“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 c
reak 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.
Chapter 12
“Hey, Mom! Guess who I invited over for cake?” I asked as she walked through the door after a long day working as a bank teller in Pittsboro. I thumbed in Tammy’s direction. She was leaning up against counter watching me while I worked on the gravy for the country fried steaks we were having for dinner.
“Well, hey there, Tammy. How’s your folks doing?”
“Oh, they’re doing fine. They both stay so busy, especially my dad with work and all.” Tammy’s dad was a Doctor of Oncology at UNC. They had moved out here to the Settler’s Crossroads area when Tammy was little because they had wanted their daughter to grow up in the country.
“Well, it smells wonderful in here, girls. You started dinner?” She peeked over the yellowed counter that separated the living room from the kitchen.
“Oh, yeah, should be ready in 10 minutes.”
Mom spied the cornbread lying out on the counter. It was our Haggart family recipe, not that sweet stuff they try and pass off as real cornbread in those box mixes at the grocery. “Well, I’ll be, Krystal. You’re not supposed to make your own birthday dinner,” She laughed as she lifted the aluminum foil covering the steaks. “Impressive. They look great girls.”
When Bobby got home from his job at the local auto parts, which miraculously, he’d been holding down for two months now, we all sat down to my special birthday dinner of chicken fried steak swimming in white gravy, whipped mashed potatoes, green beans laced with pork fat, and corn bread. The table was silent as we dug in, stuffing ourselves silly. I could almost feel my arteries clogging, but oh my gosh, was it good. Like any good southern girl, I cleaned my plate.
“Thank you so much for having me over, Mr. and Mrs. Mooney,” said Tammy.
Mooney was Bobby’s last name. I still cringed a little inside whenever I heard my mom referred to as “Mrs. Mooney.” I shoulda gotten used to it by now, but figured I never really would. She’d always be a Haggart to me.
“Oh no, thank you, for helping Krystal to cook this wonderful meal, sweetie.”
“Yep, you girls sure did a fine job,” Bobby said as he stood up from the table.
I looked over to Tammy and mouthed “Wow” to her. Bobby hardly ever had anything nice to say about me, much less my friends.
“Now how about I get everything cleaned up since you girls already did most of the work, hmmm?”
I checked to see if Bobby was out of ear shot before speaking. “Hey mom, I was wondering if I could go on over to Tammy’s tonight. You remember how she’s treating me to a day out tomorrow?”
“My mom already said it was okay,” Tammy chimed in.
“I don’t see why not. You still going to have cake?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. Wouldn’t miss it for the world…” Okay, so I was laying it on thick, but whatever.
“Okay then,” she nodded.
“Let’s go get ya packed up then,” Tammy said pulling at my arm.
I grabbed my dusty blue duffle bag from the corner of my closet. While I grabbed the essentials like socks, Tammy riffled through my closet tossing clothing in my bag.
“Girl, we need to take you shop
ping.”
I groaned. I really didn’t like to clothes shop. Book shopping, different story. In fact, the main places I wanted to stop tomorrow were the book stores. Chapel Hill had some great book stores, some old ones too.
“I really have plenty of clothes.” It wasn’t really a bad wardrobe, I thought. Between what I’d been handed down, and what my mom picked up from time to time, I had enough to make due.
The Spirit Who Loved Me: Spirit Whispers Book One Page 8
