Chapter 4

Just like a curse, just like the stray

You feed it once and now it stays…

Casper shut his eyes, but nothing happened. No loud noises or puff of smoke. Not even a chill.

"You didn't have to close your eyes you know. It wasn't like I had to do surgery."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, that'll be $99.95."

"What?"

"Kidding, geez. Hey why don't you look? I didn't mess you up. I gave you decent clothes too; hope you like the color black."

The former ghost stumbled a bit, trying to find the mirror. Once he did, he quickly opened his eyes to reveal the same fair haired youth that he remembered, only older, and wearing a normal sweater and jeans, both in dark shades. He pinched his arm to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

"So I'm really…? I'm not one of those zombies or anything?"

In response to that statement, the Reaper walked to his side and lifted the sickle. The specter swung it quickly over Casper's arm, leaving a small gash that trickled slightly.

"Ow! Okay, okay! So I am!" He placed a hand over the stinging cut.

"Casper…? What happened?" Kat was awake, and sitting up slowly.

"I'll leave you two alone." The Grim Reaper coughed, "Have fun explaining, and don't forget the deadline." Without another word, it disappeared.

"Did I run into Fatso again?" Kat asked. Casper helped her up; she was now fully focused on his face.

For a moment, she tugged away and didn't know whether to shout for help or ask if they've met before. But once it finally dawned, she threw herself at him and wouldn't let go.

"Casper! I prayed my mom would let come back! "

He let her think that for now, he just hugged her back, trying to figure out how he was going to clarify the situation.

"Kat, I'm-"

"Who is the birdbrain that can't shut their trap up here!"

Stretch burst angrily in the room, along with Stinkie (with a teddy bear) and Fatso (cold cream slathered on his face and head in curlers). Everyone froze, Stretch narrowed his eyes. Stinkie and Fatso gasped collectively.

"I'm telling! Kat has a boy in her room!" Stinkie turned to go.

"Oh I am so over you girlfriend!" Fatso exclaimed, snapping his fingers.

"Who are you? Leonardo Decapitated? 'Cause that's who ya gonna be when I get through with you!" The tall ghost retorted, cracking his knuckles.

"The pool boy? Why Kat WHY!" Fatso's hands flew to his face and he started to cry.

"Wait a second…you look like someone I hate..." Stretch leaned in and studied his face.

It only took a few moments, but recognition finally set in, hard.

"CASPER!"

Fatso looked through his hands in shock, Stinkie stuck his head through the floor to gaze dumfounded and floated closer for a look.

"Nah, it can't be Stretch, it's that one kid, ya know the one we scared at the party?"

But Fatso disagreed, shaking his head. "No he had brown eyes, and he," pointing at Casper, "has blue. More like aquamarine, or sky blue."

"That's enough Martha Stewart, shut it!" Stretch huffed

He shot an evil glance at the couple, then made a disgusted noise and left. The two younger brothers followed. Fatso was the last to leave, as he did so, he turned back around to the young pair.

"You two look so adorable together!" He gushed.

Even though it was very late, Kat refused to sleep. So they stayed up until the sun rose and cast its brilliant rays through the colored glass. Even though she had grown up quite considerably since their last encounter, Kat sometimes felt like a giggly 6th grader when she was around him. But for now she was struck with shyness and they both stared out across the sea.

"I guess you will want your room back." She ventured.

"No, you can have it." He replied.

"But where are you going to sleep? You know? Now that we're…older? 'Cause my dad would go crazy…" She blushed deeply; Casper did too realizing what she meant.

"There's plenty of room."

"Good. Oh no! My dad, what are we going to say?"

"I'll think of something… Kat?"

"Yes?"

"You still want to go to that stupid dance?"

"Of course."

She reached over bashfully, but then hesitated. So he finished the kiss for her. It seemed to last a lifetime, but they eventually broke apart. Kat grinned broadly and stood, making her way to her dresser briskly.

"Now there's still the matter of what you're going to wear to school. You can't wear that everyday."

Casper stood walked in front of her, he felt so unused to being tall, and gave her a look.

"High School?"

"You'll love it." She went up on tiptoe to give him a quick kiss.