Peyton

"Present time" *

I'm 18 years old, I'm in the 10th grade.
I was sitting on my bed, scrolling through social media and twirling the pendant around my neck - a half-heart - in my fingers.
Jane, my friend, was watching my actions and then quietly asked with interest.*

"Hey, and... Where did you get this pendant? "*

I looked up from my phone and looked at Jane, smiling faintly.

• "My best friend gave it to me... When we were little. But... It disappeared. I never take off this pendant... "*

• "9 years ago" *

My best friend and I were running around the playground. At some point, he called me.

• "Listen, can you promise me something? "*

I walked up to him and nodded.

• "Of course! "*

He took two pendants out of his pants pocket - both of them were halves of the same heart.
He handed one pendant to me.

• "Promise me you'll never take it off. "*

I smiled and took the pendant from his hands, putting it around my neck.

• "I promise! "*

He put the second pendant on his neck.

• "Present Time" *

I sighed heavily, remembering my childhood and my best friend.
Jane looked at me with sympathy and gently put her hand on my shoulder.

• "I'm sure he's fine. "*

I smiled at my friend, thanking her for her support.

We sat and chatted with Jane for some time, and later she went home.
In the evening I went to bed.
In the morning I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock. I felt for my phone under my pillow and, blinking sleepily, looked at the time.

• "Time to get ready for school... "*

With a sigh, I got out of bed and went to get myself ready.
An hour later, I was already walking down the school corridor. Jane hadn't arrived yet - she was probably late. As always, though.

Turning the corner in the corridor, I noticed my enemy - Peyton.
He was standing with a group of his friends, animatedly discussing something.
Everything was as usual, it seemed, but one detail still made me stop and freeze - the pendant on Peyton's neck. The same pendant as me.

Peyton, as if he felt my gaze, turned and asked with a grin.

• "Why are you staring like that? It's like you saw a ghost! "