The next morning Norman and Courtney headed into the kitchen for breakfast. Norman had already told Courtney that he asked the three ghosts their dad fought with to go easy on them all.
"And they listened to you?" Courtney was surprised.
"Well..." Norman didn't want her to know that their dad wasn't going to be so successful at his job this time, so he told her the other truth. "I'm a Medium. Inherited it from mom's side of the family."
Courtney stopped and stared at him.
"Is this why you had been so fascinated with the dead and undead?" She asked.
"Yeah..." Norman said awkwardly.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because...I didn't think either of you would believe me."
"Hmm...come to think of it I probably wouldn't have." Courtney admitted after thinking for a second. "But then again I didn't believe in ghosts either. Now I do." She smiled.
Norman smiled back, knowing that she was indirectly telling him that she believed him about his being a Medium and didn't mind.
They then opened the door to the kitchen...and there was Aggie.
"Good morning." She smiled.
"Good morning Aggie." Norman smiled back.
"Uh...hi..." Courtney said awkwardly.
Aggie flew to the kitchen table.
"Please, sit down." She said. "Breakfast will be ready soon."
Courtney and Norman went to the table and sat down.
"I can see right through you." Courtney remarked.
"Kind of happens when you don't have any skin." Aggie shrugged.
"What are you made of?"
"Well, you know that tingly feeling when your foot falls asleep? I think I'm made of that."
Suddenly there was a ding. Aggie flew to the stove, turned it on, and put on a chef's hat. She then activated a Rube Goldberg-type device that released two eggs and cracked them over a pan.
"Uh, sunny-side-up kinda makes me yak." Courtney admitted awkwardly.
"No problem." Aggie smiled before morphing her hand into a two-prong fork and breaking the yolk of one of the eggs.
She then flipped a few pancakes, and used her hand to strain orange juice into two glasses before tossing the pulp aside.
"So...can you go invisible?" Courtney asked.
"That one's easy." Aggie chuckled, turning invisible before flying the glasses to Courtney and Norman."It's fresh."
Norman and Courtney took their glasses. Courtney felt tempted to see if she could feel Aggie, but hesitated. Norman noticed this.
"Go ahead." Norman smiled.
"Okay...but I've never done this before." Courtney admitted.
"Me either." Aggie said.
"Can you hurt me?" Courtney asked Aggie.
"No."
"Can I hurt you?"
"No."
Norman smiled before raising his hand towards Aggie. Courtney, feeling a little braver, did the same thing. Aggie raised her hands towards theirs and Norman and Courtney's hands went through Aggie's. Courtney then lowered her hand but Norman continued holding his hand through Aggie's.
"Cool." Courtney smiled.
"Yeah, ghosts actually have a nice feel to them. You wouldn't expect it, but it's true." Norman smiled. "It's kinda like holding your hand in mist on a hot day: pleasant and refreshing."
"Is that why you still have your hand in hers?" Courtney smirked.
"Huh?" Norman then noticed that he was and awkwardly removed his hand.
Aggie was disappointed, but understood since she had started to feel a bit awkward as well.
"Good thing I don't have a heart or they'd probably hear it pound by now." She thought.
Dr. Babcock then entered the room. Aggie, still hung up on the fact that Norman had held her hand in a way, did a double-take.
"Morning Dr. Babcock." She flew up to him sheepishly. "Some breakfast?"
Dr. Babcock just nervously walked around Aggie and to another chair.
"Dad!" Norman hissed.
Dr. Babcock turned towards him.
"Be nice." Norman warned.
"Oh uh...good...morning..." Dr. Babcock said to Aggie awkwardly.
Aggie rolled her eyes and decided to get back to cooking. Norman facepalmed.
"Are you two okay?" Dr. Babcock asked Norman and Courtney.
"Yeah." Courtney smiled.
"Of course." Norman replied hintingly.
"Good..." Dr. Babcock relaxed a bit.
Aggie then served breakfast. Norman instantly started eating but Courtney and Dr. Babcock were still feeling a little awkward.
"How about a paper?" Aggie asked Dr. Babcock. "New York Times, The Journal...Hong Kong Press?"
Surprised that Aggie offered an out-of-country newspaper, Dr. Babcock decided to see if she really could get it.
"Sure." He said.
