Letters With a Ghost

Chapter Three

Camryn looked down at her notebook, waiting for the bell to ring and dismiss her to English. That was the one class she enjoyed. Reading and writing had always been her strong point.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the librarian, Mrs. Carol, stocking the shelves with returned books. Mrs. Carol was always nice to Camryn. She complimented her writing on multiple occasions, and often tried to convince her to join the Aspiring Writer's Club.

Camryn decided to go over and say hi to her. She rose from the table and tapped Mrs. Carol on the shoulder.

Mrs. Carol turned. When her aged eyes rested upon Camryn, a wide smile blossomed on her face. "Camryn! My goodness, darling, how have you been?"

"As well as could be expected." Mrs. Carol knew her story, and she wasn't about to hide her true feelings from her.

"Oh, darling, I know, I know..." Mrs. Carol pulled her into a hug. "Would you like to take a break? Talk for a bit?"

Camryn paused. She would get in trouble for skipping class.

As if reading her thoughts, Mrs. Carol said, "You won't get in trouble." She smirked. "I have the power of the hall pass."

For the first time since Ayden's death, Camryn smiled slightly.

"Just help me stock these shelves, and you'll have a Get Out of Class Free card. On me."

Camryn grabbed a book and slid it into place. "You have a deal."

For the next hour, Mrs. Carol and Camryn chatted about Camryn's feelings and how she had been dealing with his death.

"Have you been writing anything recently?" Mrs. Carol asked.

Camryn debated telling Mrs. Carol about the letters she had been writing to Ayden. She eventually settled on keeping it to herself. "I've had a few ideas, but I haven't put them on paper yet," she said.

"You should join AWC," Mrs. Carol suggested cooly. "It might help to take your mind off of a few things."

"I don't know." Camryn shook her head. "I don't think I want to be around all those people."

Mrs. Carol laughed. "What people? Darling, that club only has five members. It'll be a good way for you to get your mind off of a few things. Make some new friends. It'll do you some good."

Mrs. Carol walked over to her desk and scribbled on a pad of paper. "Thanks for your help," she said, tearing the paper off. "And please consider my offer," she added. "We meet after school tomorrow."

Camryn nodded. "Thank you. And I'll think about it."

"Good." She handed Camryn the hall pass. "I hope to see you tomorrow."

Camryn took the pass and walked to math class. She silently slid into her seat and waited out the rest of the day.

On her way home from school, she turned her music on, took out her notebook, and started to write...

Dear Ayden,

Remember that time you were over my house and stole my writing notebooks? I remember I walked in and saw you flipping through my one story, and I hit you on the shoulder. You laughed, then asked me about the story.

I told you I stopped writing it, because I hated it. I hated my style of writing.

"I love your writing," you said. "It's really good. Don't stop, okay? Keep writing."

I never told you, but I started writing it again the next day. I was almost finished with it, too.

Then you left. I shredded it after your funeral. There was no point in writing it after that.

I'm sorry, Ayden.

You hate it when I give up like that. But you gave up. I just...

I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. You were strong. But every great story comes to an end eventually, right?

I have just one request...

Keep reading, okay?

These words will come to life as long as you have your eyes on them.

Don't let the words die, too.

Don't silence the pages.

--Camryn