Abbi Glines - Existence

Existence Copyright 2011

I have to start by thanking my kids, who tolerated the dirty house, lack of clean clothes, and my mood swings, while I wrote this book. They are my world.

My best friend, Monica, who once again read it from start to finish in less than twenty-four hours in all its rough draft glory to give me her opinion.

My mom, Becky, who tells anyone who will stand still long enough about my books and where they can find them. Her unconditional support means the world to me.

My dad, Joe, who passed on the ability to spin a story to me. He doesnt get acknowledged for this often enough but I am incredibly thankful for this gift.

The Paranormal Plumes:

http://www.theplumessociety.com

Without this bunch of amazing authors I dont know where Id be. They arent just authors whose stories I adore but theyve become friends I truly love. The advice, encouragement, last minute editing, and all other forms of support I get from this group is priceless.

Dont look at him and hell go away. I chanted in my head, as I walked toward my locker. It took an extreme amount of willpower not to glance back over my shoulder. Not only would alerting him I could see him be pointless but it would also be stupid. The halls were already full of students. Although, if hed followed me inside the school I would have seen him easily enough through the throngs of people. He would stand out just like they always did, unmoving and watching.

GAH! Have you seen Leif? I mean honestly can he get any hotter? Oh, yes he can. Miranda Wouters, my best friend since elementary school, squealed as she grabbed my arm.

No, I havent seen him. Football camp mustve agreed with him, I replied, forcing a smile. I couldnt care less how hot Leif Montgomery looked. Miranda rolled her eyes and opened the locker beside mine.

Honestly, Pagan, I dont get how you can be so immune to such intense hotness.

I managed a genuine laugh and slipped my bag over my shoulder. Hotness? You didnt just say hotness.

Miranda shrugged, Im not an endless well of descriptive words, like you are.

I chanced a peek over my shoulder. The halls were full of normal people, living people. They were talking, laughing, and reading over their schedules. It was all very real. I let out a sigh of relief. This was the first day of my senior year. I wanted to enjoy it.

So, what class do you have first? I asked, relaxing for the first time since Id spotted the dead guy lounging outside on the picnic table staring directly at me.

I have Algebra II, blah! I so enjoyed Geometry last year. I hated Algebra my freshman year and I can already feel the negative vibes coming from my textbook. Mirandas dramatic flair for life never failed to make me smile.

Ive got English Lit.

Well, we all know youre loving that. OH, look, look, look, there he is, Miranda managed to squeal in a hushed tone while nodding her head toward where Leif stood talking to other football players.

Hate that I cant hang around and bask in the presence of greatness with you, but this is my stop. Miranda glanced back at me, rolled her big brown eyes, and gave me a wave before making her way over to Leif.

Empty rooms were places I usually avoided at all cost. Given the fact the bell wouldnt ring for five more minutes, this room would no doubt remain empty for the next four minutes. If Id stayed out in the hall, I would have been dragged by Miranda over to where Leif stood surrounded by his chosen few. I knew without a doubt he wasnt interested in talking to Miranda. Wed been going to school with Leif since we were eleven. Since his move from somewhere up north to the coastal town of Breeze, Florida, never had he acknowledged either of us. Not that I minded. He wasnt my type. I walked over to the desk closest to the window and put my bag down.

A movement, out of the corner of my eye, caused the hairs on my arms to prickle. Id known better than to stay in this empty room. But I was here now and running would make it worse. I turned to face the same soul from outside sitting in a chair at the back of the classroom with his feet propped up on the desk in front of him and his arms crossed casually over his chest. How had he known I could see him? Id given no indication outside. Normally ghosts needed a little clue from me to realize I wasnt as blind as the rest of the world. Something was different with this one. I dropped my gaze and started to turn around. Maybe I should go join Miranda and the jock squad out in the hall. If I acted like I didnt see him and casually made my way back into the hallway then he might think hed made a mistake and float away or walk through a wall or something.

You dont really want to subject yourself to such pointless company do you? a cold, smooth voice broke the silence.

I gripped the hard plastic chair beside me so hard that my knuckles turned white. I fought down a startled little cry- almost a scream-in the back of my throat. Should I ignore him? Should I respond? Alerting him that his hunch was right might not end well. But ignoring this was going to be impossible. He could speak. Souls never talked to me. From the time I realized that the strangers who frequently watched me or appeared in my home and wandered the halls were not visible to anyone but me, Id started ignoring them. Seeing dead people wasnt a new thing for me but having them talk to me was definitely a new twist.

I pegged you with more guts. Are you going to let me down too? His tone softened. There was a familiar drawl in his voice now.

You can speak, I said looking directly at him, I needed him to know I wasnt afraid. Id been dealing with wandering souls, which is what I like to think of them as, all my life. They didnt frighten me but I liked to ignore them so they would go away. If they ever thought I could see them, they followed me. He continued to watch me with an amused expression on his face. I noticed his crooked grin produced a single dimple. The dimple didnt seem to fit with his cold, arrogant demeanor. As much as his presence annoyed me, I couldnt help but admit this soul could only be labeled as ridiculously gorgeous.

Yes, I speak. Were you expecting me to be mute?

I leaned my hip against the desk. Yes, as a matter of fact, I was. Youre the first one who has ever spoken to me.

A frown creased his forehead. The first one?

He appeared genuinely surprised he wasnt the first dead person I could see. He was definitely the most unique soul Id ever seen. Ignoring a soul who could talk was going to be hard. However, I needed to get over his ability and get rid of him. Talking to invisible friends could hinder my social life. Id end up looking like some crazy chick who talked to herself.

Pagan Moore, this must be my lucky day. At the sound of my name, I spun around to see Wyatt Tucker sauntering into the room.

I forced a smile as if I hadnt been speaking to an empty room. I guess it is. I tilted my head back to meet his eyes. You just keep growing, dont you?

Cant seem to stop it. He winked and then slung a long leg over the chair across from mine before sitting down. What have you been up to this summer? I havent seen much of you.

I chanced a peek back toward the soul to find an empty chair. A mixture of relief and disappointment washed over me. Wanting to ask him more questions wasnt exactly a good idea, but I couldnt help it. I'd asked other souls questions before like, "Why are you following me?" or, "Why can I see you?" and they always remained mute. Often times they disappeared when I began asking them questions.