Back at the house, Alex, Luke, who is leaning forward with his hands on his knees, and Angelina are in the dark, sitting on the couch. Reggie is sitting on the arm of the armchair while his feet are on the cushion. Carlos is walking around the dark living room, holding out a tablet to see if he can find the ghosts, "You can't hide forever, ghosties." He turns to face the hall and the tablet starts beeping, causing Carlos to exclaim, "Gotcha!"
The light turns on and standing in the hall is Aunt Victoria lets out a gasp. She walks up to Carlos as she says, "For the last time, mijo. Ghosts are not real."
The three ghosts look over at Reggie, who speaks up, shaking his head, "Typical adult." He turns his head to look at his best friends, asking while waving his hand around, "Do you remember when we were kids, and they never believed what we said?"
They look over to Alex, who retorts, "Yeah. I'm pretty sure that's just a you thing. Angelina and I were always pretty trustworthy."
Luke turns his head and looks to Angelina as he asks, "Shouldn't we be more worried about Julie?" Angelina slightly smiles at the brown haired boy while nodding her head. Luke turns his head and looks back at Reggie, "Her dad just busted her, okay? And he's probably making her quit the band." The blonde girl leans back into the couch with her hands crossed over her chest.
"I don't think Ray would make her do that. He loves her too much to take away something that makes her happy," Angelina speaks up as the three ghosts glance over at her.
Reggie speaks up again, causing the ghosts to turn to him, "Well, there's not much we can do about that now, but..." he points to his best friends before looking over to Carlos, "We can still help Carlos." They look over at Victoria and Carlos, who are looking at the tablet. Victoria says something to Carlos that makes him throw his head back as Reggie continues, "Adults not believing children ends tonight."
The raven haired boy turns to his friends and smirks, "Showtime." He leans back and turns off the lamp that is next to him as he watches Carlos and Victoria's reaction. When the light turns off, the two lifers look up and Victoria lets out a gasp.
Carlos rhetorically asks his tÃa, "Ghosts aren't real, huh? How do you explain that?" Reggie throws out his hands, awaiting to hear Victoria's explanation.
Victoria gestures to the light before resting her hand on her hip as she gives an excuse that she doesn't fully believe, "Light bulbs burn out all the time, Carlos."
"Ooh! Wrong answer, tÃa," Reggie retorts before he gets off of the armchair and makes his way over to the blinds behind the chair he was just sitting on. "Explain... this," he says before he starts opening and closing the blinds repeatedly. Luke crosses his arms and leans back into the couch while Alex throws up his hands, annoyed with Reggie. Luke looks over at Alex with an annoyed look on his face while Angelina's jaw drops in shock at the raven haired boy's actions.
Victoria breathes shakily as she grabs onto Carlos in fear. She pulls the youngest Molina in closer to her as he spouts, "Maybe it's my mom." Victoria is heavily breathing as Carlos adds, "She knows I haven't been replacing the toilet paper!"
Scared, Victoria says, "Your mama would never scare us. This is the work of a demon!"
At her words, Reggie stops opening and closing the blinds. He looks over to the two lifers and says, "Hey, words hurt."
Carlos throws up his hand and says, "Wait! I got to get it on video." He looks down at the tablet as does his tÃa.
Reggie points at the young boy and tells him, "Yeah, you do." He walks over to the laundry basket and grabs a white sheet. He looks up at the lifers and says, "Time for an old classic." He bends down and shakes the sheet before he lifts it up and puts it over himself, waving his arms around.
Carlos has the tablet pointed at Reggie, trying to get the thing on camera. Victoria lets out a scared squeal as Carlos lets out, "Oh!" Carlos takes a photo of the ghost as his tÃa freaks out even more. The young boy looks down at the tablet and retorts, "Dang, it was in selfie mode." Victoria starts to scream as she picks Carlos up and rushes out of the room. Carlos tries to take one more photo before they are out of the room, but he inevitably fails.
