Drifting Souls (Ch. 2)

Oh how I so very much loathed Halloween. The end of October was swiftly nearing, and although the leaves where turning and blowing dead across the streets, the usual fascination with the spirit world was in full bloom. I hated Halloween. It was merely a chance for the every day person to act spiritual and for the truly spiritual to be annoyed by false commercialism.1

I had my own intentions, questions, plans, and I was one of the only people—spiritual or otherwise—in Derriana that had the fearlessness to explore my hunches. 2

I stared out the window of the old public library as I waited for Liv. (Once upon a time was the city morgue, but had been meticulously remodeled). My seemingly aimless staring had a target, though—the subject of my most recent historical interest, Lila Sergiev. 3

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Liv walked up behind me, despite the tender gentleness of her voice as she only whispered, “What are you doing?” 4

I wasn’t normally skittish, but I had never been that supremely lost in thought. My head swarmed with the dozens of stories that people made up around this town, hardly any of which was I sure were true. But I was sure I would know the story. The real story.5

“Oh I was just being curious.” I confessed, thumb-pointing out the window behind me at the 150 year old statue after I turned to face her quickly, acting like she had caught me with my hand in the cookie jar. 6

Liv stepped up to the window beside me and glanced out at the grave carelessly, as if she was just refreshing her memory that it was there, and shifted her gaze back to me. She only shook her head at me and the corners of her lips curled into a disappointed smile. I could feel her eyes judging me even though I stared out the window blankly again. 7

“I thought we were studying.” Liv condescended.8

“We are… I just got a little… distracted.” I fumbled a bit and smiled, looking out of the corners of my eyes to her and back. 9

“Likely story.” She smiled, sitting on the window seal almost teasingly to face me and block me from the view. 10

“You have to admit it’s a fascinating story, Olivia. Although I must admit,” I stepped closer almost seductively, “this is a lovely view.” What was this tone I used? I was blatantly flirting with her. I should correct it, but it felt so right. 11

Surprisingly enough, she didn’t flinch. She didn’t even seem to care. She actually played along, “Well, you know, there’s a difference between that view and this one,” she stood to her full two inches above me, looking down into my eyes, whispering sumptuously, “you can’t touch what’s out there from in here.”12

What a funny feeling surged through my body. I looked at her breathlessly, my jaw dropped, trying to ignore that aching feeling in my clit from the images that her one phrase set in motion across my head. Liv Dillon was flirting with me.13

… and she was doing a damn fine job.14

~~~15

Along with the steady approach of Halloween, came the holiday I so dearly revered—Liv’s Birthday. She would be eighteen, though her maturity and grace suggested her to be nearing at least fifty, but that was just part of her charm. 16

As time made us older and bolder, we grew less and less afraid to share such thoughts with each other. Of course, I wouldn’t be professing my love to her any time soon. 17

Even though love was the only thing that this feeling could possibly be, I could have only hoped she shared it.18

“So how old will you be tomorrow, again, Liv? Fifty, was it?” I joked with her on the phone as I continued working on my poorly done sketch of a sneaker for art class. Drawing wasn’t my thing. I didn’t have anything near the appropriate amount of patience. 19

“Just eighteen, this time.” Liv replied sweetly. I could hear her smiling. I nearly choked just imagining it—her pearly whites showing ever-so-brilliantly from behind her rosy pink lips.20

The call was interrupted by her younger brother Jerry who pleaded to use the phone, in need of talking to his flavor of the week. “Get off the phone, Liv. You’ve talked to your girlfriend long enough.”21

I could hear the thud as she playfully punched him. “Give me a minute!” She protested, shifting her focus back to me, “Would you like to come over and have some cake or something?” I could hear the shuffles of her dodging Jerry, trying to keep the phone away from his grasp.22

“Sure. I’ll be there. What time?” I asked calmly, trying not to seem too overzealous, even though I had already dropped my pencil.23

“Anytime. Stay over if you’d like—JERRY! Stop it!” She tried to get words in between their playful dispute. I heard another smack from her end of the phone. She wasn’t afraid to fight him. How cute.24

“Sounds great!” I smiled, “Talk to you later!” I barely got it in before Jerry won the fight for the phone, disconnecting us. 25

This was excellent news. Not only would this allow me to spend more time with the precious Liv, but also to inquire about the mysterious Lila. However, in my world, Olivia came first. She was the only person or thing that I would put before my adventures. In this case, it was her birthday, and I would honor that. 26

Lila could wait. After all, her mystery had remained undiscovered for almost 150 years, what would be a few more days. It’s not like anyone but myself was waiting for the truth anyway. 27

I got bored with my sneaker sketch and decided to spend my Friday evening more wisely. Tomorrow was Liv’s birthday and I had to get her something special. But what? 28

I glanced up at the clock just in time to see it turn 7:53 p.m. and cursed myself for not thinking to get her something sooner… but wait! Maybe I had!29

Setting the sketchpad and pencil aside carelessly on my couch, I bustled about my room, trying to remember where I had put it. I couldn’t have lost it. This relic was better than any other gift I could have bought, and I knew… I just knew Liv would love it.30

It had been passed down from first born daughter to first born daughter in my family for I didn’t know how many years. I never paid much attention to the details. It was funny that everyone else’s history was so much more significant than my own. 31

Digging through my closet, I slung clothes recklessly behind me, caring less where they would land in search for that box. Where was that box? I had to find it… it would be the perfect gift for Olivia. It was classy and beautiful, just like her.32

I tossed an old sweater to my side and couldn’t help but feel my heart skip a beat when I saw the old shoe box of things Gran had left me. It had to be in there. I picked it up excitedly and nearly ran over to my bed, tripping over an old pair of blue jeans on the way, but I caught myself. The precious things that the box in my hands withheld were nothing to be careless about. I could be glad that they were protected by a mound of clothing in the bottom of my closet. I had a seat on the bed, crossing my legs Indian style excitedly as I sat the box in front of me excitedly as though I was a six year old opening a Christmas present I had been begging for for months. 33

The corners of my lips drew up into a devious smile as I removed the lid of the shoebox and discovered a small, faded, royal purple velvet box sitting atop hundreds of years worth of heirlooms.34

Perfect.35

