Talking to Dead (The Banshee Series Book 1)

by Amaris Marx

  “You keep telling yourself that. It was the same when I mentioned Lucas asking you to the wedding. You denied it at first but then admitted you want to be asked,” Ruby said and Azalea sighed.

  “Fine, whatever you say.” Ruby just grinned and shook her head.

  “So, do you want to have a girl’s night?” Anny asked and the other two agreed.

  Chapter Twenty-Four - An Invite to the Wedding

  Ruby and Azalea decided to sleep-over at Anny’s house and that made Anny very happy. Luckily Mrs. Sloane didn’t mind them staying there for the night even though it was a school night. She said that Anny needed someone to keep her in a good mood and distract her from her own thoughts. They had dinner first and what surprised Azalea was the fact that Lucas hadn’t joined them.

  “Where’s Lucas?” Ruby asked at the dinner and surprised everyone with that question.

  “I don’t know. He didn’t come home from school, he only texted me saying he’s hanging out with his friends. Lucas usually comes home for dinner but since he isn’t here I believe he stayed at his friend’s house for dinner,” Mrs. Sloane answered and everyone fell silent again. Azalea hated that silence since it reminded her of her own family after Holland’s death.

  “So when’s the wedding?” Azalea asked and that put a smile on Mrs. Monday’s face while Ruby groaned. Azalea laughed at Ruby and Ruby just rolled her eyes.

  “Can we not talk about that?” Ruby asked annoyed which caused everyone at the table to laugh.

  “Is it really that bad?” Anny asked with a grin and Ruby nodded.

  “It’s terrible. I had to buy a dress today and it was torture. I hate dresses and I don’t understand why my parents are forcing me to go.” Mrs. Sloane laughed and shook her head.

  “It’s your sister’s wedding. I wouldn’t call the wedding stupid,” Mrs. Sloane said and Azalea agreed.

  “I think it will be worth wearing that dress even though you’ll be uncomfortable in it. I’m sure the wedding will be beautiful,” Azalea said and Ruby grinned mischievously.

  “You can always attend the wedding. All you have to do is ask Lucas if he’ll take you.” This time it was Azalea who frowned and groaned. Anny and Ruby burst out laughing since they knew what was going on but Anny’s parents were a bit confused.

  “What does Lucas have to do with it?” Mrs. Sloane asked with a confused voice. Anny laughed again this time because of her mother’s confusion.

  “Don’t you know? Lucas is in love with Azalea,” Anny answered and Ruby laughed again. Azalea frowned again and shook her head.

  “He’s not in love with me. He just said he might be falling in love with me.” Ruby snorted and shook her head in disbelief.

  “Lucas blushes whenever we mention it and he is acting all nervous around you. He is in love with you and you feel the same but you’re still in denial,” Ruby said and Anny agreed.

  “So you’re saying that my son is in love? I never thought this will happen,” Mr. Sloane said shaking his head in disbelief, too.

  “Why is that?” Azalea asked and Mr. Sloane smiled.

  “I’m pretty sure you’ve noticed that Lucas likes to change girls as quickly as possible and that’s why. He never cares about the girls he dates and I’m surprised that he’s changing. I’m also sure that if he has a plus one to the wedding then it will be you,” Mrs. Monday answered instead of her husband.

  “Oh… Okay,” Azalea answered and then remembered something. “So when is the wedding?” she asked again.

  “It’s in two weeks’ time. Lucas still has time to ask you, so no worries,” Ruby answered and Azalea just nodded. After the dinner the girls retreated into Anny’ room and watched a movie while eating popcorn.

  “So you’re going to school tomorrow?” Anny asked Ruby and Azalea.

  “Nope,” Ruby shrugged. “It’s Friday tomorrow and I’m sure my parents won’t mind if I skip one day.”

  “Yours wouldn’t mind but my grandfather most definitely will, so yes I’m going to school,” Azalea answered and Anny nodded in understanding.

  “How will you go to school? You don’t have your own car and I’m not going to school,” Ruby asked and Azalea just shrugged.

