Page 3 of The Ghost of You

As I walk through the class adjusting body positions to ensure everyone gets the deepest stretch, I can’t stop yawning. Ever since I picked up a job at one of the college bars, my body has not been able to handle these early morning classes.

Another yawn escapes me just as Seraphina walks in. Her long, lean frame is perfection as she strolls into the studio in tie-dyed leggings and a hot pink crop top, her gorgeous, sun-kissed blond hair up in a topknot, and a large bag slung over her shoulder. She gives me a dirty look as I yawn again before she walks into the office.

I finish up the class and let everyone know they did a great job before heading into the office.

“You know, if you yawn throughout the class, the students will feel your energy. Maybe you should meditate beforehand to encourage your mind to free itself of your tired thoughts.”

I roll my eyes at her. “Or maybe we should get an espresso machine so I can actually wake up for these morning classes when I work until two in the morning the night before.”

Seraphina looks at me over her laptop. “I wondered how long it would take you before you asked me again.”

I slump into the chair by the desk and let out a long breath. “Or I don’t teach the morning session.”

“Or you could open that bag over there,” she says to me with a smile.

I look over to the giant bag she had slung on her shoulder this morning and perk up when I see the corner label sticking out. “You bought me an espresso machine!”

She laughs. “It’s not just for you. Sophia gets to use it too.”

I squeal as I wrap my arms around her neck from behind. “Have I ever told you that you are the best boss ever!”

She pulls my arms off her. “Not nearly enough.”

I grab the box off the floor and hug it to my chest. “Best day of my life.”

“I’m sure it is,” Seraphina says smugly. “But you need to put it together because you know I haven’t had coffee since college.”

I set the box on the counter and open it with a pair of scissors. “And I don’t know what is wrong with you. You’re missing out on the nectar of the gods every morning.”

“Doubtful. I much prefer my morning meditation and yoga session to wake me up.”

I turn toward her and lean against the counter. “You know since you start every day with yoga, you could just do the morning class.”

“Nice try, Anna. But I teach the six a.m. class Monday through Friday, I like not coming in until nine on Saturdays.”

I huff and go back to setting up the espresso machine.

“Are you working at the Beer Garden again tonight?” Seraphina asks.

“Yeah. The money is just too good.” It sucks losing my Friday and Saturday night to work, but I can easily make three to four hundred dollars in tips a night at the Beer Garden.

“Are we ever going to go out again? I need a night on the town.”

Despite Seraphina’s hippie persona, she is a party animal. She loves to go out drinking and socializing. I know she hates that we never get to do it anymore because I work too much.

“I can always ask for a night off, you know. Maybe in November, after Halloween.”

“Or you could quit your other job. Do you even make any money there?”

She’s talking about my job at the bar and grill. I relied on that income before I got the job at the Beer Garden, but now I don’t really need it. I usually make less than a hundred bucks a night. “I make enough to keep it. And it’s only a few nights a week.”

“Or it’s because you like looking at all those hot cops all night,” she mumbles.

“You’re delusional. Most of those cops are not hot.”

She smirks at me. “Most of them? That means there are a few that are. Like your neighbor? Mmm. That is one cop that I would have no problem letting handcuff me.”

“You’re not his type.”

---