Ghostly Heartbreak | Luke Patterson

Chapter 23

At school, Julie and I were greeted with people congratulating us about last night. My heart was overjoyed with the praise I got. It was the validation that I needed, finally telling me that I'm doing something right in my life for once. Just like they wanted for me. Success.

As we went to our lockers, Nick came up to Julie. I continued to open my locker, and internally was laughing at how nervous Julie sounded while talking to the boy.

"So um listen, since we make such a great team, you know, with dance and everything," Nick continued nervously. I glanced at him as I stuffed my backpack, now fully listening to their conversation as it now has peaked my interest. "and um, you have an A in history, any chance we could be study partners?"

A smile crept on my face as Nick was finally making a move on Julie after years of her having a crush on him. Julie chuckled awkwardly, which made me slowly turn my head towards her. "I'd love to, but with the band, I'm not sure I'll have nay free time. Sorry."

I turned back to my locker slowly, shocked that she rejected Nick's offer. "Oh, nah, no worries. Um," Nick was obviously more than flustered after being rejected, "Then, I'll ask you this, any chance you could find time to go on a date with me?"

A gasp left my lips, making the pair look at me. I cleared my throat as I played it off with a shake of my head. Damn this boy has some determination. "Wow, Nick wants to go on a date with me. You'd know that, cause you're him," Julie spoke mostly to herself but, it was loud enough for both Nick and I to hear. I brought a hand to my face as I shook my head, feeling Julie's embarrassment.

"I am," Nick said awkwardly as he smiled at Julie. Oh geez, these two are perfect for each other. They are both awkward.

"I'm flattered. Really," Julie began, "You're great. Really great."

"That doesn't sound like a yes," Nick said.

Oh boy, what ms. girl doing.

I overheard Julie sighing as I continued to eavesdrop. "You.. you like someone else, don't you," Nick asked. My eyes went wide as I heard him

"Yeah, kinda," Julie replied.

I dropped my back pack accidentally in shock. Confirmation of Julie liking someone else, aka Luke, made me feel empty and surprised. Empty because I knew that he'd chose her over me any day because she's so much more pretty and interesting than me. I guess, I just thought that maybe, just maybe, I might have a chance for once.

As I went down to the floor to pick up my back pack and the books that fell out of it, "Guess, I uh, missed my chance. Um..Okay, then. Still dance partners, right," Nick tried to play off another rejection smoothly.

"Yeah. Of course," Julie said with a smile.

"Okay. And awkward exit. Um.. see ya," Nick left with a wave. Well they would be perfect together.

I got up on my feet as I put on my back pack as Flynn made her way over to us, "Well, that wasn't just a 'what's up?'"

"Nick wanted to go on a date," Julie said.

Flynn gasped at the revelation, "Don't get your hopes up. Julie said no," I told her as I bit the inside of my cheek.

"What," Flynn whipped her head at Julie.

"You know what you said. This Luke thing isn't going away, any time soon, so I- I figured why waste Nick's time," Julie explained.

I know how she felt because I went through the same thing with Danny and Luke. I just wished that her love triangle didn't include Luke, but with my luck, nothing ever goes my way.

"Aw," Flynn adored, "My baby's all grown up. She's choosing to like someone who doesn't really exist, but she's all grown up." Flynn stared at me for a second with a brow arched, letting me know she's also speaking to me.

Julie groaned in annoyance, "But he does exist. To me. And he might just be air, but we connect in so many other ways."

"You are the most watchable duet-ers I've ever seen," Flynn said while bobbing her head.

Julie smiled, "But it's not just singing. When we write, we're drawing from the same pain. We both know how it feels like to lose our moms."

Flynn glanced at me, seeing that I know just was starring ahead. Sometimes, it feels like Julie forgets that I know that same pain, even more now that my whole entire family have died in the matter of just a few months. I always feel overshadowed, like my pain doesn't matter compared to hers, but I wouldn't dare to ever talk about that to her. Everyone feels grievance in a different way of course.

"Do not make me cry. I'm having a really good eyeliner day," Flynn pleaded.

"It's just," Julie paused, "Luke's hurting so much, I wish I could help him."

Flynn eyes widened, "Maybe you could write him a song! That could make him feel better!"

"Oh my gosh," Julie exclaimed, "Flynn, you're a genius! Nova lets go," she pulled me along.

"Wait, um, girl we still have class," I said as she dragged me along like a doll.

"Right," she turned on her heel as she dragged me along to our next class. As we passed Flynn, Julie glanced at her, "Like I said... genius."

"Julie," I asked as we continued our way to class, "What exactly do you have in mind to help Luke?"

Julie let go of my arm as she glanced back, "Well, you know how he's sad about his mom and how they don't know that he actually achieved what he always wanted?"

I nodded, slowly as I was scared of what she may suggest.

"I was thinking that maybe we both could go over to his parents' house and tell them about Luke and the band," she said with a smile.

My mouth fell open, "Are you serious? You don't think that's like stepping over any boundaries at all? What are you gonna do if we're there and suddenly Luke makes an appearance and sees us there? What do you think he's gonna do or say?"

"I was hoping you'd ask that," Julie sighed, "Well, then, Luke can take that as a chance to tell us what he wants us to tell them. Like talk through us, since they can't hear or see him."

A breath left me, "I don't know Julie. I feel wrong going there and talking about their son who passed away twenty-five years ago."

"I know, but I think it's what he needs. To talk to his mom, even if it's not him doing the talking."

I pondered on it for a few seconds, "Fine. Maybe you're right. I just don't want him to think we're over stepping that's all."

"I get it. But I want to help him," Julie said as we walked towards the class door.

"You and me both Julie," I said a bit harsher than I intended. I guess I just wanted to let her know that she's not the only one looking out for him.

I want to help him just as much as she does.