It was a truly awkward situation. Taylor, Harper, Colby, and Charlie sat together in Taylor's apartment, which was still full of Harper's old Colby stuff. The atmosphere was tense, each person caught up in their own thoughts and uncertainties. Taylor still couldn't see Charlie, which made the situation even more complicated.

Colby looked down, his eyes full of remorse. "Charlie, I'm so sorry. You're my guardian angel and I beat you to death for it." His voice was shaky, and he could hardly bear the guilt inside him.

The other ghost struggled to manage a small smile. "It's okay, Colby. That's all in the past. Really."

Silence again.

Harper sat a little apart, her eyes uncertainly fixed on Colby. She had always looked up to him, but now she didn't know how to handle the new reality.

Taylor looked at Harper, wanting to say something, but then decided against it. Silence. She knew they had to do something to break out of this uncomfortable situation.

"So, guys," she began hesitantly. "I think we need to find a way to move forward. We can't just stay in this awkward silence forever."

Colby nodded slowly, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "She's right. We need to find a way to resolve all this. I'm ready to do anything to help. I know I made a mistake, and I want to make it right."

Charlie nodded.

Harper looked at Taylor. "What do you suggest?" she asked quietly.

"We'll list all the problems. All of them. And then we'll go through them and solve them, one by one. So." She looked at her Ghost Boy. "Colby doesn't know how to deal with the fact that you, Charlie, were a part of his life for so long and even stayed with him after his death. He lost it, but he regrets it terribly." Then she looked at the corner where she guessed Charlie was. "Charlie thinks I'm the evil mastermind here because he somehow saw me with Colby 20 years ago, and then Colby suddenly died. He'd do anything for Colby, but he doesn't know if he should be afraid of him now after being beaten so badly in his rage." Now she pointed to herself. "I can't see Charlie. And honestly, it's damn creepy. That he's always there, always has been, but I can't see him." Now it was Harper's turn. "Harper, you were Colby's biggest fan, you went way overboard and really freaked us all out. Then your life turned upside down when you had a heart attack and since then you can see ghosts. In an attempt, not meant badly, in an attempt to get rid of you, Colby tried to scare you. But it had more of an effect than it should have because you've been fucking traumatized ever since. And you can't handle the fact that there are ghosts. And your damn hair is turning white because you're so scared." Taylor crossed her arms. "So. Did I forget anything?" Everything stayed quiet. That meant no. "So? Which of these problems do we start with?"

"It's okay, Colby," Charlie began, and Harper translated for Taylor. "I know that wasn't you when it happened. You're my best friend, at least in my eyes. And I will forgive you. But I'm not sure how quickly. You're like family to me; eventually, it'll be water under the bridge."

Colby grinned briefly. It wasn't his usual Colby grin. You could see that he was terribly embarrassed. "I can work with that."

Taylor cleared her throat, not knowing where to look. "Charlie. I understand that you need time to process this. It was a really hard experience, and no one expects you to just forget it." She took a deep breath. "I don't know what happened in this apartment 20 years ago. Really. I swear on everything I have. You think I'm responsible for Colby's death. Hell, maybe I am, but I can't for the life of me explain how that would work. I believe you when you say you saw me. But please believe me as well when I say I know nothing about it. There has to be another explanation. And even though the medium said we should trust each other, I know that's hard for you with me. I mean, it would be for me too if I had seen what you saw. But please, believe me. I'm not the villain you think I am."

Charlie sighed, his voice heavy with inner conflict. "I don't know what to think. I only know what I saw. And I can't just ignore that you and Colby... that you were together before he died." Harper explained it to Taylor.

"I know that's hard to accept," she said softly. "You want answers, just like Colby. But I swear, I have no explanation for it. And I have no memory of what happened 20 years ago. I mean, how could I have looked the same 20 years ago as I do now?"

"Maybe you really don't know or remember," Charlie interjected doubtfully. "But that doesn't change the facts. I saw it, Taylor. I was there."

Taylor clenched her fists as she listened to Harper's explanation, her frustration growing with each passing second. "Damn it, Charlie, I wish I could prove to you that I'm innocent," she said, her voice breaking. "But I can't. I can only assure you that I know nothing about it."

Charlie was silent for a moment, thinking about Taylor's words. Finally, he sighed again and said, "I want to believe you, Taylor. I really do." Harper tried to convey his emotions as best as she could.

"Maybe there's a way she can prove it to you," Colby began cautiously. He knew this probably wouldn't sit well with Taylor. And he wasn't sure if he liked it himself. "What if I act as the link between you two?"

"What?" came from everyone else simultaneously.

"Well, I'm a ghost. With some sick abilities." For the first time in a long while, color returned to Colby's face. "Who's to say I can't take both of you by the hand and somehow show Charlie Taylor's thoughts?"

