Phoenix
Phoenix and Ashley groaned in the darkness.
"Don't tell me…" Phoenix whispered, flicking the switch up and down, but it didn't get the desired effect that they wanted.
"We're out of electricity." Ashley said, stunned.
This shouldn't be happening, thought Phoenix. She was sure they already paid the monthly rent, which also includes the maintenance for their apartment.
"Ash, we definitely paid the bills, right?"
"One hundred percent." Ashley deadpanned.
Phoenix shook herself out of the shock and went out, leaving Ashley standing still at the unbelievable situation they were suddenly in.
The hallway lights were still lit but she needed to make sure. She went to knock on the neighbouring apartment doors, hoping they weren't the only one experiencing the strange blackout, that other people also had it. She hoped this was just a temporary shortage.
She also hoped the lights would come back soon because all she had wanted was to catch her TV shows and just enjoy the night.
Phoenix had a lot of hopes in that hour but with every door she knocked, she grew dismayed.
They were the only ones that didn't have it.
Ashley appeared beside her and scowled. "I cannot believe you left me there in the dark alone."
Phoenix only nodded absentmindedly before she turned to Ashley. "Alright, I'm gonna go and knock on the landlord's door."
When Phoenix took off, Ashley sighed loudly, "Nix, you really gotta start remembering that you're not in this alone. In other words, stop forgetting my existence." before she went after her.
Their landlord lived only two floors above them, and so Phoenix took double strides on the stairs. She reached his door just in time to see him standing in front of it, about to get in.
"Mr. Koenig!" Phoenix panted, with Ashley following suit.
Two floors and I feel like shit. Is this your way of telling me to get fit, huh, body?
She snapped out of her monologue when the middle-aged man raised his thick eyebrows, his voice slightly croaky. "Ah, Miss MacMillan, Miss Rydell. What can I do for you?"
Phoenix wheezed and held up a finger, taking in gulps of breaths to even her breathing.
"Well..," Huge gulps of air. "We…," Breathing deeply before exhaling. "Alright, well, our apartment's out of 'lectricity, and we know we've paid our due for the month, so we really have no idea why we're having this problem."
"The other neighbours have them!" Ashley added petulantly once she caught her breath. She hadn't wanted to sound like a sulky spoilt girl but she was still mad at Phoenix for ignoring her.
The old landlord blinked at the two young women before him, before saying, "Hm. Well, you're right. There shouldn't be any troubles." He paused, seemingly in thought before he added, "Perhaps it's the fuse?"
Phoenix and Ashley blinked and looked at each other slowly, before looking back at him. Funnily enough, it hadn't occurred to them to consider that.
Sheepishly, Phoenix cleared her throat and said, "Well... I didn't think of that."
He smiled a little, the corners of his eyes wrinkled. "I would offer to help but I'm in a rush right now."
Once they've truly looked at him, it occurred to them that Mr. Koenig wasn't about to enter, but leave his residence with two duffel bags with him, his face looking weary.
The girls looked at each other, Ashley's anger forgotten as she shared a look of guilt with Phoenix.
"Oh. Uh, where are you going, Mr. Koenig? Maybe we could drive you there." Ashley said, brows furrowed in concern.
The man thanked her but declined, saying that his family was already waiting for him at the entrance. Apparently his grandson had fallen sick and he was going to visit him.
After their landlord left, Phoenix wondered out loud when they reached their apartment back. "Do you think he's really going to see his grandson?"
Ashley gave Phoenix a look. "Of course. I saw some of those blankets made for babies and little kids. Those printed cars and animals. I hope the kid will be okay, though."
Phoenix only hummed to that response. Then, she said, "Okay, well let's check again if it's only the living room or the entire place that's affected."
Ashley checked their rooms as Phoenix clicked on the kitchen then the bathroom's switches.
They stood beside each other in silence for ten seconds before Ashley said, "This could only mean one thing."
Phoenix nodded in the dark. "Yup. I hope Ricky won't mind us crashing his place tonight."
Keiran
Keiran didn't know whether he should laugh or be in shock at what Ricky suggested.
It was eleven past twenty and he had been at Ricky's apartment for an hour, but hearing what his friend just said made him want to leave immediately.
There was no way he was going to do that.
He sat on the couch, a can of beer in his right hand as he stared disbelievingly at a smug Ricky.
"Wait, wait," Keiran raised his hand up in pause before pointing an index finger at his friend, "You," then he pointed it back to himself, "want me to make a band? As if I haven't already heard you wrong, you just said that I could be the drummer?"
