Can't Fight Fate
Disclaimer: These characters and lyrics are not mine; they do not belong to me at all. They belong to the creators and writers of the TV show. ;)
Chapter 1
It had been almost a year since Julie Molina had been home. Almost a year since her mother passed away. It wasn't her intention to stay away. Naturally, she had offered to come home and help her father with Dahlia Music Center & Recording Studio: Her mother's studio. He was adamant she should stay in New York City. In Julliard. It was too important an opportunity to pass up.
But finally, she just couldn't do it anymore. Every time she'd approach the piano. There was hesitation. Guilt and fear taking over and she just couldn't bring herself to play. It was paralyzing. She hadn't played or sang a single note since her mother died and she didn't know how she would break it to her father that she was taking a sabbatical from the program indefinitely.
She rode in silence in the back of the cab…another ten minutes and she would be home. And she'd have to tell her father the truth. She knew he would be supportive. Ray Molina was always in her corner, supporting whatever decision she made. But she wanted him to be proud of her. And she felt ashamed for—all intents and purposes—giving up. She desperately wanted to find her way back to music. She just couldn't fine that spark to reignite the flame.
She scrolled through her phone, checking for any missed calls, texts or e-mails she may have received while her phone was off on the plane. Some messages came through from her best friend, Flynn. Flynn knew she was coming home and ready to get Double Trouble—the band name she dubbed when they were in grade school—back together and in action. Adamant as she always was against the name, she was excited to see Flynn again. She helped manage the recording studio these days, occasionally assisting bands with production. She had a good ear.
She scrolled through her e-mails, ignoring those which came through from friends from Julliard exclaiming disbelief that she would leave without a word. She rolled her eyes. There was no one she connected with back east. No friends, really. Not since retreating into herself after her mom died so there was no one to tell, quite frankly.
One e-mail made her do a double take. She didn't recognize the sender and clicked it open.
Hey dork,
How did you not double check the spelling of the band name before placing an order for 100 t-shirts? Send me the contact info for the place you order from before we have a bunch of band t-shirts saying Swerve instead of Curve. Call me!
LP
She had no idea who LP was…or if this person had intended to send her this e-mail to begin with. It seemed urgent… so naturally responding made sense, right? This LP would have no way of knowing his e-mail reached the wrong person as the e-mail he sent it did actually exist. Otherwise, they would be receiving a domain failure memo clueing them into the mistake.
Dear LP:
Your message seemed urgent and I felt it important to tell you that I do not believe I'm the person you intended to send this to. Definitely wouldn't want there to be 100 t-shirts floating around being used for wiping tables rather than proper intended use. Hoping the solution is quick for you-and for the dork's sake.
Best of luck!
She hit send without a second thought and chuckled to herself.
The cab came to a halt as she looked out the window to see her house. On the outside, not much had changed. Taking a deep breath, she got out with her bags in tow and made her way to the door. She was halfway up the walkway before the front door opened to reveal Ray's smiling face as he ran to greet his daughter. She hadn't mentioned she was coming, in hopes of surprising him. He pulled her into a big hug.
"Welcome home, mija" he whispered as they held each other tightly.
"Thanks dad," she smiled. She didn't realize just how much she missed him until that moment.
She pulled back to smile at him, tears streaming down her face.
"Happy tears I hope?" he teased. "I wish you told me you were coming. I would have picked you up from the airport."
"I wanted it to be a surprise," she shrugged. "Let me guess, Flynn?"
"Can't blame her," he laughed. "I'm surprised you beat her here honestly. Let me help you with these." He took her bags and let her lead the way to the house. With trepidation, she crossed the alter and entered her home. She looked around, taking everything in. Examining to see if anything had changed or stayed the same.
"Feels good to be back, right?" he asked, not noticing her hesitation and uncertainty.
"It does," she said. And it did. "Not much has changed."
"Didn't feel right to change anything," Ray admitted. "Your mom wouldn't have wanted that."
She nodded in agreement. She knew he was right.
"Where's Carlos?" she asked. Carlos was her younger brother, a senior in high school.
"Baseball seasons starting up," her dad said. "Team's meeting up for practice early these days. It should be a good season."
"I can't wait to see his first game," Julie smiled. Her dad turned to her, confused.
"It's in a couple weeks, mija," he told her. "You'll be back at school by then."
"Right." She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked away. She can't tell him now.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?"
"I told Flynn I'd stop by the studio before heading to a shoot," he told her. "Want to come check it out? There's a baby grand with your name on it."
