"I had the world in my hands, 

You were here to stay,

You promised to me everything

I threw it all away."

- Charlie's song

Robbie bounded into the bedroom which Sebastian still claimed as his own. "You drew the short straw today, huh?" Seb mumbled, pulling the covers up over his head.

Robbie ignored his remark. "Let's go to Big Daddy's Arcade."

"Let's not and say we did," Sebastian said.

"Let's and say we didn't," Robbie challenged.

Sebastian scowled. "What?"

"Never mind," Robbie said. "But get your ass up."

"I don't think so, man."

"Listen, I didn't want to do this, but you've left me no choice. It's time for the big guns. Either you get up or I'm sending Lane in here to make out with you."

"Lane," Sebastian yelled his face still half pressed into the pillow. "Come in here and kiss me so Robbie can piss off."

Lane peered through the curtain, "huh?"

"Robbie says if I don't go to the arcade, my punishment is making out with you."

Lane rolled his eyes and looked at Robbie. "You're an ass."

Robbie shrugged, "not gonna lie, I thought Seb would jump up in protest, not be a willing participant."

"How'd that work for you?" Lane asked.

"Not at all, quite frankly."

Sawyer appeared behind Lane. "Is there another camping trip that I wasn't invited to?"

"I want to go to Big Daddy's Arcade," Robbie whined. "I was trying to get Mr. Wonderful to come with me, but he's still riding the woe is me wave."

"So go," Sawyer said. "If Sebastian doesn't want to go with you, put your big girl panties on and go yourself."

"Are the funnest games made for one?" Robbie asked. "No, I think not. That's why we all need to go."

"No one needs to go anywhere."

"You know what," Robbie said. "You're all so depressing to be around. Someone better hide my shoe lace."

"Don't sweet talk me," Sawyer said. "Seb, you wanna go to the Arcade?"

Sebastian still had his face buried in the pillow. "I'd rather set myself on fire or pull each eyelash out individually than go to Big Daddy's Arcade with Robbie."

Sawyer turned. "You heard the man. He's out."

Robbie grimaced and pointed his finger. "You all suck."

Sawyer sighed. "I'll make you a deal. You shut up for ten minutes and I'll go with you."

"Done and done," Robbie said.

It really didn't take much convincing for Sebastian to at the very least get out of bed. Despite freezing at the interview the other day, it felt good to shower, to wear clean clothes, to eat greasy fast food. All of it felt pretty damned good and gave Sebastian hope that things may one day return to normal.

Lane offered to put coffee on leaving Sebastian to stretch, get up and get dressed. When he got to the front of the bus, Robbie was shrugging on his coat while Sawyer was still in pajamas, with a smoke hanging out of his mouth.

"I thought you were going."

"I was," Robbie offered. "But something came up."

Seb looked at Sawyer who shrugged unknowingly. "I dunno."

"But I thought Big Daddy's Arcade was important," Sebastian pressed.

"It is," Robbie said, but this is more important. He headed to the door.

"But what could be more important?" Seb mocked. "What could be better than mindless video games?"

Robbie turned and frowned. "You know something, you're a real ass without Charlie. I liked you better before."

Sebastian watched Robbie leave in stunned silence.

Charlie took a cab to the airport. The cab driver parked and didn't move from his seat. She had no luggage with her, just a backpack. "Have a nice flight, miss," he said.

She went inside and headed directly to the counter to purchase her ticket. She was an hour ahead of schedule and assuming her parents didn't wake up at the crack of dawn, by the time their eyes opened and they realized she was gone, she'd be touching down in California.

She picked up a black coffee, thinking she'd need it because adrenaline could only last for so long. While she waited, she sipped her coffee and texted Robbie again. He replied almost instantly.

With an hour to kill, she decided to people watch. There was a young girl across from her about Devin's age. Charlie felt guilty about their fight earlier and wished Devin was with her so she could apologize. In the girls hands was the latest issue of "Teen Talk" magazine and Sebastian's face was gracing the cover.

His eyes were piercing and danced with a certain kind of playfulness. She hoped that the picture wasn't taken within the last month or so. She wanted to believe that she was the one he was playful for, that she was the one that made him feel alive. If she didn't believe that, there was no point in setting foot on the plane.

