~~~ 5SOS - Valentine ~~~

The next day I woke up with big rock inside of my stomach, alarming me about the uneasiness that has flooded my existence the moment I opened my eyes. I knew why I feel so nervous, I was scared. I knew what was about to happen today. I was aware of it so well, that I couldn't shake off the feeling even when I got out of the bed. If Liz will come out of this with a trauma, after I introduce her to a ghost, it will be only my fault. I tried to push the negative sensation possessing my body aside and went downstairs to eat some breakfast.

"Sweatheart, I'm going to visit my father this afternoon, would you like to join me?" aunt asked me. Ahh, how I wished I could go with her, instead of doing what I had planned for this afternoon. I felt bad that I had to decline her suggestion, but I had to get the matter over with today, before I lose all courage I gathered.

"Ellen, I cannot join you today, as I made plans with Liz, she is going to help me with some school stuff. You know, I've missed so much, due to mu transfer," I thought of an excuse with the speed of light, hoping for understanding on part of my aunt. I didn't like the fact, because of Damon, I lied to her so many times. Maybe I should go to church and get it off my chest.

"Oh, but that's great, I'm very pleased, you managed to find friends so fast. Lizzie seemed like very sweet girl, when I met her few weeks ago. I do not mind, so don't worry, dear," she smiled at me and I felt even worse.

"Send my regards to him, please," I retorted politely. I speedily ate all my breakfast, setting on the journey to school. In front of the school building I saw Liz, waiting or me, surprisingly without Chris. I knew she must have send him away, so she can be the only one interrogating me. She had her arms folded on chest, nervously tapping with her foot on the ground and as soon as she spotted me, she waved her hand.

"Hey," I let out weakly. I knew it will be hard the moment I saw her determined sight fixed on me. I was already imagining before the first period ends, she will most probably drag me to her personal torture room, to squeeze any information out of me. But I was ready to not tell her anything, until the right time comes. She would no believe me if I spilled the beans here and now. She will have to bear with me, being as silent as a grave. She needed to see Damon with her own two eyes, to be able to understand.

"Well, hello to you too. I could not sleep a wink. How dare you to be all mysterious and refusing to give me an explanation with a statement 'I will show you tomorrow'. I'm not very good I this department, Chels," she started to rumble about her lack of sleep, making me think about the possibility, my friend will not sleep ever again, after I pull her into my crazy world. I waited for another wave of question from her, when I stayed quiet.

"You have to tell me at least something, or else I will go insane by the end of the day," she threatened me. I supressed the urge to smile. What to tell her to keep her calm?

"I don't know, what to tell you. Anything I will tell you now, will make you want to know more anyways," I tried, but it didn't work as Liz's frown deepened. This is going to be long day, although her drive amused me. I wonder how much she will be excited, when she will face her first ghost.

"Oh, come one. At least something. Give me some crumbs," she begged, while we managed to walk all the way to the class.

"Where is Chris, anyways," I attempted to change the direction of her thoughts and it looks like it worked. Her face broke into confused mask, looking around her, like she just realised they are missing one member of their squad. I almost burst into laughter.

"Right, where is he?" she asked herself, taking the phone out of her pocket, already dialling his number. After a long time of waiting, I came to conclusion, he was still sleeping.

"He overslept," Liz informed me, when he finally picked it up, getting scolded by her.

Thankfully, Liz didn't have any more chance to restart her investigation, because the teacher entered the class. Almost all, she kept on trying to get something out of me, but I didn't budge. I didn't want her to run, even before I have a chance to show her the gem I'm hiding at home.

Chris arrived later, but that was a cue for Liz to stop being curious, because I told her not to let Chris know about anything, yet.

The end of school hours was approaching fast and I was slowly losing the last bits of my nerves.

"Well, shall we go somewhere after the school?" Chris suggested, but me and Liz managed to turn down his idea synchronically.

"We already have some plans," we both said at the same time. We exchanged looks and Chris saw it all, narrowing his eyes at us. It was obvious that our plans, not having anything to do with him, made him feel excluded.

"Ouu, without me? You kidding right?" he pouted his lips, looking at Liz particularly. I was about to tell him something to set his mind at ease, but Liz had a different idea.

"We have a double date, of course we won't be taking you there with us," Liz stated, while I was only able to stare at her in awe. Then I realised, what was she trying to do. She was trying to make mad. And she was doing a great job so far, as he was giving her hurt glare. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud. These two.

