Over the next few days Carrigan carried out her plan having the Lazarus ripped apart and restored over at some factory near the harbor. Casper watched helplessly as the machine his father spent so much time building was dragged off. He cried, he panicked, and he ultimately broke down. Sure he would flash his friends a smile from time to time but, it always ate away at him. Having found out about Stinkie and Melle's little near-love fest in the kitchen Stretch took it upon himself to enroll him and his brother in school. Some how he even talked Ghastly into it. He managed to get her to believe him when he said, "It ain't just about her bein' a fleshie and him bein' a ghost in general that I dun like about dis! It's da fact dat, because they are dat way...if she died den Stinkie would be miserable for da reset of his aftuhlife! An' Melle wouldn' ever be able ta start a family, let alone have any friends over wit Stink around..! I mean, who's ta say dat ghoul would even come back when she left? I'm just tryin' ta look out for dheir best interests!" So Ghastly enrolled into the school as well, using her "Abigail" name to at least give Melle another friend in some ways.
Needless to say, Slayde and Gage wreaked havoc all over the school by the time the week had finished! They were in with the popular kids while Melle and Boomer stayed out casted. Though of course they stayed out-casted, Slayde and Gage always bad mouthed them behind their backs. The only thing was that they requested they get left the nagging rights on their brother alone. Slayde aka Stretch, had perfectly parted slick black hair and always wore mix-matched outfits. Example being an open button up t-shirt with a tie and long sleeve underneath. Clean cut pants, dress shoes and black shades. Gage aka Fatso disguised himself up in what would best be called a rap get-up. Which his neck was always surrounded by the biggest piece of jewelry he could find, be it chains or gold.
At lunch that Friday Melle sat at a table with her face buried in her arms. Though no one could see she scrunched her face together as if she had a headache. Which in her case, she did aaalll week long thanks to Boomer's 'brothers'. Not to mention Amber and the girls hadn't left her alone either. It was rare that she'd found a moment's peace. Even at the manor with all of that drilling and deconstruction she hadn't managed to sleep a wink! Quietly Ghastly placed herself down at the table next to Melle who she frowned at. The girl hadn't even raised her head to acknowledge her. "You know...if this whole brother thing is too much for you, you should probably just let Boomer go! I mean, he's really no good for you..especially with brother's like that. There are so many others that you could find here.." Ghastly did her best to help her friend.
"Nnh, he's the only thing that DOES make me happy right now...! Thanks but no thanks, Abigail.." Melle frowned with her face still hidden in her arms. Not but a moment later Stinkie walked up behind Melle and placed a root beer, a nacho supreme and a few cookies in front of her.
"He'e, I gotcha dhese! I noticed dat ya forgot ta bring ya lunch, again..." Sitting down at the table beside her, Stinkie opened up his bagged lunch. The ghost pulled out some Limburger cheese, Brussels sprouts, onion sticks and some garlic bread. To drink he had a nice jug of slightly older buttermilk. Melle slowly raised her head and peered at the food he placed in front of her. It'd been so considerate of him! That was something she hadn't expected for sure! Not to mention all of the food was still fresh too.
"Thanks, Boomer..!" Smiling widely Melle opened the root beer and started on a cookie. "I really owe you one." Happily eating she looked at him getting crumbs everywhere.
"Heh, Owe me one huh...? Well, uh, I got somethin' in moind den...!" Pushing up his shades a little Stinkie chomped into the Limburger cheese.
"HAH, How did I know you would..?" Ghastly sneered at Boomer from the other side of Melle. Stinkie promptly furrowed his eyebrows at her and kept eating.
"What is it...?" Having started to eat her nacho supreme Melle waited for his reply. Having stared at her eat so messily Stinkie had to snap himself out of his dazed state.
"AH! Uhm... P-Prom! Prom...! Go wit me!.... Uh...uh... please?!" Grinning nervously he tapped his hands together and swallowed. Melle nearly choked on the food she was eating as she pounded a fist against her chest. The students at the tables that surrounded stopped and stared as they waited for the answer. Stinkie started to slowly frown as these all seemed to be bad signs that popped up. "I know, I know you HATE dresses, with a passion..! I don't care if ya wear one or not! Really...! I just...would like ya ta go....wit me....I hate dese fancy things, but, I dunno, wit you it migh be......interestin'.."
"I.....I....I......." In her mind Melle tossed the pros and the cons of this."......F-Fine...! But you've gotta take me to see a movie tonight too then!" Sticking out her tongue she folded her arms. The tables around them started into laughter.
"D'awww...! Look it you two love birds! Y'know if I was you, I'd pay EXTRA close attention ta dem classes dey're teachin' you right now! Y'know, Sex Ed? You might need it..! Am I right?!" Stretch laughed as the other students followed in their crude remarks, the lunch monitors settling them all down afterward. Ghastly glared and smirked at Stretch a little knowing that only his perverted mind would go there. As luck would have it for most of the rest of the day Boomer and Melle wound up getting shoved into hall closets & locked in. Then the love messages that were placed all over the chalk boards to embarrass them. The kids just wouldn't stop! By the time school had let loose the two of them darted off to get out of there. Melle laughed and dragged him all of the way to the park where she collapsed under a tree with him.
