[Phoenix POV]

Finally, we're on the road. The guys just finished their first show. I could see on their faces that they're all happy.

I was on the front lounge and doing some emails. The guys were hanging at the bunk area when I heard them talking.

"She's going to do a photoshoot in New York then she will ride with us until in Arizona." I heard Alan talking.

"Wait, she's going to join us for 2 weeks?" it was Tino.

Alan nodded. "Yeah, I've talked to Josh and it was fine with him. Anyway, we have an extra bunk so..." his voice trailed off.

"Have you talked to Phoenix about it?" I heard Austin asked him.

'What?! What do I have to do with it?'

I heard shuffling noises then Alan appeared in front of me.

"Can I talk to you?"

I looked up to him and nodded. He sat beside me and hugged one of the throw-pillows on the couch.

"I've already talked to Josh about this but since you're also handling the band, I should be respectful enough to have your permission."

"Spit it out Ashby." I rolled my eyes at him. I know what he's going to ask and 'NO!' that's my answer. 'There's no way in hell that I'm gonna let her stay here for 2 fucking weeks!'

But of course, I won't say that even if my mind was screaming the words.

"Sam will have a photoshoot in New York the same date we're going to do a show there. She will have a 2-week vacation until her next project in Arizona. I was wondering if she could stay with us?"

I stared at him intently. Alan is really gorgeous. I could still remember when I was still allowed to stare at him endlessly. I shook my head to remove those thoughts. But Alan mistakenly thought that I refused his request.

"Phoenix, please. This is just a one-time thing." then he gave me that puppy-look eyes.

I just nodded because I don't want to speak. My voice might crack. I wanted to cry but I chose not to.

Alan jumped in happiness then hug-lift me and kissed me on my cheeks. That's enough to cause a riot in my heart.

He went back to the bunk area and I'm still standing like an idiot caressing my cheeks that he kissed.

Then I saw Austin looking at me with his burrowed eyebrows, and mouthed 'What the hell did you just do?' I immediately sat down and got back to what I'm doing. I doubt if I could even concentrate.

---

Our assistant tour manager texted me that Sam has arrived and we'll leave NY after 2 hours. I'm still outside with Josh. We're talking to the event coordinator in NY. They wanted OM&M to be back after a month for another show.

After it has been scheduled, we went back to the bus and I went straight to my bunk to rest for awhile.

I heard the guys are back and Austin called me, "Nix! Pizza! get out from your habitat!" he opened my curtain and removed my blanket.

I groaned but the boys lifted me and slammed me on the couch.

"You need to eat Phoenix. We know that what you and Josh are doing gets pretty stressful." It was Aaron then he handed me a slice of pizza.

I noticed Alan and Sam are not here. I immediately looked at Austin but he's busy with his phone.

"C'mon Alan! We're leaving!" I heard Josh yelled outside.

I went to the back lounge to get some of my stuff. I can't bear looking at them.

I saw them entered the bus. Alan went in the bathroom and Sam saw me. "You're here?" she was shocked by the way she looked.

She went in then closed the door behind her.

"I was really surprised to see you here." She said.

"I never meant to surprised you." I didn't look at her. I pretended to be reading my mails and some paperworks.

"Alan didn't mention you being here IN their bus. And I don't understand why you are here. I though the staff should be on another bus."

I closed my laptop, stood up, and glared at her. "I am here for work."

She didn't look convinced. I saw how she raised one of her eyebrows and crossed her arms at her chest.

"Look. I know you know the truth about me pretending to be you about a year ago. If you think that I'm planning to steal him from you, then you're wrong."

"You couldn't blame me if I have doubts in my mind, could you?"

I raised one of my eyebrows. "I don't want trouble Samantha. And whatever happened a year ago, it will stay a secret and Alan shouldn't have to know all about it."

"You shouldn't came back then."

'You shouldn't came back either!' I wanted to say to her but I chose not to. I tried my very best to control my temper. As much as possible, I tried to maintain my composure.

"You're right, I shouldn't came back. But it was not my choice. And if I came back, it was not because of Alan alone. It's because of the band. Again, I am here for work. So, if you think that I will be a big threat to your relationship, then that's your problem. I'm leaving the country after the tour. Besides, I don't live in Cali anymore."

"You're leaving?" It was Alan. We were both surprised when he suddenly opened the door.

