H A U N T E D

s e v e n t e e n

s e v e n t e e n

Saturday morning arrives with the fresh breeze of autumn air and the first rays of sunshine in a week. I throw the sheets off of me with a new fever of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming evening. Usually, I wouldn't be this excited about a party back in New Orleans, but the teenagers in Homer have me looking forward to tonight as if it's a Lunar Eclipse happening. 

I collect my recently purchased crystals and set them out on my dresser, contemplating whether I should wear the necklace with a citrine stone at the end, or my black tourmaline pendant. I don't want my night spoiled by a restless spirit, so my amethyst stone is out of the question. Neo is picking me up today, so I decided to work on my essay for Mrs Cullen for Tuesday's class and do my laundry. Flynn is out in the next town over, helping with some soup kitchen he organized with a few ladies from town. In many ways, living with Flynn is helping me prepare to live on my own some day. He trusts me to earn my keep in living here and isn't forcing me to get a part-time job. I wouldn't say that my grandfather is rich, but he lives without the constant worry of financial difficulties — unlike life with my mom. I love her dearly, but she never knew how to work with money. I never resented her for this, but sometimes I had to work extra hours as a part-time grocer at the corner café to make sure the lights stayed on, and that I had lunch the next day. Whenever I mentioned my worries, my mother would shut them down, always saying the same things.

"If we have each other, don't worry about what's coming tomorrow, Ophelia. That's tomorrow's worries."

My hands waver for a moment  over my laundry pile as I realize that I just thought something negative about my mom postmortem. Of course, I knew she was never an angel as she had many flaws, but she was my mama. The idea that I am briefly annoyed with her unsettles me so, that I take a five-minute breather to relax and get my thoughts together. It's been a month since her death and I know it's unrealistic to think that the heartache won't pulse like a bleeding wound every time I think about her, but it would be easier to live through some days if all the pain could exhaust me for one day and allow me to live through the following days. The pain reminds me that she was real, that she existed, and she loved me, so some days I don't mind it that much. 

At three p.m., a honk outside alerts me that Neo is waiting for me. We agreed to meet a bit earlier so that I can go to the seaside, since I haven't had the chance to do so ever since arriving in Homer. I grab my purse from a hook that's behind my door, making sure that my phone, wallet, lip balm and gum is inside. I decided to stay casual for tonight, wearing my olive-green shorts that roll up to my mid-thigh and a brown belt that keeps the belt up. A beige turtle-neck sweater is tucked into the shorts and keeping myself warm, I asked Flynn to borrow a green flannel jacket of his. I make sure that I don't forget my tourmaline necklace, having decided on this one for the evening.

Once I locked the front door and climbed inside Neo's old Volkswagen Beetle, he tells me of the cute little seaside restaurant we'll be visiting after walking along the beach.

"If you'd like, I'll take you to it?", Neo offers shyly, drumming his fingers against the steering wheel. I excitedly accept the offer and promise that I'll pay for our meal, before he invites me to connect my phone to the AUX cable. It's an old car but it looks like he made sure the stereo is modern. For the next ten minutes, we jam to some Olivia Rodrigo songs. It's a pity I never experienced teenage heartache or I would be addicted to her music.

After Brutal comes to an end, I turn the volume button to a lower setting and turn my body so that my back can relax against the car door.

"Neo, you know? You're slowly becoming my best friend", I admit bashfully and feel my cheeks flood with a pink blush. Neo turns to me and smiles, his returning smile making my heart leap with affection.