Chapter Text
Key:
PHANTOMS - Noise
"Phantoms" - Talking
<Phantoms> - Texting
'Phantoms' - Thoughts
_Phantoms_ - Action
[Phantoms] - Sign language
Phantoms - Title/POV indicator
Phantoms - Important information
Ashlyn POV:
It was Friday night and we had just finished with the phantoms, I was just lying in my bed staring at the ceiling. I wasn't able to sleep. I usually wouldn't be able to sleep after the phantom dimension but tonight was extra bad. I often wondered if the others had nights like this but I wouldn't go out of my way to type it. It was currently 3AM, 3 hours after the phantom dimension ends, it usually only took me about an hour to fall asleep. At the start it was so bad I would've woken up and immediately covered my ears with shaky breaths.
I got up from my bed and silently made my way to the bathroom, looking through the cabinets. I found the melatonin gummies that were supposed to help me sleep. The tub of gummies was empty, too many nights where I couldn't sleep. "Well, that's great." I mumbled under my breath as I put the gummies back into the cabinet careful not to brush against anything with my hands as to not make any noise and wake my parents up. I went back to my room careful on which floor boards to step on and make sure it wasn't the creaky ones.
As I crept back into my room I thought I'd checking my phone and check if anyone's said anything after the phantom dimension. I stood next to my nightstand as I took my phone off of it, gripping it lightly. The phone screen lit up as I pressed the on button.
"Too bright." I grumbled Lowly under my breath, swiping my finger down to lower the brightness of it. I unlocked my phone, typing in my password, jamming my fingers into the phone screen. I slid my fingers across the screen, opening my messaging app. I clambered onto my bed, curling up into a ball as I put my phone to rest on my legs right up against my face. I opened up the group's chat and was immediately met with Aiden and Taylor debating whether you put the milk or cereal first.
Clown - Aiden
Best Twin - Taylor
Worst Twin - Tyler
Star Boy - Logan
Mute Man - Ben
Leprechaun - Ashlyn
Clown: <You obviously put the cereal in first!>
Best Twin: <NUH UH! The cereal is too soggy after!>
Leprechaun: <Why are you two arguing over cereal at 3AM?>
Clown: <BECUZ WE NEED TO DECIDE WHAT'S MORE SIGMA ASH!>
Leprechaun: <You two need to go to sleep.>
Best Twin: <Why aren't you asleep then, Ashlyn?>
I immediately put my phone down for a second, I always felt a bit squeamish when she used my name and I didn't know why.
Clown: <CLOCKED!>
Mute Man: <Aiden, I'm going to your room and forcing you to sleep, it's 3AM.>
Clown: <WHattt!! Y?????>
Aiden's texting went silent, and then I got a notification from Taylor.
Mechanic - Taylor
Mechanic: <HIII Ashlyn!>
Me:<Hi. Why are you texting me at 3AM?>
Mechanic: <Why are you replying at 3AM?>
Me: <Fair enough, but still.>
Mechanic: < I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today or tomorrow with the group, I've got Aiden, Ben and Tyler on board!>
Me: <Do you want me to ask Logan?>
Mechanic: <That would be so helpful, please do 💕>
Gosh, why did she have to use hearts? Taylor's way of texting was a bit strange to me.
Me: <I'll go then. What are we doing and where?>
Mechanic: <We're all hanging out at Aiden's house!>
Me: <Alright. I'm gonna try and sleep, you should try to get some sleep too.>
Mechanic: <Goodnight Ash 💞>
Me: <Goodnight.>
I reached my arm over and put my phone back on m nightstand. I stretched my arm over to my pillow, gripped it and planted my face into my pillow. I was sure my face looked like a tomato at this point, I never got used to Taylor's hearts while she texted and everything. I found it ethereal how she almost always maintained a calm and kind composure unless family was mentioned. I found her ethereal.