Trying to Live With the Dead (The Veil Diaries #1)

by B.L. Brunnemer

I woke up gasping, my heart slamming in my chest. Still mostly asleep, I scrambled back until my back hit the wall. Pain knifed through my body, stealing my breath and waking me up instantly. I froze, still gasping. I searched the room looking for movement. When I found nothing, I took deep breaths and tried to calm myself down. I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. What the hell had that nightmare been about? I couldn’t remember the details, only that my throat was cut before I woke up. I held myself until I could finally calm down. I hate when this happens. George’s death was hanging around in the back of my mind. It happened after every ghost I talked to.

I ran my hand through my hair and looked at the alarm clock. It was 6 am. I had finally gotten to sleep after midnight--six hours of sleep were the best I ever managed. Knowing I wasn’t going back to sleep, I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Only to find the door shut. I gave a light knock in case the door was only closed.

“I’m in here!” Tara’s shrill voice was loud through the door. Okay, I’ll wait. I went back to my bedroom, leaving the door open to keep an eye on the door. I made my bed and pulled my clothes together for the day. I folded my PE clothes and stuffed them into my messenger bag along with my new sneakers. Still no Tara. Sighing, I headed downstairs in my pajamas and went to the kitchen. I finished making my lunch, took it upstairs, and put it in my bag. Still no Tara. I looked at the clock; it was 6:30, I needed to get in the shower. I grabbed my bathroom kit and walked into the hall. This time I knocked harder o...

Tara waved her hand at me. “Then you need to take one at night. I’m doing my makeup,” she told me, her voice condescending. My temper sparked. “You can do makeup in your room. I can only shower in ...

Tara snorted at me and tried to close the door. Oh hell no. I jammed my shoulder hard against door. Tara lost her grip, the momentum slamming ...

I kept my calm as I walked past her toward the shower. “Now, you have a choice, Tara.” I dropped my flannel bottoms and underwear. “I’m taking a shower, then I’m going to use the toilet.” I pulled off my shirt, dropping it to the floor. I opened the shower and stepped in. “You can either stay and continue to do your makeup while I do that. Or you can go into your bedroom to finish.” I turned the hot water on, adjusted the temperatu...

I took a minute to let the water run over my bruises, easing the tightness in my back. I washed up quickly, making sure to use Tara’s conditioner on my hair since I didn’t have any of my own yet. I pulled a towel off the glass door of the shower before I did my usual morning routine, and then went back in my room. It to...

I ended up wearing my favorite pair of blue boot-cut jeans, a gray V-neck, long sleeved shirt along with my usual black army boots. I took the time to pull on my worn black grommet belt. My long, curly, copper hair was back in a ponytail reaching my mid back. My heart shaped face, I thought, was pretty but nothing spectacular. My skin was porcelain pale like most redheads. But my eyes were pretty unusual. My eyes were a mix of dark green and light green, with gold flecks mixed in. Next to my pale skin, they really poppe...

I checked the time as I finished rubbing in the sunscreen; 7:15. Thankfully, I still had time for breakfast. I grabbed my wallet off the desk, tucked it into my back-right pocket, and my cell phone into my bra. I grabbed my black leather jacket and my messenger bag, then hurried downstairs. I dumped them on the couch and went over to the kitchen. I was eating a bowl of cereal when Tara showed up. She looked like she just stepped out of a magazine. Her straight blonde hair was down to her shoulders. Her makeup was heavy for my taste, but it was well done. She wore a pink sweater that reached her mid-thigh, and black leggings that disappeared into tan knee-high, lace up boots. She carried a white infinity scarf and a tan leather purse that I swear said Dolce and Gabbana. Did she go to all this trouble for school? I don’t get it; It’s school, not a photo shoot. I liked to look good, ...

