PROLOGUE
Most people don’t believe in ghosts, zombies, vampires. They dismiss the supernatural as a story told to scare. To terrify children into behaving, to keep teenagers in line.
They’re wrong. I used to be one of those people, someone who thought it was all just a story. A lie. Made up. Until I met Hazel.
Between the world we see, and the one we don’t, there lies a realm of possibility. Sometimes it just takes someone special to open your eyes to it.1
ONE
The suns shines, breaking out from the clouds, brightening the gloomy park. The first sunshine we’ve had since November. The park is practically empty - the only people here are me, a small stray dog, an old man feeding ducks, and a girl sitting on a bench.
I stroll through the park, eating chips soaked in salt and vinegar straight from the packet. My fingers are stained with paint, from helping my friend Evelyn paint her bedroom. It’s the best way to eat chips.
The dog barks at me as I pass it, and I toss it a chip. A happy feeling overwhelms me - it’s just one of those perfect days when you feel like nothing can ever go wrong.
I’m nearing one of the park benches - the one that’s occupied. A strange, pretty girl sits on it, fiddling with the silver locket around her neck. She’s wearing an old fashioned dress, lace and petticoats. It’s not something you would see an average teenager wearing these days. She looks about my age.
“Hello,” I say politely, just in passing. It’s a habit of mine, something that I can’t help. I don’t stop, and continue on my way, heading for the park gates. It’s about time I got home.2
***3
“Mum, I’m home,” I shout, letting myself in by the back door. I crumple up my chip paper and toss it in the bin. “Mum?”
“In here, Luc,” she calls back. “The sitting room. Come in!” I sigh. Some relatives must be visiting. “Coming,” I say dully, running my hand through my hair and entering the room.
I was right. My aunt Esma and uncle Carlos are perched on the couch, each holding a cup of tea. A plate of chocolate biscuits lies untouched on the coffee table, so I assume they’ve just arrived. My cousins Julio and Isabel are nowhere to be seen.
“Hola, Aunt Esma, Uncle Carlos,” I say, forcing a smile. I love my family, but when they visit, they berate me for speaking English.
They beam and wave me over to them. I suffer hours of quality family time before they leave. I breathe a sigh of relief when they finally do.
“Now, Luc, wasn’t that fun?” Mum smiles, her Spanish accent filtering through. “Oh… yeah… fun,” I lie, itching to go upstairs. She sees me glance at the stairs.
“Go on,” she says, waving me away. “Elena’s in the kitchen. Just home from work. I’ll talk to you later, mi querido.” I grin and race up the steps.4
***5
“Luc! Luc! Get up, you’ll be late for work!” Mum’s voice floats through my dream, but I groan. I’m not ready to get up yet. “Get up, silly boy!”
The duvet disappears. “Mum!” I moan, searching blindly for my covers. She chuckles. “Come on. Up.” I sigh. There’s no going back now. I’m awake.
I dress quickly, grab a breakfast bar and jog out the door, slipping my iPod earbuds in. The bus stop is only a short walk from my house, so I make it there in five minutes.
It takes me a moment to notice the strange girl in the old fashioned dress, sitting in the bus shelter. It’s the girl from yesterday, I remember.
She remembers me too. She looks up at me shyly. I do a double take as her eyes reach mine - they’re a startling shade of violet, so dark blue they’re almost purple.
“Hello,” she says. Her voice is like music. I’m speechless. I remove my earphones hurriedly and smile.
“Hi,” I manage to say, though my voice is croaky and hesitant. She pats the bench beside her. I sit.
“I’m Luc,” I say. “Luc Lopez. I live just down the street.” “I’m…” she hesitates for a moment, tucking a strand of chocolate coloured hair behind her ear. “I’m Hazel Byrd.” She holds out her hand, and I shake it. She looks confused, but composes herself almost instantly.
“I saw you yesterday in the park,” she tells me, fiddling with her locket. “You were eating something.” I nod, embarrassed. “Yes. Uh, just some chips.”
