A/N: Thank you to those of you for making this a few of your favorite stories to read. The second movie is finished, I just need to finish the last chapter and I'll start posting it into the new year.
I am giving everyone a fair WARNING sign halfway through this chapter as it contains thoughts of SUICIDE. Go ahead and skip through it if need be. Please, please, please, if you or anyone you know has any thoughts of suicide, please reach out to the hotlines, friends or even family.
Please let me know if this chapter offends anyone in anyway. I deeply apologize to anyone that I do offend. This last chapter has been in my mind since I first thought of this story. I couldn't think of any other way to end it.
I wish everyone has a safe and happy new year celebration. No drinking or driving, always have a D&D, even if they are a younger sibling/friend. Stay safe out there, and I'll see you all in 2023, with updated chapters.
Chapter Eight: Let's Leave it all in the Past
Six Months Later
"Six months have gone by since the mass murders of, The Ghostface killer. The killers were revealed a few months ago. Eighteen-year-old, Billy Loomis and seventeen-year-old, Stuart Macher,"
It was graduation day. I'm sitting in the kitchen eating my cereal, when the news reporter started talking about them again. The pictures of my old friend and ex have appeared on the television. I turn my attention back to it. Much to my dismay.
"These were their victims; Casey Baker, seventeen, Steve Orth, eighteen, the principle of Woodsboro High, Arthur Himbry and Tatum Riley, seventeen. However, when they did their last killing spree there were reports of survivors. Randy Meeks, seventeen, Tiffany Riley, seventeen, Deputy Dewey Riley, twenty-five, Gale Weathers, twenty-four, and none other than Sidney Prescott, seventeen. Rumors are also spreading, that Billy Loomis and Stuart Macher were also responsible for her mother's death, Maureen Prescott. Just weeks before his execution, Cotton Weary, had been let of prison, after Miss. Prescott accused him of her mother's rape and murder. Now, Gale W..."
The television turns black as it was turned off. I could see the person from the screen standing behind me.
"You don't need to be watching that."
"Well, it was left on there from you, dad."
"Change of subject. Ready for your big day?"
I sighed and started playing with my cereal. Every seventeen-year-old should be excited for their graduation day, right? I'm not one of them. Don't get me wrong, I am more than thrilled to be leaving Woodsboro High and getting started at, Windsor College.
Did I not mention that we'll talk more on that in a little bit.
Anyway, I don't know why I'm not excited about graduation. Maybe it has something to do with most of my friends are dead. Who knows, right? We had so many plans together and I'm still holding onto that. I guess, it is time to finally let all that go.
Looking at my father, his face was full of concern.
"I'm so proud for how far you've come in the last six months, Tiff."
"I know I was a mess, and I'm still in a way. It's just going to take me sometime."
"You went through a lot, sweetheart," My mom says, coming into the kitchen. "You're still dealing with them."
"I just need to move on." I sighed, taking a bite of my cheerios.
"You will in time." My mom says again.
Just seconds later there was a knock on the door. My dad gets up to answer it.
"Good morning, Riley family. What a beautiful day it is!"
I turn around in my seat.
"Randy, it's just high school graduation. Don't be dramatic." I said, rolling my eyes.
"To you maybe. But to me, it's a start of my future. You are looking at director Randy Meeks." He says, making an imagination sign in the air.
"Whatever you say, "director."
"Alright you two, knock it off. Congratulations Randy." My dad tells him.
I finish my cheerios and out the bowl in the sink.
"Don't boost his ego, dad."
"I'm just graduating him about graduation, not being a director."
"Alright, alright. Tiffany go on ahead, we'll meet you at the gym." My mom tells us.
"Can We have a post picture with you two?" My dad asks, grabbing the camera.
Without any hesitation, Randy stands by me, slinging his arm around my shoulders. I laugh and put my arm around his waist. He gives a thumbs up and told me too as well. We had to take one more, "nice," picture for my mom. After my picture with Randy was finished, my parents wanted one with me as well.
After the initial pre photo graduation pictures were taken, Randy and I grabbed our caps and gown threw them on and headed out to his car. I wasn't sure how long it has been since we pulled out of the driveway, when Randy asked me.
"How are you doing?"
"Randy, you ask me that every day. You ask me, "how I'm doing?" I say, "just fine, loving my life." Then we move on to something else. Can we just... just talk about something else or not at all."
I continue to stare out on my side out my window. I hear him sigh next to me.
"I'm sorry," I finally say, after realizing that was rude to say. "I just don't know what to say anymore. This day was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. But what happened six months ago, I'm not so sure anymore."
"I know Tiff, trust me, I was there that night."
"I know, Randy..."
"Let me finish. I was there that night; I know what happened. I was there, I don't think anyone else can say that, well besides a few others. But I'm your best friend, you know you can come talk to me, if you want. I was there, Tiff. That's all I'm going to say."
As usual, he proved that he was right. He was there night and I've been stupid to not realize that. I didn't stick with the shrink that my doctor and parents sent me to go to, because they never knew what really happened and I always had to re-live it. Which I just wanted to get away from the past.
