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「 1990 ─ 1992 」

It was early in the morning when a car pulled up to a recently furbished home, a young girl stares up at the place with innocent blue doe eyes. "This is the new place," Jared Dalton ─ An architect whose passion lied in building homes for families and schools for children ─ spoke with a soft smile on his face. "It's a beautiful home, dear," Fiona Dalton ─ A writer who specialised in dark romances and twisted thrillers ─ replied before looking back at their daughter, Annabell Dalton. The family of three were close due to Fiona's tricky past and Jared's personal lack of family; Annabell couldn't ask for better parents.

The town of Woodsboro, California was quiet and peaceful with the normal community mixed of gossips, drunks, and Karen's. It was the perfect place for the Dalton's to settle down rather than their chaotic lives in New York City. Fiona Dalton had grown up in Woodsboro so returning to the town was something she was excited for even though her bond with her family didn't exist, she had dear friends that she was eager to see again. Jared liked the more peaceful place, their large home built nicely in the woods away from most for their own peace and privacy. Annabell loved the changed from the city to the town, the slower pace was nice.

Annabell Dalton was a bubbly girl with a sweet smile, she waved and greeted people willingly in the streets and always made a personal opinion of someone rather than allowing the influence of others to determine who they are. She was a beautiful ravenette with blue-green eyes and a fair tone, always seen wearing baggy band tees and camo pants; her long hair flowing in the wind as she danced around the backyard singing at the top of her lungs. Anyone who meet Annie immediately adored her, she was infuriatingly loveable and passionately admired by everyone.

"Annie, you can choose your room first," Jared offered his daughter with a wink, grinning at the bright smile that appeared on her face. She had grabbed her bag, her red panda plushy and rushed into the open door of the two-storey home. She made her way upstairs and headed straight for the room furthest from the other doors knowing her father had designed her room exactly how she had wanted it. When she opened the door, the thirteen-year-old grinned at the sliding doors that opened out onto a balcony, she headed straight over and spotted the couch against the wall with an awning over it; A perfect spot to read or do homework.

She turned back to her room, her bed was placed in the corner of the room as she found comfort having limited access to her bed ─ She didn't know why but she liked having her back to the wall and feeling safe knowing no one would crept up behind her. The bed was neatly made with dark purple and black covers that matched her dark purple drawers, her black bedside table and the desk against the wall with a new computer set up for her. Her fluffy purple rug laid in the middle of the room as a nice contrast against the black carpet. Her room gave off a dark royal vibe that she absolutely adored, she placed her plushy on the bed before turning to grab her things.

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Annie's natural charismatic personality is what made moving to a whole new town easy, especially when she met her new slightly distant neighbour, Stuart Macher. Stu was a goofy person with a constant grin on his face, he had a great sense of humor and the two immediately clicked. Stu adored Annie, the ravenette always laughed as his jokes and never stopped his ramblings. She also didn't hesitate to playfully wrestle him, the two rolling around in the grass or on the carpet as they pretended to beat each other up. Stu Macher was Annie Dalton's first best friend and one of the most important parts of her life.

"Annie! Could you come downstairs please!" Her father called pulling Annie from her focus of putting up posters in her room. It had been two days since they had moved to Woodsboro and she had bought new posters with all of her newest interests. Annie made her way downstairs and spots a family of four standing in the foyer of their home with her parents. "Annie, these are the Machers. They live a few minutes down the road from us," Fiona introduced to her daughter, the ravenette approached them with a smile. "Hello, I'm Annabell, but you can call me Annie," Annie greeted them with a kind smile.

Stuart Macher was awestruck by the girl, "I'm Stuart! Call me Stu." Annie giggled at his enthusiasm before she spoke, "Would you want to watch a movie with me?" Stu immediately accepted Annie's offer, the two rushed off to the living room with their parents laughing fondly at the bond that had formed. The two had watched movies for hours snacking on random candy and chips supplied to them by Fiona who was beyond happy that her daughter had made a friend. "Mom!" Annie called out gaining Fiona's attention from her writing, "Could Stuey stay over?" Fiona thought for a moment before agreeing, calling his parents to let them know, which was fine by them.

Becoming best friends with Stu Macher meant meeting William Loomis, better known as Billy. Billy was more reserved than Stu, he was a people watcher and always analysed his surroundings with caution. Annie never really saw him with a smile, he'd smirk or allow his lip to twitch upwards ever so slightly but he never smiled with genuine joy or passion; And this is what lead to Annie Dalton's life goal. Stu and Billy found it amusing when Annie declared that she wasn't allowed to die until she witnessed a genuine adoring smile on Billy's face. He doubted she would succeed but her dedication to the goal made him almost give it to her.

