The Lie I Told My Ghost

My boyfriend is introducing his new love to my tombstone.

His fingers are laced through herstight, possessivethe way they used to hold mine before the accident. Jude looks down at the granite carving of my name, a smile playing on his lips that doesn't reach his eyes. Nora, I'm done coming here, he says, his voice steady. "I'm starting a new life."

My phantom heart shatters in my chest. I try to scream, to beg him to stay, but the wind carries my whisper away.

"It's about time," I lie to myself, watching him let me go.

Chapter 1

I've been dead for three years. Jude has been visiting for three years.

Every Friday. Rain or shine. He never misses it.

He buys flowers, lays them at my headstone, and sits there, rambling about everything. From global warming to how his steak was too tough today. No response. No answer. Just him, talking to himself in front of my grave for three years.

My "neighbors" here are all envious. They say I must have saved the world in my past life to land a man this devoted.

I lifted my chin. "It's just my irresistible charm."

But the truth is, I don't want Jude to come. He's drowning in the past. It's not healthy. It's an obsession. I'm always telling him to move on, to let go. But now that it's actually happening, my eyes burn.

The cemetery is lively late at night. A new neighbor moved in recently. A chatterbox about my age. She slapped my shoulder. "Is your boyfriend coming tomorrow?"

"That idiot? He'll show."

"Three years, huh."

"One thousand one hundred sixty-six days," I whispered.

"You sure kept count."

How could I not? Every single day and night is etched into my soul.

Friday was overcast. It started raining in the morning. Jude arrived right on schedule. The umbrella hid his expression, but his arms were full of a massive bouquet of red roses.

Phoebe's jaw dropped. "Intel was wrong. Didn't you say he only brings a small bunch?"

As Jude walked closer, I realized the guy had gotten even more handsome. Figures. He was a total heartbreaker back in school, a walking red flag for every girl in a ten-mile radius. Now? It's just unfair.

He set the flowers down and looked up, smiling. "It's a bit chilly today, Nora. Happy fifth, Nora."

There was a handwritten card tucked into the roses. Every stroke was deliberate. Serious. Every anniversary, Jude brings roses.

I leaned against my stone, laughing softly. "You still remember."

Time flies. Five years already.

Jude sat down next to me, his voice warm and smooth like aged whiskey. "Nora, guess who I ran into on the way here?"

I pouted. "How am I supposed to guess that?"

Jude took his time. "Hint: High school."

Jude and I went to the same schools from elementary all the way through college. I scoffed. "That narrows it down to literally everyone we know."

When Jude talks to me, he always leaves these little traps. Even though he can't hear me answer, he still gives me time to think. When the time was up, he finally spoke.

"Rocco. The fat kid who used to pull your hair in high school. Remember him?"

Chapter 2

The name clicked.

Back in high school, Jude and I were in different classes. I was the school's resident "Princess"spoiled, sensitive, easy to cry. Rocco sat behind me, and his favorite hobby was yanking my ponytail just to see the tears well up.

Jude? He was the golden boy. Top of the class, quarterback energy, the kind of guy who made girls scream in the hallways just by existing. But back then, he wasn't this gentle soul sitting next to my grave. He was dangerous.

One day, Rocco pushed me too far. I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

SLAM.

The classroom door flew open. Jude stood there.

I turned around, vision blurry with tears, and met his eyes. He glared at me, his face dark, and let out an impatient click of his tongue. Without a word, Jude dragged Rocco by the collar and threw him in front of me.

"Apologize."

Rocco was tough when he was bullying me, but facing Jude? He crumbled. Begging. Apologizing over and over.

Jude didn't let go. He stared Rocco down. "Touch her again, and I'll burn you alive."

Silence. Absolute dead silence in the room. Rocco nodded so fast I thought his neck would snap. Only then did Jude release him. He looked down at me, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a lollipop.

"Stop crying. It's useless."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

That was the moment. That was when my heart decided it belonged to him. Every time I saw him after that, fireworks went off in my chest.

