It was not a conventional type of love. It was not something that he dreamed of. But by the beginning of his senior year in high school, Laverne Spence fell in love with one of his closest friends. It seemed very hopeless at first but one kiss changed everything. He knew that things would definitely change after that kiss, he was sure that he would go through many hardships because of his feelings, but those things seemed so irrelevant when Evan Richards kissed him goodbye.
Though Evan said nothing, Laverne felt that their feelings are mutual. Evan liked him too, he was sure of that, even though Evan hadn’t said it himself. His last year in high school was blissful. Evan would regularly contact him, and they would talk for hours. They have also made a plan to live together once Laverne entered the university.
Everything seemed so fine. He thought that he had found his happy ending with Evan, until a picture was sent in his email. It was just after his graduation when an email form someone anonymous was sent to him. In the email was a picture of Evan and a girl named Cara Morrison kissing in the middle of the crowd. Laverne’s world shattered when he saw that picture.
Laverne was of average height. His skin is white and pale because his mother wouldn’t let him go out that much; she was afraid that her angel would get hurt. His eyes were blue and his lips were pink, his hair was short and brown. But his most notable feature was his face, his angelic and innocent face. Laverne was a handsome or more likely pretty boy. No he was beautiful. But contrary to his innocent his face, he was brave, sharp, and feisty.
“What did you say? Where are you?” His mom asked over the phone. She was in a business trip and Laverne went out of town without her knowledge.
“Relax, Mother, I’m perfectly fine. It’s just a bus away from home, so there’s nothing to worry about. I can take care of myself.” Laverne answered confidently as looked outside the window of the bus. “Besides I’ll be going to the same university by the start of semester, so there’s nothing you should be alarmed about.”
“That’s not the point, Laverne. You should have told me about this, and you should have not left on your own. You could have taken someone with you.” His mother protested.
“Exactly my point, Mother. If I told you about this trip then you would have forced me to take one of your employees as chaperone. I’m 18, Mother, I don’t need a baby sitter.” Laverne answered in a very confident tone.
“Where are you going to stay? Does Evan know you’re coming? I’ll call him so he could take care of you.” His mother sounded very worried.
Laverne sighed. His mother was overreacting again. “Mom…” Laverne said in a sweet and innocent voice. “I can take care of myself, don’t worry.” He continued. “Don’t call Evan, I want to surprise him.” He said in the same voice but with a mischievous grin on his lips. His mom didn’t answer. “Don’t you trust me?” He said in a gloomy and childish tone.
“I understand, but if anything happens, call me. Understand?” His mother persisted.
“Yes.” He said cheerfully then hanged the phone. “Ahh… you always make things bigger than they really are.” He complained with a sharp expression on his face. He took out his phone and looked at the picture of Evan and the girl named Cara. “Wait for me, I’ll take back what’s mine and I’ll make you pay you witch.” He said in a grim tone.
Laverne noticed the person beside him. She was looking at him suspiciously. She might be thinking that he was someone weird or crazy. He smiled at her innocently and then looked away.
After checking-in in an expensive hotel, Laverne went to the university to find Evan and Cara. Summer break had started but the campus was still filled with students. Laverne walked confidently towards the campus ground. He knew exactly where to find Evan.
He was walking towards the football field when a group of female students approached him. “Are you lost? We could accompany you if you want.” One of them said flirtatiously. “Are you looking for the admin’s office?”
“I am…” Laverne said innocently as he looked at them. “…quite troubled by your presence. Get lost.” He said coldly as he looked at them with sharp eyes. He left them in a daze.
Finally he found Evan in the football field. Evan was on the benches, resting after a hard day of practice. He really looked very handsome, but that was not why Laverne fell for him. He was always so nice to Laverne, so sweet and caring. So no matter how much Laverne tried to fight his feelings, he was unsuccessful.
He was so happy to see Evan after a year. Suddenly the feelings of being betrayed and doubt left him. Everything was wiped away when he saw Evan once again. But, that feeling of happiness was not for long. A gorgeous young lady approached Evan and wiped his face with a towel. Laverne couldn’t be mistaken. It was the witch, Cara.
