Finally Free -- JATP Luke x MaleOC

Chapter 63

I am so so sorry this took so long to publish. So much has happened in the past two weeks that I could barely think about writing this story. I won't go into any details here, but I just ask that you all keep my mother in your thoughts and prayers. But regardless of that, here, at long last, is 'Stand Tall.'

"Welcome to Live at the Orpheum," the announcer's voice boomed over the speakers as Julie and Jay stepped onto the stage. "Now give it up for Julie and The Phantoms."

Jay took a deep breath, looking out to the audience as they cheered and whistled. He and Julie shared one more look as he grabbed the guitar and pulled the strap over his head. He saw Julie set down her dahlia on the corner of the piano as he traveled to the other side of the stage, where there was a standing microphone that was set up for him.

"Hi," Julie began speaking into the microphone as Jay got situated. "I'm Julie and this is Jay. Um..."

Jay heard Julie take a breath before she continued.

"Tonight, I'd like to dedicate this song to my mom, who has been there with me every time I've played. And thank her for not giving up on me."

Jay looked back at Julie with a proud smile on his face as she continued speaking.

"I'd also like to dedicate this song to Jay's parents," she continued, shocking Jay and making his heart almost freeze. "Who were so supportive of him and his music. Without them, the two of us never would have started making music together."

Jay sniffled, rubbing his nose with the back of his right hand as he blinked away the water in his eyes. His heart began pounding against his chest again as he wondered if his parents were also watching him right now, whether it be from above or right there in the audience as ghosts. He smiled gratefully at Julie, mouthing a quick 'thank you.' Julie took a deep breath and turned back to their audience, speaking again.

"And finally, we'd like to dedicate tonight's performance to three special friends who have changed our lives completely," she said, holding the microphone tightly in her hands. "Who have brought music back to us."

Julie then gave an encouraging look to Jay, silently telling him to speak up and take the lead now. Jay took a deep, somewhat shaky breath as he stepped up to his standing mic, his left hand coming up to adjust the mic.

"Years ago, it was their dream to play here," he said carefully, looking around the concert hall at the faces of the audience members, who all listened to him with rapt attention, until his eyes landed on Trevor Wilson and Carrie. No, it was Bobby. And he looked back at Jay as if he knew exactly who the three special friends were.

"They were going to be rockstars," Jay continued, maintaining eye contact with Bobby. "So Luke, Alex, Reggie, this is for you."

Jay almost smiled when he saw Bobby's visible discomfort and looked over to Julie, who slightly shook her head but had a playful smile on her face.

"This song is for anyone who's lost their way," Julie said, her face becoming more serious as she spoke to the audience. "Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall. Thank you."

There was cheering and applause from the audience as Julie reset her microphone and Jay set his fingers on the neck of the guitar in the shape of the first chord. He could almost hear Julie's bated breath, or perhaps it was his own, as the two of them played the first chord of the song completely in synch.

"Don't blink
No, I don't wanna miss it
One thing
And it's back to the beginning
'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep going on, never look back"

They were doing this for Rose. Gracie, and Jacob, their parents who raised them to follow their passions and to never let the world stop them.

"And it's one, two, three, four times
That I try for one more night
Light a fire in my eyes
I'm going out of my mind"