The Girl In Flat 25 (Simon "Ghost" Riley X F!Reader)

Chapter 6: Dinner

December 25, 7:58 pm.

You frowned as you looked outside, eyes tracing the gentle fall of the snow falling from heavens to reunite with their families who had already made their home on the ground.

You stood, picking up the hoodie that sat on the couch and stepped outside.

This had been your first Christmas away from home, due to money and conflicting schedules you would be alone.

   "We'll send your presents through the mail, honey." Your mum chirped, fake excitement in her voice.

"Aaaand... You can open them with us on Zone-"

"It's called Zoom, Dad." You smiled as he nodded.

"That too." He simply replied, a smile on his weathered features. "We understand, honey. We know you'll come home as soon as you can."

You smiled sadly. You wanted to say how it wouldn't feel the same, how you wished you could leave now and stay home forever. You knew you only thought this because of the holidays, you would miss your life in the UK too much to ever leave. You would miss your job, your friends... Your small apartment with the weird neighbour...

Simon.

"Yeah. We can make a day of it!" Your voice was confident enough to fool you, so you hoped your parents looked through how sad you felt you looked.

"Exactly. Hey- I'm going to be late for work. I'll see you guys later, okay? Love you." You left the call, staring at the screen of your laptop.

You rubbed your eyes harshly, attempting to stop the tears that pricked at your lash line.

It was late back home, you couldn't just call your parents or your friends, they would surely be upset.

A clearing of the throat made you jump, whipping around to your left to stare at Simon as he stood on the balcony adjacent to yours, cigarette in hand.

Simon felt his face heat, he didn't mean to scare you, or even alert you that he was there.

"Oh... Simon. You can't keep scaring me like that." It came out with a chuckle, and you crossed your arms under your bustline.

"I don't mean to." He took a long drag, exhaling the smoke through his nose. "You're not aware of your surroundings."

"I don't need to be in my own home."

"You do. You always need to be aware." His answer made you feel... Oddly sad? The nonchalant way in which he spoke, the blank look on his face. He made you feel oddly sad, in general. Like the way you would look at a lost puppy. He seemed lonely.

"Well... Maybe." You sat on the cold concrete below you, staring down at the street below.

This was the emptiest you had ever seen the streets below your apartment.

The buildings below were decorated nicely, red and green covering every building in a way that normally made you feel warm and happy.

"It's piss ugly." You looked over to Simon again, this time he was leaning against the metal railing, "The decorations."

You laughed.