In the blink of an eye it was October 27th and the band had eight hours before they got up on stage for a packed house in the one club that had the potential to launch them into super stardom. Opening for a band that had gone platinum, a band that had been making music since before they were born.
The parents had signed off on permissions. Rose, Ray, Emily, Mitch, Jason, and Robert were all set to accompany their kids. Alice was, again, noticeably absent. Rose was both relieved and worried about this.
The kids had all gathered at the Molina's so that they could be together before the gig. Willie had gone out of his way to design t-shirts and had about a hundred for sale. The proceeds of which would go toward the band fund. Luke insisted he take half of any proceeds for his hard work. Ray was put in charge of the proceeds after that. Flynn and Alex had arrived with six garment bags for all of them. She wouldn't allow them to see any of it until they got dressed.
Luke had put them all on vocal rest. No one was to speak at all that day, if they needed to communicate, it would be done through text. Hot water with lemon and honey in addition to soup was all that was on the menu today.
Nothing spicy, nothing cold, nothing that would even require chewing to swallow their food. In case "They didn't chew enough and something scratched their throats." as Luke had said. They had all rolled their eyes and continued to eat. Julie made a show of chewing the chunks of vegetable and chicken thirty times before opening her mouth to show him before swallowing.
Julie to Soulmatez: Chewed enough?
Luke: First of all Gross!
Luke: Second, how are you still hot with all that chewed food hanging out of your mouth?
Reg: ?
Alex: ?
Flynn: ?
Willie: ?￢ﾀﾍ ️ me running away from this conversation
The following day would be the school Halloween dance and the day after, Reggie and Julie's joint birthday parties. Basically they'd be partying for three straight days. The kids were positively vibrating with excitement, the adults… not so much, having lost the will to party that much more than a decade ago. Thankfully they had Friday off due to a faculty day so they'd just have to get through this one day at school.
Thursdays were always easy, most of the classes were music oriented and for Willie, a half day which meant he'd be going back to the Molina's to help get everything ready and packed away so that the band could relax before they headed out.
They were gathered by the lockers when Carrie made her way over, Nick following slightly behind.
"Are you guys ready for tonight? I can't wait!" Nick said excitedly to Reggie. The brunette grinned at him.
Luke took out his phone and pointed to it, signaling that Nick should take his out. Willie rolled his eyes and put his hand on the phone pushing it down.
"Luke has them on vocal rest. No speaking until after the Orpheum." Reggie, Alex, Julie, and Luke nodded eagerly.
"Good idea, you guys are performing two days in a row. My dad would have you guys doing the same thing." Carrie added.
"Well, looks like Luke had the right idea. Even Trevor Wilson would be on vocal rest. Good job, boss man." Flynn said, punching Luke lightly in the shoulder. Luke responded with finger guns that made Julie bust out laughing. They all knew Flynn was the boss here.
"Dad's actually coming tonight too." Carrie said, she was hesitant. Taking a breath to speak, thinking about it and then snapping her mouth shut. Nick squeezed her hand and she opened her mouth again.
"He wants to talk to you guys and your parents. There's going to be a guy there tonight. He dresses like some kind of 1920's reject, always purple too. You can't miss him. His name is Caleb Covington. He has a history of screwing over every band he's ever signed. He looks for young acts, ones too excited to sign a contract to read through it. If he approaches you, do not talk to him unless one of your parent's is with you." She finished and the rest of them looked at her like she had grown another head.
It was one thing for her to be hanging out with them once in a while but to have her actively trying to look out for them, it made Julie's heart swell. The boys only smiled at her in thanks. Flynn came up and hugged the girl.
"Thank you so much. My dad will be there, he's a lawyer. Plus, Rose and Ray have been in the industry for years. Thanks for looking out, though. Really." Flynn smiled at the girl and backed up to stand by Reggie who nodded in agreement at her words.
"Lowering yourself again, Carrie? Nick, you should take better care of my sister." Bobby said as he walked by with a smug smirk.
"If anything lowers her social standing, it's being related to you." Nick snapped. Luke snorted and shot a middle finger at Bobby, his own smug smile on his lips.
"What he said." Carrie responded with a roll of her eyes.
Before anyone could move though, the bell rang and Ms. Harrison stuck her head out of the classroom door to their right.
"That was the bell, we'd appreciate your presence in class." She backed up and waved her arm into the room as if welcoming royalty into the school.