  “I’ll walk if I have to.” Anny shook her head in disagreement.

  “I’m sure that Lucas can take you. After all he has school to,” Anny suggested and Azalea nodded.

  “Sure I’ll ask him tomorrow morning.”

  Ten minutes later Azalea stood up and went to the bathroom. After taking a shower and putting her PJ’s on, she left the bathroom. One minute the hallway was empty and the next minute she collided with Lucas.

  “Ow…” Azalea groaned as she stepped back.

  “I’m sorry, are you okay?” Lucas said and Azalea looked at him nodding.

  “I’m fine, don’t worry.” As she met Lucas' eyes a strange feeling washed over her and butterflies filled her stomach.

  “Are you sure? I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Lucas said still feeling embarrassed. Azalea laughed a bit proving Lucas wrong. Blushing, Lucas cleared his throat and ran his hand through his hair. Azalea noticed the embarrassment and smiled a bit.

  “Are you okay though?” She asked and Lucas laughed nervously.

  “I’m fine…” he drawled and Azalea tried to suppress a grin.

  “So where were you?” she asked and Lucas shrugged.

  “I hung out with some friends, why? Were you worried about me?” Lucas asked turning back into his cocky self. Azalea laughed again and shook her head.

  “Nope, but your parents were.” Lucas frowned at her reply obviously expecting a different one. Azalea felt bad for a moment until Ruby and Anny poked their heads out of the room.

  “What’s going on?” Anny asked mischievously. Lucas cleared his throat while Azalea rolled her eyes.

  “Nothing’s going on. I bumped into Lucas when I finished showering and I asked him where he was. Nothing else,” Azalea answered and moved away from Lucas walking towards Anny and Ruby.

  “Fine, whatever you say,” Ruby asked and just as Azalea wanted to close the door Lucas called her.

  “What?” She asked and stepped out of the room again.

  “Can I talk to you about something?” Azalea nodded and motioned him to continue.

  “Alone…” Lucas said and Azalea sighed.

  “Fine.” Stepping into the hallway and closing the room’s door, Azalea turned to Lucas.

  “I have a question,” Lucas started and Azalea nodded.

  “Ask.” Taking a deep breath Lucas continued.

  “Will you be my plus one for the wedding in two weeks time?” At that moment Azalea wanted to laugh at the irony of the moment. But when she saw Lucas was, full of hope and fear at the same time she couldn’t help it.

  “Sure, I’ll be you’re date."

  Chapter Twenty-Five – The Wedding

  Two weeks later the wedding took place. Ruby was getting grumpier each day and Azalea was getting more annoyed each day.

  “Why do I need to be a part of this wedding?” Ruby asked for the hundredth time. They were getting ready for the wedding in the salon and Azalea couldn’t help but laugh at Ruby.

  “Ugh, I don’t know? Because it’s your sister’s wedding?” Azalea asked teasingly but that didn’t help. Ruby just groaned again closing her eyes in frustration. “Look on the bright side! Lucas asked me to go with him and I’m going and Anny is also allowed to go. You won’t get bored with your best friends at your side.” Ruby looked at her like she was crazy and shook her head.

  “Anny won’t be able to leave her mother’s side and you’ll hang out and dance with Lucas. I will be bored!” Azalea laughed in disbelief.

  “You’re impossible!”

  “I know!” Ruby answered jokingly.

  ****

  “You look beautiful,” Lucas said as he picked her up at Ruby’s place. Blushing, Azalea shook her head in embarrassment.

  “You look handsome, too.” Looking into
his eyes, Azalea noticed an emotion she couldn’t recognize.

  “Shall we go?” Lucas asked and Azalea giggled.

  “We don’t want to miss the wedding,” Azalea answered as they entered the car.

  “So did Ruby annoy you today, too?” Lucas asked starting a conversation. Azalea laughed and nodded.

  “She sure did. I never met a girl as annoying as her when something’s not going the way she wants.” Lucas laughed, too, and those butterflies returned to her stomach as Azalea heard his laugh.