Several hours and at least five coffees later, Charlie was in Costa Mesa, glad she'd researched hotels. She had almost a full day's wait until the concert. She considered trying to find him, not that she would have to try because Robbie already told her exactly where they were. But spying on them, just to see him, just to make the pain that was still very much in her chest go away was seriously tempting. She opted to try and get some sleep instead. She checked into the hotel and headed for the room, drawing the dark curtains to block out the intrusive rays of the sun.

The room was either totally soundproof or she was more alone than she'd ever been. Before she could think about how nervous she was, her heavy eyelids closed.

Robbie's next text woke her.

Hey beautiful, we're in business. Sent you the file about an hour ago. Lemme know if you have any problems. Listen and love it.

Charlie smiled. Thank you Robbie, that means everything. Do you think it will work?

I have no idea but you'll never know unless you try. I gave security your info. Everything is set for tonight, I'll see you then.

Charlie moved on to the important task of selecting what she going to wear. She ended up going to the shops and purchasing a blue summery baby-doll dress. Sebastian liked blue. At least he used to. She hoped he still would after seeing her tonight.

She sure had a laundry list of high hopes

Sebastian pulled on his socks. "Damn. You'd think that stylist chick, Nikki would've thought about places like here or Vegas where it's ten thousand degrees."

Sawyer smiled. "Ten thousand degrees is the hottest part of the sun. I think it's a little cooler here."

"You're so weird."

"I'm not weird," Sawyer said defensively. "I just like to know things."

"So what, you randomly decide to look up the temperature on the surface of the sun?"

Sawyer nodded.

"Why?" Sebastian asked.

"Why not?"

Well, that was a valid point, wasn't it? Seb couldn't even argue with that.

"Feel like meeting some fans?" Lane asked hopefully.

"Yeah," Sebastian shrugged, hoping Sawyer's logic was contagious. "Why not?"

The crowd outside the amphitheater was a decent one. Not too big, but not exactly small either. Seb smiled when the girls started screaming. He'd spent the last month or so feeling pretty worthless and the fact that these girls were flipping out at the sight of him felt pretty good. It gave him hope that maybe he could feel right again. Maybe he wouldn't be broken forever.

They did the usual photo ops, autographs, and hugs. A black haired girl even managed to sneak in a kiss and Sebastian didn't do anything to discourage her. It didn't send any sparks flying but the idea of kissing another girl aside from Charlie didn't make his stomach knot like it did a few weeks ago.

They spent some time in the dressing room backstage. Sawyer was munching on peanut M and M's, which was always the first thing he listed on his rider. Sebastian wasn't sure why but Sawyer seemed to enjoy them.

Robbie was preoccupied with his phone the entire time. He was probably playing one of the millions of games he'd downloaded. None of that really mattered though. Sebastian thought about Sawyer, Lane and Robbie. He thought about the fans that waited outside for hours just see him and the ones who were packed in like sardines that very moment just to hear him sing. Maybe everything would be okay after all.

The vibe was different that night. Maybe it was the California heat or the simple fact that he was back, for good this time that made it different.

The show started off huge and by the fifth song in he needed a drink of water. While he chugged it back, Robbie squinted, placing a hand to shield his eyes like he was looking into the sun.

"Hey, Seabass," he said. "What's that sign out there say?"

Charlie stood at the side of the stage debating whether or not she could risk a glance of Robbie's mass orchestration. Her heart nearly stopped watching Sebastian trying to read from a distance, past the glaring spotlight and into the crowd.

"I think it says my name," he said.

Charlie couldn't help it this time, peering behind the curtain to get a better view at the display. Robbie must've been quite the slick talker to get so many fans in on it.

A girl next to the first sign which had Sebastian's name on it flipped her sign up, the one next to her followed and so on. It was like watching a human wave but with signs flying up in perfect coordination until they read:

SEBASTIAN, YOU SING TO THE WORLD AND NOW SOMEONE WANTS TO SING TO YOU. SO CLOSE YOUR MOUTH AND OPEN YOUR EARS AND LET HER DO WHAT SHE CAME TO DO.

Sebastian turned to Robbie, utterly confused. He let out a nervous laugh. "Do you see that?"

Robbie would literally have to be blind not to see it. The letters were giant, bold, and sparkling. "Yeah man, looks like someone wants to sing to you."

