Among the Living

Chapter Eleven

Monday morning. My father drove me and Jeff to school. “Well here we are!” my father said with way too much excitement. “Borne High School. This is where your new lives begin guys. Well you better get going. You don’t want to be late for your first day. Bye now.”

Jeff and I get out of the car. My father takes off just as I close the door. I look at Jeff, “Where are we supposed to go?”

“To the main office I guess.” He says looking around “what a dumpy school.”

We head toward the main office. We stop in front of the secretary desk. “May I help you?” she says in a bored voice without looking up

“I’m Mattie Gilbert and this is my step-brother Jeff…”

She just looks at him and says, “Pleasure.” But it didn’t sound like she was very happy to meet him at all. I guess she doesn’t really enjoy her job that much

“We are new students.” I told the secretary

“Names?”

“I’m Mattie Gilbert.”

“I’m Jeffrey Swanson.”

“Grades?”

“I’m a sophomore and he is a junior.”

“Mattie Gilbert; grade ten. Your schedule. Jeffrey Swanson; grade eleven. Your schedule.” She hands us our schedules and maps of the school. If all of the teachers are like her, then the rest of this year is going to be exhausting. But hopefully the students aren’t all that bad.

I make my way to my math class. Class had already started when I walked into the room.

“Everyone this is Mattie Gilbert. Mattie, welcome to your first period, math. I do not tolerate students being late. Now please take your seat.”

I slide into the only empty seat and find myself wondering, did Alex sit here? Was this his math class? Do I have the same schedule he did? Second period came shortly after. I got the same introduction. Again I sat in the seat the teacher had assigned me. Five minutes passed and someone slid into the classroom no one seemed to notice him. Until the teacher said, “Mr. Winter you’re late that’s the fifth time in the past two weeks.”

“Sorry. It won’t happen again.”

Winter? That name sounded familiar but I can’t remember where I heard it. The winter kid sat down on the desk next to me. He was really cute. He had deep blue eyes, blonde hair, he looked pretty strong; like he always works out, and really white teeth, he walked as if he owned the world. Whoever he was currently dating, she is a very lucky girl.

He looked over at me and smiled smugly. “Hey new girl? Why are you dressed like a bum?”

I roll my eyes at him. “The name is Mattie. Not new girl. I would appreciate it if you would not call me names. And I would prefer the term hippie over bum.”

He flashes me a look of confusion. I guess no one has ever stood up to him before. Finally it hit me. I remembered where I heard his last name. It was the same one as Alex's.

So this was the Colton that Alex was talking about. “Hey, you wouldn’t happen to have a brother, would you?”

He almost looked confused. “ I had a brother. Why do you ask?”

“oh I just thought your name sounded familiar. Wait what do you mean by you had a brother?”

A wave of grief washes over him. “He passed away”

“Was it like an accident or what? I hope you don’t mind me asking” I held my breath eager to know the answer so I could tell Alex. Then maybe he would be satisfied so he could finally cross over.

“He committed suicide.”

That was not the answer I was expecting. It seemed like he was hiding something. At least I had something to tell Alex.

The day went by so much faster. No one bullied me today except for Colton. But he might get revenge on me for asking what happened to his brother. It was only my first day of school and already it seemed like I created an enemy.

Before I knew it, the final bell rang for school to end. I rushed out of the front doors. I wait outside for my father or Janice to show up. I could walk home but I didn’t know my way around. I was getting antsy by the minute. Then Jeff walked out of the building and stood next to me.

“Is Sam or my mom here yet?”

“Obviously not or we would be home already.”

“What’s wrong with you? I always thought hippies were happy and peaceful all the time.”

“I’m not a hippie!” I yell

“Well what the f**k is your problem then?”

“First day of school and people are already making fun of me.”

“That totally sucks, bro. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No!” I respond with annoyance

My father pulled up in front of the school in his white 2005 Kia. I pull open the passenger car door. “Thanks a lot dad school ended twenty minutes ago.”

“Sorry, it's not my fault my meeting ran a little late.”

After a few wrong turns, we finally made it home. I open the car door and ran into the house. Not bothering to close any of the doors. I gallop up the stairs and throw my book bag on the floor next to my bed. “Alex?” I look around. No sign of him anywhere. Where could he possibly be at this time of day? I mean he is a ghost or entity or whatever. He even said so himself, no one can see or hear him. “Alex?” I call out again.

“You rang?”

“Alex!” I nearly jumped out of my skin. He just appeared out of no where. “I’ve been looking for you.” I say my voice shaking a little.

“Well you found me. What do you want?”

“I know how you died.”

“Really?!How?” Alex was utterly shocked.

“I don’t know if it’s exactly what you want to hear; but, you committed suicide.”

“What!? Are you sure? It can’t be; I would never do that my mother would just be heartbroken.”

“Well Colton said you did.”

“Colton? I should have known. You can’t trust Colton.”

“Why not?”

“You have no idea what he is capable of.”

“What is he capable of?”

“He manipulates, threatens, harasses, and lies to everyone, including my parents.”

“How can people stand to be around him then?”

“Because he lures you into trusting him, like the witch in Hansel and Gretel then that’s when he manipulates you. If you turn against him then he will get his revenge. He will get his revenge.”

“Was it always that bad living with him?”

“No not always.” He launches into a story.