A/N: Hello guys! And girls :D This is the second chapter. Thank you to those who reviewed: angel4eva – 15 and WillowBee. You two made my day :)
Disclaimer: I still own nothing.
~ xXx ~
Chapter 002: And She Becomes A Trainee
It would probably take years before Suze finally get used to her new life in California. It was just so different from Brooklyn. And she missed Gina badly.
The road trip from the airport to their home was quiet. Too quiet. Even though there were many of them now, nobody spoke. The children in the car (all four of them) were dead quiet. Suze remembered taking note of how Jake was always asleep. He was even dozing off at the reception. She didn't know how he did it. All she knew was that she was about to start a conservation with him but when she looked at him – poof – the poor kid was asleep. It was a probably a bad habit of his. Anyway, she named him Sleepy just for the fun of it.
She looked at Brad then who was staring unseeingly at the window and looked pretty bored. She decided to call him Dopey. And looking at David, the youngest of all her stepbrothers and the most peculiar of all – he was a redhead while all the other guys were blondes – she saw that he was sleeping too. Which was to be expected since he was only a toddler. He would be nicknamed Doc from now on.
Her mom and Andy were silent too but whenever they would catch each other's eyes, they would smile shiftily. Suze rolled her eyes. They were in love.
She didn't look at the sea as they passed; she figured she would see more of it once she gets out of the house.
Speaking of which, the house was horrible. For her anyway. It looked old. Too old. Like her grandma. Scratch that. Older than her grandma.
She didn't like old places. Or the ones inhabiting them for that matter. But aside from her dislike of the ancientness, the house was beautiful, cozy even. It looked homey. It had this aura of cheerfulness.
She entered the house tentatively and was knocked out by a dog which was named Max. It slobbered all over her and she shoved him away from her. Pets weren't something she'd rather have on her home. They just weren't her thing. Fishes are alright, she argued with herself. But if I forget to feed them...
She didn't finish the thought. Poor fishy.
Her mother led her to her room which was pink. Everywhere she looked, there was pink, pink, pink. And frills. And her bed was a four – poster one. The kind where princesses sleep. She cringed internally.
Outwardly, she smiled and thanked her mom and Andy for the room. It was fully equipped with everything she needed. Or what they think she needed.
"There's even a window seat honey," her mom gushed. "Andy built it especially for you. I know how much you wanted one."
Suze cringed again. "I think that was you Mom."
"What was that dear?" her mom paused folding her clothes in order to hear her daughter out.
"Nothing," Suze quickly muttered.
Her first night was unforgettable. Unforgettable since a certain someone visited her that night.
She felt a hand touched her cheek and her eyes flew open at the contact. There, glowing slightly, was her father.
"Dad!" she gasped.
"Susannnah," he said tenderly as he watched her little daughter got out of bed to stare at him horrifyingly.
"What's with the expression darling?" he asked amusedly.
"Dad," she said patiently as if she was the adult and Peter was the seven-year-old. "Why are you here?"
"Can't I visit my little girl for no reason at all other than I wanted to see her?" Peter asked his eyebrow arching.
"Oh don't give me that Dad," she mumbled.
"Don't you give me that Susannnah," he said sadly.
Suze looked up at him and went over to hug him. She was a little bit guilty that she wsa treating her father like this. But he was a ghost. He should move on. That's her job anyway. And he was the one who told her all about it.
"How's my little girl?" he asked softly.
"Fine," she responed automatically.
"Other than fine?"
Suze didn't talk for a moment; she chose her words carefully. "I'm alright."
Her dad sighed. "Not happy? Not ecstatic? Isn't that what a kid on a new home should be?"
No, she thought. They are supposed to be frightened out of their wits because kids would indefintely be afraid of change. Until they grow up anyway.
But I'm no grown-up.
Her father continued to stare at her as if she was an new specie of insect and he was a scientist.
