The Boy In The Photograph

// eight //

"I guess it is one theory." Matty shrugs and takes a sip of his drink.

We're all having lunch at a deli downtown, but Oliver and the boys aren't really paying attention to Matty and I's conversation, so I'm telling him about what happened with Andy the other night.

"But how is he going to figure out who the murderer was if the police couldn't? Plus it was so long ago so it's not like there's any evidence still."

"Yeah, I don't know how that investigation would be very helpful." He looks down for a second. "Although, there is another reason why he could still be here."

He makes a mischievous face and I scrunch my brows. "And what is it?"

"Well, in my experience, spirits only stay on earth for a few reasons. One, like Andy thinks, they have to find out how or why they died and if they were murdered, they have to find their murderer. Two, they have to help another soul cross over before they do. Or three, they did something awfully horrible and are condemned to stay on Earth for eternity."

It gets quiet and Matty and I look over at the boys who are making confused faces at us."What the heck are you two talking about?" Vic asks and Kellin laughs.

"Yeah, I didn't realize you were into paranormal stuff now." Oliver says and raises an eyebrow, but I don't even say anything. I don't want to get into it with him right now.

"Actually, I brought up the subject." Matty says, saving me. "I saw this show last night about spirits or whatever and I was just telling Peyton about it."

"Ok, Ghostbuster." Kellin says and the boys laugh and start talking about something else, not paying attention to us any longer.

"Thank you." I say and he smiles.

"No problem. So, back to what I was saying, those are the most common explanations as to why spirits linger in this realm." He says and I nod.

"I don't think it's number three because I just can't see Andy killing anyone."

"Well, you didn't know him when he was living. Remember how I said he was quite troublesome? And how lots of people thought he killed his parents and then Juliet and himself?"

"Yes, but I just can't imagine him doing that." Or can I?

"Ok, well, maybe I can come over again and try to speak with him? My abilities let me see how people lived and how they died. But you said he saw us in the basement?" I nod. "He probably doesn't want to speak with me just yet. It is also wierd that he has only made himself known to you. That could be because he thinks you'll listen and help him though. Or because you're a girl and you're beautiful. If I were a spirit I would want to talk to you too." He says and I blush and Oliver turns towards us and glares at Matty and Matty looks down, embarrassed. Then Oliver turns back around. I guess maybe he was listening to us.

"Ok, are you guys ready to go?" Kellin asks and we nod and then we pay for our food and leave.

Matty drives off in his car and Oliver grabs my hand and I lean on him as we walk back to our car. Oli and I get in the front and Vic and Kellin get in the back. The boys start talking about something and Oli rubs my hand as we drive home.

We get to the house and Oli pulls me upstairs. He sits on the bed and I stand in front of him.

"Will you please tell me what's going on? What were you and Matty talking about? And who the heck is Andy?" Oliver says and I look down at the ground.

I really shouldn't keep things from him, he doesn't keep things from me. But he doesn't believe in this kind of stuff so it's hard to talk to him about it.

"You're not going to believe me if I tell you." I say and he pulls me down on the bed to sit next to him and holds my hands in his.

"Just tell me, please? I'll try to be open minded." He says and I sigh and tell him everything.

I tell him about Matty being a psychic and about Andy's story from what I read at the library as well as Matty's version. I tell him about Andy and all of our conversations in the basement. Just everything.

All throughout the conversation though, Oli says nothing he just stares at me, listening. I finish speaking and he looks down at his lap.

"And you believe Matty? That he's a psychic? And you believe that Andy is good?" He chuckles. "Wow, ok."

"Really, Oliver?" I frown and scoot away from him on the bed and then stand. "You wanted me to tell you and now you're making fun of me. Why do you not believe me? I wouldn't lie to you!" I say and run out of the room and down the stairs into Kellin's room. Oliver yells after me that he's sorry and didn't mean it, but I know he did.

Why can't he just believe me?