Ghost

There was once a young girl. She was an aristocrat`s daughter.
A lovely girl she was. But, everyday it seemed as if someone was following her.
And one day, she thought of turning around and looking who was there.
A ghost.
He was a young man, with peculiar shaped eyebrows.
His dirty blond short hair, his commoner attire.
Everything about him, the girl drank in. He was handsome. Though dead.
She curtsied, not even minding those that looked at her.
"Hello," she introduced herself. "And who might you be?"
The man removed his hat (something he apparently died with),
"I am Arthur Kirkland. It`s a pleasure to meet you."
She smiled, she liked him. And so he stayed.

Sometimes she could not see him, so she had to use her ears.
One morning, while she was still dreaming, he had whispered her name.
The poor girl nearly jumped out of her bed. He wanted to help her,
but unfortunately his hand just went through hers. Being invisible,
you were completely transparent.
She panted, complaining he should show himself first before talking.
He smiled, laughing softly.

More days of this,"I will never leave you." Arthur says suddenly.
The girl winces, she looked up at him, he had shown himself finally.
She puts down the teacup. She wondered, why did she meet him anyway?
Perhaps he liked the way she looked?
Maybe he wanted someone to be with?
Or maybe, she smiled, her hair was more fun to tangle.
He would tangle it, when he was materialized, she would have to stifle
her giggle, for he would do that during her teachings and meetings.
Though, it could be that her dreams were more fascinating.
She usually dreamt of being a commoner, laughing with other children,
working, and singing often. Sometimes, it was a marriage with Arthur.

She groaned, complaining she was quite bored. Her parents were at a party,
her siblings of course never cared. He chuckled, "Do not complain
of your loneliness. You should be quite glad that you still have people."
She turned her head towards him. Scowling.

This girl was indeed quite lonely.
She always searched for a friend, at parties she would wander off.
To look for someone alone, someone to talk to.
Someone to befriend.
She wondered, after her birthday, would he wander off to someone else?
Was it not enough?

At times, when she was bored, she tried to compose her own music.
But she was a girl who would actually rather listen to music.
She just did it to impress her tutors. Though Arthur was of big help.
He filled each empty page in which she could understand and play.
The tutors were amazed, the girl smiled. He knew she would be taking
the credit, for no one could believe it all came from a ghost.

That night, she was shivering. She did not know why.
She sat up, still quite tired, but still quite cold.
The curtains were wide and open, exposing her skin to the night breezes.
She would have to remind Arthur to close the curtains if he were to
ever leave in the night, especially if it was this cold.
She then decided to creep in her mother and father`s bed.
For it was warmer.

The next night, it was settled.
Arthur had came back, just in time for one of the girl`s midnight tea parties.
Which he found odd, tea at midnight could not be good for you.
The girl set his place, fresh Earl Grey tea with brown sugar.
This girl`s tastes were quite peculiar, mix-matching plates and cups,
tea at such a time, and dresses that made her seem younger than she really was.
Though he still found her dear.

The next night, it was set again. Though the sugar was untouched.
Either he wanted bitter tea or just wasn`t there.
The girl didn`t really fear he had left, though she would have to search again.
She wondered if Arthur were to ever miss her.
If he were to comfort another girl`s misfortune.
But then again, she remembers that he`ll never leave her.
Or so he says.

As he is passing through walls one day, he floats into her changing room.
She was dressing for dinner, she flushed. Throwing a thimble at him.
He quickly disappeared, reappearing for dinner, apologizing.

At balls or parties, normally she would be caught in a conversation
in which the girls with such estrogen would just talk of other boys,
Arthur would sigh. Tangling her hair once again.
When she was asked to dance, Arthur would normally
talk and make faces to keep her smiling.
She giggled, after sighing on how she could never be a wife
if this kept up. With only man to love, but he was dead.

He floated amongst the gentle breezes from the balcony.
Then reaching her, he smiled. Though the girl never returned it.
He knew he couldn`t expect a wave or two from someone
only he could show himself to.

As he disappeared again and again, she always asks softly
of where he was now or then. Perhaps later?
He breathed onto her neck, telling her he was behind her.
He softly took her hand in his, squeezing it thoughtfully.
He rested his chin on her shoulder, telling her a story
about his life back then as a human. Arthur Kirkland.
She thought of the last name as hers, happy that it fit quite well with her name.
But even so, the happy thoughts ended. What would happen?

Until then, she would lie on her bed, tired.
Sleeping on her side though, leaving some space to her right.
Waiting, for Arthur to sing an old yet beautiful lullaby,
and sleep with gentle arms around her.