Love sucks anyway

I sprinted down the hallway, passing stunned students in my wake. My mind raced, struggling to process the bizarre events that had just unfolded. One thought dominated: find out who was responsible for this.

Then, Ella's words echoed in my mind: the ghost on the sixth floor. Could it be?

I skidded to a halt, the possibility chilling me to the bone.

Turning back, I hurried towards the staircase. I didn't know if my instincts were right, but it was the only explanation that made any sense. Someone, or something, was clearly in control.

Perhaps not a human. Perhaps… something more malevolent.

As I ascended the stairs, another shiver ran down my spine. Reaching the sixth floor, I heard it – a sound, faint but distinct, like someone walking. The footsteps were neither heavy nor light, just… normal. They seemed to originate from my left, but when I looked, there was no one there.

I held my breath, my gaze sweeping across the hallway, searching for the source of the sound.

Then, in the blink of an eye, I saw her. A young woman, clad in a pristine white dress, stood a short distance down the hallway, staring back at me. Her expression was impossible to decipher, a blank mask that chilled me to the bone.

I stared back, a mixture of unease and apprehension washing over me. The air crackled with a strange tension. I didn't know what to do, whether to approach her, to speak, or to simply turn and run.

My mother's words echoed in my mind. She used to say that ghosts weren't demons, but lost souls, unable to cross over because of unfinished business. They weren't inherently evil. She also believed that not all souls could move on, some destined to be reincarnated.

The woman remained motionless, her gaze fixed on me. The silence stretched on, heavy and oppressive.

I thought of my older sister, her words a comforting balm amidst the growing fear.

 "There's so much more to this world than we can comprehend," she'd often said.

 "People think they understand, but the truth is, no one truly does. The world is a complicated place, and it's often controlled by forces beyond our understanding."

The staring contest continued, a silent and unsettling standoff. I realized she wasn't interested in conversation, and that I should probably heed that cue. I didn't sense any malevolent energy from her, just a chilling coldness that was to be expected, considering she was… well, dead.

Maintaining eye contact, I began to back away slowly, subtly, making sure my movements were unassuming. I focused on my footsteps, determined not to let her see how unnerved I truly was.

"You're not human, are you?" a voice broke the silence, startling me.

I whipped my head around, surprised by her sudden words. Her voice, though gentle, echoed through the hallway, as if she'd swallowed a microphone.

I remained silent. At this point, I half-expected her to somehow discern my fox heritage. Transforming would be risky, draining, and potentially dangerous if I couldn't maintain it for at least five or six hours.

"I've met many beings," the ghost woman continued, her voice a soft murmur, "but none quite like you. You're not from here, are you? Though, who am I to judge? I'm not from here either."

I listened, keeping my thoughts to myself. I didn't know how to act around a ghost, let alone one who seemed to be aware of my… unusual nature.

"I had a lover once," she reminisced, a faint smile gracing her lips. "He was… similar to you, in a way. Though not a fox, of course."

Similar to me? My grandfather had always insisted that we were unique. Were there other beings like us? Hybrids, perhaps? Living in some remote corner of the world?

Who was this ghost woman referring to?

Should I ask?

This had to be the ghost Ella had mentioned.

After a moment of internal debate, I finally gave in.

"Who's Adrian?" I blurted out, immediately regretting my raised voice. I quickly covered my mouth, embarrassed by my sudden outburst.

The ghost woman lowered her head, her expression obscured by the shadows. I waited, curiosity piqued, for her response. I wasn't particularly invested in her love life, but there was no harm in asking. Besides, the name "Adrian" still resonated with me. Perhaps she could shed some light on it, or maybe even share her story, if she was feeling generous.

"I know what happened to you," I said, my voice echoing slightly in the empty hallway. 

"But that's no excuse to freeze everyone in the school. They look like mannequins in a department store window!"

The ghost woman vanished in an instant, leaving me startled. I frantically scanned the hallway, searching for her.

Where the hell did she go?!

"It was you who killed him… This is all your fault," the ghost woman's voice hissed, chilling me to the bone.

I turned to my right, locating her a considerable distance away. It felt like she was miles away, yet she was eerily close at the same time.

The ghost woman stared at me with an empty, chilling expression. Her eyes mirrored the coldness in her voice.

"Huh?! That's a rich accusation coming from someone who—"

A searing pain erupted in my stomach, cutting off my words. I doubled over, clutching my abdomen. It felt like I'd ingested a thousand pounds of lead.

Agony washed over me, a strangled cry escaping my lips. I felt an invisible weight pressing down on my shoulders, hindering my movements.

"Consider this your punishment," the ghost woman declared coldly.

Her voice, once gentle, now sounded like the whisper of death.

"I won't kill you. That would be too easy," she continued, a chilling smirk playing on her skeletal lips. "If it weren't for your kind, Adrian would still be with me. He wouldn't have… left me with…"

Enraged, I lunged at her, transforming into my fox form. My grey fur bristled, white spots shimmering on my coat. I was larger than most foxes, a testament to my lineage.

I snapped at her, but she easily deflected my attack, sending me flying back with a powerful force. I slammed into a classroom door, the impact jolting me.

"Don't you dare touch me!" she shrieked, her voice a horrifying screech that echoed through the hallway. Her beautiful face contorted, her features dissolving into a grotesque, skeletal mask.

The ghost woman unleashed a barrage of red orbs, fiery projectiles that whizzed past me. I dodged frantically, narrowly avoiding the onslaught.

What was her problem?! Damn it!

Why was she blaming me for the death of her lover?

"Don't attack like a child! Be an adult and tell me why you're blaming me!" I yelled, dodging another volley of orbs.

"Shut up!" she snarled, ignoring my demand. The red orbs continued to rain down, forcing me to constantly evade her attacks.

I managed to dodge another projectile, but the next one struck my right leg. I groaned, the pain excruciating. It felt like someone had stabbed me with a hot iron.

The red orbs exploded into a cloud of smoke, obscuring my vision. I took advantage of the momentary cover, retreating to the corner of the hallway, gasping for breath. I listened intently, trying to sense her movements.

"Me and Adrian were happy," the ghost woman hissed, her voice laced with anger, "but I guess happiness doesn't last long when someone wants to see it end."

What the hell was she rambling about?

Think, Amy, think. The name Adrian… where had I heard it before?

"Found you," the ghost woman declared, appearing directly in front of me. Her expression was chilling, a cruel satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.

She raised her hands, a massive red orb coalescing between them, crackling with malevolent energy. I was utterly unprepared, the icy dread of impending doom washing over me.

This could be the end.

Is this it?

"Good morning everyone, My name is Adrian Legazpi. I hope we get along this semester." Adrian, the new student, introduced himself to the class with a friendly smile.

"Amy, he's kinda cute, don't you think?" Marie whispered, nudging me with her elbow.

I sat in the back row, propping my chin in my hand, barely registering her comment. I wasn't particularly interested in any of the students in this school; they all seemed to blend together. All I wanted was for this period to end so I could go home.

"I bet he's an athlete,"

"Yeah, judging by the shirt he's wearing."

"He looks like a playboy to me."

Whispers swirled around the classroom. It seemed Adrian was already the new campus crush. But I remained indifferent.

 Honestly, I just hoped he wouldn't cause any trouble. Maybe he'd be good for academic assistance; a ready-made study buddy wouldn't hurt.

"Excuse me?" a voice interrupted my thoughts.

I lazily glanced up to see Adrian standing beside my desk.

"Can I have this empty seat?" he asked politely, his smile still in place.

"She has a boyfriend, but you can sit next to me," Marie offered playfully, nudging the empty seat beside her.

"What?!" I exclaimed, startled.

Marie winked at me, urging me to play along with her teasing. She seemed genuinely interested in him.

"Oh, I apologize if I seemed hasty. It wasn't my intention," Adrian said, his voice slightly formal.

That tone… it sounded familiar. He struck me as the type of student who excelled academically but was also a ghoster in relationship. Not my type at all.

Marie continued to stare at him, tapping the empty seat beside her.

"No, it's, uh, alright," I mumbled, unsure of what else to say.

Adrian accepted the invitation, settling down beside Marie. He made brief eye contact with me, a friendly smile still gracing his lips, before turning his attention to the front of the room.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to ignore the flutter of unease that had settled in my stomach.

The period finally ended, and I quickly gathered my things, eager to escape the classroom. Ella, Marie, and Marie's other friends were having a pool party at Marie's condo, but I'd declined. My period had started, and the thought of dealing with cramps and the inevitable bloating wasn't appealing.

"Uh, Miss. Amy?" a voice called out from behind me.

I turned to see Adrian standing there.

"Yeah?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you about to go home?" he asked casually.

I paused, considering his question.

"Yeah," I replied, "Why?"

"Well, if you don't mind, I could… I could walk you home, or… well, no, that sounds wrong. Perhaps I could be your own personal security guard?" he mumbled, seeming to stumble over his words.

Was he trying to make a move? Or was I overthinking things?

He wasn't my type. I needed to shut this down quickly.

"Uh, I appreciate your concern, but I can manage on my own," I said firmly, turning and walking away.

"Wait, please. I wouldn't bother you. I just… well, I'm new, so I want to be friends with you," Adrian said shyly.

I continued walking, ignoring him initially. But something in his voice made me stop. 

 I sighed in defeat. I felt a pang of guilt. As long as I kept my distance, it wouldn't be a problem, right? Besides, a male friend wasn't necessarily a bad thing. I just hoped he wasn't the type to cause trouble. If he was, well, I wouldn't hesitate to put him in his place.

I turned around to face him. "Fine, but don't do anything funny. Or I won't hesitate to scratch you," I threatened lightly, then turned and continued walking.

"Okay!" Adrian exclaimed eagerly from behind me. I could hear his footsteps quickening as he caught up.

Over the next few weeks, Adrian and I became unlikely friends. I wasn't sure how it happened, but we found ourselves drawn to each other. In class, Marie usually monopolized his attention, and Ella, true to form, avoided any interaction with the male gender. So, we often sought out quiet corners of the library to talk.

Adrian shared stories about his life before college, about his athletic career and the pressure that had led him to quit. He found solace in the library, a haven of peace amidst the chaos of university life.

In return, I sometimes sought his help with math. I was notoriously terrible at it, and to my surprise, he was a whiz. I'd discovered this by chance, stumbling upon a Facebook post from his mom that praised his academic achievements in math and history.

One afternoon, we found ourselves on the university rooftop, watching the sunset. The sky was ablaze with vibrant hues of orange and purple. We sat in comfortable silence, simply enjoying the view.

"Hey," Adrian broke the silence, his voice thoughtful, "don't you ever wish you could just be… normal?"

I paused, turning to look at him. His question hung heavy in the air.

"Sometimes," he continued, a hint of wistfulness in his voice, "I wonder if I'll ever meet someone like me."

What does he mean by that?

"I don't know why, but I feel safe around you," Adrian confessed, his expression genuine. "I'm not hitting on you or anything. I don't know, it's just… the vibe you give off."

I didn't respond, simply gazing at the setting sun. When I finally met his gaze, I quickly averted my eyes, feeling a blush creeping up my neck.

"I shouldn't have said that," he mumbled, looking down at his shoes. "I forgot that you already have a boyfriend."

I raised an eyebrow, "No, I don't."

Adrian looked up, surprised. "What? Marie said—"

"She's just teasing," I explained. "I think you've noticed she has a bit of a crush on you."

"She's pretty, but I'm not interested in her romantically," he admitted.

"How about you? Do you like anyone?" he asked curiously.

"No," I replied flatly. "No one has ever… given me that thing, yet."

"What thing?" he asked with a chuckle.

"I don't know," I shrugged, "My older sister, Catherine, always says you know you're in love when you experience this… this 'thing.' I don't know how to explain it without sounding cheesy."

"Your sister's right," Adrian mused. "A crush is just a crush, it's… hollow. But when you actually experience love, it consumes you. It becomes your entire world."

The first semester was drawing to a close, and I had a Saturday class. Our Social Studies professor had assigned a group project, and since Adrian had been absent, I was tasked with delivering his copy for his task.

I spent the morning searching for him, peeking into classrooms and texting him incessantly. Marie, as usual, was clueless about his whereabouts. However, I bumped into Mikey, another classmate, who confirmed that Adrian was indeed on campus.

Finally, I reached the end of the third-floor hallway. As I peered into the last classroom, My eyes widen in suprised.

Adrian was… well, let's just say he was engaged in a very passionate make-out session with a young woman, a professor I didn't recognize. He was standing close, his face buried in hers, while she sat perched on the teacher's desk.

A wave of nausea washed over me. What in the world was I witnessing?

Wasn't that… against school policy?

I quickly averted my gaze, the image seared into my memory. It was like watching a real-life movie trope unfold before my eyes – the forbidden student-teacher romance. I felt a strange mixture of disgust and disbelief.

I dropped Adrian's project on the floor, feeling a bitter taste in my mouth, and hurried away from the classroom.

A month had passed since the end of the first semester. I was on a video call with my friend, Ella, on a relaxing Monday afternoon at my house.

"Hey, have you heard the rumor going around?" Ella asked, her face appearing on my phone screen as she lounged on her bed.

"I hope it's not another trashy one," I replied, feigning disinterest.

"It's about Adrian," Ella revealed, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I heard he had a secret relationship with a professor…"

The memory of that morning, the sight of Adrian… I quickly pushed the image from my mind.

"But here's the catch," Ella continued, "the professor wasn't even from our university."

I sat up straighter, intrigued. "How did she even get in?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Well, nobody knows for sure, but I heard she's related to one of the staff," Ella explained, sounding equally baffled.

 "That's all I could gather."

"Also," she added, "I heard Adrian had to switch schools. One of our classmates overheard the school director and some administrators talking, and they mentioned that he was forced to transfer."

Well, that wasn't entirely unexpected. If he truly loved the professor, staying at the same university would have been impossible. Not too mention, his reputation has been shift into an unpleasent one. His reputation has been dragged through the mud.

"What happened to the professor?" I asked, wondering about her fate.

"I don't know," Ella joked, "Probably booked a one-way trip to the moon."

 "What was Marie's reaction?" I asked, curious.

 "Ha! She acted like she wasn't head over heels for him when she found out," Ella said playfully.

"Adrian… Adrian Legazpi?" I whispered, my voice hoarse. My human form was slowly rematerializing, my clothes having been shattered during the transformation.

The ghost woman continued her relentless assault, her skeletal expression revealing no remorse.

"But why me? I wasn't even romantically involved with him!" I demanded, frustration boiling over.

"Stop!"

A voice cut through the air, startling both of us.

I slowly turned, my eyes widening in disbelief. It was him. Adrian.

The ghost woman stiffened, her attack faltering. "Adrian?" she breathed, her voice filled with disbelief.

Adrian looked at me, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Then, he turned his attention to the ghost woman, a strange serenity washing over his face.

"My love…" she whispered, her voice now soft and yearning, a stark contrast to the chilling tones she had used before. She lunged forward, embracing him tightly, as if starved for his touch.

"It's finally good to see you," she murmured, her voice filled with longing.

Adrian remained still, his expression unreadable. He finally met my gaze, a faint smile gracing his lips. He nodded in greeting, but I couldn't bring myself to return the gesture.

As I looked at him more closely, a chilling realization dawned on me. Adrian's energy.. It's cold...

Wait...

Is he... 

" My love… I'm glad you're here. Now we can finally be together,"

 The ghost woman whispered, her voice chilling despite its softness. A desperate, possessive undercurrent thrummed beneath her words, the atmosphere thick with a suffocating coldness. There was no trace of the lively romance she had spoken of earlier.

Adrian, his expression a chilling mask, replied softly, "You're right, darling." And then, in a swift, unexpected move, he plunged a hand into her chest.

The ghost woman let out a guttural scream, clutching her chest in pain. She staggered back, disbelief etched on her skeletal face. "Why?" she croaked, her voice raw with betrayal and frustration.

Adrian remained impassive, his face a study in unsettling calm. "You needed to rest, darling," he said, his voice chillingly detached.

I watched in stunned silence as Adrian attacked the ghost woman. I was still angry at her for attacking me, but… well, that was brutal.

The ghost woman shrieked, her form flickering violently. Pieces of her ethereal body began to disintegrate, dissolving into the air. As she finally vanished, the oppressive energy that had permeated the hallway began to dissipate, the atmosphere returning to normal. I hoped the students, frozen in time, would soon return to their senses.

"Amy," Adrian said, his gaze finally turning towards me.

I looked up, startled, my eyes widening at the sight of my own nakedness. I quickly pulled my hands up to cover myself, feeling a blush creep up my neck.

 "Pervert! Don't look!" I exclaimed, mortified.

Adrian chuckled, his gaze lingering on me with an unsettling intensity.

Why didn't you tell me you're a fox?" he asked calmly.

"Why would I?" I retorted, feeling no inclination for a friendly conversation. "It's a family secret. No one is supposed to know, not even friends."

"I understand," he began, but I cut him off.

"Explain what just happened!" I demanded, annoyed. "Why was that ghostly freak attacking me? The nerve!"

"It's because…" he hesitated, "because I developed feelings for you."

"Huh?" I exclaimed, utterly bewildered.

I don't believe it, is he bluffing?

Adrian smiled shyly and nodded. "The professor… she was my first love, but we didn't last long. She was… well, too controlling. She wanted to possess me entirely. It was unhealthy, not the love I had imagined."

I was speechless. I never considered Adrian in that light. He seemed… well, sloppy, a bit weird, and definitely not my type.

"Then you came into the picture," he continued, his voice low. "It happened so suddenly. I woke up one day, and… I was completely smitten by you."

I stared at him, bewildered.

"I was about to confess to you," he admitted, "but life… well, life got complicated. It became unbearable." He spoke calmly, without a hint of regret or sadness.

"When the school found out about the… relationship, it was the final straw," he continued, his tone still surprisingly even.

"My life… it was a good life," he said, a wistful smile playing on his lips. "And it was all thanks to you, Amy. You made it bearable."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with a strange contentment, a yearning that made my heart ache.

I lowered my head, a single tear tracing a path down my cheek. This feeling… this heavy weight in my chest… it was familiar. It was the same despair I had felt when I lost my parents at fourteen. I didn't want to feel this way. I didn't want to feel anything.

"I wish we could spend some time together again," he said softly, his voice gentle and tender. "I will wait for you, Amy."

And then he was gone. I looked around, searching for him, but he had vanished. I covered my face with my hands, the weight of his words and the strange, unfamiliar emotions crashing over me.

This sucks..