Haunting melody

Julie

-No, the skirt.

-Flynn, i already told you. We're probably running. If i bend over, they're gonna even see my passport.

-Yeah... you're right. The purple jumpsuit then.

We're at Flynn's house, getting ready for tonight. In less than an hour, Alex's going to come, and he's going to puff me into the club.

It Isn't really exciting, to be honest. My experience yesterday wasn't very nice.

-Go on, change. I'll help you do your makeup after.

After changing on the bodysuit, i put on my silver boots-yes, i'm wearing them- and my earrings.

As she makes my makeup, we're having the normal "girl talk"

-What if he disappears?

-Julie, i don't want you crying, okay? The eyeliner is important here.

-Sorry-i sigh.

-I know you're worried. It's normal. I don't really know what's gonna happen, but i'm sure they'll fight for you, Jules. Especially when we're talking about Luke.

I smile. I love thinking he cares about me.

-Alright then. Now, you've gotta wait 'til your friend comes and pick you up. Remember to come back after everything, okay? I'll be waiting you awake- she tells me.

-I'm scared, Flynn.

-They'll be fine, Jules.

But i'm not talking about them.

-What...about me? I don't know if Caleb has the power to do anything to me. He might even hurt me. Or...i don't know. I don't really know anything anymore.

-Hey, listen to me. If anything happens to you, i'm finding that little ghost club and i'm placing three bombs in each room. And that man's gonna regret messing up with my best friend and her best friends.

-Thanks, BFF.

At that moment, i hear the sound the guys make when they appear.

To my left, Alex looks at the room, going crazy over It.

-Hey!! She's got taaaaaste, Reggie was right. This is a nice place. Tell her that.

-Flynn-she looks at me- Alex just came in, and he wants me to tell you this is a nice place and that you've got taste. Even though i disagree, you have the worst taste ever as long as boys go.- I mess with her.

-Says the one who's in love with air-she responds.

-Ohhhh, she got you there- Alex screams, and i giggle.

-I'm not "in love". That's talking big.

-Uh....i wouldn't be so sure about It, Jules.-she says to me.

-Yeah, i agree with Flynn.

-I mean, c'mon. You can't stop talking about him, you love, LOVE, spending time with him. You miss him when he's not here, and your conection goes above Jupiter. I'm bad at science, but your chemistry is undeniable.

-She's right. And you get nervous when we talk about Luke. And you keep staring at him the whole time. And you cry when he cries. And everything's so beautiful when you're with hi...wait, i sound like Reggie.

-Shouldn't we leave, Alex?

-Yes, we should. Luke, Reggie and Willie are already there.

-Oh, Willie's there...

-Shut up, airlover. -he laughs at me.

-Bye, my girl. I love you with all my heart. Everything well be alright, Jules. You'll see. Remember, rock It off!!!

I wave at her before taking Alex's hands.

The purple haze's all over us, and in an instant, i stop seeing Flynn's room to a big salon.

Woah, it's enourmous. And beautiful.

In front of me, i see Reggie and Alex. Next to him, a Tall figure with long hair.

-Hi, I'm Willie. You can...see me, right?

-Yeah, i can. Hi, Willie. I'm Julie. I'm finally meeting you, i've been hearing a lot of you.

-Shhh- Alex shushes me, and Willie giggles.

-Same- He says.

-Have you told them or not?

Luke, who has, of course, a sleeveless shirt on with a pair of blue jeans, and his normal fabric string tied to his arms, seems kind of worried when he pops up behind Willie.

And as soon as he finds me, he sonftens his look and smiles at me- Hi- i hear him say.

-Hi, Luke- i greet him too.

-Tell us what?-asks Alex.

The other three look at eachother.

-He's here-Tells me Willie.

He...as...Caleb?!

-What? Caleb's here?

-Yeah. I don't really know when he arrived. I mean, he's not actually here, right now. He came back. He's gone but...i don't know when he's gonna come back.

-And what do we do? What are we...?how?

-Jules-Luke calls me out- Breathe in. We're still doing It. We need to let all of this souls free. We have to do It.

-It has to be quick-Says Willie.

-Let's do It then.

Before we start walking, Reggie looks at us for a moment. He stands there, watching us get the things.

-Wasn't this your job? -Alex asks him.

-I'm thinking....just in case. I love you, guys. Honestly.

Ohhh, Reg. He's the sweetest.

-Us too, Reg. We do to- Alex answers him.

-Now-starts Luke- let's rock the crap out of this club. It's now or never.

-Now or never. -We repeat.

________________________________

-Are your sure?

-Yeah, Julie. Don't worry. They're connected, i made sure. 25 times, exactly.

-Fine. Reggie, i'm too nervous.

-We'll be fine. And, in the case we...never come back, you know where to find us.

I...really don't know.

-Where?

-Music. Your piano, the studio, our songs... we'll be there. Oh God, i'm getting emotional again.

