"Where were you the other night? I did not see you after I was discharged from the hospital."

My ghost friend and I were the only ones in the gym, so it was easier for me to have a conversation with him out loud.

"Derek, I am waiting for an answer," I said rather impatiently. "I was beginning to think that you did not want to be friends with me anymore or that I drove you off somehow."

"Just a minute, Daniel," Derek finally responded. "I am almost there..."

I could see him floating in the air and his legs crossed. He was hanging black and orange streamers that were supposed to go on top of the stage. I was busy setting up the tables. I had to cover them with black and orange cloths and place candles in the middles.

I was not in class because one of the teachers whose job was to prepare the gym for the Halloween dance asked me for my help, and knowing my good nature, I could not just say no.

The reason that she came to me and not any of the other students was because I was the only student in the entire school who was way ahead - and I mean way ahead - on all my work.

Little did that teacher know that she would have Derek as a bonus!

Derek was soon done fiddling with the streamers and floated next to me. "Daniel, take a gander at my masterpiece!"

I was pulling an orange cloth over a table. When it was draped over, I took a glance at the sparkling streamers.

"Nice job," I complimented. "You make the work a lot easier for me. I was not in the mood to climb on one of those tall ladders. I would have fallen!"

"And if you fell, Daniel, I would have caught you."

"You sure about that? I am pretty heavy."

"Who says?"

"My weight. And that is because I have grown."

Derek started making his way towards the stage. "I will blow up the balloons next."

"Wait, Derek."

He halted in his ghostly tracks and spun around. "What? Do you want to do the balloons?"

"We will not finish the rest of the decorations. Not until you tell me why you were absent from the moment that I was discharged to yesterday morning."

"Well..."

"Derek, please just answer my question. I asked you all day yesterday, and you kept avoiding it."

"Daniel, there is a good explanation."

"Excellent. Then this should not be a problem."

"Actually..." He rubbed his arm and leaned his ghostly body to the side. "...it is much more than a problem."

"How? And why? What is happening?"

"Daniel..."

"Are you keeping something secret from me?"

"Daniel, she—"

"Hi, Daniel!" Laila exclaimed. She was waving frantically. "Hi!"

I jumped up and massaged the middle of my chest. "Jeez, Laila. You scared me."

"Oops. My apologies."

She ran up to me, and I thought that she was going to hug me. But no. She reached up and yanked off a piece of my hair.

"Ow!"

"Ooh. Your hair is so soft and tender."

I grunted and eyed the small piece of hair that was once a part of me. "My gosh, Laila. What the heck was that for?"

"Sorry that I had to do that to you, Daniel. I was curious."

"Curious? What could you possibly be curious about that would have you pulling off my hair?"

"When you and I met the other day, I was thinking the entire time if you were losing your hair."

"Well, I am not losing my hair, Laila. How would you feel if I was in your shoes?"

"You could never be in my shoes. We have different shoes sizes!" She laughed.

"Could you give me my strand of hair back?" I held out my hand.

"Nope!"

Laila tossed it into the air, and I watched as it floated to the hard floor. I picked it up and overheard the gym doors being slammed. Laila was not there when I glanced up.

"Derek, the coast is clear," I said, my voice echoing. "You can start talking again."

Like the other night, I was greeted with nothing but silence. Derek was gone yet again!

"What the heck, Derek? Are you mad at me? Jealous? Tell me, and we can make things right between us."

The ghost must have agreed with me because he showed up in front of me. He was floating a few inches off the ground and had on a blank expression.

"That is more like it," I said. "We can discuss what is bothering you while we are decorating if you would like."

Derek stayed silent for a minute or two.

"Derek, please. Say something. Anything!"

"Anything, you say?" he finally spoke. "What would you like for me to say to you?"

"Like I said, anything. I am sure that something is bothering you, and as your friend, you need to tell me what it is."

"Daniel. The problem is...you."

I was surprised and pointed at myself. "Me?"

"That is what I said. You have been nothing but a burden to me. To us."

"W-what?" My legs were shaking. I could not believe his statements. "So...you do not care about me?"

"Oh, I care, Daniel. I care...about killing you!"

I let out a gasp and lost my balance. I fell on my bottom and groaned.

Derek floated higher and pointed a ghostly finger at me. "I will kill you for killing us."

I shuddered. "I-I am confused, Derek. I-I did not—"

"How oblivious you are. You have to remember that night. The night that you ran me and my girlfriend over and murdered us!"

"D-Derek, I did not run you over! You were dead way before that!"

"You will pay. You and Ariana."

"Ariana? What does she have to do with this?!"

He did not respond and disappeared out of sight.