By morning, everyone had known about Nick's assumed fate. The dive team did not find anything, but one of Nick's sweaters was found on the edge of the river, probably swept there by the current. It now felt like it was no longer a rescue mission, but rather trying to find a body for Nick's parents to mourn over.

A small part of me was relieved that Nick's tormenting had stopped, but now I was faced with new troubles. The little visit from the police yesterday to both my house and school had people talking. Of course, they all heard me threatening to kill him, more than once I dare say. With the bad blood between us, let's just say everyone thought I was Nick's killer.

"I always knew there was something wrong with her."

The same whispers I have been hearing from the morning, some people didn't bother to hide it. Some got pretty creative too. Out of all the things Nick has put me through, this was the worst. Even with him gone, I was still being tormented.

"Do you really think she did it?"

"Of course, who else would have done it?"

"I heard she cut his body into pieces and scattered them so no one could find them."

"I heard the police found a shrine in her bedroom for Nick, she was obsessed with him."

Each rumour was worse than the other. I thought I could handle them, I mean I've handled all of Nick's bullying for years now, but I was no killer. People were actually keeping a distance from me, looks of fear evident on their expressions, everything just went from bad to worse.

I was stuffing my books into my bag hearing the constant whispering.

"You think she has a weapon in her bag?"

"Where do you think she hid Nick's body?"

"I am right here!" Nick's familiar voice rang.

I shook my head. God, I was even hearing his voice.

"I can't believe we'll never see him again."

"You can! I am right here!"

His voice sounded so real. It was laced with desperation. I think I was going crazy.

"Why won't anybody look at me! I am not dead! I am right here!" Nick's angry voice rang in the hallway.

Impossible.

I whipped around and found him standing in the middle of the hallway, his hands in his hair, something he usually did when he was frustrated.

I let out a gasp and dropped my bag earning a look from everyone. I wasn't going crazy, I was crazy. I closed my eyes and shook my head before looking back to the place where I thought I saw Nick. He was still there. Why was he still there?

"Do you see him?" I asked Jenson, a boy who was a few lockers down from mine. He looked at me wearily.

"See who?"

I pointed at Nick who was now staring at me. Go away. Go away! I am not crazy!

"Nick! He's right there--"

I sounded crazy.

Jenson's face scrunched up in disgust. "You think this is funny? Have some respect."

No! I wasn't trying to be funny! Nick was right there!

Nick started making his way towards me, determination etched on his face. I closed my eyes and started reciting all the verses I could remember from church. He's not real. He is not real.

"Eva," Nick's voice was very close.

I kept my eyes closed and now whispered under my breath. "He is not real, he is not real."

"Oh thank god Eva! You could hear me!" I felt Nick's arms wrap themselves around me in a hug. I let out a scream before pushing him away and jumping back into the lockers. My eyes were now wide open, my whole body shaking in fear. Nick was in front of me.

"I can touch you?" He tilted his head to the side, his voice barely a whisper, hope sparkling in his eyes. "You could see me, this is amazing."

"No, no, you are not real," I shook my head.

This was not happening to me right now.

"God, she's crazy."

"She's talking to ghosts now."

"Killer's guilt."

"Always knew she was weird."

"Should we call a psych ward?"

I was trying to get myself to stop shaking, but it was hard. Especially with Nick in front of me. I needed to get out of here. Now. I forced myself to grab my bag and ran out of the school as fast as possible, away from Nick as far as possible.

"Eva! Wait!"

Nick's voice followed me. Oh god, I am being haunted. Was this God's way of punishing me for wishing Nick gone all these years? I am sorry God, I will go to church again, I will donate to a charity, just bring back my sanity!

Nick reached my side, grabbing my elbow. I let out another startling scream as I jumped away from him. "Y-you stay away from me!"

"I can't! Don't you see, well I mean of course you see, you're the only one that sees me," Nick said frustratedly.

How was this possible?

"I am crazy, I have gone crazy," I whispered to myself. Maybe I should check into a mental institute, yes I heard they have delicious jello.

"Stop saying that Eva, listen I just need answers," Nick said exasperatedly. "I can't remember anything from the past few days."

I was talking to a ghost. I needed to get away. I broke into a sprint home as Nick's cries followed me. I ran to my house and locked the door before running up to my room and locking the door as well. I ran to my window and looked down to the front of the house to find it empty. Good. I was not seeing a ghost.

"You know I keep going through things," Nick said appearing in front of my locked door. I let out a scream and threw the closet thing beside me which was a shoe across the room watching it fly right through him. My god, he really was a ghost.

Nick looked down with a frown at his stomach where the shoe just flew through. "See? Keeps going through me. I have to really focus in order to touch something, like sitting on a chair or climbing the stairs, but people never feel me, only you did. And of course, you are the only person who could see and hear me."

I didn't say anything.

Nick was here.

Nick was a ghost.

Nick's face grew sad. "I died, didn't I?"

The scared part of me simmered down a bit feeling pity for him. I nodded my head. He deserved to know what I knew. "That's what everyone is assuming. We can't find a body... and you're invisible and-- you're a ghost."

He had to be a ghost. What else could explain this?

Oh my god, I was seeing ghosts!

"Wait, if I'm a ghost, what does that make you? Are you a medium? Got any crazy powers? Wait-- wait-- wait-- I got it! You were in a life or death situation so you have a foot on the other side?" he asked with wide eyes, curiosity peaking his expression.

"What? No!" I shook my head. "I am normal! You are the first ghost I've ever seen and yes I have been to graveyards!"

"Boring," Nick shrugged his shoulders.

What?!

"Wait... if you don't have powers then how come only you could see me?" Nick gave me a suspicious look. "Did you kill me? Maybe I am supposed to haunt you."

My eyes grew wide in fear. Haunt me? I couldn't believe he'd think I would kill him. "Look, I might not like have liked you, but as much as I hated you I would never wish for you to actually die. Disappear maybe, but not die!"

"Awe Eva!" Nick put a hand to his chest. "You care about me?"

My jaw fell as I stared at him disparaging look. "Really? From all the I hate you's, all you got from that was that I supposedly care?"

"Come on, admit it Eva, did you cry for me?" he asked, a mischievous grin on his face. Even as a dead guy he was still annoying.

"What? No!" I shook my head. Sure I was sad, but Nick has always been an ass to me my whole life. I hated him, I really was not going to cry over his death.

"Did you not tear up? Not a little?" Nick was now pouting.

"What do you expect? You've been a monster to me my whole life. Now everyone thinks I killed you, because you've lead them to believe I am the dark one or something. Even when you've died, you are still ruining my life." Angry tears were pooling in my eyes. All those times I had cried myself to sleep, contemplated ending my life or running away, all my darkest days were because of Nick. Maybe it was good that he died. "You are dead, please leave my life for good Nick."

Hurt. Anger. Sadness. Every emotion was passing through Nick's face. He didn't say anything when he walked through my wall and out my room. Good riddance. I hope it was all some hallucination or a dream. Tomorrow, Nick would be out of my life for good.

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