#those are eyes emojis sorry about me being too lazy to fix them

[bunnyfangs]

boyswanna-be-her replied to your post “i cannot believe i have a canon het ship………… a canon het white ship…….”

Ummmm no offense but r u ok?? ��

THEY’RE MENTALLY ILL??????????????????????????????

idk kelly my life is in shambles

[virgil-is-a-cutie]

Alya salt Alya and class (except Chloe and sweet tomato Nathaniel) destory Marinette's sketchbook but shes doesn't care cuz it was 4 the class and consequences happen (based on unmaskedagain fictattered remains and broken dreams(yours not mine))

Screwing Up (You Did, Not Me)

This has light salt cuz I'm too lazy to to continue. If y'all want a sequel tell me.

Marinette hums as she put her sketchbook of her designs in a metal box with a lock in it. She had bought the small vault after Chloé copied her hat design.

Chloé still winced and gave her a sheepish smile whenever they hanged out at the bluenette's room.

At least she showed she regretted it honestly.

She was glad she got the steel box, it was something she was glad she got once Lila came into the picture. She lost trust in her ex friends a week after Lila came back since they easily followed Rossi without taking into consideration what she was saying.

Sure the class have only known her for two years, but surely they've heard about her the four years that she's been at Dupont since moving from America at the age of 10 years old.

They acted like friends, but they honestly saw her as someone to only do stuff for them.

At least some did a commission unlike others in the class. That made it easier to have separate sketchbooks for the class really.

She puts a white sparkly sketchbook in her backpack since Sabrina and her had been discussing the designs for the school play that she and the rest of the theatre class were going to put on.

At least the theatre teacher commissioned her early on and Sabrina and her discussed with Marinette on what the style of the costumes they wanted for the play.

Mylene had been kicked out of the theatre club as well the class after they witnessed her verbally assaulting Marinette, who had been ignoring the shorter girl by listening to a P!ATD song. Mylene had protested, but Sabrina had ripped Mylene a new one. She may not get along well with the bluenette since Chloé and her became friends with the bluenette, but she didn't believe Marinette deserved to be treated harshly.

She wore a baby pink sundress with a black motorcycle jacket with pink flowers stitched into it and pink combat boots with spikes on them.

She had started to hang out with Gina more now and her outfits have changed a little because of that.

She fixes her hair in a side braid before grabbing a granola bar and a yogurt cup before grabbing her school bag before heading to school 40 minutes early. She had a small breakfast meeting to get to before class started.

She met with Sabrina and the theatre teacher in the theatre classroom to discuss any alterations and last minutes things needed on the classroom, which were not needed much to Marinette's relief.

So when there was about 10 minutes before class was set to start she went to her locker and put up her small make up bag that just contained eyeliner and light pink lipstick and a few nail polish containers. She noticed she was missing a white sketchbook with the design of a rainbow poop emoji, but she shrugged it off.

It wasn't that important. Well it was, but only for her class really, the classmates that deemed it a right to use up her time among other things for free things that she really believed they didn't deserve.

She hums listening to I Write Sins Not Tragedies as she walked to class, softly mumbling to the beginning of the song.

Nathaniel was pacing back and forth outside the classroom, he noticed her and tried to talk with her, but Chloé grabbed his hand and questioned him quietly as to what was worrying him.

A few of her classmates had a shameful look on their faces while a few smirked smugly at her or snickered as she walked passed them on her way to her seat in the back.

She frowns upon seeing shredded paper on her desk, but realization struck her when she saw the cover of the sketchbook her ex friends ripped up.

Nathaniel and Chloé watched from the door with a nervous and worried look on their faces.

She shrugs and sings along to the song softly as she takes a picture of it, grabs the cover of the sketchbook, saving it into her backpack.

For fun reasons only.

She then sent emails to whoever she needed to before grabbing the shredded paper and throwing it into the trash can that was beside the corner in the back. Making sure to clean up the mess well in her desk, and goes over to the front of the. She wanted to see their faces as she told them that they all screwed themselves over.

Well... a few of them did really.

Nathaniel tried to gently grab her shoulder, but she waved him off with a soft smile. She took off her headphones, music blaring loudly out of it as La Devotee played out.

She turns back around before groaning and pinching the bridge of her nose before smiling widely to the class.

