A/N: It's September 2024, and this is getting updated/rewritten. Don't expect great things. As this progresses, you'll notice this is based on both the Beetlejuice movie starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, but also on the animated series. I like to mix elements of both.
Lydia forced her eyes shut and tried to shake the thoughts out of her head. She turned over and buried her face into her red pillow. She let out a loud groan until she felt her lungs shrivel up from lack of oxygen.
When she turned over to face the ceiling, her breath caught in her throat, causing her to choke on her scream. Her bed was no longer on the floor, but floating just above it. Suddenly, she felt sick to her stomach.
"Is that you, Beet-. You! Put me down! GENTLY!" She hissed.
Slowly, the bed floated back down to its place, and Lydia sighed with relief. Except it came crashing down to the floor at the very last second, forcing her to squeak with surprise. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, but that was the least of her concern when she heard someone running up the stairs toward her bedroom. Who was it? What would she say? How could she explain this to her parents? And if it was the Maitlands, they'd lose their heads. Before she could think of a better plan, Lydia rolled off her bed just as the door swung open.
"Lydia! Are you okay? What happened?" Adam asked as he helped her up into the bed.
"I'm fine. I, uh... I had just gone to close the curtains. I'm fine." Lydia said, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.
"That was a loud crash, Lydia." He said worriedly, but Lydia could hear the skepticism there too.
"Well, it's pretty quiet around this hour. I guess the suddenness of it made it sound louder. And these old floors, you know." Lydia chuckled awkwardly, stomping her foot on the floor to prove her point.
"I... I guess... But..." He trailed off, looking down at the floor with confusion. He was trying to figure out how she could have fallen.
"I tripped on my way back!" She said a little too urgently to be a normal statement. "Probably a shoe or something, I don't know. I kicked it somewhere." She said, waving her hand dismissively.
Adam eyed her suspiciously but shrugged, knowing Lydia was usually weird. "If you're sure you're alright, then I guess I'll head back down to finish my project. Just be more careful, Lydia." He said, patting her knee before standing to leave the room, giving her one last odd glance before shutting the door behind him.
Lydia laid back in her bed and groaned heavily, covering her face with her shaking hands. "I hate you." She groaned into the darkness. The same chill trailed down her neck slowly, causing her skin to prickle. "Wipe than grin off your smug face!" She hissed angrily, slamming her hands into the mattress with a dull thud.
Lydia froze for a moment. How could she have known that he was grinning? But something told her that the chill running over her skin was him trying to communicate with her. And that chill felt almost mocking.
"What do you want now, demon?" She hissed, turning her head to glare at every dark, empty corner of her room.
She heard a tapping on her window, her head snapping to stare in that direction with wide eyes. She gulped at the sight of her Sharpie floating lazily in front of the window, illuminated by the moonlight. She scrambled to the edge of the bed, squinting her eyes to focus on the curly handwriting.
Demon? We're moving on to pet names already? You move so fast, honey, I love it!
"Don't honey me, creep. Tell me why you're here or get out." Lydia said through gritted teeth, moving to sit at the edge of the bed properly, her fingers digging into the side of the mattress to keep her hands from shaking.
The writing melted away, leaving no trace. The marker started to scribble something down quickly, nothing but the tapping from the contact filling the otherwise silent room.
Yeesh, what's the rush, baby?! We're finally back together after years and you're not even gonna tell me that you missed me?! You're breakin' my heart!
"Back together? No one is back together, Bee-." She caught herself before it was too late. She grimaced, taking in a deep breath through her nose. Her heart was beating faster than she could take. "Do you really think I'm stupid? I'm not falling for anything, so don't waste your time. Or mine, for that matter." She snapped. She watched as the writing faded away and reappeared with new text.
Whoa, hey! I come in peace, baby. No tricks up my sleeve. She barely got a chance to read it when it was already being replaced. A little birdie told me that you've been thinking about me. The new writing said, and Lydia could practically hear the smug tone used, making her anger flare in her chest.
The chilly breeze hit her again.
"You've been spying on me, haven't you?" She accused. She knew Barbara would never tell anyone after promising she wouldn't, and that went for Adam as well. And if they didn't tell anyone, how else would he know?
Everything was silent after that, but the marker remained in its spot, letting her know that he was still there. Why wasn't he answering? Lydia was out of bed and crossing the room in a second. She snatched the marker from the air and growled. She glared at the marker, wanting to toss it in the trash bin because she knew that now it would be a reminder of him. Then it started to squirm. Lydia gasped, opening her hand on instinct, and letting the marker fall to the floor. Only it wasn't a marker. It was a small, striped snake that was now making its way to her. She watched in frozen horror as it began to coil around her leg, climbing up under her nightgown. Lydia squeaked, slapping her hand down on it and grabbing its thin neck before yanking it off and running to the window, prying it open so she could chuck the hissing reptile outside.
