The Ghost Bride

Chapter 1-3

I slipped into class right before Professor Alday, who taught the History of Magic course. I sat next to my friend Yllana, who kept the chair next to the corridor free for me. I quickly sat there, whispering my thanks to Yllana, as the Professor started his lecture, preventing Martinus, who sat just behind me, from saying anything.

Now I need to figure out what to do when the class ends.

As soon as the lecture ended and the Professor started picking his stuff, I tried to sneak out, when I felt a hand on my shoulder, preventing me from leaving.

"What are you doing? Get your hands off me!" I hissed, trying to shake off the hand by grabbing it. The hand got off my shoulder and now firmly held my hand.

"Any problem, Miss Laurendeau?" the Professor asked, when he noticed the altercation.

Before I could say anything, I heard something I never expected to hear.

"No problem, Professor Alday," Martinus said. "Just a lover's spat. My fiancée has been angry at me lately."

"Is that so?" Professor Alday said. "Then please try to solve your quarrels outside the classroom."

And he left the class, obviously not wanting to bother with the trouble, while I stared at Martinus with fury. Fiancée? What was he trying to do?

Our classmates now surrounded us, their eyes gleaming curiously. The Distance Department, made of my fellow ghosts, stood at the corner, staring at me with hostility. They didn't like me much because they thought I had been accepted through corrupt means. I didn't bribe anybody or anything, but it is true that I have no magical talent, and there had been many more talented students competing for the scholarship spots in the Distance Department.

"Your fiancée?" Zethe, one of Martinus' friends and a guy I'd previously had hostile encounters with, patted Martinus' back. "Congratulations, man. But I thought you said she was your cousin."

Yeah, Martinus had told everybody I was his cousin to further alienate me from my classmates. You could see why I didn't like him much.

"That's because my sweet pumpkin didn't want me to tell the truth," Martinus said, as I stood there, aghast. Sweet pumpkin? Really? "But I can't keep it secret anymore. I'm sorry, pumpkin," he said, grabbing me by the waist and standing beside me, as I was trying to process the entire thing. "I tried. But I don't think I can anymore. I'm just too happy to have you here. I hope you forgive me."

"Stop. Calling me. Pumpkin," I said. I turned to everybody else. "It's not true. We aren't engaged."

"That's because she hasn't said yes yet," Martinus said. "I remember you wanted a diamond ring, darling. I've already prepared the best ring, and I'll give it to you when you stop pouting and finally agree to see me. I know I shouldn't have banned you from coming to the Academy, but this is a bit too much."

"Who said I'd agree?" I said as I saw my classmates starting to gossip with each other. The whole Academy would know this soon. Even Yllana, who knew the entire story, seemed to believe Martinus' nonsense.

"Oh, my sweet pumpkin," Martinus said. "How could you resist me for long? I know I've been a bit of a jerk, but I'll make it up to you, I promise," he said, trying to kiss my cheek.

That's it. I can't stand this charade anymore. I know I'll regret it, but…

"Wish me luck!" Martinus said as I dragged him out of class under the amused eyes of my classmates. Somebody whistled.