YOU'RE LIKE HER GUARD DOG.

☆︎ SEPTEMBER 25TH, 1996 ☆︎

Indiana loved spending the night at Tatum's house. The girl had a huge bedroom with two twin beds. All three of them changed into pajamas and got ready for bed fairly quickly — they still had school in the morning despite how late the night had gone.

Sidney was silently sulking on one of the beds while Tatum and Indiana were goofing around on the other. Indy was holding up a stuffed bunny rabbit while Tatum was recreating the epic punching moment.

"God, I loved it. 'I'll send you a copy.' Bam!" As Tatum hit her stuffed animal, Indiana dramatically made the toy fall down just like Gale did. "Bitch went down."

"I'll send you a copy," Indiana repeated before body-slamming the animal on the bed. Okay, maybe she was taking creative liberties with her retelling. "Bam! Sid — SuperBitch! Fuck, you are so cool."

Sidney managed a small smile, and then the door opened as Dewey poked his head in. He had a bag of ice with him. "I thought you might want some ice for that right hook," he said, grinning. Even if he was a cop, he thought the punch was impressive.

When he tossed the ice across the room, Sidney caught it and mumbled, "Thanks," while putting it on her hand.

"I'll be right next door," he reminded them. "Try to get some sleep."

"Yeah, yeah," Tatum said, waving him off.

As Dewey pulled the door closed on his way out, Sidney laid down on the bed, turning her back to the girls. Tatum shared a look with Indy before speaking up.

"Do you really think Billy did it?" Tatum asked them.

"He was there, Tatum," Sidney said quietly. Indiana just rolled her eyes. She didn't understand why no one would listen when she explained how Billy wouldn't have had the time to attack them and climb through the window.

"He was destined to have a flaw," Tatum said with a sigh, rolling her eyes. "I knew he was too perfect."

"God, Randy's gonna have a fucking field day with this after how he was after school," Indiana said, shaking her head. "If I thought Stu was annoyed, then Billy's gonna go postal on him once he's released."

"Oh, Stu got over it as soon as you crawled on top of him," Tatum said, snickering. "Did you see his face when he thought you were gonna kiss him? Priceless."

Finally, Sidney rolled over and looked at them, raising an eyebrow. "You almost kissed Stu?"

"Just to mess with him," Indiana said, grinning. "And it is so easy to mess with him."

Tatum leaned her head on Indiana's shoulder. "Honestly, I've been waiting forever for Stu to make a move on you."

Indiana's eyes went wide as she looked at her. "Wh — Tatum, that's your boyfriend!" she exclaimed.

"Eh," she said, shrugging. "It's a little more casual than that, and we all know it. As long as I still get to have my fun, I don't care where he goes on nights when I'm busy."

It was true, they all knew. Stu and Tatum could be seen flirting with others all the time. At parties, if they didn't go home together, chances were they'd end up making out with someone else in a corner. But that didn't mean they didn't care about each other.

"And, uh, where are you having your fun at on those busy nights?" Sidney asked, giving Tatum a pointed look. "Perchance at the house of someone whose ass you were staring at so intently four days ago."

Indiana sat up straight and looked at Tatum. "You were looking at someone's ass that wasn't mine?" she asked, pretending to be offended. "Who? I'll fight them for your hand."

"I don't think you'd want to," Sidney said, smirking at them. "I think you'd find your gigs have a lack of rhythm if you did."

"Sophia!" Indiana practically shouted while jumping on the bed. "Oh, my god! Get fucked, Zay! He owes me twenty bucks."

"Your band is betting on me screwing your drummer?" Tatum asked, raising an eyebrow. Then she scoffed and looked down at her nails. "Which I am not admitting to doing."

"Look," Indy said, putting her hands up innocently. They could faintly hear the house phone ringing. "I'm not gonna talk to Sophia about it. I mean, we already know she's got a fat crush on you. Teasing her about this will just get a drumstick up my ass."

A knock on the door kept them from going on, and Mrs. Riley stood in the doorway, smiling at them comfortingly. "Telephone, honey."

"Who is it?" Tatum asked her.

"It's for Sid."

She looked over at the woman hopefully. "My dad?"

Mrs. Riley shook her head sadly. "I don't think so."

Tatum frowned and laid down, figuring it was no one important then. "Take a message."

"No, um, I'll get it," Sidney said, rolling off the bed. She left the bedroom and went to the nearby phone that was in the hallway outside of Tatum's bedroom.

