A/N: We could focus on the fact that I suck on updating when I say I will, or you could get on to reading this pretty fucking good chapter.

Van:

"It's good to be back in American soil." Bondy pulled his cap down as we stumbled into the taxi waiting for us. The city of New York was lit up, the buildings even grander than I'd remembered them from last time. I took a massive gulp from my tea right before the taxi pulled to a stop in front of our hotel, where Larry was already waiting for us.

"Heyo, come on, the rooms are right class, with a jacuzzi and everything!" Larry just about dragged us through the lobby, where Martin was talking on the phone and greeted us with a wave.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"Beauty huh? All the hotels we've been in have been class, but this one." Larry threw open the curtains to get a view of the city, pushing his hair back and whistling.

"Yeah, amazing." I stood next to him until my phone sounded off loudly. "Be right back." I walked into the adjoining bedroom and shut the door. "Hello?"

"When were you gonna tell me you've been here?" The warm voice brought memories whipping through my mind fast. An old couch, Jim Morrison posters, the worst brandy I'd ever tasted in my life, and red lipstick on my neck. Seemed ages ago. Was actually.

"Hey Emily. You keepin tabs on me?" I leaned against the door.

"Someone has to. Your Uncle told me you'd be coming back. Shame he moved back to Leeds, I loved helping him run the record shop." She sighed. "But anyways, how come you haven't bothered to invite yourself over for a smoke?"

"We just got here." I admitted.

"It's not too late if you aren't tired."

"Alright, can't say I wouldn't like to."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Same black hair, cherry lips, and green eyes. I remember the first time I'd seen her, stacking old records and wiping the sweat off her face after, I thought she'd been the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. I was so young and naïve and looking for anything "new" to integrate myself into this big city. She was still pretty to me, but now there were other features I adored in particular. But no bother trying to think about them too much.

She stepped aside and let me through, Oasis playing in the background. The kettle shrieked, and I followed her into the kitchen, standing underneath the doorway.

"What's new rockstar?" She brought out two mugs, but only poured water into one. She plucked in the tea bag and handed it to me, moving past me towards her living room. Everything looked about the same, minus a new rug.

She sipped brandy and I sipped tea, listening to her record and talking.

"Who stole your heart now?"

"Have I always been so easy to read?" I crossed my legs.

She nodded. "Pretty much. Go on then, tell me."

"Doesn't matter. She's not mine anymore."

"Oh an ex huh? Get her back then."

"It's not that easy." I said somberly. "I don't know how things went from easy to so difficult. But I'm getting over it."

She looked at me over her mug. "Yeah? How?"

"On to the next one." I drained the mug and set it down on her coffee table, looking at the stickers she'd stuck all over the old wood. "I'll get you a Catfish sticker so you can add it to your collection."

"I would love that." She set her mug down, scooting closer to me on the couch. She grabbed my hand, skin as pale as mine. She kissed my cheek loudly, her lips grazing my ear. I studied our hands, remembering how excited I'd been the first time, practically swallowing her mouth probably. I wish I could feel the same now.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, scooting away.

She shut her eyes and nodded. "I know. I missed you."

"I remember when you took me to that one bar on the corner of 12th and left me stranded there because you wanted to see if I could remember where you lived." I laughed. She laughed, shoving me away.

"You showed up on my doorstep with the glass still in your hand." She laughed even harder, and then stopped. "I hope things work out for you. In every sense."

"Come to our show tomorrow. Er, tonight, it's midnight already right?"

"Right. I'll try." Something in her voice made me second guess her sincerity, but I knew that if she wanted to she would. "Besides, I should see if you ever used the lyrics you came up with that you texted me. So excited about them."

I grinned. "Oh you know I did. Well I altered them a little, because they actually fit the song idea. The memory I was writing about, can you believe it?"

"You should go back to your hotel before it gets too late. I'll call you a taxi." She reached for her cell abruptly.

"Right."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Carmen:

"Hey here's the promotional memo you wanted for tomorrow. Look it over please, I think you could make some changes to it that are better than anything I could think of." I slid the paper in front of Zach, touching his shoulder.

"I'm sure it's great, but if it worries you I'll look over it and make some changes." He read over it quickly. "Oh, uh, actually, I'm gonna have to write it again." He broke into a grin.

"I hate you." I shoved him while he laughed, his hand touching mine.

"It's fine don't worry. Like really. So good, better than anything I could have written in the amount of time you did." He moved his shoulders back, leaning forward and opening up the company's twitter. I watched him write up a tweet and publish it, the number of favorites going up quickly.

"I still can't get over that, it's like magic."

"I am a social wiz." He shrugged. "But it helps that I keep the tweets written down in my notes app and have tweaked them all like four hundred times."

"I'm in shock. I seriously thought you made them up on the spot."

"I'm good but I'm not that good. " He frowned, his fingers still intertwined around mine. I glanced down, pulling away when the door opened and the new intern came in. I can't believe I'd been in her place just weeks ago. Now this was my job.

"Burgers later?" Zach asked. I nodded.

