Intermission - A suggestion.

“Hey, by the way.” Thomas continued. “Debora, a girl from my class, asked about ‘the cute waiter from the coffee shop’ and wanted me to introduce him to her. I told her he had a huge crush on someone already, but what do you want me to do?”

“Debora? That girl from the volleyball club?” Oliver asked, surprised. “Right… Now that you mention it, she’s been to the shop a few times.” He frowned and grimaced. “Look, I already had my hands full with three girlfriends. Now I have five. I think I’m good.”

“Oh yeah, why did you look all distracted and tired yesterday? What did happen?”

Oliver sighed. “Same as today. I have to run around and divide my time since… Mila, Grace and Sarah would rather not be seen with Alice, for reasons. It’s not ideal, and I don’t like it. I want to fix it, if I can.”

“What reasons? I can’t imagine they hate her if they let you date her.”

Oliver nodded. “The complete opposite. They fear they’ll soil Alice’s reputation if they’re seen hanging out together.”

“Ah. Yeah, I can see that.”

“Can you? I think they’re exaggerating.”

“You underestimate how much some students live off of dumb school drama. Be thankful you don’t use social media. It’s a cesspool of circlejerking and passive-aggressiveness amongst our school.”

There were even guys throwing shit at Oliver for hanging out with some of the hottest girls in school, but since he didn’t have any social media pages, it all amounted to dumb gossip. In Thomas’ opinion, it was better for Oliver to not know about it and ignore it.

“It’s stupid, though,” Oliver said. “Alice and the girls are best friends. It makes no sense that they don’t talk at school. I want to find a way to fix it, but…”

Thomas stroked his chin in thought. “Mmm. Maybe there’s something we can do about that.”

“Is there?” Oliver’s eyes lit up. “You have an idea?”

“Kind of. We might be able to use your reputation in your favor.”

“...Huh? You lost me.”

“You have a reputation, Oliver. Like it or not, you’re the cute waiter from the popular coffee shop, quiet around people save for your few close friends. You’re no longer the odd quiet kid.”

It was funny to see him fidget uncomfortably.

“Then we also add your sister to the mix. She gets along well with everyone, even the people she doesn’t like much. Now, you’re friends with Mila, Grace and Sarah, while Isabelle is friends with Alice and Noelle. You two are siblings. It wouldn’t be weird if your friends and her friends were also there when you two hang out in public, don’t you think? Good thing you two are starting to get along again.”

Oliver furrowed his brow in thought. “Would that really work? I’d have to ask Isabelle if she’s willing to help, but even if she is, I’m not sure it’ll have any effect.”

“I tell you, it’s all about public image here. Three ‘bad girls’ hanging out with one ‘good girl’ = they’re going to corrupt her, but add your sister, Noelle and yourself into the mix, and things change. Hell, add me to the mix. I’m well respected, and I’ve been friends with your girlfriends before you even started talking to them.” That last part sounded strange, but whatever.

“So… What, we all hang out at the cafeteria during lunch hour?”

“Not just that. Be seen in public with a mix of all sides. Who knows what people will start saying, but I can bet it won’t be anything too bad. Hell, you’ve been with Mila, Grace and Sarah for about three months now and no one is saying you’re a troublemaker.”

Oliver kept nodding to himself, as if he was going through a thought process of his own and was convincing himself that it might just work.

“It’s worth giving it a shot. You’d know more about this than me.” Oliver smiled. “Thanks, Thomas.”

Thomas smirked back. “Anytime.”

He extended his fist to Oliver, and his friend gave it a nice bump.

Then… Thomas felt a strange warmth in his chest. It was getting hotter to the point it burned. The world around him spun once before settling back into place, which made it even more disorienting. He felt dizzy and… like he was floating.

A strong pull jerking his body brought him back from that sensation. He had been falling backwards, down the stairs, but Oliver managed to grab him by the shirt and jerked him forward. Thomas, in a panic, grabbed onto the railings.

“Hey! You okay? What happened!?” Oliver asked in a panic of his own.

“I… I don’t know. I feel… dizzy.” His arms and legs shook from the shock of almost falling down the stairs. The world kept spinning, yet much, much slower. The heat in his chest remained, and it was moving to every part of his body. “Oliver… Can you help me to the infirmary? I don’t feel well.”

“Yeah, of course!”

Thomas put an arm over Oliver’s shoulders and the two took it slow down the stairs, all the way to the infirmary. Other students watched them, many approached to ask what happened. Some teachers did, too, and escorted them to the infirmary. Thomas was beginning to lose focus.

The moment his head hit the pillow of the infirmary’s bed, Thomas fell asleep. And while asleep, he saw… something. A shadowy silhouette of a curvy woman floated before him in an empty space. Thomas didn’t feel in control of himself, or felt much of anything, for that matter.

“You very nearly screwed everything up, boy. But you apologized. You’ve proven yourself a good, trusted friend to my Oliver. That’s why I’ll share with you a small part of my blessing. I know of your frustrations, I know of that desire screaming to get out. My blessing will allow you to make it a reality. You will not remember me, but you will feel my power. Trust it, and follow your desire. Remain a good friend to my Oliver, and your every wish will come true in time.”

Thomas didn’t fully understand, but… a part of him did. He understood what frustrations and desires this ghost lady was talking about. He was allowed to feel again, and his heart was pounding. The image of one person in particular came to him.

Maria.

Patreon.