Ghosts of July (Shamans of the Divide, Book 1)

Chapter Five

Panicking, I jumped to the side and hid by the dryers, out of Hannah's line of vision. My heart raced and I looked around for a better hiding place. I had no idea why, but the thought of Hannah Lewis as my enemy next year chilled my blood. She and Annabelle weren't exactly friendly with me to begin with and I'd hate to think what my last semester of high school would be like if they went ahead and declared me on their shit list.

Hannah's voice grew louder and I couldn't really hear what Renn was saying. Was he denying being there with someone? Too bad there was a second cup of coffee sitting right across from him. I knew Hannah wasn't Mensa material, but even a self-obsessed girl like her could see that Renn was having coffee with another person.

It hit me suddenly that I was being ridiculous.

I didn't need to wedge myself into anyone else's drama and standing there hiding in the laundromat made me feel like a child who had been caught doing something naughty. My hand wasn't in the cookie jar and I was the one with the sinking feeling in my stomach and I was the one Hannah Lewis was going to hate the rest of her days. And to be honest, it wasn't like Renn had gotten up to find me to explain to her what was really going on.

I found my salvation past the long wall of dryers and out near the restrooms. An emergency exit propped open by a bucket of soap flakes.

I didn't hesitate and walked straight out the back of the building. I picked my way carefully through the alleys in the neighborhood to avoid walking back in front of the Laundromat where Renn or Hannah could see me. I didn't feel like being any more of a spectacle today than I already was.

I wound my way through enough side streets and found my way to Main Street. There was still enough light out for me to see, but not for much longer. I wasn't a huge fan of the dark so I walked faster. It was quiet out. What little traffic Shades does get from the daily commute home was already gone. Folks were all home and tucking into their dinners and newscasts from Denver. The town was silent and just about dark.

I wondered if Renn had given a fraction of a thought to following me and making sure I was okay. I'm pretty sure Taylor would have run after me. But, what if I'd been Hannah and caught him having coffee with some mystery person? I'd probably punch him in the nose if he'd tried to run after another girl.

However you looked at it, this situation sucked.

"Figures," I mumbled as I checked my phone. No missed calls. I wondered how much a smartphone cost and if my next paycheck would even begin to cover it. I took a pretty dismal salary from Nana only because she forced me to. She wouldn't hear of me working for free no matter how much my mom tried to talk her out of paying me to help around the Night Shift. 

On a whim and needing to hear a friendly voice, I called Taylor. I was so happy when I heard his voice on the other end.

"What's up, girl?"

"Not a lot, boy," I replied. "I just miss you. It's been a rough couple of days, I guess. I can't wait for you to get here. I think I'm going crazy."

"Three weeks away," he said. He sounded like the phone was away from his mouth—at a distance. To be honest, he sounded a little distracted.

"Do you believe in ghosts?" Against my better judgment, I went for it. I hoped with all my might that he did, or that he'd at least be able to talk some sense back into me.

"Ghosts?" His voice sounded loud and clear now. Maybe he'd picked the phone up off his shoulder. Good. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not even sure. I just think I've been seeing crazy stuff the past few days," I was suddenly self-conscious at how crazy I sounded. "What if they're real? Do you think there's a possibility that spirits exist in our world?"