Song attached^
Enjoy!;)

I was sure my heart stopped when he said that. New tears fell as I hugged him tighter. My parents also did, I wanted to tell but it would be selfish and stupid of me to tell him now. He was hurting, and it broke my heart to see him like that.

That's why he was hesitant about getting in the car.

"Do you want to walk home? I can come get my car later," I said brushing the hair off his face.

"No, it's okay," he said feigning the emotion.

The sun was setting as we drove back home, silence enveloping us. I pulled the key off the ignition as I parked in the garage. Uncle's car was still not here, meaning he still had to come back home.

William sulkily walked to the front door and upstairs, me right behind him.

"Please, sleep in here," I asked him giving him an old shirt of Uncle. He just nodded slightly as he dropped onto my bed.

I went to Aunt's room to check on her. She was sleeping in her rocking chair with a book over her lap. I took a blanket from her closet to cover her, moving the book from her lap. The action snapped her out of her nap as she sat up.

"Sorry Aunt, I just came here-"

"Abby, where were you? I was worried sick and you even left your phone behind. I only knew you were gone when I saw your car missing,"

Aunt Kelly spoke, sadness evident in her voice.

I felt so stupid for not informing her before going out.

"I'm sorry Aunt, I just went for a small drive." I was getting tired of lying to Aunt but what else would I even say? That I was going out with a Spirit?

"What's that on your neck?" She asked worriedly pointing.

I looked around in the mirror and felt heat creeping up my neck as I saw a hickey. William had given me a hickey.

"Oh, I just burned myself a little with the...umm, curler, no biggie," I said covering it up.

"Lemme go get ice, then," Aunt said getting up.

"No," I said pushing her to her seat, "You rest, I will get some ice."

"There's some cookies I baked in the kitchen, try them!"

Aunt is the best.

                            ☆☆☆

In the morning, William went back to his normal self. I knew he was still hurting, but didn't want to trouble me or talk about it. So I kept quiet, although I wouldn't stop asking if he needed anything.

"Rose, go to school, I will be fine," he said giving a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

I sighed but did what he said and left for school. I couldn't help but think of our almost kiss on the way to school. Why did there have to a freaking car honking?

I wished William would just tell me about all his worries and secrets. But I knew, I was also scared to find them out.

I smiled, and pressed down the stone thrice. A second later, I heard three beeps.

I missed him so much.

                             ☆☆☆

School was usual, with mundane classes which were practically ditched by most students who gave their name in volunteering for the preparations of the upcoming Halloween party this Saturday. My birthday was just before Halloween which was tomorrow.

Mikayla didn't come to school today, texting that she had to go to some fundraiser with her mom. Jaxon gave me company but he seemed sad. It made me feel bad that my friends couldn't get together and I had to have different hangouts.

I returned from school after a tedious hour of making banners and spooky decorations for Halloween.

The house was practically empty with the television switched off and no sign of residency.

"Hello? Aunt? William?" I called out but no one responded back. Walking to kitchen, I found a post-it stuck to the fridge from Aunt saying she went to the park for a walk with both her fluff buddies.

I went to my room, thinking William was there, but to my surprise there was no one. Not even a note saying something. I sighed, flopping on my bed with a squeak of the spring. I pressed down the stone once to know where William was. There was no response.

I pressed down twice. There was still no response.

What if he had gone away forever? What if he was tired of me? Or didn't want to talk to me after yesterday?

I couldn't help but let my pessimistic side open. I forced myself to eat some snacks and finish the assignment before the weekend. The time flew and before I knew, it was dark outside. The jingling of the door perked up my ears as I rushed downstairs to see some human, even spirit.

Aunt Kelly stood there in the kitchen, keeping all the groceries in the store room as Trixie and Aristotle strolled behind her.

I sighed, disappointment bubbling up as my stomach tightened with the previous thoughts but went to help Aunt. Afterwards, we watched a new episode of the Ellen show as I answered  Aunt's inquiries about school.

"You going to the Halloween party, sweetie?"

"Yes," I agreed although I had no intention of going.

"No boy I should know about?" To this, my ears perked up.

"Um... no Aunt?" It came out more like a question as to why she was inquiring on this subject.

"Then who gave you this promise ring, dearie?" She asked pointing towards the guilty ring.

"Oh, this?" I thought of a reason as fast as my brain could procure and figure out, "Mikkie and I went shopping this other day and treated ourselves with...these." 

Aunt didn't look very satisfied with my answer. She took down her glasses and put them beside her on the center table before looking at me straight in the eye. My insides were flipping out. Did Aunt catch me talking to some thin air and thought I was talking to myself? Would she suggest therapy? Maybe I should just tell her about William-

"Look, sweetie, I just want you to know that you can share anything with me." I sighed inwardly. 

"That being said, when I was your age, only a boy curious about me would gift me something so pretty." I smiled at that. Well, William's that person in my story.

"Aunt, you are the only one person I know with who I can share anything and wouldn't judge me." Only not about William. Aunt gave my hands a small squeeze and smiled reassuringly as we both resumed watching the show. Only to laugh out seeing Ellen give a jump scare to her special guest, Adele. 

I hurried upstairs after the show ended, having no appetite for dinner and lied down on my bed. I stared back at the artificial constellations on my ceiling thinking if I ever see a shooting star, would my wish be fulfilled? William had been gone a whole day and I had no idea what he was doing.

Was he even okay?

Sleep seemed to be in its own dreamland as I kept tossing around the bed, before I saw my window pushed open by the wind. I thought for a second that William had returned but there was no sign of him.

I stared at the vast night sky with millions of stars decorating it, before a song popped in my mind. I slowly sang, my voice breaking a little but still continued,

'Do I miss you?
Count the stars, multiply by ten
Of course I do, more than now and then.

I could paint a rainbow, shine the sky
Set the stars in space, faster than explain
How much I miss your face.

Watch the moon, some day soon
He will start to smile,
When I say I'll see you
In a while.

But till then, I'll miss you
Dry my tears, hide my fears away
Until the happy day to the rainbows in
Is where I would go, my friend, I do.

Miss you so.'

Small tears pooled around my eyes as I drifted to sleep, but felt the warmth of William wrapped around me.

I wish he was here.