Hugh buttoned his shirt without breaking eye contact with his reflection.
Why did he have to look like her; his mother? Though she passed away when he was only eight years old, he still remembered every detail of detail of her face.
The way she smiled as she watched him play, the way her sea-blue eyes twinkled when she was deep in thought, and the way her skin had grown pale through the years, becoming almost transparent.
Hugh shook the thought from his head and walked out of the bathroom. He didn't want to think of her. Not now.
He found Isla sitting, her elbows on the kitchen table with her chin resting in her hands.
"Took you long enough," she said with a smirk.
Hugh rolled his eyes. "Can you please explain to me what's going on?"
"I already did," replied the girl. "I live here."
"But this is my house," stated Hugh, motioning around him.
Isla's face remained blank. "Yes, but it was mine originally."
"That doesn't give you the right to-" Hugh started before being interrupted by a knock at the door.
"We'll discuss this later," he sighed as he went to answer the door.
"Hello-"
"Oh my goodness, you're our new neighbor?" gasped the elderly woman who now stood in front of him. "I didn't expect you to be so handsome!" she giggled.
Hugh stood there and blinked for a moment before replying. "Oh... Thank you... Mrs..."
"Oh please, I'm not married. Just call me Lottie," reassured the elderly woman, patting Hugh on the shoulder.
"Is that short for 'Charlotte'?" asked Hugh.
"Why, yes it is! And you must be Hugh," said Lottie. "May I come in? I brought madeleines!"
"Uh, sure," replied Hugh as he let the woman in.
She happily waddled in, her white curls bouncing with every step. She pushed her glasses up and looked around.
"Lovely house!" Lottie remarked.
"Thanks," said Hugh. "Please, have a seat. I'll make some tea."
"Of course! How polite," complimented the elderly woman as she stepped up to the seat where Isla was and reached for the chair to pull it out.
"Lottie-" began a very confused Hugh.
"Hm?"
"She can't see me, Hugh," Isla informed, looking down.
Hugh furrowed his brow in confusion. "Why not?"
"Is something wrong, Hugh?" asked Lottie as she passed a hand through Isla and pulled out the chair.
"I said she can't see me," repeated Isla. "I'm dead."
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