The Other Side of Hollywood | Luke Patterson

EIGHTEEN✨

(Listen to this song while reading💗^)

"So.," Luke finally spoke once we were alone in the studio.

"So..." I repeated, awkwardly nodding my head; now that we were alone, I regretted agreeing to having this conversation and allowing Alex and Reggie to leave, "there's something you want to tell me?" Theories on the things he needed to say flashed through my mind; was me wanting to rekindle our friendship not believable enough? Did he know I put the flier in Julie's dad's car? did he ask the guys to leave so he could tell me he didn't want to come to the club? "Luke?" I asked, furrowing my brows; he still hadn't answered me, which was a little weird considering he was the one who initiated this unwanted conversation.

"Uh, yeah, sorry," He finally spoke, scratching the back of his neck nervously, "I'm just trying to figure out how to say this." Luke was rarely at a loss for words, I'd only seen him like this one other time, the night he told me how he felt about me, so long ago, "you remember how I said I was planning to come see you, the day after the Orpheum?" I nodded in response; I hadn't given it much thought; if I'm being honest, today's been kind of crazy, "I was coming to apologize and see if we could start over." He admitted, while I kept my eyes locked on his, his eyes fluttered around the room anxiously.

"Y-you were?" I stuttered; this entire time, I'd envisioned Luke enjoying his relationship free life, that he'd realized that I'd been like an anchor weighing him down and holding him back from conquering his dreams. These thoughts made it easier to get over our breakup, and my sadness turned into anger and bitterness; the new Harper was created out of all the resentment I had towards Luke. Would I be the ghost I am today without that bitterness?

"Harper, running out on you was the worst decision I've ever made," He answered me, now his eyes locked on mine, showing how seriously he meant what he was saying, "I thought about you every single day."

"I thought about you too," I finally admit; when I was alive, I should add; being dead gave me a whole new outlook on my life, it was too short to let people run all over me like I used to, Maya and Caleb taught me that. "I always thought I was holding you back," I blurt out without thinking, "and clearly I was; I mean, you guys were about to play the Orpheum." Maybe getting him to feel guilty for me is good? Maybe, he'll feel so guilty he'll do whatever I say, including joining Caleb's club.

"You were never holding me back, Harps," He shook his head, "You were my inspiration; even when we weren't together, every song was about you." I hated the fact that I could feel my cheeks getting warm, it's only been two days, and Luke has already broken down almost all of my barriers; this was not what was supposed to happen, "can I show you something?" Luke asked after I didn't reply; I nodded, watching as Luke moved to grab his guitar off its stand. Pull yourself together, Harper; I mentally remind myself while Luke was turned away, Caleb would never let his emotions get in the way like you're doing right now, snap out of it. "I was planning on playing you this the day after the Orpheum, but-"Luke hesitated, now turning to face me.

"We were both a little preoccupied," I finished his sentence; Luke chuckled, nodding his head in agreement; hearing this song was not going to help with the whole, don't get attached thing, but what am I supposed to do, tell him not to? "So, you gonna play it for me or what?" I joke, moving to sit on the couch leaning against the wall.

"Uh, yeah," He nodded, "I've always been kind of bad at sharing my feelings," I resisted the urge to scoff and correct him, kind of? "but these are all the things I wish I could have said to you sooner." He informs me, I nod, and he starts strumming the strings of his guitar, "if I could do it all over, maybe I'd do it different, maybe we wouldn't be here in this position." I forgot how soothing Luke's voice could be; the internal debate I'd been having in my head this entire conversation finally died down, allowing me to fully listen to the song he was playing and the words he wanted to say to me. "True love, if I could get it back, I'd never let it go, this time." Luke sang softly, strumming the song's final chords; I wish the song didn't have to end cause now we had to talk, and I'm not really sure how to respond at this moment.

"Luke," I breathe, trying to figure out what to say to the boy who was waiting for me to talk, "You have no idea how long I wanted you to say these things to me," I admit, walking over to him slowly; the old Harper would probably run into his arms and take him back this instant, while the new one would yell at him for thinking a song is going to fix everything; I definitely was not going with the first option, and I don't think Caleb would be too pleased with me yelling at him, not with the boys joining the club at stake.

"but?" Luke asked, gesturing for me to continue.

"but I don't know how I feel," I admit; and I'm being honest, I haven't had to deal with emotions like these in 25 years, it was a bit strange and out of character, "Luke, I really appreciate this, all I ever wanted was for you to come back and apologize, I think I just need some time to process this and think it over." This seemed like the only acceptable response at the moment; I can't completely reject him; it'd mess up the plan, and honestly, I'd feel too guilty.

"I understand," He nods, but I could tell he was upset, "friends for now?" He asks, holding his hand out for me to shake as if we're making some sort of agreement.

"Friends for now," I affirm, connecting my hand with his anyway; saying, for now, sounded like something more could be coming in the future; earlier this morning, it would have meant that once they join the club, I can go back to ignoring them; but I don't know how to feel now, was I really that okay with not having Luke, Alex, and Reggie in my life again? A knock on the studio door broke me away from my thoughts; when I glanced over, Reggie's fist was through the wall, like it had been earlier with Julie's.

"We were getting bored," Reggie calls out; Luke and I share an amused glance, chuckling lightly at the two ghosts standing outside the studio.

"You can come in," Luke informs the two of them; Alex and Reggie walk through the walls.

"It looks like your conversation went okay," Alex glanced down at our hands, which I'd completely forgotten were still intertwined.

"Oh uh, we're just friends," I chuckle awkwardly, disconnecting our hands, "we're good, though." I reassure them we were good, at the rate this is going, I'd be shocked if Luke didn't want to come to the club; I mean, he basically confessed that he still loved me, "I'm just gonna change into something comfier, I'll be right back," I informed the boys, before grabbing my bag and poofing into the washroom.

"Oof the friendzone," I could faintly hear Reggie wince, it's been 25 years, and they still don't know how to whisper, "that's gotta hurt."

"For now," Luke replied nonchalantly; I sighed, things were getting too complicated; I can't let my confusing feelings get in the way, no matter how tempting it sounded.

🤍
Luke confessed his feelings... and Harper is beginning to question hers