Time’s Ticking

by zomb_ethan

Summary:

Ajax Keane has been plagued with nightmares as long as they can remember, and they all seem to either be from their past...but when they start showing Ajax the future in both their sleep and newly surfaced waking visions, they start to become a little more understandable after the death of Max Jägerman.

 

Each chapter will have its own trigger/content warnings in the notes.

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: implications of death, nightmares, accidental deadnaming, anxiety mention

Chapter 1: A New Nightmare

Wind howls. It's the only sounds in the cold, desolate room...in the darkness. Finally, something finally breaks the silence. 

"Richie...Richie!"

 

What's that voice? They can't tell. They look down at themselves, take in the room. It's the locker room, the one the football team uses. The only thing they can smell is the dank odor of the mildewed room and sweat. Before they can take in what's happening, their vision blurs...

Suddenly, they're running. They can barely catch their breath as a voice rips through their throat:

 

"Help! Somebody, help me! Please!" 

 

They recognize the voice, but they can't put their finger on it, only feeling the panic running through their brain; their veins; their bones. Their muscles already ache. Their lungs burn.

What is happening?

 

"Richie, I'm coming for ya!"

 

Maniacal laughter feels their ears as they suddenly stumble, their body slamming into lockers, slamming into racks that hold weights. Pain stirs, but they can't concentrate on anything as their voice continues to scream out.

 

"No! Please!"

 

They scream as the figure is standing above them, bringing a large fist down upon them as-

 

-

 

Ajax's voice tears through the room as they sit up in bed. They shield their face, as if waiting for the impact of that things fist...but nothing happens. 

Ajax's breath is quick, but as they realize their surroundings are now a bit more familiar - the horror movie posters, their weighted blanket laying across their legs, their cat, Binx, at the foot of the bed (startled as all hell from Ajax's abrupt waking) - their breathing slows. 

It was just another nightmare.

Binx eventually curls back up once more, going to go back to sleep when Ajax's bedroom door swings open, causing both the cat and it's owner to jump. 

"Are you ok? I heard screaming..." Ajax sighs. It's just their dad, "...did you have another nightmare?"

Ajax nods, just smiling a little despite the fact that they look very disheveled, "...'nearly gave me a hard attack, dad."

"Sorry, kiddo." Ajax's father sighs in slight relief, running his fingers through his own dark hair that had fallen into his face, "Do you wanna talk about it..?"

Ajax thinks for a moment. They usually do talk out their nightmares, mainly because it helps them get back to sleep, knowing that it was just something in the past that they saw...but this one...it was different. 

Ajax shakes their head, "I'm ok..."

"You sure..?" Their dad asks, but Ajax shakes their head again.

"I...don't know..." Ajax sighs, "...it's just...weird."

Ajax's father walks over to their bed, sitting down beside them. Binx crawls from the foot of the bed, curling up in between the two of them. It's an official family meeting, "...how so?"

"Most of the nightmares I have are stuff from the past." Ajax explains, "Mainly stuff I don't remember..."

Their dad nods, Ajax continuing, "...but this time, I don't think it was something from the past."

"What do you mean?" He asks, Ajax shrugging.

"This thing...I've never seen it before...it wasn't familiar at all." Ajax says softly, "I wasn't even myself either...I think I was one of my friends, Richie..."

"Lipschitz?" Ajax's dad asks, the teen nodding.

"He was being chased by someone- something...I don't know what it was...but it almost sounded like Max Jägerman..." Ajax continues, "He was chasing Richie...saying he was going to get him...and I- or...Richie was screaming for help...the nightmare ended when Max finally attacked...but I don't know what was really happening..."

Ajax's father thinks for a moment, "Maybe you're just anxious about going back to school, I mean...we both haven't been there for a few days because of you wanting to go to Halloween Horror Nights...because I don't want to go back to Hatchetfield High- There's only a few reasons I do-"

"Miss Holiday..." Ajax whispers, earning a gentle elbow to the side from their dad.

"Watch it." He jokes, "But I don't to go back very much...and I know you definitely don't...and nightmares can come from many things, especially anxiety...so it might just be that..."

"...then why was I Richie?" Ajax asks, their dad shrugging.

"Who knows...your subconscious can do some crazy things..." He says as he stands, "Now, you need to try to get some sleep...you have to get up early tomorrow..."

Ajax nods, pulling their blankets up closer to their chin, "G'night, dad..."

"Goodnight, kiddo..." Ajax's dad makes his way towards the door, hesitating before he closes it, "Just know you can come to my room if you need anything..."

Ajax's nods, letting out a small "uh-huh" as they practically pull the covers fully over their head, listening as the door clicks shut. 

 

-

 

No matter how hard they tried for the rest of the night, Ajax didn't get anymore sleep from there. It took all the willpower they could muster up to even get out of bed that morning, let alone get an outfit that didn't make them look like the homeless man that lived downtown, to eat, to do anything. 

They managed to get a few minutes of shut eye in the car ride on the way to school, but it was nothing that could make up for the six hours of sleep that they lost. 

Now, they're in Chemistry, trying to stay awake as they work on a pop quiz. Luckily, Ajax is nearly a straight-A student, knowing what they're doing despite their exhaustion, lazily circling the answers. Ajax sighs as they look up to rub their eyes, looking around the room. 

It's a small class, three of Ajax's friends being in it - Peter Spankoffski, Ruth Fleming...and Richie Lipschitz. When their eyes lands on Richie, the memories of their nightmare that they managed to block out flash before their eyes...Richie's screaming flooding their mind. Ajax shakes their head, turning back to their work. They feel someone tap their shoulder from the row across from them, turning to see Peter, who has quite the worried look.

To keep quiet, his mouths a small: "Are you ok?" 

Ajax nods, offering a small smile as they whisper back, "Just tired..." 

Ajax turns back to their work, but they hear a voice coming from the row beside them: "Hey...Hey, geek?" 

Ajax furrows their brows a little, turning their head slightly so they see who's talking to who they can only assume is Peter. It's Stephanie Lauter...the mayor's daughter. She looks nearly as tired as Ajax does...but they know full well it's not from nightmares. 

"Me..?" Peter whispers back, barely turning his head to look behind him as he continues working. 

"You're name's Peter, right?" Stephanie asks, Peter nodding slightly, responding with a small 'yeah', "Hi, Pete...we've been in class together for a long time, haven't we?"

Ajax snickers slightly, "Well, since the first grade..."

Stephanie turns to Ajax, tilting her head in slight confusion, "And you're Clay, huh?"

Ajax nearly winces at the use of their deadname, "Ajax, actually..."

"My bad, sorry about that..." Stephanie apologizes, "...it's just...I'm just realizing that I've never introduce myself to either of you. I'm Stephanie."

"Lauter, the mayor's daughter." Peter says, Ajax nodding, "Yeah, I believe we know." 

"Yeah, but my friends call me Steph..." Stephanie says softly, Ajax finishing up their pop quiz as they listen to her, Peter doing the same, "...we're friends. Aren't we, Pete, Ajax?"

"I don't know-" Peter starts, Ajax interjecting in.

"Are we?" Ajax asks, Stephanie thinking for a moment. 

"Well, I wouldn't advertise it to the whole school or anything...but, uh..." Stephanie places a hand on Peter's shoulder, which he looks at for a moment before finally looking at Stephanie's face fully, "...but there's an unspoken bond between us - us three...we're classmates, comrades, we're Nighthawks! And we don't leave anyone behind."

"Well, I got left behind this morning..." Peter admits, "...bus driver's a fucking asshole." 

Ajax can't help but laugh, placing their hand to their mouth from a moment when Grace Chasity of all people looks over at them, Stephanie continuing, "Yeah, we succeed together. We fail together. And I won't mince words, I'm gonna fail this test, guys...unless you help me cheat."

Ajax shrugs, going to push their finished paper towards the edge of their desk for Stephanie to grab before they hear a small crack in Peter's voice: "Cheat?!"

"C'mon, just finish your exam, pass it to me, and I can put a mix of your answers on it so it'll look like my own work!" Stephanie explains. I mean, it sounds like a risky yet understandable plan. Of course, it doesn't sound good to Peter, who looks around the room, rubbing his hands on his khakis in nervousness, "Or we could trade, Pete...I give you mine and you can take the test all over again..! Doesn't that sound fun?" 

"Well...yeah, but won't we get in trouble?" Peter asks, Stephanie just smiling.

"Please, Pete...don't you wanna help me out?" Stephanie asks, Peter finally sighing, looking over at Ajax to see if they agree, and they already have their paper in their hands, ready to hand it over. 

"Oh, alright..-" Peter hands his test behind him to Stephanie, Ajax reach across the aisle with their test...which catches Grace's attention.

"Cheaters!" Grace yells, causing the three to nearly jump out of their skin. 

"Oh god!" Stephanie groans, "Butt out, Chasity!" 

Ajax let's their head fall in their hands as Peter fidgets with his suspenders, his anxiety skyrocketing. 

"Grace..." Ajax says, trying to keep a steady and convincing tone.

"Just be cool..!" Peter mutter out, sounding nowhere near as convincing as Ajax.

"Never..." Grace says, Peter groaning as he watches Grace's hand shoot up, "Miss Mullberry! They're cheating!" 

Ajax pulls the collar of their turtleneck over their face as they let out a long groan, "I'm so fucking dead."

Chapter 2: Survival of the Fittest

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: anxiety mention, bullying, sexual jokes/jokes about people’s genitalia, slight violence, accidental(-ish) deadnaming (but with/without an apology this time), flashbacks to The Nightmareᵀᴹ, implications of having dreams about seeing friends in inappropriate/sexual situations, “overthinking” (but it’s really not)

"Peter, Stephanie, Ajax." Miss Mullberry's voice rings, "Principal's office, now!" 

Peter, Stephanie, and Ajax step into the hallway. Stephanie groans as Peter looks around the halls as his breath gets increasingly more shakey, Ajax starting to pace around a bit.

"Grace Chasity! That little snitch!" Stephanie yells, "Man, I hate that nerdy prude!"

“Oh, god, I am dead..!” Peter nearly whines his voice cracks so much, Ajax nodding.

“We’re so dead!” Ajax says in agreement, Stephanie turning to the both of them.

“What’s the matter?” Stephanie asks, “This your first academic misconduct? Don’t sweat it. It’s two hours detention tops.” 

“I’m not worried about the principal…I’m worried about what the popular kids are gonna do when they find out I was talking to you. I don’t need this kind of attention!” Peter admits, Ajax nodding in agreement. 

“That, and my dad works here…so he’s gonna be the first to find out!” Ajax groans, pulling their turtle neck over their face again. 

“Your dad works here..?” Stephanie asks.

“Yeah, he’s the school’s social worker…” Ajax mumbles, peaking over their sweater’s collar. 

“Oh, shit- Mr. Keane’s your dad?” Stephanie asks.

Ajax nods, “Adopted father, but yes.”

“Adopted..?” Stephanie questions, “…you look a lot like him, though…”

Ajax just shrugs, Stephanie sighing, “Besides! Mr. Keane’s the nicest guy ever, what’ll he do to you?” 

“He’ll make me babysit for the Monroe’s again!” Ajax nearly screams, “I’ve only babysat for them once, but I’ve sworn to never do it again! They had to take their youngest kids - Jordan and River - to the doctor, so I was stuck there with Seaton and Trent…they cost me half of my pay…they lied about the rules that they were able to follow…I can’t imagine how it would be with the other two kids there, too! I can’t do that again, Steph-!”

“Ok, ok!” Stephanie cuts in, “I’m sure you’ll be fine…now…Peter…ok..so you don’t want to be bullied? You both don’t?”

“No!” Peter and Ajax say in unison, Stephanie looking them both up and down. 

“I wanna be invisible.” Peter adds, Ajax nodding in agreement. 

“…then, Peter, why do you come to public school dressed in suspenders and a fucking bow tie?” Stephanie asks bluntly, “And, Ajax…you’re dressed like an art teacher…and you have the name of a cleaning powder.” 

“…bow ties are high-class.” Peter explains, and when Stephanie doesn’t believe at all, he sighs, “Do you remember Travis Coulson?”

“Oh yeah…that really poor kid…” Stephanie sighs, “Didn’t he and his family starve to death?” 

“No!” Peter interjects, “And they weren’t poor…he wore a dirty shirt once, and he got bullied so bad that his parents had to transfer him to Sycamore.” 

Ajax shivers at the mere mention of Sycamore, Stephanie scoffing, “Sycamore? I’d rather starve to death.” 

“And these suspenders are to hold my pants up…” Peter painfully admits, “…one time…Brad Callahan pantsed me in the sixth grade, right in front of Sara Zimmerman. Then he started this rumor-”

“Oh my god! You’re Micro-Peter!” Stephanie yells, Ajax nodding as Peter takes off his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose from the sheer memory of it all, “You’re, like, famous! Can I ask about it-?”

“It’s not actually a micro-penis!” Peter yells, Ajax having to catch themselves before they giggled, “I was a kid. It’s grown since then.” 

“Well, there goes your claim to fame…” Stephanie says, smiling, but Peter hasn’t smile once.

“This outfit is a tapestry of my trauma…it is designed to provoke as little teasing as possible.” Peter says, but he’s only met by Ajax booking their finger under his suspenders strap, pulling it forward before letting it go, earning a sharp snap sound from it. 

“How often do people do that?” Stephanie asks, “Especially Ajax.” 

“Every damn day…” Peter says, rubbing the spot on his chest where it snapped him, earning a small laugh from Ajax, “…my titties are tenderized…but it’s better than getting saddled with another humiliating nickname. I have a real name…Peter Spankoffski.” 

Stephanie hesitates, Peter shaking his head, “It’s Polish.” 

Ajax laughs a little at his bluntness, and is pleasantly surprised to hear Stephanie laughing too as she speaks up, “I didn’t know you were funny.” 

“…neither did I.” Peter says more quietly, Ajax just looking between the two of them.

“I like funny guys…” Stephanie says, and Ajax can just see as Peter face flushes over. The things is…why is their own face heating up-? 

Before they can think too much about it, the bell rings, Peter going into a full panic, “Oh, shit!”

Ajax starts to panic trying to find a direction to run as people file out of classrooms, “Shit, shit, shit!”

“I can’t let him see me talking to you!” Peter yells, “He’s creamed nerds for less!”

Peter goes to run in the direction that Ajax seems to have decided to run, but Ajax quickly changes their mind in the direction, causing the two of them to run into each other. Ajax falls, Peter quickly grabbing their arm to help them up as they run away, hearing Stephanie yell after them: “What..? Who has? Spankoffski! Keane! Who are you running from?” 

Students file into the hall, the popular crowd acting as if nothing’s happening, but another small crowd pushes against them, trying to hurry to their classes. Ajax and Peter continue running, nearly running into Richie and Ruth as they run the other way. They spot another girl in a purple cardigan running in the opposite that a girl in a yellow and green dress with an obvious unibrow runs. 

They have to go anywhere. Anywhere away from him. Anywhere away from Max Jägerman.  

They hear his voice ring the hallway: “Hey, Shit-Lips!” 

Ajax hesitates as they look through the crowd seeing Richie’s scared expression, but they feel Peter tug against their arm.

“What are you doing?!” Peter whisper yells.

“But what about-?” Ajax starts, Peter shaking his head.

“It’s survival of the fittest!” Peter’s voice cracks, but Ajax manages to pull out of his grasp.

“I’ll be right back.” Ajax hesitantly says.

They’ve watched too many horror movies. Ajax knows that the likeliness of them coming back in one piece now that they’ve said that is very unlikely. 

Ajax pushes through the hallway as they listen to the conversation - the attack - unfold.

“It’s ‘Lipschitz’!” Richie somewhat yells, “Richard Lipsch..-”

When Richie turns to see that it’s Max yelling to him…Ajax can see when Richie’s heart falls right into his ass, “M-M…Max Jägerman..!”

“It’s third period, Shit-Lips…I’ve gotta get to remedial algebra.” Max approaches, like a nighthawk approaching its prey, “Meaning I’ve gotta walk through this hallway, and I don’t need you stink in’ it up.” 

Ajax watches as Max’s friend - Jason and Kyle - approach to…the flock slowly swarming in. 

“Sorry, Max…” Richie speaks shakily, “…my mistake. I never intended to walk through your hallway.”

“Oh, well, there’s a difference between intent and impact.” Max says, “I learned that at the anti-bullying assembly last month, fuck-nugget!” 

Richie flinches when Max raises his voice, Ajax struggling to get past the crowd, the more popular people pushes against them both accidentally and purposefully.

“What do you think, guys?” Max asks, looking over at both Kyle and Jason, “Should I let him off with a warning..?” 

“Ha-ha! Yeah!” Jason yells, Max looking at him like he’s the dumbest thing he’s even laid his eyes on. 

“No, dumbass!” Max yells at Jason, “I think for this hallway infraction, I’m gonna have to issue a Flick-It Ticket…”

“No, Max! Please!” Richie pleads, “Can’t you just fart on me or something?”

“Oh, sorry…I’m fresh outta your favorite food! I think I’m just gonna have to-”

Ajax finally manages to push through the crowd, but it’s too late as they hear Max yell…

“-flick it!” 

…Max crouching down as he flicks Richie in the crotch, the poor boy doubling over in pain. 

“Now move along, bitch!” Max yells, turning to his friend before he hears their voice break through the crowd.

“Hey, what’s your damage, Max?” Ajax asks, the significantly taller and stronger football player turning to them.

“I’m sorry, did you say something, Clay?” Max asks, Ajax trying not to show any reaction to his name of choice.

“It’s Ajax.” Ajax says flatly, Max rolling his eyes.

“Whatever, Bleach, what do you want?” Max retorts, Ajax clearing their throat as they muster up the courage to speak.

“I would like you to apologize to Richie.” Ajax says, earning a few muffled snickers from Jason and Kyle, “This hallway doesn’t belong to you, nor anyone student this school.” 

Max stares at Ajax for a moment…before bursting into laughter, “You can’t be serious!” 

“No..- No, I very serious. What you did was uncalled for. So…please apologize…if you could…possibly do that.” Ajax says, their confidence slowly faltering.

“I-” Max goes to argue, his finger parallel with Ajax’s nose as a voice rings through the hallway, a picket-fence sign towering over the few students left in the hallway that reads: 

 

CANCEL

HOME-C*MMING

Don’t dance with 

TEMPTATION!

 

A particularly shrill voice pierces through the hall, catching the boys’ attention: “Hey-ho! Heck no! Co-Ed dances gotta go!”

It’s Grace Chasity, handing out hot pink fliers promoting the cancellation of the Homecoming Dance that’s a few weeks away. In that school, there’s nerdy prudes, and then there are nerdy prudes.

“Hey, Maxie!” Kyle yells, Jason laughing alongside him, “Lookie what we got here..!”

“Oh, shit! It’s Chastity-belt!” Jason mocks, earning a snicker from Kyle.

Jason and Kyle continue throwing insults as Max turns back to Ajax, “Get out of here…just know, I’m not done with you.”

Ajax nods, grabbing Richie arm as they run off. Richie is dumbfounded, “Why did you help me..?”

“Richie…we’re friends…and friends help each other!” Ajax says, “Max was gonna kill you..!”

“Max wasn’t gonna kill me…” Richie says, brushing off Ajax’s worry.