Her ex friends were very much surprised, they thought she would be crying, or screaming really. Even Lila was a little shocked at the biracial girl's reaction to seeing her ripped up sketchbook. She wanted the Chinese Mexican American girl to at least cry.

They thought the the

"Aren't you.... aren't you at least a bit sad dudette?" Nino asked weakly.

He wasn't close to Marinette anymore because of Lila, but he knew that Alya went too far in destroying the bluenette's sketchbook.

He was honestly debating on breaking up with her ever since she started to beg for more dates and tell him to drop their younger siblings off with Marinette, who he knew was possibly too busy to even do so because the bluenette always had her schedule in order.

Marinette breaths in deeply and makes a praying gesture with her hands as she does this before giving them a toothy and wide eye grin.

A very wide toothy grin with wide eyes that sorta freaked out a few of her classmates. Possibly even Lila.

"I cannot stress this enough... but y'all fucked up, pendejos. Pinche brutos," she said slowly as if to let them understand as if they were children.

Which they were, but more on the teenager part really.

Everyone gaped as the small petite bluenette cursed at them. Lila blinked in surprise before smirking smugly, hiding her smirk as she dipped her head low.

"I would be, but not really. Ya ni me va importar ese cuaderno," she says with a small tilt of her head.

Everyone in the class blinked, except for Nathaniel and Chloé. Sabrina stepped in a second later and paused to take in what's happening.

She was about to speak when Chloé shook her head, making her frown, but she stayed quiet.

Marinette raised an eyebrow, "don't really care for that sketchbook really. It wasn't at all tan importante. Not at all that important to be frank with y'all."

Everyone blinked in shock at what they heard the bluenette say.

"What do yo-"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT IMPORTANT?! IT WAS YOUR SKETCHBOOK!" Alya screeched as she stood up.

Lila flinched and winced at the yell since Alya sat very close to her.

"It was a sketchbook yes, but not one that would break my heart if torn," the bluenette said with a shrug which shocked the class.

"Wait what," Nathaniel asked in shock making Mari lightly giggle before giving the class a shit eating grin.

"The sketchbook with all the designs that are worthwhile and deemed good are locked away at home in my room. I stopped bringing it to school a month after the hat contest," she said as she looked at her nails.

"The sketchbook with a rainbow poop emoji is for this class specifically. Specifically for the class members who demand for things for free, as well as class representative things."

Everyone in the classroom frown.

"What do you mean demand? We commission you for almost a lot of things," Ivan asked curiously.

He may have stopped being friends with the bluenette, but that didn't stop him from paying a commission early than necessary for things he needed since not many stores carried his size.

A few others nodded since they always commissioned the bluenette as well order a box or two full of pastries from the bakery when they wanted to bring a treat to the class that they have Marinette bring. However, only a few froze and sunk in their seats little at the implication.

Marinette raised her eyebrow at him and gestured with a nod towards Mylene, Alya, Kim, and Alix who all just sunk down in their seats from being called out.

Lila raised an eyebrow at the people who got called out.

Rose frowns as well did the rest of the class, "wait... hold up-"

"Wait... did you all four expect Marinette to make your stuff for free?" Nino asked in disbelief.

"It's just that she desi-"

"It doesn't matter if she's a designer Alya. Marinette may not be our friend anymore, but even if she was it doesn't mean to take advantage of the fact she designs clothes and other things," Rose said with a disappointed look on her face.

"Wait-"

"Don't worry to those who commissioned me, I have your commissions on a separate sketchbook and you all did the commission online so you're all good. I just need to work on them so that they can be finished in the intended date."

"THAT'S NOT FAIR! WHY-"

"Césiar she is wasting time on making things that you and the other three useless beings don't bother to commission that make her waste tons of material just to make your useless asses things that honestly none of the four of you really deserve to have made," Chloé bit out icily with a glare.

"But it's just small things! A dress here, a jacket here-"

"Yeah posters really," Kim interrupts Alya.

Chloé raised an eyebrow and smirked widely as she stepped towards her ex friend.

"Adrien, do tell how much a custom made design does your dear old dad charge someone."

Adrien blushed and mumbled softly.

"I'm sorry what?"

"$9,000 and that was for a simple black pantsuit with a a red rose stitched in one pocket," he said out loud. The blonde shaking a little, he had arrived a minute before Nathaniel so he didn't know what was going on until the commotion started.

