Meanwhile, Norman headed for home. He was walking his bike again, feeling even worse now.

"Hey Norman."

Norman turned and saw some more of his ghost friends. He hesitated and then continued on his way with his head held down. The ghosts looked at him sadly, realizing that he had been bullied again.

"Not a normal human." Grandma sighed. "Not an evil witch. All he knows is what he's not. If only he could see what he is."

Norman put his bike and helmet away and then headed for the backyard. He then climbed into the treehouse his dad had built for him years ago.

"Norman?"

Norman peered over the edge and saw Courtney.

"Hey stop moping and come inside, mom made cookies and hot cocoa." Courtney said.

"No thanks." Norman said sadly.

"Norman, you know you wouldn't be mistreated in town if you hadn't started talking to ghosts in the first place." Perry pointed out, having also come outside.

"Look, I can't change who I am." Norman nearly sobbed. "And who I am is someone who can see and hear ghosts, whether he wants to or not. If neither of you can accept that then you should just leave me alone."

Courtney made a frustrated sound and headed inside. Perry groaned as well and followed Courtney inside.

Sandra then came out with a mug of hot cocoa and a plate of cookies.

"Thought you'd might like a snack." Sandra said gently. "Don't let what they say get to you, both your father and sister just don't like to see you hurt and want to make sure that you'll have a good future."

Norman just wrapped himself in a blanket and curled up on the floor with his back to his mom.

"Don't stay outside too long, I don't want you to get sick." Sandra put the mug and plate inside the treehouse and headed inside.

Sandra was right though. Even though Courtney found Norman annoying and Perry wished that Norman would stop talking to ghosts they both loved him very much. As for Sandra, well, it turns out that the ghost-talking ran in her family. In fact her oldest brother, not Aggie's father but another brother, also had the ability. However he had died not too long ago due to poor health caused by secluding himself from the town. Sandra and the other brother were actually close to him, and were upset when he had died. Because of this Sandra loved Norman deeply and hoped that he wouldn't share his deceased uncle's fate.

Grandma, seeing that nothing was going to cheer Norman up at the moment, lay down on her back next to him. At least being a ghost meant that she could lay down and get up easier. Norman rolled over a little so that he could look at the sky, and then got up and leaned on one of the walls of the treehouse. He looked up and saw some spirits crossing over. He then turned to his grandma.

"Lonely...grandma?" He asked hesitantly. "You must miss grandpa...have you ever thought about crossing over?"

"Don't fret Dr. Harvey." Grandma got up and ruffled Norman's hair...sort of. "I'm sticking here until you're ready to cross over."

"You're taking care of me?" Norman was surprised and a bit touched.

"Looking out for you really." Grandma shrugged. "And don't thank me."

Norman chuckled, feeling a little better.

"Norman!"

Norman felt a lot better now. That voice belonged to his best friend Neil. Neil was the only one to truly overlook his ability and status in the town and befriend him. Norman was hesitant at first to accept his friendship but Neil soon proved to be a good friend.

Norman looked down over another wall of the treehouse. It turns out Neil wasn't alone, his older brother Mitch was there too. Originally Mitch didn't want Neil to be friends with Norman, but after getting to know Norman more he came to like him a lot and even kinda became a friend to him as well.

"Hey Neil, Mitch, how are things going?" Norman smiled.

"Really good, we heard that someone out-pedaled Alvin." Neil chuckled.

"Yeah, good work." Mitch agreed. "It's about time someone took down his ego a few notches."

Alvin bullied Neil as well as Norman, so Mitch obviously hated Alvin too.

"Didn't really work." Norman shrugged, feeling a bit down again. "And I didn't gain Aunt Prenderghast's trust either."

"Aw don't let it get you down, she's just scared for Aggie. You know how overprotective some relatives can be." Neil gave Mitch a knowing look.

"Neil actually has a point. I mean I learned to look past your ability so there's no reason why your aunt can't as well." Mitch agreed.

"I guess." Norman left the treehouse. "So, what do you want to do?"

"Well I think I smell hot cocoa..." Neil hinted.

Norman laughed.

"Thanks for reminding me." He went back up the treehouse and got the cocoa and cookies his mom left. "You'll have to go inside for your own cocoa but feel free to have some cookies."

"Thanks Norman." Neil grinned, taking a couple.

"I'll only have one, I don't want to gain too much weight." Mitch took a cookie as well. "And I'll be getting a lot more goodies during the holidays."

"What are you worried about? You work out every day." Neil pointed out.

"Even so..." Mitch muttered.

"So, want to watch a movie?" Norman suggested, deciding to change the subject.

"Not a zombie one." Mitch said. "How about a holiday one? I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet but might as well watch something cheerful right?"

"Yeah, I think I could use a cheerful film." Norman agreed.

And that's what they did.