With Sidney gone, Mrs. Riley looked at the other two girls and whispered to them. "How's she doing?"

Tatum only shrugged while Indiana ran a hand through her hair. "She's starting to calm down—"

Suddenly, they heard Sidney let out an agonized 'No!' from the hallway, so they all rushed to see what was happening. Indiana reached Sidney's side first, who was clutching the phone to her ear desperately.

"Leave me alone!" Sidney cried into the phone.

Having enough, Indiana snatched the phone from her hand and spoke harshly into it. "I think you've made enough calls around town, freak."

"Why don't you tell me something, Babe," the deep, gravelly voice said. "If 'Billy fucking Loomis' is your big strong boyfriend, what was he doing climbing into another girl's window?"

"Why don't you fuck right off, Ghost Boy," she snapped, rolling her eyes.

"Can you stop calling me Ghost Boy?" he then asked, sounding a bit annoyed. "It's demeaning, and I feel like you aren't taking this seriously."

Indiana couldn't help but scoff, ignoring how Mrs. Riley was banging on Dewey's door. "Can you stop stalking me? It's inconvenient, and people won't come to my band's gigs if they think they'll be murdered."

"Just hang up, Indy," Tatum said while comforting Sidney.

"Who are you?" she asked, ignoring Tatum's advice.

"Don't worry. You'll find out soon enough. I promise," he told her. "Tell Sidney it'll be fun — just like old times."

"You're gonna leave Sidney the fuck alone," she said, gripping the phone so tight that it hurt.

Rather than reply, the killer hung up, leaving the dial tone ringing in Indiana's ear. She sighed and set the phone down, more annoyed than scared. And of course, that was when Dewey finally flew out of his room, only in his boxers and a t-shirt with his gun in hand.

"What? What?" he asked, looking at them all.

Tatum rolled her eyes in annoyance and led Sidney back to her bedroom. And Mrs. Riley followed to help calm her down. Indiana watched Dewey as he looked at the phone, which he then picked up and spoke into, speaking in a lower, more intimidating tone than his regular one. "Hello?"

Indiana groaned at his stupidity. "I can't believe this is what Virginia is into."

"She's into me?" Dewey asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Dewey," she said, squinting at him, "you've been sleeping together for a year. Of course, she's into you. And you wonder how you earned the nickname Deputy Dumbass."

☆︎ SEPTEMBER 26TH, 1996 ☆︎

Indiana was sleepily pushing syrup around her breakfast plate with her last French toast stick made by Mrs. Riley. She was seated between Sidney and Tatum, all dressed for school despite Tatum's mother not wanting them to go. Indy was in a pretty dress again, knowing her sister would make fun of her for looking nice just in case any cameramen were spying on her. Dewey was in the kitchen as well, speaking to someone on the phone quietly across the room.

A small television was turned on, it set on a morning news channel. Granted, they probably didn't need to be watching it because all anyone was talking about was what happened at Sidney's house.

"Sidney Prescott, who escaped a vicious attack last night along with Indiana Winger, is the daughter of Maureen Prescott who was brutally killed last year when convicted murderer Cotton Weary broke into their home and savagely raped and tortured the deceased," the reporter said. Then they showed old footage of when Cotton was arrested. "Cotton Weary is currently awaiting appeal for the death sentence handed down after the young Sidney testified against him. She was the key witness in the state's case against the—"

Dewey was the one to shut the TV off, having finished up with his call. He then joined them at the breakfast table with a donut on a plate.

"It's never gonna stop. Is it?" Sidney asked sadly.

"Billy was released," Dewey told them. Sidney's face fell while Indiana's lit up. "His cellular bill was clean. He didn't make those calls. We're checking every cellular account in the county. Any calls made to you and Casey Becker are being cross-referenced. It's gonna take some time, but we'll find him."

"Thanks, Dewey," Indy told him while reaching for Sidney's hand. "And what about her dad? Any word on him?"

Dewey could only shake his head. "No," he mumbled. "I'm sorry, Sid."

She nodded sadly, and Tatum gave her a friendly punch to her arm. "You okay?" she asked softly.

"I'm gonna go with no, Tate," Indiana muttered while eating her last French toast stick. "My stalker is stalking her now."

"Jealous?" Tatum asked teasingly.

Indiana rolled her eyes playfully. "Terribly so."

☆︎

Virginia's threats from the day before were pointless because now, Indiana was being dropped off at the school in his patrol car. Again, the street was lined with reporters still asking questions, desperate for some insight into what was happening since no one actually involved was saying anything.

