Can't Fight Fate

by ali1122

Fate or Coincidence? It's been almost a year since her mother passed and almost a year since Julie has played or sang music. Deciding to come home and help her father run her mother's studio and taking a sabbatical from Julliard, Julie crosses paths with two people she feels an undeniable connection with-but could these two people be one and the same?

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The music center itself wasn't very busy this early in the morning. And Julie figured the band would be busy with recording their music that playing now wouldn't draw too much attention. She wasn't sure where her father was—Flynn had whisked Julie off so quick she wasn't sure if he was nearby. But she had to do this now. She needed to do it now.

Here's the one thing
I want you to know
You got someplace to go
Life's a test yes
But you go toe to toe
You don't give up no you grow

And you use your pain
'Cause it makes you you
Though I wish
I could hold you through it

I know it's not the same
You got livin' to do
And I just want you to do it

So get up, get out relight that spark
You know the rest by heart

Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain
Raising your voice to the rain

Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
Relight that spark
Time to come out of the dark
Wake up
Wake up

Better wake those demons
Just look them in the eye
No reason not to try
Life can be a mess
I won't let it cloud my mind
I'll let my fingers fly

And I use the pain
'Cause it's part of me
And I'm ready to power through it

Gonna find the strength
Find the melody
'Cause you showed me how to do it

Get up, get out relight that spark
You know the rest by heart

Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain
Raising your voice to the rain

Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
Relight that spark
Time to come out of the dark
Wake up
Wake up

So wake that spirit spirit
I wanna hear it hear it
No need to fear it you're not alone
You're gonna find your way home

Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain
Raising your voice to the rain

Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
When you're feeling lost
Relight that spark
Time to come out of the dark
Wake up
Wake up

The notes flew with ease, filling the room. Her voice gaining its confidence the more she sang the words her mother wrote for her, truly resonating. Quite literally reigniting the spark she desperately tried to find while back in Julliard. But here, in her mother's music center, is where she was meant to be. Where she was meant to be in order to finally be able to feel alive again.

"That was…" she heard her father from the side. She turned to look at him and saw him gaze at her in wonder at a loss for words. She went up to him, a smile spreading on her face. His hand came up to wipe away the tears she did not realize she had shed.

"Amazing." She said simply.

"Amazing doesn't begin to cover it," her father beamed. "What brought this on?"

"I can't explain it," she started. "I heard that band playing in there… their music. Their lyrics just really hit home and resonated with me. And being here…. connecting with mom in the one place where her music really took flight. It felt like something I needed to do. Not something I felt was expected of me to do…does that make sense?"

Ray smiled at his daughter, giving her a look of understanding. "It does, mija. It does."

She smiled at him. "Mind dropping me off at home on your way to your session? I'd like to be there when Carlos gets in."

"What about Flynn?" he asked.

"I'll shoot her a text," Julie told him. "The band is in the studio for another hour so she'll be stuck here. We'll make plans for when she's free later." The two headed for the car together chatting about Julie, music, her part with the music center. A weight had been lifted off Julie's shoulders. She felt much lighter.

Back in the recording studio, the guys once again had been sitting listening back to the most recent take. At some point through the review Luke had become acutely aware of singing and the sound of a piano in the distance. The studio was close but not close enough that he could make everything out clearly, especially from where they sat. Had they still been in the recording room, it wouldn't have caught his intention at all. The music was powerful. Everything about it. The faint lyrics resonating through, trying to breach the walls, the sheer force and power of the girl playing was drawing his focus away from the group. He needed to see who this was coming from.

"Luke you with us?" Reggie asked, kicking him in the foot trying to get his attention.

"Ow!" Luke exclaimed, glancing back and glaring at Reggie. "What was that for?"

"You with us or off in your own world there?" Reggie teased.

"With you, jeez." Luke shook his head. But he kept thinking back, trying to listen for the music that was no longer playing through. "I'll be right back guys."

