Entry #03001

"Jesse."

Usually, he would show up whenever I called his name. However, this time, he did not.

After reading his entry, I grabbed the flashlight from the drawer and went outside in a hurry.

I had a bad feeling... 'I hope it is not yet...'

I searched for him in the forest, not minding the cold night.

"Jesse!"

Several hours passed. I couldn't still find him. I couldn't sense his presence.

'Where did he go?'

I stopped running and breathed deeply, trying to calm myself down.

"Jesse! Come out now."

I hope it is not yet his 'time'.

I couldn't calm down at all. 'I need to find him!'

"Please! You are frightening me."

Tears began streaming down my face.

"And here I thought you are used to seeing ghosts."

A warm hand wiped my cheek. He appeared.

"J-Jesse... where did you go?"

"I was here but I concealed my presence."

"You hid on purpose." I gritted my teeth in anger.

He laughed. "I planned to leave quietly but then, you cried. You shouldn't have done that."

"What?! How would I not cry? Jesse! I had a bad feeling that someone dear to me is about to leave without even saying goodbye. I am about to lose him. How could I stop myself from crying?!" I sobbed. "Damn! You should've told me sooner. Why only now?"

"Calm down."

"I can't."

"Listen. I couldn't bring myself to tell you. And I think it is the best I could think of. I appeared in your life unsaid then I would also disappear unsaid."

"Now, that is the worst logical reasoning I heard from you. You were the top student of your class but you suck at dealing with life."

"Well, I'm already dead."

The moonlight passed through the trees as the clouds were cleared up by the wind. Now, I could see why he hid himself.

'He is fading.'

'His time has come.'

"I read your entire entry. Do you mind if I say something?"

"Say it."

"You were stupid."

"I know."

"You are still stupid until now."

"Why?"

"You do not know the basic manner of saying goodbye when you leave."

"I did. Through the entry."

"It is improper."

"Then how should I have done it?"

"You should have told me face-to-face even though you can't."

"I might stay with you and never leave if I did." He chuckled as he patted my head.

"Enough of this drama." I shoved his hand away and smiled.

"Okay."

"I hope you have realized many things and enjoyed your time as a ghost while staying with me, Jesse."

"Same here. Thank you so much for taking care of this naughty ghost."

As time passed by, he was disappearing gradually.

"Eddie, may I ask for a favor?"

"Yes. What is it?"

"Please, don't get mad at me for what I do next."

"Oh, last wish, huh?" I nodded.

He held me closer to him as his lips met mine.

My tears won't stop. I'm about to lose this nonliving guy who made my living heart more alive.

- Eddie