Ajax’s small reassuring smile falters for a moment as they remember their nightmare again. Now that Richie is closer to them, it’s like the memories become increasingly more vivid, the screams louder, “…Y-Yeah, sure- But still…I wanted to help you.” 

“Well…thanks, Jaxie…” Richie sighs, but stops for a moment when he sees the look on Ajax’s face, “Hey, what’s wrong..?”

“It’s…It’s nothing…” Ajax says, Richie shaking his head, pulling Ajax into the boy’s bathroom by their arm, “Hey, what are you-?”

“Tell me what’s wrong…” Richie says plainly, “…you’re never this quiet, and you sure as hell never stand up for me. So, what’s up?” 

“…even if I told you, you won’t believe me.” Ajax says, Richie raising a brows as if to say ‘go on’. Ajax sighs, “You know how I have nightmares every night?” 

Richie nods, “Yeah, what about it?” 

“Well, I’ve always said that they were about my past…well…I was kind of lying…” Ajax says softly, Richie tilting his head in confusion, “…I’ve seen stuff from other people’s past too…and now I think I’m starting to see the future.” 

“…excuse me?” Richie says, dumbfounded once more.

“Well, I’ve seen stuff from…a lot of people’s past…I’ve seen stuff from my dad’s past, and even from you, Ruth, and Peter’s past! I knew Peter had been pantsed and called ‘Micro-Peter’ long before he ever told me!” Ajax says.

“That’s why you knew my favorite animes when you got me my Christmas presents..?” Richie asks, “It wasn’t just dumb-luck? It was one of your nightmares…well- How was that a nightmare?”

Ajax shivers, nearly gagging at the mere memory of that nightmare, “…I saw your body pillows.” 

“…oh.” Richie hesitates, “Anyway- Why were you so worried? And what do you mean by seeing into the future?”

“…I had a nightmare last night…and I was seeing through your eyes.” Ajax says hesitantly, “…you were being chased…and I think you died.”

“Oh…” Richie’s smile falls, “You…You’re serious?”

Ajax nods, Richie shaking his head, “I’m sure it was nothing. What if- What if you’re just…able to see other people’s nightmares now? I mean…I’ve certainly had nightmares about being chased by a crazed killer..!”

“But…the killer sounded like Max…” Ajax says, Richie laughing, waving his hand to brush off the idea.

“I’ve had too many nightmares about being killed Jägerman.” Richie reassures, “If he would’ve actually killed me, he would’ve done it already. You’re fine…I’m fine.” 

Ajax sighs, they don’t want to think this is ok. There’s no way this is ok…but if Richie of all people doesn’t want him to worry, then he won’t, “…you’re right. I’m just overthinking it. C’mon, we need to get to class…we’re late already.” 

Richie nods in agreement, following Ajax out of the bathroom…when the staticky click of the intercom flickers on:

 

“Could Clay-”

 

There’s hushed mumbling in the background in the office, the secretary piping back up.

“Sorry- Could Ajax Keane please report to the office immediately. I repeat, could Ajax Keane please office immediately. Mr. Keane would like to have a word with you.”

 

“Shit…” Ajax grumbles, Richie patting them on the shoulder. 

“Good luck.”  

Chapter 3: He’s Cooler Than He Thinks He Is

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: the dreaded "I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed" (in a way), putting down someone for what they're wearing, Ruth's hormones, Ruth talking sex/sexual bodily fluids, implication of memories of dreams of friends in inappropriate situations (that's a mouthful (that's what she said)), anxiety, self doubt, uh-oh. someone’s got a crush

 

This chapter’s longer than most that I write…I needed the teenage awkwardness to be perfect✨

Ajax reluctantly made their way towards their father's office, and once they were outside his door...they thought about turning back. They can't babysit for the Monroe's. It might actually kill them!

Hesitantly, Ajax knocks on the door to make their presence known, opening the door slowly. 

"You wanted to see me, dad?" Ajax asks, earning a nod from their father. 

"Sit down, kiddo, I need to talk with you..." He says, Ajax hesitating, but they close the door behind them, taking a seat.

For a moment, the room is silent - uncomfortably silent...Ajax doesn't know what to say, and neither does their father. Ajax never gets in trouble in class, so this is something entirely new.

"...listen, dad-" Ajax starts, but their father cuts them off.

"You haven't been to school in five days...because you're we're doing absolutely amazing in school: straight A's, no tardies or absences..." their dad hesitates, "...but then as soon as you get back to school, to your first class...you get in trouble for helping a classmate cheat? Why is that..?"

"...dad, I-" Ajax sighs, "...I don't know...there's just a lot on my mind right now, and I guess I'm just overthinking a lot." 

"I understand that, Ajax, but that doesn't give you the right to cheat on a test...you know that's wrong." He says, Ajax nodding, "...I'm sorry to say this, but Ajax...I'm really disappointed in you."

...Ajax never heard their father say anything like that before. Why did it hurt so much to hear that their own dad is disappointed in them? 

Ajax just shakes their head, "No, I'm sorry...I shouldn't have done that."

It looks like there's so much going through their dad's head, no anger at all, yet so much emotion. Ajax can't pinpoint them, but their father sighs before speaking, "Well...you know what I said before...if something ever happened where I had to ground you..."

"...you wouldn't take away the freedom of seeing my friends or talking to them on my phone, but I would have help someone who I heavily dislike." Ajax grumbles, "Yeah...I know..."

"And that means..." their father continues.

"I have to babysit the Monroe kids, I know, I know." Ajax says, falling farther into their seat.

"I already called Linda...you'll be babysitting tomorrow night." Their dad says, Ajax quickly sitting up.

"But I'm working on a science project with Ruth, Richie, and Peter tomorrow...how am I supposed to do both?" Ajax says in a worried tone, their dad giving a reassuring smile.

"Woah, slow down there...I already have it arranged." He says, "You study with your friends after school, but at five you have to go babysit the Monroe kids because Linda and Gerald have a date night. It's as simple as that." 

Ajax nods, sighing, "That works."

"...and you'll be babysitting all four kids." Their dad quickly adds, Ajax nearly choking on their own oxygen.

"What?" Ajax groans, "Dad, I barely survived the last one with two of them! How am I supposed to survive four of those beady eyed blonde things?”

"That's harsh." He says, fighting a smile.

"I'm not even joking- They're like Chucky...but blonde...and human. Or the kids from the Children of the Corn...just that their god is their mother." Ajax whines, "I won't live, dad!" 

"I'm sure you'll live after you get paid..." Their dad adds, Ajax quickly righting themselves up in their chair.

"Oh yes, the Monroe's have such darling and wonderful children..." Ajax says with a tone so fake that it manages to get their father out of his 'disappointed' facade, laughing a little.

"Alright, kiddo...get back to class. No more cheating, alright?" He says, Ajax nodding.

Ajax quickly gets up, "I won't let you down..."

They go to the door, walking out and closing it...before it opens again, Ajax's head popping back inside, "Bye, I love you."

"I love you, too..." Their father says, smiling, checking his watch, "...now, go...you're already late."

Ajax finally closes the door again, running down the hall to their next class.

 

-

 

Ajax, Ruth, and Richie sit around a table in the library. It's now Tuesday, about 3:15 p.m. on the time. Ruth fidgets with the sleeves of her sweater, a sweater that Ajax bought her for Christmas the year before. Ajax knew Ruth liked sweaters and cardigans, so we he saw that specific one - with the little mushroom on it - at Hot Topic...they just knew they had to get it for her. Richie is doodling in his notebook, Ajax peaking to see what it is...only to have to hold back their disgust when they see some rather suggestive self insert fanart of Richie and some anime girl. It brings memories that Ajax doesn't want. 

Ajax comes back to actual reality when they hear the chair behind them being pulled back, Peter sitting down beside them, "Hey, fellas..! Ready to make like Newton and get this physics project in motion? Huh..?"

Ajax snickers a little at Peter's joke, but Richie and Ruth just look confused. 

"...what?" Richie asks.

"Y..Y'know, like Newton's law of motion, like physics..." Peter explains.

Ruth shakes her head in disappointment, Richie scoffing, "This project's on thermo-dynamics...what the fuck are you talking about?" 

"Ok...it was just a little joke..." Peter says, "I got it on good authority that I'm actually...pretty funny."

"I think you're funny, I don't know what the fuck he's talking about..." Ajax pipes up, just wanting to make Peter feel better, "...no offense, Richie."

"None taken," Richie responds, Peter nodding a small thankful nod towards Ajax, "but funny looking, maybe...and not even that right now. Where's your bow tie?"

Ajax looks over at Peter's wearing. They hadn't even noticed it until Richie mentioned it, but instead of his white button down and green suspenders-bow tie combo that Peter usually has...he's wearing a grey sweater over a white button down.

"People are gonna start thinking you're poor, Pete." Ruth says, Ajax looking down at they're own outfit...Ajax is wearing pretty much the same thing as Peter...minus the white button down, and they're wearing an ankle length skirt instead of khakis...do they look poor?

"Well..- I'm trying out a new look, ok?" Peter grumbles, Ajax mumbling a small 'well, I think it looks good', but it goes unnoticed.

"At the library?" Richie laughs, "Who are you trying to impress? Ruth?" 

"Yeah, you don't even need to try with me, Pete..." Ruth says as she grips onto her sweater tightly, "I just want someone to touch me...anyone! Please!"

"Jesus..." Ajax mumbles, Peter turning to Ruth.

"Calm down, Ruth!" Peter whisper yells, readjusting his glasses.

"Well, if you're not trying to impress me, are you trying to impress Ajax..?" Ruth asks, smiling almost mischievously.

Ajax raising their hands in protest, "You don't have to worry about me...he can wear whatever he wants." 

"I know what this is about..." Richie says, "Somebody walks to the office with Stephanie Lauter and suddenly he's Stefan Urquelle. Well, don't get your hopes up, Pete...she was just you and Ajax to cheat on a test."

"...what was it like when she touched your arm?" Ruth asks, leaning across Ajax to get closer to Peter, "Did you cum?" 

"Ruth! Quit it!" Peter yells, Ajax just scooting their chair back and away from the hormonal teen girl.

"I need to know!" Ruth whines.

"They just talked, Jesus Christ...chill out." Ajax scoffs.

"We had a nice talk...she's cool." Peter adds, Richie rolling his eyes. 

"We know she's cool, Peter. You're not!" Richie explains, "You and Steph? It's a fantasy...like...a boy and his anime love pillows."

Ajax nearly gags when he says that, turning away from him as he talks, Peter just looking at the disgusted teen in confusion as Richie continues, "It's a beautiful, but...I'll never hold the real Rei and Asuka in my arms..."

"Oh my- Richie, stop-" Ajax starts, but is cut off by the sound of a phone ringing. 

Peter quickly starts rummaging in his pocket trying to grab his phone as Ruth yells, "Pete! Silence your cellphone in the library!"

"Sorry..!" Peter says as he stand, going to answer the phone.

"Who do you think it is..?" Ruth asks, Richie thinking for a moment. 

"Probably a telemarketer..." Richie says, going back to his work, Ajax nodding in agreement. 

"Lucky..!" Ruth groans, "I'm such a loser, telemarketers hang up on me..." 

Ajax can't help but snicker at that...god, their friends are such losers...how did they manage to even get along in the first place? 

Peter answers the phone, "Hello..?"

Ajax watches as Ruth gets up, not so sneakily sneaking over to eavesdrop...although none of them can hear who's on the other side of the call. 

"Yeah..?" Peter continues the call, "...oh, uh, yeah...S- Stephanie Lauter. I know..."

Ruth quickly runs back over to the table, bursting in between both Ajax and Richie, "Pete's talking to Stephanie Lauter!"

"Nani?!" Richie yells, and Ajax physically cringes at that, but...they sure as hell want to know what Peter and Stephanie are talking about. So, as Richie and Ruth slowly slink towards Peter almost cartoonishly...Ajax just walks behind them. 

"...oh, yeah- I, uh-" Peter watches in confusion as Richie and Ruth get absolutely up close and personal to him, trying to listen to the phone call. Ajax just leans against a book shelf, watching...just as confused as Peter, "I love that place..."

Ruth grips onto Peter's arm, practically climbing him, "What is she saying..? What the fuck is she saying..?!"

"...wha- You want me to meet you at Pasqualli's..?" Peter asks, and this even manages to get a reaction out of Ajax.

"Pasqualli's?" Ajax asks, mainly to themselves...that's interesting.

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Richie yells, causing Peter to flinch.

"I- Could you hold on-? Could you hold on for a second, Steph-?" Peter lowers the phone from his ear, placing the receivers in the palm of his hand, "Ruth, Richie...what's the matter with you, guys..?! You just told me not to get my hopes up!" 

"That was before Pasqualli's..! That's where all the cool kids go before Homecoming!" Richie says, making siren sounds as he spins his finger in a circle, "This is not a drill, Pete! This a date! A date!"

"Oh, she needs you, Pete!" Ruth says, “Like Princess Leia…you’re her only hope!” 

“Really, Ruth?” Richie asks, sounding almost disgusted, “A Star Wars analogy? Need I go into why Attack On Titan is superior in every possible way-?”

“Eh, wrong…horror movies like Nightmare On Elm Street are way better-” Ajax retorts, much quieter than the two that are literally up close and personal with Peter and his phone.

“Shut the fuck up!” Peter yells, quickly getting a worried look as he clears his throat, “…uh- not you- Just these three fucking nerds that won’t leave me alone…”

Ajax, Richie, and Ruth fall quiet. Quiet enough that they can hear what Stephanie says next:

“Well, could you ditch those nerds and..come help me out?”

 

“U-Uh…uh-” Peter stutters, Ruth yanking on his arm as she shakes him back and forth. 

“Oh, what are you waiting for, Pete?!” Ruth yells, “A naughty school girl wants you to help her study..?! God, they don’t call it a ‘cram-session’ for nothing! Watch some porn, you’ll see..-”

“Oh, god-” Peter yells, cupping his hand over the phone’s receiver as he manages to break away from Ruth and Richie, running a few feet away from them, “Stop being gross, both of you.”

Ajax looks in between the two that we’re expressing fantasies and Peter, just glad that Peter stood up for himself as he continues speaking, “I had a good day today, ok..? A cool popular girl told me I was funny..! Can’t we just leave it on a high note? You’re telling me I gotta be funny again? I didn’t do it on purpose the first time!” 

“Pete…you have been giving a once in a life time opportunity…” Ajax mumbles, Peter rolling his eyes.

“God, not you, too…” Peter grumbles, Richie piping up.

“Someone’s willing to tolerate your presence for a whole evening!” Richie says, “This may never happen again..! Destiny knocks but once…”

“…and your’s is Stephanie Lauter,” Ajax says, smiling, “you lucky son of a bitch.” 

Peter thinks for a moment, before quickly bringing the phone to his ear once more, “…Steph? I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” 

Peter slides his phone back into his pocket after the call ends, and after the realization sets in, he lets out a shaky sigh, “…this has to be dumb luck.” 

Richie and Ruth both wave disregarding hands at Peter’s thoughts, going back to their work. Ajax walks over to Peter, resting their elbows on a shorter shelf, “I highly doubt that.” 

“You’re just saying that because you’re my friend.” Peter says, voice breaking from anxiety.

“No, really! I mean it…” Ajax says, smiling, “There’s nothing about you that isn’t unlikable.” 

“This isn’t a date, though…we’re just..- We’re just studying, that’s all.” Peter tries convincing himself, “She wouldn’t want anything else other than that.”

“Right…” Ajax says under their breath, Peter shaking his head.

“I have better chances at kissing a Wookiee than her…I’m like a straight to DVD movie- No…” Peter leans against the bookshelf, letting his forehead hit the wooden surface as his fingers tangle in his nearly greasy hair, “…I’m like a bootleg copy.” 

“I watch all of my movies on bootleg if that makes you feel any better…” Ajax admits, earning a small, sighing laugh from Peter, “Y’know, Pete…you’re cooler than you think you are…”

“I am..?” Peter asks, looking up at Ajax, his glasses a little crooked from letting his head fall forward. 

Ajax smiles, reaching over to readjust the nervous boy’s glasses, “Way cooler.” 

“…but why did she pick me..?” Peter asks, quickly shaking his head before Ajax can answer him, “Don’t answer that. I don’t think I wanna know…”

“Who knows?” Ajax shrugs, “You two were partners in crime yesterday morning…”

Peter thinks about it for a moment, Ajax trying to see what he’s pondering…watching as his face flushes over for a moment before he shakes his head again, “You helped, too.” 

“Oh, yeah…” Ajax says, smiling…thinking to themselves for a moment.

We do make a good team, Steph, Peter, and I…Peter and I…Peter. And I. What if-? 

Ajax’s face goes completely red from their own thoughts, Holy shit, I’m deranged. This is Peter I’m thinking about! My friend! God, puberty’s got me fueled! He likes Stephanie..! 

Ajax clears their throat, checking the time on their phone: 4:30. God, that much time already passed in this tangent? How much was Ajax thinking about..?

“Ah- You, uh…You should probably get going…wouldn’t wanna be late to your…study ‘date’.” Ajax manages to bring their words back, to form a coherent sentence. 

“Oh- Yeah!” Peter says, running over to grab his bag from besides the table, “See you tomorrow..?”

“Yeah…see you tomorrow…” Ajax nods, “Good luck.”

“I’m gonna need it-” Peter goes to leave, before quickly turning back to Ajax, “And, uh…good luck on babysitting the Monroe spawn, by the way.”

Ajax goes wide eyed, “Fuck! The Monroe’s!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 4: The Monroe’s

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: separation anxiety, mentions of lying, children not understanding gender and asking child-typical questions about it, misgendering, mentions of bed wetting (kids shall be kids), bullying one's own siblings, vomit mention

Ajax pulls their car up to the gate in front of the large Monroe Estate. Their car struggles to keep as they come to a stop, cranking the window down before they click the call button on the call box. 

After waiting for a moment, the intercom crackles to life:

 

"Ah, who is it..?"

 

"Um...it your babysitter for this evening..." Ajax says hesitantly, "...Ajax Keane?" 

 

"...you're the social worker's kid, aren't you? What's his name...Dale...Dean...-?"

 

"'Duke'?" Ajax asks, "...and this wouldn't happen to be Gerald I'm talking to, would it..?" 

 

"It is, indeed! You're a smart kid!"

 

"I guess you could say that..." Ajax clears their throat, "So, uh- Could you let me in, please? I know Linda's probably already fuming 'cause I'm fifteen minutes late..." 

 

"She's been dealing with River all evening. Poor kid doesn't want us to go...he's dealing with separation anxiety..."

 

"Well, he has nothing to worry about, I assure you..." Ajax reassures, waiting for a moment of silence, "...so, are you gonna let me in, or-?"

 

"Oh! Damn- Yeah- Sorry about that."

 

Ajax is slightly startled by the sound of a mechanical buzz, the front gate slowly opening to "welcome" Ajax into the Monroe estate. The long, paved driveway winds up a hill, leading straight in front of the large garages next to the two story abode. Flowers and bushes grow in the flower bed beside the large, brick porch, the flowers rather close to a demise as the weather becomes cooler. 

