Hey. It's me. Kat. And my new story. It's set after Darkest Hour, Haunted never happened. But Suze has started her Junior year without Paulie. I can't write him. Jesse still 'lives' in her room.

Thanks to Lolly for proofreading and editing it, even though she was sick. Get well, Lolly!

Mixed Signals

"Hello," Jesse said.

"Hi." And the same thought that always floated through my head when he was there, popped back to haunt me. I couldn't help but think I had been too accommodating when Jesse had kissed me all those weeks ago, maybe I should have been more of a challenge to him. I mean, guys nowadays liked a challenge, or so I've heard- why should a guy from the 19th century be any different? It was at that point I decided I was going to play hard to get. I mean, I didn't like to play games with guys, but at that moment it seemed like such a good idea, I was amazed, Jesse would be mine in no time.

"Querida?" Jesse asked tentatively. I realised I had completely zoned out. Just hearing the word from his lips in his Spanish accent almost broke my resolve; I hadn't heard it in almost 3 weeks. But I remained strong.

"Yes, Jesse?" I replied sweetly. Almost too sweetly.

He seemed slightly taken aback by my attitude but tried not to act it. "So how was school?"

"Fine, Fine" I was adamant not to give in to my desire to grab him and kiss him as he had done to me.

"Do you have homework?" Jesse seemed determined to make conversation, I found this strange and quite annoying. When I wanted to converse with him, he would just sit, occasionally, not speaking, leaving me to prattle on. But now I was resolute not to speak to him unless necessary, until he finds a need to talk to me.

"Not really," I responded as carelessly as I could muster.

"No ghosts?" Wow, he was persistent on talking to me.

"Nope." He really did look crestfallen as I brushed his questions off. Aww, I had to speak to him. The way he was looking right that minute, it was what anyone would do.

"Jesse?" I asked softly. "What do you think would happen if I hadn't become a mediator?" I knew I shouldn't have asked him that question, but it was the answer I was particularly worried about.

He paused a minute before replying, "Well, querida, you wouldn't be talking to the principal of your school every day-about ghosts anyway." He added as an afterthought. Hey...what was that supposed to mean?!

"...You would lead the normal life you dream of, although the many lives you have saved would have been lost. Also, you wouldn't get to speak to your father. And of course, you would have never met me."

I froze. I didn't know what to say. What could I say? I didn't really expect that. Oh and of course, to kindle a moment of seductive conversation, I came out with a very alluring...

"Do you know anything about the Civil War?"

Wow.

That was lame.

Personal best.

I don't know why I said it. It was the first thing that came to mind. Well the first thing that came to mind that wasn't about how hot Jesse was looking at that particular moment, with the sun shining on his jet black hair making it look liquid-like, complimenting his soulful inky black eyes.

"What?" he asked, bewildered. I knew how he felt. I was as surprised as he was.

"Erm… I'm doing a project on it in American history," I improvised.

He chuckled a little. It made a little shiver zip down my spine. "The Civil War was in the 1860's, Susannah, I wasn't alive then." He told me while petting that mangy cat, I didn't notice it come in. How does it manage to do that? Sneak in, I mean.

"Oh, right. Never mind then." I blushed a hideous shade of red, which, I'm sure, made me look like a tomato. Yes, strong tomato-like qualities there.

I turned round and grabbed the first piece of homework I found – Trig. I pulled out my calculator and started working out the problems. It was the only thing I could do to stop making myself look like an idiot in front of Jesse, it was what happened when I was faced with six feet of Latino hottie. That, and my voice shooting up about an octave. At the times I want to sound sophisticated and sexy I come out sounding like I've inhaled a balloon of helium. Or eight.

I looked over and saw Jesse was engrossed in Critical Theory since Plato, his latest book. I couldn't understand how he could possibly want to read those books. You'd have to hold a gun to my head before I'd read them. And I'd still just glare and refuse. But in his day there was no such thing as the wondrous concept of...television. Save internet. So I suppose he had to find something to do when he wasn't looking after the ranch. But maaaaan, he was desperate.

