Disclaimer: All rights belong to the creators and writers of Julie and the Phantoms (2020). I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made.

Rating: K+

Chapter 9

All the athletes, and by extension the popular kids, are in a sour mood at school. The boy's lacrosse team had gotten a sound beating from their biggest rivals at Glendale the previous evening. Normally Julie wouldn't care in the least, but since their dance class has been invaded by about half the team, it's completely unavoidable.

Nick is especially downtrodden. Between his recent break-up with Carrie and his status as the junior captain of the team, he just can't seem to catch a break.

"This your chance," Flynn whispers in Julie's ear as they exit the locker room. "Be there for him. Give him attention. He'll be all yours by homecoming."

"I'm not going to use his sadness to manipulate him into liking me more," Julie whispers back.

"I didn't tell you to manipulate him. All you have to do is show you care - you do care, right?"

Julie shoves her lightly. "Of course I care."

"Then prove it to him."

Julie meets Nick at their spot on the dance floor. He manages a smile in greeting and she waves her hand.

The dance instructor leads them through a series of stretches before turning the music to the song they're dancing to. They start with a run-through of the choreography they've learned so far.

The boys have a jump and spin move and when Nick does his, his ankle twists and he catches himself with his hands. He looks up at her through his blond bangs. He looks so sad that Julie can't help the pang that goes through her. She reaches down and offers her hand.

"I'm sure you're regretting having me be your partner," he says. "My dancing abilities don't exceed my little sister's princess tea parties."

"Don't be ridiculous. This is a hard dance. Besides, I'd rather have a partner I enjoy being around than one I can't stand who's a great dancer."

Nick's lips twitch into a real smile. "True. I guess I'm lucky that you're both."

Julie's cheeks redden and she glances away. The instructor saves her from having to reply by barking out a few more orders. Nick and Julie run through the moves at half-speed for a few minutes without speaking.

Julie remembers what Flynn said and she takes a deep breath. "Hey, Nick...are you doing okay? You seem kind of down."

Now he's the one avoiding her eyes. "It's just been a rough week," he says.

"Not all bad, though. Your solo in music class the other day was incredible. I wanted to say something, but…"

"But?"

Julie shakes her head. "I didn't think Carrie would like it. She's kinda...protective."

"Yeah, well. That's one reason we broke up." Nick is silent for a moment. "When is your audition?"

"I don't think I'm going to audition."

Nick stops mid-move. "What?"

"I'm taking a break from music."

He frowns, and he actually looks genuinely disappointed. "Julie, you're so talented."

Even though it's one of her pet-peeve phrases, she finds that she doesn't mind it as much when he's the one saying it. Still, it's not enough to convince her to change her mind.

"I was. It's been so long since I played. I probably forgot everything."

"Music is like riding a bike. You don't just forget it. It always comes back to you." His blue eyes stare into hers. "There's really nothing I can do to change your mind?"

Julie is touched by how much he's fighting for her. She never realized how much he cared about. She wonders how much Carrie kept him away from.

"It's not about changing my mind. It's that I literally can't play anymore." She pauses. Only because he was there for her after her mom died does she add, "It reminds me of my mother."

His face softens. "I'm sorry, Julie. I didn't mean to push. I didn't know that was the reason."

"It's alright. It's stupid, anyway. If she could come back down to earth she'd probably knock me silly."

"It's not stupid," he insists. "My dad got me into music. I can totally understand where you're coming from. If something were to happen to him, I don't know if I'd be able to play for a while, either."

The class period ends all too early. Julie waves to Nick after their teachers release them and they split up to get changed. Flynn is grinning as she and Julie change.

"Oh, knock it off." Julie winds up her shirt and flicks it at her.

"I will not. I saw you guys chatting the whole time." Flynn spreads her finger apart. "Sparks were flying."

Julie sighs. "Look, I appreciate your support. I really do. But my life's pretty full right now."

"With what?" Flynn sets a hand on her hip. "You aren't doing music anymore, apparently you're not doing your homework, either, and I know for sure that you aren't spending time with me. So what are you doing that's keeping you so busy?"

