I reluctantly attended the birthday party of one of my classmates a while ago. I really didn't want to go. I don't feel comfortable when I'm with a group of people. After some small talk, I always end up having nothing to say. I wanted the party to end so I could leave. I stayed for the cake and opening of the gifts. I wasn't looking forward to sticking around for silly party games so I sneaked out when nobody was looking. Sure it was rude but it's so hard to leave an event sometimes. You're obligated to say goodbye to everyone. So awkward! I didn't want to draw any attention to myself so I snuck out the side window.

I climbed out the window and landed on some rose bushes. Ouch! I know what I did was wrong and inconsiderate but I'm not good in social situations. There will be times when I'm at school or at a family gathering and I just wish I could disappear like a ghost. In fact, there's a term called "ghosting" in which you disappear without telling anyone you're leaving. It's common courtesy to thank the host of the event and acknowledge the other guests. But I find that part to be incredibly difficult. I prefer to take the easy way out by simply disappearing.

I've always been a bit of an introvert. I would rather spend my time alone reading, writing, or watching a movie. I know that my behavior embarrasses my Dad when we go out together. Often I will hide behind him or wander off when he wants to introduce me to people from work or his friends. Oh, and I rarely make eye contact. I'm not sure why it's so difficult for me to look someone in the eye. When I'm forced to meet new people I tend to talk really fast. And then I look to flee the situation as soon as possible.

I am a huge sports fan and play soccer every Saturday. My team is called The Gophers and we play in a league against other kids my age. While my teammates will chant and cheer, I sit there silently at the end of the bench and say nothing. I barely talk to my teammates on or off the pitch. At the end of the game I try to get away without anyone noticing. A lot of the guys like to go for pizza or ice cream after the game. But that would mean more socializing. Once the final whistle is blown I'm long gone.

Things have gotten so bad that I've actually tried to disguise my appearance when I have to go somewhere. One time at the mall I wore a hat and sunglasses hoping not to run into anyone from school. "Hi Brendan!" my classmate Rory yelled. "Hey, Brendan? What's with the shades? Are you a movie star?" Levi from my soccer team joked. "Let's go grab some lunch" Rory suggested. "Oh, alright" I said. I froze and was unable to come up with an excuse to not go. Over the years I've developed a list of excuses that I use to get out of spending time with people. Today I drew a blank and was forced to have lunch with the boys. Sometimes I wish I could disappear into thin air, like a ghost.

One night after supper i decided to go for a walk as it a crisp fall evening. I was feeling anxious about going back to school after a four-day weekend and the cool air helped me to relax. I would always get so bummed out the night before I had to go back to school. I was so comfortable and safe in my bedroom. I started thinking of different excuses why I couldn't attend classes tomorrow. I could say I wasn't feeling well but my Mom usually knew when I was acting. What I wouldn't give to miss school tomorrow and relax on the couch watching The Price is Right. "Brendan?" "Who's there?" I asked as I was suddenly surrounded by a cloud of dark, cool mist.

"'Tis I, The Light Revenant!" "Who?" "I'm a ghost kid. You should be freaking out by now." "Oddly enough, I'm not afraid of ghosts, snakes, spiders, or monsters. It's mostly people that scare me." "Or maybe you're just afraid of yourself." "What do you mean by that?" "I think your fear of people is all in your head. You tend to overthink things." "Possibly." "Do you still want to be a ghost Brendan?" "Sure, I guess." "Try to show a little enthusiasm would ya? Not everybody gets to experience what it's like to be a ghost. I will take you to The Ghost Expanse where you will be gifted with supernatural abilities in the realm between space and time."

"Ta Da!" "This is The Ghost Expanse? Where are the other ghosts? Gotta say, I'm a little disappointed." "Being a ghost is not as exciting as it looks in movies. Only certain types of ghosts are able to interact with the the living. Sure we can walk through walls, photobomb family pictures, annoy them with rattling chains and other spooky stuff. There are some humans who claim that they can see us, but it has yet to be proven. So, what do you say? Do you want be a ghost?" "If it allows for me to disappear from awkward social situations, then sign me up!"

GRADE SEVEN

SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS

MR. MURPHY

"Alright class, it's time for group work" Mr. Murphy announced as the class groaned. I always dreaded having to find a partner. I usually ended up having to join an existing duo or even worse, partner up with the teacher. For somebody who was painfully shy, I resented being put in this position. Why couldn't we just work on the assignments on our own? The kids in my class all sought out their partners leaving me standing all alone by my desk. During all the commotion, I summoned my new ghostly powers. Holy Moses! I walked through the classroom wall into the hall! That was awesome! Oh no, here comes the principal. And there goes the principal. He literally walked right through me.