I was holding the pencil on my grip securely, tapping the end on my chin in an uncanny rhythmic pattern as I reread the question. I erased my incorrect answer with the rubber on the tip, grunting at my third attempt to answer the problem correctly.

It's been more than a week since I last saw Steven. It's super weird since we live so close to him. But, he hasn't come to visit me, so I assume he's busy and I haven't visited him, not even a text. I never realised how dull it was without Steven around to keep me occupied. I guess I was starting to get used to doing exceptional things with him that now that I'm back to my original life, everything seemed lamer than before. I was, however, frustrated that my bracelet was taken. I chewed the inside of my mouth, thinking about it. Even though it was made of plastic, it still was an important accessory to me.

"Honestly (Y/N). You just started school and you already--", my mum fussed mid-sentence, scoffing at the Warning Letter she had scrunched in her hand. I was trying to hide it from her, for the first few days she didn't find it. Until she was inconveniently cleaning out my backpack and noticed the crinkled, folded paper at the bottom of my bag and, one thing led to another.

"If I get another letter from the school, you're--".

My mother's head perked up at the sudden pounding on the front door, as she wasn't expecting visitors. She arched a brow at me, as I shrugged my shoulders, not knowing who could be knocking at this time. She got up from her seat, making her way to the door.

"(Y/N)! Steven is here!", my mother called out to me. Speak of Devil. I made my way to the front door, where Steven stood, along with Sadie. He grinned at me widely. Oh my gosh, that pink hoodie.

"Hey, (Y/N)!", Steven waved at me, with his other hand in his pocket. I flashed a warm smile at him plus a bonus wave at Sadie, who returned it. Glancing up, I abruptly saw Lars, slouching indolently behind Sadie. I didn't even notice him. But, I did notice he awesome glow-in-the-dark earrings he had on.

"Hey, guys! What's up?", I asked the trio.

"We're going to a spooky-movie party", Steven grinned, wiggling his fingers in front of my face like a ghost from some cheesy cartoon tv show. "You want to come?".

I peered up at my mum, waiting for her approval. She tapped her finger on her chin, deciding whether or not I should go. "Don't you have homework to do?", she asked me.

I curved my lip up, "It's not due for a couple of days, I'll get it done".

"Where is this party?", she questioned, with her voice crawling with curiosity. Steven inaccurately pointed over his shoulder. "At the lighthouse", he explained, smiling up at my mum. "My friend Ronaldo is throwing it".

My mother was still not eager or nearly convinced. I never actually told her about the last party I went to with Steven and Lars. I figured its best if I didn't tell her, considering I never asked for her permission.

"How many people will be there?", she continued to ask.

"Just the four of us. Five, if you let (Y/N) go", Steven informed my mother. The movie party sounded more like a social hangout than an actual party. Either way, I wanted to grab a bowl of popcorn and watch Ghost Hunters 2. Mum hummed in thought, with her frown aimed at me. "She did get in a little dispute at school, and bad things shouldn't be rewarded...". I roll my eyes, jostling my mother with my arm, and narrowing my brows but not in a bitter way, but a pleading one.

She thought a little harder, gawking down at Steven who had his hands clasped together with his brown eyes glistening with hope.

"I want her back by 10 pm. Not a minute later, or you're all in trouble", she sternly and assertively reminded the three teenagers. Sadie and Steven nod in agreement, while Lars scoffed, glimpsing away. Going back to my room, I grabbed a modest, blue hoodie on the closest hanger and slipped it on. I walked back to the door, saying goodbye to my mum, as she rigorously reminded me of my curfew for a second time. I casually sent her an eye-roll after turning my back to her, as we all walked up the hill.

While making our way to the Lighthouse, I already noticed all the eerie decorations at the front. "Who is Ronaldo anyway?", I asked, breaking the silent tension. Lars ridiculed at his name, kicking a pebble near his feet. "He's a social napalm that sells fried potatoes for a living. I had better things to do than wax weird with Beach City's biggest bozo", he sneered, mockingly. I raised a brow at Lars, sticking my hands into my pockets. "Oh, don't worry Lars", I chuckled, tauntingly at him as he glared down at my smug face. "Nobody is going take your title as biggest bozo".

