Ghostly Short Stories

May 1977

Samantha’s P.O.V.

“Sam, are you almost ready? He’ll be here in a few minutes.” I look at myself in the mirror. My blue eyes seem to pop with the light makeup I have on. My long black hair falls to my waist in waves.

“Putting my dress on now. I’ll be out in a minute.” I put on my dark blue prom dress, feeling the butterflies in my stomach. My dress is long with a slightly flared skirt that reaches my ankles. My mom wanted me to have long sleeves, but I insisted on short. It’s hot outside, and there is no way I’m going to get all sweaty. When I spin around, I let out a small giggle. I have never felt more beautiful than I do right now.

“Wow, you look exquisite,” my mom beams at me with tears in her eyes as I walk out of the bathroom. In times like these, I wish my dad was still living. He died when I was a baby, so I have no memories of him, but I know my mom would like to share this moment with someone. As an only child, I was spoiled, but not to the point that I was a brat. We never had a lot of money, and I know how hard my mom worked for every penny.

“Thanks, Mom.” I hug her tightly just as the doorbell rings. We share one last smile before she runs to answer the door while I put on my dark blue heels. I take deep breaths and tell myself this will be a night to remember. At seventeen, I shouldn’t be scared to be around other people my age. That doesn’t stop the feelings that wash over me, making me feel like I’m not good enough.

When I was born, I was premature. I spent the first few months of my life in the hospital until I was well enough to go home. They had thought I would have a learning disability, but I proved them wrong each year as my body and mind got stronger. I was always small for my age, and the bullies at school never let me forget it. Once I hit puberty and began getting curves, I thought it would get better. I was wrong.

The bullying changed from making fun of my size and pushing me down to making fun of my new body and telling me how ugly I was. I fought the depression for as long as I could until it became too much. On my fifteenth birthday, I took a handful of sleeping pills. I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up.

My mom came home just as I had fallen asleep and called for an ambulance when she found the note I had left her. When I woke up in the hospital and saw what I had done to her, I knew I’d made a terrible mistake. I promised her that day to get help and never put her through anything like that again. After two years of therapy, I was better but still had feelings of inadequacy. Even with my few friends now, this feeling of never being good enough won’t leave.

“Sam, are you coming?” My mom’s voice snaps me out of my spiraling thoughts. I have a prom date. This was a big step for me. Robert and I started as lab partners for a chemistry project and found we had a lot in common. He’s handsome with thick, wavy blonde hair that reaches his shoulders and chocolate-brown eyes. We were just friends, but he said he wanted to take me to prom as his date. I know he wants to be more than friends.

As I walk down the steps, I see Robert waiting anxiously for me. My face flames when he turns toward me with a large smile as though I’m the best-looking thing he’s ever seen. I take in his navy blue suit with a pale blue button-up shirt. His hair is slicked back, but it’s already threatening to return to its natural wild ways.

“You’re gorgeous,” Robert says, his red face matching mine. He holds his hand out to me as I reach the bottom step. I take his hand, and he kisses the back of it after sliding a white corsage onto my wrist.

“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.” I smile as he puts his arm around my shoulders. He’s almost a foot taller than me.

“Okay, let me take some pictures of the two of you,” Mom pulls out her Polaroid and takes several photos. As we walk out the door, Robert turns back to my mom, standing on the front porch.

“I promise not to have her out too late, Mrs. Dickerson.” He smiles as he helps me into the passenger seat of his car.

“I told you to call me Carol. You, kids, have fun.” I wave at her as we pull out onto the street. I can’t stop fidgeting as we get closer and closer to the high school. Robert takes my hand in his. I want to pull away and not give him false hope, but his hand is comforting. If nothing else, I know he will be by my side tonight.

“Are you okay?” He asks, glancing at me just before pulling into the parking lot.

“Nervous. I’m not used to looking like this or being on a date. I know no one will probably even pay me any attention, but I feel like everyone will be staring at me. Inside, I’m still the bullied girl that nobody likes.” My tears threaten to fall, but I stop them before they mess up my makeup. Robert lifts my face to look up at him.