Taylor shook her head. "No way. I mean, I still can't see Charlie. And I'm still struggling with the fact that he's always been there. Since I moved in here! Since then, he's been sitting in that room with your sleeping spirit. He was always there when I thought I had my Ghost Boy all to myself." She looked desperately at Colby. "Colby, for God's sake, I love you. There, I said it. And then it turns out there was always a third person? I mean, was I ever alone in the bathroom? Changing clothes? Was I ever alone?"

"Taylor, I..." Colby searched for words, his voice barely a whisper.

Taylor shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "It's not just that," she said, her voice choked. "It's the fact that I always thought it was just us two. That it was only us. But now I know that Charlie was there all along, watching us, hearing us."

Charlie sat silently, his eyes darting between Taylor and Colby. He felt uncomfortable in the middle of this emotional roller coaster, unable to say anything that could improve the situation. He knew it would take time to heal the wounds. But he was determined to do his part.

"Taylor," he began finally, his voice gentle. "I promise you, I always respected your privacy. I tried to hold back and not intrude on your personal moments. But I truly thought you were up to something." He looked expectantly at Harper, who quickly translated.

"What if..." Taylor hesitated, searching for words and rubbing her eyes. "What if we make a deal? I mean... Charlie, you think I had something to do with Colby's death, and I... I feel hurt because I can't shake the thought that I was constantly being watched. What if we prove to each other that we can be trusted?"

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Charlie's eyebrows rose in surprise, while Colby and Harper watched Taylor intently.

"What exactly do you mean?" Charlie asked cautiously, with Harper repeating it as usual.

Taylor swallowed and took a deep breath. "I suggest that you see my thoughts. All of them. And I see yours. All of them. As proof that you respected my privacy and as proof that I had nothing to do with Colby's death and that I would never intentionally hurt him."

Harper interjected. "But... wouldn't that mean seeing everything about each other? Everything, everything?"

"If that's the only way to build trust between us, then so be it," Taylor spoke bravely.

Harper looked visibly concerned and glanced nervously between Taylor and Charlie. "But... what about your privacy? I mean, we're talking about everything here. Surely there are things neither of you wants to reveal."

Colby nodded in agreement. "Creepy chick is right, Taylor. When I suggested it, I didn't mean everything in your brains. Thoughts are very personal. Sometimes there are things you just want to keep to yourself. This could get more complicated than you think," he explained surprisingly seriously. "And you want to check if your privacy was violated by violating it even more?"

"I'm in," came from Charlie. "Obviously, I can't get you away from Colby. And since you won't be able to get rid of me either, it's probably best if we get along somewhat." Harper explained it, though she wasn't entirely on board with it. "Colby, would you be so kind?"

The frat boy gave Taylor a final look to see if she really wanted to go through with it. She nodded. "Alright. But be aware, both of you, that this could get intense."

He stepped closer to the two and extended a hand to each of them. Taylor took his right hand, her hand trembling slightly with nervousness. Charlie took the left one, his expression resolute, though uncertainty was evident in his eyes.

Taylor closed her eyes and tried to relax. She felt Colby's firm grip, a reminder that he was with her, supporting and protecting her. Charlie did the same, but his thoughts were more focused on what was about to happen.

Colby took a deep breath and closed his eyes as well. He concentrated, feeling the energy around him and began to channel it. A soft humming filled the room as the air around them began to shimmer.

Suddenly, it was as if invisible threads began to form between the girl and the ghost, intertwining more and more. An invisible connection linking their thoughts together. Taylor felt a foreign presence in her mind, and Charlie felt the same.

Slowly, the first thoughts began to unfold. Taylor saw memories that were not her own: Charlie secretly watching her but always with respect and restraint. He was always there but stayed in the background, careful not to violate her privacy. He had immense anger toward Taylor, but now it made sense as she actually saw herself from 20 years ago. How could that be?

And Charlie saw Taylor's memories: moments full of sorrow and confusion about Colby. He saw the desperation. And felt her shock when Colby told her that Charlie accused her of murdering him. He saw her genuine affection for Colby, which was deep and sincere. Additionally, there were no other memories related to that topic. Nothing from 20 years ago except for her childhood. It wasn’t her. He realized she would never do anything to harm him. Just like Taylor, he now had the same question. How could that be?

Then more memories came to Taylor. She saw his time in the fraternity that cost him his life. Taylor saw through his eyes the cruel ritual and the abuse he endured. She felt his fear and horror as he woke up tied to a table. She felt the pain and helplessness as they poked air holes into the tape, but the bleeding clogged them. The humiliation as they dumped worms on his stomach and laughed at his torment. The shame and fear as they turned him over. It was horrifying. He eventually suffocated, and his spirit left his body while his tormentors still laughed. Taylor could hardly breathe, overwhelmed by the intensity of these memories. She had not only seen but also felt what Charlie had gone through. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she grasped the full extent of his suffering.

