what the fuck this is +3000 words i think this might be the longest imagine i've ever written omg

GUYS MY FIRST PREFERENCES/IMAGINES BOOK REACHED TWO MILLION AND OH MY GOD WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN,, I CAN'T FUCKING BELIEVE THAT IT REACHED ANOTHER MILLION IN LIKE FIVE MONTHS AND TWO MILLION IN LESS THAN A YEAR OMGAJUSDHFSI I'M JUST CRYING WHAT IS THIS YOU GUYS ARE UNBELIEVABLE I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING SERIOUSLY

AND THIS BOOK HAS OVER 950K READS AND IT'S NOT THAT FAR FROM ONE MILLION I'M SO EMOTIONAL WHATEHDFVUK GTHANKYUOU

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Imagine being a ghost and falling for Jeremy who is the only one who can see you

  It was true that the life of a ghost was quite hollow, meaningless and boring whereas the lives you followed from the literal other side seemed to be thrown away, wasted with all the complaining and sorrowing. You died two years ago, which wasn't such a surprising thing for someone living in Mystic Falls but back then, no one even knew about the dark, deep secrets that tried to be buried but came back up as the Salvatores made a return. But you figured them out, and you tried to be brave and use them for your own good and make sure no one would ever be put in harm's way because of a bunch of vampires trying to pick fights with witches and werewolves - but it only got you killed.

  Rather tragic hero tale, really.

  But what was really tragic, was standing there, right beside the people who had lived in Mystic Falls all their lives, though perhaps not with you, but nevertheless, you hated following from aside as Elena Gilbert got closer and closer with the dangerous vampires or as Matt Donovan's choices got riskier each day. You hated witnessing the people you used to recognize as friendly neighbors or innocent, young teenagers you could have been friends with if only you hadn't died, do everything wrong. You despised the way you couldn't do anything as they risked their lives, or how they complained and thought their lives were so bad when they could have easily changed it and knew nothing about the death that would follow eventually.

  Living in Mystic Falls, and having the chance to move away and start a happy new life elsewhere, surrounded by safe, sane people, it was something. While you were stuck on the other side where it was just miserable, lonely and impossible to escape. You wanted so badly to grab them, slap them across the face and tell them to stop acting like their lives were so bad when in reality they had the chance to do anything and everything. You didn't. All you could do was follow the people you hoped the best for, and cry all alone in the quiet, cold place you'd never leave. Even if you tried to end your life, it had already ended once and you'd be led into the very same place.

  It sucked. Being dead sucked.

  But there was something, someone, who made you feel alive. Jeremy Gilbert. When you first saw him, he was in Mystic Grill with his friends and you were leaning against the doorway, following each and every of his actions and movements. He was something so beautiful it made no sense. Not only physically - though he was quite the sight to behold with those hypnotizing eyes, long eyelashes, flawless skin and damn fine body he clearly worked on - but he was beautiful in every possible way. His mind was interesting, and with you having no other choice except listen to him, you got to know him inside out quickly even though he didn't know anything about you. Jeremy had his own issues, but he also had his ways to let out the troubles and worries he bottled up inside.

  He liked to draw. He liked to smile even if it wasn't always genuine but it was always equally stunning. He liked Matt and Tyler, and with those two he seemed the happiest, and his sister Elena. His laughter was the most beautiful thing you had ever heard, or perhaps it shared the #1 spot with the sound of his explanations and rambling. In some rare situations, you had caught a glimpse of him without his shirt and in that moment you didn't feel like you were in hell, rather in heaven. His personality was something so amazing and he looked like an angel, and you so dreamed you could talk to him, become friends with him, and maybe one day something more.

  On one weekend, you were spending your time like you were used to by now - stalking Jeremy at the Grill. Once in a while, it felt like he saw you and looked at you and returned the smile you flashed at him but it was impossible. You were a ghost, and he was alive. Yet it seemed so real, all the gazes and smiles.

  You were sitting at the bar, looking at Jeremy who laughed with Matt and Elena, seriously enjoying his time with them which made you happy. God, you didn't remember the last time you were happy. It took a lot to make you feel that way nowadays, but seeing Jeremy smile after some dark times in Mystic Falls, it was enough to ignite some joy in your dead heart too. The smile on your lips widened as you followed the way he tilted his head back and laughed out loud, wiping tears from his eyes while trying to collect himself. He seemed so sincerely happy - you wished you'd be the one who could share it with him, make him laugh like that.

  "I'm gonna get a drink", Jeremy stated and got up from the chair, threatening to leave but he was stopped by Elena who lectured about the dangers of alcohol. You chuckled, if only they knew how life was truly too short to think about stuff like that. You watched how Jeremy walked from the table to the bar, right next to you, so close you could smell his hypnotizing scent and feel his warm body radiate with life. You sighed and gave him an adoring look, struggling to believe he was so close to you.