Keiran sounded full of disbelief that Ricky laughed. "You heard it right."
"No. I'm not playing again. I can't." Keiran couldn't even say those words without feeling physically ill.
Ricky's expression sobered and he leaned forward in his recliner. "Why not? It's not like I haven't heard you play it. You're great at it, man."
Keiran thought he was only decent but he admit hearing Ricky said that made him feel good. Still, he didn't feel certain of himself at touching the drumsticks anymore. Not after a series of events that made him convinced he brought unfortunate things upon people.
"Being a manager? Sure, I can do that. But a drummer? Forget it." Keiran muttered.
Ricky raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, no. Look, I know you're good at it, but you've always wanted to be a drummer. I think this is finally your chance."
Keiran swallowed inaudibly, opening his mouth to say something but words failed him. Distressed, he raked his curls with his hand.
Seeing the panicked look on Keiran's face, Ricky sighed. "Alright, just what happened to you, really? One day you were proud of showing off your skills, and the next it's like someone killed your pet or something." Ricky said in frustration. He wanted to help his friend, but he didn't know what else to say to persuade Keiran.
When Keiran paused before opening his mouth to say something, Ricky pinned him with a look. "And don't give me that crap you did in high school. I'm thinking there's more than just a phase if it's still bothering you now."
Keiran sighed and set the beer on the glass table and rubbed his face. He looked weary. "Fuck, do you know how many bad shit happens whenever I touch that set? And it's not just one set, but every time I played it, someone always gets hurt."
"Are you quoting that from some movie?" Ricky sounded skeptical.
At Keiran's scowl, he blinked in surprised and uttered, "I thought you were joking."
"Ha. I wish." He deadpanned. Then, he said, "You know Nicole Loren?"
Ricky nodded but couldn't resist teasing him. "I sure hope so since I was the one who introduced you guys."
Keiran ignored his friend and continued, "She almost broke her wrists when she came to watch me play. Twice. And she wasn't even the one playing it. How do you explain that?"
Ricky was bemused for a moment before he said, "She could have been clumsy. Probably claps too hard."
"Not funny, man."
"I know. Look, I get that you're feeling traumatised and spooked by it, but have you ever thought that maybe you're the one who's reckless?" Ricky asked.
Keiran shrugged. "Yeah, but I've always been fine."
"And it was only Nicole who's been hurt. No one else other than her?" Ricky said, seeming confident about something Keiran wasn't sure what.
When he nodded, Ricky shook his head but smiled. "Then, it's not you. You do know Nicole could be a klutz at times, right? And she loves to party. There's nothing wrong with you."
Keiran sat in silence. When he was in high school, his girlfriend did seem to have problems with gravity a lot, especially when she was excited. He hadn't thought much of it, besides it being cute.
It was starting to make sense.
Could it really just be nature and not him after all?
Could he really not be unfortunate, or cursed?
Had he been a fool then?
The drums were fine, and so was he.
He sighed and rubbed his face again, tired but also relieved.
Keiran glance at a smiling Ricky before he murmured, "I guess you're right."
"Damn straight. Might as well charge you for every advice I give. It won't be free anymore, that's for sure."
Keiran smiled a little. He was suddenly feeling light and he didn't think it had anything to do with the beer.
"Thanks, Rick."
"You can pay me in actions. Just do what I say and it'll be the best damn thing." Ricky said before he chug the rest of his beer.
It was at that moment, that they realised they had some company. More importantly, how those words could be very much misunderstood by others.
Someone cleared their throat and awkwardly said, "Well, um, I really hate being a third wheeler so maybe we can come back later?"
"Phoenix?" Ricky exclaimed.
Keiran's eyes shot up to a red-haired girl and it took him a moment to remember her. "You're the rude girl."
Ricky's brow furrowed. "How did you get in?"
Another girl suddenly appeared behind Phoenix, her expression wide with excitement yet she managed to look sheepish as well. "You mean, how did we get in? You gave us each a key, remember? But we called and texted lots, though."
Ricky seemed surprised now. "Oh shit, sorry my phone's charging."
Keiran stared at the red-haired girl, whom he now know was Phoenix.
She didn't look thrilled to see him, and even though he only vaguely remembered her, the bright colour of her hair definitely sealed the deal.
What a small world they live in.
Phoenix
She couldn't look away from the guy, whom now that she thought about it, Ricky had mentioned was Keiran.
The one who called her rude when he was the definition of it.
She had no idea that Ricky would have someone over, especially since the guy usually dozes off once he reached home.
