Chapter 13.PIZZA

Robby and I strolled through the streets without talking. I was still upset that Yusuf played me. Robby, however, would occasionally gaze at me, though, then look away saying nothing.

"You get played? So what? Will you live like this? Mad? Huh?" That was nosy Robby finally asked enormous questions.

" The least of your concerns should be Yusuf. He pledged not to pursue your father. Whatever he does, you won't care. You came here for a reason. Don't let your fake uncle stand in your way." Robby spoke with the accent of an advisor. However, he was right. I came back to see my family and not to worry about Yusuf.

"Okay. You are right." I said, then grinned. I just spotted a pizza inn.

"You know what I miss?"

"What?"

"Pizza and this here is a pizza inn. Let's go grab some." I added.

We entered the pizza inn together as Robby followed. We stopped in front of the door for a moment and just stood there, gazing. Many individuals were present.

"How are we going to get pizza? There are a lot of people in here." I spoke...

"People can't see us, you halfwit!" Robby yelled and started walking to the counter. I followed him.

Once we were at the counter, Robby grabbed a whole packet of pizza.

"Got it, Chase boy." He spoke.

"We should get going before they notice some box is missing," I said.

"Yeah. Let's go." Robby said. We strolled away from the pizza inn and ate outside while having a little conversation. Robby had grown close to me. We were getting fond of each other. We were getting along so well that he even stole pizza for me; I couldn't believe it.

"I am sorry for saying you are annoying. Remember back then when we were planning the crossing over." I said softly. He honestly deserved the apology.

"And thanks for keeping it a secret...I mean me having a ghost. " I added.

"Whatever, Chase boy," Robby spoke and continued.

He's so full of himself. He can't even say "welcome," I thought.

After some time of eating our pizza in silence, two small boys came racing over to us. They appeared unclean, and I assumed they might be street children.

"Whoa! It's pizza." One boy said, looking at the pizza on the bench between Robby and me.

"We should eat it. There are two pieces left." The boy added.

"Yes, sure. I am starving." The other boy said and sat down on Robby as the other one sat on me.

"Are they sitting on us? " I asked curiously.

"Yes, on our spirits. They can't feel us." Robby responded.

"Shit! He's heavy and he stinks. Don't these kids shower?"

"Street kids don't shower, Chase boy."

"Whoa! Wait....don't take my pizza." That was me warning the boy sitting on me from grabbing my pizza.

"I wonder who left the pizza here. They must be so stupid." The boy who was sitting on Robby said.

"I am here you stupid kid. And I didn't abandon my pizza. And I am not stupid." I said.

"You will always be a dumbass, Chase boy. You are a ghost. These kids can't hear you." Robby spoke. At that moment, I felt he was right. I was stupid; how did I always forget that I was a ghost and living people couldn't see or hear me?

"And now that they have your pizza there's nothing you can do. Let's get moving, halfwit." Robby spoke.

"Yeah. You are right. We should get going." I said and stood up. My body moved through the boy's body as if I was nothing. They did not even notice our presence.

"Where are we going?"

"Back to Billy's apartment. It's already late. " Robby responded. I passed my eyes on my wristwatch and saw it was already 10 pm. I had been so preoccupied that I didn't notice how fast time was flying.

****

We arrived at Billy's at around 11.30 pm. Everyone else was already back. We stepped in and sat on the couch quietly. Billy played cards with Alexa and Jona while Kyra and Malachi sat on the bed.

"Took you a century to come back. What were you up to, new kid?" Billy spoke first.

"Why do you have to ask everyone about their whereabouts? It's none of your business." Kyra yelled at him.

"I am not asking you, K. So shut up." Billy spoke back.

"Guys, what's the matter with you? If Chase wants to tell about his day then it's up to him. You don't get to argue about it." Jona spoke

"Hey....are you alright, Chase?" Alexa asked...

"Yeah. I am alright. Are you guys okay?"

"Yeah. We are good. " She said.

"Okay. I spoke. I wanna tell you about my day."

"I knew he wanted to. This newbie has always been a talker." Billy said and laughed sarcastically.

"Go ahead. Spill it already, Chaser." He added.

"It's Chase, not Chaser." I corrected him.

"Whatever. I can call you whatever name I wish." Billy responded. He was always rude, and I always felt that he hated me.

"Okay, whatever. Anyway, I attended my funeral." I said, and they all got shocked.

"How was it? " Jona asked.

"Sad..... My mom was so broken.....she made me drop a tear."

"Crying at your funeral? Billy asked and laughed exaggeratedly.

" Forgive me. It's just so funny." He added, then continued laughing.

"It was so sad, man. I have never seen my family so sad. " I said softly as memories crossed my mind.

"They miss me so much. I hate that I am dead." I said.

Alexa stood up and walked to where I was sitting.

"I am so sorry, Chase." She said and hugged me.

"Thank you," I whispered to his ears.

We broke up from the embrace, and I fixed my gaze on Kyra and Malachi, both still silent. Malachi hadn't spoken anything since we got back. He had a depressed expression, and Kyra also appeared worn out and bored.

"What with the long face guys? How did it go with your parents, Mate?" I asked

"He's not going to tell you. " Billy spoke.

"I guess the meeting with his parents was a little disappointing." He added.

"What happened, Mate?" I asked again, sounding more concerned.

"It was bad....you are so lucky your parents were.....were....." Malachi stopped talking. He was already dropping tears.

"Oooh shit!" I said and hopped on the bed, then hugged him.

"Oooh, God! What is it mate?" I asked after I pushed my body from his.

"His parents were having a party when we arrived. They were celebrating..... Malachi's life. " Kyra spoke.

"That's not that bad—people throw parties for their loved ones as a way of saying farewell. Why do you seem so upset?" Asked Robby. The same thing was on my mind. I went to celebrations of life while I was still living. Even after the passing of my granny, it occurred.

"They seemed so happy. They have moved on already, and my mom said that I was...." Malachi paused for a sec, then continued.

"She called me a disturbed kid." He added, and Both Billy and Robby laughed.

"Guys it's not funny. " I yelled at them.

"It's so sad to miss your parents so bad and then once you are back to see them you learn that they have already moved on.....and your girlfriend already went back to her ex, who killed you," Malachi spoke in a sad tone.

"I feel so betrayed." He added.

"I am so sorry, Mate," I said, caressing his shoulders.

"We are all sorry, Malachi," Alexa said.

"Yeah.....that's so sad. That's why side B will always be the best. There's no pain there." Jona said.

"And if it could be useful. You should be aware that my father was an anti-boy growing up. My dad remarried after my mother passed away when I was eight. My stepmother and father have treated me poorly ever since. I was called names. From the day I was born, they detested me." Billy paused and took a deep breath.

"You are lucky they treated you well when you were alive. I never had that, newbie. I know they were happy I died." He added.

"I am sorry, Billy. I didn't know that." Malachi said politely. I also had no idea what Billy's life had been in the world of the living. His traumatizing childhood explained why he possibly turned out to be so rude.

"We should get some sleep. Tomorrow we are going back home." Billy spoke.

Everybody went to sleep, and it did not take long for them to fall asleep. I was the only one left lost in my thoughts. I was thinking about how sad it was for Malachi to learn his parent's truth. I felt sorry that he had missed them a lot.

I resolved to put an end to my thoughts about Malachi and his unappreciative parents and let my mind drift. I reached for a pack of smokes, took a cigarette, and lighted it. After I finished smoking it on the bed, I took a head nap.