Can't Fight Fate Chapter 3, a julie and the phantoms fanfic

Chapter 3

Later that evening Julie and Flynn had reconvened at Julie's place. She'd spent the better half of the afternoon after the café catching up with her father and going over logistics of the business. She intended on stopping at the music center bright and early to get a feel for the current inventory and gauge what marketing strategies she could implement to continue to help the music center and studio thrive. She hadn't received any new messages since sending LP her response. She figured her subtle implication of a prospective girlfriend was spot on and he backpedaled. She figured her new virtual pen pal was no more.

"What's on your mind Jules?" Flynn asked as she was looking through Julie's old records.

"Nothing really," she shrugged.

"Uh huh," Flynn set a record aside. "I know you, Julie Molina. I know when something-or someone's—got your attention. So spill."

"It's no one," Julie told her. "It's just…LP hasn't responded since my last message."

"Maybe he's busy?" Flynn offered. Flynn knew the guys had a gig tonight they were rehearsing for. They'd mentioned it in passing when at the café earlier, offering Julie to come along. If she weren't exhausted from her trip and still on eastern standard time, she would have joined them in an instant.

"Maybe," Julie agreed. "Or maybe he does in fact have a girlfriend and I made it weird."

"I wouldn't jump to that conclusion," Flynn told her, trying to veer her off that path. "What guy with a girlfriend would eagerly engage and flirt with a total stranger through most of the morning? He's more than likely busy."

"Maybe," Julie conceded. A moment later, her phone chimed.

She looked down and saw an e-mail notification from LP. She looked up at Flynn with wide eyes.

"It's him?" Flynn asked.

"Yea," she told her. She opened the message to see what he sent her.

Sorry I've been MIA through the day. Band has a gig and the guys may have taken my phone away to keep me focused. Clearly, they're feeling deprived of my attention—no girlfriend here. Aside from music, you've got my full attention J. I like hearing from you.

New York, huh? What kept you away?

Are you back for the foreseeable future? West coast, North west? South?

I haven't traveled much. Vancouver at one point with the guys for a gig but hopefully once we pick up traction that will change.

Need to rebrand- definitely a story. But a long story short, a band member ventured off along with some of our biggest hits I'd written at the time. He took the credit. We moved on and are choosing to come out on top.

I'll be honest here J. I feel like I can be transparent here no judgement.

Have you ever felt like something was missing in your life? With our music, there's been something missing and until today we had no idea what that was.

Looking forward to your next message, J. A pleasure, as always.

-LP

"Holy crap," Julie smiled.

"What?" Flynn asked excitedly, curious what Luke could have sent Julie to put that smile on her face.

"No girlfriend," Julie laughed. "Just attention seeking band mates. They have a gig tonight. Here, check it out." She showed Flynn the message. She read it over carefully. She'd known the guys for a while now. She knew Luke was more reserved and focused on the band and their music and what the plans were to get noticed and make it big without the idiot member, Bobby, who had screwed them over. He was never big on relationships. But when he was passionate about something, the shift was evident. And seeing his words and his comfort in talking to a complete stranger really spoke volumes.

"Looks like he's comfortable talking to you Jules," Flynn assessed.

"Well yea," Julie noted. "I get why…it's the same for me."

"What do you mean?" Flynn asked.

"Well think about it," Julie told her. "We have no idea who the other person is. It's a safe space to connect with someone we're vibing with and feel we can say just about anything and there really is no judgement."

"You don't think one day you'll meet this LP character?" Flynn proposed.

"Doubtful," Julie smiled. "I like I can be open and honest and not feel like the person on the other end has expectations of me just snapping after everything that's happened this past year. It's like I have my own pen pal. It's nice."

"And the flirting?" Flynn smirked.

"A little flirting doesn't hurt," Julie defended.

"Right," Flynn laughed and resumed going through the records.

Julie hit the reply button, ready to respond.

I like that you feel comfortable to be open. I feel the same. No judgements from me. Safe zone. ;)

I do know what you mean about feeling like something's missing. It's what brought me back home if I'm being honest.

Full transparency?

I lost my mom almost a year ago. Things haven't felt quite the same once she was gone. She and I were big into music together. She had her own music center and studio—cool right? Fun place to grow up around. But I couldn't bring myself to be around music since she died.

Until today. Coming back feels like the best move. West coast life for me.

Have a great show tonight, LP. I know you'll rock it!

