"Will you go to the Ghost Festival with me?"

The memory of Ronan's question brought a sudden warmth in my chest.

Of course, I said yes.

'Yes. A million times, yes.'

I quickly shook my head, refocusing on the task at hand. Staring at myself in the full-length mirror, I forgot how long I'd been standing here looking like a complete idiot. In the last 30 minutes, I've emptied my closet until I am left with nothing but old school uniforms and sleepwear.

All the clothes I've tried on couldn't satisfy me.

They're either too bulky, too short, too itchy, too vibrant, or too dull.

"No, not this one."

"This does nothing for my frame!"

"Oh, God. I look like I'm in my 50's with this one!"

"I own this? Really?"

In the end, I was almost about to give up on this quest for something to wear when I spotted a top I never thought existed in my wardrobe until today. Looking back, I think it was gifted to me by my grandmother several family gatherings ago, back when I was too immersed in my broken heart and thought my world ended when my relationship with Anthony did.

I took another look in the mirror, and I hesitated. Not because I thought it was ugly on me, heavens no.

But because for the first time in forever, I realized... I was pretty.

"I wonder what Ronan would think?"

That thought immediately flushed my cheeks red. I mentally slapped myself for thinking about him a little too much these days. But then again, can you blame me? We're together literally every night. We experience the wonders this town has to offer while setting his paper cranes free from the jar. Just a couple of nights ago, we went night fishing near the lake, and all the while he was telling me scary paranormal stories that happened very woods. Then a few nights before that, I took Ronan out to Night Raven's Park, where we danced under the street lamp like kids who had nothing else to worry about the following morning. No music, just our laughter and heartbeats.

And maybe that's what Ronan makes me feel... He makes me feel like a kid. And it's the good kind of feeling like I can completely share my secrets and cookies with him.

Being with him heals my inner child.

I glanced at the wall clock and silently cursed myself, realizing I was already late.

"Well, I guess I have no time to change my outfit."

*

To satisfy any curiosities I might've left, I wore a pastel yellow knitted long-sleeved top paired with a plaid skirt and knee-high boots. Since it's the Ghost Festival, I figured I might as well wear some earthy colors in the mix because autumn is just around the corner.

Still, that doesn't change the fact that I was late.

"Ronan!"

I ran up to him when I spotted him outside the school gates, huffing as I tried to catch my breath. It turns out, Eastwood has nasty traffic during this kind of festivities so I decided to just run my way here.

"I'm sorry... did I make you wait too long?"

I raised my eyes, noticing him shaking his head before consciously pulling down his sunglasses.

I smiled, knowing how awkward this might be for him to go out in public wearing his usual ghostly attire. But since the Ghost Festival welcomes dressing up in literally anything you want, I doubt people would give a second glance at someone wearing a white sheet and funky sunglasses as a costume. What better attire to wear to the Ghost Festival than, well, a literal ghost?

'Unbeknownst to them, my date is the actual Library Ghost,' I mused internally as Ronan and I started falling in line at the entrance. In another timeline, I'd probably get anxious with the crowd, but Ronan's fingers on my sleeve grounded me in place. It reminded me of a kid holding on to his parent's sleeve, making sure he doesn't get lost in the grocery store. Or maybe it's the other way around in our situation? I smiled to myself, his little gesture of comfort reminding me that I wasn't alone in a sea full of unfamiliar faces.

The ECU barricaded the open field with large fences made out of oakwood. I had to crane my neck in hopes of seeing what lies beyond the tall fences, but the only thing I could make out was the outline of tents.

"Next."

The volunteers ushered us in, but not before Ronan suddenly presented them with two tickets. After we passed the security, I immediately raised an eyebrow at him in confusion.

"Where did you get the tickets? Even I didn't know we needed them and I'm the student here."

My friendly ghost companion chuckled, amused by my flabbergasted reaction.

"Would it be a surprise if I said this isn't my first time at this Ghost Festival?"

Okay, that caught me off guard.

"Well, you're a local so I guess it kinda makes sense. But who were you with? I mean," I blushed realizing how prone to misinterpretation that question seems. "Not that I'm interested in who you were with, of course! Just curious!" I raised my hands in defense.

Teasingly, Ronan gently intertwined our fingers together between us. I couldn't help but notice how large his hands were compared to mine and how calloused his fingers were in the spots where the pen touched his skin.

"I was alone. It's not a requirement to bring a date to the festival, you know."

"Then why bring me?"

