______________________________________

The girls had been sitting around talking for about 20 minutes. Janet and Flynn trying to calm the nerves of the cousins. The boys hadn't shown up yet and to say they were worried would be an understatement. Julie had gotten up to pace as someone knocks on the door.

"Hey, Julie and Layla, it's time." Rob says from the hall

"Just a second." Julie calls out before she turns to the girls, "Something's wrong. The boys were getting those jolts pretty bad as we were leaving. And they wouldn't stand us up again."

"They must have run out of time." Layla mumbles

"I'm so sorry, guys." Flynn says

"They didn't cross over. They're gone." Layla sniffles, "And we didn't even get to say goodbye."

Flynn gets up and hugs Julie as another knock is heard, "Hey, Julie and Layla, you're on."

Layla looks up as Julie runs toward the door, "Wait." She opens the door and runs past Rob. "Jules, wait." Layla hurries to get up as the girls follow after her.

"What are you doing, Jules?" Flynn says

"Where is she going?" Rob says

"Where do any of us really go?" Flynn says before she follows Julie up the stairs

"We've got a problem." Rob says into his earpiece before he follows them

Layla turns back to Janet with wide eyes. Janet grabs her arms, "It's fine, Layla."

"No, no, no. I can't do this without, Jules. We have to go on." Layla breathes

"It's gonna be okay, Layla. It'll all get figured out. You know Julie wouldn't leave you by yourself."

"And the boys are gone. This was supposed to be their moment and they're not here." Layla cries. Janet immediately takes her into her arms as she cries into her shoulder. Layla's grip tightens on Janet as she rests her head on her shoulder.

______________________________________

A few minutes ago, Flynn and Rob had come back down the stairs, but with no Julie. Layla was more than freaking out now as they stood off on the side of the stage.

Rob breathes heavily, "Let Panic know they are going on now."

Janet and Rob turn as they hear the door open behind them. Julie marches over to them with determination in her eyes. She steps up beside Flynn with a flower in her hand.

"Jules." Layla says

"Signs." She says holding up the flower. As she walks forward, she takes Layla's hand.

"Wait. Where are you going?" Flynn says

Janet's eyes widen, "She's going on stage."

"Hold on." Rob says into his earpiece, "Julie and Layla just walked onto the stage."

"That's my girl!" Flynn says

"Welcome to Live at the Orpheum." The announcer says, "Now give it up for Julie and the Phantoms."

The audience cheer as Julie and Layla step up on stage and stand at the piano. Julie takes one of the microphone's sitting there.

"Hi. I'm Julie." She says before turning to Layla

"I'm Layla." She says with a small smile

"Um..." Julie starts, "Tonight, we'd like to dedicate this song to our moms, who have been there with us every time we've played. And thank them for... not giving up on us."

Layla then stands up straight, "We'd also like to dedicate tonight's performance to... three special friends... who have changed our lives completely, who have brought music back to us. It was their dream to play here, and... this is for them."

Julie nods with a tight lipped smile, "This song is for anyone who's lost their way. Step into your greatness. Don't give up. Stand tall. Thank you."

The crowd claps as Julie smiles. She turns to her cousin who gives her a nod of encouragement. Julie nods back before Layla looks down at the piano locating the right keys before playing the song.

"Don't blink

No, I don't want to miss it

One thing

And it's back to the beginning

'Cause everything is rushing in fast

Keep going on, never look back

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

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

Whatever happens

Even when everything's down

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

I gotta keep on dreaming

'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall."

As Julie sings, the girls heard the drums kick in. The crowd cheers as Alex appears on stage. Layla could've sworn her heart stopped. Alex smiles at them as Julie chuckles. Right as Layla begins to sing, Reggie pops onto stage.

"Right now

I'm loving every minute

Hands down

Can't let myself forget it, no

'Cause everything is rushing in fast

Keep holding on, never look back

And it's one, two."

Julie looks across stage as she hears crackling. She lightly taps Layla who looks over as Luke begins flickering in and out.

"Three, four times

That I'll try for one more night

Light a fire in my eyes."