When the car came to a stop, Tatum and Indiana hopped out of the car, but Sidney lingered behind, suddenly unsure if she wanted to actually go to school.

"Don't worry, Sid, it's school," Dewey assured her, seeing how uneasy she was. "You'll be safe here."

Sidney nodded and got out of the car, only for a microphone to be shoved in her face by an older, nosy reporter woman. "So, how does it feel to almost be brutally butchered?"

Dewey instantly got in front of Sidney, keeping the woman away. "Hey! Now, leave her alone."

"People wanna know. They have a right to know!" she shouted as Tatum led Sideny away and toward the school. "How does it feel?"

Indiana rolled her eyes and followed after, only for the woman to focus on her. "Indiana, what are your thoughts on clearly being targeted by this vicious killer? Do you know why he's obsessed with you?"

"If you'd like an official quote, I gave it to Gale Weathers from Channel Six last night," she said in a snarky tone before following after her friends. But they only made it a couple of feet away from the sidewalk before Sidney spotted someone familiar. She grabbed Tatum's wrist to stop her from walking, and Indiana slowed since she was a few steps behind.

"What?" Tatum questioned.

"Just a sec," she told them before walking off in the opposite direction.

Indiana looked ahead and groaned when she saw the Channel Six news van. The doors were open, and Gale was sitting in the passenger seat, applying makeup to her left cheek. Indy wasn't close enough, but she figured the reporter was sporting a bruise.

"Bad idea, Sid," Indiana muttered.

"Well, go protect her. You're like her guard dog," Tatum said with a teasing smile, only sort of joking.

Indiana hiked her backpack up on her shoulders and went after Sidney. When she got closer, she could make out the faint bruises on Gale's cheekbone, making her bite back a proud smile.

"I'm not here to fight," Sidney was telling the woman with her hands up in surrender. "I just need to talk."

"Kenny, camera, now," Gale then instructed, and Kenny began getting everything ready.

"No way," Indy said quickly, crossing her arms.

Sidney agreed, narrowing her eyes at the cameraman. "Off the record. No cameras."

"Forget it," Gale said while getting out of the van.

Though she was clearly annoyed, Sidney reigned most of it in. "Please. You owe me."

"I owe you shit," she snapped, still upset about the punch in the face that competitor news stations had been playing clips of all morning.

"You owe my mother!" Sidney said, getting upset.

Kenny had the camera ready, but Gale put up a hand to hold him off, Sidney's words affecting her — even if not by much. "Your mother's murder was last year's hottest court case. Somebody was gonna write a book about it," she said, seeing nothing wrong with what she'd done. Or anything wrong with the second book she was planning.

"And it had to be you with all your lies and bullshit theories," Sidney said bitterly.

"What is your problem?" Gale asked, scoffing.

"Uh, maybe her problem is that her fucking mother was killed, and you're profiting off of it," Indiana said, glaring at the woman.

"Oh, like you're not stoked about how many times your little band has been mentioned in the news the last two days," she shot back, raising an eyebrow. Then she was looking back at Sidney. "You got what you wanted. Cotton Weary is in jail. They're gonna gas him. A book is not gonna change that."

Sidney studied the older woman, unable to believe her attitude toward it all. "Do you still think he's innocent?"

"Your testimony put him away. It doesn't really matter what I think."

"During the trial, you did all those stories about me. You called me a liar," Sidney reminded her.

Gale looked at her challengingly, as if they were in a courtroom. "I think you falsely identified him. Yes."

"Have you talked to Cotton?" she questioned.

"Many times."

"And has his story changed?"

Gale shook her head. "Not one word. He admits to having sex with your mother but that's all."

"He's lying!" Sidney denied, glancing around. "She wouldn't have touched him. He raped her, then he butchered her. Her blood was all over his coat."

Indiana looked down, remembering how Jackson and Sophia told her how Sidney's mother slept around a lot. She didn't have time to get to know Maureen well and form her own opinion, though.

"He was drunk that night," Gale said, sticking to Cotton's account of that night. "He left his coat at your house after your mother seduced him."

"I saw him leave wearing it," Sidney said, her eyes watering a bit as she thought about that night.

"No, you saw someone leave wearing that coat," she said pointedly. "The same someone who planted it in Cotton's car, framing him."

Indiana stepped up then, wrapping an arm around Sidney's waist. "I think we're done here. We have to get to class."

But Sidney wasn't done. "No, Cotton murdered my mother," she insisted despite the tremor in her voice.

