Page 35 of Ghost
Mother’s lips thinned, and her eyes darted toward me. She was debating on which issue required her attention more. And even though I was supposed to be thinking of other things, and that it meant she’d lecture me, I felt twelve again. Hopeful she’d choose me.
But I knew she wouldn’t.
Our contact was dropped and she sighed, rubbing her forehead as her shoulders slumped. In that moment, she looked every bit of her forty-two years.
“Okay,” she shot another look toward Anthony, who had stopped laughing at this point. “I’ll speak to you later about this Julian. Go see what’s going on with Finn’sfriend. Anthony, go to the morgue. If we aren’t going out, then we might as well catch up.”
“That’s not fair!” Anthony shot out of his chair, glaring. “I was going to find Finn. It would have been great. It’s been so long since I’ve had the chance to torture him. Besides, it’s Julian’s turn to go to the morgue.”
“Don’t argue. Your brother has somewhere else he needs to be.” Her shoulders squared as she grabbed her tote. “We’ll reschedule to next week. Anthony, you have work, Finn, and school. Julian…” she paused, studying me.
After a brief moment, she only sighed again. “Just don’t do anything stupid.”
Chapter Fourteen
Bianca
Realm
As the doorbell rang through the house, I raced past Miles to open the front door.
As I expected, Julian was there, a deeply concerned expression on his face.
I knew how he felt. I was concerned too. It had been hard to miss the very odd things Miles told Julian over the phone. And none of his statements bode well—for me.
Miles believed something was wrong with me. I had just been thinking that myself. And now here was proof.
I had failed. For the last few days I’d been trying so hard to act normal. But I couldn’t control it. Or perhaps this wasn’t about me at all. Perhaps there was something wrong with Miles, and he had just eaten some bad food.
It was terrible of me to wish, but I hoped the problem was Miles.
After all, he hadn’t acted the same since he ran into the refrigerator. Since ending his call with Julian twenty minutes ago, he hadn’t even said a word to me. Instead, he paced the kitchen and blushed furiously every time our eyes met.
Something was terribly wrong. But Julian would fix it.
Because if Miles wasn’t the problem, then it was me. I had been bad—not taking my medication like Finn told me. But I thought it was okay. However, what if Finn was right? What if there was a reason why I should listen?
I had thought a normal life was finally within my grasp. But what if it was a lie?
The feeling of Julian’s shirt under my fingers barely registered. And when our eyes met, and alarm sank into his expression, my heart sank further. I was so scared that I wasn’t certain where to begin. “Julian, please help. I’m not sure what’s wrong with him—”
Miles was right on my heels. And my statement was interrupted as he grabbed both Julian and I by the arms and jerked us into the house, shutting the door behind us.
Julian, in response, frowned deeply at Miles. Confusion still radiating from him. His expression didn’t change as Miles tugged the two of us into the living room. I followed along silently, my dread was making it too difficult to resist.
All I could do was hold onto the hope I was overreacting.
These were my friends. We determined already that I wasn’t imagining things. They’ve been more helpful than anyone else in my life.
But what if this wasn’t paranormal at all. What if this sickness I had been feeling was something… more mental?
Would they have me sent away? Previously they said they’d stay with me, so I didn’t think so. But at the time they hadn’t been aware of the severity of my condition.
So I followed without complaint as Miles showed me to the couch. Instead of protesting, I sat down obediently. Meanwhile, Julian continued to watch the two of us with raised eyebrows. “Miles, what is—”
“Julian, you sit over there.” Miles pulled Julian’s arm, trying to force him to the seat across from me. Julian appeared to be so lost, and Miles so determined, that I knew whatever Miles had to say was terrible. I could feel the weight rising from my stomach to my chest.
Julian, on the other hand, stopped watching Miles. In fact, his bright, blue eyes were suddenly locked on mine.
