Chapter 33
ϕVeraϕ
I waited for Dad to finish talking with the nurse, then I quietly followed him out to the car. It wasn’t going to be a long drive at all, but still, embarrassing and bad enough. “Are you alright?” Dad finally spoke.
“Yes.” I answered.
“Why didn’t you tell me that you had to take swimming, I could have written you a note…”
“Because I have got to take care of myself and do what I have to do. When you’re not home and Mom is working her ass off I can’t afford to complain or weasel my way out of things that aren’t important. Besides, I would have been fine if it hadn’t been for the fact I was pushed in.” I finished and then semi regretted the part about him and mom. But it was true.
“I understand sweetie. Just know your mother and I put you above everything. I’m sorry it’s been a hard move.” He said.
“It’s not your fault dad. It’s just life.” I held back tears and held my composure as we got into the driveway. Mom was still at work, but Dad had called her letting her know I was alright and back home. I immediately went up to my room and laid down with my back to the door. Right on cue, I heard Zak.
“I didn’t hurt you did I?” He asked.
“No, you didn’t. I’m just really shook up is all.” I said quietly.
“I’m really glad you’re alright.” He said. I flipped back around and wiped my face dry.
“Thank you. How did you know?” I asked him.
“I don’t really know, I just had a really bad feeling. So I came to school and realized it was swim day. And then I found you.” He answered.
“How did it feel?” I continued.
“It was, strange. I haven’t felt anything in such a long time. But that wasn’t what I was focused on.” He said. I felt myself blush, mostly out of embarrassment.
“I’m really sorry you had to do that.” I apologized. He shook his head and floated gracefully over to me.
“You don’t have to be sorry. I didn’t, and don’t, want you to die.” He said simply. I smiled.
“Ok, for now, I’ll relax. You should too, I’m sure that zapped all of your energy.” I reached over and grabbed my tv remote and flipped it on. Zak sat down at the foot of my bed and I curled my feet up so they weren't touching him. Ironically. Danny Phantom was on. I chuckled.
“I used to love this show so much.” I said. Zak looked very intrigued. “There’s a marathon on too, I think you would like it.” And he was already engrossed. I couldn’t help but smile widely. He deserved this break, and actually, I think I did too.
~*~
Over the next few days, things had started to get a bit better. Addy got suspended for what she did, considering it was practically attempted murder. I had come back from school on a Friday, and was pretty happy that the weekend had come. I dropped my bag near my bed and something caught my eye. “He’s a phantom…” Zak slid out of the wall to my right and then quickly disappeared back into the wall. I smirked, since I knew what was coming. “He’s a phantom…” I turned and saw a flash of him through the opposite wall. “Danny Phantom…Danny Phantom…” He slowly drifted by in front of me, upside down and halfway sticking out of the ceiling. I burst out laughing and he flipped around and grinned.
“That sure was legit.” I said.
“I’m really glad you introduced me to it, even though you fell asleep halfway through the mega marathon.” He pouted. I stuck my tongue out at him and he retaliated by sticking his hand on the back of my neck.
“Damn it Zak stoooop!” I scrunched up like a turtle and he just laughed. As much of a pain as he could be, these were the moments I lived for when I was in school. We just seem to continue to grow closer and closer. I wondered if Mom and Dad were getting concerned that I hadn’t made any actual friends at school yet, and that my only friend was a dead guy. It was kind of humorous when I thought about it though.
“You like it and you know it.” He grinned evilly at me.
“Not a much as you apparently. How old are you again? 5?” I smirked back.
“Nope! I’m 8, but I read at a fifth grade level.” He spun around while floating indian style in the air, which only made me laugh.
“Hmm, I would have guessed like 50 since you’re an old man.” I said. Oh God, we were flirting again.
“I look pretty great for my age then.” He flexed playfully.
“Yep, you’re such a manther.” I said. He looked at me confused.
“A what?”
“Manther, you know, like a cougar, but the male version, an old man preying on younger females…”
“O-Oh no no no…” His glasses fogged up and I laughed.
“I think I won that round of bantering. Now to celebrate, why don’t we go for a nice walk in the woods? It’s a beautiful day and I want to take full advantage of it.”