They smiled at her and nodded. Willie left to go to class squeezing Alex's hand. He informed them he'd be waiting at Julie's after school. Shooting Bobby a dirty look, he made his way down the hall to his own class. The rest of them filed into the music room, taking their seats.
"Mr. Wilson, don't you have an english paper due? You should probably head over there before Mr. Cummings marks you absent. Bobby nodded and left, his steps jerky with agitation.
Ms. Harrison clapped her hands to get the classes attention. Everyone perked up and turned away from their friends to give her their full attention.
"It seems congratulations are in order. Los Feliz's own Sunset Curve will be performing at the Orpheum tonight. Opening for Panic! At The Disco, no less." She announced. The band blushed in their seats as the classroom exploded into applause. None louder than Carrie, Nick, and Flynn who started chanting "Sunset Curve". Grinning at the red faces of her friends.
"Would you guys like to give us a sample of tonight's performance since some of us were unable to get tickets before they sold out?" The teacher asked, a proud smile on her face. Luke was writing out "Vocal Rest" in huge letters in his notebook while the teacher spoke. Before he could hold it up though, Flynn explained.
"No can do, Ms. Harrison. They're on vocal rest. Besides, everyone can get a free show tomorrow at the dance." Flynn smiled sweetly but her tone allowed for no argument.
"Miss Ryder, I hope you have entertainment management on your list of majors for college." The teacher smiled at her proudly.
"I sure do!" Flynn responded and Carrie laughed beside her. The band beamed at Flynn with pride in their eyes.
The rest of the day dragged by. They barely made it through their classes without a comment from the teacher in each one. Luke was getting progressively more twitchy as the day went on. Alex wouldn't stop shaking his legs, sending his knee into the desk every time it bounced up, creating a weird little rhythm in addition to Reggie who could not stop clicking his pen.
Mr. Taylor swore he would talk to Principal Lessa about having them separated for classes. They hadn't even spoken to each other all day but the anxious energy surrounding them seemed to flow into one and out to the other. Feeding the excitement in them and causing their thoughts to block out the sounds of the teachers voices.
By the time they got home, the van had been packed with the t-shirts Willie had designed and the new demo's they'd had made. Ray had started loading up the instruments when the kids arrived home. They had an hour before they had to be at the Orpheum for sound check.
Rose ushered them all in to eat before the big show, Willie already at the table helping Carlos guide his own spoon into his mouth.
"I made fried chicken and mac and cheese." She held up her hand to stop Luke who was about to deny the food. "I don't want to hear it. You guys need solid food, you know how much energy it takes to put on a show. Now sit down and eat." Luke looked ready to argue but instead exhaled and saluted her, the rest of them followed suit.
Willie and Flynn laughed at the look on Luke's face and seated themselves. They dug in when Willie's phone chimed.
Mom?: Have fun at the show tonight! Send me the link to the live stream.
Willie looked at his phone and then back up to his friends. "Do you guys think we could get an extra ticket?" Julie nodded in response, Alex tilted his head, a question hanging from his lips.
"I was thinking we could invite my mom? I-If that's okay, I mean." All of them lit up in response and nodded eagerly.
Julie was about to speak when Luke clapped a hand over her mouth. She looked at him in annoyance and then licked his hand which he pulled away and wiped on her shirt. Never so much as reacting to it.
"For sure! We still have an extra ticket, actually! Tell her to grab an Uber over. We have about half an hour before we need to go." Flynn responded, pulling out the extra ticket from her book bag. She waved it in Willie's face. He smiled at her and picked his phone back up.
Bunny?: I'll do you one better. We have an extra ticket, think you could get here in 20 min?
Mom: Send the address! I'm on my way!
Leia was there in less than twenty, she walked up the path to the front door admiring the landscaping and beaming at the rainbow flag that hung off the porch. Willie really had found himself a wonderful group of friends, it seemed their parents were just as great. It made her heart flutter with happiness.
She'd always been worried about him. She'd known from the moment he did, that he was gay. The ugliness of the world had always scared her. Her ex-husbands words were foremost in her mind when she thought about what her son would have to face. The fact that his first introduction to the hate of the world had been his own father was the breaking point for her.
One of the nights that Willie had stayed out late, the day after he had come out to her, she had grabbed a large butcher knife from the kitchen and stood over her husband's sleeping form on the couch. She watched him breathe for a moment and wondered how the man she'd fell in love with had become this monster. Well, it didn't matter. She had a child to protect and she wouldn't allow one more night of his presence in her home.
She put the knife flush against his neck, digging it in until he startled awake, a drop of blood rolled down, staining his skin bright red. He was confused for a moment before his eyes settled on hers, widening with fear.
