Befriended a ghost

Sleep over

                               Sasha Alfredo
   
The sound of the alarm clock disrupted my sound sleep.I rolled and yawned and sat  up in the bed.
  Stretching , I looked around the room for Daphne and was disappointed , she wasn't in the room.
         Where exactly is she?
      I dragged myself up from the bed and walked into the bathroom to freshen up. When done , I returned to the room and hurriedly changed into a blue gown ; Then I put on a white sandal , combed out my long hair , slung my backpack across my shoulder and walked out of the room , climbing down the stairs into the sitting room.
   I met my mum and kamara seated in the dinning having breakfast.
"Good morning mum". I greeted , Joined them in the dinning
"Morning baby". She smiled . "how was your night?"
"It was fine mom". I replied and faced Kamara
"Please pass me the jam"
She rolled her eyes. "Can't you take it by yourself"
"Kamara, behave yourself and help your sister with the jam".My mum chided her.
    Alright mum". she glared at me as she passed it.
"Thanks". I opened it , spread a spoon full and began eating.

After the meal , I stood up , slinging my backpack across my shoulders.
"See you later". I bade and with that , scurried out of the house to the taxi station.
   I got to the station and flagged down a taxi and climbed into the passenger seat.
"Diamond high school". I rested my head on the car seat and the driver nodded , driving off.
I let my mind drift off to Daphne.I knew she was shaken by what she heard.
Poor Daphne. It must be so hard for her, I just hope she is alright.

The car skidded to a halt in front of the school of the school gate. I paid him the driver and alighted.
    Walking through the gate , I began marching to class when a voice called my name.
    "Sasha"
I looked in the direction and saw Racheal walking up to me , a huge smile plastered on her face.
I swallowed hard.What does she want?
"Hi Sasha". She greeted, still smiling.
  "Hi". I responded. "how are you?"
"I am fine". She moved closer to me. "Let's meet in the empty classroom during short recess". She whispered and I scoffed
   "Why?"
"When you come , you will know"
   With that , she walked past me as she made for the principal office.
I watched her go and smirked
Why exactly does she want to see me? Did she want to confront me about Declan? I guess I will have to wait till recess.

The class was noisy as usual and I entered, looking towards Declan seat , it was empty.
I sighed  deeply and walked over to my seat
   "Hi". I greeted Cory who was writing into her book
  "Sasha". She turned around to face me . "how are you?"
"I am fine". I dusted the chair and sat down. "what about you?"
  "Fine". She simply replied. "you prepared for the sleepover tonight?"She grinned
  I nodded. "my mom agreed without any complaints.Will you follow me home?"I asked
"Nope".she popped the p.  "just text me your home address, I will join you"
"Alright, I will do that"
Right at the moment, the teacher walked into the class and the class went silent in an instant.

I stared absentmindedly at the teacher as she wrote on the marker board . I was worried about Daphne and at the same missing Declan .
I sighed. how I wish he was in school today?
I reached into my bag for my phone , unlocked it , about to send him a message when a message from him popped in.
     I clicked on it and read it .
"Good morning babe, how are you? I trust you are in class now,i will call you later "
I smiled sheepishly and read the message again..
babe! he called me babe! Declan just called me babe!

The teacher soon left the class and a wave of relief swept through the class.
It is time to call Declan! I grinned
  Dialling his number , it rang until his voice mail picked up.
I dialled it again but it was the same thing.
What is wrong with him? Why is he not picking my class?
I frowned and attempted to dial it for the third time when another call came in , it was from an unknown number
"Who is this?" I muttered, receiving it .
"Hello Sasha!"A girly voice rang through.
   "Who is this?"
"Don't tell me you did not recognise my voice". She chuckled. "it is me Racheal"
  "Racheal". I called out in surprise.
  "Yes. come over to the empty classroom, I am waiting for you". she hung up the call....
I bit my upper lips and stood up in a huff, seething with anger as I walked out of the classroom.
Does she think she can control me anyhow she likes?
I climbed up the stairs and passed through the hallway to the empty classroom.
Entering, I met Racheal seated on a desk.
   "Why do you want to see me?" I fired her.
  "Calm down Sasha". She giggled . "we ain't fighting"
"I know". I retorted. "just say whatever you want to say and let me go"
"Alright". She jumped down the desk and moved closer to me. I can see you are not the patient type so I will make it brief, Declan belongs to me so stay away from him". She warned
I scoffed . "Are you kidding me? Is this the reason you called me out here? To warn me to stay away from Declan....Come on Racheal, Declan belongs to nobody so you have no right telling me to stay away from him .
  "Is that what he told you?" She smirked . "Declan and I were lovers long before you came".
  "then what about now ? are you still lovers?"I asked mockingly
  "Are you trying to taunt me?" She hissed.
"No, and why would I do that? I am only stating the fact.
She stared at me , quiet for a while and then smiled
"You are so naive. Do you think Declan likes you? he is just interested in your big ass and.......
"That is a big fat lie". I screamed.
"Let's see about that".She glared at me and stormed out of the class room.
   My heart pounded as I watched her go.
   Did she just threaten me?
  Taking a  step forward, I felt a presence beside me—-
"Daphne".I called excitedly. where have you been? Are you alright?
   Her eyes grew wide in surprise and she smiled sadly.
"I thought you were mad at me"
"And why would I be?" It was my turn to be surprise.
"erm you know ... I was thinking you won't see me as a friend again". She stuttered , forcing me to smile.
"That will never happen. You will always be my best friend". I assured her .
    A wide smile appeared on her lips. "Thanks"
"So where have you been?" I asked again.
   "With my family". she answered and my eyes lit up.
"Is your mum alright? What about Declan, Is he alright?"
She nodded. "But Declan needs help".
   "Help". I stared at her confused. "Why? Is anything wrong with him?"
       "No".
     "Why then does he need help?"
  "because he is a stoner". She dropped the bombshell and I froze
"Stoner". my voice trembled.
  "Please You have to talk to him". She begged . "I believe he will listen to you".She pleaded
     I nodded slowly, staring into space.
    "He loves you Sasha so much". She quickly added.
"Love?"I looked at her.
"Yes.I was beside him when he called you , the way he smiled tells it all"
"But that is not enough reason". I rolled my eyes.
"It is Sasha". She insisted. "After the call he went back to his moody self . it was like ..erm.. like .....he smiled because of you". she tried to explain and I smiled inwardly.
"Fine, I will try and talk to him". I agreed wanting to make her happy and it worked
  "Thanks so much". She beamed happily
"Anything for you bestie". I smiled. "now can we go to class now?"
   
