Get up, Get out, relight that spark
September 9th, 2020
"Wait.. you don't know what a sports bra is?"

~

    Julie Molina slowly walked down the stairs that lead to her backyard. She held her backpack by the one strap that was on her body as she came closer to the studio. The eight or nine different pins on the one strap started to dig into her arm so she pulled it forward as she opened the door to the studio.

    She dropped her bag on the chair right next to the door before calling out, "Guys? Camille? I know guys wasn't a neutral term in the '30s. Hello?" Julie spun around facing the piano. She ran her hand over the top of it as she made her way to the bench.

    A stack of papers sat on top of the piano. It didn't look very neat. As if someone had shoved them back together after taking them apart. They were covered in lyrics and measures, more and more coming into view as Julie slid the pages apart. Shaking just a bit the girl opened the piano lid, resting her fingers over the keys.

    With a sharp exhale Julie started to play. "Here's the one thing. I want you to know. You got some place to go. Life's a test yes. But you go toe-to-toe. You don't give up, no you grow. And you use your pain. 'Cause it makes you you, thought I wish I could hold you through it. I know it's not the same, you got living to do, and I just want you to do it.

    So get up, get out, relight that spark. You know the rest by heart.

    Wake up, wake up, if it's all you do. Look out, look inside of you. It's not what you lost. It's what you gained, raising your voice to the rain. Wake up your dream and make it true." The sun started to fully rise, seeping into the window behind Julie. The nature light shines over the keys, showing the clear difference between the black and white.

    "Look out look inside of you." Ray Molina stopped on the stairs of his backyard, listening to his daughter play again. "It's not what you lost. Relight that spark, time to come out of the dark. Wake up.

    Wake up." With the end of the verse Julie moved her eyes along the pages, amazed at how true the lyrics were. Playing was second nature and she was almost ashamed to have even given up on it.

    "Better wake those demons. Just look 'em in the eyes. No reason not to try. Life can be a mess. I won't let it cloud my mind. I'll let my fingers fly. And I use the pain. 'Cause it's part of me And I'm ready to power through it. Gonna find the strength, find the melody. 'Cause you showed me how to do it.

    Get up, get out, relight that spark. You know the rest by heart. Wake up, wake up if it's all you do. Look out, look inside of you. It's not what you lost. It's what you gained raising your voice to the rain.

    Wake up your dream and make it true. Look out, look inside of you." Carlos Molina stood still on his deck. Tucking his head into his arms, letting his sister's music lure him. Something it hasn't done in a little over a year. "It's not what you lost. Relight that spark. Time to come out of the dark.

    Wake up. Wake up.

     So, wake that spirit, spirit. I wanna hear it, hear it. No need to fear it, you're not alone. You're gonna find your way.

    Home!" She stopped playing the piano for a few notes, "Wake up, wake up. If it's all you do. Look out, look inside of you." Her hands graced the keys once more. "It's not what you lost. It's what you gained raising your voice to the rain.

    Wake up, your dream and make it true. Look out, look inside of you. When you feel lost. Relight that spark time to come out of the dark." The six ghosts who now lived in Julie's garage stared at her from the greenhouse. Just watching the girl play like an angel.

    "Wake up. Mm-mm, wake up." Julie played the last note with a sweet sigh. Picking out the last sheet of music she read the note at the bottom. 'Julie, you can do it. Love mom.'

    Alex went to step forward but Luke stopped him. Luke twirled his finger around in the air, singling the six to leave. Erica and Adam lingered a second longer than a rest before poofing out to the front of the studio.

    "Dude, why'd you stop me. Julie needs a hug." Alex was already talking when Erica got outside, Luke facing away from the group. Alex's voice wasn't forced or mean; more like he was asking a genuine question. Like he wanted to know Luke's reasoning.

    Luke turned to face him, "Bro. A ghost hug isn't the feel good moment that you think it is alright." Luke pulled his sweatshirt up before letting it drop, "Trust me. What Julie needs right now is a bit of privacy."

    "Trust you?! TRUST YOU!? Erica pointed at her best friend, nearly shoving her finger into his chest, "Name one time trusting you has led to good thing."

    "Starting a band."

    "That's fair." Erica backed down a bit after that.

    Alex huffed out at his two friends, "You know what? I think you poofed us out because you can't handle when other people cry."

    "Oh I know he can't." Adam cringed at his brother, thinking of the many awkward moments when Luke tried to comfort their crying parents.

