You're a Ghost, So Why Can I See You?

“Wait, wait, wait.” Marie put her hands up to take in everything I told her. We were both sitting on her bed, one o’clock a.m., and it was the same night Ian and I confessed how we felt about each other. Well, okay, love. We confessed that we loved each other and God did it feel great.

I couldn’t quit smiling and Marie thought I was insane, even though she does the same thing when she talks or thinks about Adam. I wanted to shout in the streets that I was in love. I wanted everyone to know how it felt and how happy I was. Love was just…indescribable.

“So, you, Peyton Porter, are in love?”

My grin widened and I laughed involuntarily.

Marie blew out a long whistle. “I never thought this day would come. Well, I did expect this day to come, but not how it happened… I’m so happy for you, Peyt, you have no idea.”

I sighed and brushed the hair out of my face. “Thanks, Marie. I’m lucky to have a friend like you.”

She shrugged. “Anyone would be lucky to have a friend like me. I’m brilliant.”

I laughed at her and got up from the bed. I wasn’t sure what I was doing, but I took a few steps forward and just danced. I raised my arms up in the air high above my head and spun around in circles. I felt like I could fly.

Marie laughed at me. “Things are just going to get better now. You know that, right?”

I stopped dancing and looked at her quizzically. “What? Why?”

“Your dad abused you, but now you’re leaving. We’re gonna be roommates!”

Marie’s parents were rummaging through a closet as we speak, looking for a blowup mattress. They didn’t even hesitate when saying yes to me staying here. Marie opened the door and I told her right then and there. I told her that my dad raped me and I was hoping I could stay with her. She asked for how long and I replied until college. Surprisingly, Marie didn’t press the subject. It was almost like she knew…

After that we went to her parents and I told them the exact same thing. Marie’s mom cried and hugged me, while Marie’s dad just squeezed my shoulder sympathetically. Before I could even ask about staying at their home, they ordered me to stay.

But before they started looking for the mattress, there was the issue of my father. Earlier, when I lived at home, I didn’t want to press charges because I didn’t want to go into foster care. If my parents got taken away, I would have had no one. And anyways, they were my biological parents… They took care of me when I was little. They kept a roof over my head and food in my mouth. What kind of daughter would I be if I sent them to prison for neglect, verbal abuse, and rape?

Needless to say, I decided to press charges.

My mother and father ruined my at home childhood. I spent a good portion of my life scared of coming home at night and scared of being in the same room with one of them. I didn’t want to trust people because I believed that in the end, they all turned out the same. Bad.

So now here I am, up in Marie’s room waiting for Ian. Before I knocked on Marie’s door, he said he had something important to do but would be back later that night, which was now. Ian was supposed to be here any minute and I was practically peeing my pants from the wait. I wanted to hold his hand, to run my hand through his hair, to see his brown eyes, his bright smile, and to feel his lips on mine…

“And another thing,” Marie continued. “You’re not alone anymore. You’ll never be alone from now on. You’ll always have someone right there besides you no matter what.”

I rolled my eyes and collapsed on the bed next to her. “You don’t know that, Marie. Ian and I could get in a fight or something that tears us apart.” I felt ridiculous for saying that because it wasn’t true. I knew, and Marie too, that Ian and I would never break up. Ian and I were soul mates. And don’t ask me how I know, because I just do. There was no doubt in my mind now, and there never would be in the future either.

DING RING!

Marie and I both jumped at the sound of the doorbell.

“Do you think…?” I quickly walked over to the window and looked out. The car looked awfully familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it. “I’m not really sure who it is… A black jeep thingy?” I looked over towards Marie and found her blushing and smiling like an idiot.

“Marie, sweetie?” Marie’s mom knocked lightly on the door and pushed it open. “There’s a nice young man named Adam here to see you.”

Marie quickly stood up and automatically ran a hand through her hair. “Okay. Yeah. Um, send him in.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her nervousness. It seemed like things were just falling into place.

“Actually,” her mom continued. “I told him Peyton was here, and he asked if he could talk to you alone… Is this the boy that you’ve been so happy about lately?”

Marie blushed a deeper red. “Mom!”

“Okay, fine. Sorry. I’m just so sad about seeing my little girl all grown up and into a beautiful young woman!”

I smiled. How nice.

Marie turned towards me. “Peyton, you’ll be okay for a while, right?”

I gave her two thumbs up and nodded. “Of course. You go get your man!” I laughed at myself as Marie and her mom left the room. I wish I had parents like her. I wish I had had a life like her.

TICK! TICK!

I raised my eyebrows and glanced out the window that was suspiciously making little ticking noises. I nearly screamed when I saw Ian’s face right there.

“Ian!” I gasped, trying to catch my breath. I quickly opened the window and he climbed in. I watched as he brushed off his dark washed jeans and fixed his fitting black T shirt. His tan skin was radiating and his brown eyes were wide and alert. He ran a hand through his golden blonde hair and then finally met my eyes. A perfect smile spread across his face, making me all warm and fuzzy inside.

