Not Your Average Ghost Story

Chapter 5

Cory

It's a long two days of school before I meet the weird, cold fairies, but I manage to make it through mostly unscathed. And then, there we are. Waiting outside the school for Thyme's new acquaintance. Thyme seems a little nervous, but I'm used to that. I put a hand on their shoulder and don't comment. We stand out in the cold breeze for about five minutes before two people make their way towards us. One is a kind of small kid, with messy dark hair and pale skin, and the other is much taller, with skin darker than Thyme's. They're walking side by side, although the smaller one has to walk faster to keep up with the taller's longer strides.

Thyme tenses, and shivers, so I slide my hand down to grab theirs, and squeeze it a little, hoping it's reassuring. They smile a tiny smile in my direction, and focus back on the approaching fairies. When they arrive, the small one glances at our hands, and smiles at Thyme. "Is this your boyfriend?"

Damn. In a bulky jacket, with my hair pulled up in a hat, my angular face stands out all the more and I don't look quite as feminine as I would like to. I sigh internally, ready to correct them, but Thyme jumps to my defense, which surprises me a little. It's touching, considering how much they hate speaking up.

"Cory is a girl. And we're not a couple."

"Oh, sorry." The kid looks sincerely apologetic, so I just shrug.

Thyme turns to me. "He did the same thing to me, I'm sorry."

"It's fine." Not like I'm not used to it. I like to think I look at least a little feminine, and I probably do, but I guess not enough for some people. Whatever. They're not important. I turn to him, and offer my hand, which he takes. "Cory."

"Owen," he responds.

I repeat the gesture with his friend, who replies. "Sean." He then turns to Thyme, and says, "You must be Thyme."

They nod, and Owen jumps into asking questions about my ghost situation. I tell them about what's been going on, and eventually they ask the question I've been anticipating. "So, can we spend the night at your house?"

I glance at Thyme, who returns my earlier hand squeeze, and back at the fairies. I look them over. Do I want these people in my house? Not especially. But do I want a ghost in my house? Even fucking less. Thyme told me about why they're here. If there's a chance they can take care of this problem, I'm going to take it. I can survive one night. "Sure. But it has to be on Friday. We have school."

So apparently, when they asked if they could spend the night, they meant their whole team. The two we met, a girl, and an older man. I'm very glad my parents are on a trip at the moment. They would not appreciate this. I don't really appreciate this either, but you know, what are you gonna do? If they can get rid of my annoying apparition, it'll be very worth it.

I wish I could leave the talking to Thyme, but it would probably be harder for them than it is for me. So I accept my fate, and show them around the place. Then, with the instruction not to break anything, I let Thyme lead me to my room and convince me to leave them alone in the living room, though it makes me a little uncomfortable. Thyme insists they can be trusted, so I try not to let it worry me. It's raining again, pouring down, and eventually we fall asleep to the sound of water against the roof and the ground.

Owen

Thyme and their friend exit to another room for the night, and we're left to wait for the ghost to show up. I'm a little worried it won't show up at all, but Cory said it has been pretty much every night lately, so there's a good chance. Although, according to them, she's been staying at Thyme's house for the past week. So who knows. I guess all we can do is wait.