hidden Cries

Julie

Today's the day. We're defeating Caleb.

I'm not gonna lie, i'm nervous. I don't know him, i've never seen him. And the boys seem to be really afraid of him. I'm really scared.

At the same time, i don't think he can do anything to me, right? he's dead.

Anyways, i'm in the front door at Carrie's house, or, well, mansion. I've gotta talk to Trevor. Even though i don't want to. I've got to do it. For the guys, Julie. For the guys.

-Good morning, can i help you?- a man dressed in black greets me as he opens the door.

-Hi, i'm Julie. Julie Molina. Can i talk to Mr.Wilson?

-I'm, sorry, he isn't receiving any-

-Let her in-Trevor interrupts him from behind- She's Carries friend.

Well, that was interesting.

The man looks at me, apologizing, and leaves. I get in and look at Bobby.

-Huh...good morning, Julie. Is there anything i can help you with? -Trevor asks me. But i can tell he's getting nervous. I see him running his hands against his pockets and his eyes looking around.

-Yeah, actually. But i would like us to...speak in private. I don't really want Carrie or...anyone, to hear the conversation.

He thinks about It for a second- Of course, yeah! Let's go to my office, upstairs. You know your way.

This office brings me so much memories. When Carrie and i used to play pretend being business women or lawyers, and Trevor would get mad at us for using his paper.

-Alright, what's the matter you wanted to discuss?

-Mr.Wilson...Carrie told me you both went to our concert at the Orpheum, right?

-...Yeah, you're right. You were amazing. You and...your band. You're great musicians.

-Thanks, i aprecciate It. I was wondering if you had...any doubts about It.

He gives It a thought -No, not really- but i can tell he lies.

-Really? Not even a simple question...-His look tries to threaten me. He knows i know. And i'll show him- ...Bobby?

His face gets pale, and his eyes get full of surprise.

-How did It happen, Julie? Why are they...?How...?

-I.. can't really explain It. I played your old CD and they... appeared into the studio. As ghosts. The thing is, you stole their songs. Lukes songs. The things he worked hard on. The only proof he had so his parents knew It all was worth It. Why did you do It?

He turns around in his chair, looking outside the window, and gives himself a few seconds to think. Then, turns around again to look at me. He's sweating.

-I've never had the talent Luke had. He had always been a great songwriter. When they left...i found a lot of songs, amazing songs, i knew i never would've gotten the chance to write. Never. So i took them and made them my own.

-And why didn't you give them credit?!

-Because i wouldn't have been noticed!!-he screams as he stands up- You've got to make your own way in the industry unless you want to get squeezed! I was just a part of something!! Never really something myself!! This was my only chance to do It on my own!!

-But It wasn't really your own!! So you're not only a liar but a bad bandmate!!

-I'm not on the band anymore.-He sighs, and sits again.- They're dead. Or that's what i thought. You're telling me they're... ghosts?

-Yeah...It might seem like i'm lying, but you're the only one who knew them. So you know i'm not.

-Wait, does enybody else know It?

-Only Flynn, my brother and now, you. The rest think they're holograms.

-Oh my God. That's...i thought ghosts didn't exist?

-So did i. Now i'm in a band with them-He smiles at me- You need to give them credit, Trevor. It's not fair.

-I... can't do It now. If i say It trough social media...not only my career might be over, also yours. They're visible, i see. If people Google them or...whatever. They'll find out eventually.

He's right. People can't know they died. They'd have a lot of questions i don't want to answer. And that would bring us in a lot of trouble.

I'm thinking...Maybe he can give them the credit to Luke's parents. Alex's parents are dead. Reggie... doesn't really have a relationship with his, and doesn't even know where they are. The important matter here are Luke's parents.

-But...you could talk to Luke's parents, right?

-Tell them my songs are their son's?

-Yeah, i mean. He's pretty upset about It. Not only the fact that you didn't give them credit. He's mad because of his parents. Maybe you can start fixing that...

-That's...actually a good idea. I think i remember where they lived. A brick house, right?

-With a lot of trees, yeah.

-Fine. Thank you, Julie. And i'm sorry. Please tell that to them. I know it was selfish of me to do It. I wanted It. And i had to do It. But i'm sorry. Now, you better leave before my daughter arrives and sees you here.

-A pleasure talking with you, Bobby.

-Yeah, forget that name, okay? -he laughs

As i'm making my way to the door of the Office, he stands up.

-Oh, and, Julie?

-Yes?

-I'm not the only one who knew them. Rose did too.

What the heck?

-My...mom knew them? As...personally?

-Yeah, they haven't told you?

Oh, if they lied to me i'm gonna kill them.

Well, re-kill them.

-No. They...told me they hadn't met her. They didn't know her. But...she had a t-shirt and your Sunset Curve CD...

