We were in hot shit.

Julie was in hot shit for sneaking out and I was in hot shit for going along with it and letting her.

Julie and I were silent the entire way home, in hopes of dad just dropping it. It didn't work well. As soon as we started walking up the sidewalk to our house he said, "Guys, we need to talk."

"So, after skipping school, missing a test, you decided to sneak out even though I told you to go to your room and study?" He asked Julie and then turned to me. "And you encouraged it?"

"I know. I'm sorry." We both said in unison.

"You keep saying that. If you'd just....let me in, I could've been excited about tonight instead of having this conversation we all hate. Why didn't you guys tell me you were in a band?" He asked. I think that's what he's more upset about.

"It all just happened so fast. These last couple of weeks have changed our lives." Julie started.

"When I play music, I feel so much closer to mom. I know Julie feels the same." I continued.

"And I love that. You know I do. But your tia's right. School needs to come first." Dad started. This was directed at Julie. My grades are honor roll level.

"I know, but without the band, we would've never made it back into the music program. They played with us when we were trying to earn back our spots." Julie replied.

"They did?" Dad asked.

"I think this is our thing, Dad." I backed her up.

"Well, I'd be a jerk of a dad if I took it away from you. Look, If you're gonna stay in this band, you need to keep up with school." He said to Julie and then turned to me. "And you need to keep her on track. Don't encourage her to sneak out." And then he looked at both of us. "And you need to keep me in the loop."

This is not how I expected this to go.

"Really?" Julie asked.

"Yeah." He breathed with a soft smile.

Julie and I both engulfed him into a hug. I'm so thankful for him.

"Hey, so that lady at your show, she was like, some sort of manager, right? Could have been a big deal?" Dad asked.

"Who knows? Hopefully she'll get to see us play again." Julie started.

"Which we will tell you about." I assured with a smile.

"Oh yeah, you will. Cause if I ever catch either of you sneaking out again, or if your grades slip, I'm gonna pull the plug. Or whatever it is that makes those holograms work." He paused. "Do I ever get to meet these guys?"

No.

"Probably not, they don't even live here. It's kind of confusing." Julie started.

"Being seen really isn't their thing." I finished.

"You kids and your technology. It's.....definitely beyond me." He chuckled.

"Definitely beyond something." I muttered.

"Well, whoever and, uh, wherever they are, they brought my little Nina's back so they're like angels to me." He said lovingly. God, I'm so lucky.

We don't really talk about how I was adopted. It doesn't feel like I was adopted, ever. They always made me feel like I belonged. I never questioned their love for me.

All of the sudden, Tia ran out of the house panting. "This house is haunted! We have got to go now!"

What did the boys do?

"What happened?" Julie exclaimed.

"Victoria, I know you want us to move but this is a little extreme. I told you, we're okay here." Dad told her.

"I'll let Carlos tell you what happened. He refuses to leave but if movies have taught me anything when a house in haunted, you run." She let out and was on her way.

I think Reggie is to blame for this.

__

Later that night, when everything died down, Luke came up to my room. He literally poofed in. I nearly dropped my phone.

"What are you doing here?" I exclaimed.

"Sorry! I just wanted to check in and make sure everything was okay with your dad and stuff." Luke let out. He scratched the back of his neck and looked into my eyes. God, he's so cute.

Snap out of it.

"Yeah, everything is fine. He felt bad for taking us away from that lady." I replied.

He moved to sit on my bed.

"Ahh, that's okay. I'm sure they'll be more." He let out and looked down. He looked a little sad.

"Is everything okay?" I asked him.

"I'm just...still really sorry about the dance." He said sincerely.

"I'm sorry too. I, um... said some things I didn't mean. I was just sad. It was heat of the moment-"

"Please don't apologize." He assured. He tried to put his hand on mine but forgot we can't touch. It was silent for a moment. "You had every right to be mad." He finished and stood up.

"Still, Luke. I'm sorry." I let out and he nodded.

With that, he walked out and I was left alone with my thoughts. Did he like me back?

Does it even matter? He's a ghost. He's not real. Nothing will ever come out of it.

__

When Julie and I walked downstairs this morning, Dad was singing "Finally Free". We also heard Reggie down with him. He was making breakfast. He never does this.

"This is new." I let out.

"Yeah, I was in the mood to make some breakfast." Dad replied.

"He thought you were talking to him. Me and your dad are pals now. It's a little one-sided but it works." Reggie let out. Obviously, we couldn't reply. Julie and I just smiled. He's a dork.

"Look, after the talk we had last night, I was thinking that I may have cost you an opportunity with that manager. So I was thinking-" Dad started but Julie and I cut him off.

"Dad, no. We should have never snuck out." Julie let out.

"Let the man speak. He's been stress eating." Reggie spoke up.

"I know but I really want to support your band so I called in some favors and booked you a local gig." Dad let out. Oh my god. Julie and I were beaming.

"Oh my gosh, where?" I said, excitedly.

"Did you call your buddy from Drakes?" Julie asked.

"Not quite. I called Flynn and Lydia and they're gonna help up throw a party. Here. Tonight!" He smiled. Oh my.