"Coming right up." She flew away after hanging her chef's hat.
"Well..." Dr. Babcock said to Courtney awkwardly. "Hope you're hungry."
They started to eat...but were cut off by the sounds of helicopters whirring. Shocked that helicopters would be anywhere nearby, Courtney and Dr. Babcock lowered themselves towards the floor. Norman however stared at the ceiling with a deadpan look, because he knew that it was really the Ghostly Trio hamming it up. He was right, the Ghostly Trio appeared through the ceiling vocalizing The Ride of the Valkyries. They stopped once they reached the table, and Stretch (Hopkins) took a big whiff.
"I love the smell of fleshies in the morning." He said dryly as he pounded the table, not sounding happy at all.
A window shutter suddenly flew up and the Ghostly Trio started to melt to the floor, causing them to scream.
"I'm melting!" They cried. "I'm melting! Auntie Phlegm! Auntie Phlegm! Oh what a world!"
They melted into one mass and fizzled away. Dr. Babcock and Courtney stared at the floor while Norman tried to hide his amusement. Fortunately since Dr. Babcock and Courtney weren't even looking at him he didn't have to worry about trying really hard to hide it.
"They're gone." Dr. Babcock said.
"What happened?" Courtney asked.
"They must've...they must've crossed over." Dr. Babcock smiled.
More window shutters then flew up and the Ghostly Trio reappeared in midair pretending to be tanning.
"Wrong!" Stinkie (Hardwick) said.
"Don't think so!" Fatso (Prenderghast) said
"Guess again Bone-Bag!" Stretch (Hopkins) said. "Aggie!"
Aggie appeared with the Hong Kong Press, but Stretch (Hopkins) grabbed her before Dr. Babcock could take it.
"How dare you serve these air-sucking intruders before us." He frowned. "Just because you 'invited' them here doesn't mean you can treat them better than us."
"Why not? They treat me better than you do." Aggie frowned back.
Stretch (Hopkins) blanched, and then glared at her.
"Even so...GIMME MY MEAL!" He snapped, tossing her into a chilled cupboard.
Aggie flew out with three platters of chocolate goodies.
"Okay okay geez..." She muttered, setting the platters down.
The Ghostly Trio started snarfing the goodies down.
"I feel like Oprah on hiatus." Fatso (Prenderghast) remarked.
"You look like Oprah on hiatus." Stretch (Hopkins) replied. "You know what the problem is? Aggie's got no respect for us."
"Yeah, and after all we've done for the little glowworm." Fatso (Prenderghast) agreed.
"Yeah- Hey!" Stretch (Hopkins) noticed Aggie sweeping up the goodies that had fallen through the Trio's bodies to the floor. "What the hell do you think you're doing Freak-Eyes, this floor used to be dirty enough to eat off of!"
Norman, Courtney, and Dr. Babcock looked under the table to see what was going on.
"But we have company." Aggie pointed out.
"Oh yeah? Well company loves misery." Stretch (Hopkins) retorted before morphing his head into a sports shoe and kicking Aggie away.
The Ghostly Trio laughed.
"You guys are disgusting obnoxious creeps!" Courtney snapped.
"Thank you." The Ghostly Trio smiled.
"I mean what's your problem she's just cleaning the floor!" Courtney said angrily.
"Hey shut up Skin-Bag." Stretch (Hopkins) frowned.
"Piss off!" Courtney retorted.
"Take a hike!"
"Get a grave!"
"Honey!" Dr. Babcock grabbed Courtney and forced her towards the door. "You've got that school thing?"
"Don't wanna be late!" The Ghostly Trio mocked.
"Get a life!" Courtney snapped at the Ghostly Trio.
"HEY!" The Ghostly Trio was highly offended.
"You'll have a lot of fun!" Dr. Babcock forced Courtney out the door and shut it. "I know you will!"
Norman shook his head exasperatedly before frowning at the Ghostly Trio.
"What did you mean by Freak-Eyes?" He asked.
"Uh-" Stretch (Hopkins) froze upon seeing that Norman had the exact same type of eyes as Aggie. "Oh...looks like...uh...Aggie was a Medium when she was alive huh?"
"Yeah, you think?" Norman frowned. "I'm gonna check on Aggie dad."
"Okay, but don't take too long." Dr. Babcock sighed. "Hold on- Medium?"