I nodded at the memory. "Yeah, I remember. What about him?"

"He's married now. His kid is already walking."

"Really?" I sighed. "Time flies."

Jude had brought strawberries this time. They made my mouth water. I reached out to grab one, but my hand passed right through it. I rolled up my sleeves, listening to him talk while I tried again. And again. My fingers phased through the red fruit, grasping nothing but air.

"I was such a coward back then. If it were me now, I'd beat his ass."

"But after you scared him that day, he never touched me again."

Jude stared into the distance, a sudden smile playing on his lips. "I never told you this, but after school let out for break, I found Rocco and beat him up again."

"Wow. You're so bad."

I spread my arms, pretending to lunge at him like a spooky ghost, when he spoke again. "Rocco insisted on setting me up with a girl."

My hands froze in mid-air. I stayed like that for two seconds, then dropped my arms. The fun was gone.

I sat back down next to him. "You should accept. You're not getting any younger"

"I told him I already have a girlfriend. Gentle, sweet, and she loves me," Jude said softly, his fingers tracing the ring on his hand. "And I only love her."

"Nora." Jude lowered his eyes. "I wanted to have a child with you."

My heart twisted. Acid and grief churned in my stomach. "You idiot. You're making the mourning last longer than the relationship did."

"Nora." Jude's voice cracked, rough with unshed tears. "I miss you so much."

"Do you miss me?"

Chapter 3

My eyes burned. "You're so annoying. Every time you come here, you just have to mess with me."

But before I could even shed a tear, Phoebe burst out crying. She wiped her face aggressively. "Is this a sci-fi movie or what? My dead ex did nothing but cheat. I'd trade thirty years of Brett's life for you two. Hell, take his whole damn life!"

I swallowed my tears and laughed. "Thanks, Captain Shipper."

Jude kept rambling. Cheesy, romantic stuff. Total cringe. I wanted to cry. I really did. But not in front of Phoebe. I shoved her lightly. "Go away. Seriously. You're the worst neighbor ever."

Phoebe froze. She grabbed my hand, her grip tight. "Nora. How long have you been lingering?"

I just wanted her gone. Jude wouldn't stay much longer, and I wanted every second with him.

Phoebe's already pale face went ghostly white. She pulled out the Handbook for the Deceased. "Nora, you can't do this. It's dangerous."

"I don't care!" I shoved her away.

Jude was staring at the ground. The rain was coming down harder now. He looked wrecked. His hand had dipped, leaving half his shoulder soaked by the rain. He stopped talking.

He always gets quiet right before he leaves. But today, the silence stretched on. Longer than usual.

"Jude," I sighed. "You need to think about your future. Why waste your life on a ghost?"

He couldn't hear me, but I said it every time anyway. If he could hear me, his ears would be bleeding by now.

"Start over. Please. Look after my parents, okay?"

"Jude."

"Forget me."

It always starts with him talking and ends with me nagging. Jude sat there, perfectly still. In a way, it felt like he was actually listening.

"Jude." I said it again. "Forget me."

He stayed longer than usual this time. After a silence that felt like an eternity, he suddenly spoke again.

"I didn't tell you, but I moved. Closer to here. Easier to visit."

"I kept the layout, but made changes. Changed the sheets. Never liked that pink."

"Are you mad?"

"Kept your stuff though. Feels like you're still there. Like you never left."

"Mochi's picky, but gaining weight. He misses you. Purrs when he hears your voice."

""

Tears broke free.

"Jude. What the hell are you doing?"

My ghost is everywhere. How will you ever move on?

Chapter 4

Jude left. But he made a decision before he went.

"Nora, a week is too long. I'll come every day. Okay?"

After he walked away, Phoebe drifted over, her eyes rimmed red. "You call Jude an idiot. But you're the stupid one."

I tilted my head at her. "So, who's stupider?"

Phoebe turned her head away, huffing. "Tie game. You're both hopeless."

I laughed. "He definitely wins."