Julie and I shared a look. Not what I was expecting at all but nonetheless, I was still grateful.

"Oh! So you booked us a gig at our house?" Julie asked. I elbowed her in the stomach. He's trying.

"Alright, hear me out. You invite some of your friends over, you play with your band, and I'll get some of my colleagues to put you guys on film. That way you have something professional for your YouTube." Dad explained. That's sweet.

"You'd do that for us?" I asked.

"Yeah!" He smiled.

"Best dad ever! I'll go tell the guys." Reggie said and backed away.

Well, we had a gig to prepare for.

Julie and did some talking.

"You gonna invite Nick?" I asked.

"I might. I'd ask who you're inviting but your crush will already be there." She smirked.

"Is it that obvious?"

"To me, yes. To him, no. He's not the brightest." Julie deadpanned as we walked out the door. "You just need to be careful, Rory."

"I know. Lydia tells me all the time. It's just so hard. It's impossible to avoid him. He just pops up everywhere." I let out and she nodded.

"I was thinking, what about "Edge of Great" for tonight?" She suggested.

"I think that's a good choice." I paused and thought about it more. "Wait, no. I have the duet with Luke. I'm trying to not crush on him, remember?"

"You'll be fine, Rory." She chuckled. "It's a good song and one people will like. Just try not to sing with him." She let out and walked ahead of me.

They're all gonna be the death of me.

__

At school, I was looking in my locker. When I shut it, Luke was standing right outside. I jumped out of my skin.

"Hey!" He exclaimed.

"Stop doing that!" I whisper-yelled. He just smirked. "What are you doing here?" I asked, softer.

"We need to talk about what song we're performing tonight. I was thinking, "Edge of Great."" He said. Julie was one step ahead of him.

I then realized we were in school and I was about to look like a psychopath. I held up a finger and told to hold on. I then pulled out my phone and held it up to my ear.

"You're just gonna take a phone call while we're talking? You know how rude that is?" He exclaimed. Og my god.

I cut him off. "Hey! Thanks for calling. Otherwise, people will think I'm talking to myself." I said and rolled my eyes at him.

He nodded when he finally caught on. "Right. Nice!" He said walking a little closer to me.

"No but Julie and I were talking about that one this morning. I think it's a good idea." I said.

"Sweet! Okay, that's pretty much all I wanted to talk to you about." He said awkwardly.

"Oh! Okay." I replied. I don't know how to do this.

"Wait! There is one more thing I wanted to talk to you about." He said a little nervously. "Look, I know I'm not the easiest person to work with, but I..I wanted to tell you that I think you make me a better writer." He let out. He was stuttering through the whole sentence. My heart melted.

"I think we make each other better." I smiled.

"You know what? Why don't you just ditch school today? Let's go rehearse." He suggested. God, I would if I could but if my dad found out.

"I wish I could but I like performing with you guys and if my dad finds out I won't be anymore."

"Come on. I can't do this without you." He let out. I would risk it all for him.

"I..I can't. I have a test that I can't miss." I said and started to walk away. If I don't leave now, I never will.

"I guess we'll just have to carry you tonight like we always do." He said sarcastically. I smiled to myself and shook my head.

After this, I went to class. I didn't lie. I do have a test. It didn't take me long thought. When I was done, I set it off to the side and laid my head down on the desk.

I wasn't expecting to fall asleep. It just happened.

All of the sudden, I was with Luke. His hair was all done up and he was dressed nice. We were in the gym of my school. He walked forward and started singing.

"Step into my world
Bittersweet love story about a girl."

He held his hands out for me to take but I couldn't grasp them. They slipped right through each other.

"Shook me to the core
Voice like an angel, I've never heard before."

That was until I finally felt our hands connect. I breathed into it. I started singing next. Him and I danced to the music. His arms came around my waist lifted me up. I never wanted this feeling to end.

"Here in front of me
Shining so much brighter than I have ever seen
Life can be so mean
But when he goes I know he doesn't leave."

When we released, I walked back and he danced toward me. Him and I both harmonized and continued to dance together.

"The truth is finally breaking through
Two worlds collide when I'm with you
Our voices rise and soar so high
We come to life when we're
In perfect harmony."

We just took in each other's presence. Our hands were connected and we looked into each others eyes. It felt euphoric.

"Whoa, whoa
Perfect harmony
Whoa, whoa
Perfect harmony."

For the next part, we sang back and forth to each other. Just looking into each others eyes. He started.

"You set me free"

Then me.

"You and me together is more than chemistry."

Then the two of us, dancing together without a single care in the world.

"Love me as I am
I'll hold your music here inside my hands
We say we're friends, we play pretend
You're more to me, we're everything
Our voices rise and soar so high
We come to life when we're
In perfect harmony
Whoa, whoa
Perfect harmony
Whoa, whoa
Perfect harmony."

We continued dancing and singing. It started with me.

"I feel your rhythm in my heart, yeah"

Then him.

"You are my brightest, burning star, whoa-whoa"

Then the two of us together.

"I never knew a love so real
We're heaven on Earth, melody and words
And when we are together we're
In perfect harmony
Whoa, whoa
Perfect harmony
Whoa, whoa"

Then he spun my so my back was to his chest. He held my hands in his own. I started singing.

