Disclaimer: I don't own Scream or any of the characters. I only own my OC.
A/N: This by far is the longest chapter I've written for this story. Although once we get further into the story that'll change. Anyways, happy readings!
Any errors will be fixed later.
Chapter 7: When things were easier
The Woodsboro Police Station wasn't unknown territory for Scarlett Mitchell. She stepped foot inside the police station in the past because of her father. Ivan Dane had been detained more than once for public intoxication in the town of Woodsboro. It was sad that she was familiar with the building.
This time, however, Scarlett wasn't at the police station because of her father. No, Scarlett was there for an entirely different reason.
The teenager was there to offer support to her friend Sidney after having been attacked.
Scarlett seriously doubted Billy was going to be let out with a warning for what the police thought he did according to Sidney.
It was still a hard thing for Scarlett to process.
Billy, one of her closest friends, broke into Sidney's house, attacked, and tried to kill her? His own girlfriend who he'd been with since Sophomore year? That was all kinds of messed up.
However, was it true?
Scarlett would never flat out tell Sidney it wasn't Billy. It wouldn't be right to fight her on that. Her friend had been attacked, there was no denying that. Sadly that did nothing to stop the internal conflict she felt. The same question kept repeating in her head over and over.
Was it really Billy who'd gone after Sidney?
For as long as Scarlett's known Billy, and for as long as he'd been with Sidney, she never witnessed him do anything malicious towards Sidney. Sure they had arguments (mainly about Billy wanting to go further with Sidney, and her not feeling ready), but based on what Sidney's told her, Billy never reacted too badly. Aside from sarcastic comments he made, Sidney told her that he ultimately respected her wishes.
And yeah, perhaps things weren't the same between Sidney and Billy like when they first started going out, but surely their relationship wasn't rocky enough for Billy to try to kill Sidney.
Scarlett didn't like thinking that it was Billy who went after Sidney, because then that meant he could have also been the same person who killed Casey and Steve. To think that her friend Billy could have killed Casey, someone who was once Scarlett's best friend, made her stomach churn.
Her stomach was already going through enough, and thinking that wasn't helping. Scarlett knew Sidney must have felt even worse, which was why she kept all her thoughts to herself and focused on comforting her friend.
Scarlett and Tatum stayed with Sidney, offering their support as they heard Sidney give her statement to Sheriff Burke.
Now Sheriff Burke was in his office with Billy and his father.
Sidney and Scarlett remained, sitting next to Dewey's desk. Tatum had excused herself, heading to the bathroom. Dewey was typing away at the computer on his desk. Sidney told him where her father was staying for his work trip.
Scarlett could tell Sidney was getting anxious the longer it took for Dewey to locate her father. It'd been almost twenty minutes, and yet nothing.
"Did you find him?" Sidney decided to ask Dewey. She sounded so small that it made Scarlett feel terrible again for what Sidney had gone through.
Dewey's gaze shifted from the computer towards Sidney. He appeared glum as he responded. "You sure it was the Hilton?"
Sidney nodded her head. "At the airport."
"He's not registered there." Dewey delivered the unfortunate news. He kept checking in case he misread something, but no matter how many times he did the results were the same. Neil Prescott hadn't checked in.
Sidney looked like she wanted to shed some tears after hearing that. Scarlett kept quiet as she gave Sidney a quick side hug to let her know she wasn't alone.
"Could he have stayed somewhere else?" Dewey questioned the teenager. He hoped that maybe Sidney missed something that could help locate her father's unknown whereabouts.
Sidney let out a shaky breath. "I don't know. I guess."
"Don't worry, Sid." Dewey tried sounding as optimistic as he could. "We'll find him."
Both teenagers watched a fellow officer come up behind Dewey to hand him a folder.
"They got that mask in."
Dewey's head perked up having heard this. He opened the folder, looked inside, and then quickly stood up. "I'll be right back." He told Sidney and Scarlett. The deputy gave them one last look before walking away.
"That mask." Sidney whispered, feeling chills going down her spine.
Scarlett gently took hold of one of Sidney's hands with her own. She gave a gentle squeeze. "What did it look like?" She asked quietly. She hadn't heard that part of the statement because of the staring.