~~~36

It took a lot not to stare at Lila in wonder as I got out of my car at Liv’s. It was as if she could read my mind, “Go ahead. Go explore.”37

My eyes didn’t leave Liv, not even for a minute. “Today is your day. I want to spend it with you. I can explore anytime.”38

I nearly choked on my words, for it was so hard to speak calmly to such radiance. She wore a simple white camisole that day and a long tan bohemian style skirt. She had to be freezing, so I tried my best to hurry. I retrieved my bag from the car, not bothering to walk to the passenger side to get it; I merely pulled it across from the driver’s side and kicked the door shut carelessly with my foot as I walked toward her, slinging the bag over my shoulder, unable to remove my eyes from her delicate beauty.39

I debated giving her her present now, but I decided to wait until later. For now, I wrapped my free arm around her neck and pulled her gently close, whispering, “Happy Birthday, Olivia.”40

Liv smiled and looked down shyly as a slight blush crept upon her cheeks, “Thank you, Jade.” She replied softly, “I’m just glad you’re here. That’s all that matters.”41

Oh how those words stung me. I was there. All that matters. I knew within me she meant it innocently, but I couldn’t help but feel my desperate heart skip a beat as we walked side by side into the house.42

~~~43

Dinner was wonderful. Liv’s mom was a great cook. I would match her and Isabelle in a cooking duel any day of the week. Everyone paid Liv the attention she so very much deserved. It must have been an hour after dinner before we even bothered cutting the cake. After all, dinner was so wholesome and filling, we had to talk to make room for more.44

Liv’s eyes lit up in the glow of the candles as she stared at her birthday cake, listening to a poorly sung Happy Birthday (as none of us were really singers—she, however, had the voice of an angel). She shut her eyes to make a wish, I’m assuming, and blew out the candles with a smile. 45

Her eyes opened and her gaze shifted from her cake to me, her smile not fading for a second.46

Skip.47

There went my heart again.48

“Thank you so much, Momma.” Liv hugged her as she stood beside her. “Everything is so wonderful.”49

Liv’s mom smiled caringly and kissed the side of her head, “Happy Birthday, Olivia.” She cut the homemade birthday cake and served everyone a slice, starting with Liv. But Liv politely waited for everyone, even for her Mom to serve herself a piece before she dug in.50

That had to have been the best cake I’ve ever tasted. Screw the dried-out hundred dollar one my parents forked out for my last birthday; Mrs. Richards was amazing. Maybe she was Mrs. Smith in a former life. “Everything was wonderful, Mrs. Richards. I’ve never had a cake this moist, what’s your secret?” 51

Mrs. Richards only smiled, “It’s just that, dear. A secret.”52

I chuckled and continued inhaling the remarkable yummy goodness that was Liv’s birthday cake.53

I couldn’t help but watch Liv eat. I was a wolf. My share was gone in moments, but she was dainty, classy about the way she ate. I caught myself staring at her mouth and tried to shift my focus somewhere else. I must have looked like an idiot to everyone else in the room. It was no matter. The only person’s fancy I cared to uphold was Liv’s. No one else seemed to make any difference to me whatsoever.54

After Liv finished, her mom began picking up and getting the dishes ready, her dad retired to the living room for some kind of sports entertainment, and Jerry took off to the phone. We didn’t sit there for long, as Liv was seemingly happy to get some alone time with me. At least, that was the impression I got.55

That was quite alright with me. Alone time with Liv was a very good thing. 56

We went to her room and she showed me the presents her parents had given her earlier on in the day. Mostly clothes, but nice ones at that; I imagined her in each one and let my heart race a little as I smiled making random discrete comments about how much I liked each one.57

