Chapter 12: Louie

"Okay now, why are you bringing your laptop again?" Louie asked and put his book down and write his notes.

"Oh...uh..." I said as I noticed I'm procrastinating myself by watching some memes. I grabbed my bag and pulled my laptop. 'Gonna do my assignment" and put down my phone.

"What are you busy about?"

"Informative writing, unsolved case" Louie nodded. 'Do you know about Felicia?" I asked as I'm typing. Louie nods a bit, "kind of"

"Really? Can you tell me more about Felicia?" my voice exclaimed in surprise. An unison of shh from students and the librarian filled the library. I gave them a slight smile, tch! This is why I hate being in the library, I have to minimize my voice. I accompanied Louie since I don't have anyone to hang out to. I glanced back at Louie who is now glancing down, embarrassed by the student and librarian's warning.

"Sorry but can you tell me about Felicia?" trying to let my voice be quiet as possible.

"Felicia is an SFX makeup artist and I've heard it's already solved but to me, I think not" I blinked multiples times of Louie's reply. I couldn't believe that Louie knew Felicia. "H-How did you know about her?"

Louie shrugged, "I heard some rumors. I was intrigued, so I searched about her from the internet and made an informative writing about Felicia to submit to the school journal since they want to hear some unsolved cases/ mysteries. But they didn't accept it." and continue to read his book.

"Why I meet youuu so fuckin' late, doofus?! I also composed an unsolved case about her, but Mr. Miller didn't accept it that's why I made another one like fuck"

Another unison of shh I heard from the students. I glanced at them, and they're giving me glares. I saw a tall shadow figure beside me, I turned around and a woman around her thirties is standing beside me, crossing her arms.

"Miss, I suggest you to go out so that you can't disturb the students here" and gave me a sarcastic smile.

"I'm sor—"

"Now"

Fuck this librarian, cutting off my sentence. A lot of students were looking at me, glaring. I stood up and gathered my things and put it inside my bag. I pulled the door and gazed at the students who were still glaring at me.

"Sorry to disturb your study time!" I sarcastically said and closed the door.

In a grassy school field and few athletes were practicing, there were no other places I can stay. A cold soda suddenly pressed my cheeks. "What the fuck!" I said as I touched my cheeks. A smiling Louie holding out a can of soda. "Thanks" I said as I took it from him, and he sits besides me.

"So, why are you here? Thought you are studying?" I said and gulped my soda. "Yes but I can't bear the glares they beam at me."

I laughed, knowing how Louie undoubtedly get embarrassed. "Are you almost done?" Louie asked as he glanced in my laptop. I nodded and threw my soda away as I finished. I resume typing when I suddenly heard laughters. I looked up and it was Ivy with her new friends. From wearing black-thick rimmed glasses to using contact lenses and apply minimal makeup and dress cutely—Ivy really changed.

"A friend of yours?" Louie suddenly asked. He probably noticed me staring at Ivy. I smiled slightly, "yeah. An ex-childhood best friend"

Louie glanced down, "oh, sorry" I looked at Louie, "hey, it's okay, Louie. No need to say sorry."

I gazed at her in the distance, she was busy talking with friends, laughing. She naturally blended with those girls who are complete opposite of me. She seems happy, maybe I'm really a toxic friend after all.

"Do you ever have friends, Louie?" I blurted. Louie was shocked with my question, "n-no"

"What if you'll hate me in the end, Louie? And this friendship will gone to waste? I'm sure you'll meet new friends." I said with a subtle smile, still my eyes on Ivy. Louie stood up, his fist clenched.

"N-No, I won't hate you in the end! I don't have a-any friends since I was a kid. I often get bullied. I-I'm glad you save from the rooftop a-and y-you are my first friend. I cherish our friendship" I smiled at Louie after hearing his words.

"You don't have to stand up, Louie. Sit down", Louie sits down and looked at me, "W-Why did she become your e-ex childhood best friend?" I glanced down, "bu-but it's oka-"

"Because of my selfishness. It happened when we both visited an abandoned house near our neighborhood, she was scared. She was scared and with that, I blew her with my sudden outburst. I can't keep up with her being so scared. When we were kids, she often gets scared. After not seeing almost 9 years, I expected there will be change."

I looked at Louie who has a pity look in his face. "Don't look at me like that, Louie"

"I-I'm sorry. It's...sad" he said and avoided my gaze. "I just want her to face her fears like not being scared. I'm rushing her and…. That's so selfish of me"

"I don't think that is so selfish of you. She is lucky to have a friend like you. You seem like a good friend" I let out a small laugh. I know Louie is trying to cheer me up, I gave Louie a smile.

"Louie, are you scared of creepy things?"

"Not that really"

"Have you ever seen an abandoned house? places that is being abandoned??" Louie shook his head as he pulled out his sandwich from his bag and eat it. "Can you come with me to an abandoned house next week?"

Louie was surprised, choked by his sandwich. "Chill, Louie." I said, waiting of Louie's answer.

"Take your time, choking yourself by a sandwich, Louie" Sighed, I grabbed my water bottle and gave it to him. He immediately took it and gulped. Louie swallowed his sandwich and answered, "Uh. N-Next week?"

I rolled my eyes, "yes, you in?"

Louie nod. I smiled. "Really? Then let's go after class on Thursday. I'm going to call some spirits and maybe you'll scram yourself out of the abandoned house. You sure you are in?"

Louie took a deep breath, "N-No, I won't scram" and gave me a smile. I smiled back. The bell suddenly rang, "Uh. S-sorry, I gotta go to my next class" Louie said as he took his bag. "S-Sorry, l-lily"

"It's okay, Louie. I'll head to the office to give Mr. Miller my assignment"

"Y-you sure it is okay?" Louie asked as he waits for my reply, "yeah, run along now"

He smiled and run to his next class. I glanced at Ivy with her friends, they giggled as they went to their next class. Sighed, I stood up and closed my laptop and head to the office.

Can't wait to talk with Felicia..