Ajax parks their car in front of the unopened garage, next to the parked and running - and rather expensive looking - Cadillac. Ajax turns the keys to their car to turn it off, which it does...but not without the usual sputter from the engine. This old car they're driver is older than they are...and looks horrible next to the newer luxury car beside them. Ajax carefully opens the driver door as they get out, not wanting to deal with any damages they could possibly give to the vehicle to their left.

Ajax approaches the front steps, feeling the roughness of the red brick even through their boots. Ajax's finger extends to the door bell, to let their presence be known, but the door quick swings open, nearly hitting them in the process. 

Standing in the doorway is Linda Monroe, wearing a sleek black evening gown. She has her usually dark makeup, red nails tapping at the door impatiently, "You're late."

"I'm so sorry, Linda. The traffic downtown was ridiculous, and I lost track of time while working on a project for school." Ajax explains, "Again, sorry for the inconvenience."

"It's quite alright, it's just coming out of your pay, that's all." Linda says, laughing softly, sarcastically. Ajax just keeps a smile on their face, but as soon as Linda turns away from them, Ajax rolls their eyes, "Come on, get inside. You're letting all the heat out, for Christ's sake. Even my boys know better." 

Ajax steps inside, closing the large door. It's nice and warm inside, but it doesn't feel cozy. It feels almost unwelcome. Is it the fact that this place looks much more expensive than anything Ajax could ever own, or is it the four blonde children standing in the doorway, staring at Ajax intently? It's probably the children. 

Seaton and Trent stare at Ajax, a look in their eyes that can only be compared to Max Jägerman's when he's going after all the nerdy prudes of Hatchetfield High. Jordan watches Ajax walk down the hall, sizing up the teen as they look around, looking at the family pictures on the wall that look like something straight out of a horror movie. Poor little River looks around the door frame that he hides behind. He doesn't want his mom and dad to go, but he knows he has to stay here. 

Ajax sighs, going to turn back towards the front door, to look at more pictures, only to nearly run straight into someone's chest. Ajax quickly jumps back, looking up to meet the gaze of Gerald. Ajax sighs, grabbing their own chest softly, "...you scared the living daylights out of me." 

"Ah- Sorry, kid..." Gerald laughs softly, "I wanted to give you something before we leave..."

Ajax nods giving a small, confused look. Gerald reaches into his pocket, picking out a wad of cash, starting to count it out. He takes a portion from it, folding it over, and handing it toward Ajax, "This should cover what Linda's taking off your pay..."

Ajax hesitantly takes the money, counting it out themselves - twenty five-dollar bills, "This...This is a hundred dollars- I can't take this..-"

"Kid, that's nothing." Gerald says reassuringly, "I insist, you keep it."

"But-" Ajax starts, going to hand the money back towards Gerald, who only reaches forwards the make Ajax cup their hand around the money.

"You shouldn't be robbed of your pay just because you made a simple mistake that wasn't even your fault." Gerald explains, talking softer, "Now, you keep that money...spend it on whatever you want. That is yours to keep." 

"...o..ok." Ajax says quietly, "...thank you..."

"Of course, kid..." Gerald says, smile growing as he stands back up to his full height, ruffling Ajax's hair.

"Gerald!" Linda's voice calls out, "What are you doing? It's almost time for our reservation, we can't be late." 

"Linda...it's Pasqualli's. We'll be able to get in." Gerald grumbles, turning to the four blonde children standing before them, "Now, you guys aren't gonna lie about the rules that you have to follow this time, right?"

"They didn't lie about the rules, Gerald. You know what they said." Linda says flatly, Gerald shaking his head. 

"I know they were. They lie all the time, but you just want to admit that your kids aren't little angels, Linda." Gerald says, walking past Linda and towards the front door.

"We're your little angels, too, dad..." Trent says, Seaton nodding in agreement. 

"Sent down straight from heaven...that's what mommy said." Seaton says, Gerald rolling his eyes. 

"Just behave." Gerald says sternly, "Ajax, there's written rules on the fridge and an envelope of cash if your wanna take these little devils down to the mall before it closes...we'll be back by eleven-thirty."

"Yes, sir..." Ajax says, smiling softly as they finally pocket their money, "...have a good night."

Gerald nods, letting Linda walk out the door before walking out himself, closing the door. After a moment, Jordan breaks the silence, "Are you a girl?"

"Um...no..?" Ajax says, Jordan cocking his head to the side in confusion.

Jordan steps closer to Ajax, inspecting them, "...then why are you wearing a skirt?" 

Ajax looks at their outfit: a sweater with bright yellow lemons and bright orange oranges crocheted into it on top of a white button-down shirt, a long black skirt, and black boots with some rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that look like tiny little cups of lemonade, ice cubes and all. 

Ajax looks back to Jordan, "...because it's pretty..? Why are you wearing what you're wearing?"

Jordan's, who's wearing a white button-down shirt under a red sweater and khakis, shrugs, "Mommy picked it out for me...but these are boys clothes, and you're a boy...and you're wearing girl's clothes."

"Well, I'm not a boy either." Ajax explains, "I'm non-binary..."

"...what's that?" All four boys ask in unison, Ajax remembering that they weren't even out of the closet when they first babysat Trent and Seaton.

"Well...you know how you and your dad go by 'he', 'him', and 'his'? And how your mom goes by 'she' and 'her'?" All the boys nod, "Well, instead of those, I go by 'they', 'them', and 'their'..." 

"That's confusing..." Trent says, Jordan and Seaton nodding, but River just shrugs, finally coming out from behind his hiding spot.

"...I think they can wear whatever they want." River says quietly, "Mommy says it's weird that you like snakes, Trent...but you still talk about them all the time, and she even got you a corn snake..."

"...that's very insightful, River." Ajax smiles, ruffling the small child's light blonde hair, similar to how Gerald ruffled his own, which earns the most heart-warming giggle Ajax has ever heard from a child, "Now, c'mon...let's go read the rules for tonight...and then I might take you guys to the mall to get you dinner. If you're extra good, I might even take you to Toy Zone."

Seaton, Jordan, and River's eyes light up at the mention of Toy Zone, already running towards the kitchen. Trent however, leans against the door frame, glaring at Ajax.

"What's your problem?" Ajax asks, Trent groaning.

"Toy Zone's for babies." Trent whines, Ajax snickering.

"So is whining, but you're doing that." Ajax says plainly, making their way towards the kitchen, "If you're good, I might take you to the arcade."

"...fine." Trent grumbles, crossing his arms as he follows Ajax. 

"Great." Ajax smiles, walking to the fridge, taking the list of rules neatly written in what they can only assume to Linda's handwriting due to the sharpness of the cursive, "Now, let's see here..."

 

1. No electronics or candy after 8 p.m.

2. River must have no soda after 7 p.m.

 

"Hey, River?" Ajax asks, River humming a small sound of acknowledgment, "Why can't you have sodas after seven, bud..?"

"Oh...uh-" River starts to stutters out, before Seaton quickly pipes up for him.

"He wets the bed..!" Seaton giggles, River's face going redder than his sweater vest.

"Seaton..." River whines, Seaton just laughing more, stopping when he sees Ajax's annoyed look, "...what..?"

"River can speak for himself. That was uncalled for, especially the laughing. He can't help it." Ajax says, turning back to the list of rules.

 

3. Everyone must be settled down by 9:30 p.m. and (preferably) asleep by 10 p.m.

 

Ajax snickers at the "(preferably)" as it is obviously scribbled in by Gerald, whose handwriting isn't quite as up to par as his wife's.

 

4. Seaton cannot have ANY dairy of ANY kind

 

"Are you lactose intolerant, Seaton?" Ajax asks, the child quickly shaking his head.

"No! No..I'm not. I can have cheese, and milk, and all that stuff- Uh-huh!" Seaton says quickly, Trent and Jordan agreeing whole River quickly shakes his head.

"Nuh-uh!" River retorts, "Last time you had cheese, you barfed all over the car!"

"...gross." Ajax mutters, "So, I'll take that as a 'yes' on the lactose intolerant thing..."

 

5. Don't give anything to the boys unless they say "please", and make sure they say "thank you" when they get what they asked for, as well as "no, thank you" if they don't want something

6. The boys must clean up any and all toys they bring from their rooms before they go to bed

7. Profanity is not prohibited for the boys and babysitter alike

There is money in the envelope on the counter. There should be $1,000 there; split it accordingly.

 

"One thousand-?" Ajax starts, grabbing the envelope to count the money, "...damn, I've never held this much money before."

"That's a bad word..." Trent says, Ajax cocking an eyebrow.

"What is?" Ajax asks, Trent crossing his arms once more.

"'Damn'." Trent says, "You said the word 'damn'. That's a bad word."

"Well, you said it, too. So..." Ajax says, raising their hands to prove their innocence.

"That's not fair!" Seaton yells, Jordan nodding.

"You told him to repeat it..!" Jordan follows, Ajax leaning against the counter as they put on another confused look.

"Repeat what?" Ajax asks, Jordan and Seaton groaning.

"'Damn'!" Jordan and Seaton yell, Ajax doubling over as he laughs, hearing as River starts giggling, too.

"You said it again." Ajax chuckles, "You guys are so gullible..."

"You're funny..." River giggles, Ajax titling their head slightly.

"I am?" Ajax asks, River nodding, "How?"

"You made them say a bad word..." River says, Ajax tilting their head slightly.

"What bad word..?" Ajax asks.

River shakes his head, "I can't say it. It's a bad word..."

"There we go..." Ajax reaches into their pocket, pulling out a cotton candy flavored Dum-Dum's sucker, handing it over to River, "...that's what I'm talking about."

"Can we go to the mall now? Please, Ajax..?" River asks, softly tugging on the fabric of Ajax's skirt. 

"Of course, kiddo..." Ajax says softly, patting River back as he unwraps the sucker, sticking it in his mouth.

Notes:

Sorry I haven’t updated in a while. I don’t have any crazy Ao3 author reasons for not updating, I just stopped hyperfixating on Starkid stuff, but now I’ve got the motivation to continue writing this sooooo yeah:))

Chapter 5: Dolls

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: brain fog, anxiety mention, light headedness, mentions/small descriptions of violence, descriptions of "seizures", epilepsy mention, threats of violence

The car ride to the mall was uneventful, yet noisy. All of the "are we there yet"s were starting to hurt Ajax's head, and yet...the hurting didn't quite stop, more of an odd foggy feeling. But Ajax brushes it off, they must be tired. 

As they enter the mall, the bright, fluorescent L.E.D. bulbs nearly blind Ajax, the lights being much brighter than the dark night sky. River holds Ajax's hand as Seaton, Trent, and Jordan run ahead of the two, straight for Toy Zone. Sure, Ajax had planned to get the boys fed before going there, but...some fun first wouldn't kill anybody. 

As they enter Toy Zone, Ajax's boots are greeted by the nearly sticky carpet, and their eyes are greeted by a familiar face, "Oh, hey, Lex! I forgot you worked here..!"

Lex Foster, one Ajax's closest friends before she dropped out. The poor girl looks exhausted, but she smiles back, "Hey, Jaxie...who's this little guy..?"

"Oh, this is River..." Ajax says, River waving slightly before hiding behind them, "I'm babysitting for the Monroe's tonight..." 

"I thought you were never gonna babysit for them again after what happened last time..." Lex snickers, "D'you have a change of heart or what?"

"This is my dad's way of grounding me...but also with all four of them, it's not as stressful for some reason...it might be because River's leveling them out. This kid knows what he's doing-" Ajax turns to River, "You know what you're doing."

"...what am I doing?" River whispers.

Ajax smiles, "You're being amazing, that's what you're doing."

River just giggles, Lex smiling, "How old are you, River..?"

River stays silent for a moment, looking up to Ajax. Ajax just nods, smiling, filling this small child with enough confidence to step in front of the teen, "...I'm six..."

"That's awesome!" Lex beams, River smiling more from her seemingly joyful expression, "Y'know, I have a little sister, Hannah...she's seven..."

"...I know a Hannah." River says softly, "She's in my grade..." 

"Now, how is that..?" Lex asks, River grabbing the edge of the counter as he steps on his tip-toes to talk to Lex.

"The school said I was extra smart, so they moved me up with the big kids..!" River says, sounding so proud of himself. Ajax can't help but smile at how absolutely adorable this kid is, and to think that they thought that he'd be the devil's spawn, "And Ajax gave me candy 'cause I didn't say a bad word."

"...what word was it that you didn't say?" Lex asks, River quickly shaking his head.

"'Can't say. It's a bad word." River says, "I said that, then - boom - candy. My brothers didn't get any 'cause they cussed, but I didn't. I was good, I followed the rules." 

"Alright, alright..." Ajax giggles, "Enough of the bragging, let's go look around, genius." 

"I'm a genius..?" River asks, Ajax nodding, "Lex, I'm a genius."

"I know you are, kiddo...I know you are..." Lex says, nodding. 

With that River grabs Ajax's hand, tugging it softly as he starts walking. Ajax looks around the store a little as they walk, "Did you see where your brothers went..?"

"I think they went to go look at the Nerf guns..." River says, Ajax nodding, "I wanna go look at the Lordy dolls..."

Ajax can't quite put their finger on it, but as soon as the word "Lordy" left River's mouth...it felt like something was wrong with those dolls, but Ajax shakes off the feeling, "...what are the Lordy dolls..?"

"Oh, they're big fluffy dolls that giggle when you tickle their belly...it started with Wiggly, the biggest brother...but they've made more since so many people wanted them...so I want them..!" River says happily, but Ajax can't seem to shake off the bad feeling that's fallen over them, their brain seeming to feel even more foggy than before. They feel nearly light headed...

"I think they're over here..." River mumbles as they round a corner, his smile growing larger than Ajax has ever seen when he sees them, "There they are!"

River lets go of Ajax's hand, running to get a closer look at the dolls. When Ajax's eyes land on them - these grotesque looking dolls (honestly, why would a six year old want these hideous things?) - a chill runs up Ajax's spine. They can't shake this bad feeling, the looming feeling as if they're being watched, as if someone's standing over them, ready to go in for the kill. Ajax recognizes the Wiggly doll, the green little tentacle monster staring back at them being the most familiar of them all, but the rest...Ajax feels as if they don't know the dolls, but the dolls know them. 

There's a pink one, with only a mouth for face, its lollipop designed box reading "Nibbly". Then there's a yellow one - "Tinky" - that looks like a goat, its eyes bugged out with a slack jaw, it's tongue slithered out. There's a blue one, being named "Pokey", a furry blue body with a slate white mask covered in cracks. Finally, there's a purple one - "Blinky" - who has one large yellow and red eye on the face of its little furry purple body. 

Ajax's stomach twists and turns with anxiety. What are these things, and why are they making them feel like this?

River looks to Ajax, gesturing for them to walk over. Ajax reluctantly follows, feeling their hair slowly raise on the back of their neck as they walk forward, feeling as if someone's dragging their hand up their neck. 

"You're sure you want one of these..?" Ajax asks, placing a hand on the shelf to brace themselves. God, it feels like their brain is going backflips, spinning uncontrollably. 

River nods, reaching towards one of the dolls, but he's just short enough that he can't reach, "Can you get Tinky for me, Ajax..?" 

"Y..- Yeah, kiddo..." Ajax hesitantly reaches for the doll, their vision blurring even more as their hand approaches the cock-eyed goat thing.

Ajax finally pulls a "fuck it" and grabs the doll, offering it up to River who takes it happily. Ajax's mind races, and their vision is blurrier than it's ever been. They feel like they're in a dream of sorts; one of their nightmares. 

"Hey...Hey, River..? Can I trust you to hold onto the money for me..? I need to step outside for a second..."Ajax says softly, taking the envelope of money out of their pocket, "If you need anything, go to Lex, ok..?"

River nods, taking the envelope, "Are you not feeling good..?"

Ajax just shakes their head, slowly making their way towards the exit of Toy Zone. They know there's a bench somewhere...

"Holy shit, Bleach, is that you?" A voice rings out, and Ajax can't help but roll their eyes, "'The hell are you doing at Toy Zone..?" 

"God, fuck off, Jägerman..." Ajax mutters, letting themselves fall onto the wooden bench, "I don't wanna deal with your bullshit right now." 

"Easy, easy...what's got your boxer's in a bunch?" Max laughs, Ajax watching as Jason and Kyle approach as well, "Damn, you look like shit..."

"Wow, thanks for noticing..." Ajax fake smiles, rolling their eyes, "What do you want?" 

"Oh, nothing really...just coming here to look around..." Max snickers. 

Ajax notices something odd, Max's knuckles are bruised, some even bleeding, "...what did you do..?"

"Oh, this?" Max asks, displaying his damaged hand, Jason piping in.

"He just had to pay Micro-Peter a little visit..." Jason says, "...nothing more."

Despite how horrible Ajax feels, anger sears through them, "What the hell did you do to, Pete?"

"Not much...I'm sure my knuckles hurt more than his face does." Max says lowly, Ajax shooting up from their seat.

"You mother-" Despite the very probable height difference, Ajax rears back their fist, ready to strike. To make sure their punch will land, they place a hand on Max's shoulder, but before they can swing, a sharp pain shoots from the back of Ajax's head.

It feels as if someone - or something - came up behind them, and sunk it's claws into the back of their head. Ajax can't move, their muscles tensing as their head feels nearly forcefully pulled back, their eyes rolling back into their head as they fall backwards. Max realizes they're falling as Ajax's grip goes weak on his letterman jacket.

"Oh, shit!" Max yells, scrambling to grab at Ajax before they hit the linoleum floor. 

Jason and Kyle scramble as well, Kyle finally managing to hook an arm under Ajax before they hit the floor, "What the fuck did you do, man?!"

"I didn't do anything, Kyle! What's happening?!" Max yells, Jason nearly pacing at this point.

"Oh, fuck! They're having a seizure, dude!" Jason screams, Kyle slowly sitting Ajax on the floor.

The teen that's just fell unconscious before them is unmoving, besides the flickering of their eyes as they forcefully roll backwards into their skull.

"What do we do..?!" Max whisper yells, the sound of running coming up from behind them.

"What the hell did you do to them, you pricks?!" Lex yells, "Answer me, goddammit!"

"We didn't do anything!" Kyle explains, "We think they're having a seizure..!" 

"Shit...Ajax doesn't have epilepsy either, I don't think-" Lex shakes her head, pulling her phone out of her pocket, as she points to Kyle, "You: roll them onto their side, I'm calling 9-1-1. You stay here with them until the ambulance comes, and if you leave, I'll find you myself and make sure you end up in the hospital, too."

Max, Jason, and Kyle nod, Kyle slowly rolling Ajax over onto their side. What the hell could've caused this to happen..?

Chapter 6: Crazy

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: nightmares, doppelgängers, visions, depictions of gore, hospitals, depictions of medical equipment (I.V.s), seizure mentions, Duke lowkey doesn't believe Ajax when it comes to the visions soooo, parent-child arguments, being scared of someone's mental well-being/health, new weird brain shit is developing WOO✨

Ajax's eyes shoot open as they quickly sit up. They look around waiting for their eyes to adjust...that's their horror posters on the wall, their weighted blanket on their legs, their Binx laying at the foot of their bed. The fairy lights around Ajax's room glow a dull blue color...feeling comforting in a way. Was this all another nightmare?

Ajax hears their door slowly open, to see their dad standing there. He's not in his sleeping clothes or anything, he's in his normal attire. 

"Dad..?" Ajax asks, "What time is it..?" 