Tara’s eyes ran over my clothes. Her mouth opened like she wanted to say something. I looked down at my clothes, too, thinking I’d spilled milk on my shirt. Nope, clean. I looked back to Tara, an eyebrow raised. Tara gave me a tense smile. “The spots in the student lot are assigned at the beginning of the year.” I shrugged. Parking on the street didn’t bother me. “Got any suggestions?” I asked, hoping to ease the tension in the room. She tilted her head, her eyes narrowed. She seemed to be thinking. “I’d...

Again. I wasn’t too worried about other people. I usually ended up in the library looking for a good book. However, this year I would be here all year. I could actually make a friend, maybe actually keep one. That would be new. I hadn’t been able to keep a friend since I was twelve years old and Mom lost the house. It didn’t take me long to reach the school. I shut off the navigation on my phone and found Douglas Street. Tara was right; I was able to park right next to the tennis courts, only half a block from what looked like the library. I parked, grabbed my stuff, pulled out my map and started walking. Yeah, it was the library. Finding the mark for my locker, I started walking. The hallways were already full of people, some of whom started staring. I chalked it up to the red hair. It always drew attention. I found my locker right next to a tall boy digging through his own locker.

I ignored him and dropped my bag onto the cement. I felt eyes on me as I spun the dial. I knew he was staring. The twisted side of me was tempted to turn and stare right back, but I held back the impulse. “You’re new,” he stated cheerfully, his voice rich and smooth to my ears, like honey. After I had gotten the locker open, I turned and had to look up. He was a head taller than me, my head just reached his shoulders. He was wearing a pair of old jeans, a blue shirt, and a neon green hoodie. When I met his eyes, chocolate was smiling down at me. Something about his smile was infectious. I had to stop myself from smiling back. I vaguely registered his square jaw, wide full lips, and a straight nose. His hair was buzzed down on the sides but left long on top of his head. It wasn’t too long, but long enough that I could tell he hadn’t bothered combing it this morning. But what struck me was the color--it was blue, a deep bright blue. It surprised me enough that it took me a second to answer.

“Yeah.” I turned back to putting my gym clothes and sneakers into the locker, planning to come back before gym. “Is that your real hair color?” I sighed. I hated that question, but at least he wasn’t asking if the carpet matched the drapes. I closed my locker before turning back to him as I pulled out my schedule and map. He stuffed a book into his backpack before leaning over toward me. “’Cause mine's not,” he stage-whispered. This time I did smile. “Yeah, it’s my natural hair color,” I answered, running my eyes over his hair. “I kind of like yours, though.” He waved his hand as he closed his locker. “It’s not done yet, I’m adding in some darker blue streaks.” He shrugged on his book bag, a lazy smile still on his face. “I’m going for a Cookie Monster thing.” “I’m going to call you Cookie Monster from now on, you realize that, right?” I gave him my smartass smile. Impish, my dad had once called it. His face lit up with a big smile. “Hey, I like that.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at me. “But I get to call you Red. Deal?” “Deal.” I waited for a beat before adding. “That’s way better than Pippi Longstocking.” His eyes went wide as he opened his mouth. “Too late, you only get one.” I chuckled as his face fell with disappointment. “Ugh... fine.” A loud bell rang through the halls. “That’s the first bell,” he announced, walking backward down the hallway. “I’ll see ya later, Red.” He turned and hurried down the hall before I could say anything.

LMAO🤣

He didn’t seem so bad. Maybe it wouldn’t be that hard making friends. I looked at my schedule on my map and started moving. Thankfully, the hallways were wide, so there wasn’t a crush as everyone hurried to class. AP World Civilizations was in the 300 building, which luckily wasn’t far. Finding the room, I walked into the classroom and found a desk in the middle, against the right wall. It was warm in here, so I took off the jacket and hung it on the back of my chair. People were whispering and staring again. Oh, the joys of being the new girl. I pulled out a notebook and pen and just started doodling. It wasn’t long before the teacher came in. Mr. Matthews was in his fifties, tall, thin and with a head of white hair. He put down his bag at his desk and moved to the podium, his eyes searching the class. He smiled when he spotted me. “We have a new student today, Alexis Delaney,” he announced with a booming voice. Everyone in class looked at me. I gave a small smile and a short wave.