"Who with?" he wished to know.

"Chelsea found them, right?" Liz nudged me with her elbow, turning Chris's wrath towards me. His glare becoming dark. His eyes were putting all the blame on me, while I was innocent as ever. Well damn, thank you very much Liz! I tried to smile at Chris, not daring to speak up. He was crushed.

"You've got some problems with that?" Liz put some more salt into his wound, provoking him.

"No! Why the hell would I?" he spat out, like it was the most ridiculous thing ever. Chris had left us right after the last period ended, leaving me and Liz on our own. He didn't even look back at us, when he was storming away.

"I think he is little upset, Lizzie," I returned her gaze. Their constant arguing made me forget about all that is about to happen.

"Oh, well, he will get over it soon. He always gets all pissy like this, when he finds out that I'm a free woman, happy to date," she beamed at me savagely.

"Yep, and then when he does the same exact thing, you get all mad as well...," I reminded her gladly, Liz rewarding me with a frown.

"Not really," she tried to feed me with this lie, but I knew it all.

"I wonder, why do you always fight? Instead of simply date? It is obvious, you like each other," I wanted to give Liz an advice, although I was not the best to give them.

"I'd be in, but I need let him suffer for a bit. He is too cute, when he is pissed off," Liz sighed dreamily. I was only able to roll my eyes. The way Chris was cute when he gets mad, I didn't notice, but I didn't plant to tell her that.

"If you think," I chuckled. The smile on my lips froze, when we reached our destination, if dront of my house. My stomach uncomfortably knotted, giving Liz next to me side look.

"So, what do you have for me?" Liz didn't look afraid, yet. She still dint have a clues, what was waiting for her behind the closed door. I stepped in front of her.

"Lizzie. Damn, I don't even know where to start," I admitted., when I saw the patient glint in Liz's eyes. How to tell someone, there is a ghost waiting to meet here? I noticed people passing by, realising, this is not the best place to start explaining anything. Someone could have overhear what I was telling her and I would be sent to the madhouse by first class.

I shook my head, giving her prompt to follow me inside. It was quiet. Damn nowhere to be seen, still knowing he will appear in no time.

"It will sound insane, weird and unbelievable, but I'd like you to meet someone," I started off gently, Liz's face not losing its composed expression yet.

"Well, where is he? Is he cute? How is he? What's his name?" Liz let out all those question, made me realise, she came to conclusion, I want to introduce my boyfriend to her. This is not going to work.

"Ah, he is very handsome, but he is considered little out of the usual standard. Not everyone will be able to understand him. But you said, you believe in all sort of weird stuff, right?" I tried to get closer to where I needed to go, but once again it didn't work the way I wanted. She furrowed her forehead, looking confused.

"What do you mean by all that? Is he perhaps from bedlam? You should never start anything with this type...," she retorted, completely serious. It made me laugh and to my laughter, another joined in, much more deeper and defined, which made electric wave roll down my spine. I turned around promptly, seeing him standing not far from us.

"So I'm considered little out of the usual standard? We will have to have a talk about that later," he rewarded me with one of those breathe taking smiles from his personal collection. I don't know how or why, but his presence made me feel so much more at ease. I turned back to face Liz, who was starting to get a little flustered, by my odd behaviour.

"Chelsea? What is it? Can you tell me finally?" she demanded. It was easily as it was said. Her expression became more confused, by every passing minute.

"Do you remember, when we chatted about supernatural stuff? Well, to be honest, I do have one ghost right here," I blurted out fast. I bit my tongue, waiting for her reaction. She was gaping at me for one long minute, until her expression broke into doubting one. I was expecting that.

"You haven't told her yet?" I flinched away, when Damon out of blue appeared beside me. I wasn't sure if I should be talking to him, not wanting to frighten her. Although it didn't matter that much anymore, she looked freaked out anyways.

"No, I didn't. I wanted to do it here, with you," I told him. He looked down at me, noticing Liz gawking at me at this point. She glanced at the place next to me, where Damon was standing, though she couldn't see him. When she found out I was speaking to thin air, she diverted her eyes back at me, now being filled with worry for me.

"Chelsea, I think, you should maybe sit down for a bit and take a break. I believe you are tired," Liz told me as calmly as possible, her voice shaking a little. She took me by my elbow, taking me to the ground lounge, forcing me to sit down on the sofa. Damon followed us in.