"You're going to pack your shit and get the fuck out of my house. If I ever see you again, you'll eat this knife. Am I clear?" She felt wild, feral almost. Years of abuse and tears and biting her tongue had taken its toll. She sort of wished he'd call her bluff but he didn't. Instead, he nodded and got up. She never saw him again after that. She never told Willie either, it would stay that way.
She shook her head to clear the memory and took the last few steps to the front door. She lifted her arm to knock but it was torn open before she could. A beautiful woman stood there, dark curls spilling over her shoulders, shining in the light from the setting sun.
"Rose?" Leia asked.
"Leia?! Oh my god!" The other woman screamed and launched herself forward. They were laughing and crying and Leia couldn't believe how small the world really was.
"How long has it been? Sixteen years?" Leia asked.
"Almost! How are you? Wait...are you Willie's mom?" Leia beamed and smiled, nodding her head in answer.
"Wow it really is a small world after all, huh?" Rose said and they laughed together at the inside joke. Ray came up to the door then.
"Leia! Oh wow. Long time no see." Ray said as he pulled her out of Rose's arms and into his own hug. When he let her go she looked behind him and found a group of kids in a semicircle. Two of them she knew, the others, though, all stood smiling. Their arms around each other.
"Hi mom! I guess you already know the Molina's?" He was about to introduce her but was curious as to how they knew his mom.
"Remember when I told you I was in a band in college?" She turned and pointed to Rose. "She was our lead singer. And, well… Ray was at every gig so…" She let the statement hang and they all gasped.
Rose and the Petal pushers had been whispered about in a lot of their conversations. A hushed secret spoken only in reverent tones, and with all of the respect they'd deserved. Luke had seen an old tape of their performance once and the next day he had asked his parents for a guitar.
"You're the guitarist! No way!" Luke blurted out and then clapped his hands over his mouth. Rose laughed at that and Ray snorted.
"Don't mind him. They're supposed to be on vocal rest right now." Willie supplied in response to the horrified look on Luke's face.
Julie was laughing so hard she was leaning against Alex who had a star struck look in his eyes. Reggie who had Carlos seated on his shoulders swayed for a second and then righted himself. Willie laughed again, nudging Flynn who was standing next to him open mouthed.
Julie pulled out her phone and typed up a response. She walked over and held the phone up for Leia to read. You guys were kind of our hero's growing up, totally the inspiration for Sunset Curve. Luke started learning guitar after he watched your performances. Leia didn't really know how to respond so she just walked over to Luke and hugged him. He responded a little too late, having been taken off guard.
"Mom, This is Luke," Willie waved in the other boy's direction. "Julie." Julie waved to her. "Flynn" Flynn was still open mouthed but snapped it shut when she heard her name. "Reggie" He smiled and waved. "Carlos" Willie pointed up and when Leia looked at him, Carlos made grabby hands at her. She took him and smiled at the toddler in her arms. "And you already know Alex." Leia beamed at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello, Love." Alex blushed in response. Still taken off guard over how much he'd been loved and accepted, even by a virtual stranger. His family just kept growing and, honestly, it made him slightly anxious. Loving too many people opened up too many possibilities for getting hurt. Ray snapped him out of his thoughts when he looked at his watch and clapped his hands.
"Let's go boys. Time to load up the instruments. Sound check in twenty." They all scrambled after him.
The Ryder's and the Patterson's were already there, having been seated in the VIP section where the acts' friends and families reservations had been placed. The kids would be here in a few minutes and they just wanted to enjoy a drink before it got loud and hectic.
They noticed a man sitting at a table in the front, directly in front of the stage. He wore black slacks and a white button up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and the top three buttons of his shirt undone. A tie sat around his neck, untied and hanging limp from either side. His black hair was done up in a pompadour style and a shiny purple blazer with black floral accents hung from the back of his chair. He twirled his glass on the table, the whiskey neat sloshing on the sides of the glass.
They assumed he was some kind of executive, here to scope out the talent of the unsigned opening band. They watched the man and then looked back at each other, smiles all around at the promise of their kids dreams coming true tonight.
"I want to see the graphics you have planned for sunset curves set, also I have a few ideas on color schemes." Flynn's voice rang out as she followed the stage hand in. He was smiling and nodding along, leading her to the tech booth. The Ryder's laughed at the sight of their five foot tall, fifteen year old daughter barking orders at a man probably a decade older than her and about a foot taller.
