End of May // Luke Patterson

23

"Hey, Julie, it's time," Rob said through the closed door.

"Just a second," Julie replied before saying to Flynn, "Something's wrong. The boys and Ruthie were getting those jolts pretty bad as we were leaving. And they wouldn't stand me up again. They must have run out of time." Her voice broke, cracking slightly.

Julie tried to hold in her tears as Flynn said softly, "I'm sorry."

"They didn't cross over. They're gone, and I didn't even get to say goodbye."

The two friends hugged each other.

Rob knocked on the door. "Hey, Julie, you're on!"

Julie ran from the room in tears.

"What are you doing?" Flynn called after Julie.

"Where is she going?" Rob asked.

Flynn shrugged. "Where do any of us really go?"

Rob spoke into his headset. "We've got a problem."

---

Julie found a door and made her way to an alley, taking a deep breath and glanced up. "I don't know if you can hear me, Mom, but... I can't handle it. Flynn says you're supposed to be behind everything, but I don't know. If I'm supposed to help the guys and Ruthie, I didn't. They're gone. And I'm so sorry. They were my friends. My band-" She let out a sob. "My family. Why can't you just come pick me up... and... and hold me in your arms and just tell me that everything's gonna be okay and that I'm gonna get through it? I just wish you were here."

A woman walked past Julie with a bag of flowers. She turned when she saw the crying teen. She pulled out a flower and handed it to Julie. It was a dahlia. Julie smiled as she held the flower. She took it as a sign. She held the flower close to her and smiled.

---

The Orpheum seats were filled.

Rob, in a panicked tone, said into his headset, "Let Panic! know they are going on now!"

The door opened and Julie walked in.

Julie held up the dahlia and said, "Signs."

The teen singer set to perform began making her way to the stage.

"Wait," Flynn said. "Where are you going? She's going on stage!"

"Hold on," Rob said. "Julie just walked onto the stage."

"That's my girl!"

"Welcome to Live at the Orpheum. Now give it up for Julie and the Phantoms!" the announcer said.

Julie placed the dahlia on the piano and pulled her mic from the stand.

"Hi," Julie greeted as she looked at the audience. "I'm Julie. Um... Tonight, I'd like to dedicate this song to my mom, who's been there with me every time I've played. And thank her for... not giving up on me. I'd also like to dedicate tonight's performance to... four special friends who have changed my life completely, who have brought music back to me. It was their dream to play here, and... this is for them. This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall. Thank you." The audience applauded.

Carrie scoffed and said, "Been here before."

Trevor glanced at his daughter and a look of disbelief crossed his face at her words.

Julie put the mic back on the stand, took a deep breath, and began playing on the piano.

Carlos looked at sister, proud of her. The audience cheered Julie on.

She began singing.

Suddenly, Alex appeared on stage, playing the drums. Julie looked at him and smiled.

Trevor leaned forward slightly, seeing Alex. Carrie watched the performance silently.

Reggie appeared next with his bass and Julie smiled at her friend.

Julie continued singing. Nick bopped his head to the music.

Luke began appearing and kept disappearing, obviously struggling to stay in one place. Julie exchanged a worried look. Ruth faintly started appearing, having the same trouble as Luke.

Julie kept staring at Luke and Emilia who finally were able to fully appear and sang.

Julie walked towards the audience next to Reggie.

Trevor watched the performance, in complete shock. Carrie crossed her arms, in both awe and jealousy.

Alex stood behind his drum set and sang.

Julie, Ruth and Luke shared one mic, as they'd done many times before.

The five stood in front of the stage as the song came to a close. The ghosts grabbed hands. Luke squeezed Ruth's hand gently. They bowed and the ghosts disappeared.

Julie caught sight of her family and smiled.

"Still don't know how she does those hologram things," Ray said.

"One big mystery to me," Carlos replied, knowing exactly who the 'holograms' were.

Carrie stood slowly and clapped her hands. Bobby remained in his seat, in total shock.