#*hardzello

And Halloween comes again, the holiday he ironically dreads being a ghost cause he's forced to scare people, specifically, the guy in the house he's staying at, and it's their third year living here together. He calls himself Ben.

Joe has been a lurking ghost for ten years after a bunch of kids played spirit of the glass and called him out of his solitude. And now he doesn't know how to go back. His past continues to haunt him when he thought, death will finally bring him peace. Guess, either you're alive or not, doesn't make any difference.

"Come out of your hiding place, Joey. Know you're in there," Ben calls out, he is watching some show.

Joe slowly peeks out from behind the couch Ben is sitting on, and passes through it since he can. He sits next to Ben and says inaudibly, "Boo!"

"Fuck!" Ben gasps but never does he look at his direction, instead tries to make a grab on him, forgetting he's just a spirit and can't be hold on to. So, he takes the pillow within his reach to cover his face.

He's watching a horror movie. And so far it is more successful on scaring the blond than Joe could. No, he fails to scare the shit out of Ben...

“If you’re gonna be staying with me, I can, at least, hold you for comfort.” Ben whined, taking the remote to pause the show. 

He turns to Joe. Joe looks at him but soon avoids his gaze. If only he can talk, then he will  tell Ben he never liked nor dreamt of doing any of these and to stay here any longer, and that he must stop watching scary movies if he's too scared to continue and can't watch it alone.

“How did you even die?” Ben asked after a moment.

Joe doesn't remember it anymore.

"You're not even scary," the blond added.

Now that offends Joe, if Ben only know he has the ability to posses and use his body which he will never do. He doesn't want to disrespect any living creature. Joe loves his own peace and values it dearly.

"I actually missed you," Ben said. "I mean, you only appear during these times and it can be lonely not having you around, y'know. So, can you just stay here? I mean where I can see you?"

Is this guy out of his mind?

He's the first person who asked him this kind of proposal. And Joe really doesn't like the idea. He doesn't want to do anything with the living world.

"Please? I'm desperate, I know. You don't even talk and I can't even touch you but I want you here."

You'll leave too like the others.

As if Ben heard him, he says, "You can go back to where you came from after I leave."

Joe can only nod, making Ben smile.

No one has ever asked him to stay. And he admits that being a lost ghost can be lonely. 

So he thinks that maybe this isn't bad at all. Good thing Ben is kinda crazy.

So he stays.

He watches Ben silently in his day to day lives, listens to all his ramblings, watches shows with him,  can be creepy but he also watches as he sleeps. Most of the things he does is to watch and listen silently, which helps him learn more about this human, and to actually know him. He cries at everything, doesn't like to cook, he sometimes writes stories and really loves watching films. He also loves taking pictures but only keeps it for himself. He aspires to act in theatre one day, and many more. He also has some insights Joe loves listening to. And in conclusion, Joe sees Ben as a humble, wise and simple being. And soon enough, he finds himself caring about this human more than he planned.

And then one day, Ben left just like that. No goodbyes… nothing.

Maybe he's just another lonely ghost to Ben. What's special about a dead person anyway?

Or maybe he got tired of having to spend his hours after boring hours with him for a long time. But for Joe, the time he spent with Ben is short, since they're living in a different time. A year for Ben is just like a day for Joe.

But he continues waiting for him to come back. He made a promise he will stay. So he stays. 

Different people, family, odd couples had occupied, making the lonely house, lonelier as Joe anticipated for Ben's arrival…. 

He's coming back.

At the end of the day, time doesn't exist for a ghost like him. It's just passing. He can stay here forever; forever waiting for Ben. Forever keeping his promise.

A lost ghost can be quite lonely after all.

Until…

Standing by the doorway, another lonely ghost...

Ben.

+++

A/N: this was supposed to be posted this Halloween but unfortunately, I only able to finish it now. would you believe if i say that this has been lying on my files for a year now? i only had the idea but didn’t know how to continue before. lol. you can guess this was inspired from a film. just because i find the concept beautiful

anyways, hope you guys liked this story and had fun reading it. ♥

"He's Jones. I heard he's an exchange student from England. And as you can see he's really good at soccer. His team back in high school always won the gold. And not only that, he's the star player, dude!"

Joe glanced at his friend. He could literally see stars in his eyes. He smirked and muttered, "Wow."

"Yes! It's because of him their team always wins. And since he got here a year ago, our varsity keeps winning." Rami grinned.

Jones did a good kick of the ball hitting the goal before the coach blew his whistle, concluding the practice. The players then began to scramble off the field, and wrapped up.

"You see that power kick?!!! It's just one of his amazing moves! I think someone posted one of their games on YouTube. I'll show it to you sometimes. He's really good!"

If Joe didn't know any better he would think Rami was crushing on the Jones guy.

"Sure," he said.

"Shit! He's coming this way!" Rami shook him.

Joe could practically hear his friend's heartbeat, and he couldn't help but shake his head. He watched Jones walk towards them. Rami stood frozen in his place.

"Babe!" Jones said, grabbing Joe's face and reached for his lips. Joe welcomed them and they kissed, sweetly.

***