School bus graveyard oneshots:

Sleep-talk

"Sleep-talk"

*the group is having a sleepover in the school bus and it hasn't hit midnight yet, so they aren't in the phantom realm or anything. The canon time frame doesn't really matter, just think of it as one of their regular sleepovers or smth*

AIDENS POV:

The afternoon had been a whirlwind of seemingly endless series of Monopoly games, stupid arguments where Taylor and Tyler debated over a million different topics, junk food, and plans for midnight.

It was late now— not quite late enough for midnight, but late enough for everyone to agree that sleep was the best option.

Huddled near the front of the bus, we wrapped ourselves in blankets, nestled atop the well-worn mattresses we'd snagged for a steal at a nearby garage sale.

The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of everyone else's breathing. I had been lying there, staring at the ceiling, mind wandering. That's when I heard it.

"Aiden..."

My name. Mumbled. Slurred. And coming from Ashlyn— who was right next to me.

I froze, my head turning in her direction. She was still asleep, but she murmured again, barely audible, "...Aiden."

A thrill shot through me, my heart racing a little. I couldn't believe it—she was sleep-talking. And about me?

Was she dreaming about me?

The thought made my pulse quicken, and I couldn't help the grin creeping across my face. My stomach flipped at the idea of her thinking about me in that way.

It was too tempting not to mess with her a little.

ASHYLNNS POV:

"Boo."

I gasped, my heart slamming in my chest. Aiden's face hovered just inches from mine, a familiar grin lighting up his features.

"What the— Aiden?!" I practically yelped. Before I could even think, my hand shot out and smacked him in the forehead, pushing him away. Hard.

He recoiled back slightly, laughing like this was the funniest thing he'd ever seen.

"You sleep talk?" he teased, still grinning and obviously thrilled with himself.

God.

Did I say his name in my sleep or something? How much had I said?

"No...?" I spluttered, my cheeks on fire. The embarrassment washed over me like a wave. I turned away, yanking my blanket up to hide my face, wishing I could erase the entire situation.

I'd been dreaming about him—his warm eyes, the way he leaned in closer, that heart-racing moment before everything went hazy. I don't know how he managed to creep into my dreams and haunt me there, but I couldn't believe I'd just jolted awake in front of him.

"Just checking," he said, his voice smug, like he knew exactly what had happened.

I buried my face deeper into the pillow, wishing I could just disappear. Of all the things I could have said in my sleep... it had to be his name? Could this get any worse? The heat in my cheeks refused to fade, and I squeezed my eyes shut, praying he'd drop it.

AIDENS POV:

I turned over, my back now to Ashlyn's, but the grin on my face wouldn't fade. Not a chance. I could feel her shift away from me, probably wishing the ground would swallow her whole after I asked about the sleep-talking. She may not have said much, but her reaction was enough.