Sebastian was now amused. Charlie took a deep breath, only there wasn't enough oxygen in the world and stepped out onstage. She was sure to keep her mic as far away from her chest as possible. Robbie was the drummer, not her.

A look of shock combined with immense hurt painted Seb's face.

"Charlie," he said softly. "What are you doing here?"

"I, uh," she cleared her throat, like that somehow was going to make her sound better. "I want to sing you a song."

He raised one eyebrow and echoed. "You want to sing me a song?"

"Um, yeah, yes. Please. If you'll let me. I uh-I can't really sing though."

Awwwws erupted from the audience and a small part of her believed they were real.

"Sure thing, Charlie." He said. "I'd love to hear it."

When he spoke, she had no idea if he really wanted to hear it or if he was putting on a show. He was in front man mode and it could be taking everything inside him not to strangle her. His tone was calm and cool and she was unable to tell.

She buzzed like she'd stuck her fingers into a light socket as she stepped closer. She looked at him, taking in another deep breath and quickly glanced at Robbie.

A soft drum beat started to play, followed by a beautiful tune, which she'd only learned that morning when Robbie had emailed it to her. She turned back to Sebastian who stared at her, almost through her, like he was trying to see her soul. It was both unnerving and comforting at the same time.

She opened her mouth to try the first few lyrics. Her voice sounded crackly and far away, but she did her best anyway.

"This life's too much to navigate, without you next to me,

The storm's too rough to make it through, it's too dark to see,"

Sebastian shifted his weight around from foot to foot, but he didn't take his eyes off of her and he wasn't laughing at her desperate attempt to carry a tune.

"Until you stand before me, then darkness turns to light,

I only wish you'd tell me, everything will be alright,"

By the time she got to the next part of the song, her heartbeat had slowed noticeably, but she was far from comfortable. Her hands were soaked in sweat and she felt as if she may drop the microphone. She had no idea how Sebastian could do this all the time.

"I had the world in my hands, you were here to stay,

You promised to me everything, I threw it all away,

I thought I did what was best; I thought I knew it all,

But when you left, my heart did too, and I began to fall,

There was no one there to catch me, like you promised that you would,

No one knows me like you do, No one ever could,"

His eyes remained locked on hers, just like the day he won the contest. He reluctantly reached out and touched her arm, just enough to put the shaky vibration back in her voice.

"I'm sinking on the inside, threatening to drown,

Only you can save me, Can turn it all around

I had the world in my hands, you were here to stay,

You promised to me everything, I threw it all away,

I thought I did the best thing, I thought I knew it all,

But when you left my heart did too, and I began to fall,

I'd give anything to turn back time, to take the away the pain,

Keep me by your side, and never leave again,

Sorry isn't good enough, nothing ever will be,

All that I can give you, is every piece of me,"

She shattered on the inside, trying to keep it together long enough for his response. But she couldn't. Tears escaped. Her voice was on the verge of breaking, "Sebastian. I'll always love you." And before she could think of anything else, her feet propelled her off stage.

"Thank you Costa Mesa," Sebastian shouted. "You guys are fantastic!"

A voice cut in from the crowd, "Go get her Sebastian!"

All Charlie could hear was the sound of the microphone dropping.

She didn't stop, heading right to the side door she'd used to get in, because if Seb were behind her, like she hoped he was, she wanted as much privacy as possible. She leaned against the wall, closed her eyes and waited.

He must have tiptoed because she didn't hear him exit the building but his hands rested on the waistline of her jeans and it was enough to make her want to cry.

"Hi bella," he whispered.

This time she did cry because maybe, just maybe he was going to forgive her.

"Sebastian. I'm so sorry. I'm..."

"Shhh," he said.

"I didn't mean to..."

"I know," he brushed her hair behind her ear and his hands cupped the side of her face.

"I wasn't thinking straight. I thought I was doing the right thing. I couldn't let you give it up, not for me."

"It's okay," he said.

"Even if you don't want me back," she sobbed. "I want you to know you're the best thing that ever happened to me and I just hope maybe you can forgive me."

"Well, with a song like that. I might just have to consider it."

"Did you like my song?"

"I loved your song, baby."

"Good." She rested her head against his chest, hearing the familiar sound of his heart. "That's really good, Sebastian because I wrote it for you."