"WHEW.....! i thought we'd never shake those guys off...! Hee, At least it's nice and peaceful here..hmn..?" Smiling towards Boomer she noticed him grin nervously.
"U-Uh, yeah..! It's really... re-freshing..." Coughing lightly he hated this kind of fresh air thing! But since it seemed to make her happy he went along with it. "Dem joiks would just not get offa our case t'day! I swear, dey're gettin' woise!" Gritting his teeth Stinkie huffed and glared towards the ground. Quietly Melle watched him and sighed. The frown that had plastered itself on her face for most of the week had returned again. Turning his gaze to Melle he tilted his head as a small frown crept from his lips. Something had been bothering her and he kne wit. Just what it was he couldn't figure out! It'd bothered her all week though, whatever it was! "O-okay.. I was hopin' you'd tell me... but I guess I'll ask... W-What's wrong...? You've been down all week! I mean, I'm usually a rather dark fella myself, but, you're even bringin' me down! What's up, gally..?" Moving to sit back against a tree he waited for her response.
"I don't know, just, just everything I guess...! I mean, everything at the manor is going haywire. Mom's ripping out the Lazarus Machine, she stole the Lazarus, gave me a bad reputation to what were my friends. Everyone's angry with me there because I'm not even trying to stop her! I wouldn't even know WHERE to begin with trying to stop that woman! I... I'm exhausted from the lack of sleep, and tons of homework... then all week long with Slayde and Gage giving me a tough time.! Oh, NOT to mention Amber and her Gang have REALLY been enjoying this... A-and then I've got Abigail, Kat, Casper, My Mother and even Stretch and Fatso telling me to NOT be with you. They're telling me to stay away from you, that you're not good for me.... and.... I just don't know what to do..! There's only so much stress a person can take at once!" Crawling over to him she curled up on top of him. "I ...just wish.... I knew... what to do.." Closing her eyes tightly she buried her face into his chest and squeezed him to her. Silently Stinkie frowned and stroked the back of her head as he thought to himself about all of this. There really had been a huge uprising of things that had happened to Melle over the past month, but now especially things dropped heavy on them.
By the time he opened his mouth to speak he'd noticed that she'd fallen asleep in his arms. "Melle... " Frowning he thought about how Stretch and Fatso had only started on her so harshly because of him. This was HIS fault that those two were after her now. Not to mention it was also his fault for all the pressure about whether they should be together or not from everyone. Sighing heavily he looked up at the sky and his ecto ached. There was something that he'd have to do now, but maybe it was better for him..! Maybe it was better for the both of them... He waited until she woke up and smiled lightly at her. "Heh, ya fell asleep there... C'mon, let's getcha home 'ey...? I'm sure a couch or bed is comfier den I am!" Laughing gently he helped her to her feet. It'd only been a 20 minute nap that she'd taken but still she looked like she needed more sleep.
"Sorry about that... b-but i think you were just perfectly comfy!" Laughing lightly Melle hugged onto his arm tightly. "Mmh, I wish I didn't have to go home though so soon... Can't we go hang out somewhere for awhile..?" Looking up at him she tilted her head and batted her eye lashes playfully.
"Nah, I think it's bettuh if ya stay at home and get some rest for now. Ya look really tired..! " Stinkie tried to stay firm with his words. It took only a few minutes to reach the manor from where they'd been. "Well, he'e ya are.."
"Heh, why don't you come inside too...?? You can stay for awhile! It's no problem really... I'd really like it if you -" Melle tried to talk but was cut off by Stinkie shaking his head.
"No, Darlin..." Turning he looked towards the gate of the manor. ".... Dis whole weeks been ha'd on you. Dis whole month... and I've only just realized dat it's all because of ME! ....Yer friends are right, I ain't good for ya, so... I....... I think it's best if we... didn' see each other for a lil while. I'll still take ya to da Prom if you'd like ta go... but... I think we should take a 'break' for a little.." and with that he ran for the gate.
"N-No...! No...! BOOMER! PLEASE, No.... H-Hey, wait, wait!!!" Melle raced after him as fast as her feet could carry her. "WAIT, PLEASE!" Reaching the gate she gasped as he had already disappeared from her view. "WAIT!!! ........ I....... I NEED YOU...! I need...you..." Tears welled up in her eyes as she slumped down the gate and covered her face. Stinkie though invisible watched her and frowned grabbing his ecto around his chest in pain.
"....I know y'do... but dat's da problem... Now maybe I can prove dat I ain't in love wit a fleshie...!" Slamming his fist into his palm he darted off to inside the manor. Over the next few days Stinkie pushed himself to try and scare Melle! He pulled chairs out from under her, tripped her up, made a mess of things, gone out of his way to spook her. All to try and prove that he hadn't been in love with this fleshie. The insecurity he felt was just so overwhelming for him. The worst part was that with every prank he pulled on her it pained him all over his ecto. On Sunday while Melle worked on her homework he finally popped up right through the table while she concentrated on her work.
