You Belong With Me 💙🏈📖

MY HEART NEARLY FELL OUT WHEN I GOT THIS NOTIFICATION ON TIK TOK! ITS A FAN ACCOUNT

😭😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔

you were robbed of summer, i was robbed of you

Shapeshifter? - Milo Manheim

Chapter one

Summary: Milo and Auroras friendship is complicated. They act like they’re together but both of them swear they’re just friends. Well Aurora does. But things starts to change during the break before season 2

Playlist

Song rec: The downtown lights • The Blue Nile

———

The press tour had been a whirlwind—city after city, interview after interview—but today felt different. Maybe it was the exhaustion settling in, or maybe it was the way Milo kept looking at Aurora like she was the most fascinating thing in the room. This wasn’t new though, he always looked at her like she hung the moon and stars just for him.

They were in a bright, modern studio, seated on a plush semi-circle couch for one of the many press segments lined up for the day. A coffee table sat in front of them, scattered with cue cards and bottles of water. The energy was still high despite the long hours, everyone laughing and joking in between takes.

The interviewer, a woman with a warm smile and an easygoing demeanor, leaned forward, holding up a stack of cards. "Alright, we're going to play a quick game of Who's Most Likely To? You guys ready?"

The cast responded with various murmurs of excitement, stretching and settling in. Aurora tucked one leg underneath her, brushing her fingers through her hair as she glanced at Milo beside her. He was sitting relaxed, an arm draped over the back of the couch, his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

"Okay," the interviewer began, “Hi I’m here with the cast of school spirts and today we’re going to be playing who’s most likely!”

“Hi, I’m Peyton and I play Maddie!”

“Hi I’m nick and I play Charlie!”

“Hi I’m Aurora also known as Bug and I play Tilly.”

“Hi I’m Sarah and I play Ronda!”

“And I’m Milo Manheim and I play Wally!”

The group went through there introductions for the video before the interviewer continued by reading the first card. "Who's most likely to break character during a serious scene?"

Three hands pointed at Nick without hesitation.

"Oh, come on!" he groaned, throwing his hands up.

"Listen, buddy," Aurora said, grinning. "I love you, but we’ve all had to re-shoot scenes because of you."

"That one time—"

"Multiple times," Milo cut in, smirking. The group laughed as Nick shook his head in defeat.

The interviewer pulled another card. "Who's most likely to show up late to set?"

There was a brief pause before Aurora hesitantly raised her own hand, wincing playfully.

"See, I want to argue," Milo said, tilting his head, "but I can’t."

"Okay, in my defense—" Aurora started.

"There is no defense," Sarah teased. "You just suck at waking up early."

The next few questions sparked more laughter and playful accusations.

"Who's most likely to get lost in a new city?"

"Peyton," Aurora and Milo said in unison.

"Wow. Betrayal." Peyton said with her hand on her chest with fake hurt

"Who's most likely to cry during a movie?"

Aurora immediately pointed at herself, and Milo raised a hand, too.

"Wait, you cry during movies?" she asked, nudging him.

"Sometimes," he admitted. "I’m a sensitive man."

Aurora grinned. "Good to know."

The next card was read aloud. "Who's most likely to brighten everyone's day without even trying?"

Milo barely hesitated before turning toward Aurora. "Bug. No question."

The playful atmosphere shifted just slightly, the laughter dying down as Aurora blinked at him, caught off guard. "What?"

"You just…you have this way of making everything feel lighter," he said, his voice sincere. "Like, even when we're exhausted or filming a really tough scene, you always find a way to make us laugh or keep us going."

There was a collective aww from the group, and Aurora felt warmth creep up her neck. She met his eyes, offering a soft smile. "That’s really sweet."

Milo just shrugged, but there was a hint of something behind his usual easygoing expression—something almost shy.

By mid-afternoon, Aurora’s throat was dry from talking so much, and a small cough escaped her. Before she could even reach for her own drink, Milo was already holding out his water bottle.

She hesitated for just a second before taking it, their fingers brushing lightly. "Thanks."

He gave a small nod, watching as she took a sip.

“Who’s most likely to have the best playlist?”

“Mi! 100% there’s a reason why I get him to drive me home everyday from set!” Aurora said enthusiastically

“What kinda songs do you have?” The interviewer asked

“Oh I got everything! Lizzy, Sabrina, Taylor, Kendrick, the weekend all the good stuff!” Milo listed artist off as he scrolled through his playlist

“The amount of times I’ve caught these two in bugs trailer screaming cruel summer is unreal!” Peyton said as the group laughed

“Taylor is an icon we can’t help it!” Milo said holding his hand up in defence

By the time they wrapped for the day, everyone was drained. Despite that, they decided to head out for dinner together. After a full day of sightseeing with their co-stars, Aurora and Milo found themselves walking side by side, a little behind the rest of the group. The city lights shimmered above them, and the streets buzzed with life.

“You hungry?” Milo asked, glancing down at her.

Aurora gave him a look. “Milo, when am I not hungry?”

He grinned, nudging her with his shoulder. “Fair point.”

The restaurant was tucked away on a quiet street, warm and inviting, with dim lighting and the rich scent of garlic and spices filling the air. The cast had been on their feet all day—filming interviews, sightseeing, and navigating through the city crowds—but somehow, the energy was still high as they slid into their seats around a long table in the center of the dining room.

Aurora found herself seated between Milo and Sarah, with Nick and the others across from them. The table was already scattered with menus and glasses of water, condensation trickling down the sides.

A waiter approached, and the group wasted no time in ordering—pasta, steak, seafood, and enough appetizers to feed a small army.