Staring done by Billy.
Billy had been escorted into Sheriff Burke's office, which was directly to the side of Dewey's desk where Sidney and Scarlett were sitting. The detained teenager was able to keep a steady eye on them as they talked to Sheriff Burke before his interrogation began.
Randy had told Scarlett (several times actually) that Billy's eyes can be very frightening. However, Scarlett never really thought that to be true. Sure they were an intimidating brown, dark even, but it wasn't like they made her feel uncomfortable. Then again…she'd never been on his bad side.
Not until now. It sure felt like she was on his bad side. This was what Randy must have meant.
The way Billy stared at them was as if he was trying to see into their very souls. Scarlett kept telling herself the reason he was staring at them this way was probably because he was upset about his girlfriend putting the blame on him.
Scarlett could understand that…..but it still didn't stop the goosebumps from forming underneath her clothes.
Trying to fully ignore Billy's staring proved to be a challenge for Scarlett, and based on Sidney's occasional side eye towards him, it was affecting her too.
"Like a ghost." Sidney finally replied, sniffling. "And he was wearing all black."
He.
Unlike with the mask description, Scarlett didn't miss when Sidney first said that to Sheriff Burke. Sidney did mention the person who she'd been speaking to over the phone sounded male but that the voice was distorted. Scarlett wasn't a fool, and that didn't help Billy's case because just about anyone can change voices in order to not get caught. He could have easily done so.
"Would you feel more comfortable wearing my jacket instead?" Scarlett offered. As she took off her jacket she caught Billy staring their way again. However, this time his eyes were narrowed at Scarlett and the redhead felt her stomach drop a little. She quickly handed the jacket to Sidney, and did her best to look at the softness in Sidney's features instead of Billy's intense eyes.
"You don't mind?" Sidney asked before putting on the jacket.
"No." Scarlett replied. "Besides, you know me. I'm always wearing layers." She said, gesturing to the white long sleeve she had on under her black graphic tee. The design was of a sun and moon.
Sidney gave her a small smile, already taking off the oversize policeman jacket to put on Scarlett's softer one. "Thanks, Scarlett."
Scarlett looked at the now empty cup of water Sidney put aside on Dewey's desk. "Do you want some more water? Or coffee?"
Sidney shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
Scarlett listened, and debated if she wanted coffee for herself. She didn't know how long they were going to be at the police station, and she seriously didn't want to get drowsy. Though she didn't think she'd be able to sleep peacefully while at the police station.
Sidney and Scarlett's heads automatically turned to the door of Sheriff Burke's office when they heard it open. They saw Billy being led out by two officers. Billy wasn't making it easy on them as he kept trying to get his father to listen to him.
After a few seconds of observing him, Sidney looked away. Scarlett tried doing the same thing but seeing and hearing Billy plead weakened her. It felt wrong to see a friend of hers being dragged by two officers.
"Just wait for the lawyer Billy." His father, Hank Loomis, grimly said as he followed behind him.
Now Scarlett didn't have much of an opinion on Hank Loomis. As kids Scarlett conversed more with Billy's mother….before she left. Between Billy's parents his mother did seem to be the nicer one, back then anyways. Obviously Scarlett's opinion on the older woman wasn't the same.
Scarlett's eyes widened when Billy looked their way. He called out Sidney's name, desperately trying to get her attention but the soft brown eyed teen wouldn't budge.
It was clear that Sidney wasn't going to acknowledge him, so Billy's attention quickly turned to Scarlett. The redhead noticed that his eyes weren't looking at her the way he'd been when in Sheriff Burke's office. She wasn't getting goosebumps anymore. Instead she felt like crying because he was now openly staring at her with distress.
"Scarlett, you don't actually think I did this?!" Billy raised his voice but there wasn't any anger in his tone. Scarlett only heard the pain of a person trying to prove his innocence. It made her feel lousy, and she certainly didn't think she was being a good friend to him.
Except as much as she wanted to reply, and say she believed him, she couldn't. Partially because doubt still lived in her, and because Scarlett needed to stay by Sidney's side. Call it girl code or whatever, but Scarlett's loyalty was with Sidney.