"Let's head inside."
I look around and we were already parked in the students parking lot at school. We stepped out of the car and start to head inside with the other students and staff.
"Randy wait," I pull Randy's arm to stop him. "I'm sorry, for everything these last six months. You're right, I need to talk to someone. I think that someone is you."
"I didn't catch that. What did you say?"
"I said you're right and I need to talk to you."
"So, you're saying I'm right?"
Well shit, I walked into that one. I sighed and smiled, saying.
"Yes Randy, you're right."
"Wow, Tiffany Riley is saying that I'm right. How hard was that for you to say."
I can tell he was mocking from the time I said it earlier in our school year.
"Come here."
He pulls me into a hug, in which I greatly accepted it.
"I can't imagine my life without you, Randy Meeks."
"I know, life wouldn't be the same without me."
"You just had to ruin this moment, didn't you?"
We both laugh and I lightly push him off me.
"Let's go graduate."
"Class of 1997!" The whole gym cheers. "What can I say, it's been a crazy twelve years with you all. I'm honored to give this speech out to you. Hell, I didn't even know what to say when I got picked to write this speech." The students laugh at her, "cuss word,"
Our class president, Brooke Simmons, was giving out our speech this year. I only had one class with her each year. She was popular herself, but she was nice to everyone. She wasn't your typical popular mean girl. She has helped me in a dark place.
(Flashback Five Months ago)
WARNING!
This part might be triggering to some, as it does contain thoughts of SUICIDE. Please, SKIP this chapter if you need to. If anyone has any thoughts of suicide, there are always hotlines and others around you to talk to.
END OF WARNING!
It's been one month since everything has happened. One month, since I found out that my boyfriend was a serial killer. Things still didn't seem real to me. I've grown a little distant from society, from my friends and family. Even Randy.
We would be around one another, but it felt more of a way that I was just floating around him. I would be next to him physically, but mentally I would be far away. Dark thoughts would swim around in my mind.
'This was your fault.'
'You could have stopped him.'
'He was your boyfriend, and you didn't see the signs?'
The last thought was true. Why didn't I see it? How could I have seen it? I just didn't. I always ask myself that question every day and night.
We were in computer class, trying to pay attention to the teacher up front. Randy was sitting next to me to my right. I caught a few glances of him looking over at me. I was deep in thought. So deep, I noticed I've forgotten to breathe.
Suddenly, someone catches the corner of my left side. I know who it was, he wasn't supposed to be here. He was dead. I tried desperately to pay attention of what is going on ahead of me. Ignoring what he has to say.
"Come on, Tiff," I could hear the goofiness in his voice. "You know I'm here, pay attention to me."
I ignore him. I was trying to write notes down, but my hands were shaking.
"Why didn't you help me? I know that you knew about me. What I was doing. It was all my idea, not Billy's."
He slammed something next to me. I looked out of the corner of my eye and noticed it was a bloody knife. Was that supposed to be my blood. I was starting to panic.
"If you weren't in that garage, all this could have turned out differently. This was your fault!" He shouts the last part.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I shouted standing up, pushing my chair back, looking at, no one...
"Miss. Riley, is something wrong?" My teacher asks.
I gasped for air, looking around the room, everyone was staring at me like I was crazy. I felt a lump in my throat. I felt like I couldn't breathe.
"Tiff?" Randy asks.
I look over at him, concern was written all over his face. I shake my head; I was starting to have a panic attack.
"I can't be here."
I push past Randy, ignoring the teachers calls and ran out of the classroom. I somehow ran to the girl's restroom on the other side of the school. I turn the water onto the closest sink, letting water fall into my hands from the faucet, before splashing the cool water on my face. I wiped my eyes with a paper towel.
I leaned onto the sink, trying to even out my breathing. It wasn't working, it felt as if it was getting worse. Looking into the mirror in front of me, he was there again.
"You can't escape me, Tiff. I always will be in here." Stu's says, tapping his temple.
"I will, there has to be a way."
"What PILLS!? DOCTORS! You know you can't run away from me now."
"No, but there is another way."
"You won't be able to go through it, Tiff."
"You don't know me."
"Ohh, but I do."
All my anger came out at once. I screamed, swung my fist back and punched the mirror, where he was standing. Some of the glass shattered, falling to the ground. I look at my hand, the knuckles already spotting blood. He was gone in the mirror. He was right of one thing though; he wouldn't be gone from my mind.
Looking towards the ground, there was a sharp piece of glass, calling my name. I hated myself right now, for even thinking this. I picked it up, ignoring the cuts that it gave my hand. My heart was racing, as I laid it onto my left wrist. Something wet was sliding my cheeks. I ignored them.
I didn't even hear the door open as I hear my name was being called out. Looking forward, anger boiled inside me. Tara Simmons stood there. She was our class president, captain of the swimming squad, one of the popular girls.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I ask, angrily.
