The Queen's Nook

For @jatp-week. Day 7: set in canon-verse. Carrie’s POV of Julie’s party in episode 7.

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~~~

Carrie walked past the familiar house, one she used to visit when she was younger. Much younger. Strutting straight into the backyard where the music studio was. Where she had spent the most time out of anywhere, even Julie’s bedroom.

Picking a spot next to Nick, who decided breaking their deal was a good idea. Carrie did not care for his shocked look.

“Were you even invited?” Nick asked.

“I am one of Julie’s oldest friends. I’m sure she just forgot... to invite me.” Carrie turned towards the Molina studio, if only not to meet Nick’s eyes. Or see his calling BS look.

Even without looking, she could tell he was bracing himself. “Look, we’re not getting back together, Carrie.”

Carrie scoffed at that. He said that the first time he had tried to break it off and come out to his parents. Which he chickened out. Not that she could blame him, coming out was complicated. Her dad was still in the dark about her being a… a lesbian. Still, coming out to people you know would support should be easier. Even if it’s a complicated label you’re explaining. “I’ve heard that before.”

“I’m serious!” When she didn’t dignify him with a response Nick just sighed, shaking his head. He turned to watch the performance alongside her.

She wondered if he was going to come out to his dads about being omniromantic and demisexual. Carrie knew she was a little jealous of him, he at least knew his parents were okay with that stuff. Who knew about her own dad, they never had serious talks like that. Shaking herself from thinking too hard, she focused on the white doors as they swung open revealing Julie looking good.

As usual.

Nick was bouncing beside her in time with the song. Carrie hated how good it was. How much everyone else was enjoying it. Never were any of her songs pulled someone in like this.

Gritting her teeth, she crossed her arms. She could not believe that she let Nick talk her into this terrible idea. It’s not like she wanted to watch Julie perform or her “hologram” band. Whatsoever.

Nick was actually having a good time, going by the light look on his face. Now dancing in one spot, careful not to bump into anybody. Why did he have to be so nice?! Care so freaking much?!

She could see Julie grab onto Flynn’s hand for a second and something hot and painful stabbed through her. Putting her hands on her hips, Carrie glared harder at Julie. The annoyingly upbeat, talented, caring--

Carrie clenched her jaw tightly. Julie was kneeling on top of the piano as one of the band members leaned against it, the two musicians were looking each other straight in the eye. At least Nick had stopped bouncing around. Julie stood up suddenly, dragging out a word.

Hopping down from the piano, Julie strolled around the edge to the seat. She slipped the microphone back in the stand. The same band member joined her at the piano bench as the rest disappeared, sending the crowd gasping.

Nick was staring at Julie in shock. Probably realizing she had it bad for that band member, probably even worse then her little crush on Nick had been. Carrie touched his shoulder, “I would be careful. If I were you.”

She then sent a halfway smirk look his way before she walked away.

If he wanted to try for a girl who was wholly gone on someone else, then fine. If he wanted a broken heart, fine . Not her problem.

Carrie refused to acknowledge that she wanted him to try to protect himself more. He was dumb enough to agree to dating, then fake dating with her and even she knew that she wasn’t a joy to be around for as much as he was around her. Julie was just going to break his heart. Just like she hurt Carrie’s.

For @jatp-week. Day 6: favorite trope. I couldn’t figure out what my favorite trope was so I just chose one at random. Which happens to be “they are dating but everyone thinks they hate each”.

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~~

Nick was at his locker just like usual when he felt a shift in the air. Looking around he found that the whole hallway was frozen, staring at something down the hall. He peered around his locker door to see what was the spectacle. 

Julie’s laughter bounced down the hall to him. The crowd were parting for her and the person holding her hand. Julie leaned into her partner, murmuring something into their ear and snickering again.

Even Flynn was staring at them as they stopped in front of Nick. They only seemed to just now realize that they were being stared at.

“What are you all staring at? Don’t you have something to do?” Carrie asked, looking over the crowd with a sniff.

“You’re dating Julie Molina?!” someone shouted.

“Yeah, I am. Obviously. Let me and my girlfriend have some peace!” Carrie rolled her eyes turning back to Nick. “I don’t get why they find it so shocking.”