But he was a lawyer. Maybe I should have a different analogy. A lawyer and I'm the criminal.
I think that's appropriate.
"You look like an adult with wrinkles on your forehead."
Suze consciously touched her forehead. "I have no wrinkles."
"True. But if you keep frowning, you would have them earlier than you'd expect. And believe me, you wouldn't want it that way. So smile," he coaxed gently.
Slowly, Suze formed a smile.
"It's like you don't even know how to smile anymore," her dad mumbled. "But that's better. I want my daughter happy okay? Now how's your mom?"
"She's happy Dad. Don't worry anymore," Suze pleaded.
"Okay. Your mom's happy. Why aren't you?" he asked.
Because of a lot of things, she thought. First of all you're dead. Mom and I were depressed. Then she married a guy who is a virtual stranger to me who has three kids and a house in California. So we moved leaving Gina my best friend and only friend back in Brooklyn. Now I have to adapt to the situation.
"Right now I'm not," she said slowly. "But this is all new to me Dad. I will get used to it I promise. Then maybe one day I will be happy."
Peter stroked his daughter's hair said, "You will be happy. And once that happens, I'll probably move on."
"Oh Dad. Now don't make me guilty by saying that I'm the reason why you're stuck here on earth."
"Hey. I like watching over you," he said.
"So I don't make a mistake?" she asked.
"No. Because parents are like that. They guide their children but not necessarily prevent them from making a mistake. If you do a mistake, you can always undo it."
"How?"
Peter scratched his head. "I don't know. By doing a good thing in return? I know one thing though, if you fall on your knees - "
"Don't ever cry?"
"It's okay to cry. Just be sure to get back up," he advised.
She nodded, taking it all in. Her father rarely gives her advices. He just usually watches her moves, giving no comment. It used to irritate her. If he knows so much, why can't he share it to her? But today, it felt like he had made it up to her.
Her father gathered her in his arms and settled her in bed. She missed evenings like these.
"Stay with me until I fall asleep Dad?" she begged.
She was afraid of his rejection but he complied. Where would he go after this anyway? He never would tell and she never asked again.
"Of course." He held her hand until she fell asleep.
It was a peaceful sleep. She didn't have any dreams least of all nightmares. It was all a big blob of black.
Of course her father wasn't there anymore when she woke up. But he'll be back. He always does when she really needs him. Like last night. She stretched her arms over her head and went to the window seat. She sat there for a while lookig at the beautiful sunrise breaking over the horizon. That's the thing about sunrises. It just seems to give you hope. She hopped down from the seat, took a bath and changed her clothes. She went downstairs to her new family.
Or should I say old family with new additions.
That's where she heard she would apply for a job.
"Job?" her voice cracked as she said it. "But I'm seven!"
"Exactly," her mom said. "The job is for seven-year-olds."
"But that's child labor!" she protested. "Mom I can't believe you of all people would push me into something so sadistic."
"There are kids who are artists. And that's legal," her mom reminded her,
"But they have permits," she hollered.
"You would have permits too. And I approve of this. What do you want to do all summer? Work with Andy or work for this posh resort?"
"Posh resort?" she asked wonderingly.
Andy flipped his newspaper open. "I told you that would get her attention."
Discarding her stepfather's comment, she walked up to her mom. "Details?"
"You'll work at Pebble Beach Golf Resort," her mother tossed her a brochure.
Her eyes widened as she saw the resort. Greens and blues swarmed before her eyes. "Now this is posh."
"Jake works there too. So that means Andy would drop you off there with him. And you better behave sweetheart," her mother said sternly.
"I always do," she said nonchalantly.
Her mom rolled her eyes but gently smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm.
"Forget work, this is practically vacation. Oh I can't wait to tell Gina," she said.
"Has she mailed you yet?"
"No," she frowed as she said it. Has her best friend forgotten about her?
"I'm sure she's just busy. It is summer break after all," her mom said.