Mr. Matthews pulled a textbook off his desk and passed it to the girl at the top of the row. Everyone in the row then passed it back till it reached me. “There is a quiz every Friday on the chapter. I expect you to catch up.” Then class began. I mostly ended up taking notes off the power point projection. All in all, Mr. ...

I walked into another classroom; this time a small woman was at a desk in the back of the room. She waved me over as I walked in. She was as tall as I was, with a pregnant belly. “You must be Alexis.” Her voice was soft, her face sweet. “I’m Mrs. Hay...

I resisted the urge to groan as she pulled a book off her desk and handed it to me. “Here’s your copy. I hope you’ll enjoy this class.” I thanked her and headed to find an empty desk. The whispering and staring started again. I was already tired of it. Annoyed, I pulled out my notebook again and started doodling. The rest of my classes went exactly the...

The Chemistry classroom was really the lab. It had tall counters sticking out from the edge of the walls instead of desks...

Mr. Turner was a tall man, probably nearer forty than thirty. His blond hair resembled straw. He had a pleasant face, but...

I had just thrown my jacket back on and picked up my bag when Ethan stepped in close to me. He wrapped his arm around my back, his hand on my shoulder. “You have so made my week today, Beautiful,” he told me emphatically. I raised an eyebrow at his choice of words. Was he calling me beautiful or saying showing up Miles was beautiful? While I was wondering, he continued. “You need to sit with us at lunch.” His voice had gone soft and smoky; it was toe curling. Suddenly Ethan stumbled forward. He went a couple of steps and turned, glaring at Isaac who now stood by me, his arm hanging around my neck. “No flirting with Red,” he declared firmly, pointing at his brother. He leaned in close and whispered loudly, “Ethan is a huge flirt. Don’t fall for his evil ways.” Ethan smiled and spread his arms out to his sides palms up. “I can’t help that I’m the better looking one, brother,” he taunted, walking backward toward the door. “And he’s so humble, too,” I said with fake awe. The guys burst out laughing, even Miles was grinning. “Yeah, you’re coming to lunch with us,” Isaac announced, using his arm to pull me out the door and into the hallway. Ethan dropped back to walk next to me. Between them both, I was feeling short. Miles brought up the back, staying close enough to hear. “Where did you move from, anyway?”

“California. I got here yesterday,” I told them, trying not to wince. Isaac's arm had moved from around my neck to the back of my shoulders right over a bunch of bruises. I was about to take his arm off me when Miles spoke up behind me. “Isaac, she just met you. Stop hanging on her or you are going to make her uncomfortable.” Miles warned, he sounded distracted. Isaac winced and pulled his arm from around me. “Sorry, Red,” he whispered. “No worries.” I smiled up at him. Isaac was fun; there was no other way to describe him. He was just fun. “You don’t want to be under there anyway, he has PE before Chemistry,” Miles called from behind us.

I burst out laughing as Isaac turned to punch Miles in the shoulder. Miles took it, looking unrepentant. “Hey! I’m not that smelly,” Isaac insisted with pride. “You’re at the center of all the hot gossip running around the school right now,” Ethan chimed in, changing the subject as he win...

We turned down another hall and past a courtyard between four of the buildings. “Oh yeah? What have they come up with?” I asked, actually curious. He tucked his hair behind both of his ears as we walked, showing five silver hoops running up his right earlobe. “The usual, you were in juvenile hall, you were expelled, drugs.” Ethan shrugged. “Nothing original.” He raised an eyebrow at me before adding, “There is contemplation floating around about whether your hair color is real or not. And whether or not you have a soul.” I groaned and rolled my eyes.

