Ghostly

Chapter Eight

{Chapter Eight}

   "That one looks like a cloud," I said, my voice strangely high pitched. I was laying on the grass, staring up at the sky. I pointed to the cloud, my arms and fingers much more chubbier. It was then I realized that I was only around five years old.

   "And that one's a house," a somewhat familiar voice replied. I turned to see a cute, chestnut-haired boy laying next to me, a smile stretched across his face. My younger self knew him. Who was he?

   Realization dawned on me. He was the guy on the neighbor's lawn! Maybe he moved away, then moved back?

   The scene faded to another. The boy and I were in my room, and I felt tears running down my cheeks. The boy looked angry, and I seemed to be shouting back at him. Then he disappeared, and I buried my face in my kness and weeped softly. Only one word echoed in my head.

   Alec.

   "The clock is ticking, Lily."

   I woke up with a start. I was sweating a bit, but I was freezing, like someone had turned up the air conditioning all the way. I pressed a hand to my forehead. It felt like someone had touched me with frozen figers

   The clock is ticking? What on Earth does that mean? The thought made me shiver. It sounded like a warning. I have the weirdest dreams.

   All I can say is, detention sucks. This isn't my first detention, but I try to avoid getting them as much as possible. It's really awkward for me. I'm just sitting there with a bunch of kids who I barely know, in silence. I could be using this precious time to benefit life, like finding a cure for cancer, or stopping world hunger! Even homework!

   I sighed. I was walking home, my backpack slung over one shoulder. I pulled out my phone to see if I had gotten anything from Jess.

   A text. I opened it and read it over.

   Meet me at the city park after detention, near the playground.

   That's all it said. Groaning, I turned around and walked in the other direction. That's right, Jess, make me walk all the way to the park.

   I arrived at the playground in a few minutes. Scanning the area, I searched for a blond haired teen. Where is she? She is late or something? The only other teen was that guy from next door, looking quite handsome. He was leaning against a tree, his arms folded across his chest, his chestnut hair hanging over his eyes, and was staring at his feet. As if noticing my glace, he looked up at me and smirked, his beautiful hazel eyes boring into mine. I smiled and nodded in greeting. I looked around again. Where is that child? Er, she's actually older than me. Whatever.

   Crossing my arms, I walked over to a nearby bench and sat down. I sensed that someone sat beside me, so I turned my head and saw the guy next to me. Blinking, I wondered if I should start a conversation. What should I say? Should I introduce myself? Should I ask him if he's my new neighbor?

   "She's not coming," he finally spoke. I turned to him, frowning in confusion. Was he talking to me? There was no one else around, so he must be.

   "Uh, what?" I sounded a bit dumb right then.

   "She's not coming," he repeated. I stared at him.

   "What are you talking about?" I asked. He looked at me, an eyebrow raised. That facial expression... I know it from somewhere. Maybe Jess? No, that's not it...

   "Your friend. What's her name? Jessica? She's not coming," he elaborated. My eyes widened.

   "How do you know?" I demanded. He smirked once again.

   "Because I was the one who texted you," he answered.

   "What?!" I exclaimed, nearly leaping off of the bench, "You don't know her, she doesn't know you. How on Earth did you get her phone? And who are you?"

   "I have my ways," he replied vaguely, ignoring my other question. I narrowed my eyes.

   "That's not a real answer,"

   "It is for me."

   "What's going on?"

   "I need to talk to you, Lily," he said, his face serious.

   "About what?"

   He stood up, "Follow me."

   I hesitated. Here I was, talking to a perfect stranger, and he's telling me to follow him? He seemed to notice my doubt, so he held out his hand.

   "I won't hurt you, I promise," he said soothingly. For some reason, I felt completely safe suddenly. It was as if all of my cares had slipped away. So I grabbed his hand and allowed him to help me up from the bench. We began to walk around the playground, watching the little kids laugh and run around everywhere. He stopped when we reached the sandbox. He bent down and scooped up some sand in his hand.  He smiled as he looked at it, then turned his gaze back to me. I just stood there, wondering what is going on.

   "Do you like to play in the sand?" he asked softly. I was beginning to become utterly confused.

   "Um, I haven't been in a sandbox since I was a little girl," I answered honestly. He let out a little laugh.

   "It's funny, you know, how your mind is like a sandbox, and each grain of sand is a memory. It's funny how some memories just seem to slip away, like sand that flies in the wind," he whispered. I watched in silence as he slowly let the sand drain from between his fingers, letting the grains catch in the wind and disappear. Before I could respond, he spoke again.

   "Do you believe in ghosts, Lily?" his voice was almost a whisper. It was my turn to laugh.

   "Ghosts? Please, those are stories for little children. Of course not!" I scoffed. Where is he going with this conversation?

  He sighed, as if disappointed, "I see."

   "What are you doing? What is going on?" I repeated. He looked up, a small smiled adorned on his face, but his eyes sad.

   "A lot, Lily, a lot."

   Then he turned around and left.

   It was then when I realized something.

   How did he know my name?

Eeps. It's a tad bit on the shorter side. But I only wrote it in a short amount of time- it's the third time in one week!! that's an accomplishment :)  And she finally spoke to HIM!! So you know what he texted her! :D kinda... I hope you likes it though! ^_^

Next Update: Ninety votes and fifty comments. :) Only comment once! :P and take your time. That way I'll have a longer time to write.  u_u"