Ghost•l.h.

i should be dead

Just as it turned out, my aunt texted me, saying that she'd be a little late picking me up because she was still out doing her new boyfriend.

Oh, I'm sorry, did I say boyfriend? I meant errands.

No I didn't.

Therefore, Calum and I decided to hang out in his car, hiding from the rain that was pounding on rooftop of the old automobile. Despite it being ancient, I loved it. It had the faint smell of cigarettes and coffee, something I found oddly comforting.

"So, drugs, huh?" I asked, and I watched his cheeks heat up.

"Well, not anymore."

"Then why are you in the group?"

"Exactly why your aunt wants you in this group. My family thinks I'm messed up. Doesn't mean I am."

I smiled widely at his words, and he returned my gesture. He leaned in so that his hand was touching mine, and I tried not to be rude and pull back. I usually hated physical contact with people; even simple things like holding hands and hugging got me ticked off.

"Anyway," Calum cleared his throat, "exactly how much do you know about this place?" He asked, trying to take the topic of of him; I could tell.

I ran a hand through my hair, giving me an excuse to pull away. "Not much. I just moved here and I don't  plan on staying for very long."

Calum's eyes widened.  "You're going  to run away?"

I frowned. "No, I plan on finishing school here early and leave when I'm finally legal. I'm sick of running. It's been something I've doing my whole life," I sighed and internally flinched for telling him that much information.

The things you tell to complete strangers.

"Well I'm glad," he smiles cheekily, "I wouldn't want you to leave."

I roll my eyes, but manage to plaster a small smile on my face.

"But yeah, this town is actually pretty interesting, you know."

I nodded, my face the definition of sarcastic. "Yeah, it must be. Explains the 500 people who live here," I said sardonically, and his expression turned deathly serious.

"Alma, you don't understand. Besides the fact that you're gorgeous..."

I scoffed.

"It's a surprise that you aren't...dead yet."

My stomach dropped at his words, even though I didn't know what they meant. "Shut up, Hood. Quit messing around like that; it isn't funny," I deadpanned, nudging his shoulder.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Just listen to me. Some people believe it, and some don't. But the last nine new people that moved in here, either ended up being killed in a horrible murder, or committed suicide."

I shrugged nonchalantly and avoid his eyes. "A murder happens every 10 minutes. In a town this small, it's bound to be the talk. And many people commit suicide. It's just what happens when they think that death is a better choice than life."