Chapter Two: School

Disclaimer: I do not own Beyond Two Souls.

"No...Not here again..." I squinted my eyes, the bright sky made it kind of hard to focus. I shifted my gaze to the clouds passing by above me, I knew I was in the meadow field again, surrounded by nothing but long grass and non-woody plants. There isn't much trees here, I could be wrong since I didn't have the time to do some exploring. I sighed in content, enjoying the peace and quiet moment I have left.

It was coming, it's going to happen all over again, leaving me to wonder whether this was a nightmare or perhaps of a warning from the future.

I was pulled out of my reverie when I felt the gentle breeze of the wind, each carrying the faint notes of a piano being played. I could feel it, the grass tickling my skin, ushering me towards the direction of the heartbreaking melody. I stifled a yawn and stood up, following, moving towards the path that leads me to where he is.

As I got closer, the sound got louder. I could almost make up a figure, sitting on a black majestic-looking piano stool, playing the seemingly huge stringed instrument under an oak tree, part of the leaves are turning red and brown in colors. It reminds me of the season, fall. This time however, everything seems different, odd if I may say.

My breathe hitched as I took in the features of said figure, I couldn't really see his face due to his back facing me. I knew instantly that was the same man, he had broad shoulders and this time, was wearing a white long sleeve with ruffles at each end of his cuff, matched with a black vest and pants. I could feel his muscle flexing under those layer of clothes as he played the piano, his body moving according to the melody. It was so mesmerizing, so hypothesizing at the same time. I had the sudden urge to creep right behind and touch him but that would be a disaster because if I were to move one step forward, he'll be aware that I'm here. It's all the same in my previous dreams. Me getting close to him, he stops, turns around and sent me into a deep black hole and bam! I woke up.

I decided to wait instead, until he is done playing the piano.

I didn't have to wait long because he stood up from his seat and turn around to face me. He was wearing a black masquerade mask, with golden trimming around it. It was embedded with tiny jewels and beautifully sculpted patterns, there was a few black feathers sticking out at the right side of the mask. His unruly raven black hair which sculpted his face perfectly, somehow it made him seem so...devilish.

He made his way slowly towards me, inch by inch until he was standing right in front of me. We were staring at one another now, I was shocked that never in my previous dream would he walk right up to me, it's either he vanished upon seeing me or I get suck in a black hole and woke up.

We never really spoke, so I figure now would really be good time to speak. "W-Where am-" I croak, and clear my throat. "Where am I and who a-are you?" He didn't responded, instead tilt his head slightly and stare. I decided to ask one more time but, however as I open my mouth to speak, I feel something cold touching my shoulders, I turn around in fear it would be some kind of monsters but there was nothing. I turn back to look at the mysterious figure and he was smirking at me. Though he did not move a single muscle, it took me seconds to realize that it was his doing. Again, that invisible-touching-feeling is at my shoulders again, it moved from my shoulders to my arms then back up again, slowly, moving up to my neck and I shuddered at the feeling. I tried to move away but his grip became tighter around my neck but not tight enough to choke me.

I tried raising my arms towards my neck to pull free from him but failed to do so. I was totally numb and all I could do was to stare at him with wide eyes.

This dream, this never happened before.

Fear

I was scared, scared of what was going to happen next.

He leaned forward and I squeeze my eyes shut. I felt his warm breathe against my ear. "...Jodie.." he murmurs and somehow it sent a tingling sensation through my spine. His voice sounded hoarse, it was sexy yet scary at the same time.

I hadn't notice that he had released me, that was until the ground start shaking, the trees and grasses were starting to wither, everything had turn from grey to black. Not having much time to process what was happening, the ground below me cracked open and I fell into darkness where the burning fires at the very bottom awaits to consume my body. I looked up and saw that he was staring back at me. Grinning."

"NO!" I screamed as my body shot straight up from the bed. I was breathing heavily, drips of perspiration falling down from my forehead.

SLAM!

"NO! Don't come near me!" I screamed at the sound of the door slamming open and grabbed the lava lamp, ready to throw it at my attacker and as soon as I was about to do so, I realize that there was no one standing at the entrance of my room door, instead, I notice a floating glass of water half peaked at the side of the door before making its way towards me.

I stared dumbfounded at first but busted into laughter when I realize what was going on. The scene I had seen a few moments ago, somehow made me forgot about what I had dreamt earlier and think of how cute Aiden could be sometimes.