    I stepped into the class and looked towards Racheal seat , meeting her angry gaze.
"Crazy bitch". I muttered as I walked over to my seat.
  "Sasha, Where have you been?" Cory questioned.
"Toilet". I lied
  "Liar". She frowned. "I checked you in the toilet but you weren't there".
I swallowed hard , making a sound . "erm ... I ...erm ....went over". I stuttered not knowing what to say and she smirked
"Anyway, take Your phone". She handed me my phone. "Declan has been calling".
Ooops! I completely forgot about my phone, I left it on my desk.
   "Thanks". I unlocked the phone and saw
12 missed calls all from Declan .
   Immediately, I dialled his number and he picked it on the first ring.
  " Hey Sasha". he greeted . "Why weren't you picking up my calls?"
"I am sorry, I went over to the bathroom". I lied and Cory shot me a playful glare
  "Oh!I was also in the bathroom when you called and I am sorry for not picking".
  "It Is alright Dec, I just wanted to check on you ".
  He chuckled softly. "you missing me?"
"Yes, badly". I answered truthfully.
   There was pause.
"Declan". I called and he sighed
  "I am also missing you babe"
   Babe! I blushed. he called me babe again .
    "Got to go , I will call you later". he said and he ended the call.
"Are you both in a relationship?"Cory asked
  I merely shrugged, turning sideways to Daphne and she flashed me a smile.
      
                           Declan Davies
    
       I ended the call and tossed my phone on the bed , about to lit up the cigarette I was holding when my mum came in
   "Mum". I called out in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
    "Declan". She looked at the cigarette ,the pot starch that was still on the bed , and then back at me.
  Sh*t. I bit my lips in confusion
"What are you trying to do?" her voice wavered.
   I just sat there, staring at her , not knowing what to tell her.I never expected her in my room,I mean I thought she was still sleeping, when did she even wake?
   She moved closer  to me and sat down on the bed.
   "Don't tell me you now smoke?"She asked softly
Opening my mouth , I tried to say something but no sound came out .
"Oh Declan". She broke down in tears and I
looked away to avoid seeing her tears
  "I know it is my fault , I know I have not been a good mother , I know I left you to yourself but please Declan you have to quit smoking". She begged and pulled me closer , hugging me.
  "Please baby do it for me". She cooed
     I hugged her back , holding her tightly.
     "It is not easy mum"
"I know , and I am going to help you with it".
       
                             Sasha Alfredo
         
         I sat there on my bed , busy with my assignment when my phone rang.
  I reached for it to check out the caller and as expected, it was Cory .
    "Is it Cory?"Daphne who was standing in front of the mirror asked 
          "Yes". I nodded , receiving the call
       "Hello Cory". I greeted first. "Where are you?"
  "Erm I am in front of your house"
       "Then knock , my mum will direct you to my room"
  "No Sasha, please come outside". she pleaded and ended the call.
   What is wrong with her? I got off the bed and hurriedly wore a jacket.
  "I am coming". I said to Daphne who just nodded.
    Crazy!
  I walked out of the room and climbed down the stairs into the sitting room and met my mom seated on the sofa watching television
   "Is your friend no longer coming?"She stared at me.
"She is already outside"
"Outside". she repeated , wearing a puzzled look. "Then why can't she knock?"
I smiled . "I guess she is shy". I opened the the front door and spotted Cory leaning against my mum car .
   "Cory". I walked briskly to her. "Why are you standing here?"
"Is this your house?"She ignored my question
"Yes". I nodded . "Is anything the matter?
She exhaled deeply and shook her head
"Let us go in". her voice was shaky.
"Are you sure you are alright?" I wanted to be sure and she nodded.
"Good". I took her hands into mine and we walked into the sitting room.
"Mum, this is my friend Cory". I introduced
"how are you dear?" my mum flashed her a smile.
  "I am fine ma". Cory replied , looking around the house . I could tell she was uneasy but why?
"Alright dear. You both can go upstair, I will call you girls when dinner is ready". My mom said with a smile.
"Thank you mom". I gestured at Cory and we both climb up the stairs to my room.

Entering , I found Daphne singing in front of the mirror.
I smiled lightly as she looked back at us , then she continued with what she was doing.
"So". I shifted my attention to Cory and noticed she clutching her clothes tightly.She could not even control her hands , they were shaking in an old trembling rhythm.
"Are you alright?"I asked , clearly worried.and she shook her negatively......
"I need to go home ". she shook her head slightly. "I really need to".
"But why? You just got here". I was confused.
  "I  can't stay here". she kept on looking around the room".
"Please calm down and talk to me". I tried to calm her down.
"No, I need to go help my mom at home"
   With that , she ran out of the room.
"What is wrong with her?"Daphne asked and I bit my lips , ignoring her.
I was so damn confused about her reaction
Why was she scared to come inside my house? Why can't she stay inside my room? Did something happen in here? .....
*
TBC