[Phoenix POV]

I never thought for one moment that I will be going back to Cali. It was unexpected. It's too early. Too soon. And I was not prepared. I felt like fate is playing its toll on me.

The plane just landed half an hour ago and I'm on my way to the arrival area. It's nice to be back to the Cali weather. I just got my bags when I felt my phone vibrate. It was Jasper calling,

"Hello?"

"Nix! I'm here at the parking. Just go out and we need to hurry." I can sense the urgency on his voice.

"Alright, I'm on my way."

As I saw him, he hugged me and smiled.

"I'm really sorry this was so sudden Nix. It was an order from Lorie and you know her." he was explaining as we drive on the way to the office.

"Tell me, what am I supposed to do?" I raised one of my eyebrows at him.

He laughed. "Of Mice and Men will release their album sooner than expected. It was scheduled next month but it was moved to the day after tomorrow."

"Well, it was nice for them to be back. It has been 4 years since their last full album was released." I was looking outside the window.

As an A&R for the label, we also need to be on top of the band who will release a new album. We, along with their road manager, need to make sure that every schedule is fixed. No overlapping gigs. We also supervise which songs to be played at each and every shows. Mainly working with the band to develop their live show for touring, coordinates with the marketing and promotions departments at the label to publicize the artist, and constantly networks with radio, television, and other markets to further the exposure of the album and band.

I didn't realize that we already at the office. I looked outside and saw the familiar surroundings. Jasper got out of the car,

"I'll take you to Lorie's house later, for now, we really need to get to work Phoenix."

"Right." I answered. I felt my whole body froze when Jasper told me earlier that I will be staying at Alan's house while I'm here. 'This is really unbelievable!'

---

We arrived at the A&R department and saw old colleagues. We just nodded at each other as everybody is too busy for chitchat. We head staright to the conference room where an interview meeting is being held. I felt my heart wants to jump out from my chest. I'm not yet ready to see him.

When Jasper opened the door, the first person she saw was Alan. He was sitting beside Austin and he was playing his chair. They didn't notice them as they walked silently at the back of the room.

Austin was talking to the interviewer. I saw some of the shirts says, "Alternative Press".

They're currently discussing the release of the new album.

"When we first went in to the studio, my first idea for the album was to be something uplifting, something inspiring. Something our fans can really grab a hold of it. Most especially after what happened to Alan last year. The songs were a collaboration of all of us. Basically, this album is a piece of each and every one of us."

Then we waited as the interview was finished. I went outside to talk to our A&R executives as to be briefed on how the release will be conducted. It's going to be one hell of a day for me.
I took one of the cubicles and started working on the papers when I suddenly felt a tap on my left shoulder.

"Hey!" My eyes went big when I saw Phil smiling at me.

I never got a chance to had a personal conversation with him but I've seen him around before.

"Oh, hello there Philip." I smiled. "How is it going?"

"Good. Haven't seen you in a while. I heard you were in Sydney?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I just came back. Like, literally came back this morning."

"And you dove right in. Wow!" then he excused himself as he was called by someone.

'Alan!'

'Shit! He's on his way here.' I felt the riot in my heart. I wanted to run.

"Hey, man. Let's go, we're going to Hot topic for ano--" he was busy with his phone then suddenly met my eyes.

"Yeah, I'm on my way. I just said hello to an old friend here. I'm sure you haven't met her. She just came back from Sydney. She's Phoenix. She will be with us after we release the album. Well, Nix, should I introduce him to you?" then Phil laughed.

I saw Alan smiled and held his right hand out to me, "Nice meeting you."

I suddenly can't breathe. I felt like my heart and my lungs collide. I suddenly felt that familiar feeling that I was trying to forgot. But even then, I knew my heart could still recognize the man I had loved.

I shook his hands and said, "S-same here." I almost whispered.

"Is this your first time in Cali?" He asked without letting go of my hand.

I shook my head.

"Really?" Then he chuckled. "Anyway, I'll see you around."

"Thank you." then I let go of his hands.

