October 25

Upon walking through the door of the old mansion, I found Grannie sitting in her elegant green chair, her eyes staring intently at me. I had a feeling she wasn't wishing me a happy eighteenth birthday or a happy three years since death. 

It was odd thinking that today was my birthday, that if I were alive, I'd be eighteen. Birthdays were rarely celebrated after death, but I enjoyed celebrating my own birthday because it made me feel like I was alive again.

"You and Professor have been doing a lot lately," Grannie noticed.

I gulped, my palms beginning to sweat. Had she found out?

With as much confidence as I could muster, I replied, "Yeah, Grannie, I told you, his project is really big and requires a lot of help. Aren't you glad I'm not going to the...mortal world."

Grannie sighed. "I guess you're right. It's just you're barely here anymore! I really appreciate your help around the house. I can't do them all on my own."

I sighed in relief, glad she was only disappointed about chores.

"Grannie, I promise I won't leave again today. Professor just needed some help this morning, that's all." I couldn't shake my thoughts of fear away. Harry and i had planned other activities this week, and I hoped Grannie couldn't keep me home all week. Then again, could she?

"Well, your help is appreciated. Halloween is in one week, Cecelia. We have many preparations! I could use your help!" she exclaimed, her voice beginning to raise.

"But we're going to that ghost party, that's all!" I shouted in response, knowing I shouldn't have raised my voice. Grannie eyed me, and I could tell she was steaming.

"Go to your room!" she shouted, pointing her elderly finger at me. "I'll call you down for chores later! I don't want to hear any more nonsense!"

"Yes, ma'am," I replied quickly, racing up the stairs. Most old women were kind and sweet, shoving candy in your mouth at every other moment, but Grannie was someone you did not want to mess with.

I sat down my bed and pulled out my phone, glad i had silenced it. I had three missed calls from Harry.

I smiled, remembering how I had attained the phone. Grannie didn't even know I had it. It had dropped out of some human's pocket and still worked. I decided to keep it, but I really only used it in emergencies.

I dialed Harry's number, waiting for his voice to appear on the other line.

"Hello," he said.

"Hey, Harry," I replied, twirling my hair. "I can't talk long because my grandma wants me to do some chores, but I'm good for about ten minutes."

"Wow, your grandma sure likes you to work," he responded, laughing.

"You have no idea," I replied, hearing him laugh on the other line. But he really didn't have an idea or a clue of the fact I was dead and living in an old mansion.

"Anyway, I called because I wondered if you wanted to swing into town and grab some pizza for lunch tomorrow," he suggested.

There was a long pause before I spoke again. My mind raced, thinking of escape plans and excuses. Stupidly, I replied, "Yeah, I think that'll work. See you tomorrow."

But Harry didn't hang up. "I had really fun today, you know. It was--"

He was cut off by Grannie's scream. "CECE! TIME FOR CHORES!"

"Uh-huh, me too," I replied, unsure of what he had said. "I have to go. Bye!" I said, quickly hanging up. I made sure my phone was off and slipped it away, wishing I hadn't had to cut Harry off so rudely.

I raced downstairs, finding my grandmother standing impatiently by the kitchen.

"Sorry, Grannie," I said, grabbing a broom. "I was just thinking of ideas for Professor."

"Cece, you're a ghost, not a scientist. I expect you to be down here as soon as I call. Now get sweeping!" she exclaimed.

I nodded and went away, knowing there was no way I'd be able to escape. But was there a way?

The next day came all too quickly, and I knew I couldn't be late to my second meeting with Harry. It was October 26th, 11:15 A.M. to be exact, and I still hadn't thought of an excuse for Grannie.

After dusting the old mantelpiece for what seemed like the eighth time, it finally hit me. Halloween decorations!

"Oh, Grannie!" I called after mopping the kitchen floor.

Grannie put down her mop and stared at me curiously. "What? Trying to get out of chores?"

"Not really," I lied, though I tried my best to play innocent. Grannie eyed me with suspicion, waiting for me to continue.

