Chapter 1

Ignore it.

Its getting closer

Just ignore it.

But it gets even closer.

Act natural. Like you see nothing, I tell myself.

And then it passes right by me.

I take a deep breath. I didn't know I was holding it. There's another one but it's far away from me.

"Excuse me, your order ? " the cashier asks me.

"Hurry up! Your holding up the line " says the man behind me.

I quickly order a cheeseburger with coke and take the receipt. Then walking towards a table for 2, I wait. That was so tense. See, the thing is, I've been able to see ghosts for a long time. In the beginning, it was around when I was a kid, I started seeing these things. I was so scared and told my parents but they didn't believe me. I was quite the storyteller back then too. Now, I just don't care about them. Just a part of my normal life.

The restaurant staff calls my given number. I get my meal and sit back at my place. It feels nice coming here. I look out the window and watch as people go about their normal lives. The ghosts, wandering aimlessly.

How boring.

The sound of laughter grabs my attention. 4 teenage girls idly chatting and wasting their lives away. I recognize one of them. Eleanor, from my class. Adored by everyone .shes in a lot of clubs while I'm just in photography, the only member who bothers to show up. I find her quite annoying. They all look so ridiculous. I think she senses me looking and glances at me. I quickly look away. I prefer being alone over being a clown. The television here is showing a talkshow with Miss Helen parker as the guest. She's a new upcoming actress and Shes recently been getting a lot of fame due to her various charity donations. If it was anyone else, I'd say they wanted to show off but I think she's the real deal. She rarely makes appearances on talk shows and when she does, she doesn't brag about her generosity or fame. I suppose she's in my good books. I quickly finish my meal and take my leave.

It's starting to get dark. As I walk home, I take a few snaps with my camera along the way. Trees, flowers, sky, streets, cars, houses, etc anything beautiful that catches my eye. It's like capturing the moment. At the right time and from the perfect angle. The street in Autumn looks amazing. The mix of red, yellow, and orange is dazzling. It's my favorite time of the year. There are few people here and there. So are the ghosts. I used to have a hard time figuring out if a certain person is alive or a ghost. They all just seemed so similar.

As I'm walking, wrapped up in my thoughts, I see a guy standing near a tree a few steps away. He's staring up at the leaves. At that moment, he looks picture perfect. Tall, dark messy hair and curious eyes. He looks like he's in a trance, deep in thought. The setting Sun's light graces him at the right angles. Alas, I couldn't help but want to try to capture this image. He notices someone staring at him and looks at me. Embarrassed, I just nervously wave my hand and say sorry. He looks around to see if I was talking to someone else. Feeling awkward, I turn and proceed my way. But he's coming towards me now. And then I watch as a woman with a stroller passes by and he goes right through her. That's when I realize I'd made a huge mistake. He keeps walking toward me, confusion on his face. I ignore him and keep walking. This is what I meant by not being able to tell the difference sometimes.

"Hey, wait! " he yells

But I pay him no heed. This is why I avoid them. As soon as they notice I could see them, they either won't leave me alone or want me to do something for them, which is quite a hassle. Plus what if some of them try to hurt me? As I keep regretting, he runs up in front of me.

"You...can see me right ? " he says

I ignore them and walk right through him. Whenever I make these types of mistakes of revealing myself, I make them think they misunderstood and then they leave.

"I know you can see me " he keeps following me. Now he's walking right beside me. I keep ignoring him

" Why are you pretending ? " he asks. He keeps trying to get me to talk all the way to my house. When is he gonna leave!?. As I enter my house, I groan internally as he follows me inside too.

He smirks "I know you can see me . Ignore me all you want, I AM going to make you talk to me," he says as he follows me to the kitchen. This is getting frustrating.

At night, when I try to sleep, it feels so unbearable! He's sitting right in the corner of the room. He still hasn't left! He must have known I can't fall asleep as he starts humming. It's all to annoy me so I can acknowledge him. I grit my teeth. Resist! Resist it! I keep telling myself. Don't snap! He wants you to do that! Don't do it! I take a deep breath and calm myself. After that, I try my hardest to sleep while he annoys me

All.Night.Long. He freaking kept doing it all night long. I didn't even get a wink of sleep! I pat myself on the back for keeping it together all night. Looking at the mirror, I look like a zombie. He laughs, much to my irritation

"You look terrible! I'm honestly impressed by your patience and endurance " he says

I sigh " I was so nervous for today's presentation I couldn't sleep at all," I say to myself. He simply rolls his eyes. Later, the bastard follows me to school. He noticed how I avoid confrontation with other ghosts.

"Why do you avoid them? With your ability, you could help these souls rest in peace " he says as I take my seat in the class. No way. Like I said it's such a hassle to do all that. They need to find for themselves what's binding them here. It's not my job. He then sits on top of my desk, one leg on top of the other. Annoying!

"So Lisa. I see you have no friends. You're the lonely and preserved type! That's not good. You should learn to make friends or else you'll end up a lonely old lady " he laughs. I simply take out a book and read. Don't let him get on your nerves!

He then leans forward towards my face. I keep my eyes on the book.

He smirks "You're a sad little person " then gets up and leaves the classroom. I sigh in relief. Finally! Finally, he's gone! The class begins and we get to work

As lunchtime arrives, I head to the cafeteria. While I'm eating I suddenly spot him from the corner of my eye. He's just goofing around. Making faces at people and wandering around through them. Seeing him like this makes me giggle.

"Ha! Made you laugh " he's right beside me all of a sudden. I was just about to turn towards him when I restrained myself.

"Seriously, just drop it. I already know you can see me. Don't worry, I'll keep it a secret " I hear him say. I don't want to. Bracing myself, I only glance at him.

When he sees that I'm looking at him, he smirks. Bastard

"So, ready to talk now ? " he says.

He's the most frustrating one I've met so far. Usually, when I make a mistake and they follow me, they only stay for a little while before giving up. But this guy just doesn't quit!

"What do you want? " I whisper furiously

He simply grins "Nothing " that's it. I get and start to walk out of the cafeteria.

"No, wait I was just kidding! " he runs by my side. I avoid eye contact and keep moving forward.

"Then what? " I ask him

"Let's be friends," he says

I roll my eyes "Why? "

"No reason "

"Go be friends with other ghosts. Leave me alone " I enter the classroom and I sit back in my seat

He wants something from me. But he seems hesitant to say it. Ugh, now I'm starting to get curious. He's trying to get me to help him in a roundabout way by first being friends. I look at him, he's sitting on top of the teacher's desk, thinking about something. He sat there the whole day, which was fun while the class was in session. No one could see him.

On my way home, he kept following behind me. I think he gave up finding a way because he then walks beside me with a sober look.

"Listen. We don't have to be friends but...I just really need your help " he says. Bingo. I was right.

"What is it? " I ask

He stretches his arms "I'll tell you when we get home " he says and walks ahead. Then he stops and turns around " oh and by the way, my name's Alex "