But he was still staring at me.

Phil broke the tension. "Let's go man. I bet Austin is already mad at us. Nice to see you Nix."

Before Alan turned his back at me, he said "Nice meeting you again Phoenix." Then his smile flashed again.

I don't know what to answer so I just smiled back.

I already knew that this would be happen. We'll eventually meet face to face and even though I prepare myself a million times, my heart still won't stop.

'Nice meeting you again, Phoenix.'

That was the very first time he called me by my real name. I don't know what to feel. Like I wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.


[Alan's POV]

"Finally! I've been calling you for a hundred times but you never answer your phone!"

"I'm so sorry baby! I'm busy. I had a photoshoot and my phone was on silent." It was Samantha on the other line. She was now in London and working as a professional model.

"I thought you're going back home today."

"I can't make it. I have a lot of work load."

"But you promise me."

"Sorry babe! I was supposed to leave when an offer suddenly came. It was a big opportunity and I can't just refuse it."

I blew out a long sigh.

"When are you coming back home?" I asked her.

"I don't know yet. I'm not so sure of my schedule."

'Again?! Fuck!'

"Alan, are you still there?"

I didn't answer.

"Baby! Try to understand my situation." There she goes again. "Please, be patient to me."

"Sam, all I want is to be with you. Once we go on tour, God knows how we can even see each other." I answered in frustration.

"I don't want to promise. But I will make sure to find time for the both us."

"When Samantha?" I scoffed.

"Be patient. Please baby! Don't be mad, okay?"

I felt like she was about to cry.

So where is the hotheaded Samantha now?

Suddenly I miss her. I miss the girl who turns my mood upside down. Who makes my head ache and makes me angry but makes me smile afterwards.

"Oh no baby, I got to go. I'll call you later, okay. Bye!"

End tone... And she's gone.

"I smell war." It was Austin. We were on our way to Hot Topic for another interview. Phil, Aaron, and Tino were on another car with their girlfriends.

"What's new?" I put my phone back in my pocket and blew out a sigh.

Austin didn't answer.

"Do you know a certain Phoenix?" I suddenly asked him.

I saw how he snapped his head at me. He swerve for a bit but manage to gain control of the wheels again.

"Whoa! That was close dude! You know her?" I laughed.

"Why do you ask Alan?"

"I saw Phil talking to her earlier when he headed out."

"Fuck! Yeah, she's a friend. She works for Rise. So you've met her?"

I nodded. "You know what, she has the same voice as Sam. I really thought it was her when I heard her talking to Phil."

Austin's eyebrows burrowed. But there's something changed on his expression when I asked him about Phoenix.

When I met her earlier, it seems that I had known her but I couldn't just remember. I really thought she was Sam. But I only saw the unfamiliar face. And there something in her that I couldn't explain.

I was busy thinking about her when my phone rang. It's my mother.

"Mom! How are you doing there in Barcelona?" She was now in a vacation. I let her travel anywhere she wants to go. It's my gift to her. I knew she had a lot of tough times and I guess it's time for her to enjoy her life.

"I have a lot of fun. I felt like I don't want to go home."

I burst out laughing and saw Austin glanced at me. "Take your time Mom. Just enjoy. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. And Austin is here. He will take care of me."

"I know son. And I have faith in you. Anyway I heard about the new album. I'm sorry I'm not there for the launch."

"Don't think about it Mom. Everything is gonna be alright."

I heard her sigh. "Anyway, the reason why I called is because one of my trusted employees just came back from Sydney and she hasn't got any place to stay. I requested her to handle you guys during the release. Have you met Phoenix?"

"Yeah, I saw her at the office. She already arrived."

"Did you meet her?"

My eyebrows burrowed. "Yes, I already met her." I saw Austin looked at me.

"And?"

"And what, Mom?"

"N-nothing son. Don't mind me."

'Weird! What the hell mom!'

And I wonder what is so special about that girl? It seems that everyone likes her. I am so curious about her.

"I got to go Mom. We have an interview in about 15 minutes."