Everything had become so routine, so safe. Summer was drawing to an end and my last year of classes was nearing, but I'd developed a schedule here. Come to work, be with Zach, go home, hang out with Jesse or Katherine. Or Nicole and Zach's other friends, who were quickly becoming people I could turn to for a hangout or just to party with. Going with Zach to their get-togethers had also helped develop the relationship. And they liked to party and I liked to unwind.

Zach and I weren't a set couple. I didn't touch the topic and neither did he. But he came over to my apartment sometimes and we'd watch a movie or we'd go out to some club and for a moment it would feel like we'd crossed the line from friends to something else. Nevermind the fact that sometimes he touched me more than your average friend would or our lips would meet and then we'd laugh and go split a drink or something. It was a bit odd but I liked how slow things were, and how relaxed too.

"Friends with benefits?" Jesse asked once, resulting in me throwing a pillow at her. It wasn't to that degree but then again it wasn't like we were your average friends. Whatever, I didn't want to think it into oblivion. It was this new thing I was trying, not overanalyzing everything.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Zach picked at my fries when he was done with his, but I let him. He told me about his ideas for this new promotional campaign for the company, and then from one topic to another, he brought up a trip his friends were planning.

"Nicole, Sydney, Jeremy, Bryan, Sydney's sister Dev, and me." He dipped his fry in ketchup, leaving it there. "It'd be super awesome if I had my drinking partner with me." He grinned.

I smiled. "Cancun? You guys probably have it all set and I don't want to just barge in on your plans." I sipped my drink and looked around.

He looked at me. "You know all my friends like you. Just think about it, we're not leaving until the end of the month anyways. Think of it as a celebratory sendoff to your last year of college." He took a drink from his soda. "Man that makes me remember my last year of college. I hated it."

"How come?"

"Cause I had to get on paying off my loans quick before interest."

I laughed. "Oh ok that's a good reason then."

"But seriously, think about it. Cancun, drinks, the beach, Nicole drunk crying."

I laughed again. "Sure sure, I will."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Van:

"New York City we are Catfish and the Bottlemen! Thanks for a class night!" I followed the guys off the stage, getting into the usual routine. Earpiece off, guitar down, shirt change, and meeting time.

Hugs, pictures, videos, phone calls. I was getting used to it, but I loved every second of it. "Van, can you say hi to my friend Lydia?" A tall brunette asked, flashing her phone in my face.

"Lydia love, hi. Hope you're well, didn't see you tonight?" I handed the phone back to the girl, who started screaming into it. Laughing, I turned and continued, spotting a familiar girl with black hair and green eyes. I waved, suddenly swept up in a hug by a petite blonde.

"Easy there." The security man next to me stepped in.

"It's cool mate."

Emily stood to the side until the crowd began dying down. The guys and I gave one final wave and started heading back towards the venue. I motioned for Emily to come, and it seemed like a couple of people stared her down as the security let her pass and she walked next to me.

"Did you enjoy the show?"

"Loved it. I knew you were good, but that was incredible. All of you, you're pretty damn talented."

"Larry mate!" He turned to look at me from talking to a group of tech people. "Meet my friend Emily." He did a double take, I noticed that. They smiled at each other and shook hands.

"Drinks then?" Bondy spoke up.

"You read my mind."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"A rum." I leaned against the counter, listening in to whatever the guys were talking about. A song came on and I began to tap my fingers to the beat.

Last night

She said

Oh baby I feel so down

"Damn I love this song." I accepted my drink and looked around, noticing the way Emily and Larry were seated next to each other, knees bumping. That was good. I took a gulp from my drink, remembering the States was our last stop on tour. Los Angeles loomed nearer and nearer.

"And I- I ain't ever gonna understand!" Carmen drummed her hands against her legs to the beat, moving the glass around the table. "Ok, I think I've had enough." She stood up, shaking her legs.

"Come on, let's go back to your place. Or my hotel?"

"Either or. Both are fine with me." She looped an arm around my waist, I held onto her with both arms as we made our way out of the bar. The streets were lit up and Carmen smiled up at me.

"I love that lippy on you." I touched her bottom lip, loving the way her eyes followed my fingers, and her breath was warm on my skin.

"I think I'd love it on you." She said, and I complied willingly.

"Van? Are you listening mate?"

"Course I am, what's up?" I downed the rest of the drink and turned to Benji.

"You were gone." He teased.

"A little bit." I admitted. "Nothing new, what were you talking about?"

"Remember that girl I wanted to meet? Dani? She's coming here. Like now."

"Like now?"

"Like now. I thought she was in Leeds, but she's here visiting friends and she said she'd meet me. Well us."

"Us?"

"Be my wingman please. She's bringing her friend with her. Figured we could do some double date thing."

I groaned. "Why didn't you bring in Bondy or Bob instead?"

"Because you're the one who could use a distraction. So come on then, they want an afterparty at that lounge we passed by on the way. Guess she's been there before and it's fun."

"Benji mate, I oughtta kick your ass for stringing me into this such short notice." I moved the glass back and forth. "But whatever, if it'll get you laid and quiet, then I guess."

"You're a savior."

"Yeah I know."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Dani was loud, her friend was her equal. I was buzzed so I could handle it.