"We say we're friends."

Then he called back.

"We play pretend"

Then me.

"You're more to me"

And we finished together.

"We create a perfect harmony."

It wasn't until Lydia woke me up when I realized it was a dream.

"Rory! Wake up. Class is over." She said as she shook my shoulder.

I slowly rose up and realized where I was and it wasn't in Lukes' arms.

This is bad. He can't infiltrate my dreams.

I went straight to the music room and started plucking away the song we sang in my dream.

It felt so real. The singing, the dancing. It felt like he was holding me.

Lydia followed me in shortly after.

"What's up with you? You practically ran out of class."

"I just needed air."

"Are you okay?"

"I had a dream that felt more than a dream." I revealed.

"Luke?" I just nodded. "Rory, I know you always want what you can't have but Luke is next level."

"I know." I huffed. It was the sad truth. I knew I couldn't have him. "We just click. He's so-" She cut me off.

"Not real. You can make all the music you want with Luke, but.....he'll always be a phantom. Tonight when performing with Luke, try to avoid his big, beautiful, dead...eyes." Lydia went on. Sheesh.

"Someones pushy today." I replied.

"Trust me. You're gonna need it." She shrugged. I'm terrified for tonight.

__

It was officially time to go on and I was so scared. I told Julie about my dream and Lydias advice. She agreed. I'm just afraid it's easier said than done. When we're performing, a different person comes out.

Flynn introduced us and Julie and I walked out of the garage. She walked to the piano and I stood beside her with my mic.

"Thanks for coming everyone." I smiled. We both took a big sigh before she started plucking away. She started singing. I feel bad singing this one because I have more solos. Julie doesn't get mad though. She has to focus on singing and playing the piano.

"Running from the past
Tripping on the now
What is lost can be found, it's obvious"

And then I picked up

"And like a rubber ball
We come bouncing back
We all got a second act, inside of us"

Before we knew it, the rest of the band was behind us. I moved from around the piano and started rocking out. I was careful to avoid Luke. Julie and I sang this. I went from rocking out with Reggie and the to Alex and then back to the front with Julie. I saw Lukes face. He was so confused.

"I believe
I believe that we're just one dream
Away from who we're meant to be
That we're standing on the edge of
Something big, something crazy
Our best days are yet unknown
That this moment is ours to own
'Cause we're standing on the edge of great."

They sang:

"On the edge of great"

Julie sang:

"Great"

Then they sang:

"On the edge of great."

I subtlety looked over to see Luke looking at me. I sang,

"Great."

They sang:

"On the edge of great"

Julie and I sang,

"'Cause we're standing on the edge of great"

Then it was Luke's verse. I deliberately avoided him in this one.

"We all make mistakes
But they're just stepping stones
To take us where we wanna go
It's never straight, no"

Then Luke and I harmonized. He gestured for me to come over to him but I just made a face and stayed where I was.

"Sometimes we gotta lean
Lean on someone else
To get a little help
Until we find our way"

For the chorus, I literally walked on the
opposite side of him. This felt so wrong. We all sang,

"I believe
I believe that we're just one dream
Away from who we're meant to be
That we're standing on the edge of
Something big, something crazy
Our best days are yet unknown
That this moment is ours to own
'Cause we're standing on the edge of great."

They sang:

"On the edge of great"

Julie sang:

"Great"

Then they sang:

"On the edge of great."

I sang,

"Great."

They sang:

"On the edge of great"

Julie and I sang, leading into the bridge. I stood up on the piano while Julie played.

"'Cause we're standing on the edge of-
Shout, shout
C'mon and let it out, out
Don't gotta hide it
Let your colors blind their eyes
Be who you are, no compromise
Just shout, shout
C'mon and let it out, out"

Julie sang this line as I crouched down on the piano.

"What doesn't kill you makes you feel alive."

I sang this part softly. This is where all of my hard work of avoiding Luke went away. He carefully walked over to me on the piano and smiled right into my eyes. He strummed his guitar to the sound of my voice. I couldn't avoid him even if I wanted too. I gave in and smiled back.

"Oh-oh
I believe
I believe that we're just one dream
Away from who we're meant to be
That we're standing on the edge of great."

Julie sang riffs over the chorus while the boys and I sang it.

"Something big, something crazy
Our best days are yet unknown
That this moment is ours to own.
'Cause we're standing on the edge of great"

The boys and I sang:

"On the edge of great"

Julie called back.

"On the edge of great."

The boys and I,

"Great, on the edge of great"

Julie belted,

"On the edge. 'Cause we're standing on the edge of-"

I was standing in the middle of the stage when Luke walked over for our final part together. We shared the mic and we looked right into each other's eyes. Our eyes would wander to each other's lips.

"Running from the past
Tripping on the now
What is lost can be found, it's obvious."

When the music stopped and the boys disappeared, I pretended not to look flustered and bow with Julie properly.

After everyone left, Lydia, Flynn, Julie, Carlos, Dad and I sat in the kitchen and ate pizza.

"I cannot say this enough. That performance was amazing. But epic fail on that eye contact