Chapter 28: Make Things Right

·Grace's POV·

My life is such a mess at this moment. The Universe seems to think that what I was already going through wasn't enough for me. Now, we need to add Ella mysteriously knowing about Archer and Scott eavesdropping my conversations to my 'problems to solve' list.

Isn't life just great?

Moreover, it's a quarter past eight on a Tuesday morning, meaning that I'm driving not only Toli and Katie to high school, but Isaac too. God, give me strength.

"Are we there yet?" Isaac asked me.

"No..."

"Okay." Ten seconds passed and he continued. "Are we there yet?"

"Isaac, for the thousandth time, NO! If you don't stop annoying me, I'll gladly pull over and force you to walk the rest of the way to high school! Are we clear?!"

"Yes mom." He turned his face to Toli and murmured. "What got her panties in a twist?"

"Just stress, and you being so freaking childish doesn't help either Isaac."

"Excuse you! Many people would pay for the simple pleasure of my company."

"Oh, I see. That's why you got yourself kicked out of the book club, the school's choir, the football team, the drama club (still trying to figure out how did you manage to do that), the swimming team, the-"

"We get it Toli! I'm too fabulous for those people, I know. You don't have to remind me every single time."

"Ugh." Toli rolled her eyes and started to play with her mobile phone.

"We're here." I announced.

"About time! One more minute with the old couple over here-" Katie pointed to Toli and Isaac. "-and I would have jumped off the car. Seriously!"

The four of us stepped out of my Volkswagen when I parked it. In the parking lot, one detail caught my attention. Most of the student population was looking at us. More concretely, at me. I heard some girl ask her friend: "Is it true though? I didn't expected her to be a loony."

What the actual hell is happening?

The moment we reached the lockers, everything made sense. With white paint, someone had painted a ghost under the words: 'Ghost whisperer' on mine. My two best friends and I shared a scared look. How did they know? We have been careful, except when... Oh. Hell. No.

While Isaac was shouting at anyone who stopped and stared, Katie and Toli were saying: "Show is over! Go on with your lives, if you have one!"

Any other time I would think about how amazing my friends can be, protecting me, but that's not my concern at this very moment.

I spotted Roland about to enter his art class. Before he could, I called him.

"Roland, do you know where Scott is? I really need to talk to him."

"He told me he wouldn't be coming to school today. I guess he's feeling sick or something. Why?"

"I want to make sure he wasn't the one spraying my locker."

"Wait, what?"

"A mysterious person thought it was hilarious to make fun of me, apparently."

"What color did that person use, Grace?"

"Why does that even matter?"

"Answer me."

"White. It was white, okay?"

"Grace, I lent Scott my white spray yesterday. I swear I didn't know a single thing. He told me it was for a graffiti he's been working on." He was telling me the truth, I know him.

Who I don't seem to know anymore is Scott. The only question haunting me was: Why?

***

After attending my classes, I decided to go and pay Scott a visit. But first, I'll park my car and then... Wait, what is Scott doing talking to my parents in front of my house?

There they stood, Scott conversing with my dad while my mum stayed quiet, shock all over her face.

Then, they saw me arrive.

"What's going on here?"

"Sweetie, why haven't you told us?" My mom suddenly talked.

"Huh?"

"I know everything's been very difficult since your grandma died and sometimes you feel extremely alone, but ghosts don't exist Grace." Dad replayed me.

"I don't know what lies this plonker has been feeding you, but trust me when I say he's crazy."

"Oh, so I am the one who is crazy? How funny, I don't recall myself confessing that I have feelings for a ghost in the school's bathroom." He retorted.

That arse.

"Gracie, we understand. Your nightmares and this situation have become unbearable. It's okay, we'll provide you the help you need. He is on his way."

"Who is on his way mum?"

"A psychiatrist, dear. He'll be of great help."

"Thank your friend Scott. Without him, we would have never noticed." Dad added.

"You think I'm crazy, you're sending me to an asylum."

"No! We just think you are just overwhelmed by all the things that have been happening to you. That's all."

"HOW DARED YOU TELL ALL THIS LIES TO MY PARENTS AND THE WHOLE SCHOOL, YOU ASSHOLE! I WAS TELLING THE TRUTH AND YOU KNOW IT!" I started hitting him in anger, punching his nose and feeling it crack because of the force.

"GRACE, CALM DOWN!" My father took me in his arms, putting as much distance between Scott and I as possible.

"He was trying to warn us, don't blame him." My mom defended Scott, whose nose was bleeding uncontrollably all thanks to me.

Suddenly, I heard a car approaching our house. The psychiatrist. I need to get out of here, now.

And that's what I did.

Freeing myself from my dad's grasp, I took my car keys out of my back pocket and ran away. The three of them were uselessly trying to stop me, what a waste of time. By the time they reached where my car stood originally, I had already left. What they didn't know is that I have planned in advance where to stay until it all clears up.

So I continued to drive, not caring about the traffic signs on the road.

One hour later, my grandfather opened his door.

"Honey, what are you doing here? It's Tuesday."

"You once asked me to trust you, remember? Well, now it's your turn."

We entered the house and I explained it all to him: how Archer and I met, how we discovered the reason of Archer's death because of his confession on Halloween, my nightmares and, of course, my present situation.

"So you are trying to tell me you can talk to the boy I killed?"

"I told you grandpa, it wasn't you. It was the darkness. It possessed you and Archer."

"And we both have the same nightmares."

"Mmm not the same, but similar, yeah."

"Grace, this is too much..."

"I know but you have-"

"I believe you." He cut me mid sentence. "Better than anyone. You can stay here as long as you need to. I'll cover you up."

"About that. The first place they are going to look for me is here. Right now, they must be on their way. I just need to pack some clothes and personal stuff I conserve in the guest room."

"But where are you planning to stay then?"

"Hopefully, at St. George."

"Weren't the two of you not talking to each other anymore?"

"I guess it's time for making up."

*****

A.N: Grace's a runaway now. And don't get me started with Scott... Too many emotions in this chapter for me to bear, I don't know about you guys. See you next chapter.

Love,

M³