Chloé hums and looks at her manicured nails.

"My mother would charge up to $3,000 depending on the 'simple' dress Alya asked for really. Up to 20 grand for the dresses Alya and Mylene basically demanded from you unless she had to hand sow herself," she said with a smug grin to the two girls that basically demanded Marinette to make them skirts among other things really.

The two girls paled as they realized how much money they basically would've saved if they hadn't ripped up the bluenette's sketchbook. Even if they basically demanded it to be made by her.

Alix paled as she realized that she demanded Marinette to design her a suit simply because she hated dresses. That would've cost her so much more than a simple measly $100 that she had somewhere really.

"B...but I need a dress for a date with Ivan!" she gasps out with wide eyes.

"So do I! I need a new skirt!" Alya growls out.

"Yeah too bad so sad, but you two are not going to get anything because my commissions are already full really," Marinette said.

"B...But the school's basketball's team needed new uniforms!" Kim out.

"That is a ridiculous thing you had asked of me Kim, even your basketball couch was appalled that you asked that of me," Marinette said with a raised eyebrow to her ex friend.

Kim blushed at the realization of what was said, "but-"

"Either way I gave him the number of a really nice cousin of mine, Carrie Ross-Snell. She does design for a living, but it's more of a hobby in the side to be honest. She doesn't mind really," she mumbles the last part.

"She gave him a good price really," she said out loud.

She really was going to have to thank the stars that Sue had used the bunny miraculous to have Carrie be placed in a new home when born after The Blood Prom occured. At least Fu saw it fit for the girl and her boyfriend see their error of their ways and wanting Carrie to have a happy childhood. Which led her to be adopted by Ms. Desjarden.

Their future P.E teacher. Who later married her uncle Chris.

Thank god Master Fu had been in a America for a short while when that happened.

At least Carrie was raised with love and was cared for. Even if she was still a very shy person.

"Either way I can't work on all the things that were on that journal, there were too many last minute demands you forced on me. They're gone, as well as the other things that were on that sketchbook," Marinette said with a shrug.

"W...what about fundraisers you promised to help?!" Alix screamed out.

The bluenette raised an eyebrow and placed her hands on her hips, "I never promised anything at all Alix. You and Kim bitched about wanting help and that's it. I just told y'all good luck really," she told the now embarrassed two.

"B...but my outfit for Kitty Section!" Mylene cries out.

"Can't really work on it, it wasn't a commission, although the rest of y'all didn't commission for anything so I don't really have a reason to work on anything," Marinette said with a shrug.

The members of Kitty Section nodded, but then everyone who commissioned her froze. She had her schedule she stuck by so they knew she was already swamped and all internally groaned.

Those who never commissioned her didn't think what the matter was but remembered how much they had to have paid if they even ever asked for a commission.

They paled after that remembering what Adrien said.

The others internally groaned remembering that they had a few things they knew couldn't be worked on because they forgot about them.

Marinette shrugs, "I also had a few of the class representative things there, but oh well, can't do those anymore. As well a few things that only a few other people asked for."

Everyone frowned, but shrugged it off really as the bell rang for the school day to start.

Ms. Bustier walked in and sighs before looking at Marinette with a soft concerned look before sighing.

"During lunch class we will decide the new class representative. Marinette unfortunately has to pull out due to reasons," the teacher said with a weak smile.

Marinette smiles brightly at the teacher before going to her desk.

"What a shame, we could've gotten to go see Luther Inc. and Oscorp," she says to herself, but she said it out loud for people to hear.

All of them heard and felt their hearts break at what they just heard.

The class will soon realize that those who destroyed Marinette's sketchbook for the class fucked them all over.

Because not only did it have things for class representatives and such.

It had their schedules and other important dates that Marinette always believed and told them were very much important for them.

Something they honestly believed wasn't until the last minute and caused them to feel dread at the thought of them forgetting something or anything they had scheduled.

All because Alya and the other three decided to tear up Marinette's sketchbook.

The wrong one at that.

[ahgaru]

DAY6 Imagines: Once/Twice Series’ Special Chapter (1)

Pairing: Brian x Reader

Word count: 2,223

Read: Once is a coincidence. Twice is not. and Once is enough. Twice is too much. first before reading this :)

“How was it?” he asked you with his usual big smile.

