[Phoenix POV]

"How is he?"

I looked up to Austin. He was busy toying his dishes. After what happened to Alan, I decided to stay and called Josh to tell him to go straight to Vegas for the meeting. I also informed Jasper about it.

"I think he's okay now." I answered while still looking at him. "He still doesn't want to see the doctor."

"You can't push him if he don't want to." He still won't look at me. "You know how stubborn Alan is."

"Are you okay?" I can't help but ask him. He was really silent after what happened to Alan. He won't talk unless I talk to him. "Are you sick?" I felt his forehead.

"Maybe I'm just tired."

I blew out a sigh.

"Are you worried about me?" Suddenly he asked. Then I saw him raised his head and looked at me.

"Of course! I'm worried about you Austin."

"Why?"

"What?" my eyebrows burrowed. "Why are you asking me that?"

"Why are you worried? I want to know the reason."

"Should there always be a reason?"

"Just answer my question Phoenix." He demanded. He was staring at me and waiting for my answer.

I blew out again a sigh. "You're one of my best friends Austin. I don't want anything to happen to you." I don't have any choice but to tell him the truth.

He looked outside the window. "Now I know." He smiled bitterly. We're at the front lounge. Phil, Tino, and Aaron are in their bunks. Sam went out and I don't have any idea where she is.
Things couldn't be the same again between us. And I miss him so much. I miss the old him. The carefree and funny Austin.

How I wish I could erase his feelings for me as much as I wanted to erase my feelings for Alan.
Silence flooded the space between us. Like no one wants to speak. Then I heard the bunk area door opened.

"Alan? Are you feeling alright?" I asked him.

He didn't answer. He was just staring at me.

'Weird!' I can feel that something has changed. Then he went to the door.

"Dude!" Austin called for him. "Where are you going?"

Alan looked back at him. "I'm going out for smoke." He smiled at Austin. "Care to join me?"

"Sure!" Austin stood up and wrapped his arms around Alan's neck. "How are you feeling anyway?" he smiled at him.

"Good. And thanks to her." Alan scoffed. "She knew very well what to do to make me feel better."

I fight the urge to stare back.

They went out and I can't help but stare at them until they disappeared from my sight.


[Austin POV]

Alan and I went out for smoke but because of my heart condition, I can't really smoke. We were standing by the side of the other bus and for the first time together, we stayed silent. It was the first time that I felt this tension between us. And it's all because of one woman- Phoenix.

I had to admit that there's a silent rivalry happening between us. Suddenly, he gain interest in Phoenix. Because of that, I was alarmed. In the first place, I don't have any plans on competing with him. But I can't bear to see Phoenix hurting. I don't want to see her crying.

"How long have you known her?" Alan suddenly asked me. He was lighting his 2nd stick.

"Long enough." I answered him truthfully.

"Nana told me that she stayed before at the house for more than 3 months."

I went still. I fight the urge to look at him. I tried to stay calm. "Really? Nana told you that?" I chuckled. "Maybe you heard it wrong."

Alan shrugged. "Maybe. It was so impossible that I couldn't remember her staying at the house a year ago."

'Fuck! How did he know it?'

Before I could even talk, he spoke again.

"I broke up with Samantha. And it's final."

I looked at him. "What?!"

"It's over between us." From the sound of his voice, it was like telling a simple fact.

"Are you serious?" I don't want to believe it.

"Why? Is it impossible that I will let her go?" Then he looked at me after puffing his last smoke.

"Yes." I answered honestly. "I know you. You can't easily let her go."

He scoffed "Would you believe me if I tell you that I loved the wrong person?"

My eyebrows burrowed.

"I thought I loved her. When all along my heart belongs to someone else."

Suddenly I felt cold. "W-what do you mean?"

He just smiled at me. "Nothing! Don't mind me." then he went back to the bus.

I was stunned. I can't move. I was alarmed. I suddenly felt cold. 'Does he know? and what does he know?' SHIT! I felt uneasy.


[Phoenix POV]

I was in my bunk. I was anxiously waiting for Austin and Alan to came back.

I heard the door opened and heard footsteps outside. I heard a loud thud and a groan like someone is in pain. I suddenly thought of Alan. I immediately got up and I smacked my forehead at the top of my bunk.

"DAMN!" I screamed.

I heard a muffled giggle from the bunk beside me. I knew it was Phil.

"Shut up Philip!" I said when I opened my curtain and tried to rub my forehead like it will lessen the pain. I went out and saw Alan watching Walking Dead on TV.

