"Ey, Jennifer quit pushing me, I can walk on my own." I shout while shaking her off of me
"Okay, Okay, Calm down porcupine! I was just trying to get you out of there. You seemed quite overwhelmed." Jennifer pats my back giving me some reassurance
Crossing my arms in my tracks with a 'huff', I turn away taking a few seconds to look around. "Where are we? This doesn't look like the path we take to get back home."
"Oh, I didn't say we were going back home. We're just getting out of that area. Whactha think?" Jennifer says floating around me as if to see my expression
Biting my lip, and griping the air from all around, I glance at a pile of leaves that look nothing different from where we were last "Oh wow! It's nice here." rolling my eyes
Stopping in front of me, Jennifer raises a questioning look "Ginger, what are you doing?"
"Nothing just taking in the scenery" I say walking towards the pond for a closer look
Looking away, a sparkle between the leaves by the base of an oak tree catches my eye. "What the-" I mutter, walking closer. The sparkle disappears, and I walk closer, trying to remember exactly where it was. It sparkles again, and I bend down, brushing away the leaves to reveal an old, mostly-tarnished ring.
"Look at this" I call out. Observing up closer, I notice the ring has words engraved on it but it's covered in hardened dirt and tarnished for me to make out what it says.
"Gross! Put that back where you've found it. You might catch something from it."
"Seriously?!" I smirk, pocketing the ring. "Jennifer that's the dumbest thing I've heard from your mouth today and that's saying something."
"You're not seriously going to keep that thing are you?" she says, scowling at the dirty ring and my now equally dirty hand.
"I am, this might be the clue we've been waiting for," I smile, standing and brushing my hands on my pants. I look across the pond again.
Ambition begins to boil, finally it feels as if we are getting close "I can feel it" We are close! but the case doesn't end that quickly.
We sit for a few minutes in silence
"Umm… Jennifer?" I whisper.
"Wass up?" Jennifer cheerifuly responses, turning my way
"Do you see anyone else but us... here? If so, don't tell me" I murmur to myself
I have never seen another ghost besides Jennifer. We don't understand why I can't, which is fine but sometimes it creeps me out knowing there's another person or thing next to us but can't see them.
Shivering to the thought of ghosts. "Do you see anyone?"
Jennifer floats towards the edge of the pond "Nope, just you and me. Also you need a break from all this mystery gang stuff." she says, picking up a rock
My body loosens up a bit. "Well I don't want to stop. It's not good to just ignore what happened to you." I say, watching the rock bounce two times off the water
"We don't even know what happened to me. It could have been a normal death" Jennifer still facing out into the pond
Taking a step forward with rage in my voice "What?! Aren't you the very person who told me to find out what happened to you? Since you had a feeling that it wasn't normal. And now you want to just stop the investigation?"
"Hey, hey, I'm just saying don't worry so much. Plus I don't mind sticking with my best friend forever." She says turning towards me
"Thanks but I would feel bad about not helping you" I argue back
Jennifer grabs me into a hug "That's sweet but we're doing this together, right little one"
Heat begins to fill my face "Are you kidding me?! I'm not a child anymore!" I say, covering my face
We go back to sitting for the next couple of minutes, while the night begins to darken. The stars start to appear with the luminous moon. Mhmm… this is nice.
A cut piece
"It's late" I say, still look up at the stars
"Yeah, let's head out" Jennifer says getting up
We head out of the woods with Jennifer leading the way. When exiting the woods the house comes in view.
"Gosh, it's starting to get cold. I might make some hot chocolate now." I shiver hugging myself
"Well then have some and describe the taste to me later, I'll meet you inside." She says waving goodbye
"Woah woah, where do you think you are going? You're coming with me"
Before I could even convince Jennifer anymore "Ginger Mal Barr! Where are you?!"
"Oh crap that's mom. She sounds pi.." I look behind me to find Jennifer gone.
"Oh, no you dont young lady, do you know what time it is? And you decide to come home late, seriously?!" Mom asserts stomping her right foot
"Mom, I just went to the pond and watched the sunset, I just lost track of time. I'm here aren't I? This should be fine?" I blurt out
"Ginger Barr, get in this house this instant, you know what, you are grounded since you want to give me an attitude."
Giving her the biggest sigh " are you kidding me? I was only…. What time is it?"
"6:45"
"Oh.. 15 minutes left."
"GINGER …!"
"Yes…." I say I might sound scared but I'm more angry about how Jennifer left me
"Inside NOW!" Mom yells echos through the woods
Stomping pass mom "UGH, if you like it or not I am still going to the muffin opening tomorrow."
Without a single sound mom points at the house with frustration, her face scrunched up, and veins start popping out
Well I guess she reached her limit, can't say it wasn't funny. "Dang it! Jennifer where are you?" I whisper
-------
Making my way through the doors, a sweet but sour aroma hits me. "Woah!"
I look around to find that smell, it's making my stomach talk. 'I NEED FOOOD!!' Stomach says
"Food is already on the table, if that's what you're looking for." Mom says closing the door behind us
"Cool!" Looking around even more, hoping Jennifer is nearby.
Mom might seem caring but still thinks I'm going crazy. That's why I push her the way I do. She'll never ground me because of the whole 'go outside thing'.
Sitting at the table I notice there is one more plate set out next to mine.
"Are we expecting someone?" I say giving her a questioning look
"I'm glad you notice, I offer to house the daughter of one of my old high school friends, since they are getting things settled before moving down here."
"Wait what?! You offer a stranger a home in our house?"
"Yes, I did! It'll be good for you, especially since you need to make new friends." Mom says proudly
"Mom, what?!"
A knock at the door interrupts our conversation. My heart begins to beat fast.
What the hell is going on right now? When did she have the time to offer our home like that? Plus where is Jen when I need her. "Ugh!! What is going on." I whisper to myself not moving an inch.
"Hello, is this the Barr residents?"
"Rebecca, is it?" Mom greets at the door
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you for letting me live with you this year." Rebecca says
Year?! Seriously, when did she think about housing someone? "Jennifer?" I whisper hoping she'll come out
Crap, I'm doing this on my own. I hear footsteps going through the living room into the dining room. I turn to see the stranger, light brownish hair up in a messy bun. Freckles all over her pale skin, she wears circular glasses, ones that you would make fun of someone for wearing. She has dark circles under her eyes, it must've been a long trip.
'Um.. hello." I look down not facing her. This is too awkward
"Hello, My name is Rebecca, please call me Becca for short." Becca says with her hand held out
Glancing up with a calm but nervous smile.
"Oh, um, welcome Rebecca, I'm Ginger" I say not offering my hand back
"That's good we got that out of the way, Ginger show her your room, she is going to be bunking with you, after that we'll have dinner. Since you all have a big day tomorrow" Mom says giving me a 'Look a New Friend' stare
I quickly glared at her. I see she's trying to push this girl onto me. It has to be about the whole Jennfier thing again. "Follow me, Rebecca" I say rolling my eyes
"Also Ginger grab the air mattress and bedding for Becca. I ordered a mattress. It should be arriving pretty soon."
She had this plan for way too long to not tell anyone. An air mattress?! When did she have time to buy one!
"The air mattress should be in your closet and you know where we keep the beddings" Mom yelling from the kitchen
This woman is crazy! She even had time to put the air mattress in my room. Ugh, I'm not upset at this poor girl but more enraged at my mom. This was probably why mom was acting like some kind of anxious bear. Jennifer, please come help!