Six: Friend

"You okay sweetie?" I heard my dad's voice, he was standing by door. His face showed deep sadness. We are so alike.

"I'll be.." I said as I rose from the chair.

"Listen, if you wanna go home I'd understand. I know you're mom don't want you here with me." Dad held my chin gently, so that he can see my face.

I tried to smile, "And she doesn't like your project. But I'm staying, Dad."

"I knew you'd say that, you are my girl after all." He draw me close and kissed my forehead. If only I could stay in his arms forever, I wouldn't feel any sadness anymore.

"I don't know about you Dad but, I think we gotta eat something.."

He laughed, it was a carefree sound. "And that is why you're my girl! Always hungry like Daddy!" He tousled my hair and led me out. We closed the study and he let keep the keys. I truly feel like a guardian now.

Kitchen

"Oh, good. You're back," Louie was in the kitchen making spaghetti.

"I didn't know you can cook.." I said as I slid into a chair. The Kelly's made good renovation here, there was a stove and oven.

"You don't know a lot of things about me," again with those commercial smiles, "You'll be surprised if you try and find out."

Gosh, he's flirting with me isn't he? Can I remind him I'm still 17?

"I supposed I could try." I didn't want to be rude, but Dad will be here. He'll cut it out.

"Wanna bet?" He said.

Oh, he did not cut it out. Time to bring the trump card.

"What will Dad say, huh?"

That got to him, I knew because he stiffened. He gave a nervous laugh.

"I was just joking kiddo." He said this without facing me, now he calls me a kid. Ha! Coward.

Dad arrived with the soda and ice. He chopped it expertly. You'd think he used to be a bartender but really he's just good at cutting ice.

"Where'd you get the ice Dad?"

"The fridge..." he pointed behind me. Of course, there's electricity here so why not appliances?

"Wow. I did not expect that." I popped the soda and filled my glass, I was thirsty. "I mean, no one uses the house but they add all these stuff."

"You can talk to Tristane more about that, he did promise to call on you." Patrick teased like an old geezer. I rolled my eyes at him.

"You make it sound like he's a morning caller and I am a lady." I downed my soda, I reached for another one but Dad stopped me.

"But you are a lady, you have the face and the humour for it.." his hand held the soda bottle, clearly he's not gonna give it to me unless I have food first. "You just don't act like one sometimes."

"Dad please, we aren't of noble birth. How am I gonna get a rich husband?" I tried to play it out with him, like we used to do. Before their divorce.

"Not of noble birth—" he acted hurt, his hands on his chest. "My dear child, you do not know how noble you are."

"I mean literally." I began playing with my glass, the ice was melting.

He smiled, "No we aren't. Emotionally, you are very noble my dear. You are my princess, that makes you a royalty."

As if on cue, Louie carried the spaghetti on the table. "And here your majesty, is your dinner." That got us laughing.

We shared the food and realised we were all starving. It took several minutes before we began talking again.

"How's school sweetie?"

"Its fine, I'm getting front row tickets for you guys" she pointed at Louie, "to cheer for me on the next competition." I said as I spooned down spaghetti sauce. It was good, Louie might want to start up his own food business.

"Of course, I'll always cheer for my little mermaid." If dad promised he would come, he would. Unlike mom.

"I thought I was a princess.."

"When you aren't in the water."

"Riiight..."

Ten more minutes passed and we were clearing up the plates. I helped Louie with the dishes, I didn't expect him to do that since he made dinner. But he stayed behind and was wiping the dishes I had rinsed. Dad was off somewhere feeding Oggy.

"So, are we staying here for the night?" I asked, since its past 7:30.

"Yeah, that's the plan."

"Aren't you scared?"

Louie paused, he stared at the plate as though his reflection had hypnotised him. "No, I'm not. This place isn't haunted Krista."

"Its a big house, a big old house.."

"You want me to sleep next to you?"

I splashed water on him, a little. He used the plate as a shield. "No fair, I have to wipe this again."

"Your fault."

"Alright, no more side jokes.." He carried the dried plates back to the rack. "Dr. Neville arranged your room next to his, its got those fancy connecting doors. So if you feel scared, you can run to him directly."

"That's a relief." I rinsed my hands of the soap and wiped them on my jeans.

"Do you feel something in the house Krista?"

I stared at Louie and he stared back, "Actually, I don't understand it. I thought I felt something but, I can't explain it."

"Like a ghost going thru your body?" He made a gesture of the towel moving thru his hand. Like Casper would do. He even made a whoosh sound.

"I thought you said no more side jokes.."

"Yeah, my bad." He folded the towel and took off his jacket, I didn't realise he was wearing one. It looked like a long sleeve shirt with a hoodie on the back. He pulled it over his head, struggled a little bit as his arms fought the fabric. That's what you get for going to the gym, I wanted to tell him. But my eyes caught his undershirt as it slid a little higher, revealing a firm set of abs and a dreamy trace of hair that left nothing for imagination.