"Where's Austin?" I asked him when I didn't saw Austin with him.

"He said he's gonna grab some beers."

I didn't answer. I got the ice compress and put some ice in it. He looked at me and his eyes went wide.

"What happened to you?! You're bleeding."

He stood up and got the first aid from the bathroom. I didn't realize that it was bleeding. He knelt before me and applied some ointment on my forehead. I felt a sting.

I suddenly felt uneasy when he stared at me.

"Let me do it!" I tried to grab the cotton from him.

"No! I'll do it!"

He was still staring at me.

"Where did you get that scar?" Suddenly he asked. He was looking at my left shoulder.

Unconsciously, I felt my scar. "I can't remember anymore." Which was partly true. I didn't bother to remember it. It was one of my worst day with him. He got mad and jealous with no reasons at all. He was like a mad tiger.

"You can't remember Or you don't want to remember?"

I shrugged. I chose not to answer.

"Does it still hurt?" he poked my shoulder.

I shook my head. "It's already a scar. It won't hurt anymore Alan. " Then I grabbed the first aid kit from him. "I got to go. I'm tired and I want to go to sleep." I stood up and turned my back from him.

"Sam!"

I turned to him and said, "What the hell--" Shit! My eyes went wide.

I froze. My heart was beating fast. "Y-you need s-something?"

He didn't answer. He smiled then walked towards me. I tried to step back but I was cornered by the bunk area door. He put his right hand on the door behind me, just above my shoulder.

"A-alan, this is not funny!" My breath suddenly became heavy.

He didn't answer.

'Fuck!'

I saw his left hand about to touch my face when he suddenly grabbed the ice compress on the top of my head. I didn't realize that he put that on my head. I saw him smiled.

"I'll put some ice." I heard he said. He went to the cooler underneath the sink.

I blew out a long sigh.

He went back to me and I still couldn't move.

"Here!" He grabbed my hand and put the compress on it. "Don't worry. It'll be gone by the morning." he said and smiled at me.

"Okay." I almost whispered. There's something in him that I couldn't even give a name. He's acting really weird. And the way he looked at me, it seems that something has changed. I can still my heart beating fast.

"Go to your room and rest." he said.

I was about to turn my back at him when he grabbed my hand. And to my surprise, Alan claimed my mouth and gave me a devastating kiss. First thing I thought was to push him. But I felt like I don't have enough strength to do it. Unwillingly, I closed my eyes. Then I found myself responded to his kisses. And all my doubts disappeared.

"Alan..."

His kisses became deeper. I know that this is not right. But who cares? I can't think straight. I was not so sure how long does it take. But when Alan finally released me, my heart was beating so fast that I could hardly breathe.

"I just don't know what to do with you anymore." He spoke huskily while staring at my lips.

"You're making me crazy."

I felt like I was in heaven. He was still hugging me.

"And I can get rid of you." He murmured as he touched his forehead to mine.

"Ouch!" I felt a sting on my forehead.

He chuckled. "Sorry! I forgot!" And gave me a kiss on my forehead. "Does it still hurt?"

I shook my head.

"Nix?"

"Hmm?"

"We need to talk..."

My eyebrows burrowed.

"Seriously!"

I stared at him. I suddenly felt confused.

"Phoenix, I--"

Then the front door opened and saw Samantha came in. I pushed Alan away from me.

Samantha's eyes widened when she saw me. "What are you doing?" She was looking furiously at me.

Alan went in front of me. Covering me with his body. As if protecting me from her. "Should I be the one asking you that Sam? I though you already went back to NY?"

"You didn't answer my question Alan! What she's-"

"It's none of your business!"

"But--"

"Do I have to repeat what I've said this morning? I though we've understand each other?"

Samantha didn't answer.

"Just leave." He said to her.

Alan looked back at me. "Go back to your room and rest." He opened the door behind me and pushed me inside then closed the door.

'What have I done?'
'I was so careless. Fuck!'

I went in my bunk and stare at the ceiling. Looked like all my self control just vanished in thin air.
I heard Austin came back and saw him went in his bunk.

"Austin...?" I whispered but he didn't answer.

Now, I'm really in a big trouble.

---

[Austin POV]

"Aus!" I felt a slap on my cheek.

"What the hell Ashby?!"

"Phoenix is missing!" I can see the panic on his face.

"What do you mean she's missing?" I felt nervous and went up.

