Ghostbane

The classroom buzzed with chatter as students settled in, throwing crumpled papers at each other and discussing life's most important topics—like which teacher was the worst and how much sleep they didn't get.

Richard and Jackson slumped at their shared desk, both looking like they barely survived the morning.

Then, the door creaked open.

Silence.

All heads turned toward the figure standing at the front—Mr. Hargrove.

A man so terrifying, even the class clown wouldn't dare joke in his presence.

"Good morning, class," Mr. Hargrove said in his usual deadpan voice.

"Good morning, sir," the students mumbled in return.

Mr Hargrove adjusted his glasses. "Alright. Submit your homework."

A collective groan rippled through the class.

Richard blinked. He turned to Jackson, his face full of confusion. "Wait… we had homework?"

Jackson looked just as lost. "I don't remember hearing that."

Richard spun around to Owen, the tallest and blondest guy in their group. "Hey, Owen. Did we have homework?"

Owen scoffed. "Why the hell are you asking me?"

"Because you're the smartest one here," Richard said.

Owen leaned back in his chair, shaking his head. "I have no idea when he gave us homework."

Mr. Hargrove's voice thundered through the room.

"If you didn't do your homework, stand up!"

The entire class froze.

"Let me see your ugly faces. Richard, stand up!"

Richard gasped dramatically. "Sir, why me?"

"Because you didn't do your homework."

Richard crossed his arms. "And how do you know that, sir? What if I did?"

Mr. Hargrove smirked. "Did you?"

Richard opened his mouth, then closed it.

"...No."

"Exactly. Get out."

Sighing in defeat, Richard got up and trudged toward the door.

Then Jackson stood up. "Yeah, uh… me too, I guess."

Then Owen. "Might as well get some fresh air."

Then half the class followed.

Now, a full squad of delinquents stood outside, enjoying the cool hallway breeze.

Owen leaned against the wall, stretching his arms. "You guys heard about that haunted place up on the hill?"

Richard raised an eyebrow. "A new one?"

Owen nodded. "Yeah, apparently it's super cursed. People go in and don't come out."

Emma, a girl with short hair, perfect makeup, and an unhealthy crush on Richard, joined the conversation. "When are we going?"

Owen smirked. "Wait, you actually want to go?"

Emma flipped her hair. "Obviously. Why wouldn't I want to go with Richard?"

Richard blinked, completely missing her obvious hint. "So, after school?"

Owen nodded. "Sounds good. I'm always free."

Richard smirked. "Yeah, because you're jobless."

Owen rolled his eyes. "One day, Richard. One day I'm gonna get rich and rub it in your face."

Emma clapped. "Okay! It's a plan!"

Jackson, however, frowned. "I don't know, guys… I heard some seriously creepy stuff about that place. Like, people disappearing for real."

Owen laughed. "Oh my God, are you bitching out?"

Jackson crossed his arms. "No! It's just… I've got a bad feeling about this one."

Richard smirked. "Sounds like something a pussy-cat would say."

Jackson glared. "I am not scared!"

Richard grinned. "Then come with us."

Jackson hesitated. "...I still don't know, man. It's got bad vibes."

Richard laughed. "'Bad vibes'? Bro, are you a fortune teller now?"

Emma giggled. "And if there really is a ghost, we can make Richard's grandpa exorcise it!"

Richard groaned. "My grandpa is a fraud."

Owen shrugged. "Fraud or not, it'd be fun."

Before they could argue more, the classroom door slammed open.

Mr. Hargrove stood there, glaring.

"Did I put you monkeys outside so you could chat?"

Silence.

"Thought so." He walked back in, and a second later, the bell rang.

Perfect timing.

---

After an exhausting school day, freedom finally arrived.

Students flooded out of the building, cheering as if they had just been released from prison.

Richard, Jackson, and Owen walked toward the gate.

Owen grinned. "Alright, time to go ghost hunting!"

Jackson sighed. "Are we really doing this?"

Richard patted his back. "Bro, how many haunted places have we visited? Has anything ever actually happened?"

Jackson hesitated. "...No."

"Exactly," Richard said. "This one won't be any different."

Jackson still looked uneasy. "But this one feels different."

Owen smirked. "Oh, please. Grow some balls."

Richard grinned. "Come on, Jackson. For us?"

Before Jackson could answer, Emma appeared out of nowhere, bringing two of her friends—Pinky and Hannah.

Owen's eyes widened. He grabbed Jackson and pulled him aside.

"Dude," Owen whispered urgently. "Three girls. Three guys."

Jackson blinked. "And?"

Owen's eyes glowed. "It's a triple date."

Jackson gave him a look. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

Owen shook his head. "No, think about it. Richard and Emma are obvious. You pick whoever you want. And I'll take the last one."

Jackson groaned. "You're insane."

Owen grinned. "And yet, here we are."

Jackson sighed. "Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting you first."

Owen pumped his fist. "Deal."

He turned to Richard. "Let's go see some ghosts!"

Richard smirked. "Let's do this."

Emma giggled, grabbing onto Richard's arm, while Jackson looked like he immediately regretted everything.

And with that, the group set off on their totally safe and not at all dangerous adventure.