Maria pulled into the school parking lot in her father's old truck. As she drove away, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. It was a white flash, like a ghostly figure, but it was gone before she could see it clearly. Shrugging, Maria began to walk toward the school entrance. Then a cheerful voice spoke to her: "Hey, Maria! Hey, honey!" Maria turned to see John, the bus driver, smiling at her from behind the wheel. "Hey John!" What's up ? - replied Maria, approaching to speak with him. John teased softly, "So Jimmy put the ring on your finger yet?" Maria laughed and rolled her eyes. - We are too young for this, John! John laughed and said, "I know, kidding!" Anyway, I gotta go, kid. Have fun! With a wave of his hand, John left, letting Maria enter the school. As she passed through the doors, Maria was startled by a voice behind her. "Hey Maria!" » Wait! It was Jessica. Maria turned to her.
Maria told Jessica about her encounter with the ghost, who laughed and said, "Maybe you should go to bed, girl!" They walked together, talking about boys, and Jessica asked Maria if she had found a boyfriend yet. Maria shook her head, laughing. As they walked, they heard the students talking about Richard, the new guy. "My mom said his family was black," said one student. Another added, "I heard he doesn't go out on sunny days." Maria's curiosity was piqued. She headed to her closet, camera in hand, to take some pictures for her personal magazine. At a bend in the road, she met Jimmy and Charlotte by the trophy cup. Jimmy smiled at her mockingly. "Are you coming to take my picture?" You know I'm your lover, haven't you seen enough of me?" Maria smiled and said simply, "Hello." Charlotte interrupted, "Is that how you treat yourself? It's cute!" She turned to Jimmy and reminded him, "Don't forget to come to my cheerleading practice tonight." Mary watched as Charlotte reminded Jim of her cheerleading practice. "Are you going to Charlotte's practice?" Mary asked Jim, who nodded. "That girl is unlucky anyway," he joked. Mary cupped Charlotte gently, saying, "Oh, poor Charlotte!" Jimmy laughed and said, "Forget it." At that moment, Mary heard a voice in her head, clear as day: "Maybe I should break up with Mary and go out with Charlotte. But Jim hadn't said that." Mary's eyes widened in confusion. "What did you just say?" she asked Jimmy, but he looked at her confused. "Nothing, what's wrong?" Maria shook her head, feeling a chill run down her spine. "Nothing, it doesn't matter." She quickly said goodbye to Jim and left for literature class. At the entrance, Maria took out her camera to take another picture for her magazine. But as she took the picture, the lights in the classroom went out. The ghostly figure that Maria had seen before appeared before her, its eyes pleading. "Maria, Maria!" Help me!" it whispered, before disappearing into thin air. Maria froze, her heart pounding. How did the ghost know my name? Maria said in shock