"Liz, you sit and I will show you something. Please, do not start screaming and you have to promise, not to faint," I've decided to stop beating the bush around. She hesitantly nodded her head, sitting into the armchair, watching me stand up with her narrowed eyes. I was determined at this point, seeing her waiting obediently on whatever I was about to reveal. I stood up and walked toward Damon.

"Are you certain? I am not sure how will you friend take this," Damon's expression was exactly mirroring that sceptical, Lizzie had in her face. When he noticed, how furiously I am biting on my lower lip, I could feel metal taste on my tongue, he tried to give me little encouraging smile. I didn't have any other choice than to return it, mesmerised.

"She will manage. Everyone would be acting the same way. Remember me," I assured him about my decision, not to back out of my plan, but my voice was trembling nonetheless. I motioned with my hand and he stepped closer to me, while my stomach was performing all sort of flips. I returned his gaze once more, before I diverted my attention on Liz.

"He is standing right next to me," I informed Liz, who automatically darted her eyes on the empty space beside me, that as enough for me to start acting. I intertwined my fingers with Damon's hand. The affect of my touch on him, was becoming evident straight away. The magic was working, as Damon's hand and arm was turning real. The skin on back of his hand was getting its normal humanly colour.

After just few long seconds, there he was, standing next to me, tall and handsome, staring at Liz intensely, while she was still sitting on the sofa, with her mouth hanging open wide.

"Liz, let me introduce you to Damon, Damon, this is my friend, Liz," I couldn't think of anything better to say, than that, while my heart was beating like crazy.

"Pleasure to meet you," Damon spoke up, using his charming crooked smile. Liz was it too big of a shock, for that to have any kind of affect on her. She was looking from him at me, on repeat, her expression told me about all that was going on in her head. Her brain was trying to come with a logical explanation for what she just witnessed.

"Oh... my... god...," just when I thought her friend went mute, Liz let out those three short words.

"What you see, is not a fantasy or hallucination, it is real. He is a ghost, more than one hundred years dead, sometimes very obnoxious and arrogant it hurts. And I am the one having the unfortunate privilege who can see him, even when he is not back to his human from," I told her in short, what is this about, not being able otherwise and helping myself with a pinch of sarcasm. I didn't allow myself to look at the man beside me, knowing he was most probably grinning from ear to ear. Liz still wasn't able to close her mouth, trying to digest all this.

"It's not possible," she breathed out, eyeing out the ghost in the room, who was bravely returning her inspecting.

"I couldn't believe it myself either, but it is true," I assured her. I was surprised by the eagerness sounding in my voice. I was ready to go to all extent to persuade Liz about the reality of this situation. Also it felt like, it will be more bearable for me, to have someone to share my troubles with, which consist of supernatural happening in my life. Liz stood up eventually, looking him up and down, not daring to step closer to us. She shook her head, closing her eyes and opening them straight away, most probably testing her sight abilities and if he maybe just doesn't puff into the air.

"Can I touch him?" she suddenly asked. I expected anything but this. I started to laugh, but before I could answer her daring question, the one who was supposed to be touched, spoke up.

"Certainly," he smiled at her, giving her some courage. I he smiled at me like this, I'd be suppressing the urge to throw myself at him. Liz was aware of his charm for sure, but she had so much more to deal with than simply his strong aura. She made few hesitant steps closer to us, lifting her arm up to reach towards Damon, then she poked him with her forefinger in his shoulder. He didn't move a muscle, but I notice how the corners of his mouth twitched. I was in awe just how simple and easy was this. More than scary and challenging, it was hilarious.

Liz poked him one more time, concluding about him being person made of flesh and bones.

"Aren't Ghosts supposed to be see-though and mainly, dead?" Liz asked, lifting her eyebrows, when she finally peeled her eyes from the lord, staring at me. Of course she didn't have a clue about this mystery, but I was here to explain everything.

"He is a ghost, under normal circumstances he is translucent, not visible, however I'm the only person, who can see him and I also possess the great ability to make him into a human, when we touch,"

"This is insane, Chels, you know that right? Can I open the window? I feel like I need some fresh air, right now," without waiting for my answer, she rushed to the window and opened it wide. I noticed Liz's pale complexion. She was holding up well, at least she didn't crumble on the floor or start screaming, just like I was worried she would. Although it must have been scary experience for her. It was the same for me. I let go of Damon's hand for now and walked towards my friend. Just then I realised, it won't make her feel at ease, the fact he just puffed into the air.