-Guys, we're ready. The main drape is down. Willie will rise It when we're there. -Alex interrupts us.

-Let's go then. -

Alex and Reggie both start going on stage. They're getting their instruments ready and talking ti eachother.

While i can't really move. Not knowing this might be the last time we share a stage. And the thing that scares me the most is having to see It happen.

-'You okay? -Luke appears next to me.

-Not really. What If this doesn't work out?

-We'll find another way. Someday, somehow, we'll get there. But i think we got It, Jules. Have you rehearsed the song?

-A million times. I really like It. It's one of the best song we've ever written, Luke.

-Yeah, well, i kinda couldn't do It without you. Thanks to you i've gotten better.

I smile at him. Our conection goes beyond the stars, that's undeniable.

-Julie?

-Huh?

-Talking about songs...i...if we leave... you've got something in your dream box. I-I just opened It to put It there, i didn't see anything. I didn't look.

A song...in my dream box? He wrote me a song?

-Luke...i-

I didn't get to tell him anything, because Alex starts calling us.

We both take a deep breath, and go on stage. As we get in, i can see Alex making Willie a sign.

When that happens, the stage lights blind me as the main drape goes up.

I see standing a lot of people, very well dressed, in front of me. Their eyes settle on me. On the four of us.

This is the moment we've been waiting for. This is the time were, whatever's going to happen with the band, is getting decided. The air is filled with the preasure the 4 of us feel. And the crowd that doesn't know is getting free tonight, is looking at us expecting the show to start.

Alex gives our count.

"1, 2, 3, 4" i hear.

Don't stress. Don't stress. Don't stress.

Don't panick, Julie. Breathe. They've got you.

I put my hands in the piano, ready to play the first notes.

And i clock in the music.

We were wildfire on the pavement,Sparks that never hit the ground.Screaming louder than the sirens,Hearts too heavy to slow down.

We wrote this from the fear of this being our last song. Kind of "Stand Tall".

Luke starts singing his part.

But the clock keeps chasing shadows,And the night is caving in.Are we stars about to flicker,Or a flame that never ends?

I'm scared. And i know he can tell. So he just smiles at me. Trying to calm him down. What am i going to do without him here?

We wanted It to be a song we all sang in. So, in the chorus, the 4 of us do.

If this is the last song, let it break the sky,Let it shake the earth, let it burn so bright.No silence, no fading, we're more than just time,We are thunder, we are fire,We're alive.

After the chorus, I'm watching the crowd. They're all having fun. But they're confused. Really confused. Even i am having fun.

But that fun ends, when Luke aproaches me and nods his head. He is pointing to the top floor of the theater, and i see a man, who seems really angry. He has a big purple coat on, and is taking a hat off his head. And that's when i know it.

-We gotta be quick.-he tells me

Every step was carved in echoes,Every chord still pulls me back.We were lightning, we were legends,Falling fast but shining fast.

So if the night swallows the moment,If the lights fade into black,Will you still hear me calling?Will you still be singing back?

The amplifiers are getting louder. The sound starts to hurt me. I can't concentrate.

It's working.

I get closer to the edge of the stage. It is working. I see purple light, just like It happened with the guys, coming out of the souls i have in front of me. They're confused, of course.

If this is the last song, let it break the sky,Let it shake the earth, let it burn so bright.No silence, no fading, we're more than just time,We are thunder, we are fire,We're alive.

Luke gets closer. And, as he said, we do what we do best: share a mic everytime we have the chance to.

Let the echoes carry on,Let the ghosts keep singing strong.We were never meant to stay-But we were never meant to fade.

He smiles at me, and touches my hand. Oh, this guy.

I'm getting ready to make the big finale. The strongest part of the song. I've been practicing to do the highest note i can. It has to sound everywere where they can hear us.

But, in the moment i'm picking the microphone, the music stops.

What...?

Everything goes silent. The lavender light coming out of everybody is fading again. No, no, no. It was working. We had It. We just had It.

-Oh, my poor band. You had your chance, but you still chose to be difficult.- Caleb says as he claps, coming into the stage- And, you!!-He looks at me- Julie Molina herself. Wow, you are dazzling, my dear. I've heard a lot of things about you before but, i never thought they could be that true. But look at you. You are a unique jewel, for sure. A pretty, powerfull diamond.

He is scary, they were right.

-Don't dare to touch her.- says Luke

I don't think it's the best time to do this.

-Please, Lucas, do you think you still have any control here? -Caleb laughs- If you think about It... everything you've achieved in the afterlife was because I could controle It. You played in the Orpheum because i had you under my control. You were terrified. Somehow...i let my claws get off of your skin. I needed a puppet to get to you and...your loving Julie gave It to me.

Nick. Oh no. Not Nick.

-Where is he? -i ask Caleb.

