wxllyclxrk

[wxllyclxrk]

Don't Fear The Reaper {Tom Rhodes Cover} (10) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Charley sees something that makes him uneasy, Ellie's life changes forever.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death, sexual assault, rape, sexual violence, drugs/roofies/overdose, staging the scene of a crime, etc.

Word Count: 1050

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: All chapters are named after songs! This chapter contains themes that may be upsetting! If you’re sensitive to topics that include domestic sexual violence/sexual assault/rape, drugs/roofies/overdose, staging the scene of a crime, or death, PLEASE read at your own risk! If you'd like to know what happens in this chapter but don't want to read it, please message me and I'll tell you all about it without the sexual content!

Charley leaned against the gym wall, half-watching the movie, half-watching the crowd. He wasn't really paying attention- he'd seen Scream a hundred times- but something caught his eye.

Ellie. 

She was getting up, moving unsteadily toward the exit. Even from across the gym, Charley could tell something was off. The way she swayed slightly, like the ground was shifting beneath her feet. 

Then he saw Nathan. 

Trailing behind her. 

Charley frowned, straightening. It didn't seem like Ellie to leave a movie, and it definitely wasn't like Nathan to be subtle about following her anywhere. He watched as Nathan hovered close, his movements smooth, practiced, like he was trying to shield her from view.

A bad feeling curled in Charley's stomach.

He scanned the room, searching for Rhonda. She'd know if this was nothing or something worth worrying about. It took him longer than he liked, winding through clusters of students sprawled across sleeping bags. By the time he found her near the snack table, the unease had settled deep. 

"Hey," he said quickly, stepping into her line of sight. "I just saws Ellie leave. Nathan followed her."

Rhonda barely glanced up from her drink. "So?"

Charley frowned. "So, something felt... off."

That got her attention. She set her cup down, finally meeting his eyes. "Off how? 

"I dunno. She didn't look right. Kinda out of it. And Nathan-" He hesitated. "He was keeping people from noticing." 

Rhonda's expression darkened. "You think we should tell Wally?"

Before Charley could answer, another voice cut in.

"Tell me what?"

Charley turned to see Wally standing a few feet away, arms crossed, his expression unreadable- but there was a tension in his jaw, a sharpness in his eyes that said he already didn't like where this was going.

Rhonda sighed. "It's probably nothing. Charley just saw Ellie leave the gym with Nathan, and he got a bad feeling about it."

Wally's stance shifted, his whole body going rigid. "A bad feeling?" 

"Relax, man. She's probably fine," Charley said, though even as he said it, he wasn't sure he believed it.

And then-

The lights flickered. 

A strange hum vibrated through the air, deep and pulsing, rattling the floor beneath them. The gym dimmed for a fraction of a second before snapping back to normal, but the energy in the room had shifted. 

Charley's stomach dropped. 

It was the unmistakable signal.

Someone had died.

Before Charley or Rhonda could even react, Wally was gone. He tore through the gym doors at a dead sprint, his shoes pounding against the floor as he vanished into the hallway, his voice echoing as he shouted Ellie's name.

_ _ _

Nathan stood up, pulling his pants up and zipping his fly. He let out a slow, satisfied breath, running a hand through his hair as he looked down at Ellie's unmoving form. 

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" he murmured, smirking.

Silence.

His expression faltered. "Ellie?"

She didn't move. Didn't blink. Didn't breathe. 

His stomach twisted. A creeping sense of unease slid up his spine as he leaned back down, shaking her shoulder. "Hey. Wake up."

Nothing. 

"Oh, shit," he hissed, his voice sharp now, cutting through the stillness of the room. His hands hovered over her, hesitation giving away to something closer to fear as he took a closer look- her lips slightly parted, foam collecting at the corners of the mouth, pupils blown and unseeing.

Panic shot through him. He hadn't meant for this to happen. He just wanted her to loosen up, to have a little fun-

His mind raced. Fix it. Fix it now. 

His fingers fumbled in his pocket, closing around the small orange pill bottle. Quickly, he unscrewed the cap, dumping a few pills into his palm before scattering them onto the tile. He set the pill bottle next to her limp hand, adjusting her fingers around it just enough to look natural. 

An accident. That's all it needed to look like. A mistake, a stupid, tragic mistake.

He exhaled sharply, adjusting her clothes, making sure there was nothing out of place. His pulse hammered against his skull as he took a final look at the scene, his breathing shallow, unsteady. 

Then, without another second of hesitation, he turned and slipped out of the bathroom, leaving Ellie behind. 

_ _ _

Ellie's awareness returned in fragments. The cold tile against her cheek. The distant hum of fluorescent lights. A faint, distorted echo of someone calling her name. Her fingers twitched against the floor as her mind sluggishly clawed its way to clarity. 

Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing the dim glow of the school bathroom. She frowned, confusion settling in like a dense fog. How did she get here? The last thing she remembered- Nathan. 

She had been standing by the sink, feeling nauseous, watching water drip from her fingers. And then... nothing. A blank space where the rest of the memory should be. 

Ellie pushed herself upright, wincing at the dull ache in her limbs. Her balance felt off, but she shook it off, running a shaky hand through her hair. Everything seemed normal. No blood, no injury. Just a splitting headache and a sick feeling twisting in her gut.

Someone shouted her name again, closer this time. 

Frowning, Ellie pushed open the bathroom door, stepping into the empty hallway. The gym was a short walk away. Maybe Nathan had come looking for her? Maybe she'd just... passed out?Yeah. That had to be it. 

Ellie's footsteps echoed as she made her way toward the gym. She passed darkened classrooms and rows of lockers that gleam under the faint light. The whole place feels deserted. Pushing open the heavy double doors to the gym, Ellie scanned the room. Nathan was right where he should be, seated atop their sleeping bags. 

Ellie let out a breath, irritation replacing her unease. "Oh my god, you will not believe the night I'm having. One second we were by the sink and then... I guess I passed out or something? I just woke up on the bathroom floor. Did I slip?" Sarcasm laced her voice.

Nathan doesn't answer. He doesn't even look up.

"Hello?" she said, waving a hand in front of his face. "What's your problem?:

Nothing. 

A prickle of discomfort crept up her spine. "Nathan, seriously, what the fuck?" she snapped.

Her fingers curled into fists. If he wanted to act like an ass, that was on him. "Fine. Ignore me all you want, then."

[wxllyclxrk]

Don't You Want Me (9) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Nathan grows impatient with Ellie's abstinence and continues to pressure her. Wally tells Charley about his decision.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, overdose, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Word Count: 1138

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: All chapters are named after songs! This chapter contains themes that may be upsetting! If you’re sensitive to topics that include domestic sexual violence/sexual assault/rape, drugs/roofies/overdose, or death, PLEASE read at your own risk! If you'd like to know what happens in this chapter but don't want to read it, please message me and I'll tell you all about it without the sexual content!

MASTERLIST

The air outside was cool, the kind of night that made her want to curl up under a blanket, but Ellie barely felt it as she climbed into Nathan's jeep. She tossed her bag into the backseat and buckled herself in, staring out the window as he pulled away from her house. 