You went to the backstage right after their performance. They’re really finally getting some recognition now. Slowly but surely; getting there… at the top. They’re schedule is getting busier, being filled with some guesting and interviews.

People around showered them with compliments while you just smiled softly at him. He somehow pouted and looked away. You caressed his cheek and made him face you. “It was stupendous” You smiled “No matter what you’ll do; I know you’d always do great.” Your hand, from his cheek, went to his hand, stroking the back of it softly for assurance. “Because you’ve always been and you’ll always be. I believe in you”

“Hey, Bob. I think I’m getting a toothache from too much sweetness here” You heard Jae commented at your back “Shall I go see a dentist?”

Brian threw his face towel to Jae “You need to see a psychiatrist”

You chortled as you remember when your friends found out about you. It was three days after the night at the seaside promenade. They weren’t surprised as you thought they’d be.

“Oh. So you guys are a thing now? Finally?” Jae queried when he saw Brian walked to meet you half way and held your hand to walk with you on your way to the usual tree.

Apparently, all of them knew how much Brian likes you. It was just you who were being stubborn to not believe it. But the thing is, it’s not really official. You both wanted to take it slow. Despite wanting to show the world that you got the man of your dreams, you somehow want to protect the friendship. You didn’t want to rush and ruin what you’ve built on the process. Besides, they’re really getting popular now. You don’t want to be showered by bashes and hate by his fangirls.

 Few weeks before another school year starts. You’re in a fast food, standing at the counter waiting for costumers. You got yourself a summer job. Just when your thoughts wandered to what Brian is doing, you heard your co-worker giggled with another worker. From the corner of your eye, you saw her fixing herself so you turned to look at her. She was looking straight as her hands were busy tucking her hair behind her ear; pressing her lips together and brushing them with each other.

You know those gestures real well. She’s gonna flirt with someone. You shifted your gaze back in front when she greeted a costumer, only to find a striking soul beaming at you. From having a deadpan face, your lips instantly curved to form a smile.

“Good afternoon, Sir.” You couldn’t conceal your happiness “May I take your order?”

“Yes, your heart, please” You felt your blood rush up to your cheeks as your heartbeat doubled. A scoffed from his back was heard “Oh, wait. I already have it”

You heard your workmate gasped beside you and it was followed by an ‘aw’ from the man in front of you. His head was hit by someone behind him.

“This is her workplace, stop flirting” Sungjin chided as he stepped forward to take Brian’s place. He instructed them to find a table as he order. The boys obliged. Brian winked and mouthed ‘See you’ before he finally walked to find a spot.

“Was that guy your boyfriend?” asked your workmate after Sungjin left the counter with their food, with the help of Jae.

You turned your head and saw her hopeful eyes. This is one of those moments when you wish he is. You couldn’t answer yes because your relationship is not yet there; you couldn’t say no because you don’t want to lift her hopes higher. You responded with a smile and thankfully, costumers came in.

When your shift ended, you went straight to their table, not wanting to be bombarded with questions you can’t and don’t want to answer.

“What are you guys talking about?” They turned their head to look at you and Brian instantly grinned at the sight of you. He moved to give you some space to sit beside him and when you did his arm draped around your waist right away. You felt your cheeks heat up but fortunately, nobody noticed you blushing.

“We’re gonna take a break from school” Your eyebrows furrowed with what Sungjin has said.

“It’s kinda hard to balance everything” Dowoon added.

“But Brian’s gonna continue though” Jae remarked “He’s the student model type of guy anyway. He can pull through it”

You shifted your gaze to Brian, turning your head to see him. He was already looking at you with a tight smile, arm still on your waist, he wrinkled his nose for a second.

 A week after, your summer job ended. It was your last day yesterday so today’s a lazy day. You’re just lying on your bed with nothing to do when your phone vibrated. A notification from Instagram that Brian has posted a photo. No one knows you turned on the notification from him, not even your friend. It was a collage of his four selfies. The weather is real nice. Do u want to go on a picnic with me? You silently read the caption. And just how fast you clicked the heart button, that’s how fast your phone vibrated for another notification.

So u’re coming?

You arched your brows with his message.

What?

U’re coming on a picnic with me or not?

You let out a soft chuckle and slightly shook your head.

