† s H I N I G A M I †

John watched the whole display. Such terrible creatures humans were. They fed on the weak to look strong, even though they could only take them down in groups. In reality, they were the ones who were weak. He was worried about the girl. She seemed hurt, alone, discriminated against. Just...just like...

Shaking his head, the ghost boy stood up and walked over to the building the girl went into. Awkwardly, he stood by the door, trying to hear what was on the otherside. He lifted up his fist and knocked...well, tried to knock. Being not alive, his fist traveled through the door instead of actually making a sound.

 

Aly, being used to seeing things she shouldn't, didnt scream as a disconnected hand came through the door. Instead she got up, wide eyes and all and gently tried to touch it. Her hand came up against nothing, so she opened the door, blinking against the bright light. Her eyes turned darker with the sun, someone her mother had said the devil gave her.

 

As soon as the door opened, John was going to start talking. He was gonna apologize for the weirdness that was happpening. Instead, John stopped at opening his mouth. She was beautiful. Sad and troubled, but still beautiful. He didn't know what to say or even should say. As far as he knew he was a ghost, and people usually don't see ghosts.

"aaaah...." was all that escaped his lips.

 

Aly tilted her hed gently, letting her eyelids sweep down to cover her eyes as she looked down at the ground. "If I did believe in such things, I would have said I'd seen a ghost. But that's not what you are, is there?" she murmured, letting go of the door to hug herself, trying to find some comfort.

 

"Um..." Started John.

"Actually, from what I've seen, I think I am."

Embarrased, he scratched the back of his head. He had no idea what to say right now. She could see him. She could actually see him. This was good, hopefully.


"But if you see me, I'm not so sure anymore."

 

She smiled at how normal he sounded, how human. "But..." she stopped, then slid back into the shadows. "Come on. Come in here, so I don't look more insane then I am, and I can see you better." she smiled a little, waiting.

 

John obeyed, not knowing what else to do. Nervously, he looked around the room, taking in the sights. He felt like something was going to happen, not sure what, but something.

"Care to tell me what's going on?"

 

She shook her head, sliding the heavy door shut with some force. "I was hoping you could tell me." She smiled a little, letting her hair cover one side of her face. "Maybe you should tell me how you came to be this way. maybe there's something you have to do." She rubbed her arms, thinking.

 

Closing his eyes, John thought about it. Something for him to do. What could that mean? Bleaking, something came to him.

"Wait a minute."

Hurriedly, John pulled up his shirt sleeve, revealing the blue ink.

"This, this thing brought me here. No joke. Seem familiar?"

 

She stepped closer to read it, bending over, her hair swinging down to drape over one shoulder. She inhaled sharply as she read then looked back up at the boy, her eyes wide. "That's my name." she whispered, standing straight again. "Alyanne."

 

John jumped back, like the revelation tried to bite him.


"Wait, this is you?"

This was weird, really weird. Well of course it was. He was dead and got a magic tattoo that brought him to a girl that was on his arm. How was that NOT weird?

"You're absolutely sure you're this?"

 

She rolled her eyes, her humor starting to come out. "No, I'm sure there are tons of girls with the name Alyanne who you just happen upon everyday. Now why don't you go see if you can find another one?" after this rant, she put her hands to her mouth, then looked down. "I'm sorry."

 

Smile, he couldn't help but smile. She seemed kinda funny. Maybe she wasn't as cold as she looked. Then it disappeared.

"Crap."

Kneeling down, John searched for the girls eyes, trying to get her to look at him.

"Don't worry." he said


"It isn't a big deal. The person on my arm should at least smile a little more. I mean, usually when a name is put into your skin it is of someone important to the one who is inked. The inkee I think they call them."

 

She giggled quietly, still looking at the floor. "Maybe..." looking up finally, her own blue eyes searching his, she was quiet for a bit. Finally she spoke, but didn't raise her voice to above a murmur. "Do you think you...have to follow me home?" She wouldn't have minded getting to know him more, but she didn't want to see the pity that would be inevitable.

