Chapter Text
“Julie?”
Julie sat up straight at the sound of Nick’s distress.
“Nick? What...are you okay?”
“I...I don’t know. I can’t… I’m at this hotel place and my parents aren’t answering and I have no idea where my car is… Julie, I need your help.”
She was already grabbing her purse and heading towards the front door.
“Tell me where you are, Nick. I’m on my way…”
Julie should have probably known something was up. It wasn’t everyday that her former crush and the ex of her ex-best friend called her out of the blue and asked her to come and get him at some sort of hotel in downtown L.A. But Nick had sounded so scared and she hadn’t even thought twice. She had texted her dad, who was out at a shoot late, to tell him a friend needed her help. But the guys had been out all day, and there was no way she could tell Luke that Nick needed her after the stunt he’d pulled at her school all those months ago. She probably should have texted Flynn, but she wasn’t sure what Nick needed and she didn’t want to embarrass him.
All she could think about was getting to him as soon as she could. She knew the bus line would take her straight to the hotel where Nick had called her from and half an hour later she was standing in front of the sprawling white palace of a building. She checked the GPS on her phone one last time to make sure she was in the right place before heading inside.
The grandeur of the ballroom was nothing she’d ever seen before. Not even at her cousin’s wedding at the Four Seasons at the beach. It was all art deco and sparkle and Julie was momentarily dazzled. Then she caught sight of the large sign beside her and her stomach dropped.
The Hollywood Ghost Club.
Dread filled her and she stumbled back in surprise. Her mind was a whirl of confusion, terror and anger. She whipped out her phone and her fingers shook as she attempted to text Flynn.
- Tell boys I’m at Caleb-
“Hello Julie.”
Julie whirled around and came face to face with a well dressed man in purple velvet. His dark hair was slicked back and his piercing blue eyes were trained on her, his lips upturned in a slight smirk.
Caleb Covington. Julie felt a shiver run down her spine and she pressed what she hoped was send before shoving it into her back pocket.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?” She hoped playing dumb would be enough of a distraction to figure out where Nick was and get them both out. Caleb cocked his head and pursed his lips.
“Oh come now, Julie. Let’s not play games with one another. You know who I am and where you are. I know that you came to help your friend Nick.” He made his way down the stairs and further into the ballroom, turning back to wait for Julie to follow.
Julie hesitated. This was the man who had almost destroyed three of her best friends all in the pursuit of their talent. The boys had warned her that Caleb was capable of seducing one with their heart’s desires and would snatch their souls before they could say “boo.” She unconsciously rubbed her wrist where a few months ago, her boys had had their club stamps. Caleb gave a gentle chuckle.
“I don’t plan on stealing your soul, Miss Molina. You can come down now.”
Julie was taken aback, but followed after him. She took in the elegant stairs and the tables and chairs organized neatly, ready for a show. When she turned back to Caleb, he was sitting at the front center table with a nail file. He looked bored and it stirred something dark in Julie’s chest.
“Where is Nick?” she demanded. Caleb glanced up at her out of the corner of his eye, before looking back down at his nails.
“You see I need to apologize, Miss Molina. I did have to play a little trick on you. Your friend is not here. I would love to chat with you, my dear. I’ve heard plenty about you from the boys of course. But I think you and I should talk about your future.”
“What could my future possibly have to do with you?” Julie spat venomously. Her anger at being tricked was only barely tempered by the relief that Nick was safe and not at the club. “I know what you did to the boys. I saw the pain you put them through. You almost took them away from me.”
Caleb had the decency to place his file on the table before crossing his legs and sitting back to look at her. But his impassive face remained in place.
“I suppose you would think I’m a monster, Miss Molina. But desperate times call for desperate measures. I do hope you’ll accept my apologies on behalf of the boys.”
“I’ll pass.” Julie hissed. Caleb only hummed in acknowledgement.
