nervously motioned for me to come closer, exchanging glances between me and, I think, the painting.

"Are you ready?" Johnny asked with raised brows.

I nodded.

"Happy Birthday." He said softly, turning the canvas around. My eyes widened and I could barely keep my mouth shut. Holy shit!

Do you remember when he took a photo of me once, when we were first going to the recordings?

Well, he painted it.

Every detail, even how sun shone on my blue eyes. The only thing changed was the hair, which was black and not blonde like on the picture. So Johnny must've painted it after I dyed it again.

Although something was off. I looked just.. beautiful. And I don't mean it in a way where I say that because I'm tryna accept myself or something, but I genuinely looked pretty here. I've never seen myself in such way.

Maybe that's the way Johnny sees me?

"You don't like it?" he asked, worried. Woah, I might have stared at it a bit too long. I forgot to actually say something. But oh my, the painting was so charming.

"Johnny," I started, trying to sound the most sincere I could. "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

The corners of his mouth rose in a smile with every word I said.

"See? And it's nothing but you." he smirked.

"Does it have any title?" I asked curiously. I knew Johnny liked to name each of his paintings.

"Yes. 'The Electricity of The Eyes'." he answered, turning the canvas around, showing me the back again. It had a little message above the title, that I seemed to not notice before.

For my lovely El,

Happy Birthday!

Don't forget to rule the world (as you always do).

I wish you all the best, you deserve it.

I hope this little gift will make you smile now and again, and maybe even think of me sometimes.

Whole lots of love,

Johnny

I almost got a cheek muscles cramp from how much I was smiling. I don't even know what to say! I feel so loved by this present, it warms up my heart.

He slowly leaned the canvas on the wall, "It's still a bit wet, I finished it yesterday-"

I interrupted him by throwing my arms around his neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I repeated and kissed his cheek three times. I still couldn't stop smiling. Suddenly, I realized something.

"..I noticed a few dark blue paint stains on his palm. The color was similar to the one my eyes have.."

"Just, uh, some gift for my friend."

"I knew you were hiding something yesterday!" I chuckled. He pulled me into a hug once again, softly.

"I have one more thing," he started, pulling away and I was just about to start arguing that the painting is enough, but he quickly shushed me.

He held a little piece of paper between his pointing and middle finger. He motioned for me to take it, and so I did.

It was a phone number. I gave Johnny a puzzled look and he began to explain.

"I was thinking a lot of how you said you always wanted to be a writer." he said. "So, that is a phone number to one of the best writing agencies in NY, that I personally got to know because of Hunter. Basically, what you have to do is send some work in, and they will let you know if you could write short stories or even articles for them. I already called there and they said that they actually need someone new. It's up to you how you use it and up to you if you get the job. Good luck."

I was speechless for a moment, second time today. It will for sure get me thinking, but I guess I won't have a lot of doubts to actually use the opportunity. I repeatedly thanked Johnny again with my whole heart. I don't know how I'll ever pay him back.

All of a sudden, as I was putting the piece of paper into my phone case, I got a text. It turned out Elsie needs me home and that we have some business to do. That's such a shame tho, I wanted to stay a bit longer at Johnny's place.

I was about to call Jack, when Johnny spoke up.

"Wait! I can drive you home and I have an idea. You just have to promise you'll consider it at least."

I frowned, but still promised.

---

I exchanged looks between Johnny and the vehicle.

"No way." I stated shortly.

"Oh, come on!" he whined. "It will be fun, I swear. You can trust me."

"Johnny, I'm scared to death. I can't do this." I argued, shaking my head.

"I know you're scared, but you won't find out if it's actually scary until you try it." he was making it so irresistible with this certain look in his eyes.

"What do you mean by that- Of course it's scary," I said, but with every second I couldn't help more and more his pleading look. Him and his damn puppy eyes!

"Fine." I finally agreed.

He grinned like a little kid when you tell them they can have whatever toy they want. Oh, I hope I won't die on this devilish tool, means Johnny's motorcycle. At least I can wear leather clothes and feel cool.

I re-thought this decision like my life depended on it as I watched Johnny put on the funny looking boots. He then helped me put on a helmet.

"Don't worry about anything. Just try to enjoy it, okay?" he was fastening the thing under my chin, so he also lifted it a bit with his fingers to make me look at him.

"Okay."

Some of the tension left me, but I was still incredibly scared. I couldn't get enough of the what ifs in my mind.

Leather gloves covered Johnny's lighting tattoo first, and then the crow one. I looked at myself in the little mirror he had in his garage.

"I look hilarious." I complained. I did look hilarious, in fact.

"You look adorable." he countered. "Now, get on."

Johnny did first while I carefully sat behind him. He seemed to check if everything is alright by looking at the wheels and all around. Not knowing what to do with them, I awkwardly put my hands on his shoulders and waited.

He, however, reached and placed them around his waist, so by now they were resting on his stomach. I leaned closer, so my front was pressed against his back. Hm, now I felt kinda secure.

Before I slid down the helmet's front glass, (to keep my eyes from the wind) and before Johnny started the engine, our gazes met in the left mirror.

"Hold on, tight." he said, and I actually hugged his torso firmly, literally clinging to him. I could feel his toned stomach through the jacket- No, no, not right now.

"I imagined you saying this under different circumstances," I murmured with a smirk. His brows shot up and eyes widened a little.

I chuckled and he shook his head a bit with a smile while starting the engine. I breathed out deeply, waiting for the garage door to open.

Johnny took one hand and caressed mine with it, letting me know once again that everything's fine. Well, I wasn't so sure.

Soon after we drove off to my house.

Pray for me.

🌸