Luke's never been in love before.
He's loved people, sure. His loves his parents. No matter how crazy they made him when he was alive, he has never stopped loving them. And his bandmates, of course. Well, maybe not Bobby anymore, but definitely Reggie and Alex. They're his brothers, his family. He would do anything for them. But he's never been in love.
When he was alive, he was too focused on his band, on his music, on his dreams to fall in love or even pay that much attention to girls. Did he flirt? Sure. He would always notice a pretty face, but the music always came first. Most girls couldn't understand that and got tired of waiting for him.
It's not until Reggie starts spouting off about the chemistry he seems to have with Julie that he even realizes this time, with her, it's different. In the moment he brushes it off, teasing his friend with some soft flirting, trying to deflect the guys' attention from the issue until he has some time to wrap his mind around it. But when they are singing at Julie's party later on, she won't look at him.
And it makes him crazy.
She dances with Reggie, makes eye contact with Alex, but turns away from him as if he's invisible, as if she can no longer see him. And she flat out ignores him when he motions her to come over when they are singing together. Desperate to get her attention, he approaches when she is kneeling on the piano, and she finally turns her face to his. Their eyes meet, and he feels his heart lift. And when the guys 'poof' out at the end, and it's just the two of them singing the last lines together, he knows.
He's in love with Julie Molina.
Then they find out about Caleb's curse, and he has to push his feelings aside to deal with the dire situation they have found themselves in. If the choices are to fade away, become part of Caleb's club forever, or cross over, he knows what he will choose. As much as he would give up to stay with her, he can't let his bandmates – his family – suffer like that. So he chooses to help them move on. It seems to be the best solution.
Then – amazingly, gloriously – somehow, the curse is broken, and they are all still around. Together. With Julie. And for a while things are great. He allows himself to feel, to dream.
But the more he thinks about it, the more difficult it seems.
It will be painful staying now that he knows he loves her. And that she seems to have feelings for him as well. Things will change. He will watch her grow into adulthood, surpassing his seventeen years. Eventually, she'll outgrow him, fall in love with someone else, get married, have a family, while he stays just as he is. Forever. And it will be too much. He knows when it happens, he will have to leave, even if he doesn't cross over. Ever.
But not yet. For now, he's going to enjoy just being a boy in love with a girl who has a voice like an angel. It will be enough.