As Laverne walked closer, the two got sweeter. Cara’s hands were all over Evan as Laverne’s fists were clenched in anger. And to make things worst, Evan was smiling so widely as Cara was all over him.
“Wow, you two look good together…” Laverne said in a fake excited tone as he approached the two. He saw how shocked Evan was to see him there. He was expecting to see Cara confused as to who he was, but instead she looked very irritated. “Did you miss me?” He added.
“Hey, who is this pretty boy right here?” One of the players said as he approached Laverne and examined his face. “Say, pretty boy, do you know Cara and Evan?” He asked.
“Ohh… didn’t you know? I am…” Lance walked towards Cara and Evan. He looked at the two of them with sharp eyes. “Evan’s…” He looked at Evan and grinned. “…cousin.” He said then smiled innocently at everyone.
“Ehhh… cousin? Really?” One of the female students in the group said. “That’s unfair Evan, how come you haven’t mentioned anything about your cousin?” She looked at Laverne with adoring eyes. She stood up and then approached Laverne. “What’s your name, how old are you?” She asked.
“I am Laverne Spence, I am eighteen, and ohh, I’ll be attending this university by the next semester.” He said with an innocent smile.
Evan looked very confused. He was quiet and was only looking at Laverne. Laverne was smiling innocently at Evan’s friends -who seemed to be particularly fond of him- but, as he did, his mind was filled with plans to monopolize Evan and to throw the evil witch Cara out of the picture.
Laverne was invited to have dinner with everyone and he agreed without even thinking twice. They went to a local pub. Apparently it was also a celebration for the successful year of the varsity. Evan’s friends and teammates were really fond of Laverne. They would ask him all sorts of question. But Laverne noticed that Evan would intervene and answer for him every time they would ask him anything related to Evan.
Evan looked nervous the whole time. It was obvious to Laverne that he didn’t want anyone to find out about their real relationship. Laverne was really hurt. It was really very painful to be someone’s dirty little secret.
“We need to talk.” Evan said to him lowly when no one was particularly watching them.
“I’m not in the mood to talk.” He said in a cold tone. “You’ll just make up excuses anyway. So why bother? We both know that I only look innocent, but I am not naïve.” Even though Laverne was acting cold, he was truthfully hurt inside.
“Could you at least listen to what I have to say?” Evan said pleadingly.
“I don’t want to. I can’t” He was afraid that Evan would say that it’s over for the two of them. He didn’t want to hear Evan choosing Cara. “I only came here to see with my own eyes what the two of you are. I’ve clearly seen it already, so you don’t have to say anything. I’ll go home…”
“Then why are you crying?” Evan suddenly asked as he wiped the tear off Laverne’s eye with his thumb. “Come with me.” He said as he took Laverne’s hand and leaded him outside.
How he missed Evan’s touch. It was only Evan’s touch, but also his face, his voice, and every little thing about him. He missed Evan so much. It was not how Laverne imagined, but finally Evan was with him again. And now that Evan is with him again, he won’t let anything and anyone get in between them.
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Being a ghost is difficult. You could see and hear everything around you, but you can’t be seen or even heard. Touching something is also very difficult. But what irritates Keith the most was the fact that the living people around him are so naïve. He had no idea how long it has been since he first became a ghost, but for as long as he could remember, people around him had continuously acted naïve and ignorant.
He was walking down the street, avoiding touching or getting through anything. Even though he was already a ghost, he still wanted to feel normal. But seeing other ghosts walking around town wasn’t really normal.
Keith was particularly intrigued with one scene outside a pub. There were two young lads talking. The older one looked very handsome and the younger one looked very beautiful. He couldn’t find any more appropriate words to describe the younger boy. He could say handsome or even pretty, but those words seemed lacking. The young boy looked very angelic... very innocent.
The older boy was holding the hand of the younger one. “Listen to me. There’s nothing really happening between me and Cara. Trust me, Laverne.”
“Ohhh… they’re lovers… Well, it’s not an uncommon thing anymore. But I can’t say I understand them. Why would you fall for another guy anyway?” Keith said.
“I saw how good the two of you look together. I also saw how sweet you two are.” The younger boy named Laverne said with sad smile. “You two are more suited for each other, if you’re happier with her, then I understand. Cara’s beautiful, and most importantly, Cara’s a girl, it would be less troublesome if you pick her.”
