“Maybe it was all in your dreams. You must have been dead for a while.”

“No! I swear I was a supermodel!” a sudden burst opened the window. "I also remember having computers and phones similar to yours! I was alive within this century for sure!"

“Woah-Woah-Woah, calm down, woman!” Ty was taken aback by the power of the girl. She made a little tornado in his room. “You are going to clean this up.” He pointed at the mess she made.

Elinor seemed to calm down and sat down on Ty's bed, her arms crossed in front of her. She started to get used to the boy’s sarcastic nature. She did not mind it.

“It was already in ruins and it smells,” she said, now with a quieter voice. “But I think someone set me up. I should be out there online, be seen together with the other amazing supermodels.”

“I don’t care,” Ty folded his arms behind his head and crossed his legs on the tabletop. “Do what you want BUT leave me out of it.”

“I can’t, you agreed to the contract –“ two knocks on the door silenced her. Ty opened it.

“Pardon, Mr. Tyson? I brought your meal.”

“Thanks, Vanille, leave it to me,” he took the tray out of the old maid’s hand. He reassured her that everything was fine with him and that he just wanted to rest alone. The maid bowed and left.

The meal was delicious, his favorite. Fish and chips plus a chicken burger. While he was eating graciously at his computer table, Elinor sat down in front of him and made a remark.

“Such a weird name. Vanille.”

“I knomm” he mumbled, unable to speak clearly since his mouth was filled with food. “Get off my desk.”

She did not move.

Why bother? thought Ty. He understood now very well: Elinor would not listen to him. Still, she mentioned a contract. When did they have the time to make it? During the tsunami? Then why would they be stuck together ever since he was born? Something else must have happened that bonded them. Might as well ask.

“When did we make the contract?”

“During the tsunami.” Liar,  thought Ty.

“No, I meant, why are you stuck with me ever since I was born? You mentioned that you lived your dream life when suddenly you woke up with me and saw me as a child.”

“That is something I cannot answer.” Great, thought Ty, feeling not so great that his questioning led to nowhere.

“You are not helping,” complained Ty further. That was how their day ended. Ty realized, he had made a contract with a ghost. That was why his friends were still alive. But something inside him, a little voice insisted that this was all happening inside his head. He should probably go see the doctor, and probably he should do it soon. He sighed in his bed. When he looked to the right, Elinor was laying next to him pretending to be asleep. He decided to lie over her, as he knew she was only a ghost and he would just go through him. He was right. Elinor grunted then disappeared.