  "Will you ever come talk to me or just keep on stalking?", Jeremy asked, looking at the wall opposite him, a playful smile tugging up his pink kissable lips. Your jaw dropped, not sure what you should say - it certainly confused you, was he talking to you or someone else? While he ordered the drink, you looked around but didn't see anyone he could talk to, except you. Your heart that had ceased to beat years ago felt like coming back to life and with your mouth still open from shock, you turned over to Jeremy who was already about to leave. But before he did, he directed the most charming, breath-taking smirk you had ever seen, at you.

  You were taken aback by his words. It strongly seemed like he could see you, just like you could see him. Had something brought you back without you knowing it yourself? To test this theory, you tried to grab an empty glass from the counter you were leaning against, only to be disappointed by the thin air you were to everything surrounding you. Except Jeremy. Jeremy, who could apparently see ghosts. Did he know this, or would you have to be the one who tells him? Would he care whether you were dead or alive? Could you talk to him now?

  Questions flooded in your mind, and unsure of what to do, you changed place from the bar to the table Jeremy was sitting at. There was one empty chair, and it still seemed empty to Elena and Matt who had no clue of the ghost sitting amongst them but you could see Jeremy's eyes glancing at you. You inhaled sharply and covered your mouth, growing more and more convinced by the second.

  Could Jeremy Gilbert see ghosts?

  "You really aren't afraid of coming closer and closer by the second", Jeremy chuckled, leaning towards you and earning confused looks from Matt and Elena. The both of them questioned Jeremy's sanity as the young man continued to greet and talk to the ghost beside him, and he looked equally confused by their words but you had a simple, short answer to explain it to him.

  "I'm dead", you breathed out. "I'm a ghost. No one can see me. Except you, apparently", you continued, still trembling, solely because of the fact that the young man you had fallen in love with was the only person who could see you, hear you, talk to you. Maybe even touch you.

  Jeremy gave you a shocked look, but it soon softened, probably as he realized that for Mystic Falls it wasn't even so incredibly odd. You offered him a sad gaze, and to comfort you he tried to take your hand but it only passed through and made you groan unhappily. His eyes widened and you could hear him swallow thickly while his eyes slowly averted from your ghost to Elena and Matt who were still in the need of an explanation. But Jeremy didn't give them one.

  "I have to go. Talk to you later", he said, and got up from the chair, leaving his drink and his friends while nodding towards the exit as if to invite you to join him. You stood up slowly, and glanced at Elena and Matt, but since you didn't get a look back because of the impossibility of it, you followed Jeremy to the door which led you to the chilly January air. Though you could not feel it, but you could tell it was cold from the way Jeremy breathed out heavy air and how the snow creaked under his shoes, and his urgent need to push his hands in his pockets and try to warm himself up.

  You smiled weakly, and he responded with a similar look which caused your nonexistent body to shiver and your disabled heart to almost beat again. In reality, it was nowhere near a single beat but being in Jeremy's presence and him acknowledging it, felt like it could have brought you back to life. He made you feel alive. Maybe it was the beauty you thought you'd never see again, but witnessed in his features and in his mind, or maybe it was the love you felt for him. But maybe, it was the fact that he treated you as if you were alive.

  "You look beautiful", Jeremy let out, surprising you entirely and making you want to blush if you only could. "You know, for a dead girl", he shrugged and chuckled softly when suddenly he realized how inappropriate he sounded. But if there was anyone you'd accept joking and talking about your fate so lightly, it was Jeremy fucking Gilbert. He opened his mouth to fix his words, but you stopped him by waving your hand in the air that passed through and smiled fondly at the suddenly oh so awkward boy.

  "Don't bother. It's been years. I can handle a few jokes here or there. Especially from a cute boy like you", you said and bit your lip, not bothering to hold back the flirting since he didn't either, even if he didn't succeed too well. But what did you have to lose - you were already dead.

  Jeremy laughed with you, and pushed his hands deeper into his pockets while lightly rocking back and forth on his feet. The winter air was clearly having an effect on him, but he didn't want to go, he wanted to be with you and talk to you. He wanted to get to know you. And that was why he dealt with the cold air and smiled at you, just like you smiled at him. He adored you, it was quick but he didn't need weeks to see how truly beautiful you were, in a haunting way which was somewhat ironic. He was right, you looked pretty for a dead girl, and that was why he couldn't take his eyes off of you and all of your equally stunning features that caused his breathing to get stuck in his dry throat and his heart to beat a little faster.

  "You don't have to answer, but, how?", Jeremy asked, and you drew in a slow breath, knowing exactly what he was talking about. You looked down from his deep eyes and sighed while shrugging swiftly, unsure how to word the truth which was all you wanted to tell him. You had lost so much, and now that you had a chance with getting closer to Jeremy, you weren't going to lie or do anything that could lead into losing him too.

