There's a Ghost in My House [o1]

Ashlee was at my house, we were standing in front of my mirror. Ashlee was wearing a pale pink strapless with a full skirt. Her blonde hair was curled and her tanned shoulders were dusted with sparkles, as was her hair.

My light brown hair was curled into a wave, like Ashlee's. But I was wearing a aqua colored dress with spaghetti straps that also had a full skirt. Of course, Ashlee was more graceful considering I had to use crutches.

"Girls! I want pictures, come on." Mom called outside the bathroom door. Ashlee squeezed my hand.

"I'm so excited!" Ashlee squealed. I smiled at her. Her happiness was contagious. I only wish I could keep it. Ashlee and me walked into the hall and Mom started snapping pictures. The doorbell dinged.

"Oh, I need pictures of you with your dates!" Mom turned.

"Date," I corrected.

"You're not going with the same person are you?" Mom asked. I neglected to mention I was going stag.

"Uh, no. I'm going alone." I clarified. Mom looked sad a moment but she didn't let me see it for long. We all walked downstairs. Jeremy was waiting. He stared at Ashlee.

"You both look beautiful." Jeremy said, but he was staring at Ashlee. She was very pretty.

"Well, I need pictures." Mom said. She positioned us in every position imaginable. Well maybe not every one. But close.

"Okay, Mom, we need to go now." I headed for the door and Ashlee and Jeremy followed. We got in to Jeremy's car. A silver Volvo.

When we arrived at the gym, the place was packed.

"Wow, the gyms almost not big enough," Ashlee murmured. She was right of course. But the place was pretty. Lots of snowflakes. And a live band. I don't know who it was though. Some new people. But they were good. I swayed a little to the music. Ashlee and Jeremy were off getting there pictures taken.

I was over by the snack table. Waiting for them. Ashlee came up to me. She was so happy. Then her expression changed. She was shocked.

"Ashlee, what's wrong?" I asked. She blinked at whoever was behind me.

"Hello Jamie, can I have this dance?" A voice said. My heart stopped and I felt like I was mush. This can't be happening. I swallowed and turned slowly to see if the person the voice belonged to was who I really thought it was. I looked up and inhaled in a sharp breath. It was.

"I-I can't dance with a broken l-leg," I stammered out.

"Please?" His voice was so familiar, the voice of the boy I loved. Matthew. I bit my lip and I wanted to look away, but I was so afraid he'd disappear. I could no longer speak, so I just nodded.

He held out his hand. I stared at him a moment, before placing my hand in his. A zing shot through my hand and into my heart. I blushed. I was actually touching him. For the first time ever. And he was just cold air. He was a warm hand. I could feel my knees growing weak as he lead me onto the dance floor. Everyone was staring at him. Which meant they were also staring at me. I was incredably nervous, dispite everything I've been through with him.

I was probably as red as a tomato. A slow started to play. My breathing almost stopped all together. I hesitantly placed my hands on his shoulders and forced myself to look into his eyes. His gorgeous blue eyes. Matthew chuckled.

"You're shaking," He said. I laughed self-consciously. "Why are you nervous? We've known each other a long time."

"Well, uh," My voice was shaking a little. Damn nervousness. "This is the first time you've acutally been able to touch me, really." We swayed to the music. People were still staring. "And, um, people are staring." I glanced over at them, as did Matthew.

"Yeah, I guess they are. So? That does bother you?"

"Uh, yeah, a lit-little." I focused on taking steady breaths.

"I don't seem real to you, do I?" Matthew asked. I slowly shook my head. "Well, I'm really real. And very much alive."

"How-how do I know? You could still be a ghost, just more solid. Or maybe I'm dreaming. Or maybe I'm just day dreaming and you're something out of my-" I stopped talking. Mostly because he was kissing me. It was without a doubt the best kiss of my life.

"Does that convince you?" Matthew's eyes were sparkling, and he was smiling. I nodded.

"Wow," I murmured quietly.

"Yeah, no kidding. I've been waiting a long time to do that." Matthew admitted. I blushed. "I never realized how easy you blush." That made me smile.

"Because when you were a ghost, you couldn't make me blush that easy." I explained. The song stopped and so did we. Matthew pushed a strand of hair behind my ear. I chewed on my bottom lip. Watching him. A lot of the girls were gawking at him. He did look good. His brown hair perfectly messy and his gorgeous blue eyes sparkled. I was afraid I was going to start hyperventilating.

"Yeah, but I'm glad I'm not a ghost anymore," Matthew's hand was still on my cheek, and he was staring into my eyes.

"Me too," I managed to whisper. How does he do that?

"I'm glad you feel that way too."

"Me too." Great, now I was on one-word autopilot. Come on Jamie! This is the same guy who was dead. He's just not dead anymore! Now you can actually touch him and kiss him. You should be screaming for joy. Not shaking in fear!

But I knew why I was so scared. I was scared he would leave again. Become dead again. Or worse, find someone else. I mean, I was plain looking and there were girls who could be supermodels here.

"Come on, let's leave. This place is too crowded." Matthew said. I wanted nothing more then to do just that. But I needed to say goodbye to Ashlee first.

"I need to say goodbye to Ashlee," I told him. Matthew took my hand. The zing was there again. As it was everytime we touched. I blushed and walked over to Ashlee.

"Hey Ashlee," I said. She gaped at Matthew.

"How come I can see him? And you can touch him? He's supposed to be in a coma or a ghost." Ashlee said quickly.

"He's not anymore." I said, stating the obvious.

"I can see that Captain Obvious." Ashlee teased.

"You asked. Anyway, me and Matthew are gonna go. See you tomorrow?"

"You bet. I want details." Ashlee winked. I smiled back at my friend and waved as me and Matthew walked out of the dance. We walked over to his very nice looking car. Some kind of foreign title I didn't know. We drove a little while until we got to the beach. I left my high heel in the car. I was walking a little better on my foot. Matthew was holding my hand as I limped beside him. We found a good spot, with a perfect view of the moon. We sat down.

"Why are you scared?" Matthew whispered gently. I turned to face him.

"I'm afraid that you'll leave again, or you'll find someone prettier then me. It's shallow, but that's why I'm scared." I admitted. Matthew looked almost offended.

"I'm not leaving again, and there is no one prettier. You are the most beautiful girl in the world. And now, you're the center of my world. The most important thing."

"But how can you say that? When there's super model girls walking around school?" I was about to cry. Stupid tears!

"After everything we've been through together, how can you doubt my affections? Jamie, I love you. There's no one else for me. You're the One." Matthew looked very sincere. I was choked to tears. Matthew held me close and buried my head on his chest. I mean if a boy just told him you were the One and that he loved you, wouldn't you cry?

I sniffed and wiped my tears. I probably looked like a raccoon. I looked up into his eyes.

"I love you," I whispered. Matthew wrapped his arms around me again and leaned in to kiss me. But before he did, he said:

"I love you too Jamie Stone. I always will."