The Phantom Crystal

Sister Approved

“You met WHO today?”

I wince while hiding my smile as Rae shrieks at me. I readjust my hold on my tablet as Rae vanishes for a second before reappearing with a chocolate shake in hand and Casper sitting next to her. I roll my eyes as she turns her attention back to me, a pout on her face.

“I said I met Jim Pax today. He wanted to talk with Ian and I just happened to still be there when he arrived.”

Surprise flickers across Casper’s face as he glances at my sister as she sags, sipping her drink as she sulks.

“What was he like?”

A thoughtful frown tugs on my lips as I relax back in my seat. My classes are all done for the day so I decided to visit the basement of the library, secretly hoping to see if the 3 librarians will stop by today so I can tell them how meeting Max went. Sadly, I have yet to see the three since I settled 30 minutes ago so I decided to chat with Rae for a little bit and tell her who I met today just to see her reaction. And I was not disappointed.

I scrub a hand down my face.

“He’s much taller in person than he appears on TV.” I chuckle and shrug. “Maybe all of his friends are also tall so he just didn’t look that big. He was quite excited to meet Ian and is even hoping to meet Mom and Dad while he’s here shooting.”

Rae leans toward her camera, brushing her bangs from her face as she studies me.

“But is he as hot as is he on TV?”

I roll my eyes as Casper starts laughing. My sister’s boyfriend wraps his arm around her shoulders as he sips his vanilla shake.

“I mean, it’s a fair question,” Casper says as I hesitate. “He’s a good-looking man and we need to know if he lives up to that hype.”

These two, I swear to god. Phantom snickers in my mind but otherwise remains silent. Drumming my fingers on my knee, I choose my words carefully. While I am nervous about Jim and his friends shooting here and possibly ghost hunting with us on Saturday, I can’t help but also feel a little excited. It’s not often I get to ghost hunt with someone closer to my age who actually knows what they’re doing.

“Yeah,” I say finally, biting my lip as heat threatens to spread across my face. “He’s actually really hot and has the British accent to die for.” My eyebrow twitches as Phantom’s laughter escalates in my mind, his amusement spiking in my chest and I try to push his emotions to the side. I cross my arms. “It’s almost unfair on just how good-looking he is. And he seems rather nice as well.” A small smile tugs on my lips. “And he even knew who I was, which was kinda shocking but nice.”

“Awe, darling, don’t be so bashful,” Phantom says, appearing directly in front of me, floating on his stomach and resting his chin on his forearms. “A whole lot more people will learn about you if that Jim-guy films here.”

My eyes narrow as I shoot the Phantom an unamused glance before refocusing on the image of my sister and her boyfriend. Rae sighs heavily and sags against Casper dramatically.

“It’s not fair,” Rae whines, draping her arm over her eyes. “I’ve been dying to meet Jim Pax since I was 18 and here you just up and meet him just randomly after class.”

I laugh, shrugging.

“I’m sure if I asked, he might be willing to call you, Rae,” I suggest, causing Rae to sit up instantly.

“Wait. Really?”

I nod.

“Yeah. He and his friends might be joining us on a ghost hunt on Saturday, so I’m sure he’d be willing to take five minutes to call you.”

Rae’s face falls as I talk and concern bubbles in my stomach as she glances off to the side, sipping her drink with pursed lips.

“Rae?” I ask, uncertainty spreading across my chest. “What’s wrong?”

My sister pauses, glaring off to the side. Casper leans forward, whispering softly, concern evident on his face as he rubs her shoulders. He’s talking too quietly for me to hear anything. I shoot Phantom a frantic look as I shuffle forward, leaning into the camera.

“Rae? What’s goin’ on?”

Casper nudges Rae when she doesn’t answer right away, leaning in to whisper in her ear one last time and nodding toward the camera. Rae glances my way before heaving a heavy sigh. My frown deepens as my concern nearly overflows.

“Rae—?”

“I was just hoping that you would stay away from all the paranormal stuff while at school. Especially after what happened.” Rae’s lips form a thin line and her eyebrows pinch together as she stares off at a stop just above the camera. “I just don’t want you getting hurt, Jackie.”

My body sags and a small smile spreads across my lips.

“I promise to be careful, Rae. I promised Rose to attend the Ghost & Ghouls meeting yesterday and I even helped them find places to go ghost hunting at here on campus.”

Rae’s eyes flicker back down to me as she swirls her drink.