“Okay, so who decided we needed three different kinds of bread?” Eli asked, raising an eyebrow at the selection of baskets in the middle of the table.

“That would be me,” Aurora said, reaching for a slice. “And you’re welcome.”

Milo smirked beside her. “That’s why she’s the smartest one here.”

Aurora elbowed him playfully. “See? Someone appreciates my genius.”

“Oh, trust me, I’m very appreciative,” Milo said, leaning in just slightly. His voice dropped, just for her. “You always know exactly what I need.”

She shot him a look, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up her neck. “Behave.”

He grinned. “Where’s the fun in that?” Across the table, Peyton rolled her eyes.

“Can you two not flirt for like, five minutes?”

Aurora huffed. “We are not flirting.”

Nick snorted. “Oh, you absolutely are.”

Milo just shrugged, completely unbothered. “What can I say? She brings it out of me.”

Aurora groaned, covering her face. “I hate all of you.” Laughter rippled through the group as the appetizers arrived, and soon, everyone was too busy digging into the food to tease her any further.

“Okay, but seriously,” Sarah said between bites. “Best moment of the press tour so far?”

“Oh, easy,” Nick said. “Milo tripping over a mic cord right before we went live.”

Milo groaned, tossing a piece of bread at him. “I told you not to bring that up.”

Aurora laughed, nudging him with her knee. “To be fair, that was pretty iconic.”

He turned to her, eyes narrowing playfully. “You laughed at me.”

“I did not—”

“You absolutely did.”

Aurora bit her lip, fighting a smile. “Okay, fine. Maybe a little.”

Milo shook his head. “Unbelievable. And here I thought you were on my side.”

Aurora placed a hand over her heart, feigning sincerity. “I am on your side. I just also really enjoy seeing you suffer.”

He leaned in again, his voice low. “You enjoy seeing me suffer, huh?” There was something in his tone—something teasing, but also…something else. Something that sent a flicker of warmth down her spine.

She cleared her throat, reaching for her drink. “Shut up and eat your pasta, Milo.”

Milo just smirked, clearly pleased with himself.

The conversation flowed easily as the meal continued—stories from set, embarrassing moments, inside jokes that only made sense to them. Aurora found herself laughing more than she had in days, the exhaustion from earlier fading into the background.

“Wine?” he asked, already reaching for the menu.

Aurora smirked. “Are you trying to impress me?”

“Depends,” he said, flashing a slow, lazy grin. “Is it working?”

She pretended to study her menu, ignoring the way her stomach flipped. “Jury’s still out.”

Conversation with him as easy, effortless, full of teasing and laughter. Milo was in full charm mode—leaning in just a little too close when he asked her opinion on something, stealing bites of her food like it was his right, throwing in the occasional wink just to see her roll her eyes.

“You do realize you have your own meal, right?” Aurora asked as Milo plucked another fry from her plate.

“Yeah, but yours tastes better.

She huffed. “That is objectively not true.”

He smirked. “Bet you just like the attention.”

She pointed a fry at him. “You are so lucky you’re funny.” Milo laughed, and damn it, she liked the sound of it.

At some point, dessert arrived—a rich, chocolatey something that non of them technically had room for, but Milo insisted on ordering anyway.

Aurora picked up her spoon, but before she could take a bite, Milo reached over, dragging his own spoon through the dessert before holding it up to her lips.

“Open up, princess,” he said, eyes full of mischief.

She gave him a deadpan look. “You did not just call me that.”

He wiggled the spoon slightly. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

With an exasperated sigh, she leaned forward, letting him feed her the bite. The second the flavor hit her tongue, she closed her eyes, humming in approval.

When she opened them, Milo was watching her. His gaze had darkened just a fraction, and the playful smirk on his lips softened into something else entirely.

“Good?” he asked, his voice lower now.

Aurora swallowed. “Yeah.”

For a moment, they just…looked at each other. The restaurant bustled around them, but all she could focus on was the heat in his eyes, the way his fingers toyed absentmindedly with the edge of his napkin, like he was holding himself back.

Then, as quickly as the moment arrived, Milo leaned back, grinning again. “Told you we needed dessert.” Aurora let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Nick groaned. “Oh my God, just date already.”

Aurora nearly choked on her drink. “Excuse me?!”

Milo, meanwhile, just smirked, twirling his fork in his pasta. “Patience, Nick. We’ve gotta keep the slow burn going.”

Aurora turned to glare at him. “I hate you.”

He grinned. “No, you don’t.”

She kicked him under the table.

He winked.

And just like that, the night carried on, filled with good food, endless laughter, and just a little more flirting than Aurora cared to admit.

By the time they made it back to the hotel, exhaustion fully hit. Aurora sighed as they walked through the lobby, reaching down to slip her heels off.

"I think my feet have officially given up," she mumbled.

Milo glanced down, shaking his head. "Why do you do this to yourself?"

"Fashion over function."

Without another word, he crouched slightly. "C'mon."

She frowned. "What—"

"Get on," he said, giving her a pointed look. "I’m not letting you limp up the stairs."

Aurora hesitated, but the dull ache in her feet made the decision for her. With a quiet sigh, she climbed onto his back, arms draping around his shoulders.

"You’re ridiculous," she muttered, but there was a smile in her voice.

"That’s what I’ve been told," he replied, adjusting his grip.

When they reached her door, she climbed down with a relieved sigh, stretching out her legs. "You’re officially my hero."

"I accept that title."

Instead of heading to his own room, Milo lingered for a bit. She unlocked her door and glanced at Milo, who was leaning against the wall next to her.

“You tired?” she asked.

Milo shrugged. “Nah. You?”

She hesitated.

