how did this happen. . ?

11 - a fistful of snow

"You're leaving?" The voice was a curious one, sitting on the couch as you paced back and forth through your dorm. Grabbing anything you might need for the month you'll be gone.

You smiled but raised an eyebrow at Tim. "Well yeah. It's winter break time. I didn't sign up for winter housing." When you applied to live on campus, the application asked if you wanted winter housing. You thought about clicking yes anyway but you were excited to go home and see your parents.

"Why not?" Another voice came from the sofa, muffled by the sound of a video game in the background. Ben almost sounded offended.

His tone made you scoff, "Well for one, I miss my family and my bed. And two, I need a break from school." With the final zip of your suitcase, you moved it towards the door before moving on to deciding if you wanted to bring every piece of your bedding back home.

"So, you hate us," BEN stated. "You're kicking us out."

You grabbed the closest pillow near you and tossed it at the ghost's head. I did not care if it hit him or not. However, by the sound of a thud followed by a screech, you figured it made an impact. "I never said you couldn't stay here. Housing only comes once to make sure no one is here, so the place is yours until I get back." BEN tossed the pillow back at you. "I had assumed you would stay here so I left all the food in the fridge."

You saw his blond head peek out from over the sofa to look at you and then the fridge, as if he was about to get up and check himself. "Why?"

"To be honest, my reasoning is quite selfish. The RA's here are infamous for going through residents' things during breaks so I'm hoping you won't let that happen if I give you the room." You grabbed your blanket and began folding it as you shrugged. "Plus, you've been staying here for a few months, this is your dorm too."

BEN opened his mouth to say something, but you cut him off, "Oh. I'm taking the TV with me." You laughed watching his jaw drop while Tim shook his head.

~ ~ ~

"That's the last thing." You beamed at Tim while he shut your car door. You tried not to overpack but somehow you needed to take two trips to bring everything down to your car. "Thank you for helping. You're welcome to stay at the dorm too, though I'm not sure how you'd get in."

"Don't worry about it. I may stop by a few times just to make sure BEN didn't burn the place down." Tim huffed, not returning your smile.

You were still lost on how the two knew each other. A while ago, you thought that the pieces would start connecting but they aren't. Every time you'd ask either of them, the topic would be changed. There are a few theories in your head, but none make any logical sense.

"I should be going if I want to be home before dark," you pushed your sleeve up to check the time. Thankfully it's just a few hours to get home. "Thank you for really everything this semester. Maybe we'll have some classes together next year."

You wanted to hug him. After the night Tim stayed over, the two of you had been touchier. When watching a show, your knees would touch, or your shoulders would bump. When you handed him the remote, his cold fingers would graze your own. Little things like that.

However, you've never initiated contact more than just a touch. You were kind of scared too. Ever since Tim blew up at you about not being friends, you've been unsure of your relationship with him.

So, rather than opening your arms for a hug, you reached out a hand. This seemed to catch Tim off guard, but he smiled and took your hand.

"Drive safe. I'll see you around." Tim shook your hand. You could feel the rough calluses that made you wonder where they could be from. Maybe he works?