Dating the Dead • lrh

3. cosmic

"So what are you going to do with these?" I hugged the box tighter as Shelby and I walked down the car park.

I offered to help her around with collecting stuff from students who are clearing their lockers. And I'm glad I did because judging from the weight of trash we gathered, I doubt she can carry all of this by herself. I was just a head taller but I was twice heavier than her.

"I plan to recycle them, especially the notebooks and I'll figure what to do with the rest that isn't garbage after I sorted them out." She said, fiddling the guitar picks I looped on a keychain.

Shelby insisted carrying my bag for me. "Anyway, you haven't answered my question. Why were you muttering 'the only mystery is how'?"

"That was the last sentence I wrote for Lasetter."

Her gaze burned on me but I kept my head straight. "Was that for his end of term essay?"

"Yeah," I said, stealing a quick glance of her. I let out a silent groan when I found her already staring at me, wanting an explanation.

We took a seat by the curb as I recited my essay. Shelby intently hung on to every word and I could sense she's about to fire a thousand questions at me so I beat her to it.

"Where's your car?"

She had her hung low before looking up at me. I knew her eyes were blue but I didn't realize hers were a few shades darker. "Actually, I was hoping you could drive me to your house? I wanted to see how Luke is doing." Shelby stretched her lips into an awkward smile.

"It's Lukey," I spat.

Her face lit up. "Hey, your mom named him, not me."

I heaved out a sigh as I stood up and carried the box to my car. She skipped all the way with a big grin on her face.

Whatever cosmic force was present that time, they made sure my lips stayed curled up the whole walk to my car.

•
345