The Nightcolt Manor

(15)

Nadine awoke the next day, the early morning sun casting light onto her face from the library windows. She immediately sat up, looking around for her ghostly partner before noticing he was sat across the room, his sharp nose in a awfully dusty book.

She stretched her arms above her head, tossing off the blanket Heath had probably put on her while she was asleep. "Good morning." She yawned. Heath looked up finally, giving her a genuine smile as he set his book down. "You should be saying good afternoon, really." He said, standing up and walking over. He leaned over the back of the couch, looking down at her.

"Did I really sleep for that long?" She tilted her head, looking down at her watch, which read twelve in the afternoon. She turned, taking a peek outside. It was a rather nice day, actually. "Heath.. can you go outside?"

The dark haired ghost gave her a quizzical look before shaking his head, "Surely not."

"Well have you tried?" Nadine said a little exasperatedly, standing and taking his cold hand. Heath tilted his head down at her, his black eyes softening a bit. She gave him a soft and reassuring smile, walking backwards as she led him out of the library.

The two of them walked into the living room when she turned to him, "I'm gonna get that kitchen up and running, just you wait. Then I'll be able to cook us a little something. For now, I'm going to run to get breakfast."

She smiled once more, before leaning in and giving him a soft kiss on the cheek. Heath gave a small smile as Nadine walked away, grabbing her keys and coat.

* * *

It was still early morning as Nadine lazily piped through the aisles of the supermarket. She had gone home first-- realizing how empty her fridge was getting when she wanted make herself breakfast. She was starting to think she might've been spending too much time with her ghostly partner, but she quickly brushed the thought away after remembering the night before.

I wonder what food Heath likes.. if he can even remember, that is. Nadine thought to herself, browsing through the expensive meats. She didn't consider herself a great cook, but she could certainly cook a steak to perfection. She wanted Heath to get a taste of something delicious for his first meal in a hundred years, at least.

As she turned the corner into another aisle, she heard a familiar voice behind her, "Oh my God, Nadine!"

She stopped abruptly in her tracks, turning around to see none other than Shannon, her best friend. The blonde ran up to her with a big smile, "Where have you been, girl? I stopped by your house like three times, but you didn't answer!" She rambled, grabbing Nadine's hand.

"Oh.. yeah. Sorry about that." Nadine replied, a nervous smile on her lips. "I've just been so busy with the Manor, is all."

"Jeez, what're you doing? Sleeping in there too?" Shannon laughed, looping her arm through Nadine's. At Nadine's lack of reply, Shannon stopped, looking at her with perplexity, "No way. Have you actually been sleeping in that creepy old house?"

Nadine's hazel eyes snapped to Shannon and she quickly responded, "No! No, I haven't."

Her friend's brow quirked, her expression a mix between amused and concerned. "I've just been a little concerned for you, that's all. I know you tend to be a workaholic.. maybe you should take a break away from the Manor for a day? Come and party with your best friend, maybe?" Shannon suggested slowly.

Nadine gulped, "I don't know Shay.. I'm still contracted with your company, which means I'm still on a time-crunch."

"I get it, but still! You need to get out a little.. or at the very least spend some more time with your bestie." Shannon whined, looking at her friend worriedly. Nadine let out a reluctant sigh, "Alright, alright.. what do you have in mind?"