Then, Larry and I got transported to the Gala. Larry’s sweatshirt and blue jeans turned into an old fashioned suit. My T-shirt and shorts turned into a man’s costume from a different time period. All the ghosts were wearing party clothes with huge smiles on their faces. Larry and I looked at each other.

“What is this?” Larry asked.

“We’re so happy that you decided to join us,” a female ghost with a long ball gown said, “You’re the second and third living we’ve had join us.”

“Who was the first?” I asked.

“Daisy Anderson,” the female ghosts said, “But I guess I should introduce myself, I am Divina Crumpet, the representative of the ghosts of Morning View High School. My son was the one who donated the school, so I died here before it was even a school.”

“I’m more confused about how we can see you and the other ghosts,” Larry said.

“The invite gave you the ability to see and hear us for the Gala,” Divina said, “For every Gala, you both will be able to see and communicate with us for one night a year until your deaths.”

“Great,” Larry said.

“Wait, did you say one night every year until our deaths?” I asked.

“Of course,” Divina said, “Why would you only be invited to one gala? It’s not like we send out invitations every year. Again, you two are both part of the three livings invited. Everyone else who is able to attend have died on the territory itself.”

“You mean that everyone except for this Daisy Anderson and the two of us are dead, Miss Crumpet?” I asked.

“No, Daisy is dead too,” Divina said, “But she can only come once a year to the Gala. She normally haunts where she died, which is at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. She always brings interesting stories about the fish there when she comes every year.”

“So, why were we chosen?” I asked.

“You, Vernon, were chosen because the lake took a liking to you,” Divina said, “And for Larry here, it’s because I felt like tearing you two apart would be a terrible problem. Also, the lake seems to think that you two are suitable for each other.”

“What lake?” Larry asked.

“The one I fell into?” I asked.

“Yes,” Divina said, “The lake under the school. It is sentient. We typically just call it the lake, but it named itself Maurice’s Lake a long time ago. We’re not sure who Maurice is, but we’re glad that it wants to be called something.”

“So, what do you do at this Gala and why did you change our clothes?” Larry asked.

“This year’s theme is Under the Stars,” Divina said, “We don’t do much, but you can dance, mingle, or find the treasure, if you want?”

“What treasure?” Larry asked.

“We have a treasure hunt every year,” Divina said, “But only living people can take it home with them. This year, because of the theme we’re having it based on astronomy. So, the hints are all related to stars. Each year when we choose the theme, the treasure hunt is changed according to that theme. It’s really up to you what you want to do, but we have until about 3 am when the Gala ends and you’ll be sent back where the teleportation spell sent you from.”

“Then, Larry, we’ll be back at your cousin’s restaurant,” I said.

“Can I call my sister to explain the situation?” Larry asked.

“That’s fine,” Divina said. Larry took out his phone from where his pocket should be and spoke to Carly in a hushed tone.

“So, is there anyone you think I should talk to, Miss Crumpet?” I asked.

“Well, I guess I could recommend a few,” Divina said, “But with 41 ghosts in attendance including me, it’s hard to choose only a few.”

“Then, just introduce us to everyone,” I said, “That would make it easier.” Larry hung up and put his phone away.

“But the treasure, Vernon,” Larry said.

“We can do that later,” I said, “I think we better make everyone’s acquaintance first.”

“But as soon as we are done, we’ll do the treasure hunt, right?” Larry asked.

“Of course,” I said.

“Nice,” Larry said.

“And if we have any extra time after both of that,” I said, “Do you want to dance a little?”

“Okay,” Larry said, “But we have to make sure that we are awake enough to get home safe when we get sent back, alright?”

“Got it,” I said.

“You’ve made up your minds now, right?” Divina asked.

“Yes,” I said.

“Do you want to know how they died as well, or just their names and time periods?” Divina asked.

“Wouldn’t that make everyone uncomfortable?” I asked.

“We’ve accepted our deaths as part of who we are, Mr. Daniels,” Divina said. “For example, I died in childbirth here in 1868.”

“Oh,” I said, “I guess if you say it’s no big deal then.”

“Okay,” Divina said, “Well, you already met Cordelia, so I’ll introduce you to everyone else. Just follow me and meet everyone.” Divina floated away, Larry and I followed. She went up to the closest ghosts, who were two ghost boys who looked like they were dressed for prom in the 1980’s. The one had dark features and the other had light features.

“Carmine and Emilio, this is Vernon Daniels and Larry North,” Divina said, “They’re a couple. Vernon and Larry, this is Carmine Hart and Emilio Reyes. They both died in a car accident on the property in 1986.”

