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“We did.” I did my best not to fidget. “But...she’s come around.”
Oh, how I wish that were true.
I needed a female friend more than anything.
Mum shifted onto her knees and laid her arms and chin on the back of the couch, eyeing me up with her keen intelligence. “You sure you’re not just using her name so we’ll let you go gallivanting around town with another boy?”
I hid my wince. The only boy I wanted to go gallivanting with had just admitted everything between us was a mistake.
“No. I’m truly going to see Zara. I miss her, and I need her back in my life.”
Mum’s eyes softened like I knew they would. “You still think about Sophie, don’t you?”
Sophie.
My friend who I’d known was dying on the street, thanks to the strangest nightmare of fangs and claw. My friend who’d left a permanent mark on me.
“She’s gone, Mum. I’m well aware of that.”
“You don’t still talk to her?” She raised an eyebrow, hinting she knew more about my little chats with a ghost than I thought.
“Not in a while.” Those chats had helped me move on. I’d kept her close and denied her passing, but with each year and every conversation, I found it easier to accept she was gone, and eventually, I’d let her go.
Unlike someone I know...
Perhaps I could teach Aslan how to talk to ghosts because it was obvious he needed help. Help he couldn’t ask for, and therapy he couldn’t pay for.
“So...can I go?” I glanced at the large reef-inspired clock on the wall by the TV. Each number had a pretty anemone swaying through the digits. “It’s only 9.00 p.m. I can bike to her house, hang out for a bit—”
I was going to say ‘and be home before curfew’ but...I didn’t.
I didn’t have the strength to stay here tonight. I needed a break. I needed to be far away from Aslan because I honestly didn’t know what I’d do if he came to find me in the night. I’d probably either kill him or fuck him, and neither of those options was permitted.
I’d rather sleep on the beach with the waves whispering nice things and the stars keeping me company.
Smiling brighter, I lied, “She asked if I could stay the night.”
“She did, really?” Dad frowned. “What about Joel? Won’t he have a problem bumping into you in the dead of night when he gets up for a pee?”
“He’s not living at home anymore.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. “His socials say he’s in Indo training for the Billabong Pro Teahupoo in Tahiti next month.”
“Oh, well, that’s good, I guess. No awkward midnight oopsie-daisies.”
“Yep. Phew.” I laughed. It sounded strained to my ears, but Dad bought it.
With a grin, he ran his hand through my mum’s hair, casually touching her like he always did, being affectionate without realising it. “In that case, go have fun. Spend the night, get your friend back, and as long as you’re home by ten p.m. tomorrow night, I won’t send out the search party.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“You okay, love?” Mum asked quietly. “You don’t seem quite yourself.”
“I’m fine, Mum. Honest. Bit nervous about seeing her, after everything that’s happened, but I’m also super excited to have her back in my life.”
“Well, I hope you slip right back where you left off.”
“Night, little fish. Keep your phone on so we can call you if needed,” Dad muttered, his attention already back on whatever Netflix program they’d chosen.
Mum studied me for another terrifying second before she blew me a kiss and waved. “Bye, sweetheart. Have fun.”
