STARDUST ⭑ LUKE PATTERSON

eighteen

EMMY FLASHES INTO THE ORPHEUM, the lights still prominent. The show hadn't started yet. The boys were still here.

She sighs a breath of relief, looking out into the crowd. She sees Julie's dad and her little brother, Carlos. A woman who resembles Rose was also in the VIP section. The three were smiling, the youngest bouncing up and down in excitement.

Emmy smiles at them fondly.

She walks to an open space, standing directly in the middle. Emmy wipes her palms on her jeans, eyes constantly switching from the clock on the wall and to the stage.

"I knew you couldn't stay away."

"Dawn?" Emmy sees her best friend, standing right beside her.

The black haired girl smiles widely. "You didn't think I was gonna let you do this alone, did you?"

After the emotional rollercoaster of the last half hour, Emmy couldn't help but feel tears prick her eyes. If Dawn saw it, she didn't say anything. Taking a deep breath, Emmy reaches down and interlaces their fingers.

The lights dim, an announcer introducing Julie and the Phantoms. Julie shuffles on stage, the ugliest flower in her hand, and Emmy couldn't help but laugh to herself. Julie places the dahlia on her keyboard, bringing her microphone to her lips after.

"Hi," she greets. "I'm Julie. Tonight, I'd like to dedicate this song to my mom, who's been there with me every time I've played, and thank her for," Julie looks up to the sky with her sparkling eyes, "not giving up on me.

"I'd also like to dedicate tonight's performance to three special friends who have changed my life completely, who have brought music back to me. It was their dream to play here and this is for them.

"This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall. Thank you."

Rounds of applause follow, Emmy's heart sinking into her chest. "They're not here," she whispers, Dawn squeezing her hand tightly. "We were too late."

The searing pain in Emmy's heart didn't stop, not even with the first chords of Julie's keyboard. Still, the dead girl closes her eyes and lets the familiar music wash over her in waves.

This song was for her boys.

Nothing could change that.

"Don't blink, no I don't want to miss it.

One thing, and it's back to the beginning,

Cause everything is rushing in fast.

Keep going on, never look back."

Julie's eyes, glossed over with tears, finds Emmy in the crowd. She gives her a sad smile, her lips pressed against her microphone. Julie nods her head and Emmy knows.

With a heavy heart, Emmy nods back. Understanding is shared between them, one that no one else would ever get.

"Whatever happens, even if I'm the last standing,

Imma stand tall, Imma stand tall!"

Emmy already knew the truth, but seeing the boys not appear at their cue broke her in a way that she would never be able to describe. Julie continues to sing her harmony, no matter how hollow it sounds without Luke's voice.

There was no Alex. There was no Reggie.

Just Julie and the phantoms of an unsaid goodbye haunting her.