Somewhere in the stars

Unfinished Business

"Devin! Where are you?" I yelled in a hush tone as I searched for him. Where did he go? Does he still need my help? It's terrifying to think that if I die, I might end up like him.

I'm curious as to why someone like him has unfinished business. After a long time of looking for him throughout the house. I made the decision to call it a day. Finding a ghost who doesn't want to be seen is pointless.

So I'm just going to bed. Devin, wherever you are, I hope you are alright. Wait! What if he's already gone? I haven't even started helping him yet.

How long has he been dead? Damn it, I couldn't sleep because I was overthinking the situation. What should I do? Should I ask Madame Rosa for help? Oh, no! This is not okay. I then sat up in my bed and began to think.

I was musing to myself when I heard a whistle and turned to look at my bedroom door. And there he was, leaning on my door, a sly grin on his face.

"Were you concerned about me?" He then gave me a wink. That made me roll my eyes. "Ugh, you're really starting to make me regret helping you." He then laughed.

"I'm sorry I was gone for so long; could you please forgive me?" He said this as he leaned in close to my face, flashing me the most endearing smile I've ever seen.

Ugh! He's as arrogant as ever and so annoying. I moved away from him, ignoring his stare. He then begins to laugh, which I overhear. "What is it that you're laughing about?" I muttered to him.

"You're just so easy to tease it’s cute." He then stuck his tongue out at me, teasing me. "Ha ha, that's very funny." I retorted sarcastically. "I'm going to bed now, so good night." He then waved me goodbye before abruptly disappearing.

I then closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep. It's strange how this handsome guy who smiled at me in the library is now here as a ghost, pleading for my help. It's amazing how the world works.

But, when I think about it, it's also very sad that a young man like him died so suddenly. It's extremely frightening. You never know when or how it will happen to you.

Just like in the case of my family's accident. Everything happened so quickly, and now I'm in this situation.

After a while I found myself unexpectedly inside the library. I think I'm dreaming again. Oh well, I'm pretty sure I am. If that's the case, Devin is here.

Speaking of the devil. "Hi cutie! I was waiting for you, you finally fell asleep," he said as he ruffled my hair. I swatted his hands away from my hair.

He always does this whenever he gets the chance. Damn it, "By the way, I'm curious how you're able to do this. Like, visit me in my dreams, and Why in the library?"

He then touched his chin and pretended to think about something. I was staring at him, waiting for him to respond.

"I honestly don't know; I think it's because we've both been here before, so it's just easier for you to dream about this place,"

He shrugged his shoulders. That makes sense, I suppose. When he was still alive, he would always come here, and I do the same, so I suppose this is our common ground.

I then sat in one of the chairs, and he sat beside me. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but what's your unfinished business here on Earth?" I asked. He frowned and stared at me.

I immediately apologized to him."I'm sorry, I knew I wasn't supposed to ask you that personal question, but I wanted to get to know you better and see how I could help you, so please don't be mad at me,"

I went on and on and he just kept staring at me. I finally stopped rambling and returned his stare, a nervous expression on my face.

He burst out laughing all of a sudden. I just stared at him, puzzled. What was he laughing about? He then gave me a friendly smile.

"Of course I'm not going to be upset about that; it's only right that you know, though to be honest, I'm not sure what my unfinished business is,"

He pondered as he scratched his chin. Oh, he really doesn't know. Perhaps I should ask a few questions about his life. "Okay then, can you tell me about your life?" He then gave me a surprised look.

I guess he wasn't expecting me to ask that question. He then nervously scratched his neck and giggled. "To be honest, there's nothing interesting about my life," That made me roll my eyes. He truly believes that I will accept that as an answer.

"How can I get to know you better if you're not telling me anything?" He then lets out a silent sigh. He must despise talking about himself. Oh well, he doesn't have much of a choice.

"You can actually google me and once you've done that you can ask me follow-up questions," he smirked at me. Wait? I can look him up on Google. Is he well-known? Is he wealthy?

"Google you? Are you saying you're famous or something, or are you just teasing me?" I tried to read his expression to see if he was joking or telling the truth.

He then pinched my cheeks and smiled. "You're so adorable! And, no, I'm not lying; just look me up," My face began to warm. Why is he constantly flirting with me? It's hugely annoying.

"Oh well, I'll do that when I wake up tomorrow," He then smiled and nodded at me. I'm sure I've told myself a thousand times that he's really attractive. But he is truly stunning.

And, to be honest, I used to have a small crush on him, but given how much he flirts with me, I'm pretty sure he was like that to all the girls when he was alive.

I snickered at the thought. My thoughts were interrupted when I suddenly felt his arm on my shoulder. "What are you thinking about? It better be about me." he smirked.

I shook his arms off my shoulders and gave him a glare. "Would you please stop flirting with me?" He then looked at me, wide-eyed, but then suddenly had a smug expression on his face.

"You like me, don't you, and that's why you've become so shy?" I then feel myself becoming agitated at his accusations."Ugh, you're so self-centered," He then giggled at me.

I simply stared at him. His face slowly frowned at that. He looked like a child who had been reprimanded. "I'm sorry; I just don't know how to approach you, or anyone else for that matter.