Lydia slammed the window shut, turning to glare into the dark. "Beet-! Ugh! Stop it already!" Lydia seethed.
There was a strange cold spot that spread over the center of her back, causing her to whirl around in surprise. Another marker, this time red instead of black, was back at the window.
Stop? But we've only just begun, my sweet Lydia. I had a lot of time to think back in the afterlife, you know. I think I know how to wear you down now.
Lydia scoffed, "Wear me down? Please. I'm not some gullible little girl anymore, Bee- Damn it!" She shouted, stomping her foot in anger as she'd almost slipped up again. She marched back to her bed and sat down, burying her head in her hands.
Come on, Lydia. We both know you want to say it! Can't you just taste me on the tip of your tongue? Go on. Give in.
Lydia shuddered in disgust at his choice of words. She remembered him being the most vile and disgusting person she'd ever had the displeasure of meeting, but not like that. It made her stomach twist into tight knots.
"Aren't you trapped somewhere? I don't know, isn't there some sort of afterlife jail?" Lydia asked in annoyance.
What, did you think the afterlife was some kinda 5-star hotel? Ya can't get more trapped than here, believe me.
"I don't believe a single thing you say." Lydia grumbled.
You always were a smart kid.
"Does Juno know about this?" She asked, ignoring his remark.
Nope. And she ain't gonna know! Technically, I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm just visiting an old friend.
"Yeah, like anyone would believe that. I don't want you here. I didn't invite you. You are not welcome in our house. Now leave." She said sternly, crossing her arms over her chest.
Come on, Lyds! There has to be something I can do!
"Yes. Get the hell out of my room." She snapped. She pushed herself off her bed and crossed the room again, snatching the marker out of the air once more, this time slamming it down on the desk just off to the side.
Everything went silent once more. The marker never moved. After a few uneventful moments, Lydia trudged over to her bed and plopped down into it. She didn't bother covering up with the sheets, seeing as she was so wound up, she was nearly sweating. He was really back, and he was still haunting her years later. But why? He must have known that she wouldn't fall for any of his tricks. She knew what letting him out would bring, as she'd experienced it firsthand. She knew of some of his tricks and schemes, and she knew it was best to stay away from him entirely. If only it were that easy.
With her thoughts racing, she was still on edge. That gloomy chill still lingered in her room.
Lydia stared up at the ceiling to stop herself from looking for him. But she knew he was there. He was watching her. Lydia couldn't tell how that made her feel, but it was enough to get her to pull the covers over her bare legs all the way up to her neck.
"Are you still here?" She called out into the darkness, eyes still glued to the ceiling. There was no response, but a shiver ran through her. She tucked her arms in, pressing them into her sides. It kept getting colder and colder in the room as she waited for another sign of his presence. "Can you talk?"
'Course I can. Came his low, raspy voice, gaining a gasp from Lydia. I just didn't want to kill my future bride of a heart attack.
"I thought I told you to get out." She said, too surprised to acknowledge his term for her.
Technically I was never here in the first place. Came his smug reply.
Lydia rolled her eyes. "Why are you still around? Why are you still haunting us? Can't you find some other goth girl to drag down to hell with you?"
I'm hauntin' you, doll. Not them. I need you to marry me, Lyds. Same as last time.
"But you know I won't do that. You don't even have anything to hold over my head this time." She said. She was surprised by how calm she sounded now, having a conversation with the demon that terrorized her as a kid.
I've been around for a long time, and no one is quite like ya, Lyds. If I have to marry someone to get out of this hellhole, I rather it be you. Most humans can't see us, you know that, right?
"Can't or won't?" She mumbled. She remembered that her parents were never able to see the Maitlands, even though they tried everything to scare them away. They were too wrapped up in their plans to monetize the very real crisis to care whether or not they were real.
Attagirl. But even those who do see me, want nothing to do with me. And besides, they'd just cramp my style. But you and me? We make a great team, Lyds. With you by my side, I'd be unstoppable.
"That's exactly what I'm trying to prevent." Lydia said simply. She didn't expect him to say anything that could help his case. He didn't have a case. He was an evil demon who could not be let out no matter how much he whines and grovels.
Come on! I could give you anything you wanted! You want to be rich? I can make that happen. You want to get rid of your dumb parents? Done. You want me to leave you alone after everything is said and done? Sayonara, baby, I'm gone.
"Hm. Tempting." Lydia chirped with total disinterest. Nothing was worth letting this ghost loose to terrorize people, no matter how much she hated them. "Tell you what. I'll sleep on it, okay? I'll call you back if I make a decision in your favor." She said, already turning on her side, pulling the blanket up to her chin.
Lydia. Lydia, come on. Come on, don't leave me like this! Come on, Lydia! She ignored him entirely, even when her whole bed started to shake so hard, the wood began to creak.
"Goodnight, Mr. Juice." Lydia said, closing her eyes. Whatever happened after that was none of her concern. Exhaustion wrapped its arms around her, dragging her into a restless sleep.