Our Connection • • Julie and The Phantoms

Chapter 30: "Spark"

A/n: I'm sorry for spamming tonight but I got really excited with the finale of this book and how much support i've gotten so enjoy these chapters as they're the last!

We had our finale rehearsal before it was time to perform Bright. Julie said she didn't mind if I had the main vocals in this one since Luke had his main part. We were performing in front of the school today for a pep rally. Dirty Candy went first but I didn't pay much attention to it. I was too focused on how much Alex was enjoying the choreography. Dirty Candy finished and it was our turn. Julie took the piano as I grabbed the microphone. The boys walk to their instruments as everyone quiets their attention to us. The song kind of described how I was feeling.

"Life is a risk but I will take it. Close my eyes and jump. Together, I think that we can make it. C'mon let's run."

Life was a risk. There were risks around every corner but I knew I shouldn't be scared to take them. I took a risk joining a ghost band and ending up falling in love with the guitarist. I look over at Luke to see he's already looking at me. I smile and bring the microphone to him, letting him lean closer.

"In times that I doubted myself, I felt like I needed some help. Stuck in my head with nothing left."

"Stuck in my head with nothing left, and when I feel lost and alone. I know that I can make it home. Fight through the dark and find a spark!" Luke and I sing together, the crowd cheering loudly. Reggie and Julie glance at each other, giving brief smiles. We finish singing and walk to the front of the stage to bow. It felt nice not having the boys disappear after each song. Mr. Ray invited us over after the performance for dinner to congratulate us on how far we've come. Everyone walks inside Julie's house but Luke stops me.

"We need to talk." He says, making me look at him. I nod and listen to him. He leans back onto one of the beams on the porch. "I think I know what my unfinished business is." He tells me. I felt my heart sink. He had been looking for his unfinished business. Did he really want to leave that badly? I couldn't blame him though. It was his choice. Would he rather spend eternity as an 18 year old boy or would he rather cross over. It was all up to him.

"You do?" I ask, trying to sound happy for him. It was hard but I did my best. "I have to apologize to my parents in person. That has to be it." He says, looking at me. I could see the sadness in his eyes. He was upset he didn't apologize to them before he died. That was understandable.

"They're going to think this is insane, Lu. Their dead son back?" I explain, trying to think of how this was going to work. He had been dead for 25 years and suddenly he's back, able to be seen and touched by people?

"I'll have to figure it out. But I'm positive it's my unfinished business. Alex and Reggie figured theirs out too." He tells me. I was going to be losing them all at once. I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I was being selfish. I was going to be selfish for once because I loved him so much it hurt to just tell him to do it. I knew he'd be happier that way though. "I'm with you guys. No matter what you do." I say, letting the tears stream down my cheeks. He reaches up and places his hands on the sides of my face. I close my eyes as I focus on his touch. It was a wonderful feeling. It wasn't going to last long though.

"If this is our last moments together, I don't want you to spend it crying." He says before pulling me into a soft hug. I bury my face into his chest and nod. We stay like that for a few moments before we decide to pull away from each other. I take his hand and we walk inside together to enjoy food with everyone else. That night, we pile into the studio to all talk, having a little sleepover. The boys tell Julie what's going on and she can't help but get emotion too, hugging them all.

"We're gonna watch over you guys, we promise." Reggie says, wrapping his arm around me. I smile sadly and nod, wiping my tears away. Alex wraps his arm around me too, leaning his head on my shoulder. I hold both of them close. Reggie sniffles a little which makes me hold him closer. Luke watches from behind the piano. He didn't want to admit it but he was breaking down on the inside. Watching his girlfriend and best-friends go through this wasn't fun. Julie lays her head on Reggie's arm. We sat like this for a while.

"Luke, cmon." Alex says, looking back at him. Luke hesitated to join the little group hug as he didn't want to break down in front of everyone. He slowly makes his way over. I open my arms for him and he smiles sadly, moving into them. I hold him close and close my eyes, savoring this moment with him.