Don't Ghost Me

Chapter 4 - I Can See You -

Caitronia's anxiety grew as the event Reggie had warned her about drew nearer, making the day seem unbearably slow. She hated the feeling of emptiness that lingered after he left, especially since Julie had left earlier. However, Cait knew Reggie couldn't linger in her company, as the band had a gig to prepare for. She gripped the note in her hands, feeling the smooth texture of the paper beneath her fingertips. Cait smiled, the image of his infectious smile replaying in her mind. Maybe the nerves she was feeling weren't from her going out in public, but from being able to see him again.

The memory of Reggie's green eyes sent a chill through her body. His smile, accompanied by the faint blush on his cheeks, showed the effect she had on him. It made her giggle, and she felt a rush of butterflies in her stomach like a love struck school girl. The reality of him being a ghost showed its ugly face again, and Cait couldn't help but feel a jumble of emotions.

"No, I refuse to let this ruin my happiness. I deserve to be happy and ghost or not, he makes me happy," she said out loud with determination in her voice.

"Cait, are you ready to go to Julie's show?" Mr. Molina asked, tapping on the door before entering.

Caitronia nodded in agreement, swiftly scooping up her bag before trailing behind him towards the car. As they drove on in silence, a sense of unease settled in her chest. Mr. Molina immediately noticed her anxious demeanor as she nervously chewed on her fingernails.

"Are you sure you're ready to go out in public?" he asked, breaking the silence. "We can go back home now and I'm sure Julie would understand..."

"No, I'm okay. I need this," Cait said, staring out of the window at the night life of the town. Every possible negative thought flooded through her mind, causing her to grow quiet. Her mind conjured up Reggie's face, and a soft smile spread across her face. He had a calming presence that could quiet her racing mind like no one else. And right now he was at the venue with Alex, Luke, and Julie getting ready for a magical night.

"Do you still play and sing?" Mr. Molina asked.

"I dabbled a little on the guitar when I got here," Cait said, staring out of the window. "I would like to get back into it, though."

With a smile on his face, Mr. Molina expressed his happiness. "I'm sure Julie can help you with that."

Cait's reaction was a smile, but she kept her words to herself. Reggie was the only person she trusted to help her find her spark again. Despite a wave of sadness trying to creep up, she pushed it down as soon as she laid eyes on the venue. Her eyes widened in a mixture of shock and excitement. She marveled at her friend's remarkable feat of gaining access to a venue of this magnitude.

Mr. Molina parked the car, and Cait pursued him backstage, where Julie was putting the final touches on her makeup. A bright smile instantly lit up her face as she caught sight of Caitronia walking in behind her dad.

"I'm so glad you came!" Julie said, pulling her in for a tight hug, then hugging her dad, who left to give them privacy. Julie looked subtly in a certain direction to communicate silently to Cait that the boys were present.

Cait had Reggie's full attention; he couldn't tear his eyes away from her. She was dressed up in a knee-length, sparkly blue dress that shimmered under the lights. Cait's shoulder-length hair was adorned with bouncy, curly ringlets that framed her face.

"The boys say hi," Julie giggled, noticing Reggie's eyes twinkling with delight as he glanced at Cait. "And Reggie can't take his eyes off of you."

A giggle escaped Cait's lips and a blush spread across her cheeks. "I'm sure he looks handsome." There was that feeling again. Unfairness washed over her as she realized she couldn't visually perceive the boys like Julie could. "Julie, how come you're able to see them when they're not playing music?"

Julie set aside her eyeliner, her eyes shifting between her friend and the boys nearby. "I think it's because they have unfinished business and it has something to do with me."

"They haven't figured out what that business is yet?" Cait asked, genuinely curious. "What happens when they figure it out and accomplish it?"

Julie stared at her, her heart sinking as she debated whether to reveal the truth, knowing how deeply Cait cared for Reggie. But her sudden silence spoke volumes and revealed everything she needed to know. Her face fell to the floor, and a sense of defeat washed over her. Julie rushed to hug her tightly, her perfume filling the air with a sweet floral scent. "I know, and I'm sorry. Trust me when I say I don't want them to go, either."

"I wish there was a way we could get them to stay," Cait said, trying to hold back tears. "I lost my parents, and it's not fair to gain such amazing friends like them to lose them as well."

"I know the feeling," Julie said, pulling away and looking her friend in the eyes, her voice filled with empathy.

As tears welled up in his eyes, Reggie blinked them back, determined to stay strong. "You two are going to make me cry."

With a playful giggle, Julie's hand instinctively reached out for her microphone. "It's nearly time for the show. I'll see you out there, Cait."

Once Julie left, a heavy silence settled in the room. Alex and Luke followed suit, leaving Reggie to linger behind and offer his presence to Caitronia. As he reached for her hand and caressed her cheek, a sudden chill caused her breath to catch.

"It's just not fair, Reggie," Cait whispered. "I wish... I wish I could see you right now and hug you. I need that so bad."

Reggie let out a deep sigh and shut his eyes tightly. He knew how she felt because he could sense the heaviness in the air, mirroring his own emotions. If only he could materialize at this very moment and fulfill her longing. "It will be okay, Cait," he whispered in her ear. When he pulled back to look at her, a shiver ran up his spine, startled by the electricity in the air. Her mesmerizing blueish green eyes locked onto him, making him question if he was seeing things.

With a tender gesture, Cait lifted her hand and caressed his cheek. Her gaze lingered on his face, a gentle smile playing on her lips. "I can see you..."

Reggie blinked in shocked, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Woah," was the only thing he could say. A hint of a smile graced his lips as he leaned in closer, his eyes twinkling with excitement. Cait longed for his kiss, but the thought of the impending dread that would accompany his disappearance held her back. She closed her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. As soon as his lips touched hers, she melted. As the door swung open, he instinctively recoiled, taken aback by Julie's wide-eyed surprise.

"I was just looking for Reggie," Julie said, a smile on her face as she looked from Cait to her band mate.

Reggie cleared his throat, licking his lips and stepping back from Cait. As she watched Reggie wink at her before disappearing, she stood frozen in shock, unable to find her voice. As Julie closed the door behind her, her delighted squeal filled the air, and she hurried over to her friend.

"You could see him?" Julie asked, excitement in her voice. Julie couldn't contain her excitement and squealed again when Cait nodded slowly. "Did you see him when he disappeared?"

Caitronia nodded again, her brows furrowed as she tried to unravel the puzzle of what had just occurred.