Steven lightly giggled under his breath, as Sadie copied him, but immediately covered it up with a gentle, fraudulent cough. Lars' eyes widened as a faint pink blush was spread across his face and his mouth curved into a mortified frown. However, he didn't say anything to regain his pride, so points go to me.

We finally reached the top of the hill, observing the scarecrows outside as the crisp leaves blow off the stems and travel through the breeze. Steven walked up to the door, gently knocking on the wooden frame. The door suddenly creaked open slightly as someone, wearing a ghoulish mask and a Halloween costume peeked through the gap.

"Steeeeeveeeeen...!", the boy, assuming is Ronaldo spoke dramatically, before fully opening the door. He grinned widely, bowing to look down at Steven who jittered excitedly. "Welcome to my Beach City horror club". He began to cackle maniacally but was instantaneously interrupted by Lars laughing aloud. But not like Ronaldo's scary chuckling, but more like a mockery laugh.

"More like comedy club", he taunted, as he proceeded to laugh his own head off. "Lars?!", Ronaldo exclaimed, as he attempted to take off his mask to make sure it wasn't playing tricks with his eyes. As he was in the process of doing so, he unexpectedly dropped his mask of the ground, causing it to break. "Oh! What are you doing here? Um...", his voice trailed off as he stepped aside to clear the doorway for everybody. Including Lars.

"C-c-come in", he stuttered, restlessly. Lars elbowed Sadie, jokingly, still chuckling under his breath. "I'm scared already", he smirked at Sadie as she smiled back at Ronaldo as an indirect apology for Lars' behaviour.

"Ronaldo, right?", she grinned, walking over to him to shake his hand. "Yeah. I'm Sadie. Nice to finally officially meet you". Sadie and Lars step past Ronaldo into the Lighthouse. Suddenly, Lars turned around shouting a taunting, "Boo!", startling Ronaldo. He laughed again as walked into the Lighthouse with narcissism. Steven and I were about to step inside when Ronaldo places a hand on his shoulder stopping him.

"Oh, Ronaldo! This is my best friend, (Y/N)", he introduced me to Ronaldo, pointing at me. I sent him a tiny and humble wave which he returned. But, he wasn't very interested in getting to know me. He was more interested in understanding why Lars was at his party. I'm assuming by the tension, the two don't get along. "Steven, you're friends with Lars?", Ronaldo questioned in dismay, scratching his hair.

Steven smiled and shrugged. "Yeah. Isn't everybody?", he asked, innocently. I curved my lip as I disagreed with Steven. "He has a point", I announced, pointing at Ronaldo. "You're such a kind, little cinnamon roll while Lars is nothing more than a jerk".

Steven frowned at me. Not very pleased with my adjectives to describe his friends. He crossed his arms to somewhat scowl at me. Although his scowl looked more like a pout. "(Y/N), we've talked about this", he warned me, in a more desirous manner than a stern one.

"You interrupted me!", I claimed, trying to dodge the bullet. "I was going to say Lars is a...a...jer--". I shrugged, huffing, amused at the position I pulled myself into. "I can't save myself from that one, he's a jerk", I chuckled softly.

Ronaldo breathes in deeply, then proceeds to stomp inside. "Oh, boy!", was all he muttered as he gestured Steven and me to come in.

Inside the lantern room of the Lighthouse, Steven, Sadie, Lars and I sat in front of a big TV. Steven was constantly nagging that I was hogging the couch. Which I was. But just because Steven was nagging me to move over, doesn't mean I will.

Ronaldo walked out from the darkness, with a movie cover box gripped in his hand. "Our first film tonight is a rare classic that hardly needs introduction", he grinned, holding the movie box up for us to see the film. "Evil Bear 2: Bearly Alive!". Lars sat up from leaning on the sofa armrest. "What?! I've seen that. It's boring", he grunted, leaning back on the armrest in monotony. I wanted to tell Lars to stop with the commentary, but I didn't want to get another lecture from Steven, so I kept my smart mouth shut.

"And that stupid fake C.G. bear! Hardly looks like it's really killing anybody". Ronaldo scoffed, disgusted at Lars' continuous comments. "C.G.?! Blasphemer!", he called out, inching towards Lars. I had no clue what a "Blasphemer" is, but assuming Ronaldo just insulted Lars, I slightly grinned. "You saw the remake! I have the original. A true fan would accept nothing less".

