He repeats.

“I’m in a meditative state. In my new life. You made me return after you gave me that potion. I went to hell then came back as a girl named Rae.”

“Lilly… Rae I’m still in your past life, you need to be strong. I love you.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“All I can say, is I hope I see you in heaven.”

“Where are you? We’re in the same time zones.” I say hopeful.

“Same place I’ve always been. But I want you to get your life in place first, you need to do this on your own.”
            “Yes I am in the hospital, I have no way to see you anyways, but I’ll see you… after.” It fades away as the tap on my shoulder won’t stop until I open my eyes and see that Jayla is tapping on my shoulder.

“Um… Are you… okay?” she says looking alarmed.

“Yeah… I was just… never mind.” I look away.

“Um I heard everything you said…” She states seeming tense. “I am a spiritual person by the way, but like, who were you speaking to?”

“My nanny-aunt. My aunt, well, not my aunt now my aunt in my-“

“Past life.” She finishes looking at me skeptically.

“How…” I tense up.

“Um… I’m not sure. Is there a portal here? I feel it.” She says looking around.

“WHAT?!” I jump.

“The number of ghosts in hospitals man.” She looks up. “It’s fucked up.”

“I mean it makes sense. Hah.” I say trying to imagine how they died.

“I heard someone tried to hang themselves when I was here a few months ago.” She looks at me playing with her hair.

“Oh my God!” I say surprised. I look around feeling spirits around the room.

“SAME!” She exclaims and it scares me so much I jump. “Sorry, HAH, I feel spirits too.”

“Uhm…”

“I wish we had a radio and…”

“…Headphones.” I continue her sentence.

            We both crack up in laughter.

            “Sorry I was such a rat earlier; I didn’t know you were this cool.” She speaks laughing a little. “Wait- did you ACTUALLY, have a past life?!”

            “Yep!” I say excitedly.

            “Tell me about it!” She gets comfortable in her blanket. “Why were you reincarnated?”

            “My Nanny, er- Aunt. HAH. I called her Nanny.”

            We sat for about an hour whilst I told her my story.

            “Hey girls, come to community group please.” One of the workers says, opening the door then leaves the door open.

            “I don’t want to go…” Jayla tells me.

            “Same.” I declare.

            I stand up and close the door.

            “Your past life sounds very shitty. Thank your Nanny though, you don’t have to suffer!” Jayla says, easing up unexpectedly.

            Suddenly, a nurse opens the door.

            “Jayla, questionnaire time.” Jayla looks up and walks out.

            The questionnaire is just like, “What’s your mood,” “Have you had suicidal thoughts?” Shit like that.

            Day after day, night after night of psychological torture had finally ended. I managed to get Jayla’s phone number. Now, I was driving home, my mother being awkward manages to say,

            “What- happened?” She blunts out.

            “Nothing.” This is an honest answer because you can’t do… anything.

            “You aren’t getting your phone back for a while.” She says clearly angry.

            “WHY?” I start to get annoyed.

            “BECAUSE YOU”RE UNSTABLE!” She practically screams this.

            “…”

I don’t know what to say. I stayed for two weeks in the hospital and learned nothing, maybe my mother is right. Jayla. Jayla agrees with me but…

“Look, sorry I yelled at you.” Mom says.

I wonder what Jayla is doing. She left before me. She might text me, what if mom finds out about her? Damnit.

“Hello? Rae?”

Jayla… THE FUCK?! NO! WHY AM I THINKING OF HER LIKE THIS?! I’M UGLY! SHE’D NEVER LIKE ME BACK. SHE’S PROBABLY STRAIGHT.

“RAE ANSWER!”