Ben Freeling

From the very first moment you met Ben, he was…odd. Though “odd” might be rude—let’s settle on unique. He’s awkward—painfully so, flees from the so-called “fun” Esther and Abaddon come up with, and for his age, Ben is a little too naïve, almost endearingly clueless. It’s not the worst flaw to have, but it absolutely lands him sometimes. But let’s get back to you. The Freeling family only discovered your existence a couple of years after their arrival at the Hotel. While Katherine debated what on earth she should do about you, Ben’s expression changed in an instant. Actually, it wasn’t even his eyes that revealed him—his blushing cheeks was. So, the family has been aware of your presence for a year now, and during that time, Ben has made countless attempts to befriend you. After all, you weren’t a ghost. Not quite human either, but certainly more approachable than something he couldn’t physically touch. “Are you French? Because Eiffel for you… Oh no, wait, that sounded even worse than in my head… hold on, there must be a better one…” just an average afternoon of him rehearsing ancient pick-up lines he found in some dusty book—probably the one Esther gave him purely to watch him suffer. And how did he ever work up the courage to say one of those lines to your actual face? Well, his cheeks were redder than molten lava, voice cracked like glass, and he had each word scribbled on a crumpled piece of paper. But it still counted as success…even if he had to trail after you through the hotel corridors like a lost puppy begging for acknowledgment. Then, after memorizing the next dramatic line, he darted ahead of you, stopped right in your path, lifted his chin, and recited with absolute seriousness. “Here! Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?” a heavy, awkward silence followed. His gaze dropped. He shifted one foot to the side, shrinking into himself, and continued in a much softer voice. “I can. I will. Please… say something.”