Shadow of a Life

by Tifani Clark

CHAPTER 16

  One thing I learned by watching Peter that day was that teenage boys are never satisfied. Camille had a half sandwich with a bowl of chicken noodle soup. I had a turkey sandwich with fries. Peter had a double cheeseburger with chili cheese fries and a large Coke. When he finished all of that he ate what was left of my fries. He was in good physical shape so I couldn’t figure out where he hid it all.

  “Where are we going now? Didn’t you say there were two museums to visit?” Camille asked as she pushed her dishes away and leaned her elbows on the table.

  I looked at my watch and sighed. “It’s already 2 o’clock. The other museum is in Salem so we’d have to take a bus. Even if we left now, we couldn’t get there before they close at five. Besides, I kind of feel like we’re just spinning our wheels and not getting anywhere. I doubt going there would be of any help. I’m so confused about how I’m supposed to help Sophia and Nick. Maybe they were wrong and I’m not really their soul saver.”

  Peter leaned back and put his arm across the back of the booth. His arm wasn’t actually around me, but it made me blush anyway. Camille giggled and I kicked her under the table hoping Peter wouldn’t notice.

  “Jamie, Sophia’s been hanging around as a ghost for over a hundred years. I don’t think you should expect to solve her problem in just a few days. Give it some time. Something will come up,” he said.

  “If we’re not going to Salem, what else could we do? Please don’t make me go home to hear Allison babble on about her boyfriend. I’m not ready for more of that yet,” Camille pleaded.

  “I guess we could go back to my place and hang out. We could rent a movie and get pizza and give this whole soul saver thing a rest for a while,” I offered.

  “I’m game,” Peter said without any hesitation.

  “Count me in, but can I invite Travis, too?” Camille asked.

  I hesitated. I’d promised Dad I wouldn’t have any parties, although I don’t think he seriously thought I ever would. Does this count as a party? Camille and I did that kind of thing all the time when Dad was at work, but there weren’t usually guys involved. Besides, I didn’t want it to look like a double-date because I didn’t want Peter to feel pressured to act like my date.

  “Uhh . . . that would probably be okay.”

  “Good. I’ll text him right now.”