Killing Time [radiohead fanfiction]

Seven: Ghost Stories

"Do we have to make her do that? I thought you only did that to me 'cause I was younger and Thom didn't want me in," Jonny says, interrupting whatever spooky atmosphere the blonde was trying to create previously.
"Well, we did it before, but we did it together the first time around," Colin answers his brother's question quickly, attempting to hush him up.
"What? No fair! I was terrified, especially when you started-" Jonny cries out, but is forcefully muted by Phil, who covers the younger's mouth.

"As I was saying, you have to do something. But we have to wait until night to do it. 11:00 to be exact." Thom says, recreating the eerie atmosphere.
"Why? We have school tomorrow, I don't think I should be staying up that late."
"It's not that late. Besides, you have to risk a little to get a reward." The blonde tilts his head slightly, raising his eyebrows in a way that draws me in.
"Okay. I'll do it." I say finally, more reassuring myself than anyone.
"Wonderful, we'll meet you outside your dorm at 11:00 then. Wear something warm." Thom responds as mysteriously as ever. I nod slowly, hoping to hint at my confusion, but Thom makes it clear that I won't be getting any further details.

The room goes silent again, until Colin glances over at the clock.
"Shit! You two have to leave, we have band practice." He exclaims, making it apparent that Jonny and I are the ones who need to go.
"Can't it wait?" Ed questions from across the room, looking at me for a moment before returning his gaze to Colin.
"No! We need to have it now since we'll have the actual band room all to ourselves. We've been planning this all summer." Colin's words seem to annoy Ed, who groans loudly in response.
"Don't worry, we can stay in my dorm. Or yours, whichever you prefer." Jonny whispers in my ear, his nervousness causing me to laugh.
"Bye Mary Jane, we'll miss youuu" Ed chirps, exaggerating his goodbye in a singsong tone.

I and Jonny bid our farewells before Thom abruptly shuts the door behind us.
"Is Thom going to murder me tonight?" I question, very unsure as to his true intentions.
"I sure hope not, that'd be a shame." Jonny raises his eyebrows, attempting to hide a grin.
"That didn't sound very reassuring,"
"He won't, or at least I won't let him."
"That was better."
Jonny walks across the hall and into his own dorm, taking a seat on his bed. He taps the seat next to him eagerly, beckoning for me to join him.
"Are you into classical?" He questions before I have the chance to sit down.
"Classical music?"
"Yeah. Chopin, Mozart, Bach,"
"Of course, why else would I be so interested in cello?" I draw my knees to my chest, turning my head to face Jonny who practically lights up with excitement.
"You get it! Everyone else thinks classical is for music elitists that are too pretentious to understand Morrissey."
"Morrissey is good and all, but you don't need lyrics in order for music to make you feel something," I explain, much to Jonny's delight. He rests his head against the wall and turns towards me, our faces are incredibly close but neither of us seems to mind.
"You are so refreshing, Mary Jane," Jonny mutters, though it's clear enough for me to hear it. I let the phrase sink in, but I have a particularly hard time deciding if it's the words I like, or the person saying them. There's a weird silence that falls between us, mostly because I, (far too deep in thought) forgot to say anything in response. I blink a few times, pulling reality back into focus once again. The door suddenly swings open, catching both of our attention instantly.
"Jonny boy! Can Thom use your guitar? His string broke and we don't have a replacement."
Phil questions, not taking notice of the strange tension in the room. Jonny slides forward and sits up, rummaging through his nightstand to find something.
"Here, but he owes me for it when we go to town." He says, tossing a packet of new guitar strings over to Philip.
"Right on. Thanks mate." Phil says, shaking the small packet before turning to leave. Jonny spins around, clearly eager to engage in conversation once again.
"So, what are your thoughts on Jazz?"

———

It's late now, and Jonny and I have essentially spent the entire day together. The rest of the boys remained tucked away in the band room for hours, causing them to be absent for the remaining two meals of the day. I currently lay stretched across my bed comfortably, engrossed in a book about classical composers that Jonny insisted I read. The alarm clock on my nightstand blares a bright 11:06, signifying that the boys are late. Almost as if on cue, I hear three knocks sound from behind the bookcase and leap up to let everyone inside. All five of them dawn dark clothes, armed with jackets to combat the cold night.

"Ready?" Thom questions, his nose pink from previously spending time outside.
"I think. Just promise I won't get in trouble."
"You'll be fine." He reassures me, much to the agreement of the other boys. I nod and turn to grab my own jacket before another question lingers in my mind.
"How are we going to make it outside without getting caught?" I ask curiously while pulling the jacket over my arms. The blonde glances over at Ed, and then returns his gaze to me.
"Close your eyes," Thom states, a stern expression suddenly dawning on his gaunt face. Stepping back, I feel the need to be defensive, maybe my safety really is at risk.
"What? Why?"
"Do you trust me?" He inquires, this time grinning slightly. On instinct, I look at Jonny, who gives me a quick nod, though it doesn't do much to calm my nerves.
"I think."
"If you really did, you'd close your eyes." He'd trapped me now, and I obeyed this time, softly shutting my eyes.
"Good. Now keep them shut, until we say so." He demands, eliciting a nod from me. I jump slightly, feeling two hands grab my shoulders.
"Just follow my lead," Ed whispers in my ear, reassuring but still adding to my discomfort. I stumble awkwardly forward until Ed directs me otherwise, and suddenly I'm met with a flush of freezing air. Concluding that we're outside now, I figure the walk isn't much longer, though it's hard to tell when you can't see at all. Suddenly, Ed tightens the grip on my shoulders, causing me to slow down to a stop.
"Okay. Open your eyes." I hear Thom say from my left. Nervously, I open my eyes, blinking a few times so I can adjust to the darkness. From what I can see, we're in front of a small shed that's tucked away in between trees.
"What is this?" I ask, squinting into the pitch-black forest to see if I've missed anything.
"There's this old legend that a student died in this very shed," Thom explains, moving his hands around in wild gestures.
"According to the legend, the student was terribly bullied, and in order to escape, he'd hide in this shed," Ed adds, releasing my shoulders to go stand by the blonde.
"And one day, while he was hiding, the supports on the shelves snapped and all of the equipment came crashing down, crushing him," Thom says while Ed acts out the scene, gasping as he collapses on the ground and pretends to be smushed.
"But since he was so quiet and nobody really knew him, his body stayed in the shed for months until the groundskeeper found him." Colin shrugs as he speaks, yawning in the middle of his monologue.
"Now he haunts this shed, cursing everyone who dares enter his safe space." Thom finishes, clearly proud of his storytelling ability.
"That's sad and all, but what does this have to do with me and the pact?" I questioned, wanting to get the whole thing over with so I could sleep. Thom takes a few steps towards me, bending down slightly so we're at direct eye level.
"In order to be in the pact, you have to spend 15 minutes locked in the shed alone."