"Where's he going?" Reggie whined but Luke ignored him as he made his way out the doors towards the music center. But when he got there, there was no one around but the salesperson checking inventory and an empty baby grand piano.

"Hey, did you see anyone around that piano a bit ago?" Luke asked. The salesperson shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

With no other option or way of knowing how to find the mystery girl, he turned around to rejoin the guys in the studio. He took out his phone, trying not to smile but clearly failing. He had meant to e-mail Reggie this morning because he couldn't find where he threw his phone to call him directly. His computer was on hand so why not. E-mail it was. But he could barely make out his own hand writing and took a stab at what he thought were the correct letters to the e-mail. Clearly, he failed. Instead of reaching Reggie, his e-mail landed to a complete stranger. A stranger who was kind of enough to make him aware of his oversight but also had a funny whit about them that piqued his curiosity over who this person was. It was the similar vibe and curiosity he got when he laid eyes on Flynn's friend. Julie was her name. Several things were strange in all of this for him. For one, the strange pull he was feeling towards his e-mail correspondent was similar to the what he was sensing towards Julie. And they'd yet to utter two words to each other. Another strange thing was the evident anxiety rolling off of Julie in waves. Like she was terrified being in that recording studio. Something shifted after they played. He'd caught her eye through their rendition of Now or Never and could see something change. A realization or connection had been made for her. If that were the case, he felt accomplished. He'd wanted to approach her, talk to her more once they wrapped up for the day but she had run out. Being that Julie was friends with Flynn, he was sure they'd have another moment to connect.

His mistake later on was openly engaging in reading and sending responses while Alex and Reggie were hanging around. They managed to take his phone and the back-and-forth banter and started ragging on him, taking bets on whether or not his correspondent was a female or not. When he read the correspondent was (as they put it) of the female variety, he couldn't help the smirk planted on his face.

But then he realized, he said he'd update her when the shirts arrived and suddenly the situation sucked. The band shirt order was only just placed. What excuse could he have to keep the correspondence going. Taking a chance, he hit the reply button.

T-shirt saver:

Or is there another name I can call you?

You've hooked me in, too. I admit. I can't picture someone who's captured my attention in such few messages to be anything close to an underachiever. Sensing there's a story there? Care to share?

I find myself too curious to wait the ridiculous amount of time it will take for the shirts to arrive to have an excuse to chat again.

-LP

He put his phone away and headed back inside, fully intended to keep all focus on the guys and the studio time while they had another half an hour left.

-CFF-CFF-CFF-

Julie's phone chimed as her father dropped her off at the house. She waved goodbye and headed towards the front door. She was feeling a bit tired from her trip. Jet lag was kicking in. But she was also eager to get inside and settled to see what message may have come through. It very well could have been another irrelevant e-mail. Or…or it could be LP.

And LP it was. She read over his e-mail. Then read it again, a smirk forming on her face.

T-shirt saver:

Or is there another name I can call you?

You've hooked me in, too. I admit. I can't picture someone who's captured my attention in such few messages to be anything close to an underachiever. Sensing there's a story there? Care to share?

I find myself too curious to wait the ridiculous amount of time it will take for the shirts to arrive to have an excuse to chat again.

-LP

He wanted to know more about her. He wanted to know her name. Territory she felt was too soon, too risky to jump fully in and share with a complete stranger. He was, at the core, a stranger. And she knew, better safe than sorry. You just never know with the internet.

But she found herself curious about him as well. And wanted to know more about this new correspondent she'd acquired.

Well, good afternoon LP.

Hooked you in, have I? I'll bite.

Another name other than the new name I've coined? I guess I do. Don't we all?

You may call me J. ;)

Of course, there's a story. There always is a story. Mine's not all that interesting I'm afraid. It's quite literal, from spending the better part of the past year quite literally underachieving where those surrounding me expect the stars and beyond. But that's too depressing to share with a complete stranger, I think.

You mentioned band t-shirts… promoting a band, in a band, groupie of a band, all of the above?

