The last thing Yasmine wanted to do was wake up. The blaring of her alarm was like needles in her brain.

“Uhhhhhgggg, why god.” She bemoaned, covering her face with a pillow, wishing that she could just lay in bed and forget the rest of the world existed for a few hours. But, she couldn’t very well abandon Marla. She would be coming to pick Yasmine up in a little while, after all. All she had was one drink last night, and yet she felt like crap waking up. Only wondering just what the hell they put in those so called Iced teas.

With a sigh, Yasmine grabbed her still blaring phone and turned off the alarm without even looking at it. She let out a pathetic whine as she forced herself up, pulling the pillow from her face and putting on her glasses. She felt so gross waking up in the same clothes she had gone to work in. Getting out of bed, she pulled off her clothes and made her way into the bathroom, having completely stripped by the time she reached the shower and started to warm it up. She let out a long yawn, looking down at her phone in her hand, watching the minutes slowly tick past.

It was only Tuesday, and it was her second day working at the local city hall. So far, she loved her job, even with the rocky first impression. Yasmine truly enjoyed almost everyone she worked with. Marla was obviously the biggest bonus to working there. Sweeter than honey mixed with sugar, yet had the ability to be forceful and commanding if she wanted. It made Yasmine want to work harder for her sake.

But when Yasmine thought about her son, Ethan, she always felt an overwhelming sense of dread. What was even weirder is that as soon as the man came into sight, that feeling always vanished like it was never even there. In fact, she felt more inclined to trust and appreciate the man. He was very nice, and he had already helped her out in so many ways. So why was it so hard to approach him? It was a mystery that she had needed an answer for but wasn’t sure how to go about getting one.

So lost in thought, it wasn’t until her glasses started to fog up that she realized her shower had been ready for a long time already. Quickly taking off her glasses and setting them and her phone on the sink counter, she stepped into the shower and let the steaming hot water wash over her body like a soothing rain. Yasmine stood there for long, uninterrupted minutes, simply enjoying the feel of the warm water running down her body. She almost forgot that she needed to wash up.

Once she finished what she needed in the shower and felt a bit more alive, she stepped out and got dried off. She cleaned off her glasses and wiped a spot clean from the mirror Looking into the mirror, she looked at the wet bandage that stuck to her forehead. Slowly peeling it off, she revealed the purplish color of the mark surrounding the barely healed gash in her head. She scowled deeply at the mark before letting out a sigh. She would need to get another one of those large bandages from Monty.

Her fingers poked and prodded the gross injury, and she immediately regretted her decision. Wincing, she hissed slightly in pain.

“Ugggh, why did I do that?!” She groaned in annoyance, doing her best to avoid it while drying off her hair. Really wishing she had made it to the grocery store last night and picked up some much needed amenities rather than just the bare minimum she had brought from her apartment. She already regretted leaving most of the stuff she bought for the apartment for her friend.

She took care of her hair, putting it in her go to twin braids this time, and applied some minimal makeup before leaving her bathroom to get dressed. As she pulled out her clothes, she remembered last night and how Monty had walked…floated? Into the room and caught her in just her underwear. If he came in right now, he would see her completely naked. Her face flushed from just her internal thoughts.

“Oh my god, Yasmine, what are you even thinking now? " she chided herself internally before shaking her head and getting dressed for her second day at work. Today was a bit less fancy. She wore a simple dark blue button-up blouse, matching loose skirt that fell just below her knees. Sitting down on her bed, she struggled to pull on another pair of nude-colored pantyhose. The wet skin making it difficult to pull up without risking a run or a tear. After riding the struggle buss with her clothes, she primped a little in the mirror, making sure her outfit was all set before she walked out of her bedroom and down the hall.

“Monty, you awake?” She called out to her ghostly roommate.

“Yeah, I’m here, and remember, I don’t sleep… Wow, that bump really changed colors, didn’t it?” Yasmine huffed and folded her arms under her chest at his comment.

“Thanks for pointing it out. Do you have any more of those big bandages you used before?” Yasmine said, making Monty laugh a little.

“You are welcome.”

“That was sarcasm. What did they not have that back in your day?” She teased the ghost lightly.

“They did, I am just choosing not to partake.” He teased right back as he quickly floated to the bathroom and opened the door, and grabbed a bandage out of the box. As he came back he opened up the paper wrapping while Yasmine watched the seemingly floating bandaid approach her head.

“H-Hey, I never said I want you to put it on.” She complained weakly. Monty just let out a short bark of laughter before continuing to move closer.

“Don’t get all stubborn on me, girl, now hold still,” He said in a surprisingly commanding tone. She felt her whole body tense at the shift, feeling him place the bandage on her forehead. He was gentle and careful with pressing it against her skin to avoid touching her bump. The icy feeling of his fingers against her skin wasn’t unpleasent, it never had been and she was almost certain it never would be. But if he could ever somehow make it not so cold, well that would be very much appreciated.

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Yasmine shivered as Monty finished covering her head wound. Just knowing he was so close to her made her feel a little nervous for some reason. Her imagination suddenly filled the empty space in front of her with what she remembered from the past. She could almost see his thin framed body standing there, dressed like an old man but somehow still looking hot in it. The little curls at the end of his hair gave him a boyish charm as he carefully made sure her hair wasn’t stuck under the bandage. His thin lips had a soft pout to them that were just begging to be kissed.