She nodded but made no comment. She thumbed through the brochure but her mind was clearly elsewhere: back in Brooklyn.
Her mom sensed that she was feeling homesick. "Aren't you excited about going Suzie?"
The nickname brought Suze back to Carmel. "Yeah mom. What exactly is my job?"
Jake answered for Helen. "Caitlyn will disclose it to you once we get there."
She was surprised to see him so early in the mornings. "When exactly do I start?"
"Tomorrow. Weekends are always the peak season," he said.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Somewhere," he said shortly.
"Jake works at the Pizza Peninsula," Andy answered for him. "And Jake? There are ways to answer someone correctly. I suggest you use those ways."
"Yes Dad," Jake answered automatically as he left the kitchen.
"He's not gonna use the car right? He's only seven," Suze said.
"Eight!" Jake bellowed from the garage.
"Yes and he's using the bike." Andy said.
"They have bikes?" Suze asked.
"Don't you have a bike little missy?" Andy said with a smile on his face. He does love children and this one's rather amusing him. He has Helen to thank for.
Suze's eyes widened and she threw her mom a glance.
More amused by the little girls antics, he asked Helen, "What happened to her bike?"
Helen's mouth was a straight think line. "There was an accident but it wouldn't happen again, would it Suze?"
Andy never saw Helen this stern. He was intrigued. "What happened?"
"Oh the bike was crushed by a ten-wheeler truck but that will never happen again," Suze answered hastily with the air of someone wanting to get something over quickly.
Andy's jaw dropped. "Ten-wheeler?" he choked.
Helen's lips were still pursed. "Fortunately the truck only got the bike and not her." She shuddered at the thought.
"How on earth did that happen?" Andy asked.
"Oh Suze parked the bike in the wrong area which was the road."
"The road?"
"I was in a hurry. I can't believe we're talking about this," she wailed.
"You brought the subject on yourself," Andy said. "I guess there's more to you that meets the eye huh? I wouldn't have pegged you to be the mischief-making kind of girl. You look too sweet."
"Well belive it Andy. But it was only a one-time thing," Helen said.
"So you can't even have a bike?"
Suze shook her head as she poured her cereal in her bowl.
"What do you say we buy you one?"
"I'm not gong to allow it Andy," Helen said shortly.
"Don't you trust her Helen? Since when did this happen anyway?"
"A few months ago."
"Oh. We'll just have to wait for a year then so your mother can get over it."
Helen rolled her eyes and poured Suze some milk.
"What do you say we go for a walk in the park?" Helen asked her daughter.
"Shall we come?" Andy asked.
"No. It's a mother-daughter thing and besides, didn't you say you were taking Brad and David to a conference?"
Andy looked blank for a moment. Then he rolled his eyes. "Of course. How could I have forgotten? It wasn't actually a conference you know. I have to accompany Brad to some event."
"Why can't you just let him go alone?" Helen asked.
"Helen. Bradley needs guidance in this point of time. I don't want him veering off in the wrong direction."
"That makes sense," Suze muttered.
Andy smiled. "Thanks for the approval Suze. Anyway, I need to wake him up now. Honestly, doesn't he know that the early bird catches the worm?"
But the second mouse gets the cheese, Suze thought. He forgot that part.
Andy left the room and went upstairs to wake Brad.
Suze walked with her mother to the garage after she took a bath and dressed herself. They were talking towards the bike with a two-seater.
"Now, you get to sit at the back okay Suze?" her mom said.
She nodded, the thrill making her a little speechless. She gets to ride on a bike again! She was wearing a foolish smile when her mom help her get on the other seat of the bike.
"You seem to be excited," her mother commented as she herself got on the bike.
She just nodded again. "This is the first time in months that you allowed me to be near a bike let alone ride it."
"Enjoy it then," her mom said as they took off.
Suze was right. She really did get to see more of the sea this way. She enjoyed the wind rushing around her and the warmth of the sun bathing her. She had never felt so free. She had an adventurous spirit and these were the moments she truly lived for.