That's all I have for now, LP. Jet lag is kicking in.

J

With a smile on her face, she drifted off for a power nap. She knew she wouldn't get to sleep too long before Carlos would be back and barreling into her room to greet his sister and catch up.

-CFF-CFF-CFF-

"And that's a wrap on today guys," Flynn called. "There's a bit to go through so why don't we start there tomorrow. You sounded great!"

"Sounds like a plan," Alex smiled.

"Anyone hungry?" Reggie asked. "Hotdogs?"

"No. No hotdogs," Alex said with a pointed stare.

"Oh come one," Reggie whined. "You can't think every hot dog you come across is going to give you food poisoning."

"Not taking the chance," Alex shook his head. "Luke?"

Luke had been going through his phone for new e-mails the moment practice ended. He was so focused on the latest reply from "J" he had no clue what the banter was about.

"Hello? Luke?" Alex waved his hand in front of Luke's face but Luke failed to notice.

"Kick him," Reggie whispered to Alex.

"What?" Alex look at him confused.

"Watch," Reggie pushed Alex aside and gave look a nice kick to the shin. He dropped his phone, promptly to hold his now throbbing leg.

"Dude!" Luke exclaimed angrily.

"Told ya," Reggie gave Alex a smug look.

"She answered you again?" Alex asked as they gathered their stuff. Flynn tried to ignore them but she knew now, based on his last shared e-mail correspondence, that he was the stranger Julie was communicating with. And holy cow was her mind blown at the revelation. Small world.

"Uh, yea," Luke said, not wanting to give too much away.

"Oh come on, don't hold back on us now," Reggie whined.

"Not all messages are meant for all prying eyes, you guys," Luke told them. "I have a feeling J wouldn't want me sharing her stuff with more people she doesn't know. She barely knows me."

"J?" Alex asked. Luke shook his head, not realizing he let that slip.

"That's the name she gave me," Luke said.

"Is that short for something," Reggie asked. Alex rolled his eyes.

"Yea, it more than likely is," Alex told him.

"Well why not just say her whole name," Reggie pressed. "Does she know yours?"

"My e-mail signature's set at LP- I guess she went off that," Luke shrugged. "But it's ok, literally just started talking today."

"And you want to keep talking?" Reggie wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Or it could just be another person to talk to in a general sense," Alex offered. "Afterall, someone seemed to not be able to take their eyes off a certain girl today."

"Guys," Luke sighed. "I'll be right back." He left the room, shaking his head. The guys were too nosey.

"What was that girls name again Flynn?" Reggie asked. "Your friend with the good musical insight?"

"Julie?" Flynn asked.

"That's right," Reggie said. "Huh." He went back to putting his guitar back in its case, deep in thought.

"What's 'huh' about her name?" Alex asked.

"Just interesting," Reggie mused. "Flynn's friend Julie shows up same day Luke starts talking to another girl with a name starting with J. Small world." He chuckled, amused by his thought processing. Flynn's eyes were as big as saucers. She knew of course. But she didn't think Reggie of all people would put that together. She suddenly tried to make herself appear busier than she was to avoid the topic all together. But Alex was watching his shift in behavior rather closely.

"That is something," Alex pondered. "Isn't it Flynn?"

"I guess," she shrugged and turned to go into the recording studio to shut the room down. Reggie and Alex exchanged a look before following hot on Flynn's tail.

"Flynn, you know something," Alex stated. It was fact.

"About what?" she asked, nonchalantly.

"Yea no, you're acting all weird now," Reggie pointed a finger at her. "I wasn't right…was I?"

She avoided their gaze. "Oh my god I'm right? Holy crap! How is that even possible?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Flynn tried to denied but they stared intently at her.

"Ok fine, yes. But I have no clue how out of all the people in the world, Luke would mistakenly e-mail Julie instead of you Reggie. No clue."

"And he has no idea it's Julie," Alex asked.