Sometimes I'm glad Aiden is around

Wiping the tears off my eyes, I took the glass of water and gulped it down. "T-Thank you, Aiden..." I sighed in relieve and placed the empty glass on the night stand. "I-I'm going back to sleep now...um.. Good night" I lie flat on my back against the mattress and before I could get some shut eye, my now fixed alarm clock landed on top of my tummy.

6 am

"Um.. Aiden?" confused, I propped myself up on my left elbow, the other hand, taking the alarm clock and putting back the alarm clock on the night stand. I wondered if he's trying to make me mad again.

Right after that thought, my bag floated towards me and landed right next to my bed.

Oh. Oh, I get it now.

"I... I don't have school till 8 am but.. Thank you for telling me.." A small curve formed upwards at the side of my mouth. I laid back down on the bed, tossed to the left then right then left again and closed my eyes.

"...Good night Aiden.." I smiled and drifted off to wonderland.

"Rinnnnggggg!"

"Riiinnnnnnnnggg!"

"Argh...Aiden, shut that thing up!" Jodie tossed in her bed and pulled the comforter over her head to block the sound of the annoying object. A few seconds later, the sound stopped. But that wasn't the end for Mr clock or that's what Aiden thinks, using his supernatural powers, he slowly lifted the small object and placed it beside Jodie's head. Trying his best not to wake the sleepy girl, he quietly adjusted the time to 7.59am.

I'll let you sleep for one minute the cunning entity chuckled evilly to himself.

Unbeknownst to Jodie, she sighed in content and shifted slightly on the bed to make herself comfortable, she could feel herself being pulled away from reality when the alarm rang just perfectly at the back of her head. She could feel her ear almost deafen due to the high and annoying noise it was making.

"Oh my god..." Jodie slipped her hands out of the comforter and pressed the off button of the alarm clock. "Aiden... stop it please..." she was too tired to even start scolding yet alone argue with him.

Aiden feeling not satisfied that she still hasn't move from her bed yet, pulled the comforter off her and placed the alarm clock in front of her. You are late! He screamed at her, though he knew she couldn't really hear him which made him feel kind of sad.

8.01 am

"Oh shit! I'm fucking late for school!" Jodie, having to see the time, jumped out of her bed, almost tripped and rushed into the bathroom. She stripped quickly, turn on the water and wash herself. As for Aiden, he watched happily at the panicking Jodie shampooing, conditioning, doing whatever to make herself smell fresh.

Jodie has a very...nice butt... He smiled to himself, good thing that Jodie doesn't know he's a pervert. Not that he'll ever admit it to her. He floated towards the kitchen and open the fridge, taking out some butter, shredded cheese and eggs. He then proceed to turn on the stove, placed the frying pan on top and added a bit of butter into it.

As he was waiting for the butter to melt, he quickly buttered four slices of bread and placed two of the slices on the frying pan, at the same time, adding the shredded cheese before covering it with the other two slices and adding cheese on top. After a few minutes, he flipped them over and did the same thing until both sides had turn crispy brown. He placed both bread on a wooden board and cut them into half, next, he took a cute looking cat lunch box(he stole it) from the drawer and placed the warm food inside and to finish it, he managed to squeeze in the egg. Perfect.

Just as he was about to close the lunch box, Jodie emerged from her room and walked briskly into the kitchen. She was wearing a white short sleeve shirt with a navy blue sweater vest and black pleated skirt. She was surprised when she spotted the lunch box on the kitchen counter. "O-Oh.. You made breakfast..." she walked closer to see what Aiden had made for her.

"Oh wow Aiden... Grilled cheese and boiled egg.. I like that" Jodie smiled and closed the lit of the lunchbox, putting it into her school bag. She quickly hurried to put on her socks and shoes, once done, grabbed her cell phone and keys and dashed out of the door.

She briskly made her way to the elevator, pressed the down button and muttering a 'come on' as she waited for the freakishly slow thing to reach her floor. Jodie froze for awhile before turning to look at Aiden. "Um.. about making grilled cheese and boiled egg, I want to say thank you" Jodie smiled a little at the floating black mist who seems to be examining a piece of paper being stick to the wall.

"Welcome and it's grilled cheese and a raw egg. Too bad you can't hear me" Aiden smirked inwardly to himself, he can't wait the see the reaction Jodie has when she tried eating the 'boiled' egg. She'll probably get mad at him again. But oh well.

"Ding!"

