The Odds Favor No One.

Chapter 6 - Her Story.

   Vanessa sat across from the t.v at the dinner table, watching a cartoon with the volume all the way down. Bob was busy finding bath towels to get them both dried off. The laundry was another room just across from the kitchen, which was separated from the dinning room only by a marble counter, reminiscent of one you'd find at a bar, except fancier.

   He peered through a glass window, looking at her with content. It was all so surreal to him. The fact that she was here, in his house, now of all times. In the middle of a thunderstorm, nearing dawn. It was like a dream, he had to pinch himself just to make sure. He couldn't help but smile.

   She glanced back at him, making direct eye contact, with an already smiling, cheerful looking face. He quickly got to his senses and awkwardly looked away, covering his face in shyness.

   "Woah, that was close. How'd she know I was looking at her?" He thought to himself.

   "Psychic." He jokingly thought, while squinting his eyes in a skeptical manner.

   He picked up the two towels and quickly walked back over to her, all the while fixing his hair and checking his breath.

   "Don't make this awkward Bob." He angrily thought to himself.

  "Hey nessa, brought the towels." He announced while laughing uncomfortably.

   "Did you just call me nessa?" She giggled.

   "Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry, I just, it seemed appropriate? At the time?" He nervously replied.

   Saying under his breath.  "Stupid, stupid, stupid."

   She giggled again, "No no it's okay, I think it's cute." 

   "Usually I get called nessy, or van, or vain. It's good to have a change of pace sometimes yah know?" V.

  "Nessy?" He bursted out with laughter.

   "Bahahahaha, I'm sorry I'm sorry." He said wiping a tear from his face.

   "Heyy!" She nervously yelled.

   "I'm sorry, it's just. Why nessy?" He asked.

   She mumbled under her breath.

   "What was that now?" He asked.

   She sighed. "I. Had a bit of a long neck when I was younger." 

   "Oooh. Heh. Kids huh? They can be mean sometimes." He nervously replied.

   "Ehh. I grew into it. So it's whatever." V.

   "What about you? Had any embarrassing nicknames?" She asked.

   "Uhh, I had this one nickname that my old friends used to call me by." He replied.

"I don't really consider it embarrassing tho, I actually kinda liked it." B

"Oh yeah? What was it?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"They called me Oddy. I guess because I was always considered the odd one in the group." B

She giggled, and asked. "Oddy? Hehe, I think I'll stick with Bobby. Sounds more original."

"It's cool tho. I really didn't mind." He replied.

"You ever miss them?" She inquired.

"All the time. They were my closest friends yah know? I'm still attached to them I guess." B

"Aww, don't worry Bobby. I know how you feel, haven't seen my friends in years. Kinda gets lonely sometimes." V

"What do you mean? Don't you see them in school?" He curiously asked.

"Not anymore." She replied.

Her face grew visibly sad. She sat there for a second just staring into space. Thinking. Worrying. Bob grew even more curious, a bit worried himself.

"Not anymore? What's wrong nessa? What happened?" He asked with a concerned look on his face.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." She said, slowly looking up him.

"Try me." He looked her dead in the eyes, more serious than ever.

For the first time, he saw Vanessa actually unhappy. Whatever happened, must be terribly painful for her to remember. He almost felt bad for prying, but his curiosity grew almost insatiable. She looked at him for a while, and then forced a smile. It appeared she was ready to finally ready to open up to him. He had laser focus on her and listened with 100% intent.

She sighed. "Okay Bobby. I'll tell you."

"Two years ago, when I was still a student at the college, I used to be one of the best tennis athletes there. It was usually between me and Jamie. I always beat her tho, and, it made her really jealous. She was extremely competitive and wanted the trophies for herself, but, I was in her way. She hated me for it, but she pretended to be my friend nevertheless. So, there was this night, we were having a sleepover at the school, cause we were all training for this tournament the rival school was holding. We were all huddled up in the gym playing truth or dare. It was fun for a while, we had our laughs, a few embarrassing moments, but we all promised never to speak of what was said or what happened. Then it was her turn to spin the bottle and low and behold it landed on me. I remember seeing the malice in her eyes. It was as if I was staring at the devil himself. If the devil were a pubescent, popular bitch with like, no style. I mean come on, who even wears plaid soo religiously. Ugh, whatever. But yeah, as I was saying. The bottle landed on me, and she dared me to sneak into the basement. No one was ever allowed down there. The children started spreading rumors about our janitor doing dealings with the devil or something like that, and that's where he was hiding all his stuff. Needless to say they were all too scared to actually see if it was true or not. I always thought it was bullshit to be honest. She wanted me to prove it. I guess I let her get in my head, cause I actually did it. All I remember happening next was hearing her lock the door behind me after I went in. I remember wandering around looking for an exit for about 3 minutes, and, I heard this noise.There was a shadow at the corner of my eye, and, I remember being soo scared that I was petrified. Then, everything went dark after that. Next thing I know, I wake up in a hospital. The funny thing about it is, I woke up, but my body didn't. I watched helplessly as the doctors were doing my autopsy, I even watched my own funeral. I never found out how I died or who that shadow was. I freaked out for about a year and a half until I finally accepted it. Up until now, nobody has ever been able to see or hear me. I thought I was gonna be alone forever. That's why I was soo happy when you bumped into me that day. Surprised even. I thought, I thought that finally I found someone who could help me, so I played it off like it was nothing unusual for a while. For some reason I feel obligated to thank you or something. But, yeah. That's my story." V