“Why did you climb up to the window?” I asked half smiling, half laughing.

Ian ignored my question and immediately walked forward. He spread out his arms and before I could react, embraced me in a tight and warm hug. “I missed you,” he whispered.

I smiled at his corniness. “I missed you too.”

Ian loosed his grip on me and settled his hands around my waist lovingly. We both stared into each other’s eyes with the most intense emotion. No words needed to be said. Slowly, Ian leaned down and pressed his lips firmly to mine. I couldn’t help but smile into the kiss. I went up on my tiptoes and tossed my arms around his neck.

“Peyton,” Ian said. He broke away from the kiss and let his arms drop from around my waist. “This might sound a little weird…And I completely understand if you think what I’m about to say, and do, is out of line, but I just…”

I frowned at his sudden nervousness. “What?”

Ian looked away from me and paced the room. “We’ve known each other for about what, three months? Maybe four? Well, um, I’m not sure how to say this, but I don’t see any point in waiting.”

I shook my head. “Ian, what are you talking about?”

He quit pacing and walked towards me. “Peyton, I’ve been waiting my whole life to find my special someone. Someone who understood me, someone who could put up with me, believe in me, and love me. In other words, my other half, my soul mate. I didn’t think I’d ever find that person, until I met you.” Ian stopped in front of me and slowly kneeled down on one knee.

My heart skipped a few beats and my breath got caught in my throat. Oh. My. God.

“Peyton, I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Ian reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny black velvet box. “I know you’re not ready for marriage yet, and that’s why I’m not asking you to marry me. You still have your whole life ahead of you.”

A mental sigh of relief passed through my body. I was still young, so of course I wasn’t ready for marriage yet, but that doesn’t mean I would have said no.

Ian opened the box and revealed a tiny silver ring with a small round diamond in the center. “Peyton, this is a promise ring. I’m promising that I’ll never leave you, I’ll never hurt you, and I’ll always love you. And also that someday I will present you will an engagement ring, but only when you’re ready.” Ian sighed and stared deeply into my eyes. “Peyton, do you accept?”

My throat went thick and my eyes burned with tears. “Yes,” I choked out. “Yes, yes, yes!”

Ian grinned and took the ring out of its home, took my left hand, and slid the beautiful ring on my ring finger. He stood up smiled at me. “I love you, Peyton.”

I grinned and threw my arms around his neck. “I love you too.” And then I crashed my lips on his in the most passionate, most emotion felt kiss of all time.

“Peyton!” The door suddenly burst open and Marie ran in.

Ian and I barely even separated. “Yeah?” I asked, laughing.

“Adam asked me to be his girlfriend!”

I nodded and smiled at her. “That’s great, Marie, I’m really happy for you.”

She smiled at me and then her eyes slowly wandered to the guy whose arms were tangled around my waist. “Ian, isn’t it?”

Ian gave me a peck on the lips and then let go of my waist. He walked over a few steps to Marie and shook her hand properly. “Yeah. And you must be Marie. I want to thank you for letting Peyton stay here. It really means a lot to me.”

Maire grinned and shook her head. “Don’t mention it at all. If I would have known, there would have been no way I’d let her stay there. And anyways, I should be thanking youfor all you’ve done.”

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks.

“What do you mean?” Ian asked confused.

“Peyton.” Marie paused and looked over to me. “Sorry,” she mouthed. “Anyways, she’s always been alone. There was never a guy in her life. She was stuck on waiting for her soul mate and turned down every guy that ever went after her. Every guy but you. Ever since that first day you two met in Subway I’ve noticed a change in her. She’s been happy, more alive than I’ve ever seen. And it’s all thanks to you, so thanks.”

Ian laughed and rubbed the back of his neck. “You welcome.”

“Marie?” Adam walked through the door and stopped suddenly when he saw me and Ian. “Oh, um, hey, Peyton. You must be Ian. I’ve heard lots about you.” He offered a hand and Ian shook it. “I’d tell you how happy I am that Peyton finally found someone, but I’m sure Marie has already done that.”

She blushed deeply as Adam tossed his arm around her shoulder.

“Anyways,” Adam continued. “Someone named Barton called and said to tell you and Peyton that his dream came true…? He didn’t say what it was, just that you would understand.”

I looked at Marie and we both smiled. Barbara must have accepted Barton. It seemed like everyone was getting their happy ending.

“Yeah,” I said, walking forward towards Ian. “We understand.” I looked up at Ian and smiled as his warmhand entwined with mine.

Who would have ever guessed that I, Peyton Porter, would have fallen in love with a ghost? I used to not even believe in ghosts. But now I do. And I believe in love too.

Things may seem impossible, such as falling in love with a ghost, but that just makes them more worth it. Anything is possible as long as you still have hope.

I, Peyton Porter, have fallen in love with a ghost and couldn’t be any happier. Well, an ex-ghost. Ian’s human now, and nothing will ever tear us apart. We were soul mates from the beginning, and we’ll be together forever.