“Would you like my gift now?” I smiled coyly at her as she had a seat on her bed beside me.58

“Jade… you didn’t have to—“ She insisted.59

I cut her off, “I know I didn’t have to. I wanted to. You’re very special to me, which is why I want to give you something very special…” I walked over to my bag and retrieved the box, feeling the knots in my stomach well up inside of me. I was discrete to keep it behind me until I sat back down beside her, as I didn’t want her to get the impression that I was proposing or anything.60

I slowly opened the box behind my back with my thumb as I spoke, “So… I know I could have gone anywhere and gotten you any old thing and you would have been just as happy with it. But I didn’t want to get you just any old thing. I wanted to give you something that has a special place in my heart, just like you do.” Oy, I was talking too much. I shut up and slowly brought the box around to the front to face her, “This necklace has been passed down in my family for more years than I even know. I want you to have it, because I know its splendor far surpasses anything that I could uphold by wearing it. Its beauty would be much more significant with you.”61

I planned to go on, but there was a look in Liv’s eye like I had never seen before. It was almost… fear. It was as if she had seen a ghost. She stared down into the box wide-eyed at the beautiful but not overbearing diamond pendant that resided ever so dazzlingly at the end of a golden chain. She didn’t move. She didn’t flinch. I don’t think I even saw her breathe.62

“I can’t accept that.” She said sadly after the longest, most intimidating silence. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever gotten, and I would love to but I—“63

her voice cracked… was she crying? “I couldn’t possibly take something so beautiful.” She was crying. A tear spilled silently down her cheek as she closed her eyes.64

I edged closer to her, “Why not? It’s what I want to give you, Olivia.” I got even closer, wiping the tear away from her cheek, delicately whispering, “The only thing more beautiful than it is you. It deserves to lay upon your neck and suggest your brilliance. You deserve so much more than this that I wish I could give you.”65

She opened her eyes and looked into mine, speaking softly, “You shouldn’t give that away, Jade, until you understand who it is really for.” Liv sighed, seemingly frustrated with herself, “It’s beautiful. It is…” She wrung her hands nervously, “But it’s not for me. It’s not for Liv Dillon… Just… keep it okay? My present will be knowing that you gave something so beautiful to the right person for the right reason.”66

“But you are the right person. And what reason could be more right than I want you to have it?” I tried not to be frustrated with her, but this was not the reaction I was expecting. Liv was so much wiser beyond either of our years, and I trusted her wisdom, but it was so hard to understand what she meant when my heart cried to give it to her.67

“Just hold onto it a little while longer, okay? Promise me?” She smiled, the remnants of her tears being only a glimmer in her eye. 68

“I promise.” I mumbled, slightly disappointed. Her hand touched mine as I let my arm with the box rest on my leg sadly.69

She slowly leaned over and kissed my cheek with the most tender, heartfelt action, holding the other side of my face with her other hand as she whispered into my ear, “It will all make sense someday, okay? And when it does, then you can give it away. And I promise you that it will be accepted.”70

She was so confusing. So mysterious. So amazing. How could I have even reacted to that? This is why Liv deserved it, because she was beautiful enough to make me feel the way she made me feel when her lips touched my blushing cheek. 71

I trusted her, though. I trusted her with all of my heart. Her words were reassuring and there was an unmistakable truth to them. She wasn’t just telling me that. It would happen, and somehow I got the feeling that she would be the one to reveal it to me.