chapter twelve:: other side

I jumped up suddenly from my pillow, my body hot as sweat drips down my face, "Mama!" I yelled, "Mama!" Within seconds my mom rushed into my room, concern written all over her face.

"Dawn, what's wrong?" She asked, coming over to me before examining me when she sat next to me, "Is it happening again?" I silently nod, on the brink of tears as she pulled me into a tight hug. Once I felt her arms wrap around me, I let my tears flow down my cheeks, my body sinking into hers. She began to rub my back to comfort me, "It's okay, baby. It's okay, I'm here."

"It was awful, mama," I sobbed, my words muffled by our hug, "I- I was surrounded by fire. I could feel it-" I cried harder by the thought of it, my body growing tense.

It was rare for me to get these dreams, but when I did, they were nothing but mortifying. I would be in the spirits body, feeling what they felt, even though I didn't know who they were. I would feel all their pain, their fear, and their soon death.

"Shh," She cooed, "It's going to be alright." I felt her hold me tighter because she knew I needed it. Whenever this happens, she would hold me like letting go would cause her to lose me forever, even when my body is relaxed and I'm finally calm. "Just think about your audition tomorrow, okay? Just think of that, Dawn."

I nodded before we sat there quietly, though the only thing you could hear was me sniffling after a few minutes of pulling myself together. She pulled away slightly and moved the strands of my hair that was stuck to my forehead from my sweat before she wiped that away too with her thumb, "Do you want to contact your father?"

I quickly shook my head and she nodded in understanding, needing no explanation. I didn't want him seeing my like this. I let out a shaky breath, but look up to see Alex, Reggie and Luke standing by my window, all of their faces drawn with confusion and concern. I quickly wipe away my tears with the back of my hand, "I just... I just want to be alone right now, mama."

She nodded again, "Okay, I'll leave you. I'm going to make you some chamomile tea, alright?"

"Okay," I hummed and she hesitantly stood from my bed, but looked down at me before I give her a small smile, "I'm okay, I promise." She smiled back before leaving my room and closing the door.

I then looked at the guys, bringing my knees to my chest and watching them stand awkwardly. Reggie was the first to come over to me and sit at the edge of my bed, a frown on his face, "Dawn, what happened?"

I shrugged, letting out a dry laugh, "Nothing, just the average life of a teenage medium." No one laughed as they still held their expressions, so I sighed, "I'm fine. It's nothing to worry about, I just had this really bad dream."

"This happens a lot?" Alex asked me and I nodded, pushing my hair behind my ears.

"It happens once in a while, but yeah," I told them, but quickly moved on, "What did you guys want to tell me?"

"Uh," Luke paused, looking at the boys before at me, "We're playing the Orpheum tonight."

I smiled, "Wow, that's great! I'm happy for you guys."

"Yeah, but the thing is if we play, we might do our unfinished business," Reggie told me, sulking, so I furrowed my brows.

"Why am I the only one that seems happy about this?" I asked them and they all glanced at each other.

"Because this means if this show is what we're supposed to do, then we're passing on maybe," Alex explained, "And we won't be around like always."

"Yeah, but I still get to see you guys, remember?" I reminded them, "I can still summon you and stuff."

"Yeah, but not without it draining you, Dawn," Luke added on, but I stood from my bed.

"If I must say, I'm stronger than the three of you combined, I think I can handle it," I smirked and Reggie and Alex let out a light laugh. "So when is the show?"

"In a few hours," Reggie explained and I hummed, "It's almost time for it. You kind of sleep late." I turned to look at my clock as it read almost 5 and my eyes went wide. What the hell? "It was probably because of your dream."

"Yeah," I mumbled, "I guess so."

"Hey, guys, can I speak to Dawn alone?" Luke asked and I turned to see Reggie stand from my bed, nodding along with Alex, who was smirking.

"Alright, but don't take long you two, and no tongue," Reggie teased and Alex hit him lightly before they disappeared.

After rolling his eyes at them, Luke then smiled at me, "Hey," He greeted and I smiled instantly.

"Hey," My response was shy, especially when I brought a hand to my face, "God, I know I look like a mess."

"No, no, you look fine," He quickly blurted out, putting up his hand to stop me from heading towards my bathroom.

I hesitantly nodded, but rocked on the balls of my feet, "So, what did you want to talk about?"

"I-uh," He paused, scratching the back of his head, "I was just going to say it's going to be weird not talking to you every day. I mean I've only talked to the guys these past 15 years and now I sing in a band with Julie, but you... you've just been good to talk to."

"You're not bad company yourself," I joked, "But yeah, it's going to be strange not talking to you guys all the time and have you pop up in my house at your own will."

"Come on, you know you enjoy us showing up all the time," He smirked and I playfully rolled my eyes before he came up to me. "But, I-uh, I also wanted to tell you something else.."

I meet his gaze, watching his eyes flicker constantly to read my expression, "You can tell me anything, Luke." At that, a small smile made its way on his face before looking down to grab a hold of my hand. I felt a sudden coldness from his hand, but I stood in slight shock. I felt something. I then lock eyes with him again, feeling his fingers interlock with mine, but I don't say anything as I patiently wait for him to speak.