Cheering you on!

-J

She put her phone aside and laid back on her pillows, a smile lingering on her face.

"So…" Flynn started. "What'd you say?'

"Some messages are private for a reason Flynn." Julie told her.

"Oh come on," Flynn whined.

"It was about my mom and music," Julie told her. "No big deal."

"No big deal?" Flynn said in shock. "That's a huge deal Jules."

"It's like I said," Julie shrugged. "Safe space of no judgements. It helps I don't know who the person is on the other side. It'd be the same as if I was writing it in a journal."

"Except this journal answers back," Flynn pointed out.

"Yea," Julie laughed. "Answers back with a unique understanding in their own way of what I've been feeling. I can't explain it."

"You don't have to," Flynn smiled. "Get some rest Jules. I'm going to head out. I'll see you at the studio tomorrow?"

"Bright and early," Julie smiled. "See you later, disappointment."

"Later underachiever," Flynn smirked and headed out.

-CFF-CFF- CFF-

The band wrapped up some time after 2 in the morning, still ramped up from the adrenaline rush they always walked away with after laying it all out on the stage. They crushed that set and were too pumped to sleep.

"Guys we crushed that!" Luke exclaimed, knees bouncing up and down as he took a seat.

"Yea that was the best we've done yet!" Reggie agreed.

"Guess it's good we gave Luke his phone back," Alex laughed. "Thought you'd be too distracted thinking about J if you didn't get ahold of her again before the set."

"Funny," Luke rolled his eyes.

"Did you check if she responded?" Reggie asked.

"What are the chances she did this late at night?" Luke shook off the possibility.

"Don't know if you don't look," Reggie reasoned. "Doesn't hurt to check."

Reluctantly, Luke took his phone out and checked for any new messages from J—Julie? He was still making the connection. His eye grew wide.

"Told ya," Reggie smirked, giving him a pointed look.

Ignoring Reggie, Luke opened the message. Glued to each word he read.

I like that you feel comfortable to be open. I feel the same. No judgements from me. Safe zone. ;)

I do know what you mean about feeling like something's missing. It's what brought me back home if I'm being honest.

Full transparency?

Until today. Coming back feels like the best move. West coast life for me.

Have a great show tonight, LP. I know you'll rock it!

Cheering you on!

-J

He leaned back in his seat, processing what he knew.

"What is it?" Alex asked.

"The studio… Ray's studio," Luke started. "Ray has a daughter, right?"

"Yea, I think he's mentioned her before," Alex said trying to remember. "She's been away studying in New York or something….oh"

"What?" Reggie asked, looking back and forth between Luke and Alex. Alex rolled his eyes.

"Julie is Ray's daughter," Alex told him as he was missing the obvious. "Guess you'll definitely be seeing more of her if she's back for a while."

"I wonder why he didn't mention she was coming back," Reggie mused. The guys looked at him questioningly. "What? We're buds."

"Right…" Alex rolled his eyes.

"Maybe he didn't know," Luke thought out loud. "I didn't get the sense from these messages she has plans of going back to Julliard."

"You're messaging Julie too?" Reggie asked, confused.

"No, yes, I don't know," Luke shook his head, confused. "It all is just too similar. I think J is Julie." Alex and Reggie exchanged a look. Luke noticed. He definitely noticed. "What's that look for?"

"What? Nothing," Reggie said, starting to put his stuff away to ignore the question. "We don't know anything." Alex shook his head.

"Now I know you know something," Luke stood up. "I'm right, aren't I?"

Reggie hung his head down, not answering.

"Yea," Alex told him.

"Dude," Reggie whined. "We said we wouldn't say anything."

"No we said we wouldn't say anything unless we were asked point blank," Alex reminded. "We're not going to lie about it."

"Wait, said you wouldn't say anything to who?" Luke was confused.

"Flynn," Reggie shrugged.

"Wait, how does Flynn know?" Luke asked surprised. Did this mean Julie knew too? She didn't seem like she did when they were at the café earlier.

"I guess she put two and two together when you were talking about those messages earlier in the studio," Alex shrugged. "I guess she knew her friend was talking to someone but had no clue who it was."

"So it's Julie," Luke said, matter of factly. A smile creeping on his face. "Wait, does Julie know?"

"More than likely no," Alex told him.

"She'll likely be the last to know," Reggie laughed.

"Why not just tell her?" Alex offered.

