Chapter Text
Libby patiently waited at her desk. Usually, a certain friend of hers would be the first to arrive. Usually before her, or arriving with her.
"He's late...." She murmured quietly. The classroom was already full of students, so she kept her voice down. She glanced around the room another time, wondering where her friend was.
Much to her relief, she caught a glimpse of an orange form passing through the door and flying through the rows of desk until he stopped, floating in place beside her, unnoticed by the other students.
"Sorry, I'm late!" The orange form floating beside her was a friendly ghost who we can just call Ollie, with bright yellow eyes, a purple nose, and swoovy hair.
"She's not here, is she?" Ollie, with bubbling excitement, looking across the classroom, including the empty desk in front of his human friend with overwhelming joy. "Man, I was hoping to get to see her in person before she arrived!"
Libby looked at her friend with confusion. "Um, who is she?"
This seemed to snap Ollie into realization, as Libby was unaware of who he was looking for. Or what just happened earlier.
"Oh, Libby, it's just wonderful!" Ollie wasted no time. "So, the other day, I haven't exactly been to Scratch's house or paid any attention because I was so busy....but this morning, I was in a big rush because I overslept, and as I tried to get myself ready, I look at Scratch's house and saw some family in there."
"A family?" Libby looked at him with surprise.
"Yeah, I saw a dad, a mom, and a little boy," Ollie continued. "I think they even have a daughter with them. I didn't see her, and I didn't have a chance to because I was in such a rush to meet you here, but I heard her. You should've heard her voice. So excited, with cheer and joy. I think we're going to like her!"
He added with another fit of enjoyment. "I think she's going to our school."
Libby knew Scratch. She wasn't really a big fan of the ghost, often preferring Ollie and Geoff over him. As far as she knew, Scratch was rude, selfish, and had no manners. And unlike Ollie, he was not so fond of humanity.
"Ollie, I hate to be that person, but...." she started, trying her best to lay it down as easy as possible. "Knowing Scratch, the family won't be sticking around long."
"Come on, Libby, we don't know that," Ollie scoffed with a playful smile. "This might be good for Scratch. The family will stick around, Scratch will warm up to them, and eventually start to love them like a real family."
He then added. "Speaking of the family, I was thinking I could go introduce myself, and become good friends. That way, you won't be the only human that knows I exist."
Libby frowned. "I'm not sure if that's a good idea."
Ollie would have responded. Tell her not to worry. That maybe one or a couple more humans knowing wouldn't be such a bad idea. Ollie was fond of humans and enjoyed helping them, and one of the things he never liked about his afterlife was not being able to talk to them.
It was the sole reason why he befriended Libby, so he wouldn't be lonely and so that she could have a friend herself. And the reason why he wanted to befriend the new girl, who just so happened to walk through the door with their teacher, Lightfoot.
He knew it was likely the girl he never got to see in person. The one who supposedly moved in with her family. He took in all her features immediately as Lightfoot spoke.
Her dark brown hair tied into a ponytail, her chocolate eyes, and the way she dressed with her white shirt, blue vest, pink and purple skirt, white socks and yellow and pink sneakers.
Everything about her was well, majestic, even her voice. Ollie watched with the class as the girl, named Molly McGee, introduced herself.
Of course, there was a concerning part. Scratch was also here, and he seemed hellbent on making Molly mess up. When Molly started tripping and slipping through the classroom, it was because Scratch had made her trip on ectoplasm.
Ollie ended up flying forward, away from Libby, and pulling Molly back when she started to trip and fall towards the floor. Even though Molly was no longer slipping, Ollie could feel the stares of the other students directed at her.
"I, uh, like to dance?"
Ollie could hear the students giving out applause. He released Molly and flew back to Libby's desk. It was then that things took sharp turn when one of the students spoke.
Andrea Davenport, social influencer, future disrupter, and the school's official goodwill ambassador. Ollie wasn't exactly the kind of person to hate anyone. He didn't even hate Scratch. He just tolerated his behavior.
And did the same for Andrea. She wasn't a bad person, but she left a bad taste in Ollie's mouth. And the reason why just happened.
Molly mispronounced Andrea's name. Twice. Ollie had been to the school for quite a long time to know Andrea quite well and what happened to the students that made the mistake of saying her name wrong.
When it was clear Andrea was far from pleased, Molly was dismissed to her seat. Which happened to be the empty one next to Libby.
Ollie was still invisible, unseen by Molly, and took notice of his friend speaking up to the new girl.
"Hey, in the first grade, there was a girl named Libby. She was bright eyed and full of promise. Until one day, she called Andrea 'Ann-drea', and from that moment on, she was an outcast, forever shunned from respectable society."
"What happened to her?" Molly asked.