"None," Flynn told them. "And she has no clue it's Luke. She literally just flew back home today from New York. She didn't know anything about any of you guys."

"So what do we tell them?" Reggie asked.

"What do you mean what do we tell them?" Flynn said. "We tell them nothing. If we're technical, Julie and Luke haven't even said two words to each other today. What difference would it make telling them they're communicating with each other?"

"Well they can take their conversations out of virtual land and talk face to face," Reggie suggested.

"Leave it be Reggie," Flynn said. "See if they figure it out for themselves. For all we know, they're not going to be e-mailing for much longer. And then it'll be a funny story down the road if they become friends."

"Right, friends," Reggie smirked.

"Leave it," Flynn said, a stern look crossing her features.

"So you want us to lie to him?" Alex asked, looking torn.

"How is it a lie?" Flynn said. "Has he flat out asked if you know who the girl is on the other side of those e-mails?"

"Well, no—" Alex said.

"It's not a lie," Flynn told him. "Personally, I'm curious to see where this develops. You can't tell me you guys aren't curious yourselves to see if something happens."

"Between LP and J? or Julie and Luke?" Reggie asked, confused.

"Dude, they're the same people," Alex shook his head in disbelief.

"Right," Reggie said. "I knew that."

"Let's just see where it goes," Flynn said. "If we need to intervene, we'll intervene where we need. Right now there's nothing to be concerned with but to see where fate leads them."

"Fine," Alex agreed.

"Yea, fine I guess." Reggie shrugged. It was that moment Luke came back in the room, a slight smile on his face.

"Hey Flynn," he started. "I meant to ask earlier, was anyone here earlier in the music center?"

"Like a customer?" Flynn asked. "The music center wasn't too busy outside of the salesperson, myself, Julie and her dad. Not sure if someone else came while we were all back here though. Why?"

"Just, I could hear someone earlier when we were reviewing the tracks," Luke started. "Someone out there can really shred on that piano. And sing. Whoever the girl was, she can sing. I couldn't find her." He went back to packing up his stuff.

Flynn looked around them, eyes wide as saucers. The only person who would—if they had the courage to-was Julie. And to hear from Luke that her best friend had finally played and sang for the first time in over a year was a holy crap moment. She had to get out of there and get to Julie and celebrate!

"I got to go," Flynn said suddenly. Gathering her stuff quickly and starting to rush out.

"Everything ok?" Luke asked.

"Yep, just got to go check in with someone—or something," Flynn laughed, waving her hand like it was no big deal but it was a big deal. The look Reggie and Alex were exchanging once more indicated they're too intuitive for their own good. She gave them a pointed glare before heading out, telling the salesperson she'd be back at lunch.

"That wasn't weird or anything," Luke muttered after she'd rushed out.

"Nope, not weird at all," Reggie rushed out, trying to look busy. Luke eyed him suspiciously.

"You ok dude?" Luke asked.

"Yea I'm fine," Reggie rushed. "Why wouldn't I be fine? Don't I look ok? I don't know anything about anything." He turned quickly shaking his head.

"You're being weird," Luke said.

"He's just hungry, ignore him." Alex said. "Let's go grab some lunch."

"Hot dogs?" Reggie asked.

"No!" Luke and Alex said at the same time as they headed out for the day.

-CFF-CFF-CFF-

Julie only managed to get half hour of sleep in before her brother bounded through the door, jumping on her. She missed him too much to be mad at him.

"Want to catch up over some lunch?" Julie asked.

"Sorry Julie, I can't," Carlos told her apologetically. "I'm heading out with the guys in a bit. Have to make sure we're at the top of our game for the upcoming season. Rain check?"

"You got it," she smiled. "I'm going to head down to the diner and get some food. I miss that place."

"They'll be happy to see you," he smiled at her. "They ask about you all the time whenever I stop in."

Julie smiled.

She grabbed her stuff to wash up, checking her phone beforehand. Another message.

