"On your marks...get set...GO!"
As the front door flung open, the band members began exploring their new abode. It was a decent sized flat, located on one of London's most coveted areas: '212 Wobble Street', known as 'Ripster Road' by the locals. A silly play on the words 'rich' and 'hipster'.
Murdoc, being the one who originally chose the place, already called dibs on the largest room that suitably lacked windows; he prefered a dark and musty environment. Since Russel didn't have a preference, he immediately settled into the first open room that he came across. To him, the place might as well have been a hotel. It felt like the band was just a group of vagabonds; always moving, even when off tour.
2D and Noodle coincidently reached over for the same brass doorknob at the same time.
Without releasing her firm hold, Noodle arched her eyebrow up at the lanky man as if to challenge him. The singer flinched in surprise at her off-putting expression and freed his long fingered grasp. "Y-You deserve the room! After all, there is a nice empty room right next door to-"
Before 2D could even finish his sentence, Noodle entered her newly claimed quarters and slammed the door in his face.
"-your room…" He finished.
"Give 'er some time. Even better, just leave 'er alone! She'll forget all about the cyborg in a matter of no time. You know how women-folk are! Ahahahaha. Oh wait, that was bold of me to assume! You haven't a clue!" Murdoc gave 2D a "friendly'' rough slap on his narrow back causing him to clumsily fall over.
He got back up, stared at his neighbor's door for a moment and left with a sigh.
A fortnight had passed and the band was finally settled into their new residence.
Today would be day one of band practice in the recently set up small in-home studio.
'Well ain't she a sight for sore eyes! Don't go all 'hikikomori' on us now!' Murdoc jested towards their guitarist.
Noodle didn't even bother making eye contact with Murdoc, let alone anyone. She went straight to her stool next to the drum set.
He rolled his mismatched eyes and awkwardly continued tuning his bass as if he hadn't said anything to begin with.
Noodle was the last to enter the studio, but she was already warmed up and ready to start. Playing her beloved guitar was almost all she ever did in her room all day; that and writing in her journal. It was a pick and a pencil that kept her sane. Not only had she experienced the depths of hell, but worse-she had been backstabbed countless times by her band "mates". Noodle was mentally strungout and had recently found a coping routine.
Russel was the sole band member that she communicated directly with post Gorillaz reunion. In her mind, he was the only one that actually cared about her. She'd whisper to him and he would speak on her behalf to the others-only if it was absolutely necessary. More than anybody, Russel was the one that wanted the band to make amends-but at the same time he did sympathize greatly with Noodle.
2D's POV
-
'Well that was a super awkward jam session...Is it just me or did the cyborg have more emotion playing the guitar than the real deal? Okay that was mean...bad Stu. After all, Noodz has been through alot. I 'spose Muds and I shouldn't have abandoned her so quickly back then. Maybe I should just continue to give her time and space like the green guy suggested...He rarely ever gives good advice, but what have I got to lose?'
Murdoc wiped the sweat off his brow and returned his bass to its stand. "Damn, we are rusty! Alright, everyone back here tomorrow at 4pm! Or else!" Murdoc screeched.
The musicians sighed in unison. Tomorrow was not just any other Saturday, it was going to be a warm and sunny Saturday. A phenomenon felt to be so rare that all of London was expected to be out in celebration.
"Grumble all you want, but I ain't listening! I'm off to the pubs now, s'later!"
As 2D wrapped up some cords to put away, he noticed Noodle whispering to Russel.
"Ice cream? Bet. Let's go! Just you and I, like old times. It's kinda far, but I know this one bomb-ass shop that I found last time we were here on tour and-" Russel trailed off following Noodle out of the studio.
'That's a surprise...the girl is actually leaving the flat for the first time since we moved in.
Maybe it's a good sign! This whole 'give her space' idea wasn't so bad afterall, huh!.'
2D was now home alone. Though it wasn't as quiet as one would imagine. They now resided in a bustling city centre that was a stark contrast to the isolated Plastic Beach.