    Alex nodded along with what Adam said, "Yeah, I should know. I cried in a room for twenty five years and didn't get a single hug from any of you. And only Cam has a defence for that."

    Reggie reached his arms out in a hugging motion, "Alright bring it in."

    "Don't touch me."

    "This is why nobody hugs you."

    Camille smiled, "I'll hug you Reg." Reggie's face tinted a slight pink as Camile wrapped her arms around his waist, but it didn't take long for the boy to hug back. Sticking his tongue out at Alex from over Camille's shoulder.

    "O-kay." Luke broke the tension between his two friends, taking the conversation back to Julie. "I think the first thing we should do, once we get the courage to go in there, is ask Julie... why she lied about playing the piano."

    "Yeah, and you know." Camille peeled back from Reggie, the boy keeping one of his arms wrapped around Camille's shoulders. "Maybe tell her how amazing she is. I played that song yesterday. And it's not exactly beginner level."

    "She's legit. I got ghost bumps." Reggie looked over his free arm, but all of his skin was covered by the fabric of his leather jacket. A girl quickly walked by, choking back small tears as she made her way to the studio.

    Adam's eyes went wide, "Was she crying too?"

    Luke spun on his heel to face his brother, "Yes.... and the only thing worse than one girl crying. Is two girls crying." Luke held up two fingers to emphasize.

    Erica cleared her throat, "I could start crying and make it three."

    Luke shook his head, "Wouldn't work. You've cried in front of me before. It's like watching a kitten cry. You're almost cute." Erica's jaw dropped, "Sorry, Eri." The girl scoffed, crossing her arms over her upper chest. Luke looked back to the studio, "Bottom line, we can't go in there."

    "But." Reggie pulled his arm away from Camille, "We can listen." The four members of Sunset Curve ran over to the studio windows as Adam and Camille stayed put. Adam just wanted a reason to make fun of his brother when this inevitably back fired, Camille on the other hand wanted to respect Julie's privity.

    "Hey Dumbo, lift me up, I can't see!" Luke groaned before helping Erica up so she could see in one of the windows. Downfalls to having a friend who was only 5'3. Upsides to being the shortest friend in the group.

    Adam counted to 180 before the band started to shift around. Erica went into a full handstand. Alex all of a sudan found the light on his left to be very interesting. Reggie dropped to the ground, crossing his legs. And Luke propped his head up with his arm against the studio door. Camille did her best to hide her laughter.

    As soon as Julie and the other girl from before walked out Erica's fell from her handstand with a groan, causing Julie to laugh. "Heys guys." Julie's friend gave her an odd look causing Adam to chuckled, "Let's hustle! I'm sure Kelly's waiting!" The friend chuckled.

    Erica rubbed her wrist, "Who's- Who's Kelly!" The girl yelled at Julie as she waved to the ghost, before swatting away at a fake fly to make it seem like she wasn't waving at thin air.

    "Don't worry. We weren't listening!" Luke gave Reggie a kick at that statement.

    Adam full out laughed this time, "Bye Julie. Reggie get off the ground!"

~

    "Nita anything?"

    Antia shook her head at Kelly. "Nope, they've gone radio silent."

    Nickolaus Adair laughed, "It's been ten minutes, that's not radio silent. Kelly call her again."

    "I've tried dad. Everyday Flynn walks from her house around the block down to Julie's then we pick the two of them up. Everyday they have been waiting in the front of the house, so when they haven't I need to know why they won't answer their stuipe phones!" Nichaolus gave his daughter a look, "Right sorry. Trying Flynn one last time."

    Anita scoffed from the backseat of Nicholaus Adair's car. "I say if they don't answer, we leave without them. You dad's gotta get to work."

    The door behind the passenger seat opened, "Leave us behind!" Flynn nearly yelled as she climbed into the car. "How dare you! I will have you know, we took so long; because Julie played the piano and sang again!"

    Kelly shot around in the passenger seat as Nicholaus started to pull out of the Molina's driveway. "What!" Julie rolled her eyes before nodding her head yes. "EEEEE!" Three of the four girls squealed for their best friend, "This- This is amazing. I mean look at her. She looks, I don't know. ALIVE again!"

    Aniat cleared her throat after screaming just a little more than a little, "So-uh- what made you play again?"

    "Yesterday I was told to clear out Mom's studio and-"

    "And apparently-"

    "And I found a-"

    "She found-" Julie slapped her hand over Flynn's mouth.

