Cinderblock Garden // Julie and the Phantoms (Luke Patterson)

18

People gathered at the Molina home for the CJ and the Phantoms performance.

Carrie walked through the crowd and up to Nick and Toby before saying, "Hey."

Nick and Toby turned to see Carrie and let out a light sigh before asking, "What are you doing here?"

"Julie's one of my oldest friends and Cass is my twin." She crossed her arms and stared, facing the garage. "I'm sure she just forgot to invite me. At least Cass extended an invitation."

"Look, we're not getting back together, Carrie," Nick told her.

Carrie let out a wry laugh and met Nick's eye. "I've heard that before. Something doesn't add up about those holograms, and Cass won't tell me anything." She placed a hand on Nick and Toby's shoulders."I wouldn't trust her," she removed her hands, "if I were you. Despite whatever's going on, Cass can be trusted." She placed a hand to her chest.

"What's up, everybody? Time to put your hands up, do a little dance, yup. Here's the new anthem from CJ and the Phantoms," Flynn rapped, causing the audience to cheer and applaud.

Two boys opened the doors and Julie and Cassandra walked out before saying, "Thanks for coming, everyone!"

Julie and Cassandra began playing and singing. Shortly after, the band kicked in.

After Julie and Cassandra sang the first chorus, the boys came in after her. Reggie and Luke strummed their guitars while Alex banged the drums while singing into the mic.

The audience, excluding Carrie, danced to the rhythm. Cassandra shot her sister a pointed look, which did nothing. The dirty blonde-haired girl caught Luke's eye and quickly looked away. Luke frowned and kept trying to catch her gaze.

Luke stared at Cassandra as he sang, and the two sang together.

Julie and Cassandra climbed up the piano bench, then the piano before sitting on the end as the audience sang along with her.

Luke had a guitar solo while the girls sang. He walked closer to Cassandra as he played.

Julie and Cassandra stood on the piano as they sang.

Luke sang, still staring at Cassandra.

Luke caught Cassandra's eye again and once again, she looked away. He moved closer to her, making it hard to avoid his gaze and she finally looked his way and smiled.

Alex and Reggie disappeared as Luke and Cassandra stared into each other's eyes and sang the end of the song together, along with Julie.

Luke disappeared, causing the audience to freak out.

---

As the girls ate pizza, Flynn said, "I can't say this enough; that was incredible. But epic fail on that eye contact thing." Julie and Cassandra chuckled.

Julie nodded. "She's right, Cassie."

Cassandra looked between them. "Yeah, well... Mind if I take some pizza to go? I guarantee Carrie's going to confront me, and I want pizza before that happens."

"So how do you two do those holograms?" Carlos asked.

"Oh, don't try to understand it, Carlos," Ray told him. "I don't. Be my guest, Cassie. Less for us."

"That's because you're old."

Ray fake laughed. "Funny guy. I'd send you to your room, but then who's gonna clean up this mess?"

Julie giggled before saying, "Don't poke the bear."

"Mm-mm," Flynn said before tutting and shaking her finger.