Dell Philby had always been interested in the supernatural and otherworldly happenings. Ghosts were his absolute favorite.

Most people would believe since he was smart, running for valedictorian actually, that he wouldn't believe in things like ghosts. But instead, he didn't know WHAT to think. Were they real? Were they not? He wasn't sure. There was no scientific proof, but he was still interested. So after school he would walk to the library and hang out in the horror aisles. He had been doing this since sixth grade.

But today was the first day he had seen someone new, sitting on a bench, reading Philby's favorite book, Otherworldly Observations. Right when Philby walked in, the boy looked up from the book and his face split into a wide grin.

"Hey! Dell Philby, right?"

A volunteer sitting at the front desk shushed him and returned to reading her book.

"Yeah, that's me," Philby whispered.

"I'm Finn, Whitman, I'm in your grade."

That's right, his face did seem familiar. He must have seen him in the halls of his school. "Oh," was all Philby could say.

"I hear you're running for valedictorian. That's pretty cool." Finn looked down at the book in his hands and chucked. "You must think all of this is pretty dumb, then. The ghost stuff."

"On the contrary, I find it rather fascinating. I study supernatural theories quite often, actually."

"You do?!" Finn gasped excitedly, earning another shush from Volunteer Lady. He lowered his voice and continued. "I've believed in ghosts since I was little, but everyone thinks I'm crazy."

What a weird kid, Philby thought. He wasn't used to people this outgoing, and for a senior in high school, Finn seemed very childlike. Philby didn't know what to think of him just yet.

"I have this theory," Finn continued, since Philby wasn't speaking. "You know the old schoolhouse a few blocks down from out school?"

"I've driven past that a few times, yeah," Philby nodded.

"It's going to be torn down soon, but I heard some weird stories. People think it's haunted."

Philby nodded. He's heard more than his fair share of ghost stories about that old schoolhouse, it's all anyone talks about when that's the topic of conversation. "Yes, that is the rumor going around, isn't it?"

"I want to go check it out for myself. My friends Jess and Amanda want to come along too." Finn flipped the page of the book. "I just want to be prepared. HEY!"

Volunteer Lady shushed him again, and Finn whispered. "You should come with us!"

Philby just blinked and stared back at the strange boy.

"You said you were into ghost things, right?"

"Supernatural theories, yeah."

"Well don't you think it would be fun to go see for ourselves?"

"If you have a death wish."

"What do you mean?" Finn looked up at him, confusion filling his bright green eyes. A puppy, that's what he reminds Philby of.

Philby turned to the shelf and pulled out a book, about the exact town that they live in, and the stories about the old schoolhouse. "In ever single rumor about that place, someone had died," Philby said, flipping through the pages through each story, skimming over the deaths.

"Well those people won't be prepared, like me," Finn held out the book proudly, like a little boy showing off a participation plague for soccer or something.

"You're crazy if you want to go in that place," a female voice said from behind them. Volunteer Lady had stood up and walked over. "Finn and Philby, right?"

"How did you know?" Finn turned excitedly to the girl.

"You're in my chemistry class, and Philby, you're running for valedictorian. I go to the same school you do, my name's Willa Angelo."

And thus Volunteer Lady had a name. "Alright, Ms. Volunteer Willa," Finn said giddily. "How do you feel about ghosts?"

"I feel like it's a childish theory."

Finn's face fell for a second, but then he returned to his big, child-like smile. "But you just said we would be crazy if we wanted to go in the old schoolhouse."

"If you wanted to go in the old schoolhouse," Philby quickly corrected.

"I don't believe in ghosts, but everyone else would think you were crazy if you went," Willa said. "A lot of people died because of accidents there. Loose floorboards, weak ceilings,-"

"You think those are all just coincidences?" Finn interrupted. "Wouldn't it be great to prove that the place is actually haunted?"

"What I would love to do is prove to both of you that ghosts don't really exist," Willa said, plucking the book out of his hands and tucking it under her arm.

"Exactly!" Finn said, Willa shushing him once again. "You can come with us-"

"-With YOU," Philby interrupted.

"-to prove to us that ghosts don't really exist," Finn continued, ignoring Philby. "It would be fun!"

Willa contemplated the thought for a second, pursing her lips and squinting at Finn. It would be a great way to put all those silly ghost rumors to rest. She might even be considered a hero for putting small children's minds at ease. Finally, she nodded. "Fine. I'll come. Just so I can prove that there is no such thing as ghosts."

"YAY!" Finn jumped to his feet, and Willa shushed him. "You two can meet Jess, Amanda, and I after school on Friday by the bike rack."

"Woah woah woah. Slow your roll. I never agreed to going anywhere!" Philby put both of his hands up. "You two can have fun dying, I'm going to live 'till graduation."

"You don't honestly believe that the "ghosts" are going to kill you," Willa raised an eyebrow. "Valedictorian candidate Dell Philby believes in ghosts?"

"Yes, I do," Philby stared back at Willa. "And I believe that you two are nuts for going."

"But don't you want to prove Ms. Volunteer Willa wrong?" Finn asked, grabbing Philby's arm. Philby looked down at the boy's hands and yanked his arm away.

"No. She can believe what she wants."

"But imagine proving to the world that ghosts exist. The awards you'll get, your name would go down in history!"

Boy, this kid was convincing. First, he managed to drag Willa into this, and now, he actually made Philby hesitate. Philby looked the boy down, his eager eyes, his fists clasped together excitedly, bouncing on his heels. He glanced over at Willa, crossing her arms and waiting for Philby to give an answer. He looked back at Finn.

"I'll get back to you on that."