'Did he hear us?' I suddenly felt nervous.

"Babe, just wait for me at the front lounge. We're having some girl talk." Samantha tried to blocked him.

"Why are you leaving?" He asked me again.

'Because of you and her.'

"Because I want to." I answered safely. Then I looked at Samantha.

I need to act normally and pretend as if it was nothing to me. But the truth is my chest is pounding like I'm gonna die right at that very moment.

"Babe would you like to go eat dinner?" She tried to caught his attention. But to her dismay, Alan didn't even looked at her.

He looks really serious. "I can't understand why suddenly you want to leave Phoenix. Are we a burden to you?"

I looked at Sam. 'Do something!'

"Babe..." She tried to grab Alan's arms.

"Later Sam. I just need to talk to Phoenix. Wait for me at the front lounge." But Sam didn't move. She just stood there behind Alan.

'Fuck!' There is no way of escaping from him.

We're too far from where the guys are and the stereo was blasting so I couldn't call one of them. They didn't bother looking for me since I told them that I need peace as I will finish some paperwork.

"Tell me honestly Phoenixl, are you avoiding me? Ever since you stayed at the house, you never bother looking or talking to me. Do you have a problem with me?"

I didn't answer. I saw Sam glaring at me and I can see she's anxiously waiting for my answer.

"I'm not avoid--"

Then we heard a loud thud and the whole bus just blacked out.

"Alan?" I heard Samantha's voice.

"I'm here." It was Alan.

"Where are you?"

I didn't move since I'm beside a table so I knew I'm safe. I wonder what happened. I hope the rest of the guys are alright.

Then suddenly, I felt something brushed against my legs. 'Fuck!' what is that?! I can't help but scream.

"Sam? What happened? Are you ok?" I felt a hand grabbed my shoulders. It was Alan.

It's me Phoenix! I wanted to tell him but for some reason, nothing came out of my mouth.

"I'm fine Baby. Maybe it's Phoenix."

"P-Phoenix?"

I could feel his breath on my face. That means our faces are just inches away from each other.

"Alan..." I was not aware that I almost whispered his name. I felt his grip tighten and I could feel that he's almost hugging me.

"Sam?" He whispered.

"Yes Babe?" Sam answered from behind him.

I suddenly froze. I forgot that Sam and I have identical voice. And maybe he mistaken me as his girlfriend.

I pushed him and I tried to get away.

Then the light suddenly flooded the room.

I saw him staring at me. He hugged Sam but still looking at me. I can see the confusion in his eyes but I chose to ignore it. I went outside and left them there.

---

[Alan's POV]

[Time lapse: 1 week later.]

"Hey! You're not listening!"

I didn't notice Sam sat beside me. We just finished doing a show in Chicago. I'm just taking a rest at my bunk bed. The rest of the guys are playing the Xbox with Phoenix.

"I'm sorry. What did you say again?"

She gave me a mad face. "So, I'm just talking here like an idiot but you were not listening the whole time?"

"I'm just tired Babe. We just finished a show as you can see." I lied to her.

"Are we still going ot for dinner?" she hugged me.

I can't remember planning going out to dinner tonight.

"You forgot?" I can see she frowned.

"Of course not! So where do yo want to eat?" I tried to stand up.

She smiled. "I know a better place."

I smiled at her. "Go! get ready then."

She nodded and went straight at the back lounge to change.

Unconciously, I closed my eyes. When I was still blind, even the slightest movement, I can easily tell. I can instantly recognized a person's voice. Especially, those closest to me. That's why it bugs me that I mistakenly thought Phoenix is Sam. At that moment, I couldn't explain what I felt when I held her closer to me. I felt that familiar feeling. And I was confused again. I wonder why I can't feel it with Samantha.

"Babe, are you alright?" I didn't hear her coming back.

Then I opened my eyes. "I'm fine. Just a bit of headache."

"Do you want to just stay and sleep?"

"It's nothing!" I smiled. "Let's go. I'll just take a quick shower." I stood up and went in the bathroom.

I think I should stop thinking about Phoenix. Although Sam and her has the same voice, It's not right to compare them. It will lead me to nowhere. It will just confuse me and might affect my relationship with Sam.

---

I just finished my quick shower and found her at the back lounge. I was about to call her when I saw her talking on her phone.

"He doesn't know yet. I don't know how to tell him."