"I'm here to help you. I seen you ran in here, you looked distressed."
"Why would you care?"
"I care, for everyone who needs help."
"I don't buy it. You're full of shit."
"Please let me help you."
"No can help me. No one can."
I was squeezing the glass with my hand. Making it cut me deeper. Blood was dripping onto the floor. The door opens again from behind her. To both of our surprises it was, Randy.
"Tiffany, talk to me." He speaks.
"You can't. She can't. NOBODY CAN! This is the only way." I was starting to cry; my vision was blurry from the tears.
"Don't let him win. Stu's gone and you're still here." Randy says.
"You don't know what you're talking about." I mumble to him.
"You're my best friend, Tiff. I've been watching you. You have been distant, distracted. Please, let me help you."
"Come on Tiffany, let us help you." Tara says.
I didn't realize they were next to me when one of them grabbed my wrist gently, pulling the glass shard away from my wrist. As soon as it dropped from my hand, I collapsed onto my knees. I was crying silently, tears. They hugged me and lied for me when we went to the nurse's office to look at the cuts on my hand.
I would never forget that day. The day I almost took my life, because of a boy that wasn't alive. Who was trying to control me. That was the day, I changed. I'll never let those thoughts control me again.
(End of Flashback)
If it wasn't for Tara, I might not be sitting here today, with my best friend on our graduation day.
"Seven months ago, our town went through a difficult time. A few of us even more so. We're making it through though, every second of every day," She sighs. "We're moving on from that and many things. We're moving on from high school, from our comfortable groups of friends and some away from home. Today starts a new day, a start of a new beginning."
Everyone cheers.
"When I was eight, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I said, I wanted to be a ballerina. Now if you ask me, I'm going to be a therapist and help those around me. I can't wait to start my new future and I hope you all can't wait either. Now parents and staff, join me to celebrate our day and cheer for all of us, for the graduation class of, 1997!"
The graduation music started, and the vice principle was calling out names by in alphabetical order.
"Randy Meeks."
In old Randy fashion, he walks up to the stage and holds his fists in the air. I roll my eyes and shake my head, still clapping and cheering for my best friend.
"Sidney Prescott."
A lot of us cheered for her as well. It's been a few months since I hung out with her, but we keep in touch. Few names later, I was called up.
"Tiffany Riley."
I walk up to the stage. I shake her hand and face the crowd, following Randy's footsteps in the fists in the air. I see my parents, aunt and my cousin, Dewey.
"Tara Simmons."
All the students cheered for her, a section of the crowd did as well. I and even Randy cheered for her. A few more students' names were called for the end of the graduation. The principle announced that it was the end of the graduation ceremony and congratulating the class of 1997, as we new graduating students, threw our caps in the air. This was another day I would never forget.
(Eighteen Months Later)
Lifting a box and placing it on my bed, I put my radio in it, along with a dozen CDS and movies. Taping it up and placing it along with the other boxes next to my door. Looking around my childhood home, blank walls and empty shelves, it was bittersweet.
Today, Randy and I will be driving to Ohio for, Windsor college. Where we both will be studying for, the film industry. He was going to study as a director, and I was studying for a producer and writer.
We decided to do a road trip instead of wasting more money by taking planes. Plus, it would be fun. Randy was able to exchange his old car for a new/used pickup truck from his uncle's dealership. So, we were able to pack a little more into the bed of his truck.
"You ready to go soon, sweetheart?" My dad asks.
"Yup, just double checking to see if I have everything."
"Just making sure. I'll carry these boxes down."
"Thanks dad."
I grab my pillow and travel bag, taking another look around my room. I was glad I was moving away from here, getting away from the bad memories. This house, my family, I'll miss the most. I told my parents I would try to come back during the holidays and whatever breaks we would get. That made them happy.
Finally walking out of my bedroom and closing the door. I walked downstairs to find my mom and Randy in a conversation.
"You two watch each other's backs, alright."
"You know Mrs. Riley; I'll always have her back."
They hugged each other.
"Alright, I'm all packed and ready to get on the road." I announced, coming down the stairs.
"About time, let's get show on the road." Randy says.
"You have everything honey?" My mom asks.
"I do mom."
I reached her and she pulled me into a hug. I wanted to remember this hug. It'll be a little while before I get to see her or my dad.
"Alright, picture time. Outside let's go." My father announces.
My mom and I let go of our embrace. My father standing by the door frame, holding the camera in his hand.
"Why does he always take pictures?" I smiled, looking at my mom.
"You know your father, always like to capture a moment."
"That's why, I'm giving you this."
He hands me a small box. I take it and open it to find a Polaroid camera hidden inside. I smiled down at it and looked at my dad. "Thanks dad."
He engulfs me in a hug. I'm also going to remember this hug.
"Take many photos as you and make a double to send back to me."
"Will do dad."
We head out and dad had, Randy and I stand beside his truck. Putting an arm around each other we posed for the picture. After we set foot into the truck behind us, our future will begin. Next Monday, is a start at putting the past behind us.