Hearing is Believing (2)

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-Chapter Two-

I was more embarrassed of my pulse rather than my face. Even though I couldn’t see it, it felt really hot. Hopefully he’ll just think I am flushed. I tried to face the direction of his laugh but it kept moving so I just put my arms across my chest and faced wherever.

“You always seem so mad when I come see you.” His soft voice mused.

“How is it going with your mom?”

“The only thing she notices is when it gets colder. She doesn’t even see me.” Danni sounded sad and I probably would be too if I was trapped here with nowhere to go rather than to some freaky blind girl that can hear ghosts.

Danni died at least three months ago in a car accident when he was only seventeen. He told me he was supposed to be the designated driver for his group of friends. Unfortunately he got drunk as well. None of them had their seatbelts on as they swerved off the road and collided with a tree. The four of them all died but it seemed like Danni was the only one that stayed behind.

He is only the second ghost to have befriended me and stay for a long period of time. The first one was back when I was only seven. She was a year younger than me and drowned in a lake because she never learned how to swim. I don’t know where she ended up because she never did find the light so I have a feeling she is just wondering all alone. For some reason she was dead set against moving on. Danni didn’t want to leave either; he wants to make sure his mother is okay and maybe try and make contact with her.

For some reason they are drawn to me, as if they can sense that I can hear them. I am pretty sure I am not the only one that can. I mean there has to be at least one other, right? I don’t really understand how I came to be though. I am unable to see but I am able to hear beyond. It is like there was a glitch when I was being created.

Nobody knows though. I have never said a word to any member of my family. I have been debating on whether or not to tell my grandma because she is the most understanding person out there but I don’t trust with any of my siblings nor my parents with my secret. Bee would probably call me a freak and Tyler would make up some stupid name for me.

“Lena… could you maybe talk to her for me?” Danni asked suddenly, scrambling my thoughts.

I didn’t want to answer his question. If talking to his mother made him feel good enough to move on I didn’t want to help at all. I liked Danni more than I probably should and it didn’t matter that I was unable to see what he looks like his voice is enough to send my heart jumping.

“Lena?” he sounded confused and I realized that I should probably answer his question before he thinks I am going insane. It’s probably too late for that though, for all I know I am already insane.

“I… guess… I could. I thought you’d prefer to do it yourself though; well that’s what you told me anyway.” I tried to make excuses to send him back on his original track but I had little hope that it would work.

“Well, that obviously isn’t working out too well. If you don’t want to I understand…” He made me feel extremely guilty and selfish. I wanted him here rather than somewhere else. It wasn’t just because he was my only friend but I really do enjoy his presence more than I should.

“No, no I’ll do it but I don’t think I’ll do it just this minute I mean it is still morning… I think.”

“Yeah, it still is.” Danni had some disappointment in his voice but there was a little relief in it too because I accepted.

“Well—”

“Lena, are you talking to yourself again?” The door shoved open and Bridget’s small feet pattered against the hardwood. The chill didn’t leave and I expected that Danni was just as amused by Bee as I was. Sometimes I wondered if she stalked me just so that she could hear me when I talked to myself.

“So? It’s not like anyone around here is interesting to talk to around here.”

“Why is it that every time I find you it is freezing? I am going to turn down that stupid air conditioner.” She shivered and the door slammed shut.

“Nosy sister you’ve got there.”

“I know.” It came out as a mutter and I ran my fingers across the nice leather chair behind me before plopping down in it. This was my favorite chair in the whole house. I would’ve preferred if the room was warmer but I am so used to the cold by now. A while back I wore sweatshirts everyday but now I am fine with just a T-shirt.

“Guess how close I am to you now?” A cold wave flooded over me and I felt a tingling at the back of my neck. He always messed around with me like this as if he knew it would make me jump or pump up my heart.

This time I didn’t jump though and his sigh was disgruntled. “Take all the fun out of it.” Danni murmured and I chuckled.

“I freaked out one of my ex-girlfriends the other day.” He started. “I don’t know if she heard me or saw me but she sure did run pretty fast.”

“You really shouldn’t do that you know. Hardly fair to us mere mortals.”

“Oh come on, it was fun.”

“What were you doing stalking your ex-girlfriend anyway?” My voice was cool and calm but inside I was screaming. He still didn’t like her right? There are no feelings for her that he feels anymore right?

“Well you were with your mother all day yesterday and I didn’t want to make you look like a schizophrenic. Your sister has been watching you closely to find out what is wrong with you. In fact she never left she is listening behind the door.”

My face scrunched up and my lips tightened. Eavesdropping, eh? Well that is hardly tolerable to me. Trying to figure out why I am such a freak that she has stooped so low.

“Go away Bee.” I growled and she muttered incomprehensible things but I did hear her footsteps lead away.

“So when do you plan on seeing my mom? I will guide you the whole way.” Of course he just had to bring up his mother but then I remembered my own mother and how she wouldn’t let me leave without another person.

“I might have to sneak out…”

“Or you could just bring someone like Bridget I bet she’d go.”

“Well if she listens to the conversation then she’d just blab it out that I think I can talk to ghosts. She’ll just make me sound crazy!”

“Then sneak out.” His tone was plain and simple and I realized that would probably be the best solution. I groaned because I remembered the last time I had done that (I didn’t do it intentionally though). My mom freaked out and was even close to calling the cops.

“Fine but you better not ditch me.” I warned and this time he laughed.

“Don’t worry I want to see my mom’s reaction she has never been one for believing in things she can’t see. Oh and your sister’s back.”

“I know I can hear her.” She was obviously trying very hard not to make a peep but a few creaks caught my notice. “I thought I told you to go away Bee!” I shouted once more and this time she plowed the door open.

“You really shouldn’t be in here you know, this is dad’s private study.”

“So why are you here?” Danni laughed at my counter remark and she choked out grumbled words that were unintelligible.

“You should’ve seen her. Her face was all red and her mouth was all puckered up. Hilarious.” I felt a wave of pity for myself. Yes, I should’ve seen it but I couldn’t. I couldn’t even imagine it.