Julie turns away so she doesn't have to look in her friend's eyes when she lies to her. Again. "I've been going through my mom's stuff."

Flynn doesn't push the matter, for which Julie is thankful. They pull their backpacks on and head out the doors that lead to the hallway.

Julie nearly jumps when Nick pushes off the wall next to the door and falls in step with her.

"Uh, hi," she says. "Again."

"I hope you don't mind. We're going in the same direction."

Julie glances over at Flynn, who winks at her and falls back a few steps. Julie smiles nervously at Nick.

"Yeah, of course. Have you started your midterm history project yet?"

Nick shakes his head. "No. I don't even know where to start. Actually, I was hoping you could maybe help me."

"What's your topic?"

"World War I."

"That's a good one! There's a lot you can do with it."

He reaches back and pushes his bangs back. "Are you maybe available after school to help me today?" At her hesitation he quickly adds, "I know it's short notice, please don't feel any pressure to say yes."

No pressure? Julie thinks. I've been crushing on you for a year and now you want to hang out? Alone? Of course there's pressure!

"Uh, sure. I could stay a couple of hours."

"Cool." Nick smiles. His mood seems to be greatly lifted from earlier. "Looking forward to it."

It's dinnertime when Julie finally gets back home. She and Nick's impromptu project date ended up lasting a lot longer than intended. She'd really lost track of time working with him in the school library. They'd found an isolated table in the nonfiction section and borrowed computers. Between working on the project and talking about school stuff, the time had really flown by. Eventually they'd been kicked out by the librarians as they closed for the day.

She'd been about to call her dad to pick her up when Nick offered to drive her home. The fact that he'd just gotten his license probably should have worried her, but she trusts him. He'd played some Trevor Wilson music and the ride and they'd rocked out together - Julie didn't sing, but she did dance to it.

"It doesn't bother you?" she asks as he pulls up along the curb in front of her house. "To listen to your ex-girlfriend's dad's music?"

Nick shakes his head. "I was a Trevor Wilson fan even before I met Carrie. I had no idea he was her dad until the first time I went over to her house. I was so shocked to meet him that I totally freaked out. He's really chill, though."

"Yeah, he is. A little too chill." Julie remembers going over to Carrie's house when she was younger. She can't remember him ever saying no when Carrie asked him something. As long as he could chill in his meditation room or sauna or by the pool undisturbed, it didn't matter what she and Carrie did.

"That's right. I forgot you and Carrie used to be friends." He frowns. "What happened between you guys?"

Julie is surprised that he didn't know. She decides to give him the short version. "We just grew apart as we got older. Happens all the time." She looks at the clock. "Oh, wow, I have to go before my dad starts freaking. See you tomorrow?"

He waves as she steps out of the car. "Tomorrow," he agrees.

Julie notices that he waited until she got into her house. Chivalry isn't dead, apparently. Even after he spent the last two years dating Carrie.

Her dad and Carlos jump back from the windows as she steps inside. She tosses her backpack onto the couch and gives them both a strange look. "And what are you guys doing?"

"Spying on you," Carlos answers shamelessly.

"Who was that?" her dad asks, trying to keep his voice casual.

"Just a friend. We were working on a project together after school."

"What kind of project?" Carlos asks. "A kissing project?"

Julie chucks a pillow at him. He ducks. Before he can straighten up, she nails him with another one.

"No, you little pervert. A history project."

"I don't think I've met him before," her dad says. "Will you be spending more time with him?"

She appreciates her dad's attempt at subtlety, but it fails epically. She can read right through him.

"If you're asking if we're dating, the answer is no."

"Well, you should invite him over anyway. I know a little bit about history myself, and it's been a while since we had any dinner guests other than Flynn."

"If we ever date, I promise to introduce you. But that's a big if." Julie goes over to the dinner table, where all the places have been set, and takes a seat. "He just broke up with Carrie Wilson this week. I doubt he's ready to be in another relationship and I don't want to be a rebound."

"Good for you." Her dad nods. Then he asks, "Carrie? As in your old playmate from elementary school?"

"The one and the same."

"How's she doing these days?"

"Let's see - richer and meaner than ever before."

"Well if her boyfriend ditched her for you, then of course she wouldn't like you," Carlos says.