"Where is he?" she yelped, searching the room with her eyes. I looked at the place I left Damon standing, where he was standing unmoving, watching us.

"He is still in the same place," I informed her. I couldn't look away from his face. The little crooked smile of his was warming my heart. He was leaving everything on me.

"Why is he invisible again? I don't understand?" Liz was understandably confused.

"Well, he is only visible, when I touch him," I said. It was too much for her to take in. It was known that ghosts are usually floating in the air, translucent, sad for rest of their never-ending existence.

"That's weird. He is supposed to be see-through all the time, no?" Liz was repeating, not wanting to understand that I am part of this thing, shaking her head in negation.

"He is, but only when I'm not involved. I can see the door behind him through him right now. But I won' t tell you why is that, because nor I or him know the reason," I stayed patient, when telling her all this. Liz looked deep in thoughts, then she smiled a little.

"Do you believe me? Don't you think, I am crazy anymore?" I bit my tongue after I wondered out loud, watching my friend's expressions. I was waiting for her to take her leave, running out of the house. But it didn't happen.

"Because you gave me palpable evidence, I have no other choice than believe," she beamed at me, then looking at the place Damon was remaining, with fascinated sparks in her eyes. She took me by surprise, by the way she accepted this. I should get used to the fact, Liz was a different kind of girl. Although she was hesitant at the fist moments, she adapted to the situation alarmingly easy.

"Could you do that again? You know... make him be vsiisble?" she looked at me, after she tried to see him on her own, but failed. I returned her excited smiled and returned back to Damon's side. My heart was beating fast again, when I took his hand into mine. It was taking my breath away, no matter how many times I did it already. It will never lose the magic. Then I realised, there will be the end to this. One day, maybe very soon, I will have to let him go and have the rest of the world have a share of him. I didn't like the image.

"Wow, this is something!" Liz exclaimed and I came back to the reality. There was no fear in her eyes anymore, she believed it faster than I did and I couldn't stop being in awe, when Liz took a tun around us, examining him and our connection.

"Why didn't you tell me before and why we couldn't tell Chris?" I expected for her to ask this.

"That's a long story," I started, telling Liz everything from the beginning to the end. She didn't interrupt me once and listened soundlessly. Her eyes were shinning with interest and I appreciate that very much. Only thing I couldn't include in the whole story, were my own feelings, because Damon was present the whole time.

After I said everything about what happened in this house, since I arrived, Damon added some more details. Liz was amazed, she laughed when she heard about me wanting to throw stuff at Damon, int the beginning of our acquaintance. I was happy.

We even came across the events that happened up in the attic. I paused, glancing at the man, who was there with me. He took it all in this hand from that point on, like a true gentleman. He skipped the uncomfortable part, about me ignoring me for the whole two weeks. I was grateful when he didn't mentioned anything about that.

"And I want to ask you Liz, if you would be so kind and went to the tomb with me. I know its too much to ask of you but...," I was not permitted to talk more, because Liz stopped me.

"Of course, when?" she simply agreed, while I was only able to gape at her. She was the best friend I could ever wish for.

"This weekend, on Saturday. Damon will describe me the way there and then off we go. You are amazing," I took her hand with my free one and squeezed it lightly.

"Oh come one, I'd do anything for you. You are my friend. Also, I want to be there, when you turn him into a proper human. Can I?" she eagerly jumped up and down on the sofa. I agreed without waiting.

"Oh and Damon, we need to do something about that issue with you girlfriend finding, before you puff into the air forever," Liz sweetly smiled at the ghost and then winked at me. But I was not very keen to feel excited about this part of the deal. Thankfully none of them noticed my lack of enthusiasm.

"It would be very nice of you, if you could help me with that part as well. I was not out in the world for decades," Damon seemed to be beyond excited about the upcoming adventure, blinking with those long black eyelashes, circling his infinity blue eyes.

"That reminds me, you cannot walk out of the door in what you are wearing. I will take care of that, I will find something after my brother. There are piles of his clothes left in the house, after he went to Uni," I smiled at Liz, who was ready planning makeover for Damon. I was not able to think about his attire yet. I still didn't realise there is only few days before he will become human, like her, if everything goes according to plan.

