Chapter 11
The next week was pretty quiet. Paul didn't go out of his way to break up me and Jesse. In fact, the only time I saw Paul was a brief glance here and there in school.
Although things were quiet with Paul, it didn't mean that the same went for the rest of the student population of the Junipero Serra Mission Academy. Word had gotten out that I was the reason Paul moved to Carmel. Which then led to the rumours that Paul and I were an item. Which we so weren't. Anymore.
I had many girls, often some who I didn't even know, come up to me and be like, 'You're the reason Paul Slater moved here! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I, like, so owe you, for life.'
Every single time I replied the same.
'Um, your welcome?'
I know. Original, huh?
But it's all I could think of when inside I'm screaming 'Paul is nothing special. You should check out the ghost that lives in his room.'
Even thinking about him makes my heart flutter. I am probably the worst mediator ever to have lived, falling in love with a ghost, but I can't find it in myself to care. Jesse is just so amazing. I can barely find words to describe him.
He's just … there. All the time, whenever I need him, he's there. He appears when I think about him, hugs me when I'm feeling sad, kisses me often.
His kisses are more indescribable then him.
Seriously. That good.
I smiled and snuggled into said ghost. It was Saturday now and I was relaxing after a week of having extremely grateful girls following me around just so that they could tell me how cute my ex-boyfriend was.
I had deemed Saturday night, 'Movie Night'. Movie night with my boyfriend. Only, to the rest of the world - bar certain individuals - it is movie night alone. A tiny downside to having a ghost boyfriend.
Jesse, it appeared, loved watching movies. And I can't say I blame him. I can't imagine what they did to pass the time back in the 19th Century.
"Jesse?" I whispered to him breaking the silence that had encompassed us since the film began an hour ago. "How did you die? You said farm accident but I can tell you're lying."
Painful Subject? Probably. But I really did want to know.
Jesse sighed and kissed my forehead, sending shivers through me. I love it when he does that.
"Querida," he said back. He didn't have to worry about how loud he speaks. No one else can hear him. "I don't think I want you to know."
Um, ouch. That kind of hurt.
"Oh," was how I replied. "Okay."
"No, querida," he carried on. "Not like that. I'm just not ready for you to know yet. We haven't really known each other that long yet."
"But it feels like I've known you forever," I whispered so quietly I'm surprised he heard me.
"I know," he reassured me. "It's the same for me."
"Well then," I ventured, "can you tell me anything else? I know you told me about your life but you left out some of the smallest things! Like, how old are you? What's your last name?"
He laughed.
"You're babbling," he told me, laughing as I blushed before continuing, "but if you must know. I was 20 when I died and my last name is de Silva."
"Jesse de Silva." I repeated, testing the name on my tongue.
"Jesse," he told me, "is a nickname. My Christian name is Hector."
Okay, I tried really hard not to laugh. Can I help it if one small giggle managed to escape?
"Hector de Silva."
It kind of suited him.
"Now, is there anything else you wish to know?" He asked.
"No, I'm good." I smiled.
"Good," he responded. "Now let's watch the rest of the film."
I listened to him. Not that I actually wanted to watch the film - Jesse had picked out Jaws - but because I liked the excuse to snuggle in closer to my boyfriend.
--------------
The next thing I knew I was awake in my bed with the sun streaming through the windows. I must have fallen asleep whilst watching the end of the film.
I saw a small white piece of paper lying on my desk.
'Susannah,' it read. 'You looked so serene, I didn't have the heart to wake you. See you soon, querida. Jesse, xxx'
I so hope that Jesse didn't run into anyone as he took me upstairs. That would have been hard to explain.
After a look at the clock on my desk, I jumped up to get ready. It was already well past noon. I hadn't slept this late in ages. I had somewhere to be today.
I never thought I'd see the day either. Susannah Simon giving up her Sunday to go to the library. Voluntarily. I mean, it's not as if I have any homework to do there, anyway.
No, I was going to find out what, or who, killed my boyfriend.
And yes, I know that he said that his death was listed as a farm accident, but I know that's not true. Surely someone else figured that out too?
Maybe if I read about the time of his death, his family and stuff like that, it would help me figure out this mystery. Of course, it would be much easier if Jesse just told me but it doesn't look as if that was going to happen any time soon.
I quickly get changed, clean my teeth and style my hair before putting on my make-up.
Next on the agenda is to try and persuade Brad to lend me the car keys.
--------------------
I end up having to walk. Walk. Seriously, in this weather. Apparently Brad has a science project that's due in. Uh, yeah right. Like Brad has ever handed in any project whatsoever before. I know this, and I haven't even been living with him for a year yet.
Nevertheless, onwards I suffer - because there is no way I'm going to ask anybody for a lift. I'm a girl on a mission. A mission that I will complete.