"Well, if I answered that, the poets would rise from their graves and applaud me for delivering such an elaborate and romantic speech."

My heart skipped a beat.

But before my mind can wander off to thoughts I'm not prepared for, I unlaced my fingers from his and frantically searched around the stalls.

"O-Oh, look! There's a soda toss! I was so good at that game when I was a kid. Beat you to it!"

Before Ronan could even respond, I raced toward the game and prayed that my heart would calm down in the presence of a daytime ghost.

Needless to say, Ronan and I spent the next few hours running around the venue like we were the only people present. Never mind the odd looks we received from the other students and outsiders who were also dressed in ghost-themed costumes. Ghostbusters, Danny Phantom, Mystery Inc. (who also had a pet Scooby-Doo mascot), the Phantom of the Opera---every piece of literature and film involving ghosts you could ever think of!

"We blend in just fine," I joked as I won another round of balloon pop.

"Who needs to blend in, anyway? We can be just us."

Just us.

Why does that sound so right?

A moment later, Ronan started throwing his dart. To my surprise, several popping sounds soon followed and the crowd around him started clapping. I giggled when he bashfully took the giant panda bear stuff toy handed to him by the stall owner. 'He looks so awkward. He isn't used to all the attention... How cute,' my thoughts drifted off until the aforementioned panda appeared in front of me.

"My lady, will you grant this wandering spirit the honor of bestowing this prize to the prettiest maiden in all of Eastwood?"

Memories of my past relationship flashed before my eyes. I vaguely remember how I used to beg Anthony to win me a prize or play a game with me. Of course, he would decline and call me silly. Only kids play games at festivals. My ex-boyfriend had an undeniable talent for making me feel small. He never won anything in his life except for my favor, and yet he failed to even keep that.

"Are you thinking of him?"

I jolted back to reality when Ronan's voice broke through the trance of unwanted thoughts. I must look stupid, thinking about my ex at a time like this. But then again, I no longer hold any longing for him. Unlike when I first moved into Eastwood, Anthony just seems like a distant memory of someone I used to know.

And it feels as if my connection to him is hanging by a thread now.

"It's okay," Ronan added. "Moving on isn't as easy as what people make in the movies. Whether it be from a lover, a friend, or a family relative... Everyone we meet leaves a permanent mark in our lives, in one way or another."

I smiled, grateful at his words. I gently took the stuffed toy from him and hugged it, all my worries washing away by the soft material and the scent of candied apples in the air.

'Thank you, Ronan.'

"Wanna try the goldfish scooping?" He insisted and offered his arm like a chivalric knight escorting a princess.

And that's exactly how I felt as I circled my arm around his and let him lead the way. I've never been held so gently in my entire life, and my heart sings with this foreign feeling that both excites and frightens me at the same time.

The Scooping Goldfish roots from the traditional Japanese game during the Sakura festival. People of all ages are crazy with this one. When we arrived, we were met with a crowd that was having a good (or frustrating?) time trying to scoop the goldfish using the paper scooper. Ronan and I watched in anticipation as a kid almost caught one. The excitement buzzed in the air and it was almost contagious. When it was our turn, I had a hard time keeping my hands steady and the paper from ripping.

If you scoop too fast, the paper will rip.

If you scoop too slowly, the fish will get away.

I was about to give up when I heard my number one supporter cheering on me.

"You can do it, Ebony! Atta girl!"

I pray that the afternoon sun can mask the flush that graced my cheeks.

I took a deep breath and tried again. Before I knew it, I suddenly caught a black goldfish in the tub before the three-minute timer went off. I smiled proudly and showed Ronan my catch.

"I did it!"

Ronan lifted me and I laughed as he spun me around.

"You did! I'm proud of you!"

At that moment, I didn't care what people thought about us. I don't wanna be defined by other's perceptions of me. I've lived long enough to know that I am responsible for my happiness. Whatever decisions I make, the person living the consequences is me and not them. For the first time in my life, I am finally discovering my individuality---what makes me "me".

But I should've known happiness is short-lived.

That black goldfish should've been a warning. Indeed, black goldfish are thought to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.

However, by the time Ronan set me down, I heard another male voice from behind me.

"There you are, Ebony. You think you can get away that easily and date random guys dressed as stupid ghosts?"

I became paralyzed as I was responsive to the voice that I knew all too well. The same voice that haunted me so many nights ago, telling me I'll never be good enough while making me believe that my life revolved around him.

What the fuck is he doing here?

"Anthony."

---