“Actually, I don’t think Ihave the energyto remain in my body for the rest of the night,” I say, tossing my bangsfrommy eyes.“I’ll just see you in the morning.”
Without waiting for her response, I retreat to the void.
But before the room completely disappears, I swear I hear the faintest hint of her soft voicewhispering, “Goodnight.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
KENNEDY
Yesterday was…intense.
Not so much because of everything Theo opened up to me about, but because I hadn’t expected to see such a relaxed side of him.If only someone besides Aidan had been there for him all these years,maybe hewould be a completely different man, or ghost,today.
Throughout the timewe spenttogetheryesterday, it felt like I was sharing a house with a different ghost.One that didn’t hide away from his problems and actually spent time with others.He laughed and made jokes.And even, for a brief moment, it felt as if he saw me as more than his roommate.
Seeing Theo from such a new perspectivehasmefeelingeven worse about the way he left last night. Ihaven’tseen or heard a peep from him since he faded away before my eyes. The house was eerily quiet without him there, anda day filled with friendship and laughter, I felt utterly alone.
I did, however, have an excellent night’s sleep. Sleeping on the floor did wonders for my back, and the thick layer of blankets I created was a lotmore comfythan I expected it to be. Alongwith the heat radiating from the fireplace, I stayed warm and cozy until the blinding sun pierced through the now streak-free windows.
The bright sun reminds meit’stime to get moving.Before leaving Kiki’syesterday morning, Simone offered to take me on a tour of the town, and a little distance from Theo feels like the right move. ThoughI’vemanaged to explore quite a bit on my own so far, it would be nice to see Shadow Hills from alocal’sperspective. I knowthere’sso muchthat’schanged since I was a child. I would love to see where my sister lives now,where Imight be living if I decide to move in with her.
I neatly fold the blankets and stack them one by one on the day bed.The fire is just barely smoldering in the grate, so I leave it, hoping it will keep the house warm until Theo decides to comeback.I’mterrible with survival skills and knowthere’sno wayI’llbe able to relight it once it goes out.
I discreetly sniff my underarms, but Idon’tsmell. Thankfully, showers are not something I will need to keep up with in the afterlife. I summon a matching set of navy leggings and a sports bra along with a purple sweatshirt.
Despite the restful night I had in front of the fire, my body is starting to feel fatigued from how longI’vespent in it. I shift into my spirit form before heading out the door and instantly feel relief. Carrying the weight of my body aroundfeels likehavingdumbbells strapped to my ankles. No wonder ghosts prefer to remain incorporeal.
I no longer feel the temperature onceI’veshifted forms, but when I get into town, I see there are a lot of folks who have opted to ditch their jackets today. It must be an unseasonably warm day for December, but Tennessee has always hadfinicky weather. We neverexperiencetrue winter until January, even if there were smallcold spellsin between.
There’svery littlesnow left on the ground as Ipassin front of the high school. Besides a handful of brown-tinged mounds, the sidewalks are fully cleared for pedestrians.Even with the festive snowmelted,the general mood is still centered on the holidays. I hear Christmas tunes playing from a car passing by, and the red bows are still tied tightly to every lamp post.
Kiki’s is already packedthis morning, but I head straight for the bakery.I actually missed not seeing Claudia yesterday, and now that I’ve had some time to consider, I think I might actually want to work there.It would be a fun, easy gig that will help me start earning money. It’salso the perfect way to meet more people intown while spending more time getting to know thisnew versionof my sister.
The only thing is, Idon’tknow what to tell her aboutmyother offer. The day I had yesterday with Theo only proves how much he wouldbenefitfrom having me around.Idon’twant to disappoint my sister, but Ifeel like Ineed to stay for him, if only for a little while, to help himacclimatetobeing a member of Shadow Hills again.
TheCLOSEDsignisdisplayed in the door of the bakery when Iarrive, but IseeClaudia bent over thecounterinside, so I float through the door. Her nose scrunchesin concentration as she scribbles numbers on a notepad.
“Good morning!” I greet her.
She jumps and clutches her chest. “Ah!”
I frown. “My bad.”
Claudia presses her forehead to the notepad then straightens, plastering a smile on her face. “I’mfine.It’sfine. I need to get used to the fact that my sister could pop up at any moment now.”
“I don’t have to pop up,” I say, “if youdon’twant me to. I couldknock.”
“No, no!” She shoves her papers in a drawer and shakes her head. “You shouldn’t have to shift for my benefit.” The collar of her shirt is already stained with something, and she tries to wipe it away when Inotice. “Earlybirdgets the worm,” she titters. “Or so they say.I’vebeen here since 4 A.M. baking.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes.”
She heads to the back and I follow, careful not to get too close. Idon’twant to accidentally pass through her.
“Three days a week, I get here early to start baking,” she explains, grabbing the apron she has hanging on the corner of a plastic shelving unit. “Some items last longer than others, but most of the time I’m churning out scones.”
I lift myself over the worktable and glide to the other side of the room where I can sense Claudia is headed. “Are those popular?”
