All last night, me, Julie and the guys were up talking about how exactly we were going to perform at the Orpheum. If we needed the guys to cross over, we needed to do it right. Go out with a bang. If this was going to be our last performance as a band, it needed to be something people would remember for decades.
"You okay?" Julie asked me as we were getting our stuff together, waiting for the guys to come back from meeting with Willie.
"Yeah- yeah I'm fine, just worried about the guys I guess.."
"I know.. I'm sad we have to lose the guys too, but Flynn was right. We were going to lose them in a matter of time anyway. At least this way we get to give them a good send off." Julie smiled.
"Yeah.." I looked at Julie and smiled just as another jolt hit me harder than any other ever had. Even though the guys had found a way to stop theirs, I didn't know if there was a way to stop mine.. other than going to see Caleb again.
"Y/n!" Julie yelled as she ran to my side once again. "Did Caleb tell you how you could stop these jolts?"
"No... but don't worry, I'm never leaving you." She hugged me as I reassured her. I had to figure out how to stop the pain. Not for me but for Julie. I couldn't leave her, not after this. "Well," I said, struggling to get to my feet as I changed the subject, "Lets look in mom's trunk and see if there is anything we can wear at the Orpheum, we should bring her with us." I smiled, kneeling before the brown trunk. Wearing mom's clothes while singing 'Finally Free', really felt like the was in the room, still cheering us on.
I raked around in the clothes and found two matching jackets. Black leather and decked in pins and badges. "Jules, look" I turned and held up the two jackets. "Why is there two?" She asked as I handed one of the jackets to her. "I'm not sure, but I think we should wear them tonight. What colour?" I asked Julie as I took the jacket back from her and held them side by side, one coated in purple, pink and blue sequins and the other, red, black and silver.
"Purple!" She shouted and opened her arms ready to catch the jacket. I flung it at her, it falling on her face and missing her hands significantly.
------------------------------------
Me and Julie were pacing the floor of the studio, waiting for the guys to come back with, hopefully, a performance offer. "Where are they?!" I was getting irritated as there was no sign of them for hours. Just as those words left my mouth, a whoosh came from behind me. "Oh my god you're back!" I screamed.
"What took you guys so long? Did Willie do it?"
"Did you talk to them? Did they watch? Did they like us?"
"Are we playing? Someone answer! Why's no one talking?"
"Whoa! That's a lot of questions!" Reggie grabbed my shoulders to stop me pacing the room. "Luke, you wanna take this one?"
"Take a seat." Luke told us as me and Julie sat on the couch behind us, grabbing each other's hand anxiously.
"It's fine. Everything's fine." Luke explained.
Alex then chimed in, "Yeah, you should be getting a call right... now!" He pointed to the phone and waited for ringing but nothing happened. He looked around and tried again. "Okay. Right... now!" There was a small delay and then Julie's phone lit up with an unknown number. Julie and I screamed and hugged one another as the guys low fived. We looked at each other in excitement, no one answering the phone. The guys then signalled for one of us to answer the phone, and as I realized I picked the phone up and answered.
"Oh! Erm.. Hello!"
"Hi, this is Tasha from the Orpheum in Hollywood." There was a brief moment when all of us jumped up and celebrated, "Is this Julie or y/n from Julie and the Phantoms?" Julie stopped jumping and answered.
"Yes, it is." As Tasha kept talking me and the guys kept jumping about in celebration. We were really playing the Orpheum. Oh my God!
"Thankyou so much! We're doing it!" Julie yelled as she came off of the phone. We screamed and hugged each other as the guys kept running around. I hugged Reggie and smiled, knowing it might be one of the last hugs I get for a while. All of a sudden, the guys lifted Alex and started spinning him.
"We're playing the Orpheum, baby!" I yelled.
"Yeah! I'm swimming!" Alex yelled in response.
----------------------------
"You coming Jules?!" I yelled up the stairs as me and Julie were about to make out way out to the studio.
"Coming! Just a minute!" She yelled back.
"Okay! I'm just going to meet you out there!" I made my way out to the studio but stopped at the door. The guys were talking. I know it's not right to eavesdrop but I couldn't help myself.
"I... I get it, I get it, but it's hard. Do we even know what's on the other side when we cross over? Do we all still get to hang together? And what about Julie and y/n? You guys are the only family I have." I heard Reggie say.
"Yeah, I mean, I don't know what's gonna happen either, but... it's not like we have a choice." Alex replied. Suddenly, another bolt coursed through my veins, making me scream as I fell to the floor. They guys definitely knew I was there now.