"Oh, she's me. And don't get too close. I think I almost got her down."
Ollie saw Molly turn her head as Libby tried to get Andrea's attention. As usual, the popular girl ignored her. Glancing at Molly, Ollie could see her talking to Scratch.
The blue ghost talked about how they could safely call the day ruined. Talk about how Molly could just pack up her bags and leave.
Maybe Libby was right. Maybe it wasn't that simple for Scratch to just accept that a family had moved into his home. However, that didn't mean Ollie had no sense of determination in his ghostly body.
"I think I'm going to try to make Molly's first day better," he spoke up.
Libby heard him. "You sure? Not that what you're going to do isn't good, but this is Andrea. Once you mispronounce her name, it's over."
"Molly shouldn't let Scratch and Andrea bring her down," Ollie protested. "What kind of ghost would I be to not bring some good into Molly's new life? She just moved in. She can't be started off with a bad school day."
"Ollie, you are genuinely one of the kindest ghosts there is in Brighton," Libby spoke, before frowning as she looked at Andrea. "But are you sure you can complete with Andrea?"
Ollie looked at Molly again. "Libby, as one of the kindest ghosts there is, it's my job to bring good and joy to Brighton. Of course, that means trying to lighten a new kid's first day and trying to keep Andrea from making them feel worse than they already have."
--
The rest of the day was the same. Ollie got to work on helping lighten Molly's first day, despite the downsides that clearly involved Andrea.
What was Andrea's problem? That was what Ollie always thought at the beginning, when he was just an early fletched spirit.
Ollie wouldn't say his efforts were the best, but he did try. Andrea just so happened to be everywhere Molly was. It was almost like she was relishing in her misery. Something the orange ghost didn't like. But regardless, tolerated. He was the kindest and most sweet ghost in Brighton after all. After Geoff, of course. He was the type to hate anyone regardless of what they did.
That was how he was for the rest of his afterlife. Even if he couldn't do something about Andrea, besides maybe giving her a scare and risk causing a panic, he did try to help Molly.
Closed a locker another student had purposely left open so Molly couldn't hit her face on it. When her classmates all mercilessly threw dodgeballs at her, Ollie used his ghost powers to stop the balls, then threw them at the students that tried to throw them at Molly. Which left them shunned with surprise.
Then there were the colorful posters with inspiration messages he put up to try to encourage Molly. Despite his efforts, he felt like the day wasn't any better.
He followed the girl into the bathroom, frowning as he watched her face the mirror, telling herself it was going to be fine.
He felt bad for her, and decided to make his presence known. He was no longer invisible, and opened his mouth to speak. "Hey, um....Molly McGee, right?"
Molly paused, and turned around, seeing Ollie's orange ghostly form right in front of her eyes. "A-another ghost?!"
Ollie brought his arms up, worried that he might have spooked her with his presence. "Don't worry, I'm not going to scare you. As a matter of fact, I just want to help-"
"Ghost hug!" Ollie was cut off by surprise when Molly suddenly latched onto him, pulling him into a tight hug as she wrapped her arms around him. "Wow, you're much softer than Scratch. It's almost like you guys are made out of cotton candy."
"I guess it can be like that, but that's not the case," Ollie spoke as Molly let go of him. "It's only ectoplasm, if I'm being honest."
"I can't believe there's two of you guys," Molly smiled. "I almost thought Scratch was going to be the only one ghost here in Brighton."
"Surprising isn't it?" Ollie chuckled, before reaching his hand out for a handshake. "I'm Ollie."
Molly eagerly shook his head. "It's so nice to meet you, and I'm guessing you already know I'm Molly, right? You did sorta ask."
"Yep," Ollie nodded. "If I wasn't in such a hurry, I would've gladly welcomed you. I can't believe we're neighbors now."
Molly's eyes widened. "You live next door?!"
"I live across the street," Ollie corrected.
"That's amazing!" Molly beamed. "I live with a ghost, and a ghost is my neighbor! Could Brighton get any better than this?"
As Molly and Ollie conversed, Scratch just so happened to be arriving. The blue ghost narrowed his eyes as he recognized the orange ghost speaking with Molly.
"I see you've met Ollie Chen," he flew up in between them with a sigh. "Brighton's engoodifer."
"Engoodifer?" Molly looked at Ollie. "Wait, do you actually do good for Brighton?"
"Yeah, it's been who I been since I was, well....alive," Ollie started to explain. "Since I'm a ghost, I can't do a lot of things without being seen by other humans. I do try my best though to make Brighton a better place."
"Haven't been doing a good job lately..." Scratch murmured under his breath.
