The dark-haired girl shook her head. No. I thought I saw something, thats all. She shook her head, and her normally cheerful expression returned.
In the next room the music for Thriller began to play. I pulled Noah out into the small group dancing in the middle of the living room, leaving Lark behind. She could be as upset as she wanted. I was going to have fun, and if my sister didnt like it she could...well, she could just not like it all she wanted.
I spotted Kevin talking to Ben and Gage. Was it wrong of me to wish he could see me with Noah? I wanted him to know I wasnt crying over him. That I didnt miss him, because I didnt.
This music is strange, Noah remarked. He gestured to the small group around us. Is this what qualifies as dancing these days?
I laughed. He looked horrified. Just move to the music, I instructed, raising my arms over my head and moving the rest of me to the beat. Do what feels right.
He was awkward, and a little stiff, but the best part of being a ghost meant that very few people could see you make a fool of yourself.
But this was Halloween week, and Id forgotten what that meant. I bumped into a girland felt it. She didnt go through me. And when she turned around, she looked surprised not to see someone there. I moved away. Maybe dancing wasnt such a good idea after all.
Im sorry about my sister, I said to Noah as we drifted away from the dancing.
He shrugged. Shes very protective of you. I cannot fault her for that.
I rolled my eyes. I dont need protection. Im supposed to be the scary one.
Scary? He frowned. Is that what she thinks of you? The look he shot my sister was one of indignation. Thankfully, Lark was paying attention to something Ben was saying and not my date.
My date. I never thought Id call someone my date. Never thought Id ever meet a boy who was a ghost like me.
No, I said, putting my hand on his arm. Lark doesnt think Im scary at all. That was a lie. There were times when I knew my sister found me terrifying, but she loved me anyway. I never understood why I was so frightening until I saw Lark in my world. Sometimes people didnt have to be hideous or monstrous to be frightening. In fact, simply looking not right could be disturbing enough.
Noah relaxed. Good. He turned to me with a soft smile. I cannot imagine anyone thinking you anything but perfect.
Oh. That was the only word I could remember at that moment. He was so handsome, and so tall, and so saying everything I wanted to hear. Lark would tell me he was too good to be true. That I shouldnt trust him.
Sometimes, my sister didnt know what she was talking about.
Are you having fun? Noah asked. Do you want to stay? Or can I steal you away?
I glanced around the room. I was having funsort of. As much fun as a dead girl could have in a room full of people who couldnt see her. But then my gaze fell on Kevin.
He was staring straight at me. Or rather, he was staring at Noah. With the veil between worlds thinning, his abilities as a medium were magnified. My wish that he could see me there with another boy had just come true.
He looked like someone had punched him in the throat. I had hoped for regret, not pain. The satisfaction I had thought Id feel wilted under an emotion I couldnt quite identify.
I turned away, facing Noah, who thankfully hadnt realized we had an audience. It wasnt too difficult to smile at him. Lets go, I said. This isnt as fun as I thought it would be.
Noah took my hand, and then we were gone, back to the grounds of Haven Crest where we talked and danced to our own music for hours. And I concentrated all of my attention on the boy I could have, rather than the one who could never be mine.
LARK
Wren had taken off with Casper the Friendly Douche a few hours earlier, and I hadnt seen her since. It wasnt like her to just disappear on me, which meant she was all twitterpated over Mr. Darcy. Noah. Whatever.
I was not jealous. I was, however, worried. What if this guy was a jerk? Wren didnt know anything about relationships outside of TV and movies, and Noah had spent at least part of his existence among the living. Any guy that polished and pretty had to be a player as far as I was concerned.
I really wanted to be wrong, but something about him bothered me.
I was notrepeatnot jealous.
A few of us stuck around after the party to help clean up. It wasnt a terribly late night. Mace and Ben volunteered to drive those whod had too much Halloween spirits home.
Carrying a recyclable bag full of soda cans, I walked into the kitchen. Sarah and Kevin stood in front of the sink. He leaned back, slightly, as though trying to put as much distance between them as he could when she had him practically pinned between herself and the counter.
