A New Friend?
A chill ran through me as the realization hit. "That would explain why I saw the ghost but Dad didn't," I thought, piecing together the puzzle. My mind raced, trying to process the unsettling encounter. "How do you know that?" I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.
His eyes met mine with an unnerving calm. "I know because I can see ghosts, too," he said.
My heart skipped a beat. "Okay, but how did you know I could?" I pressed, my unease growing.
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "First, only those who see ghosts heal quickly from injuries like yours. Second, people with this ability have a sort of instinct about others like them."
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "How long have you been able to see ghosts?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Since I was born," he replied, his tone flat and unyielding.
Just then, the school bell rang, slicing through the tension. "What's your name?" he asked, shifting the focus.
"Cynthia," I said, then returned the question. "And you?"
"Luke," he answered.
I glanced over at Ella, who had been watching us intently from a distance. "I should head to class," I said, rising from the bench. I wanted to leave, but curiosity and apprehension held me back.
Ella hurried to catch up as I walked towards her. "So, how was it? Did he tell you his name? Are you friends now?" she fired off, her excitement barely contained.
I hesitated, searching for the right words. "It was… okay. Yes, he told me his name, but I'm not sure about being friends yet."
Ella's eyes lit up, and she grabbed my arm, nearly dragging me towards the classroom. "What's his name?" she asked eagerly.
"Luke," I replied, trying to match her enthusiasm but feeling a sense of dread about what this might mean.
As we entered the classroom, the weight of the day's events pressed down on me. I hadn't been at school the day before, so everything felt new and strange. The encounter with Luke only added to my disorientation. What kind of person could see ghosts from birth and remain so unaffected?
The teacher, Mrs. Thompson, began the lesson, but I struggled to concentrate. My thoughts kept drifting back to Luke and his revelations. I glanced over at Ella, who was absorbed in her notebook, her brow furrowed in concentration. I envied her ability to focus so easily on the mundane aspects of school life.
Halfway through the lesson, Mrs. Thompson called on me. "Cynthia, can you explain the significance of the historical events we discussed yesterday?"
I blinked, momentarily disoriented. "Uh, yes, Mrs. Thompson," I stammered, trying to gather my thoughts. I managed to answer the question correctly, but my mind was elsewhere.
The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. I gathered my things and prepared to leave, but Ella grabbed my arm before I could escape. "We need to talk," she said, her tone serious.
I followed her outside, away from the bustling hallways. "What's up?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Ella glanced around to ensure no one was listening and then leaned closer. "So, what did you guys talk about? You seemed pretty deep in conversation. Did you learn anything interesting?"
I hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. "Oh, it was just some stuff about school and how he's adjusting here. Nothing major," I said, brushing it off with a casual wave of my hand. "He's nice, though. I guess we'll see how things go."
Ella gave me a skeptical look but didn't press further. "Well, if you say so. Just be careful, okay?"
I nodded, appreciating her concern. "I will. Thanks."
As Ella and I walked back to the classroom, I felt a mix of relief and apprehension. The conversation with Luke had left me with more questions than answers. Navigating the world of ghosts was proving more complicated than I had imagined.
After school, I stood outside, waiting for my dad. I spotted Luke across the parking lot, leaning against a wall, lost in thought. I hesitated for a moment and then walked over to him. "Hi," I said.
"Hello," he responded, still lost in thought.
"Do you take the school bus home?" I asked.
"No, I'm waiting for my sister," he said, glancing towards the kindergarten next to our school. Seconds later, an adorable little girl stepped out. "That must be her," I thought. They looked incredibly alike, with their ebony hair and blue eyes. She looked around for a moment, then ran to Luke, hugging his leg.
She looked up at me and said, "Luke, who's this?"
"This is Cynthia," Luke said. "Say hi."
"Hi, pretty girl," she said,I had to try so hard to resist the urge to scoop her up and run.
"Hello, what's your name?" I asked, shaking her tiny hand.
"I'm Mia," she said, beaming. "How cute," I thought.
I heard my dad's car horn beep a few meters away. I said goodbye to Luke and Mia before heading to my dad's car.
"Who was that?" Dad asked, giving me a suspicious look.
"My friend and his sister," I replied.
"Why not find a boyfriend, or even a husband, while you're at it?" Dad said, shaking his head.
"Dad!" I protested.
"What? You're turning 18 in six months. Why not speed things up?" Dad raised his eyebrows.
"Please, just drive," I begged.
"Okay, but when he proposes, let me know," Dad said, feigning seriousness. I laughed, and we continued driving.