Following her in were three other stage hands. Two carrying the drum kit, and one behind with two bass' slung over his shoulders, a keyboard balanced in his arms.
Luke came in next, his one guitar hanging off his shoulder. Julie was next to him, holding his hand. Reggie and Alex behind them, Willie holding Alex's hand. They stopped short in the center and stared up at the stage. All of their eyes wide at the shining neon light that read "Welcome to the Orpheum" in glowing pink letters.
"This is it." Luke whispered. They all heard him. Alex put his arm around Luke's shoulders. Reggie slapped him on the back, Julie leaned in to him, and Willie came up behind them and threw his arms around the three of them.
"This is it.'' they whispered back together. The man in front of the stage watched with a small smile tugging at his lips, his left leg tossed over the right. The picture of confidence and comfort. He took a sip of his whiskey and straightened in his seat.
Rose, Ray and an unknown woman walked in then and walked over to the VIP section where they were all seated. Introductions were made, Robert and Jason instantly pulling Leia into conversation about their sons. Rose ordered a round of tequila shots for the table to start the celebration early.
"Where do you want the stuff?" One of the stage hands asked them. Before they could answer, Flynn was walking onto the stage, directing them as to where everything needed to go.
"Wait until you see what I've got planned for the show." She clapped her hands together and walked away to make sure the instruments were handled with care.
"The dressing rooms are this way. You can drop your stuff off. We were told to have hot water, lemon and honey ready for you guys. It's all back there. We'll be ready for sound check in a few minutes." The kids followed the manager backstage, Luke dropping off his guitar on stage before following.
By the time they made it out to the stage for the soundcheck, the lights had been turned on and shined directly onto the stage making it impossible to see anything beyond them. Not their parents and friends in the VIP section, nor the man seated directly in front.
"Ready when you are." The sound guys shouted from his booth.
"Now or never?" Luke put his hand out palm down.
"Now or Never!" They added their hands and shouted the words as all of their arms went up in the air.
They heard a loud whoop from the back and a bunch of whistles and applause. Once the noise died down, it got quiet. The absolute silence grated on Luke so he strummed his guitar to make sure it was in tune.
Their set was fifteen minutes long and thankfully the three songs they hand chosen clocked in at just under. They breezed through Born to Run which showcased all of them collectively. They went with Bright second. The song that had already surpassed seven hundred thousands views, and by far their most well known song. The third, which had been written by Luke and Julie, the most important song Luke thought they'd ever written, saved for last.
When they finished, the lights had dimmed down and it took a moment for their eyes to adjust enough to see who was applauding for them. They'd assumed it'd be their friends and family. They were not prepared for the man standing up directly in front of the stage, clapping loudest. All of their mouths dropped open at the same time and the man laughed in response.
"You guys are really good." He said as he walked closer to lean up against the stage, looking up at them.
They still hadn't moved though. Someone cleared their throat from the back, Flynn probably, and snapped them back to reality. Alex moved out from behind the drums so fast that he tripped and sent a symbol tumbling to the ground. They all cringed at the sound it made. The man just laughed again.
"I see a lot of bands. Been in a couple myself." He said, with a small smile. "I was really feeling it."
"Thanks!" Julie squeaked out as they moved to crouch at the head of the stage together.
"I'm Luke." He stuck out his hand and the man shook it.
"Reggie." The motion was repeated.
"Julie." He smiled wider at her as he shook her hand.
"Alex." Another hand shake.
"We're Sunset Curve, tell your friends." Reggie finished. The man laughed harder this time.
"I'm Brendon. But I have a feeling you guys knew that already." He smiled brighter and they were momentarily dazzled.
"If that's what you guys sound like for soundcheck, I can't wait to see how you guys play for a packed house." He smiled at them again and walked away to prepare for his own soundcheck.
"Did that really…" Alex started.
"Just happen?" Julie finished. They screamed simultaneously and jumped off the stage to run over to their roped off VIP section.
It took about ten minutes for the six of them to calm down enough to explain to the parents what this meant and who they'd just spoken to. Who had just told them that they were "Really great". Yeah, it really seemed that things were about to take off for them. Even more so when Trevor Wilson walked in trailed by Carrie and Nick who ran up to congratulate them.
Trevor introduced himself at the table and informed them that he'd like to speak to them all after the performance, when the kids could join them. The parents nodded eagerly, Robert leaned over and informed him that he was a lawyer and would be looking over any contracts presented. Trevor smiled and nodded in response. "Keep that same energy." He said.
