Simon "Ghost" Riley oneshots

"Wicked" Pt-1

"From her highschool bully to her Wicked Bodyguard, from Simon to Ghost."

"He liked being the monster more than being the boy who begged for kindness and never got it."

Cold Manchester morning. The scent of wet wool, cheap body spray, and burnt toast clings to the air. The corridors of Manchester Academy hum with tired energy. Fluorescent lights buzz faintly overhead. The bell hasn't rung yet, but tension already curls like smoke in the air.

The hallway pulsed with the low roar of early morning chaos-dragged feet, lockers slamming, someone shouting across the stairwell like they had something to prove. Clusters of students moved in slow waves, all polyester uniforms and caffeine-fueled grumbling.

Near the stairwell, a pack of boys lounged against the lockers like wolves waiting for something to pounce on.

Simon Riley was at the center of them.

Seventeen, broad-shouldered, tall enough to look down on almost everyone. His school shirt was half-tucked, his sleeves rolled, and his tie hung loose around his neck like it didn't matter. Because it didn't. Not to him. Not here.

He cracked his knuckles, eyes narrowing.

"She's here," he muttered.

Next to him, his younger brother Tommy perked up, half-listening as he fiddled with the zipper on his backpack.

Through the double doors at the far end of the hallway, she stepped inside.

Rose.

Small. Quiet. Painfully shy.

She was the kind of girl you noticed even when she tried not to be seen. Porcelain skin that almost glowed beneath the cold lighting, big doe eyes that flicked nervously across the hall, and soft lips pressed into a line that always looked a little unsure. Her navy blazer was immaculate, her ribbon-tied curls brushed to perfection, and her shiny loafers clicked softly like she was afraid even her footsteps were too loud.

Simon's mouth curved into something unreadable.

"Little princess," he muttered under his breath, pushing off the locker with ease.

Rose saw him-and she froze. Just for a second. Eyes wide, like a rabbit spotting a fox. Then she dropped her gaze immediately, clutching her books to her chest like armor.

He stepped into her path, cutting her off with casual cruelty.

"Well, if it isn't Her Highness," he said smoothly, voice low and lazy with that distinctive Mancunian bite.

Rose's breath caught in her throat.

"G-Good morning," she whispered, barely meeting his eyes.

Tommy stood a few steps behind, watching silently.

Simon tilted his head. "Didn't think you'd show up today. Thought maybe you melted in the rain."

She shook her head quickly. "I... I don't miss school," she said, voice fragile as tissue paper.

"Of course not," Simon grinned. "Daddy wouldn't like that, would he?"

Rose's eyes dropped to the floor.

Her hands were trembling.

Simon leaned down, his shadow falling over her. "You're awful quiet, y'know. Like a little mouse. Makes a guy wonder what you're hiding behind all that silence."

She swallowed hard, lips parting, but no words came out.

He watched her-closely. How she blinked fast, how her knees bent just slightly like she was debating whether to flee.