A week had gone by since she and Maestro got together. So far, she hasn't regretted it.

She felt bad for Rodrick. He hung onto her answer from before as he asked her out. He was hurt and clearly confused by her turning him down, but she couldn't tell him that she was dating a ghost.

“Y/N? Are you listening to me?” She slowly shook her head.

“I wasn't. Sorry, can you repeat that?” Their mom let out an annoyed groan.

“I said that we won't be coming for Thanksgiving or Christmas. You'll have to come to our house instead.”

“What? Why? We already planned to do it at my house. It's much more spacious, so we can have more family over. And it's nice. Don't you want to see it?”

Dad picked up Vir's luggage. “Not really, Y/N. We just think it's easier for everyone if we don't travel down here again.” She picked up unease in his tone.

Mom shook her head. “That's not why. Let's be honest. We know the story behind the house you live in. Why you chose to stay in it, we don't understand. It's unsafe. We don't feel comfortable in that mansion. Personally, we'd prefer it if you just moved out and came to stay with us.”

“Why, so you can talk down to me like you did before?”

“What?” Mom said in disbelief. “We would never! Where did you bump your head, Y/N? All we tried to do was uplift you and push you to do better.”

She became angry as her words came out with a sharp edge. “That's what you think you did? No, you didn't! All you guys did was make me feel inconvenient. Ever since Vir was born, you guys would tell me how great and beautiful she was. How she was gonna be the first and ONLY to make you proud. You think I don't remember?”

Mom shushed her aggressively. “We are in a public airport. You're making a scene! We encouraged both of you no matter what!”

Y/N’s hands balled into fists. She pointed in her mother's face. “No, you didn't! If that was the case, why did you always compliment things she did and not me? Why did you guys say she was the only one who was gonna make you proud?” Her voice lowered, drowned in despair. “Why did you kick me out just because I didn't want to go to college?”

“First off,” she slapped her finger away. “Get your finger out of my face. That's incredibly rude. Second, why would we house a grown adult who didn't even want to succeed in life in the first place? All you wanted to do was be at home and stay in a dead-end job when you could've gone to school to become something great.”

“You couldn't have at least let me gather money to buy my own place first before you kicked me to the damn curb?! I was a functioning person. Why couldn't you just be proud of me for that? For at least getting a job and helping you pay bills, huh?! College isn't for everyone, mom! Just because I chose not to go doesn't mean I'm gonna be a failure!”

Mom shrugged. “Maybe not. But my Virena is gonna go to college one day and she won't end up like you.”

The woman became enraged, whipping around to yell in her mother's face. “YOU KNOW WHAT?! THAT'S FINE. ENJOY CONTROLLING YOUR LITTLE GOLDEN CHILD UNTIL SHE RUNS AWAY FROM YOU, TOO!”

People stared at her. She was embarrassed but too pissed off to acknowledge it fully. Her mom spoke calmly.

“You're very disrespectful, Y/N. As punishment for what you just did, you're not allowed to come for the holidays. Don't bother trying to come get Virena anymore.”

Defeated, she shrugged. Her parents directed themselves and Vir the other way. They walked. Vir looked back at her older sister. She waved, whispering a “bye.”

The woman waved back. Her throat hurt from yelling. Her head ached  from the stress. She just wanted to return home and sleep.

= = = =

As soon as she got home, the woman dragged herself upstairs and to her room. Her hands lifted the duvet as she laid down. She made no move to cover herself up. She ran out of energy.

“My dear Y/N, what is wrong?” Maestro stood over here, glancing down with a worried expression. He pulled the duvet over her.

“It's nothing,” she replied.

“You sound like you have been crying.”

“Maestro, I don't want to talk about it.”

He moved over to the side of the bed her face was facing. “Ok. I won't probe any further. Do you want me to stay with you?” She nodded, and he pulled himself into the bed, laying next to her. They stared at each other as he pushed a hair out of her face and kissed her forehead.

She had comforted him before, and he wanted to return the favor. “You look more at peace when you're sleeping.” He commented.

Her expression twisted up, though it relaxed as a small giggle left her mouth. “You watch me sleep? That's creepy.”

Maestro frowned. “That is not my intention. Think of it as me watching over you. I make sure you're having good dreams.”

She pressed her head between his neck. Crying tired her out. “Dude, still,” she yawned. “It's creepy.”

He stared at her as her eyes closed. Sometimes, the spirit wished that he could still sleep and dream. But all he could do was lie awake and let his thoughts run on a loop until she woke up again.

Maestro gave her a kiss as she slept. His arm wrapped around her torso as he stared at her resting form.

He could feel it. He was getting fainter and not an idea of why crossed his mind. He needed to find out. That way, all his worries would be washed away, and he could forever remain with his dear Y/N.