i had changed about four different times since alex told me he would take me to willie. in true willie fashion, he said it would take a couple of hours, giving me nothing but time.

before i could make it a fifth, the boys appeared in my room.

"you ready?" alex asked gently, holding out his hand for me.

i stared down at his hand, trying to get my body to move enough so that i could grab it. i was frozen in place, trying desperately to regain my motor functions.

after a long, awkward pause of the guys just staring at me, i swallowed the lump in my throat and gently grabbed alex's hand.

"let's go." i said, unable to hide the shaking in my voice.

i hadn't told my mom where i was going yet, not wanting her to be disappointed if things didn't go exactly as planned. i still wasn't sure this was even a real situation i had gotten myself into.

i mean, if i were to say, my three ghost friends, who i'm in a band with, are taking me to see my dead brother who is also a ghost. that sentence alone could get me committed for good.

as we were about to leave, my phone started ringing loudly, causing us all to jump with surprise as it broken the heavy silence.

i rolled my eyes and grabbed it,"one second."

when i read the name on top of the screen, seeing that it was adam, i knew i had to answer. what would have prompted him to call me twice in one day, i couldn't be sure.

luke peeked over my screen, his expression hardening the second he saw who was calling, "take it."

i scoffed, wanting to say something about how i didn't need his permission, but an argument at this time would get me nowhere.

"hey, if it isn't mr. calls twice in one day." i said casually, causing him to chuckle.

"sorry about that." he started, his cute laugh causing me to smile.

luke gave me a small smirk, no longer fazed by the caller ID,"what are you smilin' about?"

i looked up at him with disdain as adam continued to talk, "so, i heard you and your band are playing the dance."

"uh huh?" i replied, wondering where he was going with this.

he cleared his throat, nervous for whatever it was he was about to ask me,"and i was wondering...if, in the meantime, between sets and all if you wanted to...hang out? like, maybe go together?"

i pressed my lips together, knowing that would be kind of an award scene. but it would be just as bad if i rejected him. especially after i had given him all sorts of mixed signals with the kiss,"uh, yeah. yeah, that sounds great, adam."

"really? cool, so i'll pick you up-"

"no," i cut him off quickly, knowing i wouldn't be coming back to my house before the dance. though i knew i couldn't tell him why i'd be gone, so again, i improvised,"it's just, i have to help get all the equipment and get it to the place. but i'll for sure meet you there, okay?"

"alright," he said, sounding a little disheartened,"i'll see you, jo."

"bye," i hung up and looked over at the guys, "so are we doing this?"

luke shrugged, giving me an insinuating smile, "you tell us, lover girl."

i rolled my eyes and slapped my hand onto alex's. i couldn't explain why luke was suddenly being so calm and collected when it came to adam and i. before, he was chewing my head off, but now he was giving me these arrogant little smirks.

however, i had no time to ponder that anomaly as my body vaporized and reconstructed at the edge of the park.

however, i still hadn't quite gotten used to the landing. so, while the boys stood tall, i tripped and fell over my white doc marten boots.

"this isn't fun for me." i grumbled as reggie pulled me up, wiping some of the dirt off of my back.

reggie frowned, continuing to help me collect myself, getting some stray items out of my hair, "aww, but i like teleporting with you!"

i chuckled lightly, wiping the dirt off of my skirt,"thanks, reg."

i stood in front of the guys, holding my arms out and doing a small spin,"how do i look?"

instead of the guys responding, they simply stared straight past me. i knit my brows, wondering what they could possibly be looking at.

i knew in this particular park, the squirrels played very fast and loose with each other, and there was always the occasional drunken man on a bench. but none of that prompted this exact response.

"jordan?" willie's voice rang out, causing me to choke up.

realization finally struck, and i knew exactly what they were staring at.

i forced myself to turn around, meeting face to face with exactly the person i wanted to see.

"willie." i gasped in shock, running and jumping into his arms.

for the moment, i was thankful that we had gone to a part of the park where no one could see us. cause this would be a pretty weird scene to stumble upon.