Billy wasn't relenting though. He continued to fight against the officers that were escorting him. "Scarlett, I'm your friend!"
Scarlett felt that in her heart. He was her friend, and that's why ignoring him hurt so much. She forced herself to look away from him and instead focused on her shoes. Of course Billy pointed that out. "You're not even going to look at me? Scarlett? Scarlett, please!"
Scarlett slowly inhaled and exhaled. Even when she could no longer hear Billy, and when she was sure he was out of sight, Scarlett's eyes stayed on her shoes. She was counting in her head, and reached the number forty-five when Tatum appeared.
Their blonde friend gently touched Sidney's shoulder. "Sid, we're gonna get you out of here, okay? Are you okay?"
Sidney's eyes were bright, showing how close she'd been to crying. She nodded her head.
"Do you think you can stay over?" Tatum asked Scarlett. "Considering everything, I feel like it would be better for Sidney if we were both with her tonight."
Scarlett didn't disagree with that. It would be better for Sidney to be with her friends right now. "Yeah, I'll sleepover at your place. I just to need to call my―"
"Scarlett!"
A woman with the same fiery hair as Scarlett entered the police station with a purpose.
It was her mother.
Nora Mitchell was a thirty-eight, soon to be a thirty-nine, year old woman. The years have been extremely kind to her, even with all the stress she'd endured. Nora did not look like she was nearing her forties at all. Her mother was very beautiful.
She had a spark that made her stand out. A spark that drew people in. A spark that Scarlett personally didn't think she inherited herself. Her sister Lindsey was lucky because Scarlett could tell she had that spark. Unlike Scarlett, Lindsey was an extrovert like their mother.
"Mom?!" Scarlett called out. She quickly excused herself from Sidney and Tatum. She ran, meeting her mother halfway.
Nora Mitchell took her daughter into her arms, hugging her tightly.
Her mother was a petite woman, standing at 5'3. Scarlett was taller than her mother. She was 5'8, and she had her father to thank for that.
Even at that height, she wasn't the tallest in her group of friends. She was the tallest of the girls but the guys were still taller than her.
But there Scarlett was, hugging her mother. Not at all caring how funny it must have looked to the others with their height difference.
Nora pulled back to get a good look at her daughter. Scarlett looked unharmed, and that allowed her to relax somewhat.
"Mom, aren't you supposed to be doing a shift at the hospital?" Scarlett asked. The teenager really was happy to see her but she didn't like to messing with her mother's work schedule. She worked those hours for a reason.
"I got one of the other nurses to cover for me. Dewey called me and said you tagged along with Sidney and Tatum to the police station." Nora said that last part in puzzlement. "He said things would be explained once I got here." She shook her head, irked. "It's a media circus out there. They wouldn't let me in until I confirmed who I was and that my daughter was in here." She paused, fixing her voice to sound firmer, though the worry was still there. "For the love of God, what happened?"
Scarlett should have known her mother would have been contacted. Her brown eyes widened. After hearing her mother say all that she remembered something (someone) she couldn't believe she forgot about.
"Oh my God! Lindsey!"
With Sidney getting attacked, and Billy's arrest, Scarlett forgot that she was supposed to pick up her sister. Lindsey must have been very confused and perhaps even a little annoyed with her. Although she wouldn't be if she knew what happened. "Is Lindsey okay? Where is she?"
"She's at the Meeks' house." Nora informed her. She heard Scarlett out a sigh of relief. "I called Randy and Martha's mom and asked her if she could pick up Lindsey while I went to see what was going on with you."
Scarlett nodded her head. So Lindsey was with Martha right now. That meant Randy already knew, or was going to know, what happened to Sidney. Actually everybody in Woodsboro would know what happened by morning. This kind of thing couldn't be contained, not when the media was involved.
"Scarlett." Her mother pressed, gaining her attention. "Please tell me what happened."
Scarlett took a deep breath. "Mom, Sidney was attacked in her home tonight."
Nora Mitchell's green eyes widened. "What?!" She looked at Sidney, trying not to make it obvious. Scarlett saw how concerned her mother was for Sidney.