There was a line around the block. Homemade Sunset Curve t-shirts on display in the same sea of people wearing Panic! shirts. Every few feet was a phone blasting music, the people waiting in line singing along to the music. "I chime in with haven't you people ever heard of, closing the goddamn door" Shouted out among one group.
"And rise through the night, you and I, we will fight to shine together! Bright forever" shouted by a second group a few feet away. Pink hoodies, orange beanies, red flannels under leather jackets, purple dresses and lots of butterfly accessories littered the assembled crowd. Luke would have burst into tears at the sight of it.
Caleb smiled to himself as he walked past the line and right up to the door. An unsigned band, one that had gone viral all on their own? Yes, this was a perfect opportunity for him. His eyes slitted in anticipation. They were still in highschool and just as naive as the rest of the ones he'd signed. They'd be easy pickings, he was sure. There was money to be made here.
The bouncer moved aside as he walked in, unhooking the red velvet rope and then putting it back after Caleb passed the threshold. He made his way over to the usual table in the back, hidden from everyone that'd be there. Not everyone though.
Trevor noticed the obnoxious purple color out of the corner of his eye and tensed up between Rose and Leia. The women exchanged a look and glanced back at Trevor. He leaned back in his seat and looked over the parents gathered around the table.
It was still quiet enough that the clearing of his throat was audible and enough to get their attention. He pointed to the table in the back where the lights reflected off of bright purple velvet.
"See that man over there? Don't let him anywhere near your kids." Trevor didn't elaborate and the parents exchanged confused looks.
"I'll explain later. Just, take my word for it." Rose and Ray nodded, having been in the industry long enough to understand what was left unsaid.
"Two minute call for Sunset Curve!" Shouted the stagehand through the closed door.
Luke was pacing this time. Julie was seated between Flynn and Carrie watching his progress back and forth. Nick was standing with Alex, Willie, and Reggie. He was giving them a pep talk. So what if he'd stolen it from the coach and edited it to fit a concert instead of a lacrosse game. If it worked, it worked, right?
"Luke! I swear to god I'm going to throw up if you don't stop." Julie said. She got up and called the rest of them over.
"Now or never? For real this time." She said as she placed her hand first.
"Now or never" They responded. The voices of the crowd were getting louder and more impatient as they all made their way to the stage. Willie, Flynn, Carrie, and Nick had left for the VIP section, leaving the four of them alone.
"Welcome to the Orpheum! Are you ready for some amazing music?" The crowd exploded at the sound of the emcee's prompt.
"Give it up, for the first time on our stage, Sunset Curve!" The crowd went wild again, the walls shook and the four of them beamed at each other.
They walked onto the stage and had to physically force themselves to get to their instruments. It was packed. People were applauding, some even had signs held up. "Marry me, Reggie!" on one. "We love you Julie!" on another. "Sunset Curve saved my life!" Read another and Julie teared up at that one. She looked to the rest of them who were just as stunned.
They started with Born to Run, an anthem for everyone who had ever felt trapped in their situations. It was a hit. The people below them moved like one organism, dancing and swaying to the music they made. If they looked close enough, they could even make out some of the people singing along.
When the song ended, the cheers were so loud, Julie was shocked she could hear their support table over the crowd. She looked over in their direction and found them all on their feet cheering.
"Thank you guys! So much!" Alex said into his mic. More applause sounded in response.
"Before we go on to the next song, I just want to take a moment to wish a Happy Birthday to two of our band." Luke said into the mic. It was quiet in the venue, everyone hanging on his words. It made his heart skip a beat.
"Today is Julie's birthday." before he could continue the crowd erupted again. Shouts of Happy Birthday shot across the packed floor..
"But that's not all, tomorrow is Reggie's birthday!" Luke continued and again the venue exploded with sound. Julie and Reggie were bright red by now and smiling so wide their faces were starting to hurt.
"Some of you might know this one." Julie spoke into her mic. "This is Bright." More cheers and applause as Julie brought in the song on her keyboard.
As they sang, the audience sang with them. More people than not knowing every word to the song. Luke's voice cracked on his verse, the emotion and the energy of the crowd feeding his soul in ways he'd never known he'd been starving for.
Alex felt goosebumps raise on his skin at the sound of hundreds of voices singing their song with them. Almost as loud as they were themselves and it brought a new level of understanding to the drummer. Music connected them all, whether on stage or in his earbuds. It was a universal language and it spoke more than anything else could.
