Leave {z.m.}

Thirty One

"We should really study together sometime if you're having trouble focusing," Niall offered kindly. 

"That's a good idea. I would appreciate the help!" 

I smiled and waved as he walked away to his next class. I checked the time on my watch and figured that three minutes gave me enough time to fix my hair in the bathroom and then get to my next class, art.

From where I was standing, I could locate the bathroom with my eyes. I quickly avoided a small crowd of people and made it into the bathroom safely...without falling on my face like I'd done in the past. I rushed over to the mirror and frowned when I noticed that my hair seemed a bit frizzy. It was probably because of the rainy weather today.

I sighed once and set my bags on the ledge above the sink in front of me. I bent over and twirled my hair into a messy bun. I made sure my makeup was in tact and decided to wash my hands. Cleanliness was very important. I picked up my bags and slung one on my shoulder and one in my arm before turning to exit. In front of me stood the mysterious girl with bleach blonde hair.

I gasped, not realizing that she would just show up whenever she wanted now. 

"Adelaide," she whispered and I shivered involuntarily. 

"Who are you?" I cautiously asked her. 

I waited, but the only response was a shake of her head. In a single moment, she disappeared. She must be a specter or something, but how did she know my name and why was she following me?

Did I even tell Zayn about last time? I eyed the bathroom once more and was relieved that she had actually left. I want to know who she is, but being followed is scary. The bell rang and I sucked in my breath, trying not to scream. I rushed out of the bathroom to my art class. 

My teacher was usually pretty cool, but she rarely let people off the hook when it came to being late.

                                *                        *                        *

 "So where are you exactly?" Zayn questioned. 

"I'm still at school. I came late to my art class and my teacher was disappointed, but she didn't want to be too harsh on me. She just told me to stay after school with her for an hour and help her organize a few things."

"I feel as though that is a bit like a high school punishment," Zayn mused. 

"I agree, but there's not much I can do about it. I still have fourty-five minutes left here. I was just calling to tell you that I need to talk to you about something later."

 "I could go to your place if you would prefer to tell me in person," Zayn suggested. 

A tiny part of me hoped he had mentioned that because he just wanted to see me, but when it came to him, nothing was certain. Was I supposed to say yes or no? What if he didn't actually want to see me, and he was secretly hoping I'd refuse the offer?

'Shut up, Addie', I thought.

The battle in my head was lasting for far too long, so I gave up and told him to go to my place and I'd see him soon. I shook my head as I hung up and sauntered back to my art teacher. I had told her that I needed to get some water from the water fountain. 

I was pretty sure that she saw through my lie considering everyone knew that the water was disgusting.

                                *                        *                        *

 "So when I was with Cecilia, she had a dream about a girl with bleach blonde hair. I didn't think anything of it because I figured it wasn't that important...until I came face to face with that girl in the library and the bathroom at school."

Zayn nodded and there was a tiny crease in his forehead as he concentrated on this new information.

 "Did she say anything to you?" 

I nodded, "The first time, her lips were moving but I couldn't hear anything. When we met Louis, I had seen her in the bathroom so that's why I screamed. Today, she actually said my name."

Zayn's facial expression changed from deep in thought, to surprised and a bit irritated. 

"So she has been following you?" 

"Yeah, and she hasn't done anything to hurt me, but I'll admit that it scares me when she shows up randomly. I don't know what she wants from me. I asked her who she was, and she just shook her head and vanished."

"That is odd," he stated softly. 

"Right? Do you think she's just a specter who likes following me around for no reason?" 

"Well," he began, "It is certainly for a reason, and we must find out what this reason is. This specter chose to be visible to you. I do not know if other humans can see her as well. If only you can though, she is after you for something."

I crossed my arms as I processed this, "So she's haunting me for something I did, yet I don't know what I did to make her want to haunt me?" 

"Precisely, and she seems to be haunting your cousin in a different way, through her dreams. This is a family matter."

"Who do you think her main focus is?" I questioned. 

"Probably your cousin, Cecilia. Specters normally gravitate towards someone supernatural like them. I have realised that I was wrong before. There is not someone who is possessing Cecilia, it is something...her own powers. Her powers have taken over, preventing her from realising who she really is."

"So maybe the specter might actually want to help Cecilia break free of her powers' control. Not all visible specters are evil, right? I mean, pushing aside the fact that this specter is a stalker," I proposed.

 "That is an interesting hypothesis." 

Was that his way of complimenting me on my creative theory?

"I guess we should pay a visit to Cecilia soon to find out more."