-Safe and sound. For now... Unless you get off of this stage as "Julie And The Phantoms" and, the three of you, come in here as my new band.

-Listen to me, man. You're not telling what to do-

Luke's mad. I've never seen him crazy mad, but i know how stubborn he can be sometimes. This is not a game.

-Really? Lucas, Lucas, Lucas...i thought you were more mature. I thought you cared enough about your people you wouldn't play with your bright feelings. I thought you cared enough about her- Caleb points at me- to not get her to be in danger. I guess i was wrong, you're just teenagers who need a lesson.

And that's when i feel It.

Pain. Pain everywere.

Electricity shoots through my body, and I scream as I hit my knees. It's like my veins are on fire, like my soul is being yanked in every direction at once.

Luke, Alex, and Reggie collapse, crying out as the jolts rip through them. Caleb stands over us, a sick satisfaction in his eyes.

Alex groans, clutching his chest like he's trying to hold himself together. Reggie's hands tremble as he pushes himself up, teeth gritted.

Luke forces himself onto one knee, breath ragged. His eyes meet mine. We're worried.

And then Caleb flicks his wrist, and the pain slams into us again. I got the chance to slightly see. Purple lights. These are the jolts the boys had. They're feeling this again. And that's when i see It. In Lukes face. The hunger for more. Of hurting Caleb.

I bite down on a scream. In the room, i hear an echoe. -Julie!!- It's Willie. From the other said of the room.

-Not now, William.-He turns around, mad. Really mad.- It pains me you decide to be not less than a traitor knowing everything i've given you. I'll take care of you lat-

-Leave Willie alone!-i hear Alex scream, in rage and pain. He's crying. We all are.

Caleb barely glances at him.

-Oh, sweetheart,-he sighs.-You really think you're in a position to make demands?

Alex grits his teeth, but his gaze flicks toward Willie. Willie, who is still hidden, still watching, his hands shaking.

I know what's about to happen before it does.

Willie launches himself out of the shadows, skateboard in hand, and slams it into Caleb's shoulder.

The shockwave breaks. The electricity stops.

Luke gasps beside me, yanking me upright.

-We have to move. Now.

Reggie's already on his feet, grabbing Alex, who is still reeling from the pain. Caleb stumbles back, his expression shifting from amusement to cold fury.

-..you insolent little-

But before he can finish, i see a figure from the corner of my eye. Going against him.

And Luke punches him.

Straight to the face.

And again. To the other side.

What is he trying to do?? Is he just...? I don't know this is making It worst.

Caleb staggers, more out of surprise than pain, but it's enough. Luke grabs my hand, eyes wild.

-The song. We have to finish it. Do the note, Julie. You don't need any amplifiers. You're more than enough-he says quickly.

Right. The note. The final note.

I turn toward the mic-only for Caleb to snarl and send a pulse of energy straight at me...

But Luke shoves me out of the way.

The blast hits him.

-Luke, no!! I scream as he collapses, clutching his chest. His form flickers, like he's about to disappear. Like he's dying.

Hell no.

Rage surges through me. Caleb advances, but I don't back down. I step forward.

One note, Julie. One single note. Sing It. Do It. Strong.

I grab the mic stand. Even without the amps, even without the full setup, I know what I have to do. I am enough.

I don't have the strength to do it. I'm tired, and mi knees just want to rest. But i have to do It. This ends now.

I give one last look at Luke. He looks at me.

-Now or never- he mouts. And he's right.

Now or never.

I'll hear you in the echoes. I'll keep singing you alive.

The room trembles. The chandeliers rattle. The neon lights above flicker wildly, casting erratic shadows on the walls. I see everybody, who was hiding behind the tables, chaira, and walls, coming into the main salon. They're feeling their bodys. And i know what's happening. They're feeling stronger.

Willie comes running from backstage, and hugs Alex. I hug Luke and Reggie. Then, we all look at was happening.

Caleb is looking around. He's mad. He's going crazy. He runs his hands trough his hair, and runs from side to side.

In a moment, we see purple lights pointing to the ceiling? Where are they coming from?

Everybodys hands.

They're hugging, smiling, laughing. Celebrating.

We turn to look at Willie. His stamp is leaving too. Alex hugs him. But my question is, can i?

I look at him, and give him my hand. Willie looks at me, in doubt.

-Try-Reggie says to him.

Willie puts his hand into mine...

and i can hold It.

He looks at me, in desbelief.

-She gives the best hugs too- Says Alex.

I love them so much.

-Should we try? -asks Willie

And we do. We hug. Again. A week after discovering we could. A week after them choosing to stay with me.

While we hug, i see behind Willie that the crowd's leaving. They're free. Forever.

-DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!

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I didn't really know how to do write this chapter, i hope if was good enough.

Oh, and FYI, I wrote the song they sing in this chapter!! i know It isn't a work of art but i've tried.

xoxo❤️❤️❤️❤️