Abby took out the last shirt in her bag, neatly folding it inside the closet before shutting it close. She recently moved to her Aunt Nora's new house. The old woman offered her to stay in the old Victorian home her third husband bought while they went on a world cruise for their honeymoon. She knew the old lady was just using her as a live-in housemaid but she didn't mind.
On a brighter note, she found a place to stay until she can save up to afford an apartment of her own. Besides, this arrangement is nothing new to her. She's used to having her relatives order her around in exchange for some kind of support. They cared enough to put a roof over her head but that was all. Since her parents' unexpected death ten years ago, she was passed around among her relatives, moving from one city to another–whoever felt like taking care of her took her in, and then when they get tired of it, she gets tossed to another family. She had to fend for herself growing up
It was exhausting. Yet she had no choice but to get used to it anyway. Until then, she'll try to work as many part-time jobs as her time will allow her to take while going to college. Abby knows how expensive college is but a part of her knew that's the only way for her to get a shot and make it big. Sure she's buried in debt from school loans but she's still willing to take that risk. One day for sure, she can finally get a nice, comfy place she has always been dreaming of – one she can call her home.
Her hard work will someday pay off, she thought nodding to herself while making her way downstairs.
Reaching out to the vacuum cleaner, she flicked its switch to turn it on, and then Abby started cleaning the living room.
It was four in the afternoon when she finished clearing the first floor and damn it, the house was dirtier than she thought. It should take her one more day to finish the second floor and at least half of the next day to arrange the basement. Abby plopped on the now dust-free couch before lying on her back to close her eyes.
"Hi..."
Abby's eyes shot open before sitting up. She nervously looked around her before letting out a sigh. She swore she heard someone's voice but then she could have also been dreaming.
Has she fallen asleep that fast? Yeah, guess she did, she mumbled trying to convince herself.
Getting up from the couch, she made small strides to reach the kitchen to grab herself something to drink. While chugging on a bottle of water, Abby felt her stomach growl, she hasn't had anything to eat since that morning. Must be the reason why she's starting to feel kind of dizzy. She realized how absorbed she was at cleaning everything that she forgot to grab something to eat.
Abby let out a sigh before shutting the refrigerator door. As expected, there wasn't any food as she hoped for. Well, of course, there weren't any. The house was newly bought. Her Aunt hasn't even seen it herself which means she's the first person to step foot inside it. Letting out a tired yawn, she grabbed her house keys and shut the front door on her way out. An hour break doesn't sound so bad, she thought.
"Cheeseburger and a large soda..." she paused for a second, thinking, "-and add an apple pie, please. To go."
"One cheeseburger, a large size soda, and an apple pie." The girl at the cashier repeated her order with a smile. "That'd be 3.50"
Abby grabs the take-out bag in front of her after paying. The place was crowded since it's a Friday night so she decided to just eat somewhere quiet – like the park a few blocks away from her Aunt's house. Yeah, that'd be a nice place, she uttered to herself.
She sat on the swing before taking out the food she ordered from its bag. Gently, she took a bite of the cheeseburger, savoring its taste. After not eating lunch, the cheeseburger was like heaven sent for her. Licking off some stray sauce from her fingertips, she took a sip of her drink. After an hour of finishing up her food, she was ready to go back home to finish cleaning–well, the living room at least. And maybe, the kitchen too.
Wiping off the trickling sweat on her forehead, Abby placed the last box neatly on the corner of the basement with a tired grunt. So much for finishing up tomorrow, she whispered to herself. Hands-on her hips, she released a sigh but not after giving off a proud grin. She finished cleaning in a day. Who would have thought? Though a little dusting is still needed here and there, the hardest part is over and with that, she happily walked to her room to grab some of her bathing necessities. A warm bubble bath would be a nice reward for her hard work, she excitedly thought.
Although her Aunt's house was located somewhere on the upper east side of the city, going downtown where the community college is, was easy – one of the reasons why she agreed to slave away for her Aunt anyway. The commute to school was also easy for Abby since buses were available a few blocks from their street. Every morning, after her shift at the local bakery beside the neighborhood park, she'd walk straight to the bus stop to get to school.
Today was different. She has an orientation to attend to so Abby clocked out a bit earlier than scheduled. Seeing the sunrise from the glass windows of the shop, Abby can't help but smile. Everything's finally falling into place. Her life may be far from perfect but she sure is quite satisfied with it right now.
