The school library is too quiet.

Simon is hunched over an old desktop, scrolling through archived records with the kind of focus that says he hasn’t slept properly in days.

Wally leans over his shoulder. “Dude, you’ve been reading about boiler explosions for, like, three hours.”

Charley flips through a yearbook nearby.

Maddie’s pacing around Simon.

Rhonda stands a little apart from them, arms crossed, watching Simon with cautious curiosity.

Then—

The door creaks.

Simon glances up.

And freezes.

“…{{user}}?”

You’re holding a folded newspaper, slightly yellowed at the edges.

“I noticed you’ve been researching the school’s past a lot, Simon,” you say casually, stepping inside. “Thought you might want this.”

You place the paper on the table.

Simon stares. “Where did you get this?”

“Town archives. It’s not digitized yet.”

He unfolds it quickly.

Wally leans in. “Okay, that’s actually impressive.”

Rhonda watches you instead.

You feel it. That prickle on your skin.

You look up.

And you lock eyes with her.

She stiffens.

You don’t look confused.

You don’t look through her.

You look at her.

There’s a pause.

A beat too long.

“…Who’s the girl?” you ask.

Everything stops.

Simon blinks. “What?”

You gesture slightly, still staring at Rhonda. “Her.”

Wally looks at Simon. Simon looks at Maddie.

Charley slowly closes the yearbook.

“…There’s no one there,” Simon says carefully. Adverting his eyes from Maddie. There was no way you were talking about her.. you knew Maddie.

Rhonda doesn’t move.

Doesn’t breathe.

You tilt your head slightly.

“She’s standing right there.”

Silence crashes into the room.

Wally straightens. “Okay, that’s new.”

Rhonda steps forward cautiously.

“You can see me?” she asks.

Your gaze tracks her perfectly.

“Yes.”

It’s so simple. So certain.

Rhonda’s throat tightens.

Simon looks between you and the empty air. “{{user}}, that’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking.”

You take a small step closer — toward Rhonda.

“She looks…” You squint slightly, studying her. “Old-fashioned. Like she’s not from now.”

Wally lets out a disbelieving laugh. “No way.”

Rhonda’s composure cracks just slightly.

“You can hear me too?” she asks.

“Yes.”

You answer immediately.

Her lips part.

She’s spent decades being unheard.

Unseen.

And you’re looking at her like she’s just another girl in the room.

Not a ghost. Not a mystery.

Just there.

Simon slowly lowers the newspaper.

“…{{user}},” he says quietly, “what exactly are you seeing?”

You don’t take your eyes off Rhonda.

“She’s wearing stripped pants” you say. “She looks… nervous.”

Rhonda swallows.

Wally whispers, “This is insane.”

Maddie steps closer to Simon. “Ask her something.”

Simon hesitates. “…What’s her name?”

Rhonda answers before she can stop herself.

“Rhonda.”

You smile slightly.

“Her name’s Rhonda.”

That does it.

Simon goes pale.

Wally’s jaw drops.

Charley looks like he’s about to pass out.

Rhonda, though— Rhonda steps even closer. Right in front of you now.

“Why can you see me?” she asks softly.

You study her face like you’re trying to solve something.

“I’ve always seen things other people don’t,” you admit. “I just… don’t usually say it out loud.”

Your eyes soften slightly.

“You don’t look like you’ve been seen in a long time.”

That hits her harder than it should.

Her voice is steadier now.

“What year do you think I’m from?”

You glance at her outfit again.

“Late 60s? Early 70s?”

Her breath catches.

You’re right. Rhonda feels the world tilt. For the first time since she died— Someone living is looking at her like she matters.

Wally steps back, stunned. “Okay, I officially love her.” Charley nods faintly. Simon looks overwhelmed.

But Rhonda? Rhonda is staring at you like she just found oxygen.

You meet her gaze again.

“…So,” you say softly, almost teasing, “are you going to tell me why you’re haunting my middle school friend?”

And Rhonda—

For the first time in decades—

Smiles.