“You’re introducing the new living people to us first?” The one with lighter features asked, “I’m honored. I’m Carmine Hart, this is my boyfriend, Emilio Reyes. We’ve been hoping to be able to talk to you both since you circled yes on the invite. There’s not a lot of gay couples here, but it’s not completely uncommon.”

“Oh, that’s cool,” Larry said.

“What did you want to talk about?” I asked.

“Well, we just wanted to know what it’s like to not have to hide a gay relationship from family,” the one with darker features said, I think his name was Emilio.

“It’s not perfect,” Larry said, “But I’m sure that it’s a bit easier now. More people are accepting, but not everyone is happy about it.”

“I guess,” Emilio said.

“Vernon and Larry, can I bring you to the next group?” Divina asked.

“Sure,” I said, “It was nice talking to you both.”

“I hope we chat again soon,” Carmine said. Divina floated to the next group with Larry and I following. The next group consisted of three ghost girls. One had blonde hair, another one was a brunette, and the third one was a redhead.

“Maggie, Ruthie, and Dot, these two are the new living people we invited,” Divina said, “Vernon and Larry, these three are Maggie Taylor, Ruthie Green, and Dot Ashfield. They died from overheating in 1935. Maggie is the redhead, Ruthie is the brunette, and Dot is the blonde.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Maggie said.

“Living people sure are fascinating nowadays,” Dot said.

“I don’t really see the point of introducing us,” Ruthie said, “They’ll only see us once a year and they’re gay.”

“Ruthie, don’t you dare!” Maggie said, “It’s backwards to say stuff like that in this era.”

“I can say what I want,” Ruthie said, “I’m already dead.”

“Wait, Ruthie, you didn’t seem to care about that when you and I were kissing,” Dot said. Ruthie put her hands over Dot’s mouth.

“Wait, what?” Maggie asked.

“Nothing,” Ruthie said.

“Onto the next group, I suppose,” Divina said. She floated over to a group of 10 adults. There were 6 men and 4 women.

“Oh, Divina, I thought you were planning to dance the first dance with me,” one of the men, probably the youngest of the group, said.

“Elias, you know that I have to show the newcomers around first,” Divina said, “Vernon and Larry, this is the over 21 group, with the 6 archery teachers that died in archery accidents: Augusta Thistle, Arthur Buck,  Alice Lorna, Archibald Dale, Rita Hayes, and Shane Chen. Then, my son, Isaiah Andrews, who died of a heart attack. My now boyfriend, Elias Whitcomb, who died in a horse accident. My son’s great-grandmother, Eloise Andrews, who died of a stroke. Harold Crenshaw who died in a science lab explosion with 15 of his students. Daisy Anderson whom I mentioned before. Everyone, these two are Vernon Daniels and Larry North.” Divina pointed them out as she went along, but I wasn’t really paying attention.

“It’s a pleasure to meet the both of you,” one of the men said.

“I think Cordelia lied,” one of the women whispered to another, “Vernon looks like a dashing young man. Why would she be so confused by his appearance?”

“Cordelia has issues to begin with,” the other woman whispered back, “Remember when she called me a demon when I showed her my birthmark?”

“Who could forget that?” The first woman whispered back, “Your birthmark is beautiful and is shaped like a flower, so why would she even dare say such a thing?”

“Why do you know about the shape of my birthmark?” The second lady asked.

“Ladies, please stop gossiping,” one of the men said, “We don’t need to hear about birthmarks or the like.”

“And you, Archibald, need to stop flirting,” another lady said. “I know you’ve been peeping on every girl since you were a boy and think you can get away with it now that you’re a ghost, but I swear your reign of terror will end soon enough.”

“Archie was the peeping-Tom?” Divina asked, “I thought that was one of the younger male ghosts.”

“He’s one of them,” the third lady said, “I’ve caught at least three of the male ghosts and one female ghost peeping.”

“Who was the female ghost you caught peeping?” Larry asked.

“Cordelia,” the third lady said, “Even though she swore it was an accident, I’ve caught her peeping on numerous people, staff and students alike. She’s a disappointing granddaughter if you ask me.”

“That must be Eloise Andrews,” Larry whispered.

“I think so too,” I whispered back.

“I’ll take you to the next group,” Divina said. She floated to a group of 15 teenagers. “Larry and Vernon, this is the science class that died in the science lab explosion in 1954. I don’t really know all of their names, so don’t quote me on this.”

“Those two boys are alive,” a girl said.

“They must be the ones Divina told us to protect from Cordelia,” another girl said.

“Why do the girls get the cool powers?” A boy asked.

“I’m not sure,” a different boy answered.