I dragged my eyes away before he'd catch me. What is wrong with him?

"Well," he said after he finally got the hoodie off , "I don't think there's something bad in the house. Its just unoccupied for a very long time. I do get that feeling when I come home to my apartment."

I stared back at him, he pulled down his undershirt which was a very thin white cloth. He might as well just take it off. Whatever, its his clothes.

"Gee, thanks. The manor looks nothing like your greasy apartment though." I said this as I walked past him.

"I didn't mean literally." But he didn't add anything, I was already climbing the staircase.

I feel like I want to shower then lie down. I heard Oggy coming up behind me.

"C'mon boy." I called to him. His cheeks still had the evidence of what Dad fed him. I scrubbed it off, it was spaghetti. Mom would be mad.

"I swear Krista," I heard Louie down the staircase, "I'd trade any day to be Oggy. Just so you'd take me inside your room."

I laughed, "Then feel free to be jealous of my dog. You brute." We left him with jaw as-lack.

Bathroom

I was expecting to find just a tub, but Tristane really did prepare the house to be used. Not just for historical purposes, but for everyday's comfort as well. There was a shower that ran hot water. Yippey!

I sat in the tub and let the water swallow me. The bubbles clung into my hair until I finally submerged my whole body. This feels good. I curled into a fetal position and felt myself float.

I began to feel warm all over, as if I was near a bonfire. The heat felt great against my skin, it touched me gently so I won't get burned. It travelled from my back, to my chest, to my arms and to my legs. I can feel my face blushing after all this warmth.

"Krista..."

I jerked up, water sloshed out the tub and unto the tiled floor. I was gasping for air as if my lungs have been cut off from life support, I haven't been down the water that long and I can hold my breath if I want to. That's how I became good at swimming. So why was I out of breath?

I didn't know and no one can answer me, I saw Oggy sprawled on the rug. He tilted his head at me. He must wondering why I'm breathing so fast. Did I fell asleep? And did he call out to me? Was it Lucian?

I felt the water began to cool down, so I stepped out and put on my robe. I drained the tub and called Oggy back to my room. I was beginning to calm down already. I told myself its probably jet lag or after effects of the trip, I had travelled right after school and got to mom's house friday afternoon. Then I had to fly and meet Dad here.

I sat down at the dressing table and began brushing my hair, I had black hair like dad. I didn't wear it too long cuz it tangles in my swimming cap. Its just below shoulder level, I wanted it longer than shoulder length so I could style it up if needed.

If I had blue eyes I'd be like him, I thought. I stared at my reflection and studied my brows, they're thicker than what the other girls in my class had, but still thinner compared to Lucian's. Does he find me pretty? People did say I have a face, but not pretty. Something that sticks out in a crowd. I stared at my eyes this time, they were hazel like Mom's. Did Lucian's lover had brown eyes as well? Perhaps, I would never know. I went to bed and was soon asleep.

I dreamt that night, but not of Lucian. I dreamt of Penthurst Manor in its former glory, the way it glowed under the moonlight as lovers danced in a slow tentative music. I couldn't make out their faces, but I heard their voices. The woman laughed at something the man said. I could feel her blushing at his gaze. She was young, slim and pretty. Their movements showed how they adored each other. She was his and he was hers. That crushed my heart.

Somewhere deep inside I had the feeling I knew them. It was Lucian and his commoner lover. They danced the night away, not caring for the world or anyone. They had each other. They had their love. And I had nothing. I stared at my hand and saw a knife, its sharpened blade glistened against the moonlight. I gripped it tight like it was a lifeline, soon my fingers began to feel numb.

Then I felt the first drop of tears. It felt hot against my cheek. Coward. I told myself. You sit here watching the man you love belong to someone else and you're not doing anything. Because what could I do? He chose her, not me. I was the one beside him, I played with him, learned things with him, discovered things with him. It was me all along. I, who cherished and cared for him so much. And I who was cast aside when she came. Her. The evil woman. She stole Lucian from me. And I will not let it happen. The blade appeared on my hand once again. I know now how to use it. Soon, pretty soon.

I felt Oggy's tongue lashed at my face, normally I'd be furious. But he awakened me. I must've been squirming and twisting that he noticed something was wrong. I sat up ang hugged Oggy.

"Thank you bestfriend." I kissed his fur, he whined. I hugged him still and cried once more.

Claus.

I dreamt of Claus and his betrayal. I felt his pain, his love and his anger. He was all alone with it. There was no one for him when he needed someone the most. Poor, poor Claus. I began to sob against Oggy's fur. He didn't mind, he was here for me. Thank god for Oggy, my saviour. I wasn't sure how I passed the night after that.