Hes my friend, Kevin said, his voice low, his hands gripping the edge of the sink behind him.
What am I? Sarah demanded.
Okay, I didnt have to be a genius to figure out what was going on. The friends girlfriend? I volunteered. Was this any of my business? Nope. But Mace had saved my life, and had become a good friend. I felt strangely protective of him, and in the hierarchy of friends, both Kevin and Sarah were near the bottom of my list.
Sarah jumped back, putting several feet of distance between them. She looked pissed. Kevin looked guiltyand maybe a little relieved? Sarah must have seen that relief as well, because she made a noise of disgust and pivoted dramatically on her heel. She shot me a glare as she stomped past me and out of the kitchen. I raised a brow and said nothing.
I took the bag of cans over to the blue bin and set it inside before turning to look at Kevin. He was flushed. Thanks.
I tilted my head. For what? Keeping you from becoming even more of a jerk?
He laughed. I hadnt expected that. He laughed so hard, his eyes watered. Or maybe those were tears. I couldnt tell. He was a hot mess.
Yeah, he said with a nod as he wiped at his eyes. For that.
I never understood what Wren saw in him, but at that moment I felt bad for the guy. He looked really effed up.
Do you really like her? I asked, moving closer to him.
Kevin shrugged. Not enough to lose Mace over her. Hes been my best friend since elementary school. He swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. Did Wren tell you about us?
Both my brows shot up. Wren knows?
Shit. He closed his eyes and shook his head. She didnt tell you that she saw us kissing?
Uh, no. Otherwise I would have taken you aside and kicked your ass long before this. Wren was keeping all kinds of secrets, it seemed. Didnt she trust me? Or did she just not want to hear what I might say? If shed told me about Kevin and Sarah I would have shot my mouth off, and I would be the first to admit just how much of a bitch I could be.
Or worse, my sister had felt too awful to even talk about itwhich really made me want to take a swing at him. No wonder shed grabbed onto Mr. Darcy.
Folding his arms over his chest, Kevin looked me in the eye. I didnt mean for it to happen. I just wanted to connect with someone. He laughed again. God, I sound so pathetic, dont I?
I frowned. No, not really. And then, as the thought occurred to me, You love my sister, dont you?
A look of horror washed over his face. Is she still here? He even glanced over his shoulder as though he expected to find her standing there.
No, shes gone.
His shoulders slumped. Good. Stupid, right? Not like we can ever be together.
I shrugged. Not until youre dead.
This time when he laughed, it seemed more out of a sense of amusement. Something to look forward to.
I smiled. Sure.
Kevins brows drew together. Who was that guy she had with her? Do you know him?
You saw him? It had taken Kevin a long time to be able to see Wren, and even then it had taken a lot of focus for both of them. It made sense, I guess, that with Halloweens approach his abilities would sharpen.
Yeah. He looked familiar. Who is he?
Noah, I replied. Thats all I know. I called him Mr. Darcy.
He grinned. You would. His clothes were more Victorian, though.
Youre splitting hairs, Sixth Sense. He hated when I called him that. And when had he become a historical fashion expert? If you dont want to discuss your feelings for Wren with me, thats cool.
Its not that I dont want to, I dont see the point. Youve figured me out, and talking about it just hurts. She hasnt told you about this new guy?
No. I just met him tonight. I dont think shes known him long. Shes just thrilled to find a cute dead guy, I think.
I know him from somewhere, though. His frown deepened. You think hes cute?
Somehow, I managed not to laugh. I smiled, though. I think she does, though my sister seems to have a thing for dark hair and blue eyes. I didnt mention that I actually thought Noah and Kevin looked a bit alike, because pining over a dead girl was no way to spend your life.
Kevin nodded. Yeah. Anyway, thanks.
If you remember where you know Noah from, let me know, okay? Wren hasnt been exactly chatty about him.
Sure.
Hey I felt the sudden need to change the subject you want some help taking this garbage out? I knew from previous visits to the house that his parents put the recyclables and garbage in bins in a little shed out back to wait for pickup.
Yeah, thanks.