"So, Dawn," He began, "Our relationship- our friendship is a very tricky one, I think." I nodded, a chill running up my spine as I felt his thumb caress my hand, "But I just felt you should know that I like you."

My brows get drawn together, "Luke-"

"I know, I chose the worst time to say all this, but it's not like we aren't going to see each other again," He advised, "Like why can't we just be two ghosts in love?"

I let out a small laugh, "Are you forgetting the part where I'm not a ghost, Luke?"

"Oh, yeah," He let out a short laugh himself, scratching his head, "Well I just wanted you to know regardless of what happens." I then watched his hand move to my cheek, examining me in case of a change of emotion. But I didn't change my facial expression and only squeezed his hand which caught him off guard, "You can finally feel that?"

"Yeah I guess so," I shrugged and he scoffed.

"So I have to almost pass on for you to feel something," He sighed, but had his thumb run across my cheek before slowly leaning in. Our foreheads and noses touch, but our eyes are still on each other. I feel him lean in closer to me, letting my eyes slip close when I felt his lips brushed against mine.

"Well isn't this sweet," I suddenly heard and I jumped back by the strange voice, seeing Caleb standing in my room. Luke was also startled, turning to look at Caleb. Caleb raised his hands, "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt. I just wanted to stop by and see how my favorite band mates are doing."

"We're not going to be in your stupid club, Caleb," Luke seethed, "We know what that stamp of yours is really for."

"I presume she's informed you," He then looked over Luke to smile at me, "Hello, Dawn. Nice to see you again." I only met Caleb once and it was when he tried to convince my father to be a part of his club. My father was too smart to fall for his tricks before finding a way to pass on.

Luke gently moves me behind him, causing Caleb to laugh a little, "What do you want?"

"To tell you about our grand show tonight and how you're going to be our opening act," Caleb explained and Luke shook his head immediately.

"We're not going to work for you, we aren't your little puppets," Luke told him and Caleb smirked, unfazed by him.

"That's what you think, but I am doing you guys a great service by being in my club," He told them, but I move from behind Luke.

"How is that?" I wondered, skeptically, "By keeping them tied to you like you own them."

"Don't think of it that way, Dawn," Caleb kissed his teeth, "Think of it as you're always going to see each other without you losing your energy. It's bad enough that you're already too weak now."

Luke then glanced at me, "What is he talking about?"

"You didn't tell him, Dawn?" He asked me, "Well, I warned Dawn after her dad passed on that each summoning she does, she's closer to dying herself. Contacting spirits comes at a price, you see, so-"

"You're dying?" Luke turned to me fully and I sighed.

"More like aging at a exponential rate without really aging," I explained, "But it's not a big deal."

"Yeah, it won't be if you guys work for me. I don't think you want to kill own girlfriend just to see her, Luke," He continued to persuade, "I mean, she hasn't even performed at her audition that's tomorrow."

"What are you doing? Stalking me?" I glared at Caleb, but he shook his head.

"Think of it more like 'watching over'. It's not every day I come across a medium," He smirked, before clapping his hands, "But, I'm giving you a chance here-"

"No," Luke instantly dismissed, "We're not doing it."

"It's funny how you believe you have a choice, Luke," Caleb laughed, "Because your buddies are already being held hostage at the club all dressed and ready, they're just waiting for their lead guitarist."

"What?"

"Tonight's going to be a fun night, Luke. I promise," Suddenly Caleb raised up his hand a blew off a unknown powder, causing Luke to disappear before I could pull him out of the way.

I stood in shock but quickly glared his way, "You're not going to get away with this, Caleb."

"But I already have, Dawn," He kept his smirk as he stepped up to me, "Now you have a good night. Rest up, okay?" Just like Luke, he was gone in seconds, leaving me with my thoughts before I hurried to get dressed. I have to help them.

"Sunflower," I heard and I looked up to see myself no longer in my room, but standing in front of my father in an all white room.

"Bố, what's happening? What are we doing here?" I asked him, before he took a hold of my hands.

"I had to call in a favor to get you here, especially since you passed out," He told me and I furrowed my brows before he motioned to behind me where my body laid unconscious, "Look, we don't have much time."

"No, we don't. I have to help them," I told him about to turn to go to my body, but he then held my face in place.

"Caleb has gotten stronger, Dawn, and he's taunting you because he knows you can't stop him this time," My dad explained, "You're getting weaker, that's why the visions in your dreams are coming back. Being around those boys are also the reason you're feeling more drained by the day without even summoning them."

I sighed, "Don't tell me you think they are bad people too."

"No, but Caleb put those stamps on them for a reason," He told me, "He knew they'd be around you."

"I can't just let them get controlled by Caleb," I shook my head, "I don't care what happens to me."

He then gave a small smile, but more in a sad way, "Just... just be careful, Dawn."

I nodded, but smirked lightly, "I will. I have an audition tomorrow, remember?"

(a/n:: I feel like this chapter
was DOOKEY. I might redo the
entire thing, but it's hard to make
this slow paced and still go along
with the plot of the show.

Like I wanted a whole romance thing
going on between Dawn and Luke, but
this show has been moving a bit too fast
for my liking. I also wanted to build up
suspense for Caleb when it came to Dawn
but idek how anymore

But like tell me what you guys think because
I'm gonna delete this entire chapter
by the end of today and start over)