"O-kay, this is getting awkward. Uh, Ricky, we're not gonna cock-block you guys, so we'll just head somewhere first – "
"Wait, what are you guys –"
"Did you just say cock-block?" The guy, Keiran blurted out in extreme disbelief.
Phoenix glanced at a now worried Ashley and looked back at him. "Yeah. Am I wrong…? I mean, I heard you guys, well more like Ricky saying you'll pay him in actions, and how you'll do what he says and…um."
With each mortifying look on the guy's face, and Ricky looking disbelief yet red with a constipated expression, hers grew red as her flaming hair.
She looked pained. "So… I totally just misinterpreted that, didn't I?"
When the guy nodded slowly, looking at her in wary and disbelief, Ashley and Ricky both lost their composure.
Doubling over on the couch, Ricky wheezed out, "What the…man, you say the funniest shit, Phoenix."
Ashley was now holding onto a stiff Phoenix's shoulder as she leaned a hand on her knee. "Why…hahaha…what makes you say that?"
Instantly, Phoenix turned to look at Ashley, giving her a look that said 'Did you not hear what they said earlier?'
Ashley's brows furrowed as she looked confused.
Phoenix sighed and turned to the guys.
"Okay, I'm sorry." Then, she glanced at Ricky and said, "By the way, we plan on crashing here tonight."
"Yeah, we're out of electricity." Ashley added cheerfully.
Ricky blinked before shaking his head. "Yeah sure…though you know, it would help if you guys told me this earlier."
Phoenix's eyes grew wide and Ashley's nose flared a little. Indignantly, they said, "We did!"
Ricky winced at the sound. "Okay, okay! Jeez, my bad," He mumbled the last before clearing his throat, "Might as well. I think you guys can help us out."
Phoenix caught Ricky glancing towards Keiran meaningfully and she felt her shackles rise.
"What do you mean?" Ashley asked, curious.
Phoenix nodded and added a sharp look towards Ricky. "Yeah, what do you mean?"
Laughing nervously, Ricky cleared his throat again. He avoided Phoenix's glare but said, "First, I don't believe you've met my friend, Keiran?"
Phoenix muttered, "You better believe I have."
She saw the guy looked at her in a narrowing manner and frankly, she couldn't give a damn if he was offended or not.
"Properly." Ricky emphasised loudly.
If the air hadn't become tense earlier, it now felt like someone wanted to freeze them all.
Ashley being the oblivious peacemaker she was, interjected, "Nope." before extending her arm towards him for a hand shake. "Nice to meet you. I'm Ashley."
He shook her hand and smiled. "Keiran. You too."
After a moment, no one spoke. Phoenix met the insufferable guy's eyes in a challenging way. There was no way she was going to be nice to him, not until he apologise to her.
Ricky, who was watching the entire debacle sighed loudly. He had no time for bad vibes in his place at that moment. He also couldn't understand why Phoenix was suddenly being stubborn and not let the matter go.
In a tired gesture, he said, "Alright then. Phoenix, meet Keiran. Keiran, Phoenix. Now, can we all just sit down and relax? There's something I wanna say abou – "
Keiran suddenly interjected, "Well! It's getting late, isn't it? I need an early start on –"
Phoenix rolled her eyes and shook her head before looking at Ricky. "Can this wait?" She asked crisply though it was mostly to annoy the hell out of the guy. "I'm gonna go and freshen up."
Ricky smiled. "Sure. Have you and Ashley eaten, though? Nevermind, I'll get some takeout for you guys."
Phoenix grinned and turned on her heels only to see that Ashley was nowhere beside her, but was already in the guest room, humming to herself.
She chuckled quietly and proceeded to head towards it but slowed her steps when she heard the males' conversation.
"Did you see that?! I can't believe she just cut me off! And what's with the takeout when we only had beers?"
Ricky chuckled. "Dude, you cut me off too."
Phoenix grinned evilly to herself. Take that, you arrogant, rude jerk!
"Besides," Ricky added, "if you wanted one, you could just say so, man."
She heard him spluttered in response and Phoenix wanted to laugh.
"This is going to be a good night." Phoenix murmured to herself.
Maybe I spoke too soon.
"I'm sorry, but you want me to do what?" Phoenix exclaimed.
Across from her, Keiran rubbed his face tiredly before he cast a deadly glare at Ricky.
Half an hour after they arrived at Ricky's and the little introduction they had, Phoenix and Ashley had refreshed themselves and were now eating some takeout noodles. Ricky and Keiran were both chomping down on slices of pizza, and there were some added cans of beers on the coffee table too.
