Chapter 1: Part 1 – A Haunted House?

May 5th - Friday

“The apartment is fully furnished, with proper drainage systems and all. You wouldn’t have to worry about any of that.” The landlady droned, “You can go through the whole apartment, check if there’s anything missing.” Her eyes shifted back eagerly to the short, slender young girl who was nodding beside her while staring intently at the apartment complex, taking mental notes. There was something about the younger girl’s face that fascinated her, her light, oval face studded with pretty blue eyes and tiny pink lips, matching with her long, bubblegum pink hair, which was pulled into double dutch braids.

Probably just because I’m seeing a fresh face after so long, the lady concluded in her head.

After realising that the landlady stopped talking, the girl turned towards her, lips parting to ask a couple of questions that were lingering in her head, but clamped her mouth shut when she saw a dark glint flash through the older woman’s eyes. “Though... there is one thing I need to warn you about.” The younger’s ears perked up, her body instinctively straightening and moving closer to the landlady to hear her better, “There is a rumour that… that a soul roams around the apartment.” The older’s voice dropped to a whisper, the girl’s eyes glowing with excitement upon hearing those words. The reaction took the lady off-guard, who was expecting completely the opposite. This just heightened her curiosity about this little girl further. The younger’s lips parted again, head now swarming with even more questions, though, before she could even get a word out, she was dragged away, her arm stinging due to the tight hold.

“Vex? What are you doing?” She asked the person pulling her against her will, apparently named Vex. Ignoring her whines, he made sure they were out of earshot of the old lady before loosening his grip on her. She scowled at him, rubbing her arm.

“I heard it.” Vex stated, glaring at the landlady, before looking down at his best friend. “And there’s no way I’m letting you live there.”

“What are you talking about?” She asked, her icy blue eyes boring into his hazel ones innocently, even though she knew exactly what he meant.

“Elena, stop playing dumb. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” He seethed, his anger dripping through his words. Sighing, she rolled her eyes at his tone, turning away from him.

“Oh come on, it’s a ‘rumour’. Ghosts aren’t real, you know.” She muttered, avoiding eye contact. He groaned, shaking his head.

“Not this again, Len. You and I both know that isn’t true.”

“You can’t be sure all that wasn’t a dream-”

“For the last time, stop it! The stupid charm didn’t work, and I am not going to fall for it, so don’t even try.”

“Well, it was worth a try-”

“Elena! There is absolutely NO chance I’m going to let you live in that house. Not after what happened last time.” He was stubborn. Really stubborn. Elena groaned, quickly changing her tactic.

“Alright, alright. I got it. But, where should I sleep tonight? Landon probably left for his vaca with Brenny already, and I can’t sleep on the streets, can I?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“I’ll sneak you into my dorm! Roomie’s out for a week, we could find a better apartment by then!” He suggested, hopefully. Elena raised her hand to stop him.

“Don’t even go there. You do remember what happened last time, don’t you?” She asked, her mind already fogging up with the excitement of living at this new-found apartment. He sighed again, remembering the past events.

“But… we’ll be careful this time! We’ll create a perfect plan and-”

“Nope, stop. You said the same thing last time. It didn’t work. It never does.” She sighed, acting disappointed, “I don’t think we have a choice, do we?” She looked up at him with pleading eyes, silently begging him to let her stay here.

“I can’t talk you out of it, can I?” She shook her head, him scowling. “Then I better see you alive tomorrow.” He muttered, her eyes widening at the fact that he let her go so quickly. “I’d stay with you if I had a chance, but there’s this huge test tomorrow and-”

“Then what are you still doing here? Go study!” She cut him off, taking a hold of his arm and dragging him to the bus stop, barely being able to contain her excitement. After waving him goodbye, she rushed back to the landlady, skipping along the way.

“Is there a lot of paperwork?” She asked, making the landlady smile.