Nathan didn't say anything at first, just drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, his eyes on the road. The hum of the tires against the pavement filled the silence. 

Ellie wrapped her arms around herself, still feeling the weight of the argument she'd overheard. It clung to her, heavy and suffocating, and for a second, she considered telling Nathan. Not for comfort- she didn't expect that from him- but just to say it out loud. Maybe if she said it, it wouldn't feel so knotted up in her chest.

But before she could even think of the words, Nathan pulled something from his jacket pocket and held it up between two fingers, grinning.

A condom.

Ellie's stomach twisted.

"We should sneak off later," he said, turning to glance at her with that cocky smirk of his. "Find somewhere private." 

Ellie blinked, caught so off guard that she barely reacted at first.

"I mean, if we're stuck in that gym all night, we might as well have some fun, right?" Nathan added, tossing the condom onto the center console like it was nothing. 

Ellie stiffened. "Nathan, I-" She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I don't think that's a good idea."

His smirk faltered slightly, replaced by a look of mild irritation. "Why not?" 

She exhaled, turning her gaze back to the window. "I just don't want to."

Nathan let out a sharp breath through his nose, drumming his fingers against the wheel again. "Ellie, come on. We've been together for a while now. I don't get what the holdup is."

She clenched her jaw. "It's not a holdup, I'm just not ready."

Silence stretched between them. She could feel his eyes on her, feel the way his grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.

Then he scoffed. "You're making a big deal out of nothing." 

Ellie's stomach twisted tighter.

"I mean, we're dating," Nathan continued, his tone edged with impatience. "This is normal, Ellie. It's not like I'm asking for anything crazy."

Her fingers curled into her sweatshirt. "You're not listening to me." 

Nathan rolled his eyes, shaking his head. "Whatever." He flicked the condom back into his pocket, muttering something under his breath.

Ellie stared at the dashboard, her face hot with frustration, her fingers gripping the hem of her sleeve so tightly it felt like she might tear the fabric. 

By the time they pulled into the school parking lot, she felt exhausted, like she's just run a marathon in her own head. Nathan parked and immediately got out, acting as if nothing had happened. Ellie, however, sat there for a moment longer, pressing her lips together, trying to shake the sinking feeling in her chest. 

_ _ _

"You coming to the movie or what?" Charley asked, falling into step beside Wally as they made their way down the dimly lit hallway. 

Wally shook his head. "Nah."

Charley gave him a look. "What, you don't wanna watch Scream for the fiftieth time?"

A small smirk tugged at Wally's lips. "I think I've got it memorized by now."

Charley didn't laugh. Instead, he studied Wally carefully, his expression shifting. "That's not it though, is it?"

Wally exhaled, gaze dropping to the floor. "I'm trying to move on, Charley. Stop watching her."

Charley's voice softened. "Ellie?"

Wally nodded once. "It's not healthy. I keep telling myself it's harmless, but it's not. She's alive. I'm not. She deserves to live her life without me hovering like some pathetic ghost stuck in the past."

Charley was quiet for a moment before he said, "You're not pathetic, man."

Wally let out a short breath, almost a laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Maybe not. But it's better for everyone if I don't see her."

Charley hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. But if you change your mind..." 

Wally forced a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Go enjoy the movie, Charley."

Charley lingered for a second, as if considering saying more, but in the end, he just gave Wally a quick pat on the shoulder before walking off.

_ _ _

Ellie sat cross-legged on her sleeping bag, the hum of conversation around her fading as the opening credits of Scream flickered across the gym's projector screen. The glow cast shadows over the sea of students sprawled across the floor, but Ellie barely registered any of it.

"Miss me?"

Nathans voice pulled her attention, and she looked up just as he dropped down beside her, two sodas in one hand, a bag of popcorn and some candy in the other. He smirked, handing one of the drinks to her. 

"Figured you'd want something sweet," he said.

Ellie smiled faintly, accepting the drink. "Thanks."

She took a sip, then a handful of popcorn, trying to focus on the movie. But something felt... off. A strange warmth unfurled in her chest, spreading outward. Her head felt light, her limbs heavy, like she was sinking into the floor.

Her stomach twisted. 

Ellie swallowed, the sound too loud in her ears. She pressed a hand to her temple, blinking against the sudden dizziness. 

"I- I think I need to go to the bathroom," she murmured, pushing herself up unsteadily.

Nathan was watching her closely, his expression unreadable. "You okay?"

"I just don't feel very well," she mumbled, already turning away.

As she made her way toward the exit, the floor seemed to tilt beneath her feet. She stumbled, catching herself against the wall, heart hammering. 

Behind her, Nathan moved smoothly, subtly positioning himself between her and the rest of the students. His hand hovered near her back- not quite touching, but close enough to steer her away from curious eyes.

The fluorescent lights of the hallway stung her eyes, her vision swimming as she pushed into the bathroom. She braced herself against the sink, breathing hard, before twisting the faucet on and splashing cold water over her face.

"Ellie." 

She started at the sound of Nathan's voice behind her. She hadn't even heard him come in. He stepped closer, his reflection looming beside hers in the mirror.

"Don't worry," he said, his voice smooth, almost soothing. "Everything will be fine soon."

Gently, he gathered her hair, pulling it away from her face. Ellie squeezed her eyes shut. The cold water dripped from her chin, but it did nothing to clear the fog pressing in on her mind. 

A sick, awful thought took shape in her head.

She turned to look at him, her breath unsteady. "Nathan... did you-" 

The words caught in her throat, the pieces snapping together in a way that made her stomach drop. 

She stared at him, horror creeping into her expression.

Nathan didn't answer. 

The room spun violently.

Ellie barely registered the sensation of falling before everything went black.

[wxllyclxrk]

Atlantis (8) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Nathan makes a decision that will alter the course of Ellie's life. Ellie changes her mind about an overnight lock-in at the school.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, overdose, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Word Count: 893

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Authors Note: All chapters are named after songs! This chapter contains themes that may be upsetting! If you're sensitive to topics that include: drugs/roofies, overdose, sexual assault/rape, death, or overhearing parental arguments, please read at your own risk! If you'd like to know what happens in this chapter but don't want to read it, please message me and I'll summarize it for you the best I can!

MASTERLIST

Nathan leaned against the side of his jeep, his arms crossed as he scanned the empty parking lot. A single streetlight flickered above, casting long shadows over the cracked pavement. The place reeked of oil and damp asphalt, the kind of spot no one stuck around in longer than necessary. 

Beside him, his best friend Zane, chewed his gum lazily, arms folded over his chest. He had the build of a linebacker and the attention of a goldfish, but he was loyal. 

Nathan exhaled sharply, pulling out his phone and checking the time for the third time in as many minutes.

"This guy's taking forever," he muttered, bouncing his knee impatiently.

Zane shrugged. "College dudes don't run on our schedule, man."

Nathan rolled his eyes and shoved his phone back into his pocket. "I shouldn't even have to be doing this," he said. "Ellie's been dragging this out for weeks. She acts all sweet but every time I get her alone, she-" He stopped, jaw tightening.

"Keeps saying no?" Zane finished, raising an eyebrow.

