Chapter 31
ϕVeraϕ
How embarrassing. My dad never even recognized Zak as a ghost at first! Who does that? Zak doesn’t even look solid! While I paced my room, wallowing in my mortification, Zak announced he was coming in and did. “I am so sorry.” I apologized.
“It wasn’t that bad, it could have been worse.” He said.
“Worse?! He didn’t even see you were a ghost, just that you were a male and near me!” I sighed. Zak blinked and I smiled a little, starting to laugh.
“Yeah, that was kinda funny.” Zak laughed with me.
“Wow, between you and Dad, I’m invincible.” I said. As long as Zak was around, he would launch an invisible attack on anything that he thought was disrespectful or dangerous to me and Dad was just so intimidating and could deal out some serious damage to anything that would be a threat. I had bases covered physically and spiritually oddly enough.
“Well you have two men who want to protect you.” Zak said. I was surprised to hear him say that. I don’t know why, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting him to say. I must have looked at him oddly because he continued. “I’m serious, you’re his daughter and you’re my best friend.” He said.
“Do you believe in fate?” I asked him. A bit out of the blue, but it had been on my mind for some time.
“Yes.” He answered.
“I can’t help but feel like, I came here for a reason. And that I met you, and that I keep thinking that...” I trailed off before I said too much.
“Thinking what?” Zak asked.
“T-That, well, there’s more in store for us.” I said vaguely.
~*~
I had been at school for a week already. Zak came with me some days, but stayed home sometimes too. Today I was on my own. I had avoided Addy, but couldn’t avoid her sneers and joking jabs that spread like wildfire around the classes. I tried not to pay much mind. Many were nice to me, although people were still wary of the new girl who lived in the dead end house, which had multiple meanings of course. People seemed to know the houses haunted reputation, but not much was said about Zak. It was just that it was haunted by a kid. I did spot a section of the trophy case dedicated to Zak, and some of the jocks seemed to use his array of awards to push themselves in an attempt to overtake the case for themselves. It made me sick that Zak didn’t get the reputation and memory that he rightfully deserved in this place. No one knew him. I sighed and headed toward gym class. It wasn’t that bad, but I had it with Addy. It was the one time I couldn’t stay totally clear of her, and she made it known. But when I went into the locker room, my heart stopped. Girls were changing into swim suits.
“Vera, do you not have one yet? Here, don’t worry, it’s new.” The teacher handed me a one piece just like what everyone else had.
“S-Swimming?” I asked. She nodded.
“Yes.” She said and then went back to her office. “Girls! Meet me there alright?” She yelled. I very quickly changed and raced to the swimming pool, making sure I was the first one there. I was so nervous. It was too embarrassing to protest in front of everyone, so I hoped to get to her before everyone else got there end explain my phobia and that I had never learned to swim. I hoped she would understand and excuse me from it. I would even write a paper, anything but this.
“Well well well, look who it is ladies.” I turned my head quickly to see Addy and her two right hand girls.
“Leave me alone.” I said.
“Not friendly at all, maybe this bitch needs a bath.” She smirked.
“Shut up and stay away from me.” I said louder.
“No one talks to me like that and gets away with it.” She nodded to the goons by her side. “I think she’s due for an early dunk.” The girls rushed me and picked me up by my arms and legs. Despite my kicks and yells they swung and tossed me into the deep end. I heard gurgled laughter and the door slammed. Time seemed to slow down and I barely got up to the surface and took a deep breath before I sank again. I thrashed and panicked, and tried to do what I saw in movies, but I went no where. I felt the air start to escape my lungs and I screamed in my head for Zak.