"Sweet baby corn, you totally get me," Molly's eyes sparked. "I want to do everything in my power to bring joy and happiness to the world and make it better place, and Brighton is definitely a great start."
Scratch rolled his eyes. When Molly had moved in the other day, he was immediately reminded of Ollie. She was joyful, kind, sweet, not to mention having the delusional belief to make the world, let alone Brighton, a better place.
He never understood why Ollie, a ghost, of all people wanted to continue this belief after his death. After all, wasn't he aware that doing this might get him into the flow of failed phantoms?
"You know, Moll, you ruined this day than anything I could have done."
Molly frowned, now remembering why she was in the bathroom to begin with, as Scratch continued. "I mean, that was some primo stuff back there."
"No, no," Molly denied. "I can turn this around."
"Nah, this time, like you, it's over. So let's go home, pack your bags, I'll call a moving van, and you get out of here."
"There's still the assembly!" Molly protested.
"And what do you think is going to happen in there?" Scratch raised a brow as he tried to get his point across. "Some kind of miracle where suddenly everyone likes you? It's done, Moll. You have no future in this school or this town."
Ollie narrowed his eyes as Molly seemed discouraged, and spoke up. "He's wrong, Molly," he continued as he got her attention. "Think about it. Sure, maybe your first day didn't go as well as you hoped, but.....perhaps things can be better."
"Really?" Molly's face softened. Scratch knew what was happening, and still wanting the girl out of his hair, tried to discourage her further.
"No, not true!"
"It's not about the first day, Molly, it's about everyday!" Ollie continued.
"NO, IT'S NOT!"
"So just keep being your joyful self, and one fine day, someone will be your friend," Ollie floated over, then wrapped his arms around Molly's shoulders. "You shouldn't let Andrea bring you down, so just keep trying."
Molly smiled. "You're right, Ollie. I shouldn't let one mistake ruin my life. I'll keep trying and trying, and I'll make a bunch of friends!"
Scratch couldn't believe it, looking at the two with disbelief as he floated in front of them. "You just gave someone you hardly know.... inspiration....in a bathroom."
"Yeah, it's kind of my thing," Ollie shrugged. "I once possessed someone so they could give some encouragement out to someone that really needed it during a funeral."
Scratch could barely take it, in anger, he morphed into one of his horrifying forms, towering over both Ollie and Molly. "YOU ARE SO-"
The moment Andrea walked in was what set the next chain of events. Ollie didn't even have time to warn Scratch as the girl saw the sight before her, letting out a bloodcurdling scream before losing consciousness, falling to the floor and causing panic from Molly.
The next thing he knew, he was in the backstage with them, and Scratch had opened up the curtains. Ollie watched as the audience composed of many students looked at Molly in the most negative light he had ever seen.
"It's Molly McGee!"
"What's she doing with Andrea?"
"Seriously, who does she think she is?"
"She's the worst of the worst!"
Ollie was left floating there, in the darkness, away from the prying eyes. He continued to watch as the kids began to think that Molly was some kind of monster.
Andrea was still laying in Molly's arms, motionless. Ollie had an idea, but it involved one of his ghostly powers. Something he wasn't so fond of.
But the more he saw Molly continuing to get shunned, with her not seeing any way out, he decided to risk it.
Ollie phased right Andrea's unmoving body. Once his spirit had taken over, Ollie, now possessing Andrea's body, pulled himself out of her arms and on his feet, facing the crowd.
"Hey, hey, gang! It's me, Andrea Davenport! Give me that applause already, what do I gotta do?"
As the audience applauded, mostly with confusion, Molly noticed that there seemed to be something off. She turned behind her to see that Scratch was still there, but no signs of Ollie.
That only meant one thing as Molly turned to look at 'Andrea'. "Ollie?"
The orange ghost currently in possession of the girl winked in response before facing the audience. "Okay, thank you, where to start?"
Ollie continued. "First, I'm over the whole 'Ann-drea' 'Ahn-drea' thing. Pronunciation is really big of a deal, and life is just too short. You can call me 'Ahn-drea' 'Ann-drea' 'Or-drea' 'Au-drea'. Whatever. I say, go nuts. Get creative! Have some inspiration!"
He then continued as he got to the point. "Now, I'd like to bring it down a little bit, get a little serious, because there are two girls out there having a really rough day. Neither of them deserve to be treated like the worst of the worst, no one does! So, on my behalf, give a great big Brighton Middle School cheer for...."
"Libby Stein-Torres, and...."
Ollie, with Andrea's hand, reached out and gently pulled Molly to his side and smiled at the audience. "Molly McGee!"
The audience roared with applause, allowing both Molly and Libby to take in all the volume of cheer.
To think they were giving them mistreatment, treating them like an outcast, treating Molly like a monster. Molly glanced at Ollie, still in possession of Andrea, who smiled.
