It’s been five years.

“Kayla! Breakfast is ready!”

Five years since my first encounter.

“I’ll be right there!”

Five years since I’ve first visited the afterlife.

   I threw off my buttoned pink pajamas and shimmied on a light-blue sweatshirt along with a checkered skirt.

   I looked around the messy room, pillows thrown onto the ground and the bed covers pulled up revealing the mattress underneath.

   “Hm. I’ll fix it tomorrow!” I chippered, flicking the light switch down and closing the door behind me as I ran down the stairs.

   “Hey, hey.” A sassy voice yelled from the corner.

   “How many times do I have to tell you no running Kayla?”

   I wheeled around the stairs and into the room, sliding smoothly into the dining chair.

   “The stairs are carpeted, so it’s not like I’ll fall, momma.”

   My strong sense of smell picked up the delicious scent that emitted from the pan where mother stood. My ears perked to the sizzling goodness that I knew was English bacon.

   “You never know, one of these days a spirit might just have had enough with you ruining their sleep with all your stomping.”

   “What’s with that dark connection. That’s scary. Momma you are scary.”

   I was taken aback by the randomness of such a hypothetical consequence.

   Mother tilted the frying pan over the plate, plopping the cooked eggs and bacon on top of the scattered rice.

   I slapped my hands together and shut my eyes tightly.

   I apologize to the ghosts dwelling, I shall eat this meal in your favor!

   “Ha. But seriously, stop running inside!”

   Mother placed the dish in front of me, turning around to toss the pan into the sink before walking up the stairs.

   I grasped onto the fork beside me and started to stab the bacon with the force of a starving lion. A meal that contains the great delicacy of bacon and eggs should never go by un-praised. I will honor the taste that will soon have me overtaken!

   I savored the smokey flavor that was contained within the first bite. Ah, something like this should never grow cold.

   After a few moments, I gobbled up the rest of the meal, loving each and every piece. My leg started to shake a little. Is this a side-effect of waking up the ghosts?! The vibrating ceased to stop after a few moments, then continued on once more.

   “Ah what is it!”

   I dug my hand into my pocket, pulling out my flip phone. Most of my friends have called this ‘old-school’ but I found it had quite a charm to it. Especially adding a little personality of my own by tying a cute, tiny clock on the side.

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   “What! It’s too early in the morning for your trouble-making schemes, go back to sleep!” I yelled into the phone, knowing full well who was on the other side of the line.

   “KK, you are awake? Already? That’s unusual.”

   The voice asked in genuine astonishment.

   That hurt, was I such a child that I couldn’t even wake myself up? No way… ya no way.

   “I can wake myself up like a normal student, what are you trying to say huh, Alice?”

   I furrowed my brow at the camera, though this type of phone did not support that type of video call, this was purely for my own amusement.

   “Well, I just wanted to wake you in case you slept in on our plans again. Last year you didn’t even pick up your phone for months. I refuse to let the past repeat this vacation as well!”

   I fumbled my phone in my hands, feeling embarrassed because I knew exactly what she was talking about.

   “I’m coming over right now. And reminder, don’t sleep!”

   The phone beeped, Alice hung up without me even getting in a word of protest.

   I mean, I do love going out with them, but I also just get very tired. How can I control when I feel the need to sleep? I strongly believe holding back from such desires is unhealthy! Mhm. Mhm.

   I crossed my arms and nodded my head, coming to agree with the genius that was myself, once again. Though, being at the receiving end of Alice’s wrath is even more scarier than dying.

   I calmly stood up from my chair and started to assess the consequences of each.

   Shutting my eyes for a moment, a mental scale became visible in my head.

   If I fall asleep, I might not wake up for the rest of the weekend, causing me to not go out with Alice.

   But if I go with Alice, I might end up feeling sleepy afterwards and end up falling asleep on the train ride back.

   Either way, it’s troublesome...

   However, at least I won’t have to get yelled at by Alice.

   The balance tipped far to the left, letting the other option fly high into the void. We have a winner!

   I shot my eyes wide and raced up the stairs to get changed before the raging devil came through the door.

   “Kay-la! No runn-ing!” Mother yelled from her room, enunciating every syllable.

   I entered my room at full speed, shutting the door behind me while I slid onto the floor. Picking out the simplest of bright-colored hoodies, I threw it over my already snug sweatshirt and slipped on a pair of jeans under my skirt.

   This could be a look right?

   Staring at the mirror with the checkered skirt layered over my pants. I came to my senses and unzipped my skirt off.

   I am losing my mind. This is the moment everyone in the heavens witness me completely lose my marbles. Curse the me inside that can’t handle confrontation!

   I opened the drawer to the mirror next to my bed, pulling out a clean unused brush. Along with two flower hair clips, placing them in front of the mirror.

   I brushed down my bedhead roughly, trying to get it all untangled and ‘presentable’ for the outside world. I swear, the knots in my hair were a force to be reckoned with. Just like earphones that tangle up inside the pocket without even touching them, my hair does the same every time I wake up from my slumber.

   How did the first person who got knots feel? Surely the person who discovered it, must’ve found a way to untangle such things at ease! Is it fire? Will that be my cure?

   After a few moments of self-loathing, my hair was completely straight. Mostly. Some parts beneath my hair were still tangled but we can deal with such things at a later date.

   I picked up the two hair clips, staring at the twin cherry blossoms between my fingertips. I slid one over my forehead, clipping my bangs back towards the top of my head, revealing my totally average sized forehead underneath. Completely, average sized.

   I stuck the second hair-clip to the side of the first clip, completing my perfect outfit! I stood up in front of the mirror, twirling around to see if nothing was out of order like an unclipped price tag or a giant piece of tape that magically found itself onto my back. I am not speaking out of experience. Really!

   The doorbell rang, once at first, then into the rapid pressing of an impatient person. Simultaneously, my phone began to vibrate on the dresser. I reached my hand over to pick it up and looked at the flashing displayed name. I wasn’t even surprised at this point.

   “Shut up!” I yelled, hanging up on Alice.

   For a moment the ringing of the doorbell paused. I could feel the earth vibrating at this very moment. I have done something wrong. I repent! I tell you, I repent!

   The furiousness of the ringing grew in intensity, leaving no gaps between each press.

   I quickly ran for my door, scanning the room to see if I left anything out of place.

   The messy room once again grew even messier. I’ll clean it later.

   “Mom! I’m off to go with Alice.” I yelled, running down the steps even faster than before, trying to race light itself.

   “Running!” Was all she said.

   At least wish for my safety mother! I cannot comprehend the beast that is behind our front door.

   I paused for a moment, examining the shoe rack. An unopened navy-blue box that had my name on the top and the date of last year.

   I think I’m ready, Emalin.

   I opened the box and threw out the wrappings to the side. A pair of slippers with a floral pattern laid inside. Without hesitation I slid them on and made my way towards the front of the doorway.

   I closed my eyes, calming myself down while mentally preparing myself for the consequence of hanging up on the almighty Alice.

   Taking a deep breath, I reached out to the door, slowly turning it, feeling like time itself has slowed down. And there she was.

   “Hi! Alice.”