Obviously, we couldn't just show up to The Orpheum and demand to play. Panic at the Disco was playing tonight and Willie, their ghost friend, was going to cause something so the opener couldn't show up.

The boys not being seen comes in handy. They were going to somehow bring up our video on Youtube and leave our phone number.

Julie and I were just waiting for them to come back.

"Hey, Rory?" She spoke softly.

I hummed in her direction.

"Whatever happens with the boys, just know Luke does care about you."

I've been trying to forget my feelings for Luke. It hasn't been easy. In the end, they taught us a valuable lesson. I'll never forget the music we made and the memories we shared. I'm happy for them if they cross over. They'll be at peace.

"I know, Julie. I love you." I smiled. She nodded back.

Julie has really been my rock through this all. I was there for her when mom died. It distracted me from feeling completely lost. When the boys go away, the void is gonna be back. I don't know what i'll do.

When the boys poofed back into the garage, we were pacing around the room. It was taking forever.

"Oh my gosh? What took you so long?" I exclaimed.

"Did Willie do it? Did you talk to them?" Julie started.

"Did they watch? Did they like us? Are we playing?" I continued to ramble.

"Can somebody answer us? Why is no one talking?" Julie kept going.

"Whoa! That's a lot of questions! Luke, do you wanna take this one?" Reggie finally spoke.

"Take a seat." He instructed. We obeyed. He walked over to us and leaned over the table. "It's fine. Everything's fine." He assured.

"Yeah you should be getting a call right....now!" Alex said and then my phone rang.

Julie and I looked at each other and the at the boys who urged me to answer it.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hi, this is Tasha from the Orpheum in Hollywood." She said and all of us began cheering. "Is this Rory and Julie of J.R. and the Phantoms?"

"Yes, it is!" I replied.

"Are you available to open for us tonight?"

"Yeah, totally!" I exclaimed. We did it.

We're playing the Orpheum.

After the excitement dialed down a little, Luke and I sat and discussed a setlist.

"I think we should open with "Stand Tall"." I let out. He smiled so wide.

That song is just so special to me.

"I agree." He smiled.

We figured out the rest and got to work.

__

After a while, Julie and I went inside and got our dresses ready. Then we went to the garage to check on the boys.

"Are you ready?" Julie asked. They all looked sad.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly.

"Yeah, we are. We just got shot really hard by one of those jolt things." Alex replied.

"Pretty sure I ghost peed a little." Reggie added.

"But, we're fine." Luke assured and stepped forward.

"Actually guys, i'm a little nervous." Julie let out. I nodded.

"Luke, can I talk to you for a second?" I asked.

"Yeah." He let out and walked over to me. Julie walked over to the other boys and I turned to Luke. We were standing so close. I didn't say anything for a second. I just looked at him. "What?" he let out. He's so beautiful.

"Um...can you do me a favor?" I asked.

"Anything, Rory. You know that." He replied with a soft smile.

"When you cross over...if-if you happen to see my mom, can you tell her Julie and I love her...and thank her for bringing you to me." I breathed.

"Yeah, I will." He said with no hesitation. This was heartbreaking. I didn't want to say goodbye.

I smiled at him and he smiled back.

"Band circle?" He asked.

"Yeah." I nodded and joined the rest.

Julie and I held hands and faked holding hands with the rest.

"We don't know what brought us here, but what we do know is, you two are stars. And just because this is our last night together, doesn't mean we won't be watching you from above...or...." Luke trailed off and looked down. I rolled my eyes. "Now, let's go rock this show. Let's give them a night they'll be talking about till the sun comes up." He exclaimed and put his hand in. "Legends on three."

"One." Reggie said and put his hand in.

"Two." Alex said and did the same.

"Three." Julie and I said.

"Legends!" We all yelled.

With that, Julie and I left to go to the venue. It's now or never.

__

Julie and I were in our dressing room. Lydia and Flynn just got here.

"Holograms are good to go, ladies." Flynn let out as she came in. Julie and I smiled.

