Clerence Cartwright

Ever since I was born, I can't stop grumbling how my life sucks. And how this awful mundane life of mine makes me the unluckiest person on earth. Therefore, I won't really care about my worthless life until how Sasha's accident reminds me again the preciousness of a person's life as ironically, it can or cannot be yours at the same time when you are spending it.

Sitting on the white plastic chair with my feet crossing, I'm texting Dominic that I'll be late and there's no need for him to cook my dinner. Before sending the message, I even try to let it sound as cheerful and brotherly as always, hoping he won't notice my current feelings.

Since he's a boy, he won't really aware, right?

Soon, my phone buzzes in my grasps, pulling my gaze back onto the screen.

ME: Yo doc, am not coming back for dinner. Eat without me ^^

GAY BOY: seriously bro?

ME: Yup, just eaten. Will miss your food, mum XD

GAY BOY: Mum oh GOD, Clery please!

ME: eww, stop turning my name into a girl's name!

GAY BOY: I'll call you Renzy then.

ME: JUST STOP THAT!!

ME: STOP JOKING AROUND, I'M NOT IN A MOOD!!

I nearly throw the phone to the wall out of rage when I recall about Dominic crying in his sleep this morning. Sighing, I set the phone aside and it has stopped popping out with notifications. My gaze averts towards the girl's lifeless hand before I hold it up, feeling the remnant of warmness through her skin.

Soon, the doctor's declaration about Sasha's current condition comes echoing beneath my brain walls. Sasha is said to be fallen into a stupor due to the hard clash between head and ground. The surgeons have removed the extravasated blood cloaked in her back brain but her life is still in jeopardy.

We are not certain about the duration of her coma, maybe three days, maybe a month, or maybe up to a whole year. In fact, you all need to be prepared because she might not be waking up.

I hate my brain for being able to memorize so many words spoken by the doctor. The last sentence breaks my heart unexpectedly and this triggers my past memories. Although I've just known Sasha for a few hours today, I still can't accept the fact that she's dying.

Madam Jesslyn has left, saying she has errands to do. So this is how I'm left alone with this unconscious girl here.

Honestly, I can't believe she is unconscious right now unlike the moment when we worked together in the bookstore. These two scenes are total opposites if I must say.

"I'll pray for you to be awaked starting tonight." I murmur softly to her ears, hoping she would hear me. "And I hope that it's a three-day thing." With the word spoken with eagerness, I let go of her small hand and leave for the door. Before I entirely exit the hospital room, I turn around to glance at her one more time.

My heart heavy as a huge stone when her frame is blocked by the closing door.

***

Sasha Shadows

Clerence's voice brings up my eyelids in astonishment when he says he would pray for me to wake up. His expression serious. He is not joking around like how he was in the bookstore. "Boy, there's no need to pray already." I pipe while trying to sit up. "I am fully awaked by your sexy voice." But I thunder with shock when seeing my body penetrating through his body as I intend to pat his back.

I fail to suppress a loud gasp which would be unheard no matter how loud the volume is. Indeed, he is still staring longingly at my lifeless body without responding to my voice, as if I've turned invisible.

Wait, I am invisible. As I look at my hands, I can see the bed through them. They are surely transparent and I can't deny the fact that I look like the disappearing main character in Spirited Away. "I should have stood properly on the ladder..." I mutter in regret while watching Clerence leaves. His sorrow figure twisting the doorknob lazily. And then, he takes a one last glance at my motionless body before disappearing behind the soft-closing door.

Why is he sad?

We've just met for a few hours today and there is no reason for him to concern about my current state so much. Maybe this accident has led out some of his past memories, that's why he feels so blue. Not long after, my body starts to move without my brain's command. I begin to half-walk, half-float out of the room without opening the door.

My feet are extremely light and I can't even feel tired after a long time of running and floating. Maybe this is how a loosed balloon feels - light and free. Initially, I can't understand my body and I even keep asking them why they are leaving the hospital in such a hurry. Of course, my question is answered with the same continuous motion of my limbs.

By the time I finally stop, I find myself standing in the middle of a shopping mall. Once I've noticed a convenience shop, the recognition hits me hard like a brick. This is where I can watch a movie as the cinema is awaiting for my arrival in one corner of this very floor.

Watch a movie without buying the ticket.

The first wish written on my IMPOSSIBLE LIST flashes across my mind.

"Oh my god, this is happening!" I can't stop exclaiming joyously when this is really the chance given to me.

