Water and Ghosts

Chapter 5

I wake up early the next morning, jumping out of bed to get ready for my first day as a member of the cross country team.

I quickly throw on a pair of shorts and a tank top. I grab a water bottle from downstairs and quickly put my hair up in a braid. I honestly don’t care if it looks terrible.

It’s before dawn, so Grandma Colette is still asleep. She has no idea I cried last night, and I plan to keep it that way. 

It’s dark outside, and my eyes have trouble adjusting to the lack of light. I close the back door silently behind me, and walk over to the fence. I sneak out of the yard, trying to be as quiet as possible. I turn and take off at a jog.

Not even a minute later, I’m smiling. The air is fresh and cool, weightless. I run against the slight breeze, breathing in the salty air from the Sapphire Sea. Moving like this, with no light and no witnesses, feels freeing. No one to tell me what to do, no one to criticize my slightly red eyes and my runny nose. The pounding headache I had goes away as I breathe, in and out, over and over again.

This is why I joined cross country. Sort of. 

I actually joined because I want to be trained in the art of running— aka, being able to run away from whoever I might need to run away from someday— but saying I joined for the freedom of it sounds much dorkier. And besides, the freedom is why I’m going to enjoy it.

I blink and force my eyes to adjust to the blinding light of the lights over the football field. There, on the track, is the coach surrounded by a bunch of students.

The old coach with the last name Young I think, and I cover my mouth quickly to keep from laughing.

I make my way onto the track and slow down, walking to join the group.

“Alright, cupcakes, we’re going to do four miles today. Off you go!” He claps his hands, and everyone turns and takes off. I start to do the same thing when Coach Young says, “Aqua Evans and Ivy Miller, please hold up a moment.”

So I stand still, tense as everyone runs past me. Once my way is clear, I walk over to Couch Young at the same time that another girl my age does. She has short dark brown hair that she has tied in a ponytail, and green eyes that have a smile of their own. Her skin is tan from the sun, and she’s tall. Lanky and tall— obviously a good runner.

“Ivy, I would like you to meet Aqua Evans. She’s the new student, as you know.” I pretend not to see Coach glance at me.

I look over at Ivy and smile shyly. She, on the other hand, smiles widely, and waves. 

“Would you mind taking her on the three mile loop?” Coach Young asks.

“No problem!” She says, somehow bubbly at 6:15 in the morning. She nods her head and says, “come on!” to me.

I follow her off the track and onto the sidewalk. We turn left on Honor Road and just run.

“Nice to meet you, Aqua, I’m Ivy, Ivy Miller. We have history and astronomy together, I don’t know if you remember.” She smiles at me again.

She is making it harder to wake up, honestly. I wasn’t expecting to run with a girl who likes talking… a lot.

“Sorry, I was kind of… focused on paying attention,” I say breathlessly. Before I’m even done speaking, Ivy is nodding her head. She doesn’t even look bothered.

“I get it, it’s your first time being in a public school, right?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s cool. Dark Star High really is great. Great teachers, students, clubs, not that much homework…”

She talks the entire time we’re running. We’re going at a bit of a slower pace, but I swear the girl never stops to take a breath.

I like her, though. She’s the kind of girl that needs absolutely no sugar for the rest of her life. Her talking so much means that I don’t have to, and we’re both comfortable with that. She has so much to say and I have so much to listen to, I guess. It works.

We got to Dale Crossing, and Ivy immediately turned around without pausing we new story. So I just followed. 

Harbor Village has four corners— literally, since there are two main streets. Honor Road is vertical, and Iron Avenue is horizontal. They aren’t exactly straight, but it works. Above Iron Avenue, a couple miles out, is Fish Hook Street. Apparently it was named because it literally looks like a fish hook. Anyway, below Iron Avenue, again like a mile or two away, is Dale Crossing. Dale Crossing cuts through the middle of all the shops. Even more south of that, at the end of Honor Road, is what they call the Southern Circle— a cul-de-sac with a pier overlooking the Sapphire Sea.

Yeah, Harbor Village is an organized weird.

When we get back to school, I ask Ivy, “so do we just go home and shower, if that’s what we’ve chosen to do?”

“Yup! I personally get ready here at the school, bring my stuff with me every day—” she points to a green backpack and black gym back against the fence, “—but if you can go home then good for you!”

“Okay,” I say quickly before she starts talking again. “It was good meeting you, Ivy. I’ll see you in history.” I smile and start backing away.

“Yup! See you then, Aqua! Oh— Mary!” And then she’s running off to catch up with someone else.

I laugh as I start running home.