Jude really came every day. He talked more. Faster. Like he was running out of time. Most of it was nonsense. Boring, everyday stuff. But I clung to every word.

He came for a whole week straight. Then, he vanished.

When he finally returned, the first thing I noticed was his hand. The ring was gone. A cold shiver slammed through my chest. I jerked my head up to look at him.

He didn't bring flowers this time. But his eyes were smiling. "Nora, it's getting colder."

The moment he spoke, Phoebe went quiet. The entire cemetery fell quiet. It was just Jude's voice, echoing in the empty space. He leaned against my headstone. Silence stretched.

"I'm tired of this place. Guess love expires after all. Even ours."

Jude looked down and chuckled softly. "I haven't been here in days, and honestly? I didn't feel much of anything. Nora, I'm letting you go."

"New girl at work. Haven't felt this way in years. When I see her, my heart actually races."

"Saw her in the rain. Shivering. Short skirt. Thought: I need to protect her. Didn't expect to fall again so fast."

As he said this, his eyes lit up. Shimmering with joy. With affection.

"Do you blame me?"

I stood in the freezing wind, but the real cold was blowing right through my chest. A sharp, stabbing pain. Turns out, ghosts feel pain too. I've been waiting for him to say these words for so long. But hearing them it was like a physical blow.

"Blame you? Kidding? I'm happy for you!" I tore my gaze away and forced out a loud laugh. But as I laughed, I caught his eyes. My nose stung. The laughter died in my throat.

I stared at him for a long time, my voice raspy. "That's good. It really is good."

The next time he came, it was a sunny day. I spotted him from a mile away. He's tall, built like an athlete. He always stands out. He hadn't been here in a while. Seeing him again felt surreal. Like a dream.

But this time, there was a girl next to him.

I shot up from the ground, my entire body going rigid.

He brought her.

He was holding her hand, smiling at my grave.

"Nora, I'm done coming here. I'm starting a new life."

The sunlight was blinding. I couldn't keep my eyes open. I squinted, mumbling through the glare. "That's great news! I told you to move on. Look at you now. You belong in the sun. That's where you're meant to be."

My breath hitched. A sob caught in my throat. I grabbed Phoebe just to keep from collapsing.

Chapter 5

"Blood sugar low"

I rarely lose control like this. Luckily, Jude couldn't see me.

He was holding the girl's hand. Tight. His gaze was soft, but the firethat intense, consuming heat he used to look at me withwas gone. Jude has really moved on. New love cures old wounds, right? If Jude is healed, I should be happier than anyone.

I wiped my tears when he wasn't looking, forcing a smile that felt like it was cracking my face open. "Jude, I'm so happy for you."

"Three years. Finally back on track."

He spoke then. His tone was casual. Like he was talking to an old friend he hadn't seen in a while.

"Thought my life was over. Met her. Got lucky. The past just a dream."

"When I love, I love with everything. No room for anyone else."

He squeezed the girl's hand as he said it. That's when I saw them. Matching rings. Engraved with initials. He really put his heart into it. Of course he did. Jude's love has always been loud. Blazing. He was the sun. And his love burned just as hot.

Jude reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. He placed it gently on my headstone.

"Nora. Goodbye."

"Leaving already?" I shot up, my vision swimming with tears. I couldn't see his face clearly. I tried to wipe them away, but the tears wouldn't stop.

Last time. Last time I'll see him. Don't let it be a blur. Useless. Harder I tried, faster they fell. Wanted to memorize his face

"Why so fast?"

Jude didn't linger like usual. He carefully guided the girl, turning to leave. The moment he turned, I couldn't help it. I choked out, my voice broken, "Jude could you"

He was already walking away. My voice trembled.

"Can you Can you say you love me?"

Jude walked away. Took all the life with him.

Silence.

I stood there, staring at the ground, frozen for a long time. The ring sat there, lonely and cold. I compared it to my finger. I wanted to pick it up. I tried. And I tried again. The ring didn't move.

Panic set in. I threw myself at it, clawing at the stone.

