I woke up with the worst headache I have ever had in my life. I groaned ducking my head further in the pillows. Last night was a blur and currently the smell of bacon was making me feel nauseated. I crunched my nose in disgust. Uh Oh. I don't feel good.

I got up quickly and scurried to my bathroom as fast as possible. Leaning over the toilet bowl I emptied my stomach. I flushed the toilet and brushed my teeth.

I looked at my wall clock. It read 6:45am. I decided to sleep in. I plopped myself on the bed and buried myself into the scattered soft, fluffy pillows.

..........

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

I pulled out my hand from under the blankets and slapped the alarm clock trying to muffle its sounds. After successfully turning off the alarm, I decided to go back to sleep again but of course I had to get interrupted by a very annoying ghost.

He opened the blue curtains and soon golden sunlight filled the room.

I covered my face with the blanket trying to block the sunlight from reaching my eyes. "Go away".

"I thought you had college today".

I groaned.

"I don't. It's Sunday today. Now can you go away?" pleading diving further into the pillows.

"Grace lying around won't help", he crouched down removing the sheets off my face."Here drink this". I looked up to see him holding a glass of green slimy concoction.

"Eww I am definitely not having that", I had a disgusted look etched over my face.

"Come on Grace! I promise you that this drink will help you", he reassured.

I got up removing the blankets which fell on the floor in an untidy mess and then gingerly took the glass from him, drinking the whole thing in one go.

It was bitter, sweet and sour at the same time. The sweetness lightened the bitterness which made it taste better.

"Done!" I handed him the glass.

"I should get up now". I looked down to look for my sandals but I noticed that I wasn't wearing pants..

"MAX, WHERE ARE MY PANTS?"

"Wha-How- How am I supposed to know that?" he stumbled with his words, nervousness evident in his voice.

I got up and started walking towards him while he backed away."Oh you know it very well. It's quite obvious isn't it? Tell me what happened last night or else I am calling the ghost busters", I threatened.

"Okay fine calm down", he raised up his hands in surrender, I stopped on my tracks. He huffed crossing his arms over his chest. I couldn't help but check out his muscles but this time I tore my eyes away-time to get serious Grace. "You were umm.. changing and you decided to not wear pants".

"Right I am supposed to believe that" , I hollered pursing my lips.

"So you don't remember what happened last night?" he asked arching his eyebrows.

"Nope".

His lips formed into a thin line. Is he smiling? Okay something's wrong.

"Why? What did I do last night?" I asked, dubious.

"Oh nothing", he chuckled. "Nothing at all".

"Spill it ghost boy", I leaned on one foot, crossing my arms over my face.

"You just decided to pay a visit to your ex", he smirked.

"I WHAT?"

Before I could interrogate him any further my cell phone started to ringing. The caller ID showed an unknown number but I still decided to pick up.

"Hello".

"Hello this is Mr. Palmer". Why is my landlord calling me?

"Mr. Palmer, how are you?" I spoke into the phone.

"Oh the usual- nothing new".

"So what made you call me this early?" I got down to business, I wasn't in the mood for small talk.

"Something odd happened last night- from what I assume some kids in the neighborhood sneaked into the apartment and vandalized Mr. Roderick Abrams car by splattering paint over it.", he paused, I froze to my place. Oh no this doesn't look good. He continued, "The security guards are careless so they didn't see anyone sneak in and unfortunately the cameras don't cover the area where Roderick's car was parked. The guards saw you getting into the apartment at that time, did you see anyone getting in?"

"I-Uh-I... I didn't see anything Mr. Palmer. I was uhh too tired last night so I headed straight to my apartment", I faltered, sweat breaking out on my forehead.

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely!" my tone amplified.

"Okay Grace I will see you around and sorry for disturbing you so early in the morning".

"No, absolutely not! Okay bye!" with that I hung up throwing the phone into the bed. I sat down on my bed placing my arms on my knees while holding my head.

"Max.. Did I decide to give Roderick's car a makeover last night?" I asked him looking at the carpet.

.......................

"What else did I do?" I unfolded my legs and bought my knees closer hugging them tightly.

"Dipped Roderick's toothbrush into the toilet".

"That I don't regret", I said proudly.

"Yeah me too. Nor should you regret the car incident", Max added placing another lego on Audrey's giant lego tower.

"Oh come on! No one deserves to get their car wrecked like that", I raised my hands dramatically. Grimacing I took a sip of water from the water bottle I kept beside me. Ghost boy's stupid drink didn't work. Placing the bottle down on the floor I let out a huge sigh while I placed my hands into my hair, massaging my scalp.

"Come on don't be such a good girl, he deserved it".

I decided to ignore him and concentrated on massaging my scalp hoping to get rid of the nasty headache. Max is another case, no matter how I tried to explain this situation to him he would still stick to his side of the argument. The car was gifted by his parents after graduation and I remember how Roderick was dying to get his own car. He didn't deserve this.

"Gracieee let's go to the park", Audrey was back from Jeremy's and was now tugging me relentlessly at my sweater. "Please Graciee, I want to feed the ducks and ride the swing", her voice felt like a high-pitched siren to my ears.

"AUDREY CAN YOU STOP ANNOYING ME?! WE ARE NOT GOING TO THE PARK", I shouted swatting her hands off my arm.

She took a few steps back her lips quivering in fear and then tears started streaming down her face. "You.. are... a hole-ass", she said between her hiccups. Max was immediately by her side shushing her while she wept.

I pursed my lips letting the guilt settle in, I had directed my frustration at Audrey. "Audrey I..", I reached out for her.

