Camilla Wilson // JATP

stand tall

- I love you Luke Patterson - 

"Hey, troubles, I've got your roadie." there's a knock on our dressing room door. 

"Come in." julie yells, im mid way through doing my make up when flynn walks in with the crew member who just happens to be... "Ivan?!" he smiles "good luck tonight cami...and you julie" he says. 

"Holograms are good to go, girls" 

"Best roadie ever." we say together 

"I'll be back in a few minutes to walk you to the stage"

"Thanks, ivan." I say before he shuts the door. 

"You see this backstage pass? I had sushi with Brandon Urie!"

"Good for you. I threw up in the car on the way over here." julie says "eww" I respond 

"And you still look amazing." flynn says 

"i made friends with the tech crew. You're gonna love what we have planned. The guys are here, right?" 

"I haven't seen them." I say

"Wait. You don't think they changed their mind and took Caleb's offer, do you?"

"No. No, that's the last thing that they wanted" julie says

"Luke would rather die" I add, trying to be funny, it fails...

"we are gonna kill it" I say again making a joke. 

"we should get some Snacks" Flynn said and we sit together eating the provided snacks. 

a few minutes later Ivan comes back up .

"Hey, troubles, it's time." 

"Just a second. Something's wrong. The boys were getting those jolts pretty bad as I was leaving"

"And they wouldn't stand us up again. They must have run out of time." I say quickly trying not to cry. 

"I'm so sorry, guys"

"They didn't cross over. They're gone." julie says 

"I didnt get to say goodbye" I say before running out the room and julie follows, then flynn. 

"we have a problem" Ivan says through his headset. 

"I don't know if you can hear me, Mom, but... I can't handle it. Flynn says you're supposed to be behind everything, but I don't know. If I was supposed to help the guys, I didn't. They're gone. And I'm so sorry. They were our friends. our band. our family.Why can't you just come pick me up... and... and hold me in your arms and just tell me that everything's gonna be okay and that I'm gonna get through it? And that... That even though they're not here with me, they're still up there with you. I just wish you were here." julie cries. I Stand against the wall trying not to listen. 

"im so sorry Luke, sorry I didnt say goodbye, I wish you where here... for one last hug, our first kiss.. there are so many milestones we will never get, never would cause your a ghost...but I love you Luke Patterson..I hope you know that!"

suddenly a flower seller walks past. she hands julie a daliah and me a tulip. which just so happens to be our favourites. "they listened" I said, we hug before heading back inside and onto the stage...together. 

"Hi. I'm Julie." she says "im cami" julie continues  "Um... Tonight, I'd like to dedicate this song to my mom, who's been there with me every time I've played. And thank her for... not giving up on me. together we would also like to dedicate tonight's performance to... three special friends... who have changed out lifes completely, who have brought music back to us. It was their dream to play here, and... this is for them. This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall." me and juli hug one more time before she sits down and starts playing. 

Don't blink
No, I don't want to miss it
One thing, and it's back to the beginning

julie sings the opening.. then I take my verse

Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep going on never look back

we sing together looking at each other as we do. 

And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one more night
Light a fire in my eyes
I'm going out of my mindWhatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

suddenly there's a crash and Alex appears behind us, I smile relived to know they are still around. 

Right now
I'm loving every minute
Hands down
Can't let myself forget it, no

I smile at Alex as I sing and then when julie starts her section reggie appears too, we watch in awe as the boys play together, but where's Luke? 

'Cause everything is rushing in fast
Keep holding on, nevеr look back

then we sing together and in the corner Luke is flicking, glitching almost, I watch tears forming in my eyes, "come on Luke" I whisper slightly. 

And it's one, two, three, four times
That I'll try for one morе night
Light a fire in my eyes

then Luke appears, fully there and locking eyes with me. 

I'm going out of my mindWhatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feelingWhatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Like I'm glowing in the dark
I keep on going when it's all falling apart
Yeah I know it with all my heart
Ooh, ooh
Never look backWhatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Stand tall
Stand tallWhatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
Whatever happens
Even when everything's down
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall
I gotta keep on dreaming
'Cause I gotta catch that feelingWhatever happens
Even if I'm the last standing
I'ma stand tall
I'ma stand tall

at the end of the song, we are all at the end of the runway, I hug Luke really tight before we take a bow and the boys swoosh away, I look at julie tears forming in my eyes and we hug, the crowd cheers louder than ever before and we wave them off as we exit the stage. at the side of the stage we find flynn who hugs us tightly and we stand in a group hug for quite some time.