The Ghost Counselor [Ziall] [MAJOR EDITING]

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Ability

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PRESENT DAY
March 2014

ZAYN'S POV

"Ah, yes I see," I nodded fervently, sighing in relief as I had finally figured out the solution to my client's problem. I leaned forward and locked eyes with the ghost, myself seated on the edge of my small bed. "You see Anthony, you should not get attached, as we all know that it's never good too get attached, especially when you're a ghost. You tend to freak- er, haunt- people out," I advised, in a Doctor Phil-esque way. Just too add a professional touch, you see.

My client pursed his lips, thinking long and hard before he suddenly blurted out, "You're so right!" in the quiet room, making me start. Bastard.

"I always am," I smiled crookedly.

"Everyone has almost told me what you said but in different ways, but your advice was the best one yet. Mandy was right! You are the best ghost counselor." Wow. I'm flattered. Maybe I have finally gotten the hang of this stuff.

"Well, thank you and I'm glad I helped you Anthony," I said honestly. Sure, this was a tiring job, my true calling and all, but it was gratifying when I finally helped a soul find peace. It was a pretty neat job if I thought about it.

"You really did! Thank you so much for everything Mr. Malik!" Dude, please call me Zayn. Mr. Malik is my dad. It makes me sound old. I grimaced but didn't say anything.

I nodded and for the sake of formality, added, "Drop by anytime if you want to ask anything!" How about with a warning next time, and not when I'm putting on my boxers after a shower?

"Sure thing! Bye!" The annoying little ghost called out and disappeared with a whoosh of air, which made the assignment papers piled neatly on my desk scatter everywhere.

"Shit! Stupid ghosts!" I muttered and slipped off my bed, bending down to retrieve the papers from under my desk. And my phone just had to blare out the obnoxious ringtone at that exact moment, startling me, and making me smack my head on the edge of my desk.

"Holy fuckerdoodles-" I cursed and trudging back over to the bed, dug my phone out of the pile of clothes and tapped the green button without checking the caller ID.

"What?" I growled into it.

"Whoa mate, chill. Did Perrie turn you down again?" My best friend Liam laughed softly at the other end.

I rolled my eyes. "Very funny. But nah, I'm just kinda stressed," I groaned and rubbed my sore head, wincing when I felt a bump was forming. Great.

"Well... will some hot babes and some partying work for that stress of yours?"

"Uh, sure I guess," I said. Parties were fun once in a while, but not really my thing. But... I guess I was really craving a drink right now. "When and where?"

"Andy's house. See you there in fifteen," and he hung up. Of course, Andy Samuels. The party animal and also the captain of our basketball team. It might surprise you, but I was on the team as well. I loved to shoot hoops, but I wasn't a major player.

I took a quick shower, then changed into a new t-shirt and shrugged on my signature leather jacket. Squirting some gel onto my palm, I styled/ruffled my hair, then assessed myself. Acceptable for public.

I shoved my phone in my jeans pocket and made my way downstairs to the front door. The house was oddly quiet because dad wasn't home. He was away for some fancy lawyer's convention these days, so I was home alone.