The Bloodied Phantom [Chapter 6]

Chapter 6

I had called her up and asked her to come over. I needed someone to talk to. I couldn’t ask my mother because she was upstairs in her bedroom sleeping. And Ryan? He wasn’t even an option.

7:45

Early. Maybe too early to have called her over. I was freaked out when I woke up this morning. I wasn’t really thinking all too clearly. The first thing that popped into my head was to call her. I was so glad when she came over. Nobody else probably would have done that. It just goes to show how much of a friend she is.

“It means you’re crazy.” she says, pouring syrup onto the pancakes I had prepared. I figured it was the least I could do.

“I’m serious Zia. I mean, this isn’t the first time I’ve had this dream, where this ‘mystery man’ is involved. It’s just that this time, it ran along a different course. It felt too real.”

“So, you’re going to sit here and tell me, that you think this man from another world is trying to communicate with you? That your guardian angel has entered our god-forsaken world? Come on Raiya. You’re the smart and sensible one of us two. It was just a dream. Everyone knows that dreams aren’t real.”

“When you say it like that it does sound a little far fetched.”

“There’s no way to say it without it sounding far fetched. Look, I’m your friend and all, but next time you have a bad dream, write it down or something. It’s a lot better than calling me over for advice. But just in case you do, make sure you have pancakes and syrup, because they are to die for.”

“Her pancakes are okay. But they’re nothing to die for.” Ryan says as he enters the kitchen. He walks in wearing nothing but his pajama bottoms. His silver streaked black hair has that lazy, just-got-out-of-bed look to it that I like. I look over at Zia. Sure enough, she’s avoiding eye contact with him. Zia sure is hard to read sometimes. With any other guy, she would have been all over him. But with Ryan, she completely freezes up.

“You’re up early.”

“Yeah. I’m surprised too. I guess it was the sound of voices that woke me up.”

“Whatever.”

He helps himself to the pancakes I have prepared, and sits on the stool next to Zia. I can see her blush.

“What’s up Zia?” What are you doing over so early anyway?”

“I asked her to come over.” I say, before she can answer. I’m pretty sure she would have told him about my dream. If he found out, I would never hear the end of it. “Anyways, it’s none of your business why she’s here. I didn’t ask you where you were last night.”

“If you must know, I was at a party. It’s not my fault you’re too lame to get invited to one.”

“Whatever. Don’t you think it appropriate to wear a shirt when there’s company?”

He looks at Zia. “Do you have a problem with me not wearing a shirt?”

“Well… um. I guess not.”

“Thank you. See, Raiya. Your company has no problem with me not wearing a shirt.”

I roll my eyes.

“What is it?”

“Well, yesterday I got a call from the school.” she pauses. Almost as if she’s afraid.

“What was the call about?”

“Yeah. What was this call about?” Ryan asks.

Now why in the world did he have to ask her that? Now that she knows he’s expecting an answer, she’s going to freeze up even more.

“Um. Well… You see. The thing is…”

“Come on Zia. You can tell me.”

“I found out I have to go to summer school!” she blurts out.

“Summer school?

“Yeah. I was shocked too. I knew I did poorly in school, but I didn’t know it was that bad. That’s not even the worst part.”

“What could worse than that?” asks Ryan.

“My parents have been planning this trip to Seattle, Washington. I must admit, I never really wanted to go. But now my parents will have to cancel. I feel bad because they’ve been planning this trip for some time now. It’s all my fault.”

I didn’t know what to say. I always knew Zia wasn’t exactly book smart. She made barely passing grades. I guess this time they weren’t good enough.

“I have a suggestion.” says Ryan. “Why don’t you stay here for the summer? That way, your parents can go on their trip and you and Raiya can spend time together.”

“You know. That just might work. Wow, Ryan. Who knew you had a brain under that wild hair of yours.”

“Ha ha. Very funny. So what about it?”

“Well, I’m sure mom will say yes. She absolutely adores Zia.”

“I’ll say yes about what?”

No one had noticed the golden haired woman step into the kitchen. Their mother was indeed a striking woman. She had short golden brown hair that was cut into a bob. It framed her diamond shaped face perfectly. Almond shaped eyes hooded by long lashes. Her beauty reigned supreme. But this morning, she was exactly looking her best. Her hair was wild, circles rimmed both eyes, and her robe was in disarray.

“Oh dear. What are you doing over so early Zia?”

“Mom. We have something to ask you.”

“Well, what is it?”

“Mrs. Hope. The thing is I found out that I have to go to summer school. My parents have been planning a trip to go to Seattle, Washington. Now they have to cancel their trip because I have to go to summer school. I was hoping that I could stay here for the summer and attend my classes, so that my parents can go on their trip.”

“Well, have you asked your parents?”

“Well, no. I wanted to ask you first, that way I can smooth it over with my parents.”

There is a brief pause.

Zia runs toward my mother and hugs her tightly. “Thank you so much Mrs. Hope. I’m going to go ask them now. See you all later.”

“Bye.” I say, as she practically breaks her neck to get out the door.

“Such a sweet girl.” says my mother.

“Thanks mom.”

“You’re welcome sweetheart. Now, I’m going to help myself to some of these delicious pancakes.”

“Okay. I’m going to my room.”

I stand from the stool and leave my mother and brother to eat. I bound up the stairs, open my door, and fling myself across the bed.

Phantom tucks his crystal sphere back into his robes. He had just watched the mortal girl’s family make plans for the summer. He paid even more attention to Raiya. He had been watching the entire time, from a dark secluded area. He had entered the mortal world a few hours ago. Though he knew it was forbidden, he had to talk to her. To see her in person. He had to make her his own.

“So. It seems like I’ll paying a visit pretty soon.