Julie was getting emotional. She'd never expected this, not yet at least. She'd expected to work her ass off before she'd hear the crowds singing her music but it turned out she didn't have to wait long. It was real and it was happening right now. Now that was a birthday present she'd never forget.
Reggie was having the time of his life. Bouncing around on the stage, sharing a mic with both Julie and Luke. He had tried to share Alex's during soundcheck but the drum kit just got in the way so instead he climbed up to the drum stand and made stupid faces at Alex as he played. His smile stretched ear to ear, so wide it might split his head in half, he didn't care. This is what they'd all dreamed of since they were eight.
"This one is new. We wrote this in the hopes that we'd play it in the future but tonight seemed like the perfect opportunity. So this one's for all of you, the ones responsible for eight hundred thousand views'' Luke said, his voice tinged with disbelief. "We are so thankful that you love our music enough to listen. This is Secret Crowds, we hope you like it." He finished.
Luke strummed his guitar bringing in the opening chords of the song they'd kept secret from everyone except Flynn and Willie. Reggie followed him in on the bass. Alex drummed in the background and Julie took the opening verse.
If I had my own world
I'd fill it with love and desire
I wanted the glorious past you admire
And voices of kids out walking dogs,
Birds, planes, trees and cars
If I had my own world
I'd love it for all that's inside it
There'd be no more wars, death or riots,
There'd be no more faiths, packed parking lots,
Guns, bombs sounding off
This song was written with the love of their families in mind. With the idea of how much their parents tried to protect them from the ugliness of the world no matter how much they had already seen. It was written with the idea that the world had so much potential to be beautiful and filled with love if only they'd just reach out and grab it. Luke took over the next verse.
If I had my own world
I'd build you an empire
From here to the farlands
To spread love like violence
If I had my own world
I'd build you an empire
From here to the farmlands
To spread love like violence
They watched as lights and lighters went up in the crowd. It looked like hundreds of little star lights shining on them, swaying in time to the beat of the song. They all got chills simultaneously. It was too dark to see faces, the stage lights making it hard to even focus on the people in front of them but those little pinpricks of light got through and it felt like they were floating through space. All four of them sang for the chorus.
Let me feel you, carry you higher
Watch our words spread hope like fire
Secret crowds rise up and gather
Hear your voices sing back louder
They let go for a bit of instrumental. The words of the song hitting them hard. There was a reason that one sign had gotten them so emotional. It's what they hoped and wished for. That people could listen to them in the worst moments of their lives and feel a little better. Feel like someone out there understood them. He wanted the people who listened to them to know they were not alone, that if no one else did, Sunset Curve understood.
Let's make this a new world
I swear you can go if you want to
I know that you have it within you
Inventing the first clean musical,
God's greatest miracle
If I had my own world
I'd build you an empire
From here to the farmlands
To spread love like violence
If I had my own world
I'd build you an empire
From here to the far lands
To spread love like violence
The lights were still swaying in front of them. A girl at the very front caught Julie's eye. She was alone and looking up at them like they'd just given her the secret of life. She was crying but so absorbed in the music, she didn't seem to register the tears. Julie sang and walked to the front of the stage, looking down at the girl, she gasped. Julie reached out her hand to the girl who took it, her fingers shaking.
Let me feel you, carry you higher
Watch our words spread hope like fire
Secret crowds rise up and gather
Hear your voices sing back louder
Luke walked up next to Julie and took the girls other hand as they sang the chorus directly to her. Whatever she was going through, it was obvious that this was cathartic for her. They smiled at her as they walked back to center stage letting Alex and Reggie take the final two chorus' by which point the crowd had learned enough to sing along.
When the song finished, the entire venue shook with the resounding applause. The lights had moved from center stage to swoop across the audience. More signs appeared in their field of vision. "Alex owns my whole heart!" and "Luke Patterson is Life!". They all busted out laughing.
They bowed and thanked the audience before making their way backstage. They were right outside the dressing room door when a voice stopped them in their tracks.
"That was pretty impressive. Takes a lot of talent to have them eating out of the palm of your hand like that." A man in a purple velvet blazer complete with tails and a top hat stepped out from behind the wall to their right.
"I'm Caleb Covington. Covington Records. I'd love to talk to you guys about a possible record deal." He handed Luke a card with his name on it and a phone number, bordered by bright purple stars. Luke was about to tell him to fuck off, Carrie's warning ringing in his ears.
Before they could respond though Trevor Wilson was making his way backstage, Rose, Robert, and Ray right behind him. They looked worried but Trevor looked murderous.
"What the hell?" Julie asked, confused.