I froze and felt nervous.

"You don't know him Tracy. He wouldn't allow me to go. How should I tell him that I signed a 4-year contract in Paris?"

My heart was beating fast.

"I know. And don't worry. I can fix this, okay? Surely, I can handle him. Just give me a little more time. I'll find a way."

I clunched my fist. All this time she was lying to me.

"Okay! Bye!"

"Until when are you going to lie to me about this Samantha?"

She snapped her head at me and her eyes went big.

"B-babe?"

"Care to tell me about your contract in Paris?"

I saw the fear on her face and I don't even fucking care.

"B-babe listen to me. I-I wanted to tell you but-"

"But what Samantha?"

"I know you wouldn't agree to this." I heard her voice was shaking.

"What do you expect Samantha?! I thought we've talked about this? You told me that you'll just finish your 1 year contract then you'll stay with me for good. What happened? What makes you changed your mind?"

She suddenly cried. "I've been waiting fot this opportunity. This is a dream come true to me. That's why I grabbed it."

"Without even thinking about me?" I yelled at her. I couldn't explain the pain I felt inside. She was still as selfish as before. All along, I thought she has changed.

"Please understand me, Alan. I need this. I really need this."

"And I need you too Sam."

The she cried even more. She placed her hands on her face.

I blew out a long sigh in frustration. As I expected, she'll cry to get out of this and I was tired of it.

"Until when am I going to be the least of your priorities, Sam?" I asked her in low voice.

"I love you Alan. And you know that."

That what hurts me. She tend to forgot to love me when it comes to her modelling career.

"I don't want to do this. But you need to make a choice."

"Alan?"

But when I looked into her eyes, I saw her answer. And its not me!

I turned my back at her and went out. I'm still hoping that she might change her mind. I'm still hoping for the both us.

"Alan!"

I heard her called me but I just went out from the bus and started to walk without a sense of direction.


[Phoenix POV]

I just went out for a second to grab some food. I was about to get in when Sam bumped into me. "Hey! watch it--" I saw her crying.

I don't know what happened between her and Alan.

I asked Phil about what happened. "Maybe just a misunderstanding. Just let them be." he answered.

"Yeah, maybe. We heard them fighting at the back." Tino answered. "Alan also went out.

I didn't answer. I decided to just let them be. It's their problem not mine. I stayed at the bunk area and drank some of the Jack Daniel's that was left at the fridge while fixing the band's schedule for tomorrow night.

I startled when I heard a familiar voice.

"Do you mind if I join you?" It was Alan.

I just smiled and tapped the empty space beside me. I was sitting on the floor with the laptop on my bed.

I looked at him as he pour some whiskey on his glass. I know he was only trying to be okay and I can't help but feel sad for him.

"What?" he asked when he realized that I was staring at him.

I shook my head and looked at my laptop. "You don't have to pretend as if you're okay."

He froze before he could drink. "How did you know?"

I just shrugged.

"You saw her?" He was talking about Samantha.

I didn't answer.

"We had an argument. Some misunderstandings." then he emptied his glass. I didn't expect that he would open up to me. I closed my laptop and looked at him grabbing my glass with whiskey.

"All relationship goes through with that."

"I agree. And even if we tried to work it out. These problems just keep on popping up."

"Sometimes, there are things that we need to give up for the person that we really love. Because if you both push for what each of you wants, it's just not gonna work out."

He looked at me. "You're right. But in my case, I don't think I should give up mine. I always compromise, ALWAYS. And I had enough." he scoffed.

Our eyes met and I saw the sadness in his eyes.

"You're letting her go?"

"I have always believed in fighting for the people we love even if they don't seem to love us any longer." It was Alan. "But I feel tired Phoenix."

"You should fight for her."

He shook his head. "I'll let the decision on her. Whatever her decision is, let it be." then he emptied his 4th glass of whiskey.

I just stayed silent. I thought he's gonna move heaven and hell to be with her. I knew how much he loves Samantha. I knew that he couldn't live without her in his life.

Maybe he just plainly got tired.

And with what I found out, I don't feel happy nor relieved. I know that the person I loved is hurting. If only I could do something to ease the pain.

Notes

Sorry if there's any typo guys.

Will Alan really let Sam go? Maybe there's hope for Alan and Phoenix. How about Austin? Will he let Phoenix go?