Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 5: It's too smooth to be ice.

I overslept again and Mom is irritated with me. It's nine thirty. I rush to my room and do my business and take a shower. I dress in a light blue sweater with a black push-up bra underneath. I put on black skinny jeans and my tan uggs, and I put my hair up in a messy bun. I shove everything I need in my bag and sling my back jansport backpack over my right shoulder and I put on my gold necklace that hangs down to the bottom of my breasts and it has a watch on the inside. It's old looking and I love it. It's snowing outside but I don't care. I put on a bit of mascara and trek downstairs. Collin is standing by the door in a gray sweater and jeans and combat boots.

"Mom went to work." He says. "I'm going to take you to school at ten fifteen." He says. "You'll get there for lunch. Nobody wants to walk into a class late after everyone thinks they're dead." He swings his keys around his finger and then plops down on the couch. We watch some TV, and then at ten fifteen, we leave.

He doesn't follow the speed limit and it's honestly terrifying.

Right when we pull up, the late bell for lunch rings.

"Thanks Collin." I say. He nods.

"If anyone gives you shit, you let me know." He says seriously.

"Will do." I say. I get out and walk to the office.

"Harper!" The woman nearly yells. "How are you honey?"

"I'm wonderful." I smile. "I'm late but I'm in lunch so..." I trail off.

"Just go to lunch." She smiles, and she moves around the counter to give me a hug. It shocks me, but I hug her back and then wave and walk out.

The halls are empty, and I walk into the cafeteria, and I hear a girl scream.

"HARPER! YOURE ALIVE!" Some girl I've never seen before comes running to me, nearly knocking me over in a hug. Everyone gets silent and I pay her back awkwardly.

"Hi...I don't know you."

She lets go. "Did they take over your soul?" She asks. "Are the ghosts living inside you."

I roll my eyes. "They didn't take over my soul."

"So it's true?" She asks, grabbing my arm.

"I'm sorry but who the fuck are you?"

She puts her hands on her hips. "I'm Gabby."

She sounds like a popular freshmen that I would hate.

"I'm a freshmen."

I nod. "Ah, okay." I say, trying not to sound like a bitch, but a lot of people laugh.

"It's true?" She changes the subject. "The ghosts are real?"

I take a deep breath and then just nod and start to walk to the table. She grabs my hand. "Did you see them or did they just hurt you?"

Everyone wants the answer. "Honestly, you wouldn't believe me if I told you the truth." I toss my bag down next to Will.

"Yes I would!" She insists.

"Yes, I saw them."

Everyone leans closer to me.

"How many are there?"

"Four." I say. "Wait..." I think for a second. There's the knife mom who had the baby, so that's two, and then there's the teenage boy who had the broom, three, and then the toddler with that spiked thing, so four, and then the dad. I shake my head. "There's five."

"Is there a baby, a teenager-"

"A toddler and two parents." I cut her off.

"Who's the worst?" She asks like they're some celebrities. I sigh.