A/N: A (sort of) Halloween chapter. I do not own Casper, I just love the movie a lot. Like... a lot, a lot. And I was watching it the other day on Freeform and it gave me inspiration for this chapter. Note: this is not related to the first chapter. Consider this a separate timeline within the same universe.

Chapter song: Haunted by Acceptance

There's Nothing I Should Fear in Loving You

Julie and Flynn sat crossed-legged on her bed, watching an old horror movie. It was a new tradition of theirs for Halloween. When growing up, Julie, Carrie, and Flynn would go around the neighborhood trick-or-treating. She remembered those nights fondly, even after her falling out with Carrie. With her mother's diagnosis happening around the end of October last year, Julie decided to stay home with her. Flynn joined in while Carrie decided to throw a Halloween party. It had been the first chink in the future of the girls' friendship. Carrie expected them to drop in, but Julie and Flynn spent that night watching old horror movies with Julie's mom.

A year later, the two friends decided to keep the tradition, even though Flynn wasn't too big on horror movies. The girl in question was partially hiding behind a pillow. Just as the protagonist opened the door that the killer was hiding behind, the resident ghosts of Julie's garage decided to make an appearance.

"Julie!" they all yelled, catching both girls off guard and causing Flynn to fall off the bed.

Unable to stop themselves, the boys laughed. Julie glared at them before chucking a pillow at them, watching as it phased right through them. It was a good thing Carlos was spending the night at a friend's house and her dad was out at a party, and neither heard the scream that Flynn emitted.

"Not funny."

"Oh, it so was," Luke answered before jumping sideways onto her bed behind her. "What are you watching anyway?"

"Horror movies. Flynn, sweetie, are you okay?"

"No." She sighed and sat up before climbing back onto the bed. "I hate scary movies."

"Then why are you watching them?" Reggie asked.

"Because it's tradition. What good is Halloween if you don't get scared every once in a while?"

Alex raised his hand. "I also don't like scary movies. My anxiety will not allow me to sit through one."

"See. There was a reason I liked you best." Alex smiled bashfully.

Julie rolled her eyes. "Wimps. Fine, we'll turn on something less scary."

"Ooo. Can I pick?" Julie nodded and handed Flynn her laptop. She watched as her best friend went through Amazon's movie catalog and chose something that made Julie laugh.

"Casper?"

Flynn shrugged. "Why not? I mean, you're basically in the same situation."

"Casper? You mean the friendly ghost?" Alex questioned.

"Yep." Flynn's finger hovered over the mousepad, ready to hit play. "When did you guys die again?"

"1995," Luke answered.

"Then maybe you've seen this."

"We were too busy with the band to worry about what movies were coming out. Besides, we died in April. Pretty sure this hadn't come out yet."

"He's right," Julie added. "According to Google, Casper came out in May."

"Well, then, you're going to enjoy this. And if you don't, keep your comments for after the movie." She hit the play button as Alex and Reggie settled themselves on Julie's bed. Luke sat up and moved closer to Julie. It was a tight fit for five teenagers on a full-sized bed (especially since Alex was nothing but legs), but they made it work.

Subconsciously, Julie leaned back and into the body she knew was behind her. Luke smirked and turned his eyes to the screen, though he knew that her presence would keep him from completely paying attention to it.

Eventually, all of them were engrossed in the movie. Chuckling every so often at the antics of the brothers.

"I wish we could fly," Reggie complained as the scene where Casper flies Kat to the lighthouse played across the screen. "That would be so cool."

"Pretty sure we can. We just haven't figured out how to," Alex commented before both boys were shushed by Flynn.

"This is my favorite part."

They both quieted as Casper told Kat how he didn't remember anything from his life.

"That would suck if we couldn't remember our lives," Reggie said.

"I don't know. I think there are some moments that I wouldn't mind forgetting," Alex responded, remembering how his parents reacted when he came out to them.

Luke and Reggie gave him a sad smile, completely understanding. They were hushed again but this time by Julie as the scene shifted to Casper and Kat in her bedroom. There were unshed tears in Julie's eyes as Kat spoke about her mother.

"Casper?"

"Hm?"

"If my mom's a ghost, did she forget about me?"

"No. She'd never forget you."

Luke grinned as he noticed Julie was mouthing the words from the corner of his eye. What followed next, however, caught his attention.

"Kat?"

"Hm?"

"If I were alive, would you go to the Halloween dance with me?"

"Mh-hm," she answered sleepily.

"Kat?"

"Hm?"

"Can I keep you?" he whispered and she softly agreed, though she was too tired to really know what he was asking. He kissed her cheek in response.