Unfortunately, the doubt on Sidney's face was clear as Gale studied her. Her face then lit up, knowing that not once had Sidney sounded like that the year before. "You're not so sure anymore, are you?"

Sidney began to clam up, and Indiana could feel her shaking somewhat. So, she moved the girl behind her and glared at Gale at the same time Tatum waltzed up to them all.

"Nice welt, sweetie," Tatum said tauntingly. Then she took Sidney from Indy. "Let's go, Sid."

Gale completely ignored Tatum and stared around Indiana. "The killer is still on the loose, isn't he?" she realized.

For just a moment, Indiana's mind replayed the killer's voice in her head. Tell Sidney it'll be like old times. But before she could fully entertain the idea that something like that was even possible, she got rid of the thought entirely.

"C'mon, Sid," Tatum said while pulling her away.

Gale kept going though. "These murders are related."

Sidney walked backward toward the school and managed to speak one last time before taking off. "I'm sorry I mangled your face."

"Sidney, don't go!" Gale shouted desperately while snapping for Kenny.

Of course, she didn't stay. Indiana smirked at Gale, glad she wasn't getting the satisfaction of answers.

"Indiana," Gale said, having the camera aimed at her. "Do you think these murders are connected to Sidney's mother's death?"

"What was it I said yesterday?" Indiana asked, raising an eyebrow while beginning to step back.

Gale just rolled her eyes and shoved Kenny back. "Yeah, yeah. Get fucked."

☆︎

"This is a mistake," Sidney said while closing her locker. "I shouldn't be here." They hadn't been at school long at all, but clearly, Sidney wasn't up to it. It was reminding her too much of her mother, especially with the anniversary so close.

Though Indiana and Stu didn't have lockers near Tatum and Sidney's, they were with the two girls. Isaiah was there as well, getting his history textbook. While Tatum was grabbing a binder, Stu was nosily rooting through the things in her locker, looking for some type of entertainment.

"I want you both to meet me right here after class," Tatum said while taking her sucker out of her mouth. Indiana nodded, but Sid didn't really respond, still out of it. "Okay, Sid?"

"All right," she said, making sure the lock was shut on the handle. Then she turned and faced the rest of them. Stu was checking himself out in a hand mirror, and Indy reached over to mess up his hair. "Hey, I haven't seen Billy around. Is he really pissed?"

Stu laughed while putting the mirror back. "Oh, you mean after you branded him the Candyman? No, his heart's broken," he said, rolling his eyes. Then Tatum punched his chest. "Ow."

"Stu!" she hissed at his typical insensitivity.

Suddenly, they all heard screaming and shrieking. They turned and saw someone in a Ghostface costume running down the hall, his hands flailing as he got in people's faces. When he passed, Indiana just rolled her eyes. She wasn't sure who found out from the police what the exact costume was, but it was definitely annoying.

As the fake Ghostface passed, Sidney flinched back into the lockers and grabbed Isaiah's hand, as he was the closest. The younger boy frowned, knowing he wasn't very good at comforting people in situations like this.

Tatum was shoving Stu, who was laughing excitedly. He was having far too much fucking fun with all of this — Indy wouldn't be surprised if he bought himself one of the costumes in the next few days.

"Why are they doing this?" Sidney questioned with teary eyes once the student ran around the corner and disappeared.

"Are you kidding me?" Stu asked gleefully. "Look at this place — it's like Christmas."

"Stupidity leak!" Tatum exclaimed while whirling around to shove him. Then she smacked her sucker on his nose repeatedly. By the time she turned back around, Sidney was running off, crying. "Sidney!"

Indiana moved to follow but stopped short when she saw Sidney run right into Billy at the end of the hallway. The two began talking, so she quickly turned back around. She wanted to talk to Billy, but she could wait. Besides, the warning bell rang, so the hallway would be clearing out soon.

"Did you know the marching band was kicked out of the competition this weekend because of the murders?" Isaiah grumbled while closing his locker, his history book in hand.

"What? Afraid you're gonna bring Ghost Boy with you?" Indiana asked, letting out a laugh.

"Ghost Boy?" Stu questioned, leaning back against the lockers. "That his official serial killer name?"

"Yeah, I'm gonna call Gale Weathers after class and tell her to dub him that," she said, smiling. "Shouldn't have told me he hated it — he's stuck with it for life now, bitch."

"It's not like Indy is in the marching band for the killer to follow after," Tatum said while unwrapping a cherry-flavored sucker. Granted, Jackson and Indiana usually drove behind the band bus to watch all the competitions. "Bummer. I know Sophia was excited to go to Sacramento County for the first time."

