I woke up the next morning, with heavy arms wrapped around my waist. I turned around and Mike was facing me, his eyes shut, snoring lightly. I smiled to myself as I slowly got out of his grip, and made my way into the restroom. My stuff was organized neatly in its own corner, but Mike’s bathroom essentials were clearly taking over my area of the sink. “We need more space.” I mumbled to myself as I carefully picked up one of his cologne bottles as I had knocked it over while grabbing my toothbrush. I loved my little townhouse, it was apparent I did. But with another person living with me, and a dog, and guests over often, a bigger house was needed.

I decided as I made breakfast for Mike and myself, that I would do my research and look up real estate agents, and houses on the market here in LA. I wanted something that would fit both mine and Mike’s lifestyles. We needed something big enough not just for us two, but if we wanted, a “flock” of children, as Mike so called it. As the bacon was sizzling, the pancakes and eggs were cooking, and the coffee beeped, letting me know it was ready, Mike stumbled into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes so he could wake up. I looked up from my MacBook to him with a smile, “Good morning, sunshine.”

He returned the smile and came up behind me, kissing my neck. “I smelled food so I woke up.”

“I decided to be a housewife and cook breakfast, you know since you always do the cooking around here.” I grinned widely, making him chuckle.

“I know, I was like ‘Is Lucy cooking? I gotta be awake for this.’”

I laughed at his humor and went to check on the bacon. “How was sleeping in your own bed?”

“Fucking amazing.” He yawned, “Ludo kept licking my toes, though.”

I smiled, “I hate when he does that.”

“What time did you want to leave to SD?” He asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee, then getting me one.

“Whenever. I just need to shower and whatnot, but whenever you’re ready.”

He nodded, “We’ll leave around 1. I have to be there for sound check.” He peeked over the counter and looked at my laptop. “You’re already looking for houses?”

“I’m just getting an idea of what we want. I was waiting for you to wake up so I could show you. I was also doing my research on real estate agents.”

His eyes were glued to the screen, “Holy fuck, that’s a nice house.”

“The one with the long driveway?” I asked for reassurance, and he nodded. “Look at that hefty price tag, though.”

He waved his hand, “Chump change.”

I started laughing, “Whatever. Imagine the mortgage on that! Holy fuck, you can live there by yourself then.”

He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me, “Or I can just pay for everything and you just sit there and look pretty.”

I rolled my eyes, “Keep dreaming, Fuentes.” I stood on my toes and kissed his lips before turning back around and focusing on this great breakfast I was making.

When I was finished cooking, we had sat together at the table eating. It was nice having him home to myself for a day before he has to go back out on the road after tonight’s show. I really did miss having him here 24/7. While we were eating, he took a big bite than asked, “So when does the review come out online?”

I smirked to myself, “You’ll know what it says before the show, calm down. I think they are releasing it around 3 or 4.”

He groaned, “What the hell, I want to know what it says already! I even tried looking through your laptop last night, and I couldn’t find anything.” He admitted, feeling defeated.

Laughing, I responded, “I figured you would. So, I didn’t leave a single trace of it on my laptop, or on my iPad. It’s on my flash drive, though. But, you’ll never find that.”

“Fuck, man. Can you give me a hint of what the review says?”

I shook my head, “I can’t. But, you’ll find out in a few hours. I want all of you to read it together. As long as I’m not in the room.”

“While because we’ll beat you up if it’s bad?” He smirked jokingly.

I nodded sarcastically, “Oh yeah. Don’t wanna get jumped by four scrawny dudes.”

He laughed, “You’re such a dick.”

I grinned showing my teeth, teasing him. I know how bad the guys wanted to read it; I know how bad everyone wanted to read it. They will, but they will have to wait a little while longer. It took me forever to come up with the words to express how I felt about their new album. I didn’t want to seem biased, that’s the last thing I would do; but this review was definitely different from my other ones. I was excited, yet nervous for everyone to read it. I spent way too long on writing that thing.

When we were done, we laid down for a while, back in bed, and then each took showers. Him interrupting mine as I was almost done. When I got out, I had the towel wrapped around my torso and I began looking for an outfit to wear tonight. I had the hardest time trying to find something comfortable to wear, but it was impossible. I was just not feeling the idea of looking dolled up today. But, I knew in my heart that if I went bummy, I would feel gross.
Mike got out of the shower and ended up in the closet with me. “You’re still trying to find something to wear?!”

I frowned, “Yes! I’m going naked.”

“Oh no you aren’t. Can’t have the other band dudes looking at my girl’s goodies.”

I burst in laughter, “You’re stupid. Hey, how lame would I look if I wore a Pierce the Veil, shirt?” I pulled out one that he had given me, years and years ago.

“You still have this?!” He asked, shouting as he stared in amazement that I still had the shirt.

“Obviously. It’s vintage now.” I joked, knowing it was 7 years old.

“Damn, I thought you would’ve thrown this out or gave it away or something. But yeah, it would be really lame if you wore it.”

