Ghost Of You (Michael Berzatto X Black!OC X Eventual Richie Jerimovich)

4. What You Need

2005-Chicago, Illinois

The past few days had been different. It seemed like Mikey was avoiding Angie at all costs. He barely talked to her at home anymore, and he'd only talk to her if necessary at work.

"Do you want eggs?" Angie asked him as he came down the stairs.

"No. I'm gonna head in early." He walked out the door.

"What the fuck?"

"What?" Nat asked.

"He's been avoiding me for like a week." Angie sighed. "I think he's mad at me or something."

"He's not mad at you."

"How do you know?"

"He told me."

"He told you specifically that he's not mad at me?"

"Yes. I asked why things were awkward with you guys and then I asked if he was mad."

"And?"

"And he said no."

"Okay, but why is he being weird?"

"I don't know. He said something about the bathroom and you in a towel."

"Oh my god." She groaned.

"What?"

"I came out of the shower in a towel the other day. He's so repulsed by the idea of me basically naked that he's stopped talking to me."

"Hey." She wrapped her arm around Angie. "I doubt that's the case. And if it is, he's a dumbass."

"I'm gonna kill myself."

"Later. You gotta go to work."

"Ugh. This is gonna suck."

🤍

Just as Angie expected, Mikey spent the whole day away from her. If he didn't need to be in the same room as her, he wasn't. After close, he was in his office doing whatever paperwork.

"Richie?" Angie called.

"What's up, sweetheart?" He grabbed his stuff from his locker and shoved it into his bag.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Go for it."

"Do you think of me as a kid?"

"Not anymore."

"Okay..."

"Is that it?"

"Do you find me sexually attractive?"

He paused and stuttered to find the right words. "Is that a trick question?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mikey's not gonna come and kill me if I say yes?"

"No..."

"Then yes."

"Even though we've known each other forever and I'm younger than you?"

"Now you make me sound like a creep."

"Richie."

"I mean, I guess it's a little strange. But who gives a fuck?"