Phoenix had frowned because for some reason, Keiran was still here, despite being adamant on leaving earlier.
She glanced at Ricky. He probably persuaded him to stay.
Once they had their food, the atmosphere actually felt pleasant, they were conversing amicably and making jokes, and Phoenix didn't feel like shooting knives and daggers at a certain someone.
But then.
Then.
Out of nowhere, Ricky, her dearest friend just had to say something that was downright ridiculous.
"Say Phoenix, what do you think of becoming the manager for a band?"
Which now explained why she was utterly surprised.
No, shocked.
"Be a manager for a band." He stated firmly.
She was past the point of accepting it as she started laughing. Ashley found her laughter infectious and started giggling. In her fits of laughter, she thought she also saw a hint of amusement on Keiran's face.
Only Ricky managed to keep his expression neutral – which was a feat considering Ricky wasn't known to control his laughter.
When she noticed how serious his expression was, hers changed and the laughter slowly died down.
"You're serious?" At his nod, she exclaimed again, "Have you been smoking shit? I can't be a manager for something else. And for a band!" She gave him a look of disbelief and skepticism. Then, she shook her head. "No. If you want a manager, then you do it!"
Keiran nodded and deadpanned, "You're also forgetting the fact that I never said I wanted to do this, either Rick."
For once, Phoenix and Keiran looked at each other without wanting to kill each other.
Ricky was now torn being patient or incredulous at their stubbornness. "Well, why not?" He asked them both, voice strained.
Then, he took a huge gulp of air before exhaling. "Phoenix, if I could be one, I wouldn't spring this on you, now would I? If you guys really know me, you know I'm really not cut out for it."
At that, no one spoke.
Phoenix shared a glance with Ashley and knew he had made a point. She remembered how bad Ricky was at actually managing things. He had changed jobs often during high school and the second year of college, only because he somehow ended up being a manager who actually didn't know how to manage it.
Phoenix never understood how he came to hold that position if he were that bad, but she had seen the consequences of it.
She only glared at him. "Goddamn it, Ricky."
Ricky knew he had gotten his point across by the look of his pleased face. Still, Phoenix didn't want to give in so easily.
She tried to reason more with him. "But here's the thing. I am a manager of our smoothie store, Ricky. I've never been a manager for a band and before you say anything else," She quickly interjected when she saw Ricky about to say something. "I don't think managing a store is the same as doing so with a band. On top of that, I've also got college to worry about and you want me to be a manager for some band that you've just mentioned out of nowhere?"
Keiran nodded slowly, agreeing with the points Phoenix said.
He was also hoping to dissuade Ricky from executing this plan by adding, "There's also the fact that I haven't touch those drum sets in years. I may have been good then but I sure as hell am rusty now."
Ashley, who had been quietly watching the spectacle and eating her food in bliss, decided to join in. "Hmm…hold on. Why, exactly, are you pressing them on this matter, Ricky?"
Too caught up with Ricky's incredulous demand, Phoenix just realised she should have asked that first.
Ashley was right. Ricky hadn't even explained why he wanted them to do this.
"Yes. If we're going to sacrifice our precious time for something so random and unsure as this, I think we deserve some sort of explanation. Well?"
Ricky's mouth opened a little as he stared at Phoenix, speechless and unblinking. After a moment, he closed them, and when he heard Keiran let out a quiet chuckle, he glared at the guy.
He then cleared his throat and said, "I don't know why the hell I forgot to mention this to you. Alright," He took a deep breath, glancing at Keiran before continuing, "So, Keiran here was actually a manager for this one band, but turns out they've hired another manager without him knowing and shit hit the fan. So now I'm trying to get him to make his own so he could show those wimps who they're messing with."
Phoenix stared at Ricky, before slowly looking at Keiran.
She took and exhaled a breath before saying, "First off, that's some messed up shit." Phoenix couldn't believe she's sympathising with the enemy, but she didn't care about that at the moment.
No one deserved that.
Keiran nodded his head briskly before glancing away from her.
"Second, why do you need me of all people? I mean, you could have gotten some friends of yours who are musicians or are connected to them. What band are they in…ah, Statics in Silence!"
At the same time, Phoenix noticed both Ricky and Keiran's facial expressions changed. Ricky looked grim while Keiran's jaw tightened.
At her confused look, Ricky gritted out, "That's the one."
Stunned, both Phoenix and Ashley dropped their jaws slightly as they said in unison, "Well, fuck."
"Well fuck is right." Keiran deadpanned.