"Whoa, man. Take it down a notch", Lars said, making Ronaldo cover his face in discomfort. Sadie stopped drinking from her cup as her mouth gaped open at the sight of the cover. "Whoa, wait. How did you get a copy of that?", she exclaimed, scooting forward slightly so she can get a closer glimpse of the film. "Can I see the box?".

Ronaldo walked over to Sadie, circumspect of it getting damaged. He proudly presented the cover box to her, without letting it get too close. "Woah! In this cut, you actually see Evil Bear eat the hermit's leg".

I hummed in interest, crossed one leg over the other. I was interested to see how this would escalate. I then remembered Steven sitting right next to me as I began to frown. There was no way Steven could watch a movie like that. He'd have nightmares and then, I would have to deal with phone calls in the middle of the night. "I think this might be a bit much for him", I explained, peering over at Steven. Steven shook his head, grinning widely.

"I can handle it!".

As I watched the bear slash and dice different victims up, I began to grow concerned for Steven. I peeked behind the couch, revealing Steven sitting facing it, completely unfazed by the sound of the bear growling and a woman screaming. "Steven, are you sure you comfortable there?", I asked as Steven glanced up at me. Before he could answer, the sound of a man in agony could be heard from the movie.

"You're... eating my... leg!".

Steven cowered in terror and fear, covering his ears with both his arms as his body tensed. I bestowed a pitiful glance at the frightened boy. As his best friend, it was my duty to ensure his safety from the fake, animated bear from an old movie. As stupid as it sounds.

I stood up from the sofa and crawled behind it, sitting next to Steven. In hysteria, he peered over at me, not removing his arms from his ears. Although his body did slightly relax at the sight of me next to him.

"Don't you want to sit on the couch and watch the movie", Steven asked tilting his head to the side slightly. I shook my head, cracking a smiled. "Nah! Here has a much better view", using my hands, I created an airbox, with Steven startled face inside. He blushed hastily, not knowing whether I was pulling his leg or if I was being serious. He giggled, cutely, as he copied me, making an airbox with my face inside. He shook his head, tsking.

"No way!", he countered, as his blush got a little more intense than before. "The view I'm looking at is way better". I chuckled lightly, as my face suddenly felt a little warm. Glancing up at Steven, I realised he was already staring at me. He developed a habit of doing that.

From behind the couch, we heard Lars groaning dramatically and slightly gagging. "Can you two stop flirting?", he said with a sickened tone, not glancing away from the screen, as the fear he would miss something. I rolled my eyes, frankly quite irritated, but at the same time, a little flustered. Steven and I weren't flirting. It was merely a joke. But, did it sound like we were flirting from someone else's perspective? "You know, I like you better when your mouth is shut. But then you open it and that horrible noise comes out and suddenly - I don't like you". Flustered, he sunk back into his chair, not saying a word. Steven playfully pouted at me. "That was cold", he muttered, loud enough for me to hear. I chuckled, although it did sound like a sinister chuckle. "This right here", I patted my chest which was hiding where my heart is supposed to be. "Is ICE cold".

Steven spent some time thinking. He was probably trying to find some goofy way to turn what I said into something more cheerful. "Cold...Like, like ice-cream!", he chirped, with a wide grin, making me huff in amusement, while bringing my knees to my chest. "Not exactly", I stated, despite Steven nodding in protest.

"Well, if I'm ice cream, that makes you a... biscuit! Because you're overly-sweet!". I squished Steven's cheeks in my palms firmly, making him let out an adorable giggle. He gripped onto my hands, trying to pry them off his face, but I didn't let go. "Yeah! And together we make Ice Cream Sandwiches", Steven twittered while managing to pry my hands away. I raised a brow trying to understand where the Ice Cream Sandwiches came from. Oh! Because of the ice cream and the cookie. Steven began to slightly bobbing up and down in excitement as I raised both brows this time, slightly curving up the corner of my lip at what got him so excited.

"We can be Cookie Pals!", he jittered, making me give him a judgemental face as the cheesy name he gave us, hoping everyone else was too involved in the movie to pay attention to what Steven said. "Cookie...Pals?", I repeated mockingly, before shaking my head in defeat. "Whatever floats your boat, Steven".

