The New Beginning

...Having an extraordinary ability is truly amazing....

The ability to fly,

to make things move,

to teleport yourself...

But it is really exhausting when this ability is all about seeing someone's spirit and being able to have a conversation with it. They are ghosts...actually... And, once they figure out that you can to see or hear them; believe me, they will not stop from bothering you.

So...

Being born with such ability is such a bad luck. I usually used to ignore every single ghost I encounter, and just act natural.

Why?

I know you already know the reason. My life is like a common story afterall. There is nothing to expect. There is nothing interesting at all. So, I advice you to just live and observe someone else's life.

.

..

...

..

.

But, why?

Why are you still here?

Do you really want to know my exact reason?

Are you curious whether we are thinking of the same thing?

If it is a "yes", then it is boring.

Or, if not?

What will you do next?

Will you keep going?

Or stop at the beginning?

If you will choose the latter, then that is my ultimate reason.

....I don't want to be rejected by the people around me upon knowing this...my secret...

Do you think it is common? This situation is quite common isn't it? But, you know...people are just making an excuse for themselves.

An excuse to manipulate,

An excuse not to hesitate,

An excuse to bully,

An excuse to show superiority...

Whether my situation is common or not, what people really want, is someone they can use to satisfy their pleasure.

And you...

Will you do the same thing?

Are you the same as them?

If "yes", then…

You must be laughing at me right now...

Calling me stupid...

Giving me insulting names...

Well, then...

I guess I must thank you.

Thank you for reaching this level.

It is now up to you whether you're going to stay or live.

I am just nothing at all.

So, I don't care...

*****

Sofia's P.O.V.

"If only I am as tough as this in real life."

I closed my diary in a hurry and left the house.

I am on my way to my new school as a transfer student in third year college. I am so relieve that those unusual things around me is not annoying. Yes, not alarming at all!

As I reach my classroom and enter...

"Good morning, class!" The teacher glances at each of her students as she greets them.

The whole class greets her in unison and after that she proceeds with the announcement.

"Well, before we start our class, I'd like you to meet your new classmate, Ms. Cross."

I enter as she orders me to get inside.

As I stand in front of everybody, my new teacher (who is actually my mom's sister and the only one who knew my secret) asks me to introduce myself.

"Good morning..."

I greeted them nervously and proceeded, "…My…my name is Sophia Claudine Cross…"

I gulped as I look at each of them timidly as if I am in an interview, " Nice to meet you all…"

"Don't be shy…," the guy at the back seat interrupted as he smiles brightly at me.

I blush in embarrassment, so I look away from him.

"Enough!" my aunt said as she glares at the guy.

"Let's see… Alright… I have no choice. I can just let you sit there," she pointed at the seat right beside the window.

"Just sit over there next to that naughty boy..."

I nodded and walked towards the assigned seat.

"Hey, Tristan! Don't be such a headache to the new student, understand?"

She said that while looking at the guy who's seat is on my right. The same guy who interrupted during my self-introduction.

"Alright…"

The guy answered half-heartedly before looking away from her. "I mean..." he said as he turns to look at me smiling, "I will try my best..."

The teacher ignored him and paid her attention towards the guy sitting on the front seat, the one in front of mine.

"Nathaniel?"

"Hm?" he responded coldly.

"Do me a favor..." She pause for a moment and continued, "You are in charge of our transferree. Make sure that you will always by her side..."

The students begin to whisper to each other, confuse on what our teacher said until she interrupts them.

"Silence..." She glances at the guy named Nathaniel, " So, what is your reply?"

Instead of answering, he turns around and looks at me for about a minute. Although it doesn't take a minute, I still feel that it took that long. He looks back at my aunt, "Ok as you wish..."

My aunt smiles with satisfaction, "Okay. Let's start the class..."

I think it is a good beginning.

Especially for someone like me...

When there's nothing but living people around me...

It sounds weird, but I am serious...

*****

After class...

I am on my way home when...

"Hey, transferee! Sofia!"

I stop walking and turn around to look at whoever is calling my name. "Tristan?"

He is catching his breath when he reached me, "Sofia! You're Sofia, right?"

I am speechless as he stands close to me. It's uncomfortable to see him standing closely lifting his head to face mine.

He has a smooth brown hair, and a beautiful almond-shaped brown eyes. And, ...he is...very tall. My height only reaches his shoulder.

In addition, there is no need to deny that he is handsome. Every girl he will meet will definitely fall for his appearance.