Nick had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing. He could see why everyone was shocked, after all Julie and Carrie had almost antagonistic banters in the hallway for everyone to see nearly every day. He had known from the very beginning of them dating.

He got to know the full story. How Julie and Carrie had gotten up in each other’s faces and subsequently ended up kissing. The following freak out that Carrie had, she had thought she had gotten over whatever crush she had on Julie as a kid. How they ended up kissing again. How they went on their first date. All about that date and the following dates.

“Well,” Nick started once he finally got the urge to laugh under control.

Before he could continue, Flynn burst through the crowd. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”

Julie smiled seeing her best friend. “Hey, Flynn. And I did tell you. Remember?”

“When?” Flynn flung out her hands in a wild gesture.

“When I said ‘like I’m dating Carrie’ like three weeks ago,” Julie said, chuckling. Nick bit his lip at the shocked and aghast look Flynn had.

“But it’s Carrie!”

“I know.” Julie then pecked Carrie’s cheek. “I need to grab my books. See you later?”

Nick could see how Carrie’s eyes softened when she looked at Julie. “I will see you later.”

Julie grinned and gave Carrie’s hand a squeeze before she grabbed onto Flynn’s and drug her away. Flynn gave Carrie the “I’m watching you” gesture as she went. He had to turn back to his locker to hold in his laughter.

“What is so surprising about Julie and me?” Carrie muttered, opening her own locker door.

“You mean besides the two of you acting like you can’t stand each other? Oh, and no one had any idea you were even remotely interested in girls?” Nick offered, pulling out two ridiculously heavy textbooks for his next two classes.

“I thought we were obvious!” Carrie exclaimed, closing her locker door the same time as Nick and turning to him. “Like, I was actually around her a lot! Doing stuff with her!”

Nick finally let a smile through. “You know, most people wouldn’t be able to read that in you, right? I know how smitten you’ve gotten with her. The heart eyes you get.”

“I do not get heart eyes!” Carrie said, glowering at him.

“I think you need to check the mirror when you look at Julie…” Nick grinned at his best friend.

For @jatp-week. Day 5: fic focused on friendship/found family. It’s Carrie and Nick. I have become really invested in these two.

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~~~

Nick wiped his hands on his jeans. For the fifth time in three minutes. He repeated what he wanted to say in his mind, then he started walking forward. Movement caught his eye, making him look away from his goal for a second. Reggie gave him two thumbs up. Nick tried to smile back.

Turning back to where he was heading, he gulped. The talking stopped as he neared. The rest of the Dirty Candy stared at him behind who he was looking for. “Hey, Carrie.”

Said person turned slowly. If he hadn’t known her, he wouldn’t have seen the look in her eyes. The hesitance.

That was what hurt the most.

“Hey, Nick,” Carrie said. She was holding herself defensively. Nick hated seeing that in her body posture. Not even when they were driving each other nuts were they like this.

“Could I…” Nick swallowed and clenched his hands, quickly wiping his palms again. “Could I speak with you?”

“You are speaking with me,” Carrie said, her chin came up a notch higher.

“In private,” Nick clarified.

Carrie eyed him up, Nick put on his begging eyes. The trick he had learned from her. There was a twitch in her lip, it might’ve been amusement. He sure hoped so. “Alright.”

Nick nodded and gestured for her to go. Carrie briefly spoke to Dirty Candy and they walked in sync beside each other. Finding the first empty classroom, they slipped inside. He watched Carrie carefully, searching for anything standing out in her body language. 

Carrie broke the silence. “You asked to speak in private. We’re in private.”

“Uh, yeah, we are.” Nick nodded. He could see a head of black hair pop through the window, drawing his attention away from Carrie. Reggie waved through the window excitedly. Nick shot him a confused look.

“What are you looking at?” Carrie said, her head turning to the window. “You can see them too?”

“Say what?”

Carrie uncrossed and recrossed her arms. “The ghosts. Julie’s ghosts.”

Nick just stared at his best friend. Carrie sighed. “I can see ghosts!”

“I’m sorry,” Nick said at the same time. 

