I do not own Beetlejuice; the rights belong to the marvelous TIM BURTON! I love you, TIM!!!!!

I wasn't good with losing people. Never was, never will be. Even when my pet goldfish died in the fourth grade…I cried for a week. And last year, in the tenth grade, when my cat ran away; Mom said she's get me a new cat, but I didn't want one. No one could replace Aneleh! (Ana-LAY) But now that I think about it, I'd love to have a cat. Or to have a friend…

"—So that is why, even though we will miss her dearly, we must be grateful for the years we had with Lydia. She will forever live in the hearts of her friends, her family, and all whom she met in her life. We pray that she is at peace now, and can finally rest her colorful soul." The preacher bowed his head as the black coffin was lowered into the ground.

I stood alone, in front of everyone, and watched it go down.

"Does anyone wish to say something?" The preacher asked, looking up at the crowd.

"Lydia was my best friend," Someone in the cloud of darkly dressed people said, sniffing. I didn't care who it was, "One of the best things about her was the stories she told. She was one of the most beautiful people I have ever met, and I will miss her." The woman let out a sob, "Rest in peace, Lydia."

More people said a few things, and then the preacher turned to me, "Barbra?" He asked, walking up to me and placing his hand on my shoulder. "Would you like to say anything?"

I stared at nothing as the dirt was thrown in over the coffin, "See you in the Neitherworld, mum." I whispered, closing my eyes and seeing her face.

I didn't even talk during the rest of the service. People hugged me, people kissed me, and then I was home. Just like that…it was over. Not even bothering to change out of my black dress and veil, I sat down on my bed, and stared at my hands.

"Mum," I said out loud, knowing she couldn't hear me. "Why did you leave?" Choking on a few tears, I shook my head, "You said you w-wouldn't. You said you'd keep me safe. You promised me forever…" I slipped off of my bed and onto the floor, curling up into a ball.

I raised my head at the sound of the teacher calling my name, "Yeah?"

"They need you down in the office; they said to take your things." Mr. Burton said, looking at me through his glasses.

"Okay," I muttered as I left the classroom and walked down the stairs and into the office.

"Miss Deetz," The office lady said to me, trying to smile. "Please come here."

I followed her into the vice principal's office, and sat down in the chair she pulled out for me. It was just me, the nurse, the vice principal, and the office lady. What an exciting crowd…

"Barbra," Mrs. Cleo began, her face growing red, "I'm so sorry, but we have terrible news.

"What is it?" I asked the vice principal, leaning forward.

"We just received a call from the hospital. It's your mother, she's in critical condition." The grey haired woman shook her head, "I'm so sorry."

"What do you mean, 'critical condition?' What the hell happened?" I stood up, tears falling down my face.

"Miss Deetz—" But I was already out of the office, out of the school, and on my bike, heading for the local hospital.

"No, no, no, no, no," I muttered as I pedaled faster, leaving the damned school behind.

Not caring, I jumped off of my bike when I arrived at the tall building. Running into the hospital, I shouted at the lady behind the desk.

"MynameisBarbraDeetzwherethefuckismymom?"

"Barbra," A nurse came out from a door to my left, and put a hand on my shoulder. "Please come into my office, we need to speak with you."

"The hell you need to speak with me!" I screamed, shaking her off, what happened to my mom?" I could barely see her through my tears.

"I'm so sorry, but your mother died earlier. She was hit by a truck, I'm so sorry." And then I was on my knees, shaking with sobs that broke from my numb chest.

"No," I spat through my sobs. "She's going to be fine! They said that she—she was in critical condition! They said she was—"

"I'm sorry, miss Deetz, but your mother received many injuries to her head and chest. Her heart was bruised and—"

"Why are you telling me this?!" I shouted, trying to stand up, "Why did no one call me when it happened?"

"Why weren't you at work, mum?" I said to no one, pulling myself out from the flashback. I couldn't stand it…

"So Barbra," Mom said, pulling me down on the couch next to her. "I have a gift for you," She chuckled and pulled out a little black box from her pocket.

"Mum, you didn't have to! And my birthday's not for, like, six months!" I laughed, taking the box from her anyways. "You could wait until my party…Lucky seventeen and all!"

"Yeah, but I really need you to have this; it'll give me some peace of mind." She shrugged, her black hair ruffling.

"I can't open it," I grunted, trying to force the box open.

"I know that, silly! You'll need the key," I looked over at her to see her wide grin.

"When and where do I get the key?" I asked, shaking the box, trying t hear what was inside.

"Mum, you never told me I would get it through your Will." I coughed, shaking my head. I did have the key, the preacher gave it to me at during the service. It was in my pocket…

I sat up, my cheeks hot and wet, and pulled out the tiny curved key. Reached up, I grabbed the small black box that sat on my bedside table. I did what I had been waiting for for the past two years…

I stuck the key in the damned whole and…

With I tiny 'pop' noise, the box opened, revealing a small note written on a green sheet of paper.

"What the—" I looked down at the small words…

Barbra,

I hope you never have to use this. Now that I am gone, I need you to live on. I need you to LIVE. I need you to survive! If you stop being you, and if you…I don't know…just don't let me being gone stop you from living.

But if you are truly now alone, and you are in need of help and love, please read the following out loud. P

"Though I know I should be wry, still I venture somewhere scary. Ghostly haunting I turn loose; Beetlegeuse, Beetlegeuse, Beetlegeuse."

It's strange, but trust me; you're never alone.

I love you more than anything, Barbra.

Mummy.

"What the hell, mum. Beele-guys? Beetlejuice? Beetle—shit. Beetlejuice." I muttered, throwing the box across the room. "Do you honestly think I'm that alone?" I stood up and stomped my feet, screaming loudly.

After about two hours of pure sobs and shrieks, and picked the box back up and screamed out loud, "Though I know I should be wry, still I venture somewhere scary. Ghostly haunting I turn loose; Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!"

So, there you have it!

~Lyllith