"Yeah, I'm a Medium. Mom's side of the family. I, uh, didn't think you would believe me so..."
"Oh. It's okay." Dr. Babcock smiled reassuringly. "Anyway, go ahead and check on Aggie but don't be late for school."
"Don't worry, I won't be." Norman left.
Dr. Babcock then awkwardly turned towards the Ghostly Trio, who were just staring at him seriously.
"All right guys, we've obviously gotten off on the wrong foot here." Dr. Babcock said. "So you know and I know that you really shouldn't be here, so I'll tell you what: why don't you go ahead and finish your meal and then we can meet in my office and start the process of crossing over. What do you say?"
The Ghostly Trio retaliated by tossing their goodies at him and chuckling. Dr. Babcock just sighed it off.
"Well, it's your hour." He shrugged, checking the time on his watch.
Around the same time Norman found Aggie flying back inside through the front door looking very annoyed...
"Do they always treat you like that?" Norman asked.
"Huh? Oh, hi Norman..." Aggie sighed. "Yeah, I think it first started as resentment for being forced to stay here and look after me, and then later just became a habit."
"So...what did...your uncle meant by you inviting us?" Norman asked awkwardly.
"Um..." Aggie metaphorically blushed. "Well I was watching TV and I saw a news report of your dad..."
"And then you gave Ms. Crittenden the idea to hire him?" Norman finished. "Was this because you figured that a ghost therapist and his kids would be the only ones to not be scared of you and so would be more likely to befriend you?"
"Yeah...kinda..." Aggie rubbed an arm.
"Sneaky." Norman smirked. "Well, I actually have to thank you for doing so. I think I'll really like staying here."
Aggie beamed.
"I'd love to talk some more, but I'd better catch up with my sister. It's a school day." Norman then headed for the front door.
"Okay, I'll see you later." Aggie smiled.
"Bye." Norman waved as he opened the front door and hurried outside.
Aggie spun around giddily.
"He likes me!" She said happily before mellowing with an insecure look. "But...will he love me back?" She asked herself worriedly.
"What kept you?" Courtney asked Norman bitterly after Norman caught up with her.
"Just making sure Aggie was okay." Norman explained. "Oh and guess what? Turns out she was a Medium when she was alive."
"That would explain her eyes-"
"Watch it!" A bulky boy suddenly snapped as he rode past them on his bike, forcing them aside.
"Hey Alvin, wait up!" A nice looking blonde girl called as she followed the bulky boy.
She then looked back at Norman and Courtney with interest.
A few minutes later Courtney and Norman made it to school, which happened to be a middle school/high school combo. Norman got his classes and locker number/combination...but ended up having a hard time opening his locker. Then the girl he saw earlier pounded his locker, opening it.
"Had that locker last year." She explained.
"Thanks." Norman smiled.
"My name's Victoria."
"I'm Norman."
Then the bulky boy, Alvin, slammed his locker nearby and gave Victoria a warning look.
"Coming Victoria?" He asked before starting to leave.
Victoria reluctantly followed Alvin. Norman frowned, already not liking Alvin, and headed for his first class.
"Okay people, let's settle down. Put a lid on it." Norman's first teacher, Mr. Feynman, ordered as he entered the classroom. "Okay I've got a couple of announcements to make."
The class settled down.
"First: the asbestos removal from the gym is taking a little longer than planned, so we're going to have to push back the Halloween dance just by a couple of months."
The class, except for Norman, groaned disappointedly. Then Alvin raised his hand and stood up.
"Well as most of you know, my parents have finished the new boathouse." He smiled. "So I'm sure it'd be no problem having the party at my place."
Everyone lightly clapped.
"Great. That's done." Mr. Feynman said unenthusiastically. "Secondly: we have a new student today I'd like you all to meet...Babcock, Norman."
Norman suddenly felt shy. He always hated this part of moving to a new town or city.
"Would you like to come up and say hi to the class?" Mr. Feynman asked Norman.
Norman decided to get it over with, so he got up and went to the front of the class.
"Babcock." Alvin smirked, making the class chuckle.
Mr. Feynman gave him a warning look. And speaking of looks Norman got a shocked one when he saw Aggie's face on a poster of Mount Rushmore! Aggie smiled to him.