“Now, onto the last group,” Divina said, “This is typically my group when I’m not being the representative of ghosts, the group-less ghosts under 21. We have Liliya Andrews who died of illness in 1735, Prudence Mallory who died of poisoning in 1799, Tobias Granger who fell off a balcony in 1832, Cordelia Andrews who was murdered in 1867, myself, Betty Carmichael who got in a carriage accident in 1907, Clyde Dempsey who died in a fire in 1922, Nancy Bellwether who fell down the stairs and died in 1943, Ricky Mendoza who got struck by lightning in 1965, and Tasha Green who got electrocuted in 1999. Our youngest death was Betty, who was only 13. Our ghost who has been here the longest is Liliya.”

“Oh my,” the shortest girl said, she might’ve been Betty, but who knows, “Divina, did you really invite these two?”

“It was voted for, Liliya,” Divina said, “You were sleeping again, weren’t you?” Okay, so the shortest one was Liliya.

“Oh,” Liliya said, “You know that I sleep most of the year except for the day before and the day after the yearly Gala. I miss a lot of information that way, but I can’t help it.”

“You used to be more active a few decades ago,” Divina said, “Are you alright?”

“I guess I’m just so bored,” Liliya said, “But these two seem interesting. What are you? A tamer and his familiar or something?”

“I am a tamer,” Larry said, “But Vernon is both my familiar, my future mate, and my boyfriend.”

“Wait, what kind of creature is Vernon to be a familiar or a mate?” Divina asked.

“Half Astral Mage and Half Wolf Spirit,” I said proudly.

“Oh, so you’re only half tamable,” Liliya said, “Astral Mages aren’t tamable, but Wolf Spirits are.”

“Is that why he can’t go into the familiar hiding place?” Larry asked.

“Why would you even want that?” Liliya asked, “Your lover in a space where he can’t communicate with the outside world? That sounds not only horrific, but almost detrimental to your relationship.”

“You know about familiars?” Larry asked.

“My cousin was a tamer,” Liliya said, “His name was Ivan North.”

“My ancestor’s name was Ivan North,” Larry said.

“You resemble him somewhat,” Liliya said, “I hoped my theory was correct, I’m surprised it was. Ivan was not much older than I, so I thought I was being too hopeful. I did die while young and sickly, so I don’t think I ever met his children or wife while living. Our mothers were sisters, who met the loves of their lives when they arrived here. My mother married  Abraham Andrews and his mother married Augustus North. The Andrews family was always richer than the North family, but Ivan was probably the most well-travelled. After my death, I didn’t see him come here as often. I think he only came three times after my death: once for my funeral, once for my mother’s funeral, and the last time was my nephew’s birth. My brother was pushing 50 when his son was born, and Ivan already had grandsons by then.”

“I didn’t think we had any connection to the Andrews family that donated the school,” Larry said, “But why did you assume that Vernon was my familiar?”

“Familiars have a certain aura to them,” Liliya said, “But I could tell that something was a bit off about the aura, as someone who can only be half-tamed the aura is split in half down the middle vertically.”

“At least it wasn’t horizontally,” I said.

“That’s just gross,” Liliya said, “Why did you make me picture it?”

“You have a dirty mind for someone from the distant past,” Larry said.

“I believe that you’ve met everyone,” Divina said, “The treasure hunt is in the back room, the door is unlocked.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Do you want to do the treasure hunt with us, Liliya?” Larry asked.

“I couldn’t intrude on you and your boyfriend,” Liliya said.

“But I want to hear more about Ivan North,” Larry said.

“Larry, we can ask her another time,” I said, “I think we better let her mingle with the other ghosts.”

“Okay, fine,” Larry said. I grabbed Larry’s arm and dragged him to the back room where Divina said the treasure hunt was.

“I thought you wanted to go on the treasure hunt with me?” I asked.

“I was just curious about Ivan,” Larry said.

“Enough to forget about your boyfriend?” I asked. Larry frowned then sighed.

“I’m sorry, Vernon,” Larry said in a defeated tone, “How can I make it up to you?”

“We’ll talk about that later,” I said, “Let’s find some treasure.”

“Okay,” Larry said. The treasure hunt ended up being a bit on the boring side, as the clues were way too easy and the treasure itself was a painting that felt to valuable for either of us to take as it seemed to be from a famous painter.

“It’s actually a safe,” one of the adult men ghosts told us, “The real treasure is what’s in the safe this year.” I removed the painting to see he was right, it was a safe with a dial.

“What’s the code?” I asked.

“The date of the summer solstice this year,” the same ghost replied. I turned the dial on the safe to the date of the summer solstice this year, but split the year into two groups. The safe opened to reveal something unexpected.