“If people stare, it’s because of how beautiful you look. They’re just jealous of how amazing you are. I’m so glad you agreed to be my date tonight. I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have you on my arm. I know we’re not officially dating, but I hope to get there one day with you. Just let me know when you’re ready. In the meantime, I’ll be the best friend you’ve ever had. If I had been attending school here sooner, I would have stopped those bullies from messing with you. Sam, you’re an incredible girl, and I will do my best to make you see everything you’re capable of.” My heart melts at the sincere look in his eyes. I want to tell him I’m ready, but I don’t know if I really am. Instead, I kiss his cheek.

“Thank you. I value your friendship and promise you’ll be the first to know when I’m ready for more.” I take a deep breath before opening the door. When I look around, I see my classmates wearing their formal wear as they walk inside. No one’s staring or laughing at me. Robert holds my hand, letting me know he’s there for me.

A photographer takes our picture right after we step inside. Robert stands behind me with his hands on my waist. I smile through my nerves. Once we get to the auditorium, I’m shocked. The ceiling is covered in little white lights with stars hanging down. The lighting is low, but the disco ball makes up for it with flashes of light. The theme is dancing under the stars.

I see my friend Sharon dancing with her boyfriend Jason and wave. Her long, straight blonde hair and pale pink dress are stunning. She looks like a princess. Jason is nice looking, too, with his dark brown hair and tan complexion, but something about him makes me cautious around him. He’s always leering at me as though I have no clothes on. Maybe I’m overreacting, but there is something not right about him.

Robert leads me to the dance floor. I’m not much of a dancer, but it takes my mind off everything else. We laugh and talk like we’re in our own world. He really is a special guy. I can’t remember ever having this much fun. When we need a break, I sit down at a table while Robert gets us drinks.

“Well, if it isn’t Sammy girl.” I shudder at the sound of Jason’s voice but cover it up with a smile at Sharon.

“Are you guys having fun?” I ask, directing my question to my friend as they sit across from me.

“Yeah. How about you?” Sharon answers, her words a little slurred. I look at her in concern.

“Are you okay?” Before she can say anything, Jason answers for her.

“She’s fine. We just put a little something in our punch so we can have more fun. Would you like some in yours?” He holds up a small bottle as Robert brings our drinks to the table.

“No. I can have fun without enhancements.” I answer him. Robert pulls his chair beside mine and takes my hand as he glares at Jason. I know they don’t get along, and he doesn’t like how Jason always stares at me.

“This table’s boring. Come on, Sharon, let’s find someone willing to have fun.” Sharon gives me a sympathetic look before following her boyfriend.

“He has some serious boundary issues. He’s always asking what the deal is between you and me. If he has a girlfriend, why does he care?” Robert looks down at our conjoined hands.

“Thank you for giving me this night. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun.” He smiles and looks even more handsome. Why am I hesitant with him? He’s everything I could ever hope to find. I decide to take a chance and kiss him.

He prepares to get up when I stand up, but I stop him. I sit down on his lap sideways, looking into his eyes. I see the shock and excitement at what I’m doing. I can feel his heart racing where my hand rests on his chest. As I bring my mouth to his, I feel butterflies dancing in my stomach. The kiss is quick and light, but the warmth I feel all over my body is undeniable. I can tell he feels it, as he wraps his arms around me, holding me close.

“What was that for?” Robert asks breathlessly against my neck. I rub my hand through his blonde hair as he kisses my neck.

“I’m ready for more. Do you want to get out of here so we can talk?” His whole face lights up with pure joy. I was scared to move from friend to girlfriend. Now I see that being friends first let me get to know him in a way I may never have before.

“Yes, let’s go.” He stands up, holding me in his arms. He gives me another light kiss on my lips before putting me on my feet.

“I’m going to run to the restroom. I’ll meet you by the front doors.” We share one last kiss before heading in opposite directions. Who would have thought one kiss could change so much? I never imagined it would give me this overwhelming feeling that I had found something that was lost.