Her eyebrows knit together. Unbelievably, she doesn’t seem to know what chips are. She changes the subject.
“Where are you going?” she asks me, blinking her extraordinary eyes. They’re framed by long, sooty lashes, that touch her cheeks when she blinks.
“Work,” I say ruefully. “At the record store in the shopping centre. What about you?” She smiles, and her eyes light up. “I’m going there too,” she says. “Perhaps we can go together.”
My heart thuds in my chest at her smile. “Uh… sure…” I stutter. It looks like it’s going to be an interesting day.6
***7
The journey to the shopping centre isn’t long on the bus - ten minutes. Hazel seems twitchy when we board it, looking around anxiously.
“Two teenage fares, please,” I say to the bus driver, handing him the money. He looks at me strangely but accepts the money. I ponder the reason for the strange look as I lead Hazel to the backseat.
Once we sit down, she begins to look more relaxed. “Tell me about yourself,” she says, folding her hands on her lap. “Um… OK,” I reply. “Well… I’m not all that interesting to be honest. I’m sixteen years old. I’m originally from Spain, but we moved to England with my grandmother when I was three. I have one older sister, Elena, she’s twenty. My dad walked out on us when I was born - he still lives in Spain. My mum is thirty-six. She was pregnant at sixteen. Her name is Belicia and she’s very pretty and kind. That’s it, really. Not interesting.”
Hazel looks at me for a long moment, scrutinizing me. “I think you’re very interesting,” she tells me seriously. I cough, embarrassed again. “What about you?” I say, to distract myself. “Tell me about you.”
She frowns, as if this question is something forbidden, something that shouldn’t be asked.
“Well, you know my name. Hazel Byrd. I’m fifteen, my birthday is November eighteenth. My parents are Grace and Victor Byrd. I have three younger sisters and two younger brothers - Mary, Nicola, Eleanor, Thomas and Nathaniel.” She stops there, seemingly unwilling to continue. I don’t want to press for any more information. I don’t want to seem nosy.
There’s a few moments of awkward silence, with Hazel still frowning, and me deliberating whether to talk or not. Thankfully, the bus stops outside the shopping centre and we’re obliged to get off.
Hazel’s eyes open wide as she takes in the shopping centre. It’s as if she’s never seen one before. “Oh!“ she exclaims, putting a hand to her heart. “It’s simply magnificent!“ I chuckle at her odd speech.
“Come on then,” I say, starting to stroll ahead. “Luc! Wait!” she cries, panicking. I stop. There’s not too much of a crowd - she would’ve been able to find me easily - but somehow it makes me feel cruel to walk ahead of her. She rushes to catch up with me.
“OK?” I ask, amused. She glares at me and then tucks her hand in mine. “I’ve never been here before,” she confesses. “I’m afraid I’ll get lost.”
I’m shocked. A teenage girl who’s never been to the shopping centre? It’s like a Christmas miracle.
We duck through the crowds and I end up at the record store with just seconds to spare. Amanda, the manager, raises an eyebrow when she sees me putting on my nametag.
“Cutting it a little close today, aren’t we Luc?” she teases. “Sorry, Amanda,” I grin. Hazel is standing by a rack of Sugarcult CDs, staring at them in wonder. She really is very, very weird.
“I have to work now,” I tell her. “So I guess I’ll see you around.” She blinks for a moment and then wraps her skinny, white arms around me. I flush a deep red.
“Goodbye, Luc,” she whispers. I wriggle out from her embrace and hurry off to sort out the poster display. When I look over my shoulder, she’s gone.8
TWO
As soon as the clock hits five, I take off my nametag, hang up the pricing gun, and go to collect my Christmas cheque. My holidays start today.
Amanda smiles at me as she hands me the white envelope. “You have a good Christmas, Luc, you hear?” she says, giving me a quick hug. I laugh. “The same to you, Mandy,” I tease. Now that I’m off the clock, we’re not manager and employee, we’re friends.
