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

It's done.

"Are you still mad?", Sammy asked as she notices Archie walking through the hall without saying good morning.
It was unusual for him to be awake at 8.30am.
"Oh Smallie, hey. I didn't even know you were here. You know I'm not mad at you.", he smiled sleepily.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"And are you mad at Johnny?"
"I'm not mad, Sammy. I'm just a bit sad that you didn't tell me that you are actually quite good friends. I mean it's not like I would kill him for talking to you."
"I would've told you but you thought we are a couple or something all the time. And you made pretty clear that you don't want us to be close."
Archie sighed and closed his eyes for a while.
"It's not like this, Sammy. I know that Johnny is a good guy and all but back then I just got you back and I didn't want you to be around another guy all the time. Especially not with one of my band mates. I just want you to be happy and I don't think you'd be happy with somebody who's on tour all the time."
Sammy nodded and picked up her bag from the ground.
"You are so cute, Archie. Don't worry about me being unhappy. I know what I'm doing."
She hugged him and left for school.

"So it's only two days left till you are free.", Jordan said as they entered the classroom.
"It's only a number, Jordan. It won't change who I am. I'll still be Sammy and I still won't like alcohol."
"It's not just a number. You can date Johnny because Archie can say a shit about that then.", he laughed.
"Shut up, Jordan, I don't want to date him and stop saying that now."
"Sam, language!", exhorted the teacher who just entered the room.
"I know you want to.", Jordan whispered and smirked.
Sammy just shot him a glare and turned her attention to the teacher.
"I know you'll hate me for this but I still need a grade from all of you so I have a little surprise test for you. This shouldn't be a problem if you payed attention this and last week. Good luck.", Mrs Portman said and passed out the test.
The whole class groaned and looked over the sheet worried.
Sammy had to do well.
If she didn't it would affect her end result.
And not towards the better grade.
But as soon as she read the first question she wanted to throw the paper away.
She hated that topic.
She did pretty well in the last one but she understood not even half of the topic they discuss at the moment.
Eyes shut and go for it.

"How'd it go for you?", Jordan asked the group as they left school in the evening.
"I fucked up but I don't think it affected my end results. But guys I gotta go I'm in hurry see you tomorrow.", said Sarah and ran towards a black car.
"Me too. I didn't even make it through to the last question.", Sammy sighed and tried to think of a way to improve her end result.
The rest of the group agreed.
"It wasn't fair. Nobody was prepared."
Suddenly Sammy phone started ringing.
Jordan got a look on her display who was calling and started smirking immediately.
"Who else would it be.", he laughed and watched her answering the phone.
"Hey what's up?"
"Hi Sammy sorry if I'm annoying you in school just dunno when you get home."
"Nah it's fine just left school."
"Perfect. So basically I just wanted to ask if you want to go to the studio today. Our session got canceled cause Middy and Tazzy have other plans. I'm free today and maybe you still need some guitar or drum parts so we could get it done."
"Uhm.. yeah I guess. Are you picking me up?"
"Sure. Where are you?"
"Still in front of the school. Should I wait here? Or should I go home and you pick me up later?"
"Whatever suits you better."
"Well actually I don't feel like walking home now."
"Okay. I'll be there in 10."
"Awesome see you."
"Bye."
She ended the call and put the phone back into her pocket.
"Having a date?", Jordan raised and eyebrow and smirked.
She didn't even realize that he was still next to her.
"No we are heading to the studio to record percussion and guitar."
"Okay so let's call it a musically date."
"It's not a date.", she stated annoyed.
"Whatever. Well I gotta go now. Because I have a date tonight. Bye, Sams.", he hugged her and made his way to the bus stop.
About 5 minutes later Johnny arrived.
He asked what cd she'd like to listen to.
It was a hard choice to pick one of his 30 million different cds.
In the end she wasn't able to choose one because she wasn't even half way through them when they arrived.
This time it was a bit more coordinated.
They discussed the drum parts and recorded them straight away.
After that they took a break and ordered Pizza.
While they waited for the Pizza guy to bring it up to the studio Johnny improvised some guitar solos.
Sammy sat next to him looking through her phone randomly.
"Have I invited you to my party yet?", she asked out of the blue.
"Nah. Not yet hopefully.", he said smirking.
"I wanted to do that a few days ago actually. Kinda forgot about that. Sorry that I'm late with that. It's okay if you have other plans already."
"No no. I'm free. I'll be there of course. How could I miss a party."
"Well. Don't get your hopes too high. My parties aren't Santa-Cruz-like parties."
"That's fine. I'd gladly dispense with what happened at Tazzy's party."
"Let's just not talk about this."
"Yeah.."
There was a knock at the door.
Johnny got up and payed for the pizza which was just delivered.
"Veggie's yours.", he said and passed it over to Sammy.
"Thanks."
"We're having a gig later this month. You should talk to Archie about opening for us."
"He already asked me but I can't I'll take my exams that time."
"Oh that sucks."
"Yeah kinda. But after that I'll never go to school again.", she looked up seeing that he had already finished his pizza.
"So you can come on tour with us?", he laughed and grabbed a bottle of water.
So no beer today...
"No, I actually wanted to work in a radio station. I had a part time job there once and I really enjoyed it. I don't want music to be my job. It's just a hobby.", she explained and finished the pizza too.
"Really? Dang, I was so excited for you to join us on tour.", he said disappointed.
"I'm sorry. Maybe when I'm on holiday I can come along instead of going on vacation."
"Well maybe you change your mind.. we have a lot of fun on tour you know."
"Don't try to convince me now, Johnny. I've made mind about that a long time ago. And I don't think I'd have as much fun. You live for touring and all but it's not what I want to do."
"Fine. But whenever you feel like touring tell me okay?", he laughed and grabbed an acoustic guitar.
"I will."
"Awesome. So now let's get back to work. Still got some ideas for the songs?"
"Yes. I got a melody for 'track of time' in mind. I'll show you on the piano. Maybe you can make that up on the guitar."