Lol💀

“Those aren’t new,” I told them as we went down a few cement steps. We’d reached the area outside the cafeteria. It was set up like the other courtyard and had metal tables everywhere. Everyone seemed to stay outside even with the overcast sky. The guys stopped at an empty four-sided metal picnic table. The boys sat down, Isaac and Ethan sharing a bench, Miles on the bench to the left of them. “I hate those questions,” I said as I sat down on my own bench next to Isaac. I opened my bag to pull out my lunch. “I can understand why.” Miles' voice was polite while he narrowed his eyes at Ethan. Ethan held his hands in front of him palms out. “Hey, just repeating what I heard.” Ethan turned toward me as he opened his book bag. “So, how do you usually handle those?” I was still digging in my bag when I answered.

“I usually say ‘yes, the color is real’.” I looked at the boys. “For the other one, I smile sweetly, look innocent and say, ‘No, I don’t have a soul, can I have yours?’” They burst out laughing. “That usually shuts them up.” “Yeah, that’ll do it.” Ethan was the first to stop laughing. The guys started opening their lunch ...

I gave a half shrug as I opened my lunch bag. “Most people aren’t expecting me to answer, or they’re just asking to mess with me. So, when I say all that, they look scared and walk away.” I pulled out my water bottle and pointed with it. “They tend not t...

“Can we keep her?” Isaac asked, smiling over at me. I winked at him while opening my bottle of water. “Sounds good to me,” Ethan replied, frowning at the bag of chips in his hand. “What sounds good?” A rich baritone voice came from behind Miles. I looked up. A rather tall boy was standing there, a backpack over his shoulder. He looked like your boy next door, but with model good looks. His high cheekbones and sharp chin belonged in a magazine. His sandy blonde hair was close to his head. His buttoned long-sleeved shirt was blue and untucked over gray pants. His clothes didn’t hide his muscles; the guy must have to work out pretty seriously for that body. I suddenly felt the need to work my ass off in gym class later. Those blue eyes went to me, his face puzzled as he reached the ta...

“Yay, tuna.” Isaac opened his bag happily, making me smile. The blonde boy sat on the bench next to Miles; he reached over the table and held out his hand. “I’m Asher.” I shook his hand. “Alexis.” “Nice to meet you.” He seemed to just accept that I was here and staying. I liked that about him instantly. “So, you’re up for adoption, huh?” I held my hands out palms up. “I guess so.” He gave me a warm smile as he pulled out his lu...

“Don’t let the manner-less twins scare you off.” Asher pulled a sandwich out of the bag. “We’re not too bad.” “Something tells me she doesn’t scare easy,” Miles said with a small smile before taking another bite of his sandwich. Ethan and Isaac shared mischievous grins. “How long have you guys known each other?” I asked. Asher tilted his head his eyes unfocused. “Since forever, we all grew up on the same block,” he answe...

“Where is Zeke by the way?” Miles asked, pushing his glasses up again. Everyone shrugged. “I was stuck fixing a carburetor someone else fucked up.” The deep, gravel...

I turned on the bench and looked up and up. He was giant, and not just his height. A black motorcycle jacket encased his broad shoulders. I could see a black thermal underneath that was tight against the muscles on his chest. When I finally saw his face, I had to stop my mouth from dropping. Oh, shit. He had a striking face only much rougher and way scarier. His black hair wasn’t very long, but it was rumpled like he ran his hands through it often. His wide cheekbones and strong jaw made his face attractive, but a much rougher and scarier kind of attractive. I w...

His sharp blue eyes were running over me, his expression confused. He stepped around my side of the table and loomed over the empty bench. From the corner of my eye, I noticed the metal chain from his wallet going from his hip to his back pocket. He was frowning down at me, looking intimidating as hell. “Who the hell are you?” he demanded, his voice hard. I was about to snap back at him when I noticed the bags under his eyes. “Zeke, you’re being rude,” Miles shot back at him, his voice had a bite to it. Zeke winced and ran a hand through his short hair. “Sorry, I’m just tired,” he offered in a normal tone. He dropped his bag and took the empty bench. His knees bumped my legs under the table, so I scooted over, giving him more room. “Hi, Tired, I’m Alexis....