Groaning, I began to look through my clothes for a third time, trying to mix and match things together. Mike just grabbed a black cutoff shirt and a pair of shorts and walked out of the closet. I furrowed my eyebrows at how he didn't care how he dressed, he could just pick a shirt and bam, and he’s done. I began to look through his shirts, hoping one would be long enough so I could wear leggings with it, and just wear a flannel and my boots. “Mike?” I asked, hoping I was talking loud enough.

“What?” I heard him say as his footsteps got closer to me.

“Can I borrow this?” I pointed at one of his black cutoff tees, an Iron Maiden one.

“Can’t find anything to wear, so you go for my clothes?” He smirked, then nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

“Thanks, buggie.” I smiled, taking the shirt and the hanger carefully off of the holder so I wouldn’t knock any of his other stuff down. And in that moment, I realized that this closet was too small for all of our shit. He got new clothes all the time from his friends’ clothing lines and what have you. Once I made it out of the safari, also known as, our closet, I walked into my room and went to grab undergarments for me to wear.

---

When we finally got to the venue in San Diego, Brandon was already there with Stephanie and the guys. Mike and I went up to them and said our hellos. I spotted Mama and Papa Fuentes arriving in their vehicle, of course, with food in their hands and their Pierce the Veil tees on. Vic, Mike, and I went up to their parents and the boys helped their mom and I gave the both of them hugs. Vivian hugged me tightly, saying my shirt smelled like Mike, and I giggled, telling her it was in fact Mike’s.

We walked up to where Jaime, Tony, Jaime’s parents, Brandon, Steph, and everyone’s girlfriends were. “Lucy!” Jaime grabbed my shoulders, “When will I be able to read the review?!” He shouted in my face.

I looked at the watch that was sitting on my left wrist seeing it was a little past 3, “In less than an hour, maybe.” I grinned slyly, knowing right at 4, Alternative Press was going to be publishing my review online.

“Oh my god, I can’t wait any longer.” He said dramatically.

His girlfriend Jessica looked over to him, “Yes you can, calm down drama queen.”

Her and I looked at one another and laughed at Jaime, who was still begging for me to tell him what I wrote. Vivian patted me on the back, “Everyone wants to know what you wrote!”

“I know, but I’m not allowed to say anything. Everyone will find out in 45 minutes.” I explained, her grinning. She was dying to know what I had written also.

Steph came up to me as PTV and their crew had gone inside. “Are you going to Shannon’s baby shower tomorrow?”

“Of course. I’m staying at my grandma’s tonight, then tomorrow, Celina and I are going.”

“Okay good. Because I don’t know anyone else besides you and Celina. Have you see Shan, though? She is huge!”

“Is she?” I asked, not having seen her in about a month. “I can’t believe she’s already due next month. I feel like her pregnancy went by super-fast!”

“I feel like it did, too.”

Mike found me from the door and waved me to go inside, “I’ll be back.” I walked over to him and he grabbed my hand. “What?”

“Come here. Look out that window and do you see all those fans lined up, already?” I followed him to the window in the front and the line was growing by the minute.

“Holy shit.” I looked up at him and he smiled. “They all came for you, babe.”

“For me and my godly good looks.” He joked, causing me to roll my eyes. He always made me roll my eyes because he said so many stupid things.

“Or your bandmates good looks?”

"Whatever." He laughed, looking at his watch. He was counting the minutes until the review came out. I wanted to steer clear from the guys when they read it, they could find me later.

---

MIKE'S POV:


I walked into the dressing room at Soma, all the guys in there. Lucy had gone with Brandon and Stephanie somewhere, so I decided to make my way back to my band and our families to chill. I opened the door and they all looked at me. Tony mumbled, "Alt. Press just released the review, c'mon!"

I hurriedly walked to them, taking a seat in front of Vic's MacBook. I took a deep breath, nervous for the sole reason that Lucy didn't hold her tongue, especially when it came to her reviews. That is what she's famous for, you know. Vic clicked on the link that read, Pierce The Veil; New Album Review: Lucy Garcia. A page came up with a black and white photo of us from our interview with Luce about a year ago.

The title read: Never Giving Up, Never Backing Down: Pierce the Veil Does It Again
By: Lucy Garcia

Vic scrolled down and cleared his throat beginning to read aloud the review in front of all of us, our girlfriends, and parents.


A lot of people have been dying to know what I’ve been wanting to say about Pierce The Veil’s new album. When I say a lot, I mean everybody ranging from my bosses, the CEO of Alternative Press, the staff, my friends, my family, and of course, Pierce the Veil themselves. I made it a point to not let anyone in on my secret until now.

I received the copy of the new record once Pierce the Veil had left for their new tour a couple of weeks ago. As everyone knows, I am in a relationship with PTV’s drummer, Mike Fuentes, and we live together, so having him out of the house for tour made this whole review process a little easier for me. I listened to this record for two whole days. I listened, sat on it, slept on it, ate on it, dreamt on it. I took in every ounce of the album. When I began writing this review, I had trouble finding the words to say. I knew the pressure that the boys had to one up their last release “Collide With The Sky” (2012). I knew the immense pressure because it’s critics like us, and the fans who are ultimately going to decide if an album is good enough.