I throw on a blue day dress, since it’s supposed to be warmer today. It goes down to my knees, and the sleeves are loose and stop at my elbow. For shoes, I wear the black converse.

My hair I put up into a single French braid, pulling it over my shoulder. My bag is already packed and ready to go. All of my homework is done.

I think I’m getting the hang of this school thing.

I throw open the front door not three seconds after Nigel has knocked. He blinks rapidly, even taking a step back as he tries to regain his bearings.

“You startled me,” he explains. I grin and respond: “I can tell.”

He glares at me, but I just laugh. I lead the way around the house and through the backyard, into the no-man’s-land. We start walking across the grass in silence.

“How was cross country?” Nigel asks.

“Good. I met a girl named Ivy.”

He groans, obviously familiar with the girl. “She. Never. Stops. Talking!”

I laugh harder. “I found that out when she talked the entire time we ran three miles together.”

“I am so sorry.”

“It wasn’t that bad,” I allow.

“I am still sorry.”

Our laughter rings out over the empty expanse of land. Slowly, our chuckles die out; but my smile doesn’t. I’m relaxed and comfortable with Nigel. He’s just so innocent and sweet. 

As we come up on the school, I realize that I’m going to have to sit in the commons again. It’s only first period.

I follow Nigel into the building, and stop beside him when he pauses at the bottom of the stairs. “I’ll see you next class.”

I smile a small smile. “See you, Nigel.”

“Bye, Aqua,” he says quietly, and then he’s gone with the crowd.

Guess who finds me ten minutes before the bell is supposed to ring?

Glenden.

Shocker.

The only (big) difference this time is that he’s trailed by a bunch of guys. All football, players, if their sizes are any indication. Three of the five are more muscular than Glenden.

“Good morning, Aqua,” Glenden says, smiling. He’s obviously comfortable with our audience, while I am not. I glance at all of them— three blondes, and two with brown hair; other than that, they all look alike—before focusing on Glenden. I do the polite thing and reply.

“Good morning. How are you?”

“I’m good. Aqua, this is Jacob, Joshua, Jackson, Logan, and Matthew.” He points to each guy in turn. “Guys, this is Aqua Evans. Be nice.”

“What, you don’t think we were going to do that anyway?” One of the blondes— Jackson— asks, smirking.

“We’re nice,” Joshua says indignantly. “And handsome, and funny, and strong, and—”

“I think she gets the point, Josh,” Matthew says as Logan laughs. I’m honestly surprised I still know which is which. I don’t doubt I will forget as soon as they’re gone, though.

“Oh,” Jacob says, holding up his pointer finger, “you forgot idiotic for yourself, Jooshy.”

They all start laughing, and I can’t help but snort with them. Good comeback.

“You mean all of us, right?” Josh says slyly. I laugh out loud, and all of the guys turn to me. My laugh fades quickly.

“You know, Aqua,” Jackson says, “you should hang out with us. We can get you introduced to everyone in the whole school.”

“We’re not a bad tool to use for newcomers. Just ask Glenden here,” Logan says, slapping Glenden on the back but still looking at me.

I nod, reading in between the lines. “Ah. So you consider yourself the most popular guys in the school?” I’m trying so hard not to full-out grin.

Josh looks offended. “Consider ourselves? Sorry, honey, but we know for a fact we’re the most popular handsome guys in the school.”

“Alright, just let it go, man,” Jacob says, leading Josh away. “Sorry about him!” He calls over his shoulder as the rest of the guys follow them.

As soon as they’re gone, I start laughing, rocking back and forth. Glenden sits down gracefully, right next to me. He’s smiling and watching me laugh.

“Nice friends you have,” I comment. “So, you’re part of the ‘most popular’ group?”

“Are you interested in joining?” Glenden asks, avoiding the question. “There are a couple girls we hang out with too—”

“Nope, not interested,” I interrupt quickly, standing up and slinging my backpack over one shoulder. I hold my binder to my chest with both arms. The bell will ring in a couple minutes.

Glenden jumps up, his bag in the same position as mine. “Why not?” He pouts dramatically. I raise my eyebrows, and he actually frowns.

“Yes, I knew not to do that and I did it anyway. Proves Josh right.”

I c***k a grin. “Josh is funny. I can see why he makes a good friend.” I study his face as we start walking slowly across the room, remembering what Nigel told me. “But you hang out with them because you have a common interest, and they’re the most likely people for you to be seen with. You have to fit in. Otherwise, I bet you would be fine on your own.”

Glenden looks like he’s seen a ghost. “How do y— how did you figure that out?”