Benji and Dani went off on their own, while me and Estelle split a pint and then some shots. The place was dark, velvet and candles all over the place.

"You're a bit sexy." She whispered into my ear, her fingers digging into the back of my neck. I turned and she planted her lips on mine. Sticky and cherry flavored. I responded, because why the fuck not? Might as well, as Bondy seemed so keen on reminding me.

She grabbed my hand and set it on her leg, moving forward to push her skirt up. She sat on my lap, not like anyone even paid any attention. Her arms closing around me, she stuck her tongue inside my mouth.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Carmen:

"Cancun? Do you have to pay for it?"

"No."

"Then what the fuck, come on! Go. Besides, maybe Zach just wants to have you to himself."

The prospect of stretching out in front of the beach appealed to me a lot. And Zach being next to me didn't seem like such a bad thing either.

"I should huh?"

Jesse nodded enthusiastically. My phone rang, Katherine.

"Hello?"

"Wanna go out?"

"Tonight?"

"No next week." She said sarcastically.

"Can't, I've got a work thing early." This was partly true, Zach and I were meeting at this place for breakfast to go over a couple of things for a press meet.

"Ok, maybe next week then?"

"Sure." I said earnestly. "Just text me or call me." I hung up, surprised Katherine had been so chill about it. Weeks ago she would've chastised me for ditching her. But this was nice.

"I'm telling you. Go to Cancun. What if Zach has something planned for you?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know, maybe he wants to make it official or something."

"You don't think so do you?"

"I don't know, maybe." Jesse grinned. "Besides, Cancun sounds amazing."

"It does huh?"

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"So have you thought about Cancun?" Zach looked at me.

"I have. Are you sure it wouldn't be any trouble? What about my plane ticket?"

"We have this group discount thing going. Nicole's parents are exclusive members or something like that. They have miles upon miles saved I think. No biggie."

"Ok, I'll get back to you soon." I looked down at my notes, thinking.

"Ok." He stretched the word out as he drummed his fingers against my hand.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Two weeks later:

"I'm going to Cancun."

"You're going? Ok great, when are you leaving?" Jesse turned the tv down.

"Uh, day after tomorrow can you believe it?"

"Whoa ok, you should get ready then."

"I should huh? I don't have anything beachy."

"Borrow some of my stuff. I just got this bathing suit, I think you'd like it. It's a one-piece."

"Thanks Jesse."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

The day before the flight, it's all set. Zach and I have gotten the ok from James. The intern and the newest hire would be in charge at the office. There was no denying that half of our coworkers now knew we were going on vacation together, and many were openly speculating on our relationship.

"So romantic." Yvette gushed when she cornered me in the restroom. "You guys should've said something earlier. I never would've thought you were a thing."

I couldn't think of anything to say so I just smiled.

Zach held the door open for me when we left, and it seemed like everyone was looking at us as we left the headquarters.

"I feel like everyone was looking at us." I admitted.

"I know. It's like they've never heard of two people going on vacation together." He laughed, because it was obvious he knew that that wasn't really the thing everyone was so hung up on.

"Party bus will be over at your place around noon." He said in place of goodbye as I walked to my car. I waved in response.

My phone rang before I started the car.

"Carmen, are you busy?" Katherine said in place of hello.

"I-uh, not so much. What's up?"

"Can you meet me for dinner?"

"Now?"

"Yes."

"I kind of have to go get ready for my trip."

"Trip?"

"Tomorrow, I'm going away for the weekend."

"Oh. I just, I don't know, wanted to hang out. It's kind of important."

"Is everything ok?"

"No yeah. But you don't have any time tonight?"

I turned the radio down. "Well yeah, I do."

"I'm already at your apartment so meet you here."

"Sure, ok." I hung up and drove home, wondering what was up with Katherine. She didn't sound worried, but excited. I don't know, it was kind of sketchy.

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

"I'll drive." She said, throwing open her passenger seat door. I barely managed to slide in and shut the door before she started backing out, drumming her fingers anxiously.

"Katherine, what's up?"

"Carmen, everything is fantastic."

"I...ok. What happened?"

"Wait ok? Wait until we get to dinner and I'll tell you all about it."

"Give me a hint."

"I can't."

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Van:

I drummed my fingers on the table, looking around this place. It was cheery, definitely a change from some of the spots we'd ended up in.

It was crowded, people almost sitting on top of each other while keeping a grip on their drink.

I looked up and saw Benji look down quickly, smiling at his phone. "What's up Ben?"

"Oh nothing, just ya know..." He trailed off, looking at the television screen closest to him.

I shook my leg, looking at the entrance. I mean, it's not like she was gonna appear suddenly. Just because we were in Los Angeles didn't mean she'd magically appear wherever I was. I didn't even get why I was so hung up on that matter, we'd had more than enough time apart for me to outgrow the thought of her.

I'd tried. I'd met girls who I was sure I wouldn't have any trouble going away with for the night. And I did, but when all was done and the girl's back was to me I found myself thinking of the way her skin felt in my hands or how she buried her face in my neck and gave me whispers of kisses which she knew I was a sucker for. Or the fact she had that one spot on the crook of her neck that made her jolt every single time I even brushed against it.