"I'm very grateful," Damon responded.

"You have nothing to be grateful for just yet. Chels, I need to go now, I need to find Chris and let him know, I am still a free woman," Liz winked at me, making me smile. She said goodbyes with Damon, I let go of him and walked her to the door. Liz was grinning from ear to ear. It appeared that Liz was delighted by the discovery of ghosts actually being a real thing.

"I am glad that it was me, who you asked for help," she confessed, she gave me unexpected hug and then left. I came back inside with mixed feelings, joining Damon inside of the lounge, where I left him.

"She is extraordinary girl. There is not many of true friends out there, you should make sure she never leaves your side," he advised me, when he saw me coming. "You did a great job, you surely have some convincing skills," he added, beaming at me.

"It was mostly thanks to you. She could see you and touch you. It was easy to take it from that point on," I reminded him. I couldn't believe that we actually made the tone step closer to his come back to the human realm. To the part where he will move on. I needed it a moment to process that.

"Excuse me," I yelped, before I jumped on my feet, literally dashing out of the room. I didn't understand why whenever in his presence, I lose all my nerves and behave like a complete crazy person. I need to work on that and accept the reality. But probably because I have never felt anything like that to any guy, and now I was crushing on a ghost. It didn't matter as long as whenever I saw him, my heart started to dance inside of my rib cage, my mouth goes dry and I'm simply unable to peel my eyes from his face. Although I couldn't stand the way he was speaking, but it changed, and I wasn't even sure how or when exactly. I enjoyed everything he was talking about, with that deep, melodic voice of his.

Why was it him? Why did my heart have to choose a ghost out of all the boys, living and breathing, in the world? There was something definitely wrong with me. I couldn't go with the crowd and I had to fall in love with the first guy I saw when I moved. I snorted, when I got into my room. He actually was the first man I met after I changed my whole life.

I cussed under my breath, kicking the cushion on the floor in despair, unfortunately knocking my little toe on the corner of my bed.

"Ahhh!" I yelled in pain, realising how ridiculous I am being, once more. My pained scream lured him inside of my room.

"What is it?" he popped out of nowhere, his eyes filled with worry, while watching me jump around the room as I held my injured foot in hands.

"I kicked my toe on the bed. Damn it!" I moaned. I stopped with jumping in front of my mirror, holding onto the frame of it. He appeared next to me, extending his arm towards me, so I placed my hand on it, finding a balance, while I was observing the red toe on my foot. I will survive.

"Why did you kick the bed?" he asked me sincerely confused. I didn't even bother to lift my head up.

"Just for fun," I hissed. I wanted to cry, but not because of the pain anymore.

"Indeed?" he retorted. I raised my sight to him, I shouldn't have done that. I was where I didn't want to be, feeling his blue like ocean eyes boring into mine. I quickly set my foot back on the floor, not wanting to lose my balance and fall on the floor like a sack of potatoes. I wanted to let go of him and create some distance between us, but he suddenly grabbed the hand that was resting on his forearm.

"I'm still trying to think of any way, I could possibly repay all that you are doing for me," he let out. My mind was filled all sort of crazy ideas, how he could repay me. My eyes automatically slid down on his face, to his lips. The breath got caught in my throat and he noticed it.

The smile disappeared from his lips, his eyes wandering all over my face. I could feel the embarrassment spreading all over my body, as I stayed silent, waiting for... I don't even know. The nervous shiver around my stomach appeared, just like in the morning. It kept telling me, that something is going to happen. He must have heard my heart pounding loudly. His eyes travelled all the way down, stopping on my lips too. I froze.

I was waiting for the moment to pass, but he didn't move, neither did I.

I couldn't read in his face, I didn't know what he was thinking, when he suddenly leaned closer to me and before I could eve form next though, his lips covered mine in soft kiss.

Completely out of my mind, I gasped for the air, as his lips indulged into mine. Electrifying wave rushed down my spine, the moment his hand that were holding my hand up until now, travelled all the way to my shoulders. That was good, because if he didn't hold me, my legs would give out straight away.

I still didn't get over the fact, he was kissing me and when I did comprehend the simple fact, I did what my body and heart was telling me. I returned it.

I didn't have time to enjoy the fact though, because as soon as I let go of my clear thinking I also let go of my consciousness, as the weak sensation took over me and I collapsed into his embrace, lifeless. 

~~~