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

the kiss

WE AREEE THE YOUNG BLOOD RISING
WE AREEE THE YOUNG BLOOD RISING
WE WILL RATHER FIGHT THAN FAKE THE FAAAALL
THE YOUNG BLOOD RISING

Sammy was woken up by the loud sound of Young Blood Rising somewhere in the house and probably Johnny screaming along.
Slightly annoyed to be woken up this way she got out of the room and looked around, scanning the room to find Johnny.
After a while she spotted him on his terrace with a bottle of beer in his hand smiling widely as she stepped outside.
"WE'RE ON THE RADIO SAMS!!", he shouted and held his up beer, cheering towards her.
"Okay but that's no reason to play it THAT loud, is it?"
"Yes it is!"
Johnny walked past her into the house and turned the volume down just a tiny bit but still enough for Sammy to not feel like it's destroying her eardrums.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah..."
Should she ask about last night?
That he wrapped his arms around her and stayed like this the whole night?
"You don't sound really convinced about your own words.."
He filled a cup with coffee and shoved it over the table to her.
"No.. really... I feel much better than yesterday."
"Glad to hear that. Sooo I've been wondering if you might want to come swimming with us."
"Depends on who us is."
"Just the usual. Boys, their girls and maybe you."
Still a bit lost in her thoughts about last night Sammy stared at the cup in front of her.
"Yeah why not."
"Awesome. Any idea when your brother's coming back?"
Shrugging she made her way back into the bedroom to check her text messages.
"1pm.", she told Johnny as she read Archie's message.
"Oh so he should be here soon."
Sammy decided to spend the time outside, reading a book.
Johnny joined her after a while but soon went back inside.
Not for long though because he just changed to go into his pool.
Sammy looked up from her book and watched him swim around.
"What?", he asked as soon as he noticed her eyes on him.
"Why do you wanna go swimming with god knows how many strangers when you have a pool?"
"Because it's fun to watch strangers."
"And because there are all the hot girls.", Archie smirked from the terrace.
"Exactly. Let's get going then!"
Johnny jumped out of the pool and the three of them made their way to the car.
They had probably organized this before because when they arrived Middy, Tazzy and their girls were already there.
While everyone went for a swim Sammy stayed outside.
The weather was nice and it was hot but she didn't feel like going into the water now.
Instead she texted Noah about band practice and upcoming shows.

Hey Noah
how's it going?
Just wanted to make sure you remember that we have.. well 'band practice' on Friday
And I got a mail from the manager of Kuopio Summer Festival. Do you think we can play there? Maybe we find a drummer till then

Why don't we talk about that in person?

He answered immediately.
"I really don't think it's necessary to text when we can easily talk.."
Sammy looked up confused and there he was, standing in front of her with a wide grin.
"Is this coincidence?"
"Yeah. Was about to text back when I saw your brother and his bandmates so I thought you might be here too and then I spotted you under this cute little tree."
Sammy smirked back and gestured him to sit down.
"But about that festival.. I met a guy, he's a bassist.."
"Awesome!"
"BUT, let me finnish, he is 27 so I don't know if you approach the fact that he is way older than we are."
Sammy had to think about that for a while.
Well 27 isn't much older.
Only 8 and a half years.
And it wasn't a problem when Johnny played guitar for her and he's 26.
"Should be fine.. I mean I don't have a problem with that."
"Cool. I'll text him later."
"If this isn't the guitar boy, Noahh.. hey buddy!!", Archie greeted him with a handshake and sat down followed by the rest of the group.
"We probably have a bassist now, Archie!", Sammy told him happily.
"A bassist? That's great!"
"His name is Rick.", explained Noah.
Middy immediately had a curious expression on his face.
"Rick? How old is he?"
Also Johnny became aware now.
"27 why?"
"Rick Stonehesky?"
Both Middy and Johnny looked at each other worried.
"Ehm yeah I guess.. do you know him?"
"This guy means trouble. Believe me. We went to school with him and.. eh just no. Don't let this guy in your band.", Middy waved his hand clearly saying no.
"So you knew him back then.. Maybe he's changed? We should give him a chance. You guys aren't that well behaved either."
Noah agreed to that.
"He was actually pretty nice when I met him."
Johnny shook his head but didn't look at anyone when he answered.
"Do what you want but you'll see that we're right."
There was awkward silence for a while but soon Archie got up and grabbed his wallet.
"I'll have some ice-cream who wanna join me?"

