chapter three!

casper the friendly ghost!

THE NEXT DAY, ANDY WAS AT HIS LOCKER, grabbing his books. "So how are things going with you and Julie?" Paula asked, causing the boy to furrow his eyebrows. "What?"

"You know... you went to her house yesterday, dude.  There had to be something going on with you guys."

"Oh, it was good. Her aunt's pasteles and rice with chicken were delicious.  And there's nothing going on with me and Julie."  People were complimenting Julie's performance from yesterday, talking about how cool the holograms were. Nick and Carrie walked up to the curly haired brunette, causing Paula to cross her arms. "How do you feel about right now?"  As the two watched things unfold, Andy couldn't help but notice Carrie about to talk to Julie.  "I'll be right back."

The boy walked over to the trio, making Julie sigh in relief.  "Hey, Julie.  Hi, Nick."

"Hey, Andy."  Carrie rolled her eyes, "I'm here too you know."

"Yeah, don't care."

"Hey, um... maybe we should... get to science." Nick told Carrie.  "Uh, yeah, then maybe you can study the chemical properties of manners or something." Carrie snickered, staring at Julie. "Was that supposed to be a comeback? Wow."

"Stop talking, you Hannah Montana wannabe." As Carrie and Nick headed to class, Julie stared at Andy. "Is this going to be an everyday thing?" he asked, causing Julie to sheepishly smile. "Sorry. But thank you for being with me."

"You guys are together?" Paula asked, cutting into their conversation. "What? No, no! Andy was just helping me with Carrie. There's nothing going on between us."

"Keep telling yourself that. Anyways, I'm off to science. Later, Andy."

"Later, Paula." Julie fiddled with her hair, looking at Andy. "Do you want to come over later? I want to show you something."

"What do you want to show me exactly?"

"I can't tell you. It's a bit of a surprise. So see you later?"

"See you later, Molina." Julie smiled, "Really? By my last name?"

"You're lucky you can remember my first name."

"I'm just kidding. I kind of like that, actually. But bye, Andy." The two went opposite directions through the hallway, headed to their next class. Andy was still getting used to the curly haired girl and he was surprised that she was even talking to him. People often thought he was weird or scary but Julie wasn't like that. She just wanted to get to know him simply because their neighbors. She was giving him a chance and he just hoped he wouldn't screw it all up.

SCHOOL HAD FINALLY ENDED AS ANDY WAS outside the Molina household. He noticed someone on the porch, furrowing his eyebrows. "Flynn? Is that you?" The said girl sprung up, wearing the same expression as his. "Andy? What are you doing here?"

"Julie wanted to show me something. What are you doing here?" Just before she could answer, Julie noticed the two. "Flynn! What are you doing here? I've been looking all over for you. Hi, Andy."

"Hi."

"Not everywhere, cause here I am."

"I've been texting you all day. The least you could have done is text me back." Andy felt a bit awkward, knowing what had happened between Julie and Flynn. As the girls spoke to each other, Andy scrolled through his phone. Flynn was about to leave when Julie stopped her, "They're ghosts."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, who?" Andy asked. "The boys in my band. They aren't holograms. They're ghosts. And when we play together, people can see them."

"What do you mean ghosts? Like the kind that rattle chains and go boo?"

"This reminds me of Casper the friendly ghost if you ask me."

"No.  And I'm pretty sure that's a hurtful ghost stereotype.  These guys are just normal dead dudes.  Well... Reggie's a little questionable."  Long story short, Flynn and Andy would meet Julie in her mom's studio in thirty minutes. 

It was finally time to see Julie and her band play.  Andy and Flynn were seated, Andy in a bit of shock that Julie's band were full of ghosts.  How was this even possible?  "Oh! If you'll notice, there's no equipment that will produce a hologram.  Feel free to look around."  Julie started to play a beat from her piano, singing the lyrics to a song called "Flying Solo." 

As if on cue, the three boys appeared, scaring Andy and Flynn.  The two couldn't believe that they were seeing a bunch of ghosts.  Julie and Flynn were dancing as she sang, causing Flynn to try and get Andy to dance as well.  The boy stood up, not really knowing how to move.  Julie gently grabbed his hand, causing her to spin him around and allowing him to do the same.   Flynn put her hand through Reggie, still shocked.  "They're ghosts!"

"It's still pretty freaky."  Alex looked at the two, "Oh, we prefer, uh, musician spirits."

"Julie... so does this mean you're joining our band?"  Flynn and Andy faced Luke, Andy crossing his arms.  "Actually, I think you're joining her band.  What do you think, Andy?"

"I agree.  Molina?"

"I'm gonna go with what they said."  Julie resumed singing as the three of them danced.  The song ended as Julie looked at Flynn.  "Still want to talk to my dad?"

"No, I'm good."  Julie and Flynn hugged, causing Andy to clasp his hands.  "Well, this was fun but I should probably get goin-"

"Get in here, dude." Flynn stated, pulling the boy into their hug.  They eventually broke it as Julie smiled.  "So does this mean that you two are friends again?"

"Yeah, it does.  It also means that we're friends now.  I mean, if you want to."  Andy nodded, "I think I like the sound of that."

"You like him, don't you?" Luke asked, causing Julie to glare at him.  "Shut up."

"What?" Andy asked, causing the girl to awkwardly smile.  "I was talking to Luke.  Sorry about that.  I'm still getting used to the whole ghost band thing."

"I should start heading home.  Bye, Jules! Bye, Andy!"

"Bye, Flynn!"

"Bye."  Once she was gone, Andy cleared his throat.  "I should probably start going home too.  See you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow, Ramirez."

"You know my last name?"

"I've known you for years, Andy.  Of course I do."

"Yet it took you several tries to remember my-"

"Goodbye, Andy.  See you tomorrow!"  Julie stated as she gently grabbed his hand, leading him outside the studio.  "Alright, alright.  I'm going, Molina."

Maya Speaks 💫:

More Julie and Andy moments yay!!

Their so cute I missed them sm (it's only been a week since I published this book 💀)

Also not Andy constantly gagging Carrie 😭 like let's calm down 😭