Nathan's scowl deepened. "Keeps acting like she's not my girlfriend. Like she's waiting for some perfect moment or some shit. I'm done waiting."

Zane popped his gum, exhaling slowly. "I mean... she's hot, but some girls are just like that. Maybe she's not into it. If she's playing hard to get, maybe it's a sign to move on. Plenty of other chicks would kill to-" 

"I don't want other chicks." Nathan's voice was sharp, clipped. "I want her. It's never  taken me this long."

Zane studied him for a second before shrugging. "Alright man. Your call."

Nathan checked his phone again just as a figure emerged from the alley. Luke. The guy looked rough- scruffy hoodie, hands shoved deep into his pockets. His eyes darted around the lot before landing on Nathan and Zane.

"You got the cash?" Luke asked, voice low.

Nathan smirked, pulling out a folded wad of bills. "You got the stuff?"

Luke nodded, reaching into his jacket. Zane shifted beside Nathan, rubbing his jaw, but stayed quiet. The exchange was quick. A small, unmarked bottle slipped into Nathan's hand before Luke stuffed the cash into his hoodie and melted back into the darkness.

Zane let out a slow breath. "Just don't do anything stupid, man."

Nathan smirked, slapping him on the back. "Relax, it's just to help her loosen up." He turned the bottle over in his hand before slipping it into his pocket. "She's ready to take things to the next level- she just doesn't know it yet."

Zane didn't respond, but something in his posture shifted as they climbed into the Jeep. The engine roared to life, and within moments, they were gone, the flickering streetlight disappearing in their rearview mirror.

_ _ _

Ellie lay stretched out on her bed, a book open in her hands, her fingers absently tracing the worn edges of the pages. The soft glow of her bedside lamp cast a warm light over her room, blending with the faint blue hue from her laptop screen. Music played quietly, just loud enough to fill the silence but not enough to draw any attention. 

Her phone vibrated beside her. She glanced at it, her stomach sinking slightly when she saw Nathan's name. 

Nathan: You coming to the lock-in tonight?

Ellie hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen. She knew he'd expect her to say yes. He always did. But after a long week, the idea of spending the night at school- around a bunch of people, under the fluorescent lights of the gym- just didn't appeal to her.

She sighed and typed out a response.

Ellie: I think I'm just gonna stay home tonight.

A moment later, the message was marked as read. No response followed.

Ellie stared at her phone for another second before setting it back down, exhaling softly. Nathan had a way of making her feel like she'd done something wrong, even when he hadn't said a word.

She tried to go back to her book, tried to let the calm of her room settle over her again. But then-

A crash echoed through the house, followed by raised voices. Ellie tensed, her fingers tightening around the edges of the page. 

Sharon and Malcolm. Again. 

She couldn't make out their words at first, just the sharp edges of their anger, the way their voices cut through the walls. Then, as she strained to listen, bits of the argument surfaced. 

"He's not your responsibility, Malcolm-" 

"I'm the only one around here acting like an adult, Sharon! Maybe if you-"

Ellie squeezed her eyes shut. It didn't matter what they were fighting about. It never did. It was always the same cycle- anger, blame, exhaustion. Then silence, like nothing had ever happened.

Her chest felt tight. She suddenly needed to be anywhere but here. She grabbed her phone, pulling up her messages.

Ellie: Pick me up in 15.

Nathans response was almost immediate this time. 

Nathan: On my way.

Ellie pushed herself off the bed, moving quickly now. She grabbed a duffel bag from her closet, stuffing in a change of clothes, her toothbrush, a hairbrush- anything she might need for the night. She barely stopped to think, her hands working on autopilot. 

By the time she zipped up the bag, her heart was still pounding. Not from excitement, but from the sheer need to go. 

To be somewhere else.

To pretend, for just one night, that she didn't have to hear the fighting through the walls.

[wxllyclxrk]

Stop and Stare (7) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Ellie feels pressured by Nathan. Wally makes a tough decision.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, overdose, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Word Count: 1143

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: All chapters are named after songs! This chapter is starting to gear more towards the sexual assault theme so PLEASE be careful reading this! If you'd like to know what happens in this chapter but don't want to read it, please message me and I'll tell you all about it without the sexual content!

MASTERLIST

The soft glow of the early morning sun streamed through the high windows of the music room, casting long, golden streaks across the dusty piano keys. Dust floated lazily in the air, caught in the light, dancing to the rhythm of the quiet. 

Wally sat cross-legged on top of the piano, his ghostly form just above where Ellie would soon sit. He drummed his fingers against the wood, impatient but smiling despite himself.

"She's late," he muttered, though he already knew she wasn't-not really. She was always right on time.

The faint squeak of sneakers echoed down the empty hallway.

Wally straightened. "There she is."

The door creaked open, and Ellie stepped inside, her dark brown hair still damp at the ends from a rushed shower, a soft cardigan slipping off one shoulder. She looked tired- the kind of tired that sleep couldn't fix- but her face lit up as she crossed the room, heading straight for the piano like it was the only safe place she knew.

She didn't know he was there, of course. She never did.

Wally slid off the top of the piano as Ellie sat down, careful not to pass through her- that always felt... weird. 

Ellie lifted the lid, running her fingers gently over the keys before starting to play. A slow, delicate melody filled the room, her voice following, soft but rich, carrying a gentle sadness Wally couldn't shake. 

He sat beside her on the bench- close but not touching- just listening.

"Every morning," he murmured with a half-smile. "And you still get me every time."

But as he watched her, something inside twisted.

She'll never know I'm here.

The thought had crept in before- fleeting, easy to brush away. But today, it lingered, heavier. 

"She's alive," Wally whispered to himself. "And you're... not."

He hated saying it out loud.

Before he could sink too far into that thought, the door flung open. Nathan swaggered in, his football jacket slung lazily over his shoulder, a cocky grin plastered across his face.

Wall's jaw tightened. "Oh, great. Him again."

Ellie stopped playing mid-chord, her fingers freezing over the keys as Nathan approached. 

"Brought you something." Nathan tossed a small velvet box onto the piano.

Ellie blinked, surprised. "Oh... thanks."

She opened it, revealing a delicate silver bracelet- simple but pretty. 

Nathan didn't wait for her reaction. He leaned in, kissing her hard before she could say anything. Ellie tensed, but he didn't notice- or didn't care. His lips trailed down her neck, rough and fast, and when his hand brushed lower, pressing into her chest, Ellie gently pushed him back.

"Nathan-" Her voice was soft, uncertain. 

He pulled away, irritation flickering in his eyes. "What? I can't kiss my girlfriend?"

"You can. It's just-" she hesitated. "I'm not...ready for more."

Nathan huffed, rolling his eyes. "Seriously, Ellie? We've been on, like, what- three dates?"

Wally, still on the bench, leaned forward, glaring at Nathan. "Back off, dude. Can't you see she's uncomfortable?"

But, of course, no one heard him.

"Nathan's voice dropped lower, smoother, but with an impatient edge. "How long's it gonna take, huh?" 

Ellie's face fell, her fingers tightened around the edge of the piano. "I don't know," she whispered, shame bleeding into her tone.