“Zeke,” he mumbled before turning to the table and opening his lunch. Ethan’s phone vibrated. Ethan picked it up, looked at it and started smiling. “Late night at the garage?” Miles asked, putting his trash in his lunch bag. Zeke nodded. “Yeah, and I have the physics test this Friday. Mr. Turner’s really up my ass-” “That’s what she said,” Isaac and I interrupted at the same time. We looked at each other, both surprised, then broke out giggling. There were a couple of other laughs around the table. ...

“Great, Isaac has corrupted her,” Asher observed, his voice laughing. “Nope, sorry, hon, I came prepackaged this wa...

Miles started talking to Zeke about some Trig homework. I kind of blocked them out. I watched Ethan texting someone. Then I looked around the table at the guys. Each of them were good looking in their own way and nice. Well, Zeke was a bit grumpy, but they seemed kind of fun. To be honest, I wanted to keep them. “So, is this like the hot guy table at this school or what?” I asked when there was a lull, eyeing each of them in turn again. I suddenly had all five pairs of eyes on me. “No, seriously, you’re all ripped. Even Miles over there, though he’s trying to hide it with a shirt that’s too big.” “Oh, well, we all work out together,” Asher offered. Ethan lifted his head from his phone. “Isaac’s in Mixed Martial Arts train...

Oh, you asshole. I had warned him. I have attended a lot of different schools in the last five years, not all of them in good neighborhoods. After one horrifying incident, I took a self-defense class and a little kick-boxing in LA. My focus was getting out of holds. I reached across my body with my left hand and grabbed hold of his thumb. I broke his grip and spun around him, taking his thumb with me so that when I stopped, his arm was in a lock behind his back. “First, when a girl says let go, you let go. Second, don’t be such an asshole,” I all but growled at him. He winced before I gave him a shove; he stumbled into the other gaping boys. Other people around the courtyard were laughing and hooting. I didn’t really care. Watching Jason, I backed away several steps. When I was sure he wasn’t coming after me, I turned and smacked into a brick wall.

Surprised, I started to stumble. Big hands caught me by my arms, keeping me on my feet. I looked up to find Zeke glaring at the guy who grabbed me. His face was like stone, his jaw clenched, and his eyes were starting to burn. I looked around him to see that the other guys had also gotten up and had only been a few steps behind Zeke. None of them looked happy, even Miles. My heart melted in my chest. Had they been coming to help me? It was so sweet that I didn’t quite know what to do or say.

Jason was steady on his feet again. He was cursing, calling me a bitch--among other things. Miles’ face went cold as he took a step toward Jason. Isaac grabbed hold of him, stopping him. Oh, this could be bad. I had to diffuse the situation. “Hi, guys,” I said cheerfully, as if I was running into them in the hall. I had five pairs of eyes on me instantly. Their faces began relaxing back to normal. “Did you guys finish with my phone?” I asked, stepping back out of Zeke’s hands, not one bit intimidated by Zeke’s size. Sure, really, I only just reach the middle of his chest. The guy was, just, huge. “Yeah, Miles finished,” Zeke answered, his shoulders relaxing. That seemed to be the signal for the others to relax as well. I stepped around Zeke and he...

“Remind me never to piss her off,” Ethan announced. As the guys were laughing, the bell rang. I grabbed...

The locker room wasn’t that far away. That’s when it hit me. “Shit.” I closed my bag and began to take off. “What’s wrong?” Miles called after me. I turned and walked backward down the hall. “I forgot my gym clothes in my locker.” I waved at them. “I’ll talk to you guys later.” I turned and ran. Thankfully, my locker wasn’t far, and I was soon on my way to the locker room. I got to my locker and changed in a stall to keep anyone from seeing my back. Gym...

