Chapter 2

As I lay under the covers motionless, I felt numb. I just lost a friend I grew up with, we had our ups and downs, but I never wanted for her to get hurt. I couldn't understand why this was happening. The image of Casey hanging from the tree haunted me the whole weekend every time I tried to close my eyes.

I hear a soft knock at the door pulling me from my thoughts "Come in."

My mom peers her brown eyes at me in wariness as she walks in arms crossed with a look I couldn't quite make out. "Are you okay?" She asks wanting to take a step further but hesitates.

I lift and brush back my knotted hair. "I'm okay."

She gives me a look knowing I'm lying but doesn't push me any further. "Drive to school safely please?" She goes to turn away but pauses. "I have a late shift again, will you be, okay?"

I nod my head and respond with a low yes. It looked like she had more to say but instead, she walked away. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Mom and I never really got along, and things just got worse when I left. I have my regrets now, but I haven't explained that to her yet.

I get out of bed and head for the bathroom to shower and brush the knots out of my hair.

Before I got dressed, I noticed the cut down my chest becoming a scar. I traced it with my fingers getting chills down my spine remembering his cold lifeless eyes staring down at me, I quickly shook it off and started to do my hair.

I came downstairs to see Mom left money for me on the counter and a note. "Order Chinese or Pizza, be safe, love you." I read out loud to myself smiling. Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to have a relationship.

I hop in my jeep, ready to get the day over with. I'm nervous about seeing my old friends. Seeing him.

As I walked up to my old school, news cameras flashed in my face. I'm immediately irritated by the attention and flashes, so I smack the nearest camera out of my face. The cameraman stares, offended and shocked. "You're gonna have to pay for that."

"I don't see that happening," I shouted, not looking back. As I try to continue forward with more cameras and flashes in my face, I'm bombarded with questions that immediately give me a headache, I was so close to snapping.

I'm starting to have regrets about coming to school. My face was plastered all over the news and papers. I spent most of the weekend at the police station as they questioned me about the incident, they were very suspicious of the fact I came back just hours before Casey and Steve were murdered, and I told them it was a coincidence.

I suddenly feel a hand on her lower back. "Okay, back up, give her some room." Dewey ushered me through the cameras before squeezing me into a hug. "I can't breathe Dewey." I choke out.

He quickly lets go and starts to check to see if I'm okay. Dewey is like a big brother I've never had. He was about to say something else but was quickly hip-bumped out of the way by Tatum who practically tackled me. "Amara!"

I let out a shaky laugh from being knocked off balance, "I missed you too, god." Tatum lets me go smiling at me before hitting me

"Where have you been? Why didn't you say goodbye? And how dare you go to a party in this town without me by your side" She barks with confusion and anger. I rub my arm trying to soothe the ache of her hit before grabbing her arms. "I'm so sorry, I promise I will explain everything." Tatum lets go of my arms and connects our hands. "You better," she warns.

Dewey trailed behind us keeping everyone at bay while Tatum and I walked to the front door. Dewey then turns to me, tipping his hat. "This is where I leave you, I've got to help Sheriff Burke interrogate students in the principal's office."

I stop in my tracks hearing that. "They think it was a student?" I question in a low voice, surprised. Dewey looked down at me with a worried look. I could tell Dewey was about to say something before Tatum spoke up "She will be fine; I have your number." She says in a duh tone.

Dewey nodded at her then looked back at me. "Whenever you need me just call." I nod and watch him walk away.

Tatum tries to hug me but before she can she's swooped into the air by a tall boy I didn't recognize until he spun in my direction. "Hey, babe." He spins one more time before stopping when his blue bright striking eyes connect with mine. My heart was hammering. "Stu," I whisper low more to myself.

He gently drops Tatum down without breaking eye contact with me. "So you're back?" He questioned with a serious expression which was weird because Stu was always playful.

"Yeah, I'm back, for good," I replied nervously, I cleared my throat trying to keep eye contact but the way he was looking at me made me nervous. He gives me a look I can't quite understand before picking me up bridal style and spinning me around. " I missed you A." He says, squeezing me.

