So I meant to have this up a really, really long time ago. I apologize profusely. I've just been so busy, but my senior year of high school ends this coming Friday, and I'll have time to work on this again.
This was meant to be the introduction of "Hearts Pounding," but it didn't feel right together. So I separated it and made it a companion. Part 2 will be coming shortly (who knows maybe even tonight) after I do some fine tuning.
Once again, thank you for your patience. And thank you to everyone who reviewed and added me to your story alerts or favorite authors! That was so cool! Anyway, read on and enjoy. Part 2 will be up shortly for both this and "Hearts Pounding!"
Part 1
She wondered what it would have been like...a human Casper.
That was the only coherent thought in Kat's mind during the direct aftermath of finding that her father had become a ghost only to be returned to life by the Lazarus machine. Casper had given up his only chance to be human again so that she would not be alone. She had only stared at him helplessly, mumbling his name as he looked at her sadly and said "It's the only way." It was obvious that leading Dr. Harvey into the Lazarus had been one of the hardest things he'd ever done. Yet he'd done it, because he knew it was the right thing to do.
Kat was well aware that Casper had deep feelings for her, regardless of the fact that he was a ghost. Being a ghost didn't stop him from having emotions, as she'd rather coldly thought a short time ago. However, she had thought Casper only had a childish infatuation with her, being that he was twelve years old. What would he know of anything more? she'd asked herself. And so Kat learned not to underestimate the friendly ghost under any circumstances. What he had tonight showed just how highly he regarded her.
And so Kat was seized by wonder of what Casper would have been like as a human. Mischievous, fun-loving, adventurous, intelligent, friendly, kind, gentle...passionate? Casper McFadden barely existed anymore, even for the ethereal form of him. And for that more than anything, Kat pitied Casper. He was condemned to a forever of being no more than a ghost.
"Are you alright sweetheart?" Dr. Harvey's voice jolted Kat out of her reverie. She hesitated before speaking to take in her surroundings. After her father had been brought back to life she and Casper had explained to the confused psychologist the story behind the Lazarus and the hidden laboratory. Poor Dr. Harvey nearly passed out at the end of the story, declaring it beyond any of his wildest imaginings. And Kat knew just how much that was saying.
At the moment Kat was seated on her fathers lap in the chair that made it's way through the secret tunnel under Whipstaff Manor with Casper pushing it backward. She tried to catch Casper's eyes but he was rather determinedly not looking her way. There had been silence for about 5 minutes and it was driving the three of them crazy, which was probably why Dr. Harvey had finally spoken. She turned to face him and tried to smile, but it came out as more of a grimace. "I'm fine dad. I just can't believe...I can't believe I almost lost you," she half whispered. Dr. Harvey frowned, remembering his brief time as a ghost. It was something he'd never forget. "Hey, look on the bright side! You didn't lose me, I'm right here with you, where I will be for as long as you need me. Pinky promise?" He grinned and offered his pinky in a gesture of the strongest promise the two could make to each other. Kat smiled for real this time and linked her pinky with his. "Promise."
"Sorry to interrupt, but we're back." The small family was surprised to hear Casper's voice for the first time since the telling of the Lazarus. It was also a surprise to realize that they had make it back to the study, up the winding brass staircase, and came to a jerky stop without being aware of it. Dr. Harvey felt guilty that he and Kat had blocked themselves off from Casper, basically ignoring him after all he had done for them. And his voice! It was so negative...so depressed. So unlike Casper. He looked at his daughter and noticed a small tear in the corner of her eye. "Casper-" "You should probably get going. Your party, remember? Vic's probably waiting for you," Casper said, his voice full of dejection. All Kat could do was stare at him, for once not knowing what to say.
Dr. Harvey took this in with remarkable speed and intervened as best as possible. "Casper's right sweetheart. Can't bail on your party, now can you? You go finish getting ready and I'll be right out," he said as cheerfully as possible, all but shoving Kat out of the study. She ran away as fast as possible, wanting nothing more than to make the conflict inside of her go away. After all, she did have a party to host-she had to stay calm and collected; the way that everyone was used to her being.
As soon as Kat left Casper tried to make his escape flying through a bookcase, but a pointed cough from Dr. Harvey stopped him in his..tracks. Casper sighed and turned around to play it off. "Got a cough there, Dr. Harvey? Better keep an eye on that so it doesn't become anything worse. Maybe we should see if there's anything in the kitchen-It's no use is it?" Casper figured he may as well give up. He knew what that cough indicated and no amount of smart talk would get him out of the discussion Dr. Harvey was obviously leaning toward.