“What you don’t understand is that you possess a power that no one, not even myself, could ever comprehend. And I was understandably intrigued by it. At first I really did think it was those boys. They were the only ones who I’d met who could be seen by a lifer without my help. So, I invited them to come and visit my club, have a good time and enjoy the company of those who could see and interact with them. The afterlife is extremely lonely at times, Miss Molina.
“And when I found out just how talented they were, I knew I had to offer them the opportunity to perform with me around the world. Where they could be seen not only when they perform, but in the applause as well. They would finally receive the attention and appreciation they deserved.
“I will admit that the stamps were a little premature. I was simply worried I would lose them and their immense talent. But imagine my surprise when they were able to break through my magic. I was baffled, to say the least. And I was curious to see what could have possibly been powerful enough to break my stamp. So I did a little bit of recon and much to my surprise, it wasn’t those foolish boys who held the power. But you.”
Julie had heard a lot of monologuing in the movies from the villain. But this was a whole new world.
“What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything.”
Caleb laughed.
“And you aren’t even aware of the potential you hold! It’s quite hilarious. Nevertheless, Julie Molina, you hold an extremely rare power. And your voice...well that in and of itself is unlocked potential. You break barriers with your abilities.”
“Stop distracting me and tell me why you used Nick. What could he possibly have to do with any of this?” Julie demanded.
“Well, you see I needed to be able to get close to you without those baboons you call friends figuring me out. And poor Nicholas was the...vehicle if you will. He’s completely fine.”
Julie stared at the older ghost in horror. Nick’s odd behavior--the disappearances, the change in attitude, his wanting to hang around exclusively with her and Flynn--made complete sense now. Caleb had used him to get to her and the guys.
“You...you’re…” Julie stammered, disgusted.
“Like I said, he’s completely fine. He won’t even remember most of it and he can get back to his simple, boring life. Now, I brought you here for a reason, Miss Molina. Your talent is being wasted. Plain and simple. With your talent and ambition, you could be a star. You should be a star. I want to help you.”
“Like you helped Luke and Alex and Reggie?” Julie retorted. “How you tricked them into believing your lies and almost destroyed them? Mr. Covington, I can’t be swayed with pretty words and empty promises. I know what lies on the other side. And I want no part of that. I have a band and we will work harder than anyone to make it big. Without your help.”
A part of Julie expected Caleb to fly into a rage and she braced herself for the impact. Despite hearing the stories from Reggie and Alex (Luke refused to dwell on the time when they’d stood her up at the dance and almost missed their Orpheum performance), she didn’t really know what Caleb was capable of. She hadn’t felt her phone vibrate with a response from Flynn. She was caught between hoping the boys would get to her in time, and praying that they stayed away if only to remain out of Caleb’s grasp.
To her surprise, Caleb simply smirked and glided away from her towards the stage.
“‘Pretty words and empty promises’ you say?” he chuckled and Julie trembled slightly. His eyes flashed and suddenly Julie felt like she was frozen.
“I suppose I’ll just have to convince you another way.” The ghost smirked and there was suddenly a slow, melodic tune in the air. Julie looked towards the stage and saw the band shrouded in darkness as the violins sang and Caleb joined.
“Hey, little songbird, give me a song.
I'm a busy man and I can't stay long
I got clients to call, I got orders to fill
I got walls to build, I got riots to quell
And they're giving me hell back in Hades…”
Julie felt the song wash over her and it felt like a blanket on her soul. She blinked back a sudden wave of heaviness and tried to shake herself. It felt like the room had dimmed and her eyes were unfocused. But she felt...relaxed? She tried to remember why she had felt so angry before.
“Hey, little songbird, cat got your tongue?
Always a pity for one so pretty and young.
When poverty comes to clip your wings,
And knock the wind right out of your lungs.
Hey, nobody sings on empty.”
Caleb had moved slowly towards her and Julie felt her feet follow, coming to stand in front of him. She felt drawn to his song. It was like he knew what it felt like to lose her mom. The phantom grief echoed in her chest and she remembered what it felt like to drown in the ocean of pain and listlessness. The loss of music in her life for that short but agonizing time.
