AN: Hey guys! Sorry it’s been so long! School started kicking my butt, then finals, then I moved. BUT I’m back and finally unpacked and ready to go with my free time now that school is over for the summer!! Yay!!!!!! This was originally two chapters, but I put them together so ya’ll get a big one since I’ve been gone so long. Enjoy!! 🙂

I’m standing behind my chemistry station, minding my own business, when I hear someone walk up to me. I keep looking ahead like I’m watching the teacher and don’t pull out my earphones, hoping whoever it is will get the hint and go away. Instead, they pull out one of my earphones.

“Hey, Hermione.” They say. Oh, gnome. I look over to see his smiling face.

“What do you want?” I ask with irritation, stepping away so he’s not as close.

“We have to get into partners for lab. After seeing you get up at your house I figured you’d be my best choice.” Jack winked.

I give a curt laugh. “Yea, cause alchemy is the same as chemisty.”

He shrugs. “True. Maybe I just wanted to partner with a pretty girl.”

I look away to hide my blush, opening my book to the chapter we’re in. “Yea, well you should have partnered with Christy then. But whatever. Just don’t touch me.”

“Deal.” He says.

We spend the class period in silence. Well, mostly silence. Jack tries to start conversations while I stay silent. When class is over I put the textbook back in the cabinet and leave without saying goodbye.

I make my way quickly through the halls. It’s easier now that everyone knows to stay out of my way. We didn’t tell them the complete truth about why I shouldn’t be touched. Autumn told the school board, which then got to the rest of the town, that touching me would make others sick. She figured that if we told them people could die I’d be locked up in some government facility and tested. I push through the front doors, relaxing as I leave the confines of the school and step out into the warm Friday afternoon.

My relaxation is brought to a halt as a hand grips my shoulder. I spin around, anger and fear flaring in me as I come face to face with Jack.

“What the gnome?!” I exclaim.

“Woah, uh, I’m sorry. You just, you weren’t answering when I called after you.” He says.

“Yea, well, maybe I didn’t want to hang around and talk. I hate this place, I just want to get home.” I roll my eyes.

“Uhm, okay. Sorry. But I uh…I was just wondering if you have plans tonight.” He smiles.

“Uhm, yea. I do.” I kind of lie. I have plans, just not with anyone living.

“Oh…” He frowns. “Well, what about tomorrow? There’s this grill that just opened up that I want to go check out, I thought you might want to go. They’re supposed to have these awesome spaghetti and meatballs.”

“Wow, you must love spaghetti and meatballs.” I reply.

“I do. They remind me of the first time I talked to you.” He smiles.

“Uhhh, okay. I promised Autumn I’d do stuff with her tomorrow. But uhm, I guess I can text you later.” I mumble. Am I being asked out? Is he flirting with me? Holy gnome, he’s flirting with me. Spaghetti, could I not have come up with something better that night? Oh, gnome. What the hell am I saying? He smiles and my mouth almost blurts out absolutely yes. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Awesome. I’ll text you later tonight so you have my number. Mordecai gave me yours a while back.” He says.

“Okay.” I mutter. We stand there for a moment, both seeming to take in what just happened. After a second I give a tentative wave and walk off to meet Mordecai at his car. I think I was just asked out on a date, and I didn’t completely shoot it down. Dear gnome.

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I lay back on the grass, feeling the cold earth below me. The only noises around me are the crickets and other random wildlife. I close my eyes and breathe in the crisp air. Being the only living thing in the area is nice after the hustle and bustle of the school halls. Luckily there aren’t any other people in Hidden Springs that spend time in the grave yard.

“Seems you’ve beaten me here, again.” He says and I can hear a smile on his lips.

“Yes. Strange, that someone living beats someone dead to a graveyard.” I smirk, opening my eyes.

“Yes, strange.” He smiles and floats over to me, sitting down on the bench.

“People always think Death will be leisurely. If only they knew how busy it is.” I say.

“It’s busy if you’re an unlucky servant of a sorceress. For most people it’s pretty easy.” This time, he smirks. “So, how was your day?”

I sigh. “Long and…weird.”

“What day of your life isn’t weird?” He asks, making me laugh.

“True. But today was especially weird. I think…” I stand and take a deep breath, thinking back to this afternoon. “I think I got asked out today.”

This time it was Alex that laughed. “You got asked out?”

“Yes.” I say, suddenly defensive. “I know, it’s stupid. Why would anyone want to date me? Hell, we can’t touch, so that cuts out, oh, I don’t know, everything. No kissing, no holding hands, no…” I blush. “No nothing.”

Alex watches me. “Do you like the guy that asked you out?”

“What? No! He’s one of my cousin’s friends who, by the way, is incredibly annoying. He touched me today! Ugh, I could have ripped his head right off.” I say.

“Good. You can’t have a normal relationship with this boy.” Alex says, suddenly serious.

“Yea, thanks captain obvious. Why do you care anyway?” I ask, standing and brushing my tights off.

This time, Alex goes on the defensive. “You cannot do what you are supposed to if you’re moping from a broken heart.”

I roll my eyes, again he’s being cryptic just like Miss. Torrey and Elizabeth were so long ago. Apparently I’m destined for some great thing that all the dead seem to know about but can’t tell me. I’m supposed to figure it out for myself. It’s a load of bull if you ask me. My phone goes off in my pocket and I pull it out.

Unknown: Hey, it’s Jack. Made up your mind about tomorrow yet?

Me: Nope. You’ll find out tomorrow.

“Who’s that?” Alex asks.

“No one. Can we just hang out here like normal and pretend the world doesn’t exist? I like it when it’s just us.” I say, collapsing onto the bench next to him. I can feel the cold that radiates off him, but the cold of Death became normal to me long ago. Alex looks at me with this strange look in his eyes before nodding.

“Of course. I enjoy it too.” He replies, looking up at the sky.