Spirits, Not Ghosts

Having explained everything, I was confident that Maple would leave after satisfying her curiosity, but to my disappointment, she insisted on staying. It was almost as if she had moved into a new home, inspecting everything she could lay her hands on with a childlike glee.

“Hey, those cameras are expensive—don’t break them!” I yelled.

“Oops! Sorry, Paige! Wait, can I touch this?” Maple was in the kitchen, tinkering with my equipment.

“Not without permission can you touch anything, so please keep to yourself unless I ask for something.”

“Alrighty, as you command.” Her legs lazily dragged across the floor as she returned, creating a horrific sound.

“Don’t do that either, thank you.”

A few sighs later, and she stopped.

I still had to check the other cameras stationed around the house. Naturally, like gum stuck to a shoe, Maple tagged along. From room to room, she continued pestering me with questions.

“Don’t you want to know how I learned of this place?” Maple asked with her hands behind her back.

“It doesn’t make a difference, does it?”

“Jeez, you’re no fun. I guess I’ll have to crack the egg for you. I was able to because I spotted you in class writing in that old notebook of yours about the house,” she said while pointing to my backpack on the floor.

My stomach churned. “Th—that’s none of your business! Why are you snooping around like that!?”

She showed no sign of letting up. “It’s funny when you pause and heave to think in class. And with how you write so quietly like a little mouse, it’s absolutely adorable!”

“Maple, quit teasing me!”

“Or else? Hmm?”

“I’ll—I’ll—file a complaint with the school!”

“File a complaint with the school?”

There went my last line of defense.

Mimicking my voice, Maple held nothing back in her mockery of me. “Dear principal of Clearbrook High School, my name is Paige, and I’m a senior student. Maple, a classmate of mine, has been annoying me to no end. Please have her cease at once. Thank you.”

She was smiling now, her little canines on full display. Despite poking fun at me, her smile stirred something within me, compelling me to examine her face. The first trait I noticed was her short hair, followed by her lack of makeup. While I was never a stickler for cosmetics, I couldn't help but feel jealous, given how effortlessly she managed her appearance.

And yet, just what was I thinking? Was I daydreaming? She mocked me, yet here I was lost in thought over her face.

I shook my head and returned to reality. “That is not what I sound like! I’m nothing like that!”

“Ok, maybe I can’t replicate your exact voice, but you have to admit that is how you talk.”

“Forget it, let’s just move on.”

“Hmm… oh—I know! Tell me: do you believe this place to be truly haunted?”

“Isn’t the answer clear? I definitely do; otherwise, I wouldn’t bother being here.”

“Good, good! Thanks for clarifying that. Now, on to the next question: how do you know it’s haunted?”

I didn’t have irrefutable proof to show her, but even if I did, I probably wouldn’t be so willing to share it on the spot.

“It’s just a hunch. I know, it’s not much, but you’re going to have to trust me on that.”

“Interesting…"

There was a weird inflection to her voice. I shrugged it off and continued to check the cameras, only to discover nothing like before. Frustrated, I proceeded to leave the bedroom in defeat, only for Maple to tap me on the shoulder.

"By the way, do you happen to have some water with you? I’m feeling a little bit thirsty today. The heat is kill—ing me!” Maple grumbled.

“Even though it’s nearly winter?”

“Paige, we live in Texas. You know how it is.”

“Touché, but don’t you always carry a bottle in class?”

“I do, but I forgot to refill it before driving here. Silly me, am I right?” she said, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly.

She truly looked desperate for a drink. I couldn't just have her pass out from dehydration, so I dug into my backpack and handed over my bottled water. She chugged it down to about half before passing it back to me, then graciously thanked me. In need of a quench myself, I brought the bottle to my lips, only to realize that mere seconds ago, it had made contact with her mouth. My brain scrambled to remedy the situation.

“Hey, Maple, do you mind turning around for a moment?”

“Why so nervous all of a sudden? Is everything ok?”

“N—no, I mean, yes! Everything’s ok! I just need you to do this for me. Please?”

To my relief, Maple obliged, but also smirked and let out what I thought was a suppressed giggle. Was she having another laugh at my expense? Never mind that, I took the opportunity to wipe the bottle clean.

“Paige, do you think my mouth stinks or something?” She blew into the palm of her hand to check.

“How did you arrive at that train of thought?”

“Well, this house is eerily quiet, so I was able to hear you wipe the top of the bottle, followed by the sound of you gulping the water down. Rest assured, I clean my mouth after every meal with not just floss, but also a tongue scraper!” With a smile, Maple demonstrated the items from her bag as if she were being frisked by airport security.

“It’s nothing to do with that. Truth be told, some things are just awkward for me, including sharing a drink with someone.” I said in response.

“Hmm? Ah, that makes sense!” Like a coil, Maple sprung up from the couch. “Were you one of those kids who grew up thinking you couldn’t share food and drinks unless it was with family?”

A surge of blood rushed to my head. Somehow, she struck a nerve of embarrassment in me, causing me to act uncontrollably.

“Paige, why are you laughing? God, you’re making me laugh too!”

“I’m not laughing! I’m just—reacting to how ridiculous this entire conversation has been!”

“By laughing?”

“No! I’m not! I would never entertain this nonsense with laughter!”

“Paigeeee, there’s no reason to be upset. Laughing is a normal part of life.”

“Well, I didn’t laugh, and that’s final. Besides, you were the one who giggled earlier!”

Maple’s face quickly turned flat as she raised her eyebrows at me. “Paige, that wasn’t me. I didn’t giggle or laugh when I had my back to you.”

“What do you mean? That was definitely 100% you.” But even with the sternest voice I could muster, Maple never confessed to being responsible. Crazily enough, she appeared to be telling the truth, as evidenced by her body language.

“Wait, Paige—what if it were a ghost? Perhaps we have some investigating to do?”

“Spirits, not ghosts! But yes, it possibly could be one. Just keep in mind that they manifest on their own terms, not ours.”

“Well, let’s reel them in, shall we?”