"AH!!" Melle cried out in fright as she tumbled over in her chair. That was IT! That was the last straw!! She heard her drink draining onto the floor and that only meant one thing. The cranberry juice had dumped onto her paper. Slowly she stood up now pained from falling over and aggravated by her paper being trashed. Even more so she was hurt and disturbed by the fact that Stinkie had started acting like a complete jerk again since he 'dumped' her as Boomer. "AUGH!! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID!" Grabbing her arm in pain she kicked the chair and glared at Stinkie with disgust and hurt. "YOU SCARED ME, YOU'VE SCARED ME ALL WEEKEND! Now are you SATISFIED?! You've ruined my homework and my shoulder is hurt!" In shock Stinkie shrunk back startled by her sudden outburst.. "Y-You know... I...I don't get you!" Fighting back tears she grabbed her paper and shook it, trying to dry it off. With a paper towel carefully she wiped it clean. "What is your problem!? One day you're super nice to me... a-and the next you treat me like shit...! I... I don't know..! Are you my friend or not!? Do you care about me or not!? What's up with you and your insecurity?! Don't you even know what you want...?? Do you want to be my friend or not!?" Her attention was turned from him as the others peeked into the kitchen to see what was going on.
"You know what... no, I'll help you decide! I... I'll leave. " Throwing the towel down she picked herself up and marched towards the door. "I'm going to live with my Mother. I've decided, that none of you seem to want me here... and.... I..I'll leave. I'll just.. get out of your air-space.... Congrats... you got what you wanted!" Walking passed Stretch she pulled his nose and stormed out of the manor. "I've had enough of being your...PLAY-THING!"
"H-HEY! MELLE! WAIT! Y'DUN GOTTA GO... I...!" Stinkie started after her and frowned as he was pulled back by the others. "Lemme go, She can't just leave like dat I..~!"
"It's better if she goes for a little while Uncle Stinkie.. She needs the chance to calm down....get things straightened out." Casper patted his uncles shoulder before flying off.
"WAY TA GO ROMEO!" Stretch laughed and smacked his brother on the back. "Ya finally spooked dat chick right on outta he'e! Now dat's da kind of hauntin' I'm talkin' about!" Poking his brother in the nose he grinned.
"Y'know dat means she's out too right....?" Fatso pointed to Ghastly following after Melle.
"WH-HAT?!" Stretch dashed after Ghastly and snagged her gently by her shoulder. "Hey, where are you goin'...?" Curiously he raised his eyebrows and looked after Melle.
"I have to go with her, she needs me. I'm the only friend she really has now thanks to you and..-" Ghastly frowned and motioned toward the Manor.
"No, Ghastly. You can stay with them if you like. I don't need you to follow me and baby me now... I've got my Mother now. I appreciate everything that you've done for me and all of the help that you've given me. Though now that she around, I'm well guarded and fed... I'll have a roof over my head. You belong here with him..... he's your.... soul mate.." Smiling lightly Melle turned and continued on her way home. Stretch placed an arm around Ghastly's waist as they both watched Melle leave. It took awhile but Melle reached her new home at her Mother's house. A look of defeat was washed onto her face as Carrigan answered the door and let her in. A smug look filled the mothers face as if to say I told you so. "I know... you don't have to tell me... I just want to.. go to my room and sleep.."
"This way..." Carrigan started up the stairs and down a hall. " Here y'go kiddo...! I had it decorated in case you changed your mind." Opening the door to the room she walked in with Melle close behind.
"It looks great, Mom!" A smile slowly found it's way onto her face as she looked at the decorations. At least her mother had remembered what kind of things she liked. Dragons, Wizards, and mythical type decor even a lava lamp! The bed covers were black with Purple and Maroon colored pillows. "I love it.."
"I'm glad... Now y'know.. if there's anything, you'd like to talk about. I'm always here to listen... Though.." Hugging her close to her Carrigan closed her eyes and rubbed her back. "..You didn't need those rejects anyways. You're such a pretty girl, you're smart, you could have whatever you wanted! Now... you're rich too... There's not a person who wouldn't want to be your friend. The sky is the limit kiddo.." Kissing her forehead Carrigan left the room and her daughter to herself for the time being. Quietly Melle sat on her bed and looked at one of the dragon plush toys her mother had bought for her. It wasn't normal for her mom to do that for her. Since her mother normally thought that these things were useless cluttered garbage. Picking it up she kicked off her shoes and layed down on the bed hugging it tightly. Staring at it she recalled the carnival and how Boomer had won her the Skunk plushie. She'd forgotten it at the manor when she left. Tears filled her eyes as she thought how happy the two of them were that day. Now she wouldn't even be able to be near him at school or anything. The thought alone left her choked up and with pressure pushed onto her chest, soon....she cried. She cried herself straight to sleep.
Stinkie who had followed her watched through the window and frowned. Again his 'heart' and ecto ached with pain that he didn't understand. As confusion set in, he bolted back toward Whipstaff in a hurry.