Ghost Hours

By Stephanie M. Jones

A century-old ghost. A cursed teenage girl. Will she break free before her time runs out?

 

Sixteen-year-old Missy Brennan only wants to run a marathon that her school is hosting, and avoid the boy she has a crush on. When she's assigned to sit by him on the first day of school and then her curse manifests itself, she might just die of embarrassment.

 

After Ian accidentally discovers her secret―that at every new moon she turns into a ghost and stays that way until the moon phase changes―he's suddenly fascinated with her. She has no idea if he noticed her before, or if he's only spending time with her now because she's a puzzle to solve.

 

Time is ticking by until her birthday, and the ancient ghost who cursed her has declared she will never live to be seventeen. He taunts and controls her and her family. While most girls her age are preparing for exams and thanksgiving break, Missy has to fight for the right to live free from torment.

 

Will Missy risk the lives of those she loves in order to break her own curse?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephanie M. Jones
• Release date: Mar 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781988278131

Book preview

1

Monday, September 2

Waning Crescent

My best friend was a nine-year-old girl who died in 1918.

I stared at Clara's ghost. She'd never visited me at school before. My feet hit the pavement hard, one after the other, in a pounding, even rhythm. The world narrowed to this moment, travelling across the cold black bike trail that looped around a lake near my high school. In my sky-blue sneakers and sweatpants, with a ghost following me. The sweat trickled under my t-shirt and the exhilaration of burning muscles made me want to run farther, faster.

Generally, I was safe at school. It was in the graveyard that I needed Clara's protection. Was this a warning from her?

She floated behind and through the trees on the other side of the street. I looked over to Olivia, who ran next to me. I knew she couldn’t see the ghost. Clara was powerful enough to make herself visible only to me.

I continued to stare at my best friend's wispy, incorporeal form as she watched me. I was so focused on what Clara's presence might have meant that I didn't notice the approaching building. Olivia grabbed my arm to stop me from crashing into it headfirst.

You okay?

I paused to catch my breath. Yeah.

When I looked back, Clara was gone. I'd have to ask her about this at the next new moon. Luckily―and perhaps unluckily―it was only two days away. I'd learned to fear and hate the new moon over six years ago.

Good job everyone! the teacher cried, snapping me out of my thoughts. There were fewer people here than last year’s running club. I knew it was partly due to scheduling since not everyone had the same spare period. Olivia and I were some of the only few to have been in this club for two years in a row.

I pulled my shirt away from my chest and fanned myself. August's heat was still lingering into September. Olivia did the same, with her trademark Keep Calm and Run On tank top. We'd found it at a little boutique store in the mall last summer.

The other students started toward the door to the gym. Olivia and I followed, and I swore I saw another glimpse of Clara just as the door was closing. At the last second, I thrust the door back open and ran outside. I vaguely heard Olivia yell my name, but I ignored her.

Across the street where I saw Clara before, I stopped to catch my breath. I didn't care if I was late for my next class―I had to know why she was here. Even though it was the first day of school, this was more important.

Clara? I called out, not too loudly as to attract other people's attention. I wasn’t quite sure how ghosts' ears worked―Clara always seemed to hear me whether I whispered or yelled.

I felt a familiar chill on the back of my neck and turned around.

Clara.

Is something wrong? I said, trying to guess by looking at her. My friend was wearing the same thin nightgown she'd died in, and her eyes looked permanently tired. Other than that, she had a content expression―nothing to worry about.

She shook her head. I like to watch over you just in case.

I didn't quite believe her. Has Lorcan said anything to you?

No. Just the usual lurking and acting like he owns the place. Like Ireland wasn’t big enough for him. She laughed, and the sound calmed my nerves. Clara's voice was always calming; she was the one person who knew me better than anyone else.

"Okay. Well, I better get back to school now. Time to change and go to math. At least I have classes I'm actually good at this semester."

Clara smiled at me. Bye then, I'll be seeing you again on Thursday.

I didn't smile back. Yeah, Thursday.

After changing and stopping by my locker for my math textbook, I realized I was already late. Since it was five minutes after the bell―and exhaustion dragged at me―I didn't bother hurrying to get to class. This was the same classroom where I'd had math last year, on the second floor, on the opposite end of the hall from the gym.

When I walked in, all the other faces in the room turned to mine. I guessed the questions in their minds. Instead of taking my seat in the only empty desk left, I focused on one person's face.

Ian?

I didn't realize I'd said it out loud until the rest of the class turned to look at Ian and then back at me. My face felt hot. With my mouth clamped firmly shut, I settled into the empty desk and then froze as I noticed who was sitting to my right.

Of course.

Thank you for joining us, Ms...? the teacher said.

It’s Missy.

Full name, please.

I sighed, embarrassed enough for the whole month. Melissa Brennan.

