✓ | line without a hook, reggie p.

CHAPTER FIVE

When Annabelle had gotten back to the hotel, it was practically night time and almost midnight. The boys were pacing back and forth in the garage when she showed up. "What's going on?" She asked with a small smile. The boys immediately turned to her voice, their eyes looking down her body when they noticed she was only in a bikini top and her jeans. Alex looked at his friends, "Hey!" Luke turned away quick, but Reggie let his gaze linger.

"Where the hell were you?" Alex asked as he walked up to his older sister. Ever since they were younger, Alex was always very protective of her. Even if Annabelle was older than him, it didn't change how protective he was. "We were worried sick! We haven't seen you since the morning. And it's - - it's midnight."

"I was exploring, Alex, calm down." Annabelle said in a calmer tone than Alex was using. "It's not like anyone can steal me - - I don't even actually exist. I was taking advantage of the fact that I can actually run down a street at night without having to fear for my life because I'm a woman." Alex immediately shut up after she had said that.

"We were just worried for you, Belle," said Luke, him and Reggie walking over to the siblings. "You could've at least popped up somewhere to let us know where you were going."

"Well, I'm sorry."

Luke and Alex poofed out, neither of them saying where they were going. Annabelle looked to Reggie. "You really had us worried, dummy." Reggie told Annabelle as he took her into a hug. Annabelle practically stuffed her face into his chest, inhaling his scent.

His hugs would always be her favorite safe place. When she would get into huge arguments with her parents, she would always ride her bike to Reggie's house. Most of the time she would catch him sneaking out of his window with his parents arguing downstairs. Usually, he would tell her that he was already on his way to her house but that she had beat him to it. They always laughed about it, would engulf each other into a hug and then get ice cream. Reggie Peters' hugs were a different feeling of safety.

Reggie felt the same towards Annabelle. During those seconds where they were just wrapped in each other's arms he felt like nothing could hurt him. Growing up in a broken home, he never really got warm hugs or pats on the backs or any type of affection, really. So when Annabelle - - who's love language was touch - - came into her life, the two opposites seemed to gravitate towards each other like magnets. The two were completely different, yet still remained to have so many similarities.

He was a rebel who was in a rock band and would more than half the time be caught in his signature leather jacket and combat boots. Annabelle was a sweet girl who did ballet and found comfort by keeping her nose in the crook of a book. Reggie had Luke to thank, really. If it wasn't for him introducing Alex to Reggie, then Reggie would have never been introduced to the absolute angel who has owned his heart for the past two years.

"I'm sorry, Reg." Annabelle told him. Reggie held her at arms length and looked into her eyes, "It's okay. I'm just glad you're safe." Annabelle smiled and reached up onto her tippy toes to place a kiss on his cheek, making a wild crimson spread on his cheeks as quickly as wildfire.

Later on, Luke had returned that he convinced Julie to perform a song tomorrow and he wanted them to be prepared in case she needed back up. So before Annabelle knew it, she was listening to the sound of their melodic voices and their instruments blend together in order to form the song that was Bright.

——

The next day, the group of ghosts popped up beside Julie in her school's gym. Annabelle's eyes immediately went to the girl group that were covered in sparkly outfits and performing in the middle of the gym. Annabelle had a bad habit of getting distracted very easily, so she found herself practically levitating to a seat on the stairs that lead to the seats above. She watched as the group performed. Their sparkly outfits and matching wigs coordinated nicely, and the main girl's voice - - Carrie - - was actually pretty good.

She did give off huge mean girl vibes though, but maybe that was just to Annabelle. When she finished, the school cheered for her. Annabelle took a guess and thought that it was most likely a spirit rally they were holding, which would be even better for Julie to change her music teacher's mind. The principal and another woman - - Julie's music teacher - - walked to the center of the gym when the girls had finished performing. "Thank you, Dirty Candy! That was sweet," the gym held an awkward silence at their principal's words, "Okay then. Before you go, we have a few announcements. ." The principal stated some things that no one really seemed to think about.

As the students began to leave the gym, Annabelle watched as Julie walked towards a keyboard that was on the stage. Belle smiled as Julie began to sing, the boys suddenly appearing once Julie had gotten to the chorus. Gasps and confused words spread in the group of students and staff - - wondering where the teenage boys had came from. Annabelle smiled as she watched them.

She slowly made her way through the crowd until she reached the front of the crowd. Annabelle paid attention to the way the all complimented each other's sound and how their voices blended beautifully - - their instruments the same way. Reggie's bass gave the song a deeper rhythm, Alex's drums illuminating the bass sound, Luke and Julie's voices mending together to create a gorgeous harmony. Annabelle fell in love with the way they all looked and sounded together, her eyes scanning all of them. She made eye contact with Reggie who sent her a wink. She smiled.

When the song came to an end, the boys disappeared into mid air. "Were those holograms?" A random boy asked from the crowd. Julie smiled, "Yes! Yes, they were holograms. I plugged it into the ceiling projector before the show. I'd explain it, but it involves algorithms and science and stuff." The crowd erupted in applause and Annabelle popped up beside Alex, the group of ghosts now at the side of the crowd.

"That's wild," Luke said, "They could see us when we were playing but not when the music ended."

Reggie tapped Luke's chest. "Let's double check." With that, Reggie jumped on stage and moved his butt around. It made Annabelle laugh at his weirdness. Reggie jumped back down. "Yeah, I don't - I don't think they can see us."

"I wish I couldn't see you." Alex muttered, making Annabelle snort. The principal clapped and told everyone to get to class, and as the gym got more empty, Annabelle took it in. The boys noticed the distant look in her eyes and Alex placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?" Alex asked his older sister.

Annabelle wiped at the tears that had fallen onto her nose. "Nothing. I - I just got flashbacks to performing for my school and all the competitions. Everything I'm never going to have again." Annabelle really did love ballet. It was the one thing that would always take her mind off of everything at home. She knew that when she danced it was all she focused on for the moment - - it was all that flooded her thoughts.

"Hey," Alex whispered, bringing her into a hug. Luke and Reggie took it as a clue to let them have their own sibling moment. "I know that this isn't how we hoped we'd spend the rest of our lives, but at least we're here together, you know? I know that you feel horrible that you won't ever be able to dance the way you used to, but I am glad I still have you in this way of afterlife. Who knows what I would do without my big sis."

Annabelle pulled away and held his face in both of her hands, tilting his head down so she could kiss his forehead. Alex smiled softly. His sister's touch was something he could always calm down with. His sister was all he had - - besides the band of course. He wouldn't trade her for the world. Alex and Annabelle started walking out of the gym when he finally said it, "So what's going on with you and Reggie?" Annabelle only laughed.