As Layla backs away from her microphone, Luke finally found the strength to appear. Layla doesn't think she's ever smiled so big. Julie takes her microphone as she steps down onto stage.

"I'm going out of my mind

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall.

I'mma stand tall."

Luke's eyes immediately trail over to Layla who can barely focus on playing the piano. He smiles at her as she begin to sing with him.

"Whatever happens

Even when everything's down

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall."

Julie jumps up as she, Layla, and Luke sing together.

"I gotta keep on dreaming

'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall."

Layla takes her microphone from the stand before stepping down onto stage with Julie. The cousins walk closer to the front of the stage. Reggie right behind them.

"Like I'm glowing in the dark

I keep on going

When it's all falling apart."

"Yeah, I know it with all my heart

Ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh."

Julie and Reggie stand back to back.

"Never look back."

The band looks back as Alex stands up from the drums. A microphone sitting in his hand.

"Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall."

Reggie then stands at his microphone.

"Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall."

"Stand tall."

"Stand tall

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall

Whatever happens

Even when everything's down

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall."

Layla walks over toward Luke as she sings. The boy watches her every move. As soon as she's close enough, he steps over to her as the two sing into her microphone. Both going down the stage toward the front.

"I gotta keep on dreaming

'Cause I gotta catch that feeling

Whatever happens

Even if I'm the last standing

I'mma stand tall

I'mma stand tall."

The crowd cheers as the five band members stand at the front of the stage. Julie and Layla standing in the middle with Reggie on Julie's right and Luke and Alex on Layla's left.

Layla looks over at Luke as the crowd cheers. His smile wide as he looks at her. She feels his hand touch hers before they all raise their hands and bow. As they bow, the boys disappear.

The girls hear the crowd gasp as they stand up straight. Layla and Julie look to their sides noticing the boys left. They then look to each other before Julie wraps her arm around Layla's shoulder. She then points into the crowd causing Layla to look over.

The girls smile and wave at their family who cheer louder for them. Ray blowing a kiss with a big smile. The girls wave at the crowd and blow a kiss before waving again.

Julie pulls Layla into a hug which the girl happily reciprocates.

______________________________________

"...I'm the last standing I'mma stand tall." They all sing as Julie giggles, "I'mma stand tall. Whatever happens, Even if I'm the last..."

"Tall!" Ray sings as they make it to the porch. "You guys and your Phantoms were unbelievable tonight. You know, I'd like to thank them for bringing music back into your lives."

"We already did." Layla nods

"But we didn't thank you, Papi." Julie smiles. She hands her flower to Carlos before hugging Ray. As they pull away, Ray holds his arm out to Layla. The girl smiles before she hugs him. He rubs her arm squeezing her lightly before they pull away.

"Hey, Julie, uh, can I talk to you for a second?" Carlos says

"Yeah. Yeah, um, just give me a minute."

"Okay, I'll wait up." He says before he winks, "Don't ghost me."

Layla's brows furrows as Julie's eyes go wide. Ray chuckles as Julie turns to Layla. The girl shrugs as Carlos heads inside. Julie then turns to Ray.

"Just a minute." She says before kissing him on the cheek.

"Okay." He says. Julie waves Layla over as the two walk down the steps.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

______________________________________

Layla and Julie stood in front of the garage. Julie opens the doors as they slowly walk in. The lights were off as they look around. Julie walks in further.

"I... I know I already said this but, uh... thank you, guys." She sighs

"You're welcome." They hear. The girls frown as they hear a groan.

"Dude!"

Layla runs over and cuts the light out. The girls gasp at the guys lying on the ground clearly in pain.

"Why... Why are you here? I... I thought..." Layla stutters, but is cut off by the boys being jolted. "No... no!"

"I thought you crossed over. Why didn't you cross over?" Julie cries

"I guess playing the Orpheum wasn't our unfinished business." Alex groans as they sit up

"Point Caleb."

"We wanted you to think that we crossed over, so we pretended to." Luke says looking to Layla, "We just... We had nowhere else to go."

"We thought you'd go straight to bed." Reggie says

"Yeah, well," Alex says standing up, "I knew they were gonna come out here, but nobody ever listens to me."