Ajax looks at their clock, but instead of the time ticking up like it's supposed to, the minutes tick by like seconds, an audible "tick", "tock", "tick", "tock". Their eyes go wide: this isn't real, this place. This isn't Ajax's room.

"Ajax, I'm not your father..." the voice rings around the room, echoing softly.

"...you look like him." Ajax says softly, "Who are you? Where am I..?"

"We're in your subconscious...where you find comfort...I've brought you here..." the person says, "...and...I'm a friend of your dads...I only look like him because that's what your mind is making me look like..."

Ajax nods softly in understanding, "Why did you bring me here..?" 

The person steps forward, the fairy lights growing slightly brighter as they do. The person looks exactly like Ajax's father, except for one thing.

"Your eyes..." Ajax whispers, "...they look like mine." 

Instead of their father's dark hazel eyes, this person's eyes are blue, "These are my eyes, Ajax..." 

"Oh..." Ajax says, "Then why do they look like mine? Are you related to me or-?"

"Shh..." the person says softly, hushing Ajax as the fairy lights grow dimmer again, "...we need to talk." 

Ajax nods, the person taking a seat beside them on the bed as their mind's version of Binx slinks over, curling up in between the two of them, "There's something dark happening to you, Ajax...something evil."

Ajax tilts their head in confusion, "Wh..- What are you talking about?"

"Your visions..." they say, "...it's not just your mind causing it. It's something using your mind for their own games..."

"What are you talking about..?" Ajax asks, "You mean...there's a demon or something in my mind..?"

"No, not a demon-" the person says, "a god."

"...who?" Ajax asks, the person shaking their head. 

"I don't know yet..." they say, "but when I know, you'll be the first to find out. You already know who I am...you'll know who to talk to..."

"But...who are you?" Ajax asks, grabbing at their sleeve as they stand from the bed, "Tell me your name."

"I can't. Not here...not in your mind." Ajax watches as they walk closer to the door, "You aren't ready to hear my name yet, so you won't hear it. You will simply know who I am when you first see me."

Ajax nods, the person opening the door to their "room", "You should wake up soon, I'll tell you that."

As the person goes to leave the room, the door slams shut before they can. The sound of the lock clicking is enough to make both Ajax and the person's eyes go wide, "...I stand corrected." 

"What's happening..?" Ajax asks, the person shaking their head.

"...he's here." The say, Ajax lifting the blanket off of themselves, standing.

"Who's he?" Ajax asks, "Who is he?"

"The one that's been using you..." they say, watching around the room, "...he's here. He's trying to give you another vision." 

Ajax feels a familiar chill run up their spine, the hairs on their neck standing straight up. The fairy lights in their room flicker, turning from blue to green to pink to purple and to yellow growing brighter as they switch between the colors quicker and more threateningly. The tick from their clock grows louder and louder, sounding almost deafening. The person that looks like Ajax's father is trying to to speak with them, Ajax can see them speaking and can feel as their hands grab onto Ajax's shoulders...but they can't hear them. They feel numb...until it feels like those sharp claws grab the back of Ajax's head again, pulling them back as they fall into another abyss. 

-

 

Ajax's eyes shoot open again. This time they're standing, and the sight before them make their blood run cold. 

Lying on the dewey, muddy ground before them is Max Jägerman. There's pieces of wood drove through his back and out his chest as he's covered in blood, choking on his own life. Standing around Ajax is their friends - Richie, Ruth, Peter, and Stephanie...and Grace of all people - and they all look terrified. What the hell is happening..? Before Ajax can verbally ask the question, Max chokes out a few words:

 

"Nerdy prudes...must pay. Nerdy...prudes...must...die..!"

 

Ajax feels their breath catch in their throat, watching as Max's head falls forward, limp...he's dead. Ajax shakes their head, trying to get this image out of their brain, but they just can't-

 

- 

 

Ajax gasps as they sit up, being blinded by bright fluorescent lights. Ajax can feel their voice tearing through their throat, grabbing for anything near them. Ajax's hands grip onto something unfamiliar in this already unfamiliar space: bars, on the side of the bed they're in. Ajax gasps for air, finally able to catch a breathe as they stop screaming, feeling hands grab their shoulders quickly.

"Ajax?!" The voice...it's their dad, "Ajax, you're ok- You're just in the hospital...I'm here."

Ajax turns their head to look at their father. He looks absolutely terrified, his dark hazel eyes only showing protection for his child. Ajax feels that their breath is quick, still trying to come to their senses. They're, indeed, in a hospital, in a hospital gown, with I.V.s going into their arm. In the room with them is their father, and out in the hall Ajax can see Trent and Jordan sitting in some waiting chairs, talking with Jason who sits beside them, Max leans against a wall, seeming to be off in his own little world, and Kyle, Seaton, and River are by the vending machine, seeming to be struggling with it. 

Ajax sighs, their grip loosening on the bars of their bed, "Wha..What happened..?" 

Their dad shakes his head, "Jason said you might've had a seizure...but the doctors can't seem to find anything that could've caused it..."

"It wasn't a seizure, dad." Ajax says suddenly, "I'm still not entirely sure what it was...but I just know...it wasn't a seizure."

"Ajax-" He starts, but Ajax shakes their head.

"No, listen to me..." Ajax starts, "I'm gonna sound crazy when I say this, but you're gonna need to listen and hear me out...ok?"

Ajax's father hesitates, but he nods, Ajax continuing, "It wasn't a seizure. It's something that came from the...'nightmares' I've been having. They aren't nightmares dad...they're visions. Visions of the past...and now the future. I've lied about the nightmares...I haven't just been seeing my past, I've been seeing other peoples' past, too. I don't know why I can, but I just do. And now...when I passed out...it's because I was having a vision. Someone told me what was happening to me..-"

"'Someone'?" Their dad asks, Ajax quickly nodding.

"Yes- Yeah, someone told me what was happening to me while I was..unconscious. They were in my head!" Ajax exclaims, "They couldn't tell me their name because I'm 'not ready', but they looked like you, but they had my eyes."

Ajax's father stares at them blankly, Ajax staring back, "...you don't believe me, do you..?"

"No- Ajax...I believe you...but how do you know this was even real, someone talking to you?" He asks, "People's brains do crazy things, especially during a medical emergency such as this."

"Dad, it wasn't a medical emergency..! It wasn't..- It was a vision, not a seizure." Ajax assures, their dad shaking his head.

"Ajax." Their father says sternly, Ajax falling silent, "...look, I believe you, ok..? But vision or not, you almost got hurt...so how about we just drop the subject for now, and you get some rest...alright..?"

"...you're just saying to drop the subject because you don't believe me." Ajax says quietly, their dad sighing.

"Ajax, I never said that-" he says softly, Ajax groaning.

"But it was implied, dad." Ajax retorts, "You don't want to say it, but you don't believe me-!"

"And so what if I don't, Ajax?" He cuts them off, "So what if I don't believe you? Even if I don't believe...I am here to listen. I know you're scared, Ajax, and so am I..."

"...why are you scared?" Ajax asks, their father's gaze slowly going to the floor, "You aren't seeing this shit, dad. So, why are you scared? ...are you scared of me?"

"Ajax, of course I'm not scared of you, you are my child. I could never be scared of you." He says, "It's just...with you talking about having these visions, saying that you're seeing the past of other people and now the future..? I'm just...scared, kiddo..-"

"You're scared that I might be going crazy?" Ajax says, shaking their head, "No..- Get out."

"Wha- Kiddo, wait..-" He starts, but Ajax keeps shaking their head, shutting their eyes, waiting for him to disappear, just for a little while, "Ajax, you know that's not what I was saying. I would never say anything like that. God- I wouldn't even imply such a thing..!"

"Dad, just go." Ajax says, their tone nearly as stern as their father's was just a moment ago, "I'll talk to you later, but I want to be left alone..." 

Their father sighs, shaking his head, "Get some rest."

Ajax nods, their father walking out the door. As Ajax stares at the doorway, watching as he walks away...they can feel as tears start welling in their eyes. Ajax knows they may have overreacted, but they just want their father to believe them. They want their father to believe that they're not crazy, not suffering from some medical phenomenon, but is truly seeing what is going to happen to themself and their friends. 

Ajax sighs looking around at the people outside. Jason, Trent, and Jordan have all fallen asleep in the hospital waiting room, Max is still off in his own little world, and Kyle, River, and Seaton are still struggling with the vending machine. 

That fucking vending machine has always been busted, or for the past couple of years at least. The last time Ajax was here at this hospital wasn't because they were injured or sick, but because Richie had broken his arm a couple of summer ago while trying to do some stupid parkour stunt that he saw on his favorite TV-show at the time. Ajax had tried to get a Sprite and Sour Patch Kids for themself from the vending machine, but those stupid coils held onto their bag of Sour Patch Kids, and had never pushed out their Sprite, eating their three dollars in the process. 

Ajax can't help but snicker a little as they watch Kyle struggle with the vending machine as it just eats away his money, but gives him no food, Seaton occasionally hitting the glass with his palms while River just stands there, watching, occasionally giving the best words of wisdom his genius six-year-old brain can muster. Kyle seems like he's about to give up, groaning in defeat as Ajax watches on...

Just give this dude his snacks and be done with it, for the love of everything, Ajax thinks when suddenly...they get a sudden rush of light-headedness. Are they seriously about to have another vision right now? 

Ajax grabs the rails to their bed, trying to keep their breathing steady, fixating their sight on the vending machine, just to get their eyes to focus...when the lights in the vending machine suddenly flickering, the coils from all the snacks that Kyle was trying to get turning as they fall to the bottom, ready to be received as the drink cans slowly fall to. When the lights stop flickering, Ajax's head finally clears, their vision going back to normal. They slowly let go of the bed railings, sighing...what the hell just happened?

Chapter 7: Dirty Little Secret

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: telekinesis, questioning one's own sanity, seizure mention, controlling behavior mention, bullying mention, secrets, slight misunderstandings

This chapters kind of just a filler chapter...but it's silly.

The hospital room is quiet. Almost too quiet as the only noise is the buzzing of the fluorescent lights above Ajax. Ajax picks at the rubber covering the cold metal bed railing around them as they think, staring into nothingness. 

Did Ajax make the vending machine work? With their mind? 

No, that's insane. They couldn't have done that...but that vending machine isn't very nice, so mind bending powers being the result of it working isn't too unlikely. But the thoughts of having something like telekinesis just makes Ajax's head spin. This is all crazy. Maybe their dad is right about them being crazy.

Before any more "crazy" thoughts can enter Ajax's mind, they're startled by the sound of someone knocking on the doorframe leading in their room. Ajax quickly shifts their eyes over to the door, only to see Kyle Clauger. He looks worried to say the least, "...are you feeling any better..?"

"Oh, um..." Ajax stutters out, looking around slightly...why is Kyle talking to them? "...a little, yeah."

Kyle stands in the doorway for a moment, awkwardly. He glances back into the hallway, making eye contact with a glaring Max before he fully he steps into the room, closing the door behind him, "Max wanted me to make sure you don't have any injuries that he could've caused..."

"Oh, really? That's why you came in here..?" Ajax asks, raising an eyebrow as they gesture towards the snacks that Kyle's holding, "You weren't coming in here to give me those..?"

Kyle looks confused for a moment before looking at what he's holding in his hands - a pack of Sour Patch Kids and a Sprite, "I- I thought I would bring you something to make you feel better..? I remembered that when we were younger, you would also put Sour Patch Kids in your Sprite, so..."

"You remember that?" Ajax asks, Kyle smiling as he nods.

"You would always put the blue, red, and yellow ones in your Sprite and then give somebody else the orange and green ones..." Kyle says, Ajax not being able to hold back the smile that creeps onto their face.

"Well, I don't really like the orange and green ones..." Ajax waves a hand at Kyle, "There're some cups in the cabinet behind you. Get yourself one, too."

Kyle places the can of Sprite and Sour Patch Kids on the table beside Ajax's bed before turning, retrieving two plastic cups from the cabinet across the room. Ajax pulls the small rolling table closer to them as Kyle comes back over, taking a seat near the foot of the bed, placing the cups on the table as Ajax takes one of them.

As Ajax opens the pack of Sour Patch Kids, sorting out the colors, they ask, "What flavors do you want? Do you just want the orange and green, or..?"

"I'll just take the orange and green ones." Kyle nods, "They're my favorite flavors."

"...really?" Ajax asks, "Isn't that...convenient."

"I like the blue ones, too." Kyle shrugs, "...but you want those, so you can have them."

"How charming..." Ajax says sarcastically as they pick up their small pile of yellow candy, placing it in their cup, following with the pile of red and then blue. Kyle just takes both piles of orange and green into his hand together, dumping them into his own cup, watching as Ajax pours half of the Sprite into their cup before dumping the other half into Kyle's. 

Kyle watches as the bubbles from the soda slowly dissipate, looking up at Ajax, "So...Lex said you've never had a seizure before...is that what's happening now?"

"God, I just wanna stop hearing that word- 'Seizure'." Ajax shakes their head, "It's getting annoying at this point." 

"What do you want it to be called..?" Kyle asks, Ajax sighing as they lean back in bed, drink in hand.

"I don't really wanna talk about it..." Ajax sighs, "...why are you talking to me, anyway?"

"What do you mean?" Kyle asks.

"Max pretty much tells you who you can and can't talk to, right?" Ajax asks, "He'd kick my ass if he saw me talking to you...he'd kick your's for talking to me, too."

"Like I said, he sent me in here to make sure you weren't hurt too bad." Kyle says, "...besides, I'm worried about you."

"You never talk to me." Ajax says, "Why are you worried?"

"Is there something wrong with me being worried..?" Kyle asks, turning so that he's now fully facing Ajax, sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed.

"...no." Ajax finally says. There's a small bout of silence before: "You know Max won't let you talk to me when we back to school, though, right?"

"Or...we could." Kyle says quietly, "Max just can't know." 

"Like...we'd secretly be friends?" Ajax asks, Kyle nodding. Ajax laughs a little, "How...scandalous."

Kyle nearly chokes on his drink, "'Scandalous'?"

"Not like that." Ajax laughs more, waving a dismissive hand, "I just...couldn't think of another word-"

"Oh, ok- um...yeah- but yeah, we can be...secret friends." Kyle says, smiling. Surprisingly, it's not a shit-eating grin that Ajax is used to seeing on somebody like Max...Kyle's smile makes him look more like...Ken in a way, "...if you want to be." 

Ajax looks over at the small dresser like table on the other side of their bed, grabbing a small ballpoint pen and notepad with the hospital's logo on it. Ajax scribbles put their phone number, ripping the paper off the writing pad before handing it to Kyle, "It can be our dirty little secret."

Kyle pockets the phone number with a smile, "I should probably get back out there...I don't wanna give Max the wrong idea."

"Be careful..." Ajax says, bringing their cup closer to Kyle, "...see you tomorrow?"

"See you tomorrow..." Kyle nods, tapping his cup against Ajax's as a small 'cheers'.

What an unlikely friendship in these odd times.

Chapter 8: Boy’s Bathroom

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: momentary self-doubt, mentions of sex, putting people down for their appearances (kind of), Ruth and Richie being typical Ruth and Richie, urine mention, injuries,  favoritism when it comes to student ("cool kid privilege"), mentions of savior & god complexes, accidental misgendering and deadnaming

It was...quite the long night. Ajax was let out of the hospital the same night they were out in, sure, but...did they sleep much when they got home? No, of course not, especially with everything that's on their mind now. All of this is leaving Ajax exhausted, nearly to the point of delirium. 

At this point, Ajax feels like a walking dead person...which makes it no surprise that as soon as they get into the high school halls, they run straight into somebody. Ajax honestly thinks this is the end for them, as they can't catch their balance, the world moving in slow motion as they go towards the floor...only to have an arm wrapped around their waste before they can smack head on the linoleum. Ajax looks up to make eye contact with a red-headed cheerleader. What was her name again? Brenda?

"Woah, easy there- Are you alright?" Brenda asks, helping Ajax right themselves up as they nod, "Y'know, you're really light! You could be a flier if you wanted..."

"Oh, I could never-" Ajax starts, but cuts themselves off when they hear a familiar voice. 

"He said he'd be there in twenty minutes and he never showed." Stephanie says to a blonde cheerleader - Stacy, "I was there waiting all night. I ended up studying out of sheer boredom..."

"...ew." Stacy says out of boredom as Brenda brushes her hair over her shoulder, nearly hitting Ajax in the face.

"Well, maybe you scared him off, Steph." Brenda shrugs, "Pasqualli's? You save that place for, like, the fifth date."

"That's where you go before the first blowie!" Stacy beams, Brenda shrugging while Ajax just gets a confused look, "Everyone knows that!"

It's slowly setting in, who exactly they're talking about - Peter...Stephanie doesn't know what Max did, and it's already obvious that Stacy and Brenda don't know who they're even talking about. 

"And he still stood you up? Girl...that must be so embarrassing for you." Brenda says, Stephanie shaking her head.

"It wasn't a date, Brenda..." Stephanie says plainly. For some reason...Ajax isn't quite liking the idea of their little study-buddy time being considered a 'date'...

Brenda steps closer to Stephanie, poking her shoulder, "Mm. Sure, Steph...keep telling yourself that. Who is this guy, anyway? Standing up the mayor's daughter like he's got no fucks to give..? Not gonna lie, that's...really sexy."

"...he's not sexy." Stephanie shakes her head. Sure, Ajax could protest against her, but...Peter honestly isn't that sexy. Just kind of...cute, but not sexy, "It's..- It's Peter." 

Brenda and Stacy stand there, confused for a moment, Ajax piping in, "Spankoffski..?"

Stacy jumps slightly, not realizing that Ajax was even there in the first place, not being able to get a word in before Brenda nearly yells, "Oh my god! The fucking bow tie kid?"

"Steph, I know he's rich, but...money isn't everything." Stacy retorts, "Looks are."

"And, like, if you're on the football team." Brenda adds, Stacy nodding quickly, nearly jumping with joy.

"Oh my god! I can't wait for the big game!" Stacy says giddily, both her and Brenda suddenly screaming with joy. Ajax flinches, cringing at the sudden loud noise, "Oh- You have to see our new cheer! It's so fab." 

"Uh, not right now, Stace..." Stephanie grabs Ajax by the arm, mainly the pull them away from the two rather loud cheerleaders, pulling them towards two faces they're actually glad to see - Richie and Ruth, "Hey, uh...dweeb..?"

Ajax pulls away from Stephanie, meeting Richie and Ruth in their conversation, both of them turning while audibly going 'Yeah?'. They smile when they see Ajax, but their smile falls when they see Stephanie, rolling their eyes as they turn away.

Stephanie comes closer, "Either of you seen Pete around..?" 

"Why?" Richie asks as Ruth scoffs, "Looking to kick him while he's down..?"

Ajax gives a confused look to both of them as Ruth speaks up, "Yeah, you've got all our hopes up, temptress." 

"What..the hell are you guys talking about?" Ajax asks, Stephanie nodding.

"I don't know what you're talking about..." Stephanie says, Richie rolling his eyes.

"Come on! You lured him right into the lion's den..!" Richie retorts, Ajax going wide eyed as they realize: they think Stephanie got Peter beat up by Max. 

Ajax goes to interrupt, but has to hold back a gag instead as Richie continues, "We thought you waifu material, but you're just a bully."