He caught onto it immediately. “You want me to stay,” he teased.

“I didn’t say that.”

He smirked. “Didn’t have to.” With an exaggerated sigh, she stepped aside, holding the door open for him.

“Fine. But if you fall asleep on my couch, I’m kicking you out.”

Milo walked in like he owned the place, collapsing onto her couch with a dramatic groan. “God, I love being right.”

Aurora grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge and tossed it at him. “Hydrate, ego boy.”

He caught it easily, cracking it open. “You should probably listen to your own advice, Miss ‘I Forget to Drink Water Until I Have a Headache.’”She rolled her eyes but took a sip of her own water anyway.

They fell into an easy rhythm—flipping through channels, scrolling through their phones, laughing at stupid memes. At one point, Milo leaned over, resting his chin on her shoulder to see what she was looking at.

“What’s that?”

Aurora didn’t even flinch at his proximity anymore. “Just pictures from today. Oh, look.” She turned the screen to show him a candid someone had taken of them when they were doing portraits of each other in a buzz-feed interview and she’d lent over smudging paint on his nose.

Milo smirked. “Proof that you treat me like a human canvas.”

“You let me do it,” she pointed out

“Maybe I just like being touched by you.”

The words were so casual, so effortlessly flirty, that it took her a second to process them.

Her heart did a stupid little flip.

“Milo—”

He stretched out, resting an arm along the back of the couch behind her. “Relax, princess. I’m just messing with you.”

She huffed. “I hate you.”

He grinned. “No, you don’t.”

He wasn’t wrong.

The longer they sat there, the heavier Aurora’s eyelids became. At some point, she shifted, curling into the couch, her head resting against Milo’s shoulder without much thought.

Milo froze for half a second before exhaling softly, his fingers brushing lightly against her arm.

“You’re getting sleepy, huh?” he murmured.

“Mmm,” was all she managed in response.

Eventually, he stood, stretching. "I should probably let you sleep."

Aurora stifled a yawn, nodding. "Yeah, probably."

But as he reached the door, she hesitated. "Hey, Milo?"

He turned back. "Yeah bug?"

She smiled, softer this time. "Thanks. For earlier. And for, you know…everything."

His gaze held hers for a moment before he gave a small nod. "Anytime, Aurora."

Literally how I was during the finale

Watching School Spirits isn’t enough. I need to run full speed into my tv and become a part of it.

I’m unwell about this photo specifically

October Moon

summary: the day after Dawn's ascension, things had picked up speed. research had uncovered more of the school's secrets. meanwhile, Maddie's memories had been triggered, and Simon had made a connection that'd dragged your family further into the mystery.

pairing: Wally Clark x fem!reader

warnings: smutty smut smut. mad spoilers. and obvious Canon divergence. very involved, very dense plot.

bon reading, frens

___________________________💀

OCTOBER MOON pt.11

Monitors beeped—long intervals, pitched notes—and, below that, your great-aunt's rattled breathing. Everything stank of disinfectant.

Visiting Ginny in the hospital never got easier.

"She was such a quiet girl, you know..." Nanna said softly, holding Ginny's hand as she spoke. Her eyes were distant as she fell into the past, reliving memories of their childhood.

Ginny was much older than Nanna. Nanna had been a surprise after their mother, your great-grandmother, had been told she wouldn't have been able to create—never mind carry—another baby. Ginny adored Nanna. Had adored her the moment Nanna came into the world.

After a fire had killed their parents, Ginny took on multiple roles (sister, mother, guardian, friend) and did her best to raise Nanna. Though she'd still been young herself, it hadn't stopped her from doing what needed to be done. There'd been some relative outside of Split River who could've taken Nanna, but Ginny had insisted they not be separated.

Ginny and Nanna had been two peas in a pod since. Where one went, the other followed.

"What changed?" You finally asked, gazing at Ginny as she slept, oxygen tube down her throat. That was the worst you'd ever seen her.

Your eyes pricked and your stomach clenched, and you so badly yearned for her to wake up. To hug you, pet your hair, and tell you that you were being ridiculous to worry over her.

Nanna chuckled, her thumb stroking the back of Ginny's hand, "The reason her lungs are so weak." She said, quiet, tired, "The fire."

"The fire made her more—" Blunt, dramatic, stubborn, batshit insane with a warm heart and a warmer smile. You settled for, "Loud?"

"It scared her. You come face to face with death like that, sweetpea, and it changes you. Either for good or for bad." Nanna cast you an amused smile, "I like to believe that's why you and Aiden were so mischievous. Obnoxious little munchkins, the both of you."

"What do you mean?" You asked around the lump in your throat, pictured Aiden at that farmhouse as he clutched Limon and asked strangers to play.

Nanna gave you a surprised look, one that indicated you should've known what she meant.

She told you anyway, "Aurora was an easy birth. Out in minutes. Squalling like a banshee." She chuckled, shaking her head with a fond smile. "But you...you were impatient. Wanted to be in the world as soon as possible." She paused, patted your knee, "You came early. Such a wee thing." Nanna's smile fell, "You weren't breathing. But," Her smile returned, "They saved you. You recovered quickly and I have a feeling my wily sister had something to do with it..." Nanna cast Ginny's unconscious form a playful look of bemusement, "You didn't have to suffer years of treatments like most unlucky infants."

Amelia's words rung in your head like the knell of a church bell: Death ushered them into the world and left a piece of himself within them.

So...you'd been delivered with Death at your heels. Amelia had mentioned that that was how you could interact with the metaphysical world and those who inhabited it. Holy shit.

"And Aiden?"