"Friday night and I'm…
All alone (All alone)
All alone (All alone)
All alone (All alone)
All alone (All alone)
All alone (All alone)
All alone (All alone)
All alone (All alone)
All alone (All alone)
Leviticus, oh!... "
2D sang happily sliding through the empty halls in his slippery socks.
'Yeah and that's when I stop. I can't rap for shit haha' 2D smiled to himself as he approached his bedroom.
'Hm? What's this now? Noodle's door is cracked open a wee bit...Maybe I should close it for her.' The moment his hands made contact with the doorknob, he quickly changed his mind. 'Wouldn't hurt to see what she's been up to since we arrived...I am worried for her after all…"
2D was so overwhelmed with the mix of nervousness and anticipation, burning in the pit of his stomach, that he didn't realize he had stood frozen in the same place for five solid minutes.
'It's now or never, Stu! Who knows when I'll get another chance to check up on her.'
With a deep breath, he barged into Noodle's vacant bedroom.
2D stood in the middle of the space and took all of (or lack of) it in.
'That's strange...she had a bunch of boxes shipped in from Japan the day we got here...Guess she's into minimalism now.'
His face broke into a smile as he instantly recognized the Rilakkuma stuffed bear that he had won for her in a claw game years ago. 'It'd be embarrassing if she ever found out how much bread I spent trying to win her this cuddly toy.' The brown bear innocently stared at him from the comfort of her bed. 2D laid down and cuddled the soft plushie. 'Ahhhhh...I almost forgot what she smelled like...sort of like fruit tea..subtle yet girly.' He spent some time basking in her scent before noticing a very brightly coloured red notebook laying on her coffee table. 2D impulsively leapt from across the room and sat down on the floor in front of the low table. 'How the hell does she sit here on her knees constantly? I'll never know.' The unlocked journal was practically screaming to be opened. As he flipped through the first couple pages his interest grew exponentially. 'My god, it's her diary! I'm holding Noodle's diary! The portal to her soul, mind, and thoughts! Oh this is wrong on so many levels…I-I should really just put it down and...and…'
[ 2012 July 10th, Tuesday (火)
今日の気分:相変わらず
Today's mood: same as usual
It's another day in what feels almost worse than Dante's inferno. Which reminds me I really should send a postcard to Don Lothario from the 2nd layer of hell. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss that snarky little casanova... ]
2D quickly lost interest and continued onto the next page.
[H.24 July 11th, Wednesday (水)
今日の気分:エロい
Today's mood: frisky~
It seems like Toochi gave up on me. Just like before when he and Murdoc gave up on my search and assumed that I had kicked the bucket...I'm sick of writing about what transpired, but this week he is just proving my point by not even trying anymore. When we first moved in, 2D would at least greet me or make eye contact...But now he is acting cold! I guess I could be less hostile towards him, but I want him to get on his knees and beg for my forgiveness. Also, a bouquet of roses wouldn't hurt! I wish 'real 2D' could start acting like 'dream 2D'...I NEED that man right now. Going to bed early tonight...hope no one hears the purring of my lovely Hitachi ;) ]
'...What the 'ell does that even mean?'
Flip
[2012 July 12th, Thursday (木)
今日の気分:ぼやっとしている、寂しい
Today's mood: feeling out of it, lonely
'Dream 2D' (D2D??) finally visited me last night! It had been a while, I was starting to think he was gonna abandon me just like the real one had...Though I'm kinda bummed because we didn't have sex like we usually do...we just made out this time. It's not that I'm ungrateful...But I feel lonelier than usual these days.
Oh what I'd do to feel the real 2D inside me...Which makes me wonder if he's as big in reality as his well-endowed twin...I'm getting excited just writing this...looks like it's time for a "nap"!]
The front door of the flat opened and the sounds from the street flooded in.
"Russ you seriously striked out with that cashier today, it was super cringe to watch."
'Oh shit, they're back home!' 2D shut the diary and adjusted the plushie back to its undisturbed state. He slinked out just in time to be caught by Noodle standing in front of the door...luckily his own door.
"Oh hey there Noodz! Boy do you look lovely as ever!" He produced nervously, voice cracking like it did mid-puberty.