"So, why don't you tell us something special about yourself Norman?" Mr. Feynman smiled.
"Well...I just moved here with my dad and sister from Santa Fe..." Norman said shyly. "And, uh, Friendship seems like...a very friendly place."
One student snored, making the class chuckle. Unknown to anyone, Aggie had decided to tie nearly everyone's shoelaces together to get back at them for giving Norman a hard time. However she skipped two students, because they weren't even amused. One was a red-haired boy and the other was a dark-skinned girl wearing glasses, and instead of amused the red-haired boy actually smiled pleasantly and the dark-skinned girl just looked polite.
"So where do you guys live?" Dr. Feynman asked.
"Outer space?" Norman joked.
The class chuckled.
"No..." Norman chuckled weakly. "Prenderghast?" He wasn't sure that he got the name right.
However, based on how the class reacted, he did.
"You've heard of it." Norman realized.
"You actually live there?" One boy asked.
"Well yeah...I mean I know it looks spooky on the outside but inside it's really cool."
"Yeah if you drink blood." Alvin scoffed.
The class laughed again...but the the red-haired boy raised his hand.
"Yes Neil?" Mr. Feynman said.
"I was thinking...we can't have the Halloween dance here at the school right? Well Norman here lives in a spooky house with room to spare...so why not?" Neil suggested.
Norman was surprised. So was Alvin, but not in a good way.
"Wait a minute wait a minute, I thought we were having the party at my place!" He got up protestingly.
No one said anything.
"Well okay, we'll take a vote: whoever wants to party at my house raise your hand."
No one did.
"Prenderghast?" Mr. Feynman asked dryly.
The class, except for Alvin, raised their hands enthusiastically. Norman couldn't help but smile at Neil, who smiled back with a thumbs up. Class then resumed, and when the bell rang...Norman, Neil, and Salma were the only ones who didn't fall to the floor.
Outside the classroom...
"Thanks Neil." Norman said to Neil. "I was hoping to break the ice somehow and I think this party might do it."
"Sure thing Norman, I figured you need a little help." Neil smiled. "Besides, I've been wanting to explore the manor but Salma here keeps refusing to go with me and I don't want to go alone."
"Going onto someone else's property without permission is trespassing Neil." Salma pointed out.
"Salma, no one even owned the place before Norman and his family moved in." Neil rolled his eyes.
"Um...I wouldn't say that." Norman said. "This woman...Ms. Crittenden...actually owns the property. My dad's just renting from her. I don't think she'd enjoy other people going past the gate without her permission either."
"Told you." Salma smirked.
Neil frowned.
"But don't worry, I'd be more than happy for you two to come over." Norman smiled before looking worried. "Only...uh...how do you feel about ghosts?" He asked awkwardly.
"Well, I think the idea of ghosts is cool but I've never seen one so I can't actually say how I'd react upon meeting one." Neil shrugged.
"I don't believe in ghosts, but if they did exist they'd be nothing to be scared of." Salma said. "Why?"
"Um..." Norman wasn't sure how to tell them...but he didn't have to because Neil got it.
"Whoa, are you saying there are ghosts there?" He beamed.
"Yeah...four of them. One of them is really nice but the other three...aren't exactly fond of the living." Norman rubbed the back of his head.
"Ah well, at least one will be nice to us." Neil smiled.
"And you are sure about this?" Salma raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"Of course, I mean...most ghosts are just invisible to people in general because they're only visible to their loved ones. However these four...well the friendly one wants to make friends and the other three love scaring so they have to be visible to everyone." Norman explained.
"How would you know?" Salma was now a bit curious.
"Um...you've heard of Mediums right?" Norman cringed.
"Yes-"
"You mean you're one? Cool!" Neil grinned. "I guess that's why your eyes are shaped like that huh?"
"Yeah." Norman smiled, feeling better.
"Interesting...well, I'll take your word for it until I see these ghosts for myself." Salma decided.
Aggie smiled at their conversation and decided to just go home. Since Norman now had two new friends she was sure that he'd be okay for the rest of the day.
Courtney was having a less eventful day, because unlike Norman she was better at socializing with others. She didn't specifically say where she lived, didn't go into full details over her dad's job, and she wasn't shy upon getting up in front of the class. So she was able to make a few friends easily.