! BAD GIRLS ! BAD GIRLS !

( a sex and the city fic )

THE STANDARD HOTEL
los angeles, california
2pm

four single ladies ended up in the city of angels. carrie, miranda, samantha and me walked through the hotel lobby with our suitcases trailing behind.

charlotte was set to meet us in a day or two as she was busy in san francisco meeting my parents with dakota.

"i so needed this vacation." said miranda as she looked at the hotel in awe.

"you and me both, sister." carrie said, she seemed genuinely happy given her situation with aidan.

"hooray for hollywood." said samantha with a small laugh as we walked to the concierge desk. 

i chuckled at samantha's words, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness all at once. it was still hard for me to wrap my head around the whole movie deal thing but i didn't want to think about it too much.

"wait that's his job? to sit in a fish tank in underwear?" miranda said as gesturing to the model who sat in an empty fish tank behind the desks, reading a magazine.

"i wonder what he's reading." i said as i studied the man.

"the want ads?" carrie said before the concierge walked over.

"there seems to be a problem." he said. "i have a reservation for miss. jones, miss. bradshaw, and miss. boyd, but not miss. hobbes."

"great, that's just great." miranda said sarcastically.

"there's supposed to be four reservations for the week, i don't understand." carrie said.

"the production company only requested three rooms, and i'm afraid we're all booked up." he replied.

i shook my head, "what about charlotte's room? char isn't gonna be here for two days, miranda can stay in there for the time being."

"no, charlotte was going to stay with me in my room. she doesn't have a room." carrie said with a sigh.

"fuck, fuck, fuck!" miranda shouted.

"she's from new york." carrie and i said simultaneously.

"i understand." the man said monotonously, "i'll have a room tomorrow or the next day, at the latest. until then, might i suggest you stay with one of your friends?" he explained.

miranda looked as samantha and the model in the fish tank were already batting eyes at each other. "carrie, i'm staying with you."

"okay, i don't wanna hear anything about my smoking," carrie said.

"uh...they didn't request any smoking rooms, you're on a smoke free floor." the man said.

"fuck, fuck, fuck." she said.

"she's from new york too." i said with a nod.

HIGH DESERT LOUNGE
los angeles, california
8pm

later that night, decked out in our new york goes to la finest, we were ready for a night on the town. the three hour time difference, also made us three hours late for cocktail hour.

carrie was busy speaking with the junior development executive regarding the optioning for a movie, miranda was sharing drinks with a man and samantha strutted over to me as i sat alone.

"i just had a very interesting conversation." she said to me.

i raised my eyebrows, "oh yeah? what about?"

"forget what...it was who." she said. "i spoke with garth, he's a dildo model."

"you're kidding." i said, almost spitting out my cosmo.

she laughed and shook her head, "he even invited me to a promotional party that they're throwing. they're celebrating "the launch of a new line of toys and accessories." his words, not mine." she said before taking a sip of her drink.

"well that's...something." i said, "you gonna go?" i asked.

she looked over at the man and a smirk tugged at her lips. "yeah, i think i might. you in?" she asked me.

"i don't know if i'm really in the mood for attending an event revolving around a...toy." i snorted, finding the idea a bit amusing.

"oh come on!" she urged me, "it could be fun."

i hesitated, not knowing if i was really up for it. on one hand, it could be a wild night on the other hand i'd love to see the sights of los angeles. "i think i'll sit this one out, honey."

she pouted for a moment but quickly composed herself. "suit yourself. but don't come running to me if the party gets kinky." samantha teased.

i laughed at her antics and rolled my eyes playfully. "i think i can manage without the debauchery. have fun though."

