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

We're okay.

Friday afternoon Sammy sat on Noah's bed and played the first few notes for the last song they rehearsed.
Noah managed to learn all the song within 4 days.
Even though Sammy didn't really want to play on Saturday because actually she had to study for the exams but on the other hand she was very excited.
She loved to be on stage.
And now that she had an own guitarist - well that sounds possessive - it's even better.
They could write songs together now and she wouldn't have to ask her brother or Johnny to come to the studio all the time.
"I can't believe we're playing in front of.. what.. 6000 people? I've been searching for a band for 3 years now and I never expected this to happen at all. I mean I would've been perfectly fine with 200 people but 6000? Gosh.", Noah said excitedly after they finished the last song.
What Sammy didn't know first was that he sings too.
So now she's got a guitarist who can do backing vocals as well.
"I know. I felt like you about half a year ago. When my brother came back I wasn't even able to play in front of my class which is 18 people. And from now on equal he got me the opportunity to record an own EP and open for them in front of 12000 people. That was massive. I was so scared to forget the lyrics or play the wrong chord. But after all it was great. It's such a cool feeling when you play the songs you've written yourself and 12000 people are happy with what they hear and cheer and all."
"Oh yeah I can imagine that. But seriously how am I so lucky? I mean if I walked away that night we met I would still be looking for a band. And probably in 30 years still."
Noah laughed and put his guitar aside.
"Well I guess I go home now. I still have to discuss things with Archie. Don't be too excited because you won't catch any sleep then. You need to rest though because we wanna go out there and give not 100% but 120%!!"
"Don't worry I'll be fine."
Noah brought her to the front door and watched her tying her shoes.
"We'll pick you up at 2pm."
Sammy hugged him and said goodbye.

"Archie hurry up we're 5 minutes late already!!", Sammy ran through the whole house to find her brother.
"Chill Sams there's plenty time.", Archie answered from somewhere.
"No I told Noah we'd pick him up at 2!"
"Okayy I'm ready. Go!"
The two packed their stuff into the car and made their way to Noah's place.
He was already waiting in front of his house and smiled as they arrived.
"Hey Sammy, hey Archie!", he grinned and put his acoustic and electric guitar into the trunk too.
It took them about 1 hour to get to the city they'd play in.
The boys were already there when they arrived and passed them their triple A passes.
Johnny had a kinda weird look on his face when he saw Noah but Sammy didn't give a shit less.
It's his problem if he's being ignorant.
Archie definitely noticed the tense between them but he didn't say anything either.
Sammy and Noah had their own dressing room in the backstage area so Santa Cruz and the two of them separated.
After soundcheck Archie dragged all of them to the backstage bar and got drinks.
No alcohol for Sammy of course, Noah drank a beer though.
He came along with the boys very well except for Johnny who ignored him without any shame.
Well he didn't just ignore him, he also shot him glares as if he was about to kill him.
"Have I done anything wrong or what's his problem?", Noah asked when they were about to hit the stage.
"Nah you're fine. He's just jealous or something. Don't mind him and his weird emotions.", Sammy explained and took the first step up the stairs onto the stage.
Noah just shrugged behind her and followed her.
The show was great.
The two of them had so much fun playing together and the crowd obviously enjoyed their music.
They played the whole EP and Noah finished with a killer guitar solo.
Santa Cruz was on right after them.
Noah and Sammy watched them play from the side of the stage.
The first thing they did after their show was getting another drink.
Of course they had a party.
Tazzy's and Middy's girlfriends were there too.
Soon everyone was busy
- Tazzy and Middy with their girlfriends and Noah had a deep conversation with Archie about music and bands and whatsoever - and so it was just Sammy and Johnny sitting next to each other in awkward silence.
It probably took him 2 bottles of beer to confess this but believe it or not he actually did:
"I'm sorry. I acted like a jerk."
"Well jerk is a bit understate.."
"I know..", he sighed and turned towards her, "I'm sorry."
"Yeah I got it."
Well it was an understatement that she was being ignorant now that he always acted like this.
"You don't sounds very convinced."
"Maybe that's because I'm not. There's a very clear picture of the same situation in my mind. And now we're here talking about this again."
"Sammy.. I can't really do anything but to tell you that I'm sorry but...", he started but was interrupted by Sammy.
"You could. You could tell me what's going on in your damn mind that you always act weird and why you get jealous for no reason and all that stuff but know what your problem is? Well either you have a crush on me and you don't want to admit it or you are just being stupid because you are a boy. Whatever the reason is it would be nice if you could tell me because I'm tired of this bullshit. But seriously I don't feel like talking about this right now. If you change your mind and want to tell me them I'll be in my dressing room. But don't waste my time telling shit please."
She got up and left to go to her dressing room.
When she arrived there she heard footsteps following her.
"So you wanna talk?", she said and turned around, assuming it was Johnny.
"Ehm yeah..?"
Noah stood in front of her looking slightly confused.
"Oh Noah sorry I thought you were Johnny."
"I'm not.", he laughed and followed her into the dressing room, "What's the matter with him? You seemed to be arguing."
"Yeah we sometimes do. He's acting weird and all."
"Maybe he has a thing for you or something? Would explain why he's mad at me. I mean I stole his job, didn't I?"
"Nah in the first place he didn't even want to be my guitarist."
"Well whatever.. uhm the reason I came here is.. that..."
He stopped and seemed to think about the right words.
"Well I wanted to say how thankful I am that you let me be your guitarist and..."
"Aw you know it's a pleasure! You are a great guitarist and a super cool guy."
"So are you. Thank you."
He smiled down at Sammy and embraced her thankfully.
Just in this very moment Johnny barged into the room and looked quite confused about what he saw.
"Uh don't feel distracted in any way..", he mumbled and left again.
"Ugh he probably caught that the wrong way.", Sammy sighed and ran after him.
He wasn't far gone, as if he expected her to run after him.
"Johnny wait!"
Just a few meters in front of her he stopped and turned around.
His expression was neutral but he was tensed.
"I don't know what you think happened in there but it was just a hug. Noah and I are just friends. He said thank you that's all."
Johnny sighed and looked down to his feet and back up again.
"Why are you trying to set the record straight?"
"Because... I don't know. I just felt like you..", Sammy didn't even know why she ran after him to explain.
He came to talk.
It was his turn to explain.
"It's fine, Sammy. I just came to apologize. I should've done that a long time ago. I'm sorry for acting like a fool. Not just this week or a month ago, also when we were younger. I.. I think I just grew to like you more than I thought I would. This doesn't give me any right to act like this whenever you are talking to other boys or whatever reason. I'm truly sorry."
He leaned down and embraced her without waiting for a response.
He got a response when Sammy hugged him back.
They stayed like this for god knows how long until Archie walked past them and watched them amused.
"Are you doing an embrace-marathon?"
Sammy was the first to let go and stepped back.
Archie just smirked and continued walking down the hall.
"I guess we're okay then?"
He nodded and watched her walk away too.
We're okay.