All About Love And Music

Written By: DesertRose 26

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Ocean 3 and any of its characters, but I do own them in my hee hee.

FYI: In this story, Albel is 21, Nel is 20, Cliff and Mirage are 23, Fayt, Sophia and Maria are 19. They live in our world, in our time.

Cut me some slack, okay? This is my first fan fic. =)

Please read and review!

Chapter 1: Anything But Ordinary

Nel glanced at the clock beside her bed. 8.30 a.m.

"OH SHIT ! I'm gonna be late" she said, as she jumped out of bed and proceeded to pull on a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers. Then she quickly combed her messy red hair and grabbed a sandwich before leaving her apartment.

"Why on earth did those two sign me up without even asking me?" she muttered to herself angrily.

Her anger started to rise at the thought of her so-called "friends", Sophia and Maria. Iris is one of the most popular bands out there. Their bass player had quit the band a few weeks ago, so they were having auditions for a new bass player. Without her knowledge, they had signed her up for the audition.

She had no idea where the auditions were held. But she did have a cheap excuse of a map Sophia drew out for her.

She was so busy examining the map that she did not realize she had walked straight into someone, causing her to fall backwards. She was about to apologize but when she looked up she saw a pair of crimson eyes looking at her. She froze.

There standing in front of her was a man clothed in black from head to toe. Albel Nox. THE Albel Nox. As in the front man of Iris!

"Watch where you're going." was all he said before he stalked off.

Could a person be that rude? Nel pushed the thought of him away just as she reached the gigantic building where the auditions were held.

The halls were completely filled with people. Of course, the majority of people were women. Well, Nel couldn't blame them the band was filled with three very attractive men. Albel Nox as the lead singer, songwriter and guitar player, with Cliff Fittir as the drummer and vocals, and Fayt Leingod as the keyboardist.

After waiting for what seemed like ages, it was Nel's turn. She took a deep breath and made her way through the sound-proof doors. Inside she found Albel, Cliff, an Fayt with their instruments. They all looked at her when she entered. Cliff was the first to talk.

"So, Nel Zelpher. Do you know how to play the bass guitar?"

"Yes, I do." Nel answered.

"That's good. Let's see what you've got." Cliff said. He then handed Nel a bass. "We'll play, and when you're ready, just join in. It's important for band members to have a certain chemistry. We'll see how the vibe goes with us playing together" he winked.

"What song do you want to play? Just pick one" Fayt said after Nel got ready.

"How about 'Why Won't You Die' ?" Nel asked

"Okay, then. Let's get started. On my count. One two three four"…

When they started playing she joined in. And she was great.

"Wow" was the only thing Fayt could say once the song was over.

"Do you have any professional training?" Cliff asked

"No. I taught myself how to play" Nel said.

"That was amazing. It's the best we've had all day!" Fayt said, getting rather excited.

"I agree with Fayt. What do you think, Albel?" Cliff asked, looking at Albel

"It's either her, or one of those bimbos out there." Albel replied

"Nel, welcome to Iris" Cliff said with a smile.

"Don't mind Albel. He's always like this. Especially with people he doesn't know too well. You'll get used to him after a while" Fayt said.

"However, you can't be in a heavy metal band looking like that, can you? I know just the person to fix you up" Cliff said looking at Nel up and down.

Cliff took out this really slim cell phone from his pocket and dialed in a number. That phone would've probably cost her an entire month's pay, she thought.

"Hey, Babes. I need a favour. We've found a new bass player. We need you to fix her up, you know. Her hair, clothes, make-up. Everything. Okay, I'll bring her over after lunch. See you later."

Cliff put his phone back into his pocket. "Okay, so here's the plan. We go have lunch, and then we'll get you your makeover.

As the were heading for the door, Cliff turned to Albel. "Since my car can only fit two people, I'll take Fayt with me, and you take Nel with you." he said. After a thought, he added "Be nice", while looking pointedly at Albel.

He headed straight for the door, not wanting to hear Albel complain or curse. Fayt quickly followed him, leaving an angry Albel and a confused Nel.