Reggie snickers as he rolls the sheet up into a ball before he tosses it back into the laundry basket. Alex throws out his hand as the Peters boy runs his hands through his hair and lets out, "Whew!" He sits down sideways on the armchair, throwing one of his legs over the armrest. He rests his hand on the other armrest and sighs as he looks over to his best friends. All three of his best friends have their arms crossed over their chest. Alex has an 'are you kidding?' look on his face, Luke glares at Reggie but he just looks like an adorable angry puppy, and Angelina has an appalled look on her face.
Alex speaks up, "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Reggie nods his head, "Yeah, I do. I've defended every kid who's never been believed." He points his finger at his best friends before he gestures to where Carlos was standing earlier. He throws up both his hands and stares off into space as he continues, "Some might say I'm a superhero."
He looks back over at his best friends as a glare finally sets on Angelina's face before she scolds the boy, "No one would call you that, Reginald. No one."
Reggie has a thoughtful look on his face before his eyes widen and he hurriedly says, nodding his head, "We should probably hide before Julie finds out, huh?"
He gets up and rushes off as Angelina shouts after him, "Not before I kill you first!"
Reggie stops before he can exit the room and retorts, "But we're already dead, Ang!"
Angelina uncrosses her arms and puts her hands on her legs as she gets up while saying, "That's it." Reggie's eyes widen again and he runs out of the room as Angelina chases after him and shouts, "Yeah, you better run!"
Luke looks over to Alex, who is shaking his head. The Mercer boy looks over to the Patterson boy, both of them staring after each other with their incredulous looks on their faces. It isn't until they hear Reggie yelp out in fear before both boys move from their spots. Alex slams his hands on the couch as Luke leans forward and places his hands on the seat, both boys getting up. Luke hops over the coffee table as both boys rush after Reggie and Angelina.
When Luke and Alex get back to the studio, they find Angelina running around the studio chasing after Reggie, shouting out her frustration toward him. Both boys stand there and watch the scene play out. Angelina suddenly trips in her effort to get to Reggie, causing the blonde to stumble into the raven haired boy. Both ghosts fall to the floor and Angelina soon forgets about her anger toward Reggie as the both of them are on the ground, laughing hysterically at each other. Luke and Alex look over at each other and just roll their eyes at the two.
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When Julie and her dad get back to the house, Angelina goes up to Julie's room to finish Luke's present. It is currently past midnight and the whole house is asleep as Angelina puts the finishing touches on the present. She leans back and looks at it with a sense of pride. She gets up off the floor and grabs the gift, trying to be quiet so as to not wake up Julie, who fell asleep with the lamp next to her bed on. Angelina walks over to the bed and smiles at Julie before turning off the light. She poofs out of Julie's room, heading to the studio to give Luke his birthday present.
When she appears in the studio, the ceiling lights are off, but the lamp next to the couch is turned on. Luke, who is laying down on his couch and is staring at the ceiling in boredom, immediately notices the girl. He jumps up off the couch and worriedly asks her, "Where have you been?"
Angelina looks around the studio for the other two ghosts, before answering Luke, "I was in Julie's room." Luke nods his head before he sits back down on the couch. Angelina looks around the studio again before she asks, "Where are Reggie and Alex?"
Luke responds, "Alex said he wanted to take a walk, clear his head. I think he actually went out to try and find Willie, maybe meet up for a secret date." Angelina lets out a laugh, causing Luke to smile as he continues, "Shortly after you left the studio, Reggie said he was going to hide from Julie, so I think he is still in hiding." Angelina nods her head and glances away from the boy.
Luke notices a book in Angelina's hands. His brows furrow and he points at it as he asks, "What is that?" Angelina looks back at Luke and notices that he is pointing at the book.
Angelina looks down at the present and says, "Oh, yeah." She walks over to Luke and takes a seat next to him as she is hugging the book to her chest. He looks over at her as she explains, "I know you said that you didn't care that I forgot about your birthday." Angelina looks over at Luke and stares into his eyes, "But I still felt guilty. So, I made you this." She sets the book into his lap as she adds, "Happy Birthday Luke."