It’s snowing when I go outside. I curse myself for not bringing my jacket. Stupid of me, but I was remembering yesterday’s sunny weather.
I’m supposed to go to Evelyn’s house. A few of us are meeting up to exchange Christmas presents. I tuck my hands in the pockets of my jeans and start the short walk.
As I walk, my thoughts drift back to Hazel. She seems so strange - like she doesn’t belong in this world, with her old fashioned clothes and her lack of knowledge about modern things. I shake my head, forcing the ridiculous notion out.
“Hi, Luc,” Evelyn grins, opening the door for me. I step eagerly into the warmth, rubbing my hands together. “Hey, Lyn,” I reply, following her into the sitting room.
“Luc!” A chorus of voices greet me as I take in the faces around me - Jared Hennessy, Clara Keating, Jessica Mae and David Lane. Each of them has five wrapped parcels in their lap. I shrug off my backpack and take out my own presents.
Evelyn closes the sitting room door, and everyone gathers around on the carpet and passes out the presents. There’s an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation. Evelyn’s laid out some snacks and drinks for us.
“This is going to be the worst Christmas ever,” Jessica complains. David nudges her with his elbow. “Cheer up,” he says, pecking her on the cheek. “No,” Jess pouts. “My dad’s in Ireland with his brother and my mum’s not bothered about Christmas, so it’s probably just gonna be me looking after Charlie and Sam!”
I tune her out. Jess’s moaning is hard to cope with when you’re already kind of out of it.
Lyn notices me daydreaming and giggles. “Look at Luc,” she says, pointing at me. “He’s off again.” I blush. Clara joins Lyn in laughter.
“Who is she, Luc?” she asks teasingly. I sigh. I guess it can’t hurt to tell them about Hazel. It’s not like I’ll ever see her again, anyway.
“There’s this girl…” I begin, and then the wolf-whistles start. I ignore them and continue. “Her name is Hazel. I met her yesterday in the park. She wears the strangest clothes, uses the strangest words, and has the biggest violet eyes I have ever seen in my life. She came to work with me today.”
They stare at me, waiting for me to go on. “And… that’s it,” I finish. “That’s it?” Lyn says in disappointment. Jared and David have lost interest and have taken their mobiles out.
“That’s it,” I shrug. “Do you like her?” Clara asks. “I guess so,” I reply, hiding my blush. “She’s really cute and nice.”
And somehow, by some miracle, that was the end of it. They didn’t ask me anymore questions. But that didn’t keep me from thinking about Hazel all day long.9
***10
The snow is still falling when I wake up. The ground is coated with it, and the entire house is freezing. I can already tell that Mum will be grumbling about it.
I dress in my warmest clothes and head downstairs, planning my day already. I’m going to go to the park, even thought it’s snowing. I need to think.
Mum and Elena are sitting at the table, tucking into eggs and bacon. Mum smiles at me when I sit beside them.
“Any plans for today Luc?” she asks absent-mindedly. “Not really,” I say. “I was thinking of going to the park. Can you pass the juice, Elena?” I pour myself a cup of juice and help myself to toast.
“The park?” Elena frowns. “Have you seen the weather, Luc?” I shrug. “I know. So I’ll wear a hat, gloves. No problem.”
And it isn’t. Half an hour later, I’m sitting on the same bench that Hazel sat on, just two days ago. She’s not here now. Stupid of me to think she would be.
I sigh and start to stand up. There’s no point staying in an empty park, alone. Especially not in this weather. It’s cold, wet, and I can feel a bad mood coming on.
“Where are you going?” I jump. I’m filled with a sudden warmth as I recognize that bell chime voice. Hazel. Never mind how she managed to get on the bench without me noticing. I’m happy she’s here. I turn, preparing myself for her violet gaze.
Shock fills me as I realise what she’s wearing. No warm clothes - another of her strange dresses. It’s pale blue. It reaches to her ankles, the sleeves are short, and she’s not even wearing a coat!