“Yazzie?” Monty’s voice called to her, making her blink suddenly.

“Huh, wha?” She said in surprise as the visage that was only in her mind vanished into thin air.

“I said you are all set. Does it hurt at all? I did my best to avoid getting the adhesive part on the cut.” Yasmine’s face immediately flushed at how lost she had gotten in thinking about the ghost. Was she really getting that obsessed with him? Just what was this attachment she had, and why was it just now hitting her so hard? She hadn’t seen him in years, yet now she was like a crushing schoolgirl. It felt so stupid but somehow good at the same time.

“No, no, it feels fine promise, I was just kinda spacing out for a moment. Thanks, Monty.” She said, face still burning hot from her own thoughts yet again.

“Good, good… Um Yasmine?” He said, sounding a little sheepish now. She immediately wondered what happened to the commanding tone from earlier.

“Yeah?”

“I know things got a little heated last night, and I just wanted to apologize if I upset you at all. I just don’t know how what I have to say will affect our relationship. So I want to make sure you don’t get in trouble if I make you upset.” Monty’s sudden expression of worry for her threw Yasmine for a loop. She honestly hadn’t even thought of last night till now. It came back to her quickly, thinking about how she randomly demanded to know about him and her grandfather.

“O-oh, it's that serious? I…” She honestly wanted to know more about him. While learning about her grandfather would have been a nice bonus, but her actual goal was to know more about the enigmatic ghost. She truly was a horrible granddaughter, in her own mind, at least. Monty let out a sigh in response.

“It kinda is. But I want to let you know that I did care for and respect your grandfather.” This was all starting to sound really ominous and get her worried. She was about to question more when there was a honk of a car from outside. Yasmine’s head shot towards the front yard where it came from, and her eyes widened with realization.

“Oh crap, what time is it!” In a panic, she looked around for her phone when she realized she left it in the backroom. “Crap o crap o crap!” she yelled, dashing down the hall.

Monty watched her run away before looking over at the front. He floated out the front door and saw a bright pink 1980’s Cadillac Deville. He couldn’t help but be stunned at the sight. Floating closer to the vehicle, he spotted a woman with large reddish blonde hair in poofy done up curls, bright pink lipstick, and a kind face. She held her phone in her hand and looked from it to the front door.

“Monty!?” The voice of Yasmine could be heard coming from inside the house.

Before he could react and dash in, he heard the giggles of the woman in the car. He looked back at her for a moment to see a soft patient smile as she put away her phone and turned off the car. This was a rather kind woman from what he could tell so far. It made him feel reassured that Yasmine had such a kind co-worker. Without anymore delay, Monty shot into the house to find her panic searching the house.

“Monty, where are you!?” She called out again, a bit more panicked this time.

“I’m here, sorry, what's wrong?”

“I can’t find where I put my purse!” She looked around, biting her lower lip painfully. She was so frazzled that she couldn’t see what was right in front of her. Monty looked to his right and spotted a small purse that was left just to the entrance. The ghost reached down and picked up the pouch.

“Yaz, it's right here. Just calm down and breathe. She didn’t look like she was in too much of a hurry, so I think you are alright, " he said with a chuckle as he floated over, holding out the purse to her.

The crazed looking woman watched as he offered her the purse with some calming words. She took the purse and did just as he said. She closed her eyes for just a moment, sucking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. When she opened her eyes again, she smiled softly at him.

“Thank you, Monty. I don’t know what I would do without you,” Yasmine said softly, reaching out a hand to him. He looked down at the offered hand with confusion. He pondered for a long moment before he reached out and took hers lightly, like they were going to shake hands. The icy grip quickly made her fingers slightly numb.

She couldn’t help but laugh softly and roll her eyes at him. It was easy pulling him forward, kind of like the slight pull of a balloon. With the purse now hanging on her shoulder, she reached up and found his face with her other hand. It was, of course, just as cold. Her fingers felt the strange softness of his cheeks that weren’t actually there. But she turned his head and planted a chaste peck on his cheek before letting go. Her lips tingled from the cold.

“Thank you, Monty. I can’t wait to see what you make for dinner,” Yasmine said finally, smiling at him before rushing to the door. "I promise to be home on time tonight."

Monty found himself nodding to her before he realized that she couldn’t actually see him. That kissed had really fried a few circuits.

“Uh, y-yeah, sure, sounds good, swell even.” He stammered out, watching as she waved and closed the door behind her. She had looked so calm and collected as she did that and left. Monty was actually kinda amazed. The feeling of the kiss still lingered on his cheek.

“Wait…” The shock had made him miss something amazing. Usually his sense of feel was incredibly dulled. But the kiss had been an explosion of the sensation, and it was like the spot where she kissed him still throbbed with warmth. This was certainly something different, but he relished in the feeling for as long as possible. His mind quickly going to places it shouldn't

“I… wonder if she might… no, no, she was just being grateful. It was the kind of kiss you give a family member. Don’t be stupid Matt, you can’t let it get to your head.” While Monty denied that there was anything more to the kiss, Yasmine was standing outside, back pressed up against the front door.

“Oh god, I can’t believe I just kissed him like that. Bold Yasmine is so scary!” She whispered to herself, trying to get the sound of her heartbeat out from her ears as she finally started walking for Marla’s car. Still unable to hide the stupid smirk from her face.