Julie was wearing this purple dress and leather jacket. I don't really know how to describe it other than it's just her.

I wore a burgundy dress with puffy sleeves. It was knee length. It fit my personality.

Julie and I were so nervous. This was our first real gig in front of a lot of people.

Flynn was going on about how her and Lydia made friends with the tech crew.

"The guys are here, right?" Lydia asked.

Reason number 2 why were nervous. They aren't here.

"We haven't seen them." I let out.

"Wait. You don't think they changed their mind and took Caleb's offer, do you?" Flynn asked us.

"No! No. That's the last thing that they wanted." Julie replied. I nodded.

Julie and I shared a look and then we looked into the mirror. I was trying to reassure myself it'd be okay.

"You guys are gonna kill it." Lydia assured us. I don't know anymore.

More time passed and the boys weren't here. We were supposed to be on.

"Hey guys, it's time." The person said as they knocked at the door.

"Just a second." Julie yelled.

I looked over to the girls, "Something's wrong. The boys were getting those jolts pretty bad as we were leaving. And they wouldn't stand us up again. They must have run out of time." I said, my voice breaking.

I didn't get to say goodbye.

"I'm so sorry." Flynn let out.

"They didn't cross over. They're gone." Julie let out.

"I didn't get to say goodbye." I added. I was devastated.

Lydia came over and hugged us.

All of the sudden, Julie ran out of the room. I chased after her. I saw her run out the door and look up to the sky. She was talking to mom. I stood from the door and watched her.

I was crying. So was she.

I was struggling because those boys were sent to us because we needed each other. We didn't get to help them. They're just gone. They were what helped Julie and I love music again and I'll never be able to thank them for it.

I ran out of the door and hugged Julie so tight. We both needed it. I'm so happy I had her.

Our mental state changed when a lady came by and handed us both a dalia. It was moms favorite flower.

She was here. She was was listening. This was her way of telling us we were gonna be okay.

With that, we wiped our tears and ran back in.

We had a show to put on. We were gonna do it with or without the boys.

We ran backstage and went on.

The announcer saw us go on and spoke, "Welcome to live at the Orpheum. Now give it up for JR and the Phantoms."

Julie sat down at the piano and I stood next to her. We set down our flowers so mom would be with us.

She took the microphone, "Hi, I'm Julie."

"And I'm Rory." I spoke.

"Tonight we'd like to dedicate this song to our mom, who's been there with us every time we've played. And thank her for not giving up on us." Julie let out.

"We'd also like to dedicate this performance to three special friends who have changed our lives completely, who have brought music back to us. It was their dream to play here, and this is for them." I continued. "This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall."

Julie sat back down and began playing. I can't describe the emotions this song made me feel. I'll always know, Luke and I wrote this one with all the meaning in the world.

Julie started singing,

"Don't blink
No, I don't want to miss it
One thing, and it's back to the beginning
'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep going on never look back"

I picked up,

"And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one more night
Light a fire in my eyes
I'm going out of my mind"

Julie and I shared a look before moving on to the chorus together. You could hear the pure emotion in us as we sang. I teared up.

"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
Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall"

Then something happened. Something I wasn't expecting. Alex was behind us playing his drums. I thought they were gone. Julie and I were stunned. We looked up at him and he gave us a reassuring glance.

Soon enough, Reggie was there too. I smiled at them both. I could cry right now. The only one missing was Luke. If the rest are here, I know he will be too.

Julie picked up again.

"Right now
I'm loving every minute
Hands down
Can't let myself forget it, no
'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep holding on, nevеr look back."

I started belting. I peered over to my left to see Luke glitching. He's here. Of course he is. I was worried for a second.

"And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one morе night
Light a fire in my eyes."

Suddenly, Luke was there, clear as day. As soon as he appeared I walked over to him and and encouraged him on. He was smiling so wide. He sang,

"I'm going out of my mind.
Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall."

Julie, him and I harmonized the next part. I have never felt so happy to be singing with them. We were all rocking out together.

"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
Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall."