  “So when are we going to get there?” Azalea asked. There were only ten minutes left till the ceremony and Azalea was a bit nervous about it. She didn’t know how far the church was and she was afraid they’d miss it.

  “Don’t worry. We’re here,” Lucas answered chuckling.

  “Oh, okay,” Azalea blushed with embarrassment. Lucas just chuckled again and parked the car.

  “Come on,” He said and led her into the church. Azalea had a strange urge to hold his hand but restrained herself. As Lucas found his family they walked towards them and sat down. Ruby was sitting in front with her own family. By her body posture Azalea was sure Ruby wasn’t happy. At some point she felt bad for her best friend but she was also confused about why Ruby didn’t like being there.

  Ten minutes later the ceremony started and Azalea thought it was beautiful. While she was watching a hand grasped hers and when she looked at Lucas he had a small smile on his face. She linked her fingers with his and squeezed his hand. He returned the squeeze and looked at her smiling. Butterflies filled Azalea’s stomach once again and at that moment she realized her true feelings for Lucas. She was falling in love with him as well.

  ****

  “That was beautiful,” Anny gushed after the ceremony.

  “I know, I’m glad I came,” Azalea replied grinning. Lucas chuckled behind her and Anny looked at her brother.

  “You wouldn’t be here without me,” Lucas said and Azalea rolled her eyes.

  “I’m sure Ruby would have found a way to have me here,” Azalea answered and Anny giggled.

  “You two are so cute together,” Anny said and Azalea and Lucas both blushed a bit.

  “We’re not-“, “We’re not toge-“ They both started and stopped. That caused Anny to laugh harder.

  “You should be together,” Ruby piped in as she walked towards them.

  “Right?” Anny said and Ruby nodded in agreement.

  “It’s so obvious that you two are in love and it’s also bothersome since you don’t do anything about it,” Ruby said and Anny giggled. Azalea blushed shaking her head.

  “It’s not going to happen,” she said and surprised Lucas.

  “It’s not?” he asked and Ruby laughed.

  “You hurt him,” Ruby said teasingly causing Lucas to blush.

  “She didn’t. I should know that she doesn’t feel the same,” Lucas mumbled and guilt filled Azalea. She honestly didn’t mean it that way.

  “I’m sorry Lucas, I didn’t mean it.” Lucas just shrugged and walked away.

  “Well, now you messed things up,” Anny said disappointed in Azalea. “You just hurt my brother big time.” Azalea looked down at her feet ashamed.

  “I’m sorry.” Anny just snorted and shook her head.

  “You should apologize to my brother, not me. I know he messed up a lot of times, but he always apologized, meaning it.” Azalea just nodded feeling even more ashamed.

  ****

  At the reception Azalea was alone, again. Her best friends had stopped talking to her because of what she did to Lucas and he didn’t talk to her either. As everyone danced, even Lucas, Anny and Ruby, Azalea was sitting at the table wallowing in self- pity. She stood up after half an hour to go to the toilet. She walked into the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror. An image flashed in front of her eyes again and she gasped. ‘No! This cannot be happening here!’ she thought in panic.

  She didn’t want to ruin this wedding just because someone was getting killed. She wished she could be normal but the Banshee inside her was too curious and she looked in the mirror again.

  “Azalea!” Lucas’ voice called her. She turned around and saw Lucas walking towards her.

  “What Lucas?” She asked quietly. She still felt guilty about earlier.

  “I want to talk to you,” he replied and she sighed.

  “Okay.” Lucas grinned and grabbed her hand.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you when you apologized,” Lucas apologized and Azalea smiled.

  “It’s okay,” She said and Lucas laced his fingers with hers.

  “I’m not finished,” He continued. “I know I was an a** to you a lot and I never earned your trust but what I’m feeling for you can’t just go away. So I want you to give me a chance and let me take you out on a date,” Lucas continued with a small blush. Azalea decided to tease him a bit.

  “How do you feel about me?” She asked with a small grin. He blushed even more.

  “You know how I feel…” Azalea faked a frown and shook her head.

  “I honestly don’t know.” Lucas groaned in frustration but still answered.

