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Teenage Ghost
Evan waited on a bench near the biology lab. The last time he texted Inja, it came back as disconnected. He was worried something had happened to her.
Even the social media of her three friends was mysteriously silent. Evan stared blankly at his phone and tried to will a text from Inja to appear.
A familiar downhearted voice greeted him from the hallway. “Hi.” Inja waved slightly and tried to fake a smile and keep from crying.
Evan could tell at once something was wrong. He jumped up and took Inja in his arms and hugged her tight, “Are you OK? What happened?”
Inja wrapped her arms around him and began to cry into his shoulder.
Evan didn’t know what to do to make it better. He just held her tightly and stroked her hair a little.
Finally Inja found the strength to talk. “My father told me I couldn’t see you anymore.”
“No,” Evan comforted her. “No, he can’t do that.”
“I have to quit the team and never talk to my friends again.” Inja buried her face in his shirt.
“He can’t police you when you’re here.” Evan stated. “He can’t have someone follow you around all day making sure you aren’t talking to anyone you shouldn’t be. It’s ridiculous. And as far as the squad goes, I’m sure Kiesha can help you figure out ways to get around that.”
Inja pulled back and smiled a little, “Yes, she said I could say I have science research or I have to go to the library.” The tears began to mist up in her eyes again, “But I will only be able to see you here.”
Evan hugged her tightly, “Who says I need more than here?”
“But other girls would be able to go out.” Inja stated. “They would at least be able to text you.”
“I don’t need all that.” Evan pulled back from her and pulled her face up so her eyes met his. “I just need you, Inja. I don’t care how little I get to see you, so long as I see you. I don’t care if it’s just at school. I don’t care if all we ever do is hold hands, just so long as the hand I’m holding is yours.” He took her hand in his and kissed the back of it lightly. “Any time I get to spend with you is all I want.”
Inja began to cry again, only this time they were tears of joy.