Why are u asking me tho? Ask someone else. Ur question was for everybody anyway.

You raised a brow because of another notification with Brian mentioning you in a post. It was the same post, only that the caption was edited. It has now your Instagram username on it.

Im asking u

You replied with a smiley emoji and he sent few more messages you didn’t bother to answer and picked up Jae’s call instead. It was a video call. He was walking with Wonpil to a convenience store to buy some ramen and he asked you to come because Brian was sulking a bit. You planned on going anyway, you just want to surprise him a bit so you didn’t care opening your inbox on Instagram again.

 You’re sauntering to where they at. You could already see them and you instantly smiled just by the view of him smiling. He positioned himself beside Sungjin and tried to lie down but just when Brian’s head was about to touch Sungjin’s leg, he brushed his head off away. You chuckled and shook your head thinking how Sungjin hates skinship. They were all laughing as you pace faster to them.

Your heart melted seeing Brian’s face glow when he saw you. He held your hand and guided you to sit on the mat carefully. As soon as you’re seated, he rested his head on your lap. He’s still holding your hand, he intertwined your fingers together and rested them on his chest. You unconsciously moved your other hand to softly stroke his hair. You saw his lips moved to form a small smile. He likes it.

You looked Sungjin who let out a small laugh saying how Brian wanted to lie down on his lap because you weren’t there. Jae was narrowing his eyes. He hates PDA and there were a couple of times that he really wanted to hit Brian for being so affectionate. You chortled softly as you looked down to see his angelic face only to find out he’s already fast asleep. You chuckled again.

“That’s one of Brian’s, a.k.a. Young K, the master of all trades, talents” Jae commented “Falling asleep anywhere so fast”

That’s true though. For almost a year of being close to him, you’ve witnessed him falling asleep with just a blink of an eye.

Few hours passed, he asked you for a walk.

“Yeah, go away lovebirds” Jae shooed you both away

“Let’s have dinner together, okay?” Wonpil yelled

You were walking hand in hand when your thoughts start to wander. Is it better this way? It somehow doesn’t make a difference because we already seem like a couple. But I’m afraid if we’ll be official, I’ll start to ask for more; I’ll be selfish and greedy and I don’t want that. He’s already having a hard time with school and the band.

“You okay?” You suddenly got back to your senses “Do you want to go back? Are you feeling sick?”

You smiled to assure him “No, I was just thinking about school”

He groaned “I’m jealous” You arched your brows “I’m with you, we’re even holding hands, but you’re thinking about school. Can you not think of me alone?”

You chuckled and you don’t know how much it affects him. It’s like a sweet harmony he wants to play on repeat.

“I’m always thinking of you though”

He just smiled and you both continued walking. You had random chitchat when you stopped near the river. A few number of girls passed behind you but moments later, you heard a delicate voice saying ‘excuse me’.

You turned to face the owner of the voice only to see her cheeks as red as tomato, mouth agape, gazing dreamingly at Brian in front of her. She stuttered in asking if he’s Young K and when he answered, she asked if they could take a picture with him.

Your jaw dropped when she handed you her phone. You blinked twice to recover and bit your lower lip. You took one for each of them, and they were three. And another three shots for group photos. You were biting your lower lip harder than before that you almost said ‘ouch’ aloud when Brian’s arm was on the girl’s shoulder. Fortunately you didn’t. You don’t want to show him you’re being jealous. Besides, it’s normal. Aren’t they being recognized slowly? Yes, this is normal.

You took a deep breath to calm yourself as you showed a tight smile when you handed the lady’s phone back to her. You felt your heart skipped a bit when Brian instantly draped his arm around your waist. When the ladies said their thanks again, he even pulled you closer to him before waving at them. They turned and whispered to each other. I bet they’re asking each other if I’m his girlfriend.

You really want to take it slow. But being like this without a label is kinda frustrating. At times you are contented, more than contented even. But at times like this, you get frustrated.

“Sorry about that”

You showed him a small smile and nodded “It’s fine.” You smiled again “It’s normal anyway. And I must really get used to it. You’ll be known by the world soon, and a sea of people would want to take a picture of you. Shall I apply to be your official photographer?”

He grinned and shook his head and pulled you closer again, kissing you at the top of your head. He hummed a song and swayed you for a bit.