The orange ghost then decided it was time to release Andrea, so he slipped out of her body, causing the girl to fall back onto the floor as he flew over to Molly.
"So, um....that was a close one, huh?"
Molly, out of sight from the audience, pulled Ollie into another tight hug. "Yeah, but hey, at least it worked out."
--
When Andrea had woken up, she was left confused, by the roaring applause and the orange liquid-ty stuff that drained out of her ear.
The rest of the day went off as normal for Molly. None of the students ignored, and they were actually treating her a lot better after what Ollie did, which Molly was very much grateful for.
Including Scratch. The humiliation reminded him of how he was treated in the ghost world, and he would've done the same thing if Ollie didn't beat him to possessing Andrea.
By the time it was evening, the students started leaving. Some took the bus, and some, like Molly and her brother, were being picked up by their parents.
Ollie was watching as Molly started to walk towards her parents' car, and Scratch decided to talk to him before leaving.
"That was a real....good thing you did there, kid," Scratch started. "I was getting worried there for a sec."
"I had to, it was the right thing to do, Molly wasn't even a bad person," Ollie shook his head, then looked at Scratch. "Wait, you were worried?"
"It was looking bad."
"You sure there's not another reason?" Ollie raised a brow. "Like, perhaps, you cared?"
Scratch glared at him. "What? No way? She was going to jail, and she would've taken me with her if you didn't do what you just did!"
"Sure thing," Ollie rolled his eyes, before sighing as he crossed his arms. "Scratch, I know Molly just moved in. But, maybe that's a good thing."
Scratch looked at him with an incredulous look as Ollie continued. "You may not want her around right now, but the longer she and her family sticks around, the sooner you'll end up attached to them and you'll end up actually caring for them and loving them, like a true family."
"You're wrong, kid!" Scratch jabbed a finger at Ollie's face in denial. "Super wrong! Double wrong with a capital R! No way that's ever going to happen!"
Ollie knew it. He just knew. Molly was the sweetest girl he ever met. Something told him that her positive bright personality was going to soften up Scratch, and in no time at all.
And speaking of Molly....
"Scratch!"
Suddenly, much to Ollie's surprise, Scratch was surrounded by a purple aura, and almost like some sort of force, he was dragged into the car belonging to Molly's parents.
Sitting in the backseat, Molly noticed Ollie through the window, and waved at him. The orange ghost waved back as the car drove off.
"So, it was you apparently, and not Andrea," Libby slowly approached him.
Ollie turned to her, scratching the back of his head nervously. "Yeah, I ....I didn't know what to do. I really don't like possessing people, but things were looking really bad and...."
"It's okay," Libby smiled. "You did the right thing like you always have. I appreciate what you did, though I feel like Molly deserved it more than I have."
"Are you kidding?" Ollie gently placed a hand on Libby's shoulder. "You've been an outcast way longer than Molly had. If anything, you deserved to no longer be one just as much as her."
"Brighton really does need you," Libby chuckled. "You really are one of the only nicest ghosts out there, besides Geoff that is."
Ollie frowned. "Yeah, but.... sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough for Brighton. Like the best I can do is keep innocent people from losing their life, giving them anonymous yet inspirational messages, and possessing someone and letting that person have the credit. I wish I could do more."
"I think you've done plenty," Libby told him.
"Yeah, and...." He then perked up. "It may not be easy, but perhaps I can figure out ways to do better for Brighton. Maybe Molly can help me."
"I see you became really good friends with her," Libby noted.
"Yeah, and she gets me!" Ollie lit up. "She wants to make Brighton a better place, just like I do. I think if we work together, we can enhappify and engoodify Brighton."
"Enhappify?" Libby tilted her head. "That's a new one."
"Molly's own word for it," Ollie shrugged. "I honestly think it's better than what I came up with."
"Well, I have to head home, Ollie," Libby told him. "Just do what you need to do. And don't worry, you're doing just as well for Brighton."
"Oh, don't worry about it," Ollie smiled. "I got this."
--
Ollie got to his house soon after parting ways with Libby, heading to his room and laying on what he called his own bed. It was the most extraordinary day of his afterlife.
The earlier morning he had realized that a new family had moved into the house across the street from him, and he had got to meet the girl from that family at school.
And he managed to do some good, including saving that girl's reputation and restoring his only human friend's. Needless to say, things had gone downhill at the start and he was able to stop the chaos.
He couldn't help but set his mind on Molly. He flew up to the window and glanced at Scratch's house. He saw Molly at the top window, who noticed him.
Smiling, she started waving. Ollie couldn't help but wave back.
Maybe Molly could help him change Brighton. For the better.