Nanna sighed, "Poor little bug." She made the sign of the cross, something she only ever did when Aiden was mentioned. "I always wondered if he knew..." She shook her head as if to dispel the very thought and diverted, "He was blue as a violet. The cord had...had wrapped itself around his neck. He was dead for almost a minute before they revived him..." Nanna's eyes glistened. She gazed over her sister again, lips pinched in despair.

Death had had its arms open for Aiden since the day he was born, you mourned. You weren't surprised that Nanna thought it possible that Aiden knew, somehow, someway, that he hadn't been destined for a long life. If anyone in the house would've known, it would've been her. She'd examined his palms the same as she'd done everyone else's...

"Did you know?" You had to ask, uncomfortable that you hadn't remembered until now exactly what your grandmother's connectedness was capable of. "That he wouldn't live long?"

Her face was grim as the reaper, eyes haunted, "I hoped against it. Reading the Awen isn't precise, sweetpea. And I prayed, in that instance, I was wrong."

But she hadn't been.

You almost wanted to confess to her about Aiden and the farmhouse and the other ghosts. You didn't, of course, but you suddenly realized how ill-equipped you were to face everything alone. The responsibility of stopping Amelia, retrieving Maddie's body, and freeing the ghosts. Freeing Wally. It was a vise that strangled your heart without remorse.

Nanna brought the conversation back to Ginny, faraway eyes and compassionate smile, "That fire might've weakened her body, but it strengthened her spirit." She ended wistfully, "Few realize that Death is also capable of giving gifts. It can be kind as it can be cruel."

Minutes later, Nanna excused herself to fetch a cup of hot water to steep the dry ingredients Aurora had delivered from the flower shop. She left with a kiss on your head and a squeeze of your shoulder. You took her place in the chair beside Ginny. Held Ginny's hand in yours, and tried to tamp down the slurry of emotions that rose within you.

After a long moment of silence, you choked, "Everything's fucked up." A plea to someone who couldn't hear you.

She couldn't Travel, you imagined because her body and mind were too weak, but you desperately needed her right now. Or you needed to finally unload the burden of truth on someone you could trust because it had become too much.

"There weren't any stupid storms or squalls or whatever you and mom said there would be. But it feels worse. Like everything is out of control—" A thick sniffle, a hiccup, "Maddie's a ghost and her body is missing. I think there's someone out there who wants to use it for themselves," Your voice broke when you continued, "I--I don't know what to do... I-I don't even know where to look. Or how to look. I need help, Ginny. Xavier and Simon are great and they want to help, they do, but they don't know this stuff and now I'm expected to be a walking encyclopedia and—" A self-deprecating snort, "Fuck. I barely know anything..."

The heart monitor beeped a steady rhythm. The ventilator whirred. Ginny remained a gaunt statue in repose.

You leaned over and pressed your forehead to the back of her hand, hot tears falling onto her cold skin, "Please wake up..."

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

Simon ran his thumb over the pendant, his other hand in Maddie's as she urged him to lure her mother to the school. Get her here, he heard Maddie plead, I always know when she's lying.

But Simon's mind was elsewhere, his eyes flicking over the pendant's design, teeth clenched as he berated himself. He should've asked more questions when he'd—God dammit, the answers might've been right fucking there and he'd been too busy minding his pleases and thank yous.

He couldn't believe he hadn't recognized the pendant the night of the dance, strung around someone else's neck. One of a pair, your great-aunt had told him. Maddie had worn the necklace every day since he'd known her. A gift from her father she rarely, if ever, removed.

Without acknowledging Maddie's insistence to get Sandra in a room with her, Simon asked, "You said your dad gave this to you?"

Maddie's teeth clicked when she abruptly closed her mouth, visibly stunned that Simon would ask that now. A brief moment of contemplation and then, "Yeah. Right before he died."

"And you're sure about that?" Simon's eyes never left the pendant, but his grip on Maddie's hand tightened marginally, a gesture expressing that it was important, that he needed her to be precise.

"Yeah." One beat. Two. "I mean, not really. I got it in the mail. Mom said he sent it when he was still in Texas. That it took longer to get there than he did. He was back for a couple of weeks before..." Maddie trailed off. Simon could fill in the blanks.

Christopher had been home for a couple of weeks before he'd killed himself while wearing your body like a meat puppet.

"In the mail?" Simon prompted as he released her hand to cup her jaw, gaze boring into hers. "And you're sure your dad was the one who sent it?"

Maddie swallowed. "Yeah. It was definitely him."

"You're sure?"

"Yes, Simon, I'm sure." Prickly, fierce. "My dad sent it. I know he sent it. There was a note with it in his handwriting."

Simon dropped his hand back to hers, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it sound like you don't know what you're talking about, Maddie. I just want to make sure that we have all the facts."

"Why?" Maddie asked and leaned back to examine him since he wasn't making sense.

Simon hesitated for a moment, unsure how to put into words the weird coincidence he was beginning to think wasn't a coincidence at all.

"When I went to pick her up for the Homecoming dance... Maddie, her great-aunt had exactly the same pendant. Ginny said that it was one of a pair, earrings or something, but she lost the other one a while ago."

Maddie frowned and then her face went slack in shock, "You think her great-aunt might've been the one to give it to me?"

Simon shook his head, frustrated, confused, steadily more defeated as he realized he was so far out of his depth that he couldn't hold his head above water anymore.

"I don't know." He slumped, rubbed his eyes, and gave Maddie an apologetic look. "But we have to find out. Someone has to know."

"Si, I know my dad gave me that necklace."

