Ghosts

You're Not Alone

It was Thursday: Thursday, September 22nd to be exact. And on that sunny Thursday afternoon, I would be returning to the house that I'd left behind just about a month ago.

I opened my eyes that morning already with an odd feeling of discomfort, and I had know exactly why. Meredith Solmers had called the night before claiming that she was calling to confirm the time that I would arrive, but I knew that it was to assure her that I would be coming and not ditch the visit all together.

"Frankie, did Meredith say that I should be at this meeting too or is it just you?" I could tell that Eli wasn't asking. He was merely just asking for me to excuse him. "Because I have to go to the doctor later today to have them take my blood pressure. It's been off the charts, man." He added with a shout from across the hall.

"No, you don't need to be there. I'll be just fine on my own." With a roll of my eyes, I called back to my uncle who, by the smell in the air, was toasting some pop tarts.

'You're not one your own, Frankie. You have us.'

My mother's voice whispered as if she were right next to me, her lips only millimeters away from my ear softly saying the haunting words.

Yes, I am. And no, I don't.

I thought to myself with a frustrated and angry look on my face that forced me to get ready faster and be out the door.

After my risk taking afternoon, my parents hadn't come to me at all, not in my head, but as the next day came, they slowly began to continue their practice of haunting me. It was like a tide. The ocean waves roll their way towards the shore slowly. It takes time before they have completely engulfed the sand shore smothering it with ocean water. That's what it felt like— my parents were smothering my conscience. It was like that quote from some cheesy romance novel: I fell in love like you fall asleep, slowly and then all at once, only this wasn't love. It was an allusion.

"Hey Frankster, you better go soon. It's past eight. Bloddman will have your head."

I snapped out of my daydream and sauntered out of my room grabbing a pop tart off of the table.

"Goodbye Eli." I muttered as I slammed the door.

***

8:17 am

That was the time that I'd arrived to school and the time that I'd realized it was the first day that I would be late to class.

I hardly put the car in park before I hopped out and charged for the front entrance. If I could get in before the morning announcements finished, I could beat Bloddman to class. As Steph says, he's practically known for being late.

Zooming down the hall and to the right, I slipped on what looked like one of those clear Life Saver Mint wrappers ending up on the ground from what could have been a sitcom worthy fall. I was glad and slightly disappointed the no one had witnessed that priceless moment.

I brushed off my scuffed up knees and continued down the hall of rooms 80-100. Room 93—get to Room 93.

In the midst of my rush down the hall, I glanced down at my phone quickly clicking the home button.

8:19 am

I could make it before Bloddman. I think I can. I think I can.

'This will teach you to be late to class. Don't be so irresponsible, Francesca.'

I ignore the bickering within my head and continue down the hall until the number '93' came into view allowing me to let my breathing steady.

To my misfortune, Mr. Bloddman had already taken his seat. He was taking attendance, and from what I could tell, he was only on the 'J's. He didn't seem to notice I was just arriving despite the commotion I'd just caused in the hall so I slipped in without as sound as my classmates stared at me intently. I slipped in my seat without taking off my bag afraid that it would make a big clunk.

"Good work Williams. You were even later than Belmont. Granted, he had only arrived about forty-five seconds ago, but you still beat him. Congrats." Steph whispered from behind me inching over her desk to assure that I'd heard her clearly.

"Jacobs." Bloddman mumbled.

"Here." Steph said in a higher pitch than her usual voice which made it sound as though she had something else to say.

I inches back in my seat with my heart rate slowing and finally removed my bag from my shoulders. Glancing around the room, I saw Reid looking back at me with a smirk. I furrowed my eyebrows towards him in an effort to signal my questioning of his stare. He didn't do anything, remained still until he gave me a thumbs up and a big smile.

"Williams."

"Here."

***

Exiting the classroom, I strolled down the hallway as a familiar looking brunette ran up to me.

"Hi! Will you be coming to the Winter Ball? We could really use help on the committee."

"I'm sorry. I didn't even know there was a Winter Ball." I said assuming she'd leave me alone after so I began walking around her. But to my displeasure, she stepped in front of me.

"Wait! You're new, right?" She questioned with a sweet sincere smile. "I'm Hazel. I'm the president of the student council so I'm also the head of the decoration committee." She shrugged with a closed mouth smile and a face that said, 'look at me, look at me!'

Ah, this is Hazel. Interesting.

"Frankie." I gave a tight closed mouth smile introducing myself. "It's nice to meet you."

At that moment, we were quiet, and it gave me a chance to scan her appearance, take everything in.

Damn, she was pretty. I could tell what the hype about her was. Her hair was a dark chocolate color and it curled down her shoulders to her mid chest. It reminded me of what my hair could be, but because of my lack of care towards it, it's a ratty mess. Her skin was pale and looked like porcelain, and her eyes were big and brown framing her face in a way that carved her cheekbones out perfectly. And not only that, but she had full red lips that looked like they were stung by a million bees. She looked so sweet and so kind.

I only wish she were some type of crazy so that I could call her Hazel the nut. Sadly, she's a perfect human being.

"Hey babe!" I heard someone shout from behind me causing me to turn towards them, but I already had a good guess on who it was.

"Reid, hi! This is Frankie. She's the new transfer student." She smiled at him as he slung an arm around her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek.

"We know each other. We have a class together, Bloddman's actually. Neither of us like the bastard so we got to bonding." He grinned and winked at me.

"Eh, no one likes Bloddman, but you'll get used to him. Anyways, I have to run to biology, but it was really nice to meet you. Maybe we can hang out. Oh, and let me know if you do want to be a part of the decorations committee." Hazel gave one last child like smile and began walking with Reid's arm still around her.

"I'll walk you to class."

And so I was left alone, left alone with my thoughts and my busy head.

'You're not alone Frankie. I'm here.'

:):

Hi guys!

Please check my message board for a few important notes concerning stories and updates and whatnot! I just went over some stuff about starting some new stories and beginning to update a little bit less due to future schoolwork, but I will always try to please you guys! Check my message board for further details, though.

Thanks loves!
Xo elsy