But...not me... Even if there's a chance that I'll do, I do believe that rejection will come first before acceptance.

Or, there will be no acceptance at all.

I push away all the unneccesary thoughts and response, "Yes, it is me. And, you are Tr..."

"Tristan!" he cut-off. "Tristan Auburne."

He smiled innocently.

"Oh...okay... Nice to meet you..."

After saying that, I left him and continued walking. But, I sensed that he is following me. There's no need for me to check and clarify it. I even heard him said...

"Hey! Wait. I want to walk with you."

Tristan walks in front of me which makes me stop from walking. He looks directly to my eyes.

"You're so cute..."

The guy said that before smiling.

I am astounded upon hearing him, so I ask curiously, "What do you mean...?"

"And your voice, it's cute too..." That's what he replied before chuckling. He completely ignored my question.

"I want to heat it more often..." he added.

What is wrong with this guy?

"Okay... If you say so..."

After saying that, I started to walk again. He laughs behind me, but I didn't dare to stop. He is suspicious afterall.

"That's all you can say, Sofia?"

*****

Tristan just keep on talking while we are walking, and all I ever do is listen to him with less response.

Honestly, I am glad to know that there will be a person who wants to be with me so his nossiness is not that annoying.

I stop from walking and look at him before smiling, "Tristan..."

"Yes?" he asked as if he was startled at my sudden approach.

"In which way do you live?" I asked while pointing at the two seperate path.

He sighed before answering in a disappointed manner, "To the right... How about you?"

"Okay... Mine is on the left. Thank you for accompanying me." I smiled at him and proceeded, "You can go now."

He stared at me, "Do you want me to escort you?"

I purse my lips before answering, "No, thanks..."

*****

Meanwhile...

A group of girls pass by Nathaniel talking about Tristan and the transfer student.

"Urgh!!! I can't believe this! It looks like Tristan is interested in that girl..." the long-haired girl said in irritation.

The other one with blond hair agrees while frowning, "I just can't imagine that he'll be the one to ask her about walking together. What about me? Right, Ava?"

The long-haired girl, Ava, raises an eyebrow and aks, "What do you mean by that, Bree?!"

The blond haired girl smiles nervously before responding, "Well...I mean..how about us?!"

The girl with a bob haircut gave them an evil grin before interrupting, "Girls... You know what happens to people like her in dramas, right?"

Bree smiles brightly, "Oh, I know! Usually the bullies will say ...looks like someone must learn her lesson... Am I correct, Chloe?"

Ava looks sharply at Bree, "Are you saying that we're bullies? The bullies in dramas today doesn't have a good ending!"

"Chill..." Chloe interrupted. " First, we are not bullies, we are just taking back what is supposed to be ours. Second, we are not a fool like those characters in dramas. Lastly, I am pretty sure that Tristan is just playing around that girl."

Ava and Bree nods upon getting Chloe's point.

"Let's talk about it next time."

Suddenly, they are blocked by Nathaniel.

"Oh..It's Nathaniel... Oh my...so perfect..." Chloe whispered to herself.

Ava coughs covering her nervousness, "What can I do... I mean... What can we do for you?"

"I heard you talking about Tristan and the girl. Do you know where they are?" Nathaniel asked them seriously.

"Not really. We just have a hunch that he escorted that girl to her house."

"Okay..." That's the only thing he said before walking way.

"Don't tell me... He is also interested in that girl..." Bree said while shaking her head.

Chloes sighed and muttered under her breath, "I hope that's not true."

"I think it's a big NO... You know the rumors about him, right? There's no way that he would possibly fell for that girl when he can't move on from his past," Ava explained.

*****

Tristan's P.O.V.

It is been so boring...

There is bothing new here.

Discuss.

Breaktime.

Discuss.

Lunch.

Discuss.

Dismissal.

I wish there's something I can pay attention with...

"I'd like you to meet your new classmate, Ms. Cross."

I saw a cute girl entered the classroom. She had a long waist-level black hair and an average looking eyes.

Cute, but not pretty enough to entertain me.

Oh! Haha! And, she's not tall! Pretty small, indeed.

After introducing herself, "Don't be shy..."

I gave her a smile when she laid her eyes on me. She quickly looked away which makes me laugh internally.

That Sofia is the same as the other girls. Let's see what she will do when facing me...

"Enough!" Mrs. Manville interrupted.

As usual, I am opposed by my beloved teacher. Suddenly, she said something very amusing.

"Just sit over there. Next to that naughty boy..."