Julie sang,

"Like I'm glowing in the dark
I keep on going when it's all falling apart."

Luke and I sang together.

"Yeah I know it with all my heart
Ooh, ooh
Never look back"

We shifted our attention to Alex who stood up
from his drums to sing,

"Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall"

Then to Reggie,

"Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall"

Luke came in with the harmony,

"Stand tall"

The Julie and I,

"Stand tall."

Then we finished strong together.

"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
Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall."

The crowd cheered as the boys poofed away. I don't know how they were here but I'm so happy they were.

__

When the show was over, we all went home. Julie and I went straight to the garage to see if they were there or not. The lights were off.

We slowly walked in and looked around. There was no sign.

I sighed, "I know I already said this but uh...thank you guys." I let out.

"You're welcome." Reggie spoke.

"Dude!" Alex scolded.

So they were here.

I went to turn on the lights. They were laying on the floor, clearly in pain.

They were supposed to be gone.

"W-Why are you here?" Julie asked.

"I thought-" I started but was stopped when they were hit by a jolt. They all groaned and coughed. It pained me to see them so hurt. "I thought you crossed over. Why didn't you cross over?" I asked

They all slowly stood up.

"I guess playing the Orpheum wasn't our unfinished business." Alex sighed.

"Point, Caleb." Reggie muttered.

"We wanted you to think that we crossed over so we pretended too. We just...we had nowhere else to go." Luke let out. He was crying.

I cried too.

"We thought you'd go straight to bed." Reggie added.

"Yeah well I know they were gonna come out here but no one ever listens to me." Alex groaned.

They were hit by another jolt.

"You have to save yourself right now! Go join Caleb's club please! It's better than not existing at all. Please just go!" I begged. I cant watch them get hurt like this.

"Do it for us!" Julie added.

"We're not going back there." Reggie let out.

Luke stepped forward. "No music is worth making, Rory, if we're not making it with you. Either of you."

He was right in front of me.

My first instinct was to throw my arms around him into a hug. For some reason, I could. I did. I hugged him so tight.

"I love you guys." I sobbed into Lukes shoulder.

It took a whole minute to realize this wasn't supposed to happen.

I felt my hands on his back and slowly backed away. What is happening?

He started glowing bright yellow. I brought my hands from his back to his arms.

"How can I feel you?" I whispered.

"I-I don't know." He responded, his voice breaking.

My hands went straight to his face. His went to mine. He caressed my cheeks with his thumb. God, it's everything I imagined.

We smiled at each other.

He grasped my hands in his. Neither of us wanted to let go. We were too afraid. I was afraid if I let go, he'd be gone.

He turned to the boys, I feel stronger.

"Alex, Reggie, come on." Julie said and walked over to us.

We all joined in a group hug. They were all shimmering.

When we pulled apart Reggie let out a breath. "Woah! I don't feel as weak anymore."

"Yeah me neither." Alex added.

What does this mean? Are they here to stay?

All of the sudden, the stamp on their wrist floated off their skin and into the air. It was gone.

"What do you think that means?" Julie asked.

"I think the bands back." Luke let out. He smiled so wide.

"You guys think we can try that hug thing one more time?" Alex asked.

So we did. We hugged again. I don't think i'll ever get sick of this.

After a while of taking in each other's company, Julie went in the house and Alex and Reggie went for a walk, leaving Luke and I alone in the garage.

We sat next to each other, hands tangled in each other.

"What does this mean? Is this permanent?" I asked.

"I have no clue." He huffed and turned to me. "Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"I'm gonna do something because I-I don't know if I'll ever be able to do it again and I'll  regret it if I don't do it when I had the chance." Luke rambled. I just nodded.

With that, he slowly inched forward. His lips were on mine ever so softly. I leaned into it.

This kiss held so much passion and love.

When we pulled apart we both smiled.

He put his arm around me and pulled me into his side. He kissed the top of my head and we drifted into a deep sleep together.

I don't know what's going to happen with us, but as long as I have him, I'll be fine.