[Flying Solo]
"Where did the rest of your band go?" a boy asked.
"Wait, were those holograms?" a girl in a purple wig questioned.
"Yes!" Julie said, pointing at the girl. "Yes, they were holograms. I plugged them into the ceiling projector before the show. I'd explain it, but it involves algorithms and science stuff." Everyone clapped.
"That's wild," Luke said. "They could see us when we were playing but not when the music ended."
Odette nodded. "Weird, but really, really cool."
"We should double check," Reggie decided as he patted Luke on the chest before going to the stairs and circling his hips. "Yeah, I don't -- I don't think they could see us!"
Odette jumped up and down and shook her head. "Nope, they can't. That's so weird!"
"I wish I couldn't see you two," Alex muttered.
Odette swatted his chest. "Rude."
The principal told the students to leave and Reggie walked up to Odette and smiled. "At least we can see each other."
Odette smiled. "At least there's that."
Julie said to the music teacher, "Mrs. Harrison, I am so sorry for not asking for permission. I just wanted to show you we belong here."
"As amazing as that was your spot has already been filled by another student," Mrs. Harrison said.
They watched as a boy dragged a cello too big for him down the stairs.
"Come on, that thing is way too big for him!" Julie protested.
"He'll grow into it. I wish that I could help you, but my hands are tied."
Principal Lessa walked up to the two. "Mine aren't, and as much as I didn't approve of this little stunt that you pulled, I will not go down in history as the principal who kicked Julie Molina out of the music program."
Julie chuckled and exclaimed, "Thank you!"
"But... when you win your first Grammy, I want to be thanked."
"Definitely."
"Congratulations! Oh! Aw!" Mrs. Harrison exclaimed, hugging the teenager. "Welcome back." She chuckled, as did Julie.
Julie ran back to her best friend.
"Wow, you did it," Flynn said in a blunt tone.
Julie smiled and replied, "Thanks to you."
Flynn didn't return her smile and instead asked, "When did you start playing with a hologram band?"
"It was just one song. Yeah, we're not a band. They are, we aren't."
"Why have you been keeping those cute boys and that girl a secret?" Flynn wondered.
"There's a reason for that. It's really crazy."
"I'm all about crazy. Let's hear it."
"Uh, they're from, um, they're from Sweden. Turns out they're not only great at making meatballs, but also great at making music. Anyway, who's excited that I'm back in the music program?" She did jazz hands.
Flynn frowned. "Are you lying to me?"
Julie looked at the ground and said, "Yeah. Yeah I am."
"Since when do we lie to each other?"
"Flynn... I'm sorry."
""I'm sorry?" That's all you've got?"
Flynn left the gym.
"Flynn-" Julie ran out into the hall. "Flynn, wait! Flynn? Come on!"
"Hey, nice job," a guy said.
Another guy said, "Julie, those holograms were so cool. It's like we were at Coachella, but not in the desert."
"Thanks," Julie replied, continuing to search for Flynn.
"It's true," Nick said as he walked over. "That was incredible."
Carrie walked up and said, "It was way better than when you cried and ran out."
Nick glanced at his girlfriend. "Hey, um, maybe we should get to science."
"Uh, yeah. Then maybe you can study the chemical properties of manners or something," Julie said.
"Was that supposed to be a comeback?" Carrie asked with a laugh. "Wow."
"Wow yourself."
"Another winner." She turned to leave.
---
Julie turned the corner and the ghosts, who were in a trapezoid, called, "Julie!"
"Ah!" Julie cried. "Stop doing that!"
Odette laughed. "Sorry."
"I'm serious!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Reggie protested. "This one's on you! We were already here. Well, actually, we were over there and then we came over here."
"Are we not gonna talk about what just happened?" Luke asked.
"Yeah, my whole school saw you and it's kind of freaking me out," Julie replied.
"Oh, good, 'cause it's kinda freaking me out too!" Alex said. "You know you can see us and people could see us whenever we play music and my clothes are made of air, but for some reason, I'm still getting a wedgie." The others looked at him with a disgusted expression.
Odette looked up at him. "You okay, Alex?"
"Yeah, yeah. Just freaking out."
"You and me both."
Alex sighed. "So many questions."
"The important thing is we rocked that place!" Luke cried.
Odette nodded. "We really did."
Julie smiled. "That was a great song, Luke. Thanks."
"And did you see how Odette was looking at me?!" Reggie exclaimed with a pause. "She was looking at me. Please tell me you saw her looking at me!" He grabbed Luke's shoulders.
Luke grabbed his face. "Bro, she was looking at you! She's still looking at you."
Alex frowned. "I'm so confused. You know, the afterlife should come with instructions or a quick start guide or something."
"Well, the good thing is everyone thought you were holograms, and I got back into the program."
"Why do you look so bummed?" Reggie asked.
Odette circled her face. "That expression. What is it?"
Luke nodded. "Yeah, dude, you're making that face." He brought Reggie, Odette and Alex to him and mocked Julie's face.
"Hmph, that is not my face," Julie protested.
"It's your face."
"Things just got weird between me and Flynn. She asked about you guys and I couldn't say."
Odette grinned. "Sweet! We're being talked about." She high-fived Reggie and Luke while Luke and Reggie high-fived each other.
"Stop! I'm serious! I can't tell her about you guys for the same reasons I can't tell my dad. She'll think I've gone off the deep end!" The janitor passed them.
Odette tilted her head. "I suspect he thinks you've gone off the deep end now."
"Hmm," the janitor hummed.
Julie shot Odette a look before saying, "I gotta get back to class." She walked away.
"Later, Julie!" Reggie said. "Tell all those cheerleaders to stop looking at me. Already got a girl I'm interested in!"
"Oh and that he's dead!" Alex added.
"Oh, no, no, leave that part out, leave that -- She's gone."
Odette patted his back. "She's gone." After a moment, she looked up. "Reg, would you come with me to my house?"
He nodded. "Yeah, of course."
---
Odette stared at the house and swallowed heavily.
Her mother exited the house and knelt in front of the garden.
Reggie glanced at Odette and saw tears glistening in her eyes. "You okay?"
Odette nodded slowly, then shook her head.
Reggie offered his arms for a hug and Odette practically fell into his arms.
Odette sniffled and Reggie dried her eyes.
"Thank you," the brunette whispered.
"Anything for you," Reggie replied softly.