This story is for the 2024 Royal Road Writathon! [This is a cozy, slow, slow, burn, former childhood friend romance. With some supernatural/mystery aspects,] [Putting these out as fast as I can for the writathon so please forgive any grammar/typos! Edit suggestions welcome!] Yasmine Roberts wasn’t close to her grandfather, though she has vivid memories of summers spent at his house as a child. As an only child, she often found herself with little to do in his quiet home, but she was never truly bored, thanks to her imaginary friend, Monty. She spent hours with him, playing make believe and other childhood games. Monty was always willing to entertain her, never once complaining. These memories are still dear to her, even if, over time, they faded into the background of her life. As she grew older, the visits became infrequent, and Monty was gradually left behind, dismissed as a figment of childhood imagination. Years later, after her grandfather’s passing, Yasmine is shocked to learn he left her his house in his will. The generous inheritance fills her with guilt as she hadn’t visited him in the last six years, too absorbed in school and preparing for her career to make the three hour trip back to the small town of Tannehill. Feeling that it’s the least she can do to honor his memory and eager to escape the city that always triggered her claustrophobia, she decides to move in and care for his home turned hers. The quiet life appeals to her, and she even manages to find a few entry-level job openings nearby. Everything seems like it’s falling into place… until she actually moves in. As Yasmine begins to settle into her grandfather’s old house, she can’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—is watching her. She’s always had a strong sixth sense for strange presences, but this time, the sensation doesn’t fade. It intensifies, gnawing at her nerves until, finally, she shouts out, demanding to know who’s there. That’s when her childhood friend Monty makes his reappearance. To her shock, Monty isn’t an imaginary friend at all—he’s the ghost of a man who died long ago, invisible but able to speak and interact with the world around him. At first, Yasmine panics and tries to escape, but Monty stops her, persuading her to hear him out. Over a tense conversation, he explains who he is, why he’s still here, and what he’s capable of. He offers her a deal: he’ll help maintain the house if she agrees to keep his presence a secret. He has no desire to move on, preferring the quiet life he’s built, even if it’s a lonely one since her grandfather passed. Though wary, Yasmine agrees to the arrangement. Soon, she discovers that living with a ghost has unexpected perks—and that Monty might just be the best roommate she’s ever had.