“Hey, little songbird, you've got something fine.
You'd shine like a diamond down in the mine.
And the choice is yours if you're willing to choose,
Seeing as you've got nothing to lose
And I could use a canary…”
Caleb beckoned her closer as he circled her and she could feel a haze cloud her mind. She could feel a faint vibration in her body, but she was sure it was the thrill of the music. There was a small part of her that couldn’t understand what was happening. But she was captivated by Caleb's words. It was like when she had first heard Luke’s songs. How she had immediately been drawn to him and how she could feel the fathomless well he drew his inspiration from. She’d once told Flynn that they drew from the same pain. But it was more than that. They were connected, as if by fate, or destiny.
Luke .
The fog cleared for a split second as she remembered her ghost guitarist. He’d be horrified if he could see her, succumbing to Caleb’s charm and she attempted to pull away and run. She could feel the determination flood her veins with adrenaline.
Get to Luke. Where is Luke?
Caleb was suddenly in front of her once again, sensing her distress. He gently hovered his hand in front of her face and began to sing again.
“Hey, little songbird, let me guess:
He's some kind of poet and he's penniless?
Give him your hand, he'll give you his hand-to-mouth.
He'll write you a poem when the power is out.
Hey, why not fly south for the winter?”
The haze descended once again. And Julie swayed with Caleb. He gently took her hand and led her gingerly up towards the piano. She gently sat her down and their gazes locked. Julie smiled mildly and Caleb mirrored it as he tenderly lifted the cover from the glistening black and white keys.
“Hey, little songbird, look all around you.
See how the vipers and vultures surround you?
And they'll take you down, they'll pick you clean,
If you stick around such a desperate scene.
See, people get mean when the chips are down…”
“Play something for me, Julie. Show me and the world where you really belong, my dear.” Caleb smiled widely. Julie nodded blearily and began to place her fingers on the familiar keys.
“JULIE NO!”
Through the haze in her mind, Julie watched as Caleb angrily turned towards the sound. She was suddenly pulled up from the bench and gently shaken. A hand came up to cup her cheek and brush a tendril of hair away from her face.
“Julie! Julie! C’mon wake up. It’s me. It’s Luke!”
Luke. Luke . She got flashes of a brunette with deep, fathomless hazel eyes and a perfect smile. Hands wrapped around a guitar. Soft voice that was softer still when he spoke to her. The feel of a rough brocade suit under her fingers before soft flesh and firm muscle, silk scarf wrapped around a bicep, hands calloused from steel strings. That warm golden glow she felt on the inside reflecting on the outside, encompassing him.
Luke .
“Luke…”
“I’m right here, Julie. I’ve got you.”
The fog wasn’t lifting as quickly as Julie wanted it to. She tried to shake her head and pull out of the tight, but warm embrace. Hands tightened on her arms.
“It’s okay. I’m right here. Come back, Julie. I’ve got you. I’m right here.”
Finally, finally , it was like putting on her glasses first thing in the morning. The sharp clarity and she could see the green and gold flecks in his eyes.
“Luke!” she gasped, as the last few moments rushed back to her. She found herself gripping his arms tighter in fear Luke ducked down to meet her gaze and she could see a mixture of relief and happiness in his eyes.
“I’ve got you.” he reminded her. Julie became more and more aware of her surroundings, realizing the band had disappeared and Caleb was standing down across the floor, glaring in barely contained fury at the sight before him.
Julie was still at the piano where Luke had pulled her up from the bench. Alex hovered nearby, eyes darting between them and Caleb. Reggie had placed himself firmly between Caleb and them, shielding them. His face was twisted into the angriest expression Julie had ever seen him wear. Reggie didn’t get mad as far as she could tell. And yet he stared at Caleb as if daring him to try and get to her through him. In the midst of her terror, she felt a rush of adoration for him and Alex.