"Unbelievable," Wally growled under his breath, standing up. "She deserves so much better."

"Yeah, she does." a voice behind him agreed.

Wally jumped- well, almost- before turning to see Rhonda, leaning against the windowsill, arms crossed, eyebrows raised, lips around a lollipop.

"Rhonda." He tried to sound annoyed but mostly sounded caught. 

She gestured toward Ellie and Nathan. "You're still watching her?"

"Someone's gotta look out for her," Wally muttered, but his voice lacked its usual bite.

Rhonda rolled her eyes. "She's alive, Wally. And you're... well, not. You can't fix anything for her. You're just-" she waved a hand at him, "lurking."

He glanced back at Ellie. She was still sitting at the piano, Nathan's frustration heavy in the air even as he tried to mask it with a weak smile. Ellie just stared at the bracelet, her face distant, like she was somewhere far away.

Rhonda snorted. "You think this is healthy? Sitting here, getting all attached? She's gonna move on, live her life. And you-" she gestured at him again, "-won't."

Wally didn't answer. His eyes were still on Ellie- on the way she bit her lip when she was upset, the way she kept her voice soft even when she wanted to scream. 

But Rhonda's words hit deep.

You're dead. She's not. You can't be part of her story.

Wally stood in the corner of the music room now, his arms crossed tightly over his chest, jaw clenched as he tried to block out Nathan's smug voice still lingering in the air. Ellie was alone again, fingers ghosting over the bracelet Nathan had given her, but the spark that usually flickered in her eyes was dim- smothered by something heavier. 

Rhonda sighed and tilted her head at Wally. "See what I mean? This- this right here- it's why you need to let go. She doesn't even know you're here."

"I know," Wally muttered, but it felt like dragging nails down his throat to admit it. 

"You're stuck," Rhonda continued, her tone softer now. "Hanging around someone you can never talk to. Never touch. It's not fair, to you or her."

Wally stared at Ellie, every part of him wanting to ignore Rhonda. To stay. To watch over her. To fix the ache in her chest he could practically feel radiating from her. 

But Rhonda was right. 

He shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, the weight of the truth sinking in. "She deserves someone who can actually be there for her. Someone who's y'know... breathing."

Rhonda snorted. "Yeah, preferably not the creep she's dating."

A faint smile tugged at Wally's mouth, but it didn't last. He stepped away from the piano, distancing himself from Ellie. His chest felt hollow, like he was leaving something behind he wasn't ready to lose. 

"She's not like the others," Wally said again, this time quieter, almost like he was trying to convince himself. 

Rhonda opened her mouth to push back but hesitated. Instead, she glanced at Ellie, her gaze softening for a flicker of a second. "Maybe. But it doesn't change the fact that you can't stay stuck here forever, Wally. None of us can."

He took a shaky breath. "I should go."

Rhonda raised a brow. "You sure?" 

"No," he admitted, giving her a half-smile. "But... yeah."

He took a final look at Ellie- at the sadness she tried to hide, at the music that still somehow carried hope- and turned away.

But just before he stepped through the door, something in the music shifted. A note that wasn't quite right. A chord that twisted like it was reaching for something missing. 

Wally froze. It was nothing. Just the song.

But deep down, buried under the logic and all the things Rhonda had just told him- there was a flicker of something else. 

Like maybe, somehow, their paths weren't finished crossing. 

[wxllyclxrk]

heyhey Would you be able to change your trigger tags? Specifically SA and change it to sexual assault or another more specific term that's easier to block? (Or add SA as a tag?)

Users who try to filter the term "sa" to avoid it end up running into the issue where it will block any post that has a word with sa in it, like "Saturday"

I love that you are putting in the effort to include triggers and want to make sure that it works!

Absolutely!! Thank you for bringing this to my attention! Please let me know if there’s anything else I should change!

[wxllyclxrk]

Love Me Wrong (6) Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Ellie struggles with her family dynamic.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Word Count: 1009

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: All chapters are named after songs! 

MASTERLIST

Ellie stood at the kitchen sink, her hands submerged in soapy water as she scrubbed a plate with more force than necessary. Bubbles clung stubbornly to her fingers, sliding down the ceramic like they had nowhere better to be. She wished she could say the same. 

The sharp tick-tick-tick of the kitchen clock gnawed at her nerves, each passing second dragging her closer to the inevitable- Aunt Connie's arrival. 

Ellie's jaw tensed at the thought. Connie, with her stiff pearls and even stiffer opinions, had a way of turning every visit into a masterclass in passive aggression. Ellie could already hear her nasally voice cutting through the house: "A proper young lady doesn't slouch, dear. And must you always look so... tired? It's unbecoming."

A car door slammed outside.

Ellie winced. Right on cue.

She stole a glance toward the living room where her mother sat, motionless on the stiff leather couch, the television flickering muted images in front of her. Sharon didn't even turn her head. Her hands were folded in her lap, a hollow-eyed stillness about her that Ellie had stopped trying to shake months ago. 

"Mom," Ellie tried, her voice tight, "can you, I don't know... maybe say something if she starts in on me again?"

Sharon blinked slowly, her fingers idly tracing patterns on the arm of the couch. "She's family, Ellie. Just... be polite."

Ellie bit back the hot retort burning her throat. Of course. Be polite. Smile and take it. Like always. 

Before she could reply, the doorbell chimed- a shrill, drawn-out note that echoed through the hollow spaces of the house. Ellie dried her hands on a dish towel, her shoulders already curling inward as if bracing for a blow. "Here we go," she muttered.

She swung open the door. 

There stood Aunt Connie, all roundness and sharp edges- pale pink lipstick too bright against her powdered skin, her curls carefully set beneath a wide-brimmed hat that screamed old money. Her eyes swept over Ellie in a single, critical scan.

"Good heavens, Emmeline," Connie sniffed, her lips pursing. "Still no effort in your appearance, I see. It's so important for young ladies to take pride in themselves."

Ellie's grip tightened on the dish towel. "Hi, Aunt Connie. Nice to see you too."

Connie breezed past her without another word, her heavy perfume trailing behind her like a warning sign. Ellie stood frozen in the doorway for a beat, the weight of the house- its silence, its judgment- settling over her like a heavy coat.

She shut the door and followed Connie inside, already counting the minutes until she could leave the room. Connie settled herself into the armchair like she owned the place, smoothing down her skirt with plump manicured fingers. 

Ellie barely had time to sit on the edge of the couch when the front door creaked again.

Malcolm.

Italian leather shoes click-clacked against the entryway floor as he appeared in the doorway. Tall, broad, and imposing. Malcolm filled the room with his presence without trying. His weathered face twisted into a smirk as his eyes flicked between Ellie and Connie. 

"Well, if it isn't my favorite sister," he drawled, peeling off his suit jacket and folding it ever so carefully before setting it down on the entryway table.

Connie let out a laugh- high pitched and fake. "Oh, Malcolm, you always say that."

Malcolm snorted, but his gaze slid to Ellie, sharp now, appraising. "You won't believe what this one's been up to."

Ellie's stomach dropped, She didn't even have time to open her mouth before Connie perked up like a hound on the scent of scandal.

