Chapter Text
Maddie’s POV:
I honestly thought since I was dead I wouldn’t even have to think about what to wear to a school dance, I mean I didn’t even when I was alive. I was never planning on going to the dance, but then Wally asked me like the sweet-golden retriever boy he is. I just couldn’t say no; I was already planning on lurking AROUND the dance to keep an eye on what was going down that night so might as well go with a date. I’ve been wrestling with whether to tell the others about what was about to happen, and I’ve decided to let them in. I’m grateful for all they’ve done for me and I can’t keep them out any longer.
First I have to talk to Simon about the general plan for the night. I’m not even sure how it comes up, but I’m pretty sure I just blurt out that I’m going with Wally to the dance…big mistake.
“You what? I just can’t—a football player?” he starts to half yell at me. I don’t understand why he seems so offended over the fact that I’m going with him. I know Wally’s technically a jock and all but he’s nothing like the current football players at this school.
“SHH! Keep your voice down!” Attempting to calm him down so he looks at least 90% less crazy. He glances at the guy getting something from the vending machine before looking back at me.
“You waited to be dead to go to a school dance with a jock? Who are you now?” he judgmentally scolds me. I cannot believe he is being such a pretentious asshat over a guy he doesn’t even know.
Turning more frustrated I whisper back to him, “I’m changing the subject I would rather talk about my murder and my maybe murderer, Claire, please.” He storms off as I call after him, “Simon.” He ignores me as he goes to sit with Nicole. They eat in near silence until Xavier comes to sit with them. Things continue to thaw out a little as we go over the plan. It’s strange not actually being able to participate in what’s about to go on.
As the bell rings and everyone goes to their classes I decide it’s time to find Wally, Charley, and Rhonda to let them in on what’s going on. I know exactly were to go since they’re always in the teachers’ lounge at this time and I told Rhonda I would meet her there before going down to the costume department to find clothes to wear to the dance. I walk in and it’s as if Wally senses me and turns around with a smile on his face, “Maddie! What a surprise seeing you here. Long time no see, uh I mean I saw you last night so I guess not uh really long I gue-”
He gets cut off by Rhonda, “Relax lover boy, you’re acting as if you’re about to propose to her not go to a dance with her.” She turns to me with a sly smile on her face, “Well pussy-toes, I hear you’re going to the dance with our resident jock. Good for you finally taming his wild heart.” Rolling her eyes with a smirk and a light laugh in her voice.
Charley looks at me as if to analyze my thoughts. “That is one thing I never saw you agreeing to do to be honest. Though I am excited for the two of you”
Rhonda speaks up again, “Are you ready to head to the costume department to find an outfit to die for?” her sarcasm never ceases to amaze me.
“Actually, no I have something I needed to talk to you about if you all have a few minutes” I state nervously.
WALLY’S POV:
Ever since I asked Maddie to the dance I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop. The second I see her I loose my breath and wait patiently for her to change her mind about homecoming. “I have all the time in the world for you” I definitely did not mean to say that out loud. Maddie looks at me with wide eyes as Rhonda and Charley exchange a look that I don’t have the capacity to understand right now. “I just mean that-uh- well that we’re dead so it’s not like we really have somewhere to be”
“Real smooth there Casanova.” Of course Rhonda couldn’t let this one go.
Charley speaks up to help sooth the tension. “Of course, Maddie, is everything alright? You know I got you.”
“Well in order to find out if Claire is my murderer, Simon and I convinced Xavier to take her to the dance. We decided that he’s the best chance of getting anything out of her. All of this is going down tonight. I’m not asking anyone to really do anything other than if you see them near you to just listen in on their conversations.” She breathes it all out in one breath. I’m happy Maddie is finally starting to trust us all and love that she decided to open up about what’s about to happen. I can’t help but feel that strange feeling of jealousy that comes up whenever Simon is mentioned.
It’s not like anything can happen between them since he’s alive and she’s dead. Even if something could happen, I have no claim over Maddie; it still hurts a little inside to see their connection. “Of course, Maddie. Anything you need I’ll be there to help.” I will always volunteer myself for her.
Charley and Rhonda nod their heads in agreement. At this point Rhonda walks towards Maddie to tell her something about clothes and they walk off together. Now I feel bad that maybe I pressured her into going to the dance with me. I hang out with Charley for a bit while he finishes up his note before wandering off to find Maddie.
MADDIE’S POV
Rhonda and I are sifting through the dusty clothes in the costume department. Sadly it seems that even in death we cannot escape allergies, which to be honest is absolutely lame. The conversation naturally moves on to the topic of the dance so I decide I should ask her why she decided to go to this thing.
She gives me a vague answer about revolting and assimilating. “Weak reasoning. But I’ll let it slide. I guess I’m just surprised you’re throwing yourself into this. You know, Wally’s acting line it’s the first time he’s even heard of a dance” as cute as it is that he’s so excited; I’m confused why it means so much since he’s been to like 40ish dances.
“Well, he’s been going to this thing alone for 37 years. So brava, I suppose for helping him tackle this unfinished business. We don’t always get second chances on this side.” She tells me plainly.
Before I loose my nerve to ask what I’ve been curious about since I started getting closer to Wally, “I have a question, but you can’t laugh.” I know she’ll either laugh or give me some sort of grief over my awkward question.
“Okay, I can’t guarantee anything, but shoot.” That’s as close to a promise of not making fun of me as I will get with her.
It’s now or never so I just come out and ask, “Can ghosts have sex?”
“I said we can swell, didn’t I?” she responds in reference to our allergy discussion.
Of course, I can’t just let it go so I start to ask, “oh, so you’ve all—”
Luckily she cuts me off before I can stutter out the rest. “la grande mort is not competition for la petite mort, tootsie roll. But yeah, we’ve been going through puberty for decades. We have needs. We have a past. We all do.” I freeze up and in that moment of course I accidentally go mute. “We all do, right?” just as I hear her say my name I hear the door to the room open “Maddie Nears, did you die a virgin?” I can just sense who it is while I stand there stuck staring at the clothes in front of me.