They reached the park in ten minutes.
Suze looked around the so-called park. She frowned.
"What's wrong sweetheart?" her mother asked her as she led her daughter to one of the benches.
"This isn't a park. There's no playground," she muttered as her eyes scanned the familiar see-saw, swings and slide. But she saw none. "It's only grass, benches and cotton candy sellers. Where's the ice cream seller?"
That too was missing. She sat on the bench rather heavily.
"I didn't even know you still play in those."
"I do! I do swing! I love playing in the swing," she said.
"Oh yeah. I've forgotten how much you and Gina used to go there every afternoon."
Suze bowed her head. This wasn't the time to tell her mother that there were no afternoon playdates. It was because she was helping ghosts at that time. That was her only free time. It disturbed her that she could lie so easily to her mother.
"So Suzie? Do you think that we're better off here in California? Are you happy?"
It was like her mother was mimicking her father. He asked the same thing to her last night.
Parents, she thought savagely.
She thought for a moment. Her mother was more cheerful here. And maybe she can make a brand new life here. With no pesky ghosts to trouble her all the time. Aside from her father that is.
"Yeah. Yeah we're better off here," she said as she snuggled to her mother.
Helen smiled as Suze said it. She almost believed that her daughter wanted to be here. But she was not in that point yet.
Still, it wouldn't take long. She just needs time is all.
._.
Tomorrow is today, Suze thought as she blinked her sleepy eyes.
She gasped as she stumbled out of bed like it caught fire.
"I have to do the job now!" she exclaimed.
She started to panic. Oh no. What am I supposed to wear?
She sorted through her piles of clothes but found nothing that looked decent. One that said, Hello I am Suze and I would be happy to serve you!
There was no clothing that just said that.
Fortunately, her mom knocked on the door. "Suzie? Time to get up."
She opened the door letting her mother walked in and saw what a mess she was. "Suze?"
"Well you look like you need some help." Her mother grinned as she saw the clutter of clothes piled at her floor.
"It's a mess I know. But i'll clean it later," she said.
"Make sure you do that later," her mother said. "But in the meantime, let's get you done for your first job."
Suze took a bath while her mother got the clothes for her.
Suze emerged from the bathroom with her bright blue towel.
"I'm clean," she said as she sat on the bed with her mom.
"You sure are. Now get dressed and go downstairs after oaky?"
"Will do," she said as she pulled the bag that contained her clothes open.
From within, she pulled out a dark green dress that would reach to her knees and white sandals. She appreciated the gesture and put it on hastily. When she was done, she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
She gulped. "Suze, you've just caught a glimpse of what you would be as an adult."
She turned around and looked at herself again. "Not bad."
"Giving yourself a pep talk by any chance?"
She turned around quickly and saw her stepbrother Jake eyeing her, looking as if he'd just gotten out of bed. With the pajamas he was wearing he probably only just got out of bed. Suze flushed as she realized she just had seen her admiring herself in the mirror. This is embarrassing.
"That's why doors were invented Jake. So that anyone could knock on them," she said nastily as she grabbed her bag and walked past him.
"Well Miss Sassy Pants - "
"I am not wearing pants! Get the clothing straight!" she barked at him.
"Miss Sassy Dress then," Jake said as they walked in the kitchen.
"No shouting children," Andy said. "And Jake if you want to compliment someone, make sure to give it to them straight away so you don't get misunderstood. Or yelled upon."
He turned to look at Suze. "You look adorable sweetie."
Then he looked at Jake. "Just like that. A direct compliment."
Jake rolled his eyes and stuffed his mouth with food. Suze ignored him.
"Thanks Andy. Mom chose it for me."
"Well I wanted her to make a good first impression," Helen said. "I'll be crushed if they don't accept her."
"Mom I told you, they will. They just need an interview or something so it would be official," Jake commented.
