a/n: changed my character's name to jordan, i just liked it better.

a scattered chatter filled the room, everyone wanting to know what exactly had happened up on that stage.

reggie, alex, and i stood on the sidelines of the crowd, pretty much invisible to everyone around us.

"hey," our tech guy for the pep rally came up to julie on the stage,"where'd the rest of the band go?"

carrie's best friend, kayla, spoke up, looking at julie in awe,"wait, were those holograms?"

i bit my lip and smiled, knowing she had given us a perfectly reasonable explanation.

"yes!" i exclaimed, scrambling back up to the stage,"yes, obviously. because, h-how else would i have gone from this outfit to that outfit? i mean, i know my quick changes are legendary, but..."

the crowd laughed lightly, clearly seeming to buy my story. satisfied with the reaction i had gaged, i hopped back off the stage, taking my position next to reggie, who was hopelessly staring at kayla.

and just to make our claim a little more believable, julie added,"yeah, um, i plugged it into the ceiling projector before the show. i'd explain it, but it involves algorithms and science stuff."

"that's wild," luke commented, looking between us,"they can see us when we're playing, but not when the music stops."

"let's double check," reggie said quickly, running up the stage steps. he started to shake his butt in the most embarrassing way possible, and when he wasn't met with cruel laughter, he hopped down the steps and deduced,"i don't think they can see us."

alex let out a contempt sigh, muttering under his breath,"i wish i couldn't see you."

i chuckled lightly, shaking my head at alex's response.

"well," i turned on my heels to face the boys,"i actually have to get to rehearsal, but i'll see you guys later."

"rehearsal?" alex raised his eyebrows in intrigue,"can i watch?"

i shrugged, not sure why he would be interested in that,"if you wanna see me and adam screaming at each other for two hours."

reggie knit his eyebrows at the unfamiliar name,"who's adam?"

before i could answer, i started to walk towards the auditorium, not wanting to reveal anything about myself.

they walked along with me, luke teasing me along the way,"adam is one of her boyfriends."

"one of?" reggie smirked, slugging an arm around me,"care to add someone, such as myself, to the list?"

i rolled my eyes, shrugging his arm off. of course, i thought reggie was cute, i think all the boys are. but i'll be damned if i'm gonna have a romantic relationship with a ghost.

"i don't have any boyfriends, luke just isn't up to speed with modern relationships." i commented, turning the corner to reach the vending machines.

before rehearsal, i always liked to eat an energy bar just incase. and today would be no exception.

"well," luke stood in front of me, directly blocking my protein bar,"why don't you teach me?"

i looked up into his eyes, resisting the urge to say yes. even as a ghost, he had me ready to risk it all.

but he could never know that he had an effect on me,"get out of my way."

he chuckled, hanging his head as he stepped to the side,"worth a shot, right?"

"no." i replied flatly, shoving a dollar into the machine.

i knew he was only acting so interested in me because i look like an old flame of his. which is why i couldn't let myself be tricked into thinking he actually liked me.

because the truth is, he doesn't like me, he likes lily. and i might never know what that is.

i pressed the buttons to get my snack, and waited for it to fall down.

"julie!" i heard the boys yell abruptly, causing me to jump and look over to see julie.

"ahh!" she yelled, clearly as shocked as i was, "you, stop doing that! i'm serious."

i grabbed my bar from the machine and walked over to them, as reggie chuckled,"woah, this one's all on you. we were already here," he stated, then corrected himself,"well, actually we were over there, but then we came over here."

"wow," i commented, taking a bite of my kind bar,"thanks for that, merit scholar."

he winked at me, as luke gave us all an incredulous look, "are we not gonna talk about what just happened?"

"yeah," julie looked, mirroring his expression, "our whole school saw you guys. it's kinda freaking me out."

"okay, good, because it's kinda freaking me out too," alex said quickly, clearly anxious about the whole situation,"you know, you and jordan can see us- and then people could see us whenever we play music, and my clothes are made of air, but for some reason i'm still getting a wedgie!"

"ah," i clapped his shoulder, knowing i had heard enough as i scrunched my face in disgust,"and with that, i'm off to rehearsal."

"no, wait," julie held her hand up,"i have more topics of conversation."

i let out a sigh, glancing at the clock,"walk and talk, babe, i've gotta get to the auditorium."

