Forever Finding You

7

Wesleys POV:

I stared at the secret opening behind bookcase. I didnt need to question who was here. I couldn't be mad at her, it was her home to. The only thing that could possibly upset me was her friend convincing her to climb the gate. But even then I couldn't be upset with her.

She was young and death shouldnt even be a thought to her yet.

Exploring was a vital part of living and learning.

But why did she come here? Was it because this version of her got a thrill out of exploring old buildings? Ghost Hunters, I think people call themselves.

Was that what she was doing? Did something made her want to come here? Or was it just a coincidence?

I walked into the familiar room, filled with so many memories with her. I felt close to her just being here. My love.

The trunk was open and the silver necklace laid on the floor.

Something had happened to make them leave in such a hurry.

I bent down and picked up the necklace and care placed it back in the trunk for her.

Whispering "For when youre ready."

I turned and faced her protrait on the wall.

Well, Im sure that would raise some questions. Thats probably why they ran out the way they did. What did she think of it? That a random woman from some time ago happened to look just like her? Or will it bother her so much that she would keep coming back to try to find more information?

I was going to have to start introducing myself to her soon, so I can explain everything.

Laylas POV:

I told Britt everything that I had saw. I was convinced I was going crazy. Maybe my room had asbestos in the ceiling or I had a brain tumor. I wanted it to believe that it was something so simple. Something that could be explained easily.

I knew it wasnt though. Even Britt had saw the portrait of well, me.

"I'll be honest." Britt spoke up interrupting my thought process. We were at a fast food joint in the center of town now. Britt brought me here and bought some random food items, probably thinking I collapsed because my blood sugar was low. I wished it was that simple.

"I thought you were going crazy with your dreams. If I hadn't seen that protrait myself, I wouldn't know what to believe." She looked guilty when she finished as she picked at the fries in front of her.

I knew how it looked. Like people who pretend to sprain their ankle for attention. They show up to school with an ace bandage around their ankle and old crutches with a sob story. Then by the end of the day their arms get too tired of carrying themselves around so they start walking like nothing happened.

"It looks like Im seeking attention." I spoke outloud.

"But you're not that type of person. So I didnt know what to think."

Britt sipped slowly on her soda.

"But that painting." She whispered.

I dropped my head into my hands and rubbed my forehead. I didnt even want to think about it anymore. I wanted nothing to do with that protrait or that place. Or even...him.

"Maybe we should just do our project on something else." I told her without looking up.

I heard her place her cup down hard

"Not a chance. Im fully invested now." She spoke a little too loud.

I looked up at her confused by her reaction.

"Look I dont know whats happening but if we just stop we wont get any answers. It'll bother you, itll bother me, then you wont be the only one losing sleep at night. And you know I ENJOY my sleep." Britt said as she crossed her arms fighting to keep herself from smiling.

I couldn't find the humor in it though. Britt wanted to run right towards the mystery and I just wanted to hide from it.

"The project is about the history of a building or event though, not my weird visions." I argued trying to change the subject. "I also dont want to to announce to the whole class that I had weird visions about it during the presentation. Ill be a joke."

"Well we obviously wont add that part in." Britt answered.

I didnt answer her though. I just wanted to be done with all of it and go back to ignoring my dreams. But the guy, Wesley, Ive already seen him. Not just in my mind but also in the coffee shop yesterday.

What if my mind had just made some weird infatuation about that man and warped him into the man in my dreams?

Beitt reached across the table and grabbed my hand.

"You are not crazy Layla. I saw the portrait to."

"What if its just a coincidence that the woman looked like me?"

She thought about it for a moment and shook her head.

"What if we just do the research, talk to some people in town, and if nothing comes of it, we will drop it after the project is done. I will never bring it up again unless you do". She promised looking lost in thought.

Her eyes suddenly narrowed like she figured something out.

"I dont know why I didnt think of this earlier." She said to outloud mainly to herself.

"What?"

She looked at me like she had forgotten I was here.

"My dad's a real estate agent. Thats how I knew the Mansion was bought. He didn't sell it but Im sure he will know who did. Maybe they'll have information about it."

"I doubt they'll give the information. "

"They might if I say its for a project."

I stared at her at I thought over her words while chewing on my bottom lip. I wanted to be done with all of it, but she was invested now. She also promised to drop it after this project was done. Plus I knew Britt, she would look for information on her own time anyways.

I nodded in agreement to her plan.

"Fine. But after this is done and nothing comes from it, we never bring it up again."

She smiled at me. Happy with her success.

I just didnt have the energy to argue about it.

"That means you get to do the research and I get to do the creative part." I smiled back at her.

I saw her smile falter a bit as she realized what just happened.

She loves doing the creative parts when it comes to projects. Usually I did the research and she would make it into the presentation.

"Damn." She whispered and chuckled. "I guess itll be worth it this time."

I went home after Britt and I parted ways. She wanted to run home to ask her Dad about the Mansion so she could start her research. I planned to run home, lay down on my bed, and doom scroll till bed time.

I came home to an empty house, which was normal. My mom would have went to work by now. So I grabbed a water from the kitchen and went to my room.

When I shut my door I realized there was something on my bed that wasnt there this morning.

A bouquet of white lilies rested against my pillow surrounded by tiny blue flowers I couldn't identify at first. Their delicate petals looked almost too perfect. Tucked between them were small purple violets.

There was something strange about the arrangement. It looked old-fashioned, like something someone might have carried down the aisle a hundred years ago.

I reached over and carefully lifted the bouquet.

The flowers were cold.

Not cool.

Cold.

I frowned and brought them closer.

They smelled faintly sweet, but beneath the scent was something I couldn't place. Something familiar.

My stomach twisted.

I had seen these flowers before.

Not here.

Somewhere else.

Somewhere I couldn't remember.

A little white card hun from the cord that tied the flowers together.

I grabbed it and flipped it over to see if there was a message.

I froze and dropped the bouquet back onto my bed.

The card laid next to it written in golden ink read

'Marie.'