"Love is not something you go our and look for. Love finds you, and when it does, ready or not, it'll be the best thing to ever happen to you."

~*~*~*~

Julie could feel her self slowly freaking out at the clock was ticking down the second till their performance. Doubt was slowly seeping into the girls head as seconds turned into minutes and this minutes slowly grew longer, she didn't come out of her head until she heard knocking coming from the door. 

"Hey, Julie, it's time." 

"Just a second." She said sadly before walking over towards Flynn who was also starting to think the worse. "Something's wrong. The boys and Ris were getting jolts pretty bad as I was leaving and they wouldn't stand me up, especially Reggie and Chris." Her eyes started to water more as the painful truth came to life. "They must have run out of time."

"I-I'm so sorry, Jules." Flynn said, hoping that she could be helpful at the moment even though she was close to crying herself thinking about how she might have lost a girl she basically called an older sister. "They didn't cross over and Chris might have just-" Julie chocked on her sentence, tears were now dripping down her face. "And I didn't even get to say goodbye." 

Flynn, no longer trying to keep her tears at by walked around the couch and pulled Julie into a hug, the two of them crying on each others shoulders.

"Hey, Julie, you're on." The guy once again yelled through the door, and not being able to handle anything at the moment, Julie did the one thing her sister sadly taught her. She ran.

"Wait." Flynn yelled chasing after her friend out the door watching her leaving up the stairs. "What are you doing, Julie!" 

"Where is she going?" The runner asked in a panic. Flynn wiped her eyes and acted casual as she shrugged at the guy. "Where do any of us really go?" With that she chased after her friend hoping to fix things.

In a panicked voice, the man talked into his microphone. "We've got a problem." Before chasing after the girls.

~*~*~*~

The crisp city air encased Julie as she went through the same exit that years ago four cheery band mates went through. A sigh left the girls lips as she continued to cry, wishing that the guys would appear, apologizing for being late because of a stupid reason that Reggie or Luke did. Just something to make her stop crying and her heart to stop being torn apart because of another loss that she was left to face.

"I don't know if you can her me, mom, but..." She sobbed out loud into the alley, not caring if anyone who was walking behind her could hear her or not. "I can't handle it. Flynn says you're supposed to be behind everything, but I don't know. If I was supposed to help the guys and Chris, I didn't. T-They're... gone." Her knees were slowly growing shaky as her sisters laugh and smile flashed in Julies head.

"And I'm so sorry. They were my friends, Chris was my sister. My band." Julie laughed realizing one thing about the group. "My family." She recalled her chasing Luke around the piano because he stole her poem for Flynn, how Alex checked up on her after Chris left the garage or her and Reggies little moment with the show and their song great. "Why can't you just come pick me up, with Chris right behind you ready to yell at whoever hurt me and-and you both hold me in your arms and just tell me that everything's gonna be ok and that I'm gonna get through it?" 

Her brain then went towards her little moment between her and Chris, her sister that might now be gone just like their mother. The moment where she made the drawing of her after finding out she might lose her or how she encouraged her to sing once again, even though she was hurt herself. Julie never realized how much she needed her sister until she was gone.

"And....And that even though they're not here with me, they're still up there with you. I just wish you were here." Her voice came off as a whisper as her head fallen into her chest, blocking her view from a woman who was walking by who stopped after seeing hearing the sobs that were coming from the girl. 

When Julie looked up, the lady held a Dahlia in her hand towards Julie, a smile on the woman's face as she watched the young girl take it before she continued on her journey down the alley. Looking at the pinkish purple flower Julie could feel her mood slowly changing as she hugged the flower close to her chest. A smile on her face, she whispered. "Thanks mom."

~*~*~*~

Meanwhile behind the stage, the stage helper was talking into the microphone, Flynn looking concern as she heard him shout. "Let Panic know they are going on now." Only for Julie to be walking in from the outside, her head held high as she stopped in the middle of him and Flynn, holding up the flower. "Signs." 

"Wait. Where are you going?" Flynn shouted as she watched her friend. "She's going on stage."

"Hold on. Julie just walked onto the stage." 

Flynn just smiled. "That's my girl!" 

As Julie walked the steps towards the piano, the announcer voice rang throughout the building, everyones conversations coming to a halt. "Welcome to Live at the Orpheum. Now give it up for CJ and the Phantoms." 

