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+
Author's Note: And so begins Act III...
Do you guys want to see Flarrie (Flynn/Carrie) or Nick/Carrie?
Chapter 27
Thanksgiving is one of Julie's favorite holidays.
Unlike Christmas and Easter, it's not over-commercialized. Unlike Halloween, they actually get school off. Unlike Valentine's and St. Patrick's Day, it actually has a legitimate purpose. And unlike Columbus Day, it celebrates unity between different people groups instead of genocide and imperialism.
Thanksgiving is the most casual holiday of the year. Julie and her family have a tradition of doing nothing except spending the morning in the kitchen together. Everyone has a dish they're assigned to make and the atmosphere is always filled with laughs and bickering as everyone tries to navigate in the small space using the same tools.
They had to adjust their plans slightly with the boys being here. Tía creates a rotation for the kitchen, making sure there are never more than four people in it at a time. She also makes sure there's always a veteran cook to help out the boys. Alex and Luke are clueless when it comes to cooking.
Reggie is surprisingly quite familiar with cooking. Other than asking where things are located, he doesn't need any help as he prepares the sweet potato casserole.
"My parents weren't home very much when I was growing up," he explains. "I had to cook for myself and my brother a lot."
Carlos takes Alex under his wing and teaches him how they do their homemade mashed potatoes and stuffing. They are the only dishes Carlos knows how to make aside from boxed Mac and Cheese and Ramen, but he's gotten good at them over the years. Julie remembers their mom teaching him how to do it years ago.
Julie and Luke are in charge of the dessert. They make a pumpkin and an apple pie. It becomes quite obvious to Julie that Luke has never tried to cook anything before. The kitchen is filled with laughter as she steps back and lets him try on his own.
Tía makes green bean casserole and homemade cranberry sauce and Julie's dad does the turkey. By noon, the house smells absolutely delicious. Julie's stomach rumbles; she never eats breakfast on Thanksgiving in order to save more room for the big feast.
Ray calls everyone to the table at one. Tía breaks out a bottle of wine and even shares it with Julie and the boys ("Only one half glass, though," she insists). Before they eat, they go around the table and share what they're thankful for.
"I'm thankful for family," Julie's dad says. "I didn't expect my family to grow so much this year, but I'm thankful it has."
"I'm thankful for my new brothers," Carlos says. "I always thought it was rotten luck to be stuck with just a sister. But I guess I'm thankful for her for bringing them here."
Julie is so happy that she doesn't even kick him under the table for that.
"I'm thankful for my mom," she says. "She might not be here with us physically anymore, but her spirit still lives on. I feel her everytime I play music. I feel her in the house. I felt her in the kitchen this morning. I feel her every day in my heart."
"I'm thankful for being surrounded by people who love and support me," Alex says.
"I'm thankful for Alex and Reggie, for sticking by my side through thick and thin," Luke says. "I'm thankful for Julie, for bringing us here. And I'm thankful for Ray and Carlos for letting us stay."
Reggie's eyes are watering when he speaks. "I'm thankful for having a real, loving family."
They all raise their glasses and the feast begins.
After they've all eaten way too much, the rest of the day passes in a blur. Tía and Ray hang out upstairs while Julie, Carlos, and the boys hang out downstairs. Carlos turns on the football game, which only he and Reggie watch. Alex borrows Julie's laptop and watches Youtube. Julie and Luke nap on the couch together.
Julie's woken up by her phone vibrating in her pocket. When she sees who's calling, she reluctantly rolls off the couch and walks out of the room.
"Nick?" she answers. "What's up?"
"Happy Thanksgiving, first of all," he says.
"Yeah, Happy Thanksgiving to you."
"I wanted to ask a huge favor of you."
Julie can't imagine what would be a huge favor to him. "Yeah?"
"For our movie day tomorrow - do you think we could have it at Carrie's house?"
Wow. Julie didn't have any particular expectations, but that request would be the last thing she could imagine. She doesn't know what to say.