J

I'm curious what above and beyond superstars you surrounded yourself with that you'd be labeled something as ridiculous as an underachiever. Too soon/too personal to ask where it is you were?

I'm in a band. We're always looking to self-promote/manage you could say. We're re-building our brand, I guess is a good way to put it.

Jet lag? Long flight? Coming or going?

-LP

She smiled. Rebuilding their brand. Her curiosity was piqued once more. She was curious what had transpired that they'd need to rebrand.

LP

I think you're spoiling me with all this attention. I think your girlfriend won't like me hogging up so much of your time.

Rebranding? Sounds like you, too, have a story to tell.

Definitely jet lag. Thought I'd get some shut eye but alas, no rest for the wicked. Flight was long. Coming back is probably most on point. I've been on the east coast for a couple years. New York specifically but it was time to come home.

Ever been on a plane? What's the farthest you've traveled?

-J

She got herself ready and headed out to the local town café. She used to go there with Flynn all through high school. More regularly with her mom whenever they wanted to celebrate. The café had an open mic set up. Occasionally she would play there. With Julie being away for some time, she had not been back in a long time. It would be good to see everyone.

Julie texted Flynn she would be there for lunch in case she wanted to join and meet her there.

She approached the café cautiously. The memories were on the forefront of her mind today. But unlike earlier, she embraced them. Welcome them with open arms, determined to keep her mother's memory alive.

She walked in, taking in the entire space before going any further. Her eyes landing and lingering on the stage where she had spent quite some time belting out serious tunes.

"Julie!" she heard her name being called from the other side of the café, the opposite side of the stage. She turned in the direction where the sound of her name came from and was surprised to see the band from earlier, Sunset Curve. She approached them with a smile.

"Hey there," she greeted. "Reggie, Alex and Luke, right?" She'd pointed to the person corresponding to the name, making sure she got it right.

"Good memory," Reggie smiled.

"Thanks," she smiled shyly. "I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to formally meet earlier. You guys sounded really good."

"That's ok," Luke smiled, watching her intently once more. "You rushed out of there pretty fast. Everything ok?" Reggie and Alex exchanged a look, surprised just how closely he had been paying attention to someone he'd yet to meet.

"Yea, just…needed a moment," she smiled.

"Sounds like there's a story there," Luke teased. She paused a moment, thinking back earlier to when she was e-mailing with LP and had said something very similar.

"Isn't there always," she countered. He too paused, finding the connection to the verbiage odd.

"Maybe next time you'll stick around longer," Luke suggested. "You know, if you come watch the band again."

"Once this jet lag wears off, I'm there," she smiled. His smile faltered for a moment.

"Wanna sit?" Alex offered, realizing they'd been making her hover over them for a bit. She nodded and moved to sit next to Luke as next to him was the only open seat.

"You just get in from a trip? Reggie asked.

"I was away for school for a while," she told them.

"Oh, where at?" Reggie asked, interested.

"New York," she said. Luke's mind was making the connections but didn't think it were possible for Julie to be J. He had received her most recent message. J also had been back east, coming back and had jet lag. What were the chances, he thought?

She didn't want to get into the fact that she was at Julliard. It would raise way too many questions she wasn't quite ready to answer. "How did the recordings go earlier?"

"Sick!" Reggie exclaimed. "Wanna hear this one? I caught some of it on my phone when we were playing it back."

"Sure," Julie smiled as he hit play. She listened as they played. She closed her eyes, letting the melody take her over as she listened to the words. She faintly heard Alex say they're trying to figure out what's missing. Her hands had been under the table underneath her lap and hadn't realized her fingers were moving along as though playing an invisible piano. In her head she could picture the perfect notes to add to this track that would truly take it to the next level.

"Hey you ok?" Luke asked. The song had come to an end and she opened her eyes.

"Yes, sorry." Julie shook her head. "Music took me away for a minute there. It's good you guys."

"Yea but missing something," Reggie whined.