It was the fourth time that I had heard the record when I cried; it had got to me. I don’t know if it was Vic’s voice intertwining with Jaime’s voice for the first time on an album, or if it was how in sync the guys were instrumentally, or if it was the lyrics to each and every song, but it was something. I’d like to say that this record had a lot more impact on me than CWTS did. And if you know me at all, that album was my top pick for 2012 because it had that much influence on me.

It was tracks like the very first one that got me excited. The four boys put their heart and soul into this album, and I knew that personally. I saw Mike’s face full of excitement when he would come home from a long day at the studio and say, “This one is going to change everything, Lucy.” That puzzled me whenever he would tell me that because I had already thought, well; didn’t the last one change everything? And then I heard it. I knew exactly what he was talking about. I knew that this was going to change everything. It’s going to change it even more.

It’s hard for a band to continue to grow bigger and bigger with each album, but Pierce the Veil has seemed to cracked the code on that. They are still Pierce the Veil, with their heavy sound, soft harmonies, and incredibly written lyrics. This album was never to “top” the last one, in their eyes. It was never about that. It was about making an album that they loved and that their fans would love. And I, being a fan, loved it.

Usually on these reviews, I go in-depth through each song and pick out what I like. I can’t do that with this album because the entire thing is perfection. I have never heard a more perfect album in my time writing for magazines about albums. I’m not being biased because I’m in love with the drummer; I’m being real when I say that this album is going to give the boys one of the biggest years they’ve ever had. I mean it.

From beginning to end, it doesn’t stop. It’s uplifting, it’s inspiring, it’ll make you cry, fall in love, hug your friends, everything. It’s the most fun album that I’ve ever heard, and I can’t wait to see what their live shows are going to take from this. You can tell that in a matter of two years since CWTS came out, that they’ve grown immensely. They’re older, smarter, and just plain better. (That one was for you, Mike.)

Each song tells a story, of the past, the present, and the future. Vic’s lyricism still never ceases to amaze me as he uses metaphors and his incredibly wonderful writing talent to tell you what’s on his mind whether it’s about a past love, or about how much life has changed; either way, he’s letting you in on his life and nothing makes me happier than when songwriters want to welcome me into their thought process.

Musically, the boys have never sounded anymore perfect than they do on this album. Everyone is in perfect sync, creating this illusion that you can actually see the music. Tony and Vic’s guitar skills have heightened since their first album together, “Selfish Machines” (2010). They flow together with Jaime and Mike’s excellent rhythm section so well that you know they’ve been practicing every day for this.

This was also the first time bassist Jaime Preciado was included on vocals for a PTV album. If you haven’t heard his singing and screaming voices, go to YouTube now and type in his name and listen; because that boy has an impressive voice. Jaime and Vic’s vocals are magnetic; they cling so effortlessly together. Vic has a higher voice, while Jaime has a lower voice, not too low, but pop-punk low. They combine together that cause chills to crawl into your skin and flow throughout you.

If you know me, you know that I am a firm believer in the rhythm section, so here-goes. Now, I usually focus intently on the drums in my final stages of listening to an album. But I could not put these drum sections on the back burner because they were too intense. If you’ve gone to a Pierce the Veil show, and are able to see Mike drum, (or if you’ve looked him up on the Internet,) then you know that this guy does not let up on those drums. I didn’t even step into the studio once during this process, but I could see how intense he was playing them just by hearing. This is probably some of the best drumming I’ve heard on an album in a while. They are nearly flawless, no let downs, no mistakes, just pure heart and soul, and pure rock n’ roll.

It’s been a long time since I’ve heard an album of this stature. Yes, I’ve been super excited about other albums, most namely Fall Out Boy’s “Save Rock And Roll” (2013) of last Spring. But, even if you’ve read this super long review, it still won’t describe my excitement for this album. It’s a new step in Pierce the Veil’s journey to take over the world, and I couldn’t live with myself if I gave an album of this much perfection a small review.

If you’ve been reading this and haven’t caught on to anything that I’ve written, listen up: I give this album, 5/5 stars. Pierce the Veil has done it again, they’ve mastered the art of Mexicore, and are set out to change their scene and open the minds of the non-believers and turn them into dreamers. They are changing the game, and I expect everyone to be watching them as they do.

As soon as Vic stopped reading, we were all there silently looking at one another, smiles growing on each of us as the seconds passed. I can't believe the review she gave us. I can't believe how intense it was. My mom had a tear rolling down her face. Jaime said in almost a whisper, breaking the silence, "Holy fuck."

He couldn't have described it better. A few minutes later, after every one of us retweeted it on Twitter, there was a knock on the door. I got up to answer it revealing Lucy, who smiled innocently at me; knowing that I had read it. I went up to her and gave her the biggest hug I'd ever given someone, and I just held her, and she held me. I kissed her head, then she looked at me, "So?"

"That was amazing." I said, still in awe about the review.

She walked in and the guys nearly tackled her in giant hugs. The energy in the room was at an all time high, filled with happiness. I just looked over at her and felt happy. Lucy made me so unbelievably happy and today was just another reason why I'm so in love with her. As if I needed another reason.