URTH CAFE
los angeles, california
11:15am

then next morning, carrie was off to meet bradley cooper for a meeting regarding the optioning for her movie, miranda and samantha went shopping, while i wanted a moment to myself.

i wore light washed denim shorts, a blue sweater, my prada sunglasses and a black tote bag paired with grey sandals. i made the quick walk to 'urth cafe' to grab a quick bite.

the cafe was bustling with activity when i entered, the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods filled the air. i grabbed a small table by the window and settled in.

as i waited for my order, i looked around the cafe, taking in the sights and sounds. everyone here seemed to have that effortless LA coolness, and even at eleven in the morning i felt a bit out of place in my casual attire.

a few minutes later, my order arrived and i began nibbling on a bowl of granola and sipping my oat milk latte. as i sat there, lost in my own thoughts, i suddenly felt a presence nearby. i looked up to find a man sitting near my table at his own, looking at me curiously.

i narrowed my eyes at him, confused, before looking back at my food. then i realized...that was joel outlaw, the writer. he was known for his award-winning novels and his confessional writing style and works that explore themes of alienation and self-destruction. he was a tortured artist at its finest, and i had the pleasure of reading many of his works.

i looked around and noticed many other celebrities nearby, i was in celebrity central.

i felt a little starstruck as i recognized a few other faces around the cafe. it was hard not to be affected by the LA atmosphere, and i couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

as i tried to focus on my breakfast, i noticed that joel outlaw was still looking at me. i shifted awkwardly in my seat, feeling a little uncomfortable under his gaze.

i tried to ignore him and focus on my breakfast, but i found myself sneaking glances in his direction every so often. he was ruggedly handsome, with a scruffy beard, piercing eyes and tousled hair. he looked like the epitome of a tortured writer.

as i continued to steal glances at joel, i found myself drawn to his intense yet captivating presence. the way he sat with a pen and notebook in front of him, scribbling away was intriguing. it was clear that he was a man lost in his own thoughts, consumed by his artistic pursuits.

after a few minutes, he suddenly looked up and caught me staring. i felt caught off guard but managed to give him a small smile before quickly looking away. i could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, but i tried to play it cool.

suddenly, he got up from his seat and walked over to me. "do you mind?" he said gesturing towards the seat across from me.

i swallowed hard, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. "uh, no, of course not." i said, gesturing for him to take a seat.

he sat down across from me, his eyes never leaving mine. "i don't mean to be forward, but i couldn't help but notice you staring at me." he said with a hint of a smile.

"sorry, i'm just a big fan of your work." i countered with a small smile.

he chuckled, a deep sound that sent a shiver down my spine. "ah, so you know who i am." he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"of course. your work is incredibly impactful," i said, trying not to sound too much like a groupie.

joel smiled, clearly flattered. "well, i'm glad to see i have a fan here." he said, leaning back in his chair. "and who might you be?"

"i'm jamie," i replied, feeling suddenly shy at the prospect of introducing myself to one of my favorite writers.

"jamie," he repeated, as if committing my name to memory. "well it's a pleasure to meet you, jamie. i'm joel."

i felt a little flustered as he repeated my name, but i managed to keep my composure. "the pleasure's all mine." i replied, calming down from my feeling of being a bit starstruck.

"so where are you from?" he questioned.

i nodded as i answered, "i'm originally from san francisco but moved to new york for college and have been there for fourteen years."

joel nodded, seemingly impressed. "new york city, huh? the city that never sleeps." he mused, taking a sip of his coffee.

"yeah, i love it there." i said, before adding, jokingly, "though it occasionally wears me out."

joel chuckled again, a warm sound that made my heart skip a beat. "i can imagine. it's a frenetic city. always on the go. what do you do?"