The older boy looked side to side and when he saw that no one’s watching them, he kissed Laverne. “I choose you.” He said when he moved away. “Where are you staying? You should rest for tonight. I’ll pick you up tomorrow. We’ll talk more then.” The older boy said and left Laverne outside the pub.
The younger boy named Laverne fell silent. He was blushing as he put his head down. “He must be feeling really happy.” Keith said as he watched the boy. “Look at that, he is really flushing red… ahhh… how very innocent. Such a pity though, he’s obviously being cheated on. But I bet that one kiss was enough to shut him up.” Keith said, frustrated at the boy’s naiveté.
Suddenly, the innocence in the boy’s face was gone. Keith was surprised to see that the innocent looking boy was glaring back at the pub with very sharp and piercing eyes. “Do you think that I’m that easy?” The boy named Laverne muttered in a very cold tone. Keith couldn’t believe that an innocent looking boy could be the feisty.
It was so interesting for him to see the boy changed expression that quickly. He followed the boy around until they arrived at the boy named Laverne’s hotel room. To Keith’s surprise, the first thing that Laverne did was open a can of beer.
Keith couldn’t believe that Laverne could gulp down that can of beer like it was water. He didn’t expect that an angelic and innocent looking boy could drink like that. Laverne took another can of beer and finished it in the same manner. He was about to open another can but then his head fell.
The next thing that Keith noticed was tears dripping on the table. He couldn’t understand the boy at all. One moment he looked very innocent, then the next very sharp, and then would finally end up crying. Keith could only imagine what Laverne was feeling. He continued on watching Laverne.
Laverne continued on crying and Keith was feeling really bad for the boy. His heart must be really aching, for him to cry like that. Keith reached for Laverne but stopped when his hand was just in front of Laverne’s bowed head. He wanted to touch Laverne, to comfort him, but he couldn’t, because he knew that his hands would only pass through. He couldn’t do anything but watch as Laverne cried his heart out. But, as he watched, Keith felt his heart aching as well. Why is it so painful to see you cry? Why do I want to wipe your tears and make you happy? Why is my heart feeling like this?
“You look so happy when he kissed you. You must really love him. I thought you were just a naïve innocent boy who knows nothing, but I guess I was mistaken. You’re smart to notice that he’s cheating on you. I guess I should leave you alone.” Keith said as he was about to leave. He felt that if he stayed there any longer, he would go crazy. He wanted to touch Laverne so badly. He was afraid that he might end up scaring him.
“What was I even expecting? I’m a guy as well, a boy…” Laverne said as he sobbed. “I know that there’s something between him and that Cara, but why do I still love him this much? My heart is so painful, I feel like something is tearing me up from the inside. But even if my heart falls into pieces he is still left inside. Why do I still love him this much? Why?” Laverne sounded very drunk. “Answer me!”
Keith was surprised. He looked back and then saw Laverne looking at him. He couldn’t possibly see him, could he? Keith thought. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried, no one had been able to see him before.
“I noticed you’ve been following me.” Laverne said as he stood up and walked towards Keith. “Are you a stalker? How did you even get in here?” Laverne was very drunk. “Why aren’t you talking?” Keith talked but it seemed that Laverne couldn’t hear him. “Forget it. I’m very tired, I’m going to sleep. Just leave.” Laverne said looking at Keith while pointing at the door.
Keith was totally dumbstruck. Finally he met someone who could see him. He could use that boy to help him. He was really tired of being a ghost and he wanted to pass on already. He followed the boy to the bedroom. He passed through the wall and watched Laverne undress. He looked away until Laverne was finally covered with the blanket.
Even though it was a stretch, Keith would do anything just to answer all his questions. Why is he still not passing on? Why can’t he remember anything from when he was still alive? What does he need to do to pass on? All that questions, he figured out, could be answered with the help of Laverne.
The whole night, Keith watched Laverne. He wondered why Laverne could see him while everyone else couldn’t. “What’s so special about you?” He whispered.
Keith was sitting on the couch across the bedroom when the morning came. Laverne woke up as soon as the sun hits his eyes. He stretched on bed and then stood up. Keith was shocked to see Laverne in just his underwear. Laverne was oblivious to his presence at first, but when Laverne was about to leave the room he suddenly looked at Keith’s direction.
