Keepers

Chapter 4

I hear the lock of the front door click as Dax says, "So, this is where you've been hiding from me for all this time."

"Don't act surprised Dax, I know you've followed me home before. That's why you recognized May right away. If she were a date (no offense) I would have been furious." Zander says.

I take no offense knowing how protective he actually is of me and tease, "That's if you had a date."

After the whole day I feel that I really need a minute to myself. Walking into my room I grab my fuzzy black blanket that I received from a friend and wrap myself into a blanket burrito. Then I whale dive onto my bed, making the springs ring and echo into the other room.

"Did she die?" I hear Dax gasp.

"No, she does it all the time. I'm 99% positive she just dove onto her bed. That means she needs a few minutes to herself."

Next thing I hear is a bang and Dax swearing in pain. I giggle to myself as Zander starts lecturing him not to flail cupboards open and to stop snooping around.

Dax starts to really sound like a toddler now as he whines, "But I wanna play Mario Kart! I see the wheel for the *wiimote right there!"

*wiimote: A controller for Nintendo's Wii console

I burst out of my room and grab my favorite wiimote controller with an attachment and sit in the corner of the couch. "So, I heard we were playing Mario Kart?" I say as I try to calm my breathing, I'm so not in shape.

"Uhhhhhh okay, Mario Kart it is." Zander grabs a wiimote and sets up the game.

Eyes wide, breath stalled, I watch my character cross the finishing line... In 1st place! Jumping up I shout "Sucker's! Wait, why are you still on the first lap Dax?"

Glaring at my laughing Dax retorts, "I thought I was Zander! *he face palms* I was looking at the wrong screen the whole freaking time!"

"I got second! Put a one in front of my score and you've got Dax's score." Zander teases.

As Dax is giving Zander the silent treatment my belly growls that familiar "feed me" noise. I haven't noticed I was this hungry, I haven't even eaten lunch and it's around dinner time.

"Speaking of whale diving, I think that whale of yours *he gestures to my belly* wants some food." Zander observes.

Rumaging through the fridge I start to regret not going to the store today. I guess frozen pot pies will do. Turning around to put a pot pie in the microwave I almost drop what I'm holding. Dax is sitting at the table, just staring at me.

"Uh.... Would you like some?" I fluster.

"Unfortunately, ghosts don't eat." He replies nonchalantly.

With wide eyes I nod and get back to work. "So, uh, where's Zander?"

"In the bathroom."

In my peripheral view I notice that he's still staring at me. Swiftly turning around I say, "Okay, what's your deal? You have two options, A- stop staring at me and be quiet, or B- explain yourself." Realizing my sassy side slipped I cover my mouth and start gathering everything up to bring to the table.

As I sit down I notice he still has that same look on his face, as if "I don't care" is written on his forehead.

"You're a feisty one aren't you? I'm just getting a good look at you, considering I couldn't until now. I've always wondered why Zander never told you earlier. I mean, I could have gotten way more practice at Mario Kart by now!" The child in Dax is filtering out again, I guess he can't stay serious for long.

Breaking the tension Zander arrives at the table "Is this for me?" he says already digging in.

"Good thing it is," I say laughing.

"What's that look for Dax?" Zander says. Getting up from the table he takes everything to the sink to wash.

I look over to find Dax zoning out. He seems really deep in thought. I nudge his shoulder and ask, "Hey, what's wrong?"

Dax snaps out of it, "I lied to you Zander... Right after my death I chased the girl and found something incredible. You've always thought being a keeper as no big deal, but it turns out you guys actually have a purpose."