Julie turned in Luke’s hold to face Caleb and felt the white hot anger rise up stronger through her. Luke’s hands fell to her wrist, as if checking for the ill-fated purple stamp he’d once worn.
“What did you do to me?” she demanded. Caleb sneered.
“I was simply trying to persuade you. And it seemed to be working. You have doubts, Miss Molina, that even you didn’t realize. You want what I can offer you: the fame, recognition. The glory. But there is something you want just as much as that. And I can give it to you. Only I can give it to you.”
Luke pulled away from Julie and came to stand just behind Reggie’s shoulder. His face was pulled down in rage.
“Don’t you talk to her.” he growled. Reggie shifted menacingly and Alex drifted over quickly to take Luke’s position beside her, reaching for her hand. Caleb chuckled.
“And Luke. You’ve had a taste of what I can offer you, but yet you ran the moment you heard our Miss Molina calling for you. And you don’t even realize you want the same thing!”
“You already tried the whole ‘join my club or die’ thing with us. It didn’t work then and it won’t work now. We will never give you our souls.” Luke finished.
“Even if I can guarantee you would be with Julie forever?”
The words had their desired effect. Luke reeled back as if he’d been slapped and Julie heard Alex’s sharp intake of breath. Reggie’s face melted into bewilderment.
“Wha...what...you…” Luke fumbled. Caleb laughed.
“Isn’t that the crux of this whole thing, boys? You wouldn’t leave Julie and the band. I can make it so everyone wins.” He moved in towards the boys, taking advantage of their shock.
“You would all be together as Julie and the Phantoms. You can make the music you want to forever and forever. You would become one of the most successful bands to ever exist. Your music would reach millions of people. You would become legends .” Caleb turned his eyes to Julie and her grip on Alex’s hand tightened.
“And you, Miss Molina. You have the determination, the drive, and the skill to be a crowning jewel in my collection. But your fear of loss holds you back. You know these boys don’t truly belong to this world. And there will come a day when they won’t be there for you. I can change that future for you. I can make it so that Julie and the Phantoms will live on in infamy. Together.” Suddenly his hands landed squarely on Luke’s shoulders and Julie could see Luke struggle to break free.
“And I could give you the future you dream of, Julie. I can give you Luke. Forever.”
The air in the room felt hypercharged and stifling. Julie felt her heart kick into gear as Luke froze and his wide, hazel eyes met hers in bewilderment. She didn’t know if she wanted to scream, cry, or throw up.
Because Caleb had seen through her like she was made of glass. He had seen her fears of that looming day when her band--her friends--would finally complete their unfinished business and leave her. She had tried not to dwell too long on it, but it was always there gnawing at the back of her mind. And he had seen the most vulnerable parts of her. The parts where Luke’s kind and genuine gaze followed her into her dreams. Where their hands brushing over their song book could actually turn into Luke taking her hand and refusing to let it go. A brush of her hair might lead to him leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead, her cheeks, her nose, and then finally, maybe…
But Caleb had seen it all. And now she had to look at Luke as he laid her deepest secrets bare.
“It’s quite sad, really.” Caleb continued. “How two people who ‘connect’ so well and ‘draw from the same pain’ could never truly be together. And that duet. Oh Julie it really is a masterpiece. And to think it was all a daydream. You tried to stay away, I applaud you for that, but this one--” He gave Luke a good shake, “--just couldn’t be put off. He’s determined.”
“Enough with the games, Caleb.” It was Alex who spoke. “We’re done here.”
“We would never take a deal with you.” Reggie muttered.
“Wait…”
The boys whipped their heads around to stare at Julie as she stepped out from Alex’s shadow. Caleb’s eyes glinted and Luke looked terrified.
“Julie, what are you doing?” he asked desperately.
“I’m getting answers.” Julie replied curtly. Luke’s eyes were wide and Julie felt a pang at the fear in them.
“Julie don’t!” Reggie begged, moving to block her path to Caleb.
