The Space Between Us

Chapter 15

Could you talk to a ghost?

I once read a book, where the main character's girlfriend died. Then she started appearing to him as a ghost. And they spent time together.

Maybe it was foolish, but i thought if i believed that i could talk to my mom, maybe it would happen. I could hear her voice or see her face in my dreams or anything.

A year had passed. And of course that didn't happen. And i miss her more than ever.

                                  *****

"You gave me forever within numbered days.." Hazel grace's voice fills the room as she reads her eulogy to Augusts.

Tears prickle my eyes but i hold them back. I will not cry over a stupid movie, these eyes have seen more remorseful moments.

Sydney pauses the movie and jumps in front of me. She stares at me face for a few seconds before muttering "Dammit." Under her breath.

"If a tear falls, i win." She warns, pointing a finger at me. Then she plays the movie again.

We watch for another few minutes before the final scene is here. I press a hand over my mouth.

"Okay." Hazel's final words are muttered. And the credits roll.

Sydney scoots over to where I'm sitting on the couch.

"So, that was sad, huh?" She asks while pretending to look at her nails.

"Yes, it was."

"Like, really really sad. And depressing."

"Yeah,"

"Like when he told her that his cancer has spread, and he was dying—"

"I get it, Syd. You're trying to make me cry. But i already told you, i was sad but it's not worth crying over for. You've lost."

She crosses her arms across her chest and stares right ahead, not looking at me.

I sigh. "Come on, you're surely not mad at me about this?"

"No, but i really, really wanted you to buy me ice cream." She pouts.

I chuckle . "Get up. We're gonna get ice cream. My treat."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes."

She jumps from the couch and starts jumping up and down and laughing.

I laugh at her. The look on her face when i told her that we were getting ice cream was priceless. She is so adorable.

"Tone it down, Syd." Karen, Sydney's roommate, yells from the other room.

Sydney clamps a hand over her mouth.

"Come on, let's go."

In a moment of boldness, i grab her hand.

~~~~~

"Oh my god, i thought you were different!" Sydney cries in a loud voice, after i tell her that i'm not a fan of star wars.

We were currently sitting on a bench across pinkberry, eating ice cream and talking about movies.

"I just don't like those kind of movies." I shrug and dip the spoon in the cup.

"What kind of movies?"

"Sci-fi. I just don't believe them. They're so unreal."

Sydney groans. "Look, we have to agree on something. These arguments are getting on my nerves."

"Well, what do you think about Dylan Thomas?"

She thinks for a moment before answering cautiously. "I think his poems are pretty good."

I sigh in relief. "Thank god."

Sydney stands up and wipe her hand on her jeans. "I should get going."

"I'll walk you home." I stand up to.

"It's okay. You don't have to."

"You're right. But i want to." I give her a small smile.

We begin walking. The night around us quiet.

"I forgot to tell you. I got a job." Sydney says, in a sad voice.

"That's amazing, Syd." I look at her and find her looking everywhere but my eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I nudge her shoulder with mine.

"It's just.." She takes a deep breath. "I'm gonna work as a waiter. And i vowed to myself before, that i would never work anything but the thing i love." She pauses. "But here i am. Partially broke and in desperate need of a job. So i took it."

"Circumstances happen, Syd. Where will you work?"

She smiles. "At that damn coffee house."

I pretend to be deep in thought. "Would that mean i can get free coffee?"

Sydney looks at me before bursting out laughing. "You sure know how to make a girl feel better."

I shrug. "What can i say? It's pure talent."

"Just don't flatter yourself." She mutters.

After i've walked Sydney home, i search my mind for something to do to her, to make her feel better about that job.

I don't know what exactly it is, but i must come up with something.

*******
Light breaks where no sun shines.
-Dylan thomas.