After a few hours of sitting and listening, the orientation finally ended by lunchtime so Abby went to the cafeteria to grab some sandwiches. As she waited in line for her turn, she noticed the 'Wanted: cafeteria staff' written on a piece of paper that was posted on the wall. "Is the position still open?" she brought on while paying for her sandwich then pointing at the paper on the wall.
The woman on the cashier nodded her head nonchalantly. "Yeah, you up for it?"
Abby stared at the woman before nodding her head. "When can I start?" she asked.
"Tomorrow. You'll take the afternoon shift."
"Great," she muttered out but before she could even thank the woman, she shouted out 'next' to the person behind her. Abby quickly stepped out of the line in surprise and made her way outside the school courtyard.
***
"Do you believe in ghosts?"
Abby dropped her sandwich from the sudden voice.
"Shit, sorry," the voice quickly apologized, "Here, you can have mine. It's grilled cheese."
Abby looked from the new sandwich on her lap to the culprit, "No it's fine. I can buy a new one." She replied giving the sandwich back.
"Oh, God. No. I'll be forever miserable if you don't take the sandwich as payment to the one you dropped. It's my fault so please take it. It's not poisoned. I promise."
Abby stared at the lady funnily before letting out a chuckle. "Okay, thanks."
She heard the person let out a deep sigh as if satisfied for winning the conversation before sitting next to her. "Sorry. I'm Natasha by the way."
"Abby," she replied before taking a bite of her sandwich. Hmm...yum. She thought tasting the melted cheese.
"So...what do you think?" Natasha asked her with a hopeful face
"It's good. Best grilled cheese I had in a while."
Natasha let out a loud laugh, her voice almost echoing at the quiet courtyard of the university. "I don't mean the sandwich, silly girl. I'm asking what you think about ghosts." Natasha explained still trying to contain her laughter.
"I-I don't know. I don't believe in ghosts." She responded casually, making Natasha look at her in shock. Abby shrugged.
"You don't believe..." Natasha mumbled in disbelief, "-but why?"
"Well, have you seen one? Ghosts, I mean." Natasha looked down on her lap, biting her lip before shaking her head.
"Me neither." Abby continued before biting on her sandwich, "Why are you asking me anyway?"
Natasha let out a very business-like smile. She then took out a white flyer inside her bag that looked a lot more expensive than that of Abby's whole savings combined. "I'm starting a paranormal club and I'm recruiting some freshmen as members. I saw you at the orientation and I just knew you'd be perfect for the club." Natasha took her hand, "So, how about it. Do you want to join me in this new adventure of hunting ghosts? Imagine you and me, visiting cemeteries during midnight, haunted house hunting-"
"I...but I don't believe in ghosts." Abby interrupted amusement in her tone.
"Don't worry. You'll believe them in no time-"
"NATASHA ELENA!" Natasha froze on her spot before turning pale. She quickly picked up her things getting ready to go but not before two hands held her down by the shoulders keeping her in place.
"I heard what you did and my answer is a big fat No. You can't just start a club just because you want to!" A guy in a gray knit sweater started, "-And what exactly do you plan to do with the Tea Lovers' Fellowship Club you started last month? You promised me that'd be the last one!"
Natasha gasped, "I did not promise you anything and FYI the tea lovers fellowship club is not my idea but yours-" Natasha smirked at the man, "-Remember when you told me that you liked the green tea I bought for you when I was in Japan? Well, guess what, because of that I decided to start the club to inspire more people to love tea just like you become."
"What? That doesn't even make sense, Nat!" the man answered while running his fingers through his neatly styled hair.
Natasha stared at him before pouting. "Well, I tried." She mumbled crossing her arms before slowly grabbing one of his hands. "You know what, I don't care anymore. Do whatever you want with the Tea Club just say yes to this one, please! I promise this is going to be the last."
"Please..." she looked at him in the eye while holding on to an arm crossed over his wide chest.
He glared at Natasha one last time before responding icily. "No," he announced with finality before walking out on Natasha.
Natasha remained quiet for a few more seconds before letting out a sigh. "Sorry about that."
"Yeah, that was... nothing. So that was your...boyfriend?" Abby tried making small talk to loosen the awkward atmosphere.
Natasha looked at her in horror, "Ew, no. That was my brother."