We each had two bags as we walked outside. Everything at the party had been disposable to cut down on dishes to washand to narrow the margin on dishes that idiots could break.
It was dark out and chilly. It had been a warm fall, but October nights in Connecticut were going to be cold, no matter how warm the day had been. I had my arms wrapped around myself as we hurried back to the house.
There was a guy standing right in front of the door, blocking our path. It took me a moment to realize he was a ghostthey looked as solid as real people to me for the most part, but there was a weird feel to them that I couldnt quite explain.
This guy had been in his late twenties when he died. He had long shaggy hair and was wearing bell-bottoms. I was going to guess he died in the 70s, and from the smell of patchouli, sweat and vomit that seemed to cling to him, I figured it had been an overdose that did him in. Although, he looked pretty clear-headed now. And angry. And all of that anger was staring at Kevin.
Hey, Woodstock. Whats up? I chirped, trying to draw his attention.
His dead gaze flickered to me and then dismissed me, as though I were nothing more threatening than a mote of dust.
Kevin McCrae? he asked.
Kevin was still, tense, but his expression was blank. Yes. Who are you?
Woodstock grinned, revealing teeth that had seen better days. Death, he replied.
And then he lunged.
WREN
Who was that boy?
I glanced up at Noah. We were back at his building at Haven Crest, dancing to the music that lingered from many, many years earlier. Spectral energy was like thatit hung around long after it was created, waiting to be discovered. It was like tuning a radio station to the right frequency.
What boy? There had been so many at the party.
The one in the strange green long johns. I swore he looked right at me.
Oh. Him. That was Kevin. Hes a medium.
Ah. That explains it. This time of year must be difficult for his kind. What is this Kevins last name?
I didnt want to tell him. I dont know why, but talking about Kevin with him felt wrong. McCrae.
Irish.
American. Kevins family had come over from Ireland so long ago it hardly mattered anymore.
Noah gave me a little smile. Still Irish, dear girl.
I arched a brow. Dear girl? Are you still English?
Of course, he replied. A mans country is all he has. Its what defines him as a man.
I thought it was character that defined a man.
He laughed. Cheeky girl. You have me there. He glanced over my shoulder at something I couldnt see, his gaze narrowing. He nodded once. When I was able to glance in that direction, there was nothing there.
Beg your pardon, Noah said. I was just shooing away another resident who thought they might join us.
I smiled. I liked that he wanted me all to himself. Im sorry that the party wasnt more fun for you.
He whirled me around. I dont understand most modern social behaviors, but it was pleasurable to me to simply spend the evening in your presence.
I could listen to you talk all night, I told him with a sigh. Hurray for English boys.
Hurrah for the Melinoe.
Whats that?
He smiled, and tucked my hair behind my ear. Just an old Greek term for beautiful girls. For you.
I couldnt hide how that made me feel, so I glanced away. I didnt know much about boys and dating, and flirting. I couldnt even tell if he was being sincere.
I wanted him to be sincere.
The tall grandfather clock against the far wall chimed the hour. It was midnight. I felt a frisson of energy race up my legs to swirl in my stomach. In my arms, Noah seemed to glow a little brighter.
Did you feel that? he asked. One day closer to All Hallows Eve.
Ive never felt a jolt like that before. My fingers tingled.
Noah grinned. Its because youre here. You dont spend much time with the dead, do you?
I shook my head. Not really, no. And if I do, its in the Shadow Lands.
His handsome face darkened. That place. They expect us to skulk about there, while weve as much right to this world as the living. Did we ask to perish before our time? To be made monsters in our own home? How is it we haunt a place while the living reside there? Or worse, cast it aside like trash to wither and decay?
He was so angry. Im sorry. I didnt mean to upset you.
Suddenly, the tension drained from his face, and the Noah Id come to know was there again. Forgive me. Sometimes I give into the unjustness of my plight rather than appreciate what I have. He smiled flirtatiously. Such as the company of a beautiful young lady.
I preened under the compliment, lowering my eyes to hide the joy his words inspired. Only Kevin had ever called me beautiful before.
Lets go for a walk, Noah suggested. I want you to see how the grounds once looked.