-Yeah, right. They must've forgotten. The night they passed away, we were playing at the Orpheum and they went to eat some hot-

-Yes, they've told me the story. A thousand times. Especially Alex.

-Of course, Alex. Well, your...mom, she was cleaning tables that day. At the Orpheum. We met her and gave her the t-shirt and the CD. An hour later, the boys ate the hot dogs and died. I didn't, because i was speaking to her in the theater. That's how we met.

The night they died...my mom met Trevor?

-They talked to her too!?

-Yes...well...we all flirted with her. A little bit. Except Alex, of course. But don't give It much thought. She always was a dear friend to me.

i can't believe it.I actually can't believe it.

Luke flirted with my mother!?

Ew.

He does have a type.

Huh? Who are you?

Your inside voice, A.K.A: the overseer. Fancy meeting you here, Julie!!

Okay, forget It.

-Thank you, Mr. Wilson.

Luke

-Sounds good to me.

-No, Reg. It has to be amazing. Strong. It has to be strong. Is It strong?

-It is, Luke. Don't worry about It. It'll be enough. You're too nervous, you have to relax, bud.

He's right. I'm too tense today. I've got to relax. If only she were here...

-The two of you better help me bring all of this to the club tonight. I mean, i'm strong enough to take It but, i don't want you to be doing nothing.

We both look at Alex and agree.

Suddenly, we hear some really hard footsteps coming from outside. Julie, who's now at the front door looking at us with an angry face, takes a breath to start talking.

She's pretty, even mad.

-Can I know why none of you had mentioned before that you had talked to my mom? No, not even talked, FLIRTED with her?

Wait, what?

-Uhh, she's talking to you two. -Alex quickly defends himself- I'm walking on the other sidewalk, and she's talking about a gi... wait, your mom?

We all freeze. I haven't talked to Julie's mom. Or, at least, not that I remember

-Yes, my mom. I went to talk to Trevor, and before I left, he told me that you flirted with my mom the night you died, so it wasn't long ago for you

One moment. Ahh no, no, no. At the Orpheum, the night we died?

We only talked to one girl that night. A very pretty one.

With curly hair, brunette, with brown eyes...

Oh no.

I smack Reggie on the chest - Dude, the girl at the bar counter. Cleaning the table.

Reg's lightbulb turns on, and he looks at me in disbelief

-Size beautiful... - he realizes

Oh, oh, I did in fact flirt with Julie's mom.

Did I flirt with the mom of the girl I like?

What?

-We gave her our CD. And a t-shirt. And yeah, these two jerks flirted with her, but only for 5 minutes. We didn't remember her. Bobby stayed talking to the girl while we went for hot dogs. And the rest of the story you already know.- Alex says to her.

-B-but nothing happened, - I clarify, getting more nervous each word. - obviously. I just talked a little bit with her. Just a few seconds. She thought we were good and she talked to us, you know? Your mom was really pretty. Like, really pretty. You look a lot like her...

Alex laughs under his breath, and Reggie bursts out laughing while Julie tucks the same two strands of hair behind her ears as she blushes. Why?

Oh...did I just say that out loud?

-I mean... that... I... uhm... I mean...

She's the only one who leaves me without a word to say. But i'm not wrong at all. Her mother and Julie look alike. A lot. And they're both really pretty. And sorry to Rose but...her daughter's beauty is unmatching.

-What Luke means -Thanks for the help, Reggie -is that we're teenagers, and we can't resist a pretty girl. Besides, it was 5 minutes. We weren't aware that she was your mom, that's why we didn't remember her. We're sorry anyway.

-It's fine -she replies- You didn't know. But it's still... weird- The only one I'll be able to look at the same way as before is Alex -she laughs

-So-Alex starts- You talked to Bobby?

See, this is something i'm interested in?

What did the jerk say to save his own butt? I'm curious, is he going to give us money to shut up?

No, he's offering us a discography contract. Maybe he wants to talk and apologize...

-He's going to talk to your parents, Luke.

Huh?

-What? -i snap out of my thinking- He's...talking to them?

-He plans to. Guys...he can't just tell the world the songs were yours. You have another career now, 25 years after the songs were written. If we continue with "Julie And The Phantoms", we're going to get bigger and bigger each day. At least, i hope so. If people find out you are still the same you were 25 years ago, with Trevor...

-It'll all fall down. You're right.- Alex agrees with her, and Reggie nods.

I agree too. The world can't know Phantoms exist. They can't. The world's not ready for It.

-And he's talking to my parents? What about yours? -i ask to the guys.

-He must be on his way right now. I thought It was the best. Your parents won't tell anybody. And they're the ones who deserve to know it.

-Yeah, and, Luke, our parents are dead or don't care anymore about us. You still have them. Their love for you and for eachother. -Says Alex, supporting me.