"I don't know," Luke thought. "We literally just met. What are the odds she'll believe me, for starters? But also—" he paused.

"Also, what?" Reggie asked, concerned.

"J's opening up to me. It's like not knowing who is on the other end creates a safe space where she can open up like she can't with the people around her. You saw Julie today," he told them. "She's like a freaking human wrecking ball with her talent but you mention Julliard and she shuts down. Being in the studio freaked her out this morning. You think she'll openly talk about it with me if she knew?"

"Maybe not?" Reggie guessed.

"More than likely not," Luke said. "She doesn't know me well…yet."

"Yet?" Alex repeated.

"Yet." Luke smiled. He grabbed his phone and left the room. He had to think how to best proceed before replying to J. Alex and Reggie shook their heads as Luke left.

"Flynn's going to kill us,' Alex said.

"Only if she finds out…" Reggie mused.

"She has her ways of knowing," Alex shook his head and took a seat.

-CFF-CFF-CFF-

The next morning Julie got to the music center bright and early. She'd spent the better part of the morning looking over the books, catalogues, inventory to gauge how she can best integrate her skills to help the business.

Taking a break, she took out her journal. She'd had lyrics stuck in her head off and on since she woke up. Now was a good time to get them out. She was in her own little world she didn't hear the jingle of the bell when the door to the music center opened. Or when Reggie, Alex and Luke had come up to greet her and were looking at her expectantly, slight amusement marring their features when they realized she wasn't ignoring them. She was too lost into whatever she was writing.

"Jeez, she's just like you man," Reggie laughed, directing his comment to Luke.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Luke asked, his gaze still focused on Julie trying to see what she was working on.

"Whatever she's working on, she's in her own world," Reggie told him. "Like you, when you're writing."

"We'll get set up in the studio and wait for Flynn," Alex told him, giving him a pointed look. "You know where to find us."

"I'll be there in a bit," Luke told them. He stared at her a moment more before he tried to reengage.

"Hey Julie," he said, but nothing. In an effort not to startle her, he moved his hand slowly between Julie and the paper she was focused on. She blinked, and looked up sheepishly when she realized Luke was in front of her.

"Luke, hi!" she smiled. "Sorry…were you there long? I can get lost in my own world sometimes."

"Hey no need to explain," Luke smiled. "I totally get it. When you're in the zone, you're in the zone. Far be it from me to stand in the way of creative processes."

"It's just been so long since I've put pen to paper like this," she admitted, looking guilty. "Now I find I can't seem to stop."

"Didn't do a lot of writing or composition at Julliard?" he asked. She looked at him surprised. "Sorry," he said. "Sandra at the café yesterday mentioned Julliard."

"Right," Julie nodded, almost forgetting that detail. "Forgot about that." She looked down. Sensing Julliard was the last thing she wanted to discuss; Luke changed the subject quick before he scared her off.

"So what are you working on?" Luke asked, nodding his down towards the paper in front of her.

"Nothing really," she shrugged. He raised his eyebrow, amused. "Just poems, mostly."

"Like lyrics?" he smiled.

"I guess they could be," she admitted. "I wasn't thinking about it in that sense. Just feels good to get the thoughts out as they come."

"I'd love to check it out some time," Luke told her. "You know, if you felt comfortable. Showing your poems, I mean." She smiled at him.

She looked down at the counter, trying to avoid his gaze. She kept finding herself getting lost in his eyes whenever she would look at him. Something about Luke drew her in. She didn't understand it. She'd never felt such an instant connection to another person quite like this. Certainly not someone she'd just met and knew very little about. The connection was different compared to what she felt when she spoke with LP. Around Luke it was like the energy around them was charged. It was electric and intense and quite frankly, terrifying. Terrifying even more wondering if this spark she felt around him was one sided.

"We'll see," she finally told him, looking up offering a smile. The sound of a notification from his phone caught them both off guard for a moment. He gave her an apologetic look and checked his phone.

Quit flirting and get the girl's number already so we can start recording.

Reggie

Luke rolled his eyes at the message.

"Everything ok? Julie asked, amused at the shift she could sense in Luke.

"Yea," he smiled. "Just Reggie ragging on me. They need me in the studio."

"Ah," she nodded in understanding. "Better get in there then."

"Right," Luke sighed. He started to go but paused. "Hey, um. The guys and I were wondering if you didn't mind sitting in to record some chords on the keyboard for that song, we played the other day? I mean, you don't have to. But…you really took that song to another level."

