April was an early riser. Ever since she died, she found sleep to be a pointless activity in the afterlife. You see, ghosts can sleep, but they do not require it. I love to sleep because I am able to dream (yes, ghosts can dream too). I love to dream. Usually my dreams consist of things I no longer able to do now that I'm dead, such as eat or go inside the mansion. It's a way to escape from this curse that I've grown use to. April, however, has another curse that has been with her since she was living child and its because of this curse that she chooses not to sleep.
This was why I's able to find her sitting by her window, drawing a sketch of a flower in a vase. I couldn't help by smile.
"It looks really good, April," I tell her. She looks up, giving me a bright smile. Even in the afterlife, she still remains beautifully youthful.
"Freddie, my friend!" she exclaims. "How wonderful to see you! I miss you ever so much."
"I miss you, too, April," I said. We tell each other this everyday because it's true.
"So, I take it, Fifi wants to hear the news today, right?" she asks.
"Yes, but first, I actually have something to ask you," I said. "There's a bat I saw in the ballroom. I's wondering if you know who she is?"
"Well, I can't say," April admitted. "I know her name is Gabi, but that's all I can tell you."
I sighed. "You's sure?"
April's eyes suddenly grew weary. "Oh, come now, you fool, don't you know anything?" she said, only in a more hoarse voice. Her body suddenly began to change. Her chocolate brown hair changed into a wispy white. Her skin grew leathery, bags formed under her eyes. I was startled not by her appearance, but rather the sudden change.
"You need to warn me when you decide to appear, December," I told her. Many, including Fifi, have been frightened by December, April's other personality. Perhaps I should explain. April has a condition known dissociative personality disorder, or as many people recognize as multiple personality disorder. Ever since she was little, December has lived inside her, every once in a while taking control of her body when she felt like it. December was quite the opposite of April. While April was innocent, young, and naive, December was old, witty, and sharp-tongued. April's father could not stand December. Once he discovered April's condition, he sent her to live at the mansion, which belonged to his brother at time, so that she may live in an environment that can accompany her needs. April was carefully watched over. Once December took over, her father would immediately lock her in her room until April came back.
When they died, trying to figure out who was who became much easier. Now whenever December took over, she would actually look like what most people imagine her to be: a frightening, old lady.
I's never found anything wrong with December. She was actually the one who saved me when I got trapped in the mansion, not April. December's not a mean spirit, just jaded and old. I befriended both December and April, treating them like two separate people. Them's both my best friends.
I can tell it's difficult for them to live in the same body. April can no longer sleep because she has to share her dreams with December. To April, dreams are supposed to be private. It's not something you're supposed to share with. This is only one of a few other difficulties they have to deal with, but they've grown accustomed it, December especially. She gave me a toothy grin.
"So Freddie, you have a thing for little Miss Gabi, huh?" December said.
I blushed. "Well she is very beautiful. What can you tell me about her?"
"Well, let's see. She just moved here from New York, not sure from which part exactly. I know it's not Brooklyn. She apparently moved into the mansion because she needed someplace safe to stay. She usually spends most of her time in the ballroom because she likes music."
"Wow, now I really need to meet her!" I excitedly say.
"Whoa, hold your horses there, Freddie!" December said. "There's only two problems: first, she's an alive bat. I don't she would like someone who's been for more than a hundred years. Second, she has agoraphobia."
"She's afraid of an expensive material?"
"She's afraid of wide open spaces, you nit!" December exclaimed. "She was brought to the mansion by her mother while she was asleep. She has difficulty leaving the ballroom. How are you supposed to talk to her when you can't even come inside?"
"I'll write to her!"
"You can't write."
"No, but you can! I'll tell you what to say and you can give it to her."
December sighed. "Alright, but you owe me for this." She grabbed a paper and pencil off of her desk and prepared to write. "So what do you want it to say?"
I thought about it for a moment. December's right. Gabi would never if I's a ghost. So I had to tell her something else. Not a lie, but something else.
"Write this: 'Dear Gabi, my name's Frederick. First, I would like to welcome you to Gracey Manor. I hope you's happy here. As one of the few bats that live on the mansion's ground, I wish to meet you. Sadly certain problems have prevented us from meeting, so I must talk to through letter instead. I hope you's not offended by this action. I just want to get to know you. I will even tell you things about myself. I's from Brooklyn, I's very sociable, I come from a large family of fifteen, and I enjoy music and dancing. I hope that you will write back.' Does that sound good?"
"Hold on, let me clean it up," December said, furiously writing. "I think it's okay for a letter written by a bat. So when do you want me to send it?"
I bit my lip. "Um, actually I's wondering if..."
"...April could send it?"
"I don't mean to be rude..."
"It's fine. I know I'm not exactly something want to stare at. Besides, I think it's about time April does something besides draw and sow. I'll make sure she delivers this."
"Thank you so much, December!" I squealed. "You's the best!"
"At least someone thinks so."
I waved to her goodbye and flew back to my grave in sheer happiness. This is so amazing. I's never able to find love when I's alive. Maybe I've been given a second chance. Who knows? Maybe Gabi might be the one for me.