“Alexis!” a baritone called down the hall. I stopped and looked around to find Asher moving through the crowded hall toward me. “Hey, what class are you going to?” I asked as we started walking again. As...

“Me too.” I raised an eyebrow at him “Do you not like Art class?” He was looking over his shoulder as if expecting to get ambushed any minute. “No, it’s the way to Art class I don’t like.” We dodged around a couple making out in the middle of the hallway. “Why’s that?” Suddenly, I felt that familiar chill down my neck, only this time, it was painful. I took a deep breath and looked around, trying to spot the pissed off ghost. “There’s a girl that walks by here and always has to stop to talk to me. She’s really pushy. She’s always trying to get me to do school stuff I don’t want to do, you know, like the student council,” Asher explained. As he kept talking, I found her. She was about 100 feet ahead n...

My chest ached all the way from here. Some ghosts were stronger than others, especially if they are pissed off. This girl didn’t want to be dead. I could feel from this far away. She was pissed off to a level I have never seen. I didn’t want to get closer, but we had to pass her to get to class. “Hell, maybe she’ll back off if I’m walking with you.” I nodded as if I’d been listening...

As we got closer to the ghost, my head started to pound. I could actually feel the waves of hatred from her. We were just about to pass her when a familiar voice called for Asher. Asher stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes closed. I looked around us to find Tara coming up the path toward us. Even though my head was pounding, I laughed. Tara was the pushy girl. Tara’s smile drooped a bit when she saw me standing next to Asher. But she pepped it right back up when she got closer. “Asher, I see you’ve met my cousin Lexie,” Tara began, surprising me, even through the pounding headache. The dead girl had stepped closer to me, making it feel like a knife was being driven into my chest. Breathing was getting harder. I felt like shit but I had no other excuse for...

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous, Lexie.” Tara chided, then turned her attention to Asher. “Asher, we really need your help on the homecoming board.” At that point, I tuned her out. The ghost was behind me again, reaching out. My head felt like it was in a vise as Tara prattled on. I started hearing my pulse in my ears and wanted to throw up. We needed to move or I was going to be sick. I reached out and grabbed Asher’s arm, tugging him in the direction we were going. When we started walking, I let go, but Tara kept pace next to him. Unf...

I turned my head enough to look the ghost in the eye. Her eyes went wide--she realized I could see her. Her eyes narrowed as she reached for my face. I mouthed the word no, feeling it with everything inside me. I shoved the ghost back, her eyes furious. I turned back to the others; no ...

I felt the pressure in my face, then the drip onto my upper lip. Silently cursing, I pinched my nose closed. Tara was still talking. I was done. I wasn’t going to just stand here and let the bitch of a ghost hurt me. But I couldn’t leave Asher to Tara. Before I could decide what to do, Asher looked over at me. His eyes went wide. “Oh man, Alexis.” He pulled his backpack ...

I put them to my nose and stopped pinching. “Are you alright?” He actually sounded concerned. He swung his backpack back around his back and took my arm. He turned to Tara and said, “We’ve got to take care of this, Tara. I’ll thin...

Tara mumbled under her breath. She was not happy. I didn’t really care; my headache was disappearing the farther away from the ghost we got. When we got out of sight, we slowed down. Asher didn’t look so worried now; he looked like he was holding back a laugh. “Did you just give yourself a bloody nose to get us away from her?” He let go of my arm as we continued down another hallway. “I’m not that good,” I said in a nasally voice. Asher’s smile faded away, he looked worried again. “Are you okay?” I nodded, waving my other hand. “Yeah, it just happens sometimes,” I hedged. It’s not like I could te...

“I don’t care if it wasn’t on purpose.” He looked at me, his blue eyes sparkling. “That was the best save ever.” I nodded, agreeing with him. At lea...