Our joke kind of reminded me of that stupid, repetitive, yet annoyingly catchy advertisement that used to pop up on TV that sold ice cream sandwiches. Cookie Cat, or something. Suddenly, the power in the Lighthouse goes out, leaving us in darkness. I stood up to see what caused the fuse to go off.

"Hey! It was just getting good!", Lars grieved, pouting slightly. Sadie was also on her feet as she observed the lightbulbs on the roof. "What's going on?", she stuttered in fear, backing into the couch. Lars rolled his eyes, with his butt firmly in the sofa. "Probably just a fuse", he grumbled in distress. Ronald grabbed onto the flashlight on the coffee table, shining a flashlight on his face like he was about to tell a ghost story. "Or maybe it's a gho-o-st?", he said, trying to use the flashlight to freak us out. It worked on Sadie and Steven, but Lars and I were both unimpressed. "Good one. Ronald", Sadie chuckled restlessly and shows him a faint smile. Ronaldo handed her another flashlight for her to see with.

" No, really. What if it's a gho-o-o-o-st?". Ronaldo walks over to a cabinet of old, untouched files and begins rummaging through it. "What are you doing?", I asked, in more of a mocking tone than a confused one. "As a skeptic of mortality, I've long suspected that this place might be haunted", he explained, looking through different paper binders. I rolled my eyes and let out an obvious scoff. Steven extended out his elbow to nudge my side and rigorously scowl at me. This boy is too nice. It's going to get him killed one day.

Ronald suddenly pulled out some sort of pendant from the cabinet, making me tilt my head. "Aha! Spirit, I beseech you", he says, making Lars uncomfortable with all this phantom talk. "Dude, cut it out", Lars scoffed at Ronaldo in almost apprehension. "You're being super-weird". Sadie, Steven and I gathered around Ronaldo's pendant. Sadie shined her flashlight on it, so we could all see it clearly.

"We wish to make contact", Ronaldo speaks into the air, as if we were all part of come Occult Club. If there is a spirit in here, I want to be able to witness it. Lars sluggishly stood behind Sadie, knowing that this was just Ronaldo being his nut brain self. "Please, spirit, send us a sign". I tilted a brow at Ronaldo's necklace, waiting for it to show some form of paranormal activity. Suddenly, the pendant began to swing around on its own. My eyes widened and I began to take a few steps forward to try and see if Ronaldo was trying to prank us. The pendant suddenly shoots out of Ronaldo's grasp, barely missing my shoulder and smacking Lars in the face. " Ow!", he complained, holding the area the necklace hit him. "Spirit, that was a good sign", Ronaldo called out to the phantoms. As Lars was grumbling in pain, I couldn't help but chuckle at him.

"Can you send a couple more like that just to be sure?", I asked the ghosts roaming the Lighthouse. "And, can you aim for his stomach this time?". Steven glared at me, jostling me gently, which didn't stop the chuckles from coming out of my mouth.

Then, faint whispering was heard from all of us, although none of us knew where it was coming from. The drawers of the cabinet suddenly burst open as files and paper stacks came flying out at a high rate of speed. The files began swirling in circles above all of us, as the others began to shriek in shock. I pressed my lips into a thin line, which sooner curled into a delirious smile as I turned to face Steven in amusement.

"This is way better than Ghost Hunters 2", I grinned, earning bewildered expressions from Lars and Sadie. Ronaldo, in an attempt to calm the spirits down, stepped forward slightly.

"That's— That's okay, spirit. You can rein it in a little!", he yelled out, trying to be louder than the files flying around the room. But, that didn't seem to be enough. Sadie's cup of coffee floated off the table and flies towards us before smashing down the floor.

"How is this happening?!", Lars stammered, trying to avoid being cut by the papers and files flying around. "This... is amazing!", Steven grinned, curling his hands into a fist and throwing them in the air. " A real-life haunted house!". I was about to join in on his celebration before I noticed something hurling towards Steven. My instincts kicked in as I gripped onto Steven and hauled him towards me. A barrel smashed on the ground next to us, barely missing Steven.

In a state of shock, Steven gripped onto me tighter, slightly digging his face into my jacket as he embraced me tighter for comfort. "Are you ok?", I asked him, as he moved from my chest to nestle just below my shoulder. I felt him nod against my attire, as his grip loosened, but he didn't release me. Another cup of coffee floats up and hovers in the air, flying towards Lars. Sadie's eyes widened and