Been so long now we're finally free

________________________________________________________________________________Finally Free (Julie and the Phantoms, 2020) ~ Madison Reyes, Charlie Gillespie, Owen Joyner, Jeremy Shada

"Chief? What did he do?"  we asked at the same time. "He's been acting weird." he said. "Define weird." said Greg. "He's out all day. Mysterious calls at 1 am. He cancels meetings whenever he gets that one call. He doesn't even tell who it is though. Just disappears." he said cautiously. "I tried to trace the number, but it vanishes the moment the call is done." he said with a sigh. "I just wanted to let you guys know." 

"Well, what are you planning to do?"  I asked him. "Probably keep a eye out. Anyway, I snuck out of HQ. I gotta get back there."  he said, and we separated, saying our goodbyes. "Well, that was weird-"  said Greg as we got back inside the house again. 

"You really need to watch where you're going Callisto!" said Jeremy, the 'new' guy as he bumped into me. AGAIN!. It had become an every day thing now; me almost throwing a ball of fire right at his head through my eyes. Shaking the power entering my eyes, I started heading towards the door when a loud sickening crack sounded across the room, followed by a scream of pain. Turning back, I saw my dance partner, Nick, being pulled up by three people at once, sweat on his forehead. And, hoping my brain wasn't tricking me, I saw a small silver streak, which was slowly fading away, around the ladder where Nick was standing to adjust the photo frame on the wall. "Nick!"  I ran to him. "What happened?" 

"I fell. The ladder- I don't know how I lost footing. But I think I broke my f-foot!" he said, taking in deep breaths. "How can you be so irresponsible, Malley!?"  Miss Marlow walked in, clearly, not happy. "The competition is next week!" Clutching her head, she told the students helping Nick to take him to the infirmary. "Doesn't Kiara need a new partner now?"  the girl who was standing behind me, Lovey, asked her. "Yes." she looked around as I, my brain racing, stood there without moving. "Reynard! You and Kiara will pair up! Dismissed. Now, careful you lot. I do not want any more accidents!" she said and walked out before we could say anything. "Guess Leo and you are partners now!" Lovey stomped away. "Uhh-" 

"Don't worry about it. She isn't very fond of her dance partner! And either way, I think you and Leo look good together!" said Felicity, winked at me, and then followed Lovey out the door. "You and me again?" I heard a voice behind me. Keeping myself as calm as possible, I nodded. "Let's go."

"I hope everything I've said is clear!" said Miss Marlow as we were getting on to the bus to head to Easton High, where the competitions were being held. Plugging my earphones in, I leaned back as the remaining members of the dance squad got in.

"We'll do great! I know we will!" said Felicity, the positive one.

"But what if the lights don't work properly!?" asked Max, the nervous one. 

"Yeah we'll be fine." said Leo as he sat down in the seat next to mine. I nodded, my brain singing 'The Way I Was' from Jem and the Holograms. We had been practicing hard for the past week because of Nick's accident, but not hard enough for us to faint or anything.

"Well, here it goes!" I thought as the bus started its engine, heading out onto the road.

"Now, you girls get changed, okay?" said Miss Marlow to us girls, before getting into our costumes in the girls' changing. Closing the door, she went out, leaving us to change. "Let's get ready!!" said Linda, passing us our outfits. Taking my own one, I went into one of the stalls and changed. Looking at myself in the mirror, I realized how beautiful the outfit was. It was a resemblance of space; blue, black and purple, with the glitter shining like stars. Shyly, I walked out, trying not to catch anyone's eye. "WOAH! HOLY KC! You look fucking amazing!!" cried Lovey. "Indeed! If I was a guy, I swear, I would've got on my knees by now!" Maya joked. "Thanks guys!" and we laughed it off.

"Are you done yet!" I groaned. It had been ten minutes since Felicity had begun working on my hair. "Yeah! Don't worry! This pink matches too!" she said referring to my hair. "Thanks for helping us guys!" as two others touched up our makeup. "You ready girls? It's time to head to the auditorium!" Miss Marlow asked, poking her head in. 

Looking at each other with determined looks, we nodded. "Well, last chance to relax, gone!" sighed a girl at the back of the line.

"Let's burn the stage." I said as we headed out of the changing room areas.