“Julie, you know his promises have conditions,” Alex added. Julie did her best to ignore them and brushed her friends aside to come stand before Caleb. He had finally let go of Luke, who was standing stock still. She stood toe to toe with the older ghost, no trace of fear in her body.
“You do have conditions.” Julie stated plainly. “I assume one of them is my soul.”
She heard a choked sound come from Luke’s direction and Reggie inhaled sharply. Caleb only smirked at her.
“A lady who knows what she wants. You would assume correct, my dear.”
It should have worried Julie how calm she was with being faced with selling her immortal soul to someone who had tried to destroy her bandmates. But something inside of her wanted Caleb’s promises.
She’d thought about death plenty since losing her mom. Growing up, they learned what Heaven was in church and she’d always wondered if it would be as beautiful as they always said it would be. When the boys dropped into her life, she thought about it even more. She found herself wondering what it could possibly be that made her three bandmates remain in limbo for 25 years before dropping into her life at the sound of their C.D. Did her mother really send them to her as a way to heal the gaping wound left in her absence? Was there really a plan set in stone before she was even aware?
The harder question still was something Julie hated to think about. Even more than the idea of dying and leaving her entire world behind. When Luke had mournfully told her all those weeks ago that the boy’s only options were giving into Caleb, total destruction, or crossing over forever, she’d wandered up to her room and let herself entertain the small seed of doubt she’d been putting off.
How long would she have them?
She knew they would one day have to leave her. Flynn had tried to keep her tethered to reality, reminding her they were ghosts that didn’t truly belong to this world. But Julie had let herself live in the moment, with their music and their friendship bringing her back to life. She had put off the idea that there would come a day when her three ghosts would no longer be hers. But Flynn had been right all those months ago. She would lose them either way.
But now, Caleb was giving her door number two. And the selfish part of her wanted to walk right through it with no holds barred.
“Julie! Julie listen to me please!”
Luke’s voice pulled her back to the present. He approached her gently.
“Julie please don’t do this. Think about your family. Your dad, Carlos, Tia Victoria, Flynn. They all need you. You have so much more life to live, Jules. You have so much more music to give.”
“Luke…”
“No please listen, Julie! You have a beautiful life with people who love you and you found music again! You can’t throw that away because you’re scared.”
“I can’t lose anyone else that I love!” Julie cried, tears beginning their descent down her cheeks. She felt like her heart was cracking open and it was too reminiscent of when she lost her mom. She wrapped her arms around her chest to try and hold herself together.
“You won’t!” Luke cried vehemently. His own hazel eyes were shining with tears and his arms were held in front of him, as if to grab Julie and embrace her.
“Yes I will! You’ll all cross over and I’ll just keep losing people I love. This is the only way!” Julie had never felt this kind of hysteria. Why didn’t Luke understand? How could he not see that losing her boys would destroy her?
“No you won’t Julie. I know you. Even if one day we do cross over, we will always be with you. I will always be with you, right here. Right beside you. I couldn’t leave you even if I tried!” His guitar suddenly poofed into his hands and he hurriedly strummed the strings.
“ I got a spark in me.
And you’re a part of me.
Now ‘til eternity…”
Julie sniffled, remembering that fateful gig at Eats and Beats. As they’d shared the mic and she’d seen something in Luke’s eyes shift, felt the gravity of the words hit him. They hit her now, equally as powerful. Luke saw the recognition flash in her eyes and he traded eager looks with the boys. Alex and Reggie came around and grabbed Julie’s hands as Luke changed the melody.
“ 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!”
Julie squeezed the boy’s hands and joined in on the last lines.
“ Whatever happens, even if I’m the last standing
I’ma stand tall! I’ma stand tall!”
She was pulled into the embrace of her three ghost best friends and squeezed tightly.
“We will always be with you Julie.” Reggie whispered in her ear. Julie nodded. She knew they were right. Even if and when they crossed over, there would forever be a Sunset Curve sized piece of her heart that hadn’t been there before.