"Oh, sorry..." she paused thinking what to say, "-so there won't be a paranormal club anymore so I guess I should be going then-"Abby began saying while getting up on the wooden bench, taking her tote bag with her.
Natasha stared into space before suddenly grabbing hold of Abby's hand. "You know what? You should stay. Let's grab some coffee and let's plan one more time on how we'll convince my brother to approve of this club."
"I don't think that's a good idea-"Abby started already feeling the gears working in Natasha's head.
"Yeah, it's a good idea. Let's go."
***
Not bothering to remove her shoes, Abby let her body fall off the bed letting the exhaustion from the day get into her. Blankly staring at the ceiling, she thought of how eventful her day went. It wasn't so bad though except when Natasha Brighton, who she found out to be the daughter of some rich family, forced her to have coffee and talk about her planned paranormal club. To be honest, Abby didn't want to join any school organizations. She just wanted to finish college without committing to anything other than school and her part-time jobs so she promised herself that the first thing she'll do tomorrow is to turn Natasha down and return to her peaceful college life.
Letting out a worn-out sigh, Abby sat up from her bed. She wanted to start on some homework as she flips her notebook open then she remembered forgetting to lock the front door.
Getting up from the bed, she took the keys from the bedside table. Abby froze when she heard the front door slam shut so she stopped in her tracks. She may have forgotten to lock the door but she did remember shutting it close.
A thief? Abby thought trying to listen to the sound of footsteps but there were none. The sound of silence enveloped the house and the only thing she hears is the sound of her now heavy breathing.
Swallowing the nervous feeling inside her, she took the nearest object within her reach, lucky for her it's a broom. And with shaky hands, she held her phone on the other just in case she needed to call for help.
Slowly descending the stairs from her room, her hands tightly gripping the broom, as if her life depended on it while carefully trying to not make any noise, she walks to the front door but to her surprise, nothing was there. However, she's still suspicious of what happened so she checked every room, nook, and corner of the house that a person could hide in but she found nothing. Maybe it was just her imagination after all?
Lastly, Abby went down to the basement to do some final checks. While looking behind the large box at the corner of the room the light started to flicker. Does the bulb need to be changed?
Do you believe in ghosts? Abby didn't even know why she suddenly remembered Natasha's question that morning. She gave herself a tap on both cheeks to try and change her thoughts while holding on to the broom tighter like a baseball bat.
She took a deep breath, "It's not real. They're not real. There's no such thing." she repeated like a mantra. Abby even wanted to laugh at herself because for a moment there she believed that those things exist and then suddenly; something fast moved in front of her. She didn't know what it was but she felt that something was there. Dropping the broom and phone from her hand in panic; she ran as fast as she could.
She didn't dare look back as she scurried her way to her room. She was panting and sweating heavily. She didn't know what to do and she knew that whatever that thing is, it would find her. Chances to get away from it are low but she's got no choice but to take the risk anyway so she ran to hide inside the closest thing her eyes could find – her closet.
Doors started to bang nonstop and so did the windows. She heard glasses shattering and she thought that if it was her aunt's most treasured collection of porcelain plates, she'd have a lot of explaining to do but would she even believe her? The sound of piano keys playing from the old grand piano in the sunroom reverberated inside the house. Is this it? she muttered to herself in alarm.
The loud shutting of her room's door almost made her jump in hysteria. Has she been found already? Damn it! If only she had the money to get herself an apartment she wouldn't have to deal with this bullshit.
Then suddenly, everything went silent. The banging of the doors and windows stopped. The sound of the piano stopped playing. She didn't hear any shattering glass anymore. Is it gone? Did it finally got tired and decided to just go away?
She waited for a minute before deciding to walk out of her closet. She had to get away before that thing changes its mind and go back to the house.
She slowly walked, her feet on tiptoes. She carefully grabs the doorknob of her room's door but everything happened so fast that even before she could twist the knob in her hand, a cold shudder went from her neck to her lower back.
A low alluring voice, as if hypnotizing her from its sound, whispered into her ear. "Abby..."
Her head automatically turned to where the voice came from and she kept reminding herself what a short life she had lived so far before her eyes settle on the floating but surprisingly handsome spirit in front of her. Oh hell, she muttered to herself while thinking why she even thought that the unknown creature in front of her is attractive.
Then he suddenly disappeared in front of her. She closed her eyes and opened it again. She even looked around her. She thought he was gone but then he reappeared again. His face is so close to her that their nose is almost touching. And then it playfully whispered into her ear once more.