Alright, Ms. Brennan, as I was saying, my name is Mr. Tsui and I'll be your teacher for the next week until Mr. Savoy is released from the hospital. For those who don’t know, your regular teacher has had a hip replacement. If you wish to send a card or visit him, you may go to the office after class.

The students responded with a chorus of sympathy but I had other things on my mind. As I leaned down to shove my bag―minus the textbook in my hand―under my chair, I stared at Ian's shoes. Why did I say his name out loud? I was certainly surprised he was in my class, but to blurt out the name of my crush in public for no reason―what was I thinking?

The entire period I focused hard on the equations in front of me. As much as I tried to ignore the prickling sensation in the back of my mind, it was still there. I was hyper-aware of every time Ian shifted in his seat, reached for an eraser, or flipped a page in the textbook. I felt my face grow warm again. Focus!

When the bell finally rang, I wasn’t sure if I should quickly get up and dash out before anyone could look at me or wait until they all left first. Because of my hesitation, it ended up being the latter. I looked over and was horrified to see Ian dawdling on purpose, too. I knew the expression on his face―one that told me he was ardently looking for something in his bag. Something he would never find because he was just trying to look busy while waiting for something.

It couldn't be for me, could it?

There was one other student still in the room besides Ian and me. When she got up to leave, I took my chance.

Missy?

I looked back to see Ian standing between our desks, looking directly at me. I didn't say anything.

Did...you need me for something?

No, I said, almost before he finished his question. No, I didn't.

Before he could think I'm even more of a weirdo, I walked out of the classroom. I let myself get lost in the current of people that were flowing in the direction I wanted to go. I had to talk to Olivia.

"He what?"

Shh, Liv. Not so loud.

We sat together at the cafeteria, hunched over cans of pop and half-eaten turkey sandwiches. I looked around quickly to see if anyone might have heard her. The cafeteria was crowded, but not near where we sat. Most of the students settled in the back tables, away from where food was sold, and closer to the glass walls that give a perfect view of the houses across the street.

Ian talked to you? Olivia raised her eyebrows.

It’s no big deal; he was just wondering why I said his name for no reason. Don’t think anything of it.

She leaned back and took another chug of pop. Girl, he took the time to ask if you needed him.

I didn't want to think about that right now. I had much bigger worries on the horizon than what Ian thought of me. "I never know what’s going to happen, I started to say. But this new moon feels different somehow. What with seeing Clara today and only a couple months until my birthday...I don’t know."

Olivia reached out with one arm and hugged me. You'll be fine. You're stronger than you think you are.

I gave her a small smile. It doesn't feel that way.

You have something that Lorcan will never have.

What’s that?

You're alive.

2

Wednesday, September 4

New Moon

Why do you still train when you aren't going? Olivia asked.

I took a deep breath and reached further, curling my fingers around my heel and pulling just a little more. It was Wednesday, and that means everyone in running club did exercises other than running: stretches, push-ups, the like. It was the day before the new moon but I didn’t intend to give up the things I love. Why not? I said. I still want to stay in shape.

"Yeah, you can't stop running even when you have nothing to run for."

Next leg. I exhaled, reached my toes, inhaled. Hey, it makes me feel good―that's not reason enough? I like to work hard and sweat, and besides, it lets me justify anything I want to eat.

After both legs were adequately stretched, I stood and leaned one elbow against the bleachers. I watched as Olivia sat with the soles of her feet touching, feet pulled in far enough that her knees stuck out in a diamond shape. After a moment, I joined her in the same position, feeling the burn in my thighs as I tried to push my knees all the way to the floor.

Just don’t push yourself too much.

I nudged her. You know me, Liv. If there was any chance I'd still be around after my birthday, I'd sign up for any marathon and track meet I could. I might as well prepare as if I even had the chance.

A chance that you can't control, she said, exhaling loudly.

We both turned to face each other, and hooked our ankles together. We'd been doing this routine long enough that we knew what was next without telling each other. Knees bent, I laid down and waited for Olivia to start counting. We only got to eleven sit-ups when Ms. Peters called for everyone's attention. For the first time, I looked around and noticed who was present. Two more people I knew from last year were here: Jon, in his purple shirt and a girl with a long black braid.

I have some news about the upcoming marathon, Ms. Peters announced.

I only half-paid attention. These kinds of announcements and news were the same each year. I'd probably hear about it in all my other classes, too. Even though members of athletic clubs like this one were given preference to compete, marathons and track meets were open to the entire school.

I’d already given up the entire idea. Despite a small piece of me that would always hope, I knew that I'd only live to be seventeen if Lorcan―the family ghost―had anything to say about it. My father hadn't even had the freedom to move from Ireland to Canada without Lorcan’s vengeful spirit taking it out on his child. On me. It sucked being cursed, but it really sucked being extra cursed than the rest of your cursed family!