Luke looks over to the blonde and lovingly smiles at her. She nods her head to the present, gesturing for him to open it. As he opens the book up to the first page, his breath catches in his throat as Angelina explains, "I found these photos and polaroids in a shoebox a few years ago that were taken before we passed." The photos range from different moments in their life. From the time when each of them first met, to the first gig that Sunset Curve ever had, to the shenanigans that they would pull during band practices. Christmas photos, Halloween photos, birthday photos, and more. These were photos taken throughout the extent of the long lasting friendships that they had formed with each other through the years.
Luke turns the pages of the scrapbook, looking through all the photos of the best moments with his favorite people. "I figured what better way to make it up to you for forgetting your birthday would be to look at memories and good times when we were still alive. I know some of them include Bobby, but I figured I should add them anyway since we did have some great times with him. Even if he wasn't always my favorite person." Luke lets out a laugh at the goofy photos of Angelina and Alex. He also laughs at ridiculous photos taken of all four of them, including Bobby.
It isn't until he sees a photo of his mother with Angelina that the tears building up in his eyes spill over. He moves his hand and lightly touches the photo as Angelina looks over his shoulder. Luke sniffles as Angelina says, "I know you and your parents didn't always see eye to eye. But they are still your parents and I know how much you love them, so I included those photos too." There are photos with him and his parents, even some of the photos include Angelina in them. Luke's parents had always loved the blonde girl, from the moment Luke gushed about her when he came home the day he first met her.
Luke looks over at Angelina, tears streaming down his face. She reaches forward and wipes the signs of sadness off his face. Luke smiles at her and lets out a watery laugh, "You are the best thing that has ever happened to me." Luke sets the scrapbook down on the couch beside him before pulling Angelina into a tight hug.
Angelina lets out an airy laugh, "So you like the gift? Did I do good? Am I all forgiven?"
Luke squeezes her and assures, "I love the gift, Angel. You don't need to be forgiven. I could never be mad at you." Angelina smiles at this and buries her face in the brown haired boy's neck. Luke buries his face into her hair and breathes in her alluring scent. Somehow, after twenty five years, she still smells like strawberries, just like she did before they died.
When the two pull away, Luke brings the scrapbook back onto his lap. They spend the rest of the night laughing at the pictures and reminiscing all the good times that they had when they were lifers. They even brought up great times that weren't able to be photographed, but still remained in their memories. When Alex came back from his supposed walk, he sat down next to the two on the couch and joined them in their trip down memory lane.
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About a week later, Angelina appears in Julie's room, ready to go to school with the girl. Today is the dance performance that Julie has to do with Nick, which Angelina promised she would see. Dressed in a baggy tan button down shirt with jeans and her black converse, Angelina smiles at Julie and asks, "Are you ready to dance with Nick today?"
Julie sighs and answers, "No. I'm so nervous, I can't even think straight."
Angelina smirks and says, "I know what will cheer you up and make you feel better."
"What?" Julie asks as she looks over to the blonde. When she sees the smirk on Angelina's face, Julie realizes what the girl is insinuating. "No," she says as she shakes her head.
Still smirking, Angelina nods her head, "Oh yeah."
"No," Julie replies again.
Angelina rolls her eyes and says, "Come on. I know you want to." Angelina starts to sing as she sidesteps next to Julie.
Angelina
Side by side
Julie sighs before reluctantly joining in, sidestepping next to Angelina as well. Both girls are now standing right next to each other.
Julie
Shoulder to shoulder
Both
We're suddenly smarter and braver and bolder
Angelina crouches down, looking up at Julie as she continues singing.
Angelina
A little bit younger
Julie stands on her tiptoes, looking down at Angelina.
Julie
A little bit older
Julie sets her feet back onto the ground as she turns to face Angelina.
Sister
Angelina stands up straight and faces Julie, smiling at the lifer.