"Boo!"
Abby wanted to scream.
But unfortunately, she can't. She was torn between wanting to let her voice out and calming down to even her breathing. She closed her eyes, counting from one to three hoping that when she opens it; the spirit in front of her will be gone.
This is just a dream, a crazy dream. She chanted to herself.
"1...2...3..." she counted in a whisper. Breathing heavily, she slowly opened her eyes, one after the other.
It was gone. He was gone. The ghost, which was just a fragment of her too wild imagination is now gone or has never even been there from the start. Oh, God. Abby thought as she let out a humorless laugh of relief. She can't believe it was just all her.
"Not really."
Abby screamed, finally.
She turned in record time only to come face to face with the hottest ghost she'd ever met, well – only met. He wasn't an imagination like she was expecting but she didn't want to admit it. Not yet.
He stared at her raising a brow before cocking his head to the side.
"What the hell!" she can't help but shout in panic. "You're supposed to be an imagination!" she said while her hand holds onto a nearby wall to keep herself steady.
After staring at her for a few seconds the ghost let out a low sexy belly laugh–damn it. Abby scolded herself again for thinking that way to his supposed tormentor that will probably end her life in a few minutes after talking to her.
"Oh wow, that was..." the spirit began still trying to catch his breath, his hands on his flat stomach while he reaches for his eye as if wiping a tear."I don't even remember when I last laughed so hard like that."
W-what?
"A-are y-you going to k-kill me?" Abby stuttered almost inaudibly out of nervousness. The ghost looked at her as if she had grown two heads. What was wrong with her question? If he was going to kill her she might as well know now.
The ghost yet again arched a brow, "Do you want me to?"
She shook her head.
"Then I won't," he said so casually before crossing his arms over his chest while bobbing his head up and down.
Wait, that was it?
"You won't? Are you...are you sure?" she didn't even know why she asked him that when she was supposed to be celebrating because he spared her life even though she was not sure if that was his agenda in the first place because for all she knows, he might be one of those good ghosts she only sees on TV and has read on books. Right?
His face turned into a frown, his lips pouting like a baby, and Abby couldn't help but want to smile at his cute face. God, Abby. What.is.your.problem.
"I won't kill you, Abby." He said his voice serious making Abby sagged in relief.
"O-kay then uh... why are you here?" she cautiously asks hoping she won't anger him in any way.
"I live here. Or so I think. I'm not sure..." he said his eyes on the floor as if trying to remember something. "I'm Noah by the way." He said flying next to her, his troubled face gone and is now replaced with a friendly smile.
"Hi?" Abby tried to sound friendly while still staying frozen in place.
The gho- Noah chuckled. "I'd offer you a handshake but as you can see, it would just pass through yours." He explained showing her his translucent hands.
"That's okay...I guess..." she replied awkwardly still trying to figure out how to deal with the gho- Noah. Was she supposed to shoo him away? He did tell her that he was living here so maybe when the house was bought, he was already here. She did learn that her aunt's current husband got it for a considerably low price in the market. Now she knows why. This house is haunted.
"Do you uh, own this place before or something?" she asked him suddenly finding her confidence.
Noah stared at her before shaking his head. "I don't remember. I'm not sure," he replied not wanting to continue further with the conversation so Abby decided to change the topic.
"Am I... bothering your peace? Do you prefer to be alone? Because I could call my aunt and tell her about you even though I know she wouldn't believe me at all and would probably think I'm craz-"
"Calm down, Abby. Breathe," he said when she started rambling in front of him.
Abby nodded her head trying to hide her heating face. When an overwhelmingly cold air enveloped the room, Abby slowly draws in a shaky breath before exhaling it. "Okay, I'm calm." No, she's not.
"Good. Now, I want you to know that your presence doesn't bother me at all. I even enjoyed it even though we haven't talked before." He explained while giving out a boyish grin. "-And oh, I especially adore it whenever you sing or dance while cleaning or just simply staring into space. I like watching you, Abby. It made me feel...alive."
Abby felt herself calming down a little. Albeit still frantic on the appearance of the handsome apparition, her mind was at ease. He won't hurt her. He won't-
"-And because of that, I think I have fallen in love with you."
Abby's mouth flung open and she gaped at him like a fish. What was that on her mind again? Now, how could she calm down?
_to be continued_