the afterlife • luke patterson

reuinted

i had changed about four different times since alex told me he would take me to willie. in true willie fashion, he said it would take a couple of hours, giving me nothing but time.

before i could make it a fifth, the boys appeared in my room.

"you ready?" alex asked gently, holding out his hand for me.

i stared down at his hand, trying to get my body to move enough so that i could grab it. i was frozen in place, trying desperately to regain my motor functions.

after a long, awkward pause of the guys just staring at me, i swallowed the lump in my throat and gently grabbed alex's hand.

"let's go." i said, unable to hide the shaking in my voice.

i hadn't told my mom where i was going yet, not wanting her to be disappointed if things didn't go exactly as planned. i still wasn't sure this was even a real situation i had gotten myself into.

i mean, if i were to say, my three ghost friends, who i'm in a band with, are taking me to see my dead brother who is also a ghost. that sentence alone could get me committed for good.

as we were about to leave, my phone started ringing loudly, causing us all to jump with surprise as it broken the heavy silence.

i rolled my eyes and grabbed it,"one second."

when i read the name on top of the screen, seeing that it was adam, i knew i had to answer. what would have prompted him to call me twice in one day, i couldn't be sure.

luke peeked over my screen, his expression hardening the second he saw who was calling, "take it."

i scoffed, wanting to say something about how i didn't need his permission, but an argument at this time would get me nowhere.

"hey, if it isn't mr. calls twice in one day." i said casually, causing him to chuckle.

"sorry about that." he started, his cute laugh causing me to smile.

luke gave me a small smirk, no longer fazed by the caller ID,"what are you smilin' about?"

i looked up at him with disdain as adam continued to talk, "so, i heard you and your band are playing the dance."

"uh huh?" i replied, wondering where he was going with this.

he cleared his throat, nervous for whatever it was he was about to ask me,"and i was wondering...if, in the meantime, between sets and all if you wanted to...hang out? like, maybe go together?"

i pressed my lips together, knowing that would be kind of an award scene. but it would be just as bad if i rejected him. especially after i had given him all sorts of mixed signals with the kiss,"uh, yeah. yeah, that sounds great, adam."

"really? cool, so i'll pick you up-"

"no," i cut him off quickly, knowing i wouldn't be coming back to my house before the dance. though i knew i couldn't tell him why i'd be gone, so again, i improvised,"it's just, i have to help get all the equipment and get it to the place. but i'll for sure meet you there, okay?"

"alright," he said, sounding a little disheartened,"i'll see you, jo."

"bye," i hung up and looked over at the guys, "so are we doing this?"

luke shrugged, giving me an insinuating smile, "you tell us, lover girl."

i rolled my eyes and slapped my hand onto alex's. i couldn't explain why luke was suddenly being so calm and collected when it came to adam and i. before, he was chewing my head off, but now he was giving me these arrogant little smirks.