"She was not in her bunk when I went to check on her. I don't know where she went. And worst, I can't even contact her. Her phone's off." Clearly, Alan is panicking.

"Why did she leave?" I asked him. Knowing her, Phoenix won't leave until something happened.

"Josh said she filed a resignation letter."

"What?! Why?" I yelled. I saw Phil, Tino, and Aaron just woke up.

"I don't know. Josh called me awhile ago and he said he's coming back sooner than planned."

"What's the matter?" Phil asked.

"We don't know where Phoenix is." I answered him.

"What?!" It was Aaron and Tino.

I looked at Alan. "Tell me Alan, what did you do to her?"

"What do you mean?"

"She wouldn't do that unless you did something to her."

"Are you accusing me Austin?" he glared at me.

"That's why I'm asking. I know she wouldn't so it unless--"

"Nothing happened! If you think that I did something to her, then you're wrong. I'll be the last person who could hurt her."

"Hey, hey, just calm down you two. Did you try to call her?" Tino grabbed Alan's arms and let him sat down by the couch.

I shut my mouth. It was useless to argue with him.

"Help me find her." I heard him said.

Even if he didn't ask, I will find Phoenix. "I'll find her."

"Call me if you do."

"Okay." Then I went out.

Now what? Where will I start?

---

I tried my luck and went to the nearest park. then my eyes went wide when I saw her, alone.

"Hey!"

She looked up to me and saw her puffy eyes like she had been crying.

"You really have this habit of making people around you worry." I sat on the swing beside her.
She didn't answer. Then my phone rang.

"Alan?" she asked. I nodded. "Don't answer his call."

But I still answered. I still don't want Alan to worry.

"Yes. I found her. She's here with me. "I was looking at her. "She looks fine! You don't have to tell me. I'll take care of her." then I ended the call.

"I thought you're gonna tell him where we are."

I didn't answer.

Then she asked me, "I feel like Alan already knows the truth."

I nodded. "I had that dread feeling too."

She looked at me.

"But I still doubt if he does. Knowing him, he fucking hate lying to him. If he already knew about it, he would either confront you, me, or Lorie."

I saw her nodded.

"Austin, I need your help."

"I have an idea." I smiled at her.

"What?"

"Marry me!"

She kicked me on my legs. "Ouch!"

"I'm fucking serious Carlile!!"

I laughed.

"Let's go back to the bus. Phil, Tino, and Aaron are also worried about you.



[Phoenix POV]

When we arrived at the bus, we saw Josh, who just arrived, Phil, Tino, and Aaron. 'Where's Alan?'

"Josh, you just arrived?" Austin fist-bumped their tour manager.

"Yeah. What you guys have been up to? It's a mess here." then he laughed.

"Where's Alan?" I asked Tino who was sitting beside me ignoring Josh.

"He went out. He said he's gonna have a guest?"

"Guest?" my eyebrows burrowed.

Phil nodded. "He told us she just came from London. I think an old friend."

Austin and I looked at each other.

We were watching the TV when we saw Samantha came in the door.

"Samantha! What are doing here?" Austin asked her. I was surprised.

"Alan asked me to come here." she answered and sat down beside Austin. I saw the confusion on her pretty face. "What's going on?"

No one answered.

"Hello everyone! I'm back!"

Then we saw Alan from the door.

I gasped. Shock could not describe the way I felt.

"Oh shit!" I heard Austin muttered. "L-Lara?"

"Hello! It seems that you're not happy to see me." She hugged Austin. Then he looked at Alan "It's your fault. You didn't tell them, did you?"

Alan didn't answer and he looked at my direction.

I went still. I felt like I'm gonna die right at that very moment.

"Who is she?" I heard Sam whispered to Austin.

"Just ready yourself Sam." He answered in a lower voice.

Confusion still lingered her face.

I can't breathe. This is the moment of truth. And I couldn't escape from it anymore.

Then Lara looked at me and smiled. "Hello Sam! Its nice to see you again."

I am sure my face went pale. All eyes went on me. Except Phil. Our secret was finally revealed.

"Oh my!" I heard Sam gasp and put her hands over her mouth. Maybe she finally realized what was happening. Then Lara looked at her.

"Who is she?" Lara asked Austin. "Is she your girlfriend?"

"Nope! She not!" Alan answered casually. "She's my ex-girlfriend, the real Samantha Park."

Everyone gasped including me.

Notes

Alan already knows the truth. What will happen to Phoenix?