Naughty boy?

Mrs. Manville do not spoil my first day with the new girl.

Anyway, it's fine with me as long as she sits beside me. I can finally have something new to spend with...

The girl obeyed our teacher and walked timidly. It makes me laugh internally wondering whether she is just acting or not.

"Hey, Tristan! Do not...."

Blah blah blah.

I am good. I am good. Haha!

Suddenly, I heard her ask Nathaniel about being in-charge with the new girl. Just like the whole class, I was also startled on what she said. Why does she need to be accompanied? Is she a baby who needs a baby sitter?

And...mostly...why Nathaniel?! Why not me?

Disappointing. I really want to know this girl. Why does she have a special treatment?

"Silence."

I looked at Nathaniel and saw him staring at Sofia. Without a single thought, he obeyed.

*****

After class...

I am on my way home when I see Sofia walking in the hallway. Great! Fate is on my side.

I called her attention which made her stop from walking. She turned around to look at my direction.

"Sofia. You're Sofia, right?"

Of course, she is. I introduced myself.

"....Nice to meet you."

She left me behind. Seriously? What on earth is... There are some girls who did the same thing to me... Ignoring me at the beginning, but confessing that they like me in the end. It seems like you're of the same kind. Let's see on how long you can put up with that act.

"Hey! Wait. I want to walk with you."

I ran after her, but she suddenly stopped from walking. She looked at me over her shoulders, then nodded.

As expected.

Sofia looked away and continued walking without saying anything.

Yes, ignore me. Let's see who will give in first.

I walk in front of her completely blockinf her way. Let us first have an eye-to-eye contact.

She stopped from walking...

"You're cute..."

"What do you mean?"

"And your voice is cute too!'

I chuckled and proceeded, "I wanna hear it more often."

"Okay, if you say so..."

After saying that, she walked away.

"That's all you can say?"

I tried to be talkative towards her. She is a boring person to begin with because she is not saying anything at all. Nathaniel and her will be a perfect match. Let's say...I did a huge favor for Nathaniel today. Haha!

Anyway, if I didn't hear her talk in class earlier, I will assume that she is mute.

"Tristan..."

Sofia stopped and gave me a warm smile. That's the first time she smiled directly at me. Cute, but not charming enough.

"Why?"

"In which way do you live?"

I sighed and answered her with a disappointed tone. I thought I already pulled her out of her disguise.

She told me that she will take the other path. " Thanks for accompanying me. You can go now."

"Do you want me to escort you?"

"No, thanks."

After saying that, she left.

Well...

*****

Nathaniel's P.O.V.

While staring blankly outside that window, I heard someone called me. I looked at her and saw that it's our teacher.

"Hm?"

I heard her asking me for a favor which surprised and confused everyone including me.

Always by her side?

Who? The transferee?

"Silence."

I turned to look at the girl. I guess I can handle it. Her presence doesn't annoy me.

"Ok. As you wish."

*****

After class...

I quickly walk towards the Teachers' Office.

"Excuse me."

"Yes?"

"About the transferee," I paused for a moment, then proceeded, "Why does she need a bodyguard?"

Mrs. Manville gave me a small smile, "Does it feel like I gave you a burden?"

"No. It's just... I can't do the job properly without knowing the real purpose." I looked down uninterested. "I don't want to waste my time to someone unworthy."

Mrs. Manville sighed before answering, "Sofia... She is often bullied in her former school. That is the reason why I want you to look after her. I want to let her know that here, she is always safe. There will be no more harm...no more pain..."

I averted my eyes, " Okay... Thank you gor explaining."

I left after excusing myself.

Bullied... It is not obvious when she faced us this morning. She is not scared of people at all. Psychologically speaking, those people who experienced bullying tend to isolate themselves. Most of them will choose to avoid the people around them because they are afraid to experience being betrayed and hurt once again.

I walk outside looking for the transferee but I can't find her. Suddenly, a group of three girls passes by. They are also my classmate who happens to talk about the transferee and...

"...I can't believe this! It looks like Tristan is interested in that girl!"

"...can't imagine that he'll be the one to ask her about walking together... What..."

Tristan...He is obviously targeting the transferee.

I can't let that happen. I need to protect her as payment for Mrs. Manville's kindness to me. He helped me when...

"I heard you talking about Tristan and..."

I interrogated them. After getting the answer I need, I left. I have no choice but to go home. I don't know what Tristan is planning, but I will make sure that he will no longer be able to do what he wants to that girl.

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