“Hazel,” I say. She smiles at me, her thin face lighting up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Hi, Luc,” she says, jumping off the bench. “Where’s your coat?” I demand. “Don’t you have a scarf, gloves, or a hat? Anything?” She stares at me, confused by my tone.
“Um… I’m not cold, Luc,” she says gently, laying a hand on my arm. “I’m fine.” I grumble, not believing her. There is no way she isn’t cold.
“Where are you going?” she repeats. “You just got here.” “I’m not going anywhere,” I reply. “Want to come for a walk?” She smiles once more and tucks her hand into my own gloved one.
Only now, I notice the eerie silence of the park. On a sunny day, it’s easy to forget that you’re alone here. But right now, on this cold, snowy morning, the emptiness is almost threatening. I shiver and pull Hazel away. She follows willingly.
“So,” she says conversationally as we walk. “It’s Christmas in a couple of days. What’re you doing for it?”
“Nothing much, I guess,” I frown. “On Christmas morning, Elena, Mum and I will give each other presents. We’ll have our Christmas dinner. Then we’ll visit relatives. We’ll probably go to see my grandmother’s grave, too.”
Hazel nods, sticking out her tongue to catch a snowflake. “And you?” I ask. “What will you do on Christmas?” Her face darkens.
“Nothing,” she says. “Nothing important.” The words are innocent enough, and yet I sense a hidden meaning behind them. I decide not to press the matter.
Suddenly, she releases my hand and skips forward, spinning, holding her arms out. A chuckle escapes my lips as I watch her, dancing in the snow.
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she cries, her chocolate coloured hair flying around her face. She runs ahead of me, giggling and humming.
I chase her, panting a little as I try to catch up. “Hazel!” I shout. “Come back!” She runs into a little patch of trees, and my heart starts to thud as I lose sight of her.
“Hazel!” I shout. “Hazel!” I race into the trees, hoping to catch up with her quickly, before she moves on somewhere else.
But she’s sitting cross-legged in the middle of a clearing, her back to me, staring intently at something ahead of her.
“Hazel,” I pant. “Don’t do that!” She doesn’t reply. I move closer to her and sit beside her tentatively. She turns to look at me, so fast I barely register the movement.
“Luc,” she smiles. I breathe a sigh of relief. She’s not upset about something. Her face looks so pale, so beautiful, against the falling snow.
“Why did you run off like that?” I whisper. “I don’t know,” she admits. “I just wanted to be here.” I frown. It’s not enough.
“Why?” I press. She hesitates. “When… when I was small,” she begins. “My mother used to take me here. It was bigger then though. More trees.” I try to think back to being a little kid, try to remember if the park was ever a forest. I can’t.
Hazel raises her hand suddenly, to stroke my cheek. I flinch, not expecting it. But she holds it there, determined. I lean closer to her, hesitantly, afraid. But she knows what I want, and her lips touch mine a moment later. Fireworks explode in my mind and my heart tries to leap out of my chest. My mind unravels, and I can’t think straight. All I can think about is Hazel, and right now, and how I never want this moment to end.11
THREE
I practically float home, my mind still full of Hazel, and Hazel’s lips, and Hazel’s hand stroking my cheek. We spent the whole day together, and as a result, I’m seriously addicted.
Elena and Mum are decorating the Christmas tree, with tinsel and baubles and the same angel we’ve had since I was a baby.
Gran made it for us, the year I was born. Mum always cries when she puts it on the tree, because it reminds her of Gran.
“Evening, Luc,” Elena says, winking at me. I smile at her, and she does a double take. “Ooh, Mama, look at how happy he is,” she says. “Must be a girl involved.” I blush, and they cackle with laughter.
“What’s her name? Who is she?” they ask, poking their noses in as usual. I ignore them and head for my room. It’s Christmas in a couple of days, and Hazel is the best present I could’ve asked for.12
***13
“Happy Christmas, Luc!” Mum and Elena burst into my room at eight o’clock on Christmas morning, armed with presents and selection boxes. I laugh and sit up in bed, digging in my bedside locker for their gifts.
