how did this happen. . ?

14 - silly nicknames

Quick tip: the part in italics is a flashback set right after chapter 3. I hope it isn't too confusing.

You let out a yawn as you trudged alongside Tim and BEN. Tim glanced your way, frowning.

"We could've waited a little longer if you're that tired."

You shook your head, waving him off. "I need to get back in the habit of waking up early for classes. Winter break wrecked my sleep schedule."

It wasn't even that early. Just the usual time you'd normally be showered, caffeinated, and in class. Still, you felt drained, like your bones were carrying more weight than they should.

Tim nodded and turned his eyes back to the path. You let your gaze linger on BEN instead; his sunglasses hid the inhuman red iris of his eyes, and the beanie concealed his elf-shaped ears. He wasn't even slightly transparent anymore. To anyone passing by, he looked like just another student. If you didn't know better, you would have thought he belonged.

The walk was quiet except for birdsong, passing cars, and - Click. Tick. Click.

Your head tilted at the sound, coming from the boy walking a few yards ahead.

"Toby?" you called.

He perked up immediately, a grin spreading across his face. "Y/N!" He jogged over, stuttering through his words. "An-and BEN and T-Tim? Hey guys-s!"

You had long since stopped asking how everyone seemed to know Tim.

"What are you doing here?" Tim's voice cut through the air—flat, sharp. Not curious. Accusing.

Toby narrowed his eyes just slightly, his smile faltering. "Just t-t-taking a walk. Is-is that s-so wr-wrong?"

Before Tim could bite back, BEN slung an arm across Toby's shoulders with a grin. "Yeah, Timmy. What's wrong with a walk?"

You felt Tim tense beside you, jaw clenching at the name. He scoffed and turned away, muttering, "Forget it."

BEN winked at you over Toby's shoulder, mouthing, Follow along.

"Timmy," BEN sang again, floating just close enough to annoy him.

"Stop calling me that." Tim's tone was sharper now, the edge that made you recall the last time you had tried to give him a nickname—and how badly that ended.

"O-Oh, T-Timmy!" Toby chimed in with a grin, falling into step beside him. "Wha-where you g-going, Timmy-y?"

You couldn't help laughing as Tim shoved the two of them away. "Timmy!" you teased, running to catch up.

Tim groaned, but he didn't stop you. Didn't stop any of you.

The rest of the walk was quieter, though. The teasing fizzled once Tim shot back with silly names of his own, the fun gone when it wasn't one-sided. By the time the store came into view, you were relieved just to see its warm glow against the snow.

"I've got a list," you said, fishing the paper from your pocket. "Do you guys need anything?"

"N-Nuh-uh."
"Nope."
"Ghosts don't eat, so."

You ignored the last answer with a roll of your eyes and pushed through the doors. "Alright, well—"

Tim cut you off. "We'll meet you inside in a few."

You blinked, glancing between him, BEN, and Toby. But he gave nothing away.
"Oh... okay." With a nod, you slipped into the store and grabbed a cart. A glance over your shoulder showed the three still lingering outside.

BEN huffed once you were gone, breath fogging in the cold. "You couldn't wait to bitch at us until we were inside? Not all of us are frost-proof." He eyed Toby's thin hoodie pointedly.

But Tim didn't waste time. His voice dropped low. "What are you both doing here? BEN, I can understand, but Toby? How the hell do you even know Y/N?"

"They met over break," BEN cut in quickly. His tone was too casual. "I was visiting. Got bored."

Toby shrugged. "Sal-Sally mentioned her. I-I wanted to see mm-myself."

Tim exhaled slowly, rubbing at his temple. Already, the headache was coming on. "This wasn't supposed to spread. You know the rule. If too many of us cross paths with her." His words trailed off into the silence that followed.

BEN's grin faltered. He knew. They all knew.

~ ~ ~

"Back from your tantrum?" Jeff drawled from the couch hours later, smirking at Tim by the door.

Tim didn't answer. He brushed past him, heading for the back hallway where the static thickened the air. At the tall double doors, he hesitated only a moment before knocking.

"Come in."

The voice carried clearly despite the barrier. Tim pushed inside.

The faceless figure at the desk turned toward him, posture calm, unreadable. "Welcome home. Feeling better?"

Tim nodded stiffly.

"I'll let it go, this time. It's not like you, Timmy." The name pierced sharper than a knife. His head snapped up, but the faceless figure was already amused. "Do you think she deserved that? After all those notes she wrote for you?"

"How do you—" Tim stopped, jaw tightening. He already knew.

"I'll allow this... friendship, for now. It seems she's caught the interest of several others." His tone darkened, quiet but heavy. "But you know the rule. If too many of us converge on one human, I intervene. They forget us or they die."

Tim said nothing. He didn't need to. Both options were poison.

~ ~ ~

"How many has sh-she met?" Toby asked later, uneasy.

Tim thought for a moment. "Six."

Toby gave a low whistle. "Da-damn. Surprised sh-she hasn't met him yet."

The implication hung in the air.

"The only thing keeping her safe," Tim muttered, "is not knowing our identities." He was trying. Masky was separate, and Brian was gone on a mission. But BEN—

His eyes narrowed. "BEN."

The ghost twitched at his name, fumbling with his jacket.

"What aren't you telling me?"

BEN hesitated, then sighed. "She... may have already been offered to have her memory erased."

Tim froze. Toby cursed under his breath.

"You didn't think that was important to share?" Tim snapped.

"Look—it was just last night! She thought it was a dream. I asked. He only gave her the choice to forget... nothing about dying."

Tim's jaw tightened. He couldn't shake the question crawling under his skin.

What was he planning?

I have no idea where I want this story to go, smh. I'm just gonna write till something comes to me. 

drink water (this is a threat)