HEARTBEAT
RATED T for some theories on reincarnation and romance.
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE AMAZING CHARACTERS ON GHOSTWRITER! BUT I SURE DO LOVE THE SHOW AND LOVE TO WRITE ABOUT THEM!
CHAPTER 2:
Alex couldn't help but overhear what Tina had just said. Was she not even the slightest bit interested him. He had overheard their conversation, accidentally as he was getting the produce from the back storage. Alex did not know what to think. He always liked Tina, but it was always so hard for them to just sit down and talk about it. And then there was that awkward kiss, when they were stuck in Miller's Hauling garbage truck. All the pieces just didn't fit right. He decided to up to Lenni's.
Lenni was practicing on her keyboard when she heard a knock on the door.
"Oh hey Alex! Come on in."
"Thanks, sorry to barge in like this without warning. But I need to ask you something."
"What's up?"
"What does it take for you girls to like a guy?"
"Wow, "exclaimed Lenni with a confusing look on her face. "Does this have something to do with Tina?"
"And that's the other thing, "he stated as he crashed on to the couch. Lenni brought him a Snapple.
"Thanks. Everyone knows that there's always been this thing between me and Tina, except for Tina."
"Alex Tina is just really shy. Her brother Tony though is the opposite. He's much more upfront. Needless to say as much as I do like him and see him every now and then we are just friends. Kind of like you and Tina, but we know there is that something. I guess we're all too young to take it seriously." Replied Lenni.
"That's a reasonable way of looking into it. But what if I would like to take it to the next step even though I am young? Why can't I just like a girl that I know I just might not only like?"
"Do you hear yourself Alex? You're just upset because you're frustrated," said Lenni.
"Woh! What! Look at my poster. Rally L? Who would call a Rally at my place?"
Alex shrugged his shoulders, and went on sipping his Snapple, "good thing I was here already, "he replied with a big smile.
Moments later, Gaby and Tina came in.
"Hey we came as fast as we could Lenni, what's up?" asked Gaby. Tina took a seat next to Alex, who in turn pretended he didn't see her stood, up and went near the kitchen finishing the rest of his Snapple.
"Beats me, I didn't call it."
"Oh great everyone's here but Jamal, "cried Rob as he stormed in.
"So you're the one that called it?" asked Lenni
"Yeah I'm really sorry, Double T is fixing the apartment up, and I had something I really wanted to tell you guys." Said Rob.
"So what is it?" asked Gaby.
"I rather wait for Jamal."
There was a knock on the door. "Hey Lenni I came as soon as I heard. What's up?"
"Beats me, Rob called it."
"So Rob why did you call this meeting?" asked Tina sweetly.
"Well I want to tell you guys something but I didn't know how to tell you this."
"Sounds serious, "said Gaby.
"Well it sort of is. I recently found out that Double T has been doing this story for the Brooklyn Sun on Veterans, and being that Double T himself is a Vietnam Veteran, I kind of saw something on the dining table a week ago that caught my attention."
"What did you see?" asked Alex.
"I saw some photos and poetry of soldiers. Then I saw this poem entitled "Heartbeat". It's the same poem that Jamal found in his basement; only this one is in better condition printed in the Archival newspaper of U.S. Veterans but has no author listed either. My father gets this issue too sometimes, but I haven't seen one since we've been in Australia. Do you think Ghostwriter could be a veteran of some war?"
Rob passed the poem around for the others too see, and everyone nodded in agreement that it was indeed the same poem they had seen in Jamal's. As the team passed around the peace of paper, Gaby became withdrawn and headed to Lenni's couch clutching a pillow to herself, as she looker on the other. Rob noticed this, said nothing, as Tina joined Gaby on the couch a placed her hand on Gaby's. As the other's talked, Tina whispered Gaby to tell the other what she had told them.
"No Tina and you promised you wouldn't tell!"
"Come on Gaby it could really help the team find out who Ghostwriter is?"
"Hey what are you two whispering about?" asked Jamal as the whole team went closer to them.
"Nothing at all," replied Gaby.
"Gaby thinks she knows some clues to Ghostwriter's past"
The team elated through up their hands and began berating Gaby with questions, except for Rob who felt as if he was making the whole situation of finding Ghostwriter's identity even worse for Gaby to handle. Gaby glared at Tina for exposing their conversation to everyone
"You guys I'm really not sure though, "stated Gaby.
"Gaby why can't you tell us?" asked Lenni?
"Because Alex is right if we find out his identity what if he's put to rest, and free to leave. He won't be a Ghost anymore. I'll lose my only best friend and that means Ghostwriter may not be with us anymore. Did you guys ever think of that?"
Everyone looked at each other dumbfounded. No one ever thought about Ghostwriter leaving them. They had been a part of them with every challenge and obstacle on the way.
"You know I remember when I was getting those creepy phone calls at Lana's house, I wrote to Ghostwriter if he was here with me since I was so scared. He stated he would always be with me. Good thing it was just Alex making those prank calls, "joked Tina as the others laughed, every one that is except for Alex. Tina took note of Alex's lack of expression and looked down only now half smiling. Rob felt a little awkward feeling upset that he was making Gaby feel bad.
"Gab, I didn't mean to hurt you, I just thought this would be something that might help Ghostwriter that's all."
