It's been a while (Johnny Cruz/Joonas Parkkonen) - Santa Cruz -

Hey, Smallie!!

Today is the day.
Finally.
He just texted her that he'll arrive in 3 hours.
She got into her car and made her way to the airport.
She knew that there are lots of traffic jams around this time of the day that's why she started early.
By the time she arrived it was only half an hour until the plane was listed to touch down.
This half an hour was probably the longest half an hour she's been waiting for something.
And then finally, the plane landed on time.
She ran towards the exit and tried to get a good view over all the other people.
It wasn't hard to spot the long blonde hair and the black hat in a crowd of business people.
As soon as he was in reach she ran towards him and jumped right on top of him.
"Hey, Smallie!!", he greeted her happily.
"Oh my gosh you have no idea how much I missed you!!"
She wiped away a few tears before they could roll down her face.
"Of course I do. I missed you too, Missy."
She didn't know what else to say so she just smiled at him.
He had a slight beard and his face is somehow more manly than she remembered it.
"You look amazing, little sis", he smiled and put an arm around her shoulder.
"So do you."
She smiled back at him but it immediately disappeared when she saw 3 men walking towards them.
"I guess you still know my bandmates.", Archie laughed.
Sammy just shrugged.
She did.
She didn't want to though.
His band and her weren't the best friends 3 years ago.
"Don't worry they grew up"
"If you say so."
She wasn't really convinced about that.

Last time she was in one room with them they all called her names because she was 'just a little girl' and 'Archie's little baby sister'.
Of course it was just jokes but back then she didn't take it that way.
Actually she took it very serious and she never liked the 3 of them.

A quick "Hey" was all they said to her today.
She nodded in response and turned towards Archie again.
"Can we go?"
"Yep. Bye guys, see you Saturday!"
He took his luggage and they made their way to Sammy's car.
"Still don't like 'em huh?", he smirked as he sat on the co-driver seat.
"Who?"
She didn't look at him and concentrated on the road.
"Oh come on you know exactly what I'm talking about."
"Maybe"
"They...", he started but was interrupted.
"I don't want to talk about your bandmates now. It's been 3 fuckin' years since I've seen you.
I don't want to argue about stupid things now."
"Yeah right."
He didn't say anything else until they arrived at her place.
"Still lookin' good my shitty old place", he laughed.
"Yes, who might be responsible for that?", she asked ironically.
"Wasn't that Alvin the caretaker?", he asked and laughed his ass off.
"You know what fuck off", she laughed too.
She was so happy to have him back.
Finally someone to joke around with.
"Let's get inside I got a little something for ya!"
"So do I, Smallie."
"And stop calling me Smallie.
I'm not small anymore!!"
He just kept laughing and walked inside.

"So who's first?", Archie asked as he crashed onto the couch obviously exhausted from 3 years of touring and other stuff.
"You because mine is special"
Sammy sat down next to him and tried to rough up his hair.
She's been doing that all the time back then.
Sadly he's stronger now and simply just pushes her arm away.
"What makes you think that mine isn't special."
"I don't know. I just know."
She smirked and threw a pillow at him.
"Well, you're wrong honey, it is!"
She laughed and threw the pillow right back.
"Okay then I go first."
She got up and left the room.
As she came back she had a little packed with her.
"Uhh, what's that?"
He took the packed and considered it for a while.
"Come on, open it"
Sammy ordered excited.
He just raised a brow but open it right away.
Inside was a paper.
On the paper was a painted guitar.
"A painting?"
"It's a guitar", she stated like it was obvious and he was very stupid to not get what she wanted to tell by the image.
"Archie seriously. It's THE guitar"
"Yeah I see you drew THE guitar."
"I got it for you"
"You got HER for me?", he looked at her unbelievable.
"Yes!!"
She smiled wide.
"No. Impossible."
"I did you jackass!"
He wasn't able to say a word.
He had tears in his eyes.
He opened his mouth but closed it again.
And then suddenly he hugged her very tight.
"I love you so much little girl you have no idea."

*14 years ago*
- 9 year old Archie meeting Skid Row -
"Hey uhm my name is A-Archie and I'm... I love you guys. You are my idols.", he stuttered as he stood in front of Sebastian Bach.
Right now he seemed so unreal.
"Hey, Archie, it's very nice to meet you!", he smiled at the little boy who didn't really realize what was happening.
"I uhm, I... could you maybe sign my guitar?"
"Of course."
He proudly gave the guitar to Sebastian.
"It is my very first electric guitar. I got it for my birthday.", he grinned.
"That's super cool. You know I'll be right back I just have to get a water proof pen to sign it okay?"
Archie just nodded and stood there all alone waiting for Sebastian to come back.
But suddenly a security man stepped in front of him.
"Where are your parents?", he asked.
"Uhm they are outside. I waiting for Sebastian to come back because he's signing my guitar."
"You are not allowed to be here on your own, this man over there will bring you back to your parents.", he pointed at another security man at the door.
"No. I'm waiting for Sebastian. He still has my guitar!"
The man didn't even listen to him.
He pushed him towards the exit and told the security man to bring him outside to his parents.
Archie had tears in his eyes.
He'd never see his guitar again.

"How did you get it?", he asked still tears in his eyes.
"Secret. Come on, play me something!"
She left the room again but this time she came back with the dark blue, signed stratocaster.
He admired the guitar for a while.
His guitar.
The guitar he thought he'd never see again.
"You are unbelievable, Sams."
She chuckled and nodded.
He played a few riffs and put the guitar away.
"Well now I'm afraid I gotta say my present isn't as special as this but still. You'll love it."
"I don't need anything special. You are here that's all I care about."
"Close your eyes and listen."
She frowned but closed her eyes as she was told.
"Hey Richard you can tell her now...", Archie said.
The next second he pressed his phone to her ear.
"Hello, Sammy this is Richard Miller from Saxon Records. Your brother sent me your song demos and I'm very pleased to let you know that we will produce them and get you a record deal!"
She was speechless.
Archie smiled at her and took the phone back.
"Thanks Richard she's speechless."
"Good to know well we'll talk tomorrow! Bye"
"This is a joke, right?"
Unbelievable she stared at her brother.
This would be like a big dream coming true.
"It's not. I'm serious. He is serious."
"And you tell me it's not special? What's wrong with you??"
Smirking he hugged her.
She couldn't help but cry.
Music was always a big part of her life as well.
But never in a lifetime she would've guessed that anyone would want to produce her music.
"You know what. Sleep over it and we'll talk about all of this tomorrow. I'm done and tired and you should sleep too."
"Yes. I love you."
She kissed his cheek and disappeared into her room.