She should have told him then, she knew. But she couldn't. The glimmer of excitement and hope in his eye when he thought of her gracing the studio with a Julie Molina original was too much. The thought of how disappointed he would be when she not only told him she wasn't going back to school but also that she hadn't played a single note since her mom passing wasn't something she was ready to face quite yet.
"Let me get washed up and I'll head over with you," she smiled. She grabbed her bag and set up the stairs to her old bedroom. She opened her bag, taking a look to see what she'd change into. She saw a new notification for her e-mail on her phone as she took it out of her pocket to set it down. Curious, she opened it.
It was from LP.
Dear unknown e-mail recipient. Or should I refer to you as lifesaver?
Can I start by saying thank you? Thank you for acknowledging my message instead of straight up ignoring some random dude's message. Most people probably would have. My friends are always telling me my handwriting is terrible. Guess today proves them write…I completely butchered the spelling and somehow my message found its way to you.
Called the dork instead—he's fixing said issue as we speak, once again, thanks to you. You're a lifesaver. Definitely wouldn't want those shirts being used as some rag. That would be a travesty.
LP
She couldn't help but chuckle at the response. Still no indication of who LP was but she now knew this person was a guy. Random dude. She hit the reply button, unable to help herself. She felt a strong urge to reply and an odd sense of hope their communication would somehow continue beyond errors. She shook her head at her own silliness.
LP,
Happy to be of service and save the t-shirts from a dreaded fate. Will someone be supervising the dork's call to correct the error? The dork seems like he—she? - needs supervision, no?
Here's to positive outcomes and badass t-shirts for you, LP.
Signed, T-shirt saver.
Laughing, she threw her phone on her bed, gathered her things and went to get herself ready to head to the studio.
_CFF_
The ride to the studio wasn't very eventful. Her dad wanted to hear all about Julliard, her new music, her friends but she found ways of going around that one topic he was so invested in being part of. She instead redirected the focus on what had been going on while she was away. Flynn had stepped in to help manage the studio. Business was in high demand and her mother's recording studio was always booked for different upcoming bands. Flynn's help to run the business side allowed her dad to continue dedicating his time to what he loved, photography while also being there for every game for Carlos. She'd talked to Flynn briefly about it—she was the only one who knew what Julie had chosen to do. Flynn mentioned talking to Julie's dad about her joining to run the business. The two of them—double trouble (cue Julie's eye roll)—running both sides of the business together would be epic. Who wouldn't want to work side by side with their best friend in a business they both loved?
She stood outside the studio after getting out of the car. It felt like forever since she'd last been here. Dahlia Music Center & Recording Studio
"Julie!" Flynn all but screamed and she dropped what she was doing and made her way over to her best friend. She hadn't changed much. Eclectic and loud as ever and she wore it all proudly. She was amazing. "You're finally here!"
They embraced in a tight hug. "Hey disappointment, I missed you." Julie laughed.
They broke apart but Flynn's excitement did not die down. "It's so good to have you back! I can't wait to run this place together!" Julie's eye grew wide.
"Run this place together?" Ray laughed, coming up behind them.
"Foot, mouth," Julie muttered to Flynn who backpedaled quickly.
"I mean- um… haha," Flynn stuttered. "You see…um… I gotta go fix an order… yea" She ran off with Julie's glare hot on her heals.
She turned to face her father. Dreading this conversation…in the studio no less.
"What's she talking about?" her dad asked.
"Um.. well," Julie started, not sure where to begin. He put his hand on her should in encouragement.
"Mija, it's just you and me," he assured her. "You can tell me anything."
She took a deep breath. "I know dad. I know I can. I just…"
"Just what?"
"I just don't want to disappoint you," she admitted.
"Mija, nothing you do would ever disappoint me," he hugged her. "Whatever it is, we'll figure it out together."
"Dad," she started. "I'm not going back to Julliard…" she avoided eye contact at all costs.
When he didn't say anything, she looked up to see his concern filled eyes. He was giving her time, knowing there was more she needed to say. "I took a sabbatical…indefinitely after discussing with my professors that was the best path for me right now. Considering I haven't participated in almost a year…"
"You haven't played since your mom." It wasn't a question. Ray felt guilty for not realizing sooner the impact losing her mom would have on her. Music was their thing, the one thing they did together. It didn't occur to him the one outlet she would turn to when she was happy, sad, angry would not be a comfort to her in this painful, grieving time.
"Mija," he started, trying to find the words. "I'm sorry."
"You're sorry?" she was confused.
"I knew this past year's been hard on you…on all of us but I thought music was your way of navigating through the grief. It didn't occur to me to ask how you were processing when you didn't mention it," he admitted. "I should've asked."
"No dad," Julie disagreed. "I should have come to you sooner. I know I should have. I just really didn't want to disappoint you."
