Last Seen In San Francisco (Tony Perry)

• How We Survive •

{ f i v e }

Straight from my first day at work I had to go and pick up Madison, Alexis is in the car beside me as we drive to her school.

We eventually got there and I pulled up in the only free space. We walked into the school in silence, and Alexis waved and smiled at the receptionist.

"Ah, nice to see you again Miss Grace. How've you been?" Maddie's teacher asked me before I could even set foot into the classroom. She must be the same age as me, and although she's pregnant and showing, she still looks good.

"I've been great actually. I'm sure you've heard on the news about the press situation?" I asked, and she nodded, her calm look changing to one I can't decipher. "If you really don't mind Mrs Lee, I'd love to keep my daughter away from all of that." I explained, hoping she isn't like Brian, wanting to have me promote something.

"Oh thank god," he expression showed relief. "We really don't want any unnecessary attention. Thank you Miss Grace. Madison's in there talking to her friends." She pointed into the classroom and walked in behind me as I strolled towards Maddie.

"Mommy!" She called as soon as I got to her, putting her little arms around my neck and hugging me. "Look, I filled Dylan's shoe with spaghetti!"

My eyes went wide as she held out a small boys shoe, with red sauce dropping down the sides. She put it back on the table with a devilish grin and I looked around before grabbing her hand and pulling her up.

"That's- oh my god- that's priceless!" Alexis said from behind me in fits of laughter "I taught you so well."

"For fuck sake Alexis," I whispered towards her, "stop teaching her stuff like this." It isn't the first time I've had to run from the evidence of Maddie's little wrong-doings. Alexis wanting to be a 'fun aunt' keeps teaching her little pranks and things that will get her into trouble.

Again, running away from the evidence, and away from Lexis' laughter, I pulled Madison to grab her coat and left the building, saying goodbye to her Mrs Lee.

"Maddie you need to stop doing things that Alexis teaches you okay? They'll get you into trouble." I told her, crouching down by our car to her level.

"I won't get in trouble mom, Alexis told me to tell Mrs Lee that I have AHDD so it's okay!" She said with an excited smile. She grinned at me, kissed my cheek and them got into the back of the car.

"Fuck." I heard Alexis swear behind me.

"I'm going to kill you. I'm going to rip your head away from your body and feed it to birds! ADHD? You told my daughters school that she had ADHD?! What the fuck Alexis?"

"It's not that bad-"

"Get in the car." I seethed at her. She's definitely gone too far this time. I can handle little pranks but telling her school that she's got something she hasn't? That's way too serious.

She hung her head, probably accepting my pissed off attitude and got in the passenger seat with no problems.

Maddie could probably feel the tension in the car because she didn't speak like she usually does the whole way home.

*

"Oh my god."

"Alexis, you need to calm down, we're just going to help them track some songs, maybe write some stuff."

"What if I'm really bad at it?"

"You're my assistant, I promise I won't fire you," she glared at my condescending smirk "do you feel any better now?"

"Shut up Lydia." I smiled and went over to my desk towards the files about the band, but I stopped, turning again to Alexis.

This is our second day at Fearless Records, and I'd say we're settling in quite nicely, although I have already had a run-in with a girl who thinks I'm a fame-spoilt brat. Oh well, let her think whatever she wants.

"What time are the band here?" I asked her for clarification. She looked down at her watch she insisted on wearing this morning. I rolled my eyes, I know that watch doesn't even work, she's just wearing it to look smarter.

I couldn't help but smile when she glanced at the clock on the wall of our office and then back down to the watch.

"In about an hour." She replied, and I nodded and started walking towards the door. I'll look at the files when I come back.

"I'm making coffee, do you want one? Or should I just tell everyone here that you have a tumour and see if we can get someone else to make it?" Her head snapped to me and she looked at my fierce face. Safe to say I've not calmed down from yesterday.

She's my best friend, and I can't not speak to her, but I can keep bringing it up so she can feel as bad as possible.

I started walking towards the lift when it became obvious she wouldn't say anything.

Yesterday she told me she was sorry and felt bad, but it didn't help the fact that I'll have to go into Madison's school and tell them she lied about having ADHD. God, I'm so not looking forward to that.

When I got to the lobby I walked past Joshua, who waved over-dramatically, and went straight to the kitchen.

I made our coffees, I may be pissed off at Alexis, but she'll want one. I eventually made it back up to our floor and started walking towards my office.

Oddly enough, the door was closed, so I balanced one coffee between the inside of my arm and my side.

I pushed open the door, and saw Alexis' face for a split second, before she forcefully pushed the door closed again, knocking me back a few steps.

That's not what bothered me though.

What bothered me was when I saw Mike Fuentes staring back at me, and the undeniable 3 figures with their backs to me of people I used to know, just before the door slammed shut.