Nick must take her silence as a no because he rushes to explain. "I know you guys have some bad blood, but I think she's going through a really hard time right now. Kayla texted and said that she's all alone today. Her dad disappeared earlier this week like he sometimes does and she's been all alone in that big house."
As much as Julie dislikes Carrie, she can't help but feel pity for the girl. Her argument is only half-hearted. "Doesn't she have maids or something?"
"Please, Julie. You guys used to be friends. It would mean a lot to her - and to me."
Used to be friends is the key phrase here. If their places were switched, Julie highly doubts that Carrie would even consider it. But Julie remembers how happy she's been today with the boys and her family and she wouldn't wish the opposite on anyone.
"Okay, we can do that. But I have to warn you - I'm not sure Carrie will show her appreciation in the way you think she might show it."
"Thanks, Julie. I'll see you guys tomorrow."
"Yeah. See you tomorrow."
She slips her phone back into her sweatpants and heads back to the TV room. The idea of bringing the boys into their former bandmate's house is probably a terrible idea, but Julie will deal with that when the time comes. For now, she's going to enjoy the rest of her Thanksgiving.
Thanks to all her napping the day before, Julie wakes up pretty early the next day. Her dad and Tia went Black Friday shopping and left at who knows what hour, so the house is quiet. When Julie makes it down to the kitchen, she sees a haggard looking Alex hunched over a bowl of cereal. He has purple bags under his eyes and his hair is mussed up.
"I would say good morning, but it doesn't look like it is a good morning for you," she says. She starts a pot of coffee and grabs a bowl of cereal.
"It's not." Alex hardly reacts as she pours two cups of coffee and slides one over to him. "I had some nightmares."
"About the game?" Julie hates even bringing it up. She spent so much time in the game that the first few weeks out of it, she still dreamt of it. All her boys have died - like, really died - in her dreams.
"Yeah. Mostly about Willie." Alex wraps his hands around the steaming mug of coffee. If it burns him, he doesn't let it show. "The thing is, they didn't feel like normal nightmares. They were as clear as if they were really happening. It felt more like a...a vision."
"What happened?"
"It was weird. I was in the game, but I was myself. And it wasn't the same place as before. It was a new area of the map, one we didn't explore. But it was definitely Jumanji. And Willie was there, and he looked scared. When he saw me, he told me I had to go and that I couldn't come back. He said Caleb was expecting us. I asked him if he was alright, if Caleb had punished him for helping us, and he held out his arm. He had two lines on his arm."
"He's on his last life." Julie reaches out and touches Alex's arm with her hand. "I'm so sorry."
Alex glares at his coffee. "Yeah. I just feel so helpless. There has to be something we can do to save him."
"We already won the game. If we had the power to break him out, he would have come out with us."
"He was under contract with Caleb last time we played. Now that contract's broken. What if we went in and won again?"
All Julie can do is stare at him. She understands his pain. Willie was her friend, too. If she knew a way to get him out, she wouldn't hesitate. But they don't know that going back in the game would save him. And if what he told Alex in his dream is true, then going back in would risk all of their lives.
Things just got settled here. The boys are moved in and integrated, their music is starting to take off, and life is good. Julie isn't willing to risk all of that over a life-like nightmare.
"I'm sorry, Alex," she repeats. "But I'm not going in that game again unless I was a hundred percent sure that we could save Willie. I'm not even one percent sure right now. If that dream was real, then he himself said he doesn't want us coming in to get him."
He raises his eyes to hers, and Julie swallows at the tortured look in them.
"What if it was Luke stuck in there?" he asks. "Wouldn't you be willing to risk it all?"
As much as Julie hates her answer, Alex deserves no less than honesty. "No. Not under these circumstances. I don't want to get stuck in the game for twenty five years or die because of a dream. It's exactly what Caleb would want us to do and what Willie fought against. He broke his contract for us. We have to respect his decision. If we go back in and throw our lives away for nothing, then everything he did for us is a waste."
Alex doesn't respond. Julie knows exactly how he feels. She felt that way herself when her mother died. He's in denial right now. He's willing to do anything, no matter how stupid or dangerous, just to get another second with the person he cares about. Julie's been there and she knows how self-destructive it can be.