"I'm aware that right now the last thing you want to talk about is what just transpired in the laboratory so I'll keep it brief. You...you don't know how thankful I am to you right now. I know that you wanted to be human again, very badly. That desire has increased since you met my daughter, hasn't it?" Dr. Harvey paused to see if there would be any response, but Casper just floated around stonily avoiding his gaze. "Well, what I want to say is thank you. This is something neither of us, Kat nor myself, will ever forget. Anyway, we will talk later. I...I want to help in any way possible that there is. But right now I need to go chaperone this party and not embarrass Kat too badly." Dr. Harvey waited to see if Casper would say anything and when he didn't he strode off down the hall chuckling nervously. As he left though, he could have sworn he heard Casper whisper, "Only Kat can help."
Kat was honestly trying to have fun. Truly she was. After all, countless people had come up to her and raved about her home, that she should have more parties in the future. She laughed and commented that that would be easier said than done. She laughed and bantered with her guests with an easy energy that pleased her. Kat had never been known for being a people person; rather, she was usually quite the opposite. As cliche as she hated to think it was, Kat knew life was too short to block herself off from others. She was nearly thirteen-life should be better than ever. And Kat was full of new incentive to make sure it was.
Still, it hurt to find out that Vic had only asked her to be his date for a prank with Amber. Regardless of whether he wanted to do the prank or not, it cut deep. Kat had trouble opening up to new people sometimes, but Vic had been charming and easy to talk to. And when Vic and Amber had run out screaming from fright due to some horror-Kat could only guess that it was either the Trio or their own faces-she had brushed it off and chortled along with everyone else. The applause helped to boost her ego a little and cover up a muttering of "serves you right, " under her breath.
Now though, Kat was feeling depressed. She should be having the time of her life-and she actually had been-because that's what parties were meant for, weren't they? Yet she was miserable to find that while she did have friends, there were no boys for possible more-than-friends. She had danced with her new friend Zach but they were only friends. And she just knew that another slow song was coming soon, so she left her friends on the dance floor saying that her feet hurt and she needed to sit out a few songs. Might as well make herself look like she wasn't hurt that no one would ask her to dance again. And at least her fib had some truth in it; her feet were a little sore. She had learned her lesson about dancing near Stewart.
Sitting gave her the chance to think again for the first time in two and a half hours. And Kat couldn't help but think about Casper. He had quickly become her very best friend, and had never shown any anger or pain for the fact that she had been downright terrified of him when they first met. He had never been anything but kind to her. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her. But could she ever repay him, ever do anything in return? Kat pondered this and was enraged to find what she already knew-he had done the most important thing ever for her-giving her her father back-and the only thing that could repay him would be to restore life back to him. And that was impossible.
Such a thought thoroughly depressed Kat, and all of a sudden she wished the party would end. She had gone through so much tonight, that it really was the wrong time for time for a party. Not to mention that she, the hostess, was the only person sitting down without any invitation to dance when what do you know! a slow song started. And try as Kat might to not let it, it mattered to her. She did want to dance.
Kat looked up to the staircase to see her dad staring down, a sympathetic expression on his face. She moaned inwardly; her dad's sympathy was the last thing she wanted at the moment. But then someone she had never seen before was slowly making his way down the stairs. He was looking down into the crowd-right at her. And Kat had the most peculiar feeling that she knew him. Maybe he was one of those kids who sat in the back of class, so she'd never noticed him? Oh well he probably wasn't anyone important. She turned a sullen face back to the dancing couples and slumped down in her chair.
Listening to the song, Kat was pleased that it was so beautiful. The last song of the night should always be the best and this was no exception. It had a haunting, bittersweet beauty and love to it. 'The story of my life,' Kat thought to herself. Then she got mad at herself. There was no reason to be so pessimistic, was there? After all, she was alive. And the party had been a huge success; everyone was having a great time. Kat had been too for a while, so she might as well be happy while watching other people dance. They all looked amazing in their costumes.
Kat frowned as everyone seemed distracted and started creating a path for someone to walk through. Everyone stared at the boy-the same who had gazed at her from atop the stairs-as he just glided through them without bumping into anyone. And the entire time his eyes were fixed on her. Kat looked away confused and then back at him when he stopped in front of her. She really didn't know who he was-she'd never seen him before. He was dressed as a simple pirate, with sandy blonde hair that hung in his eyes-his gorgeous blue eyes. Something about him was so welcoming and strangely familiar that she couldn't resist when he held out his hand. An invitation to dance.