People clapped, whistled and cheered for the girl her only really paying attention to the family who clapped the loudest, her family smiles bigger than ever. Ray watched his youngest daughter as she set the flower on the piano, he could feel his heart chip a little, but at the same time grow more happy to see Rose was still with them. 

"Hi. I'm Julie. Tonight, I'd like to dedicate this song to my mom and sister, who have both been there with me every time I've played. Thanking my mom for not giving up on me and my older sister who was always willing to make sure I had the best in my life." She smiled looking up at the ceiling hoping her family was watching her from above, where they deserve to be in the first place, the boys near by as well.

"I's also like to dedicate tonight's performance too, three special friends who have changed my life completely, who have brought music back to me and my sister. It was their dream to play here, and this is for them. This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness, don't give up, stand tall. Thank you." 

Everyone cheered, as Julie let out a short breath looking one last time at the ceiling before playing soft melody. 

~*~*~*~

Calebs club was in full swing, everyone cheering and dancing while the band continued to play against their will. A girl once again reached for head feeling the familiar pain this time a familiar piano noise was playing over the loud music that was originally surrounding her. It wasn't until the familiar voice started to sing did she understand what was happening. 

"Julie?"

(Julie)

Don't blink

No, I don't want to miss it

One thing

And it's back to the beginning

'Cause everything is rising in fast

Keep going on, never look back

A plan slowly formed in her head and with a quick jerk she could feel herself breaking from the ghosts grasp, as she ran over to the first person she could easily get to at the moment. 

And it's one, two, three, four times

That I'll try for one more night

Light a fire in my eyes

I'm going out of my mind

"Al!" She yelled out, appearing right behind the blonde drummer. "Christine! How did you break out of Calebs control?" 

The girl rolled her eyes at the blonde as he asked a stupid question at the most worst of time. "No time for that, alright. I need you to focus and listen for Julies voice, ok?" He nodded and by closing his eyes he searched for the familiar voice he knew.

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

"Can you hear her?" She asked, only getting an answer when the drum beat started changing from the song it was originally playing. "That's good Al keep searching, your almost there."

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

Whatever happens

Even when everything's down

I'mma stand tall

"Go!" She yelled as she put her hand on the boy. "Go to her Al, Julie needs us the others will be there soon, I promise." With that both disappeared, one to help a friend while the other went to help the other two break the hold the magical had on them.

I'mma stand tall

I gotta keep on dreaming

'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens

The girl was now behind the bass player, and with a quick jerk the two were off to the side of the stage, Reggie still playing as she held his shoulders. "Reg, I need you to listen to me, alright?" Slightly confused, he slowly nodded at her.

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

"Listen for Julies voice. Ignore the music that Caleb is playing and listen for her and Al." She said, again smiling when she heard the boys tune slightly change just like Alex did a few minutes ago. "That's good Reg keep going."

As Julie let her voice ring throughout the crowd she was surprised when she heard the familiar drums coming from the right of her. They're in a pink tux suite jacket, beating away on the drums was none other than Alex Mercer, one of the boys that she was scared was gone from her life so soon.

"Go to her Reg." Was the last thing the boy heard before he too felt himself leave the Hollywood ghost club and instead was standing near the girl he liked. Now seeing Reggie, Julie just smiled bigger, feeling the tears slowly coming back once again as he played along with the three happily.

Right now

I'm loving every minute

Hands down

Can't let myself forget it, no

Luke could feel the crowd starting to grown confused, him feeling the same way as the music started to change. No longer was the drums being played or the bass being plucked, as he turned around to see both of his friends gone and only the girl he liked running towards him.

"Lu I can get us out of here, but I need you to listen to me." Not even questioning what she said, he nodded at her. "I'll do whatever you need me to do Chris, no questions needed."

Hands down

"Find Julie! Hear her voice!"

Can't let myself forget it, no

She could feel him struggling as his fingers stumbled over the chords between playing the song Caleb was forcing him to play and the song he knew well since learning it with Julie. "Come on Lu, keep trying."

'Cause everything is rushing in fast

Keep holding on, never look back

Luke pushed himself, feeling sweat forming on his brow until he could slowly make out the familiar angelic voice that came from Julie. "I-I think I can hear her." He whispered, as is fingers slowly started to play correctly, no longer stumbling like he was earlier. "That's good Lu, keep going."

