The Spirit Who Loved Me: Spirit Whispers Book One (8 page)

Chapter 11

I woke with
a start, my hands fumbling to reach the obnoxious alarm clock. Successful, I sat for a moment enjoying the blissful quiet. My body was tingly and seemed to pulsate with each contraction of my beating heart. And I felt so light, as if I’d shed pounds of weight overnight. The closest thing I could liken this feeling to was happiness. Happy? Me? I wondered why. I usually woke up so grumpy. Then I remembered it was my birthday.

I jumped out of bed and with a spring in my step, took a look around my closet. I didn’t usually give much thought to what I wore, but since it was my special day, I figured I’d dress up a little. I pulled down a pair of jeans from the top of my closet. I held them up to my body, wondering if they’d fit. I wiped away at lines of dusty residue from where the jeans had sat in my closet for months. These came from Tara’s cast offs from last year, and they looked practically new. Fingering through forgotten clothes, I found a lovely teal blue button down shirt. It was sheer, so I picked out a dark sea green camisole to match and laughed. Tammy had gotten these last year for my birthday. Gleefully, I tugged off the tags; I’d never worn these either.

After I dressed, I turned slowly in front of the mirror. I was surprised by my appearance. The teal blue looked great with my rich mahogany brown hair and warm complexion. I wiggled in the skinny jeans. These were going to take some getting used to, and I hoped I’d be able to sit down. Glancing at my feet, I realized I didn’t have any shoes that would match. Maybe, mom would lend me a pair of her work flats?

I rummaged under the sink in my tiny bathroom for the old Tupperware container where I kept the make-up Tammy had so insisted I needed. I lightly applied mascara to my upper and lower lashes. I thought it looked pretty good, so I added some kohl black liner to the upper corners of my eye lids before realizing next time, I should put it on before the mascara. Puckering up my lips, I added a pop of bubble gum pink colored lip gloss. Playing around with my hair, I decided it looked best with my hair pulled up from my face but long in the back. I dug out a few bobby pins with one hand and struggled to get them in place. When I was finished, I tried to look at myself like someone else would. I almost didn’t look like me. I had always felt so plain with my brown hair and eyes, but now I actually looked somewhat pretty by society’s standards. Maybe, I was just in a really good mood.

In my room, I grabbed my backpack, laden down with my school books and the cell phone I had splurged on when I’d gotten my first allowance. It was just a prepaid kind since I wasn’t old enough to sign-up for a contract on my own, but the phone could still send texts and take pictures. On my way into the living room, I opened up a text from Tammy, Happy b-day, Girl! C-ya soon!
J

“Good morning, Mom!”

She looked up from her task of removing cheddar baked biscuits from her cookie sheet, her spatula falling from her hand and clattering to the floor. Her eyes took me in, mild surprise showing on her face. “Wow, Krystal, you sure look nice today.” She met me as I walked in the kitchen and gave me a great big hug. “Happy birthday. How does it feel to be seventeen?”

“Great.” I kissed her cheek. “Can I borrow your black flats? I don’t have shoes to match. Oh, and I can I use your hairspray too?”

She gave me a strange look, and then a huge smile lit up her face.

“What?”

“I’ve been waiting for you to outgrow your tom boy stage.” Before, I could say another word, she disappeared down the hallway to her room to get the shoes and hairspray for me. No way, would I attempt to go back there with Bobby sleeping. I grabbed a couple paper towels, placing several of the cheddar biscuits inside.

“Thanks, Mom.” I slid my feet into her shoes. They were a tiny bit big, but were doable. Placing my food on the table, I took a few steps back and bathed myself in Aqua net hairspray. “Okay, I’m outta here,” I hugged my mom bye. “Thanks for the biscuits.” For every year in my memory, Mom would get up early on my birthday to make my favorite breakfast.

“Be careful driving today. Make sure you leave plenty of room between you and other drivers.” She beamed a big smile at me, so happy to see me all dolled up, I guess.

“I will Mom,” I called over my shoulder, closing the trailer door behind me.

I walked over to Granny’s old Buick, now parked in my driveway. I had talked my mom into letting me drive the old beast as my birthday gift. I had been able to pay for the whole year of car insurance with my first allowance payment even. Course, it hadn’t cost a whole lot seeing the car was going on twenty years old, but it still ran real good. I sat in the front seat taking it all in. I was so happy, I felt like I could fly. Turning the radio dial, music clicked to life, and I cranked it up. Some Jason Aldeen tune. I saw my mom peeking out the curtains in the living room, and I waved to her as I started down the long driveway.

