End of May // Luke Patterson

18

People gathered at the Molina home for the Julie and the Phantoms performance.

Carrie walked through the crowd and up to Nick before saying, "Hey."

Nick turned to see Carrie and let out a light sigh before asking, "What are you doing here?"

"Julie's one of my oldest friends." She crossed her arms and stared, facing the garage. "I'm sure she just forgot to invite me."

"Look, we're not getting back together, Carrie."

Carrie let out a wry laugh and met Nick's eye. "I've heard that before. Something doesn't add up about those holograms." She placed a hand on Nick's shoulder. "I wouldn't trust her," she removed her hand, "if I were you." She placed a hand to her chest.

"What's up, everybody? Time to put your hands up, do a little dance, yup. Here's the new anthem from Julie and the Phantoms," Flynn rapped, causing the audience to cheer and applaud.

Two boys opened the doors and Julie walked out before saying, "Thanks for coming, everyone!"

Julie began playing and singing. Shortly after, the band kicked in.

After Julie sang the first chorus, the boys and Ruth came in after her. Reggie and Luke strummed their guitars while Alex banged the drums while singing into the mic. Ruth sang into the mic Luke had given to her with a smile.

The audience, excluding Carrie, danced to the rhythm. Julie did her best to avoid looking at Ruth, because she couldn't afford to be distracted with curious thoughts.

Luke and Ruth stared at Julie as they sang, and the three sang together.

Julie climbed up the piano bench, then the piano before sitting on the end as the audience sang along with her.

Luke had a guitar solo while Julie sang. He walked closer to her as he played.

Julie stood on the piano as she sang.

Luke sang, still staring at Julie. Ruth joined his side and looked at Julie as she sang.

Julie caught Ruth's eye and smiled.

Alex and Reggie disappeared as Luke, Ruth and Julie stared into each other's eyes and sang the end of the song together.

Luke and Ruth disappeared, causing the audience to freak out.

---

As the girls ate pizza, Flynn said, "I can't say this enough; that was incredible. But epic fail on that eye contact thing." Julie chuckled.

"So how do you do those holograms?" Carlos asked.

"Oh, don't try to understand it, Carlos," Ray told him. "I don't."

"That's because you're old."

Ray fake laughed. "Funny guy. I'd send you to your room, but then who's gonna clean up this mess?"

Julie giggled before saying, "Don't poke the bear."

"Mm-mm," Flynn said before tutting and shaking her finger.

Carlos walked away and Ray asked, "So what are the boys and Ruth doing right now?"

Julie shrugged. "Hanging out, I guess. You know, or whatever you do from where they're from." The girls glanced at each other and nodded.

Julie then asked, "Hey, so what cameras did you use out there?"

Ray looked between the girls. "Interested in my work?" He sat across from them. "Well, uh... I shot with an XF105. That's what I used." The girls fist bumped each other. "The latest model. It's very good. But the other guys had the wide..." Julie and Flynn placed an arm under their chins as they listened.