 

John laughed and shrugged gently.

"I don't see why not. There's nowhere to go and you seem to be connected to me. So I suppose it would be the best thing to do right now."

Trying to look like a gentleman, he stood up and offered Alyanne his hand.

"I think this is what you do for a lady. Sorry if it seems a little hard to grip."

 

Aly smiled, hiding her apprehension, then gently placed her hand by where it was. She was startled, and she let it show. There was actual warmth there. She gently prodded a little, her eyes wide. "Am I allowed to touch you?" she asked, pulling her hand back gently.

 

"Well.. I guess so. I mean there is no law against touching a ghost is there?"

He put on a soft smile. She seemed worried. something was wrong, but not worth mentioning right now. She seemed so gentle, yet so small. She needed to be bigger and stronger, otherwise the weak would feed on her again.

Gently, his wrap his phantom fingers around hers, trying to give her reassurance.

 

She shivered, surprised. "That feels...nice. Not cold and clammy." Gently smiling, she opened the door, then sighed. "Might as well take you home." And get it over with. She finished in her mind. "I'm not going to be able to do anything in school today anyway." She stepped out, still holding his hand gently. Just the littlest pressure might send his hand through hers, and she wanted the nice feeling to stay.

 

​

「OOC NOTES: Neh, took a while, sorry. <3」​

[C L A I R E]​

Claire continued down the halls, her eyes cast downwards as she did so. From someone else’s point of view, it may seem like she was running away from someone particular. Or maybe she was late to class and wanted to avoid catching a hall monitor or another teacher’s glance. The truth was that while she had been avoiding those girls who were talking about her before, she had ended up in the wrong wing of the school. This place was where the upper classmen should have been and any one lower than that would get detention instantly if caught. The young girl weaved through the teens, her eyes closed tightly as she was bumped and moved around. Her eyes stayed towards the dark floor, her cheeks burning red. She completely stood out. She was much shorter than the other girls, and her bright uniform clashed with the colors and styles the others were wearing.

Upon making it out of the hall unscathed, Claire breathed in deeply and broke out into a sprint. Her class started in twenty minutes; however, the upper-classmen started class in a short four. Some classes were already started. That would make her even more noticeable. She ran through the dark halls, avoiding crashing into students as she made it to an exit. Pushing her weight against the door with a surprising amount of necessary strength, she stumbled out into the cool air. The small girl breathed in hard, leaning against the school wall before holding her backpack tighter and running again. She ran quickly until she reached the other side of the campus, panting. Her face quickly flushed and she slid down against the rough brick of the school’s walls, leaning her head back and staring up at the deep blue sky.

Claire smiled, sitting silently on the dark green blades of grass and gazing up at the sky, wincing as her eyes found the sun before she looked back down. She felt so calm here. Just sitting in the sun as a gentle breeze ran through her hair. She looked down at her hands, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes slightly. She was trembling. Shaking her head, she slipped a small hand into the pocket of her skirt, pulling out her cell phone. She flipped it open and looked at the time. She had seven minutes before class started. Not wanting to waste any time, Claire stood up, stretching upwards and sliding the phone back into her pocket before lifting her backpack again and walking to the front door of the Art hall. She pulled the heavy door back, slipping into the school before it slammed behind her.

The halls were full of middles-choolers chatting away and leaning leisurely against their lockers. Claire ignored the heartache she felt watching everyone socialize. She wanted nothing more than to have a friend by her side to talk to. She often ignored it, but there was an overwhelming loneliness that lurked in her heart. The girl kept her head down, walking through the hall and towards her art class. She made sure not to make eye-contact with anyone, breathing out shakily before entering her class room and taking a seat in the very front as usual. She set her backpack down, slowly turning to look around the empty classroom; Always so empty, with the exception of one girl.