Laverne stared at him blankly and then blinked a few times. “Ahhh...!!!” He shouted as he went back to his bed and wrapped himself with the blanket. “Who are you?! What are you doing here?!” Laverne asked as pointed at Keith. “Are you a pervert?” He sounded very alarmed/
“So you can really see me.” Keith said excitedly as he stood up.
“What are you talking about? How can I not see you? Are you possibly are crazy pervert?” Laverne still sounded very alarmed as he stepped away from Keith.
Keith was surprised. He stepped closer towards Laverne. “You can hear me now?” Keith was simply ecstatic. Laverne could help him better if he could hear him.
“Stay away from me! I’m a boy… We’re both boys… Are you out of your mind?” Laverne pleaded.
“It didn’t seem to be a problem when you kissed that boy last night. Plus I was here all night, watching you sleep.” Keith said and then stepped closer. He just found Laverne’s expression really amusing that he couldn’t help but tease him further.
“What? Have you been following me since then? Are you a pervert stalker?” Keith stepped closer again. “I said stay away!” Laverne shouted as he threw the lamp on the bedside table towards Keith. The lamp simply passed through Keith.
Laverne’s eyes widened and he fell silent in shock. “I’m neither a stalker nor a pervert. As you saw, I’m a ghost, and I need your help.” Keith explained slowly and nicely.
“Ghost…” Laverne repeated in a shaky voice.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“Yes… I’m a ghost.” The young man in front of Laverne said.
His mind simply snapped when that lamp passed through the man. He had only heard about such things before, and to see such thing himself drove him mad. In front of him was real life ghost. At first he thought that he was only hallucinating because of his hangover, but the young man was talking to him and no matter how much he shook his head, he wouldn’t go away.
The young man then put his hand towards the wall and it simply passed through. “You’re really a ghost…” Laverne gave up.
“Yes, I’m really a ghost.” The young man said as he retracted his hand.
“A pervert ghost…” Laverne added when he remembered that the young man watched him sleep almost naked.
“What? I already told you, I’m not a pervert.” The young man protested.
“You watched me sleep all night, and I was almost naked to. Only a pervert would do such thing. If you’re really not a pervert then you should have waited outside my room, ghost or not.” Laverne said sharply.
“Well, you do have a point. I’m sorry.”
“What’s your name? You can’t expect me to talk to you without knowing your name.” Laverne said casually.
“Keith… I think…” The young man replied.
Laverne inspected Keith. He looked older to him. He was tall, well built, he had green eyes, jet black hair, and his sculpted face… he looked really handsome, really sexy. “Well Keith. Could you look away, I need to wear something first. Usually I would have no problem about this, but you just watch sleep all night, so…” Laverne added.
“Is it just me or are you used to me already? I was expecting you to freak out a little longer or even faint, but you’re taking things really well.” Keith said as he turn around.
“Well, I may look like this, but I’m very strong. I adapt to things quite easily.” Laverne said proudly. “Plus, it’s not like I could change anything if I freak out. You’ll still be a ghost, and you’ll still pester me to help you. I’m right, aren’t I?” He said as he finished up putting his clothes on. “You can look now.”
Keith turned around. “I guess that’s better for both of us. But, are you feeling alright, you were pretty drunk last night?” He asked nicely.
“I’m fine now.” Laverne said as he down on the edge of the bed. “But, just how much did you see?”
“What do you mean? If you mean your body then…” Keith said with a teasing smile.
“I mean, what I did, what happened.” Laverne said, very embarrassed.
“I saw everything since you and that other boy walked out of the pub.” Keith answered apologetically.
Laverne slumped. It was too embarrassing for him. He looked at Keith and Keith only smiled at him. It was weird though. He felt really comfortable with Keith. If it was the ghost of anyone else, then he might be already freaking out nonstop. But since it was Keith, Laverne was feeling practically comfortable. It was not only that, he was very drawn to Keith. He didn’t even have to think twice about helping Keith, he was more than willing to.
