At the Start

Chapter Five

Sidney furrowed her brows at the rain outside as she walked toward her car. Her parents had bought it used about a month ago. It had been waiting in the garage when she came home after passing the driving test. She could still remember her parent's laughing at her shocked expression. They had been worried that she wouldn't like it because of Tatum's newly bought red convertible. Despite it being bought used, Sidney loved the little car. The color was a soft blue and it had dark carpet seats. A large drop of rain smacked the top of her forehead. She huffed and hurried inside the car. Her eyes widened when she noticed a red rose sitting on the dash of the car. A small note was attached to it.

"I hope you have a good day at school tomorrow. P.S.-You really shouldn't leave your car unlocked. –Billy," a wide smile stretched itself across Sidney's lips as she repeated the words on the note. A small laugh bubbled up from her chest as she lifted the rose to her nose. She bit into her bottom lip. Did she have time to go put it in a vase? She glanced at the clock on the mantle. The bell for the first class didn't ring until 7:45 a.m. It was only 6:40. She could make it. She didn't live very far from the school.

She rushed inside and quickly dug a vase out from underneath the counter, filled it with water, and placed the rose inside it. She took a small pause at the door and looked back at the flower. She smiled and let out a small laugh at her ridiculous behavior.

She reached the classroom just as before the bell rang. Sidney suppressed the urge to punch the air as Stu and Casey shot her the thumbs up. She grinned at them as she moved toward her seat between her two friends. She sank down just as the teacher bustled into the room. His tie was slightly undone and his hair was a mess.

"I wonder what he was doing," Casey snorted. Sidney gave a small smile, but didn't laugh. She could hear Stu's muffled chuckle from beside her. Sidney glanced over at him. He waved at her when their eyes met. He had a large dopey grin on his face; it was one that she had come accustom to relating with her longtime friend. Sidney's amused smile fell at a whisper from the middle of the room:

"Probably Sidney's mom…" Sidney tensed like a string at the insinuation. She felt Stu's hand brush the back of her chair. It was his silent way of giving her his support. Unlike the rest of the class, Sidney knew that Stu wasn't just a silly, energetic simpleton. He was so much smarter and thought so much more in depth than they gave him credit for. When she had asked him about it, he jovially said that he had a reputation to maintain. He then proceeded to jokingly tell her that if word got out that he was more than just an idiot, he would come after her. He said that he didn't want to be helping anyone with homework or have more expected out of him. Sidney had laughed and shook her head, but she understood his reasons.

"Hey, bitch!" Casey hissed toward the blonde, "Can it, will you?" The teacher had been talking and hadn't heard her, but those around her had. Sidney sat quietly while others reacted in shock. Casey had never spoken out of term against anyone. Despite her slutty behavior, she was usually sweet to everyone. Sidney glanced over at Stu from the corner of her brown eyes. His back was tense and his expression slightly solemn, but not enough for others to notice. Sidney assumed that he had told Casey that he wanted to end it. She prayed that he didn't say that he wanted Tatum, but Stuart Macher had never been known for tact. The blonde cheerleader that had spoken glared at Casey.

"You'll get yours in training today," she threatened. Casey rolled her eyes.

"Oh, I'm so scared. You're usually the one complains about how hard the training regiments are," Casey drawled. Sidney turned her attention away from the quarreling girls. Stu was now attempting to catch her eye. Sidney felt his hand brush the back of her chair near her shoulders. She looked over at her friend.

"You okay?" He whispered, his brown eyes constantly darting from the teacher to her. Sidney nodded and smiled softly at her friend. The teacher called out name after name of the students in front of them. They had been seated due to row. She and Stu had ended up next to one another because no one in their class had the last names starting with N or O.

