Chapter III
LUKE'S POV
I practically launched myself onto the couch in the garage, grabbing my six-string that was leaning against the coffee table. The strings hummed softly as I strummed, trying to calm down after talking to Julie. One of the worst parts about being a ghost? Not being able to sleep. The waiting between nights is agonizing, trying to keep busy with the guys without making enough noise to wake the neighborhood. Lost in thought, I felt eyes on me.
"Sooooo, what did Julie want?" Reggie asked, wiggling his eyebrows like he always does.
"Nothing, I think she just wanted to know how she could touch us all of a sudden." I said, trying to sound casual.
"You sureeeeeeeeee?" Alex questioned, jumping onto the couch right next to me, invading my space.
"What's up guys?" I sat up, putting down the guitar, leaning against the coffee table.
I looked over at them, both wearing that stupid look I remembered from school. They were always like this when they were trying to get a rise out of me.
"Seriously, what?" I asked again.
They exchanged glances before saying, at the exact same time, "You like her!"
"What is with you two? We're just friends and music partners." I said, trying to sound sly.
"No, you *like* her," Reggie sang out, drawing it out.
"Luke, it's okay. We've known you forever. We're more than bandmates, we're family. Reg and I know you better than anyone. You can be honest with us." Alex said, his voice sincere.
"Guys, I don't like Julie like that," I answered, staring down at my lap. "Even if I did, I'm a ghost, it wouldn't matter. And besides, Julie doesn't think of me that way either."
Silence. We just sat there, after I finished speaking. I realized maybe I *did* like Julie. I couldn't stand being in that studio anymore. I needed to think. Without another thought, I vanished, leaving the guys behind. I went somewhere no one would find me, not even them or Julie.
I ended up in the school gym, the same spot we played our first gig with Julie. The first time anyone had seen or heard us play in 25 years. I sat on the edge of the stage, legs dangling. So much has happened since we came back from wherever we were. Thoughts kept circling. Every time I got close to Julie, it felt like a magnet pulling me in. The way her eyes locked with mine on stage. Her heart.
What am I even thinking? I can't like Julie. I ripped a piece of scrap paper from my pocket, along with the pen I always carry. I started making a list.
DO I LIKE JULIE
Pros:
She’s the kindest person I’ve ever met.
Her love for music is inspiring.
We write amazing songs together.
I love being around her.
She makes me feel alive again.
She's beautiful.
I can't help but be drawn to her.
Cons:
I'm technically dead.
What kind of relationship could we even have?
Julie deserves a normal life.
I don’t know how long I’ll be here.
She definitely doesn’t like me that way.
After scribbling the messy list, I flipped the paper over. My hand moved faster, driven by my thoughts. I started writing a song. Whether you'd call it a love song, I couldn't say. All I knew was that I felt more at peace than I had since playing our first gig. When I finished, I looked at the heading, knowing exactly what it needed to be.
SOUL CONNECTION
I needed to write it down. I needed to say it out loud.
I needed to know that it was real.
I needed to be honest with myself.