“You said you need my help. So, how can I help you? Basically I just need to help you resolve your unfinished business and you could pass on peacefully. Do you need me to communicate with the loved ones you left? Perhaps, you want me to find your body or bring your death to justice.” Laverne said enthusiastically.
“Actually… I can’t remember anything except that my name is Keith.” He said sadly.
Laverne couldn’t believe it. How could he help someone who doesn’t even know his own full name, much worst a ghost? But although he found the circumstances very troublesome, his mind was still set to help Keith. “Well, we’ll figure something out… somehow.” He said kindly. Keith already looked very sad and Laverne didn’t want to make him feel more depressed.
“Sorry, I know I’m asking too much. I am asking you to help me resolve my unfinished business, but I can’t even remember what it is, or even who I really am.” Keith looked very guilty.
“Wait a minute.” Laverne noticed that Keith was wearing a necklace. It was small spherical orb and inside it was a small hourglass. The necklace was white gold and the spherical pendant was lined with gold. The orb itself was a clear white crystal and the hourglass was diamond lined with gold. “That necklace, have you been wearing it the whole time?”
Keith held the necklace and then smiled. “Yes. I’ve been wearing this since I could remember.” He moved closer to Laverne and showed him the necklace.
It was even more beautiful up close. Laverne tried to hold it, but his hand simply passed through Keith. Passing through a ghost was a weird feeling. It felt cold and stuffy and that feeling seeped right through your skin.
Laverne instantly retracted his hands. “Sorry. For a second I forgot…” He said apologetically at Keith. “Anyway…” Laverne said guiltily. “That necklace is unique, we might find something about you if we find where that necklace came from. If we find out which jeweler made that, then we could ask them, I’m sure they’ll remember who bought such unique necklace from them.”
He was enthusiastic about helping Keith. Thinking about what he could do to help took his mind away from Evan. Laverne was still unsure about Evan’s feelings for him, but still his won feelings haven’t changed. Even after everything that happened the day before, he still loved Evan. Suddenly he fell silent as his bowed his head. He had no idea that his sadness was easily seen by Keith.
“It’s alright.” Keith said. “Sometimes I forgot that I am a ghost as well.” He added. “Like last night and right now. Sometimes I just see something so beautiful that I want to touch and I forget that my hand would simply pass through.”
Suddenly, Laverne felt something cold on his cheek. He knew that feeling. He slowly looked up and saw Keith kneeling in front of him while reaching for his cheeks. “What are you doing?” Laverne asked in low gentle tone.
“Just…Even though you’re a boy, a guy like me, I can’t help but think that you’re… beautiful.” Keith said with a beautiful smile.
“Ahhh…” Laverne nodded as he stared at Keith’s handsome face. It was such a waste that a person so good looking as Keith was already dead. Laverne never thought that a ghost could smile that beautifully. “I was right, you’re a pervert ghost.” He said shyly as Keith moved away.
What’s happening? Why am I feeling this happy to see him smile at me like that? Why is my heart beating this fast? Laverne asked his self.
Suddenly Laverne’s phone rang. He took it and saw Evan’s name. Not knowing whether he should answer or not, Laverne only stared at the screen. He knew that Evan would only make dumb excuses and he knew that once Evan touch him and kiss him, he wouldn’t be able to resist. He felt so pitiful, that Evan have that much hold of his heart.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?” Keith suddenly asked. He was already looking out the window when Laverne saw him. “It’s your lover, isn’t it?” Looking at Keith gave Laverne an idea.
He was still unsure what he wanted to do with Evan, he was still undecided whether he would fight for him or just let him go. Because after everything that he saw last night, he was sure that Evan couldn’t stand by their relationship. He didn’t want to be with someone who’s ashamed of their relationship. He didn’t want to be someone’s dirty little secret. He wanted to love freely and show it off to the whole world and he knew that Evan couldn’t do it with him. But even though he knew all that, he still loved Evan.
Cara, on the other hand, was a different story. He wanted to make that witch regret crossing him. The moment their eyes met, Laverne knew that Cara knew about him. He had a feeling that it was even Cara who sent him that picture.
“Say Keith, while we’re still figuring out what’s your unfinished business, can you do me a favor?” Laverne said with a mischievous smile. “There’s this really evil witch that I want to get rid off.”