"Oh? Do tell," Connie urged, smoothing her skirt as if preparing for a juicy bit of gossip.

"Little Ellie here's been spending her time with some football kid. Nathan."

Ellie's heart thumped painfully in her chest. She didn't say anything, didn't deny it- but the heat of their stares burned into her skin. 

Connie gasped in that dramatic, performative way of hers. "Football? Emmeline, really? That's the kind of boy you're wasting your time with?"

Ellie shifted her weight, uneasy. "We've only been on a couple dates."

Connie tutted, leaning forward with her hands clasped over her pearls. "You should be careful, dear. Boys like that- those cocky, rough-around-the-edges types. They're not the kind of young men you build a future with."

Ellie hesitated. She wasn't even sure how she felt about Nathan yet. He was... complicated. And something about him rubbed her the wrong way, even if she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"I don't even know how I feel about him yet," Ellie admitted, voice low. 

But Malcolm wasn't about to let it slide. "You don't have to know. I know his type. Hot headed, thinks he's invincible. And you? You're the perfect target. Sweet little Ellie who doesn't know any better."

"I'm not that naive," Ellie snapped, though there wasn't much fight behind it. 

"Could've fooled me," Malcolm shot back, his voice thick with mockery.

Connie's disapproving clucks filled the room. "It's so sad, really. Your father raised you with more sense than this. And now? Running around with football boys like some desperate cheerleader." 

Ellie winced like she'd been slapped. That word- father- was always the low blow. Malcolm knew it. Connie knew it. 

And Sharon? She didn't even flinch.

"And I know girls who lose themselves over the wrong boys," Connie added sweetly, though the judgment in her voice cut like a knife. "They end up stuck in dead end towns with nothing to show for it."

Ellie's chest burned, but not with anger- more like shame. Not because they were right, but because a part of her wondered if she was being stupid. She didn't wait for Malcolm's next jab or Connie's smug sigh. She turned, the dish towel slipping from her hand, and ascended up the stairs. The murmurs of their voices followed her, low and victorious, as if they'd somehow won. 

Ellie slammed her bedroom door and sank onto the bed, her thoughts tangled and messy. And the worst part? She wasn't sure if she was mad at them for judging her- or mad because they might be right.

[wxllyclxrk]

Lonely (5) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Ellie’s stepfather confronts her after her date and she contemplates her situation.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Word Count: 1023

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits!

Author's Note: All chapters are named after songs!

MASTERLIST

Ellie closed the front door gently behind her, the soft click of the lock sounding far too loud in the stillness of the house. The porch light outside cast a weak glow through the foggy glass, but inside, the living room was swallowed in shadows. She lingered by the door, fingers still curled around the handle, her heart racing for reasons she didn't fully understand.

"Was that... good?" she whispered to herself, but the answer didn't come.

Click.

A lamp in the far corner flicked on, its harsh yellow light splitting the darkness.

Ellie gasped, her hand flying to her chest.

Malcolm sat in the armchair, his broad frame sinking into the worn leather, one elbow propped on the armrest, fingers steepled against his chin. His eyes, cold and sharp, gleamed in the light.

"You're late," he said flatly.

Ellie's throat went dry, "I- I didn't know there was a curfew."

Malcolm didn't smile. "In my house, there is."

She swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on the strap of her purse. "I was just- out. With friends."

His gaze darkened. "You were with a boy."

The words weren't a question.

Ellie flinched, guilt rushing to her cheeks. "It was just a date. That's all."

Malcolm leaned forward, the leather creaking beneath him. "A date," he repeated, his voice low and laced with disdain. "So? You let him get his hands on you?"

Ellie's chest seized. "What? No! It- it wasn't like that."

His lips curled into a cold sneer. "Don't play stupid, Ellie. Guys like that? They don't take you out for the conversation." He let the word linger, heavy and suggestive. "You let him kiss you?"

Ellie's face flushed hot, the shame instant and suffocating. "I-no, I didn't-"

Malcolm tilted his head, studying her like he was trying to read the truth off her skin. "You think your father would be proud? Letting some boy paw all over you like that?"

The words hit like a gut punch. Ellie's throat tightened, her vision blurring for a split second as the ache in her chest deepened into something raw and cold.

"Nothing happened," she whispered, barely able to force the words out.

He didn't look convinced. "You dress like that, hang around with boys like him, and something's gonna happen sooner or later." He leaned back, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "Girls like you- think you can play innocent until you're not."

Ellie bit her lip so hard it almost broke skin, her nails digging into her palms. "Where's mom?" she managed, her voice barely a thread.

"Sleeping." His jaw flexed. "Like she should be. And don't think I won't tell her about this."

Ellie nodded quickly, even though she knew her mom wouldn't do anything. Would barely react.

"Go to bed," Malcom snapped, waving her off like she was some minor inconvenience. "And next time you sneak in late, I won't be waiting in the dark."

Ellie turned away, her chest burning as she hurried up the stairs, her father's name still ringing in her ears- twisting the knife deeper.

Downstairs, the lamp flicked off, leaving the house drenched in darkness once more.

_ _ _

Ellie lay on her back, staring at the cracks in the ceiling as shadows from the streetlights stretched long, crooked fingers across her wall. The room was quiet- too quiet. Only the soft whir of the fan in the corner and the muffled tick of the clock filled the heavy silence.

Her comforter felt suffocating, twisted around her legs like a net. She kicked it off but still felt trapped.

You think your father would be proud?

Malcolm's words echoed in her head, louder now in the stillness. They coiled deep in her chest, making it hard to breathe. She turned onto her side, pressing her face into her pillow, but the ache didn't go away. Her fingers curled tightly around the edge of the fabric, as if holding onto it might somehow anchor her.

I wish I was somewhere else.

Anywhere else.

Somewhere where the air wasn't so heavy, where she didn't feel like she was constantly walking on glass, waiting for it to shatter beneath her. Her eyes burned, tears welling despite her best efforts to fight them off. She blinked hard, staring at the faint glow of the moon filtering through her curtains.

The date hadn't been what she'd hoped for. Nathan hadn't made her feel special- not really. She'd wanted something simple, something sweet, like the stories in her books- the ones where the boy actually saw the girl, not just what he wanted from her.

But that wasn't real life.

Not hers, anyway.

She let out a shaky breath, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Her room felt too big and too small all at once- each shadow stretching wide, every creak of the house sounding louder in the dark. She rolled onto her back again, staring at the ceiling fan as it spun lazily, the faint rhythm of its blades the only sound she could latch onto.

You're not supposed to feel this lonely, she thought bitterly.

Her fingers drifted toward the thin gold chain around her neck- the locket her dad had given her when she was little- her thumb rubbing over the engraved metal, a small grounding habit.

"I just wish someone actually saw me," she whispered to no one. Her voice cracked on the last word. "Like, really saw me."

A breeze stirred through the room- soft, but strange, since the windows were closed. The air felt... different. Not cold, exactly, but charged, like the space around her was shifting, waiting.

She sat up a little, frowning.

"Get it together, Ellie," she muttered, shaking it off, though a part of her swore she wasn't completely alone in that moment.