He's cut off by another jolt rippling through them.

"You have to save yourselves right now. Go join Caleb's club. Please." Julie pleads as she walks up to them, "It's better than not existing at all."

"Please just go. Go! Poof out! Do something! Please. Do it for us." Layla says as tears stream down her face, "Please."

"We're not going back there." Reggie shakes his head

Layla sighs shakily as Luke walks over to her, "No music is worth making, Layla, if we're not making it with you. No regrets."

Layla doesn't hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck. Luke's immediately go around her waist. Alex and Reggie's eyes widening as they watched them.

"I love you guys." Layla cries as Julie smiles sadly. Layla pulls away slowly with her brows furrowed. As she looks at Luke, she sees him glowing. "What's happening?" She asks as she holds his hands

"I... I... I don't know." He says. Her hands go to his face as she rubs his cheek. His do the same. He takes her hand as he turns to the boys, "I... I feel stronger."

"Jules, Alex, Reggie, come." She says. They immediately make their way over and pull each other into a group hug. As they pull away, Alex and Reggie begin to glow.

"Whoa..." Reggie breathes, "I... I... I don't feel as weak anymore."

"Yeah, me neither." Alex says, "Not that, you know, I was ever that weak."

The group chuckles before the boys wince. They put their wrists into the middle as they watch the purple symbol Caleb gave them begin to rise from their skin. All five of them watch as it goes into the air before disappearing.

"What do you think that means?" Julie says looking up

Luke looks to Layla before he chuckles, "I think the band's back."

Julie looks to Alex as he smiles, "You guys think we could try that hug thing one more time?"

They all laugh as Reggie nods, "Yeah."

"Hugs are good."

"I like this." Reggie says as they pull away, but immediately hug again

"Me too." Layla smiles

"Awe!" Julie says

"We played the Orpheum!"

"Whoo!" Julie chuckles as they start to jump together

"Yeah, we did!" Alex says as Luke laughs

______________________________________

Layla sat on the rooftop by her window. The sun was just setting and the wind blew lightly. She turns to her left as she hears the infamous whooshing sound.

Luke smiles back at her as he scoots closer. "Hey."

"Hey." She smiles

"Everything okay?"

"Yeah." She nods and for the first time in a long time, she felt like she actually meant it, "Just watching the sun set."

"So, you like sunsets?" He asks

Layla furrows her brows as she turns to him, "Yeah? Doesn't everyone?"

"I mean, yeah, but," He mutters scratching the back of his head, "you know some people just enjoy it more than others."

Layla chuckles, "Yeah, sure."

"Maybe someday we can watch it together."

"Aren't we right now?"

"Sure, but you've been here for a bit by yourself. I mean the whole thing."

"You mean, like a date?" She suggests with raised brows

"Yeah." He shrugs. Layla's smile widens. Luke chuckles at the look in her eyes, "What?"

"Luke Patterson asking me on a date?" She teases, "Wow."

"Yeah, yeah, you can tease all you want, but there were tons of girls in the nineties who would've died for your spot." He says

"Yeah, sure." She scoffs, "I'm the luckiest girl on earth right now."

"Mhm." He nods, "Better believe." Layla hums as she turns back toward the sky. Luke's eyes linger on her side profile. "So, is that a yes?" He asks as she turns to him, "To the date?"

Layla smiles. This time, it was genuine, "Yeah."

Luke smiles as he nods. Layla looks back to the sky before she leans her head on Luke's shoulder. The boy leans his head on hers as they watch the sun set together.

______________________________________

ᴛʜᴀᴛ's ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ʙᴏᴏᴋ !! ɪ'ᴍ sᴏ sᴀᴅ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ɪ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙsᴏʟᴜᴛᴇ ᴇɴᴅ ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ's ɴᴏ sᴇᴀsᴏɴ 2 :(( ᴀɴʏᴡᴀʏ, ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴜʏs ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ ʟᴜᴋᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʟᴀʏʟᴀ ᴀs ᴍᴜᴄʜ ᴀs ɪ ᴅᴏ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ ᴀs ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs <33