I remember the first week at a new school, and how it changed my life. I was a freshman at a new school, in the small town of Oberon. My name is Marco, and I have just recently moved here. I used to live in a town called Ashley. My parents had a thing for small towns I guess. Oberon was about two blocks long, and then once you were passed the two blocks you would either be on the highway or by the polluted stream. Why did we move you ask? Well one of my relatives, my Grandmother had just recently passed. So my parents thought it was a good idea to move to a new town, and have a fresh start. The death of my Grandmother was very hard on me, we were really close. She would always tell me theses stories about spirits, and stuff. Nothing I really ever understood. That all changed though, I finally understood what she meant.

“Marco, are you up yet? You’re going to be late on your first day of school.” My Mother yelled to me from downstairs.

“I’ll be down in a minute.”

I was very nervous for my first day. The new kid always has the hardest town. Since you don’t know which crowd you should try to belong to, or be worried when you have chosen the wrong one. School starts at an odd time, well maybe not odd, just early. I don’t really see the whole point in getting there early, or worrying about being late. Since All I have to do is cross the street and I’m there. The school is very queer looking, very strange. It looks very old, like it should have already collapsed. Even if it did collapse I don’t think the town could afford to rebuild it, not for a couple of years at least.

So here I am at the school, early of course. Just patiently waiting for it to start or to actually talk to someone I don’t know. Then before I know it the bell rings. First hour already? So then I head off to class, what’s my first hour again? Oh! Right, English. When I get there everyone just stares. Which makes it even harder to walk in all the way. The desks are spread out in a ‘U’ shape so not only one half of the class can see me but all of them. Great. Let the new school year begin. The teacher tells me to sit in the empty desk by a girl named Lalo, she was very beautiful. Then on the other side of me was a shy looking girl, in black. She had long black hair that sat on her shoulders, and looked at me threw bright blue eyes. She was also very pretty. During that period no one talked to me. Nor did they come up to me during the last three minutes of the hour.

It came time for lunch, and luckily my Mother had packed me a lunch. So I could eat it comfortably outside by myself. That’s when I saw the girl who was in black, from first hour. She looked at me from where she was sitting, by a tree in front of the school.

“You can sit by me if you would like,” said the girl in black. I walk over and sit down on the warm grass. it’s a bright day, sun shinning. Sky blue, clouds white. The perfect day. “My name is Charity,” she explained.. “Nice to meet you Marco,” said Charity. I was a little surprised she knew my name, I thought that even though they saw me. They didn’t think much of it, like find out what my name was. “Nice to meet you too, Charity,” I said nervously. Smooth, I think to myself. Smooth. First person you actually meet and you stumble on your words, what kind of a man are you? A shy one.

“So, have you meet anyone at the school yet?” Charity asked.

“Not really, you’re the only I’ve talked to since this morning when I got here.” I explained.

“Well I wouldn’t worry about it much, I’m sure you’ll make a lot of friends by the end of the week.” said Charity. “Did you know that there’s a dance on Saturday? Don’t you think that’s a little weird? First week of school, interesting.” Says Charity.

“I’ve never heard of anything like it. That it different.” I said.

Next few periods went by fast. I’m really glad I got to meet Charity. Now I’m not all alone in a new school. And turns out that Charity and I have a lot of classes together. Which made today a lot easier. It was really nice to talk to Charity, I got to know her a little more. I know that she is, well, sort of homeless. Her parents are always busy, and can’t spend time with her. She’s lived here her whole life, and she stays closest to the polluted stream.

There was one thing about Charity, the only thing I didn’t understand. Was that no matter where we were, it was like no one could see her. Like she wasn’t really there to begin with. It seemed very similar to my Grandmother’s stories, about the spirits. After one dies there assigned to help someone, in any way. While helping this person, only they are able to see them. No one else who is living. Which made me wonder, Charity doesn’t seem dead, nor does it seem that she’s trying to help me in anyway. Well I suppose she did help me, she helped me escape the loneliness that consumed me.

Later during the week I did a little research, since I became consumed with curiosity. I wanted to know if the stories my Grandmother had told me were true. I did believe her at one time, but I grew older and started losing the power to believe everything. While I was looking for research, I looked up a few things about Charity’s name. To see if there were any records on her. Like anything on her about her life. I did end up finding something though, Her age. Or what she would have been if she was alive.

The last day of the week Charity and I decide to go to the school dance together. Since I don’t really like dances, but with her it could be fun. She also seemed very excited as well. So lets make it a date.

So for the rest of the day we talked about plans, for the dance. What we were going to do before and after. Was it still worth it? Do you think they will play lame eighty’s music? I sure hope not. Not that the music wasn’t good then, I just don’t really like it now.

When I got home that day from school I immediately went to my room and looked at all the information I could come across about my Grandmother. Anything could help me understand a little more. I was mainly looking for story book’s or journals anything like that, but I couldn’t find anything. Not a thing. What a shame. Then I start to think about this even more. Like the last time we walked past a glass window in the school, did she have a reflection? I can’t remember. I know that it seemed like no one could see her, ever. Nor did she ever get called on in class. I always just thought it was luck. Something I don’t have.

It was Saturday, the day of the dance. Charity and I decided we would go out for pizza and then go to the dance. When we met each other at the only pizza restaurant in Oberon, Ray’s Pizza Shack, Charity didn’t eat anything. She would say she wasn’t hungry or she didn’t want to spill on her skirt. I pretended it was nothing and had a few slices. Then time go closer to the dance. We started to walk over, we were just about up to the steps that led into the school. I stop Charity, and I think I’m going to tell her what I know, or what I think I know.

“Charity, can I ask you something?” I ask.

“Sure, but can’t we go in first?” She replied.

“No, I would rather ask you out here, than inside there.” I say to Charity. “Charity, How old are you? I know it’s a random time for that question, but I really need to know.”

She pauses before she says anything. “My age? I’m fifteen.”

I can tell she’s lying to me because when I hold out a photo of her when she was younger, her face showed it all. “Charity, How old are you really?”

A long Silence, She sighs. “Marco, I’m truly twenty-seven. Or what I would be, if I were still alive.”

It seemed like she knew everything that I have known. She was a spirit, the one my Grandmother had told me about. The ones who come back because they were assigned too.
“Charity, You’ve already helped me. Why are you still here?” I asked.

She takes a deep breath, “I haven’t left yet, because I can’t. I won’t. I’ve broken a rule, and I don’t know how to fix it.” “I’ve broken the number one rule that must never be broken. Which is to fall in love with one of the living.”

I was shocked! She wasn’t able to leave, because of me? I didn’t think I meant that much to anyone, not even my parents. Of course I liked her too. She was the only girl in my life who understood me, or even tried to help me with something I couldn’t do on my own.
“But you have to go, onto the next world.” I told her holding my hand to her cheek. “Wait for me, I’ll be right behind you.”

Then Charity started to fade, her bright blue eyes were hidden behind tear drops. Then just like that she was gone. I was on the ground by then, crying. Both tears of happiness and of sadness. I finally understood what her name meant. Charity is Latin for love. She helped give me the most strongest emotion there was. I hope to return it to her one day.

Twelve years later, Marco died. He was found by a little town called Oberon, right by the polluted stream.

It was the first week of school in a new town, located by a polluted stream in the little town of Oberon. There was a homeless girl, they called her Charity. Which was Latin for love. Something that she needed a lot of. You're probably wondering what this has to do with me, right? Well, I'm Marco. I can't tell you my relation to Charity, not until you hear the whole story first.

I was new to the small polluted town. That’s how I was able to meet Charity, since she went to the school. She always seemed quiet, and talked to no one. Almost like no one could see her either. I thought nothing of it though, maybe she was just one of those girls who doesn’t fit in. Plus where do I have the right to judge her, we just met. It was very interesting we had every class together, almost like how it used to be in middle school. Well with different periods but never different people in the class. Just sort of followed each other to the next class, but not by choice.

Its really sort of weird now that I think about it, I don't know much about Charity. Well I didn't then, but I did eventually. She’s a very shy girl after all. Small and quiet, pure and innocent. She was really pretty too. Surprised no one notices her but me.

I'm getting ahead of myself now. I need to tell you my story before hers. Just a week before I moved to Oberon, I used to live with my parents in Ashley. I'm used to small towns, what can I say? Anyway the reason we left Ashley was because one of my relatives had just passed away. We needed to get away, and hopefully handle it better in a different town. The relative that had just passed was my Grandmother, she believed in spirits and stuff. She even got me to believe a little. She thought that after someone dies, that their spirit comes back and helps someone in the world. No matter what the problem might be they must help, then they can finally pass on, to the next life.

So it's the second day at my new school. I'm so glad I have Charity around, she helps a lot. Makes it less lonely for me. Some of the other kids in my class are starting to notice me, and are very kind to me. Wish they were to Charity though, It's just like she’s not here or can't be seen.

That day after school I think everyone in the building knows my name, and that there’s a new kid. It's kind of exciting. I was talking to Charity about how weird it is for a school to have a dance on the first week. I'm not a huge fan of dances, but Charity actually seems excited. Which I think is a great thing, I don't usually see her this happy or excited about anything since I've met her.

That's right! You don't know how Charity and I met. Well I just was moving in, unloading boxes off a moving van. Then all of a sudden Charity starts walking up the side walk, she introduces herself and we've been pretty good friends ever since. It may not be the most exciting way to meet a person but hey, it's a special memory for me.

On the third day here I see a girl in the hallway, and boy does she catch my eye. She was so beautiful, all the boys stared. Her name is Lalo, the prettiest girl I have ever seen. Charity encouraged me to go and talk to her, but I couldn't. She didn't know I existed. I couldn't possibly. Though I wish I could. Charity even thinks I should ask her to the dance on Saturday. I'm not sure I could do that.

Sure enough that same day Charity pushed me into Lalo. Who knew that Charity was so persistent into making me ask her. Though I still haven't. Charity yells at me, and tells me to get a move on. Since it's coming up so fast. I don't know what to do. What if Lalo doesn't like me, or I'm not her type. I think she’s way to out of my league. She's pretty, and smart, and way better at everything than I am. Lalo is so perfect. Charity is so lucky she doesn't have anyone she likes or is fond of. No one to get all flustered over. Not that I am or anything, just explaining something. I hope Charity can feel this way for someone too. Someone very special and who will treat her right. Love, that’s the word. Such a small word, but it has a powerful meaning behind it. It's an amazing thing once you've found it, so I've heard anyway.

Charity told me that she was in love once, to a boy named Simon. She said it was love at first sight, and that he also agreed. I wonder what happened to him though. Since this is the first I've heard of him. Now I'm curious, but I don't want to push anything. Seems like he involves some painful memories to her. So I dropped the topic.

The next day at school Charity seemed really persistent this time. Not like last time, but worse. This time though I went along with it, to make it up to her about the topic yesterday. So I went out of my comfort zone and asked Lalo to the dance. Lalo wasn't sure what to think, since I'm new and she doesn't really know me. She still said yes though. Which was lucky on my account. Then all of a sudden I got super nervous, just thinking about Saturday I wanted time to stop. I guess I wasn't ready after all. Charity was very proud of me though, and I like making her happy. She's my best friend after all.

Time got closer to Saturday, and I became even more nervous. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Charity seemed happy, yet sad. I'm not sure why. I can't calm down though. I'm such a little kid, getting all nervous to go to a dance with a girl. At least Charity will be there. So I shouldn't be that nervous.

It went from days away to hours, and now just minutes. My nervousness was getting the better of me. I was pacing, and tapping my fingers. I even started whistling. Which was just odd for me, I can't even whistle. Charity was as calm as can be, but she was quieter than usual too. Then just minutes before the dance, and before I met Lalo; Charity was becoming lighter. Like she was fading away. Which isn't possible. I asked her what was happening. She then explained everything, why no one could see her and why she was disappearing.

Charity explained that she was a spirit, a spirit who was sent back to help someone. Like my Grandmother had told me, sent back to help someone and then they are able to pass on into the next life. I was the one who Charity was helping. Helping me from loneliness, and to find love. Charity tells me why she had picked to help me, because I needed to find love. Charity, the name given to her with a meaning behind it, Love. Which explains to her what she has to do to help someone. To show them love, that comes in many different forms. Charity had finished her job, and was going to the next life. Now was time for good byes, though not forever since this is only one of the lives we can have. When I find her in the next life I'm going to show her love as well. Just as it turns nine Charity fades away.

I run into Lalo then, I'm completely lost in my thoughts now. Finally realizing that I won't get to see Charity anymore, but I'm not alone. I have Lalo, I think the two of us will be good friends in this life.

short story

It was two days away from Valentines day. Everything was crazy here, in this little town of New York. My name is Hope, like what you look for when you've lost everything. I haven't lost everything, but pretty close, I'm about to lose someone else very specail to me too. I can feel it. I'm weird like that, I can feel or sense when bad things are going to happen. I felt this way when I lost both of my parents, even though I was little I still remember this feeling I've had. I'm not sure who, but someone very close. It scares me, this feeling I have. I don't want to lose someone else again, I don't know what I'll do. It's very hard to explain this feeling, it seems like a hole has been punched through my chest. Or I've fallen from a high place. It bothers me.

It's not just me that has a feeling. My best friend gets one too, but you can see her's. It's not really a feeling she tells me, more like a vison. She can see spirts. She is Sarah. Sarah is she. She is a lot like me, in many ways to be found creepy. She has sights, I have feelings. I suppose when you put it like that it seems pretty normal, but it's not.

Just today when I got my feeling, Sarah meet a spirit. Which is really odd, we never get our sights, and feelings the same day. The spirit Sarah meet odd enough was a teenager, female and heartbroken. How ironic. The spirit was very anger, and was attached to Sarah's boyfriend, Paul. Sarah wasn't sure why though. I had an idea of why that was. Maybe she was one of Pauls ex-girlfriends. Sure enough she was. The weird thing about that though was she was haunting him. We weren't sure why. Maybe Paul did something bad to her. Sarah was a little scared this time, never had to deal with a spirit like this one before. Paul seemed very distant too. Which gave me strange ideas on what might have happened. I mean Paul doesn't seem like a bad guy, and would never hurt Sarah. But you never know, the nice ones are always the ones to do it because they seem less likely.

So me and Sarah investiged. We found out that the spirit was murdered. We also looked into Pauls records, he did get into some trouble awhile back. Really close to when she was found dead too. The more we looked into it, the more Paul seemed like the murderer. Guess this means that Sarah isn't getting a valentine this year. Sarah saw the spirit again. The teenager reveled that she was sixteen, name Heather. Heather dated Paul for a year. Since the begining of Sophomore year. Heather's best friend, Brianna was the one to find Heather dead. I don't really know much about Brianna, except for the fact that shes in my grade. That's about it, shes a mystory.

It was a day away from Valentines day. Heather finally told Sarah what she planned to. It sounded like a threat. "Watch the beat of your heart stop." Sarah was really on the edge now. Paul was even worried for her too.

It was Valentine's Day, full of hearts and red. My feeling came back more then the first time I sensed it. Something bad was going to happen today. When I saw Sarah that morning she was in tears, Paul had just broken up with her to protect her. What a great way to start of Valentine's Day. The spirit Heather stopped appearing, which was very strange for Sarah. All the info we have recieved, and then she finally dissapeared. I wonder if it had anything to do with Paul leaving her. It was a very strange day, in this little town of New York. There was a park by mine and Sarah's house. We often went there as children. In the park there was many trees, and the was also a stream. Today though the stream was red. When Sarah and I walked by we saw Paul covered in blood on the ground. It was horrifing. We never would have thought that what Heather said wasn't a threat, but a warning. She warned us about Pauls murder. That's where we got confused. If Paul was murdered by Heather's murderer. Then who killed them? Sure enough, we saw someone sneaking out from behind the trees. It was Brianna, and she was covered in Paul's blood as well.

inner feelings...

I don't know what's wrong with me....I feel like I'm running away..But there's nothing to run from, maybe rejection, or the lack of friendship I have...I always feel a little depressed now a days... But I try so hard to hide it. I'm not as strong as I wish I was... Not Strong, so maybe I am running away, but that doesn't mean I'm not coming back!

A.zombie.grl

my fault...

I just realized that the reason the guy I liked in the beginning slipped away was my fault! I used to text him all the time, like twenty-four seven. It was great, he made me laugh and I think I really did like him. But I let him slip way. I was suppose to ask him to a dance, that was the plan, but it never happened.... someone beat me too it. That's how they started dating, after homecoming. So it's all my fault. And I feel great about it. I can finally know that I don't have any little hint of liking him. I feel awesome! So happy!

Favoritism!?

I think the word I hate the most is FAVORITISM!!! I have so many people who use it. Like I feel my parents use it a lot. Like just now, I wanted to go to my cousin's house, but my mom sort of freaked out at my brother(college student on break) because his room was a mess, and she was yelling since he doesn't do anything(which is true)....I guess she was still mad, then she saw my dad doing the dishes(my chore to do) and she starts yelling at me! Saying oh you have a brain you should know when to do it without us telling you to. I just think if they want it done that badly they can tell me, but when my dad does it willingly I get in trouble for it. So now I can't go... but he does! I think it's Favoritism, right there!

There not the only ones who do that though, my Grandmother does.... my aunt she I think just doesn't like girls, because she doesn't have one and wants one(jealousy is an ugly thing) So yeah... My family is so loving and understanding...(sarcasm)

A.zombie.grl

Watching you...

Why do people feel the need to keep an eye on me? I didn't do anything.... This is the second time someone started talking to me, just to keep an eye on me.... That's one of the down sides to having a lot of guy friends... But I don't try to get on there girlfriends "eye" list. I just feel like one of the guys, and they cause less drama. One of the best things about my guy friends, girls always fight. Maybe I'm around them too much, well for me to actually understand if I like one or not.

Oh! Today I was reading my book, Kiss of Life (Generation Dead 2) and I was thinking....Do I have a close guy friend, that I've known forever....And might actually like. Well my first guess or thought was actually a guy that seemed like Adam from the story, except his names Tommy. Ironic isn't it. So I took like a good five to ten minutes thinking about that. Of course I know that he has never had any feelings for me, but do I have some towards him? Good Question. I'm not very sure. I don't really hang out with him that much like I used too. I feel a lot like Phoebe in this situation, well because Adam was in the in crowd. Just like Tommy is in my situation. Sort of interesting.....If you think about it.. Me and Tommy are very similar to Phoebe and Adam in that book.....It's pretty neat...

A.zombie.grl

I hate it!

I hate it, feeling like this. The anger, and frustration just sitting inside me; I'm not as strong as I seem, I can't keep it in like I want to. The worst part about it is I have no one to talk to about it either. Even if I want to no ones ever there to listen......So I always suffer in silence.. When I tell my parents how I feel, there never on my side...So whats the point talking about it, no one understands me! They never try too. I try so so hard, silence is all I can take. Since no one will listen to my side. Not ever will they try either. Its always the other person, never me. I'm always the one whose done wrong. Why can't you at least try to understand, at least a little....

A.zombie.grl