Phantoms Movie Nights (one shots)

STAR WARS

"Take that!"

"No, take that!"

As Julie walked into the studio, she came face-to-face with Luke and Reggie. They were sparring back and forth, over the coffee table and round the piano, with what Julie soon realised were Alex's drumsticks.

"You know, Alex is gonna kill you if you break his drumsticks," she said, setting down her bowl of popcorn.

"Drumsticks? What drumsticks?" Luke said as he leant to the side, avoiding the drumstick that Reggie jabbed towards him.

"I don't see any drumsticks," Reggie added, lunging towards Luke again, "all I see are lightsabers."

Julie rolled her eyes fondly and sat down on the couch.

They'd been making their way through all the Star Wars films — in chronological order as per Reggie's request — and they were nearing the end of their marathon.

Every day the boys seemed to be more excitable than the last, quoting parts of the film at each other, discussing what they think is going to happen in the next film, and now, it seems, duelling each other with makeshift lightsabers.

"Speaking of Alex," Julie said, "where is he?"

The boys paused their battle and gave each other a knowing look before Luke said, "He's with Willie."

"On a daaaaate," Reggie said with a teasing grin.

"What?" Julie exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat. "How did I not know about this?"

"Well..." Luke began, "he said it wasn't a date, but it's totally a date."

"Totally." Reggie nodded in agreement, twirling the drumstick in his hand only to have it spiral out of control and end up on the floor. He quickly picked it up, passing it between his hands before obviously deciding to give up on the fake lightsaber fight and put it back by Alex's drums.

"Do either of you know when he's gonna be back? We've only got three of these films left and I reckon if we start soon then we can finish them all today," Julie asked.

"He said—" Luke began, but was cut off by Alex poofing into the studio.

Realising he was still holding one of Alex's drumsticks, Luke threw it over his shoulder. It narrowly missed Reggie's head and clanged against the drum kit.

Julie couldn't see how this was any less of an indication to Alex that they'd been messing with his drumsticks, but as she looked over at him, he didn't seem to notice.

He had this dreamy look on his face, wide-eyed and full of life (well, as much life as a ghost could have) and his cheeks were flushed. His lips were spread into a wide smile, almost secretive, like he'd just uncovered a great mystery.

"Woah, bro, what's up with you?" Luke asked him.

"Yeah," Reggie said, "you look like Luke whenever he looks at—ow!" He rubbed his arm from where Luke shoved him.

Alex blinked a few times, shaking him from his daze. "Hmm?"

Luke laughed. "Dude, what's gotten into you? I don't think I've ever seen you smile this much."

"Yeah it's kinda freaky," Reggie added.

"Hey!" Alex said to Reggie as if he was offended, his face apparently missing the memo and retaining his smile.

Alex took a seat next to Julie.

"You look happy," she said.

"I am."