She just wishes she knew what to say. There's nothing that will make him feel better, she knows, but almost anything is better than the silence stretching out between them.
She's saved by the appearance of Carlos. He looks half-asleep still, but not so asleep that he doesn't try and swipe her coffee.
Reggie and Luke are up within the hour. Somehow Julie and Reggie end up in the kitchen, making eggs and toast and bacon for everyone. Even though Julie and Alex had already eaten cereal, it becomes a sort of brunch.
Nick drives by at noon to pick them up. Since their dad and Tia are gone, Julie tells Carlos to grab his Nintendo switch and come with them. The Wilson house has no shortage of Wifi or outlets, so she's not worried about him being bored.
By the time they pick up Flynn, the car is absolutely packed. Luckily Carrie doesn't live too far away.
Nick navigates easily through the intense security. All the guards recognize him and wave him through. A few recognize Julie, even though it's been years since she's visited.
"Are you sure this is a house?" Reggie asks. "'Cause it looks like some fancy retreat or country club."
"Nope, this is Trevor Wilson's house."
Nick smiles and switches on the radio. A song that Julie recognizes all too well starts playing. Luke, Alex, and Reggie all scowl.
"They're not fans?" Nick asks Julie in an undertone. She shakes her head.
Carrie greets them at the door. She acts nonchalant, but Julie knows her well enough to see that she's pleased. She insists on giving the boys a full tour, which even Carlos tags along on. When they reach the living room, the boys look equally parts pissed and impressed.
Luke drifts over to a wall that's decked out with framed awards.
"Oh, that's one of Daddy's platinum records," Carrie says helpfully, tossing her hair back a little.
Julie reads over Luke's shoulder to see that it's for the song "My Name is Luke." She reaches out and rubs his back. All his muscles are tense as he stares at it.
"And where is your dad right now?" Reggie asks. He has the same dangerous look as Luke, though his isn't quite so venomous.
Carrie shrugs. "I don't know. He goes away a lot. Sometimes to his on-call therapist. Sometimes to yoga and meditation retreats."
"He still a vegetarian?" Alex asks.
Carrie gives them a strange look. "Yeah, he's a vegetarian. Though not many people know that."
None of them answer her. Nick reaches out and grabs the remote. "So, what movie should we start with?" he asks, louder than necessary.
They start with Elf. Carlos disappears into the room next to theirs and connects with his friends online. Julie, Flynn, Nick, and Carrie cram on the obscenely large couch with the boys.
Luke and Reggie find the movie hilarious. Alex watches with a sort of disgusted awe, as if he can't quite believe what he's witnessing.
Julie glances over at Carrie a lot. Her defenses seem to melt a little. She laughs at the funny parts and at the boys' reactions, even if only quietly. Julie notices that she's sitting awfully close to Nick. Julie spent most of their relationship low-key judging Nick for being with Carrie, but she forgets that Carrie isn't always rude and mean. Carrie used to be kind and fun to be around, even if she was a bit self-centered. She's probably still that way around Nick.
When the movie ends, Carrie and Nick disappear into the massive pantry and bring out armfuls of snacks. Everyone dives in while Nick puts in The Polar Express. Alex pops over to the other room to offer Carlos some snacks.
The sound of a loud engine cuts through their conversation. A shock of terror runs through Julie as she realizes what it is. She shoots Flynn a panicked look, who instantly understands.
"Oh." Carrie stands suddenly. "My dad is back. I didn't think he'd be here until Sunday."
"You know, he probably wants to spend some quality time with you," Julie says quickly. "Maybe we should head out."
"Yeah, we'd hate to infringe on your family time," Flynn adds.
"You know, I'd actually love to meet him," Luke says. "I mean, if he has time, since he's such a rich and famous rockstar."
Julie glares at Luke, but he stubbornly ignores her. Reggie moves to stand by Luke, in a visual show of support.
"Of course!" Carrie exclaims. "I'm sure he can spare a few minutes."
