***
Layla- Age 16--The Manor
It was a Saturday, thank godness for that. I needed to confront Peter about the kiss, but I was so nervous. Was I asking for too much? I mean, he basically told me his whole life last night, and here I was wanting more.
I AM a spoiled socialite. Dang it.
I got out of bed, slipped into some casual clothes, and headed for kitchen.
"Layla," said Peter, scaring me. Guess that's what you get for keeping a ghost in your house.
It was abnormal, though, he is NEVER in my hallway in the mornings. I wondered what was going on.
"What? Were you in my room, Peter?" I asked with suspision.
"No, Layla, no, you know I've never gone in there...," he took a long pause, and then his eyes met mine.
"Your father is dead," he said.
"WHAT?" I said, tears dwelling in my eyes, "he..can't...he's old but not THAT old...?"
I was confused and my eyes searched his eyes for an answer.
"It was a bar fight," he said.
That was all he had to say. I knew my father more than he knew me.
I was still sad, but I was no longer crying.
My father did this to himself, and I was used to him messing things up.
He finally took it too far.
I nestled my head in Peter's torso.
Wait- if he was dead...
I should be able to see him!
"Where is he, Peter? I should be able to see him," I said worriedly.
Peter took a deep breath.
"He crossed over."
I was shocked.
I knew that there was life after death, but it had never occured to me before.
If my father could crossover, then why hasn't Peter?
What was he waiting for?
But then I remembered his song. It was ME.
I asked anyway.
"Why haven't you crossed over?"
He looked at me for a long time, never replying.
I took a hint and went back to my room to start planning my father's funeral.
***
Layla- Age 16--The Funeral
Even though my father never payed any attention to me, he always provided for us.
So I made the effort to throw him the most extragent funeral ever.
I was left with an inheritance to the manor and the rest of his cash.
I was set for life.
Things were going great until Grant came.
"You came to the funeral?" I asked, "you didn't even know my father."
"Neither did you," he said.
I thought about this, but Grant was right.
"Mind your own business, " I mumbled.
"Hey, I'm just here to pay my respects to my hot girlfriend's dad," he said, "plus I heard there was an after-party, he continued with a smirk, he and put his arm around me.
I shoved it off.
Was that all I was? Just his trophy girlfriend to party with?
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"You," I said,"we're done."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Peter, standing by the priest.
I looked at him.
I mouthed the words, "I love you."
And he disappeared.