"I'm fine," she reassured. The rumors going around town did upset her, but not as horribly as when they first started. She had been so angry at the others for what they had spread. Surely, her mother couldn't have been sleeping with multiple men! Surely, her mom couldn't have been cheating on her father! She hadn't asked because she didn't want to know. It wasn't because she truly didn't believe her mom capable. It was simply that she wanted to remain ignorant on her mother's possible infidelity. "Here," Sidney called at her name. More whispers broke out in the middle of the room. Sidney easily decided that she couldn't wait for the class to be over.

Halfway through his class, Billy Loomis decided that the teacher needed a hearing aide. Billy could hear the "whispers" of the females around his seat. He rolled his eyes as he overheard their speculation on who should ask him out first. A quiet argument broke out between the girls. Billy scoffed quietly. They would be wasting their time. Sidney Prescott was the only girl he wanted. None of these others would suffice.

The teacher had long since called roll. He didn't bother to remember any of the names in the classroom. He didn't know anyone but Joey; he was unsure if he wanted to try and form a friendship with him. So far, Joey had only proven to be an annoying, self-centered teen. The girls shattered his thoughts once more with a loud, obnoxious giggle.

"Miss. Gomez, is there something funny?" The teacher finally demanded. Miss. Gomez had been angled further back in her seat than necessary talking to her friend. She had fallen back into her seat before the teacher was able to turn around. A small smirk tugged at Billy's lips. The entire class turned and looked at the one he had called on. Billy didn't even bother looking over.

"No, sir," she muttered. Her green eyes would occasionally flick to Billy Loomis' strong frame. Oh, how badly she wanted him to look at her. He didn't. He simply sat with his chin propped up on his hand; his expression was one of extreme boredom. She could feel herself falling back into an admirable, highly appreciative stare.

"Then, kindly pay attention," the teacher demanded as he turned back toward the board. Miss. Gomez attempted too, but her eyes kept wandering to Billy.

The students poured out of their classrooms at the bell that ended first period. Billy caught sight of his favorite girl as she walked alongside Stu. He slipped up behind her as she passed his classroom and wrapped his arms around her waist. A small squeal escaped her lips. Her head instantly turned to him.

"Billy!" She gasped. He could feel the slight stab of her elbow against his stomach. She blinked in surprise. He was pleased when her arm lowered. He smiled charmingly at her. Sidney's cheeks tinted red slightly. The female students seemed to stop where they were. They couldn't believe their eyes! Billy Loomis, their attractive stud, was embracing Sidney Prescott!

Sidney's heart was hammering so hard she was sure that Billy could feel it. By the smile against her neck, she knew he could. He squeezed her waist once and then let go; he slipped over beside her. One of the hands that had been touching her wrist glided down to her hand. He laced his fingers in hers. He pulled her forward gently.

"Where's your next class?" He asked as they walked together. Stu simply followed along beside them. On his face, he wore a wide, pleased grin.

"Room 12, Social Studies," Sidney recalled from memory.

"Do you mind if I walk you?" He asked. Sidney smiled brightly.

"I don't mind at all," she said. Billy smiled at the redness of her cheeks. He squeezed her hand. Her eyes darted over to him before returning ahead. "Thank you for the rose…" Billy raised his free hand to rub the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I kind of left it there last night…" He admitted. Sidney giggled softly from beside him. He looked away from the halls and looked toward her.

"You know, you could have given it to me at the door," she told him. Her brown eyes were twinkling attractively. Billy suppressed the urge to kiss her in front of the entire school.

"Yes, but then I wouldn't get to see you like this now…" He informed her. Sidney's heart gave a slight start at the sweet tone. The blush she had just gotten rid of returned. He smiled and pecked her cheek in front of Room 12. "Have a good time in class…" He whispered to her before he walked toward his own one door down. Sidney smiled softly and touched her cheek.

"Come on, lover girl!" Tatum said, pulling her friend into class. The sound of her best friend's voice pulled her from her daze.

"When did you get here?" Sidney asked as they sat down at their desks.

"I saw the whole thing, girl!" Tatum exclaimed. "The two of you are so cute!"

"Hush…" Sidney mumbled as the teacher ushered lingering students inside.