It was warm for October so I cracked my window, enjoying the fresh air, singing to the radio at the top of my lungs in between bites of hot biscuit. I thought about my crazy dreams from the night before. They had seemed so real; even now thinking back on them, I could remember them in great detail. Granny had looked so good too, and that brought me great happiness. Deep down I hoped my dream had been real somehow, and I had gotten a sneak peek of Heaven. I shrugged to shake off my own silliness. I wondered about the young man who called himself Abel. I must have seen him somewhere before in passing, but for the life of me, just couldn’t figure out where. After about five minutes, I gave up as I pulled into Malcom’s driveway. I gave the horn a light honk, which was still so crazy loud I resisted the urge to sink down in the seat and hide, and Malcom was on his way out the front door.

“Happy birthday, Kris!” He put his stuff in the backseat and got settled in. I passed him a paper towel laden with the rest of the cheddar biscuits.

“God Bless your momma,” he groaned in appreciation. “She can sure make a good biscuit.”

I laughed and changed the radio station looking for music Malcom would appreciate, stopping when Adele’s rich voice, singing “I’ll Be Waiting For You,” filled the car. Malcom and I sang along. He danced in his seat, and I tapped my hands to the beat on the steering wheel. We would see Tammy at school. After regaining her driving privileges earlier in the week, she was riding in her own car.

When the song was over, Malcom turned the radio dial down. “Girl, you look slamming today. What’s the special occasion?”

“Um, my birthday?”

“That’s all? Girl, you’ve never dressed up a day before in your life when your momma didn’t make you.” He made exaggerated motions of checking me out. “Much less, when have you ever worn skinny jeans?” I stole a spilt second glance down at the dark denim while he went on. “And Oh. My. God. Krystal Abigail Haggart, are you wearing make-up?”

“Guess, I just felt like it, Malcom. ‘Sides, I’m not really all that dressed up,” I shrugged. His eyes were filled with mischief. “Uh, huh,” He snickered. He reached over and spun the volume dial, and the radio blared back to life.

After arriving at school, I had to endure a few thumbs pointed in my direction as we pulled into the parking lot, all accompanied by comments about my clunker which I caught ‘cause my window was down. All of ‘em shut up when I stood up from the car though, flipping my finger nonchalantly in a way that I’m sure the devil himself woulda been proud of, Malcom laughing his ass off all the while.

I smirked at Malcom. “It’s not like you haven’t ever seen me flip the bird before.”

“Not that Kris. You don’t understand,” He continued to laugh. “You shocked them straight on their asses.” I wrinkled my forehead as Malcom continued, “Never mind, you’ll figure it out. So, I’ll c-ya.”

“Yep,” I called as we parted ways. I decided to try and find Tammy for a few minutes before the day began so we could walk to class together.

“Good morning, Tammy!” I called out to my friend as she leaned in her locker.

“Hey, Kris. Happy Birthday!”

With a slight turn she glanced at me, her books sliding out of her hands and onto the floor, landing with a loud plop. I started feeling uncomfortable when she just stood there staring at me several seconds like I was some alien creature. I leaned down piling her books and papers in my arms, anything to get away from that look.

“Here ya go,” I said handing them to her.

“Um, thanks.”

“Did I mess up the make-up or something?”

“Oh, gosh, no. Krystal, it’s just. Well, you look great.” She continued to scrutinize me. “It’s about damn time you wore that shirt.”

“Yeah, only took me a year.”

She turned back to her locker, grabbing a few more items and her water bottle before closing it. We started to walk together down the hallway.

“So, who’s the guy?”

“What?” I asked surprised.

“Let’s see. You fixed your hair. You’re wearing make-up. Nice job on the eyes, by the way. You’re wearing something other than an oversized tee shirt for a change. You even have skinny ass jeans on, for Lord’s sake.” She nodded knowingly at me. “And you’re smiling, and actually look happy to be here. When has that ever happened? Definitely a boy involved.” She feigned a big sigh, placing the back of her hand on her head. “And do I have to tell you how hurt I am?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Can’t a girl just want to look nice for her birthday?”

“Oh, please. I’m not buying it.” She looked over her shoulder and leaned close to my ear. “You should dress up more often. All, and I mean all, of the guys are staring at you when we walk by. Even the seniors,” she whispered and let out small squeal.

