Austin’s POV

I was really surprised when my phone buzzed and it was Essie. She texted me and I just stared at her name for a while. What would she be telling me? Was it Stella? Or did something else happen?

From: Essie
I have some good news and it felt so wrong not to tell you, since you’re still one of my best friends. A band named Semuncia wanted me as their vocalist.

I stared at her text. Semuncia? I recognized that name.
"Hey Alan, the band Semuncia… Do we know them?" I asked.
"It’s a local rock band that lately got a lot of attention, I think they got signed… Why?" he asked.
"Are they good?" I asked.
"I like them, their lyrics are… well deep and meaningful" Alan shrugged.
"Who are we talking about?" Tino asked.
"Semuncia" Alan said.
"That rock band with a really good drummer and one hell of a guitarist?" Tino asked and Alan nodded.
"Why are you asking?" Alan asked again.
"Apparently Essie got signed as their new vocalist" I explained.
"Really? That’s awesome… didn’t knew Essie sang though" Alan said.
"Me neither" Tino said as well.

From: Austin
Nice, hope it goes well for you.

- - -

I looked at his response. He was still annoyed and pissed at me for yelling at him, but at least he answered. I sighed and looked at Caspian, who looked at me.
"Boy trouble?" he asked.
"It’s just my best friend, he’s being a bitch since he confessed to me and I told him I had a girlfriend" I said.
"You’re lesbian?" Elijah asked and popped his head up behind the drums. We were currently having band practice.
"I’m not lesbian, I’m not bi… I just… I don’t put a label on it. I like who I like… So yeah, call it bi" I said and shrugged.
"Cool" he said and nodded. It was fun to get to know them. They all seemed so chill and relaxed. Suddenly Scott came back from his phone call and he had a huge grin on his lips.
"Guys, since we already are so popular and since we now recorded all the songs our album will be released, and we will go on a tour" he said and looked so damn happy. We all stared at him.
"Alone or with someone else?" I asked and begged it not to be anyone I knew.
"Of Mice and Men, Pierce The Veil and Scarlet Skies" Scott said with a grin.
"Oh boy" I said and stared at him.

They all looked at me and I just sat there and stared into air.
"World to Essie, what is going on?" Scott asked.
"You guys know that the world still think’s I’m dead?" I asked.
"Yeah, you’re supposed to reveal yourself any day now" Caspian said.
"Mike Fuentes, is kinda… an ex fuck buddy of mine, Scarlet Skies and I don’t get along and…. the one you asked about if I had boy trouble with is Austin" I said and looked at them. They stared at me.
"Wow" Elijah said.
"Mice knows I’m alive, but everybody else thinks I’m dead, pretty much" I said.
"What if you make a reveal yourself, tonight?" Elijah asked.
"How?" I asked and looked at him.
"Record a video and post it online" Elijah shrugged. I looked at him and I decided to do that.

I was alone in my apartment, my short hair was dyed brown so that people would see that it was me and I had my laptop up. I was editing the new video where I explained everything. My childhood, my real connection to Cory and what my father had done. The loss of my mother and the reason why I had gone “dead”. I told them that I had been in Africa and helped children, been some time in Europe before I finally gone back to America. I even told them which knew about me being alive and who didn’t. I told them about my new band and that I would go out on a tour with Of Mice and Men, Pierce the Veil and Scarlet Skies, and that they all should go and check out the new album that would be released at the end of the week.

It didn’t take long before the phone started to ring and I just stared at it. In just minutes I had thousands of views and it surprised me. Then I saw a familiar name on the screen. Austin.
"Hi" I said and answered.
"So you finally came out?" he asked, and I couldn’t hear any annoyance.
"Yeah, thought it was for the best since we’re out for a tour and everything" I said.
"I heard about that, will be fun to spend some time together again" he said. I smiled and felt that the old Austin was back.
"I’m scared of Mike and Scarlet Skies though" I said.
"Mike will be no problem, but I will keep an eye on Scarlet for you" he said.
"Thanks" I answered him and smiled again.
"Will Stella come?" He asked and my smile faded.
"Austin… Yes" I said.
"Please don’t get mad but… You shouldn’t be with her" he said.
"And why not?" I asked him.
"You’re not going to believe me, but I’m telling you. I’m always honest with you. You are the only person I’m completely honest with" he said.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Stella kissed me just before you two left our tour" he said. I stared into air. So that was the reason she had left for their tour bus. I knew it was weird she said she forgot her phone, when I had it in my bag. But still… Really?
"You’re not just jealous?" I asked him.
"Of course I am but I’m telling you… I’m always honest with you" he said.
"She kissed you?" I whispered and I didn’t want to believe it. But the his voice sounded so clear. So… truthful. There was no lies in it.
"Yes" he whispered back. I let out a small sob and my eyes teared up. I covered my mouth but I could hear that Austin heard me.
"Essie don’t cry. I love you more than I would like to admit and I can’t hear you cry without feeling hurt myself, and… And I’m here for you" he said.

Fuck… Why are you so perfect Austin?