"We keep playing it back not quite sure what it is," Alex told her. "It's got Luke all riled up. He doesn't like when he hits a wall with the music." She laughed.

"Piano," she told them, looking anywhere but there.

"Piano?" Luke asked.

"Yea, did you ever think about adding some chords from the piano?" she asked. She looked around and saw they had their guitar cases and then back to the stage where a drum set and keyboard was set up. She shook her head. "Here, grab your stuff and follow me."

She got up and headed in the direction of the stage, stopping a moment to give a hug and kiss to the owner who had been patiently waiting for Julie to make her way over. They chatted briefly. The guys saw Julie point over to the stage and the owner eagerly nodded her head in agreement over whatever exchange they just had. The guys just looked around the table at each other and shrugged before Reggie and Luke grabbed their stuff and followed over to where Julie was now sitting at the keyboard taking deep breaths on the stage, waiting.

"So, you play?" Reggie asked.

"It's been a while but yea," she smiled. "I dabble a bit. Ready?"

She started playing a combination of chords, recalling the melody they had recorded to the song they had referred to as Bright. The guys looked at each other in awe as she not only started playing but sang the first verse. They were into the direction she was taking the song with a simple addition of the keyboard at the start. With her vocals too?

When the song ended, they all just stared at each other not sure what to say. She was a force to be reckoned with. She didn't just dabble. She was a star.

The owner rushed over to Julie to give her a hug.

"Oh Julie that was just wonderful!" the owner gushed.

"Hey it's not me," Julie said in defense. "This is all Sunset Curve. Reggie, Alex, Luke meet Sandra. She owns this wonderful café."

"Hello," she smiled and shook their hands. "You're band is amazing, just wonderful. But oh Julie, I just missed watching you play. It's been too long!" The guys looked at Julie with curious expressions.

"Julliard sure is lucky to have you honey," Sandra told her. "Your mom would've been so proud."

Julie didn't say anything, just gave her a tight smile and a quick hug. She turned back to the guys, "I could eat, how about you?" She walked back over to the table and sat down, staring out the window deep in thought.

"Holy shit you guys," Luke said, staring at her in wonder.

"Who knew she could shred on the piano," Reggie said. "She's legit man."

"And I'm pretty sure she's who I heard back over at the music center earlier," Luke said. He was sure of it.

"That's one mystery solved," Alex laughed.

"Yea but," Luke started.

"But what?" Alex asked.

"I don't know, it's crazy," Luke shook his head, packing his guitar back up.

"What is?" Reggie added.

"There's no way, so doesn't matter." Luke shook his head.

"No way what, dude stop being cryptic," Alex told him.

"It's just," he looked at the Reggie and Alex. "What if Julie is J? Everything J's said to me so far –including the jet lag and being on the east coat in New York is exactly what we just learned about Juile."

"And the J." Reggie muttered. Alex elbowed him in the stomach.

"You two know something?" Luke looked at them suspiciously.

"Nope, nothing," they said at the same time. Reggie grabbing his guitar and following Alex to the table where Julie sat still looking out of the window. She briefly looked down at her phone to see if any new messages had come through. Nothing. She sighed, putting her phone away and stole a glance in Luke's direction. He was staring at her intently and with amazement at the possibility that Julie and J could very well be one in the same. A smile spread across his face at the thought and he grabbed his guitar, making his way back over to the table.

He looked at her intently. "So."

"So." She smiled, a glimmer in her eye.

"Julliard?" he smirked but her smiled faded and she looked away.

"Anyone have a menu?" she changed the topic, missing the look the guys exchanged at her efforts to redirect the conversation. Fortunately for her Flynn barged in at that exact moment, looking around for her friend. When she saw who she was with, she knew her interrogation would have to wait.

"Hey Flynn!" Reggie called out. She looked at them all, but Luke's eyes were trained on Julie, trying to figure out the unspoken secrets. Maybe she wouldn't tell him now. Or maybe not at all. But maybe she would tell LP.