Curious, I stole a quick look back over my shoulder, my eyes meeting those of Jason “Jett” Harper, the sports star of our little country high school. I sighed, and Tammy tugged on my arm to keep up with her.

“Come on, you. Tara’d kill your ass if you got as close as two steps to him.” She let out a louder squeal, “But God, he is soooooo hot!”

“Ain’t that the truth?” I glanced back again and sure enough, Tara was glaring back at me. “Dang, didn’t take her long,” I added.

“So, anyhow, I was thinking…”

“Oh, no, it’s dangerous when you think,” I laughed and quickly ducked as Tammy swatted at me.

She huffed. “As I was saying before I got so rudely interrupted, why don’t you sleep over tonight? It would be fun, and we can get off to an earlier start tomorrow. My mom already said she was cool with you coming over.”

“Hmmm, let me think…” There wasn’t a good reason for me not to go, especially since I hadn’t experienced any more nightmares lately. “Yeah, I guess. I’m betting my mom’s already gotta cake and all though. I’ll have to be there for that. You feel like coming for dinner? Probably be easier to talk Mom into letting me go,” I added. I knew Tammy didn’t care too much for being around Bobby, but if she wanted me over, she’d have to just deal.

“I reckon that’ll work. You can pack too, and we’ll just take my car back to my place.”

“Malcom’s still coming tomorrow too, right?”

“Oh, yeah. Wish he could come tonight, but I don’t think my dad would okay that.”

“Probably not,” I said as we paused in front of my homeroom.

“Later,” I called out after her from the doorway of the class. When I turned round, everyone was staring at me, their eyes large and round.

“WTF,” I muttered under my breath, taking the first empty seat possible. I opened up my worn out copy of Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter, required reading for my English class. I figured it was better to find out what old Hester was up to rather than staring at them all staring at me. The letters upon the pages blurred as I tried to concentrate on them, and though hard as I tried, nothing was sinking in.

“Earth to Kris,”
Tammy waved her hand in front of my face. Mesmerized, I’d been staring outside at an ancient maple as it was being tossed around in a thunder storm doubling as the welcoming committee for a cold front coming our way. I felt bad for the old tree as its foliage was ripped from its branches, scarlet leaves littering the ground like open wounds upon the Earth.

“Is something the matter?”

My trance broken, I turned to Tammy and hopped up on the window sill to sit. Since it was stormy out we were hanging out in the Commons instead of our usual haunt outside.

“Just watching the storm is all.”

“Alrighty, well,” From behind her back, she presented a half dozen cupcakes from Food Lion and began to sing Happy Birthday with Malcom chiming in. I pretended to be embarrassed and hid my face in the crook of my arm for most of the song.

“Geez, thanks.” I hugged her and Malcom when they were done singing. Tammy had taken a few scratchy brown paper towels from one of the bathrooms for us to eat on. We peeked around to be sure that none of the staff were watching us since we weren’t really supposed to have food or drinks in the Commons area. I took a big bite of my vanilla cupcake, the butter cream icing melting on my tongue. “Oh, this is so good,” I moaned.

“So,” Malcom began. “How many phone numbers have you gotten today?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Um,” I fiddled with the edges of my towel, staring at it with sudden interest. Tammy and Malcom started laughing.

“This must be good,” he said before taking a sip from his water bottle.

“Well, tell us!”

“Just one.”

“Whooooo?”

“Timothy Brown. I threw it away, though.”

Malcom started to choke on his water before spewing it out of his mouth like a cloud of rain.

“Yuck, Malcom!” I backed up into the window much as I could, but there was no escaping it. I looked down at my teal shirt now covered in droplets of water from my friend’s mouth. Double yuck. I hopped down from the window and half ran to the bathroom. Grabbing a handful of the brown towels out of the dispenser, I began dabbing hopelessly at my top. It was either laugh or cry, so I started laughing. What else was I going to do?

I looked at myself in the tiny excuse of a mirror. I still couldn’t believe the change in how I looked. I realized it wasn’t really the make-up or the clothes, not the combination of them both either, not that I’d even taken a moment this morning to do something to my hair. I actually looked welcoming, my eyes were lit up, and my face was warm. Even though I was a bit grossed out by having Malcom’s spittle on me, I wasn’t pissed off or angry. I was still happy. I could see it. Everyone else could too, I guess. I could remember this one inspirational poster in my English teacher’s class room during sophomore year, said something akin to the importance of one’s attitude. I’d never quite gotten it before, but now? Light bulb.