"Don't even think it," he shook his head. "Your music is a gift, mija. No one can tell you when you'll be ready—if you'll be ready—to play again, but I hope one day soon you can turn to your music again. Maybe it'll make you feel connected to your mom again. Help you heal."
"Maybe," she shrugged.
"Do you still love music?" he asked.
"I do," she admitted. "I just—"
"Just what honey?"
"What if me playing again means I'm moving on?" Julie asked.
"Moving on doesn't mean you're forgetting your mother, Julie," he assured her. "Your mother is and always will be a part of you. Part of your music. That will never change."
"Thank you, dad," Julie hugged him again.
"Of course," he hugged her back tightly. "So you're staying."
"Don't get too excited now," she laughed.
"It'll be good to have you home, I'll admit." He laughed.
"Flynn says some help running the shop could be helpful?" Julie suggested.
"It has been getting busy with the recording studio being booked. Help running the music center can help her direct focus on the bands who are in need of a producer," he mused. "If it's something you're comfortable with, you can start when you're ready and Flynn will walk you through both sides of the business until you're ready to focus on the music center."
"Have to start again somewhere, right?" she smiled. They turned to where Flynn was trying –and failing—to pay attention to the paperwork in front of her rather than give away her eavesdropping on their conversation. She knew she was caught.
"Double trouble lives on?" she exclaimed.
"I never agreed to that name," Julie rebutted, walking towards her.
"You'll come around eventually," she laughed. "You'll see. Now come on, come check out this band that's just about to get started in the studio. They're cute." She wagged her eye brows suggestively. Julie's phone chimed, indicating a new message.
"One second," she told her. "Just checking this message."
LP. She smiled.
Dear T-shirt saver
He's a dude, I'm a dude—you're not a dude, right?
You're right. Supervision was definitely needed. Thankfully the shop we're working with is super understanding and corrected the issue. No fuss.
Maybe when they're in I can give you an update?
LP
He's a dude. He's a dude. He's a dude-she chanted in her head. Was he older, younger, her age, pervy? She had no clue. He was a total stranger but for some reason Julie had an urge to keep talking to him. But that would be weird. Super weird.
LP
Not a dude. Definitely not a dude. I'm of the female variety.
You've piqued my interest on what these shirts are for—design, purpose and all. This communication mishap has me hooked.
I'd be put out to not see the outcome of what's given me the new nickname of lifesaver. It's certainly a step up from underachiever.
Awaiting an update.
T-shirt saver
"Who's got you smiling from ear to ear like that?" Flynn came up, trying to look over her shoulder to see her phone.
"No one," Julie blushed.
"Nuh uh, nope," Flynn pressed. "I know that look. Who is he?"
"I don't know," Julie said. "And probably no one. I got a message intended for someone else this morning about some incorrect t-shirt order and I've been exchanging e-mails a bit since I got in this morning. See?" She showed her. Flynn read through the messages carefully. She had a knowing look on her face…almost as though she was privy to something about this that Julie wasn't but if that were the case, Flynn wasn't saying anything.
"Look at you, getting your flirt on." Flynn teased.
"He's probably some middle aged pervy dude," Julie said.
"Or maybe he's an attractive guy your age and fate's stepping in to put him in your path," Flynn suggested.
"Fate. Right," Julie laughed.
"You never know," Flynn sang. "See where it leads and, in the meantime, check these guys out."
She pushed open the doors to the recording studio. Julie paused, not entering.
"You can do it, Jules." Flynn encouraged, holding out her hand. She didn't need to be a mind reader to know the reason behind Julie's hesitancy. She knew how long it had been since she was in this studio. The last time she was here was with her mother. They were playing around with recording.
Taking a deep breath, she took Flynn's hand and stepped in. She still hadn't looked up. She was taking deep breaths trying to fight away the anxiety creeping in over where she currently was. Flynn put her arm around Julie's shoulder, leading her further in, before coming to a stop.
Taking another deep breath, Julie finally looked up to see a band was inside the studio. Two members stood together deep in conversation while the other sat with them but they didn't have his attention. He was focused on Julie and his eyes now held her captive that she almost forgot to breathe. You could see curiosity sparkling in his eyes as he took in this new girl he had never seen at the studio. She was beautiful, yes. He noticed right away but above the attraction, her trepidation and anxiety over being in the studio screamed at him. He found himself wanting to understand why. He gave her a slight smile, acknowledging her. She blushed and looked away. Beside her, Flynn hip checked Julie. Julie glared at Flynn.
Flynn hit the talk button to interact with the guys inside the studio.
"Alex, Reggie," she paused, giving a pointed look at Julie. "Luke- meet Julie. Julie, meet the guys. They'll be recording here for the foreseeable future."
