Chapter 13
-Cash-
Wrigley keeps bringing up the possibility of changing jobs. He’s been mentioning it for the past few weeks and the other day he even told Leigh and Randy about it. Which means that he’s seriously considering it.
And I think it’s a good idea, I really do; what he’s doing now is illegal. But I also feel responsible for this. I mean, I told him how bad I thought him scamming people was as soon as I heard about his job, but I don’t like that he might only be thinking so much about this because of what I said.
He wouldn’t do that right? He wouldn’t change from the job he’s been doing his whole life just because some ghost told him scamming people was bad. But this is Wrigley Johanneson we’re talking about. He doesn’t listen to anyone, so. He probably just wants to change career.
“Oi Cash are we watching this movie or are you just gonna hover in the door like a creep? Like at least actually come into the room it’s weird seeing just your head poking through.”
I blink a few times, glancing down at my chest and realising that I never actually entered the room. Rookie mistake. Clearing my throat (which I really don’t need to do, I don’t even have a throat) I give him an awkward smile as I make my way over to the bed.
Wrigley is curled up with his blankets and cushions like he always is on our Friday evening movie nights (we made this an actual thing we do after the first few weeks of living(?) together). I squidge up next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders tentatively and placing the blanket over my legs.
He smiles up at me before turning his attention back to his laptop and pressing play on the film. We chose horror for tonight, and contrary to Wrigley’s original deduction: I’m actually terrified of this stuff.
Like, I’m a fucking ghost, and I’ve spent two years with other ghosts, but the creepy dead girl in this film? Fuck no, this shit is horrifying.
So, I spend the whole time hiding behind my hands whilst Wrigley goes between laughing at me and trying to comfort me with hugs and stroking my hair. Every time he tries to pause the film or something I shake my head adamantly saying that he should keep watching if he’s enjoying it, but really I just like him doting on me.
And also hugging me
See, the thing is, we’re been playing ‘fake boyfriends’ for a while, which would totally be fine, if I didn’t now have the fattest crush on him. And whilst we’re still close even when Leigh and Randy aren’t around, Wrigley doesn’t hold my hand or hug me as much as he does when they’re here.
Sometimes it looks like he’s about to hug me or reach out to hold my hand, but then he’ll suddenly change his mind and just play it off. That’s kind of sad, because he never used to do that. He’s only started acting like this in the past couple of weeks, and I’m starting to get Wrigley-hug withdrawal symptoms.
So, I don’t let him turn off the film, instead letting myself continue to be horrified every time the creepy girl shows up, and in return getting hugs from my crush.
My nerves are a worthy sacrifice, in my opinion.
“Seriously Cash, this clearly isn’t fun for you at all! Let’s just watch something else,” Wrigley says, pausing the film and removing his arm from my shoulder. I instantly feel relieved when I don’t have to see that girl again, but I already miss being hugged by him, so that sucks.
“Why do you still look sad? It’s ok if you don’t want to watch a film, we can do something else or if- if you just don’t want to hang out with me then that’s fine too,” Wrigley says gently, not quite meeting my eyes.
I let out a groan, hiding behind my hands again and not because of the scary film anymore. “Wrigley that’s not it at all, I just- I was enjoying the hug, ok?! That’s why I didn’t mind continuing the film.”
Wrigley finally looks up at me, a small smile on his face. “Yeah? Well just say so next time, I’m happy to give you a hug any time you want one.”
I raise an eyebrow, pulling a cushion into my lap and wrapping my arms around it. “Really? Then why do you only hug me when we’re pretending to be a couple in front of Leigh and Randy? I thought you didn’t like touching some dead guy.”
Wrigley snorts, resting his elbow on the headboard and poking my chest, our touching thighs the only thing keeping me solid. “Dude you’re so dumb, that’s not it at all but ok. I’ll let your tiny pea-brain work it out in your own time. But truuust me, I’ve never liked touching a dead guy as much as I like touching you.”
Oh.
Wrigley frowns, pulling away from my slightly. “Oh hang on, that came out slightly wrong- well no it didn’t but also- just ignore that m’kay? I’m gonna go um- wash my face really quick.”
I watch as Wrigley jumps up, dashing to the bathroom and just sitting behind the door I’m guessing. He does that a lot, he just sits there and thinks for a while. I leave him be, still trying to process what he just said.
I mean, he sounded pretty eager, which is probably why he got so embarrassed, but also…what do I need to work out? Wrigley is like a dumb little riddle sometimes; he spouts nonsense and then laughs at me when I can’t figure it out. Or goes into a huff about it, but I’ve learnt that Wrigley doesn’t really stay frustrated for long and instead he just pouts for a bit before moving on.
But I really can’t work out why he’d like touching me, I mean I’m cold, I’m dead, I’m literally a ghost- maybe that’s why? Maybe he’s curious about me being dead or something? That makes sense, his mum can see ghosts but I’m the only one he’s ever come into contact with, so he’s probably just interested in me.
It’s not like he’s crushing on me or anything, I mean this is Wrigley- he’s an attractive and annoying little shit, whilst I’m just…a dead guy. It’s not like I mean anything to him beyond our stupid contract.
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