"It's done.", Johnny smiled and leaned back in his seat.
"It's done.", Sammy repeated not really believing that it's true.
She finished her very first own EP.
"Let's pop a bottle for that.", Johnny got up and left the room to get a bottle.
He returned with champagne and 2 glasses.
"I know you don't like alcohol but this is a must."
Sammy shrugged and took a glass.
If he says so.
"I can't believe that this is real."
"It is. You can be so proud. Those songs are amazing."
"I owe you the world now for helping me all the time."
"Nah you know it's not a problem. I'd do it anytime."
"I need to hug you. You have no idea how happy I am."
He laughed and walked towards her.
Sammy wanted to cry.
She never thought that she would ever record an own album.
Waiting till he stood in front of her she literally jumped at him, wrapping her arms around him.
"Thank you so much.", she said and buried her head in his chest.
"I can't wait for the whole world to hear this masterpiece."
"It's not a masterpiece.", she mumbled still hugging him.
"Yes it is. Every first time is a masterpiece. Because it's the beginning of something great. Like seed that's growing and thriving into a big beautiful flower."
"Wow you are such a peot.", jokingly she pushed him away and sat down on the couch.
"Yeah that's why I'm a songwriter."
He winked and grabbed a bottle of beer.
"And this", Sammy pointed at the bottle in his hand, "is definitely something that'll ruin it."
"Ruin what?"
"Everything that's started out in a masterpiece. There's a huge flower now and you are drowning it. It's poison for the flower inside you. You are destroying yourself."
"Wow, now you are the poet. But besides it's just a beer, don't worry about me."
"It might just be a beer but after the 3rd bottle it's not just a beer anymore."
"You know what?", he put the bottle on the table and sat down next to her, placing an arm around her shoulder, "it's really sweet how caring you are. But you gotta live your life as if today is your last day. You never know when you'll die. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next year. One or three beers won't change that. It's okay if you are careful and it's also really cool that you stay away from alcohol because I have to agree it isn't always the best choice but sometimes you just have to let out the beast that's hiding inside you. Everybody's got a wild side. Some more, some less. I probably more. But doesn't matter. Just don't worry about me drinking. I know how much I can take and I won't go further than that, I promise. And if something ever happens then know I had a great time. It's not always about being well behaved. You just haven't discovered the wild side of this world yet. And it's definitely not that bad when you see us drinking. You're just not used to it."
"Are you trying to tell me that I need to party? Because if you do then Archie's gonna kill you."
He laughed and took another sip from his beer.
"No I'm not trying to make you do anything. It's all up to you. I'm just saying how I see things. And I definitely live as if I die tomorrow. Because if I do it's worth it."
"Well..."
"Let's not argue about this. It's really cute how you are completely against alcohol and smoking and stuff. It really is..."
Sammy wasn't sure what to answer so she just kept her mouth shut.
"I need to listen to the songs again. I still can't believe that it's done."
She got up and pressed play on the computer.
The first guitar lick started immediately.
Archie played that one.
It sounded happy and delivered a good vibe.
A perfect start for an album.
It really makes you want to hear more.
She couldn't wait for Archie to hear this.
He has heard the demo but not the completed version yet.
There was just the problem that she would have to tell him that she went to the studio with Johnny.
Alone.
But he didn't seem to have a problem with them being out together so he'll probably take it easy.
"This is actually my favourite.", Johnny interrupted her thoughts as the second song started playing.
It was a rock ballad with violin deposited.
Johnny played the acoustic and electric guitar for this song and Sammy played the piano.
It was one of the most recent songs she wrote and recorded but she was very happy with how it turned out after multiple sessions of not knowing what to do with it.
"Yeah it's really calming but it has something exciting as well."
Don't forget, we've got unfinished business,
stories yet to unfold,
tales that must be retold,
and I regret not knowing when to put an end to all this madness
"I always wanted to ask who this song is about.", he said after a while.
"I'm not sure. There's somebody in my mind but it's.. kinda blurry you know."
"Let me know as soon as it's sharp."
"Okaay.", she laughed and turned her attention back to Archie's voice.
He sang a verse for one song and backing for another one.
There was not a single thing about this EP she wasn't proud of.
All the time and afford that she put into this payed off now.
It was amazing.