"Y/n?!" Reggie helped me to my feet.
"Hi..." I grunted.
"Wait.." Luke started, "You're feeling the jolts too? How?! H- How did Caleb get to you?!"
"It- It's my fault.. I took a stupid offer from him and he stamped me too.." I pulled up my sleeve revealing the stamp.
"Oh.. Oh my God." Alex sighed. "I- I am so sorry y/n. This.. is not your battle. He shouldn't be targeting you. We need to cross over, and soon. For the good of everyone.."
"No.. This is my fault. I put myself into this story and I made my own mistakes, don't worry about me.. I have a plan." Just as I finished my sentence, Reggie sat me on the couch. Then, the doors swung open and Julie walked in. "Are you ready?" She asked, before seeing Luke's face and looking towards me, "Again? Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked me.
"Yes. I'm okay, just a little rattled." I laughed gruffly.
"We all just got rocked pretty hard by those jolt things." Alex walked to Julie.
"Pretty sure I ghost peed a little." Reggie leant to his knees, making me laugh.
"Don't make me laugh." I whispered through a smile, hitting his arm.
"But we're fine." Luke added.
"Actually, guys, I'm a little nervous." Julie told us, "Luke, can I talk to you for a second?"
"Yeah."
I raised my eyebrows at her as she walked off. Reggie slid back on the couch, meeting my eyes once again. "Reg.. I just want you to know, I won't forget you." I smiled at him, my heart breaking a little.
He blushed a little, "I- I know that. How could you?" He nudged me jokingly, "I'll never forget you either."
"I want you to promise me something."
"Your wish is my command." He smiled.
"Once you cross over.. if you do see my mom.. just tell her that me and Jules miss her more everyday. And thank her. For everything."
"Of course." He smiled back at me and I took his hand.
"Guys band circle" Luke said as he walked over. We all formed a circle, each joining hands. "We don't know what brought us here, but... what we do know is, you guys are stars, Julie, y/n. And just because this is our last night together, it doesn't mean we won't be watching you from above... or..." Luke signalled down with his eyes. "Now let's go rock this show. Let's give 'em a night they'll be talking about 'til the sun comes up. Legends on three."
"One."
"Two."
"Three."
"Legends."
There was a honk from a car in the distance.
"That's our dad. He's giving Jules a ride there, I have to do something before I go, but I'll meet you there okay?" I hugged Julie as she walked out. She turned back and smiled before leaving, grabbing her costume on the way and leaving mine on the handle. Then Carlos came out, "Have a good show, boy band."
"Who you calling boy band?" Luke asked and I laughed.
"What's so funny.. y/n?" Carlos asked, trying to act intimidating as our dad called his name. He signalled that he was watching the boys closely.. but missed meeting their eyes. He walked out.
"How did he find out about us?" Reggie asked.
"I don't know Reg. Maybe it was the blinds. Or you know what? The blanket. It could've been any number of things you did in that house."
"Reg..." I whispered.
"It doesn't matter you guys. We're not coming back here anyways." Luke told them.
"Okay.." I sighed, "I have to go.. so I'll see you guys at the venue?" They nodded and I walked out. Making my way to the spot I knew Caleb would be.
"Covington." I said, as he turned to face me.
"Ahhhhh, Molina. What a pleasure. What can I do you for?"
"You know why I'm here. Tell me how to stop these jolts."
"Well, it's not that easy.. you'll have to make a great sacrifice." He examined his hands casually as I stood there, infuriated.
"Anything.. just don't hurt Julie."
"As you wish." He smiled and clicked his fingers, transporting me to backstage of the club, once again. But he was no where to be seen. My clothes had changed once again and I was wearing my Orpheum costume, jacket and all. All of a sudden, my name was announced and I heard another familiar tune. It was another song about Reggie I had written.. I walked out and took a deep breath. Here we go...
(Note from Zoe: This song doesn't fit in some places but I'm still going to use it because I love it and have been streaming it non-stop in Spotify)
'Here I am waking up
Still can't sleep on your side
There's your coffee cup
The lipstick stain fades with time
If I can dream long enough
You'd tell me I'd be just fine
I'll be just fine'
'So I drown it out like I always do
Dancing through our house
With the ghost of you
And I chase it down
With a shot of truth
Dancing through our house
With the ghost of you'
I saw a blaze of purple to my side again and there were the guys. Caleb had brought them here too. I could see the anger and heartbreak in their faces when they realized it was me..