“Heh?” Carrie said, tilting her head. “Sorry about what?”

“About what happened when I was possessed by Caleb, about what I-slash-Caleb said to you.” Nick ran a hand through his hair, sighing heavily. “He got everything I knew about you and hurt you with it. And don’t try to claim that those words didn’t hurt, because I know you and I know it hurt you. I am so sorry.”

Carrie stared at him in disbelief. She pressed her lips together and shifted her weight. “I, uh… don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything. I just really wanted you to know I am sorry. I hope we can still be friends.”

“Of course we’ll still be friends!” Carrie looked aghast. “Unless you don’t want to--”

“Yes! I want to be friends! You’re my best friend!”

Carrie stared at him wide eyed, almost watery looking. Nick could feel his own eyes watering. She still wanted him as a friend. Even after everything that had happened. 

“I’m your best friend?” Carrie echoed, her lip trembled.

“Yes, you’re my best friend. You’re my closest friend. You know more about me than any other person. Not even my siblings or my dads know as much about parts that you know.” Nick swallowed thickly. “That’s how we became friends after all.”

Carrie wiped at her face. “Dang. Was not expecting that.” She nodded. “It’s the same for me.”

Nick awkwardly opened his arms in an offering. “Hug?”

“If you want one,” Carrie responded, shrugging one shoulder. Nick smiled.

Nick curled around Carrie, her arms wrapping around his ribs. He squeezed his eyes shut, letting the tears roll. It was better to get it out, he tried bottling it once and that did not go well.

For @jatp-week. Day 4: pop culture/memes Read on AO3

Would anyone be interested in a sequel to this? ~~~

Flynn made a face at Carrie as she passed. “She is such a Slytherin!”

Julie sighed, shaking her head as she closed her locker door. “Slytherins aren’t bad, you know. They just have a bad rep.”

“What’s a Slytherin?” Reggie asked, watching Julie. Jerking at the sudden appearance of her ghost friend.

“How many times do I have to tell you guys to stop doing that?!” Julie hissed, giving Reggie a hard look.

Reggie winced. “Sorry! I forgot! ...again.”

“What are you talking about?” Flynn asked, looking curiously at Julie. “Oh! Is one of the boys here?”

Julie sighed. “Yes, and he needs to leave! What are you doing here anyway?”

“I just wanted to look around the school,” Reggie said. “I thought it would be cool to see where you go to school!” Julie stared at him. “What?!”

“Who is it?” Flynn asked following Jullie’s line of sight.

Julie just shook her head. “Nothing. Just please stay away from my classrooms, okay? I can’t get distracted in the middle of class. And it’s Reggie. He wants to look around school.”

“He wants to look around school?” Flynn parroted, glancing around them then back at Julie.

Julie shrugged. “Yeah, and I need to head to class now.”

“What’s wrong with wanting to look around?” Reggie demanded, straightening up from the locker.

“There is nothing wrong, it’s just odd to think of someone wanting to do that.”

Reggie frowned, crossing his arms. “It’s just different from what my school looked like.”

Julie nodded. “Yeah, I get that. So go look around the school!”

“What did he say?” Flynn was still looking where Reggie had been.

“He moved from there and he said it’s different from what his school looked like. Now, I really need to get to class.”

“Go rock that class!” Flynn said grinning.

Chuckling, Julie nodded. “Thanks.” She started walking away but stopped and looked around. “Oh, he already left.”

“Dang it,” she heard Flynn mutter. 

For @jatp-week. Day three: favorite ship. I couldn’t choose and I accidentally thought of these two, and now these two might just be my faves. If anyone is interested in a continuation, please let me know.

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~~~

“I hope Nick is alright,” Julie confessed as they sat in the studio, her head resting in Luke’s lap. Luke was trailing his fingers through her hair. Not even an hour before she had separated Caleb from Nick.

Even Reggie could see how much that took out of her. Magic was still something she was working on getting under control. It came as a surprise to all of them, though Reggie had called it, that Julie was part-witch. It had come from her mom.

Reggie sat up, watching Luke and Julie being cute was more difficult that he would’ve thought. He didn’t have claim on Luke, no matter what his feelings were Luke liked Julie and that was that. “I’ll go check on Nick.”