"woah, woah, hold on a second," he exclaimed, hugging me tightly,"h-how am i touching you right now? jordan, did you die?"

i chuckled lightly, wiping the tears that streamed down my face as he let me go,"no, i didn't die. i'm a spirit medium."

he gave me a surprised look, reaching over to hold my face in his hands. a tear slipped down his cheek as he smiled,"i thought we'd never see each other again."

"trust me, so did i," i said sardonically, turning around to glance at my friends,"but these guys brought me back to you."

willie grinned, shaking his head in disbelief, "hey, alex."

alex smiled awkwardly, giving him a small wave,"hey, willie."

we both rejoined the group, getting back to the task at hand. with all this sappy reunion stuff off the table, i decided to let the guys get their revenge,"we can catch up later, will, but they actually have a favor to ask."

willie nodded, dabbing alex up,"yeah, what's up man? you brought friends."

"yeah," alex confirmed, looking over at his company,"these are my bandmates, luke and reggie."

"cool, i'm willie," he replied, doing the same sort of greeting that he had just done with alex,"so, you guys here to learn some tricks?"

with a simple wave of his fingers, he had successfully turned on a policeman's car alarm. the two people under their arm skated away, and i turned back to willie with an amused smile.

"even in death you're screaming acab," i bumped his shoulder playfully,"mom would be so proud."

he laughed and stopped the alarm, knowing it was too late for the cops to catch the skaters again.

"do it again! do it again!" reggie exclaimed excitedly.

"actually," luke stopped reggie from jumping up and down,"we were thinking a little bigger. an old bandmate stole from us and we wanna confront him face to face."

willie nodded, taking in the new information, "alright. is this, uh, old friend of yours a lifer?"

"oh, uh, that's fancy ghost lingo for the living," alex explained, visibly proud of himself for knowing that,"a little something i picked up."

i chuckled lightly, rolling my eyes at the drummer,"wow, he learns a new word and can't remember how to act. typical."

alex held up his hand at me,"jordan, please. this is not about me."

i pushed his hand down playfully, as reggie pretended to have any idea what he was talking about,"ah. well then, yeah, he's a lifer. too much of a fancy pants for street dogs."

willie frowned, shaking his head slightly, "yeah, i'm sorry. speaking to lifers is even out of my league."

the boys let out a contempt sigh, thinking all hope was lost, but it seemed willie had another option for them.

"you know, but there is one ghost who might be able to help you guys," he suggested, causing a glimmer of hope to reform in their eyes,"he's kind of a big deal."

luke jumped at the opportunity,"literally anything would help."

willie nodded, a little surprised by the eagerness of luke's words,"oh, um, alright. i've gotta take care of a few things, but i'll meet you where alex and i met at eight o'clock."

luke nodded, but as willie was about to take off, i caught his sleeve.

"hey, when can i see you again?" i questioned, desperate not to lose him again.

not after i had just gotten him back.

he smiled at me, slapping my arm,"um, you can come tonight too, it'll be fun."

"really?" i questioned, figuring it was some sort of ghost exclusive membership,"cool!"

he nodded and skated off, leaving me with just the guys.

i turned back to them, letting out an exhilarated breath. a lot had just gone on in the last few minutes, and my brain was trying to catch up,"so, um, what time do we have to be at the dance?"

alex gave me an awkward look, as he sucked in his breath,"nine."

i let out a sigh, knowing that was cutting it pretty close. i figured this whole ordeal couldn't take longer than thirty minutes, but still, part of me felt like i should tell julie.

i nodded, pulling out my phone, "okay, i'll just text julie-"

"no!" luke exclaimed snatching my phone away from me,"okay? no. julie doesn't want us doing this, so we have to keep it a secret."

i frowned, knowing it was a bad idea to try to lie to julie. it wasn't exactly the basis of trusting relationship.

but if i told her the truth, who knows if i would be able to see willie again. i sure as hell couldn't send him a text message.

so, while it wasn't my first choice, i knew what i had to do,"fine. i won't say anything to julie, but i don't like this, luke. i don't like it at all."

he nodded, slipping my phone into his jacket, "which is why i'll be keeping your phone for the night."

i rolled my eyes, shooting him a glare,"if that wasn't such a cool jacket, i would burn it."

he looked down at his bleached jean jacket, admiring it. and though he hated sleeves, this particular set looked really good on him.