Chapter 2: The Locket Starts to Burn

Suddenly, I was wrapped in warmth and a light jasmine scent. I looked down, right into Lila’s eyes—big, bright, and shimmering with something I couldn’t name.

In that moment, I understood Grayson. She smelled so good, so soft—even as a straight girl, I couldn’t help but be drawn in. How could I start a fight now? I was practically melting.

"Sis, it’s been three years. Did you miss me?"

Her sweet, fragile voice sent a weird flutter through my chest. My cheeks burned, hot and fast.

Wait, not my chest—my silver locket was heating up. That was new. Did she trigger it?

Could she not be human?

No wonder she was so captivating. Even a straight girl like me was almost swept away. My mind spun with possibilities.

I’ve been frail since childhood, able to see things others can’t. The old ladies in our neighborhood said I was born under a bad sign—too much darkness, a jinx, destined to bring trouble. When my mom died when I was eight, everyone believed it. No one wanted to be near me. Some kids circled me, mocking and shoving.

Then, when I was twelve, a young teacher stood in front of me, her voice gentle but firm. She took my hand, brought me to her place, patched up my scrapes, and made me grilled cheese. She believed every word I said and even gave me a locket. Whenever a ghost was nearby, the locket would heat up, warning me so I could run. If I couldn’t escape, the ghost would get burned by the silver.

Remembering that cleared my head. I quickly stepped back, breaking free from Lila’s hug. Worried she might hurt others if she ran, I grabbed her wrist and pressed my locket against her skin, half expecting her to burst into flames.

Everyone was stunned. No one dared to speak. No one moved. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

I stared at her wrist. So pale! Wait… nothing happened?

I looked up at Lila, searching her face for any cracks, any sign she was hiding something supernatural.

She tilted her head, her expression complicated—a little sad, a little amused.

"Sis, are you doubting me?"

She bit her lip, looking so hurt I almost wanted to slap myself for being suspicious.

I wanted to explain but didn’t know how. What was I supposed to say—that I mistook her for a ghost? They’d have me committed!

And what did she mean by ‘three years’? Three years ago, I was just an extra on set, and Lila was already a star. We couldn’t have crossed paths. Or could we?

While I was lost in thought, Grayson shoved me, snapping me back to reality.

"Nora, why are you bullying Lila? If you have a problem, take it up with me."

"Gladly!"

I punched him in the face. I’d wanted to do that for ages. Now that he asked, why not?

I already had the two hundred grand. Time to let loose.

Blood poured from Grayson’s nose. For a second, everyone froze. Then the live viewership skyrocketed, numbers ticking up like a slot machine.

The internet blamed me.

[She bullies Lila, then hits Grayson—is she nuts? If you’re sick, get help! Stop dragging others down.]

[Lila tried to be nice, but look how she acts. Doesn’t know a good thing when she sees it.]

[Damn! I’m so mad. I want to jump in there and beat her up.]

The other guests crowded around Grayson, helping with his nosebleed and scolding me from all sides.

Suddenly, my wrist felt warm. I looked down. It was Lila, holding up my hand to show the locket. She leaned in and whispered in my ear, her breath tickling: "Hey, relax! I’ve got you, sis."

For a moment, I was back in that summer. She scratched my palm and smiled, her eyes full of mischief and comfort.

"This is a silver locket. It keeps the bad stuff away. Nora wasn’t bullying me—she was just making sure I was safe. There’s some weird energy in this school."

Of course, no one else believed her. It sounded too wild, even for reality TV.

Grayson, with tissues stuffed up his nose, tilted his head and walked over. "Lila, I know you’re kind and don’t want to stoop to her level. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you. I won’t let her hurt you again."

I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they’d get stuck. "Idiot!"

I blinked, caught off guard. I looked down—Lila was looking right at me, grinning. We both burst out laughing, the tension snapping like a rubber band. Grayson just stood there, awkward, forgetting to wipe his nose.

With the show heating up, the director was practically beaming, only sending over tissues and giving me a token warning: "Let’s try not to draw blood next time, okay?"

No mention of the haunting. Of course.