-Thanks- i sob.

I can't believe it. They'll know. They'll finally know.

-Can we go see It?- i ask Julie.

-If you want to, i'll go.

-I'll go too.-Says Alex.

-I'll stay here- We all look at Reggie- What? I'm sorry, Luke. You know i love this situation, but i don't want to cry, and i'm a very emotional person.-We all laugh.

Alex and i are getting ready to puff out, but we realize Julie's making her way outside.

-Oh, i totally forgot she can't ghost- Alex giggles.

-Julie!!-i call her. She takes a few steps back and looks at me- come here!- and she does.

-What?

-You were planning on walking?

-Well, what else am i supposed to do, Luke?

Alex and i look at eachother. Let's hope she doesn't lose a shirt while traveling, like Reggie.

You know you wouldn't be hurt if that happens.

What? What is this? Who are you?

Again? Ugh, i'm your inside thoughts, the overseer. I'm telling you, if she loses the shirt, Alex would have to close your eyes for you-

Fine, that's enough. I'm not like that. My mother raised me as a gentleman.

If you say so...

Hey!! i know what i am!! You're not telling me- You know what? i'm fighting against my own thoughts. This is stupid.

You're stupid. I don't like your head. It's full of words and sounds.

Let's just...keep that voice away.

I offer my hand to Julie. She takes it, and we look into each other's eyes. She's dazzling.

-Uhm... are we going or what? - asks Alex.

-Yeah, yeah, sorry - I hurry. - Are you ready? - I ask Julie.

-I don't think I'll ever be. But yeah. Let's go.

We both puff out in front of my parents' house. I look at Julie, making sure she's still there. And yeah, she is, but her face is pale, and her eyes are wide open. She's not missing any pieces of clothing, and she's all there.

Was it a good idea to bring her like this?

-You okay?

-I don't know.

I giggle, and we walk to my parents' house.

-Wait, look - Alex points at the door.

Bobby is there with a piece of paper in his hand. He's talking quietly to himself while rocking back and forth. He's nervous. That's funny.

-Is he practicing a speech? - Julie asks.

-Looks like it - I answer.-You're the only one he can see, Jules. You better hide.

-Should i...go with him?

-Why? So you want to?

-No but...how are we going to know what he...-she looks at us and thinks for a few seconds. I think she forgot we can't be seen.- Nevermind. Are you both going in?

Alex and i look at eachother. I give him a look meaning i want to go. They're my parents, i want to know what he says to them.

I see Bobby ringing the doorbell. A few seconds later, my mother opening the door. I give a last look before going to Julie and Alex, who, with their faces, support me while hiding behind a bush.

That's when i puff behind my mother.

The overseer

Emily, confused, opens the door after hearing the doorbell, to find a man, almost shaking, standing in her doorstep.

-Hello!

-Hi...uhm- He hesitates. He doesn't know what he's doing. But he's trying to.- Emily. I'm Trevor Wilson.

His name isn't really something she is really familiar with. Emily only knows he's a musician, a really good one. She knows some songs from the radio, like "Your starlight", "Lakeside Reflextion" or "Teenage Runaway".

Especially the last one. It reminded her of her son.

-Hi, Mr. Wilson! Can I help you with anything?

-Uhm, well... It's...actually, it's Bobby.

The woman freezes. Isn't Bobby her son's old bandmate...? "Yes! There was an Alex...and...a Reggie, and also a Bobby" she thinks to herself.

-Come in, please- she invites the man.

-Augh, Bobby... you've grown so much since i last saw you. Please sit. Do you need anything? Water?

He sits in one of the couchs.

-No, thank you. Is your husband here?

-Yes, of course. Wait a second.

The woman disappears down the hallway, and Trevor gives himself a few seconds to look around.

He sees pictures of Luke when he was little. Photos of their wedding, of the day Luke graduated middle school, his first birthday...Bobby doesn't know, of course, but he's looking at the pictures a sad phantom is also looking at.

In silence, Bobby remembers his old friend. He missed him the first months.

Then...fame came in the way, but he has to admit to himself, he always wondered how It would've been if he had gotten the chance to share It with him.

Emily follows Mitch, who appears in the room. Trevor stands up to say hello and gives his friend's father a hug.

-Bobby! It Is amazing to see you again, man. I see you've been well!!

-Yes, it's been quite some time.

-We've heard you've been making music, huh? It's amazing you kept with the music after the band.- Mitch says to him, amazed he has a rock star in front of him. Mainly, because he never really knew that star used to be friends with his son.

-Actually, that's what i wanted to talk to you about- the singer confesses.

The room is filled with expectation. Three figures- one being invisible- Look at him with fear and emotion.

-I...want to tell you a secret i've been keeping.

The elders look confused. Why would someone they haven't seen in 20 years tell them a secret?