When she took his hand and he carefully led her to the middle of the dance floor, his eyes never left hers. And Kat had a feeling of belonging with her hand in his. It didn't really matter that he was currently a complete stranger; he soon wouldn't be. Kat rather liked the way he took both of her hands and placed them around his neck before placing his own on her hips. He then swayed them back and forth, moving them in a circle.
Holding Kat in his arms was the best feeling in the world, he decided. Nothing could make him more complete than this. Pulling Kat a little closer, he fought back a grin at the bemused smile on her face. She didn't know who he was, but she definitely liked him. He would only ever be her wildest guess, and one she wouldn't dare voice.
A little mischievously, he lifted them up in the air so they were at least a shoulder above everyone else. It would probably be a few seconds before she caught on, but she would. And he wanted her to know who he was before his short time was up.
Sure enough, Kat realized that they were indeed floating and immediately her eyes were filled with fright and she clung to him. He smiled audibly -he was quite enjoying himself-and quipped, "Told you I was a good dancer." Kat loosened her grip on him slightly as she snapped her face to his, completely bewildered. He stopped smiling and all of sudden felt like a serious little boy asking for his heart's desire. "Can I keep you?" he whispered, eyes wide.
Recognition and disbelief registered in Kat's face. It was...unbelievable. A human "Casper?" she cried softly. He gave a soft grin and laughed when Kat held him closer as they made their way back to the ground. Everyone around them stopped dancing to watch them, two individuals in their own little world. A world that Casper never wanted to leave.
This had to be heaven. Casper didn't think anything could be better than the feeling of Kat in his arms. Going back to being a ghost after tonight wouldn't be so unbearable. The memory of this inexplicable feeling could sustain him. And Casper knew that whatever it was he felt for Kat, it went much deeper than a crush, an infatuation. The only thing it could be was love.
No matter, after tonight he would lose the right to tell her just how strongly he felt for her. Kat would move forward in her life just as she was meant to. She might like him tonight, but she'd forget that in time. After all, she was only human. And Casper couldn't fault her for that; he loved her too much. As long as he could be her friend while she was his greatest love, he could be happy. Tonight, holding Kat and her holding him would be enough. As long as he kept telling himself that, at least.
Kat was happier than she could ever remember being before. Casper's arms around her and his head resting atop hers provided her such a profound feeling of home that she never wanted to let go. Ever since they had first found the Lazarus, Kat had been curious about a human Casper, and what that would mean for her. She had been fighting an attraction for him since their first conversation-after all, how to do explain to other people that you like a ghost? She could just see all the weird looks she would get. But now she wouldn't get those. Casper was human, and she couldn't be happier. His arms were home-except when they tensed, as they did now. Kat felt him withdraw slightly, lifting his head from hers and stop moving. Something was wrong, but Kat didn't want to confront it.
The clock chimed and Casper was filled with dread. As he lifted his head from Kat's, he saw that ten o'clock had come too soon for his liking. With the end of the party came the end of his time as a human. He winced slightly; the time had gone too fast.
"Casper?" Kat stepped back to look up at his face, confusion easily seen in her eyes. He knew she knew something was wrong, and what should have been a private moment was viewed by her entire class. He offered his lopsided smile and leaned down to kiss her, Kat's eyes closing in surprised delight. Casper ignored the feeling of turning back into a ghost and concentrated everything on his first and likely last kiss. And then he knew that tonight would only make him want more. For all eternity he would want more of Kat Harvey's kiss.
Kat pulled back to throw off the sudden chill that attacked her face and opened her eyes slowly, and was mightily shocked to see a ghostly Casper once again. Before she could react though, the surprised gasps of her classmates filled the room and Casper whirled around to face them all, rather bashfully.
"Uh hehe...Boo?" With that Casper set off a panic quite unlike any other as everyone screamed and stampeded out of the house, tearing down the directions as they went. Casper and Kat were left watching after them with amused smiles on their faces as the disco ball fell from the ceiling.
"Not bad for my first party, huh?" Kat said, keeping the mood light. She grinned at him and he was relieved to see her happiness. "Couldn't have been better," he declared cheerfully. Dr. Harvey and the Trio then joined them for some more music and dancing. The night was young, and tomorrow was another time for serious conversations.