"Annie, this is Billy. Billy, this is Anniebell," Stu introduced the two to each other, the three were hanging out at Stu's house. "It's nice to meet you, Billy," Annie greeted with her usual smile, her eyes soft as she looked into Billy's dark eyes. "Stu mentioned you a few times," Billy told her as he leaned back against the couch, turning his eyes to the television. "Not much of a talker, huh?" Annie teased as she leaned closer to him, "Nor do you smile much..." Annie frowned and the sight, not that he'd admit it, made Billy's frown deepen. "I'll get a smile out of you, BillyBoy. You'll see," Annie taunted with a smile before returning to her spot.

Billy had turned his focus back to her as she poked Stu's side, the boy recoiling with a shriek before they pounced at each other. Billy bit down on his lip seeing the two wrestle without shame, Annie eventually overpowering Stu by laying across his stomach as he yielded from their play fight. "Billy~" Stu sung out before sharing a smirk with Annie, both were quick to pounce on the quiet boy who hadn't been prepared resulting in the three ending up on the ground laughing. Annie turned her head to Billy, she wouldn't count the laugh as a smile but seeing his joy made her more eager to see a real smile on his face.

Annie Dalton, Billy Loomis and Stu Macher were the trio that always stuck together through thick and thin. Annie and Billy were there the day that Stu had been dumped by his first girlfriend. Stu and Billy had been there when Annie had a bad month with pneumonia. Annie and Stu had been there when Billy had broken his leg leaving him trapped to his bed completely bored. The three thirteen-year-olds were pretty much inseparable until 1992 when Annie fell ill. Billy and Stu didn't completely understand why the Dalton's had to leave Woodsboro for Annie's treatment, they didn't want to see her leave them. And saying goodbye was scary knowing the chance that she may never come back.

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Fifteen-year-old Billy Loomis remembered the day Annie Dalton left, he had held the girl in his arms as she cried wishing and begging that she could stay. He had been pulled back by his mother so Stu could say goodbye, watching with a broken expression seeing both of his best friends crying. When Annie Dalton looked up at him from Stu's shoulder, he knew right there and then that no one would ever replace her. He had rushed forward and wrapped his arms around both of them, the three crying as their respective parents watched with misty eyes wishing there was some other way.

The night after the Dalton's left town, Billy had found an envelope in his pocket and as he went to open it, Stu had burst into his room holding an envelope of his own. The two boys shared a look before looking at Annie's messy writing, they respectively ripped open their envelopes and sat down next to each other. Billy's eyes glazed over as he read the rushed words messily written on the page, it was obvious what Annie was trying to say but it didn't hurt any less. He wanted Annie back in his arms, to tell her that everything was okay and that she'd be fine.

「 My Dearest Billy,

First and foremost, I need you to know that meeting you was the best blessing of my entire life. You and Stu are the most amazing best friends I could have ever had. I am truly going to miss you, Billy Loomis. I never expected my life to change so drastically and for whatever reason, some higher power decided that I was ready for a battle of some kind. I need you to know, Billy, that I like like you and it is selfish of me to feel the same for Stu (though I am certain that you and Stu may, well, you know) And I am sorry that my life goal won't be happening but...

Smile for me, Billy.

Sincerely,
Your Annie 」

Stu had to fight back the urge to cry, he wanted to scream and shout at any higher power begging for them to return Annie Dalton to them alive and well. She had come into his life unexpectedly, he had been so excited when his parents told him they had new neighbours finally moving into the home that had been built. And when he saw a ravenette girl his age step down the stairs, he had used every drop of confidence he had and introduced himself. He already missed her smile, her laugh, and the way she would always greet him and Billy with a peck on the cheek and a cheeky wink.

「 My goofy Stu,

I miss you already. I know I will miss your jokes and the way you always light up a room. I'm glad you'll have Billy with you. He needs you, Stu. Don't let him down or let him go. Remember what we spoke about under the stars. I like like you Stu, Billy too; and it may seem selfish or cruel but it's the truth. Never stop being you, Stuart. I know you both will worry but... it's going to be okay and if not, just know that we'll see each other again. Thank you for approaching me that day.

Sincerely,
Your Anniebell 」

Both boys had allowed the other to read the letters knowing that Annie would be okay with it and they made an unspoken agreement in that very moment that no one would have their hearts the way that Annie Dalton did. Neither of them knew if they would ever see Annie again in their lifetime but they knew they would meet again somewhere else whether it was in the afterlife or a whole new lifetime; they'd find each other. The next few years dragged on for Billy and Stu, they would wait and wait for any news about Annie but nothing ever happened and soon enough they were distracted by a million other things. But they never forgot little Annie Dalton, their hearts still beating for her.

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「 ♡ | Author Note | ♡ 」

Thanks for clicking this story and reading the first chapter. Just quickly would like to say that a pre-established bond is always key for a story like this one.

Also want to warn you (in case you missed it in the introductory chapter) that this book is not for the light-hearted, this is a work of FICTION and should be treated as such.

In no way is the actions of some characters okay and are definitely illegal and repulsive.

Sincerely, Rosie xoxo

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