Meanwhile, Charlie saw Taylor's deepest fears and insecurities. He saw her as a little girl, often feeling scared. He saw the moments of despair when she felt alone and abandoned. Her social anxieties, which often prevented her from truly opening up and trusting others, were so real and palpable. He realized how hard she had worked to overcome these fears and how strong she was despite all these inner demons. He saw the world through her eyes. Charlie experienced Taylor's first day at school, the nervousness and uncertainty she felt as she mingled with the other children. He felt her fear when she was teased by her classmates. There were moments when she wished she could be invisible so no one would laugh at her anymore. He felt her loneliness as she often sat alone during recess, yearning for a friendship that never came.

One particularly painful memory showed Taylor as a teenager, feeling uncomfortable at a party. She stood apart, watching the other teens laugh and have fun while she felt out of place. Her insecurity was palpable, and Charlie could feel how she closed herself off internally, unable to find the courage to integrate.

Then came the time she met Colby. He saw the joy and happiness she felt when she fell in love with him. The shared moments, the laughter, and the tears. Yet even here, he felt her insecurity, the constant feeling that she wasn’t enough, that she didn’t deserve Colby. The fear of losing him was always present. And suddenly, all the memories seemed tainted. On the Ferris wheel, during their first visit to Harper’s, ordering from Amazon, suddenly he was standing behind her in all those moments. Only, it wasn’t him. He looked much creepier. Is that how she envisioned him?

The images of the two flowed into each other, emotions mingled. Taylor felt Charlie's loyalty and pain, his frustration. Charlie felt Taylor's fear and uncertainty, her longing for clarity and peace. For a life with Colby.

It was as if they were standing in a room full of memories and emotions, everything open and visible. They saw the truth behind the accusations and misunderstandings that had separated them. Taylor felt her heart opening, the anger and resentment slowly fading. Charlie realized that he had wronged Taylor by distrusting her.

Finally, Colby let go of their hands, the connection dissolving, and the three stood again in Taylor’s apartment with Harper, exhausted and changed.

Taylor opened her eyes and looked at the spot where Charlie must be standing, at least according to his memories. "I believe you," she said quietly. "And I hope you can believe me now too."

Charlie nodded, tears in his eyes. "Fuck yes, I believe you, Taylor. I'm sorry I didn't trust you." Harper relayed the good news with relief.

Colby smiled. "You did it. Now we can really start looking forward."

Harper, who had been observing everything, sighed with relief. "Maybe there is still hope for all of us." She looked at Colby. "I wish I could undo my past. I swear. I'm sorry for how I acted. Maybe I really did need the whole 'Boo, Bitch' thing to get my life in order. And of course, I don't blame you for the heart attack. I've always had some heart issues, and it just shocked me that you wanted to steal from me. Even though it was your right. So, really. Sorry for being such a creepy chick." She grinned. "But that's over now. I promise."

Colby grinned. "You know what, I believe you. Even without that mind shit." He offered Harper his hand, and she happily shook it. "And hey, you can't really be blamed. I mean, look at me." They all laughed, though Colby didn't quite understand what was so funny.

"But I have one more question," Taylor began again. "Colby, did you see our memories too?"

"Oh, hell no. I didn't get involved." He made a peace sign with both hands. "I swear. Only you two know what you saw."

Charlie looked back at Taylor. "Maybe that's nice too. This way, we have a special connection forever. No more secrets, at least not up to this point. From now on, we should have our privacy back."

"Yes, well, I can't see your thoughts anymore either. So, I guess we really are separate again," Taylor concluded after Harper's translation. "But now we have something in common forever." She smiled.

"Should I be worried about my girl?" Colby threw into the conversation, but was immediately hugged and kissed on the cheek by Taylor.

"Don't worry. Your buddy is just now also my buddy." She gave him another kiss, this time on the lips. "I have to admit, I really missed you calling me your girl. I didn't think I would. You really wore me down, Ghost Boy."

Charlie then joined the hug, though only Colby could see him. Taylor did feel a slight pressure on one of her arms. Neither of them minded at all.

Then all three looked at Harper, who stood next to them, feeling shy.

Colby grinned. "Come on over here, you crazy cow!"

Harper laughed and threw herself into the others' open arms.

The four stood in a tight embrace, united by what they had experienced and shared. Taylor, Colby, Charlie, and Harper now felt closer than ever, a bond forged through honesty and trust. From now on, they knew they could face any challenge together. They were not just friends but a family, ready to be there for each other, no matter what the future might bring.