There really was no easier way to explain, so Scarlett said what popped into her head. "I was on my way with Tatum to pick Sidney up and when we got to her house we saw a bunch of police cars." She took a brief pause. "She said that someone called her and then broke into her home and tried to kill her."
A horrified expression appeared on Nora's face. "That's awful! Did they catch the culprit?"
Scarlett felt her stomach drop. "That's the thing mom." She failed at keeping her voice steady now. "Billy was arrested. Sidney told the police it was him ."
Nora's horrified expression changed into a shocked expression. "Billy? As in Billy Loomis? Sidney's boyfriend and your friend?"
Scarlett couldn't find her voice, so she nodded her head.
Nora Mitchell couldn't wrap her head around this upsetting news. She knew Billy. He'd been a friend of her older daughter for years now. He'd been in their home countless times, and even stayed over for dinner in the past. Was the boy who thanked her for dinner, and offered to help wash dishes with Scarlett capable of attacking his own girlfriend? Of trying to kill her?
Nora knew Sidney as well. The Prescott girl was a very dear friend to Scarlett, and she suffered a loss with her mother. So Nora didn't think Sidney would lie over something as serious as this. That would be totally out of character for Sidney.
Nora looked around the police station, her eyes landing on her daughter. "What do you think?"
Scarlett glanced at Sidney. Tatum was sitting next to her, saying words that Scarlett assumed were trying to be of comfort. Her eyes shifted to her mother. "I'm sticking with Sidney."
"But do you think Billy is responsible?" Nora's voice was soft.
Scarlett didn't want to lie to her mother. She gave the best answer she could without crying. "I don't want him to be." She said, voice shaking.
Nora's gaze on her daughter was earnest. Scarlett was always trying to look for the best in people. She often did this with her father and his drinking problem when he still lived with them. Except that was different because her father really did have a problem with his drinking. It was still technically fifty-fifty with Billy being the one who attacked Sidney or not. Nora saw how much Scarlett didn't want Billy to be guilty.
"If it's not him the police will figure it out." Nora said. "Until then, we'll all just have to wait."
Scarlett nodded her head, taking in her mother's words. Her eyes went to Sidney and Tatum. She bit her bottom lip. "Mom, I know it's a crazy thing to ask but right now Sidney really needs friends with her." The seventeen year old was nervous to ask her question but did it anyway. "Can I stay over at Tatum's?"
Nora frowned, ready to say no. "Scarlett."
"Please, mom." Scarlett begged.
"Scarlett after what happened tonight I don't think it's a good idea." Nora sternly replied to her daughter.
"I get that, I do." Scarlett added. "But like I said, Sidney needs us with her."
Nora raised an eyebrow. "Tatum and you?"
"Of course." Scarlett fixed her posture. As if standing straight would convince her mother she was being serious."Because that's what friends do. We're there for each other."
Scarlett could tell her mother was close to changing her mind. Nora no longer was frowning.
"If it'll make you feel better Dewey will be there." Scarlett assured her. "He is a deputy. That means something."
That did make Nora feel better, and it did meaning something. Even though Dewey was new to the police force she still trusted the eldest Riley sibling.
"And you're sure Tatum said it was alright for you to stay over?"
"Yes. You can even ask her or if you want, call her mom." Scarlett answered.
Nora let out a sigh. "I'll call her mom when I get home."
So that meant she was giving her permission. Scarlett hugged her, whispering a thank you to her. "And I have clothes there from past sleepovers." She told her when breaking away from the hug. "So I don't have to worry about tonight and for tomorrow. The only thing I'll need is my backpack but I can get it tomorrow morning before school."
"Fine, but if you don't show up in the morning I am going to assume something happened and I will gladly break down the Riley door to get to you." Nora sternly told her.
That was a funny image in Scarlett's head but she knew better than to not take her mother seriously. "I'll be there in the morning."
"I'm gonna talk to Dewey about it." Nora said, already looking at where Dewey was. "Just to make sure we're all on the same boat, alright?"
Scarlett nodded her head. Her mother walked towards Dewey while Scarlett reunited with Sidney and Tatum.