Angelina
Partner
Both
Friend, we're so much better when we blend
Both girls pop their right leg out and cross their arms over their chest before they switch legs and swing their arms out, causing their hands to be near their heads. They repeat this move over and over, snapping every time they switch.
Watch us and weep, we're the perfect combination
Together there's nothing that we can't do
When they swing their arms out for the last time, instead of snapping they hold out their hands. Their hands form a fist as their left arm swings down so the fist is pointing to the floor and their right hand stays in place, their fist pointing to the sky. They switch the position of their arms three times as they swing their head side to side.
Yeah, people will freak, freak at our peak collaboration
They hold out their right pointer finger and shake it back and forth as their left hand is on their hip.
They just don't know the power of two
Both girls gesture to themselves before pointing at the other girl.
Me and you, the power of two
The two girls dance around in a circle until Angelina is standing behind Julie. Angelina leans to the right, looking at Julie as she sings.
Angelina
Ah, we belong
Julie leans to the left and looks over at Angelina as she sings.
Julie
Extending the ocean
Both girls move their shoulders as they sing together.
Both
We're working in tandem with total devotion
Julie steps to the side and faces Angelina, pointing at the blonde.
Julie
You got the know-how
Angelina also takes a step to the side before looking at Julie and pointing to the lifer.
Angelina
And you got the motion
Angelina puts her finger down and leans toward Julie.
Pal
Julie
Amiga
Julie leans toward Angelina as she too puts her finger down.
Angelina
Chum
Both girls lean back and hold out their hands as they belt out the next lyrics.
Both
Come on, we're banging on a drum
Both girls repeat the dance moves that they previously did during the chorus.
Watch us and weep, we're the perfect combination
Together there's nothing that we can't do
Yeah, people will freak, freak at our peak collaboration
They just don't know the power of two
Me and you, the power of two
Both girls dance around Julie's room, having fun. Angelina struts around Julie's room, waving her arms around and singing as the lifer laughs at the blonde ghost.
Angelina
We are the sum of our parts
Julie bounces in place as she nods her head, singing.
Julie
A team that can't be beat
Angelina
Yeah, yeah
Julie grabs her backpack and slings it on her back before she grabs the dress that she needs to wear for the performance today. The Molina girl turns and looks at Angelina.
Both
Used to, used to be lacking
They walk toward the door of Julie's room, both girls stopping in the doorway as they belt out the next lyric.
But now we are complete
Both girls slowly walk out of Julie's room before they speed up, singing as they go.
Watch us and weep, we're the perfect combination
Together there's nothing that we can't do
They spin around each other before they jump up and down, waving their hands about.
Yeah, people will freak, freak at our peak collaboration
They strut over to the stairs as they smile at each other.
They just don't know the power of two
Once they reach the stairs, Angelina steps down onto the first step. She turns around and looks at Julie, waiting for the lifer.
Me and you, the power of
Julie steps down onto the first step, both girls looking at each other.
Me and you, the power of
They step down onto the next step and sing the last line of the song.
Me and you, the power of two
They dance for a little bit on the step before they let out a laugh. Angelina had written that song when Julie was only a little girl. The song is about the bond that the ghost and the lifer share. After Angelina had finally finished writing the song, Julie fell in love with the song and always asked Angelina to sing it with her. The song always managed to put a smile on their faces and get them in a good mood.
Once their laughter dies down, they start to walk down the rest of the steps. About halfway down, they can hear Ray mumbling the words to Finally Free. As they reach the end of the staircase, they hear another voice sing with Ray. When they are off the stairs, they walk into the kitchen to see Ray cooking and Reggie leaning on the island next to the older man.
Ray sings to Julie once he sees her, waving his hands around. Reggie throws up his hands and tells the man, "Hands up, yeah."
Julie drapes her dress on the back of the chair at the island before setting her bag on it as she says, "This is new."
At the same time, Angelina gives Reggie a confused look before asking, "Reggie, what are you doing?"
