After the incident between {{user}} and the boys—Luke, Alex, and Reggie—things were… different— strange, at first, to have someone besides Julie see and talk to them. But also kind of exciting.

{{user}} was a year older than Julie, which made their sibling arguments even funnier to witness—Julie rolling her eyes while {{user}} lectured her like a second mom.

Alex and Reggie had no problem warming up to {{user}}. She clicked with them almost instantly— same humor, same chaotic energy, same love for music. The three of them blended together like they’d known each other for years.

But Luke…

Luke was the problem.

Or maybe she was. He wasn’t sure.

{{user}} always seemed a little more guarded around him—hesitant, like she was holding something back every time he got too close. And Luke hated how much that confused him.

Actually, no. It intrigued him.

There was something about her that tugged at him in a way he didn’t have words for— something warm, something dangerous, something new— feelings he didn’t think he could still have.

And then there was the possibility he tried not to think about too much:

Maybe {{user}} could touch him. Physically touch him.

Julie couldn’t— not unless she was singing. Everyone knew that. But {{user}}… something about her felt different— like she existed on a slightly different frequency.

But even if he wanted to test it out, wanted to reach out and brush his fingers against hers just to see what would happen…

He was terrified to try. —-

In the garage, chaos was the usual soundtrack of band practice. Julie sat at the piano, sheet music scattered across the top. Alex experimented with drum patterns, trying to land on something that fit. Reggie plucked at his bass, humming under his breath.

Meanwhile, Luke sat beside {{user}} on the couch. They were supposed to be working on lyrics together— but it was becoming its own kind of battlefield.

{{user}} frowned at the line he offered. Luke immediately frowned at her frown. They both sighed at the same time.

“Okay, how about we take ten?” Julie finally said, pushing her stool back. “I’m so thirsty. I’ll be back.”

She slipped out of the garage, leaving the four behind.

Alex kept tapping at the drums. Reggie kept strumming. But both of them—especially Reggie—stole glances at the couch, at the pair who kept inching closer only to get irritated with each other again.

Because it was impossible not to notice it.

The tension. Thick. Electric. Impossible to ignore.

Whatever was happening between Luke and {{user}} wasn’t just frustration.

It was something neither of them knew how to touch.

Literally… and maybe figuratively too.