The blonde immediately questioned her. "Did you ask?"
"She said yes." Scarlett answered. She was happy about the sleepover but kept it contained. It wasn't going to be like their usual sleepovers.
"Thanks, guys." Sidney suddenly said. There was a small sniffle. "For staying with me tonight."
Tatum patted her shoulder. "There's no need for that, Sid."
"She's right." Scarlett commented, sitting down on the empty seat next to Tatum.
The three teens let their eyes wander onto Dewey who was talking to Nora now. The older woman seemed to be speaking very fiercely to him. The redhead could see the nervousness in Dewey's eyes. She wasn't the only one to see this.
Tatum let out a giggle. "Your mom is making him so nervous."
Scarlett cringed. She knew that her mother wasn't saying rude things to Dewey, she was just making sure he understood how much she wanted Scarlett to be safe. Her mother was protective like that.
"Sorry about that." Scarlett replied, timidly.
"Don't be." Tatum answered, amused. "It's hilarious."
Dewey nodded one last time and Nora was fine with ending their conversation at that.
The older woman caught her daughter's gaze. She stayed where she stood because she didn't want to overwhelm Sidney. Nora figured her presence would do that. So she instead nodded her head. That basically said, "I love you, and I'll see you soon."
Scarlett returned the nod and watched her mother leave the police station. She let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.
Minutes, which felt like hours to Scarlett, passed by. The teens wondered when they were finally going to leave.
Tatum seemed the most impatient with the way she kept tapping her foot. Sidney and Scarlett could tell the blonde was getting testy. Their blonde friend got up from her seat, searching for Dewey. Her eyes landed on him speaking with Sheriff Burke.
"Come on, Dewey." Tatum harshly whispered to her brother.
Dewey gave her a short nod and then continued speaking to Sheriff Burke. That annoyed Tatum. She called his name again but Dewey went on without answering her. There was frustration in her tone as she spoke.
"Hey, Dewey! Can we go now?"
Dewey held up a hand. "Hold on a second."
Except Tatum didn't have a second. Scarlett could tell her blonde friend lost all patience. Tatum looked at her brother with sharp eyes.
"Goddamn it, Dewey!"
Dewey stopped his conversation with Sheriff Burke. He took a few steps forward with a chagrined expression. "What did mom tell you?" He lowered his voice in hopes the other officers wouldn't hear. "When I wear this badge you treat me like a man of the law."
Tatum let out a huff, already grabbing a hold of Sidney's hand. "I'm sorry Deputy Dewey-Boy, but we're ready to go. Now, okay!" Tatum was walking ahead, with Sidney and Scarlett behind her.
The outburst from the teen aimed at her older brother made the rest of the officers that were sitting at their desks chuckle. Scarlett felt bad for Dewey but she too was ready to leave.
Sheriff Burke remained professional."Take them out the back way." He instructed Dewey. "Avoid the circus out there."
Dewey let out a sigh as grabbed onto his sister's elbow to lead her through the door. "Come on."
Tatum swatted his hand. "Don't touch me."
Dewey kept walking, taking the lead. "He's my superior." He muttered to his sister.
Tatum rolled her eyes. "The janitor is your superior."
As they made their way to the back exit, Scarlett watched the Riley siblings continue their squabbling. Seeing them like this reminded Scarlett of Lindsey and her. The Mitchell siblings got along but they've had their fair share of arguments. Thankfully not as many.
Dewey opened the back door. "You guys just stay here. I'm gonna get the car." He said, and then rushed down the alley.
There was silence in the alley that unfortunately did not last long.
"Sidney!"
Along with Sidney and Tatum, Scarlett turned her head. She recognized that voice, much to her annoyance.
Gale Weathers ran over to them, microphone in hand, and with her cameraman. On instinct both Tatum and Scarlett stepped forward, creating a shield of some sorts for Sidney. That didn't stop Gale from seeking her story. She pushed her microphone towards where Sidney was.
"Hi, some night. What happened? Are you alright?"
