Ghost Boyfriend

girl

The next day, I awake to the sketch, crumpled under my arm. It's in shambles and I pluck it away in horror, examining it closely for rips...which there's none thankfully. Mark's disappeared and I honestly feel a lot better than yesterday. It seems like nothing ever happened, the howling boy, the gruff commands he gave... nothing added up which is enough proof that I'm not losing my mind. It was just a dream. A stupid dream. At seven o'clock, I'm sipping coffee and leaning against the rails on the balcony, staring down at the beautiful people passing by.

"Good morning!" there's a crash as Mag knocks over a chair, spilling her coffee in the slight accident. She's got her hair up in bunches due to aggressive tossing about on the bed last night. Mag's always been a sleeptalker, going all out most nights about 'stitches and mungo' and other weird stuff I couldn't comprehend. Once, she came off and I tried to make out what she was saying which sounded like 'lick off the poop in my panties' or something. I'll never tell her, she's cray-cray.

"Oops. Clean that later," she shrugs, smiling as she fell in place beside me. "So, you and Felipe were quite up for a chat last night. Coupling so soon?"

I take a curt sip of coffee, pushing my hair locks back in a girly fashion. "Yeah, we chatted. But nothing's gonna come out of it," oh god! How can she think I'm into her boyfriend? Is she insane or just insecure? Mag's always been a snooze so I can't say if she feels that way. "You both are together already," I add quickly.

"What!" she looks attacked, eyes wide in shock. "No, no, no he's not unto me. Yuck. Actually, he's a big mystery and doesn't come out often but I'm guessing he's single for your taking. Wanna head out to Chuck's tonight?"

So, I put off all the insanity of the previous day, blaming it on the emotional strain and go out to Chuck's for dinner and clubbing afterwards. Mag notified her crew and I might be quite up for some spending considering they're quite a lot but what matters? Being selfish, or breaking bread with friends? You choose.

A little before six, I'm all washed up and ready when Mag's friends arrive and at the sight of them, she starts squealing in excitement. I dole out at the balcony, pretending to be engrossed in my phone and chats. I'm not that keen on Mag's fams for they're all weird and bloke...well not all, just two blokes while the three left looked like thin sticks. They'd all met up again at rehab after many years since childhood. The two blokes are twin brothers who keep goatees and never shave their armpits (Max and Gus, I presume and trust me I see it whenever they stretch) both call Mag 'Margarita!' and barely makes an effort at their dressing. The other three boys are cousins and cute to an extent with blonde hairs and big blue eyes but Gawd... their breath stinks! And whenever they say 'hi' or I'm forced to air-kiss them politely, the foul breath pours out, saturates the air as I'm left gasping my lungs out.

But Mag adores them. They'd all been buddies at high school and knew each other's deepest darkest secrets. Some, which I'm not allowed in on. They'd never know I have my wicked little ways and if I want to know something which they don't want me to know, all I have to do is get Mag drunk and she spits every word out like a disc.

Duh... I'm a hypnotist!

I wonder how she survives them especially when I'm gone. They're rubbing on their stinky breaths and attitudes on her, my best friend slowly turning into a pig. I want to keep her away from them badly but she's always saying they're her family and among the best things that ever happened to her. Which is a bit touchy but I'm helpless. I'll just look out for her instead.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I'm impressed with what I see. Black sleek chambray over blue warm chinos and black shiny boots which I got from a yard sale... what a great buy... I look lovely!

I linger a bit on the balcony and resignedly yanked the door open.

"Hello Pete!" one of the blokes I'm guessing to be Max because they both look so much alike says. " What a surprise to see you at home."

"Came back only yesterday," I force a smile. "But I don't intend to stay longer than a few weeks." now that I'm back to reality, I reckon I may zip off to Hampshire by the end of the week. The hallucination is over, one can only dream, right?

The two blokes look exquisite today in tight-fitting trousers and matching turtlenecks, an upgrade I'd say. The others aren't a tad different from other days as they gape at me as if I fell from the moon or crashed in their homes. They're so thin and their shirts seem smoked with trousers made out of prickly tweed.

And to think I'm eating out with these weirdos...ha! My life's practically a joke.

"OMG! It's really beautiful Gus!" Mag's pulling out a grey floral gown with blue tints and pressed it to her bosom, looking from Max to Gus stupidly with shining eyes. I can't say I'm impressed with the dress though. First off, the colour grey screams dull to me which makes the overall outlook dingy. The tints aren't colourful enough as it appears the blue is fading, together with the double-breasted tube which looked tailored during the First World War.

"It's stunning!" I say as though I'm into it. "Marvellous fabric."

Max's glancing at me with expectant eyes. "It is, isn't it? Cheryl picked it this morning."

"Dazzling! Cheryl's got good taste!" I say. "Wear this and...men will feast their eyes off you!"

What the crap am I going on about anyway? Ugh, being fake takes a lot of work and energy.

"You're an enthusiastic one," one of the thin guys I'm guessing to be Clement or Clem... whatever, says to me. "Any man hitting on you."

"Nope," I shake my head. "My boyfriend passed away months ago. Not searching sorry."

"Poor you. Still hasn't gotten over the guy? Or you're just scared," he smirks and I suppress a puke. Unbelievable. Does this guy think he can date me?!

"Maybe," I put it off and glance at my watch idly. "It's almost seven, Let's get going."

Chuck's filled up and abuzz but we manage to snag a booth, stashing for ourselves huge red glossy flip-up menus. I'm overwhelmed mostly by the crowd, but I feel myself relax more. Eating out is so much more interesting with Mag paying. I only came out with two hundred quid just in case. At least I'm insured.

"What are you all having?" Mag says enthusiastically as though her father's the president and her purse's stuffed. "Anything worth having. Anything at all."

"I'll take a beer," Max says, accidentally belching out loud. The chatter all around dies down a bit as people give him the snide eyes. "Sorry." he apologized, picking his nose.

I'm trying not to crawl under the table.

"Oh damn, there goes Chrysta." Gus cries, pointing at a girl who's hair is practically made up of strings and bits of sparkly stones. "We haven't met her in months! I must go say hello!"

Gus gets up to his feet and walks off toward her with the others waving. "Say hi for us!"

This is spiteful. How on earth are these weirdos tolerated? I mean, look at me all dressed up fancy for a good night's out and I'll I've done so far is sit and stare hard at the menu, pretending to be hungry while bloody Max and Clement and the whole others practically shake hands with everyone who passes by. It's so unfair. Not like I'm bothered but perhaps I've been away for so long no one recognizes me anymore. I need to make a new friend. I need to take risks and go all out on being social; talking to guys I've never met before and spicing up my compliments a bit to gain attention. I want to go 'Hey bro! What's up? I'm Peter!" along with the others. That'll do. I'll prove to Max and Peter that I know people too.

With a disbelieving shriek, I spot Felipe farther off in the throng, looking smart in a black business suit. He's a friend right? I mean we talked yesterday. He helped me sketch and almost kissed me so that makes us much more. Whatever. As long as he's here nothing matters.

I get up and stall forward, beating down the questioning looks Clement gives me to the back of my mind. Here goes nothing. You can do this Peter! Get your s**t together and wrap this up! I scream in my head.

Felipe's laughing and gesticulating curtly, his eyes shining in animation. He's the one, I realize just before he turns around and my breath becomes raspy.

Someone's clinging onto his arm and that someone happens to be...a girl!