Nel soon understood when she saw a silver Audi R8 Spyder zoom by with Cliff and Fayt inside it. She quietly followed Albel. He didn't say a word. He stopped in front of a black car. Being a bit of a car junkie, Nel knew what car it was. A SLR McLaren. Her favorite car. She felt her heart almost burst. He opened the door for her, and when Nel got in, he closed the door and crossed the front to the driver's seat. It was a nice day outside, and the top was down. Nel enjoyed the wind whipping against her face. When they reached a red light, another car came by beside them. Nel could see the dread in Albel's eyes. The car was full of teenage girls. They were all screaming Albel's name. Some of the girls were screaming things like "Is that Albel's girlfriend?" or "Who is that woman? What is she doing with MY Albel?"

Albel leaned in closer to Nel "Just play along" He said. He caressed her cheek and put his thumb on her lips, and kissed it. His lips never met hers since his thumb was on her lips, yet Nel's heart skipped a beat. He then started running his other hand through her hair.

"Well, he did say to play along, right?" Nel thought. She ran a hand through his hair. She felt him flinch a little.

"Oh my god! Albel's got a girlfriend? Who is she?!"

"Albel's got a girl! A front page story!"

"The lights are green" Nel whispered once they broke apart.

The rest of the ride was really quiet. Nel could tell her face was as red as a beet. Even her ears were burning.

"Why did you do that?" Nel said, finally breaking the silence.

"If I didn't, we would have been swarmed by those rabid fans." Albel replied, eyes still on the road.

"But now they would think I am your girlfriend or something" Nel replied, despondently.

"The news will die out after a while. And besides, is it really that bad being my girlfriend for a while?" He looked at her then. "It seemed that you were enjoying yourself a great deal when you were kissing me." Albel said, smirking.

"Oh man. That smirk makes him look so delicious."

"Wait a minute. Did I just say that Albel is attractive?"

"Duh"

"He is NOT! He's arrogant and rude, that's what he is.'

"Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that"

"What's the matter? Cat caught your tongue?" Albel teased her some more.

"I didn't enjoy it!" Nel argued. "And for the record, you kissed me. You and your 'just play along' crap. I just did as you told me to."

"Whatever you say, Rouge." Albel teased.

"He's even more yummy when he speaks French"

"Not that again. And who are you, anyway?"

"I'm you're inner self. I reflect your inner-most thoughts and desires"

"I'm so screwed up"

"Whatever you say, Noir" Nel teased back, the only come-back she could manage.

When they reached the place, Cliff and Fayt were already there. "Sorry you had to get here with Albel. I didn't bring my car, so I had to get a ride with Cliff."

"It's okay. It wasn't that bad" Nel lied.

When Nel saw the house, she thought there had to be some sort of mistake. This seriously couldn't be the house. Cliff pressed the doorbell. There was no doubt about it, this was her house.

When she opened the door, Cliff walked right in and kissed her. Nel's mouth fell open in shock.

"Mirage!"

"Nel!"

"You're the new bass player?!"

"You two know each other?" Cliff asked, confused.

"Looks like I better explain. Cliff and I have been going out for quite some time now. Cliff made me promise not to tell a soul. We've known each other since we were kids. The band travels a lot, so you never got to meet him. Actually, that's why you never really got to meet any of them."

"I guess it really is a small world after all" Cliff said.

"Well enough of that for now. We need to fix you up" Mirage said to Nel, leading her into her room.

Albel, Cliff and Fayt had to sit and wait outside while Mirage worked on Nel. After what seemed like forever, Mirage came out of the room, looking exhausted.

"Presenting the whole new and improved Rocker Chick Nel !" Mirage said, bringing everyone's attention to the door she just emerged from.

Nel stepped out of the room. She was wearing a black, sleeveless top that had a very low collar which showed off quite a bit of cleavage, a black leather skirt and knee-high leather boots. Her hair had black streaks in it and she was wearing a little mascara, eye shadow and eyeliner. Her clothes showed off her perfect figure.

The mouths of all three men dropped to the ground.

Nel noticed a pair of crimson eyes looking her up and down appreciatively. Nel smirked a smirk that rivaled Albel's.

She walked towards him and bent towards him. It was payback for embarrassing her earlier. Her nose was almost touching his. "Do you like what you see, Noir?"

Albel's face was red. He was blushing! He tried to sound as normal as he possibly could. "Yes. Very much, Rouge."