"No! You are mean", she jerked her hand away from me and ran off to her room. I decided to follow her when Max stopped me.

"I'll handle it Grace. You need rest.", the concern in his voice melted my heart, he tugged at my elbow gently gesturing towards the bed. " Take a nap."

For some reason I trusted Max with Audrey. They seemed to have grown fond of each other.

I lied down and fell into a deep slumber.

..................

I let out a small yawn as I woke up. Boy I feel so much better. I got up from my bed but this time my headache was gone.

I came to a sudden realization, I was really mean to Audrey. Getting down from my bed I scurried towards Audrey's room ready to apologize, she wasn't there. Her small bed was empty so I decided to search the house, nope Audrey wasn't there, so was ghost boy.

A post-it note taped on the fridge caught my attention. It had something scribbled with a pen.

We are at the apartment park.-Max

I decided to take a quick shower and change into something comfortable before heading there.

Our apartment was interconnected to three other apartments, in between the four building there was an empty space which the land owner decided to refurbish into a small park with a few oak trees and benches.

I hugged my long cardigan bringing enough warmth to my body, boy it was cold today. The autumn air brushed passed me, leaving my hair disheveled.

"Hi", Max greeted me with a smile on his face.

"Hey". Max was standing near the oak tree with a thick rope in his hand. He was surrounded by a slant of wood and tools. Audrey was beside her who upon seeing me pretended to play with her stuffed toy.

"What are you up to?" I took a seat on the cool grass, pulling my hair up in a messy bun.

"I am building a swing for Audrey!" He took a the rope and threw it over the tree branch, then he started tying the ends to the branch. Those actions caused his muscles to flex and my eyes immediately went there and did I mention that he was shirtless?

I scooted closer facing him.

"Thanks Max for taking care of Audrey for me."

"It was nothing Grace, besides she reminds me of Mia. I feel like it's my duty to take care of her." I touched his shoulder expressing my gratitude. But it was a bad move considering he was shirtless. Under my hand was hard muscle, my hands couldn't help but linger.

"Stop touching me inappropriately, Grace." Max smirked at me. I immediately retrieved my hand.

"I wasn't touching you inappropriately. Why did I expect you to have a civilized conversation with me?" I exclaimed with embarrassment. Stupid, beautiful ghost boy. I stalked away shaking my head.

"I am almost... done...", he finally gave the rope one last pull and placed the wooden piece on it. Upon seeing the distorted swing he grimaced, "The right rope needs to be smaller", then he went back to working on his swing while I decided to pay attention to Audrey.

I took a seat beside Bella, Audrey's stuffed toy and took one of the toy teacups and pretended to take a sip from it, "Audrey's tea are the best, right Miss Bella?"

"You are not invited to my tea party Grace!" she scowled.

"But Bella invited me", I countered.

"Bella likes you, I don't", she placed her hands across her chest, her Auburn hair flying everywhere in the gushing wind.

"Will Audrey like me if I make her favorite red velvet cake?"

"Maybe".

"How about some Pancakes too?"

"With maple syrup?" she asked finally looking at me.

"With maple syrup and strawberries", I confirmed.

"Okay Audrey loves you now", she said giving me a small smile. God my baby sister is too cute.

"Did I just hear pancakes?"Max interrupted us as he took a seat beside me.

"Yup I will be making some pancakes for Audrey".

"Did I ever mention that I make awesome pancakes?" he smirked proudly.

"I bet they are crap but your ego is too inflated to realize that", I gave him a sarcastic smile.

"Nope they are amazing, I can bet they are better than yours".

"Yeah right", I snickered.

"Looks like Audrey loves her new swing", my anger had died down a little, I nodded appreciatively as Audrey played on the swing.

"Yeah I am glad she does", he smiled looking at her. Audrey came over and hugged Max from behind surprising both of us, "Thank you Max", she cried out. Max was startled by the sudden affection, then his face morphed into a grin. "No problem".

"I fucking love it!"

"Audrey no swearing!" We both cried out in unison.

"I am sorry!" Audrey apologized and got back to her new swing before I can scold her.

"Where did she learn to swear like that? Max asked he lied down on the ground his arms behind his head as a pillow. Thank God he was wearing a shirt now.

"Audrey had a babysitter when I was in high school, she was absolutely worthless, but instead Audrey picked up new words from her last year".

"Uh may I ask something?"Max faltered.

"Yeah sure".

"Where are your parents?"

I knew Max was ought to ask me that someday. "They passed away. Dad died in a car accident, my mom died after having a stroke when Audrey was two", I answered looking down, picking on the strands of weeds.

"I am so sorry. I shouldn't have asked you", he apologized looking concerned.

"Don't be its not your fault".

"No I mean it must be hard for you, raising Audrey all alone and going to school alongside".

"Yeah it is but I have gotten used to it". Honestly I am. For the last four years I tried to ignore the topic until now. I miss my parents sometimes especially on their birthdays and death anniversaries.

"I can relate too given I lost my parents and brother in the fire ten years and I am left as a mere ghost", he sighed, looking somewhere distant as if he was thinking of the past.

"You know.. ghosts usually linger on earth when they have unfinished business in this world. But you were killed in a fire like your family. How come you are the only one left?" I asked referring to the article I read on the newspaper before moving into this house. It was clearly stated the house was burned down due to a gas leak. Back then the article seemed like bullshit but here we are.

"Grace my family might have been killed in the fire but I wasn't", he said his voice becoming heavy.

"What do you mean?"

He got up and turned around, his back facing me ,he ran his hand through his hair revealing a huge scar just above his neck.

"I don't think I was killed in the fire- I think I was murdered".

.........................