The kiss was passionate and fervent at the same time. His tongue licked the seam of my lips seeking entrance, it dove into my mouth which made me feel dizzy. I dug my fingers in his hair deepening the kiss. He was perfect, everything was perfect about it.

"I am coming to get you!", Audrey cried out, we both pulled apart, I was breathing hard. "Found you!" Audrey yelled laughing as she succeeding in almost making me jump.

The rest of the game went by smoothly, Max would occasionally steal kisses from me while we played along. It was cute, beyond adorable.

After we finished dinner, and Audrey was finally put to sleep Max let out a sigh. "Finally she fell asleep!" Max said beaming. I laughed at his excitement.

"Why were you getting impatient about Audrey falling asleep?" I asked feigning innocence.

He took a few steps coming in front of me. "So that I could do this", with that he placed his lips on mine. I loved how his lips perfectly molded against mine. His arms snaked around my waist, my hands wrapped around his neck, electricity skating down my spine. I wrapped my legs around his waist. He meticulously picked me up, taking a few steps forward to reach the bed and we both fell on it. We didn't stop kissing. He continued to kiss me until I needed to break apart to catch my breath.

He continued to plant butterfly kisses down my jaw to my collarbone eliciting a groan out of me. My hands found it's way up to his abdomen, I could feel his rock hard abs underneath his T-shirt. He paused to look at me, his green eyes were hooded with desire.

"Thanks for putting up with me", he said as he ran his hands down my cheeks to my collarbone. Then he kissed me on my forehead. "I must have been an annoying ghost", he planted a chaste kiss on my lips.

"But. A. Sexy. One", he said between his kisses. I could feel him smirking against the shell of ear. He was still the delinquent cocky ghost.

"Yup the only reason I put up with you because you are hot. I just needed a eye candy around or else as a person you suck", I teased.

"Yeah same. I just wanted a hot girl around other than that you are a crappy roommate ", he nuzzled his nose against my neck, placing his head on the crook of my neck.

I yawned. "Go to sleep strawberry", he mumbled. He pulled the covers on me and I turned to the other side while he spooned me from the back.

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

I woke up feeling blissful. My hand reached the other side of my bed, feeling Max wasn't there. Waking up I went inside my bathroom, freshening up I got out to see Max frantically pacing around the room.

"Hi", I hugged him from behind. I could feel his muscle tense under my touch, I sensed something was wrong. I let go of him, he turned around facing me. "This shouldn't have happened", he mumbled to himself looking down.

"What happened?" I asked pursing my lips.

"Last night... shouldn't have happened", He sighed.

"Why? What's wrong?"

"As much as I want you... I can't stay here anymore... Grace it's time for me to go".

"Why do you need to go? You can stay like you did the last ten years. It's gonna be like before".

"Exactly. I have been wondering this earth for the last ten years. I don't want to anymore. I am tired of this. I want to go away. I am neither here nor there. I feel stuck", he said ruefully.

"But you have us. We are gonna stay together like a family. Audrey loves you. We need you".

"No one needs me anymore. My sister has her own family. And I can't hold you down. You deserve so much better. At least better than an entity. I am different. You need someone more... alive. This would sound crazy to a normal person. I want you to live your life like a normal human being", he explained. "We would never be able to go on dates like normal people nor can you introduce me to your friends. You deserve better", he repeated.

"No", I held his hand in mine."I don't need all of these. I can live without those. But I cannot live without you. Even Audrey. She loves you", my cheeks became heavy but I held back those tears.

"Just forget about everything. I am sure Audrey will do. Last night was a mistake", he said.

"You think.. You think.. Last night was a mistake?" I felt like someone stabbed me in my chest.

"Yes", he answered looking away. "I regret it".

Tears were streaming down my face. "Then you shouldn't have kissed me you bastard", I threw a pillow at him, it went through him. I was seething, why did he have to be a ghost?

Wiping the tears I stomped out of my room, leaving Max alone.

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

I thought ghosts aren't capable of having feelings. Hell they don't have a heart or brain to feel any emotion. But right now I felt shattered. I didn't meant to hurt Grace but I didn't have any choice.

Grace deserves better besides I am going away, I need to go. It's finally time I depart from this world.

I apparated to my sister's place but she wasn't there. Mia must be still at her honeymoon I thought to myself. Sighing I left, I couldn't even give my final goodbyes to my sister. I wish I knew where she went. Somewhere in Rome but I didn't knew where.

I finally reached my uncle's place, it was dark and shabby as it used to once my grandpa's place. I found my uncle there. Usually I would pass through the door but this time I had to knock since his room door is protected by some holy verse which keeps ghosts away.

After we first met, I have visited him a lot of times since then. Uncle Joe was a medium, one of the superior ones who had the power to bring back spirits to life but that was wrong. Upon discussion I found out this was just a myth. As he said, "This is against the nature. We don't have the powers to go against nature. However we have the power to manipulate ghosts, fulfil their wishes, see them, feel them and listen to them".

And that is when I realized it's impossible for me to come back as a normal human being. Either I have to stay forever or go back. I honestly didn't think about what will happen after I am exorcised . Where will I end up? Will I get to see mom, dad and Marco? I didn't know. All I knew oblivion doesn't scare me anymore if that's my final destination I am ready.

My uncle got out of his room, abruptly closing the room behind him. "Max you here?" He knew I was coming today. I promised him I will be here the day after Audrey's birthday and I kept my promise.

"Yes I am ready", I said ignoring the voice in my head. I tried not to think of Grace, her beautiful red hair which were like locks of sunshine or her beautiful eyes which held so much innocence and strength. Grace was a strong girl, she was amazing, amazing enough to have raise her baby sister by herself and run her small family at the same time.

I shook that thought off, Joe instructed me to sit on the floor. I complied, he sprinkled holy salt around me. "Don't try to cross this line", he warned pointing at the faint salt line.

I nodded as I waited for Joe to start the exorcism.

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

Max wasn't anywhere to be found. I busted my vocal cords screaming his name but he wasn't anywhere to be found. Was he actually gone?

There was a heavy feeling my chest, I knew something was very wrong. I cried, my tears would dry up and I would start again.

Someone rang the doorbell. I ran towards it, without looking at the peephole I opened it hoping it was Max. Only it wasn't.

Turns out it was Rodrick. "God Grace you look awful. What happened?", I knew that very well, last night I forgot to wipe my makeup so my not-so-waterproof mascara was running down my cheeks making me look like a zombie.

I didn't know what came over me. I didn't care if he was my lying cheating ex boyfriend instead I saw him as my best friend he once was. I wrapped my arms around him, crying my heart out. He hugged me back.

"What happened?" He asked, we were sitting on our sofa while we had coffee which Rodrick made for us. "He left", I cried, "He left me. I know he doesn't want to but he did", I was bawling now.

"Shit Grace. Who left you? Why did he leave you?" He asked bemused, rubbing his hand over my back.

"Max.. He was family", I cried even harder.

He came closer to me, his forehead was touching mine. That was sort of calming me down. I needed a friend or someone close to me to listen to me.

He whispered,"It's gonna be okay", he cooed. "He will come back".

"But nobody will love you like I will", with that he placed his lips on mine.