"Yeah, and we're gonna find new objects of our sexual desires. Then you'll be sorry..!" Ruth says, turning away from Stephanie as Richie crosses his arms and does the same.

"...you guys can't be serious." Ajax mutters, Stephanie pointing at Richie and Ruth.

"This is why nobody talks to you people." Stephanie says sternly, grabbing Richie by the collar of his shirt to bring him closer, "What the hell happened to Pete last night?!"

"Oh- She touching me!" Richie says, wide eyed as Ruth steps closer, gripping onto her own sweater.

"Lucky!" Ruth yells, Ajax rolling their eyes as they step in between Richie and Stephanie as they nearly yank Stephanie's hand away from the weeb's shirt collar.

"...where is Pete..?" Ajax asks, Richie eventually letting out a sigh.

"...I- I don't know-" Richie says shakily. Stephanie rolls her eyes, groaning as she pushes past the three and towards the room behind them: the men's restroom. 

Stephanie slowly opens the door, stepping inside, "Pete..? Are you in here?" 

"Steph- This is the boy's bathroom-!" Richie says as he places a hand on Stephanie's shoulder, which she quickly shrugs off.

"Grow up." Stephanie scoffs, Richie following after her as she fully goes into the bathroom, followed by Ruth who looks like she's in utter awe, and Ajax who has already been here before...so they're not very impressed. 

"Wow..." Ruth says softly, staring intently at the urinals, "These toilets aren't even in stalls! You all just watch each other pee?"

Ruth spins in a small, whimsical circle with her arms outstretched, "Oh, it's better than I ever imagined..." 

Finally, a savior opens a stall in the bathroom, interrupting Ruth's odd swooning - it's Peter...who has a black eye. Ajax goes wide eyed, stepping closer to him, "Oh, Jesus- Are you ok..?"

"God...Pete, what'd he do to you?" Stephanie asks, Peter shaking his head as he steps towards the mirror.

"What, this? You should see the other guy..." Peter says, Ajax walking with him, assessing the damage, "...I think he bruised his knuckles on my face." 

Peter brings a piece of toilet paper up to the bruise, wincing. Ajax places a hand on his arm, rubbing it comfortingly, "Easy, Pete..."

"C'mon, you can't stay in the bathroom all day-" Stephanie starts, Peter turning to her slightly.

"I'm not." He says defensively, "Just during lunch, passing period, and any times I might run into Max Jägerman."

"That's impossible, Pete..." Ajax says softly, "...Max might always run into us."

"That's such bullshit!" Stephanie says, "I'm not gonna let him get away with this..."

"Steph, the more you get involved, the worse things are gonna be for me...it's like I said: I'm not allowed to talk to you." Peter says, Ajax, Richie, and Ruth nodding in agreement. 

"Who does Max think he is? My dad? What a fucking psycho!" Stephanie groans, "No, I'm sorry, Pete. I'm going to the principal with this." 

"Hah...this is Max Jägerman." Richie fake laughs, Ajax shaking their head.

"He's the quarterback, Steph..." Ajax says quietly, Richie nodding.

"If you think the principal cares more about us than the outcome of the big game...then you are willfully naive." Richie says, fidgeting with his backpack straps. 

"That's some cool kid privilege, right there." Ruth says, staring at the floor.

"Well, we have to do something..!" Stephanie's voice raises, Richie rolling his eyes.

"And what, pray tell, maybe that be, Stephanie?" Richie asks.

Stephanie pauses for a moment, "...I don't know! We...We-"

Suddenly, the bathroom door swings open, a girl in pastel colors storming in with a might that can only be compared to one of Max Jägerman's and a savior complex just as strong as Max's god complex. 

"-Destroy him!" Grace says sternly, being met scoffs of her own name and rolled eyes.

"Oh. My. God." Stephanie whines, "Butt out, Chasity! This is none of your business!" 

"Oh, it very much is my business, and not just because I'm the hall monitor - and there are three girls in the boys bathroom-" Grace starts, Peter clearing his throat as he points at Ajax. 

"They're not a girl." Peter says flatly, Ajax nodding. Grace turns to Ajax, looking them up and down for a moment...before finally going wide eyed.

"Oh my god- Clay!" Grace says, Ajax physically wincing at the name, "I'm so sorry! You wearing a skirt so I thought- I- ...I love your outfit..!"

"Ajax." Ajax says plainly, Grace tilting her head in confusion.

"Pardon?" Grace asks, Ajax fighting the urge to roll their eyes.

"It's Ajax. Not Clay." Ajax says, Grace pausing before nodding.

"Well...Ajax...I love your outfit." Grace says, smiling. She turns to Stephanie and Ruth before Ajax can even respond, "As for the girls, detention for both of you."

"Wha-?" Ruth starts, head hanging low in an emotion that's probably not shame.

"God, you suck, Grace." Stephanie scoffs, Grace standing defiantly before them.

"Max Jägerman has made all our lives a living heck." Grace says, Ajax nearly laughing at the word choice, "He's more than a boy. He's an idea. One that strikes fear in the hearts of the meek-"

Grace gestures towards Ruth as she says 'meek', who looks as confused as ever, but Grace continues, "-and lust in the souls of the innocent!"

"Who exactly is the 'innocent' that you're referring to, Grace?" Ajax asks, Grace waving their hand towards them.

"We must strip him of his power and leave him helpless at our feet." Grace finishes, everyone looking at her, confused.

"...how?" Peter asks, Grace smirking. 

"With a little faith in the father, son, and some 'holy ghosts'." Grace smiles even more as she air-quotes 'holy ghosts', spinning on her heels as she leaves just as soon as she got there.

Chapter 9: Hot?

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: memories from before transitioning, controlling behavior (Max), self-doubt, gender dysphoria mention, sexual harassment mention (looking up people's skirts), body dysphoria, mention of medical episodes, people are getting flustered, misunderstandings(?), awkward situations, injuries(?)

Ajax squeezes out of the door way, out of their final class of the day as people try to push through simultaneously. As they make their way towards the exit of the school, they stop when they see a poster stapled to a bulletin board, fliers in a small pouch attached to it...it's for cheerleading try-outs. Ajax stares at it for a moment, remembering.

Whenever they were a kid, they were a cheerleader, but they didn't do much giving the fact that they were more masculine and it wasn't super common to have a male-presenting flier. Now...Ajax is neither - not a cheerleader...and not a boy. Yet, they can't be a cheerleader now. Max would never let it happen. 

Ajax shakes their head, going to turn away from the poster before they hear a voice behind them, "I think you should try out..."

Ajax spins around, fully expecting to have to defend themselves against Max, but is met by another football player clad in Nighthawk colors. Ajax sighs, "Kyle, you scared the shit out of me..."

"My bad..." Kyle apologizes, "...but I really do think you should try out. I remember how good you were in elementary school. You had so much...energy."

"That was elementary school, Kyle. We all had more energy." Ajax says, "I can't be a cheerleader now. Max wouldn't let it happen."

"Does Max keep you from doing everything?" Kyle asks, Ajax quickly nodding. 

"Yes, he does. He quite literally does." Ajax says quickly, "He beat the shit out of Pete for just stepping foot in the parking lot of Pasqualli's! He'd kill me if I even tried to touch a pom-pom." 

"Oh, I'm sure I could talk him into it..." Kyle says, letting there be a small pause, "...Ok. Maybe I can't talk him into it, but you shouldn't let one guy control all of your decisions for you." 

"Even if Max didn't enforce his own rules around this school, I wouldn't be able to do it." Ajax explains, "I wouldn't feel comfortable in the uniform..."

"Well, I'm sure they'd give you the...guy uniform if you wanted it." Kyle says hesitantly, "...that wasn't the right wording, was it?"

"You were close...oh, so close, but no cigar." Ajax laughs, "But that's the problem, they'd try to force me into the masculine uniform...and I don't really wanna be confined to a box like that."

"Then...you could wear the feminine uniform." Kyle says, beaming at the correct wording this time.

"And have people trying to look up my skirt 24/7? Yeah, no..." Ajax shakes their head as they start walking towards the exit, "...do they have safety shorts under the skirts?"

"I think Brenda said there are..." Kyle says.

Ajax nods, "Even then, I don't think I could do it. I would look...a lot different than Brenda and Stacy in the uniform. It'd look...weird." 

"I'm sure you wouldn't look weird." Kyle says, Ajax rolling their eyes.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better." Ajax mutters, "Besides, I know the girl you have your eyes on looks hot in the cheerleading uniform. I, however, would not."

"...I'm sure you'd look hot in it, too, Ajax." Kyle says plainly, just smiling his usual, nearly dumb smile. 

Ajax halts their walking, Kyle stopping when he notices they have. Kyle stares at Ajax for a moment, who stares back at him.

"What?" Kyle asks, "Are you ok? Are you having one of your...'episodes' again-?"

"Wha- No, I'm...not- Did you-?" Ajax stammers out, trying to fight back against the flustered-ness that's fighting to take over, "Did I..hear you correctly?"

"Hear what?" Kyle asks, stepping closer. The poor dude is getting worried, "What did I say? Did I say or, uh- do something wrong..?"

"Not...necessarily..." Ajax says, finally managing to put a sentence together, "You said that...you were sure I'd look...hot in the cheerleading uniform..?" 

Kyle stares at Ajax a little bit longer, before his face finally starts flushing over like Ajax's, "Is there something wrong with saying that..?"

"Um...no, I just...wasn't expecting it." Ajax picks at their sweater sleeves for a moment, staring at the floor, "I- I need to go-"

"Ok- Ok, I'll see you tomorrow?" Kyle asks, Ajax quickly nodding. Ajax goes to walk towards the exit, before pausing. 

They stand there for a moment, Ajax finally sighing as they get the courage to turn back to the poster. Ajax quickly grabs a flyer, before waving a small goodbye to Kyle...and runs towards the exit. 

Once Ajax is outside, they finally manage to stop running...by running straight into Richie. Instead of having someone to catch them, both Richie and Ajax tumble to the ground, Richie wincing as he scrapes his knees on the concrete. 

"Shit!” Ajax yells, finally managing to stop tumbling as they rock back and forth on their backpack, almost like a turtle being stuck on it’s shell, “Fuck- Richie, are you ok..?”

Richie waves a dismissive hand as he gets to his feet, walking over to Ajax as he offers a hand to get them off the ground, “Why’re you in such a hurry..?” 

Ajax takes Richie’s hand, pulling themselves off the ground, nearly clinging to his arm as they talk, “I- I am- I don’t know what I am right now- I can’t think. I’m confused!”

“…care to elaborate?” Richie asks, Ajax nearly pacing at this point. Ajax shakes their head, Richie sighing, walking up to the poor, flustered individual, grabbing them by the shoulders so they’ll finally stop pacing and look at them, “What happened..?”

“Um- Kyle Clauger called me…hot-” Ajax whispers, Richie nearly screaming at the top of his lungs.

“Kyle Clauger called you what-?!” Richie screams, Ajax slapping a hand over Richie’s mouth before he can continue.

“Richie. Kindly…shut the fuck up.” Ajax says, “Please.” 

Ajax slowly removes their hand from Richie’s mouth, who whispers, “Why are my friends getting lucky with the popular people..?”

“This isn’t lucky, Richie!” Ajax yells in a hushed tone, “One, you remember what happened to Pete when he interacted with Steph! Imagine what would happen if he saw me looking at Kyle…one of his best friends. Two…I..think I already like somebody else, so it won’t work out.”

“‘Won’t work out’?” Richie asks, “Who could can even compete with Kyle-?”

“Shut up and stop saying his name. You’re getting people’s attention…” Ajax says through their teeth, “And why should I trust telling you if you’re gonna yell when I tell you about…you know who?” 

“My lips will remain sealed.” Richie says quickly, nodding, “I promise.”

“…it’s..it’s Pete-” Ajax says in a barely audible tone. Richie stares at Ajax, having an almost dumbfounded expression.

Ajax stares back at Richie, waiting for a response, and to…nobody’s surprise…Richie yells, “It’s PETE?” 

“Jesus Christ, Richie-!” Ajax covers his mouth once more, practically tackling him this time as they tumble to the ground again. 

Chapter 10: Old Waylon Place

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: mentions of satanism, mention of human sacrifice, mention of demonic rituals, sex mention, mention of pants wetting/other accidents that falls under this category, gross descriptions of allergic reactions (including blood and pus), talking about embarrassing stories from other people’s childhoods, visions, mentions of death, religious anxiety, devil/demon mention, mentions of fighting

Ajax managed to get Richie to shut up finally. Too bad that conversation was had right before Grace brought the whole wannabe Mystery Inc. (or Solve-It Squad - it depends on what channel you watched as a kid) to the Old Waylon Place. Nobody really dares to go near this house…and nobody dares to buy, the wind blowing making the creaking of the “FOR SALE” sign on the lawn quite unnerving. The house is old and decrepit, a husk of what may once have been a lovely home. But now…it just looks like the beastly home from “Monster House”. 

Thunder rolls in the distance as the teens walks along the sidewalk, loose gravel and leaves crunching under their feet as they go. The rattle of zippers, keychains, and any other thing attached to everyone’s backpacks rattle in an almost comforting way…telling each other they’re not alone.

“There it is…” Grace says as she stops at the gate that ‘welcomes’ the group to enter the lawn of this nearly dying ‘home’, “…the Old Waylon Place.”

“Isn’t this, like…breaking and entering..?” Peter asks, watching as Grace opens the gate, walking along the path that leads to the front porch. 

“I’m not breaking anything! My dad’s the realtor.” Grace rattles the large ring of keys in her hands as the steps leading the front door creak under her feet. Everyone follows after the religious teen as she unlocks the door, walking inside. Dust lines every inch of the house, the tattered curtains letting moonlight flood in across the hard wood floor, “The house was built in 1910 by Mathias and Agatha Waylon - wealthy, eccentric. They went on to build the city’s most important landmarks, like the Starlight Theater, the Gazette, even the schoolhouse that would one day become Hatchetfield High! They took a backwater, logging town and turned it into their own personal paradise..where they were free to indulge in their eclectic interests.” 

“What kind of interests..?” Ruth asks, the curly haired girl tracing small drawing on the wall in dust.

“Oh, y’know…” Grace says, “A little satanism.” 

“Oh, bologna!” Peter scoffs, Ajax clearing their throat.

“It’s actually true. They would do your stereotypical satanist crap in the confines of this very home.” Ajax explains, “I didn’t get an ‘A’ on a history report about the Waylon’s for nothing.”

“Didn’t you get an ‘A’-minus?” Peter asks, Ajax scoffing.

“They thought it was too dark.” Ajax mutters, Grace nodding.

“Yeah! They did human sacrifices, demonic rituals-” Grace turns back to Ruth, “-sex magic!”

Ruth smiles slightly at the mention of ‘sex magic’. Grace gives her an odd look before continuing, “Eventually, the people of Hatchetfield got fed up with this ‘cult’. An angry mob burst through those doors, and found the Waylon’s and their followers and hacked them to bloody bits!” 

“But as they say…” Ajax adds, “…nothing really dies in the Waylon Place. Their angry spirits haunt these halls to this very day…” 

“And when Max Jägerman comes in contact with these ‘ghosts’,” Grace does air-quotes around ‘ghosts’, “we’re gonna film the whole thing. We’re gonna post a video of him crying for his mommy, wetting himself with fear, and then..he will cease to be the most terrifying…hottest bully in Hatchetfield!”

Everyone gets a look of ‘Oh, really?’ when Grace says ‘hottest’, but she doesn’t seem to notice, “He will forever be known as ‘#PottyPants’.” 

“…‘PottyPants’?” Stephanie asks, “How about ‘PissyPants’?” 

“Oh, I’m not comfortable with the plan if it involves that kind of language.” Grace says as she shakes her head, everyone else just shrugging as they look around, floorboards creaking under them as they wander. Grace leads everyone upstairs, some stairs seeming as if they could give under their weight at any moment until the get to the top floor, noon light flooding in even more now.

“I’m not comfortable with this place.” Peter mutters, “It’s not structurally sound..!” 

Peter places his foot on a floorboard near a large window in the main suite of the Waylon Place, the floorboard nearly giving way from him just lightly tapping it. Ajax nods in agreement, “It also smells like something died in here…”

“Yeah, something wreaks.” Stephanie agrees, Grace, Richie, and Ruth all raising their hands as they simultaneously say: 

“Sorry, that’s me.” 

“I’m allergic to deodorant.” Ruth says shamefully. 

Richie tucks his hands under his armpits, “I have overactive sweat glands.”

“Bathing isn’t safe for me right now.” Grace says softly, Ajax just tilting their head in confusion. 

“God, you guys are nerds.” Stephanie snickers, Ruth stepping forward.

“Um, excuse me-” Ruth says defensively, “If I wear antiperspirant, I break out in hives…and I scratch ‘em, and they bleed, and pus comes out. I get pus in my pits!”

Ajax nearly gags, “Ok, Ruth. We already know.” 

“No, you don’t!” Ruth retorts, “I just told you! How would you know?”

“…I’ll tell you later.” Ajax shudders, “Just…please, in the nicest way possible, shut up.”

“Yeah, we’re moving on from that…” Stephanie says, just wanting to calm Ajax’s nausea as Ruth steps even closer.

“Don’t bully me!” Ruth grumbles, turning away as she storms off, “Who invited her, anyway?”

“Steph’s the most important part of the plan!” Grace says cheerfully, running over to her, “You’re the bait for our trap. You’re gonna tell Max Jägerman something super fun is going on at the Waylon Place, something he wouldn’t wanna miss - like a bible study.”

“Or a party..?” Stephanie asks, Grace nodding at the idea. 

“C’mon, guys! We can do this…I just gotta think…” Grace begins pacing, thinking…snapping beside her head as she does so.

“…why’re you snapping?” Peter asks, Grace placing the index finger of her free hand against her lips as she lets out a small ‘shh’.

“It helps me think.” She says quickly, “We are going to bullying the bully, people. We’re going to make Max lose his cool over something spooky.”

“…this is so goofy.” Peter scoffs, taking a seat at the top of the stair case as Grace groans.

“Do you have a better plan, Pete?” Grace asks, only earning a hesitant head shake.

“We’re gonna make him shit himself.” Richie snickers under his breath.

“Did you know he actually did that in third grade?” Ajax asks, “…just…nobody mentions it because they only know about what happened when Peter got pantsed.”

“He shit himself?” Ruth asks, “When?”

“Yeah, I didn’t even know about this…” Stephanie says, Grace looking around the group.

“Are you guys listening to the plans..-?” Grace asks, Stephanie waving a dismissive hand at her.

“It’s story time, Chasity.” Stephanie says.

“It was on the field trip to the old trail that leads to the mill at the edge of town…” Ajax laughs, “Poor little Maxie forgot he was lactose intolerant and ate three mozzarella sticks…he ended up ditching his underwear in the woods. That’s why nobody knew about it.”

“So, how did you know about it..?” Peter asks, Ajax just smiling as they shrug.

“They have their ways…” Richie sighs, “…have you told them about your visions?”

“…‘visions’?” Stephanie asks, “Like…you see the future?”

“I guess, yeah.” Ajax says, “It’s just been getting…worse lately. It all started as dreams from my past, and I thought it was a trigger of PTSD, but then I started seeing other people’s past - that’s how I knew you were referred to as Micro-Peter before you even told me about what happened, Pete-” Peter has a surprised looks because…it does make sense, “-but lately…I’ve been having visions of possible…the future…and I psychically connected with someone who claims that we know each other, but that they can’t out right tell me who they are…and I saw..people dying.”

“Who’d you see dying..?” Ruth asks, Ajax shaking their head. 

“It doesn’t matter, it’s just…weird, I guess…I-” Ajax goes to the continue, noticing that Grace is staring at them in near horror, gripping tightly to her crucifix necklace, “You alright there, Grace?”

“I am perfectly fine.” Grace says, smiling, “I’m just going to keep an extra few feet away from you from now on, alright..?”

“…that’s perfectly fine.” Ajax says hesitantly, laughing slightly, “Trust me, it’s not the devil or a demon…” 

“…you keep telling yourself that.” Grace nods, “Anyway, Pete, I’m gonna need you to be the ghost to scare Max. Ruth you’re in charge of tech, and you’ll be a back up if the first ghost doesn’t work. Richie can film everything-”

“What’s our budget..?” Richie asks, reaching in his backpack as he retrieves a small camcorder.

“There…isn’t one..?” Grace says, Richie getting a disappointed look, “And, Stephie, you’re gonna use all of your charm and wit to lure him in. Then, when Max shows up, Pete will jump out…making Jäger jäger out.”

“And…what am I doing..?” Ajax asks, Grace stopping for a moment.

“…you’re Ruth’s back-up tech. If she needs to go out there, you control all of the noise and cues!” Grace says, earning a thumbs up from the teen, “Alright, everyone…are you ready?”

“Wait- Are we just scaring him, or are we also fighting him?” Richie asks, Grace nearly gasping at the idea.

“Of course we’re not going to be hurting him!” Grace nearly yells, “We don’t wanna scare him to death.”

Chapter 11: Bully the Bully

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: anxiety mention, vocal stimming, attachment issues(?), gun mention, mention of homeless people, sex mention, putting down people, exposing people's crushes, alcohol, (fake) ghosts/ghouls, attempted violence, slight mentions of (emotional) abuse, misunderstandings, mention of visions, mentions of blood/gore

Everyone is running around this old home, the floorboards complaining the whole time as they cry out in their old state. Richie is filming random spots, trying to see how good it looks for the camera, Ruth is pacing, Stephanie is using Grace's phone to message Max on instagram...this is...actually quite anxiety inducing. 

"I don't think I can do this." Ruth whines, "We're supposed to be making Max lose his cool, but...but I think I'm losing my cool!" 

"Ruth...you gotta stay cool, and you gotta keep cool." Grace says calmly, "We're gonna be cool beans...we're gonna keep the beans cool."

"We're gonna- ...gonna keep the beans...beans the cool...keep the beans the cool- keep the beans...." Ruth rambles nonsensically, Ajax laughing slightly.

"Bean school." Ajax says softly, snickering. That's a funny phrase: 'bean school'. It makes they brain feel fuzzy in an actually good way. 

"'Bean school'..?" Richie repeats Ajax, snickering similarly, "Excellent."

Richie and Ajax have always had a thing where if they find a word or phrase that just settles nicely in their brain...they have to repeat it. One time, they got caught on the word 'onomatopoeia'...they thought they sounded smart, but - in reality - they were just repeating that long ass word thirty times in a row and sounded crazy.

"Oh, yeah! We're shooting this prank in 4K! It's gonna look beast." Richie walks over to Grace, "Do you think I can get a little more light in here..?"

Grace rolls her eyes, "Richie, the whole point is that it's in the dark!"

"Well, then I'm gonna have to shoot everything in a wide and it's gonna look like shit!" Richie yells, Ajax placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. 

"I'm sure it'll be fine..." Ajax says softly, Richie shaking his head almost violently.

"No, it's gonna look horrendous." Richie whines, "You've never handled a camera before...you wouldn't know." 

Ajax goes to protest, but, one...he is right, they don't know anything about cameras, and two...in walks Ruth, on the phone. She's finally distracted herself from the stress, "Wait- Wait- No, don't take me off your call list...no, I'm not gonna switch my internet provider, but I..still wanna talk."

Ajax huffs out a laugh as there's a short pause, Ruth looking rather disappointed, "Hello? Hello..? Hel-"

Stephanie walks in, behind Ruth, "Who was that-?"

"My boyfriend." Ruth says nearly too quickly, Ajax shaking their head in disappointment.

"It sounded like a telemarketer..." Stephanie smiles a little, Ruth's posture slightly slumping.

"Ok, my ex-boyfriend." Ruth says, walking away from the more popular girl.

"Well, Jägerman's on his way..." Stephanie says, being loud enough that everyone in the house can hear her. Ruth nearly crumbles right then and there, "You ready?"

"I don't know..! I'm nervous..." Ruth grumbles, Stephanie placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. 

"No, no. Don't be..." Stephanie reassures, "You've got this."

Ruth looks up at the slightly taller girl sheepishly, "You're, like...super nice to me."

Stephanie looks down at Ruth for a moment, "...not really. I'm just doing the bare minimum." 

"You're the best friend I've ever had..!" Ruth says slightly louder, Stephanie giving her a sad smile.

"Aw, that's sad." Stephanie somewhat laughs out. 

"...I think I'm in love with you." Ruth says quickly, Stephanie shaking her head as she leads the poor, confused girl out of the room.

Peter walks in soon after, dressed in mostly white, 17th century garb. It's manually tattered, tool hanging off the sleeves, "Ok- Be honest: am I reading as ghost or Lin-Manuel Miranda?" 

"...you do definitely look like the type to aim his pistol at the sky." Ajax says, Richie staring at the costume for a little while longer.

"You kind of look like that homeless guy from downtown..." Richie says plainly, Ajax nodding in agreement, "but that could still work. He gets pretty scary sometimes." 

"Maybe I should lose the glasses..?" Peter asks, taking his glasses off - which are then promptly taken by Ajax, who places the pair of glasses on their own face. 

Peter looks across the room, noticing the two people there: Stephanie and Ruth. Stephanie is looking at Peter, smiling...Richie smiles when he sees that, "Hey, Pete...check it out...she came all the way out here just to help you."

A twinge of jealousy stabs Ajax in the gut as they make eye contact with Richie as he speaks, "She's waiting for you, buddy." 

"Really..?" Peter asks, fidgeting with the tool of his sleeves, "You think Steph actually likes me?" 

Richie raises a brow, "No. I'm talking about Ruth!"

Peter looks over at Ruth, Ajax following his gaze as Ruth tries - and fails - to bend over sexily to pick up props, looking as if she's about to bend-and-snap a leg if she's not careful. Richie scoffs, "She's so fucking thirsty! I mean, you could just, uh- hit it and quit it, bro..."

Peter watches as Ruth unsteadily sways her hips, trying to catch the Hamilton-esc teen's attention in a totally different way than it currently is, "Yeah...I don't want to, though." 

"...you're fucking useless, Pete." Richie rolls his eyes as he gathers his camera and backpack, "You might as well ask Ajax out then since they have the hots for you, too. You might wanna hurry before Kyle Clauger gets them, though." 

"Wha-?" Peter starts as Ajax goes bright red. 

"Richie?!" Ajax screams, "I swear to-"

"Alright, everyone!" Grace interrupts, running with a fury, "Get to your posts! Max Jägerman's coming up the walkway! Operation PottyPants is about to commence!"

Everyone scrambles in opposite directions, Ajax following after Ruth as she hides behind some curtains, peering out of the window. The window is cloudy with dust and age, but broken enough that there's a hole they can just look out of, seeing Max as he walks up the sidewalk. He's carrying a six pack of beer, or what's left of it at least. It's obvious he's already drank a few as there's a stumble to his step. 

"Woah..." they hear Max let out a sound of awe as he sees the house, ducking for cover as his eyes look all around the decrepit building, "Hey, Steph! It's the Jägermeister! I brought the brews..."

Grace pokes her head out from behind a dresser, waving her hands to get Ruth's attention, "Ruth...cue the sound effects."

Ruth pauses for a moment, confused. Ajax gestures towards the remote that Ruth holds in her hands, it shaking along with her body. Ruth lets out a small 'oh!' before clicking a button on it. 

Stereotypical "spooky" music plays from a speaker hidden by the front door, crows cawing and wind blowing. Ajax doesn't think this is convincing at all, especially as Max speaks, "Oh shit...where's that creepy music coming from?"

He can't be serious, Ajax thinks, but as Max passes the poorly hidden speaker, maybe they're stood corrected. Max continues to call out, "What kind of party is this?"

"Steph? Kyle?" Max calls out, confusion rising in his voice as he looks around the house. Ruth shrinks in her spot, moving closer to Ajax as they hear the stairs creaking, Max approaching, "Brenda, if your gonna surprise me, do it al-fuckin'-ready- I gotta take a piss!" 

"Max..." A voice calls out, long and drawn out. Max looks scared shitless, but Ajax has to hold back their laughter from just how horrible Peter is at sounding scary.

"...who's there?" Max asks, his voice suddenly quieter. He looks all around the room, his silhouette barely seen behind the curtain that Ajax and Ruth hide behind, his body a blur behind the musty fabric.

"Max Jägerman..." Peter calls out again, Ajax having to cover their mouth to suppress their giggles.

Max furrows his brows in slight annoyance, "What?!"

Max spins on his heels when he hears a creak behind him, staring up at what he thinks is a ghostly apparition before him, standing on top of the dressed that Grace is hiding behind, but it is simply Peter is his ghost costume, which now involves a shitty, white Party City wig and a matching white top hat, "You have disturbed the spirits of Waylon Hall...now your soul shall be ours!"

"Oh, shit!" Max yells out, recoiling away from Peter as he hugs the 'six' pack of beer closer to his chest, "Oh fuck- It's a fucking ghost!"

"This is awesome, Grace!" Richie peers out of a cupboard that's near Grace, whispering into a walkie-talkie as quietly as possible, "It's working!"

"I always knew you fuckers were real!" Max continues the cry out, voice cracking as his usual facade crumbles, "I've been scared of you my whole life...!"

Ajax thinks...maybe this is actually working. In some miraculously stupid series of events, they're going to humiliate Max Jägerman. However, when Max suddenly places the box of beer on the floor, turning to Peter with fury in his eyes, Ajax thinks they may be mistaken, "But it's time to stop running."

Max chugs the last bit of beer that he has in the can he's holding, crushing it on his head, and throws it across the room. It smacks the window behind Ajax and Ruth's head, nearly smacking Ruth in the process. Ruth is shaking with terror, and Ajax doesn't know how to help without being caught. 

"Float over here, ghost!" Max yells, raising his fists, "I'm gonna kick your fucking ass!"

"Uh, Grace..." Richie mumbles, "We've got a problem."

"What? Is he not buying it?" Grace whisper yells, Richie's frantic head shaking being practically heard over the walkie-talkie.

"No, he thinks the ghost is real- He's just really fucking brave!" 

"Uh-" Peter stutters, still trying to keep his ghostly facade as his arms are outstretched, body swaying slightly, "You can't fight me. I'm an ethereal being, so...-"

"We'll see about that! I'm gonna make you say 'boo-hoo', bitch!" Max screams out, running at Peter with a primal yell. Peter scrambles off of the dresser, running for what seems like his life, (as carefully as possible. Peter is still anxious about the safety of this place) the floor audibly splintering under his feet. Max looks at his hands for a moment, confused as to how and why the 'ghost' has ran, but he also doesn't seem to care as he smiles, "Yes! I make the dead run in fear! I am Jägerman! I am God! GO NIGHTHAWKS!"

Grace glares up at Max at the mention of him being 'God', but then quickly presses her body against the dresser when she thinks she may be spotted. Ajax fidgets with their sleeves, anxiety rising in them as shit hits the fan. Richie whispers into the walkie-talkie once more, "The ghost ran! Send in the skeleton..!"

Ruth's eyes widen as she realizes that she has to move away from her spot. Ajax sighs, reaching out their hand over to take the remote from Ruth. Ruth quickly hands it over, Ajax trying not to cringe at how sweat soaked it is. Ruth lowers a cheap skull mask onto her face and dusts off her skeleton onesie as she suddenly bolts out from behind the curtain. Her arms swing wildly as she lets out an odd, shrill shrieking noise. Ajax pinches the bridge of their nose from the stupidity of it all.

Much to their surprise, though, Max is even more scared than before, "Oh shit! Oh fuck! I didn't think there'd be a skele'un here!"

Ajax nearly snorts at Max's pronunciation of the word 'skeleton', but keeps their cool as Max continues to scream out, "I'm so fucking scared of skele'uns! Maybe I should just run!"

Max makes a run for it at first, going towards the stairs, but he suddenly stops in his tracks. Max quickly shakes his head, "Where, Max? Back home so Dad can call you a 'little cuck'? Can't even fight off one lousy skele'un?! ...no...I've got no choice."

"Oh, shit..." Ajax mumbles as Max turns towards the masked Ruth. Ajax is scrambling trying to think of how to help Ruth as Max continues to approach her.

"Hey, skele'un!" Max yells, Ruth pointing to herself in confusion as Max just nods with a nearly evil grin, "I've got a bone to pick with you, bitch! Come here!"

Max runs at Ruth, a scared squeak coming from behind the skeleton mask as he grabs her by the collar of her onesie. Stephanie's voice crackles through the walkie-talkie, "Grace- We gotta abort the plan! It's not working!"

"It's working for me...!" Grace says in near glee, "He's so violent!"

Ajax shakes their head in disgust at what seems to be Grace's love - or lust - for this situation. They push the nastiness out of their head as they speak into the walkie-talkie urgently, "He's got Ruth, Grace! He's got Ruth!"

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, as Max raises his fist towards Ruth, Stephanie scrambles out from under a table. Dust flies as she practically tumbles out from behind the old, worn table cloth. Max jumps at the sudden appearance of another person, a still shaking Ruth in his grasp, "Max, stop!"

Max never takes his eyes off of Stephanie tosses Ruth aside, a nearly canine like yelp escaping the "skele'un" as she dashes to the other side of the room. Max quickly makes his way towards Stephanie.

"Steph, we can't have a party here. This place is hella haunted!" Max's tone is still fearful, but a bit more relieved when he sees Stephanie. Max grabs her by the hand, pulling the girl behind him as he faces the stairs, ready to leave with her, "Get behind me- I'll protect you."

Stephanie pulls away from Max's grasp, "Ugh- No! It's not real, stupid!"

Peter peaks around the cupboard that Richie hides in, the door creaking open slowly to reveal Richie as well. Stephanie gestures towards the former, "That's not a ghost. It's Peter Spankoffski. It was all a prank...a trick to scare the shit out of you...'cause you deserve it."

Ajax finally pokes his head out from behind the curtain, Grace rising from behind the dresser enough to reveal her eyes. Max looks at everybody, pausing at Ajax for a moment...mainly because he sees that they're wearing Peter's glasses. Ajax realizes it at about the same time as Peter does, Peter speed walking over to them. He flinches as he passes Max, who doesn't even raise his fist...just watching him walk by, confused. His eyes don't move away from the two, not until Peter quickly gestures for Ajax to hand him his glasses, which they quickly do with shaking hands.

"...what?" Max asks finally, turning his gaze to Stephanie as everyone else keeps their space from the jock, "You're telling me you nerds put this whole thing together just for me?" 

Everyone just stares at Max for a moment, then to each other...just trying to find the right response. Richie finally nods, everyone copying the motion.

"Wow..." Max sighs, "I, uh...I thought you guys hated me, but...uh- Thanks..."

Everyone's confused as Max smiles. It's not a smile they're used to. They're used to seeing him smile is sadistic glee as he's getting ready to beat the shit out of someone, but this time...it's genuine. It's a grateful smile.

Ajax finally pipes up, "Pardon?"

"Yeah...this was really great..." Max nods, everyone hesitantly looking around.

"You're not pissed?" Peter asks, Max laughing as he points to the glasses clad teen.

"Oh- Are you kidding?" Max shaking his head, "No, no, no- This is like the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me!"

Nobody knows what to say. Ajax can't help but feel bad...a small feeling of dread and guilt filling them as Max rushing over to the dresser that Peter stood on when he acted like a ghost as he climbs on top of it.

"When the, uh- When the ghost came out and my heart was like-" Max brings his hand to his chest, mimicking his heart pounding, noises and all, "...oh! And the skele'un! Oh...that was really special..."

Max bows towards Ruth, who can't help but feel flattered as he ticks her curly hair behind her ear. She waves a dismissive hand towards Max. Everyone is starting to feel relieved...and slightly bad, but Ajax feels very bad. Their feeling dread only seems to grow as they look up at Max standing on that dresser, hearing how the floor boards creak under the weight. Memories of their vision flash before their eyes so quickly that they feel light headed from all the blood...and the words that had come from his mouth.

"Y'know, maybe I had you guys figured all wrong...I thought you were a bunch of nerds, but...you guys throw one hell of a party-!" Max compliments, but Ajax isn't listening. It's like they know the floor boards are going to splinter before they even hear it.

Ajax rushes from behind the curtain, not even on their feet as the floorboards crack under the weight of Max and dresser, "Max, get down-!"

Ajax reaches the dresser, but it's too late. The floor gives, everyone watching in terror as the dresser's momentum flings Max off of the piece of furniture and back towards an old window. The dresser falls towards Ajax, who tries to back quickly, but they know it's going to hit them...until a hand grabs the back of their sweater, yanking them back as they watch Max scream in terror, his body breaking through the window as falls towards the ground below outside, shards of broken wood propelling after him.

Ajax clings to the person that grabbed them, trying to gather their bearings. They feel at the fabric, just trying to ground themselves when they feel...tool. Ajax looks up quickly to see Peter. He's looking at the scene before him, at the shattered window before he looks down at Ajax, "Are- Are you ok-?" 

Ajax goes to answer, but cuts themselves off when they hear Max's screams of anguish outside. Ajax tears himself away from Peter and runs down the stairs as quickly as possible. Their vision can't be coming true...can it?

Chapter 12: Bury the Bully

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: descriptions of blood/gore, mention of visions, pants wetting, threats of violence, breakdowns, death, murder(?), panicking, stimming, vomit mention, survivors guilt, gross prison joke (man, Ruth needs to learn how to not say this stuff), verbal shutdowns, religious themes/mention of religion, pervy stuff (talking about Max), mentions of past homophobia/transphobia, mentions of past violence, overstimulation from noise, descriptions of desecrating and hiding a corpse, weapons

Everyone rushes down the stairs after Ajax, who is practically hyperventilating at this point. Ajax busts out the front door, trying to tune out the voices behind them.

"Oh my god- Max?!" Stephanie screams, just trying to grasp at this situation as Peter is close behind her.

"I told you this place wasn't structurally sound! He just fell like three stories!" Peter rambles, Stephanie quickly shaking her head.

"Just- Go! Follow Ajax-!" Stephanie urges, trying to keep herself from falling down the stairs as Grace pushes past her.

"Oh, heck! Oh, heck no-!" Grace yells out. 