They both look at him, telling him to continue.

-My music, my...songs, most of everything i've done... it's Luke's.

Oh, that's a surprise. Emily and Mitch look at eachother. They don't believe him. Or maybe they don't understand what he's saying.

-What?-Mitch asks.

-I took Luke's songs and published them as my own. My most famous songs, are his. He wrote them. And i'm sorry for never giving him credit. It Is something i want the two of you to know.

-Why are you telling us this, Trevor?- Emily asks him. She's in desbelief, of course. Does this mean his son really could've been a star in the edge of a stage, as he would always dream?

-I'm sorry, Emily. Luke was...so talented. He had this passion that made him write songs everywere at everytime. Amazing songs. I never had that talent. Most of the things i published as mine, he wrote them. Luke had an amazing talent, and the world would've loved it.

He moves the couch to get closer to the elder couple, even though they're both hanging to eachother as if, in any moment, they were gonna disappear.

>>Luke always talked to us about how hard It was for him everything that happened with you. He never wanted to leave, but he felt like he had to. I want you to know...It would've been worth It. He would've become a star. I just took what he left behind.

They all are crying. Tears of regret from the grey haired pair; tears of honesty, from the gold record singer; and tears of powerlessness from the lonely teenager, who sits next to souls he has a bond with. Bonds not enough strong for them to feel him there.

-Why didn't you...give him the credit? The world would've known he...

-The world would've rejected It. -Trevor Responds- They wouldn't have liked it, and all his song would've been left behind. I know i should've had but...i was a young man, lonely. Who wanted success. I'm not asking for you to understand me, i'm just giving you the explanation. It was bad. I know It.

-You can't do It now? Tell everybody they were never yours??

-I'm...not only putting myself in risc with that. I have a daughter i need to take care of. And now that you know, you might be in danger if i do It, too. The music industry is a place full of sickness. Everybody thinks they have the right to do or say everything they want to. I need to take care of her.

-Your daughter? -Emily asks. She finds It heartwarming. She understands.

Trevor nods, and the woman looks at his husband, almost apologizing.

The singer looks scared when he talks about the industry world. Mainly because he knows what he's talking about. And he's just trying to protect his daughter.Fame is cruel. The world is cruel. He's aware of It.

Emily goes to him. Suddenly, Trevor finds himself welcomed in a pair of arms, covered with a hand-knitted cardigan. As she hugs him, he understands why Luke always missed his mother's hugs so much.

They both empatize with him. Mostly, because they want him to protect his daughter the way they couldn't protect their son.

Their son, by the way, has watched every part of It. He feels helpless. He wants to hug them, but he can't. He wants to talk to them, but he can't. He can't do anything. And he can't wait for It to happen. It's just he knows It won't.

He's missing something. As he stands there, he's just thinking of the only thing that can calm him down. The one thing he knows he can't live without.

That thing, is waiting outside, hiding behind a bush. She's worried he's feeling sad. He's sad because he's not with her.

This problem, not as the others, can be easily fixed. He appears in front of her and his friend.

His face is burning, and his tears, running down his cheeks like ice melting. He's tired of pretending he's not tired.

So, he runs to her arms. The most comfortable place -after his precious couch he slept in, while his bed was empty at his parents house- in the whole world. Where he knows he will always be welcomed. Whatever happens. He knows she'll be there.

She tightens the hug, and whipes away his tears just like his fears. He rests his head in her shoulder as he cries, and buries his nose in her neck. Smells like home.

She knows she'll never find someone like him. She's aware she's holding in her arms the reason she's here. The reason of her sunrises and, very well said, her sunsets. Without him, what's the point of touching a piano? There was her mom. Now, it's him.

His other friend is really bad at handling emotions. Anxiety goes with him everywere. And he doesn't know what to do when someone's crying. But it's Luke. He once loved Luke. And Luke once loved him. They know eachother. So, Alex awkardly joins the hug.

Reggie, on his side, is sitting at the studio looking at the ceiling. Thinking about how good the pizza was at the ghost club. He's also thinking about his friends. His family. The only family he has. How about he never actually felt good anywhere. Always being left out, even by his own parents. Loneliness has never settled in well in his soul. But he likes the idea of, someday, being alone for quite some time. Because he wants to be alone. Not because they leave him alone.

Oh, and also about how much he misses Ray.

But just like windows open, the four of them are waiting for the very same thing.

Because in a few hours, the future of this feelings, bonds, knots, expectations, dreams...is going to be played with.

And nobody, except me, knows what it's going to happen.

___________________________________

Ya'll, i'm emotional.

This was my longest chapter so far: 3856 words.

This was a special moment, so i wanted It to be Big. I've always thought big feeling should be expressed with big words and big ideas

Thank you so much for your support, and i'm sorry It is so long.

❤️❤️❤️❤️