And it's one, two

He could feel himself transporting onto the stage, the crowd slowly changing and Chris slowly turning into Julie, who looked at him, fear in her eyes. "You can do it, Lu! Come on!"

Three, four times

"I-I can't!" He shouted in pain, his head feeling like it was being split in half as he forced himself to keep going. 

That I'll tru for one more night

What he wasn't prepared for was lips meeting his own for what was a brief second, but to him felt like a century. 

Light a fire in my eyes

"Yes, you can. Go to her Lu." She whispered and with that he felt himself finally able to appear on the stage with a smile on his face as he sang the next line of the song.

(Luke)

I'm going out of my mind

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

Even though the group was smiling and dancing they couldn't help but look around for the one person they were still missing.

(Luke and Julie)

Whatever happens 

Even when everything's down

She could feel her self smiling as she relished in the music that was ringing in her ears, her band playing the one place she never got to play. The group finally living their dreams.

I gotta keep on dreaming

'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

"It was nice meeting you Caleb." She said, feeling the mans presence behind her, his glare burning through the back of her head. "But, I have a prior engagement I have to attend."

Before she could leave a hand grabbed her wrist, jolts pulsing through her body, but none affecting her like they once did, causing him to let go. "How is that possible?" He whispered, only getting a smile from the girl as she threw her arms out slowly walking backwards, her outfit changing right before his eyes.

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

"Oh, by the way! Don't mess with my band, next time Caleb."

I'mma stand tall

He laughed at the girl, trying to not let what he just witness bother him. "You just made yourself an enemy Christine."

Smiling at him as she flipped a mic that was now in her hand. "Who said my name was Christine?" Blowing a kiss at the man she turned around leaving the man alone with his party that was still in full commence.

Julie let out a breath, preparing herself to sing the next section of the song, that originally her sister was suppose to sing only to be shocked when she sang the final line for the chorus.

(Chris, Luke and Julie)

I'mma stand tall

The group felt themselves gain whiplash as they saw the one girl they thought they had lost, dancing around on stage. As she sang her part, gradually walking over to her sister and giving her a side hug before the two and Reggie walked to the front of the stage to dance in front of the audience.

(Chris)

Like I'm glowing in the dark

I keep on going

When it's all falling apart

Luke felt himself smile at the girl as she danced, not caring about anything but the music that was playing

(Luke and Chris)

Yeah, I know it with all my heart

Ohh-ohh-ohh, ooh-ooh-ooh

Never look back

Alex surprised everyone as he stopped playing the drums and instead stood up, the mic in his hand.

(Alex)

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

The girl smiled with affection, watching her friend she knew for so long accept himself, no longer doubting anything like he once did, as Reggie's cove rang through the speakers this time.

(Reggie)

Whatever happens 

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

She also noticed how much the bass player had changed, as he continued to look at  Julie, no longer being the old flirt like he use to be as he only cared about her.

(Julie and Alex)

Stand tall

(Chris and Luke)

Stand tall

(The whole band)

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

Looking over towards he right, no longer dancing with Julie she slowly made her way over the guitarist who was already looking her way nodding her over with a smile, earning an eye roll from the girl.

Whatever happens

Even when everything's down

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

The couple did their classic mic share as they made their way over towards the center of the stage, staring into each others eyes.

I gotta keep on dreaming

'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

Julie, Alex and Reggie slowly joined the couple to the front of the stage, singing into their own mics as they reached the end of the song.

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall~

All the group could do was smile as the crowd with ballistic with cheers. Looking between the four she knew her time was slowly coming towards an end and so with one last miracle the group reached for each others hands. "Grab onto each others hands." She yelled as she looped her finger with Julie and Luke.

The band following what Chris said, reached for each others hands, Reggie and Julie were startled when they could feel themselves touch for the first time. "How is this possible?" She whispered only to feel a tug come from her sister, a smile on her face as she raised their hands.

"If it's going to be our last performance together we should be able to enjoy the applause together one last time." She said happily, before they bowed for the last time, as they came up though Julie could feel the two hands that held her own disappear once more, the familiar swish and the gasps from the audience. 

Looking around, she saw her sister and the guys were once again gone no one where to be seen, but trying to act like it was nothing she waved towards the audience and her family. Yet, as she turned around to head back towards Flynn she whispered towards the ceiling one more time.

"Thank you mom, take care of them for me."

The final chapter will be up tonight.

-Mech-x4fan