Finally Free -- JATP Luke x MaleOC

Chapter 4

Shortly after the boys had stopped playing, Julie had arrived in the garage with an angry look on her face.

"I told you guys, you can't play like that when I'm not in here!" she said, looking at the ghost boys.

"Sorry Juju, they were playing for me," Jay said from the couch, bringing Julie's attention onto him as a snicker was heard from the band.

"Juju?" Reggie asked.

"It's a nickname from when I was a kid," Julie said, clearly embarrassed by the name.

"You were perfectly okay with that name in the car," Jay said. "Trying to impress the band?"

Julie groaned angrily and Jay gave a small chuckle.

"Sorry. I'll stop."

"Thank you."

Julie made her way to the couch and took a seat next to Jay, who immediately threw an arm over her shoulders and rested it on the back of the couch.

"So," Jay said, looking at the girl. "What's your first question?"

"Why can you see them? How?" Julie asked.

"That's two questions," Reggie said.

"I can't even answer why. I just know I've been able to see ghosts since I was twelve," Jay answered.

"What happened then?" Alex asked. "I mean, why specifically then?"

Jay inhaled sharply, his chest suddenly tight. He removed his arm from Julie's shoulders and crossed them over his chest. He gave a quick look to Julie and she quickly picked up on his tension.

"That's...that's not important," she said quickly. "I mean, we know he can see you. And other ghosts too?" she asked pointedly, earning a nod from Jay.

"There's ghosts all over Hollywood," Jay said. He wanted to add 'and the cemetary,' but he subconsciously bit his tongue and held it back.

"Cool," Reggie said. "When can we meet them?"

"Just walk down the street, there's a guy who's typically there around this time," Jay said with a small smile, thinking of his skateboarding friend.

"How come you never told me you could see ghosts?" Julie asked accusingly.

"You were a kid dude," Jay answered. "I'm not gonna tell a ten year old that ghosts are real and I could see them."

"He's got a point," Luke said when Julie huffed.

"Anyway, you guys' long story," Jay said, leaning forward with interest.

Luke, Alex, and Reggie all recounted the story of their deaths, earning a snicker from Jay, and of how they ended up in the Molina's garage after Julie played their demo CD.

"I gotta listen to that," Jay said, looking at the band.

"You can take it with you," Julie said, getting off the couch to search for the CD.

"Thanks," Jay said, standing as she searched. Julie handed him the CD in its case, labeled 'Sunset Curve,' as he walked to the door. "I'm going to get going now, I've got work to do."

"College applications?" Julie asked.

"Yeah, they're a pain," Jay sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his empty hand.

"You're going to college?" Luke asked.

"So you'd be the same age as us then," Alex said.

"Yes and yes," Jay said, pointing to the two boys.

"Sweet, what are you majoring in?" Reggie asked.

"Music?" Luke asked.

"No," Jay said shortly. "It's...It's got nothing to do with music." He sighed and looked at Julie. "I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

"Yeah," Julie said, opening the door for him. "See you, Jay."

"Later," Jay said, giving a quick wave to Julie and the ghost boys before he left.