How did this movie that came out just a month after his untimely death speak to his predicament so well? Here was this fictional ghost who was developing feelings for someone still in the realm of the living. He frowned at how eerily similar it was. His gaze shifted to Julie, who still kept her attention on the screen. He wished he could tell her how he felt about her, but that would complicate things more than his and the band's existence in her life already did.

With a quiet sigh, he turned his attention back to the movie and stamped down his ever-growing feelings for the girl in front of him.

Sometime between that scene and the nearing of the end of the movie, Flynn had fallen asleep.

"I feel bad that we're watching this and the one who chose it is out cold," Alex commented as he watched Flynn sleep.

"Her fault," Julie responded. "But, same." She paused the movie and stretched. "Wanna save the rest of this for another day?" she asked.

"Sure."

"See you guys in the morning."

Both Alex and Reggie nodded before disappearing. Luke stayed behind, however, wanting to know how the movie ends.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, just… kinda wish we could finish it."

Julie grinned. "Like the movie?" He nodded. "Give me ten minutes to change and we can finish it. Just don't tell the guys."

He smirked before poofing out.

After waking a reluctant Flynn, the two girls got themselves properly ready for bed. Flynn was out cold the moment she laid her head back onto the pillow. Julie tucked her in before settling herself on the floor in front of her bed. Luke appeared seconds later and joined her. Grabbing her laptop, she plugged in her earphones and handed one side to Luke. Once they were both comfortable, she hit play and let the rest of the movie continue.

It was at the point in the movie where Kat's mother appeared to Casper that Julie decided to lay her head on Luke's shoulder. If Luke still had a beating heart, he was sure it would be hammering hard in his chest. He was suddenly grateful that he didn't have one, lest Julie heard its erratic rhythm.

He watched, engrossed in the movie while trying not to pay too much attention to the weight of Julie against him, as a blond-haired boy (that sort of reminded him of Alex) walked down the staircase.

"Wait, is that...?" Julie nodded in confirmation.

Luke watched as human Casper walked up to Kat and asked her to dance and he became more aware of the girl next to him.

Julie watched the scene with interest, then inhaled sharply as she took in Casper's outfit.

White shirt.

Black pants.

She blushed as she remembered her daydream, and how her mind had put Luke in the same clothing choice. It made sense. She's always loved this movie. Always adored Casper and his relationship with Kat. When she was younger, she used to imagine herself in this situation. Moving into a haunted house, meeting a friendly ghost like Casper, and possibly finding love.

Well… it sort of happened that way. Except the ghosts came to her. But instead of one friendly ghost, she met three. The last part of that was still up for debate. She knew that she had strong feelings for Luke, but she wouldn't call it love. Not yet at least.

Too bad her younger self didn't realize how complicated it would be to have feelings for someone who is no longer alive.

Luke watched her from the corner of his eye. He noticed the way she tensed. He wanted to ask her if she was okay but thought against it. Turning his gaze back to the screen, he witnessed as Casper and Kat were suddenly dancing on air; their eyes locked. Kat noticed almost immediately and clung onto Casper's shoulders in fear that she would fall at any moment.

"I told you I was a good dancer," he said, smiling before whispering: "Can I keep you?"

She turned to him, slowly easing her hold as recognition appeared on her face. "Casper?" He smirked and she smiled before hugging him.

Both Julie and Luke became even more aware of each other as the scene played on.

Luke decided to test the waters. Slowly, he inched his hand towards hers. Julie smirked softly when she noticed it. She reached her pinky out towards his approaching hand. Seeing it as permission, he closed the space and wove her fingers with his. He smiled and let himself enjoy the last few minutes of the movie.

"Do you think that's why my mom hasn't come back?" Julie asked as the ghost of Kat's mom spoke with her dad. "She doesn't have any unfinished business and that's why I haven't seen her."

He nodded. "Yeah. That's probably why. But I'm sure if she could come back, she would come to see you. Even if it was just for one night."

Julie remained quiet, but her grip on his hand tightened. As time ticked down on Casper's chance of being human, of letting Kat know how he felt, Luke realized how he couldn't let it do the same to him. Unlike Casper, he had a human form. Though he was still missing a heartbeat, he could still pass for human. He wanted as much time as he could get with Julie, no matter what happened later down the line. His gaze went to the top of her head as the scene where Casper and Kat kissed for the first and last time played across the screen.

When the movie ended, she picked her head up and looked at him. She was surprised to find him staring so intently at her. His green eyes spoke volumes. There were emotions she recognized - adoration, respect, gratitude - but then there were some that she wasn't quite sure if she was reading it correctly. She remembered seeing her father looking at her mother the way Luke was looking at her now. Like nothing else in the world mattered.

"Julie?" he finally spoke.

"Hm?"

He reached up and brushed a stray hair from her face before cupping her cheek. "Can I keep you?"

Her lips quirked into a small smile as she nodded. "Yes."