They all waved at her, smiles on their faces in greeting. Luke hadn't stopped staring from the moment she walked in despite her looking away.
"You don't mind her listening in, right?" Flynn checked—though given this was Julie's family's studio, she could be here if she wanted.
"Of course not!" Reggie answered enthusiastically. "We're Sunset Curve. Tell your friends."
"Nice to meet you," Alex smiled. She returned his smile.
"Hey, when our t-shirts arrive…we'll make sure to put one aside for you." Reggie winked. Julie laughed. She looked at Flynn, wondering if Reggie was flirtatious by nature but Flynn was avoiding looking at Julie at the mention of the t-shirts. She couldn't help but laugh and think back to her exchange with LP earlier.
"You guys ready?" Flynn asked. The guys got into position. Luke stealing glances at Julie.
Flynn hit the record button and the band began.
One, two
Take off, last stop
Countdown 'til we blast open the top
Face first, full charge
Electric hammer to the heart
Clocks move forward
But we don't get older, no
Kept on climbing
'Til our stars collided
And all the times we fell behind
Were just the keys to paradise
Don't look down
'Cause we're still rising
Up right now
And even if we hit the ground
We'll still fly
Keep dreaming like we'll live forever
But live it like it's now or never
Hear the noise in my head
It's calling out like a voice I can't forget
One life, no regrets
Catch up, got no time to catch my breath
And clocks move faster
'Cause it's all we're after now, oh
Won't stop climbing
'Cause this is our time, yeah
When all the days felt black and white
Those were the best shades of my life
Don't look down
'Cause we're still rising
Up right now
And even if we hit the ground
We'll still fly
Keep dreaming like we'll live forever
But live it like it's now or never
We ain't searching for tomorrow (tomorrow)
'Cause we got all we need today (today)
Living on a feeling that's been running through our veins
We're the revolution that's been singing in the rain
Don't look down
'Cause we're still rising
Up right now
And even if we hit the ground
We'll still fly
Keep dreaming like we'll live forever
But live it like it's now or never
It's now or never (now or never)
"Guys that was great!" Flynn exclaimed. Julie was lost in thought but whispered a suggestion to Flynn before stepping out of the studio. The guys didn't think twice but Luke watched her sudden exist in curiosity. "Um…let's get that again. This time Reggie come in sooner singing alongside on the pre-chorus?" The guys looked amongst themselves, liking the idea.
"Yea that's great!" Luke agreed. "That's perfect, let's do it."
The guys went through the song again, taking the suggestion and running with it. It turned out even better than the first recording. The guys joined Flynn on the other side, waiting to hear the recorded track.
"Good thinking Flynn," Alex said.
"I'll admit, not me this time," she laughed. "It's all my girl Julie."
"She's a musician?" Reggie asked.
"Eh…" Flynn wasn't sure how to answer. She didn't feel it her place to share Julie's story with the guys even though she'd known them for some time now. Instead, she sought to distract them. Luke noticed. Before Flynn played it back Luke tried conspicuously checking his phone for any new messages and smirked when he saw was he was looking for.
"Luke you with us?" Reggie teased.
"Yea, one sec," Luke said. Reggie and Alex exchanged a look.
"Oh, the new pen pal eh?" Reggie laughed.
"What's the verdict? Alex asked.
Luke looked up at them, shaking his head at them ragging on him while Flynn took take a sip of water.
"T-shirt saver is of the female variety," he smirked. Reggie handed Alex a ten dollar bill: they'd taken bets on who caught the Luke's attention more so than music itself has. Flynn spit out her water unintentionally at what he said and started coughing. Holy shit.
"You ok?" Alex asked, worried.
"Yea, yea I'm good…nothing to worry about. So the song…It's rough, needs some tweaking but here's where we're at before I get my wonderful hands on this."
They played it back and started taking notes on what they wanted to change and adapt and ran again.
Meanwhile, Julie sat out front the store thinking over their song. They were talented. There was no doubt. And their music? Their lyrics? Resonated with her to the core. She could really connect with the vibes they were putting out. Who knew it would take her coming home and crossing paths with this band, Sunset Curve to make her face, head on, the reality of what she knew she needed to do? Was she ready? No. She was terrified. But it quite literally was Now or Never. So she went back into the music shop where a baby grand was located at the center of the shop.
Gracefully, she stroked the keys before finding the courage the play the song she'd been waiting to play. A song her mother wrote for her. Taking a deep breath, she began to play.
_CFF_
Author's Note: Trying something different than I've done in a while. Thoughts/reviews always appreciated, of course. Thank you for reading!