Soulmates

Chapter 7

"So, you think it's paranormal?" asked Ethan.

"You don't believe me? You think I'm crazy? I have no other way of explaining this. Even I don't believe in ghosts." I said, a little frustrated.

"No, no, I do believe you. The microwave opening by itself and the cocoa powder falling out...it sounds very scary." said Ethan.

"I thought the whole diary incident was because of someone living in my house. But I don't know anymore. I never found anyone there. That was the most reasonable explanation at the time. That, and the idea of my brain, just, forgetting that I wrote it in the diary." I explained as rationally as I possibly could. 

"Do you think maybe it wasn't writing in your diary that triggers it? What if every time you make an evening snack, you summon a demon?" asked Ethan, laughing. 

"That's ridiculous," I laughed.

"Well, my fear of ghosts just got worse." he laughed. 

I adored his laugh. It was a deep, gentle laugh that came from his chest and didn't startle you like other boys' laughter did. Most boys laughed like Kylian Huxley, the centre-back at my old school who once asked me out as a joke. 

                                                           ╚══ஓ๑♡๑ஓ══╝

Another old Tuesday. 

Except it wasn't. Almada wasn't dressed like a model for Louis Vuitton today. She wore a hoodie and sweats today that made her look so different from usual. She blended in like everyone else and I almost didn't recognise her. It made me stand out like a sore thumb in my Miu Miu outfit. It was easier being the centre of attention when there was someone else in the limelight with you. 

I think Almada noticed. She scanned me up and down with her eyes, but didn't say anything.

"Your hair looks so nice today. What do you do to give it so much volume?" I asked

"I style it." said Almada.

"Wow. I don't even own a hair straightener or curlers. I usually just leave my hair like this."

"Cool." said Almada.

"What did you do last night?" I asked. 

"Nothing."

"I went to this restaurant. The rice was really good and flavoured and the cake was top tier. Literally. It had two tiers and there was smoke rising out of it. I love chocolate and raspberry together."

"Me too."

"Have you been to City Pig?"

"No. What's that?"

"It's this store where they sell clothes really similar to your style."

"My style?" smiled Almada, tilting her head.

Teagan and her friends walked by snickering amongst themselves. I couldn't imagine being part of their group a few years ago but here I was. Almost popular. Olivia waved at Almada, telling her to come over, 

"See you later."  she said.

The other girls burst into laughter. 

At lunch I sat with Teagan and Almada again, in the cacophony of the cafeteria. The others conversed by themselves laughing at whatever inside joke they had created while I wasn't there - except I was always with them yet somehow I didn't know about it. They were talking when they mentioned they wanted to ditch engineering because it was so boring. I asked if I could come too and they said yes.