The Haunting Of Holland House: Chapter Three
THE GHOST HUNTERS APPRENTICE - BOOK ONE
The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of cheap cider and teenage recklessness. Music blasted from a set of portable speakers as kids laughed and shouted to be heard over the din.
Todd stood with Dave and the others, red solo cup in hand, gazing out at the crowd.
His eyes were drawn to her again. The girl with the violet eyes, standing alone, pale skin glowing in the moonlight. She wore an oversized cardigan and floral dress that looked like she'd salvaged it from a thrift store, along with worn-out combat boots. Her dark hair fell in waves past her shoulders as she observed the party, detached.
"Who's that?" Todd asked, nodding in the girl's direction.
Dave followed his gaze and let out a low whistle. "Don't know her name, but I'd sure like to. Fresh meat. Prime cut of beef. Keeps to herself mostly."
Todd couldn't take his eyes off her. She seemed familiar, like a half-remembered song.
"I'm gonna go talk to her," Todd said, emboldened by the alcohol buzzing through his system.
Dave laughed, clapping him on the back. "Atta boy, Toddy. Though a word of advice—birds like that want a man who takes charge. Don't beat around the bush. Not until you reach the bush. Then beat all over it."
"Jesus Christ, Dave", Todd laughed.
Dave dropped his voice, adopting an exaggerated masculine tone. "You march right up to her and say, 'Your body is seventy percent water… and I'm thirsty.'"
Todd snorted into his drink. "Seriously?"
"Alright, laugh it up," Dave said with a dramatic sigh. "But I'm telling you, ladies love confidence. Just look at me and Michelle." He gestured to where Michelle was drunkenly dancing with the other A-List girls.
"Somehow I don't think this girl's quite like Michelle," Todd said wryly.
"None taken," Dave shrugged. "But if you don't make a move soon, some other walking hard-on is gonna snatch her up."
Todd hesitated, watching as the girl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He downed the rest of his drink, steeling his nerves. "Right. I'm going for it."
"Atta boy!" Dave cheered. "Go get her, Toddy!"
Todd wound through the crowd, pulse quickening as he approached the mystery girl. She didn't notice him at first, seeming lost in her own world.
"Um, hi," Todd said awkwardly.
The girl's gaze snapped to him, and Todd's breath caught at the intensity of her violet stare. She regarded him curiously, head tilted ever so slightly.
"I'm Todd," he went on, cursing himself for the inane introduction. "I uh, I've seen you around school."
The girl continued to study him in silence. Todd shifted on his feet, at a loss for how to proceed.
Finally she spoke. "Do I know you?" Her voice was soft but self-assured.
"I guess not officially," Todd rubbed the back of his neck. "But I feel like I know you from somewhere."
The girl's eyes narrowed fractionally.
And then came the silence.
The awkward type.
Todd had words, but they weren't coming out. All of a sudden Todd was back in his skinny acne-ridden body of two years ago, voice breaking every time he tried to speak to the opposite sex.
He had to stop this.
Stop the silence.
So he said the only thing that came to mind: "Did you know that… um… our body… your body is seventy percent water… it's a scientific fact and, um… and I'm thirsty".
Shit.
For a moment Todd worried he'd ruined everything.
Then the corner of her mouth quivered.
"Is that your attempt at a line?"
Todd flushed. "No! I mean, I'm sorry, I froze, and um..."
"I'm gonna go over there", the girl said with a wry smile, like she was enjoying watching Todd torture himself.
"Wait, let me start over", Todd begged as she walked away.
As Todd's heart sank, the girl glanced back as she blended into the crowd.
"I'm Imogen, by the way," the girl said. "Imogen Noon."
NEXT CHAPTER…
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The full story of THE HAUNTING OF HOLLAND HOUSE is available in eBook and paperback everywhere if you would rather check that out, get your copy here!
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Love the book 2 cover!