{A/N: Sorry for all of the POV changes! Please do tell me if it's bugging any of you– thank you!!}

|| Clementine Blue's POV ||

No way in hell was I going to approach him today. Yes I didn't even get the chance to see his face to tell that it was actually him. Though I didn't have to! From the voice, his attire, his scent! Weird, I know. But I'm so positive that it was him. Also, I was so close into getting that record! I should've just snatched it away from hi–

"Clem!"

I was cut short from my train of thoughts by Fiona jogging her way towards me– a questionable look drawn across her face. I glanced down and had nonchalantly checked the time on my Dora The Explorer watch– I can explain- noticing that there was still another one whole hour and a half to spare.

Quick explanation about that watch I was wearing: Holly went over to my house from a children's party once, giving me that cute Dora The Explorer watch she secretly stole from her little sister's give away just because she thought it looked adorable and that she'd love to wear it although it wouldn't suit any of her casual styles. As her endearing friend, I felt bad (for her little sister) and joyful all at the same time 'cause it actually looked adorable. Though, too childish. So I painted the outside black, but kept the Dora design on the inside and had wore it ever since. It looks good and presentable, I swear. Now– back to present.

"Clemmy, what're you doing here? Recital doesn't even start for like an hour. And why are you sweating like mad? You look so shaken." My fresh looking friend asked. I did sort of felt icky. Probably because of all that running, but the venue seemed okay, so I knew I'd be fine soon.

"I– uhm... I was chased by a neighbor's dog I hadn't even noticed was untied the whole freaking time. Yeah, I just thought of walking my way here earlier instead of having to let you pick me up. One of the least things I could do for not showing up on your last recital." I lied as I let out an awkward chuckle. I'm bad at lying. Any creature around me could tell. Though, I was hoping to God she'd buy it.

"Right." She dragged, examining my features carefully. Keep it together, young lady! Oh my God.

"Well– alrighty then! Since we still have some time to spare" someone please tell me how many times have the word spare been mentioned in this part of the story, geezus. "I could tour you around! Maybe introduce you to some other musicians here if they aren't as busy." She cheered, thankfully not seeing right pass through me. I smiled and nodded my head in agreement as she walked off and had me following shortly behind her. It was pretty hard trying to keep up with her, since the place was a little dark and my eyes weren't cooperating nicely with me. I got my eye glasses adjusted though, but it was weird having them casually getting blurry.

"So, Clem– here are some boys from our highschool! They're seniors. Well, Pete and Andy are. While Joe is a junior like us. They're the first people who started a band here and are really awesome instrumental players!" Fiona gladly introduced, as I blinked my eyes several times and had finally seen their faces properly. All smiles as they let out a hand for me to shake one by one. They're faces did seem pretty familiar.

Fiona and I talked to them a bit more about what songs they'd usually play, or if they'd ever have a band name in mind–

"Well, when we played once in a gym filled with students, a teenager called out the name Fall Out Boy. And we were immediately hooked up to what the kid had said. It's a character from The Simpsons, which the guys and I really love. Especially one of our members! He's not here yet, he's usually the latest guy to come." We all sniggered as to what Pete said, though I caught Fiona looked seemingly unease.

"You should meet him sometime! Probably soon. He's the vocalist and his name's P–"

"I uh– we have to go and prepare, guys! Catch up with you all later! Good luck with the performance!" Fiona exclaimed as she pulled me away with her, leaving the guys looking amused. Calling back a–

"Good luck to you too!" After a moment of time. Well- that was weird, awkward, and a bit rude if I must say. Just moments ago, I was the one seeming very questionable and now the tables have turned making her the one seeming even more questionable.

What more can this girl be possibly capable of?

*time of the performance*

Finally. A relaxing time of getting to see one of my closest friends play her little heart out. I'm like a proud mom sitting up front, watching her child perform passionately. She was playing the song "Can't Help Falling In Love" by the Elvis Presley. The sound of her violin delicately sending chills right through me. As soon as she finished her part, she gained standing ovations as per usual–  which includes me of course. And call me emotional, but I'd definitely shed a happy tear as she blew me a kiss. I applaud even harder as she gave her last bow and exited the stage proudly.

The next act was probably a band, since amps were being plugged. A drum set was spotted rolling out from behind the stage. Mic stands were placed. One on the left, right, and another one on the middle. I'm very confident that this was Pete, Andy, Joe, and that guy Pete was about to mention the name's– band.

And for some reason, I felt something strange. Like a seatbelt was pulling me down onto my seat, not wanting me to go anywhere.

Four shadows walked out of the stage, two men on both corners. One on the middle. And the other, behind the drum set. Least to say, it was definitely dark. Pretty hard to identify who's who. Though, a single spotlight went on and showed a black haired guy with a bass guitar hanging in front of him– Pete. His voice started echoing through the speakers, saying–

"So today, we're going to play an original song the guys and I wrote. We're Fall Out Boy and this song's called Sugar, We're Going Down!"  And as soon as he finished speaking, the audience went wild and the four men on stage started playing. All the lights went on. It looked beautiful. But what made the ambiance more beautiful was the voice of the man in front who started singing.

"Am I more than you bargained for yet? I've been dying to tell you anything you wanna hear! 'Cause that's just who I am this week."

I looked up, my eyes fixated on the man casually dancing to the beat in the middle. It was him. And he was singing ever so passionately. His voice got me listening nonstop even I knew I had to run this moment away again. I had so many questions in mind. One being, how Fiona completely lied to me about this. Another is why'd I have to see him the second time around this day.

His eyes were closed, singing every word in a heartfelt way that every other person in the room hummed to his voice even with the fact that they just heard this music. I too was humming to myself. And as soon as he opened his eyes, they landed on me. The girl who was sitting up at front. In that moment, I wanted my seat to just fully swallow me alive.

The song finished and yet, he was still looking at me. I knew Fiona was too. She can't hide from me by simply trying to hide herself behind the red velvet curtains that were obviously still exposing her curious reaction towards the current scenario. The guys went off stage. The three men making their way backstage as the other carefully approached me.

Everything felt so slow. Though, the moment he reached me– everything stopped. I hate how it's all sounding too cliché, but I'm gonna hate myself even more for making it turn out even more cliché. And yet again, I ran.

I ran. Leaving him in absolute silence. Feeling his eyes on me as I made my way out of the venue. Blurry eyes, actual tearstained face, and a heart filled with hatred for myself. A growing stupidity inside my head becoming even worse.

My only hope is to finally gain enough courage to face him tomorrow after all this idiocy I've insensitively caused.