Suddenly the phone rang, which, I'm sure, made me jump about half a mile in the air. Could the sophistication burden me any more, really? I picked up the extension in my room and wasn't surprised to find it was Father Dom. He and CeeCee were the only people that phoned me. It's quite sad really, my principal and my best friend being the only ones who call me. Father Dom only rang when I was in trouble or for mediating issues, and since I was pretty sure I was innocent, as innocent as I could be anyway, I assumed it was to do with a ghost.

"Susannah," he began politely. Still refusing to call me anything but me full name, just like Jesse. Stubborn men. Was there a newsletter, than told everyone what peed me off the most? " There is a new student starting tomorrow. I was wondering whether you could show him around? Since you are vice president of your class, and Kelly is home sick, I'm afraid it is your responsibility."

That wasn't what I was expecting. I still wasn't sure why he was phoning to tell me that though. And so much for the "I was wondering" bit. He made it out like was asking me, but he knew he'd make me do it anyway.

"Um…sure," I told him.

"I would have told you tomorrow but the last time this happened I believe you were quite angry at me for not giving you adequate time to 'prepare' as you put it."

Ah. That's why. Though I don't understand why that new kid went to RLS instead. I was nice enough. I guess he might have been freaked out by the plates flying past him-the product of a rather irritated ghost. Um, don't ask. Very...platey.

"Oh, er… right." I was keen to end this conversation; it was heading to a rather unwanted direction. "I'm going to go… finish my erm… homework now." This was one of the worst lies I have ever told. I could imagine Father Dominic raising his eyebrows. "So bye" I said before quickly slamming down the phone. I let out a sigh of relief and sat down at my desk again.

"Who was that?" Jesse asked with what I thought was a hint of envy in his voice. But why would he be jealous? It wasn't like he liked me...no way...don't flatter yourself, Suze.

"Oh, Father D wanted me to show around a new kid."

Jesse raises one scarred eyebrow at this. "So why did he phone?" The envy was replaced be a questioning tone. But it wasn't a question I had any desire to answer.

See, the last boy Father Dom asked me to show round had been a major hottie, no where as hot as Jesse, but still pretty hot. But that certain day was not a good day for me – I had got up late, so I just grabbed any clothes from the closet, pulled them on and dragged a brush through my hair. But when I looked down in the car, at the results of my frenzy, I found that I had put on a green top and jeans. At the mission academy denim is banned. So it meant I had to dig through Sister Ernestine's box of clothes. And to my utter chagrin the only pair of pants that fit me were pink, sparkly and flared. Together with a mint green shirt I looked like a clown. Add in a bad hair day and you have social disaster. I never really did live it down.

So I'm sure you can understand why I wasn't too eager to tell Jesse. Luckily, the sister gave me back my jeans to walk home in, but by then the damage was already done, my only consolation was that Jesse didn't see me,

"He just wanted to give me some warning," I wasn't completely lying.

"Okay then," I could tell he didn't believe me but he dropped the subject.

I put aside my finished Trig homework and went over to my closet. I stood there for a good five minutes before I had decided. I grabbed the clothes- an ensemble of grey cargo pants and a pale pink T-shirt. I folded them up and put them to the side for tomorrow. I didn't want to be unprepared again

"Trying to impress someone, Susannah?" Jesse asked from the window seat. I hadn't realised he had been watching me.

"No. I just want to make a good first impression," I replied, suddenly conscious of the jealousy that was back in his voice. Just as I wondering about it – the jealousy I mean – Brad screamed up that dinner was ready. Ironic much? I saw, that while I was pondering, Jesse had returned to the wonders of Critical Theory. He barely noticed me leave. Boy, he was sending some mixed signals.

Please review! Criticism welcome!
Kat.