𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐃𝐎 𝐔𝐒 𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 - ᴡᴀʟʟʏ ᴄʟᴀʀᴋ

iv.

MUTUALITY.

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march 27, 2022
(six months after death)

JANET AND ISABEL ENJOYED SNEAKING AROUND THE SCHOOL. It was one of the main reasons why they were keeping their relationships in secret. One day they would hide in a locker room, endlessly kissing each other. Another day they would hide in an art room having a drawing type of date.

Once they even climb a tree where they got caught by Rhonda.

Right, others thought that her 'theory' has been just a theory all the way but the truth was: this girl knew what she was talking about too damn well.

"I'm not even surprised," was all she said.

Both girls stopped giggling and stared back at Rhonda in complete shock. "You can't tell anyone."

"Relax, I'm not a snitch," she collapsed next to the couple. They got noticeably uncomfortable, now they weren't touching each other. Isabel looked calmer while Janet seemed freaked out. "How long has it—" her finger shifted from one ghost to another. "—been happening?"

"Since Halloween," Baxter quickly responded. "Seriously, Ron, you can't tell anyone. Even Charlie."

"Especially Charlie," Janet corrected. "Such a chatterbox!"

"My lips are sealed until you call me 'Ron' one more time, Belly."

Isabel pushed the girl's side playfully. "Using the Belly card is a very dirty move, my friend."

"I enjoy playing dirty," Rhonda parried. "As much as I hate doing it myself, we must go to the pitch , like, now."

"Why?" Janet asked, and another girl simply shrugged. "Weird. Normally, Mr. Martin doesn't notice our absence."

"Actually, he was looking for you, particularly, girl," Rhonda continued. "He wasn't that interested in her."

"Really?" Janet pecked Isabel's lips without thinking and jumped up in a hurry. When she realised what she's done, her face turned red, but she didn't say a word. Seconds later, Hamilton was gone.

"I still can't figure out your girlfriend?" Baxter nodded at her friend's question, yes, Janet and Isabel were dating.

However, she had no idea what Rhonda was talking about. "What do you mean?"

"Mr. Martin," ghost pointed out the group they could see from their place. "They're suspiciously close. Always have been. Isn't it kind of weird?"

Isabel didn't think she'd ever questioned that strange bond of her girlfriend, best friend, on the first place, and their...teacher? Therapist? Who is Mr. Martin? Why do they unquestioningly follow his every order?

None of these questions of hers Baxter asked that day, the next day and half a year later. She decided to keep them, basically, forget about them. She was so not ready for solving this problem at that moment.

So, Isabel shrugged in return. "I know J has been here before any of you. I mean, maybe for some time he has been her...only friend?"