It was a dreary evening. The clouds were rolling like marbles overhead, and I heard the thunderous crashing of the oncoming storm. Yet she didn’t move. Not a peep came from her lips as she read the book, listening to the natural noises. It was merely noise to her, nothing more. I was unsure if she was even noticing that it was about to storm.

The last of the straggling children were being taken away from the park by worrisome parents. A few of the parents cast worried looks to the girl with the book. None acted on their discomfort. I didn’t know what to do with this. Nobody had the heart to talk to the lonely little girl that was all alone now as the rain began to drizzle from the sky.

Never a peep. Never a noise. Just the rustling of paper as she turned the page.

I didn’t know what to do. I wanted to help her, to tell her that it was time to go home, but nobody ever listened to me. Nobody ever saw me. Nobody had ever looked at me. Not for a very long time.

But she was lost. She was immersed in the book that was in her pale hands. Then, her eyes lifted from the book lazily. She looked right at me, and spoke, “Why don’t you ever leave?” I was taken aback. Was she talking to me?! I didn’t know! I looked around, and behind me. Nobody else was here. But she kept staring, “Yeah, I’m talking to you. Why don’t you ever leave the park? Are you homeless or something?”

Yup. She was talking to me. I opened my mouth, unable to stop myself as I spoke, “Y-you can see me?” She rolled her eyes, and didn’t say anything else. I was so confused. Why was she talking to me? How could she see me?

“No, I’m talking to the tree behind you,” she quipped sarcastically, “of course I’m talking to you! What do you take me for? A fool?” She got up, closing her book and putting it in a bag. She moved to my side, and sat on the swing that was next to me. She lightly swung herself back and forth as she waited for my answer.

“I-I didn’t know you could see me.” She turned to me, giving me a look.

“Of course I can see you. I see ghosts, you numbskull.”