Ellie curled back into the safety of her blankets, hugging the locket close to her chest as her breathing slowed. Down the hall, the house creaked again. But this time, it didn't feel quite as heavy.

And somewhere- not in her room, but not far- something unseen lingered.

Watching

Waiting.

For the moment they'd finally meet.

[wxllyclxrk]

Sex, Drugs, Etc. (4) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Ellie goes on a date, but it's not what she expected. Wally continues to watch over her.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Word Count: 929

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: All chapters are named after songs! 

MASTERLIST

The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of lavender and gold as Nathan's car pulled into the driveway of The Bandit Diner. Right across the road from the high school,a local staple with checkered floors, neon signs, and a charm that felt stuck in the 50's. It wasn't fancy, but it was the place for high school dates- casual, public, and filled with just enough noise to cover awkward silences.

Ellie sat in the passenger seat, nervously toying with the hem of her shirt, sneaking glances at Nathan as he parked. He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, looking effortlessly cool.

"Figured this was the spot," Nathan said, flashing that lazy, confident grin. "Everyone comes here."

"Yeah, it's perfect," Ellie replied, trying not to sound too eager. Her heart fluttered- not because of Nathan exactly, but the fact that she was on a real date. With the Nathan.

They slipped into a booth near the window, the dull hum of conversation surrounding them. Nathan slouched against the seat, arms stretched wide across the back of the booth as if he owned the place. Ellie, meanwhile, sat straight, folding her hands in her lap, trying not to fidget.

"So, cheerleader and piano player," Nathan started, raising a brow. "You're full of surprises."

"Ellie blinked. "How did you-?"

"Word gets around." He winked.

She blushed, but there was something hollow in the compliment- like he was just saying what she wanted to hear. 

They talked- or rather, Nathan talked- about football, his latest game, how he scored the winning touchdown. Ellie smiled, nodding at the right moments, but there was a faint ache in her chest. This wasn't exactly how she'd pictured her perfect first date. Nathan barely asked her anything.

Still, it was flattering, being seen with him. 

Halfway through her vanilla milkshake, Nathan tapped his fingers restlessly on the table. "So... this place is kinda loud, huh?" He shot her a sideways glance. "We could ditch and go somewhere more... chill."

Ellie's hand froze around her glass. "Oh. Uh, like where?" 

He shrugged, playing it cool. "I know a spot by the lake. Private, quiet. No one would bug us there."

Something tightened in her chest- a mix of flattery and unease. She hesitated, her straw still between her fingers as she swallowed a lump in her throat.

Nathan noticed.

"Hey, no pressure," he added quickly, leaning back. "You're not that kind of girl, right?"

Ellie's eyes widened. "I- no, I just-"

"I get it," he cuts in smoothly, flashing another easy grin, though there was a flicker of irritation behind his eyes. "Takes time. Gotta do it the right way."

The tension eased slightly, but Ellie couldn't shake the uneasiness. She offered a small, polite smile, her stomach sinking despite herself. 

Nathan sat back, clearly recalibrating. Okay, he thought. She'll take more work.

Outside the diner window, the neon lights flickered, and across the street, somewhere in the High School parking lot, Wally sat cross-legged on the hood of a parked car, scowling.

"This guy is such a walking red flag," he muttered to no one.

_ _ _

The ride home was quieter than the drive there. The hum of Nathan's car filled the silence, broken only by the soft beat of whatever playlist he had running- something heavy on bass and light on lyrics. Ellie sat with her hands folded in her lap, fingers absentmindedly tracing patterns on the fabric of her jeans as she stared out the window. 

Nathan's hand drummed on the steering wheel in rhythm with the music, but every so often, his eyes flickered sideways at her.

"You're real quiet all of a sudden," he said, his tone easing but edged with curiosity. 

Ellie offered a soft smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm just thinking, I guess."

"Bout what?" 

She hesitated, "I dunno. It was just... different than I expected."

Nathan chuckled, running a hand through his blonde hair. "Different's not always bad."

Ellie didn't respond, but her fingers twisted the hem of her shirt tighter. The car slowed as they turned onto a quieter road, streetlights flickering past in soft bursts of gold. There was a heaviness between them- not uncomfortable, but not easy either.

Nathan broke the silence. "You know," he started, keeping his tone light, "you don't have to be so on edge around me, I'm not some bad guy." 

Ellie blinked, caught off guard. "I didn't say you were." 

"You didn't have to." He grinned, shooting her a sideways glance. "You can relax. I'm not trying anything."

But you almost did, Ellie thought, though the words stuck in her throat. 

"I'm fine," she lied instead.

They pulled up in front of her house- the porch light glowing, shadows stretching long across the front yard. Nathan shifted the car into park but didn't turn it off right away.

He looked at her, his brown eyes a little softer now, like he was  trying out his "good guy" face. "I had fun tonight,"

Ellie hesitated, then smiled politely. "Me too." 

He leaned in- not too close, but close enough that the implication was there. "So, we doing this again?"

Her heart fluttered with nerves but there was that pang of doubt again, the same one she felt at the diner. Still, she nodded. "Yeah. Maybe."

Nathan grinned. "I'll take it."

She opened the car door, stepping out into the cool night air, but before closing it, she peeked back in. "Goodnight, Nathan." 

"Night, Ellie." 

As she shut the door, Nathan sat there a beat longer, watching her walk up the driveway. His smile faded slightly, replaced with something more calculating.

She'll come around, he thought, starting the car again. They always do.

[wxllyclxrk]

White Mustang (3) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Ellie has a surprising encounter. Wally comes to a realization.

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Word Count: 1019

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: None

MASTERLIST

Nathan was the kind of guy who peaked in high school. He walked through the halls like he owned them- boisterous, confident and always surrounded by a crowd. He had an effortless charm that made girls overlook his arrogance, but there was an unsettling edge to him if you paid close enough attention. He thrived on being adored, and when things didn't go his way, his temper flared. On the field, he channeled his aggression into the game, but off the field, it simmered just beneath the surface, waiting for the most opportune moment to explode. His romantic history is as volatile as his personality. His relationships rarely last more than a few weeks- fleeting encounters that serve his insatiable need for validation and power. He always gets what- or who he wants, until eventually, he doesn't. And that's when it got dangerous. Each new conquest is temporary, a way to bolster his already inflated ego before he discards them without a second thought. His charm and popularity make it easy for him to lure in admirers, but once he's got them wrapped around his finger, he's quick to manipulate their emotions. Whether through subtle pressure or overt displays of dominance, he ensures that his partners bend to his will- only to be left feeling used and devalued as soon as the novelty wears off. 

_ _ _

Near the softly humming coffee machine in the cafeteria, Wally strolled casually until his attention was drawn by the hushed mention of Ellie's name.

"Just trust me. Ellie won't do it," Chloe murmured quietly, her voice laced with disdain, blended with the muted clatter of cups and footsteps. 

His chest tightened in a rush of uncomfortable curiosity. She won't do what?

"How do you know that?" Nathan asked in a low, confident tone. 

"Because she's a total prude. She's never even had sex," Chloe whispered mockingly.

