[Phoenix POV]

"Hey!" Jessica lightly hit me with her pen. We're at a meeting right now. We're about to release the new album for one of the bands on our label.

I frowned. "What?" I didn't even bother looking at her. I'm just staring at my laptop.
"We're about to finish here. Let's go have lunch."

"I'm not in the mood Jess."

Then she placed her palm on my forehead. "Are you ok? You look pale."

I just shrugged and when the meeting was over. I went to the lounge to get some air.

"Hello girlfriend!"

She immediately looked for that familiar voice.

My eyes went big when I saw him. "What are you doing here?" I almost whispered to him. I don't want other people to see that I'm talking to Austin Carlile.

But instead of answering, his smile went wide. The jerk was really cute.

"I said what are you doing here?"

I saw 2 paper bags on his hands. "What's that?" I asked him and pointed the bags using my lips.

"See for yourself."

But I didn't look at it. I just stared at him.

"Until when are you going to be this kind to me, Austin?" Then she took the paper bags and saw 2 boxes of KFC chicken.

Austin sat down at the nearest single seater. Good thing their lounge has a mini pantry.

"Nana said you didn't eat dinner and didn't have any breakfast before going to work. Are you trying to kill yourself?" I can see his eyebrows burrowed as a sign of disapproval of my actions.

She didn't answer. She feels alone more than ever.

He snapped his fingers to my face and then he suddenly grabbed my hands and went outside.

"A-austin?" As we walked at the lobby, we passed by many department and the people who saw us clearly has questions in their minds. Why the hell am I with Austin and where is he taking me. "Where are we going?"

"At Lorie's office." He didn't bother looking at me. We just continued walking.

"What are we going to do there?" When he didn't answer, I pulled my hands from him and that made him stop.

"Why? I don't want to argue Austin. I'm not in the mood." I bowed my head.

"Tell me, are you inlove?" Suddenly he asked.

"In love with you?" I scoffed. "No way! Why I would I fall for someone like you? You always tease me and...and..." I wanted to cry at that very moment.

He messed my hair. "I'm not talking about myself here. Okay!" Maybe he noticed I'm about to cry. "I'm talking about Alan."

"What about him?" I glanced at him.

He sigh. "Are you inlove with-"

"With your bestfriend?" I look at him straight to his eyes. "Why would I fall in love with someone that I know I can never have?".

"Just answer my question Phoenix!"

"What do you want to hear?!" I can't help but raised my voice. I don't want this feeling like I'm being suffocated. I can feel the pain that I almost can't breathe. "If I tell you, yes, I love him. I fell in love with your fucking bestfriend! What are you going to do Austin? Laugh at my stupidity? Enough of your childish tripping! Not all the time I can keep up with you!" I am already crying. I know I can't go back because Jess will just interrogate me endlessly.

"I would be glad if you say no." I heard he said then I left him.

I went to the ladies room to freshen up. I put some make up to cover the tears. I stayed there for an hour. I don't know where Austin is and I don't know what he meant when he said I could have said no.

Like what I've thought, Jess asked me a lot of questions. She asked why she saw Austin holding my hands. I just made an alibi saying that he asked a favor from me. I know she didn't believe me but she didn't ask for more explanation.

---

When I reached home, I saw Austin and Alan at the garden. I noticed the bottle of beers on the table. Alan called me and asked to sit with them.

"Oops! before you kill me. No, I'm not letting him drink." It was Austin. He smiled after saying that.

I didn't answer and just sat beside Alan.

For a long moment I was silent. I can't relate witH what their talking about or should I say, my mind is somewhere else. I just listened to them silently. I noticed that I already finished 5 bottles.

I was surpirsed when Alan stood up and held his right hand infront of me. "Care to dance with me, my love?"

"Huh?" I was looking up on him.

"Please?" and there was his smile to die for.

"Alan, there's no music." I wrapped my hands around his neck because I felt my world is shaking.

"I'll sing for you guys!" Austin laughed.

"No thanks!"

Alan laughed. "She's right dude. Keep it for yourself."

"I'll just go inside and grab some beers." then Austin disappeared.

I heard Alan chuckled. He pulled me closer and wrapped his arm around my waist.

"Are you really serious?" I asked him.

He grinned. "I want to take this chance. We used to do this right?"

I felt that familiar pain again in my heart. "D-do I have any choice?"

"Just hum a song in your mind and move your body."

One song came to my mind, Remembering Sunday by All Time Low. I sang the song in my mind and felt every words of the song.

Life is really funny sometimes. Before, I can't wait to end this pretend so I can go back to my own self. But after spending my days, weeks, and months with Alan, I wanted to freeze this moment. I don't want this to end.

I was shocked when Alan suddenly started singing.

'Forgive me, I'm trying to find
My calling, I'm calling at night'

I am now crying. I buried my face on his neck. I know he knows I'm crying.

'I don't mean to be a bother,
But have you seen this girl?
She's been running through my dreams'

I thought I would be able to go back to normal. I thought I will eventually forget Alan and go on. But I was wrong.

'And it's driving me crazy, it seems
I'm going to ask her to marry me.'

My heart was captured. And before I knew what hit me, I'm already in love with him.
But too bad, I fell with a wrong person.

Alan stopped singing. "Sam, are you crying?"

As he tried to reach my face, I said. "Don't mind me. Just continue."

But he hugged me instead and kissed me on my temple. "I love you Sam." He whispered to me.
I bit my lower lip painfully. His words are killing me. It hurts so much when the person you love says he loves you but you know it was meant for another girl.

I cried harder when I realized that he doesn't know my real name. He doesn't even know that I exist. And I knew that once he comes back, he wouldn't even know that one Phoebe Nichols loved him wholeheartedly.

"I love you." I whispered softly. But this time I say it with all my heart.



[Austin POV]

I am now in Phoenix' room with Alan. I can't help but scratch the back of my head. She's drunk and I know why she did that.

I can't say no to Alan when he requested me to bring Phoenix to her room. She's already asleep and we don't know how to change her clothes.

"Please take care of her Austin."

'Shit! What should I do?'

Alan went back to his room and I was left here with Phoenix. I called for Nana to help me change her clothes. While waiting for her, I stared at Phoenix. I saw the traces of tears on her face and I noticed her red nose.

I shook my head as I tried to wipe the tears from her face. I thought she was strong. I though she can handle her feelings but like me, she fell for the wrong person.

I let out a heavy sigh.

"You loved her, don't you?" It was Nana, she has Phoenix' pajamas and she brought warm water to clean her up.

"Shh. Watch your words Nana. Alan might hear you." I warned her.

She smiled bitterly. "What I'm trying to say is, you're not alone." then she grabbed me and pushed me out the room.

A bitter laughed rose inside me. Sometimes life was really unfair.

Notes

Thanks for the support guys. It really means a lot. I have thought of not continuing this story as I have a tendency to be cheesy and all. But I promise I will finish this, for you. :)