    "Would you let me talk?" Flynn nodded, allowing Julie to drop her hand, "And I found this song my mom wrote me. It was amazing. You guys should have heard it....." Kelly smiled, settling back into the passenger seat of her father's car. She just listened to what Julie started to ramble about. The way the music flowed, or how the measures made an equal number disable by four. How it was just perfect. But what Kelly had found perfect was that Julie was playing music again.

    She looked to her left to see her father as he smiled. She guessed he was happy Julie was okay too. Nicholaus had told his daughter he never had friends as close as Julie, Anita and Flynn were to her, but her aunt did. And according to her father having friends this close and important to you was what made magic happen.

~

    "Believe me Julie. I think it's wonderful that you sang again." Miss Harrison explained her trouble to the four friends, while placing down her lesson plans for the day as well as placing down sheet music. "I prayed for this moment for almost a year. But it's too late." Kelly couldn't help thinking 'way to be blunt'

    "What if you just hear her play!" Flynn begged.

    Anita nodded along with it, "Yeah. You know she's amazing."

    "It wouldn't matter. A new student starts tomorrow." Miss Harrison sighed, resting her hand on the grand piano in the music room, "There's only-"

    "So many spots." Julie finished the sentence, leading Kelly to take her hand. "And if I don't participate, I'm out. I know."

    Kelly sighed, her hope dwindling, "Is there anything we can do?"

    Miss Harrison took a few steps to the girls, a look of sympathy on her face, "I did everything I could to keep you here this year, but Principal Lessa was very clear that yesterday was your last chance. I'm sorry, Julie. You'll have to reapply next semester."
The bell rang, "I'm truly sorry."

    The door to the music room opened as the percussion students walked in. The four friends looped arms, walking out of the room; truly and completely defeated.

~

    The six ghosts walked through the doors of the studio. Reggie, Alex, Luke and Erica stopping right at the doors. Adam ran a hand through his hair, falling back on the couch, and Camille walked over to the piano.

    Reggie sighed, looking at his band mates, "I wonder why Julie didn't tell us she could shred on the piano?"

    Camille picked up the handwritten song from the top of the piano, "Yeah. Like I said It's not an easy song by any means."

    "And sing. That girl can sing!" Luke was nearly bouncing around as he said the words.

    Alex shrugged, "it probably has something to do with her mom you know? Must've been hard."

    Erica slowly made her way over to Camille by the piano. "Makes you wonder.. What did people do when we died?"

    "That's morbid." Adam spokefrom the couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. He was just glad it was a Wednesday and he didn't have school or practice. One benefit to being dead.

    Alex kicked at the air around his feet before walking up to the loft, "Anyway. I really feel for her."

    "Yeah but.." Luke started to make his way over to his guitar on the other side of the studio. "Now she's got music back in her life. Just like us." Luke sent his brother a glance. Both of them had made up their mind to see if their parents were still in the area last night. They just agreed no one other than Erica could know. Because in the end they would tell her anyways. They always did.

Adam caught the glance before looking down to the floor. His stomach was flipping at the thought of it. But a deals a deal. Plus it might be more nice than sad. No he doubted it would be anything other than sad.

    Alex leaned over the banister to the loft, oblivious to the twins small interaction. "Yeah I'm not sure you can call what we have a life." He looked back over the items in the loft, "Oh hey! Some of the clothes we left behind are still up here!" Alex threw a black trash bag of clothing over the edge of the loft, before tossing Erica a small backpack and Reggie his backpack.

    "Sweet." Luke started to pull off his sweatshirt. He soon followed it with his real shirt As soon as Luke's shirt came off, Camille turned away from the group. Her face was quickly heating up and she's pretty sure if she was still alive and in the same room as a boy changing her mother would have beaten her. "Ah! Same cloth since '95, boys."

    "Gimmy. Gimmy!" Erica rushed over to the clothes, pulling her shirt off so she was left in a sports bra. Adam awakedly coughed as she pulled a new ACDC shirt on over her head. "What? Oh! Right, Cam you don't have a change of clothes. Oh we'll figure that out later."

    Alex chuckled, "Yeah I don't think that's what made Adam blush."

    "Uhh, not to sound, prude."

    Erica smiled, pulling on her typical jean jacket, "Be as prude as you want Cammie."

    "What were you wearing?"

    "You mean a sports bra?"

    Camille shrugged, "I-I guess."