It’s a good day - I get two CDs, a selection box, a computer game, a new iPod and cologne. My friends each gave me a different colour iPod holder, so I’m happy.
Mum, Elena and I troop downstairs for a Christmas breakfast - bacon, eggs, toast, sausages, and chocolates afterwards.
There’s laughing and chatting while we eat - Elena is showing off her new diamond necklace, a gift from her boyfriend Sam - and Mum is reminiscing about Christmas at home in Spain.
“When I was six, your abuela hid all the Christmas stockings,” she remembers. A smile spreads across her face. “She said it was a Christmas hunt! We spent hours looking for them, and when we did, it was time for dinner. We did not open our presents until six o’clock that evening!”
We laugh companionably. “Are we visiting Gran’s grave, today, Mama?” Elena asks, sipping her orange juice. Mum’s face darkens a bit, but she composes herself instantly.
“Si,” she smiles. “It is a nice gesture, to visit on Christmas. We will bring flowers.” I stick a piece of bacon in my mouth and let my mind wander. Somehow, it brings me back to Hazel. I wonder what she’s doing today.
After breakfast, I help Mum wash the dishes and then we settle down in front of the TV to watch Christmas movies. Elena has offered to cook dinner. The turkey was put in last night, so it’s waiting to be carved.
“Chocolate, Luc?” Mum asks, offering me the purple box. “Thanks, Mum,” I say, taking one. I can’t help but notice that the chocolate I have taken is called Violet Delight.
“Um… Mum, I know Christmas is supposed to be family time, but would you mind if I just nipped out for a bit?” I find myself asking. She glances at me curiously. “Of course,” she says. “Though you’ll have to get dressed first.” I leap off the couch and kiss her on the cheek.
It doesn’t take me long to get dressed. My clothes are brand-new - a special Christmas outfit that consists of black skinny jeans, a Fall Out Boy tee and a black and white striped hoodie. I’ve got new Converse too.
I take the stairs two at a time and hurry out the front door. I head for the park - it’s crazy, but I’m hoping that Hazel will be there. Waiting for me.14
***15
I’m wrong of course. The park is as empty as always. I notice again how eerie it is, threatening, almost. I kick at the snow moodily as I leave, trailing my fingers along the railings.
Elena is serving the dinner when I get in. Mum and her have changed into their clothes and are tucking into bowls of vegetable soup, the starter.
“So did you do what you wanted to do, Luc?” Mum wants to know. “Uh, yeah,” I lie, taking a sip of my drink. Champagne. They’re trying to treat me.
I barely pay attention during dinner. My mind keeps wandering back to Hazel, to the clearing. I want to be with her now.
After dinner, Mum gathers some flowers from her prized garden and puts on her best coat. It’s time to visit Gran’s grave. The walk to the cemetery isn’t long. About five minutes, tops.
Gran’s grave is near the back, down a long twisted path. I glance absent-mindedly at tombstones as we troop towards it, not really paying attention, but seeing at the same time.
One, however, catches my eye. A simple, oval headstone, white marble. There’s a tiny, black and white photo, set above the writing, but it’s not the photo that draws me to it. It’s the name, the name and the dates. I step forward hesitantly - Mum and Elena walk on.
My breath catches in my throat as I read the inscription on the tombstone. I can’t believe it, and I won’t believe it. It’s just an incredible coincidence. Can it be?16
HAZEL MARIE BYRD17
BORN - 18-11-1895
DIED - 25-12-191018
You are only as limited
As you choose to be.19
I gulp anxiously and force myself to look at the black and white portrait. A heart-shaped face. Billows of long, dark hair. A pair of wide, startled eyes.20
EPILOGUE
I never saw Hazel again after that day. I forced myself to believe the truth, that Hazel was a ghost. It wasn’t easy - I couldn’t believe that the girl I had talked and laughed with, the girl I had kissed, the girl I loved - I couldn’t believe that she had been dead for nearly a hundred years.
