Joe’s thoughts narrowed his body’s eyes. He wondered what I was talking about, lying to his friends? Going with them just for a dare, even if it was dangerous?
My body interupted his thoughts, “When he became angry, he was reading your thoughts. What were you thinking?”
“Ah…” Joe’s thoughts were blank, but that wasn’t because he wasn’t thinking. I could feel that he was, but I couldn’t see the thoughts. Oh how I wanted to.
Joe replied, “You’ll have to find out from him yourself, I cannot tell you for that is his business whether he wants you to know or not. As it is his business whether he makes a mistake that makes you figure it out or not.”
My body’s face looked hurt but respecting what Joe said.
“Look, I’m really sorry. Believe me, I would do anything for you, but in this case, I really can’t. I’m sorry I couldn’t do more.” Joe’s body felt sad.
“Why would you want to do more? You’ve done so much and I’m only here to-“
“In just a few minutes of being with you, I fell in love with you.”
My body’s eyes widened. I felt my own emotions of complete shock. No one has ever said that to me before.
“I know it would never work,” he continued, “I’m dead, and you are a soul reaper, still alive I presume?” I wonder if I would have felt the same way if I met you in person, while I was alive. Me with my purple hair and green contacts and piercings and all.” Joe chuckled. “Would you have been afraid of me if we met in person? I would have changed for you.”
My body was still speechless, but listened to all the words that Joe said.
“I’m sorry if I offended you, I mean… I just sort of… needed to say it.” I felt Joe’s pleading eyes directed toward my body. I could practically see it in my mind.
I saw my own eyes tear up from his words. Of course, I didn’t want anyone to be hurt, especially because of me.
“It isn’t your fault, Emma. There’s nothing you could have done to stop my feelings for you. And I know this is a shock. I would have been shocked myself if someone did this same thing to me… but if you looked from my point of view…” Joe stepped foreward while explaining, as if he was reasoning with me, trying to persuade me and could do it better if closer. “Emma…”
My body looked down, gathering itself and then looked up at him without a word.
“Would you say my name before you go?”
My body was silent.
“I know it’s a lot to ask. It’s yet another request I ask from you, but I believe it will be my last.”
My body stayed silent still.
“Please, Emma?”
My body’s eyes looked downwards again, thinking. Joe waited patiently, hoped patiently.
Finally, I moved. I walked foreward slowly, still looking at the ground. I felt Joe’s heart make one beat, where it hadn’t been beating before.
My body walked until it was directly in front of Joe, but my eyes didn’t look up until a minute later. When they did, they stared straight into Joe’s as if staring directly into his soul. I never knew what an impact my simple brown eyes had on others. It was shocking how incredibly deep they were.
Joe’s thoughts whirled, though I didn’t know the exact thoughts, I could tell what he was thinking. Something along the lines of shock and longing for me. I did something I half expected and half didn’t expect I would do. I moved closer and kissed him on the cheek.