"I don't doubt it, I'm just saying: We know one of the two earrings isn't in Ginny's possession anymore. We know Amelia has been in her house. We also know that Amelia stole your dad's body," He stopped, his tone shifting when he realized how indelicate that'd sounded. Simon regrouped, squeezed Maddie's hand, then continued, "We know that your dad asked her to give you something."

"And you think it was my necklace," Maddie murmured, staring at it as Simon laid it carefully on the table between them, bits and pieces of information scattered in her mind like shattered glass.

"It makes sense. She doesn't remember what your dad asked her to take you. But what if it's this? If it's the same as Ginny's..." Simon leaned in to draw Maddie's attention from the necklace to him, his hand on her knee, "If it's like Ginny's, it probably works and keeps the bad spirits away from you."

Maddie snorted, a weak, light huff of air, "Didn't stop someone from knocking my spirit out."

Simon let that sit in the air for a moment as he devised a plan.

Taking Maddie's request to bring her mother to heart, "Your mom might know something. Like you said, you can tell when she's lying."

"Get her here." Maddie reiterated. "And we can figure out if—if my mom..." Had anything to do with Amelia and golems and hurting Maddie, she didn't need to elaborate.

Cutting her off, "Okay," Simon put the necklace back in the manila envelope, folded it, and shoved it into his back pocket before promising, "Okay, I'll figure something out."

Maddie sat silently for a long moment, gazing into the middle distance, so worn and small that Simon nearly choked on his heart looking at her.

Sandra might not have been the best mom, but she was Maddie's, and Maddie loved her. Simon couldn't imagine Sandra hurting Maddie. However, in light of all Simon had learned about in the last few weeks, it was easier to assume someone had used Sandra to do the work on their behalf.

Amelia, Anabelle, a secret third other, it didn't matter. Someone had the kind of power that could be used to control minds, bodies, the very fabric of the universe. His gut rolled.

As he stood, Maddie stopped him with a touch to his hip, "Simon?" She rose to her feet and shuffled into his space, looped her arms around his neck and held him, "Yesterday, what you said about whether or not us figuring it out means me moving on—"

"Don't worry about that right now," Simon murmured into her hair. It was jarring, how she didn't smell like anything. Just clean air. He stammered, "I was being selfish."

Maddie tilted back a fraction and said firmly, "You're never selfish," which made Simon's heart skip a beat and break at the same time.

"Maddie...if it was her," He started, nervous to voice his concern, his fear, but he wanted to understand, "Are you sure you wanna know?"

She didn't answer. Simply tucked her head into the crook of his neck and held him close.

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

Everett sat in disbelief as he listened to his students. Things were far worse than he'd been led to believe. He picked at a thread on his suit jacket, fidgeted to maintain his composure under the onslaught of questions his students asked.

For someone who'd prided himself on having all the answers, he wasn't sure how to address what his students were demanding he address.

Had Amelia left him be, had she stopped interfering and dragging him away to help her on a quest he couldn't actually help with—trapped behind a barrier as he was—none of this would've happened.

It'd been her fault, anyway, that Janet had done what she'd done. Everett didn't know everything, the hows and whys, but he knew enough to understand that Janet had been pushed to the edge by something Amelia had done or planned to do...

If only Amelia had let them be.

Dawn's ascension had happened while he'd been in the fallout shelter. He'd felt it. Felt that peace. That warmth. That omniscient truth that he'd never felt before because crossing over was supposed to be impossible inside the barrier.

Wally and Charley and Rhonda spoke over each other, a cacophony of questions with no answers. None that he was at liberty to give. He finally snapped the thread from his blazer, hands shaking because of what it signified that his clothes were deteriorating instead of resetting as they'd done since 1958.

"—the light at the same time as the goosebumps. Simultaneous goosebumps." Wally ranted between Charley's retelling of what they'd experienced.

Everett's collar felt too tight.

Bernie and Katelynn agreed and confirmed and Everett wanted the ground to open and swallow him whole. The noise of their curiosity caused his mouth to dry, his heartbeat to quicken, his palms to get clammy.

His students' eyes were on him, pinning him in place. He strung together the right words in the wrong context, anything to supplicate them, but they continued to press like walls closing in. And then Mina's face, sad and scared, seared behind his eyes, and he couldn't manage the pressure.

"After all these years, how can you still be so clueless?" Charley demanded, and Everett absorbed it like he'd absorbed Amelia's outrage when Janet had vandalized a plan that had been decades in the making.

It had been such a struggle to attain the right pieces and set them on the board. Amelia had been righteous in her anger. A glorious, beautiful blaze of fury that had left Everett wounded and weak. All because of Janet, who'd argued with him and accused him of being naïve. Who'd rearranged the board under his nose to steal what didn't belong to her.

"What if looking back isn't a bad thing?" Charley hounded, "What if it's actually the key to get out of here!? Why shouldn't we at least try that?"

They weren't allowed. They weren't allowed to look back. Amelia had warned him that everything he'd worked for, everything he'd done for them, everything he'd ever wanted would be snatched away if they looked back. And he couldn't have that. They needed him. To put them back on the right path, to guide them and teach them and be the person they relied on.

He refused to lose them like this.

"Because it's painful to constantly be thinking about it!" Everett's tone hit his ear belatedly and he deflated in his chair, eyes imploring, begging his students to listen to him like they used to. "Right!?"

His students went still, their eyes on him, willing to receive what wisdom he imparted. He gave them his impassioned speech, voice pleading, hoping his vulnerability would get them to see sense.

Subdued and seeming remorseful, they listened. Eyes down, features contorted in regret. For now, at least, Everett had won.

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

Wally kissed you like it was the last time. Slow, deep, explorative; memorizing every shape and taste of your mouth as he held you by the hips in his lap.