You let out a comforting sigh and looked up to him “How do you even exist? I thought there’s nobody perfect in this world?”

He chortled and reached for your hands “I’m not perfect; just perfect for you.” He raised your right hand; the back of it met his lips. He softly caressed it as he put it back down, still not letting go of it.

You narrowed your eyes at him before you laughed and hit his chest with your other hand playfully. You wrinkled your nose as he let out a soft chuckle seeing you do his signature move.

“Seriously though…” You trailed off and lingered your gaze for a while at his image “Soon there will be countless of girls who’ll swoon over you”

He shrugged “Well, Bae starts with B and so does Brian.” You cracked up at his remark “Doesn’t your name start with M?”

You knitted your brows together and gave him a querying look “What?”

“You’re mine”

It wasn’t a question but a statement of declaration. You just stood there; stare was locked with each other’s for what felt like forever until his gaze shifted a bit lower. You gulped knowing where he was looking. You felt her fingers move in your hand as he softly pressed it while leaning closer. It was the longest minute of your life, anticipating for something you know will happen. And it finally did. You slowly shut your eyes and felt butterflies flying wildly in your stomach as his soft lips brush with yours. It wasn’t that long. Neither too short. It was just right. Just right.

You felt shivers down your spine when you felt his soft breath as he slowly pulled away. His gaze instantly met yours. He caressed the back of your hand once again.

“You’re mine” he repeated.

You’re breathing became so uneven as you felt your heart pounding hardly to your chest as if it wanted to get out. You let out a breath as you slowly nodded. He pulled you into his arms for an embrace as he kissed the top of your head and whispered something that made your heart beat even crazier.

“I love you”

• Special Chapter (2)

[epeolatry001]

Graveside Matters Chapter Two

The college we both attended was amid a busy little city, surrounded by buildings that looked exactly like it in an attempt to blend in by remaining in plain sight. They only accepted very specific, very qualified students here – students who had some sort of special ability. Think of it kind of like Hogwarts or Xavier's School for Gifted Children, except that it's not at all similar, because it's just as expensive as a normal college and you're still expected to balance a regular classwork load on top of the powers training classes.

"Does this mean I'm a zombie?" Jake piped up as he strode shirtless out of the bathroom, steam from the hot shower he had just taken dissipating into the air behind him. A new pair of jeans hung low on his hips and he held a t-shirt in one hand while rubbing a towel over his head with the other.

He looked a lot better now that he was no longer covered in dirt and blood and the bruising around his slightly broken nose had gone down. But he still held a certain haunted look on his face that could only result from dying and being resurrected. Twice.

We had stopped by his room while his roommate was out to nab a pair of clean clothes and a couple of other items he might need, before scurrying to hide out in my room. We didn't have to fear anyone seeing him here, since I was one of the lucky few upper classmen to have been graced with a room of my own, complete with its own bathroom and little kitchenette. (One of the perks of the high expenses and exclusive acceptance of this school were the apartment-style dorms.) (… Okay, I get that it's a perk at other colleges too, but I'm going to be in debt for the rest of my life so just let me have this, alright?)

"Not exactly," I assured him from where I was sprawled out on my bed, propped up on my elbows. "More like a revenant, I think? You shouldn't keep decaying or develop a taste for human brains. But I've never really had anyone I raised stay around this long, so who knows." My eyebrows rose with a sudden thought. "Hey, maybe I can use you as a case study for my final project this semester."

He made a face. "Awesome. I'm like an undead guinea pig."

As he toweled off his shoulders, I noticed his skin was smooth and unblemished except for the two fading pink scars running under his pecs and the red bullet hole over his heart. The recent wound was still a little garish, but it wasn't looking as see-through as earlier. "Looks like your wound is slowly closing. That's interesting." Very interesting, considering how, in my experience, corpses usually stayed frozen in the state they were raised in.

Jake's face lit up with wonder-filled apprehension as he gently prodded at the pink skin, then winced slightly. "It doesn't really hurt anymore, but the memory of the pain is still pretty vivid."

"Yeah, I can imagine getting shot hurts like a bitch," I said with a nod in sympathy, because, like I said earlier, I was bad at comforting. I jutted a chin at his chest. "What are the other scars from?"

He paused in folding his towel to give me a strange look before understanding dawned with a glance down. "Oh, these are just from top surgery."