"And you're big with the knowing of what's going on with Sophia, are you?" Indiana couldn't help but ask with a smug smile.

Isaiah stomped on Indy's foot and hissed in her ear. "Stop trying to influence the bet."

"How could you?" she asked, raising her voice. "You think gay people don't deserve rights?"

His eyes grew wide as he looked over at Stu and Tatum, clearly panicked. "No — what? I never said tha—"

"Screw you, Starnes!" Tatum snapped. "There's nothing wrong with Indy being bi or me being with Sophia, and if you think so, then you're a sick, twisted fuck!"

"Hell yeah! Twenty bucks in my hand by dinner time, Zay!" Indiana shouted while pumping her fist. Isaiah rolled his eyes as Indiana did a little dance before she turned back to Tatum. "He doesn't hate gay people. I made that up. He just thought nothing would happen until next semester between you two."

"All my friends are children," Tatum mumbled while closing her locker and walking off to class, shaking her head.

"That should count as cheating or manipulating," Isaiah whined.

"Well, if I knew there was a bet, I'd have got in on it," Stu said, pouting. "Sophia made her move back in June after Tate's birthday party at my place. Caught them making out on my family's boat."

Isaiah and Indiana shared a look. "June... that means Jackson won," Indiana whispered. "Keep your twenty and just never give him the satisfaction of knowing."

"Agreed," the keyboardist said before going off to class.

"Later, babe. I'll catch ya in physics," Stu said, kissing Indiana's head before running off as well.

Indiana was alone for only a second, and now that the hallway was completely empty, she could hear Sidney and Billy, who were still around the corner and raising their voices. She slowly moved closer, unable to curb her curiosity.

"I am sorry if my traumatized life is an inconvenience to you and your perfect existence!" Sidney shouted, sounding as if she was running off in the opposite direction and clearly upset.

"What? Wh — nobody said that!" Billy called after her. "Sid!"

Despite yelling, he didn't run after her. Indiana reached him just in time to watch him groan and smack his forehead with his hands. "Stupid," he groaned.

"Yeah, you are," Indiana said, causing him to turn and face her. "That's not, like, brand new information though."

"Indy," he breathed out, coming up to her. "You were right. They let me out this morning."

"Good. I was fucking pissed last night," she said, rolling her eyes. "You getting locked up was a waste of time and resources, especially with the killer calling again."

"Yeah, Sid mentioned he did. Are you okay?" Billy asked, his eyes softening as he looked down at her.

"Totally fine. If anything, he's lucky you showed up because he was about to get his ass cut off and handed to him," she said, making them both smile. "And getting that knife was so worth the sore throat."

The soft look vanished as Billy's gaze traveled down. He finally spotted the bruises on her neck — Tatum tried her hardest to get Indy to cover them up with foundation, but she refused, not wanting to give Ghostface the satisfaction.

"I'll fucking kill him," Billy said, nearly shaking with anger.

"Don't bother. It's nothing, and Sidney's fine, too."

Billy brought his hand up and hovered it near her neck, his fingers grazing the bruises with the lightest of touches. She noticed the black smudges on them from being fingerprinted. "It's not fucking nothing, Indiana. I don't want you hurt."

"Please," she said, rolling her eyes in amusement. "I could breathe basically the whole time. And under different circumstances — you know, like, not trying to kill me — I probably would've liked it a little."

"Jesus, Indy," Billy said, letting out an airy laugh of disbelief. "Call your fucking therapist or something."

"Way to sound like my sister," she said, rolling her eyes. Then she looked the way Sidney went. "What were you guys fighting about?"

"I, uh, I'd rather not get into it here," he admitted, looking around the hallway.

"I could come over after school," she offered. "Virginia doesn't want me alone in the house anyway."

"Yeah, that sounds good," Billy said with a small smile. He took another step closer, his fingertips grazing her hand. "You could stay the night? I'll keep you safe."

"Yeah," Indiana agreed softly, despite knowing it wasn't wise in the back of her head. She should stay with Tatum and Dewey like Sidney was. But she couldn't help but melt under his soft gaze. "You'll keep me safe."

☆︎

"I need your attention now, kids. Due to the recent events that have occurred, effective immediately, all classes are suspended until further notice. The Woodsboro Police Department has issued a citywide curfew beginning at nine o'clock tonight."