After finishing my business, I check my hair and makeup in the mirror. I feel those butterflies in my stomach again, thinking about Robert’s lips on mine. I want to explore that more. I walk out of the restroom and notice the hallway is empty. Where is everyone? I start walking toward the front doors when a noise catches my attention behind me. As I turn around, I feel something cover my face with a strong smell. I try to fight, but whoever is holding me is too strong. I’m falling before I know what’s happening, and then there’s nothing but darkness.

My head is pounding, and I’m scared to open my eyes. Why do I feel like I’m lying on the ground outside? How did I get here? The last thing I remember is going to the restroom at prom. As I slowly open my eyes, I groan in pain. What happened to me?

“Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence.” The voice is familiar, but I can’t remember who it belongs to. I try to look around, but my head is spinning. It’s dark out, and all I can see is the stars above me. I can hear the sound of water nearby.

“Where am I?” I ask the person who I can’t see. I realize there is more than one person when I hear several people laughing. I again try to look around but can’t see anything.

“You’re next to Johnson’s bridge. I guess you thought having friends and a boyfriend would change things for you, right? That’s what we let you believe anyway, but now you know it was all a ploy to get you where we wanted. You’re still nothing but a pathetic loser who doesn’t deserve to be happy. We decided it was time for you to be put down when we saw you with Robert tonight.” What is he talking about? Where’s Robert? A sense of dread washes over me as my tears begin to fall. When I try to sit up, I feel something holding me down. I look at my body and see that I’m tied up with rocks on top of me.

“What are you going to do?” I ask in a shaky voice that causes them all to laugh. When they walk to where I can see them, my heart shatters. These people had all pretended to be my friends after my attempted suicide. I confided in them and trusted them. My tears blur my vision when I realize what a fool I’d been. Robert is the only one who is true to me. I should have agreed to be his before now. I look at Sharon, Jason, Julie, Michael, Belinda, and Adam as all but Adam stare at me with hatred. What did I do to cause them to feel this way?

“Ladies and gentlemen, should we tell her what prize she has won?” Michael’s voice is the one I hadn’t recognized initially, but I do now. His girlfriend Julie walks over and spits on me before smirking.

“You have been sentenced to death. We’re doing it as a favor to society, so no one has to pretend to like you any lomnger. Don’t worry about Robert, we’re going to tell him that you decided to run away and then jumped off the bridge, killing yourself. We’ll tell your mom the same thing. We all know you’ve tried it once before, and you’ll be successful this time. We’ll ensure everyone knows how selfish you were leaving your poor mother alone. Your father died right after you were born because you were such a disappointment. Now, maybe she can move on with her life.” Everyone except Adam laughs as I begin to sob.

My mom will be all alone. I have to get away from here. This cannot be how my life ends. Everything I will never get to experience flashes before my eyes. I will never be able to hug my mother or see the happiness on her face when she holds her first grandchild. My mom will be devastated. I can’t do this to her. I start moving side to side, trying to get the rocks to fall off so I can get up, but that just causes them to laugh harder.

“You can’t do this. You will get caught.” I begin screaming for help, but I know where Johnson’s bridge is, and there will likely be no one around. It’s on a side street with little traffic directly between where I live and the high school.

“No one will catch us. I think it’s time.” Jason says as he walks to my feet. Michael walks to my head as I continue to scream and try to move. The girls take the rocks off me before they all put their hands on me and lift me up. I try to break loose, but there are too many of them. As they approach the water’s edge, Julie and Sharon untie my hands and feet. I look toward Adam, who looks horrified at what they’re doing. He stays back and doesn’t come near me.

“Any last words?” Belinda asks with a grin. I look at each of them in the eye before speaking.

“This will not be the end of me. I will get my revenge for what you’re doing, and you’ll know it’s me when you’re burning in hell.” This is not how my story ends. I just know it.

“Well, you can tell us how hell is when we get there,” Jason mocks. I feel the water on my back as they put me in the creek. I hold my breath as they push me under the water. I kick and try to hit them, but it’s no use. My mouth opens when my lungs feel like they’re going to burst. The water fills my lungs in place of the air I desperately need. My insides burn as I fight to get my head above water, but they hold me under with my back touching the creek’s floor. My last thought is that they will all pay for this.