Steven sat on a bench, now fully dressed. He watched as a translucent Brianna paced back and forth in front of him.
"Okay okay. So you're saying I'm a ghost." She looked at her hands then looked at Steven. "I don't feel ghastly. I just feel... tingly?" She continues to pace back and forth. "Like I remember things. But you imply that those things happened 20 years ago. Why am I here now? Not earlier nor later?"
Steven finally getting a second to break in, "i don't know." He pauses and recounts the last 24 hours. "I mean the weird stuff only happened to me after finding that locket."
"Ah! The locket where is it! It's very important to me." Bri was now looking intently at him, waiting for him to pull it out.
"Well, uh, I think it's still on my nightstand. Wouldn't really bring it to school."
"Why not!"
"What would the point of me bringing it here. I thought it was just an old piece of jewelry."
"Well let's go back and get it!"
"Dude chill. We can, but shouldn't we figure out what's going on first? It's not like it's going anywhere."
Bri makes a pouty face and looks away. "Fine, but I'm not happy about it."
Steven rubs his temples. "Okay what do you remember last? From what I understand maybe you can rest once we find the reason you're back."
Bri slams her fist in the her open hand. "Ah yeah, I've certainly heard of that." Bri sits down across from Steven.
Bri began to think back to the fateful day. Steven just sat and listened.
...
20 years ago I was at my brothers wedding.
He was extremely nervous about it. He sat in the pews with his hair a mess. He had appeared to have been attempting to pull his hair out.
I did everything I could to comfort him. He was worried that he'd lose his feelings for her once she fully transitioned. It was something I could not allow to corrupt his thoughts. I told him that she's loved him for him, now and forever.
Eventually our mother came running out. She was clearly distressed. Her hands were shaking and face, pale. She told us that Kali wasn't answering her phone and she hadn't arrived yet.
Naturally I panicked. She's my best friend. Either she was afraid to be wed. That or she was in danger. There was no way of knowing. I became overcharged. I fumbled for my keys, and dashed out the church.
I got in my car and began to drive towards Kali's house. The road was always dangerous but of coarse it just had to be raining. I remember losing control but that's it.
...
Bri looked up from the ground over at Steven. Tears were streaming down her translucent face. Steven tried to avoid eye contact. He knew there wasn't much he can do in the situation. Though a thought did pop in his head.
"Maybe if we find kali...."
Brianna cuts off Steven. Once again slamming her fist in to her hand. "Maybe if we find kali I can move on!"
Steven struggled to hold back his irritation, "do we know were we can find her?"
Bri looked up to the ceiling with her chin resting on her hand, "hmmmmm nope!"
Steven began to rub his temples. "Well what's her full name. This is a small town. Maybe I've seen her."
"Kali, kali, kali.... uh why can't I remember!" Bri began to fold over and shake her head.
Steven jolted up. "Wait wait that's okay! We can give it a moment. You'll remember eventually!" Steven raised his hand to attempt to put his hand on her shoulder. Though he ultimately decided against it. He just awkwardly held is hand up.
Eventually after a little bit of small talk they progressed forward. With this being the only high school in the town they immediately headed towards the library.
As they walked down the hall Steven could help but wonder something. He looked over to Bri's legs. "Why are the moving? I thought ghosts could float. At least don't have to move like normal."
They turned in to the library. Steven held the door for her. If anyone happened to be watching they'd wonder why the fuck is this man holding a door for nobody.
The library was empty of everyone. Well except the stereotypical old lady at the desk. Steven approached basically staring at this poor old lady, in an attempt to seem normal. He failed.
"How can I help you sonny?"
Steven scratches his head. "Uh by chance is there a bunch of old yearbooks somewhere?"
"Does this boy have some kind of sick plan or is he just this awkward," she thought to her self. She looked him in the eyes, "what would you need those old things for?"
"Oh well, you see, my mom told me about an old passage in one of them. She couldn't remember the exact one. So I was hoping to find it."
The lady remained untouched by the obvious lie. "Okay young'n, there over here." She walked to the back of her little area and grabbed a stack of year books. "I don't know what you're really after, but can't be no harm in just looking I guess."
"Uh, thanks," Steven said followed by a nervous chuckle. "I'm just gonna take these to the table over there."
Steven barely moving, with 20 books in his grasp, makes it to the table. Bri had been sitting there waiting for him to arrive. He immediately began looking for the one from 20 years prior.
Bri scanned the pile of books and found one she recognized. It wasn't from her senior year, but instead from her freshman. She began vigorously flipping through the book until she found her class. Though since they were organized by last name, it took her a moment to find what she was looking for.
"Got it!" She points at a young ginger man. Kaden Stanson.
"Ah, so she used to be a he."
"Yeah! Though back then that was a scary thing."
"Wait for real?"
"Yeah since everyone here has the ability to choose what they're kids are, it was a slap in the face of her parents. Not only could they choose basic physical features they could turn on the power gene."
"Making them enhanced? So she is a hero?"
"Maybe. Though I remember that not being a goal for herself. So I doubt it."
Steven closed the book. "So where does this leave us?"
"We have to find Brandon!"
"Wait who?"
"My brother!"
"Wait. Brandon who? What's his last name?"
"Oh I guess I didn't properly introduce myself. You know cause I thought you were gonna hurt me. My name is Brianna Lee. I'm 19 years old, I guess forever now."
A wave of realization shook over Steven. "Coach Lee!"
"Coach?"
"Yeah he's uh something else."
"Well then let's go to my brother's house!"