Just then more reporters with their own cameras came up behind Gale. The light coming from Gale's camera was already blinding enough, and Scarlett wanted to close her eyes entirely. She was thankful she wasn't a celebrity. Having to deal with people like this on a daily basis? Yeah, no thanks.
Tatum glared at the older woman. "She's not answering any questions. Just leave us alone."
Sidney surprised both Tatum and Scarlett as she pushed herself forward. "No, it's okay." She kept eye contact with Gale. She was smiling, but it wasn't genuine. It was forced, and it made Scarlett wonder what Sidney was going with this. "She's just doing her job. Right, Gale?"
Gale didn't seem to sense the teen's annoyance, or if she did she certainly didn't care. "Yes, that's right."
"So, how's the book?" Sidney asked with a tilt of her head. Her face might have looked calm but her eyes showed the animosity she had for Gale Weathers.
Of course, Gale was still all smiles. "Well, it'll be out later this year."
Sidney's face finally fell showing her true feelings upfront. "Oh, I'll look for it." She then turned, ready to walk away from Gale and her lousy camera.
"I'll send you a copy." Gale replied back with a fake sweet tone. That really bothered Scarlett. She wasn't one to get upset easily, or actually, she wasn't one to show her irritation when upset. She prided herself on her self control when it came to her anger.
However, she knew the history between Sidney and Gale, and was well aware how much Gale had put Sidney through. This was one of those rare moments Scarlett wanted to let her anger show, and actually react. She was so close to confronting Gale, and even being daring enough to flip off the female reporter.
Only she never got a chance to because it was Sidney who responded, not by words, but by action. The brown haired teen spun to face Gale again. It was instantaneous but Scarlett managed to see Sidney knock Gale down with a single punch. If it hadn't been for Gale's cameraman she would have fallen to the ground.
There was a staggered expression on Gale's face as she held a hand to her now red, soon to be swollen, cheek. Her eyes were wide and looking at Sidney, who in return was glowering at her.
"Holy crap!" Scarlett exclaimed. She'd never seen Sidney do something like that before. She never even thought someone as sweet as Sidney could punch, and yet here she was throwing one so easily at a woman she despised.
Sure Scarlett was shocked, but she was more amazed. One look at Tatum and Scarlett knew the blonde felt the exact same way. There was a grin on Tatum's face having watched Gale stumble.
Dewey, who brought his car over, caught sight of the whole thing.
As they hastily walked to Dewey's car, he asked the question Scarlett had been thinking. "Where'd you learn to punch like that?" He sounded astonished after witnessing a strong punch come from a bashful looking girl.
Sidney gave a small shrug.
"Sid, you're my new role model." Scarlett told her once they were all buckled up. She managed to catch Sidney giving her a small smile when she glanced at the rearview mirror.
After watching Sidney do something as awesome as standup to Gale Weathers by punching her, Scarlett gained hope that maybe one day she could find the courage to do something similar when faced in a situation like that.
Scarlett wasn't a stranger to the Riley household. She'd been having sleepovers at Tatum's house with her and Sidney since grade school. In a way it was like a second home to Scarlett. At one point that was once said about Casey's house because of how much time Scarlett spent over there.
Of course that changed when Casey and her entered high school.
Tatum's bedroom was so Tatum. Which wasn't an insult because Tatum's bedroom was a reflection of her personality the same way Scarlett's bedroom reflected her personality. Tatum's bedroom was soft with its pink colors and stuffed animals that showed her girly side. Except there was an edge to it with the few dark colors that were displayed in the room as well.
Tatum was cutesy but no one at school ever wanted to mess with her for a good reason. That's what made Tatum a good friend.
Sidney was now wearing a pink t-shirt nightie. Tatum wore a soft blue pajama set with clouds on them. As for Scarlett, she had on a black t-shirt with the cartoon of Adora from She-Ra:Princess of Power on it and dark blue checkered pajama pants. Scarlett was super comfortable because the t-shirt was baggy enough for her and the pajama pants were soft.
Some pop song from Tatum's stereo was playing in the background. Tatum's bedroom had two beds. Sidney was lying down on one of them, while Scarlett sat with Tatum on the other. When they had sleepovers Scarlett ended up sharing beds with one of them. It had never been an issue. She hoped that once she told Tatum the truth about her sexuality that it wouldn't cause issues then.