The school was empty aside from the teachers involved in the awards ceremony. Ajay had snuck you in and escorted you to Wally before he'd accompanied Maddie to the teacher's lounge for a coffee and a heart-to-heart.

Wally had stumbled upon Maddie in the hallway after Group. She'd been in bad shape. He was grateful that Ajay had stepped in to be there for her while she waited for Simon to arrive with her mom so that Wally could soak in your presence privately.

Needless to say, Group had left him rattled, and he needed the comfort.

"Wally?" You asked, likely having noticed his mind had wandered. "You okay?"

Wally's grip tightened on your hips, then smoothed down to your thighs, back up under your skirt to drag you closer by the ass. He gave you a weary smile, about as much as he could muster.

Between Mr. Martin's behavior in Group and Maddie's comment—"What would you do if the one person who was supposed to protect you was the one who hurt you?"—unleashing a repressed sense of betrayal toward his mama, Wally's strength of will had rapidly declined.

He didn't think he could do this anymore.

Call him selfish, but he missed the simpler times. The times before Maddie and the mystery and the cloak and dagger he and the others were forced to come to grips with. There was peace in ignorance and he wanted to find it again, just for a second, just to regroup and start fresh and—

"Hey," Your hands on his jaw, angling his face toward yours, "You still with me, big guy?"

"Sorry baby," Wally said, low and solemn, "Too many thoughts."

You nodded, "Yeah. Me too. I can't believe I never noticed Maddie's necklace. I see it every day, you'd think I would've put two and two together as soon as I met her, yanno?"

Not exactly where Wally's mind was, but that was odd.

"You said you and Maddie weren't that close before now," Wally tried to reason so you wouldn't drive yourself crazy thinking about it. "Who really pays attention to that kind of thing?"

You raised a brow, "I noticed Nicole had the same spider ring as Maddie as soon as she started wearing it."

"Okay. Fair. But that spider ring didn't ward off evil spirits, right? Maybe it's a magic necklace thing." And then he put on an all-powerful, godly voice, "All who look upon this necklace shall forget its importance lest they be cursed!"

You giggled, a sound as beautiful as a summer breeze, and beamed at him. Jesus, he wanted to see that smile every day for the rest of his existence. He lifted one hand to tuck a strand of your hair behind your ear, dipped in to brush his lips against yours, a smile of his own forming.

"Very impressive use of the word 'lest'," You teased, "I didn't know you had it in you."

"Hey, I was practically a straight A student, thanks."

"What I'm hearing is that you bullied nerds into giving you test answers."

Wally scoffed, "I didn't bully anyone! I used my popularity to charm certain academically gifted individuals into helping me along. It was give-give, baby, I swear." He grinned, both hands back on your ass, massaging your flesh.

"You may be onto something though, Wally." You said after a moment, "I wouldn't be surprised if Amelia glamoured the necklace so that no one would recognize it." A cheeky grin, "Lest her whole plan go up in flames before she could finish it." You raised your hands and made a poof gesture.

Wally drew you closer by the back of your head, his gaze flickering over your face as his eyes went heavy and heated, "Have I ever told you how sexy your brain is, baby?"

"Once or twice," You smirked and brushed your lips against his, "But you're welcome to tell me again."

A slow, thorough kiss before Wally said, "You have a very," kiss "very," kiss as his large hand pushed your closer so you were planted flush against him, "sexy brain."

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

Xavier was insubordinate on a good day, but the little nuisance had been more so in recent weeks. Austin didn't like it. By then, Xavier didn't need to be cagey or deflective for Austin to recognize when Xavier was hiding something.

In fact, Xavier had been combative, had shown up of his own volition to once again challenge Mr. South's innocence. And hadn't that been the cherry on top of a taxing day...

It was hard enough keeping the deputies' instincts from firing on all cylinders, pumping them with enough tea to fill an ocean. But Austin was at a pivotal point in tracking down and locating Madison Nears' runaway body and getting the plan back on the rails. He couldn't afford any more disruptions or screw-ups.

It rankled to think that perhaps, as had happened to Amelia's little pet who'd stopped drinking the tea under Amelia's nose, Xavier might've done the same thing. Austin was not one to be trifled with, and refused to acknowledge that that could possibly be right. He had a far stronger influence than Amelia.

But, he supposed, it needed to be looked into. After all, things had shifted since Madison Nears had been unceremoniously (prematurely) separated from her body. Xavier's manipulated subconscious could be another thing affected by it.

Pausing at reception, Austin noted the address he'd scribbled down earlier. Another possible lead.

At his hip, out of sight of those milling about the station, he typed a text to Dave's phone. The address and a blunt reminder that Amelia had better not let her former student slip through her fingers again or Anabelle would snatch her precious vessel right from her clutches without remorse.

'Find her.' Austin texted and hoped it was simple enough to get through to Amelia.

He didn't want to have to do it, but Austin was willing to discard Amelia to this lifetime to rot. Age had not given Amelia wisdom, that was clear, and Austin—Anabelle—wasn't sure he cared to coddle an idiot for the rest of time.

Dave's response came through.

'I will. I promise.'

Austin should've known better than to trust Amelia after everything she'd already failed to do...

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

"Are you finding anything?"

"Dude, this thing was old when I went here," Wally told Charley from his place at the microfilm reader.

The file room was dark, claustrophobic, filled with a lot of information yet very few answers. So far, anyway. You sat at the single tiny table, flipping through transcripts from 1960 while, at your feet, back against your leg, Ajay perused the stack of yearbook printouts from around the same era.