"It's ok Rob.
"Ghostwriter has been with a lot of us during the most crucial of times, like when I was in London, when Lenni's music video's was threatened thinking it would never have been completed and Rob when you were stuck in the tunnel." Jamal after stating this took a seat as well. Then all of the members sat down one by one, in silence absorbing what everyone was saying.
"Why us?" stated Alex.
"What do you mean?" Jamal asked back.
"Like why do we know Ghostwriter? There are so many kids out there. And some of you guys have siblings but Gaby and I seem to be the only sibling pair that knows of him. Jamal he was found in your basement, and I'm sorry if this offends anyone but I really think he has the strongest link to you, "stated Alex.
"I was thinking that too, however Gaby told me something yesterday that kind of makes her different from all of us." As Tina said this Gaby once again glared at her, implying to stop talking about it.
"Gaby how come you never told me but you can tell Tina everything? I am your brother!" exclaimed Alex.
"Alex, calm down, "said Jamal as he patted Alex. Lenni glared at Alex knowing the reason why he snapped. Tina was already rubbing him the wrong way, and being singled out from his own sister made him feel even worse.
"Sorry guys maybe I shouldn't have said anything," stated Tina.
Gaby all of a sudden stood up and asked "have any of you ever hugged Ghostwriter?"
Everyone shook their heads, stated their no's and some even proclaimed how impossible it would be to hug a ghost in the first place- wouldn't it?
"That's what makes me different from you guys. I hugged him, I saw what his life went through. I saw the good things and the bad things. Why would I want to put someone in that situation again, and put him through the bad memories?"
Everyone stood there in silence.
"Exactly-" said Gaby as she stormed out of Lenni's apartment.
Alex ran after her, as Tina followed.
Jamal gave a big sigh, as Rob stretched out his arms, and Lenni sat near her piano keyboard.
"I wonder what she saw," stated Jamal.
When Tina had reached Alex, she knew by then Gaby was a lost cost.
"I wonder where she's headed, she didn't go down to the Bodega," Alex said to himself out loud. As he turned, he found Tina facing him.
"Oh I didn't know you were here."
"Yeah I kind of came down after her. Alex, I'm sorry if I said anything that bugged you, "said Tina.
"Why do you care?" asked Alex with a slight attitude.
Tina was shocked. Usually Alex was very sweet and talked really nice to her. He was always there to comfort her and this time he was being really rude.
"Alex I do care if I hurt any of my friends," replied Tina back calmly.
Alex decided to go back to the Bodega, "that's just it Tina, any of your friends but you've never treated me as special as I have always treated you." With that Alex proceeded on down. Tina feeling upset and withdrawn decided to head home. She didn't feel like being with the rest of the team, not now when Alex was mistaking her every action as insult instead of herself just being really shy.
Gaby went to the library to find some peace, and tranquility from all the hustle and bustle that happened. She suddenly saw a familiar face.
"Miss Canellan?"
Later that day Tina went to the Bodega. Her mother had made her get some milk and eggs which was necessary for dinner that night. She reluctantly agreed, praying that Alex wouldn't be there. As she saw the Bodega, with its OPEN sign all flashing with lights she noticed that no one was in the store, not even Gaby except for lonesome Alex at the cashier.
Tina walked in, briefly made eye contact with Alex and looked the other way. Alex rolled his eyes, let out a sigh, and said "you need something Tina?"
"No, just some milk and eggs."
Alex nodded as he got the materials for her himself, and rang them up.
"7 dollars, "he stated.
"Boy you sure do want me out of here fast today don't you?" asked Tina as she looked into her purse.
"Well there's no point to really further the conversation."
"Alex," she stated as she gave him the money, "you're not being fair. I have never been a bad friend to you have I?"
Alex ignored her question even though he listened and frankly did agree to what she said and only stated, "Here's your change. Have a nice day."
"Yeah, you too, "replied Tina, as she cautiously walked out the Bodega, tears blinding her eyes.
Not more than two blocks Tina had just gotten through an alley when she saw a man holding a dog by the leash. The man's face was hidden and he smoked a cigar. Tina swallowed scared at the figure that was in front of her.
"Hi sweetheart," said the man as he puffed his cigar.
"Names, Charles this is Rusty, you do what we say we let you out easy," said the man.
"What do you want?" asked Tina so quietly you couldn't really hear her.
"Let's say you give me everything in your purse and I'll let you out easily."
"I don't have much, "replied Tina as she clutched on to her purse. The dog, Rusty began growling at Tina. The man grabbed Tina's hair and went for her purse, and out of instinct Tina pulled back and kicked his leg.
"You shouldn't have done that miss", said the man. A loud sound was fired along with the sound of footsteps running faraway with a dog.
Tina looked at her arm. Her purse was gone and the eggs she had just bought were splattered all across the sidewalk.
"I've been shot, "said Tina as her eyes closed, curling up in a ball, lying still on the sidewalk, and becoming cold.
Ok if no one reviews this I am not going to write a third chapter. I really like it when people take the time to read my stuff. Jess and Mochilla this chapter was dedicated to you both for your reviews. Please guys let me know if you like this- otherwise, why should I tell you who Ghostwriter is? Why should I even write? Take care and all of you have an awesome memorial weekend!