The three girls couldn't get over what happened at the police station. Sidney punching Gale in the face kept playing in their minds, especially Tatum's.
"God, I loved it." Tatum energetically said. "I'll send you a copy." She mocked Gale's voice. The blonde was holding one of her stuffed animals. It was an adorable white rabbit. She moved its paw pretending it was Sidney's fist punching Gale.
"Bam! Bitch went down!" Tatum sounded snooty again in order to impersonate Gale. "I'll send you a copy!" Her voice was her own again as she smiled widely. "Bam! Sid, super bitch!" She cheered. "You are so cool."
"Totally something out of Charlie's Angels." Scarlett added jovially.
The bedroom door was open, and Dewey entered with a small smile. "Thought you might want some ice for that right hook." He carefully threw her an ice pack. Sidney, who was sitting now, caught it with ease.
"Thanks." She told the older Riley sibling.
"I'll be right next door if you guys need me." Dewey let them know, doing his best to sound serious. "Try to get some sleep."
Tatum waved her hand. "Yeah, yeah."
Dewey made his exit, and was polite enough to close the door behind him.
"I'm so glad that the punch was caught on camera." Tatum jumped a little on her bed. Her smile dimmed a little. "But Gale's probably gonna delete the footage."
"Gale's cameraman wasn't the only one who was recording." Scarlett pointed out. "A bunch of other news people caught it."
"As they should." Tatum added, beaming. "It was an amazing punch."
Scarlett did think the whole thing was amazing but during the car ride she worried, after the awe subsided, that Gale could press charges. Scarlett thought about it better now though, and she asked herself, would she? Really?
With her book coming out Gale wouldn't want any press showing her in a bad light. Getting punched in the face by a teenage girl was certainly bad lighting. Especially since the punch had been about how insensitive she was towards Sidney because of that very same book.
So Scarlett felt relief knowing Gale probably wouldn't retaliate.
"Tomorrow's going to be wild." Tatum said, almost faintly. Her excitement from before wasn't entirely there anymore.
That made Scarlett frown, and based on the way Sidney lowered her face she could tell she was worried for tomorrow as well. The anxiety of it all. Scarlett recalled a time when none of them felt this way.
"I miss being a kid." Scarlett blurted out.
Sidney and Tatum turned their attention onto the redhead. They had confused expressions because that comment came from nowhere. "What?" Tatum questioned, waiting for her to continue talking.
Scarlett blushed realizing now that she had spoken she needed to elaborate. "I know technically we're still kids but…" She paused, lightly biting her inner cheek. She let go, a sigh escaping her. "I miss how easy things were for all of us. You know? How when we were younger we weren't as anxious as we are now. How the only thing we ever worried about was what we were having for dinner."
The small things that once offered Scarlett a form of comfort and security just didn't anymore. For example, the sound of the mourning dove cooing outside her bedroom window didn't give her the same feeling it did when she was ten years old. And how the smell of freshly cut grass now smelled different to her. These all may seem like silly things to miss but to Scarlett they had meant something to her.
A forlorn look appeared on Sidney's face. "Yeah." She softly replied. "I understand what you mean."
Scarlett let out a sigh. Things by no means were perfect when they were kids but they were so young that they didn't have to deal with any of that adult shit.
Now Scarlett and her friends were teenagers, close to entering adulthood. Not only that but there was a killer out there in Woodsboro. A killer who already killed two of Scarlett's classmates, one who used to be her best friend, and now this killer was after Sidney. Another friend of Scarlett's.
"We can't be kids forever." Tatum added somewhat bitterly. She had her own unhappy look, not nearly as strong as Sidney and Scarlett's but also not weak enough for them to assume she didn't care about her childhood.
Scarlett fidgeted with the end of her ponytail. "I know. I just wish the easiness from childhood lasted longer."
"Do you guys remember that time in middle school when we ditched that assembly and instead went to the arcade?" Tatum suddenly brought up. There was a twinkle of amusement in her eyes. "I still can't believe we were never caught for doing that."