I laugh wrapping my arms around his neck. " I missed you more Stu, please stop, I'm dizzy." That and I was wearing a skirt, his hands were almost a little too high.

After a few seconds, Stu lets me go and looks me over from head to toe, "You've changed." I started looking him over too. It was something about him that was different. He was broader, not buff but not too skinny either.

Stu gives me a nervous laugh, "Nah it's the same old me." I shake my head knowing there's something different about him.

"You know Billy will want to see you," Stu says quickly changing the subject. Which worked. At the mention of his name, my heart starts to race. Tatum gives Stu a what the fuck look elbowing him. "Ow,"

I look past Stu and Tatum to see Sidney and Billy, hand in hand walking together. I swear I hear my heart crack seeing Billy kiss Sidney on her cheek...they looked good together. I knew he was gunning for her before I left. I just never thought they'd last.

"Billy and Sidney huh?" I question a little jealousy in my voice. Stu and Tatum look in the direction I was looking and give me a guilty look. "Mara-" Tatum starts to say but I cut her off. "I've gotta get my schedule, see you guys at lunch."

I quickly rush past them and into the building. On my way to the office, I couldn't help but feel anger and hate. Out of all the girls Billy could've moved on with, it had to be Sidney.

I quickly get my class schedule, books, and locker combination. I tried my best to avoid the stares and whistles as I made my way through the halls.

On my way to my first class I try to memorize my schedule, but not watching where I'm going I bump into a hard chest, making me drop all my stuff. "Shit sorry" I apologize not sparing the person a glance.

"Angel," A deep familiar voice makes my heart race as I look up to see Billy's beautiful brown eyes staring down into mine, there was something different about them though. something darker. I tried to say something but no words came out. Without saying anything or breaking eye contact; he picks up my schedule and books.

I was lost for words, there were so many things I wanted to say to Billy. I didn't think it was possible but he steps closer gazing down at me. " I missed you," He says in a light whisper.

Before I could respond, I let out a light gasp as he took a piece of my hair and twirled it through his fingers.

He quickly grabs my waist pulling me into a tight hug. I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck. "I missed you too," I reply, trying to keep my voice clear.

I try to pull back from him but he keeps me close gripping my waist. I tried to ignore the butterflies from his touch. "Can we talk later?." I asked, forcing a smile up at him.

Billy nods looking me up and down, his eyes stop at my chest.

"What happened here?" He murmured, taking a hand from my waist and gliding a finger down my chest, I could be imagining but I thought his eyes darkened as I winced at his touch.

I stop his hand from gliding further, "I'm fine, I can't remember." I lie quickly looking down.

He grips my hand making me look up at him. He looks down at my lips, then back to my eyes it's as if he's at war with himself. Why would he still look at me this way when he has Sidney?

"I will always be here for you, anytime anywhere, you just call okay?" He said his voice serious. I blushed lightly which he noticed making him smirk. "Okay."

The bell loudly rings making us break apart. "Fuck, late on my first day back." I groan, hitting my forehead.

" aww bad girl." Billy teases, ruffling my hair

"Not any worse than you" I tease back, walking away. Billy reached out for me but I kept myself out of his reach.

"I'll see you at lunch?" I ask sweetly. He nods, walking backward. "Be at the fountain."

"Okay," I call back as I walk away before I turn the corner I turn to see Billy still walking backward watching me leave with a grin on his face.

I bite my lip smiling a little too hard before finally trying to head to class only to bump into Stu.

"Hey you stormed off, you okay?" He asked worriedly, looking down at me.

"I'm fine Stu," I assure him, he doesn't look convinced but smiles and nods anyway.

"I'll walk you to class." He says pulling me close, wrapping an arm around my shoulder leading us down the hallway. The whole time making me laugh and teasing me just like when we were little. Out of all my friends, I felt the most comfortable with Stu.