God, I do not miss dance class. Julie's in it now and the lacrosse team is pairing up. I feel horrible. She partners with Nick so it's not too bad for her. She's just nervous about it.

I have completely ignored the boys. I still haven't forgiven them. I don't plan too until I get an ounce of real remorse. Right now, all they care about is the band. Not about us.

Lydia made a point to me earlier that I'm mad for a different reason. A reason that involves me liking Luke which would explain why I'm so much more upset. She's probably right.

Julie made her peace with it. She's still mad but not as mad as me. She's been spending more time with Flynn.

After school, I walked into the garage to see the boys there.

"We're sorry." Reggie sand.

"So sorry." Alex continued.

"We're super duper, crazy, stupid, sorry." Luke finished.

Pathetic.

"In case you missed it, we're really sorry." Reggie spoke.

"Yeah...I-I got that part." I responded.

"We've been waiting here for like, three hours. Rory, it wasn't okay that we flaked on the dance last night. We know we let you down." Luke said. It takes a lot for me to trust people. I trusted them and they did this. I think that's why it really bothers me. I let them in. I don't do that.

"Yeah and none of us wanted to disappoint you. You and Julie are the best thing that's happened to us since we became ghosts." Alex said.

"So...in hopes that you'll rejoin the band, we booked a new gig." Luke said and walked forward with a flyer. Are you kidding me?

I looked at the flyer. It was some new music night. "Okay, check it out. Tons of managers go here and listen to new bands. All we gotta do is blow them away, and we're living the dream." Luke said.

"So, this means a lot to you, huh?" I asked. Lukes face fell. He saw where I was going. "Kinda like how playing in front of my whole school meant a lot to me and Julie."

"Look, we know we messed up." Alex sighed.

"But we need you guys in the band." Luke said. He needs us because without us, no one can see them. He's using us.

"Of course you do, because without us, no one can see you guys playing. You know, I thought that the music that we were writing was special, but you're too obsessed with your past to even care." I exclaimed.

"I do care! Our band has a real chance at greatness. I'm not gonna let that get away from us again." Luke replied.

"Uh-huh, right. So then why did you bail on us to get back at Trevor?" He was silent. "I'll tell you why. Because there's only one thing that you care about, and that's yourself." I huffed and walked out. I don't care what he has to say. He needs to know I'm hurt.

I went inside and went on the couch. It wasn't long until Reggie and Alex appeared inside. I don't want to hear it.

"You got a second?" Alex asked. I didn't say anything. I just moved my stuff over for him to sit.

"Rory, please." He begged.

"I already told you that I'm done with the band. Go bother Julie or something." I huffed.

"Yeah I know but before you decide that forever, we just...we wanted you to know that Luke isn't as selfish as you think. You two have a different connection than he has with Julie. I think it's important that you know this." Alex went on.

"Yeah, you got him all wrong." Reggie added

I scoffed. I know exactly the kind of person he is. That's why I don't let people in. I always get let down. I'm done.

"You remember that song, "Unsaid Emily"? Can we at least show you who that's actually about?" Alex asked.

I thought it was about some girl, why does it matter?

Nonetheless, I let them show me. We went to this smaller house and hid behind lawn chairs in the backyard. It was his parents house.

Inside, Luke was sitting on the counter watching his parents.

"So, Emily is his mom?" I asked. That would make sense as to why he was so defensive.

"Yeah. Yeah, Luke comes here a lot." Alex replied.

"He thinks we don't know, but...we've been following him." Reggie trailed off.

It was heartbreaking. Luke was crying on the counter as he watched his parents move a cake to the table.

God, I was so mean to him.

"All he does is just hang out like this and watch them. They never really do anything though." Alex said.

"They're having cake. That's something." I replied.

It was hard to see him like this.

"It's...it's a birthday cake. For Luke." Reggie told me.

Oh my god. I feel awful.

"I never knew Luke was hurting this much." I said softly.

"Yeah, it's even worse because when he died, he...he left on bad terms. You know, his parents didn't want their 17-year-old in a rock band, so he just left. He never got the chance to make it up to them." Alex said.

Luke got off the counter, his eyes all puffy from crying, and walked over to his parents. They lit the birthday candle and he blew it out.

"That's why Luke was so angry. If Trevor had given Like credit for writing all the songs, then his parents would've known his dream was worth chasing." Reggie said.

I had a tear fall down my face. Why did I have to be so mean?

"They would've been so proud." I let out. "I was so mean to him and I-I didn't know what he was going through."

"You're right. You didn't know. He can't be mad at that, Rory." Alex replied. "We know how bad it hurts when someone who's supposed to have your back completely let's you down. We never meant to make you feel that way."

"Rory, we love our band and Luke does too. Please give us another chance." Reggie said.

I nodded.

"I need to call Julie." I said and wiped my eyes.

I called Julie and told her everything. When I said something about the gig, she didn't think twice about saying yes. We all headed back to the garage to start preparing.

We're singing "Finally Free" tonight per Julie's request. I gladly agreed. We were waiting for Luke to show back up.

When he did, he certainly was expecting us to be in there.

"Woah, Rory. Julie." He let out.

Julie and I smiled. "Grab your guitar. We have work to do." I said.

He turned to the boys and then back to me. A big smile spread across his cheeks. He didn't think twice. He grabbed the guitar and walked over to me.

"What made you come back?" He asked. He was pretty close.

"I realized how important music is to all of us. And we've lost so much already. We can't lose this too." I said looking into his eyes.

"Thanks." He said softly. He chucked, "okay boss, where we at?"

"Oh and by the way, happy birthday." I smiled. He looked dumbfounded. He looked at the boys and back at me. He was speechless.

