Happy new year folks!
A longer chapter as a new year's gift! ;)
Enjoy!
23- SEEN GHOSTS ONLY DISAPPEAR!
"All three projects must be submitted exactly a week after the school's anniversary!" Miss Clara Clark announced immediately the bell went off, signalling the end of English period. A flash suddenly emanated from the back of her phone.
"Ha! Now I shall not be deceived if you guys decide to swap project partners!" She literally took a picture of the whole class! With those words, she sauntered out of the class. Behind me, I heard Drew's seat partner, Bethany mutter:
"I really miss Mrs West." I'm guessing that was the previous English teacher. I glanced at Brandon, my ever silent seat partner. This guy has never said a word to me! But whenever I asked him a question, he was kind enough to grunt in reply!
I opened my mouth to talk to him about our project but before I could utter a word, the guy stood up and strode out of the class. Huh? Surely he wasn't planning on making me do this project alone? I can't fail!
So I hurried after Brandon...
...Then I hurried away from Brandon.
I had just sighted Mrs Murphy heading towards our history class! Detention? No please!
Thankfully, I managed to outrun Mrs Murphy, shouting a greeting over my shoulders, before successfully making my way into the classroom.
I scanned the whole classroom and all the seats were occupied except the ones which Caleb and a 'plus one' usually sat.
But Caleb wasn't in class, surprisingly. I know rumours have it that Caleb wasn't excellent academically, but he did attend classes regularly. Shrugging, I took my seat at the back of the class.
***
"You're going to do great Sam, I just know it. This is wonderful!" Grace squealed and engulfed me in a hug immediately after I had performed my violin solo. I smiled at her gratefully.
"Thank you ma'am." She rolled her eyes.
"Grace! Is that too hard to pronounce? You make me feel old." I grinned.
"Don't." I said just as my stomach decided to make a grand entrance into our discussion.
"Go. I wouldn't want you to miss lunch." Grace said. I arched an eyebrow.
"Half of it is gone already." She smiled sheepishly.
"Still." She said. I smirked as I sat where I usually do to play the violin.
"It's okay, Grace. I've got my lunch with me." It was true. As soon as the bell had gone for lunch, I had hurried to the cafeteria to get my lunch before heading to the music room in search of Grace since I had promised to play to her personally.
"Well then," Grace nodded. "I better go get mine."
"We could share mine?" I offered.
Grace cracked a smile.
"Aww Sam, so sweet. But I'm afraid I have to turn you down. But thanks though." She said before hurrying out of the music room. I couldn't help but feel she was going to have lunch with someone else. I shrugged as I stared at the piano, immediately thinking of Drew. I hadn't seen him and Brandon since first. As for the remaining bullies and Shayne, I hadn't even seen them at all today. And somehow, I couldn't help but feel it had something to do with last Saturday's telephone conversation between Caleb and Shayne.
Truthfully, a part of me wished Caleb had showed up in history class today. Perhaps our last conversation made me see him in a different light. Or it was something else? I couldn't really place it.
Sighing, I picked up my violin wondering why Cecilia had not shown up since I had texted her about my meeting with Grace. And she had promised to show up!
Suddenly feeling the need to get lost in music, I began to play a Mozart's tune with my violin. As I reached a certain pause, I heard a movement that caused my eyes to snap open. There, leaning against the doorpost was-
Candice??!!!
Just as my eyes widened and I opened my mouth to scream, Candice ran!
Surely I had seen a ghost! But why didn't the ghost disappear. I mean, it actually ran!
Surely Candice was dead!
So I stood up and chased after the ghost. But unfortunately, that was the moment my best friend decided to race in. The collision making me land upon my dearest friend.
"Ow!" Cece groaned beneath me. I pushed myself off her and helped her up. "Why on earth were you running Sam?" She asked, rubbing her elbows with her hands. I opened my mouth to explain how I had seen a ghost run only to realize how silly that would sound.
"Why were you late?" I asked instead. Cece narrowed her eyes at me.
"What's going on Sam?"
"I saw a ghost run." I blurted.
"What?!"
"You heard me."