    "Wait, you don't know what a sports bra is? Girl I'm about to change your life. Well afterlife." She pulled a shirt from the bag. Actually it wasn't a shirt it was Adam's old Jersey. "Sorry Adam. I don't know if we have anything else for you."

    The younger Patterson boy shrugged, standing from the couch, "It'll do fine. You ever see me in school on a spirit day. I wore this thing like a varsity jacket."

    Luke looked at his brother sideways, "You had a varsity jacket. In like sophomore year."

    Slowly the door of the studio opened, getting the ghost attention. The man walked threw Reggie as the ghost in the room remembered him as Julie's father from the night before. "Whoa. That was weird! But somehow I can tell this man has a kind heart."

    Camille laughed, "Well yeah. He raised a kid who's letting six ghosts live in her garage."

    The man sighed, holding his camera tighter, "So how've you been?"

    Reggie looked away before answering the question, "Honestly, not that good. See, we ate these hot dogs, and--"

    "Julie sang for the first time this morning." The man pressed on with his one sided conversation, unwear of Reggie's presence. "Ah. She hadn't done that in almost a year. You would've loved it."

    Reggie looked at him weird, following him around the room. Adam and Camille started to make their way over to where Erica and Luke were, Camille finding the actions cute, Adam thinking Reggie might have finally snapped. "Yeah, we saw 'cause we were... Oh!" Reggie waved his arm in front of Ray, "Oh! I get it. He.. he's not talking to us."

    "You are so lucky you can play bass." Luke and Erica spoke at the same time. They turned their heads to each other, "Jinx." In unison once more, "That was weird... stop doing that.... Really stop it."

    "Shut up!" Adam interrupted the pair of best friends, not wanting to hear the girl he liked voice having to blend with his brother's.

    Alex chuckled, "I'm pretty sure he's talking to Julie's mom."

    Ray made his way to the piano. "She's such an amazing young woman." The six ghosts lined up across the back side of the grand piano as Ray stood over the bench and keys. "Everyday she reminds me more and more of you."

    "Call it!" Alex yelled as he went to join his friends.

    Ray suddenly remembered the camera in his hand, "Oh I'm uh... I'm taking pictures for the real estate website. I don't really wanna move, but.." He placed the camera on top of the piano, "I guess it's best for Julie."

    "Move?" Luke questioned, leaning over the piano and placing his head in the palm of his right hand.

    Ray took a seat on the piano bench, "There're so many memories of..." He bit back a few tears thinking about his wife, "Of Julie playing next to you, and... Carlos trying to sing with his two front teeth missing." Ray let some of the tears fall as Luke let out a shaky breath.

    Reggie shook his head, getting sadder and sadder the more he watched his friend and lisented, "Oh no, Luke. Not you too."

    Erica rubbed her eyes, "Yeah if you cry, I'm gonna cry."

    Ray stood from the piano bench, walking back toward the greenhouse to get a few photos. Luke held back a sob, "He... he's talking about moving, but the poor guy, he doesn't wanna move."

    The camera clicked, "How are we related?" Erica started to sniffle the more she looked at her friend.

    "It's like they grew up.. Out here."

    "Oh man.." Reggie fanned his eyes as three of the four Sunset Curve members started to cry, "Now he's got me too."

    Camille leaned to her left to Adam would hear her whisper, "Are they always like this?"

Alex raised his arm in annoyance, "Okay, how am I the emotional one?"

    Adam gave Camille a sideways glance, "You bet your money. Try livening with one for 17 years. It's a lot to take in."

    Reggie turned to Alex, "C-cC-an we go see my family, and see how they're doing?"

    "Yeah." Adam answered before Alex did, "I don't know... something about this feels wrong." He sent his brother a look, Luke suddenly feeling more serious.

    "Adam's right. Listening to this. Is just... wrong." Alex added onto the statement.

    "Hey do you remember.." Ray rubbed the side of the piano, "When the kids were at your sister's, and we would come out here on our anniversary..."

    Luke bolted upright, "Yeah. No, definitely wrong." He quickly imaged his friend's house before teleporting out of the room. Erica blinked a few times trying to make sure no vague unpleasant images would enter her mind before following him out.

Reggie exhaled a sharp breath before turning to Camille, "Right you don't know where we're going. Uhh.. we'll just do what we did last night." The leather wrapped ghost took the girl's hand before imaging his childhood home and the two left the room. Alex gave Adam a shrug before they two left as well.

~

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