Phoebe panicked. "Nora? Nora! What are you doing? You're scaring me"

I looked up, dazed. "I want to put it on. I want to wear it."

Phoebe went quiet. She stood there, staring at me, her eyes filling with red. I lunged for the ring again. Phoebe grabbed me, pulling me into a tight hug. Her voice was a whisper.

"Don't take it, Nora. Let's not do this. Three years. You have to let go."

Yes. It's time to let go. Jude is happy. The whole world should be celebrating.

I laughed. Loud, manic laughter echoing through the graveyard. I started running. Singing. Dancing like a lunatic. This place is too quiet. It needs some noise.

When I finally ran out of breath, I leaned against my headstone, chatting lazily to the air.

"Jude, no strawberries next time. Sick of them. Want dumplings. From our spot. Bring a basket. Haven't eaten there in ages"

Chapter 6

"And and the crab boil at the plaza. And the candied apples in the alleyway. Autumn is coming, we still need to"

"Nora?" Phoebe rushed over, cutting me off. "Stop it. Please"

"Huh?" I blinked, snapping back to reality. "Oh. Right. He's not coming back."

I looked down at the ring, my voice barely a whisper. "It's fine. Grow old together, Jude."

Phoebe snapped.

It was the first time she'd ever yelled at me. She grabbed my shoulders, shaking me, demanding to know what the hell I was doing.

"Jude is gone. He's not coming back! What did you promise me? He's not coming back! You can't stay here anymore! Do you understand?"

She was screaming, her voice cracking with desperation. I stared at her, then suddenly laughed. "You're gonna make me deaf."

I reached out and smoothed her hair. "You're such a busybody. None of my other neighbors were ever this dramatic."

Phoebe turned her head away, refusing to look at me. "You know why they're 'other' neighbors. Because they all moved on."

Yeah. Ghosts aren't supposed to linger in the human world for long.

I slowly sat down, gazing into the distance. My voice was slow. Heavy. "I spent all this time trying to push Jude away. But now that he's actually gone I can't handle it. I know I can't stay. But I I can't let go"

"I just want to stay one more day. Just one more day in the place where he looked for me for three years. Just one more moment."

I tilted my head, looking at Phoebe's tear-streaked face, and let out a broken laugh. "Sometimes I wonder how does he treat her? Does he dry her hair? Does he patiently coax her when she's being unreasonable?"

"He probably does. Jude is so attentive. He'd never want to see her upset. But the more I think about it, the more it hurts."

I let out a bitter laugh. "I spent three years convincing him to move on. In the end, I'm the one who can't."

I refused to leave, and Phoebe got mad at me. She said if I didn't leave, she'd get buried right here with me. It took me a long time to respond. "Why would you do that?"

She dragged me into a long conversation. I sat there quietly, listening to her talk until dawn broke.

Phoebe told me she was supposed to get engaged to her boyfriend this year. But then, an accident. She found out the man she was about to marry had another woman on the side. She crashed her car on the way home. She never made it.

She said life is full of regrets. Everyone has them. "Jude stayed with you for three years. He can't stay with you for a lifetime. You should know that better than anyone."

Phoebe was still rambling, her arm around my shoulder, when her gaze swept past me. And stopped.

Her voice cut off instantly. Her eyes went wide, blinking rapidly as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her lips started to tremble.

A chill hit me. My smile vanished. I followed her gaze, turning my head slowly. Inch by inch.

Drip. Drop.

The sound of rain hitting the ground. A black figure in the distance. Getting bigger. Closer.

As he got closer, the sound of rain drumming against his umbrella became deafeningly clear. Jude. Holding an umbrella. Walking towards me. Step by step. He stopped in front of my grave, standing tall and straight. He stood there for a long time before he finally spoke.

"I thought about it. I still need to say a proper goodbye."

Chapter 7

"Nora. Thank you for being in my life. You made me happy for so many years. We're engaged."

"She had a dream about you last night. Nora, please don't scare her. We're doing really well. If you can hear me please forget about me. Okay