"Alright! Say hello to the guys for me. Love you!"

"Love you too." then I ended the call.


[Austin POV]


I cringed when Alan mentioned Phoenix' name. I knew she was going to be with us once we release the album but I never saw her. Lorie told me all about her plan before she went to Barcelona. The last time I saw Phoenix was when I took her to the airport a year ago. I knew she was with Sleeping with Sirens during their Southeast Asian tour. I even saw a picture of her with Kellin looking all pretty.

I tried to keep our communication open but Phoenix didn't respond to me. I was hurt. I tried to move on. I kept my promise that I'll let her be. Once we see each other again, then I will make my move. But I decided to not see her for the meantime. I'll just let the situation decide. I don't want to rush.

We arrived at Hot Topic and had the interview. We also did meet and greet to announce our upcoming album release. It was pretty exhausting but we're really happy that we got to meet our fans again.

I decided to take Alan home after because I saw him placed him palm on his forehead. We're almost at the house when I saw a familiar built.

'Phoenix!' I shouted in my mind.

"Phoenix!" Alan shouted.

She didn't even look at us. I saw she was wearing a headphone.

"I don't think she's gonna hear us." I said to him and pointed at her.

Then we saw her go inside a convenience store.

"Mom said she's going to stay at the house while she's here." Alan suddenly spoke.

I was shocked. I don't know what to say. I knew about the plan of her handling us but not the staying-at-Alan's-house part. I guess anything could happen.

It was out of the way so we decided to wait for her at the gate.


[Phoenix POV]

I heard someone called my name but I didn't turn around. I know it was Alan. I saw Austin's car before I went in the convenience store.

I blew out a long sigh. Everytime I saw him, it brings back all the memories I tried to forget. And worst, here comes the familiar pain in my heart. How I wish I could erase everything I felt for him.

"Why are you doing this to me Alan?" I said in the air.

I was once invisible to him. Invisible in a sense of being not able to see me because of his sight problem. I still hoped that I could keep it that way. But it was too selfish. He already regained his sight. Worst is, I will be working a lot with them.

I think I need to get used of it. I just need to be professional in a sense that I will treat them as a colleague. Nothing more.

Then I thought of Austin. I bet he's mad at me. He tried to reach out to me when I was in Sydney but I chose to ignore him. I wanted to let go of everything that's connected with Alan.

I decided to buy an icecream to bury all these thoughts bottled up in my mind and walked on my way to the house. All my bags were already brought to the house by Jasper's driver.


[Alan POV]

Austin decided to go back home and I decided to play Xbox in my room when we got tired of waiting for Phoenix. I went out to grab some food when I saw Nana.

"Has Phoenix arrived?" I asked her. I told her about Phoenix staying at the house and she said my Mom already told her about it.

She shook her head. "No, I thought she's with you."

I looked outside the window when I heard the loud pounding of the rain and the thunder.

It's now past 9 in the evening and 3 hours has passed since we saw her in the convenience store.

My heart started beating fast. "I saw her walking her way here earlier. But she has her headphone and she didn't hear me calling for her."

"When was that?" Nana looked worried.

"3 hours ago."

"Look for her Alan. I'm really worried about her. Please?"

"R-right!" I wnet back to my room and get my car keys. I was on my way outside with my jacket halfway my body when we saw Phoenix standing by the doorway dripping wet.

"Phoenix!" Nana came to her. "Where have you been? God, I'm so worried about you."

"I-I was on my w-way back w-when it s-suddenly rained..."

She is freezing. I can see her body shaking.

I instinctively removed my jacket and put it on her.

"T-thanks." she said without looking at me.

"You shouldn't be walking around outside by yourself!" I can't help but raised my voice at her.
She didn't answer. She didn't even look at me.

"Just go to your room." I demanded her. I can't watch her freezing cold. "Took a shower and change your clothes. You might get a cold."

"Let's go." Nana went up with her.

I just watch her as she walked upstairs.

Notes

Sorry if it's crappy. I'm just having a bad day.