Julie shoots him a glare. "Nick didn't break up with Carrie over me. He probably broke up with her because she's not a nice person."

"Who's not a nice person?"

Julie nearly jumps out of her skin as she turns to see Tía walk in, a crockpot in her hands. She sets it down in the middle of the table.

"This old friend of mine."

"Whose boyfriend broke up with her for Julie," Carlos adds, a mischievous smile on his face.

"Did not," Julie groans. Tía sets her hands on her hips.

"You have a boyfriend now?" Her eyes dart over to Julie's dad. "Did you know? Have you met him?"

"They're just friends," he says. Julie is so grateful she could hug him.

"Mhmm. Just friends. That's what they always say." Tía points at Julie with a serving spoon. "Do we need to have the talk?"

"No!"

"What talk?" Carlos asks.

Julie's dad spreads out his arms. "And I'm shutting this conversation down right now. Why don't we sit and enjoy the wonderful dinner your aunt has brought us?"

Thankfully the subject is promptly dropped and their conversation turns to other topics. Carlos talks about his soccer practice and his 3D design class, enthusiastically telling them about the scale Death Star replica he's going to make. Julie's dad talks about this new camera he's going to invest in and Tía gives them all the dish on her pilates group. Julie sits back and basks in the feeling of family.

It's the first time in days that she's slowed down and simply existed in the present. Between trying to help the boys escape and game and her own struggles with Flynn and Nick and the music program, she's been running at full speed. It's nice to take a break.

Julie is helping Tía load up the dishes after dinner when her phone buzzes in her pocket. She pulls it out to see a couple texts from Nick. A GIF he made of a dancing guy with his own face pasted on top makes her laugh.

Tía points at her with the soapy sponge. "I know that laugh, mija. That's how it always starts. You like this kid, don't you?"

Julie sets her phone to the side. "Yeah, I do."

"And he's a nice kid?"

"Really nice. He was there for me after Mom - " She cuts off. No matter how many times she's said the words, they never get easier.

Tía's eyes soften. "Good. You deserve some happiness in your life." She turns back to the dishes. "I heard that your homecoming dance is coming up next week. Do you have a dress?"

"Not yet."

"Maybe we can go dress shopping tomorrow, unless you're busy."

Julie smiles. "Yeah. That would be nice. I'd really enjoy that."

"Good. Invite that friend of yours, too - I like her."

Julie pulls her phone back out to text Flynn. "I will. Thanks, Tía."

Her aunt leans over and kisses her on the forehead. "No problema."

The last thing Julie wants to do after a really good day is get sucked back into a video game where she's being hunted, but she promised the boys she'd help them get out and that's what she's going to do. The faster she breaks them out, the faster her life returns to normal.

And the more time and energy she'll have to focus on things like her blooming relationship with Nick.

The game resumes where she last paused it, on the edge of the cliff. She pulls out her map and leads the boys back to the yellow path. For her it's been an entire day since Reggie's first death and the stress of being chased, but for the boys it's been only minutes. They're tired and worn down as they hike.

"You seem extra perky today," Reggie remarks as they walk.

"Out of all the words in the English language, you chose the word 'perky?'" Alex asks, shaking his head.

"How was life in the real world?" Luke asks, the longing in his voice impossible to miss.

"It was good." Julie can't quite hide her smile as she thinks back to her and Nick's project session and the way they rocked out in the car on the drive to her house.

"Oh, I know that smile," Reggie says, pointing. "You've got a crush."

"Whaat?"

Alex nods solemnly. "It's true. It's the same look Reggie gets every time he sees a girl."

"Is it that guy you were telling us about the other day? The one that was dating the popular girl?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but yes."

"And now he likes you?"

"Maybe." Julie shrugs. She's hyper aware of Luke walking a few paces up ahead, being unusually silent. Still, she knows she has to give Alex and Reggie something for them to stop hounding her. "I'm helping him with his history project."

They walk for the rest of the day. They're nearing the end of the yellow path and getting closer to a hidden section of the map. Julie wonders what horrors await them for the next stage in their journey.

