best years ✰ l.p.

Epilogue- Amnesia- 3

Luke Patterson

"No actually what the fuck Olivia?" I shouted at her.

"I'm sorry, how was I supposed to know you were still super sensitive about that okay? Grow up."

I scoffed. I couldn't believe what she was saying. I never even like Olivia anyways. She joined the band about two months after Dahlia left. She was a fan and had reached out to us literally a week after the whole thing happened. At first, I ignored her emails, but she was really persistent.

Eventually, we agreed to go watch her at an open mic performance at some random cafe. Reggie and Alex loved her, so I said fuck it. I knew we needed a new lead singer and Olivia was good enough, but she wasn't Dahlia.

No one could ever replace Dahlia.

But something was off with her. From the way she dressed to even the way she acted, it seemed like she was copying her. It was weird, but I pushed it off. I figured I was just too hung up on Dahlia that everything reminded me of her.

Even a year later, I think I still was.

*****

Dahlia Molina

I stood extremely close to my mirror, carefully trying to put on makeup. Suddenly, the door opened, making me jump, smearing eyeliner across my face. I groaned in frustration and grabbed a makeup wipe.

"So what dress should I wear?" asked Flynn, holding up one hot pink dress and another teal one.

"First can I ask why you barged into my room?" I said, not glancing at her before looking back in the mirror. She shrugged. "That was your mistake giving me your extra key card," she said. "Anyways...back to the dresses. Pink or teal?"

"Definitely teal. It works with your skin tone." I said, still not looking at her, and finally perfecting the wing on my other eye. "So...what are you wearing?" Flynn asked, a little too excitedly. I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised though. She was majoring in fashion design at FIDM.

I went into my closet and pulled out a purple strapless bodycon dress that hit right above my knees. "This," I said holding it up so Flynn could see.

"Damn, okay Dahlia," Flynn said enthusiastically. "You're going to be turning heads tonight in that." I laughed. "Yeah, about tonight. I have to admit, I'm a little nervous."

"Dahlia, you'll be fine, don't worry about it."

*****

I stepped foot into this random person's mansion, immediately spotting people I knew. I had been invited, but I'd been to so many parties in the past two years that it was hard to keep track of who's it was.

Flynn had run off as soon as we got inside so I began greeting friends and some other acquaintances I had. Suddenly, I spotted two familiar brunettes and a blonde. I gulped.

It was them.

I made eye contact with Luke, both of us awkwardly staring at each other. Why are they here? I thought to myself, Well, I should at least go say hi. It's now or never, Dahlia.

I slowly walked up to them, Olivia immediately pulling me in for a hug. I was taken aback, before lightly hugging her back. "Hi, Dahlia, I'm Olivia, their new lead singer," she said enthusiastically.

I laughed nervously. "Nice to meet you," I replied, awkward silence filling the space between us. "So, uh, how are things?" I said, a fake smile plastered on my face, desperately trying to avoid Luke's eyes that were still pinned on me.

"Great, you?" Alex replied, softly smiling at me. I found myself wishing things could just go back to how they used to be.

"Yeah, things are pretty good. I'm getting ready to release a new single, so that's exciting."

"Yeah, we're all really happy for you," Reggie said, smiling. He pulled me in for a hug, making me realize just how much I missed them. I gave Alex a hug too, before staring at Luke, standing in front of me.

"You can hug me too, you know." He said, laughing lightly. I pulled him in immediately, noticing the butterflies in my stomach. God, I never wanted to let go.

But then I did. And then it was back to awkward silence. I could tell Luke was about to say something when I heard a voice behind me.

"Dahlia," my boyfriend James, who I hadn't seen in days said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Can I talk to you?"

*****