I didn’t want to. I wanted to tell myself that it was all just a dream, a coincidence, a figment of my imagination. But I knew it wasn’t.
I still go to the park. Every day. I wait and I wait but she never appears. I go to the clearing and sit cross-legged, the same way she did. She never comes.
Every time I close my eyes, I see her wide, violet gaze, sparkling with happiness. She haunts me. I can’t go anywhere without seeing her.
Violet eyes.
A contest entry
- Whatever!!!! by Savage.
600 points, ended March 21, 61 entries
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Honorable mention
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Silver trophy winner
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This is my first story so please give me some constructive criticism?
Comments
1 - 12 of 12
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aghhhh shes dead like a ghost dead wooah that was amazingly cool... it praticly takes my words away he fell in love with her and he kissed her and he told everyone about her and shes gone.. makes me want to cry
and to find that out on christmas...
verry verry well writen one of the best youve done so far mind you have read the rest of your storys hope you N.E.V.E.R. stop writng because i whould miss everything about storys like this
so yeah like i said amazing
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wow. that was amazing. Too bad for the other contest people.
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fisrt, pointers!!
'it's the bast way to eat chips' covered in paint? i think you need to switch around the sentence there lol
when a character is talking in another language it's best to put it in italics otherwise it looks like luc is speaking english but just nabbing a forign word, if that makes sence lol
when someone new speaks, it's a new paragraph
i loved this. really really really good
and the ending was so sad! brilliant work, well done!
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A wonder ful story
I loved every word of it. It was so well told and you made it seem so real. I knew something was unusual about the girl, but I didn't know what to the very end. Very well done.
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well, very sweet and intresting romantic tale. if this one is your first attempt then i think you deserve
i simply found it cute plus perfect too. keep it up hon. you have potentioal there. good luck.
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They dismiss the supernatural as a story told to scare. To terrify children into behaving, to keep teenagers in line.
I love it, well done! Oh and welcome to the site
!
~Cat
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-GEEZ.
I enjoyed this a lot more than i thought--hence my multiple notes/reviews. I must admit that i'm a bit disapointed that it is a finished story. I would have enjoyed to see how that couple would have evolved. However, i find it quite funny now when i picture Luc asking for two bus fees when he stands alone in front of the bus driver...
You sure that there really aren't any...epilogue sequel? I loved Luc, he was a very interesting character. Very outspoken with a liberty in manners and didn't seem to have a worry in the world. I would have loved to see how that genuine character would have matched to a ghost. Anyways i've enjoyed that piece and find that it could be adjusted into a nice Christmas tale or legend...
Thanks for this nice piece!
beginning: 5, language: 3, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 4.
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hahaha! Nice punch-line:’m shocked. A teenage girl who’s never been to the shopping centre? It’s like a Christmas miracle. GOD.I LOVE SUGARCULT.I SAW THEM LIVE.--sorry for the fangirl-moment.:“There’s this girl…” I begin, and then the wolf-whistles start. I love this part of the dialogue, the readers feel as excited to discover what the protagonist really think of Hazel a his friends.
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I know nothing about Spanish but do enjoy the insertion of it. It makes the protagonist already peculiar, different.
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The prologue sure invited me greatly in your story; I find it very mysterious and intriguing. The first stanza starts off beautifully by establishing the reader in a nice comfy environment that can be felt. The introduction of the first character by the first person point of view is well done-- it is done in a very realistic manner. We can feel the personality of the narrator come through by the start of the dialogue. I love it so far ^^
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Fantasic!
This was such a beautiful, light-hearted romantic tale. I really enjoyed reading this, I didn't expect the twist to turn out that Violet was a ghost! I thought it would be predictable and she would be a vampire!! This was a very lovely read. The main character was so endearing and I feel really bad for him that he's never to see Violet again.
Well done on your first story! I really didn't see anything wrong with it---no grammatical errors to my eye. I loved the light-heartedness of it.
Lovely story
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Thank you! I was really worried that it would turn out weird or strange!
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