Chapter 16: I Think It's Best If I Quit The Band

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I went to the party after the dance. It was fun, I guess. Nick asked about Julie. Carrie made a scene when he broke up with her. It's definitely for the best. Nathan and I left a little early so he could meet my mom. He's honestly amazing, but why can't I stop thinking about Luke and his hurt expression? After he left I played Perfect Harmony for my mom. She asked if it was about Nathan and I told her no. I told her who it was truly about. She wasn't surprised even a little.

I got to music class with Flynn and Julie was nowhere to be found. I blow up her phone, but she doesn't answer. The day drags on and we're finally in dance class. We were warming up when Julie ran into class.

"Oh Julie! Nice of you to join us!" Our teacher says, not moving from her stretches.

"I'm sorry I'm late!"

"Take your place please."

Julie takes her place between Flynn and I, "So Flynn... you didn't wake me up! I missed my first 3 classes."

"She must have turned down your phone too. I blew it up." I said, she looked at me.

"Oh yeah, I did. Anyways, you said that you would never show your face at this school again, and I'm a very literal person," she paused for a sec. "Have you talked to Nick today? He was pretty chatty at the dance."

Julie looked at us, "No, and I'm kinda dreading it. At least I won't see him in this class."

We were stretching and we looked between our legs. The lacrosse boys walked in.

Julie spotted Nick, "You have got to be kidding me."

"What are they doing here?" Flynn asked standing up.

"Right on time Coach Baron!" Our teacher says.

The coach started yelling at the guys because they lost their last game.

"Alright guys! Partner up!"

One of the guys came over and took Flynn's hand. Nathan came over and grabbed my wrist, Julie puts her arms out, "No! Please don't leave me!"

I watch Nick walk over to her. He smiles and they talk.

"Alright ladies! We will perform what we've been working on for the past week with the boys on Friday! Coach Baron and I will demonstrate," our teacher smiles.

The coach stutters and says he doesn't dance.

"So I guess this makes up for me not asking you to the dance doesn't it?" Nathan asks.

I snicker, "Yeah I guess. You'll be a better date than the one that was supposed to show."

"Yeah I suppose I will," he scratches the back of his neck.

We go through the routine and Nick falls. A lot. Flynn and I giggle at Julie's reactions. After dance we go around to our other classes, I didn't realize how many I actually had with Nathan. He's a pretty cool guy. As much as I like Nathan, I can't get Luke out of my head. I mean I know that he broke my heart, but I feel drawn to him.

Julie and I walk to her place. I tell her all about my night. AND how I can't stop thinking about Luke. We walk into the studio and the guys are there. They harmonized an apology.

Reggie had a big grin, "In case you guys missed it, we're really sorry."

"Yeah, I think I got that part," Julie said crossing her arms.

"We've been here for like three hours," Alex says.

"Yeah we almost sang to Carlos," Luke says.

"He comes in here quite a lot. Mainly to use the bathroom-" Reggie gets cut off.

"Not our favorite part of the day..." Alex trails off.

"But girls, it wasn't okay for us to flake on the dance last night," Luke looked at me, he knows how disappointed I am.

"We know we let you down," Alex looked at his feet.

"Yeah and none of us wanted to disappoint you," Reggie had a sympathetic smile.

Alex looked up, "You're the best thing that's happened to us since we became ghosts."

Luke stepped toward us, "So, in hopes that Julie will rejoin the band, we booked a new gig."

Luke handed me a flyer and Julie looked over my shoulder at it.

Reggie smiled, "A mega-important life-changing gig!"

Luke is super close to me now, "Okay, so check it out. A bunch of managers come here to sign people! All we gotta do is blow them away and we'll be living the dream."

"So this means a lot to you huh?" Julie paused. "Kinda like how playing our school meant a lot to us."

"Sounds like sarcasm," Reggie gasps, "I'm starting to think our plan isn't working."

"Look we know that we messed up. Okay I know that I messed up. But we need you guys-" Luke was cut off.

"Of course you do! Because without us, nobody can see you play," Julie crossed her arms.

"You know, I thought the music we were writing was special, Luke. But unfortunately, you're too obsessed with your past to even care about me or the music!" I was practically yelling now. I could feel the tears collecting.

Luke looked offended, "I do care! This band has a chance at greatness and I won't let that get away from us... again!"

"Sure. So why did you ditch the dance?" I could feel the tears streaming down my face, "I'll tell you why... because there's only one thing you care about and that's yourself." I turned around and jogged to my house. I didn't want to be with anyone right now. I love Julie, but I didn't want her to see me cry.

I was sitting at the island in my kitchen, working on my homework, when I hear that same poof noise. I looked up and it was Alex and Reggie. I know that I never wiped my face, so I probably had tear-stained cheeks.

"Hey um you got a sec?" Alex asked.

"Sure."

"Luke isn't as selfish as you think he is," Alex was silently pleading for me to listen.

"Yeah, you have him all wrong," Reg wanted me to listen too.

"Guys. I think it's best if I quit the band."

"Yeah," Alex flipped his hair, "I kinda figured you wanted to when you came here instead of Julie's and you were crying."

I look back down and continue writing.

Reggie gets an idea, "Do you remember that song Emily?"

Alex joins in, "Can we at least show you who that's about?"

I look up and I nod.

My Rockstar | LUKE PATTERSON {1}Where stories live. Discover now