I'm not particularly good with people, and I don't have many friends," Now I'm feeling guilty. He was looking at his shoes and seemed to be in a sad state.

Why am I feeling guilty? He was irritating me so much. Ugh, you know what f**k it, "I'm sorry for being easily irritated by you.

We're the same, neither of us has many friends and I’m not good with people too," He then raised his head from looking at his feet and smiled at me.

His smile was so bright it's as if the gates of heaven have suddenly opened. He's so adorable. When my alarm went off, I was startled awake. s**t, It’s morning already?

Unfortunately I had class and work today. I got up and went through my morning routine. I sent Reya to school, and asked Hannah to pick her up and babysit her this afternoon.

After that, I went straight to class. I haven't seen Devin since last night, but I might run into him later at home. As I approached my classroom, I couldn't help but notice Barb arguing with someone on the phone.

I think it might be her boyfriend. I approached her with caution and gently tapped her shoulder. When she turned around to face me, the scowl on her face was replaced by a smile.

She hung up the phone. "Hello, Ruru! How was your weekend?" I could tell she was upset by the look on her face. But I'll just ask her about it next time. Barb and I went straight to work after class.

And as soon as we approached the restaurant's entrance, I noticed a man leaning against the wall beside the door, seemingly waiting for someone.

He was a big guy with a tattoo on his arm. Who was he? Barb flinched beside me and then clutched my arm tightly. I looked at her worried by her terrified expression.

"What's wrong, Barb? Do you know him?" I asked, She nodded her head, "He's my ex-boyfriend," He seemed to notice us when he looked our way, an angry expression marred his face.

He charged at us after noticing our intertwined arms. He punched me in the face, and I fell. I heard her scream for help. I sat up ready to fight, when suddenly I saw Jake running out the door and punching the guy in the face.

Barb was already by my side, helping me stand up. She started calling the cops. Jake's punch must've been really hard cause the guy was knocked out immediately.

Jake approached us, a worried expression on his face. "Are you two all right?" I nodded my head, but then winced because my face began to bruise. "Thank you for saving us."

She said to Jake, still shaken by what had happened. He gave her a friendly smile. "It's fine; I'm just glad I arrived on time," We then went inside to the storage room.

I sat with Barb while Jake brought me some ice packs for my face. "I'm truly sorry for what happened, Ruru," Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes as she spoke.

I chuckled, "It's all right, Barb; what happened? Was he the one you were arguing with on the phone earlier?" She confirmed my suspicions with a nod of her head.

"He was extremely abusive to me, and we were together for a year. He was initially sweet, but after 6 months, he began to show his true colors,"

I can't believe my friend is going through this. When I looked at Jake, I noticed that his eyes were filled with rage.

He was clenching his fist, as if preparing to punch someone. "I broke up with him a month ago, but he continued to harass me, asking me to be with him and promising that he would change.

I didn't believe him so I didn't want to. He was such a jealous person that he actually scared me. Today was the breaking point. It's a good thing he's going to jail now.

I'm going to get a restraining order against him," I then gave her a tight hug to comfort her from the situation. "Don't be scared to ask me for help if he still bothers you or whoever it is," Jake stated as he gazed at her.

She then nodded and hugged him. His eyes widened, he looked taken aback but then he slowly hugged her back. I simply smiled at them.

After what happened, we started working, and I went home. Jake took the initiative to bring Barb home, so I'm relieved to know she's in good hands. I wouldn't want anything to happen to one of my friends.

Reya greeted me as I entered the house, but she frowned and pointed to my face.

"What happened to your face, Rumi? Did you get into a fight?" Hannah questioned.

I told them everything that had happened. "So don't be concerned anymore, everything is fine," I gave them a reassuring smile.

I went inside my room when Devin suddenly appeared out of nowhere and smiled at me, but then he noticed the bruise on my face. I tried to keep it out of his sight.

"Rumi, what happened to your face? Who did this to you?" He looked quite frightening. He acted as if he was going to kill the person who had done this to me. "Don't worry, it was just a misunderstanding,"

He then fixed his gaze on me, as if demanding to know the truth. "Tell me who did this to you, and I'll haunt them," I laughed nervously at him.

"Please don't make a big deal out of this. Everything is already fine," To keep him from overreacting, I told him what had happened.

But he remained enraged. "I'm going to haunt this jerk until he goes insane and wants to kill himself," He's clearly upset.

I'm flattered that he cared about me, but I don't want him to hurt someone else. I looked at him with a tender expression on my face.

"Please don't hurt him like that. I know he probably deserves it, but please don't cause harm to others. Let's just talk, so please relax,"

With a smile, I said to him. I'm hoping he's able to relax now. He then looked at me and let out a sigh. "All right, if that's what you want." I notice myself blushing slightly. Oh, these perplexing feelings! Stop it.

"Hey, Rumi. I was thinking about it while you were gone. I'd like to ask you a question," Wow, I think this is the first time he's asked me a question. It must be related to his unfinished business.

I smiled at him urging him to go on. "What is it?" He then suddenly approached me and looked me in the eyes. I feel like I'm going to melt under his gaze. "Would you like to go on a date with me?"