"i'm a teacher." i said, realizing how ordinary my profession sounded compared to joel's glamorous lifestyle.

but instead of being dismissive, joel seemed genuinely interested. "a teacher, huh? that's impressive." he said, his eyes still fixed on mine. "what grade?"

i was a bit surprised by his interest in my profession. "i teach high school," i said. "specifically, humanities."

joel nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "so you're shaping young minds. that's quite a responsibility." he mused, before asking, "what made you get into teaching?"

i wasn't prepared for his question but quickly came up with an answer. "i've always been passionate about literature and language. and i find it incredibly fulfilling to be able to share that passion with younger generations, seeing them develop their own love for learning."

joel smiled at my answer, seemingly pleased by my response. "that's admirable. it takes a special kind of person to be a teacher." he paused for a moment before asking, "what's your favorite book?"

i was surprised that he seemed truly interested in my answer. i didn't expect this kind of discussion. "there are so many good ones, but if i had to pick one, i would say 'the great gatsby' by f. scott fitzgerald." i answered.

he raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "a classic choice. the roaring twenties, the glamour, the tragedy...it's a timeless story."

i nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "it is. it's a story about love, loss, and the american dream. but more importantly, it's a story about hope and the idea that we can always reinvent ourselves and start over."

joel tilted his head, his eyes still locked on mine. "interesting perspective. i've always seen it as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of materialism and the fleeting nature of wealth and status."

i smiled, enjoying our discussion. "i agree, it's definitely all of those things. it's a complex book with many different interpretations. that's one of the things i love about literature, it allows for endless discussion and debate."

just as joel was about to reply, i got a phone call from charlotte. i raised my eyebrows, she was supposed to be having the time of her life with dakota in our home town.

"if you'd excuse me," i said to joel who dismissed me with a nod. i quickly answered the phone. "charlotte? honey, are you okay?"

"yeah, yeah, i'm okay, sort of..." she said. i could hear the distress in her voice, and it immediately set me on edge. "your mom is freaking me out. i can't tell if she loves me or hates me, and dakota can't figure out my facial signals to see what i'm asking!" she whisper-yelled.

i cringed, picturing my mom's intense personality completely overwhelming charlotte. "oh no. she's probably just...being herself, you know? just try not to let her get to you, okay?"

"easier said than done," she huffed. "she keeps trying to psychoanalyze me, and it's starting to feel like she's grilling me for my relationship with dakota."

i rubbed my temples, already feeling a headache coming on. "yeah, that sounds like mom. just try to take a deep breath and remember that she means well, even if she can be a bit much sometimes."

"i guess you have a point. it's just exhausting trying to keep up with her questions." charlotte let out a sigh. "i'm not sure if i'm going to make it another day here, jamie. i don't think i can take much more of this!"

i let out a small laugh, "why else do you think i moved all the way to new york from california? now charlotte, i promise you'll make it."

she let out a small chuckle as well, "i guess you have a point. i just need a break from her constant barrage of questions. i'll try to make it through, for my sanity's sake."

i smiled, "that's the spirit. and remember, if she gets too overwhelming, just send me a SOS text."

charlotte laughed again, "oh don't worry, i might take you up on that offer. but in the meantime, i'm going to try and survive another night of interrogation."

"bye, char." i said before hanging up and looking back at joel. "sorry about that."

joel shrugged, a small smile on his face. "no worries. family drama, huh?"

i nodded, feeling a bit embarrassed. "yeah, my mom can be intense. and she's currently driving my brother's girlfriend insane."

"close to your brother's girlfriend? god, i could never be close to my brother's girlfriend...i'm too afraid they'll break up and i don't want to be in the middle of it." he explained.

i nodded, "smart. but this one's a special case. she was my friend before my brother came around."

joel nodded, seeming interested. "ah, that makes sense. so you're the one who introduced them?"

"yep, and i'll probably never live it down if they break up," i joked before i looked at the time, i was almost late to meet the girls at the pool. "i actually have to run, but this was great." i said as i stood up.

"yes it was...how long are you in town for?" joel asked as he also stood up.

i paused for a moment, surprised by his question but also somewhat flattered. "oh, i'm only here until the end of the week. i'm here with some friends."

"pity," he said, with a slight hint of disappointment in his eyes. "i was enjoying our conversation."

"so was i." i said as i grabbed my bag.