As the sun starts to set, they find a place to camp. They've done this enough times that they've settled into a rhythm, each doing their unofficially assigned chores. Julie finishes hers first. Luke has been acting weird all day, so when he goes off in search of firewood, she follows him.

"Are you okay?" she asks once they're a little aways from the others. "You've been really quiet."

"Am I okay?" He turns around quickly and she takes a step back, surprised by the anger in his face. "I'm stuck in a video game that I have no control over and the one person who does have control doesn't seem to take it seriously!"

"How am I not taking it seriously?" she demands.

"You come and go as you please and you don't mind taking your time with it. Our lives literally freeze when you pause the game. Do you realize that?"

"Of course I do!"

"But you don't get it! Your life keeps going, whether you're in the game or not. Our lives stop. We don't exist when you're not with us. We've been stuck in this game for over a month and instead of taking the time to get us through it you're busy going on dates and messing around."

"Seriously? This is all about the date? Which wasn't even a date, for your information."

He throws his hands up in the air. "No, it's not about the date! It's about you not understanding that we're literally losing weeks of our lives trapped in here while you get to live the best of both worlds!"

"I don't have two worlds. I don't have two lives. I have one. And it's in reality. Sorry that not everyone can just drop out of school and run away from their families!"

Luke's jaw clenches. "You don't get it."

Julie feels a wave of anger rise through her own chest. She can't remember the last time she felt so strongly. "Yeah, I guess I don't. But I don't have to get it. I don't have to be here. I don't owe you or the others anything! I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do, and I'm going to do it on my terms."

Luke crosses the distance between them, standing only a couple inches away from her. She has to look up at him and she tries her best to keep her face steady, even though being so close to him, even in an argument, makes her feel all sorts of things she wishes she didn't.

"Just because music is the most important thing to us doesn't mean it's the only thing important to us," Luke says. There's no ire in his voice, just a taut tension, like a snake ready to strike. "We all have people that matter to us, and every extra day we're stuck in here is another day they're worried out of their minds, thinking the worst has happened."

Julie swallows hard. He's right - she hadn't thought of it in that way before. If she were to disappear for over a month, her family would go crazy with worry. She can't even begin to imagine what it would do to them, and she doesn't want to.

Julie takes a step back, putting space between them. Her voice is soft. "I'm sorry, Luke. I didn't realize."

He stares at the ground, as if it has answers for him. Without looking up, he nods. "Me too. I shouldn't have yelled. Your life is important, too."

"I said I was going to get your guys through this, and I meant it." She pauses, then takes another step back. She's getting the vibe that he wants to be left alone. "I'm going to go back to camp."

She doesn't wait for his response. As she walks through the darkening trees, she can't ignore the way her heart twists in her chest. Although Luke was wrong to yell at her, he was right about her not taking this seriously enough. His words echo in her head: We don't exist when you're not with us. It's impossible for Julie to fully comprehend that, even if she's experienced it herself. Even when she leaves the game without pausing and it goes on, it's still not their real lives. They're trapped in this horrible, scary, foreign world 24/7. Julie at least gets enough breaks to keep her sanity intact.

Reggie and Alex are sitting around the fire when she rejoins them. They both glance up, trying - and failing - not to look curious.

Julie sits on a log and rests her chin in her hands. "You heard?"

"Some," Reggie says. "Where's Luke?"

"I don't think he wants to be around anyone right now."

Alex's expression is one of worry. "None of us should be alone here. It's too dangerous."

"Was there someone you guys left behind when you got sucked into the game?" Julie asks. "Someone important?"

"Our fourth band member, Bobby," Reggie says. "He was our best friend."

"We all had some other friends," Alex adds. "And our families, I guess, but Bobby was the only one we were close with."

Julie nods. Bobby could be the person Luke was referring to, but she has a feeling there's someone else in his life that's important. Someone he's upset enough about being separated from to yell at her for.

Reggie and Alex stay up for a couple hours waiting for Luke but eventually they fall asleep. Julie stays up and keeps watch, her machete always in reach.

Luke returns in the middle of the night. He doesn't say anything, doesn't even look her way, just grabs his bedroll and curls up.

Julie tells herself it doesn't hurt as much as it does.