  “You know I’m in love with you…” Azalea grinned and nodded.

  “I know you are.” Lucas groaned and Azalea giggled. She stepped closer to him and stood on tiptoes. Their mouths were so close; Azalea could feel his breath on her face. She closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his. After a second of shock, Lucas returned the kiss with passion. After she stepped back he was grinning like a Cheshire cat.

  “I love you,too,” She whispered and grinned.

  “Thank goodness for that,” he replied and grinned. “So will you go out with me?”

  The image disappeared and Azalea found herself smiling. She ran back to the reception and walked towards Lucas.

  “Yes,” She whispered and pressed her lips against his.

  Epilogue – One Year Later

  “Robert, come here!” My mother called and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

  “What mother?” I hate when she bosses me around. I’m twenty years old already. I don’t need a babysitter.

  “Come here! I want you to see something,” she calls again. Groaning I roll off my bed and walk to the living room.

  “What ma?” She looks at me annoyed.

  “We’re you lying on your bed again and doing nothing?” She caught me again! Great! I look down at my feet ashamed.

  “I’m sorry ma.” She looks at me and I can see pity in her eyes. I don’t need that.

  “You should really stop moping around. She isn’t coming back and you know it.” Hearing that causes my heart to clench.

  “I know that. I’m not naïve. I just can’t help myself.” I say looking around the room.

  “You should either continue going to college or find a job. You’re 20 years old and still living with your mother. No wonder your friends don’t like talking to you anymore. You’re pathetic,” my mother says. What she says shocks me. My mother never said anything like that to me before.

  “I know I am,” I say ashamed. For the last two years I’ve been a nobody. I finished high school perfectly, even got an international scholarship and had amazing friends and a girlfriend. Now I have nothing. My scholarship was taken away from me when I didn’t apply for my freshman collage year right after high school. I lost all my friends when I lost my girlfriend.

  “Oh, honey. I just want what’s best for you. You’re the brightest person I know and I think it’s a shame you’re not using it,” my mother says in apology.

  “I know that ma. I just don’t know if I can start living my life again.” My mother sighs and shakes her head.

  “You just have to take your life in your own hands again. But start step by step,” mother starts explaining and I actually listen.

  “Why don’t we make a plan?” she suggests. Since I know she wants to help me and I know I should do something I nod.

  “Sure.” My mother grins and pats th
e space on the sofa next to her.

  “Sit down, we’re going to talk.” She says and I sit down next to her. “You remember yesterday, when we watched the news and that girl was mentioned?” my mother asks. I nod, remembering her. “Well, she’s only 17 and she’s already helped the police with so many cases its insane. Remember how they say she has a special gift?” she asks again and I nod again.

  “She already achieved a lot even though she has this gift that probably isn’t easy to handle. I think that you both have things that are hard to handle but at least she tries to go with it while you don’t,” mother explains and I finally understand where’s she is going with all this.

  “So, what you’re trying to say is that I am weaker than that Azalea girl and that’s not good. You just want me to try, right?” I ask and my mother nods smiling.

  “You understood.” I smile back at her and she pulls me into a hug. “Now, the plan.” I laugh and nod.

  “How are we going to start?” I ask. My mother clears her throat and starts.

  “Well… Like I said, step by step. I think the first step should be: you waking up at seven in the morning and going for a walk even before breakfast. Every morning,” my mother says and after thinking about it I agree.

  “Thank you honey,” mother says and I look at her weirdly.

  “Why are you thanking me?” I ask and mother smiles.

  “You agreed on trying to change your life and that makes me very happy,” she answers and grins. “I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, I’m actually very thankful for what you did. Without you I would probably still be a nobody,” I say and my mother smiles a sad smiled.

  “You’re not a nobody. You’re an amazing guy that just went to some dark place for a while. But you’ll change now and I’m glad,” mother says and I thank her again.

  “I think I’m going for walk now,” I say and mother nods in agreement.

  “Have fun and think about that girl, Azalea. Think about what she’s accomplished and what you can accomplish, too.”