“As sweet as this is…”
The four of them turned to see Calen yawning dramatically.
“...I’m growing weary of this affectionate distraction. I’ve tried to be nice. I’ve tried to be patient.” At this, his expression darkened and Julie shivered.
“I think it’s time I took matters into my own hands.”
Caleb suddenly lunged forward. The boys jumped forward to stand in front of Julie, but they were suddenly thrown back by the force of one of Caleb’s jolts. Julie cried out, but she was suddenly pulled back into Caleb’s chest with his arms constricting her.
“Caleb! Stop! Don’t hurt her!” Luke begged. Caleb sneered.
“I’m done letting you three get in my way. We’ll see you on the other side, Miss Molina.” Caleb reached across Julie and grabbed her arm at her wrist. Julie closed her eyes, expecting the sting of the stamp and perhaps something else as her soul left her body.
Nothing happened.
Well, more accurately, nothing happened to her. The yelp came from Caleb and he reeled back, releasing her. Julie stumbled into Reggie’s waiting arms as he tugged her away from the older ghost.
“Julie!” the others bellowed.
“I’m...I’m okay!” Julie breathed, focusing on Caleb. She gasped.
Caleb had stumbled away, clutching the hand that he had grabbed her with and Julie was shocked to see it was an angry red. As if he had been burned just by touching her skin. He roared in anger and pain, his steel blue eyes dark with rage. As suddenly as it came, his expression suddenly morphed into shock and fear.
“How? How is this possible ?” Caleb shrieked. Reggie suddenly gasped.
“Julie? You’re glowing !” he exclaimed.
Julie glanced down and gasped as she saw the golden hue that radiated off her skin. She twisted and turned her arms and her legs, taking in the shimmer around her. She glanced up to see the boys staring at her in awe.
“What...what is this?” she asked.
“I have no idea, but whatever it is, keep doing it!” Luke cheered. Julie glanced back at Caleb, who was backing away from her in terror.
“You can’t...you shouldn’t...how can this be true?” he was muttering. Julie could feel energy and power running through her veins. She was suddenly reminded of something her mother would always tell her.
“There is nothing more powerful than love, mija. It is the greatest, most beautiful feeling in the world. It will always give you strength. And sharing your love with others will be your greatest power.”
Could it be possible that her mother had been right? Julie thought back to the night of the Orpheum performance, when she had unintentionally saved the boys. She had only been consumed by the idea that she couldn’t let her boys leave her without them knowing how much she loved them. She had collapsed into Luke’s embrace without a second thought and it was only when she realized she hadn’t fallen through him that she’d noticed the golden glow around him. The same glow that surrounded her now.
It clicked for Julie. Caleb ruled by fear and derision. He’d tried to force the boy’s hands by scaring them into taking his deal. But it had been Julie’s love for all three of them that had broken the ties. Love would overpower fear every time.
And the boy’s love saved her. Protected her from Caleb’s stamp and his wrath.
She glanced up to see the same glow, fainter on the boys. Alex looked mildly panicked, Reggie was surprised and Luke…
Luke was looking at her like she was the sun. He was equally bewildered and besotted and if Julie wasn’t internally freaking out about a new supernatural power she had just discovered, she would probably be freaking out about Luke looking at her like that.
With a fresh jolt of power in her veins and the feeling of her boys standing behind her, Julie turned to Caleb. He had backed away from her in fear and was now cowering on the floor.
“You messed with the wrong band,” Julie declared, her voice strong. “And now you will leave all of us alone. My family, my friends, my bandmates, Willie, and me. You will never have my band and you will never have me.”
“You will regret not taking my deal, Julie Molina,” Caleb hissed, “You will lose your precious band and then you will be alone forever.”
“No I won’t. I will always have their love with me. You will be the one alone. You will always seek power you can never have, Caleb. And eventually it will destroy you.” Julie turned from him and faced her boys, a small smile breaking across her face.
“Now let’s go home, boys.”