“Really?” Julie asked tilting her head back to look at Reggie.

Reggie nodded. “I’m sure.”

“Okay.” Julie’s eyes slipped closed as she tilted her head forward. Reggie stood up, giving a slight wave to the others and popped out.

A few weeks ago, he would’ve stumbled upon landing but not anymore. Pushing away the hurt feeling of seeing the person he liked with someone else, Reggie invited himself into a small one story house. Roughly the same size as his old house.

As he entered, looking around the differences were obvious. The interior was warm and lived in, rather than the cold feeling his house had. Walking through the living room, right past the kitchen where five people were eating.

“Isn’t Nicky coming to eat?” a little blonde boy asked, looking around. He looked maybe a year or two younger than Julie’s brother Carlos. Reggie figured that was probably Nick’s younger brother.

“No, Jimmy, Nick isn’t feeling well,” a man answered, he had the same blonde hair. Right next to him was a dark, curly haired man with brown skin. Reggie could see their hands were linked. How there was a squeeze from the dark haired man as the blonde spoke.

Stopping, Reggie watched the five interact for a few minutes. Besides the parents and little boy there were two girls. One girl had brown skin and short curly black hair, she was sitting next to a dark blonde haired girl. Reggie wasn’t sure on ages but he was pretty sure the dark haired girl was older then the blonde.

They were bumping and nudging each other, laughter floating all around the table. Reggie wished he had siblings like this. That he had siblings period. Maybe then his house wouldn’t feel so lonely.

Shaking his head, Reggie focused on his mission again. He followed the hallway down to the end, popping his head through each door on the way until he was in front of the last one. As he stepped through it and looked around.

The bedroom was covered with ribbons and posters, even a shelf full of trophies. More books then he had expected. Then his eyes landed on Nick. Who was scrambling back with wide eyes.

“Who -- who are you?” Nick asked, his face was pale. “How did you get in here?”

Reggie looked around for who Nick was talking about. There was no one around him, alive or dead. “Who is he talking to?”

There was just him.

Reggie’s head snapped back around, his eyes bugging out. “You can see me?!”

“Y-yeah,” Nick stuttered, he was now not moving. Reggie couldn’t help but to stare. He had never really taken the time to look at Nick, beyond teasing Luke about his competition for Julie. He had sky blue eyes and fluffy blonde hair. Reggie wasn’t sure if he was just seeing things or if there were actual freckles. “You’re… you’re part of Julie’s band.”

He’s cute , Reggie thought as he looked back at his freaked look. “Uh, so I’m Reggie! I’m part of Julie’s band.” Sitting on the end of Nick’s bed, Reggie kept talking, “Julie was worried about you after all what happened with Caleb, so I came to check on you. And man, I know hard Caleb can be to deal with--”

“You do?” Nick asked, he appeared to be less freaked and more tired. “All he wanted was to get back at you and Julie.”

“Yeah,” Reggie said, nodding. “He cursed us so we would join his little club. But it didn’t work.”

“He cursed you?” Something in Nick’s expression made Reggie want to hug him so badly , but he had only been able touch Julie.

“Long before you got possessed by him, he didn’t use you to do that,” Reggie tried to reassure. Yet there was still more hurting in his eyes. Reggie felt like it was when he had died, that first hour. “What did he do when he was possessing you?”

“I don’t even know. I was only present for some of it,” Nick said, his shoulders hunched. “But I’ll be amazed if Carrie will ever talk to me.”

“Why do you say that?” Reggie turned to him.

“What Caleb said to her, things that she trusted me with.” Nick swallowed, his eyes on his bed cover.

Reggie reached over to touch Nick’s wrist without thinking, not noticing what his hand was doing. “I’m sure she’ll still talk to you!”

“Really?” Nick asked. “This is probably odd for me to talk to you about this so openly, but you’re a ghost and… probably one fo the few who actually know about what actually happened.”

“Really! She came to Julie and Flynn looking for help to figure what was going on with you! I’m pretty sure that she thinks of you as like her best friend!”

Nick’s jerked up. “She really thinks that of me?”