“Ok, that does sound nice.” He said. I slipped on some of my hiking shoes and went downstairs, Zak following behind.
“Dad, I’m going to go for a walk with Zak, we will be back in a little while.” I informed my father.
“Alright, have fun and be careful, Come get me if she gets into trouble Zak.” He said casually.
“Hey!” I exclaimed.
“Sure thing sir.” Zak answered, ignoring my interjection. I shook my head and headed out the back door. The air was fragrant with flowers and the warmth of the sun helped melt away the stress of the week as I hopped over logs and followed the winding deer paths.
“Hey Zak, do you think the cherry blossoms are going to come out soon? I see the buds starting.” I asked.
“They should be blooming at any time now.” He answered.
“I can kinda climb now ya know. So we need to have that tree date under the stars.” I said.
“D-Date?” Zak stammered.
“Yeah, remember when we first met and you said you wanted to show me the night sky when the blossoms were out in full force?” I said.
“Oh, yeah, that. Sure thing, as soon as they decide to pop.” He answered clumsily.
“Oh, hey, look at that. We wandered back here again.” I paused and saw the old tree house come into view. I went closer to it, and almost like a magnet, I started to climb.
“Vera, I’m not sure if that is such a good idea…” Zak said, clearly concerned. Probably because of what happened the last time we were here.
“Don’t worry, I know where to watch my step now.” I smiled down at him. “Come up and join me.” I said. Once I got into the decrepit building I watched Zak slowly float up and he hovered over the entrance.
“Ok, we visited, can we go back?” He asked quickly.
“Why are you so nervous being here, I mean, yeah, it is a little creepy and it gives off some odd vibes, but I don’t think it’s a bad place.” I tried to reason with him.
“I don’t know, it’s been like this ever since I was alive too.” He said.
“Hey, Zak? I’ve sort of been wondering something.” I said slowly. My heart started to beat faster, and I wondered if it was a good idea to talk to him about what has been on my mind lately.
“Yes?” He asked.
“If you were alive, would we be friends? Oh well, I mean, we had this conversation before haven’t we?” I laughed nervously.
“Yes, but yeah, we would be.” He said.
“You know, If I had one wish, it would be just that.” I said, avoiding looking at him.
“…Mine too.” He said quietly.
“Well, us being friends, I mean, if, you know…” I stuttered. Oh no, was I really confessing having feelings for a ghost?! No, this was totally crazy, I was totally crazy. Why had I done this to myself, and to him? This couldn’t be a thing that could actually happen.
“I know, what? I don’t understand what you’re saying. Maybe speak some English, then I could answer you.” He smirked a bit.
“I’m trying to not be an idiot and actually say that s being friends is really awesome, but it just seems to me that…that…um, Zak?” I looked up at him and something really strange caught my eye. I saw a very quick flash of light and then another one came from Zak himself and blinded me for a moment. Then he was gone and I heard a loud thud coming from somewhere below. “Zak?” I questioned, since I couldn’t see him anymore. I crawled over to the ladder. “What’s happening?” I asked loudly, and that’s when my heart stopped when I looked down. It was Zak, but he was laying on his back at the bottom of the ladder, flat on the ground, and solid. I quickly got down the ladder, maybe half way and then lost my footing and fell, landing right beside Zak. I touched his shoulder, and my hand didn’t go through him. He was solid, but so very cold. I put my head on his chest, and heard a very faint and slow heart beat. He was alive. I pulled my phone out with my trembling hands and called dad.
“Hello.” He answered.
“Dad, Zak and I are in the woods and something happened…” I started.
“Something, happened? Where are you, I’ll come get you.” He said seriously. I felt myself panicking. It was hard to breathe, my chest was tight and I was starting to sweat.
“The old tree house! Zak he’s, he’s solid, and I can’t pick him up! Please come right now and get him home!” I grew more and more hysterical with every minute. His lips were blue and his skin was still like ice. “Zak please wake up! No, no please don’t leave me…Zak come on, open your eyes…I didn’t get to tell you, you stupid dumb jerk! I didn’t get to tell you…Please don’t be gone, I need you…” I had his shirt tightly in my grasp, and I clung to it. I couldn’t lose my best friend for good, I just couldn’t.