After club time was over, I changed and headed to math class wondering what I'd find. Instead of feeling giddy at the privilege of sitting next to Ian, I dreaded it.

When I walked into the classroom, Ian instantly looked up to meet my eyes. I flushed warmly, not sure why, and it was all I could do to walk over and take my seat. I tried not to look to my right. It was hard, what with him being only a foot and a half away from me.

There was a pop quiz today. Pencils scratched across papers as the clock ticked. A few minutes into the test, I sneaked a look over at Ian and noticed he was deeply concentrating on drawing a large mustache onto a mathematician's face in the book. I took a deep breath to stop a giggle and turned back to my own test.

The quiz wasn’t that difficult. After I stood up to hand mine in, several minutes early, I started to feel dizzy. I leaned on Mr. Tsui's desk for a minute to balance myself. The substitute teacher looked up from his laptop to whisper if I was okay. I just nodded and struggled to leave without drawing any more attention to myself.

I made it downstairs and across the hall all right, until I had to pause against the wall to catch my breath. What on earth was happening? I knew from checking online this morning that it was almost a new moon, but I wasn't supposed to Change until tonight. It had never happened at school before.

A pair of students passed by without seeing me. One of the girl's voices caught my attention.

...football meeting at lunch today. I heard they're talking strategy after the last game went so badly. Justin can't miss it or he might be off the team.

Before her companion could answer, I tuned it out again. Nothing important. I was standing like a zombie against the wall; barely standing and probably looking like a freak.

Before anyone could come by who remotely knows me, I shuffled further into the corner by the front doors and rubbed my knee where it started to ache. As far as I could remember, there was no funny business going on with the moon this month. The next eclipse was in October, so why was I feeling the Change this early?

The bell rang, and students were everywhere. Being lunchtime, hundreds of teenagers and the occasional teacher wove and pushed their ways through everyone else. I was shoved against the garbage can behind me by passersby, but at least I was still standing. I could feel more evidence of the upcoming new moon: cramps starting in my fingers and hands, numb and heavy legs, and very uncomfortable loss of breath.

Each new moon feels a little different, but it was still akin to experiencing death every time. I'd had daytime Changes before, they just never happened to be during the school week or this early in the day. Why now?

I gasped when a lance of hurt struck my ribs. A few students stared at me as they passed. The crowd was starting to thin, but they'd still end up seeing something I didn’t want them to if I stayed here. My breath came shallow and fast. Struggling to move my leaden, sore limbs, I made it to the front door and tripped down the first step when someone came up behind me. I stayed on the floor, trying to calm my heart and gather my strength.

Missy!

I felt a sick sinking in my stomach. I would recognize that voice anywhere. He was the very last person I wanted to see right now. I was too weak to protest or shrug him off when Ian knelt next to me and took ahold of my arm.

You look like you're going to faint or something, he said. I was just lucid enough to notice he had all his football gear with him. He must be on his way to that all-important meeting.

I didn’t notice if anyone was around to see how heavily I leaned on him. I wondered how much time I had left. Since I could barely stand, I realize I really did need his help right now.

Can...you walk me over to...that tree? I managed to ask between shallow breaths.

Thankfully, he didn’t ask why or try to talk to me as we walked. I saved my strength and let myself lean on him as much as I could, part of his bulky bag digging into my ribs. I was in too much pain to be thrilled at having his arm around me. I'd need some way of getting rid of him after I was far away enough to be safe. Each step across the front lawn seemed to take forever, and my feet stung. The jolt of walking almost became too much when I pulled my arm from Ian's grasp and sank against the tree.

I'll go get the nurse, he offered.

No, I said weakly, putting as much force behind the word as I can. Just leave me, I'll be fine. What could I say to make him go? I could already feel the pull on my heart; the heavy, helpless feeling that stole my breath and signaled that I was about to die. I'd been through it so many times, and yet each time was always as painful as the very first. I'd wrongly thought that after so many years I'd be used to this by now.

Missy, you're shaking.

He was still here.

My vision blurred enough that I didn’t notice anything around us, or even see the expression on his face. I tried to tell him to go to his football meeting when a cramp spasmed along my spine. I cried out automatically and grabbed a big handful of grass with each hand to make the convulsions seem less serious than they were. My brain barely registered that Ian was still right next to me, probably horrified and disgusted as my body readied itself for the Change. It knew what to do, even if I never felt at all in control.

Just as I thought I couldn't handle any more agony, I took a last shaky breath and went still.

It was over.

I blinked and realized I was still partly visible. My ghostly powers usually took some time to kick in. Right now, I probably looked like typical ghosts in movies do: see-through but with solid enough outlines that the living can