'Cleaning up today
Found that old Zepplin shirt
You wore when you ran away
And no one could feel your hurt
We're too young, too dumb
To know things like love
But I know better now
(Better now)'
'So I drown it out like I always do
Dancing through our house
With the ghost of you
And I chase it down
With a shot of truth
Dancing through our house
With the ghost of you'
'Too young, too dumb
To know things like love
Too young, too dumb
So I drown it out like I always do
Dancing through our house
With the ghost of you
And I chase it down
With a shot of truth
That my feet don't dance
Like they did with you'
I ran off stage and to the guys. I struggled to hold back tears as I collapsed onto the floor. I was too weak. The guys rushed over and helped me to my feet once again.
"Are you okay?" Luke asked.
"Yeah," I said through muffled sobs, "I'm sorry" I couldn't look them in the eye.
"No. It's not you, you did what you could to save Julie. Any of us would." Luke told me.
"How nice." Caleb walked in from the shadows. "What a beautiful song y/n, very.. touching."
"I did what you wanted me to do.. now stop the jolts." I managed to talk to him through stuttered speech.
"On one condition.." He started, "The necklace." He walked towards me and grabbed the lock and key from around my neck.
"No.." I sighed. I wasn't giving up the only thing I had tied to Reggie. Before I could utter another word Caleb clicked his fingers and I was backstage at the Orpheum. I checked my wrist and the 'club stamp' was gone, but replaced with another that looked similar to an infinity sign.. Was this the price he was talking about?
"Y/n? Where have you been?!" Julie ran to me and hugged me.
"Jules! It's a long story.. but, I think the guys are in trouble.." I explained what happened with Caleb and where the guys were. I didn't know what else to do.
"Oh my god.. I'm so glad you're okay. I'm so sorry I wasn't there."
"No Julie, it was my mistake, and I'm the older sister! You can't be the one taking care of me all the time!" I joked.
"So.. the guys?" Flynn asked.
"They're still there, but I know they will find a way to make it here. They promised me."
-------------Half an hour later-------------
"They still aren't here, y/n." Julie was panicking.
"I know Jules, I know but they'll make it! I swear!" There was a knock at the door.
"Hey, Julie, Y/n, it's time."
"Just a second!" I shouted out.
"Something's wrong. The boys should have made it out by now, and they wouldn't stand me up again. They must have run out of time."
"I'm so sorry, Jules." Flynn said.
"They didn't cross over, they're gone. And we didn't even get to say goodbye." Flynn and I consoled Julie, there wasn't much else I could say.
"Hey, guys, you're on!"
Julie ran out of the room and stormed through the stage door, running up the stairs to the exit. "Wait, what are you doing? Jules?!" I ran after her, making sure I still stayed behind so she wouldn't see me. She burst out of the exit doors, tears filling her eyes. She started talking up to the sky, she was talking to mom. I left her to talk, she needed this. I had made my way halfway down the stairs when Julie came rushing down after me.
"Y/n? What are you doing? We have a show to do!" She grabbed my wrist and pulled me down the stairs and onto the stage, handing me my guitar.
"Welcome to Live at the Orpheum. Now give it up for Julie and the Phantoms."
"Hi, I'm Julie and.. that's y/n. Tonight, we would like to dedicate this song to our mom, who's been there with us every time we've played. Ans thank her for.. not giving up on us."
"We'd also like to dedicate this performance to.. three special friends... who have changed our lives completely. Who have brought music back to us. It was their dream to play here, and.. this is for them." I smiled at Julie.
"This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall. Thank you." Cheers and applause came from the crowd as I smiled at my sister. Julie started the first verse.
'Don't blink
No, I don't want to miss it
One thing, and it's back to the beginning
'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep going on never look back'
I came in with a soft guitar and started singing too.
'And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one more night
Light a fire in my eyes
I'm going out of my mind'
'Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feeling'
'Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall'
Then Alex poofed in behind us, I let out a sigh of relief as I saw him. They're still here. Reggie then poofed in in front of me. The biggest smile spread across my face as I got to see his eyes again.
'Right now
I'm loving every minute
Hands down
Can't let myself forget it, no
'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep holding on, nevеr look back'
'And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one morе night
Light a fire in my eyes
I'm going out of my mind'
Luke started to glitch his was onto the stage. Something wasn't right.. but then he poofed in for his solo, fashionably late, I smirked.
'Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feeling'
Me and Julie ran into the middle of the stage and shared the mic but then I backed away for Luke to join her. Me and Reggie played together and stood on Alex's platform.
'Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Like I'm glowing in the dark
I keep on going when it's all falling apart
Yeah I know it with all my heart
Ooh, ooh
Never look back'
We started to walk out onto the catwalk, high-fiving the audience as we went. Me and Julie sharing a mic and me and Reggie playing back to back.
'Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Stand tall
Stand tall'
Alex and Reggie took the mic, singing their solos with confidence.
'Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feeling'
'Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall'
We all stood at the edge of the stage, soaking in the applause and letting out a sigh of relief. I took Reggie's and Julie's hands for the bows and looked upon the raving crowd. I saw Carrie and gave her a big smile as the guys vanished around us. We thanked the crowd and left the stage, laughing and smiling together.
-------------
Carlos, Julie, dad and I danced our way to the front door singing the chorus to stand tall to finish the night.
"You guys and your phantoms were unbelievable tonight." Our dad raved, "You know, I'd like to thank them for bringing music back into your life."
"We already did." Me and Julie said simultaneously.
"But, we didn't thank you, Papi" Julie finished and we both came forward and hugged him.
"Hey Julie, y/n, can I talk to you guys for a sec?" Carlos asked.
"Yeah, yeah, just give us a minute." I replied.
"Okay, I'll wait up. Don't ghost me." Carlos said, paired with a very poor wink. Julie looked at me knowingly and I looked back, matching her expression.
"Just a minute." I told dad as me and Julie made our way to the studio to say one last goodbye. "Love you!"
We each opened a door to the garage, into the darkness. I grabbed Julie's hand and smiled as we both held back tears. "We.. know we've already said this but, uh... thank you guys." I said.
"You're welcome." A voice grunted from the darkness.
"Dude!"
I ran to turn on the light, revealing the guys on the floor, coughing and groaning.
"Reggie!" I yelled and I ran over to him, lifting him up a little to grab him once again, my arms wrapped around him tightly.
"Why... why are you here? I... I thought..." Julie started. A jolt hit the guys but I didn't feel it. At all. I held Reggie tighter, trying to hold back sobs.
"I thought you crossed over, why didn't you cross over?" I cried.
"I guess playing the Orpheum wasn't our unfinished business." Alex grunted.
"Point Caleb." Reggie said as I started to pull away.
"We wanted you to think that we crossed over, so we pretended to. We just... We had no where else to go." Luke sighed.
"We thought you'd go straight to bed." Reggie said, grabbing my hand.
"Yeah well, I knew they were gonna come out here, but nobody ever listens to me." Another jolt hit them, harder than before.
"You have to save yourselves right now. Go join Caleb's club please." Julie begged.
"It's better than not existing at all. Please just go. Poof out! Do something! Please." I continued.
"For us."
"We're not going back there." Reggie told us as I wiped a tear from his eye.
"No music is worth making it Julie, if not making it with you guys. No regrets." Luke approached Julie, and she hugged him. She touched him... We all looked in astonishment.
"We love you guys." Julie and I chorused. All of a sudden, both Reggie and Luke started... glowing?
"How can I feel you?" Julie asked.
"I- I don't know" Luke answered. "I feel stronger."
"So do I" Reggie said, smiling.
"Guys, come." Julie said as I helped Reggie and Alex to their feet, making our way to Luke and Julie and we all hugged one another.
"I don't feel as weak anymore. Not that, you know, I was ever that weak." Alex joked. The guys brought out their wrists and the stamp that Caleb had put on them lifted off of their skin and disappeared. Freeing them in a way. I didn't want to worry anyone so I kept my wrist hidden, but as the stamps faded, mine started to burn.
"What do you think that means?" I asked.
"I think the band's back." Luke smiled.
"You guys, think we could try that hug thing one more time?" Alex asked.
"Yeah." Julie chuckled.
"Hugs are good." Alex said as we all laughed.
"I like this." Reggie chuckled.
"Us too." Julie and I said. "We played the Orpheum!" We all cheered.
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Ans that's a wrap! The last chapter of season one. Part of me is really sad to finish but I'm also so proud of this story that I'm also really happy it's finished. I really hope you like how the story ended and hopefully there is a season two so I can continue this story because I really want to do more! but for now, we will leave it here. So you will have to wait to see what the mystery burn id on your wrist hehe. Goodbye for now!
-Zoe :)