Moonlight

"You went to sleep quite early yesterday." My mom pointed out as I was cleaning the dishes.

"Uh yeah mom, I felt like sleeping early yesterday." I replied.

"Did you have your dinner?"

"I had noodles."

"Honey, you shouldn't be lazy enough to cook some healthy food for yourself sometimes." The day was just starting and my mom was already out to annoy me.

"I know mom. I know." I shouldn't be saying more if I didn't want to get stuck with my mom's boring lecture. I cleaned my hands with a dry towel as I was finally done doing the dishes.

She gave me a knowing grin and then jerked suddenly like she just remembered something. "I have an exciting news! I wanted to talk about it since last night but you were already sleeping and I thought it would be better to talk after breakfast."

"Really? What's the exciting news?" I held up my fingers and put the words, "Exciting news" in colon gesture.

"We are going to Hawaii! Your aunt Julie's coming too... How exciting is that?" The moment after mom was done with her announcement, Josh popped out of nowhere behind mom and smirked at me.

My mouth fell open and I simply looked at him without being able to say anything to him.

I was brought back to sense when my mom held my shoulder and shook me. "I know you are too astonished! So was I when I first heard the plan!" She was extremely happy.

"Yeah mom... I am excited." I lied and mom excitedly walked out of the kitchen after leaving me with a kiss on my cheek.

Josh stared at me for a while and said, "Hawaii, huh? I thought you were to help me." He looked down on the floor after saying that. I noticed that he was starting to look disappointed.

"You shouldn't do that." I blurted.

"Do what?" He asked looking deadpan.

I pulled out the nearest chair to sit on and replied, "You know... Like... Popping out of nowhere so suddenly and scaring me. Especially in front of my parents. They already think I am weird enough."

Josh simply looked around leisurely and said, "I am sorry. I just couldn't find you in your room and I heard voices from here so I came here. Are you not going to help me?"

His words made me remember that I had agreed to help him out last night and that got me thinking for a while.

"How do you know if I can help you? I have no idea what's going on and I have no idea what I can do. I ain't some special girl or an angel or a priest... Whoever it is who can help you with your trouble." I guess I said it faster than I should since I was having hard time to catch my breath after that.

"If you aren't special, you wouldn't be able to see me in first place. If you aren't capable of something great, Lord wouldn't choose you to be able to see me, don't you think?" He looked so desperate for help and it made me sad.

"How do you know if it's lord or a devil that made me see you?" I had no intention to sound rude but the question merely slipped out of my tongue automatically.

He took a deep breath and turned his back towards me as he rested his hands behind his head. It was easy to see that he was distressed.

After taking a deep breath again, he finally spoke, "I can't force you in this I know but you have a different aura, Moonlight. I really feel like you are the one who can help me out. I really feel like you have something to do with all these."

I leaned back on the chair and thought for a while. Maybe he was right. Maybe I did have something to do with all these like he said. I wouldn't be involved in something for nothing.

"I just hope my mom and dad let me stay here." As soon as I said that, Josh turned to me and ran towards me to give a hug I guess. He came with an open arms and bent towards me but unfortunately he whooshed pass me. I only felt the heavy wind blow in my direction.

He straightened himself up and took few steps back. All I could do was watch him helplessly as he brushed his hair back with his fingers shyly and said, "I forgot I was dead."

I studied him for a while and both of us finally broke out laughing. Funny, he could make me laugh in this weird and creepy situation.

"I will have to go and talk to my parents about not going to Hawaii with them." I informed as I stood up to go.

"Okay, sure" He replied.

I was about to leave the kitchen when Josh called me.

I turned back to look at him and he said, "Thank you."

I gave him a nod and a smile as an answer. He smiled back and then disappeared again. It didn't bother me much this time.

"What the hell did you just say, Moonlight?" My mom yelled at me as I stood in my parent's room like a student with her punishment.

Mom and dad were all cute and cuddled on bed, excited about the trip until I ruined it for them.

"Uh..."

"What Uh?" My mom didn't let me finish. She was definitely so ireful.

I was too scared to speak but then I finally gathered up courage and said, "I am sorry mom but you know me. I just don't like going out much."

My mom closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself down and replied with a smoother tone, "Okay... You won't go and you won't get your pocket money for this month either and no changing your decision."

"Mom...." I groaned but she cut me off.
"Oh please don't "mom" me now. You should learn to not complain for your mistakes." She said "Mom" in an annoying whiny tone and that really made me angry.

"Honey.. Yo-" My dad was about to say something but my mom gave him a death stare and he had to shut up.

I rolled my eyes and stomped my feet louder than usual as I walked towards the door. I left after banging the door shut loudly.

I let out a sigh and was about to head towards my room when I saw Josh staying on the way.

"That was easier than expected." Josh said sarcastically with a smirk, I guess he was listening to the conversation mom and I had.

"Yeah right." I replied with an annoyed tone and walked through him.

"Hey, you should not do that!" I heard him call out angrily.

That made me giggle and I threw my hand up and showed him a peace sign without looking back as I headed towards my room.