"will do," she answered, waving a quick goodbye to the guys, before continuing,"one: i got back into the music program. and two: flynn's pissed at me."

i heard the boys flash out of the room, which drew my attention for a moment, before i reverted it back to julie,"why, what happened?"

julie gave me an awkward look, eyeing me slightly. it was clear it was hard for her to say whatever it is she wanted to tell me,"it was kind of about you."

i knit my eyebrows in confusion, needing further clarification,"about me?"

"well, yeah," she admitted, looking at me sheepishly,"just, you know, because you were in the band which means-"

"which means you told me about it and not her," i finished her sentence, understanding the situation completely,"plus, i'm sure it didn't help that she didn't know about the guys either."

"how could i tell her about that?" julie asked incredulously, letting out a deep sigh,"she'd have me committed."

i put a hand on her shoulder, feeling bad that she couldn't even celebrate the win she had received. it was a huge deal that she was let back into the music program, but flynn's selfishness was ruining it.

"she's your best friend, jules," i shrugged lightly, trying to come up with a good solution. i knew it helped no one to air my grievances about the girl, "she'll definitely think you're crazy, but...i don't know, maybe the truth will at least put your mind at ease."

she didn't answer, clearly thinking over what i had said.

after a moment, she muttered a thank you, before turning the corner to get to her class.

•

when i walked into my bedroom, ready to jump into bed and take a nap, i couldn't help but notice a certain shaggy haired boy in my room.

"luke," i smiled awkwardly, "why are you in my room?"

"hey, jo," he smiled flatly, adjusting the beanie that sat perfectly on his head,"i'm sorry i didn't ask if i could come here, i just...can i talk to you?"

i nodded slowly, though i was the least bit confused about why he wanted to confide in me specifically. it was also notable that i hadn't told him where i lived, but that was a problem for later.

i was never the best at comforting or consolation, but i suppose there was always room to improve my skill set.

i slipped my jacket off and sat down on my bed, looking at him expectantly,"i'm all ears."

he smiled and reluctantly took a seat at the edge of my bed. it was clear there was something weighing on him.

"i just-" he tried to figure out a way to properly express how he was feeling,"so, we played that song today and people could hear us. a-and i think that it's great, but alex...alex is all freaked out. it's like he doesn't wanna be in the band."

i frowned, wishing there was just one inherently good day. what happened today, while it defied everything i thought i knew, was admittedly amazing.

we sounded fantastic, our performance was electric, and i really loved it. us playing got julie back into the program, and got the guys back to doing what they love.

and yet, julie was still upset and luke was still sitting on the edge of my bed, bummed as ever. it made no sense to me.

but at the same time, i could understand what alex was going through,"i don't think he doesn't wanna be in the band, luke."

he looked over at me, not following my train of thought,"what is it then?"

i bit my lip, trying to figure out how to word exactly what i knew,"it's just...a lot. he doesn't understand the rules of being a ghost, and it's probably freaking him out. one minute no one can see him, the next they can, i can touch him, but julie can't, you can pick up your instruments, but not other things...it's just- there's a lot that doesn't make sense."

luke pressed his lips together, trying to understand what i was saying. i didn't know a whole lot about luke, but if there was one thing i knew for sure: he loved the music. and knowing that he could play was enough for him. he clearly didn't care about the reason of why or how, and that made it hard for him to understand what alex was going through.

"i guess i didn't think of it like that," he answered, a small frown pressing at his lips,"i just get so...focused. i assume that everyone feels the same way about the music as i do, and when they don't...i don't know."

i nodded, pulling my knees up to my chest. if i was being honest, having this talk with him was actually kind of nice. i liked that he was willing to be vulnerable around me. even if i knew i would probably never be able to do the same for him.

i just wasn't the kind of person who talks about how i'm feeling, so it was nice that he was the one doing it.

"i get it," i answered, eyeing him for a moment,"just give alex a little time to comprehend. i'm sure he'll be okay."

he nodded, smiling at me lightly,"thanks, jordan."

"no problem." i replied quietly, getting lost in the way his eyes met mine.

instead of breaking the eye contact immediately, like i would have done, he held it. the reasoning behind the action, is something i would probably never be able to know the answer to.

all i knew was, i didn't hate it.