The words hit Wally like a fist to the gut. He felt it- an angry, protective surge as the pieces of the conversation fell into place. But it was Nathan's response that froze him in place. 

"Yeah and if you remember, I can be rather persuasive. Give me a week and I'll have her on her back."

Was this the same guy mentioned in Ellie's text messages? The one that's supposed to ask her out? A wave of disgust washed over Wally. His insides burned with anguish, but his fury was useless. He couldn't warn Ellie. He couldn't protect her from Nathan's vile words or the dangerous path ahead. He knew she wasn't just some 'prude', that she was kind, gentle and more than deserving of respect. But he couldn't *do* anything. His heart screamed, wishing to intervene, to stop Nathan from using Ellie in a way she didn't deserve. All he could do was watch, listen, and feel- burdened by the silent knowledge that he was utterly powerless to change the course of events unfolding before him. 

_ _ _

The soft light of the late afternoon filtered through the dusty windows of the music room, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floors. It's quiet- eerily so- as Wally leans against the edge of the piano, idly tapping his fingers on the lid. He's been waiting, though he isn't sure why. Maybe it's boredom. Maybe it's curiosity. The air feels heavy, still holding onto the silence like an unfinished song. 

The door creaks open. 

Ellie steps in, clutching her books a little too tightly against her chest. There's a certain weight in her expression- her usually bright eyes clouded with something softer, sadder. Wally straightens up, watching her, his curiosity instantly piqued.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked instinctively, forgetting, for a beat, that she can't hear him.

No response. 

She walks right past him, her sneakers barely making a sound on the floor, and sinks down onto the piano bench, straightening her back. Her fingers hover over the keys, trembling slightly before they press down, releasing the first gentle notes of a hauntingly sad melody. It's soft at first, her touch delicate, but then it grows, the emotion bleeding into every chord. 

And then, she started singing. 

Her voice was raw- achingly beautiful- filled with so much pain that it lingers in the room like smoke. Wally's breath catches. There's something about the way she pours herself into the music, so vulnerable yet so strong, that it makes his chest tighten unexpectedly. He finds himself leaning in, drawn to her in a way he hadn't felt in... well, ever. 

His breath hitches. "You're... something else," he murmurs, his voice soft, almost reverent. 

But then- BANG, BANG, BANG!

The sudden, heavy knock on the music room door jolts the moment apart. Ellie's fingers fumble on the keys, the melody shattering into silence.

"Ellie? You in here?" Nathan's voice, cocky and impatient, cuts through the air.

Wally groans. "Oh, come on. This guy?" 

Ellie practically leaps off the bench, smoothing her uniform skirt and brushing stray hair out of her face, the earlier sadness momentarily forgotten. She hurries to the door, yanking it open. 

Nathan leans against the frame, all smug confidence and lazy charm. "There you are. I was lookin' for you. So... Friday night, you and me. What do you say?" 

Ellie's eyes widen. "Seriously? Yeah- yeah, of course!" Her voice lifts with excitement, cheeks flushed.

Wally throws his hands up in disbelief. "No, no, no! Bad Idea! He's the worst! Don't say yes!" He waves his arms, stepping right in front of her, as if that would somehow make a difference. "Ellie, he's only asking you out 'cause he wants to sleep with you!" 

She grins, completely oblivious to the frantic ghost begging her to reconsider.

"Great, I'll pick you up at seven," Nathan smirks before turning away. 

Ellie stands there for a moment, a soft smile lingering on her face.

Wally groans again, dropping his head into his hands. "Unbelievable. She has no idea."

His gaze lingers on her, something softer flickering in his eyes- a realization he's not quite ready to admit.

But it's there.

He's falling for her.

And she doesn't even know he exists. 

[wxllyclxrk]

Masterlist

Quietus

Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Wally never expected for fall for a living student- until the day he heard Ellie say his name. He found himself watching her more and more. Lingering in the music room as she played piano, looking for her in the halls, wishing he could talk to her. But no matter how much he liked her, he knew they would never meet. Unless…

Warnings: 18+ only, mentions of death/suicide of a loved one, emotional abuse, mentions of sex, sexual assault, drugs, canon divergence, eventually maybe smut?

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR | FIVE | SIX | SEVEN | EIGHT | NINE | TEN | ELEVEN | TWELVE | THIRTEEN | FOURTEEN | FIFTEEN

[wxllyclxrk]

Interstellar (2) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Ellie plays piano for the first time and gets a surprising text message.

Warnings: Ellie’s stepfather is creepy AF, extreme canon divergence

Word Count: 968

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: None

MASTERLIST

Wally continued to watch Ellie for the better part of a year. He tried his best not to, honestly. For about a month, any time she came within eyesight, he was running the other way. Eventually one day after school had ended, he found himself in the hall in front of the music room, where he heard her play piano for the first time. He couldn't place the song, but it was a melancholy tune. The music was a reflection of Ellie's spirit- soft and hesitant at first, each note a whispered confession. As she surrendered to the instrument, uncertainty melted into something pure and unguarded. Her fingers didn't move with the rigid precision of a well-trained pianist, but they traveled gracefully across the piano. The weight of her unspoken thoughts danced along the keys, speaking in ways she never thought she could. 

Listening to Ellie's song felt like standing in the eye of a storm- still, yet surrounded by something unspoken and powerful. Wally typically wasn't the type of guy to  stop and smell the roses, but when he stood in the doorway of the music room, watching this enigmatic girl, the world seemed to stand still for her. Something about it- about her- tugged at a place in his chest he didn't know was hollow. Slowly, he sauntered closer to the piano, stopping just before reaching it. A buzz came from the backpack that Ellie left on the floor next to the chordophone. 

A soft groan left Ellie's throat as she threw her head forward in frustration. Leaning over to retrieve her cell phone from the bag, she used her free hand to close the lid above the piano keys. 

"What?" She giggled lightly, typing away at the screen. 

Curious, Wally stalked behind her, glancing at the device she held in her hand. 

Chloe: A little birdy told me Nathan wants to ask you out👀

"Oh, that's just great," Wally huffed, throwing his hands in the air. 

She replied: Not possible lmao. 

Ellie locked her phone and grabbed her bag, swinging it over her shoulder as she rose from the bench. Pacing out of the music room, her perfume wafted towards Wally, filling his nose with notes of vanilla and sandalwood. He watched as she disappeared down the hallway and towards the main staircase. When Ellie got home that day, she was revolted by the sight of her stepdad's ridiculously expensive car in the driveway. She double checked the time on her phone, 4:27, he shouldn't be home for another hour or so, yet there he was. She swallowed a lump in her throat and clutched her keys, slamming the car door behind her as she got out. She crept in the front door of her house, hoping to make entry unnoticed. Ellie held her breath as she slowly pushed the door closed. 

"I knew teenagers liked to sneak out, but I've never seen one sneak in," Malcolm chuckled chillingly, taking a swig from a frozen whiskey glass and leaning against the doorway of his study.

She jumped at the sound of his raspy voice. Spinning around, she let out a nervous sigh and presented a wistful smile. 

"Well? What're you being all shifty for?" he gestured towards the front door.