Thinking she was talking to him, Ray replies as he starts cooking again, "Yeah. I was in the mood for cooking some breakfast." The older man waves around his hands, gesturing to the food on the island.
Reggie lets out a laugh as he glances over to the two girls. He looks back at Ray, pointing to the man and says, "He thought you were talking to him." He looks to Julie, who leans on the back of the chair next to the one with her backpack on it. Reggie informs the lifer, "Me and your dad are pals now." Ray takes a bite of a piece of bacon before he gets back to cooking the breakfast. Reggie looks over at the man and adds, "It's a little one sided, but it works." He looks back to Julie, who awkwardly looks at him before looking back to her dad.
Ray stops cooking to talk to his daughter, causing all eyes to turn to him, "Look, after the talk we had the other night, I was thinking that I may have cost you an opportunity with that manager. So, I was thinking-"
Julie shakes her head and cuts off her father, "Dad, no. I should've never snuck out."
Reggie speaks up, looking between Julie and her father, "Let the man speak. He's been stress eating for a week." Reggie moves closer to Ray and gestures to the older man's midsection while saying, "I don't know where he puts it though." He looks over to Julie before looking down at his hands, shaking them as he goes on, "It's, like... firm." Angelina lets out a laugh as Reggie looks back over at the two girls, smiling at the blonde.
Julie gives Reggie a tight lipped smile and a brief nod before looking back to Ray, who starts talking again, "I know, but I really want to support your band," Reggie and Angelina look away from each other and over to the older man. Ray takes a deep breath and puts his hands on the island, "So I called in some favors, and I booked you a local gig." He points at his daughter and waves his arms around, excited that he is able to do something good for his daughter's band.
Reggie looks over at Julie and Angelina while exclaiming, "Best dad ever! What?" He glances at Ray before looking back at the two girls. Angelina smiles brightly before she claps her hands.
Excited, Julie speaks up, "Oh my gosh. Where? Did you call your buddy from Drakes?"
Ray subtly shakes his head and replies, "Not quite. I called Flynn, and she's gonna help us throw a party." Julie's mouth opens wide in shock and Angelina's smile falls from her face as Ray adds, "Here. Tonight."
Julie looks over at Reggie before letting out, "Oh!" She looks back to her father, "So you booked us a gig at our house?"
Julie glances back at Reggie, who looks to the two girls and says, "Maybe I was early with the 'Best Dad Ever' award."
Angelina nods her head and says, "Yeah."
Reggie looks down at the food as Ray waves his hands around and says, "Alright. Hear me out." Reggie and Angelina look over to the older man, who tells his daughter while waving around his hands, "You invite some of your friends over," Julie nods her head at her father, "You play with your band, and I'll get some colleagues to put you on film. That way, you have something professional for your YouTube."
Julie smiles and chuckles at Ray before asking, "You'd do that for me?"
Ray scrunches up his face and nods while saying, "Yeah." He then leans over to grab his coffee mug as Reggie smiles over at Julie and Angelina.
Reggie looks over at Ray and exclaims, gesturing to the man, "Back to best dad ever." Ray walks away from the island to go fill up his coffee mug. Reggie moves over to the spot Ray was once standing in before leaning on the island, "I'll go tell the guys. Are you coming Ang?"
The blonde shakes her head and responds, "I promised Julie that I would go to school with her today." Reggie nods before he pushes off of the island, walking backwards. He points at Ray and says, "Have a good day at work, Ray." Reggie lets his arm fall back to his side as he waits for an answer. The raven haired boy throws out his hand and says, "It's cool. You don't have to answer. Just..." He trails off before looking over at Angelina and Julie, who looks at him with an amused smile and shakes her head. Angelina laughs at the raven haired boy's antics and without another word, Reggie poofs away, leaving the house to go tell Alex and Luke the big news.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey guys!! I hope you enjoy this chapter. I love the relationship that Angelina has with Julie and the guys. Let me know what your thoughts are for this chapter.