Yeah, I have a crush. I think Julie noticed it too because she nudged my foot.

After we rehearsed, Julie and I walked inside.

"You and Luke?" She asked. I rolled my eyes.

"Nope."

"Are you sure?" She asked.

I huffed. There's something. It's just complicated.

"No. I don't know." I replied and she just smirked at me.

I was able to make it up the stairs but Julie was stopped by dad. She was late to school today. She lied to dad and said she didn't miss anything. Tia showed up and told him she missed a calculus test. Long story short, he grounded her.

She came into my room and started panicking.

"You're just gonna have to go on without me." She sighed.

"No. No way. We're a band, Julie. Either you come on with us or we don't go on at all."

The boys walked in.

"Why are you still here? We go on in like, 20 minutes." Luke said to us.

"I lied to my dad so now I'm stuck here all night." Julie said.

"Yeah, but we were just at the venue. I mean, it's packed. Like, VIP's, mangers. It's gonna be crazy." Alex said. We can't miss this.

"What are we gonna do about my aunt? She's right downstairs." Julie huffed. That's true.

Luke smirked and walked over to my window. "You're not taking the stairs." She said and opened the window. Any other time I'd probably object but we need to be there.

I smirked. Julie smiled. The boys poofed out and we got ready.

__

We met the boys there. We were right on time for Carrie.

Lydia and Flynn met us there too. We all stood there and watched her perform.

All of the sudden, we saw Alex appear on the stage. Oh my god.

I shared a look with Reggie and Luke and they just shrugged.

After a second, he came back to us.

"You having fun over there?" Julie asked him.

"It's not my fault. It's my feet." Alex shrugged. I just chuckled.

He went back on and finished out the song with Carrie. Honestly, it was fun.

She made sure to make a snarky comment to us before we went on. I just ignore her. She's a brat.

The announcement for us came on, "Okay! It looks like we're closing the night with one more group. J.R and The Fat Ones."

Already off to a great start.

I made a look at Luke.

"Really?" Reggie huffed.

"Yeah, man. My handwriting sucks." Luke replied.

Julie and I walked walked on to the stage.

"Hi! It's actually J.R and The Phantoms." I Iet out. Not a soul did anything.

Here goes nothing.

Julie started playing and she sang the first few lines.

"Hearts on fire
We're no liars
So we say what we wanna say."

I did the next couple lines.

"I'm awakened
No more faking
So we push all our fears away"

Julie sang the next lines. We're pretty good when it comes to dividing everything. We don't get jealous or anything. Some songs work better for others. This one is more favorable to her range.

"Don't know if I'll make it 'cause I'm falling under
Close my eyes, and feel my chest beating like thunder"

I had the next couple lines.

"I wanna fly
Come alive
Watch me shine."

And at the chorus, the band joined us and we all sang. I love when they show up. We all just jam out together.

"I got a spark in me
Hands up if you can see
And you're a part of me
Hands up if you're with me
Now 'til eternity
Hands up if you believe
Been so long, and now we're finally free."

Julie sang the whole next verse. She got this because I have another solo later in the song. It's with Luke.

"We're all bright now
What a sight now
Coming out like we're fireworks
Marching on proud
Turn it up loud
'Cause now we know what we're worth."

Julie and I harmonized on this part.

"We know we can make it we're not falling under
Close my eyes and feel my chest beating like thunder
I wanna fly
Come alive
Watch me shine."

Everyone rocked out for the chorus. I kept looking over to see Luke looking at me. I hate to say it but he gives me butterflies.

"I got a spark in me
Hands up if you can see
And you're a part of me
Hands up if you're with me
Now 'til eternity
Hands up if you believe
Been so long, and now we're finally free
I got a spark in me
Hands up if you can see
And you're a part of me
Hands up if you're with me
Now 'til eternity
Hands up if you believe
Been so long, and now we're finally free"

This is the part I was talking about. I walked over to Luke and we got close. He leaned down enough and we shared my mic. It started with me. I completely missed the looks Julie, Reggie and Alex shared at our interaction. Luke and I were just smiling at each other as we sang it.

"I got a spark in me"

He called back.

"I got a spark in me."

Back to me.

"And you're a part of me"

Back to him.

"And you're a part of me"

Me again

"Now 'til eternity"

Then him.

"Now 'til eternity"

Then I belted this line.

"Been so long, and now we're finally free"

Back to the chorus, i sang melody and harmonized with the boys while Julie added riffs.

"I got a spark in me
Hands up if you can see
And you're a part of me
Hands up if you're with me
Now 'til eternity
Hands up if you believe
Been so long, and now we're finally free
I got a spark in me
Hands up if you can see
And you're a part of me
Hands up if you're with me
Now 'til eternity
Hands up if you believe
Been so long, and now we're finally free
Finally free
Yeah."

The crowd loved us. They cheered for us so much. I was so happy.

As soon as we finished I engulfed Julie into the biggest hug. When we got off stage I hugged Lydia and Julie hugged Flynn.

The boys appeared with us as we stood by a table.

"Hey! Hey! Whoever Carrie was trying to impress is currently coming this way." Luke exclaimed. We all looked to see a lady walking over to us. Oh my god.

"Wait! Who should do the talking?" Reggie exclaimed. Julie and I stared at him like he was crazy. "Right" He added after.

I looked to Luke who was smiling. "You got this." He let out.

When she reached us, she held out her hand for us to shake. "Hi, I'm Andi Parker. And I would-"

She was cut off.

"Julie! Rory!" Dad said.

No no no.

"Dad!" Julie let out. He's not supposed to be here.

"It's time to go." He said sternly.

Shit.