“Is there literally anyone else she would go to Julie and Flynn for help to help?” Reggie inquired.

“I can hardly believe she did that for me,” Nick admitted. “I didn’t think she cared so much about me.”

“Dude! She was there! The only she wasn’t actively talking to you was because she was loopy after the drain on her energy from the magic it took to kick Caleb out!” Nick didn’t seem to know how to take the information. “Just talk to her when you have the chance!”

For @jatp-week day 2. Write an AU. It’s an alive AU.

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~~

Nick looked up as the new kids passed. A black haired boy bounced on the balls of his feet, talking excitedly to his friends. Julie and Carrie were leading the three boys on the tour. Nick winced, he felt bad for Julie.

Carrie never explained to him what happened between her and Julie, he just had a general idea. Whatever happened, she couldn’t seem to stand to be around Julie. At the very least without sniping at her.

Nick looked back into his locker to pull out his biology book for his next class. Shutting the locker door, he turned around and hit an obstacle. Apologies spilling out his mouth as he stepped back catching sight of hazel eyes.

“Sorry about that!” Hazel Eyes said, Nick’s brain blanked on what was the situation. All he could think was they were really pretty shade of hazel. Suddenly there was a hand stuck out to him. “Uh, I’m Reggie!”

Taking the hand, he shook it lightly responding, “Nick.” 

“Nice to meet you! I’m new here!” Reggie said.

“Yeah, I heard there were going to be some new transfers.” Nick scratched the back of his neck. Now seeing the other two boys, Carrie, and Julie all staring at them. “You should catch up with the others, don’t want you getting lost here. It can be difficult to remember how to get around.”

“Oh yeah! Makes sense! I’ll see you around!” Reggie said, nodding vigorously.

“Yeah,” Nick echoed as Reggie was already reaching Carrie and Julie again. He wondered just what was going to happen with the new kids joining.

For JATP Week, @jatp-week. Day One: Favorite Character POV Reggie

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Reggie watched Ray move around the kitchen preparing breakfast. No matter what was going on, Ray always got up and made some kind of breakfast for his kids. Even if it was only cereal or toast set on the table.

“You’re a great dad,” Reggie said, his chin was resting on his arms as he watched the elder man flip pancakes. He couldn’t remember if his own dad had made pancakes. He was pretty sure he didn’t. Not that his mom had made breakfast either. Reggie felt his throat tighten.

“Good morning, Dad!” Julie greeted as she walked into the kitchen, hanging her backpack on the back of a chair.

Reggie felt a twist in his chest and he blinked furiously. Julie shot him a concerned look as Carlos came around the corner.

“I’m… I’m fine,” Reggie claimed as he moved to get up. “I’m just… going to go on a walk.”

Reggie didn’t wait for Julie to say something she would have to cover up. He poofed out.

Looking up at the surf shop, what had been his home twenty-five years before. Reggie swallowed thickly. He had no idea what his parents did after died. How would he even go about finding them? The only lifer that knew about him and could maybe help was Julie, and she didn’t have the time to search for people from twenty-five years ago.

It wasn’t like he could find a ghost who would have any idea.

Well, there was Willie. But Reggie didn’t what to think of him, he accidentally got them into deep trouble while trying to help them before. And he had risked his soul to save them. But at the same time, he was Alex’s friend not Reggie’s.

Reggie made a frustrated noise and kicked the sand. Did he really want to know what happened to them? For all he knew they could be dead too. They didn’t have to stay in LA, so who knows where they would be if they were dead.

“It doesn’t matter,” Reggie muttered. Even if he didn’t know what happened with his parents he still had family. He had the band. He had Julie and Luke and Alex.

There were two pops.

As if they knew he was thinking of them, Reggie turned to the sources. Luke and Alex were on either side of him.

“Hey, Reggie,” Luke said almost awkwardly. Clearly Julie had let them know he was looking upset. Luke wasn’t great with the whole emotions deal.

“Hey, Reggie,” Alex said, a lot more confidently than Luke. His hand settling on Reggie’s shoulder.

“How did you know I was here?” Reggie asked, looking back at the surf shop.

“A wild guess,” Alex answered, squeezing Reggie’s shoulder.