HOW TO SUMMON A REVENANT.

ENTRY: 09/29/1987

The Carter brothers captivate me.

We only have one class together: Medical Ethics, but I see them all over campus all the time.

(If I'm being honest, it's all on purpose. Hannah says I'm obsessed, but she doesn't understand. After all, she's only ever been interested in one boy all her life)

However, today, I have triumphed!

In class. Mr. Whitlock asked about the ethics of performing procedures on corpses. And, of course, Neil rose to the challenge. (I swear he debates more with himself than with the class, but he's brilliant!) He sees no ethical issue in performing on the deceased because, and I quote:

"The dead cannot make decisions, nor can they have opinions."

Whitlock countered Neil's argument by bringing up to moral side, the obligation to humanity (and this is where I come in) In a burst of courage I had never before experienced and doubt I ever will again, I said:

"Our duty is medicine and the pursuit of knowledge."

Both Neil and Mr. Whitlock went quiet. Usually, they debate back-and-forth solo until class ends they've backed each other into a corner. Neil turned to look at me and I swear my heart leaped into my throat. His eyes are not blue, as I had previously assumed, but rather a very pretty green.

He smiled at me.

It was small, so small I might've almost missed it— but it was there! Even William turned around to look at me. This has been the best day of my life yet, but it gets better.

Hannah was already sitting and annotating an overly large copy of the Divine Comedy in its original Italian, by the time I got to the library. I had to shake her for her to finally notice me.

I'd hardly finished catching my breath before Hannah gasped and pointed behind me. It was the Carter brothers! Neil told me he agreed entirely with my statement in class and introduced both him and Will to me (as if I need the introduction). He shook my hand and everything. His hands are surprisingly rough. His features are so delicate, I'd expected him to have soft palms. I wonder how he got his hands so rough. All this does is further reveal the innate complexity that is Neil Carter, and I'm determined to complete the puzzle.

When Will shook my hand, his hand was infinitely softer than Neil's. The only real blemishes came from knots on the side of his knuckles (my hands are the exact same, from all the writing). I'm embarrassed to admit that I completely blanked when they asked for my name. Though, in my defense, I was in shock! Neil Carter had smiled at me, spoken to me, and touched me all in the span of a single afternoon. It was almost too much for me to take.

Hannah had to step up (God bless her) and answer, only I blurted out my full name at the last minute.

Neil laughed and, in these exact words said: "Judith is a lovely name." (I swear I could've died right then and been completely content).

I honestly can't remember much after that. I was practically vegetable after Neil Carter had called me lovely (by proxy but, I'll take it). Hannah did most of the talking for me. The second the boys left she pinched my cheeks to knock me out of it. Can you believe my luck? Now, the Carter brothers know my name. I can't help but wonder what will come of it. Only great things, I hope.

Breathless and awestruck,

Judith O'Brien