Noodle took a long silent look at his toothy grin and continued into her room.
2D went into his own room and made a dash for his carton of Marlboro's and a beer from the mini fridge. After calming his nerves a bit, he was able to slow his thoughts down to a comprehensible pace.
'Noodle...wants...me...inside her...sexually…?! No, that can't be possible…My name must have been code for someone else's...right?'
It was then that he started to question the relationship between the guitarist and himself.
Noodle's POV
-
Upon closing her door, she dropped to her knees hitting the cold wooden floor. 'I look lovely as ever? I wonder if he really meant it…' She stood back up and ran into her ensuite bathroom to check her reflection.
Noodle stopped herself from touching her purple locks; they had to remain in the same place as 2D saw them. The 21 year old reenacted her earlier performance in the mirror. 'I wonder how long I stood there staring at him...must have only been 3 seconds. He totally caught me off guard...' She pulled out her mobile from the back pocket of her denim shorts and took a commemorative selfie. 'Lovely as ever…' She repeated a few times. As a smile crept up on her oval shaped-face, she tasted something metallic. Before she could search for its source with her tongue, her attention sprang back to the mirror which reflected blood racing down from her lips towards her chin.
After hastily wiping with a tissue, Noodle pulled her lip out to examine the fresh bite mark amongst other healing scars. The lip biting was a terrible habit she recently adopted in order to hide any expressions of happiness.
'This one has to be the deepest one so far...damnit 2D…"
Though she knew this wasn't his fault. Her pride had been the main catalyst to her newfound behaviors. Noodle wasn't even mad at the singer anymore! She was only upset with the bassist. Murdoc pretty much had 2D brainwashed to believe anything he pulled out of his ass.
'This charade can't go on for long. If he acts nice to me again, I might end up needing stitches...but I can't let him see me smile or blush! Knowing him, he would definitely smile back...which would lead us to getting friendly again. I know I can't be just friends with him! It's all or nothing.'
Tears started to glaze over her green irises, making it hard to focus on applying the oral ointment onto her wounds.
'To top it all off, I'm almost out of medicine.'
2D's POV
-
The sun had set and the sounds of acoustic strumming started to make their way through the walls. 2D couldn't place his finger on it. He had heard the same song over and over again on a daily basis, but for some reason it sounded better this time. He grabbed the glass sitting on his nightstand and poured out its stale water into his bong. 2D then placed the cup against the shared wall with the bottom pressed firmly against his ear.
'Ah that's better.' His eyes began to close as he focused on the goosebump inducing melody. A few meditative moments had passed before his mind got distracted.
"...I want him to get on his knees and beg for my forgiveness. Also, a bouquet of roses wouldn't hurt!"
He deeply exhaled as he recalled Noodle's written words; the cutsie handwriting practically burned into the back of his eyelids.
'Roses would obviously be overkill...but I guess I should try to ask for forgiveness. I mean if she is referring to me in her diary, then she would accept my apology. Knowing her, she'll just ignore me and I can confirm my doubts and get some peace of mind as there is NO WAY she is sexually attracted to me.'
2D cupped his fisted hand in resolute and made his way downstairs to the kitchen.
Russel was busy fixing a bowl of his self-proclaimed "world famous chili". It was "slap yo mama delicious" he often bragged.
"Didn't your skinny ass just finish a second bowl 15 minutes ago? I told you to stop smoking that cheap munchie-inducing grass. We made 5 grocery runs last week, remember?"
"Yeah, I remember...anyways, it's not for me...it's for Noodz...I'm going to bring her some dinner."
"Funny because that's exactly what I am doing right now. What a coincidence." Russel furrowed his brow.
2D bravely reached out to grab the tray carrying the chili and ginger ale that Russel had finished loading up.
They both awkwardly stood holding opposite sides of the plastic vessel in brief silence.
"Please Russel...I want to try to get things back to normal…please..."
The drummer heard the desperation in the singer's voice and gave a sigh before hesitantly releasing his grip.
"Your funeral bro."