Your mind was torn between doing the research in front of you and what you'd been slowly translating in the books you and Xavier had found at the farmhouse. Unfortunately, you'd done a very poor job in the early hours of that morning, your eyes crossing as the Old English script bled together on the page. Flipping through the first book was a chore, the pages so fragile that you'd lost margins and corners that might've been important.

The second wasn't as cumbersome to flip through, but it made about as much sense as the first. Tonight, you'd decided, you'd lock yourself away in your room, roll your sleeves up, and get stuck in for as long as it took to find something about the barrier around the school.

"Dawn found something yesterday when she looked into her past." Charley said, determined, "I mean, Janet must've done the same. So...maybe if we look into their pasts, too, we could find something that could explain all of this."

Ajay sighed, "Don't we already know?" When Charley snapped a pointed side-eye at him, Ajay flapped a hand, "I get why we're doing this. What, against all odds, made Janet and then Dawn special enough to clock out of this place. But do we really think it's going to be written on paper?"

"Or microfilm." Wally inserted, peeking out from behind the machine.

"I think Charley's onto something, actually." You said as you scanned another transcript from 1960: Maria Volkov. "Maybe there was something special about their pasts that allowed them to move on easier." You glanced up, eyes finding Wally's, "I mean, you've all looked back before, right?"

"More or less," Ajay said, flipping through another yearbook. "Yet, here we still are."

Wally corrected, "We've thought about our deaths, bro, we haven't looked back the way Dawn did at the séance."

Ajay seesawed his head and made a noise of acceptance, but didn't add anything.

"Really?" You glanced at Wally. "You think it's the lobotomy thing?"

Wally nodded, chewed his lip in thought before disappearing behind the microfilm reader again.

A few minutes later, "What year are you on?" Charley asked Wally as he carded through the accordion folder containing Dawn's student files.

Wally responded, "1959. I'm trying to move backwards, but I am not seeing Janet's name anywhere." He glanced between you and Charley. "She died in 1960, right?"

"Yeah," Charley confirmed though he was distracted.

"That's what we have in our files, too." You added and then sat up straight to stretch out the kinks that had settled between your vertebrae. "Apparently she fell down the stairs and broke her neck?"

Wally cringed, "Sounds shitty." He looked at Charley again, "Did you know that? Because I didn't know that."

"As we've established, we've been discouraged from asking each other personal questions," Ajay muttered so only you could hear.

"Especially related to your deaths..." You murmured, a frown on your face. "Huh."

From his perch on the picture files cabinet, Charley rummaged through more of Dawn's files, engrossed though managing to reply to Wally, "And things just get creepier..." He exhaled sharply through his nose and finally looked up, "Nothing of much interest in Dawn's student file, either..." Awkwardly, tinged with a thread of guilt, he admitted, "I know we weren't super close, but I feel kinda awful that we didn't get to say goodbye to her."

You listened as Wally answered, heart twinging, "I don't want it to happen that way for me." He caught your eye, let his gaze hold yours softly, "I didn't get a goodbye last time..." You stood, shuffled around Ajay, and went to Wally, settling in his lap when he shifted to accommodate you. "I do not wanna just disappear..."

You nestled into his body, kissed his temple before pressing your brow against it.

"Me either." Charley said quietly.

Though it was obvious he felt the same, Ajay didn't say anything. Simply allowed Wally and Charley's grief to be heard and sat with it.

Wally turned his head, his lips pressed to your neck, his hand squeezing your hip before he tucked his face into your shoulder for a minute.

You felt him breathe in and out deeply, absorbing your presence, your scent a balm for his soul, and then he returned to the slide he'd just inserted under the lens of the microfilm machine. Beneath you, he tensed.

"Whoa. Whoa, wait. This is weird." You peeked up at the screen, adjusted as Wally leaned in to read the small print. At Charley's prompting, Wally read, "Split River High School has been chosen for a national pilot program to protect students and teachers from the threat of a nuclear strike."

Oh. Shit. Had you not told Wally about the fallout shelter below the school?

"A fallout shelter will be built below the east wing of the school," No. No you had not. You'd been too busy dry humping him and then throwing Xavier under the bus about the kiss he'd stolen from you. "The same location where a fire destroyed the former chemistry lab on January 14th, 1958." You were a terrible girlfr—wait.

"Wait...1958?" Charley voiced so you didn't have to. "That must be Mr. Martin's fire. Does it mention him?" Charley moved closer, half-sat on the side of the desk, and watched Wally scan the rest of the old article.

"I don't see..."

You pointed to the screen where you saw Mr. Martin's name, "There."

"Oh, yes," His hand snuck under your shirt, thumb stroked your skin in thanks as he began to read again, "Authorities determined the fire was accidental. Four people were killed in the fire that overtook the lab during a routine chemistry lesson. Beloved Chemistry teacher Mr. Everett Martin was one of the deceased—"

"Wait." Charley interrupted, confused, "Four people? He said he was the only casualty."

Ajay was on his feet now, positioned himself behind Wally, a hand on Wally's shoulder as he curved forward and reread what Wally had already dictated. "Four people..."

Wally's attention returned to the screen to pick up where he left off, "Uh, two other staff, secretary Melinda Fontaine and school nurse Karla-Anne Mayfair, who had tried to help contain the fire while students evacuated were killed in the blaze as well as one student, sophomore..." He stopped, causing you, Ajay, and Charley to squint at the screen.

"What? What's wrong?" Charley asked.

Wally picked his gaze from the screen and skirted it to Charley, "Janet Hamilton." A moment of tense silence, and then Wally, pinning you closer to his body to quell his anger, wanted to know, "Why did they both lie to us?"