Sidney was able to momentarily forget about her attack as she recalled that happy memory with her friends. "Yeah, I remember."
Scarlett remembered that day. It was a happy memory for her. "We all bought ice-cream but we didn't get a chance to finish because time was running out before we had to head back to school."
Tatum let out a laugh. "Except for Randy. He ate his like his life depended on it."
"It was chocolate chip cookie dough ice-cream." Scarlett responded with a soft smile. "That's his favorite." She failed to see the knowing look Tatum and Sidney were sharing with each other. Of course Scarlett would remember Randy's favorite ice-cream. Randy most definitely knew hers as well.
Scarlett's smile faltered and she lightly shook her head. "But he didn't notice he had some on his nose until I told him. Can you believe neither Billy or Stu let him know even though he was walking with them?" She suddenly felt bad, and the bedroom went quiet. Her sudden trip down memory lane with her friends made her forget that Billy's name was currently taboo.
Sidney went to lie down again. She faced the other side of the room.
"Do you really think he did it?" Tatum asked in a tactful way and not at all like how she would usually ask. There wasn't an ounce of bluntness in her tone of voice.
Sidney took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "He was there Tatum."
Tatum briefly made eye contact with Scarlett. The redhead didn't know what to say to that. She just kept fidgeting with her ponytail.
Even with the music still playing, Tatum didn't like the awkwardness that surrounded them. She let out a small scoff. "He was destined to have a flaw. I knew he was too perfect." She said in a suspicious way.
Yeah, Scarlett thought, trying to kill his own girlfriend would be a huge flaw.
The redhead instantly felt bad because there was still a part of her that thought Billy was innocent. Or actually, a part of her that wanted him to be innocent. Except like her mother said, they would have to wait and see.
There was a knock on the door before it opened. The three teens looked to see Tatum's mother. "Telephone, honey."
"Who is it?" Tatum asked, still holding onto her stuffed animal.
"It's for Sid." Her mother answered.
Sidney eyes lit up. "My dad?"
Tatum's mother shook her head. "I don't think so."
Scarlett immediately saw Sidney lose the hope she got in her eyes.
"Take a message." Tatum suggested.
Sidney pushed aside her sadness. "No, I'll get it." She got up from the bed and walked to where the phone was in the hallway.
Tatum's mother looked at her daughter and Scarlett. "How's she doing?" She asked, all concerned for the Prescott girl.
Scarlett did her best not to grimace because there was no way she would be able to say that Sidney was fine. Tatum didn't verbally answer either. She just shrugged.
"No!"
Tatum and Scarlett's eyes widened. They wore matching panicked expressions as they ran out of the bedroom to reach Sidney. They saw their friend holding onto the phone, shaking with tears in her eyes.
"Leave me alone!" Sidney screamed into the phone. "Who are you?!"
Scarlett felt her body go cold. She felt sick. Based on her reaction it was obvious who Sidney was speaking to.
Tatum kept whispering for Sidney to hang up while her mother knocked on Dewey's bedroom door, calling out his name.
Sidney let out a sob, finally dropping the phone. It was only then that Dewey finally came out of his bedroom. He was wearing a white t-shirt and boxers. Scarlett couldn't even crack a smile at his current disheveled appearance because she was more focused on the disturbing call Sidney received.
"What?!" He was holding a gun. There was confidence in his stance as well as awkwardness.
Tatum rolled her eyes at her brother. "What?" She bumped his shoulder, walking with a crying Sidney. Scarlett trailed behind, failing at keeping her own composure.
Sidney's breathing was all over the place as she tried talking to Tatum and Scarlett. Thankfully the two of them were able to understand her enough to make out what she was saying.
They learned from Sidney that the caller had indeed been her attacker. It was that same voice from before.
Scarlett figured that it had to have been with how upset Sidney got. The Prescott girl went on to reveal what he said to her over the phone, making everything much worse. Scarlett knew it couldn't have been Billy who made the call because he was currently under arrest. Although that surely would change soon.
The real killer was still on the loose, and he knew where Sidney was.
Now not only did Scarlett feel like a terrible friend, but she was also very scared.