"OH ABBY, YOU'RE BACK,'' Aunt said pausing the show she was watching on the plasma television.

"Hey there, Aunt. Sorry again, went to eat with my friend but I brought the medicines you asked for," I said back, leaving the purchased stuffs on the kitchen counter.

"Hi Trixie," I sat down next to her who was sleeping peacefully on Aunt's lap.

''Oh, thank you so much dearie,'' Aunt glanced at me with a wrinkled smile before we continued watching the Ellen show. It was by far Aunt's favorite show which would always keep her happily occupied and I would often hear her squealing in joy seeing how Ellen changed the lives of all the peoples with such generous donations. I loved when Ellen put her director, Andy, to do crazy stuffs he had never done before and boy, I would be lying if I said they were anything less than hilarious.

My head replaced Trixie's fluff self on Aunt's lap as she gently combed through my hair, scratching at certain spots which made my eyes flutter at the contentment. That was what I needed.

Even then, I couldn't help but think about Britney. Her panic attacks, her split second behavior, it all made me wonder; but I remembered Mikayla's words.

She has gone through a lot.

☆☆☆

I chewed on my peppermint gum, the flavor getting non-existent as I scribbled down the answers of an assignment while my jaw throbbed from the overly tacky chewing.

"Abby, could you get the clothes from outside dearie?" my Aunt called out from downstairs. I got down and made my way to the backyard while Aunt was busy baking some red velvet muffins.

The clothes were being blown away by the heavy wind casted by mother nature. The clouds were huddling once again, a storm seemingly impending us. I was preparing to pull down the last pieces of white bedsheets until a sudden silhouette startled me. On the body of one of the crisp white blankets, resonated off a figure standing behind it.

With a strong tug, I pried off the sheet from the railings but there wasn't anyone. My paranoia, I thought shaking my head to dismiss it.

"Missed me?"

I shook back, pressing the clothes a little too harshly, my eyes widening in surprise. Turning back, I saw the Spirit standing, hands shoved down his pockets and a lazy smile across his face. Letting out a nervous breath I let out nonchalantly,

"You wish." I composed myself before continuing to take the clothes from another clothesline.

He tittered behind me before whispering gently,

''Someone's paranoid.'' I looked back at him dead in the eyes. He just smiled back showing his gum.

 His steps came closer until they stopped beside me. I glanced back to see him taking down the clothes. Well, someone's helpful.

"How was your day?" He chirped.

"Meh, it was uneventful," I spoke grimly as we walked to the shed to keep the clothes on a drying rack. He carried out the action and looked at me, narrowing his eyes in suspicion before adding,

"Really? I saw the girl you helped today. You surely know how to deal with panic attacks. Also, eating with your boyfriend-" I visibly shuddered, my self consciousness kicking in as I thought about him watching me. He could be invisible.

As if he could read my exact thoughts, he stopped talking and a put up a straight face.

"Come on now. I know what you are thinking.''

''How?'' I questioned, baffled. Could ghosts even do that?

''Don't be silly. You literally have it written all over your face, 'stalker alert,' '' he made the last two words voice in a girly pitch. I just grimaced.

''You can't read thoughts, right?'' I still asked.

''No, Miss-Know-It-All I can't, but so you know I wasn't stalking you...like a loner,'' he added quotes and sighed, ''I was just coming from the vet with Aristotle, who is my buddy if you remember. Not any-''

''Yeah, I know. Your dog,'' I said, a little irritated.

''See, you also agree.'' I raised my eyebrows in question while he just mouthed, 'miss know it all.' Ugh.

Rolling my eyes, I proceeded to make my way across the lawn while recalling to have seen a veterinary hospital on the second floor of the pharmacy. I winced at myself for having the thoughts of this Spirit guy following me while all he ever did was to make me trust him.

"I'm sorry," I said meekly turning towards him, "It was never my intention to judge you so quickly."

"Don't sweat it."

''Again, you're new to me so yeah.''

''You mean, seeing a Spirit is new.''

''Mhm,'' I hummed looking down.

We fell in an awkward silence which I decided to break,

"So how's the puppy?"

"He's doing pretty well now. As I thought he was indeed dehydrated," he said with a small shake of his head.

"Wait, how did you get him from the vet?" 

"Easy. Just walked through and called him when no one was around and got away."

"Won't they file a complaint or something?" I questioned very curiously.

"Nah, I left a note with some cash," he just shrugged.

I wanted to ask him where he got the money but the shrug gave a sign not to push it, and I had said enough judge-y comments so I kept silent.

By that time, the wind was howling, my hair flying in all directions making me look like those waving inflatable guys. I scoffed at the thought.

"Where's your buddy now?" 

"Sleeping in the school's garage," he huffed out looking at the eye. We both squinted as a clump of dust blew past us.

"Wait, my school?"

"Yep, I also went there," he paused, "when I was alive that is." He chuckled to himself nervously.

I remained silent thinking about what he said. Looking at his posture, I realized he was about a head taller than me and had a quite lean, yet muscular figure.

"You played football, didn't you?" It came out more like a statement.

"Yeah," he said, smirking as if impressed by my observing skill, ''Again, Miss-''

''Yes, I get it. Sue me for being a good guesser.'' We both chuckled at that.

I saw Aunt's figure through the patterned glass. She would be coming to look for me anytime.

"I should get going," I spoke taking the clothes from him. His hands brushed mine, bristling up my insides, especially my stomach. 

"Yeah, I should get going too. Aris must be waiting, see you there tomorrow," he spoke with a small smile as he proceeded to walk away.

I had almost gotten inside when it hit me.

"What's your name?"

He looked back at me as he pondered over the question. For a second, I furrowed my brows thinking he didn't remember his name. But again, he proved me wrong as a smile flickered across his face like a hologram while the sky gave out a thunder,

"William."

I couldn't tell why but my heart missed a beat.

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