"Whoa… wait, so you're their manager?" Phoenix exclaimed in astonishment. She couldn't believe that Keiran, the rude customer who ordered a smoothie at her store was the manager of the famous rock band she and Ashley used to jam to when they were freshmen in college.
She caught Ashley's gaze and noted the wistful expression on her face. They were both huge fans of them, in fact that was the first common ground that got them closer when they became roommates.
But things had changed since then, and remembering their freshmen days, Phoenix and Ashley grinned at each other.
"Whoa." Ashley breathed. "It's crazy to think that Phoenix and I were fans of them back then, though now that this happened, I'm super glad that was just a phase in college." She grinned at Phoenix before looking at the guys.
Phoenix chuckled. "Yeah, and no offense though, but talking about sex in literally all of the albums is really stale. You should have said something about that." She glanced at Keiran.
The tense atmosphere from the guys dispersed as Ricky laughed and Keiran chuckled. Their laughter was infectious and soon enough, both she and Ashley joined in.
Phoenix suddenly had a feeling that she should do something.
Despite just meeting him for today and hearing his story from Ricky, Phoenix knew she wasn't easily moved. Yet, there was a pull in her heart that made her want to reach out and extend a helping hand towards him.
Fuck it, she thought.
She glanced at Keiran who was laughing soundlessly beside Ricky, putting down the beer to clutch his stomach. Ashley nodded when she caught Phoenix's gaze and she felt her smile grew.
Her friend had already confirmed what's in her mind.
It was crazy that just fifteen minutes ago she thought the night was going bad, and all because Ricky wanted her to do this.
Funny how things can influence a person's mind so quickly.
"Alright, I think…I don't mind giving this a shot." When Ricky and Keiran looked at her, stunned, she raised an eyebrow. "Don't get your hopes up. I said I'm only willing to give this a shot, and it's not like we're actually doing this. Right?"
Ricky only grinned at her whereas Keiran still looked surprised.
A slow smile started to spread on Keiran's face. "I can't believe we're about to do this."
"It's just a shot, we're not actually doing this, okay." Phoenix muttered.
"Aww, look at you both being all friendly now!" Ricky started, which earned him a laugh from Ashley, a nudge on the elbow from Keiran and a deadly glare from Phoenix.
"So," Phoenix cleared her throat. "If I'm going to assume the position of manager, and Keiran on drums, what roles are you and Ashley going to be?"
Ashley and Ricky glanced at each other before grinning.
"What do you think about marketing?" Ricky asked Ashley.
"Pretty decent, but I think it's alright. First though, we needed to find other members for this."
All of them looked at Ashley as though they had just found the fountain of youth.
"Have I told you how quick and smart you are?" Phoenix said to her, grinning.
"Not often, but you really should."
Keiran
Keiran looked at the three individuals before him. He never would have guessed to find a solution so quickly and to have not only Ricky and his friend, Ashley be a part of the establishment of the band, but also Phoenix, whom was just moments ago, giving him the deadly look.
He still couldn't believe they were about to do this, even though Phoenix would always rebuke that.
Keiran had to admit that despite all that, he wasn't sure how this would all work out.
Creating a band and being in it was no easy work – being a manager once, he knew there was going to be a lot of hard work, and team work if he wanted to make it big and show those guys who they were messing with.
Revenge. Payback.
Did he want to do this because of what they did to him?
He had thought about it in all those days locked up in his house, pacing and being angry.
Yes, he thought. He wanted this.
Music was his life, and he had always wanted to be on stage, but something happened which led him to believe otherwise.
But thanks to Ricky, he was starting to feel like he could be a drummer again.
All of those times spent together, from high school to college, becoming friends with those guys who were just like his brothers, and working late at night, making decisions for the growth of their band. He also gave them encouragement when they were down, going through all those trouble getting contacts just so they could be noticed by bigger venues, record labels, and getting them tours.
Keiran had done a lot for them.
He couldn't understand why they betrayed him, discarded him like a piece of junk but he wasn't going to let them get away with it.
Kieran wasn't entirely confident in this newfound plan and he didn't know how he would be managing it with two new strangers, but he was going to give it a shot.
Nothing was ever easy and he knew it was going to be a long journey to make it out there, but he was willing to put it all on stake again.
But there was another question that begged to be answered; will his new team be on the same ride with him?
He looked at them all. He knew Ricky was a great and loyal friend but after what happened, sometimes even the ones closest to him wavered.
He didn't know what to believe yet, but Keiran could only hope they were all making the right decision, and that they were better people than the ones he knew.
ns 15.158.61.21da2