"You mean to say there's three of you and not one of you can shred on the piano?" Julie teased. "Unheard of."

He laughed. "It's a travesty."

"I'm not sure what I can add but sure," she caved. "Give me a few to catch up on some things and I'll be in to check you out—"She caught herself and he looked at her in amusement. "I mean you guys… the band. I mean…"

"I know what you meant," he laughed.

"And yet you let me keep going, digging myself deeper in the hole," she shook her head in mock horror.

"Gotta keep you on your toes," he teased. "I'll go let the guys know you're game for a session."

"Yea," she said, slightly unsure.

"I'll see you in there," he told her. He grabbed his things and headed towards the back to the studio. She watched him leave, trying to fight the smile forming on her face. She looked down at the words she had been writing before she realized Luke was there watching her. She dreaded to think how long he had been waiting for her to realize the world around her hadn't disappeared. Reality was still waiting for her to rejoin it.

I've got a spark in me

And you're a part of me

She wrote. She wasn't sure where that was leading but she felt good. She packed her things up to take with her and quickly checked her phone, realizing now she hadn't bothered check yet today for a message from LP. She smiled when there was, in fact, a message waiting for her.

J-

How's your morning going?

Your good luck rubbed off. We crushed it!

Thanks for sending your good vibes our way.

I am...so sorry about your mom. I have no doubts she was an amazing and talented person. She created you, after all.

Welcome home, J- what force in the universe should I be thanking that helped reignite the fire? Have you recorded anything before? Maybe I've heard you and just don't know it. Love a good mystery.

What's your genre J?

-LP

She smiled a sad smile thinking over what did help reignite the fire. She marked the message as unread so that it would be prominent and waiting for her response later on. She hoped he didn't mind the wait. The urge to spend some more time with Luke was drawing her attention and she welcomed it.

With her things, she headed back to the studio.

"Julie! Hey!" Reggie exclaimed, seeming eager. Too eager. Reggie was questionable, Julie thought.

"We're glad you're opening to recording with us," Alex smiled. "You were incredible yesterday."

"Thanks," she smiled.

"We're no Julliard…" Reggie started but stopped when he saw Luke glare at him, shaking his head to stop him from sticking his foot further in his mouth. "What?" Reggie asked, oblivious.

"It's ok," she told Luke. She saw their exchange and was surprised he picked up on her aversion to talking about Julliard to that extent she had. He understood her somehow. "You're right, you're not. This is better." She said, looking around the studio. Luke smiled.

"I don't know, Julliard's pretty bad ass," Reggie countered.

"Yea, maybe." She agreed. "But they don't need underachievers distracting the bad asses." The guys exchanged a look at the mention of "underachievers".

"When do you go back?" Alex asked.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" Julie teased. "I'm hurt Alex." He laughed.

"We took some notes on what we're thinking for the inclusion of your chords and vocals," Luke started, coming over to her to go over some of the song.

"Vocals?" Julie asked, surprised.

"Well yea…" he said as though it were obvious. "Julie, you can sing." he told her. "You're like a freaking human wrecking ball."

"So it's not just my mad piano skills you're after," she smirked. He shook his head, chuckling at her lightheartedness. She fit in well with them. Julie was a nice addition in the recording studio. A nice addition to their trio even if it were for one song.

"Well, before Julliard snatches you back up, might as well use that power of yours to move people," he smiled at her. She looked at him a moment offering him an appreciative smile before coming closer to look at the notes he had for the song. He tensed slightly at the proximity, feeling the energy around of them charge again.

"I'm not going back," she whispered for him to hear only. "I'm staying put." She kept her eyes trained on the paper but could feel his eyes on her. Elated inside because it meant he didn't have to wonder how much time he'd have to really get to know her only to lose her.

He was determined to get to know the real Julie Molina. She drew him in and he was lost.

"Morning all! Who's ready to record—"Flynn stopped short a moment, seeing Julie in the studio with them. "Well, this is a wonderful sight to see." Julie looked up at Flynn, rolling her eyes.

"Don't make it a big deal," Julie warned her.

"Yea, yea," Flynn said. "Let's do this, shall we?" They smiled and took their spots. Luke's eye shown in delight as Julie led the intro to the song with her chords. When she started singing the guys all exchanged a look, getting fired up and pumped for where this would lead.

They had a feeling this would not be the last of Sunset Curve featuring Julie Molina.