The sound of the elevator arriving at ones floor arrived. Jodie rushed in, pressed the button to the first floor and spammed the close button. Aiden floated in slowly, even though he had went in the elevator countless times, it never crease to amazed him at how huge it was. It could fit almost thirty people inside and as for the interior, one side was covered in mirror, another side was the notice board and the back that was facing the lift door was just a plain old shiny-wooden back. Feeling the need to check the notice board, he floated his way there and examine the board, at the same time, he could hear Jodie walking back and forth and muttering to herself.

"C'mon...c'mon! Stupid elevator..." Jodie muttered to herself as she walked back and forth, thankful that no one other than Aiden and her are occupying the elevator or else whoever is in with her would think she's a bit kuku. She decided to check herself on the mirror, smoothing out any wrinkles on her skirt.

She stared at herself in the mirror. "Nothing new, just...plain old me.."

"H-Hi! I'm Jodie! Tee hee?" Her voice came out squeaky and she smiled, showing off her white teeth and felt embarrass instantly, what she did just now feels stupid and weird. She almost wanted to bang her head on the wall for doing that and the thought that Aiden is watching her. "Aiden... I wonder..." Her eyes slowly drifted off to the notice board behind her and her heart immediately froze.

The figure she is looking at through the mirror has the same resembles of the man in her dream, though he hadn't notice yet since he was too absorb into the notice board. "H-Huh..? A-Aiden..?" Jodie spin around to see that no one was there except for the black mist floating. She looked back at the mirror again and nothing. The man she saw wasn't there, instead it was the black mist.

"I must be hungry...Breakfast is always the most important meal of the day..y-yeah.. I mustn't skip breakfast anymore..." Jodie chided herself.

"Ding!"

When the doors were open, Jodie dashed out, greeted a random passer-by, made her way out of the lobby and into the busy streets.

"Oh crap... I forgot where my school is located at... shit" Jodie face palmed, how could she forgotten such important matters. "Damn it.." She paced around the pathway until she spotted a taxi nearby. An idea spring into her mind. "Aiden, I need you to bring me to school.. There is a taxi over there" She pointed to the yellow cab and walked towards it.

Aiden, who got the message, used his powers to possess the taxi driver. He stared at the items in his hands, looks like sir baldly is having breakfast. He tossed the food out of the window and waited for Jodie to get in.

Once she had gotten into the taxi, he pressed onto the accelerate and zoom towards her school.

Jodie POV(Point of View)

"And just who do you think you are?" A woman wearing a black blouse with a matching pencil skirt, maybe around her 40's looked at me as soon as I entered the classroom.

"E-Er.. I-I'm Jodie and this is Class 4A right?" I answered, feeling nervous. I looked around the classroom and notice that everyone was sitting in a circle, all heads and eyes on me. "Great... So much for trying not to be the weird one..." I thought to myself.

"Well Jodie, yes, you're in the right classroom. Grab a chair and join the circle" Ms 40's, I don't know what her name is, gestured to the stacked up chairs in the corner. I walked quickly and grabbed a chair, not really enjoying the attention I'm receiving. Once I've gotten a chair, I realize another problem I had, who to sit with and judging by the circle, I don't see any space where I could squeeze in. Well, that was until someone called me. I turned to said voice and saw a girl, waving at me and pointing to the empty space beside her. I walked over towards her, placed the chair down and sit. "Um.. Thanks.." I whispered quietly.

"No promblemo!" She whispered back at me. "I'm Zoey by the way, your name is Joey right? We have similar names, Zoey, Joey" Bright green orbs stared at me with enthusiasm. "Hi Zoey and it's Jodie not Joey" I forced a smile, I feel so awkward now.

I never really have 'friends' so I didn't knew how I should act.

"Alright class! Time for a little game!" Ms 40's clasped her hands together and looked at each of us. "It's called the introducing yourself game!" the class groaned at the word 'introduce' mentioned. "You'll have to tell the class your name, where you from, your talent if you have any and what you want to do in ten years or so from now, I'll start first!"

"Good morning class! My name is Ms Umi, I'm from Canada, I'm a very good singer and what I want to do in 10 years from now, well obviously, teaching you students and watch you grow into successful adults." Ms 40's said, smiling at us warmly. "Alright, since Jodie dear came in late, you'll be the first to go"

Fuck no.

"Please stand and introduce yourself, Jodie" She clapped her hands as some sort of encouragement for me. "Shit... what should I say? I don't really have a permanent home since I'm constantly moving around, plus I don't even know where I'm born in!" I panicked in my mind as I stood up. I could feel every gaze on me.