I heard the creak of the bathroom door being opened, and looked over to see Missy Anne Stewart walking through the door. She hung out with Tara’s click and was on the cheerleading squad. I smiled at her, such was my good mood, but she just ignored me. Typical. I heard the stall door slamming shut behind me, so I glanced back.

Something was strange or off, and it felt like it was radiating from Missy, a heaviness, a darkness, I didn’t understand and was at loss to explain. My brow furrowed as a sharp pain started in my forehead. I leaned over the white basin as waves of resulting nausea rolled over me. Little whispers were breathed into my ears, so many voices, but I couldn’t quite capture the exact words. My hands trembled. A black book filled my vision, seeming to float in midair. I shook my head and blinked, trying to clear my eyes. In the background, I heard a flushing toilet as Missy finished her business. I blinked my eyes. Everywhere I turned my gaze, I could still see the translucent black book. I closed my eyes, and I could still see the book, but now it was surrounded by a something that looked like white, silvery static from a T.V. The whispers in my ears grew more frantic. The shaking worsened, and I felt my legs begin to give way. I dug my fingers into the sides of the icy cold sink for all they were worth in order to remain on my feet. Fear, wrapped its ugly claws around my heart and seemed to squeeze.

The sounds of water running as Missy washed her hands warred with the whispers and then with sounds of crunching paper towels as she dried them. “Freak,” she hissed at me. The creaking of the door letting me know of her exit.

You need to slow down. Breathe, Krystal. Easy now.

I looked upward, relieved when I couldn’t see the forsaken book anymore. The voice was from my dream. I knew I should be literally freaking, but his voice, Abel’s voice, calmed me.

Tammy’s on her way into the bathroom, she’ll be here in a second to help you. Slow deep breaths. Right now, you are working at a high vibrational level. You need to ground yourself. Have something to eat and drink, even if you do not feel like it. You’ll feel back to normal momentarily. You did well, my friend.

“Abel,” I breathed his name. Somehow, I could see a mental image of his face as it broke out in a wide smile, yet I also knew he wasn’t really there. Physically anyway. Just then Tammy barreled through the door.

“What’s taking you…?” She hurried over to me. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

I wasn’t sure what to say, but I was pretty sure the truth wasn’t the way to go, least not yet. “I d..d..don’t kn..know,” I stammered. “I had a bad headache come on all of a sudden.” I lifted one hand, and it was shaking like a leaf on a tree, literally. “And I feel really weak.”

“Let me help you,” Tammy reached around my shoulders to help me walk. “Sounds like you’re getting a migraine. My mom gets them sometimes too. She loses her strength and can barely do anything sometimes.”

She led me back out to the Commons. Malcom hustled over when he saw Tammy was helping me walk.

“Girl, what happened?”

“Headache,” I mumbled. You don’t want to know what really happened, Malcom, I added in my brain. All together, we progressed slowly to our spot in front of the big windows.

“How much time do we have left?”

“Only a few minutes before the bell,” answered Malcom.

“Any cupcakes left? I think I need to eat something.”

Tammy pulled the package of cupcakes from a plastic grocery bag. Two left. “You should probably take something for your headache too,” she added. “Do you have anything with you?”

I shook my head no.

“I have some Advil in my purse if you want some.”

“Okay. That would be great.” Tammy handed me two brown capsules and my water bottle, and I popped the medicine in my mouth, chasing it down with H2O.

“Do you think you should go home?” asked Malcom.

“I’ll be alright. Just need a few minutes.” I took a couple bites of the cupcake, which after events didn’t taste quite as good as before, but I forced it down anyway and hoped it would be enough. The bell rang, and I made myself stand. At least I was steady on my feet now and had stopped with the shakes.

“Gonna make it?” Malcom asked.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”

We quickly gathered up our backpacks. I already had my supplies for my last class of the day, Honors English III. Without even asking, my friends walked me to my class. I could tell they were both a little worried, and truth be told, I was too.

I waved them off when I was settled in my desk. The old me would have been super annoyed at them for waiting outside the door like that checking on me, but today, well, today I was grateful.

I stiffened when I felt something warm squeezing my shoulder. I peeked over, and just like I thought, saw nothing there. I was left with an
“Atta girl”
only I could hear. Abel.