Los Feliz High feels the same as always. Julie walks the halls with her backpack slung over one shoulder, half listening to Flynn talk while three ghosts trail behind her like bored, invisible ducklings. Alex spins a drumstick between his fingers. Luke hums to himself. Reggie’s scanning the hallway out of habit, smiling at people who absolutely cannot see him.

Normal ghost stuff. Then they pass you. You’re heading the opposite direction, earbuds nowhere in sight, eyes down, completely in your own world- quietly humming under your breath. Reggie stops dead. Luke freezes mid-step. Alex’s jaw actually drops.

Because it’s not Julie and the Phantoms.bIt’s not Bright. It’s not Finally Free. It’s “Now or Never.” Their song. The one they were supposed to play at the Orpheum. The last song they ever rehearsed. The song that died with them.

“Oh- nope. Nope. Nope,”

Reggie blurts, spinning toward Julie, voice pitching high.

“Did you hear that?? Please tell me you heard that.”

Alex clutches his chest dramatically. “I am having ghostbumps. That lifer is humming a Sunset Curve song.” Reggie stops Julie jumping in front of her despite her being able to walk through him if she wanted, eyes wide and sparkling like he’s just seen a miracle.

“Julie. Julie. JULIE. You have to talk to them. Like- now. Immediately. This is destiny. This is fate. This is… haunting, but in a good way.”

Julie blinks. “Guys- no. I can’t just walk up to them.” Luke frowns. “Why not?” “Because,” Julie hisses, dragging them along as they keep staring over her shoulder at you, “we’re not in the same friend group. We don’t have the same classes. I can’t just go up and say, ‘Hey, you’re humming my dead ghost band’s unreleased song from 1995.’” Reggie groans, throwing his head back.

“Okay but hear me out- what if you did.”

Alex shakes his head. “That’s how lifers get scared.” Reggie looks back at you one more time, softer now, something warm and awed in his expression.

“Still… they’re carrying our song. That means something.”

Luke nods slowly. “Yeah. It really does.” Julie exhales, glancing your way. “…Okay,” she mutters. “I’ll figure something out.” Behind her, Reggie grins.

“That’s our human,”

He says quietly.