God I hate this...

I took a deep breathe, exhale and start.

"My name is Jodie, I'm sixteen years old...um.. I-I'm from..." I searched my brain for the word but nothing came into mind. "Lo..n..don.." I heard a voice behind me, not giving a second thought, I accidentally shouted the word 'London' scaring everyone in class. "I-I mean I was born in London...b-before I moved here..." I lowered my volume and rubbed my arm, I want to just fucking disappear, god, how embarrassing.

"Um..hmm, that's wonderful! What are your talents and what do you want to do in ten years from now?" Ms 40's asked me. Shoot... I've never thought about that..

I thought for a moment before continuing, "In ten years from now... I wish to lead a normal life, you know.. hang out with my friends and just chilling, doing random and fun stuff together? Oh and maybe look for a job too..." But I bet that would ever happen, that's because I have an entity glued to me. I wanted to add that but decided not to. "As for my talent...erm.. I can-" before I could finish my sentence, my right hand automatically made a fist and stretched in front of everyone. I open my hand and there lies the head of a red rose, I felt confused at first until it started floating above my hand.

Aiden! Shit you!

"M-My talent is m-magic! My older cousin used to teach me that when I was young!" I made that up but I guess no one was listening, they seemed to be quite fascinated by the floating flower. It landed slowly on my palm and the room was filled with applause.

"Wow.. that was amazing Jodie!" Ms 40's clapped and I smiled at her, feeling my cheeks turning pink. I turned to look at Zoey, who was staring at me with curiosity. It seemed like she wanted to ask me something but decided not to.

Right after everyone had introduced themselves, the bell rang. "That's all for now class! You may go for your break!" Ms 40's bid the class good bye and dismissed everyone.

"Hey Jodie! Wanna have lunch together?" Zoey bummed me on the shoulders and giggled.

"W-Well sure!" I took my bag and followed Zoey out of the classroom. We walked pass the school hallway, pass the cafeteria and into the back of the building where an old green house is at. It took a while to get here I guess but I would never expected to see how beautiful the inside of the green house was. There was many various of flowers, including the rose. The green house was filled with a sweet scent, it was a quiet place and I'm thankful for that.

"B-Beautiful..." I mumbled.

"Well, of course it is! This is my new secret hide out, I found it while exploring earlier on. Come here!" She patted on the flat surface of a huge rock, gesturing me to sit.

Once I've sat beside her, she took out a brown paper bag and pulled out her lunch. "What did you get for lunch? My mum made me some chicken and ham sandwiches" she pointed to her food and took a huge bite.

"W-Well, grilled cheese and boiled egg..." I pulled out my lunch box and open the lit to show her what's inside. "Oh cool! I-I always wanted to try eating grilled cheese! C-Can I have a bite of it?" Zoey looked at me with slight embarrassment. "Sure, h-here" I took a slice of it and gave it to her. She hurriedly gobble her sandwich down and squealed happily as she took the slice from me.

"She's so cute!" I laughed as I thought of that.

"Hmm? W-What are you laughing at?" Zoey said playfully as she head-butted me lightly.

"N-Nothing..nothing.." I smiled and took the boiled egg. I usually eat the egg before the bread, I don't know if I'm the only one who does that, but who cares.

Slowly, I pressed the shell of the egg so that I could peal it but instead my thumb cracked right into it, jolting me at first before I realize that the egg I'm holding isn't boiled egg but raw egg due to the sticky transparent fluid dripping out from the cracks my thumb had made. What the fuck..?

"You're so gonna get it when we get home, Aiden..." I muttered angrily under my breathe.

"...Aiden? You mean that black thing floating around..?" I paused for a moment. Did I heard what she just said? Black thing?

No, no, no... I might be wrong...

"Um.. W-What black thing?" I laughed nervously, tossing the raw egg away and taking out a napkin to wipe my hands.

"Eh?! You can't see it? It's like a black mist that keeps floating around you..." She pointed towards 'Aiden' before widening her eyes at me. "O-Oh I'm sorry.. I know this may sound weird but..." she paused.

"Since young, I can see things no other people could... You know like...ghost" she gestured to the air around her. "When I told my mum about it she just brushed it off that I'm just 'seeing things'..but my uncle, uncle Stan, he believes me- hold on" She fished into her vest pocket and took out a picture, handing it to me.

