{Hiya! This is my second try with this fic, so it may sound pretty familiar :p I just love BeetleJuice and I want to get this fic perfect!}
Esther stepped down off of the last bus to nowhere and looked around herself in awe. Nowhere- Winter Rivers- was breathtaking. She breathed in the lean, crisp air and it felt delicious in her lungs. An involuntary shiver, and a smile took her. Esther's thoughts tumbled around like popping popcorn in her head; the sight of the trees, and the grass- green was everywhere- it was so perfect, and the quaint town was lovely, and topped with a gorgeous hill and a looming, beautiful home. The freshness of it all made her feel alive. If only for a moment.
She closed her eyes, trying to keep the bright feeling of cold mountain air on her bare arms. Suddenly- there came a honk, of the car variety. It was startling; and she dropped her bags as she turned sharply to find it, visibly frightened. Behind her was a shiny green convertible, with the hood up. Inside it was a beautifully aging, delicate, pale woman with deep brown eyes.
Lydia felt bad for honking- immediately. She should have known not to alarm the shell shocked girl. She watched helpless as the girl turned at her, hair flying out of it's loose braid at all angles- each one trying to escape as it's thrown. Lydia thought to herself a silly metaphor about how her hair looked like spikes, and the word bristle. The girl certainly had bristled, eyes wide open and mouth in a perfect "o."
Esther composed herself, gave half hearted giggle and scurried to pick up her things. "Hullo Ms. Deetz" She called softly through the car window.
Lydia turned the car off and stepped out to greet the girl. "Hi, how are you?" She smiled, and Esther smiled back weakly. Everything about small talk made her uncomfortable. She was very much of the "Nothing much worth saying out loud" lot. Not to mention that she generally was people weary- and now, travel weary now that she thought about it.
"I'm okay," Esther looked up, and away from Lydia "I really like it out here."
Esther hugged her bag to her chest tighter and breathed in, deep in thought. Lydia sighed, and sensing Esther's inability to function, grabbed her suitcase and proceeded to load up.
"c'mon, kid, let's get you settled in, okay?" Esther nods, and loads a third bag, and herself in behind Lydia.
Soon, they're winding up the driveway of the Deetz family home. The drive was quick, wordless, and painless for Esther. Lydia lets her be, knowing firsthand that what emotional pain needed was space. She studies Esther, in quick sideways glances, noting fresh cuts on her arms and tear stains down her cheeks. The child was a wreck- and Lydia made a mental note to hide anything useful.
The house leaves Esther in a state of shock for a moment- she's never seen a real home before. As Lydia unlocks the door, she turns around slowly, just trying to take it all in. She can't imagine what having a yard must have felt like, and lush, green forest to explore behind the house. This must be where so many of Lydia's breathtaking nature shots came from. Esther felt so excited and happy to be staying in such a peaceful, tranquil, beautiful place as such and honored that Lydia had wanted to share her personal haven with her.
"Ms. Deetz?"
"Yes?"
"I don't know how to thank you, I'm so-"
Lydia cuts her off, "I understand." After a few moments, she looks at the girl, "You can just call me Lydia when we're here."
Esther looks at her, blankly. "Oh."
"You don't need too. We're not working."
Her brows jump in understanding. "Okay."
The inside of the house is the best part- in Esther's opinion. It's warm and furnished cozily, with couches, and tables and a fireplace. The walls are papered in an outdated floral wall paper, and the windows were hung with equally outdated lace curtains. There's an elegant stairway leading to more rooms and the house oozes family. The halls are lined with family photos and paintings of horses.
"Wow."
"Do you like it?" Lydia is answered with a swift nod. "Come this way.
She walks gracefully up the staircase, so at ease, down the hall to the last door. Opened, it reveals a black canopy bed, blackout curtains, and a black vanity. She sighs, "This was my childhood bedroom. I haven't thought to change it, and didn't before you arrive here. I'm sure you appreciate this stuff, though."
Esther places her backpack gently on the bed. "I do."
"You know, we moved here after my father had a nervous breakdown. It was his escape, we came here so he could settle his nerves."
"Did it work?"
"Not at first," Says Lydia, cryptically. "But there's time for stories like that much later." She shakes her head. "I'm sure you'd like some privacy. See you later. Bathroom is right next door, fresh towels are already in there. Kitchen is downstairs if you t hungry. I'll probably order Chinese. Hope you like Cantonese. . ." She trails away.
Esther sighs, and flops down on the bed. She didn't know if Lydia knew how much she appreciated her letting her come stay here. The past year had been terrible, and what she really, right now, needed was a sanctuary to collect herself in. She had her career threatened, her heart broken, her money stolen . . .
She cried silently into her bag. Her career was over. No one would hire her again for anything decent. Modeling was D.O.N.E. She pulled her sleeves back up her arms. They had only sagged down to her wrists, but to her, she was over exposed. A tentative finger slid down a sleeve to feel the raised bumps on her wrist. Disgusted, she dug her nails into her skin and drug them all the way up to her thumb before letting go.
This was the time to medicate, she knew it. That's what the doctor said. "Just take one if you start to get the urges, it's all okay, honey." She swallowed three, and then crawled under the sheets.
The mirror flashed green- for half a second. Esther shrugged it off as the drugs.
