Five minutes had passed since Maggie examined the photo in the display case. Now, standing at her locker, she was consumed by the resemblance between herself and the girl in the photo. "Why does she look like me? Could we be long-lost sisters? Or perhaps distant cousins?" she wondered. "This is really freaking me out. I need to talk to Zach about it as soon as I see him."

After closing her locker, she headed to the lunchroom to find Zach and share what she had witnessed. Upon arriving, she spotted Zach at a table and proceeded to sit beside him. "Hi, Zach." "Hey, Susie, where have you been for the last 10 minutes?" "Oh, I was at my locker." "Are you sure? because you look like you've seen a ghost."

"Well, there's something I need to talk about," Maggie said, her expression grave. "What's on your mind?" Zach inquired. "As I walked to my locker, I glanced at the display case and noticed a girl in a photograph that had an eerie resemblance to me." "Oh no, I'm well aware of the photo you're referring to." "Wait hold on, do you know something about the girl in the photo?" Indeed, her name was Susie Q. She died in a car accident while on her way to her winter formal in 1955. "Jeepers, that's terrible," Maggie exclaimed, her face a picture of shock.

"There's that word again; why do you keep using it?" "I'm not sure, it's just my favorite word, I suppose." "Oh ok, understandable." "Hey Maggie, this might sound a little crazy, but I encountered Susie Q as a ghost a few days ago, and you somewhat remind me of her because you and her both use the word jeepers."

"What, are you implying that there's a connection between me and this ghost, Susie Q?" "Well, in a way, that's my thought on it, but I know it can't be true." "Oh, okay," Maggie said, exhaling a sigh of relief. Just then the bell for their final class signaled. As they were walking, Zach asked, "Hey, catch you after school?" "Sure," Maggie replied with a smile. "Well, alright then, bye Maggie." "Bye Zach," Maggie replied, as she continued on her way to her last class of the day. While she was walking to class,the ghost Susie Q was on her mind again,but Maggie didn't let it bother her and continued to walk to her class.

1 Hour Later

The final bell of the class rings, and Maggie rushes out to find Zach. As she steps outside, she spots Zach already there waiting for her. "Hey, Maggie," said Zach. "Hey, Zach," Maggie replied. "So, Maggie, do you mind if I drive you home in your car?" Zach asked. "Sure, I would love that," responded Maggie with a smile. "Okay, let's go then," said Zach. As they were driving home, Maggie started to question Zach about Susie Q once more.

"Hey Zach, I have a question about Susie Q," "What is it?" Zach replied. "When you met Susie Q as a ghost, what was she wearing?" "She had on a pink dress, a white headband, and white Converse sneakers." "What prompted you to ask?" "Oh, it's nothing. I was merely curious," Maggie said to Zach, not quite telling the truth. "Well, my house is the next one up, so I'll drive from here by myself." "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'll be fine." "Alright then, see you tomorrow at school, Zach. Bye." "Bye, Maggie," Zach replied as they went their separate ways. As Zack walked, he muttered to himself, "Man, she's a cute girl, but she's also weird." "Ah, who cares? Once I get to know Maggie better, it'll be off my chest."

Upon entering her house, Maggie realized that her parents had not yet arrived home, so she proceeded directly to her room. Just as she was about to ascend the stairs, she slipped on an object on the floor, which knocked her unconscious. As Maggie regained consciousness, she quickly unraveled the mystery surrounding the true identity of Susie Q.

Willow Valley, Washington, 1955 (Maggie's Dream)

Susie Q was preparing for her winter formal to go with her boyfriend, Johnny Angel. She donned a stunning pink dress that sparkled in the moonlight. Descending the stairs, she spotted her boyfriend Johnny Angel waiting. Before departing for the formal, her parents Betsy Quinn and Russell Quinn snapped photos of the couple. Then, Susie Q and Johnny headed out to the event. As they made their way to the formal, they exchanged heartfelt exclamations. "I LOVE YOU, JOHNNY ANGEL!" "I LOVE YOU TOO, SUSIE Q!"

Upon reaching the bridge, Susie exclaimed, "Stop the car!" "What's the matter?" asked Johnny. "It's my grandfather, I promised him that I would send my mother up to see him, he was really insistent about it." "Susie your mom will go up to him eventually, just forget about it we're going to have a good time tonight," replied Johnny. "Not if I'm thinking about this, Johnny we have to go back. "Alright." As Johnny tried to turn on the car, it wouldn't start. "START THE CAR!" "I'M TRYING!" Suddenly, another vehicle collided with the rear, sending the car teetering on the edge of the bridge. Before the car tipped over the edge of the bridge, Susie Q held her boyfriend's hand one last time before they both plunged to their deaths in the sea.

After that incident, Maggie suddenly awoke with a look of terror on her face. "Whoa, what was that?" she exclaimed. "It's as if I've learned how Susie Q died simply from dreaming about her for 2 hours." "Or unless could I be Susie Q?" "Oh no, no, no this is too freaky I have to tell Zach about this tomorrow." "But I'll just take my mind off it for now," Maggie said as she rose from the floor and silently ascended the stairs to her room.

End of Chapter 2

Next Chapter: Dates & Reveals