Ah, well, that explained why they were so symmetrical. "So, not from a freak swordfight accident or something, gotcha," I replied easily with a grin. My gaze strayed to the clock on the nightstand and I tried my best to withhold a groan once I realized how late it was getting. "You're so lucky tomorrow is Saturday, because I definitely wouldn't have time to deal with this on a week day." In retrospect, a lot of what came out my mouth probably sounded harsh. But I don't mean it to, not always. It just had a lot to do with the fact that I simply hated doing things.

"I'm sorry that my death is such an inconvenience to you," he deadpanned, but a smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he pulled the shirt over his head, covering any evidence of his death. "But hey, speaking of - does anyone else know I died?"

I shook my head. "Not that I know of. You technically haven't been gone for an alarmingly long time, so your roommate hasn't reported you missing yet. Though I suspect it's because he's covering for you. He seemed pretty jumpy when I stopped by earlier to see if you were there." I ran a hand over the soft blue blanket I was laying on. "I had planned to call the cops and leave an anonymous tip about the whereabouts of your body after I got my money back, but… Now you're technically not dead anymore, so I guess that'd be a moot point."

He crossed his arms and rose a thick eyebrow at me. "How considerate. But it begs the question, how did you even know where to find me?"

I batted my eyelashes and gave him a sweet, innocent smile. "The crows told me." Because that's what people expect.

"No, seriously."

"I tracked your phone to where it had been dropped in the woods - kind of lazy of your killers if you ask me – but that reminds me…" I adjusted my position to sit cross-legged as I pointed at my fringed purse on the desk next to him. "Your phone is in there if you want it back. Then when I got to the woods my necromancy powers kicked in to let me know there was a recently deceased body laying in a shallow grave up ahead, and here we are."

Jake shuffled through the many contents of my purse until he pulled out his phone. It was a little dirty, but still in good condition. "I'm the one who dropped it, just in case. It was like an electric bread crumb."

"Well, that's the first smart thing you've done so far," I replied with a smirk. "Wanna tell me what, exactly, you were involved in that got you killed?"

A heavy silence fell.

"Jake?"

His expression was guarded when he finally spoke up. "I agreed to meet up with these guys because they said they'd sell me some Stifler."

"Stifler…" I tried my best to reign in my reaction and keep my voice unjudgmental even as surprise and shock coursed through me.

Stifler was a hard drug I've only heard whispers about that lurked in the dark edges of the powered community. Those who were desperate for a quick fix to suppress their abilities instead of learning how to harness it, often fell victim to its addicting and flimsy promises. The build-up from having one's essence smothered could result in some serious consequences, some of which have led to multiple cases of powers combusting that had to be covered up before main stream media got a hold of them.

Because of this, it was also extremely illegal, and anyone caught with even a hint of the drug on campus would be expelled faster than you could say, "ButwaitIcanexplain!"

I cleared my throat, then said evenly, "Why were you trying to buy Stifler?"

He quirked an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "I had my reasons."

Alright, obviously he wasn't going to spill. I sighed, knowing my decision to help was coming back to bite me in the ass. "Have you bought it before?"

This, he allowed an answer. "No, that was going to be my first time."

I tilted my head in thought. "But they killed you. Hmm… Not very business-like of them."

"Tell me about it." Jake's shoulders slumped, then he lowered himself into my desk chair. "The meet-up point was in the woods. I had the money and everything, but the two guys there didn't care. They made me show them what my power was to prove I was who I said I was, and then they jumped me."

"What's your power?"

He fixed me with an exasperated look. "Seriously? We've been in the same class this whole year and you never noticed my abilities or claimed to know me well enough to care about my death, but you felt it was fine to loan me twenty dollars?"

I clucked my tongue. "Obviously I was wrong about loaning you that twenty. And I usually spend that class catching up on physics, so no, I don't recall what your special power is."

I also, up until I loaned him money, ignored him for the most part. He had a confident way of moving and a gentleness when he spoke that made everyone instantly like him, even when he grew quieter through the years. And it was because everyone fawned over him that I deliberately decided to stay away. I guess some could say that was spiteful but, it's the principle of the matter.

He shrugged. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway. They saw it and then they killed me."

Hm. That was a new development in the drug trade. I pulled a ponytail off my wrist to tie back my long hair as I thought. I didn't like where this was going, but I never was one to think things through. "Alright then, give me the number and I'll set up a meeting with them."

