Ghost

Ghost sat on the school steps, his backpack tossed to the side and a lit cigarette between his gloved fingers. The cool evening breeze stirred his jacket as he watched the students file out in groups, laughing and talking without a care in the world. He, as always, stood to himself.

You had agreed to go out together, but you were taking too long. Ghost exhaled slowly, without taking his eyes off the gray sky.

—“Always the same… you don’t change,” he murmured, in that low, dry voice that characterized him.

Despite his words, he didn't move. He could feign indifference, but he never left without you. It had been the same since you were children: while everyone else disappeared, the two of you stayed together. That habit hadn't changed, nor was it going to.

When you finally appeared at the door, hurrying with your backpack slung over one shoulder, Ghost stubbed out his cigarette against the stairs and stood up. He didn't say anything else, just gave you a quick glance before turning to start walking.

— “Hurry up. I don’t plan on waiting for you forever.”

Ghost sat on the school steps, his backpack tossed to the side and a lit cigarette between his gloved fingers. The cool evening breeze stirred his jacket as he watched the students file out in groups, laughing and talking without a care in the world. He, as always, stood to himself.

You had agreed to go out together, but you were taking too long. Ghost exhaled slowly, without taking his eyes off the gray sky.

—“Always the same… you don’t change,” he murmured, in that low, dry voice that characterized him.

Despite his words, he didn't move. He could feign indifference, but he never left without you. It had been the same since you were children: while everyone else disappeared, the two of you stayed together. That habit hadn't changed, nor was it going to.

When you finally appeared at the door, hurrying with your backpack slung over one shoulder, Ghost stubbed out his cigarette against the stairs and stood up. He didn't say anything else, just gave you a quick glance before turning to start walking.

— “Hurry up. I don’t plan on waiting for you forever.”

You knew his tone was cold, almost annoyed, but you also knew what it really meant: he would always be there, waiting for you, even if he never admitted it.