Ghost Lover

It was the fifth month after his mother's death. Austin was still struggling to stomach the loss of the only woman who had made him feel loved. He saw his father as a chronic cheat, even before her death, they never saw eye to eye on any matter. His twin brother Allen was far away in another school studying due to his rebellious behavior and he wasn't sure how he took the death of their mother because they never spoke, and even as kids they never did anything together.

"leaving for school already?" Austin's father asked him as he was making his way outside the house.

"Yes, Dad," He blurted out reluctantly.

"Your money for lunch is…"

"I took it Already". Austin replied, almost shutting up his father. Walking out and making sure he slammed the door hard as if to signal to his father that he would never respect him.

Staring at the door with his glasses bent over his nose with his hands, Austin's Dad shook his head in disbelief

He was aware that he was never going to make it early for his first class but still decided not to take the school bus. He could remember the first day he resumed after his mother's loss.

The eyes of every student on the bus felt like they were watching, waiting for him to slip or break down in tears. Walking past every seat and their eyes were still glued on him. He wanted to scream out loud at everyone to stick to their business but he couldn't find the word

"I'm so sorry," Nala said, holding his hand as he almost got past her seat. Nala was his only female friend in school, others saw him as a nerd and someone who shouldn't be related with. Their first conversation had to be when Nala pointed out to him that his pants zip was open while he was in front of the class giving his presentation. He thanked her after the class was over, and was very thankful no one saw it except her, or he would have been a laughing stock for another week in school. After that incident, they found themselves attending almost every activity in the school together.

"I'm fine," Austin removed her hand immediately, making his way to his seat. Nala followed him immediately trying to hold him back and get him to talk to her.

"No, you are not"

"I said I'm fine!" He said firmly, almost biting his lips to stop him from shouting. He walked to his favorite seat position, which was the last seat on the bus, and close to the window. Surprisingly, he saw Nala walking up to where he was seated and immediately raised his hands to his head to cover his face.

"I know you are upset, say something at least. I can't have you bottling up all this inside."

"What don't you understand?" He asked her, raising his eyebrows and his hands in the air. " I am okay, can you please go back to your seat." Austin was beginning to get irritated with her persistence.

"you know I'll always be… "

"Jesus Christ! what don't you understand Nala," he snapped at her while standing up.

"What don't you get? Leave me alone, I don't need your company now or anyone's"

He picked up his bag immediately and shoved Nala to the side, who was still dumbfounded by Austin's behavior. Everyone on the bus watched him walk right past them, as he walked fast to get off the bus. They faced Nala immediately as he was off the bus. She could hear some of them giggling and gossiping about the incident which just happened. She walked back to her seat, regretting ever trying to talk to him.