Ajax finally gets outside, nearly collapsing into the mud when they see the sight before them. They've seen it already as the look at Max sprawled out on the ground, - the blood, the boards sticking out of Max's torso, him struggling to speak as he spits out his own blood - but they still can't help the terrified screaming. They don't know what's worse, actually seeing it in real life...or knowing they could've probably stopped this if they realized what was going on sooner. Everyone finally gets outside, Ajax's screaming finally stopping when Peter grabs onto them once more. 

"Look what you fuckin' nerds made me do...!" Max chokes out, "I pissed my fucking pants!"

Ajax didn't even notice, and they don't care because Max is literally bleeding out and dying in front of them! Ajax can feel tears welling in their eyes, not wanting to look at this any longer...but they can't tear their eyes away. They're still filled with dread and confusion, and can only mutter one sentence, "Wh- What the fuck is happening-?"

"Uh- Mission accomplished..?" Richie somewhat interrupts, Ajax's question too quiet for him to hear. Everyone quickly looks over at Richie, shaking their heads in a way that basically just scream 'time and place'. 

"Max, don't move, ok?" Stephanie rushes over to Max, kneeling next to him, just trying to assess the situation, "We're gonna-" 

"Shut up, Steph!" Max screams, everyone flinching. Max winces, hissing through his teeth. The glare that he shoots towards Stephanie makes Ajax's blood run cold. They remember that glare, "You're just like these fuckin' losers! I'm gonna kill you all!" 

Ajax quickly shakes their head, trying to back away, but it's like their body won't let them - combined with the fact that Peter's got ahold of him. They feel their knees trying to buckle as they quickly bring their hands up to their ears, eyes screwing shut. Ajax can't take this. They don't want to hear this. 

"Nerdy...prudes...must pay." Max spits the words like venom, and they sting all the same on Ajax's skin, "Nerdy...prudes...must...die..!"

Ajax fingers tangle into their hair when they hear him say it. Their vision has just become a reality and they could've stopped it. Max shouldn't be the one that's dead, it could've been them! They could've fixed this! Ajax legs completely give out under them as they almost collapse onto the ground, Peter catching them before they can completely fall. Peter just helps Ajax themselves to the ground, staying with them as he rubs comforting - or as comforting as they can get - circles on their shoulder as Ajax begins to sob. 

Ajax can't even bring themselves to look at Max as they hear him take his final breaths, the jock becoming limp against the wet grass. 

"Max...?" Stephanie rushes towards Max, checking his pulse, "Max?"

Stephanie's gaze turns to Peter, wide eyed. There's no pulse. Peter's comforting movements stop as he begins to panic, "Holy shit- We killed him!" 

"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Richie screams out as he starts to pace, shaking his head violently as he flaps his hands, trying to grapple with the situation as panic sets in.

Ruth doubles over, arms wrapped around her stomach as her breath becomes quick. She can't tell if she's going to vomit or pass out - or both. Her hands quickly moves to her armpits when she realizes she's sweating profusely, "My pits!" 

Ajax can feel Peter shaking as he still holds onto them, but they can't really take in much of the words that are being said around them as sobs wrack their body, tears streaming down their face. Ajax can't help but rock back and forth slightly, just in a complete monsoon of dread, anguish, and anxiety.  

Grace stares at Max's lifeless body. She doesn't know what to do. She doesn't know what to think. Yet...she can't help but feel relieved.

Stephanie quickly shakes her head, voice shaky. Everyone thinks they've killed someone...but she knows the truth, "No- No, no...this was an accident-! The video will show-! Yeah, the video will show this was clearly an accident!"

"Uh- I actually didn't get the fall..." Richie says shakily, avoiding everyone's eyes as he stares at the ground, "...but I did get a lot of incriminating footage of us luring him here with malicious intent!" 

"Oh- That's just gonna make us look even more guilty!" Peter's voice cracks as he screams, Ajax flinching at the sudden rise in volume by his ear. 

"Oh my god! We're going to jail-!" Ruth cries out, tears threatening to spill over as she paces, trying to peel out of her skeleton onesie, "And with my luck, no one will even bother making me their bitch!"

"No-" Stephanie practically gasps out at this point, "No, we're not going to jail!"

"Really, Steph?" Peter asks, much quieter this time, "Because we just murdered a football star right before the big game...!"

Ajax wants to say something, they really do, but it's like their words have been completely taken from them. They've gotten like this before, - unable to speak in high pressure situations - but never before has it been this high pressure! 

Even if they did manage to speak, Grace pipes up before they can, "This...wasn't murder...! And it wasn't an accident..."

Everyone looks at Grace in confusion, Ajax even managing to open their eyes as they look up at Grace, whose now looking up at the night sky, "It was an act of God. Max Jägerman was a perv, and now he's rotting in hell for it!"

Ajax thinks for a moment. Sure, Max is totally a pervert, - the dude literally flirted with Ajax is the grossest way possible until he realized that they weren't a girl a immediately though he was flirting with a guy, which lead to Ajax getting his ass kicked - but there's no way in hell that that's the reason he died.

"Oh, yeah-" Peter finally retorts, "Like that's gonna fly in court. 'He was smote'!" 

"We're not going to court-!" Grace says, trying to relieve everyone, but it's not working. A dude literally just died. 

"Grace," Stephanie steps towards Grace, "I don't know what you're talking about, but we have to tell the police about this!" 

"Why? Max Jägerman was a menace, and now he's gone...!" Grace says in a town that's way too happy for Ajax to like, "No more teasing. No more bullying. No more tickling our mommy spots." 

"'Mommy spots'-?" Ajax manages to mumble,  Peter shrugging against them.

"Don't you see?" Grace asks, a small smile on her face, "...we're free." 

"But won't people notice that he's gone...?" Ruth sniffles as she wipes her own tears away.

"This is Hatchetfield..." Grace says as she places an overly calm hand on Ruth's shoulder, "...people go missing everyday!" 

Grace moves away from Ruth, the sound of her snapping her fingers only making Richie's hand flapping grow worse, head twitching slightly in discomfort from the high pitched noise, "Oh no- She's snapping again..."

"Quiet, Richie. I'm trying to focus..." Grace mutters as she keeps snapping by her head, Richie's hand moving to his ears to block out the sound. Grace spins on her heels towards Max's body once she finally stops snapping, "We can bury Max's body under the floorboards of the lobby. We can leave his corpse there to rot."

"...this is a lot." Peter mumbles, Ajax nodding in agreement, "Can't we just bury him out here, anyway?" 

"Did you bring a shovel?" Grace asks quickly, Peter hesitantly shaking his head as Grace continues to ramble, "We're gonna hack all his limbs off-"

"Did you say 'hack all his limbs off'?" Stephanie asks, Grace quickly nodding, "How the hell are we gonna do that?"

"We're gonna hack all his limbs off with the hatchet I brought." Grace says, quickly reaching into her bag to pull out a small hatchet, everyone flinching away from her.

"One, can you stop saying it- Two...why the hell do you have a hatchet?" Stephanie quickly asks. 

"In case there were any boards blocking the doors in this place..." Grace says nonchalantly.

"You brought a hatchet, and yet no shovel..." Ajax mumbles.

"Well, I didn't know I'd be using it to hack all his limbs off-!" Grace says defensively.

"Stop. Saying. It!" Ajax and Stephanie yell in unison, Grace pausing before shrugging as she continues on.

"We'll do...that so that Max can fit under the floor boards. Peter, you can have the hatchet, Ruth can run to the store and get some bleach and stuff with Richie, and Stephie can can tape it..." Grace rambles.

"You want me film this?!" Stephanie nearly screams, Grace quickly shaking her head.

"We're gonna tape him up in plastic after dousing him with the bleach." Grace explains, Richie quickly shaking his head.

"I think I'm gonna throw up-" Richie says quickly, Grace rushing over to him. She goes to place a hand on his shoulder, but he quickly cringes away.

"No- This is where you grow up, Richie. You've gotta accept your fate!" Grace says this in way that seems to be an attempt at being comforting, but it fails miserably, "If you guys want to continue to have a full ride through the year, then Peter-" Grace makes her way towards Peter, offering the hatchet to him, "-start cutting right above the thigh." 

Peter hesitantly takes the hatchet from Grace's hand. His hand shakes violently as he holds it, looking over at Max's body. He quickly shakes his head, dropping the hatchet in front of him, "This is crazy." 

"God, we're gonna go to juvie..." Stephanie groans out. 

"I hear prison is cushy..." Peter scoffs, Richie gasping slightly as he tries to take in a breath.

"I- I think my asthma's back-" Richie panics, Ajax pointing slightly towards the anime obsessed teen's backpack, just reminding him of where his inhaler is as Richie scrambles to find it.

"He'll never be found..." Ruth tells herself, trying to not panic more than she already is.

"Guys, it's not like we're selling crack- Calm down-" Grace says reassuringly, everyone slightly glaring at her. 

"I'm gonna strip him down-!" Ruth suddenly yells, Grace shaking her head.

"No- Just go to the store with Richie like I said to-" Grace grumbles, Richie taking a few puffs from his inhaler.

"We...We don't have any money." Richie sighs out after a moment, Ajax reaching into his own pocket before tossing it to Richie. Richie doesn't catch it at first, the almost ironic 'Handbook for the Recently Deceased' designed wallet falling on the ground as he scrambles to pick it up. 

"I...I babysat for the Monroe's the other day. There should be p-plenty of money in there..." Ajax says slowly, voice still wobbly as he struggles to get his words out. Richie just quickly nods as he gestures for Ruth to come with him to walk to the store with him. 

Richie and Ruth run off to go to the store, leaving Grace, Stephanie, Peter, and Ajax outside, gathered around Max's corpse. Grace looks over at the other three, "We need to take his body inside..."

Stephanie quickly brings her finger to the tip of her nose, "Not it."

Peter and Ajax follows suit quickly, but Peter is just a tad slower than Ajax is. Peter rolls his eyes slightly as he moves away from Ajax and towards Max's body, Grace already grabbing hold of his arms. Peter shakily grabs hold of his legs as the two heave the jock off the ground. It's not easy at all, both of struggling as Stephanie and Ajax watch.

"...maybe we should've helped?" Stephanie asks Ajax, offering a hand to them to help them off the ground.

Ajax takes Stephanie's hand as they heave themselves off the mud, picking up the hatchet that Peter had left behind, "I don't wanna fucking touch that."

Chapter 13: It’s Never Gonna Haunt Me

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: dead bodies, survivors guilt, overstimulation, intrusive thoughts, mentions of visions, breakdowns/meltdowns, (harmful) stimming, verbal shutdowns, descriptions of  desecrating and hiding a corpse, Ruth being Ruth, religious themes/mentions of religion

Grace and Peter drop Max's body onto the old wooden floorboards of the Old Waylon Place with a huff. Ajax and Stephanie follow suit, Stephanie having a hand on Ajax's shoulder. Ajax let's themselves fall onto the bottom step of the staircase, dropping the hatchet at their feet. Their head falls in their hands, hoping a sigh of relief will escape...but no. There's no relief. 

Ajax could've stopped this. At least, they think they could've. They should be the one lying dead on the floor of this musty place, not Max. Sure, they hated him, but he didn't deserve to die. 

Ajax can hear Stephanie, Grace, and Peter arguing, but they can't tell what the three are saying, too lost in their own thoughts to take anything surrounding them in. The arguing just sounds like nails on a chalkboard, Ajax's hands moving from their face to their ears to block it out. 

Ajax can feel the tears threatening to fall once more, eyes screwing shut to just try and keep them at bay, but nothing's working. They can feel all the seams in their clothing all at once as the sounds around them are melting into sounding that makes their head pound. All the memories of tonight and those of their visions are flooding back so quick that it makes them feel like they're running a marathon, breath so quick in their chest that it feels like their ribs are trying to break. 

Ajax sobs as they just try and fail to tune everything out, even resorting to pounding their fist into the side of their head in an effort to physically get the thoughts in their head to even out.

Ajax hates when they get like this. It's makes them feel like a child - only because it makes others view them like a child. They're not trying to be childish, if that's even word, but they can't help it. 

Ajax thinks this is it. They're going to sink into an abyss and never come back. That is until they feel a hand on their shoulder. They quickly flinch away, the feeling not being very welcome at first, their mind immediately feeling as if they're in danger. When they look up, they see Grace, who quickly pulls her hand away when Ajax nearly screams from being touched. Peter is beside Grace quickly, slightly pushing her out of the way.

"Ok- We are not touching Ajax right now..." Peter says quickly, Grace nodding.

"What- What do I need to do?" Grace asks, Peter thinking for a moment as he takes a seat beside Ajax on the staircase.

"Bring me Ajax's backpack, please..." Peter's voice is shaky, but he's trying to keep it together as he points towards Ajax's backpack that lays across the room. He turns to Ajax, talking quietly, "Ajax, is it alright if I touch you-?"

Peter can barely finish his own sentence before Ajax's arms are thrown around him. The position is awkward since they're sitting beside each other on the stairs, but Peter turns towards Ajax the best he can do that he can hug them back. Peter holds Ajax close, the embrace tight in a way that he knows they need. Ajax sobs into Peter shoulder, their hand moving back to the side of their head, ready to pound their fist into it again, but Peter places his hand in between his head and his fist, every swing hitting Peter's knuckles instead. Peter doesn't complain though, knowing that Ajax needs this. 

Grace brings Ajax's backpack over to the two of them, just waiting for whatever needs to happen next. Peter talks softly, "Do you want your headphones...?"

Ajax thinks for a moment, just letting the question sink in. It takes a little longer than they want to, the struggle somewhat making them frustrated with themselves, but Ajax manages to nod.

"Is it alright if Grace gets them from your bag?" Peter asks, Ajax nodding once more. Peter turns to Grace, "Their headphones are in the bigger pocket of their bag, if you could..."

Peter doesn't even have to finish talking, Grace retrieving the headphones from Ajax's bag. They're covered in stickers and doodles, most of which being horror movie related. There's some doodles that were drawn my Ruth, Richie, and Peter, too. Once the headphones are in Ajax's hands, their fingers run over the stickers and the doodles, just taking them in before placing the headphones over his ears. Ajax retrieves their phone from their pocket, putting on a playlist they know will help - this time it's their Halloween playlist, the song playing being "Red Right Hand" by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. 

Ajax lets the playlist cycle through different songs, drowning out everything around them as they lean against Peter, their sobs slowly subsiding. No matter how loud the song is, - whether it's "Mary On A Cross" by Ghost or "Walk The Night" by Skatt Bros - it helps. 

The room sits in silence for a long while, the front door of the estate swinging open to break it. Ajax flinches slightly, not from the sound (they can't hear it through the music), but just by the sudden movement and the feeling of Peter flinching as well. Richie and Ruth stand in the doorway. Ruth holds a roll of duct tape in one hand and a bottle of bleach in the other. Richie holds a large bundle of plastic in his arms. Both teens hearts practically drop into their ass when they see Ajax. Both of them still seem very anxious with the events that are unfolding, but still worried, Richie especially giving the fact that he doesn't say anything verbally, just struggling to sign "You ok?" while holding the plastic roll in his arms. Ajax manages to let themselves find that amusing, laughing a little as they nod.

There's another bout of silence, everyone bringing the supplies inside as they just to think. Stephanie finally speaks up, "We need to line up our story, alright? Like...couldn't we say Max just slipped?"

"I think we're past that, Steph..." Peter mumbles, fidgeting with the tool attached to his costume sleeves. 

"Surely you don't have to cut him up, though. Right, Grace?" Stephanie asks as she turns to the overly religious teen, who just smiles.

"Well, someone has to..." Grace says way too cheerfully.

"I can cut off his nips." Ruth says plainly, everyone staring at her in a moment of disbelief before Richie just shakes his head, Ruth getting a disappointed look. 

There's even more silence. Now it's to the point that it's almost irritating, and Ajax can't help but groan from it...especially after their headphones signal to them that they're about to die. Ajax pulls their headphones down to rest around their neck before finally speaking, "I...I could've stopped this..."

"No, you couldn't...none of us could..." Peter says, his arm still wrapped around Ajax's shoulders. Grace nods quickly.

"Nobody can stop acts of God." She says nonchalantly, Ajax glaring at her slightly.

"I really could've." Ajax says, "I had a...a vision about it. I saw Max dying. I heard him saying that- that 'nerdy prudes must die'...but I didn't get to him in time. I should've just done something sooner."

"If you knew he was gonna die, why'd you even let us come here...?" Stephanie asks, Ajax sighing.

"I didn't know he was gonna die here, besides...I didn't know my visions were actually true..." Ajax explains, worrying lacing their tone as they continue, "I had a vision of Richie dying, and he hasn't died...and it sounded like Max was the one doing it-"

"I already told you...you don't have to worry about that. I'm still here, aren't I?" Richie says, voice still shaking a little, "And Max can't kill me if he's...well, if he's dead."

"Yeah...Yeah- He can't..." Ajax nods, "I guess you're right...but I still saw Max die."

"So, your visions are 50/50." Peter reassures, "Maybe they show you two different outcomes of a situation, and you...inadvertently chose the one where Max died instead of Richie."

"...I hate to say it because I don't wish death on anybody, but I'd rather have this outcome than the other." Ajax smiles a little when Richie flaps his hands from joy this time when Ajax speaks, "Richie, you may be a nerd...but you're one of my best friends. I don't know what I'd do without you..."

"Thanks...that actually means a lot..." Richie smiles as he takes a seat beside the stairs, leaning against Ajax's knees a little.

"Of course..." Ajax ruffles Richie's hair, laughing at how it still manages to stick up in random directions when he's done.

"You feeling better?" Peter asks, Ajax nodding.

"Hey, we still have a body to get rid of..." Grace says in an almost annoyed tone. Ajax rolls their eyes, going to find the hatchet that they had sat down...but it's gone.

Ajax hasn't a clue where it went until they hear Ruth call out, "I just cut off his nips!"

"...what the fuck, Ruth?" Ajax mutters, shaking their head.

Chapter 14: Two Weeks

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: mentions of violence/desecrating a corpse, mentions of misgendering, mentions of nightmares, mentions of seizures, mentions of visions, Duke still doesn't believe Ajax, stimming, arguments, vomit mention, telekinesis, fear of losing a loved one(?)

Two weeks. Two weeks since Max's death. Two weeks since Ajax had to be the one to step up and chop Max into bits. 

Yet, these past two weeks...Ajax has felt the most normal. They finally got the courage to sign up for the cheer squad, and much to their surprise...they got in. Never in a million years did they think they'd be a flier that cheered for the Hatchetfield Nighthawks, yet...here Ajax is, in their kitchen as they make their breakfast, wearing the white and blue uniform - skirt and all. 

Ajax listens to the T.V. in the living room, listening to the news station - Hatchetfield Action News with Dan and Donna - that their dad watches to try and wake himself up with - plus the black coffee that Ajax had made him earlier that morning. The shrill voice introducing Dan Reynolds and Donna Daggit is a bit annoying, but how else are you gonna know what the station is called? 

"It's been two weeks since the disappearance of local football star Maxwell Jägerman, and the teens whereabouts still remain a mystery." Donna says, Ajax hearing a disappointed sigh leave his fathers lungs from the other room. Ajax tries to keep their mind off the past events, staring at the toaster as they wait for their breakfast. 

"Earlier today at City Hall, mayor Solomon Lauter issued this statement..." Dan states, Ajax listening as the audio switches to a more slightly rundown one.