"Hi, Sam it's a pleasure to meet you! I've heard a lot about you."
The tall brown-haired guy leaned down, a devilish seductive grin on his face, and shook Sammy's hand.
"It's nice to meet you too, Rick."
She returned his smile, but not as seductively as him.
There was no need to flirt with this boy, note that they just met 2 minutes ago.
"Sooo Noah borrowed me a copy of your CD and I gotta admit that this shit is on fire."
He turned around and walked through the room, observing it.
Sammy looked for Noah, wanting him to help her with Rick, but he wasn't even paying attention to her and Rick.
He was currently in a conversation with Middy.
Well not really a conversation but they were turned away from them and obviously whispering.
Johnny sat on the other side of the room watching Rick with a curious expression.
Him and Middy immediately stated that there was no way that Sammy, Noah and Rick had a band practice in Santa Cruz's rehearsal room without them.
Well obviously they didn't want to join their practice but they came to make sure that Rick behaved.
Still they were curious about him.
"I'm glad you like the music. Do you think you can play that?"
Yet again he turned towards her and grinned.
"Do I look like I can't? I wouldn't be here then."
Sammy felt a presence right behind her but she wasn't sure whether it was Noah or one of the boys.
"I think we should start playing some of the tracks. We need to get this done until we play Kuopio Festival."
So it was Noah.
"Yes.", Sammy turned towards him and smiled, "let's do this."
After a while of playing she had to admit that he was a real good bass player.
It was like he had been playing those songs for a lifetime.
"Guys, how about I invite you for a Pizza?, he asked as they left the building, "as a thank you that you let me join your practice and maybe your band."
"That's cool man!", Noah smiled and agreed immediately.
Sammy nodded too.
"You can come too if you'd like.", Rick said to Johnny and Middy.
"I'm sorry to turn down your offer but I already have plans for tonight."
Middy said goodbye to everyone and drove away.
Johnny just shrugged unwillingly but followed them to the pizzeria.
The boys all had a beer and a pepperoni pizza, Sammy a water and a pizza margarita.
They didn't talk much and so they decided to go home right after Rick payed.
"Thanks again guys!"
"Yeah no problem. And thanks to you for the Pizza.", Noah patted Ricks shoulder and said goodbye before he walked away in the other direction.
"Do you want me to give you a lift home?", Johnny asked when Rick stood a few meters away to smoke a cigarette.
"No thank you I already called Archie to pick me up."
"You could tell him to stay home though because it's on my way anyways."
"Nah don't worry he should be here in a few minutes."
"Okay then.. do you want me to wait?"
"No I'm good, Johnny."
"You sure? I wouldn't want to be alone with this guy."
Sammy looked up at Johnny and gave him a warm smile.
"I'm fine, really."
He returned the smile and laughed.
"Okay then."
They hugged each other to say goodbye and separated their ways then.
"You two a couple?"
Rick asked out of the blue and interrupted her thoughts.
"What? Me and Johnny? No we're not."
"Really?"
He threw away his cigarette and looked at her.
"Definitely."
"Okay then."
Totally out of the sudden he pushed her backwards against the wall and pressed his lips onto hers.
Frozen by the shock she just stood there and let it happen.
Just as she wanted to fight he was already gone.
"Don't you ever try to do that again! Piss off."
It was Johnny.
Presumably he had pulled him away from her and pushed him towards the street.
Rick looked at him angry and was about to come back but when he noticed the tears on Sammy's face he froze shortly and ran away then.
Johnny breathed out heavily and turned towards her again.
"Are you okay?"
He lifted his hand and stroke away a tear.
Without saying anything she stepped forward, put her arms around him and buried her head in his chest.
They stood there like this for a while until she calmed down a bit.
"Why did you come back?"
"I don't know.. I mean I just didn't feel well with you being alone with him. Rightly.."
"I'm glad you did.."
Johnny reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Sammy could see that he dialed Archie's number and she also recognized his voice on the other side.
"Hey Archie, just wanted to ask if you're already on the way to pick up Sammy?"
"Uh I was just in the city but I'll drive off now."
"Nah it's fine, I'll bring her home."
"Oh really that's cool thanks man! See you."
"Yeah bye."
Without saying anything he lead her towards his car and drove off.
"Johnny?"
"Hm?"
"Can you please not tell Archie about this?"
"Yeah sure."
"Thank you."
When they arrived at Sammy's place she looked into the car mirror to make sure that it wasn't noticeable that she'd been crying.
"Thanks again Johnny."
"You know it's not a problem. Come here."
He leaned forward and pulled her into an embrace.
Before Archie opened the door he kissed her forehead and smiled down at her.
"Goodnight, Sammy."
With that he turned around and walked back to his car.
"Night Johnny.", Sammy whispered although he was too far away to hear it.