“Maybe they think you're wearing a costume, too?” I suggested. Looking down at his feet, which were solidly floating, I added, “A really good one?”
He chuckled. “Maybe so. I like the way you think, Mel. But I don't mind if nobody else can see me... as long asyoucan.”
My cheeks heated up. He couldn't keep saying things like that to me, or else my face was going to turn into a baked potato by the end of the night.
My crush on Edgar went haywire the longer we were together. I couldn't keep this up. I had to change the subject.
“H-hey, look! There's another phantasm!” I pointed to somebody across the street wearing a white sheet.
“Very funny. That's clearly a ghost. Well... a ghostcostume.”
“How can I tell the difference?”
Edgar gestured to himself. “I'm blue! See?”
I blinked. “Huh. I didn't know that was a thing.”
He nodded sagely. “It's a little known fact. Phantasms glow a specific color, while ghosts are pale and colorless.”
“Interesting... Maybe we should watch scary movies together so you can point out all the incorrect depictions of ghosts and phantasms,” I suggested with a grin.
I said it half-jokingly, but Edgar lit up. “That's a great idea! Take me to your home.”
It warmed my heart that he wasthatexcited. But going home entailed possibly running into my landlord—and compared to Edgar's beautiful home, mine was just a crappy apartment.
“Okay, but don't get your hopes up,” I warned him. “It's not as nice as your place.”
He waved me off. “Don't be so humble, dear Mel. I betyourhome is not covered in dust.”
I grimaced. “It's not, but it has plenty of other issues. If I had the money, I'd move in a heartbeat. Anyway, my building's just up ahead.”
“Excellent!” Edgar practically vibrated with eagerness as he flew towards the door. “Shall we?”
The building off Main Street didn't look too bad from the outside, only a bit run-down, but it was a whole different story inside—not to mention the man who ran the place. What if Edgar took one look at it and ran off?
No, he wouldn't do something like that. Edgar was kind. I had to give him more credit.
I swallowed my pride. I was here to hang out with my friend, not fret over the state of my apartment.
Taking a deep breath, I pulled the door open. It creaked on its rusty hinges. As soon as I stepped inside, the familiar musty smell filled my nose. The front foyer was never a pleasant experience but it felt even more embarrassing with a guest with me.
“Exquisite,” Edgar murmured as he examined the walls. “What does this art piece represent?”
I squinted at what he was looking at. “Erm, that's an old water stain.”
“Ah.”
I kept my voice down. “Upkeep is the landlord's responsibility, but it's just the foyer. It doesn't matter that much.”
“This land-lord you keep mentioning. Where is he? I'd like to have a word with him,” Edgar announced.
A sudden nervous tingle ran across my skin. Not everybody couldseeEdgar, but could they hear him? Should I have even bothered asking him to speak quietly? Nobody seemed to overhear him in the city streets, so I assumed there was no point.
“Ah, it's okay, Edgar,” I said. “Don't worry about him. Let's go upstairs to my place and watch a movie.”
A deep, hostile voice spoke up behind me. “Who's this Edgar, and why's he want a word with me?”
Six
