STARDUST ⭑ LUKE PATTERSON

four

"SLOW DOWN!"

    "I can't!" 

    "I can't understand you when-"

    "What don't you understand?!" Emmy screeches. "It was 1995. I died. It's 2020. I haven't seen my family or friends for the last twenty five years. Twenty five. Am I a psychopath?! How mentally ill am I that I don't even know if my parents live in the same house? Or if my mom's still alive? I've been hiding for twenty five years, and for what? My friends are dead. Reggie, Alex, Luke. They're still young. So, they must be dead, too. Too. Oh my God. Too. How are all four of us dead?"

    "Em-"

    "This is karma. This must be karma for something. I don't know, but it's something. Check my horoscope. See why the stars did this to me. I'm a Capricorn. I think. I can't remember."

    "Emmy."

    "And he still looks the same! He's still stupidly attractive. That little shit. I bet he knows he's cute, too. I'm all for confidence, but I really wish he hated himself. Is that evil? Who cares?! I'm a ghost. Let me be evil."

    "Listen-"

    "I'm gonna kill myself." Emmy throws her hands up in the air. "But I'm already dead! Can I die twice? Can I transport to a lower ring of Hell? Someone get me an Ouiji board. Let me contact the Devil. Or God. I don't know. Whoever answers firs-"

    "EMERALD, PLEASE!"

    Emmy's mouth slams shut, lips curling inward at the booming interruption. Silence follows afterwards, not a sound heard in their run down house. She shrinks into herself at the sight before her: Dawn's eyes were wide with a crazy look in them. Hands were on her hips. A menacing glower turning at her lips.

    "That is literally the most I have ever heard you talk about your past, and the only thing that I was able to get from that you were friends with three boys." Dawn looks Em up and down. "So...were any of them cute?"

    "I'm going to murk you."

    "I'm kidding! I don't know what to say. You're the one who gives the advice.Willie's the one who comforts the best, but he's out skating. I just...you're so stupid, Emmy."

    She makes a noise of offense.

    "Don't make that sound at me," Dawn scolds. "You haven't seen them in decades, and you ran. Why? You don't always have to run every time you get scared."

    "Fine." Emmy crosses her arms. "I'll walk next time."

    "Em..."

    "It's what I do. I can't help it."

    "Find them and just talk to them."

    "I don't speak English."

    "Emmy!"

    The lavender haired girl sighs, blowing the hair on her face upwards. "Luke's the best friend I fought with the night I died," she says. Dawn instantly sinks down into a chair. Her stature was suddenly smaller. "I don't want...I can't see him again. Not after that fight."

    "Well, what was the fight about?"

    She smirks. "Wouldn't you like to know."

    "Of course you won't say," Dawn rolls her eyes. "But are you gonna talk to them?"

    Emmy pauses for a second. "Noh."