"I-uh, I just didn't want to bother you, seeing as your home early," Ellie mumbled, clutching her bag closer to her chest.

"Don't sweat it," he turned and started towards his desk, an elm monstrosity planted in the center of his home office.

A quiet exhale left Ellie's mouth as she headed for the staircase, seeking the solace of her bedroom. With every step she climbed, she felt the dark cloud of her stepdad's presence dissipate. As soon as she made it to her bedroom, she dropped her bag to the floor and quickly shut the door, back leaned against it and a hand fumbling to lock it. Her room was stately and larger than most, seemingly a mile from one end to the other. Elegant, yet impersonal, the space felt more like a showpiece rather than a sanctuary. White walls, crisp and unyielding, reflected the cold sterility of the house, offering little to no warmth or comfort. The large casement window dominates one side of the room, bringing in pale light that made everything feel even more exposed, Ellie constantly on display, with nowhere to hide. The furnishings are minimal, chosen by Ellie's mother, for their dignified appearance rather than personal significance. A heavy antique bed frame sits at the center of the wall on the right, it's polished beech wood too formal for a teenage girl, the pristine white sheets always neatly tucked, as if it was a guest room that was never used. A matching dresser is seated under the casement window on the wall across from the bedroom door, its drawers mostly empty, the surface of the dresser was desolate, barring the single plant atop. 

The aspect of the room Ellie hated the most was the fact that there was no sign of her. No clutter, no scattered books or throw blankets casually strewn across the bed- no posters or decorations. It wasn't entirely Ellie's fault either; any time she tried making the space her own, her mother would ridicule her, telling her to keep the room clean. We can't live in a pigsty, we're too refined for that, she'd say. Malcolm didn't allow anything on the walls either. No tape, no thumbtacks, no paint. At night, when the house was quiet, the emptiness became suffocating for Ellie. The walls felt too bare, the room too large, the silence too deafening. She often sat on her dresser, staring out the window into the night sky, longing for something- or someone- to make her feel like she was home. 

[wxllyclxrk]

Wonderwall (1) | Wally Clark x OC

Summary: Wally never expected for fall for a living student- until the day he heard Ellie say his name.

Warnings: Mentions of death/suicide, mentions of abuse, extreme canon divergence.

Word Count: 972

Disclaimer: I do not own rights to any character, setting or plot designed by the creators of School Spirits.

Author's Note: Each chapter is named after a song. For continuing parts, the chapter number will be in parenthesis!

MASTERLIST

Wally Clark has always been a lovable, golden retriever type of guy- warm, charming and effortlessly bright. He carries laughter in his pocket and wears his heart on his sleeve, always ready with a grin that could melt even the coldest of hearts. His charm isn't a facade, it's woven into the way he speaks, the way he listens, the way he makes the people around him feel like they mean something. There's a subtle depth beneath his easygoing nature, a tenderness in the way he loves- with unshakable loyalty, unwavering devotion, and a sincerity that lingers like the last notes of a favorite song. He's the kind of person who instinctively puts others before himself, even without realizing it. He doesn't ask for much in return- he's content just knowing the people he loves are okay. If it means sacrificing his time, his comfort, or even his own feelings, he won't hesitate. It's not a conscious effort, it's just who he is. He's the kind of boy who turns ordinary moments into something magical, who makes your world feel a little lighter just by being in it. 

Ellie is the kind of girl who feels like the soft melody of a piano drifting through an open window- gentle, graceful, and full of unspoken emotion. She carries a quiet strength, the kind that doesn't demand attention but holds steady when the world tries to break her. Sweet and forgiving, she has a heart that loves deeply, even when it shouldn't, even when it hurts her. There's a certain innocence to her, a romantic longing for love that feels like the stories she loses herself in, but life has not been kind to her hopes and dreams. She's an upbeat cheerleader with a bright smile and delicate presence, but beneath that carefully crafted image, she's a girl who knows loneliness all too well. She struggles to say no, to put herself first, to see her own value- but she's more resilient than she realizes. She's soft, but she is not weak. She is light, even when surrounded by darkness. And when she loves, she loves with everything she has. 

_ _ _

Wally wasn't paying much attention as he cut through the cafeteria, his mind half on Mr. Martin's support group and half on nothing at all. The hum of voices, the clatter of trays, the shuffle of footsteps- just another ordinary day in a place where nothing ever changed. And then, in the midst of all the noise, he heard his name. 

It was soft, almost uncertain, but it caught on his ear like a thread he couldn't ignore. He slowed, gaze flicking toward the source, and then he saw her. She was sitting at a table with a group of girls, hair falling over one shoulder as she leaned in slightly, speaking in soft tones.Her lightly tan skin seemed to glow softly in the sun, a golden warmth that only brought out her deep blue eyes, a shade so rich they resembled the sea before a storm. Strands of dark brown hair cascaded down her back, catching rays of light in soft, silky ribbons. Her head was tilted slightly, dark brows knitted together in gentle curiosity. There was something delicate about her, not in a way that made her seem breakable, but in the way certain songs feel too beautiful to talk over. She couldn't have known he was there, she shouldn't have known who he was, but for some reason, he couldn't look away. 

She said his name.

Why?

He didn't know her, he was sure of that. How could he have never noticed her before? Something about the way she said his name made his chest tighten-like it meant something. Like she already knew him in a way neither of them understood yet. And as he studied this petite brunette, the rest of the world faded.

- - -

"Are you excited for your first homecoming game here?" An unnamed blonde girl asked somebody.

"Yeah, it should be fun," Ellie replied, surrounded by a flock of royal blue Barbie dolls. "I wasn't really able to participate much at my last school."

"Couldn't be me, this week is always lit. The game, the dance, all the traditions," The blonde answered while applying a provocative shade of lipstick. 

"Oh my God, do you think that woman will be there again?" A thin girl sprouting auburn hair questioned in a judgmental tone. 

"What woman?" Ellie asked.

"The stadium's named after her kid. He died like a hundred years ago at a homecoming game," The blonde girl replied while staring at herself in her phone camera. 

"Wally Clark?"

———

For most of Ellie's life, she was the overlooked girl- never quite fitting in at her old schools, and never comfortable with extracurricular actives. Her closest anchor was her father, who shared her love for music; together, they'd spend hours playing the piano, a tender bond that was shattered when he committed suicide when Ellie was just eleven years old. 

Less than a year later, her mother Sharon remarried, and Ellie found herself forced to leave everything familiar behind as she moved schools for the first time. Sharon's restless nature- constantly chasing after the next infatuation- meant that Ellie never had the chance to build lasting friendships or a stable sense of home. Now, at Split River High for just a few weeks, she had unexpectedly captured the attention of her peers, especially the cheerleaders, finding herself in a vulnerable spotlight unlike her usual place in society. 

Beneath her newfound popularity lies a shadow that continues to affect her daily life. Her latest stepfather, Malcolm- a wealthy entrepreneur in his 50's, casts a long, uncomfortable presence over her. His emotionally abusive behavior and inappropriate remarks only deepen the isolation Ellie feels, igniting her instinctual need to find safe haven.