"well hey, i'm throwing this writers event tomorrow night...you should come if you're free. you basically say poetry into a mic but it's an event for only the best writers." he said, and i could tell he hated wording it the way he did.

"well joel, how would i get in? i don't exactly have a history in being a top notch writer." i teased.

joel chuckled, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "don't worry, i'll get you on the guest list."

i felt a flutter in my chest at the thought of seeing him again. "okay, then i'll be seeing you tomorrow night at this writing event?"

"seven o'clock sharp." he said as he wrote down the address.

"i don't have to read off any of my poetry, right?" i asked.

"no, no. don't worry. you'll have front row seats to watching me humiliate myself like i do at every one of these events." he joked, earning a laugh from me.

i smiled and took the piece of paper from his hand, feeling slightly breathless. "i look forward to it..." i said before reluctantly walking away.

THE STANDARD HOTEL
los angeles, california
2:15pm

"i feel like one of those hairless dogs." carrie was complaining as i sat down on an empty lounge chair next to the three ladies.

"what happened?" i questioned.

"carrie got a brazilian wax." miranda informed me.

"i got mugged! she took everything i got!" carrie argued.

"it's called a brazilian wax, that's exactly what it does." samantha said as she put on her sunglasses.

"why didn't you tell her to stop?" i asked.

carrie shook her head, "i tried! and now sam keeps saying it's an "aesthetic thing.""

"it is. everyone goes bare out here," samantha said as she flipped the page of her magazine.

miranda scoffed, "of course they do. la men are tools."

"can't hide your light under a bush." carrie said in a hushed tone causing samantha to giggle.

"she must've left something! a triangle? a little landing strip?" i said with a smile, trying to hide my laugh.

carrie used her hands, motioning no. "no, i am totally bald. and might i add...freezing!"

"i would've killed her." miranda said.

"i'm aware of down there now. i feel like i'm nothing but walking sex." carrie said as she leaned back on her chair.

"that's the thing about the brazilian, it makes you do crazy things. you have to be very careful who you invite to brazil!" samantha said.

"well ladies, i've been invited to a writers event tomorrow. think like slam poetry without the slam." i said.

this seemed to peep carrie's attention. "writers event? you're not a writer! i'm the writer."

"oh, i'm not performing. i'm on the guest list." i explained.

miranda smirked and looked at samantha and carrie, "a man she met, no doubt." miranda said.

samantha and carrie laughed, but i rolled my eyes. "actually, it's a writer - joel boyd."

"joel outlaw, the joel outlaw?!" carrie exclaimed.

"the one who wrote the 'eternal life'?" samantha asked.

"since when do you pay attention to books?" miranda asked samantha.

"since the writer is hot!" samantha answered.

"yes, that joel. and he invited me to his writers event. it's a showcase where he'll be reading and doing poetry." they all started to tease me again, and i chuckled. "it's not a date or anything! he's just being friendly...i think..."

"of course it's a date!" miranda exclaimed, like it was the most obvious thing.

"why else would a famous and sexy writer invite a pretty girl like you to his event?" samantha added.

i shrugged, feeling slightly flustered. "i don't know...he might just be being nice. he's quite shy."

carrie rolled her eyes, "a shy hot writer? he probably just is acting so you'll find him more intriguing."

"that's not a bad strategy..." samantha said, looking like she was taking a mental note.

"hey, how was your meeting with bradley cooper?" i asked carrie.

she sighed and shook her head, "weird. he wants to change the entire story, and he thinks carrie's the problem, not big."

"men!" miranda exclaimed, shaking her head. "they're always trying to fix something that's perfectly fine."

carrie nodded in agreement, "ugh i know! why can't they leave things alone!"

samantha patted carrie's shoulder, "well chin up, carrie. at least you're not bald."

"very funny." carrie said whilst rolling her eyes.

~~

housekeeping notes!

guys this chapter was so fun to write.

thoughts on joel?? he's been so fun to write!!

not exactly if im gonna showcase every day out of the week of them in la.