The Nightcolt Manor

(9)

"You're in a great mood! I'm usually the one inviting you out." Nadine's friend giggled. Nadine smiled, slipping her well-needed coffee, "I just thought it was a good day to do so." She responded nonchalantly.

"You're in a great mood, aren't you.. did you by any chance meet a guy?" Shay said suspiciously, poking at her cafe creampuffs. Nadine gave her a look and rolled her hazel eyes. Her friend grinned manically, "It does! I knew it!"

"It's always guys with you!" Nadine tried to remain serious but failed as her face turned a bit pink.

Shay laughed, her pink fingernails pointing at her, "So, who's the guy then?" She interrogated. Nadine stuttered a little, smiling nervously. He's a fucking ghost.. plus also, I was drunk anyway.

"Heh.. he's uhm.. It's nothing, don't worry about it. Can a girl not be in a good mood?" Nadine said, picking at her pastry anxiously. Her friend deadpanned, "Alright, whatever you say girl."

_______

Nadine laid on her bed, enjoying her day off. She was seriously starting to regret drinking last night. She wasn't completely sure what she might have said or done last night, but she still felt the feelings and she also knew that alcohol tended to make her a little more firty.. at least from what Shay says.

Please don't tell me I flirted with a goddamn dead man.. although it does sound like a me thing to do. Nadine thought to herself, smacking a hand on her forehead in pure embarrassment. She was surely going to have to apologize for anything she might have said or done. She got up, grabbing her phone and pulling up the picture she had snapped of Heath's photograph. She zoomed in, admiring his smile as he gazed into the camera serenely.

She knew she shouldn't be feeling this way. Actually, it was impossible for her to feel this way. The guy wasn't even alive, so would it count at all if she did? And would also be a impossible for him to feel the same way. She groaned and squeezed her eyes shut, flopping backwards onto her bed.

She was beginning to get frustrated. She knew she couldn't tell anyone about this. Who could she tell without sounding absolutely insane?

She got up once again. It was around late afternoon and dinnertime was nearing. She opened her fridge, cringing at the lack of food. "Grocery store it is." She muttered to herself, grabbing her keys and coat.

Soon enough she was at the store. She grabbed a basket, her list in hand. She walked around the store as per usual and as she was finishing up and heading to the checkout line, she was stopped by a little old lady. She turned, confused, at the tap on her shoulder.

"Is something the matter?" Nadine asked, her brows furrowed. She was about to walk away when the lady spoke, "Wherever you've been, girl, you need to stay away from it."

Nadine's eyes widened and she stuttered a bit. The lady looked like she was about to say something else when a middle aged woman in nurse's scrubs ran up, gently grabbing the her shoulders and pulling her away. She apologized to Nadine repeatedly and the pair walked out of the store.

She was left standing there, still stunned. She finally snapped out of it and walked to the register, paying quickly and practically running out of the store and to her car.

_______

The next day, Nadine was up and out of bed, throwing on a pair of denim overalls and a cropped sweater underneath. She threw on her trench coat and was out the door a little past eight o'clock.

Her mind was still restless with what happened yesterday. That old lady was probably senile anyway considering she had a nurse with her.. Nadine thought to herself, scoffing a little. Yet she couldn't help but be scared at the lady's warning.

"Shit..!" Nadine gasped, turning her car around. "Lightbulbs!"