I took the picture and look at it. There was a man wearing a gray beanie doing a peace sign, with a woman who I assume is Zoey mother smiling at the camera and in the middle was a four to six year old looking girl, her hair tied in a double twisted pigtails. I wondered why isn't there a photo of her dad nor did she mention him but decided not to ask.

"This is uncle Stan, my mum and me!" She smiled sadly as I examine the picture. "As I was saying... I could see ghost but I can't communicate with them, well, you see...when I was seven, I remembered waking up in the middle of the night and wanting to get a glass of water...but.." her voice growing softer, I could see her clenching her hands then releasing it. "I saw uncle Stan sitting on his couch crying, he looked so...so sad... I've never seen him being like that before and...there was a woman who was standing right beside him, she seemed to be in pain too... it's like...she wanted to tell him something. Something important..."

"I wanted to tell uncle Stan about it...but I can't, I'm afraid of hurting him..I-It's so frustrating that I couldn't help though I wanted to..." I could see tears swelling up in her eyes.

"H-Hey..Zoey it's alright.." I patted her back lightly to comfort her. "Actually, I can see things as well..." I gulped, unsure whether I should tell her about Aiden, she wouldn't think I'm crazy right?

"Y-You can?" She rubbed her eyes and looked at me.

"Yeah... that black thing you mention earlier, that was Aiden and he's sort of been with me since birth..." I pointed to the black mist who seems to be 'sitting' on her head. I rolled my eyes at Aiden. "I mean.. he's been bond to me since birth, I'm not sure why either..." Now that I think about it, I don't really know anything about Aiden, all I know was that he was always there to protect me and to piss me off.

"Aiden..? Is he a good or a bad spirit?" She watched me with curiosity.

"He's a good spirit I guess...because whenever I'm in trouble, he'll always be there to help me and now that I think about it, I don't really know much about Aiden..." I wonder...how much does Aiden know about me? My thoughts suddenly run wild, out of a sudden, I had so much questions I wanted to ask Aiden.

"Then... do you want to know about him?" Zoey asked me and at the same time poking the black mist with her sandwich.

"W-What do you mean?" I stare at her bewildered.

"I heard there is a way to communicate with the spirits, you'll have to use a spirit board...I don't really have one but we can search online on how to make one" She finished her sandwich, straighten the paper bag, folded it and stuffed it into her bag.

"A spirit board...that doesn't seem like a bad idea but...do you think it'll work? I mean... will Aiden be able to talk to me?" I looked at Aiden, who seems to be paying attention to the roses."W-Well, we could always try? I mean spirits that are bond to you, either have unfinished business or they're just lost, that's why they stick with you in hopes, you'll help them or something..."

"Anyway, tomorrow after school, let's go to your house and try it out!" Zoey, who seemed to be down a few moments ago, was instantly in her cheerful mode.

"Okay, tomorrow...let's do this!" I said with confidence and fist-pump the air. I felt a weird emotion stir inside of me, nervous? Excitement? I don't know but what I know is that I am going to meet Aiden tomorrow for the first time. I smiled to myself and took a sneak peak at Aiden, I wonder if I would see him in person. If that's gonna happen, should I wear something presentable? Or maybe just my usual casual home- oh god. I smacked myself in the face.

What the fuck am I thinking?! I feel like an idiot, why should I care? I should be thankful that I can finally get rid of Aiden, I mean, he's been a nuisance to my life right? The reason I had to move a lot, why people are being afraid of me. If Aiden is out of my life, I'm one million percent sure that I would lead a normal life.

Lies. I could hear my self-conscious telling me that. I knew deep down within me, I didn't want to get rid of him. But I choose to ignore it, bury it, hid it away, pretended that feeling never existed. I infused myself with false emotions instead.

Hatred. Hatred for him. For ruining my life, for being a living curse for me.

"Tomorrow...there's no turning back now Jodie..." I whispered to myself with resolution. Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll get rid of you.

A/U: It's 1 am and finally done with Chapter two! I decided to make Zoey the same age as Jodie(and make them be friends) since I don't really think Jodie has any friends and the fact that she's been bullied by Kirsten and her friends, they're assholes for doing that D:

So yeah... I figured Zoey would be the best, I mean she can see spiritual things too ;w;

I would also like to thank everyone of you who read my story, review/favorite it, I really appreciated it! It somehow gave me the motivation to finish up the chapter quickly :D

For the next chapter, will Jodie be able to see Aiden once she played with the Spiritual board? Or will something terrible happen to them? Till the next chapter...DUNDUNDUN...

/shot