"The disappearance of young Mr. Jägerman has rocked this community to its very core, but you can rest assured, I have made every possible resource available...to the coach of the Hatchetfield Nighthawks." Solomon says, a scoff escaping Ajax's father.

"That's ridiculous..." He mutters, Ajax nodding as if he can see it.

"Tell me about it." Ajax sighs as the mayor continues to speak, uninterrupted on the T.V.

"I will not let the disappearance of one boy affect our team's performance in the big game. The Nighthawks will take the field tonight, and they will win." Solomon's tone is dark, filling Ajax with a familiar dread, "Go Nighthawks!"

Ajax mumbles a small 'Go Nighthawks' under their breath as they lean against the counter, waiting for their toast to finish toasting. Ajax's dad huffs out a small laugh from his child's response, a small smile creeping onto Ajax's face as well.

"Inspiring words in this time of need..." Donna says, voice laced with faux sympathy that makes Ajax nearly shiver, "We can only hope they bring some comfort to Max's classmates who have already endured two weeks of heartache."

'Heartache' is one way to put it. Despite the overwhelming, looming presence of the fact that they had inadvertently murdered one of the most popular jocks at school constantly hanging over Ajax's head...this has been the best two weeks that they've had in a long time. Hardly anybody had misgendered them in these two weeks, and they went from being considered a nerdy prude to slowly climbing up the popularity ladder the more they wore their cheerleading uniform. Sure, Ajax hadn't cheered at any games yet...but tonight was the night. They weren't going to be viewed as lesser than anymore, not after the big game. 

Ajax must've been staring off for a moment as they hear their father clearing his throat in the doorway of the kitchen. Ajax flinches at the sound, quickly turning to their still tired looking dad, "Woah- Sorry...didn't mean to scare you, kiddo."

"You're...- You're fine..." Ajax sighs, crossing their arms. 

Their dad gives them a once over. Despite the fact that they look the most put together they have in a while, Ajax still looks exhausted. He doesn't know why, but Ajax does - Max's presence still seems to have a hold of them, even in death. 

"Are you alright?" Ajax's father asks, Ajax nodding. He continues, "You look awfully tired..."

Ajax quickly thinks of an excuse, "I couldn't sleep last night. I was too excited for the big game..."

"Ah, I see...you...- Are you sure it's nothing else?" He asks, "You sure it's not because of those dreams of yours? Or...those seizures?"

"I-" Ajax sighs. Their dad still hardly believes Ajax's claims of having visions...and he doesn't know why. 

Ajax hasn't had any of their visions - sleeping or waking - in two weeks...since Max died. Ajax doesn't want to think about why. Not with the memory of the vision of Richie dying at Max's hand...just wanting to believe the '50/50' theory that Peter had come up with as they were hiding Max's body. 

Ajax finally finds their words as they look up at their dad, "...yes, I'm sure. I haven't even had any of those...dreams or seizures in a while."

Ajax tone is more cynical as they speak, their dad furrowing his brows a bit, "What's that tone for?"

"Nothing. It's nothing." Ajax says, shaking their head, "Just- I'm just tired-"

Ajax goes to turn away from their father, to turn their gaze back to the toaster, but he steps closer, "Hey, don't be like that-"

"Don't be like what?" Ajax retorts, eyes never leaving the toaster. They know they shouldn't be like, that they shouldn't start anything...but they want to be heard - believed, "Don't be like what?"

"...ever since you had that seizure of yours...you've grown distant, and...- Christ, Ajax, whenever I even try to reach out, all I get it this denial from you." Ajax's dad explains, leaning against the counter beside Ajax. He tilts his head, trying to catch his child's gaze, but to no avail, "It's only gotten worse in these past few weeks, since you've joined to cheer squad...you haven't been home much - you're always at practice, and even when you're not...you're either hanging out with your friends or purposefully avoiding me-"

"I'm not- ...I'm not avoiding you, dad. Really, I'm not." Ajax picks at the grout of the countertop, their father already picking up on the nervous behavior. He reaches out to place his hand on Ajax's, but Ajax quickly flinches away. Despite the bit of hurt he feels from the move, Ajax's dad retracts his hand, "If anyone is avoiding anything, it's you."

"Ajax, please-" He tries not to sound irritated, but it melts a bit into his voice. He pauses for a moment before sighing, "...I don't understand why you're so adamant on these being visions-"

"Because they are, dad...and I just want you to understand that, I want you to hear me...to believe me." Ajax's eyebrows furrow, eyes narrowing. If they were looking at their father, Ajax would be glaring at him, but their eyes remain fixated on the toaster. They just want their toast to be done faster so they can get out of this conversation and on their way to school. This conversation is only pissing off Ajax more in their exhausted state, and they're so mad that they don't even notice the toaster rattling against the counter.

Ajax's father's eyes fall on the toaster for a moment, hearing the faint noise of it quivering against the linoleum. He wouldn't be surprised if more of their appliances were on the fritz - it's hard to keep up with some of the stuff that's breaking in their home with how low the pay for his job is. Their dad's eyes move back to Ajax, "I am...trying to believe you, kiddo- Trust me, I am...but I just can't-"

"Why not?" Ajax can almost physically feel their blood boil, the rattling of the toaster only growing more intense as their tone grows harsher, "Why the hell not?"

"Ajax, lets watch our language-" He goes to correct them, but Ajax keeps going, completely ignoring the warning.

"Why can't you just fucking believe me, dad? You believe me on every goddamn thing I've told you before and you've accepted everything I've told and everything I've become...but this, you can't believe?" Ajax rambles, letting the words flow out like vomit - with zero control and filled with acid, "What is it then? Do you really not believe me?"

Ajax finally lets their eyes move away from the toaster, eyes filled with fire as they look their father dead in the eyes, "Or do you just not want to believe me?"

"Ajax-" Ajax's father tries to interrupt, tries to deescalate the situation, but fail miserably as his eyes shift between his child and the toaster that's nearly drowning out both of their words.

"Does the truth just scare you?" Ajax barely even gets their words out before their interrupted by a metallic sound. The toaster lets out a sudden, loud clang, damn tipping over as the toast finally all but launches out. It's charred, completely burned...nearly smoldering. If it was any hotter, it would be aflame. 

Their father stares at it for a moment, Ajax's eyes slowly moving to the too black bricks laying on the counter. As the smell of smoke and burnt bread fills their nose, deep down...Ajax knows they did it. They know the toaster went haywire because of them. Their anger overtook them and suddenly...the one thing they were even slightly wanting to go right is completely ruined.

Ajax and their father stand there is silence for a moment, the air thick with burning of the toast and Ajax's anger. Finally, after what feels like forever, their dad breaks the silence, "...I-"

He at least tries to, anyway. Before he can get any real, meaningful words in, he hears the sound of tires crunching against the gravel of their driveway. The soft, sharp honk of a car's horn indicates Ajax's ride is here. The subtle growl of the engine of an older model truck indicates who it is - Kyle Clauger.

Ajax wouldn't have to get a ride from Kyle if it weren't for the fact that their piece of shit car broke down right after the death of Max. Ironically, or not at all, it broke down while they were having a break down while driving - thinking too much on the events they went through at the Old Waylon Place, another thing breaking in a moment of heightened emotion...just like the toaster. 

Ajax shakes their head, walking over to the coat rack to retrieve their jacket and their bag that sits in the floor, "Fuck this."

"Ajax, don't-" Ajax's dad tries to cut in, but before he can stop them, Ajax storms out the door. 

He stands there for a moment, staring at the door as it slams. He stands like that for a good few minutes, the absence of his child lingering. His eyes shift to the coffee cup in his hand, the coffee they had made.

Their father's hands tighten around the mug a little, as if it's the only thing that he has left of his own child for the moment. It feels like the only last bit of evidence that they care, something Ajax put the effort into making for their dad.

What if they decided to never do it again after this morning? What if they don't care anymore? What if it's the last cup of coffee Ajax ever decided to make for their dad?

What if it's the last cup of coffee Ajax ever can make for their dad? Everything's that's going on with Ajax right now, it's like they're slipping away...and what if they do slip away. They seem so exhausted, bordering on ill with those- ...with what they're seeing in their own mind. What if they-?

Ajax's dad blinks away tears at the thought, placing his coffee cup on the counter besides the remains of toast that Ajax had abandoned. That's when he gets glimpse of what the mug says:

 

WORLD'S BEST DAD

 

He nearly cries at the words. He doesn't feel like that anymore. He doesn't feel like the 'best dad' that Ajax can have...he feels like a failure.

He shakes his head, grabbing the trash can from beside the counter, placing in front of it before raking the 'toast' into it, discarding the inedible objects with a soft wince as they're still somehow hot after sitting there for so long.

He feels like he's discarded a lot of things in these past few weeks...specifically the relationship he used to have with his child. They could once both talk about anything and everything together, and would always watch movies together, eat dinner together. Now, they're hardly ever in the same room as each other for more than five minutes and Ajax always eats dinner in their bedroom. 

None of this would've happened if he just believed Ajax. He doesn't know why it's so hard to. He knows lots of people have visions and premonitions - sure, it's fictional, but he's seen all of the Final Destination films. But this being in reality just makes it feel like his life has spiral down and exploded like Flight 180. 

When he even tries to think about believing Ajax, he gets filled with this feeling of dread. It's like his mind is trying to remind him of something. It's like his mind knows there's a reason to believe, and that's the reason he's scared. It's like something is missing because of something like this. It's like something left him a long time ago and he's afraid Ajax is going to be gone just like that if he does believe them.

But he knows believing Ajax can at least be a step in fixing things. 

He knows...vaguely that there's someone he works with that can help him understand, and that someone could talk to Ajax, help them understand, too.

He reaches into his pocket, retrieving his phone. He opens his contacts, not having to scroll since her contact is already listed in his favorites. He clicks it, and then stares at the name for a moment - Miss Holliday. After a small bit of hesitation, he finally clicks the call button, bringing the phone up to his ear.

Chapter 15: Thank God Max Is Gone

Notes:

T.W./C.W.: vomit mention, lack of eating (not E.D. based), making out, jealously

Ajax honestly regrets not even trying to get anything else to eat for breakfast after that whole toaster fiasco this morning. They're exhausted and their hunger makes them feel like they're going to puke. Maybe that's just the dread they continue to feel all the time, though. Who honestly knows at this point?

Everyone is having a grand old time at school except for them. One that fully displays his 'gratefulness' of Max's absence is Kyle, and he's going to show his gratitude to anyone he can. 

Kyle makes that evident around lunchtime when Ajax is heading towards their locker, sandwich in hand as they eat and walk. They were planning to put their books away from last period and then head out to the football field to continue eating in the bleachers...but their plans are soon thwarted when they seen Kyle and Brenda blocking their path.

Kyle is taking full advantage of being able to date Brenda now, even if that means that his place of snogging just so turns out the be against the door of Ajax's locker. Ajax is honestly surprised about how ferocious it seems, seeming like they're fighting rather than making out - it's messy, and passionate? They guess?

Whatever it is, it makes the hunger in Ajax's stomach twist into disgust - that's what it feels like anyways, even if the feeling is close to jealousy (it feels wrong to see them be able to express their wants and desires and get exactly what they want now that Max is gone all while Ajax is still stuck possibly pining for their best friend that's into the popular girl. Hell, Kyle doesn't even want Ajax anymore like Richie joked about - he just wants Brenda). 

Ajax scoffs, throwing away the majority of their sandwich in a nearby trash can. They weren't really that hungry anyway.

Ajax notices Stephanie standing nearby, glancing between the scene at Ajax's locker and an assignment she holds from another class. When Stephanie doesn't say anything, Ajax rolls their eyes, walking over to the couple. 

They bump them out of way with their shoulder as they scoff more audibly, "Ugh, barf. Get a room you guys, and one that's preferably not anywhere near my locker."

Kyle and Brenda finally separate their lip lock, Brenda swooning and barely paying Ajax any mind for a moment as Kyle looks over at Ajax, "Oh shit- I'm sorry...just got a little distracted..."

"...I can tell." Ajax says flatly, Kyle getting a small, worried look until Ajax snickers, Kyle mimicking the laugh.

"Y'know, this has been the best two weeks of my life." Kyle wraps an arm around Brenda's waist, pulling her closer as his other arm moves to prop his elbow against Ajax's shoulder, "Who'da thunk the absence of one negative influence could make us all so much happier?" 

"I know right!" Brenda says cheerfully, leaning right into Kyle's touch. Her eyes never leave his face as Kyle looks between her and Ajax as Ajax finally gets to put their stuff away in their locker, "I can't wait to watch you play tonight, Kyle!" 

"And I can't wait to watch you cheer...! Y'know," Kyle looks quickly between Brenda and Ajax, as if not knowing who to direct his next statement towards, "cheering takes just as much skill as football does...sometimes I think you're the main event and...we're just there to support all of you."

Ajax is honestly caught off guard by the statement. They're not used to compliments in the slightest, but they've gotten a lot more recently since their popularity status is ever changing. 

Ajax goes to respond, but Brenda beats them to it, "You're so hot when you're sweet, Kyle...isn't that right, Ajax?"

"Yeah..." Ajax responds faster than they have time to think about, but when they realize what they said, their face goes completely red, "I- Uh- ...I mean- ...that's not what I meant-"

"Aw, look- You're blushing...-" Kyle teases, moving his elbow off of Ajax's shoulder before reaching over and poking them in the side. Ajax recoils, smacking Kyle's hand away, but they're unable to keep away the embarrassed and flustered smile that tugs at their lips. Brenda wraps her arms around Kyle's shoulders, Kyle's arms wrapping around his girlfriend's waist with zero hesitation as he pulls her closer, luckily distracted by her enough to not tease Ajax anymore, "Thank god Max is gone-"

"Wasn't he your friend?" Stephanie asks, looking up from the graded assignment she holds. Kyle scoffs at her words.

"Yeah! ...but he forbade me from dating and he wrecked my dad's skidoo." Kyle grimaces at the memory, rolling his eyes, "Fuck that guy."

"Good for you, babe!" Brenda giggles, pulling away from Kyle as she starts to make her way down the hall, turned to gesture for Kyle to follow after her. He does of course, following quickly behind her. 

Ajax closes their locker, resting their forehead against it. The metal feels freezing against their flushed face, and they're about to walk away to go out to the football field just like they planned before, but then Stephanie speaks up, "...you seem awfully in over your head on this whole 'popularity' thing."

"...what? No." Ajax responds sarcastically, "What gives you that impression? Hm, Steph? Humor me."

Stephanie snickers, and she honestly is about to 'humor' Ajax...but then she spots Peter in the hall, "Hey, Pete- Wait up!"

Stephanie catches up with Peter, and Ajax follows behind because they're honestly bored out of their mind at this point, not having anything to do. Stephanie holds up the graded assignments, glancing down at it, "Good news..."

"Wait- You passed the test?" Peter asks, eyes widening with a happy surprise.

"With flying colors." Stephanie says confidently, handing the paper over to Peter who inspects it.

"Oh-ho-ho! A...C-plus." Peter nods, proud despite the obvious 'flying colors' bit not being true. Ajax snorts out a laugh, earning a light elbow to the side from Peter, but nothing to really hurt as he hands the paper back to Stephanie, "Steph, that's amazing..."

"My dad couldn't believe it...got my phone back and everything." Stephanie retrieved her phone from her pocket, waving it towards Peter with a sense of glee, "And, uh...I couldn't have done it without you helping me study these last two weeks..."

Ajax looks between the two, just listening to them both talk. That familiar feeling of nauseating jealousy bubbles up again as they see the way Peter and Stephanie are looking at each other. Maybe there's not a certain way they're looking at each other and they're just seeing things, - everything's getting to their head - but they know something's up.

"Y'know, this is...this is really your C-plus." Stephanie says, side-eyeing Peter as she slowly hands the paper back towards him.

"Oh, Steph..." Peter places his hand on Stephanie's hand for a moment, Ajax swallowing thickly at the sight...before sighing softly when Peter simply pushes the assignment back over to Stephanie, "...you can keep it. It'd really bring down my GPA."

Stephanie laughs softly as Peter turns towards his locker to put in the combination, "...you're such a nerd, Spankoffski."

A shiver runs down Ajax's spine at Stephanie's words. God, they haven't heard the word 'nerd' uttered in these halls for a while now, and they can tell Peter has the same realization based off the look on his face.

"Wow...that's the first time anyone's called me a nerd since...that night." Peter seems flabbergasted, pausing his efforts to unlock his locker as his eyes move to the floor. Peter turns towards Stephanie once more, lowering his voice, "Steph, I'm trying to feel bad about what we did, but it is...really hard to do that when everything is objectively better."

"Yeah, it's weird..." Stephanie looks around before slowly shrugging, "...but maybe it's for the best?"

"It's definitely better for some people..." Peter says, forcing a small laugh as he gestures toward Ajax. Ajax scoffs softly, brushing off their cheer uniform. 

"Yeah...you're cheering at the big game, Ajax. You're flying with the eagles..." Stephanie smiles a little, sighing, "...speaking of the 'big game', Peter...are you going tonight?" 

"You better." Ajax retorts, "If it's gonna be my first time being at a game, it's gonna be your first time, too."

Peter waves a dismissive hand, "Oh, no- Jägerman doesn't let nerds go to football-"

Peter pauses, going a tiny bit wide eyed at the realization - Max isn't there to stop him anymore, "Huh...y'know, maybe I will. Like Ajax said, I've never been to a football game before..."

"Oh, they're really boring. Both teams kind of suck, but you and I could go sarcastically...y'know, get some popcorn...just be there to hype Ajax up for their debut..." Stephanie looks over to Ajax, who smiles in return, "...might be cool."

"...you mean, like, go together?" Peter's voices grows a tad softer as he asks this, Stephanie's soft smile matching his. 

"If you want..." Stephanie says, stepping a tiny bit closer.

Say 'no'. It's like a small voice in the back of Ajax head is screaming as loud as it can, Just say 'no', Pete!

They honestly feel bad for thinking it - they want what's best for Peter, and what's best for him is for him to be happy...but why does it have to be Stephanie Lauter?

Peter nervously fiddles with his backpack straps, nodding, "Ok..."

"Ok..." Stephanie repeats, walking down the hall a little ways past Peter and Ajax before turning back, "Cool...I'll see you there-"

"Yeah!" Peter says a little too quickly, "I'll see you there..."

Stephanie just snickers softly, shaking her head as she walks away. Peter finally opens up his locker, just looking over at Ajax who leans against the other lockers.

"...wow." Peter sighs, putting his things away before closing his locker, leaning against it, right next to Ajax, "Thing's really are different around here..."

"Tell me about it..." Ajax mumbled, letting their head fall forward slightly. God, they're gonna need to take a nap or something before the big game or they're gonna flat pass out while ten feet off the ground.

"C'mon, lighten up, Ajax..." Peter reaches over, poking Ajax in the side of the head, earning a dejected grumble, "...the trees are greener, the sun's brighter...I'm going to the big game and you're a goddamn flier for the Hatchetfield Nighthawks." 

There's a small pause, Ajax slowly raising their head to turn and look at Peter. Both of them snicker, speaking in unison, "Fuck yeah." 

Peter raises his arms in a motion to resemble bird wings, something Ajax has become quite familiar with now that they're in the cheer squad, "Go Nighthawks?"

"...go Nighthawks." Ajax repeats patting Peter on the shoulder before walking to their next class.