"HAVE FUN? HOW'S MY NEW band?" Caleb asks wickedly, standing up from my bed.

"Caleb. You could have knocked," I reply coldly instead.

"Well you were taking so long I was getting worried that you had blinked away from existence," He says mockingly, unnecessarily reminding me of the hold he has on my second life.

"They're fine," I answer his previous question.

"Great! I want you to get dressed. You have a show in 30," He says, not waiting for a reply as he teleports away.

I sigh, taking a seat on my bed as I rest my head on my palms. I feel terrible about messing with the guys's minds, but I've had more fun than I've had during any shows of mine in the last 15 years.

A few minutes later I find one of my many dresses and slip it on before moving on to do a shiny eyeshadow. Soon enough one of the many songs I have burned into my brain starts and that's my queue to teleport onto stage.

⋙♪⋘

After the show, Caleb let me go out to meet up with the guys again, just in time for me to help them get ready for their gig.

"Okay, we just got back from Julie's and she's going to sneak out cause she got grounded," Luke says after finding me near the stage.

"Great! Then that means that we just need to keep an eye out for any big-time producers and make sure they watch you guys," I tell him, leaning against the stage post.

Around us are staff who are setting up the stage and lights as well as doing mic checks. "Did I tell you it's my birthday today?" Luke asks me quietly as he glances at the floor.

"No, you didn't. Happy birthday, Luke," I tell him softly, looking into his eyes. I take this time to look at all of his facial features. He is definitely attractive. Almost overwhelmingly so.

"Thank you," He replies in the same tone, the corner of his mouth rising into a smile that I can't help but reflect.

Unintentionally, blue butterflies flutter up around me making me break eye contact as I make them go away. He looks at them too as they soon fade away into nothing. "Did you do that?"

"Not intentionally," I replied as a hint of blush makes its way up to my cheeks.

"I like it. It's cute," He says, not losing his grin as he shrugs. I look up at him shyly.

Minutes later Reggie teleports next to us to say, "Guys, Julie just got here," before teleporting back next to where Alex is by the bar.

We hear the overhead speakers announce, "Next up, Dirty Candy!" as we teleport to join them.

The lights dim as a spotlight gets turned on on stage and a girl in shiny shorts, hot pink sheer jacket, glasses, and light pink wig walks up. All four of us join Julie and her friend Flynn as the music starts. I notice the two roll their eyes at the rainbow themed dancers.

"Whenever I walk in the room, all the focus on me. The way I talk, the way I move, they all want on my team," She sings as backup dancers join her on stage.

"Good lord, tell me you're self-obsessed without telling me you're self-obsessed," I remark as the song continues.

Soon enough Alex teleports on stage and starts to free-style dance with them completely unaware of his presence. He flips the girl hair and sachays around the stage, poping his hip as he struts. He soon teleports back with a big grin. "You having fun out there?" Julie asks him.

He clears his throat. "It's not my fault. It's my, um... it's my feet," He blames, as Reggie and Luke share a knowing look.

"Oh, come on," I say rolling my eyes with a huge smile as I hold out my hand for him to take.

"Put me back in, Coach," Alex says before taking my hand. We both teleport on stage, now on etheir side of the girl in pink. Alex and I go to the back before going a strut-like walk to the front, passing through the girl in pink together.

Alex messes with her hair as I walk to the opposite side of the stage and mimic her movements.

I laugh as Alex follows the rest of the girls as they form a line and he twirls dramatically behind them. I move in front of all of them as Alex makes his way to the front.

He takes my outstretched hands and we twirl around and do a grand spin as the song ends. "Aw, Making me blush," Alex says as the audience applauds.

We teleport back to our original spots by the others as the claps die down. "I- um. I just did that for you, Vic," Alex says, his grin still present. I can't help but smile at the nicname.

"Mm-hmm. Sure you did," I reply.

"Not gonna lie. That was kinda good," Julie complements.

"Yeah, I forgot why I hate her so much," Flynn agrees.

"Hi, girls. Um, isn't it past your bedtime?" The girl in pink asks in an overly high pitched joyful tone.

"Now I remember," Flynn says with a false smile.

"Hmm. If you're looking for Nick, he didn't come," She replies bitterly.

Julie scoffs before saying, "That's not why I'm here."

A man walks up on stage and I take this distraction as a moment to make myself visible to lifers. "Okay, it looks like we're closing the night out with one more group..., Julie and The Fat Ones," He announced.

Julie sighs as the girls laugh. "Really?" Alex asks Luke.

"Yeah, man. My handwriting sucks," Luke replies honestly.

"Hey, dude! It's Julie and The Phantoms!" I yell to the guy just as he's about to leave the stage.

He pauses, suprised. "Oh, sorry," He replies before leaving the stage. Julie and Flynn turn around surprised at my sudden visible presence.

"Oh right! You and I haven't properly met yet. Hi, I'm Victoria Blue, but you guys can just call me Vic. Nice to meet you both," I greet them.

"Uh, hi. Is she...?" Flynn starts nerviously.

"A ghost? Yeah," I reply with a nod. " Have fun up there, guys! You'll do great!" I tell them as Julie turns to head on stage.

"Hearts on fire. We're no liars, so we say what we wanna say. I'm awakened. No more faking, so we push all our fears away. Don't know if I'll make it 'cause I'm falling under. Close my eyes, and feel my chest beating like thunder. I wanna fly, come alive, watch me shine!" Julie starts as solo as she plays piano.

Flynn and I stand behind the projector as she turns it on and the guys appear onstage with their instruments. "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!" Luke and Julie harmonize and I realize that this is the first time I've heard them sing together.

"Hands up if you believe! Been so long, and now we're finally free! 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. 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!"

"I got a spark in me." Julie sings as the rest of the instruments go silent.

"I got a spark in me." Luke echos, his eyes meeting mine through the crowd.

"And you're a part of me."

"And you're a part of me."

"Now till eternity."

"Now till eternity!" Luke vocalizes, winking at me before all instruments continue to play. I smirk at him as I tilt my head to the side.

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

"I've 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! Yeah! Now till eternity! Hands up if you believe! Been so long and now we're finally free!" They all sing together.

They all vocalize as they sing the last few lyrics, "Been so long and now we're finally free! Finally free."

They all bow and the guys disappear from the stage. "Thank you! We're Julie and The Phantoms. Tell your friends," Julie says into the mic before exiting the stage.

Flynn goes over to hug Julie as the guys appear behind me at the bar where we were moments earlier. I walk over to them with a huge smile, "You guys were amazing!"

"Yeah, we were!" Reggie says loudly as a producer makes her way to us as Julie does the same.

"Hey. Hey! Whoever Carrie was trying to impress is coming this way," Luke alerts Julie.

"Oh, it's..." Julie starts as she turns to see who it is.

"She looks all business," Alex whispers.

"Wait! Who should do the talking?" Reggie asks but realizes as Julie gives him a look. "Right. Julie. Julie. Yeah," He nods.

"You got this," I tell her as I take a seat next to Luke.

"Hi, I'm Andi Parker, and I would-" The producer starts, holding out a hand for Julie to shake.

"Julie," A man from behind her interrupts.

"Dad," Julie replies, shocked.

Shit.

"It's time to go," Her dad tells her, looking disappointed making Julie blink a few times before gulping.

⋙♪⋘

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