"Yes I did." She said, stifling a laugh. "Sam, get some rest seriously. Seen ghosts only disappear!" I was still in shock I didn't even have the energy to think of a comeback.
"My thoughts exactly." I mumbled.
***
I was making my way to my arts class when I sighted a familiar long brown hair walking down the hallway. Brandon!
I hurried after him making sure to avoid bumping into anyone. When I turned the bend, I hadn't expected to see Brandon with every single bully, male and female included, together with Shayne.
Brandon, Caleb, Ethan, Ryan, Andrew, Natalie, Emily, Alex, Charlotte and Shayne were all gathered at the male bullies' lockers since they were next to one another. They all seemed to be engaged in an argument as there were various 'shut ups' and 'are you kiddings'. Right now, I didn't care. All I needed was Brandon. So I cleared my throat.
And ten pairs of eyes were suddenly on me, surprised.
"Brandon, we need to talk." I said, fixing my eyes on the guy. He raised a perfect eyebrow at me.
"About?" He drawled. I almost did a double take because Brandon was actually speaking to me! Wow.
"Our English project. I cannot fail!" Someone made a choking sound and I caught Ethan fighting back a laugh. It was then I realized I had missed the dude. But as I remembered our last encounter, I couldn't help but resent him. So I ignored him and turned my attention back to Brandon who had tilted his head, studying me.
"Well?" I asked, tapping my foot impatiently. Expressionlessly, Brandon nodded.
"Follow me." He said. From the corner of my eyes, I could feel Caleb's eyes on me but I chose not to meet his gaze as I followed Brandon.
***
We had ended up in the library and while I expected to be the only one who'd make outlines for the projects, Brandon had surprised me and had been really helpful. To be honest, I didn't know what to expect from him or rather, I learnt not to expect at all.
I later realized I had missed my arts period and decided to bunk the rest. I know the school would soon contact home. But what I still didn't know was how exactly I got myself into this mess in the first place.
I was lost in thought as I made my way out of the library after waving goodbye to Brandon who rolled his eyes, I didn't realize I bumped into someone. Thankfully, the person steadied me before I fell on my face! The familiar chuckle told me who it was before my eyes met Shayne's.
"H-Hey Shayne!" Seriously?
"Hello Samuel." I frowned as I released myself from his arms. "Oh! I mean Samantha." He grinned. I frowned.
"It feels lovely to see you again, Shayne!" I got a nice chuckle as a response.
"Where you headed to?" He asked.
"I honestly have no idea." I said, biting my bottom lip. Then I remembered.
"What does Damon have against Caleb?" I blurted out. Shayne looked startled at first but immediately gained composure.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised you know Damon cos apparently you're friends with Cecilia."
"And?" I gestured with my hands for him to continue. He smirked before he continued.
"How do you know about 'Caleb's issue with Damon'?" He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Hasn't Caleb told you about our chat last Saturday?" I asked, copying his stance. Shayne lifted a full eyebrow.
"Er- Contrary to what you think, Caleb and I aren't exactly that close."
"I noticed." I shrugged. "But surely you are close enough to have a secret conversation on phone." Shayne narrowed his eyes before they widened a bit as he snapped his fingers in obvious realization.
"So you were the reason he had to hang up."
"Yeah? I was!" Shayne smirked.
"Well, Caleb wasn't nice in describing the cause." Huh? I narrowed my eyes.
"What did he say?"
"He said he had to deal with crazy stuffs." Shayne grinned. Excuse me?
"Crazy- what?! He was kidding ri-" I didn't get to complete that question because just then, my eyes caught sight of Candice! And this time I was sure I wasn't dreaming. I was seeing a ghost!
"Shayne!" I whisper-screamed. "I- I can see Candice!" Same auburn hair and blue eyes! I couldn't believe it. Shayne was surprisingly quiet so I glanced at him to see him staring transfixed at the ghost! He was seeing it too!
Unbelievable!!!
"That's not Candice." Shayne's voice was soft, I almost didn't hear it. "That's Crystal, Candice's twin."
WHAT??!
Happy new year once again! 😘💕💕💃
Love you all!
May this year be full of blessings for us all in Jesus' Name!
Shirley!!!