Jake stared at me like I had just casually told him I wear tin foil hats to avoid aliens. "Those meetings don't go well. They killed me."

"I know," I said with a deliberate roll of my eyes. "But I kinda have this thing where I control the dead, so that's not really a problem for me."

"Yeah well, you control it, but that doesn't mean you're unsusceptible to death."

I gave him a look that told him exactly where he could shove his unsusceptible opinion. "Do you want my help or not?"

There was a conflicted few seconds before finally he let out a heavy sigh, tossing his phone onto the bed next to me. "It's the last number I texted."

Shooting him a smug smile, I snatched his phone and plugged the number into my own. The blank text box stared up at me as I tried to think of some cool way to phrase my request; something coded, something that screamed, 'seasoned druggie.'

"Got your number from a friend. Looking to buy. Hit me up," I read aloud as I thumbed the keyboard. I quickly scanned it over to see if anything was missing, then added a sly face emoji. Totally legit. A smile spread across my face at how dumb it was, but I quickly hit send before I could overthink it or Jake could protest further.

He leaned his head back with a groan. "Oh god, this was a mistake. What if you just tell the president of the school and have her take care of it? Lampart's supposed to know the division in the police force that deals with special situations."

"Yeah, not happening." I shot him a look. "Because, A: I'm not even technically supposed to be raising actual people from the dead. I'm on an animal and plant based curriculum only and I'll get in big trouble if they find out about you. And two: they take drug allegations super serious here, and have a tendency to expel first and ask questions later. This school might not have been my first choice, but I'm so close to graduating and getting out of here, so there's no way I'm going to risk throwing away years of surviving mental break-downs and going into premature debt for nothing. Capeesh?"

Jake's eyes had grown wide at my growing enthusiasm, and watched me take in a deep breath when I finished. Then he squinted and muttered, "You messed up your bullet points."

"Excuse me?" The words came out tight.

"You said A, then two."

I gritted my teeth. "That's all you got out of this?"

"No… I get it, there's a lot at stake. But I don't like the idea of you putting yourself in danger." Jake sighed, a heavy, serious sigh that chased away the lightness of the situation I was doing so well with weaving. "I thought I wanted help, but I'm the one who got myself into this mess and I shouldn't be dragging anyone else into it." The chair creaked suddenly as he leaned forward to give me a hard look, and I was taken aback by the intensity in those steel grey eyes. "Are you sure you actually want to do this?"

My face pinched with slight confusion as I picked up on some sort of layered meaning in his question, but couldn't quite pin down what it was. I tapped my fingers on my leg, holding his gaze. "… Honestly? No. I wanted to binge something on Netflix tonight and put off studying for my exam." I shrugged. "But you didn't get me involved, I did, when I went out and rose you from the dead. So I'm sticking with it whether you like it or not. I guess."

Jake looked like he wanted to protest further, but seemed to understand arguing with me wouldn't get anywhere. Good. He was learning. Instead he crossed his arms and surveyed me. "Then what are you planning to tell them when they ask what your power is?"

I stretched my legs and leaned back on my hands. "I was thinking I'd just tell them my power…? They want me to prove it, right?"

"But you have a really powerful gift, I don't think you should give away what little upper hand we have in this situation by revealing what it actually is. And if you lied, they wouldn't even suspect anything because nothing about you really screams, 'I control the dead.'"

My eyes narrowed. "Oh, I'm sorry. Do I not look emo enough to be a necromancer?"

He shifted in his seat, looking me over with a slight smile, no doubt taking in the pastel pink streaks in my hair and baby blue sweater. Then he scanned from the soft shades of my room to the plants in polka-dotted pots on the window frame. "Well, you definitely don't fit the stereotype."

"Is that right?"

The flowers all at once slowly wilted and turned brown, curling into husks of themselves. Jake's eyes shot to them, then he rose an eyebrow at me. I waited for the usual flash of apprehension to cross his face like with everyone else, but it never came. Instead, he looked… Impressed.

I blinked, a little thrown. The flowers shot back to life, spreading their colorful petals wide as if they had never died.

"That's genius," he grinned, causing a dimple to appear in his left cheek. "You can tell them you have some sort of plant manipulating power."

Huh. That could actually work.