Mia's POV

"Hey girl!" Josiah, my boyfriend, greets me, entering our home. "Hey Si, how was work?" I ask. "Okay, just glad to be home with you, babe," he replies, leading me to the couch.

We turn on the TV, and scroll through dozens of options on Netflix. Josiah hovers his thumb over the select button on Aladdin. "Wanna watch this?" He asks.

I haven't watched Aladdin in almost a year. It reminds me of the time I spent in Nashville.

I shake my head, "No. That movie's for babies." He chuckles, "I know, right? Let's watch something more mature." I nod along, regretting every second of this relationship.

"There's a band playing in town Friday night, wanna go?" He asks, continuing to scroll through movies. "Who?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Anthem Lights, they're some band trying to make it big," he replies. I shake my head again, "No. I'm just gonna clean the house on Friday."

If I go out at all on Friday, I could run into them. Then what would they do? Take me home? Or would they all be mad at me? Either way, I'm staying home and nobody, not even Josiah can stop me.

"Come on, we can go make fun of them. I'm sure they're terrible," he pleads. "Si, please don't make fun of them. They're really good," I sigh. He laughs, "How would you know? Your taste in music isn't exactly hip ya know!"

"Josiah please," I beg. He gives in and stops, but I bet since I said they made good music, I'm going to that concert Friday night. If I stay in the back, and skip the meet & greet I should be okay. Unless just seeing them causes me to break down.

~*~

"Mia! Are you coming to the concert?" Josiah asks for like the hundredth time today. I shake my head, "I'm gonna run to the library, get some books, and come back here. That's it," I inform him. He shrugs and laughs, "Fine. Your loss."

After he leaves, I put on my spotify playlist of calming songs. I brush my short, bobbed hair and slip on my headphones. I begin walking down the street to the library.

I return my books, and check out a few new ones. On the way back home, I decide to make a stop at Starbucks. The show's at 6:30, and its 6:15, I doubt the guys are here. They're probably setting up, so I'm safe.

I walk up to the counter and order my usual, a vanilla bean frappe. Then, I sit at a table and wait. Once I get my drink, I walk back outside. I bump into somebody who's right outside the door.

"Sorry," I mumble, continuing to sip my drink. "It's okay," he replies, walking towards Starbucks.

I think I'm safe, but somebody calls out my name. "Mia? Is that you?" The voice calls. I turn around, not sure what to expect. I see Caleb.

I try to blend into the street crowds, so he doesn't notice me anymore, but I stick out. Today I chose to wear the brightest pink sweater there is.

He quickly finds me, and places his hand on my shoulder. "Come to the show with me, kiddo. Please," he says. I shake my head, "No. I'm fine. Really don't worry."

"Mia, please. Alan needs you he hasn't been the same. Think of your step dad and brother. They miss you too. We all do. You're too young to be out here by yourself, now come on, I've gotta get to the show."

Josh. Jaxon. How could I have forgot about them? They miss me. They don't need to lose anybody else. They already lost Mom and Meg, and now me.

"Fine. But after this one night, you go back to your life, and I go back to mine. I have a friend here," I reply. "Bring your friend. We'd all love to meet her," Caleb says. "Him. He's already there," I inform him.

Caleb looks a little surprised, "Oh. Well we better get there we don't wanna be late." I can tell he's looking at my appearance. I dress a lot differently now, and my hair is now short.

I feel him wrap his arms around me in a hug, and it takes everything I have to not hug him back. We walk down the road to a local park, this must be where the show is.

"Come in back here, the guys will be so excited!" Caleb exclaims, grabbing my hand. "Wait, lemme find my boyfriend first," I say, going to find him. Caleb looks just as stunned as he did when he saw my haircut.

"Si!" I exclaim. He turns to me, "Mia? I thought you weren't coming."

"So did I," I mumble under my breath. "What?" He asks. "Nothing, come on," I grab his hand and lead him to where Caleb was.

I knock on the door that leads to backstage, and Caleb opens it. "Come on in guys," he says, gesturing with his arm.

Across the room, Alan, Chad, and Joey stand wide-mouthed and in awe.