in the shadows

i opened my bedroom door. my room was empty even though my dad went to pick up my furniture yesturday. i huffed and sat on my bare floor.
"what's wrong, penny?" cody asked me, sitting beside me on the floor.
"my dad. he just gets me so mad. you know how he is. he's drunk everyday, leaves me at school, has no job, a single mess, and now he's slacking! i would've brought my furniture over myself. but, i can't carry it," i reminded him.
"well, i might be able to bring it all here. just bring the truck and i'll load them up. and then unload it,"
"the truck isn't here. my dad took it yesturday remember?" i slumped. "and how come you're so strong? i thought ghosts couldn't touch anything, but you can lift an airplane over your head with one hand if you wanted."
he chuckled. "it's called being intelligent. there aren't a lot of ghosts like me, but there are some. i've gotten stronger over the years. and you know i've been dead for a long time. i guess some of us just have that quality. and others-" he smiled at me.
"others?"
"others are just completely irisistable. like me," i rolled my eyes, knowing her was joking. or maybe not. all i know is that he's hot. but he is only my friend. "and some can make themselves be seen to all humans. it's like they get a second chance at life. most of them. some can be seen, but can't touch anything. some can touch things, but can't be seen. i'm one of the lucky one's. i could've prooved you weren't crazy years ago. i just chose not to," he laughed.
i took my shoe off and playfully threw it at him, but it went right through him. that jerk.
we heard the door slam shut and some mumbling shortly after. my dad was drunk again. when he was this bombed, it was usually a good idea to stay as far away from him as possible, because he could get aggressive. he's already hit me once. but when he was sober he appologized by getting me my dog, yellow.
i stood up, closed and locked my door when i heared someone stomping up the steps and cursing like a sailor. the knob rattled. "penny! open this door, you know i hate it when doors are locked in my house!"
i reached for the lock when cody grabbed my wrist.
"cody, what's your problem?" i asked him.
"he's already hit you once when he was like this. why would you want to chance it?" he asked me, still holding my wrist tight.
"he's my dad. i trust him. and you should trust me," he looked around, biting one side of his cheek. he let go and stepped back.
i opened the door and my dad pretty much collapsed onto my shoulders. he was passed out. "cody, can you help me put him to bed?" i asked him.
"no, i refuse to touch him. this is your problem,"
"please, cody. he's too heavy for me to bring him down stairs."
he groaned, but grabbed him and jumped down the whole flight of stairs, landing on his feet. i slid down the railing and almost fell at the end.
cody just tossed my dad on the bed and walked out of the room. i pushed passed him and pulled the blanket over him and kissed his cheek. i closed his door behind me. "can you please try to get along with my dad?"
cody backed me against a wall. "no. i will not get along with the man that's capable of hitting you, and then bribes you with a dog."
"well then, do it for me,"
he looked at me surprised. "penny, you know i'd do anything for you. you are my absolute best friend. nothing will ever change that. not even your freaki- i mean your dad. but. i don't want him hurting you again,"
"if he ever hits me again i already told you i'd move out. i'd get a restraining order. i'd move in with my grandma. he hasn't hit me yet has he? no. so calm down. i'm fine. now come on, get ready. you are officially meeting my dad. tonight. so go find some nice clothes and please work on your little attitude okay?" i walked passed him and out the door.
"where do you think you're going?" he asked me.
"to get yellow. the dog that my dad bribed me with."