Ghost Girl

Chapter 1

"Oh God , I am so glad school's out for the summer as of next week. It's been a crazy year and I'm so ready for it to be over," Victoria, a fellow teacher declared as we headed out to our cars.

I laughed, pausing just outside the exit. "Shouldn't I be the one saying that? It's my first year teaching. Or not even that; my first semester."

"Ha! Girl, please. Trust me, it only gets worse the longer you teach; you find that you're just looking more and more forward to summer vacation." She gave me a gentle shove. "Actually any type of vacation," Victoria laughed.

"I guess that's what I've got to look forward to," I called out as we parted ways.

"Wait! Skylar are you going to the staff year end BBQ?" Victoria asked.

I blew out a breath of air. "I don't know; I don't have anyone to go with," I admitted.

"We could always go together," she smiled. "Just think about it, okay, Sky. See ya later," she cried as she got in her car and sped out of the parking lot.

I shook my head at her and started towards my jeep. Next week was summer break and I couldn't be happier although, I couldn't be happier to have a job either. I'd finished school last April and now, six months later, I had my first teaching job; I took over halfway through the school year for a teacher on maternity leave; I'd teach until next January when she came back. Up until I had gotten this job, I'd been surviving on substitute teaching jobs which paid well—but a full time teaching job paid better.

"You know you could always take me to that staff BBQ thing," someone called, stopping me in my tracks.

I looked up, trying to determine where that voice had come from, when the owner stepped out from behind my vehicle.

How had I not recognized that voice? I groaned inwardly. Shit. "What do you want, Travis?" I asked, approaching him. Definitely the last person I needed to see. I'd had a long hard day and the last thing I wanted to be doing was standing here and conversing with my ex. Travis and I had been dating since we were in grade 10 and I'd finally got up the courage to break it off with him, two months ago after a long heart to heart with a friend.

"Hello to you too, Skylar," he sniped.

"Travis, I'm really not in the mood. Just get to the point already," I said tiredly, as I opened the trunk and stowed my bag. When I turned around, Travis was lounging against the side of my car, as if he had not a care in the world.

"Come on, can't we just talk?" he asked, hurt.

Ugh. "I should say no, but I know that if I do, you won't leave me alone," I said, walking in front him but keeping a healthy distance. "So talk."

He was silent for a moment as I tapped my foot, impatiently. Finally he spoke up, "I want to apologize, for everything. And I mean everything, Skylar. I want us to get back to where we were when we first started dating."

I sighed. "That was a nice apology. Except for the last part. It needs to be before we started dating. Emphasis on the before."

"No, I said it right. I deserve a second chance and I want you to give it to me," he replied, taking a step towards me; in response I moved back. He sounded so sure of himself and me, like I was going to give him a second chance.

I rolled my eyes. "No, Travis, that's not going to happen," I deadpanned.

"Please, Sky... I'm really sorry for everything I've ever done or said to you that has caused you grief. I've changed, Skylar. I'm not the same man I used to be. And I want the chance to prove that to you," he pleaded, turning big brown puppy dog eyes on me.