Ghostly Guitar | Julie and The Phantoms

Chapter Nineteen : Sunset Swerve

Chapter Nineteen : Sunset Swerve
September 2020

    Jay kept his head down as much as he could trying to find his locker. The inside of the blue metal shell was full of new pictures. Only from the last year. Not like how it used to be, decked out with pictures of his family, Connor, Rose, even a few of Carrie, Julie, and him when they were young.
    But not anymore. Now it was mostly nature shots. A few of the grand piano at the house, and a single picture of Julie, his dad and Carlos after Carlos' baseball team won champs.

    "Hey psychedelic." Connor met Jay at his locker.

    Jay scoffed, "That's a Julie and Flynn thing."
    "Yeah, it felt weird just saying it. But speaking of Julie...."
    Jay sighed, closing his locker, "She wont give me an answer."
    "She knows it's her last chance, right?"

    Jay looked down the hall to his sister and Flynn, "Yeah. She knows."

    Connor followed his gaze, "How do you feel? Like really?"
    Jay shrugged, it was the same answer everyday, "I'm fine. Really." But he never really was, "Why do you even care?"
    "Why do I care? Jay, You're my best friend. I would walk to the end of the earth, which does not exist, just to see you smile again."
    Jay pushed the comment off nodding to Carrie as she passed out flyers, "What's she handing out?"

    It was Connor's turn to scoff, "Desperation. Where's Rose?"

    "No clue." The two watched as Carrie made her way over to Flynn and Julie.

     Rose joined her boyfriend and friend. "Aww, look. Carrie still thinks she's the best. I guess some things never change." She said with an eye roll as the blond made her way over to the three.

    Carrie handed Jay a flyer, "My group's performing at the spirit rally tomorrow. I'd really like it if you came." Her voice was oddly sweet for Carrie Wilson. For The Carrie Wilson.
    Rose put her hands over her heart mockingly, "Aww Carrie. I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

    Carrie's voice went back to normal, "Aww Rose. I meant James. You two can," She pointed the flyers between Rose and Connor, "Well I don't know. Make out in the bathroom or something."
    "I show you or something." Connor mumbled under his breath."
    "What was that?" Carrie shot back, tilting her head.

    Jay sighed, reading over the flyer, "Carrie, it's a sprite rally. We have to be there. Thanks for the private invite though, or whatever." With that Jay walked off to find his pre-calculus class.

    Carrie strudded away as well, leaving Rose and Connor to follow Jay with their eyes. "When did he get like that? No. I know the answer to that. Why won't he let us help him through it?"
    Rose sighed, readjusting her backpack strap, "I think sometimes, Jay forgets that we need each other. All three of us, and we just need to remind him."
    Connor nodded, "Yeah. Thanks Rosie." He bent his head and gave Rose a quick kiss before following Carrie down the hall. To another day of English behind the blond bitch.