Nick glances back and forth between the boys and Julie and Flynn, as if sensing the tension. Julie desperately hopes he chalks it up to what she said in the car about the boys not being fans.
The sound of the engines fades away and an upstairs door slams shut. A minute later, the elevator doors down the hall open and Trevor Wilson comes striding in the room.
He doesn't see the boys at first. Carrie runs up and gives him a hug. Then he sees Nick and greets him, and then Julie and Flynn. His eyes linger on Julie for an extra second. The last time Julie saw him in person was at her mother's funeral. She always knew he was good friends with her mother, but she never knew the exact details of their relationship or why they were so close.
Then he looks over at Luke and Reggie and his smile freezes. His face pales.
They stare at each other in silence for a minute. Carrie looks between them.
"Dad? These are the new students at our school, the ones in Julie's band."
"Impossible," he whispers. Without taking his eyes off them, he fumbles around in his pocket for his cell phone. His hands shake and he drops it when he finally digs it out.
Luke steps forward, a smug smile on his face. "Hi. My name is Luke."
Reggie follows him. "And I'm Reggie, though you may remember me as Crooked Teeth." Then, to the side, "Man, I still can't believe that song was always about me."
Trevor snatches his phone off the ground and runs out of the room. As he's about to go through the door, he runs straight into Alex. Alex freezes at the sight of him and Trevor backs up against the wall.
"Bobby?" Alex asks.
Trevor rubs at his eyes. He pinches his arm. He glances back and forth between his bandmates, sweat beading on his brow. His gaze finally settles on Julie, as if silently asking her what's going on.
Alex recovers quickly. He crosses the room. "Julie, I can't believe I'm saying this, but we have an even bigger issue."
"A bigger issue? Than Bobby?" Luke exclaims. "Alex, get your priorities together!"
"I am!" Alex half-turns and points. "The game is here. I think Carlos brought it from home!"
Now Julie's the one in shock. "Is he in it? Is he gone?"
"I didn't see him in the room."
Julie starts for the doorway. Nick grabs her arm.
"Julie, what's going on?" he asks. "What game are they talking about? And why do they keep calling Carrie's dad Bobby?"
"I can't explain right now." She pushes past him and runs through the door. Luke and Alex are on her heels, and she thinks she can hear Nick following them.
The room is empty. Carlos' backpack is sitting next to the couch. The TV is off, but Julie sees the game consoles from Jumanji plugged in.
She sinks to her knees, despair overcoming her. Why didn't they destroy the game when they had the chance? Now her kid brother's stuck in it and they're going to have to go after him.
"Julie? Is everything okay?" Nick asks. He looks utterly confused.
The door on the opposite side of the room opens and Carlos steps in. His eyes go to Julie and he looks just as confused as Nick.
"Julie? ¿Qué pasa?"
She lunges forward and wraps him in a tight hug. The relief running through her veins is like morphine after a surgery. Once she gets her breath back, she steps away and her older sister voice comes out.
"You can't go through my stuff, Carlos."
"I didn't."
"Then how did you get that game?" Julie demands, pointing to the TV.
"I thought I was going through the boys' stuff in the garage." Carlos walks over to the consoles spread out on the TV stand. "Sorry. I didn't realize it was such a big deal. It's just a video game."
"No, it's not," Luke says. "Trust me."
Before Julie can stop him, Carlos reaches down and picks up a controller. "It's so outdated, anyways. I didn't even know if it would work."
The TV suddenly flashes to life. The controller in Carlos' hand sparks and his entire body flickers before he disappears.
Julie doesn't even have time to process her horror before she feels herself being sucked in. The entire world around her spins. For a split second, everything is dark. Then she blinks and she's surrounded by jungle plants and sounds.
It feels different than last time. Julie glances around and sees the snake slithering its way through the brush. The ground shakes slightly beneath her and she sees four other Avatars land next to her. A fifth is standing in front of her, their back turned.
Julie can't even feel relief that she recognizes the surroundings. All she feels is the dread that settles in deep in her stomach as she glances around at the all-too-familiar scenery of Jumanji.
