End of May // Luke Patterson

14

"Up here!" Alex said from the ring above them.

"Alex, we forgot-"

"Julie; I know! This place is -- one sec -- this place is some kind of time warp."

"Poof down here, bro," Luke told him. "We gotta get going."

"I hope she'll be able to forgive us," Ruth muttered.

Luke nodded. "Yeah, me too."

The four ran to the front and Caleb stopped them.

"What's the rush?" Caleb asked. "The party is just getting started. You have eternity, after all."

"You know that girl that can see us?" Reggie asked. "We sort of bailed on her." "See, there's this dance at her school and her friend Flynn is a super cool DJ, like-"

"Okay, I don't think he has an eternity to hear the story," Luke said. "Basically we're late for a gig."

"But what about my offer?" Caleb asked.

"It's very cool, Mr. Covington, but like he said, we already have a-" Ruth was cut off.

"A band of your own. I understand. Oh, guys, little lady, if you ever want to come back again and fix that little problem with your friend, the Hollywood Ghost Club is always open."

"Yeah, man, we'd love to come back," Luke said.

"Ah! Music to my ears." He shook their hands and a purple stamp appeared. It disappeared as purple smoke came from the stamp. "Oh, just a little club stamp until next time."

Luke darted off. "Peace."

"See you around," Reggie said with a smile and laughed evilly, getting bumped by Alex. "What? That's what he just did."

"Dude," Alex stated.

Reggie flashed a smile and ran off.

Alex smiled. "Um... Uh, if Willie asks, uh, not that he would but if he does, will you let him know that I was looking for him?" Caleb blinked his answer and nodded slightly. "Thanks." He walked away.

Willie walked up. "Um, Caleb? You never said you were gonna use your stamp. You know what that'll do to them."

"Of course I do, William," Caleb replied. "But they're too powerful. I need them working for me." He spread his hands. "Now they'll have no option but to accept my invitation." He walked down the stairs, placing an arm around Willie's neck as he passed.

Willie turned, realizing what he'd just done.

---

Julie and Flynn were seated on the floor and were popping balloons with needles.

"I can never show my face at this school again," Julie said.

"That's what we get for depending on boys," Flynn replied. "And I guess Ruth as well."

"I don't know if I should be mad or worried. They're ghosts. I'm not sure what kind of trouble they can get into."

"Let's get some ice cream from the cafeteria," Flynn suggested. "Fools gave me the keys." She stood. "We can crash at my place and forget about this whole nightmare."

Julie said, "Get me two of everything."

Flynn walked away to get the ice cream.

The ghosts made their way to Julie's school and Reggie said, "Julie, we are ready to rock this dance, which is clearly over."

Alex patted his bandmates on the shoulder as they looked at Julie.

"Look, we are so sorry that we bailed on you," Luke said.

Alex nodded. "Yeah. I mean, the night really got away from us."

"And the twins," Reggie added, earning a swat from his sister.

"Julie, we're so sorry," Alex apologized.

Julie looked between them. "Just please tell me it had nothing to do with getting back at Carrie's dad."

"Pfft," Luke spat.

"No... Why would we do that?" Reggie asked.

"Us?" Alex and Ruth said, also shaking their heads.

Julie looked between them. "Seriously? You're lying to me?"

"Okay, look, it was something we needed to do," Alex told her.

"But we'll do whatever it takes," Luke reassured. "Well, the next school-"

"What?" Julie interrupted. "Another dance where you can bail on us and make us look like fools? Save it! You know what really sucks? Our songs were good and all four of you knew what I've been through and how tough it's been for me to play and then you do this? Bands don't do that to each other! Friends don't do that to each other! This was a mistake."

Luke and Ruth frowned. "You mean the school dance, right?"

"No. I mean joining a band with you guys." She ran out the gym doors.

"Julie! Julie!"

"Well if Julie's not in the band, then-" Reggie began.

"There is no band," Luke and Ruth finished as the four felt a jolt.

The ghosts groaned and gasped.

"What was that?" Alex and Ruth wondered.

"It felt like we were dying all over again," Reggie said.

"How can we die if we're already dead?" Luke wondered.

Ruth held her abdomen, still feeling pain from the jolt. The electric feeling, to her, felt worse than when she was losing strength and coming upon her last breaths years before.