The Flight Of The Phoenix

Chapter- 3

Phoenix had one more show on their tour to play and it just so happened to be at The Vertigo again. They had planned the last two shows there since they were now living in Philly and helping out at Flaming Heart. 

My day went as usual. I woke up, showered, ate and then went to school. I saw Malakai in the hallway once, walking with Levi and two other teachers that worked at my school. He didn't even see me they were all talking and walking quickly. 

By 2 o'clock I was walking out of school and heading to my car. I was thinking about tonight all day. I was so excited to get to see Phoenix play again. I was going to convince Max not to have me behind the bar all night. 

*¥*

As I pulled up into the parking lot at The Vertigo later that evening, I noticed the guys hanging outside on the steps leading up to the back door of the club. Malakai was smoking a cigarette and talking to a few girls. I hesitated before turning off the car and getting out. I pretended to touch up my eyeliner. 

He was laughing, that much I could tell. I watched him roll his eyes and then make pouty lips at the one blonde. He was definitely flirting with her.... My stomach felt a bit hollow. I didn't want to be jealous, that was a horrible feeling...

I decided to go in the front door so I didn't have to walk right through all of them and have to pretend to be happy. I was completely happy up until now....

 This is what I was afraid of. How could I expect anything else? Malakai was a rockstar. He was incredibly, insanely attractive and manly. I knew girls flocked to him. I knew he could get anyone he wanted, why would I even begin to think that he would ever be interested in me. 

Even if we did have a past and knew each other for a long time. That meant nothing now... He wanted me to be his friend and help out Phoenix, nothing more.

By the time I had gotten to the office and clocked in, I decided against trying to convince Max to keep me out of the Bar tonight. I'd see Phoenix play again, I was helping them write for their next album. 

*¥*

Soon the second band was on and it was hopping inside the club as usual. I hadn't seen Malakai since I first arrived out back, he was probably hanging with the band and those girls this whole time... Suddenly I got really upset with myself. I needed to stop this crap. Like now! I didn't want to be feeling this way every time I saw Malakai or had to be near him. 

"What's up, buttercup?" I turned to see a familiar face. It was Finn, the drummer of Phoenix. "Hey man, what can I get for you." He looked up at the board above me. "Can I just get a miller lite please." I nodded and turned back around to grab one from the case. 

"So how are you tonight?" I shrugged as I came back around to face him once again and opened the bottle, handing it to him. "I'm alright. Could be better I guess." I watched as he took a swig, looked over at the Merch area and then the stage before looking back at me again. 

"I know you don't really know me yet but I can see the way you look at Malakai and I wouldn't want you to get hurt because you seem like a sweet girl. I think it's awesome that you two know each other the way you do and that you are going to be helping out with our next album, but... he has a reputation..." He had my full attention and I completely drowned out everything else around me. 

Another guy at the bar had to snap his fingers in front of my face to get my attention and ask for a drink. I apologized and quickly got him what he asked for before returning my attention back to Finn. "A reputation?..." I got an uneasy feeling.

"Yeah, he.... Well he goes from one girl to the next in a matter of days. He doesn't date he just sleeps around... Don't get me wrong I love the guy I'm not trying to trash talk him I just don't want you to get hurt. I can tell you're not like the girls he goes through. And it would be a shame if right after you two found each other again you hated him. Do you know what I mean? He speaks very highly of you. I can tell he respects you."

My heart sank into my gut and it felt like a rock sitting there. I got a very sick feeling, but I completely held it together not wanting to look pathetic. "Hahaha yeah I know. And I only see him as a friend anyway, so it's ok." 

Finn smiled at me. "Well that's good, I'm glad to hear that." 

After he left to go backstage to get ready to play I let my shoulders slump over a little bit more. I totally knew it. Dammit I wish I didn't. 

I couldn't look up at the stage while they were playing. I just listened. I let Malakai's voice go right through me. 

'I'm searching.

Searching through all these faces. 

Searching through all these faces.

I've traveled to so many places,

But nothing will take the place of you.

I'm just moving with the crowd,

Going through the motions.

One day soon,

I'm going to come back to you.

I'm going to come back to you-

Will you take me?

Take me as I am- 

A broken man.

I've become so dirty baby, 

Will you still take me?'

His singing gave me chills. I absolutely hated it. It actually made me mad. The way I responded to his voice alone. I had to do something about this.

When the guys got off stage and came back to the bar like I knew they would I immediately flocked to Finn. "Great show man!" I put my hand up to high five him. 

He grinned hugely at me. "Thanks pretty lady." 

Max had walked up behind me and yelled BOO. I jumped and turned smacking him on the side with the towel I had been holding. "You ass." 

Finn and him laughed out loud. "So are you flirting with my girl here?" Max asked Finn. 

Finn winked at him. "Maybe." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Malakai look over at us but I ignored it. 

"I wouldn't mind that..." I said quietly. 

Finn looked at me wide eyed, obviously surprised and then smiled. "Wanna go out to dinner? This weekend?" 

I nodded quickly and gave him a sweet smile. "Yeah I'd like that. A lot." Again out of the corner of my eye I noticed Malakai. This time he had stood up and when I turned my head to get a better look I watched him walk away back to the Merch table and he grabbed the arm of the one girl who was standing behind the table and began to walk out the club doors with her until he was finally out of site. 

"Where is he going in a hurry?" Levi asked. 

"Where do you think he's going with Lindsey in a hurry?" All the guys started to laugh. I forced myself to laugh too.

Finn and I exchanged numbers and he told me that he would text me in the morning. It was only Sunday. And our first meeting about the new album was on Wednesday this week. Malakai had talked to Max and his parents explaining how they needed me. I was still going to get paid. Lucky me.

When I got home I got my pajamas on and layed in bed with the lights off looking at the ceiling for a while again. 

What was I doing? Did I like Finn? I mean he was cute. His curly blonde hair and blue eyes and freckled face was so babyish but he was cute... And nice. He seemed like a good guy from what I knew so far. 

I did need to get over Malakai... I didn't see any problem with giving him a chance. I needed to take the time and do this for myself. Especially with the little bit of freedom I had now acquired being off of work.