After saying that, Jake hurried upstairs so he could take a bath. Suze munched her food quietly while feeling the butterflies in her stomach do a little dance.
"You don't need to be nervous. Jake said you're accepted. It's just an interview," her mom told her.
Suze made a face. "I was never good in interviews Mom."
Her mom put on her poker face and said, "Who knows what the result will be this time around huh?"
Suze cringed. Always the optimist Mom.
Andy drove them to Pebble Beach and Suze cannot help but gulp at the sight of it. It looked so -
"Hey Suze," Jake said impatiently, calling his stepsister back to Earth. She gets distracted so easily.
"What?" Suze asked absently.
"Let's go," Jake said rolling his eyes.
Suze followed Jake while eyeing the surroundings. The green lawns, the pool, and all the people.
Jake led her to an office where a small girl about Jake's age sat behind a desk.
"This is Caitlyn. She's going to be your supervisor. And she's the one who will interview you," Jake said.
Caitlyn seemed to look more at Jake than her. To get her attention, Suze coughed.
Caitlyn glanced at her then."So this is your stepsister then Jake?"
Suze noticed that Caitlyn seemed to be fluttering her eyelashes. Maybe she's got something in her eye? Suze squinted at her eyes. But Caitlyn looked only at Jake.
"Yeah," Jake said shortly.
"Where did you say she originally lived?" Caitlyn asked while beaming at Jake at the same time.
She's being annoying.
"Caitlyn, she's in front of you. Why don't you ask her?" Jake asked sarcastically.
Caitlyn flushed. "Rigt. Let's get this over with."
Looking straight at Suze, she barked out her first question. "How old are you?"
Suze blinked. "Seven years old," she said in a small voice.
Her first impression of Caitlyn was sweet and lovely. Now that may be true, but she seemed bossy and grouchy all of a sudden.
Were those the traits needed to be a supervisor?
"Why do you want to work here?" Caitlyn asked sharply.
Suze looked at Jake who nodded at her encouraginly. Suze sat up a little straighter.
"Is it possible to know what kind of job I applied for?" Suze asked.
Caitlyn's eyes narrowed.
"Jake told me you'd guide me," Suze said looking at Jake.
Caitlyn looked at Jake.
"He also told me that being the supervisor, he trusts you to help me," Suze said.
Caitlyn choked, "You trust me?"
Jake fought the urge to roll his eyes. "Yeah Caitlyn. I trust you."
Caitlyn's eyes shined. "Well then."
She was overwhelmed by Jake's supposed trust in her. She stood up, grabbed a package and thrust it to Suze's hands.
"That's for you. Those are your clothes. You need to change as soon as possible. Your job is to clean the suites. That's mostly our job since we cannot babysit."
Babysit? Seven-year-olds like myself? That's like playing with them. That's silly.
"I'll call you if ever you're needed. You'd start at ten o'clock. There would be lunch breaks but only for an hour. Tomorrow, you need to come at nine. And finish at four o'clock. Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays should do it."
"So... the interview's done?" Suze asked bewilderedly.
Caitlyn sighed. "Yes. It's done. You may proceed to the main hallway."
"I'll take her there," Jake said. "And thank you Caitlyn for doing your job well. Mr. Oliver would be pleased."
Caitlyn smiled hugely.
Jake led Suze to the hallway when something caught her eye. A flash of movement. A starnge occurrence. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the girl from Brooklyn.
The girl's sad eyes never left Suze's.
Suze dropped the package and Jake scrambled to pick it up.
"What's the matter with you?" Jake asked irritatedly.
Suze continued to stare at the girl.
Jake stood up and looked at the direction where Suze was looking but the girl was gone. And even if she weren't, Jake still wouldn't be able to see her.
Because she was a ghost.
From where he was standing, Paul Slater smiled curiously.
~ xXx ~
A/N: Oh yeah. Chapter Two's done :) Please tell me what you think? Thanks :)