You stared at the name Wally had pointed to. It didn't make sense. Even in your family's files, Janet was cited as dying in 1960... Only... She hadn't had a death date until Ginny had remembered something and had Nanna write it down. You slipped out of Wally's lap and went to the stack of yearbooks Ajay had been scouring through to find the right one. Bingo. 1958.

You opened it, flipped through the pages until, "My great-aunt was in that class." That was the fire that'd weakened her. You'd assumed it'd been the same fire that had killed your great-grandparents, but no. There was Ginny's young face, smiling shyly from the page between your neighbor, Darcy Behr, and Mr. Anderson's father, Douglas.

"What does that have to do with Janet and Mr. Martin?" Ajay wondered as he, Wally, and Charley crowded around you.

You scrutinized every other student's face for clues, because stealing bodies was the work of expert connectedness. And though they became new people in new bodies, their connectedness had always and would always remain. If you were right...

"There were only two ghosts." You uttered, and you felt Wally's hand on your hip, a steadying force, as he pressed himself against your back. "If the symbols were already around the school to trap Mr. Martin and Janet—"

Somber, Wally asked the question on everyone's mind, "Then where did the other two go?"

💀___________________________

PART TEN - PART TWELVE

also available on AO3!

MASTERLIST

You Belong with me 💙🏈📖

Wally clark x fem reader slow burn story

Summary:

It was finally the big homecoming game, and you were about to tell your best friend that you are in love that is until tragedy strikes leaving you heartbroken

Part 2:

It was finally Saturday which means tonight’s the homecoming game and the day you tell wally you are in love with him. The day went by like a blur and you were getting ready for the big game but not before a phone call from Wally.

“Hey, Y/N you ready for the best homecoming game of your life!” Wally expressed basically screaming through the phone. “Geez Wally that was loud, and yeah it’s going to be a great game” you said shyly hoping Wally wouldn’t notice that your voice is begging to shake. “Sorry Darling, I just hope I will do my mom proud” he expressed as his tone changed. “Of course, she will be Wally. After the game I want to talk to you I have something kind of important I want to talk about” You replied. “Yeah, sure thing, meet in your spot?” Wally said a little curious to what you want to talk about. “Sure, Wally, I’ll see you there.” You responded as you hang up to phone stomach full of butterflies so nervous but knew you were ready to admit your feelings to him. You get dressed in black jeans, a blue sweater and one of Wally’s old lettermen jackets he gave to you and went downstairs to meet your mom and Sister to leave for the game.

You arrive at school and head to the football field and get your seats. You see Wally on the filed stretching, and you lock eyes. You feel the butterflies in your stomach ease as soon as you see him. You held up a thumbs up and mouth ‘You got this” and just like that the game starts. Yelling and screams surround you normally making you uncomfortable but you didn’t care you were there for Wally and that’s all that matters.

The first half of the game went quickly and its already half time the Devils are winning, and you can’t help but feel this overwhelming sense of happiness as you see Wally score a touchdown. The crowd is full loud and screaming with joy of such a great game, and you can’t help but to also join in too -something you never do but this time felt different-. As the cheerleaders finish their cheers the players head back on to the field.

“Clark has the ball and he’s running fast looks like he’s wanting to get his first touchdown of the game. He’s almost there and BAM down goes Clark, that tackle looked bad” The game announcer yells over the PA system as the crowd goes quiet. You start to immediately feel dread wash over you and you feel numb. “This isn’t looking good for Clark he’s not moving” The announcer continues but all you feel is worry as his team and coach surround him and you see the coach hold up the time out signal. More worry washes over you. You jump out of your seat and bolt onto the field not caring if you will get yelled at. You run like you’ve never run before until you reach him lying on the ground lifeless. “We need a medic stat” Coach yelled as the team all gasp and are in shock. You get on the ground, hands on his chest wanting to feel he’s breath. Nothing. “Wally, Wally can you hear me? I need you to wake up please wake up” You cry as tears stream down your face struggling to breath. You feel the medic lift you up to check on him. The medic looks him over and says “I’m sorry but he’s gone. His neck is snapped it would have been instant” Numb all you feel is numb as you watch Wally, your best friend maybe even the love of your life on the floor dead. You fall next to him again and scream out in pain. Sobbing and barely even breathing properly “I… I was going to tell him. Why did this have to happen why” You can’t keep it together his team and more people crowd around you. You feel your mom hug you from behind. “Oh, my sweetheart I’m so sorry.” You turn and give her a full hug and you look around wondering where his mom is. “Where is Wally’s mom?” you say confused as you thought she would be with you crying over him. “She’s over there talking to the medics and waiting for the cornier to come.” Mom replies softly. You look over and you see his mom in tears as she talks to the medics. Mom though hesitant tries to get you off the field “No mom, I don’t want to leave him please, let me stay with him until the cornier gets here.” You tremble as you take his hand still warm. Without saying anther word your mom gets up and leaves you there with him. You don’t even notice that the team is gone already. The game is over, and everyone is already making their way home. Still in shock over what happen in your head you tell yourself. “I can’t believe I never told you how I felt, I should have a lot sooner. The pain of losing you is consuming me. I don’t know how I will carry on my life without you by my side. I love you, Wally Clark.” More tears stream down your face and don’t even notice the cornier has arrived to take Wally. “Goodbye Wally” you say as you choke on your words never thought would have to those words ever. You walk to your mom still crying and numb.

Part 1 Part 3

And that’s the closest I’ll ever get to this show 😭

Milo Manheim and Elizabeth Gillies singing Suddenly Seymour in the Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors (2025)

SCHOOL SPIRITS Ghost Pointe Blank

What’s your favorite time of day?

Oh you know the time where I get to read about fictional characters being in love with me