When Ghosts Collide And Girlfriends Strike Back
LOCATION: GREYHOLLOW RUINS — MIDNIGHT GHOST HUNT
The ghost had been reported three times in the last week. People kept seeing flickers in the fog, hearing voices that didn't belong, and waking up with all their mirrors cracked.
Naturally, Gideon got sent to investigate.
And naturally, Vivienne tagged along. Because of course she did.
"So, another one of those 'not in the accounts' ghosts?" Gideon muttered, flipping his chalk and catching it.
> "Yes. And I still don't like that," the Ledger replied, hovering beside him like a grumpy lantern.
"Weird how you don't like things that don't make sense. You're a book. You should love mystery."
> "I love solving mysteries. Not being eaten by them."
Vivienne walked beside them, humming softly, spinning that coin of his between her fingers.
When they reached the ruins, Elias Dorrington was already there. Of course. With six other people all looking too serious and way too clean.
"Look who got invited to the big leagues," Elias smirked, brushing invisible dust from his shoulder. "Came to get another lesson in ghost hunting, Harrow?"
"I came to watch you break a nail," Gideon replied.
Then Elias saw Vivienne.
And paused.
Actually paused.
"...And who's this?" he asked, voice dropping to the kind of tone guys use when they're about to embarrass themselves.
Vivienne smiled. "Gideon's girlfriend."
Gideon coughed so hard he had to turn around.
Elias blinked. "Huh."
He was visibly recalibrating his entire life.
They split up—Elias and his tactical dream team heading one way, Gideon, Vivienne and the Ledger taking the other path.
"Bet they've got monogrammed chalk," Gideon muttered.
> "Focus. Or they'll get the kill."
"Wow. You care now?"
> "No. But I like winning."
---
LOCATION: GHOST ENCOUNTER ZONE (NOT ACTUALLY MARKED)
They searched, found some traces of rift residue, got jumped by a minor wraith (Vivienne dealt with it using one hand and zero effort), but the main ghost was gone.
When they regrouped, Elias was grinning like someone who'd just cheated at poker and gotten away with it.
He held up the relic. "Got it. Maybe next time, Harrow."
One of the girls on his team gave Gideon a small wave. Shy. Almost sweet.
He waved back.
Vivienne's gaze flicked toward the girl.
Her eyes turned cold.
The Ledger didn't miss it.
> "Oh. She's jealous. Delicious."
Gideon pretended not to notice or maybe he didn't. He's naive like that sometimes.
---
LOCATION: HARROW HOUSE — LATER THAT NIGHT
Gideon stepped into his room, stretched, cracked his neck.
Vivienne followed in silently. Closed the door.
Then spun and looked at him like a lawyer ready to ruin your Tuesday.
"So," she said. "That girl waved at you."
Gideon blinked. "Okay?"
> "This is going to be fun," the Ledger whispered.
"She waved at you. And you waved back."
"I didn't know that was illegal."
"She looked happy when you did it."
"So I should've—what, growled at her?"
Vivienne stepped forward. "You like her?"
"W-what? No! I don't even know her name!"
She crossed her arms. "Then why wave back?"
Gideon looked helplessly at the Ledger.
> "Don't drag me into this. I'm still laughing."
He turned back. "Vivienne, are you seriously jealous right now?"
She paused. "No. Of course not."
"You sure?"
She moved closer. "You want me to be?"
Gideon's mouth opened, but his brain didn't send any words.
She smirked. "Relax. I'm not going to bite you. Unless you ask nicely."
He took a shaky breath. "You are terrifying."
"I know. Isn't it great?"
Then—
She kissed him.
Quick. Fierce. Soft.
His eyes stayed wide long after she pulled back.
"Still worried about that girl?" she asked, cocking a brow.
He shook his head slowly.
The Ledger sighed.
> "Hormones. The ultimate distraction."
Gideon, still stunned, touched his lips like they were new.
Vivienne flopped onto his bed and grabbed a book that wasn't sentient. "Let me know if she waves at you again. I've got more where that came from."
> "Oh, she's dangerous," the Ledger muttered. "I kind of admire that."