Stormy Days To Drown Out The Screams - Luke Patterson

Chapter 15

Disclaimer - I don't own anything from jatp or the song dancing queen by ABBA

I poofed into the school hall, my ears instantly assaulted by pounding music, awkwardly dancing teenagers filling the floor as Flynn DJed on stage. Putting my fingers in my ears as the beat of the song hummed in my blood, I winced as I walked through the people on my way to the stage. There she was. Sitting on the side of the stage, hidden behind the curtains, was Julie. Anxiety clouded her features, lips tightly pressed against each other as her fingers tapped against the floor, eyes flitting around the space but not seeing anything. Julie checked her phone, sighing at the time. Helpless, I sat down beside her, reaching out and trying to grasp her hand only for mine to fall right through, Julie shuddering and looking around for the cause. 

"Hey Jules," I began, knowing that she couldn't hear me but needing to talk to her all the same, "I, uh, I've never been very good at the whole comforting thing. And well, I'm dead and you can't see or hear me so that doesn't really help." I huffed a laugh, placing my hand on the floor beside hers and resting my little finger over hers. I wished she could hear me. With all my heart, and all my soul, and all the power with in me, did I wish she could hear me now. "I know that it doesn't feel like it right now, but everything's gonna be okay. The boys are fine - mostly. And they didn't mean to abandon you. But you don't need them. You have to go out there, Julie and no one else, and perform. I believe in you. Mom believes in you. Dad believes in you. Carlos believes in you. It's okay if you don't believe in yourself just yet. We'll believe in you enough to make up for it. The boys don't make you amazing, they don't make you a singer, or a star. The music is from you, it's from your soul. And it's time you let it out. No holding back. Just Julie Rose Molina and all her power. Because you are so fricking powerful. Now get out there and sing your ass off because you are a Molina and Molinas are made of fire and steel and blood and we don't give up. So don't give up now, Jules. You. Can. Do. This." 

I knew she couldn't have heard me but determination replaced the anxiety in her previously pinched features. 

"Thanks, Sofia," she muttered, smiling slightly. What the fuck? Had she heard me? How was that even possible? It was probably just a coincidence. Yeah, just a coincidence. Still, a seed of doubt remained in my mind. Maybe she had heard me. Julie stood and grabbed a microphone, hands shaking but steely determination shining in her brown eyes. Walking onto stage, Julie whispered something to Flynn who nodded and whispered good luck to her. Julie nodded, a nervous smile playing on her lips, returning to the side of the stage.

"What's up everybody!" Flynn called, the crowd cheering in response, "now due to some technical issues we won't be having Julie and the Phantoms perform for us tonight." Groans echoed through the hall. "I know, I know, but... Julie will be performing as a solo act instead." Applause filled the air and a smile tugged at my lips. Julie took a deep breath. 

"You can do this," she muttered, putting a smile on her face to hide her nerves as she walked onto stage, waving at the cheering crowd. Julie sat down at the keyboard. 

"Hey everybody, I hope y'all are having a good night." The crowd cheered in response and I could see Julie relax slightly. "So this first song I'm gonna sing for y'all is dedicated to my sister who, even now, gives me the courage to stand when all I want to is run." I smiled, tear pricking at my eyes. "I wrote this song with my Mom about her after seeing her dance when we came to pick her up from a party. If you can hear me Sofia, I miss you so much. You will always be the dancing queen." Julie began to play and sing, Flynn looping various instrumental parts with her synth, clearly knowing the song and the instrumental parts Julie had come up with.