Her name was Katherine Brown and she was always there before Claire. No matter how early she got there, Katherine was always sitting in the same seat in the back. She had silvery grey eyes, pale skin and dark wavy hair ending right above her shoulders. Her long bangs were kept back in a black skull barrette and she wore a lacy black and white bow on top of that. She never wore the school uniform. Instead, she was dressed in a black and white Lolita dress. The dress was beautifully designed. It ended with lace right where her black knee-high socks began. It was short sleeved, trimmed with white lace embroidery; a large black bow wrapped around her waist, tied against her stomach and matching her headband. Her lips were always curved downward, as if sculpted into a permant look of indifference. Despite the creamy white color of her skin, her cheeks were flushed naturally rouge.

Claire didn’t mean to stare, but the girl was just too perfect. Her nose was always buried in a book and she often seemed spacy and mysterious. However, somehow she had managed to get all A’s in every class. Even though she was at the top of the class, she gained no attention. She was always the girl in the background. Even when winning her awards, it seemed the name being called didn’t belong to her and that she was merely bringing the award back to the real winner. She seemed a doll, empty and detached. Claire searched through her head, trying to remember any time she had actually heard the girls voice. She couldn’t think or anything and just continued watching her read from the corner of her eye. That was until Katherine gazed up. Her hard stare seemed to penetrate Claire, leaving her blushing and breathless. Claire quickly looked away, staring at her hands and trying to find out why she felt so ashamed.

​

「OOC NOTES: Short. ><」​

[J E N N I F E R]​

Jennifer slide out from her chair, standing up and making her way to the front of her class. She looked around at all of the bored faces and held back a disgusted scoff as she walked to the front desk, placing down a stack of papers before her. She looked around again, before turning her attention to the stack, picking up a piece of paper and clearing her throat. Before her, a number of students shifted and put their heads down, groaning as they expected what was going to happen. Jennifer shot the class a glare, her face gaining a pink tint before she looked down again and stood up straight with a small smile. She glanced endearingly at the teacher who shot her a smile.

“Final year students of Rainbow Heights Prepatory Boarding school; this is your last year to shine.†The girl started, a small smile playing on her lips as she looked around. “As we all know, this is our final year. We have seen excellent times and we have seen dreadful times at this remarkable school. Words cannot express how deeply I shall miss this institute. I believe that all students here are blessed to have been able to attend this academy. Upon leaving this school, I hope that each and every one of you leaves changed from your arrival for the better. I hope that each of you leave this school bright and positive for a better future that we as a whole are responsible for making. I pledge, personally, that I will do my part in the community to make this world a better place. But cannot do it alone. Before me I have contracts for you all to sign. These contracts state that you as one person will do your part in helping the community and the world.†Jennifer concluded a smile on her face.

The students in front of her continued to rest their heads, some huffing slightly while others outright groaned again as Jennifer walked around to pass the “contracts†out. An annoyed looking girl gazed up at her, taking the paper in her hand and raising an eyebrow curiously.

“Graduation isn’t for another five months.†She stated quietly, averting her gaze when Jennifer scowled down at her before continuing to pass the papers out without another word. As soon as the bell for class ended, Jennifer gathered her things and sighed out loudly. She made her way out of the classroom and down the filling halls, navigating expertly through the crowds of loud teenagers and escaping through a near exit. She breathed in the cool air and held her back closely at her side as she walked towards her car. She slid inside, throwing her bag into the backseat and turning the key in the ignition. She figured she would head down to the library to do a bit of research before heading back up to the school to finish the remainder of her classes.

 

John smiled. Quietly, he followed her home. He decided on a whim to pretend he could walk. He carfully tried matching each step with hers, however his feet didn't click across the pavement or crush grass underfoot. It was as if he wasn't here, like he didn't belong. Still, he stayed. He wanted to keep that warm sensation, the life radiating from the girl's touch. In life, he never truly noticed how warm people could be. He just took it for granted. Now it's the only thing making sure he existed.