To fulfil the IMPOSSIBLE wishes.

Now, I'm going to grant my first wish all by myself and no one is going to stop me. No one will witness me sneaking into the dark cinema and call the security to get me out. I won't need to queue up for half an hour to buy the movie ticket and another half an hour to buy food and drinks. Because-

Ghosts don't eat and drink, do they not?

At the thought of this, I can't hold back the bright smile on my extremely pale face while running towards the cineplex. The eagerness in me to choose a good movie is strong and I wish I can find one as soon as possible.

Being a female loner ghost, it is dangerous for me to roam around without knowing any possible risks since it is the first day for me to experience being invisible. Although humans cannot see me, other spirits will. Ever since the moment I leave the hospital, I can see many floating people moving around the streets. Some are following their families by lying on top of a car, or tailing behind a speeding bus; some are just lonely with no family. Like me.

Out of a little rush, I've chosen a movie titled To All the Boys I've Loved Before as it sounds interesting with the word 'Boys'. Unlike me, who only have one crush since high school and surprisingly until college, the girl in this movie has five instead. Then, I happen to glance pass a group of girls' ticket of this movie, showing the room number and the time.

0015. Room 5.

That is extremely late.

I wish I can find my way home later as I would get lost like the pizza boy in Chapter 2 too, even if it is my house.

But in a nick of time, I manage to shake the thought off and enter the cinema alongside with another group of teenagers. Their hands are full of potato chips, pop corns and drinks while I'm just empty-handed.

Not even with the crumpled ticket stuffed hastily in one of my pockets.

As there's still less people in this room, I randomly choose a seat which has a pretty good view and sit down. The group of young men and women are far away from me, though murmurs of their chit-chats are still audible.

I hope they won't make any noise when the movie starts. Soon, more people flood the temporarily lit room as the advertisement begins. And then, I just realise my seat is being bought, so that means I have to switch place. Luckily, less people would buy a midnight ticket, so there's still plenty of good seats for me to choose.

As I sit down, the movie finally starts after the notice about emergency escape doors and silencing of mobile phones are presented. Relaxed, I slump back onto the plush seat and cross my legs.

This will be the best midnight hour for me ever.

And until now, I'm still bewildered.

ᵟᵁᴱˢᵀᴵᴼᴺˢ ᵂᴿᴵᵀᵀᴱᴺ ᵀᴼ ᴹᴬᴷᴱ ᶠᴿᴵᴱᴺᴰˢ:

1. ᴬᴹ ᴵ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴼᴺᴸᵞ ᴼᴺᴱ ᵀᴴᴵᴺᴷᴵᴺᴳ ᴳᴬᵞ ᴮᴼᵞ ᴹᴱᴬᴺˢ ᴴᴬᴾᴾᵞ ᴮᴼᵞ?🤣🤣

ᴵ'ᴰ ᴶᵁˢᵀ ᶠᴵᴺᴵˢᴴᴱᴰ ᵂᴬᵀᶜᴴᴵᴺᴳ ᵀᴬᵀᴮᴵᴸᴮ ᵞᴱˢᵀᴱᴿᴰᴬᵞ ᴬᴺᴰ ᴵ ᵂᴬˢ ˢᴼ ᴴᴬᴾᴾᵞ. ᶜᴼᴹᴹᴱᴺᵀ ᴵᶠ ᵞᴼᵁ ᴴᴬᴰ ᵂᴬᵀᶜᴴᴱᴰ ᴼᴿ ᴷᴺᴱᵂ ᴬᴮᴼᵁᵀ ᵀᴴᴵˢ ᴹᴼᵛᴵᴱ, ᵂᴱ ᶜᴬᴺ ᶜᴴᴬᵀ ᴬᴮᴼᵁᵀ ᴵᵀ ᴴᴱᴿᴱ, ᴵ ᵂᴼᴺ'ᵀ ᴹᴵᴺᴰ ˣᴰ.

ᴴᴼᴾᴱ ᵞᴼᵁ'ᵛᴱ ᴱᴺᴶᴼᵞᴱᴰ, ˢᵀᴬᵞ ᵀᵁᴺᴱ ᶠᴼᴿ ᵀᴴᴱ ᴺᴱˣᵀ ᵁᴾᴰᴬᵀᴱ. ᴸᴼᵛᴱ ᵞᴼᵁ ᴬᴸᴸ 💕💕