“Just promise me that if anything happens, you’ll stop, okay? You’re far more important than any ghost hunt will ever be.”

My chest warms and a soft huff of a laugh escapes me. If my sister could be standing before me, I’d have hugged her. No matter how old I am, my big sister is always looking out for me.

“I promise.” I smile. “If it helps, Ian will be there and quite possibly Jim and his crew. So, I’m not gonna be surrounded by amateurs and being the only experienced person there. But if things start going south, I’ll stop.”

Rae relaxes, as if a huge weight is lifted from her shoulders. She nods once and reaches out for a handful of fries from somewhere offscreen.

“That does, actually. Ian won’t let you get hurt and the extra support of the dreamboat will definitely help.”

I roll my eyes when Rae practically sighs the word ‘dreamboat’. She’s lucky that Casper also thinks that Jim is good-looking and isn’t the jealous type. My eyes shift over to Phantom, who is snickering into his hand. His crimson eyes meet mine and he winks at me before mouthing;

‘Dreamboat?’

‘Knock it off,’ I think, my lips twitching as I fight not to laugh out loud. Phantom winks again, but he floats higher toward the ceiling to hide his laughing fit.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

My eyes snap back to my phone as Rae suddenly leans forward. She groans.

“Sorry, Jackie. My phone is about to die and I forgot my charger cord at home, so I have to put it on my wireless charger.”

I wave her off, smiling.

“It’s fine. I should probably get going as well. My friends want to meet up for supper at the Union and I don’t wanna lug my backpack there with me.”

Rae nods as she lifts her phone until only her and Casper’s faces are in frame.

“Sounds good. Stay out of trouble, Jackie. Love you.”

“See ya, Jack.”

I lift a hand.

“Bye guys, love ya.”

Leaning forward, I sign off and start packing everything back into my messenger bag. Phantom floats back down, an amused smirk still in place as he tracks my movements.

‘Well, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a couple ever agree on someone not in the relationship being a ‘Dreamboat’.’

I groan and stand.

‘You’re never gonna let that go, are you?’

‘Nope.’

Sighing, I shoot him a half-hearted glare but my smile ruins it. Shaking my head, I zip up my jacket and make my way out of the basement of the library. My gaze flicker around as I walk, one last ditch effort to possibly find the three librarians, but no shivers and no chills that are paranormal related.

‘They aren’t here today,’ Phantom states as he floats next to me. ‘So, there’s no reason to look.’

I tuck my chin into my jacket as I exit the library, a little disheartened.

‘I had a feeling, but I couldn’t help but hope. I wanted to tell them how the meeting with Max went. And that he didn’t try attacking me.’

The Phantom snorts.

‘He wouldn’t have dared. Even for a poltergeist Max is a complete coward, especially when he knew just WHO you were carrying inside of you.’

My eyes water as a burst of wind from the lake hits me full-force and I tuck my hands further into my pockets.

‘Yes, well, the day before we....met, I was attacked by a poltergeist while on a ghost hunt, so excuse me for being a little relieved when the only other poltergeist I came into contact with didn’t try throwing me across the room.’

My eyes widen a little when Phantom floats closer and wraps his arms around my neck.

‘Oh, don’t worry about it, darling,’ Phantom whispers, purring into my ear. ‘As long as we share this body of yours, I’ll make sure any other ghost and spirit will think twice before touching you.’

Heat spreads across my face as I tuck my chin even further into my jacket to hide my flustered reaction as warm breath hits my ear.

‘Stop being weird,’ I think, glad to not be talking out loud because I’m afraid that my voice would waver or crack. Phantom chuckles in my ear and a shiver that isn’t from the cold shakes me. He pecks my temple before releasing me and vanishing to let me walk in silence as I enter the tunnel system.

A sigh escapes me when warm air hits me as I walk through the doors, the tunnel nearly quiet with the exception of the pipes lining the walls and ceiling. Unzipping my jacket a little, I glance around the empty tunnel, frowning as an unusual feeling creeps into my gut.

‘Phantom? Do you feel that?’

Instantly the Phantom returns to my side, eyes narrow and humor gone from his demeanor. My unease continues to grow the further I walk into the tunnel. Where are all the other students? It’s not even that late in the day, it’s barely past 4:30.

‘There’s someone here,’ Phantom states, his voice low and crimson eyes flashing. ‘And they’re quite powerful.’