I smile, triumphant. “I’m observant, intelligent, and pretty good at connecting the dots.”

Glenden continues to stare at me as we stop outside of our classroom. He leans against the wall, facing me. “What other dots have you connected?”

“I don’t have enough information… yet.” I smile wickedly.

Glenden’s eyes widen. “You think you can get the information out of me?”

“I don’t know,” I say, accepting the challenge since it’s obvious he doesn’t want me to. “I can certainly try.”

Just then the bell rings, and suddenly it’s too loud in the hallways. We enter the classroom as soon as we can, heading to our table.

“What should we turn our attention to today?” Glenden asks, changing the subject effectively.

I shrug. “Maybe we should invent a magic plate? One for every meal that, when you take the cover off, produces whatever you wish!” My tone is mocking and my words sarcastic.

Which is why I’m surprised when Glenden smiles and says, “why not?”

My jaw drops open, and he just laughs.

“I was kidding,” I mutter as Glenden pulls down a notebook and starts writing things down. 

Food-making plate: ______________

Need for experimentation: types of food, plates, utensils, volantes sugar?, food cover. 

More TBD

“What kind of food do you want to start with?” Glenden asks quietly, not looking at me.

“Breakfast?” I say. “You know I was kidding, right?”

He turns to look at me now, his eyes filled to the brim with amusement. “Yes, but like you, I like a challenge.” His eyes dare me to contradict him.

I grind my teeth. “Fine. We’re starting with breakfast. I’ll bring pancakes tomorrow.”

“And I shall bring utensils and my food cover. Do you have any volantes sugar?”

I nod. “I’ll bring it.”

“Sounds good.”

I sit in silence for the rest of the class, looking over Glenden’s shoulder as he designs our idea. He imagines the plate small, and wishing for a food magically makes it appear.

“Bring more than pancakes if you can,” he says softly to me at the end. “Any breakfast item. I think I have an idea...” The bell rings, and his smile stretches across his face, “...that I will tell you tomorrow.”

“Or in next period?” I ask hopefully. I hate surprises.

Glenden laughs like I’ve said something funny. “Now why would I do that?”

“You’re annoying,” I say, personally annoyed.

“You’re the only one who thinks so,” he tells me. “Makes me wonder if you care.”

I start walking faster to leave him behind, hoping he didn’t catch even a glimpse of my blush.

Through all of the classes we have together, Glenden keeps me focused on the subject. We pair up for a gallery walk in science, going around the room and looking at the flashcards on the wall, answering their questions. Then, in astronomy, we work together on the worksheet we get after the notes. 

The stars are an interesting subject. They are connected to magic in so many ways, it’s amazing. Astronomy may very well be my hardest class. 

We’re leaving Wilderness class early after being told to have our guardians sign a paper for a camping trip to the bottom of the Merstip Mountains at the beginning of November when I ask Glenden, “you don’t think I can get more information from you?” He knows what I’m talking about, and what I’m doing: forcing him to have this conversation.

He sighs. “I can tell you’re going to anyway.”

I smile. “So when’s your birthday?” I’ve got to start somewhere.

Glenden snorts. “That’s the best you can come up with?”

I shrug, embarrassed. “Would you rather I ask what—”

“No,” he says hurriedly, sighing again. A small smile starts on his lips. “I’ll tell you,” he says, “if you tell me yours.”

“Sounds fair,” I say immediately, making a snap decision. It doesn’t hurt me, anyway. There aren’t many things that I hide, and the secrets I do keep he won’t find out. “Mine is March twenty second.”

“November second,” Glenden admits.

“Dia de Los Muertos,” I muse, speaking an old language.

“What?” Glenden asks, his voice deadpan. His eyebrows pull down in confusion.

“Dia de Los Muertos,” I say again, chuckling. “‘Day of the dead’ in the old Spanish language. It was a pretty big holiday in a country called Mexico. It was the day they remembered and celebrated the dead.” I glance over at Glenden.

I find him white as a sheet.

“Interesting,” he says, trying to focus and failing. “You certainly are intelligent,” he chuckles unsteadily. Almost like he’s disoriented

“Glenden…” I start to say, but he’s trying to break away. We step outside and Glenden quickly says, “see you tomorrow,” and then he’s gone.

I’m so confused. What did I say? Bewildered, I make my way over to a waiting Nigel.

“Ready to get homework started?” He asks happily, holding up his bag in his hand. I smile and force myself to forget Glenden’s reaction… for now.

“Sure. Schoolwork, here we come!” I say, laughing as I lead the way.

I only look back once, wondering what clue Glenden may have just given me.