  "I found out things I shouldn't have. I went too far, dug too deep and I lost my life", you admitted and shot Jeremy a warm smile only to receive a sad, compassionate look from him. Your heart melted and you felt like swooning, how come he was so perfect with such a tiny amount of effort, if any at all? All he had to do was smile, look at you, stand there, breathe, exist, and you were sold. From head to toe, you were in love and it was no challenge to understand that. Maybe one day, you'd be able to confess.

  Jeremy nodded, understanding what you meant. "Vampires?", he answered carefully, and nodded again. "Yeah, I understand", sighing he looked around and then took a step closer, giving you a soft look that was so caring, so fond, so overall lovely and kind you wanted to kiss him but your touches didn't mean a thing. All your hand would do in the attempt to grab his face, would be passing through and your lips on his wouldn't mean any more than nothing. It was a hollow act with no depth or feeling into it, and therefore you were left with no other options except standing there, face to face with him.

  "How do you know?", you knitted your eyebrows together and frowned, not wanting him to get involved in the same kind of darkness you entered because you were young, stupid, foolish. But it was too late for Jeremy to back off, because he was already one of the most involved people in the whole supernatural freak show going on in Mystic Falls.

  "My sister is kind of in love with two of them. And that's only the beginning", Jeremy chuckled, "I'm part of it and I can't escape it. But I'm okay with it", and took his hands out of his pockets to move his hair away from his face with a quick movement of pushing them through. You sighed and shook your head, shock painted on your face as you felt the urge to hide Jeremy from the bad things in the world and protect him with all your effort and existence - which wasn't much but nonetheless you hoped nothing but the best for him.

  "Mystic Falls is dangerous. I can't tell you to leave, and I'm not saying you should, but that is no doubt, absolutely, definitely the best option you need to put into action as soon as possible", you explained, causing Jeremy to chuckle as he gave you a doubtful look. You groaned and tried to take his hand only for him to flinch at the feeling of nothing. You gave him a serious look, and placed your hand on his cheek only for him to once again feel absolutely nothing except the chilly winter air attacking his skin.

  "Look what this town did to me. I want you to be safe and happy, Jeremy. I think I kind of like you. Or something", you shrugged and chewed on the inner side of your cheek nervously. Jeremy broke into a wider smile, and tried to take your hand but it didn't work. It would never work.

  Maybe you and him, as one, would never work. Maybe a love between a ghost who couldn't be seen or touched and a boy caught up in the highest possible level of dangerous would never work. Maybe a love between a dead girl and an alive boy would never work.

  You looked down sadly and shook your head, not wanting to believe this was your life. Not even your life, just your death. "You deserve to be happy. I know it's creepy but I've been following you, watching you, just because I think you're so incredibly special and attractive and kind. You deserve happiness, safety, love and a good life and a future", you explained, and looked into his eyes, trying to make him see that he had potential but he was wasting it on his friends that would eventually outlive him. He needed to take a grip on his life and live it like each day was his last because you never knew would it.

  You died. And you were afraid that the same would happen to Jeremy before he'd expect it or be ready for it and then he would have to regret all the dreams that never came true or the goals that he never reached. He would have to be stuck on the miserable other side and see someone else waste away their life, like you now.

  "Yeah, well, I think I have an idea what would make me happy", Jeremy spoke and smiled shyly which made you lift your eyebrow in confusion.

  "You", he breathed, stepping closer to you even though he couldn't feel you there. Your jaw dropped, you couldn't believe he said something like that, so soon. And especially when it was obvious that it would never end well. You and him, would never have a happy ending.

  Or would you? Could you?

  "You're a fool, Gilbert", you chuckled and looked down, biting your lower lip harshly.

  "Fool for you, Y/L/N. I've seen you around, and I think I fell for you at first sight. Now, I might be the only boy who can see you but you'll be the only girl I see. It's worth a try, Y/N, I mean, what do you have to lose?", Jeremy grinned and smiled widely at you as you looked back up at him. You broke into a smile as well and giggled at the dumb boy in front of you, but he was right, maybe.

  "I'm sorry about what happened to you. But I could make you feel alive. Until I'm dead and join you over there", Jeremy suggested and made you laugh at the wildly forward words. You didn't mind though, even if you had all the time in the world but you had fallen for Jeremy weeks, maybe even months ago and hearing all this made you happier than ever.

  "You're taking this on a pretty serious level", you chuckled, "but I'm willing to try, if that's what you want." Jeremy laughed and tried to kiss you only to realize that he couldn't. Left in a bit of a disappointment, his smile faded and he looked sad while staring at your body, your face, your lips that he could not touch.

  "Oh, and you kind of can't touch me at all. And I can't touch you", you pointed out. The both of you broke into a laughter, and although Jeremy looked like a maniac to anyone who saw him, he didn't mind - he was happy. And so were you, for the first time in forever.

  Maybe you could have a happy ending, just maybe.