"Well, we should at least decorate this place if we're going to clean it," I explained. "Can I go into town and buy some Halloween decorations?"

Normally, Grannie would not be thrilled with me wandering into a human town and mixing with the others, but a smile erupted on her face. "What a good idea, Cece! Be back here no later than 2:00. Those decorations better be amazing."

"Oh, thank you!" I exclaimed, giving her a large hug as I grabbed my purse and raced out the door. My phone was tucked safely inside, and I squealed in delight, glad to be free.

I had made it out of my prison just in time, and I was relieved to know i wouldn't be late to lunch. Afterwards, I'd head to the supply store and buy some decorations. Nearly three hours away from the mansion really brought out joy in me.

I walked through the forest quickly, the strange sounds and sights not even bothering me. I was going to see Harry and have a lovely afternoon. Nothing could spoil my mood.

Heading into town, I was glad to be around people again. Living in isolation with monsters and scientists and ghosts was not as enjoyable as it seemed. 

At the corner of the curb was the pizza parlor, an aroma of tomato and cheese swirling through the air as i made my way to the quaint shop. I walked through the front door, a tiny golden bell ringing at my entrance.

Already, I could see Harry waiting at a circular table, waiting for me. I made my way towards him, watching his face light up as he saw me.

"So I was early and yet still late?" I asked. "Why do you arrive so early?" I teased him.

"So I could save us a table," he replied seriously. 

I immediately felt stupid, forgetting how crowded a pizza place would be at lunch on a weekend. I sat down, my cheeks red from embarrassment. "Oh...right."

We ordered some soda and pizza and began our conversation.

"Why'd you hang up so fast the other day?" he wondered.

"My grandma was yelling at me to get off the phone. Honestly, you don't want to mess with her," I explained. "I'm really sorry though. What were you telling me? I couldn't hear it."

"Oh, uh--" His cheeks turned red. Apparently it was even harder saying it in person. "I just said I had a really fun time, and it was nice seeing you again." 

I smiled, but I had a feeling that was only a portion of what he'd said.

"Me too," I replied, the corners of my lips turning into a wide smile. I wondered if it was obvious that I liked Harry a lot. He sure seemed to make it obvious himself.

Before we could speak again, our waiter brought us our pizza. He set the circular treat down, and I grinned. Double pepperoni--my favorite.

Harry and I both plowed into the pizza, the sweet taste of tomato sauce and the saltiness of the pepperoni combining brilliantly in my mouth. I never got to eat such human foods back at the mansion. In fact, we barely ate at all. Ghosts didn't really need to eat anything, but they still could indulge in human foods.

"This is so good," Harry exclaimed with a full mouth.

I laughed, replying, "Yeah, but you might want to wipe off the tomato sauce on your face." I grabbed a nearby napkin and cleaned up the specs of red sauce lining his mouth.

"Aw, now I feel like a baby," he joked. I smiled, laughing to myself. I hadn't had so much fun in forever. Here, I could actually be myself instead of some obedient teenager that Grannie thought I was.

After finishing our pizza, I grabbed my purse to pay, but Harry stopped my by grabbing my hand.

"No, it's all right. I'll pay," he offered.

"Oh, no, Harry, that's okay. I really don't mind," I said, taking money from my purse. Grannie and I had a fair amount of money, leftover from the owners of the mansion. Plus, the Ghost Council supplied some to all the ghosts for tiny indulgences. I surely had enough for lunch.

But he stopped me again, and I was forced to gaze into his ocean blue eyes. His eyes locked with mine, and he edged closer towards me. I had to stop this, knowing that as a ghost, I couldn't fall in love with anyone.

But it was too hard, and emotions were too great. His lips interlocked with mine quickly, and I retreated, embarrassed yet feeling like i had been lifted off my feet.

"I guess you'll pay," I decided, laughing.

After Harry paid, I waved good-bye and left, fear washing over me as i made my way to the supply store. Were we boyfriend and girlfriend now? I wasn't sure, but I knew if that the Ghost Council found out about this, I would be banished for sure.