Someone in a Ghostface costume tried to attack Sidney in the bathrooms. Whether it was the real one or not, she got away and ran to Principal Himbry's office, which resulted in classes being suspended after contacting the police for advice.

Indiana didn't know how she felt about school getting canceled. Sure, she hated learning as much as any other slacker, but it didn't seem smart to her to send everyone home in the middle of the day while their parents were at work and couldn't watch them. Sidney was more vulnerable in a house than in a classroom.

She didn't voice her disagreement though, as they all made their way outside. She was walking alongside Tatum and Sidney, and they were instructed to walk to the parking lot to meet Dewey for a ride.

Indy left a quick note in Billy's locker that said she'd be by his house before the sun went down. She needed to get her things from Tatum's house and also stop to see her sister, who was still working shitty hours at the hospital.

"It was just some sick fuck having a laugh," Tatum said, still on the topic of the bathroom incident as they got outside.

"No, it was him, Tatum. I know it," Sidney denied. Then she glanced at Indiana. "I wish you'd have been there. It's like you're not even scared of him sometimes — maybe he could've been caught this time."

"I am scared of him, Sidney," Indiana told her. It wasn't the full truth. She didn't know why, but she never was exactly paralyzed with fear whenever Ghostface was around or mentioned. Indy figured it was to do with all those things Dr. Swain had said about her in their year of meetings — desensitized to violence, a lack of regard for her own life.

"Well, you're not to be alone anymore, all right?" Tatum told the girls. "If you pee – I pee. Is that clear?"

Indiana cringed. "But what if I have to—"

She never finished the thought as Stu bounded over like an excited puppy dog. He was speaking nonsense that had Tatum rolling her eyes. "Kizzo-kaskizzo is is-out."

"Yeah, school's out," Indy translated, fluent in the way that Stu was when he was this giddy.

Stu then held up pink flowers that he'd picked from one of the flowerpots under a classroom window, offering one to Sidney. After she took it, he handed one to Tatum too.

"Darlin, I don't know what you did, Sidney, but on behalf of the entire student body, we all say thank you!" he said, raising his voice at the end. Several of the other students outside laughed and shouted their thanks as well.

Tatum quickly swatted his arm. "Drop it, Stu."

"Where's my flower?" Indiana asked with a pout on her lips.

Stu dropped to his knees dramatically in front of them, making the three girls come to a stop. Then she noticed the flower tucked behind his ear, which Stu grabbed and held up to her.

"Accept this token of gratitude, my fair maiden," he said pleadingly.

Indiana laughed before taking it, ignoring how Tatum was making kissy faces behind Stu's back. Then, as soon as Indy tucked the flower behind her own ear, he swooped forward and threw the girl over his shoulder, making her squeal.

The three kept walking, ignoring how Indiana was beating on Stu's back to try and get down. He only tightened his grip on her thighs to keep her from squirming. "Yo, I say impromptu party tomorrow night, my house — celebrate this little siesta. What do you say?"

"Why not tonight?" Indy questioned, finally relaxing against him.

"Parents leave tomorrow and they're taking Leslie with them," he said, grinning. Plus, he didn't want to harsh on Billy's scheduled alone time with the girl over his shoulder. If anything, he wanted to join them.

"Are you serious?" Sidney asked, raising an eyebrow. She didn't think now was the appropriate time for a party.

As he replied, Stu set Indiana on her feet and slung an arm around his girlfriend. "That said, if Tatum, this little vixen doesn't invite the entire world, we'll be fine. Intimate gathering, intimate friends."

"What do you say, Sid?" Tatum asked, clearly excited by the thought of a party. "I mean, pathos could have its perks."

Sidney was trying to consider it but couldn't stop thinking about the night before. She looked at Indiana doubtfully. "I don't know. I mean, do you think it's safe?"

"You'll be totally protected," Stu assured them. He twirled Tatum around and dipped her before dragging her along by her waist to prove his point. "Yo, I am so buff! I got you covered, girl."

Once Stu released Tatum, she looked at Sidney pleadingly. "Come on, Sid. For me? It could be fun."

"I haven't been to a party I wasn't playing at in forever," Indiana added as they came to a stop, kind of looking forward to it now. Stu stopped behind her and was toying with her hand, resting his chin on her shoulder as they all looked at Sidney.

Finally, the girl gave in to the peer pressure despite the bad feeling she had. "Okay, whatever. We'll see you tomorrow, Stu."

"Yeah? Nice!" he exclaimed as the girls moved on, knowing Dewey was waiting. "Cool. You guys bring food, all right?"

Indiana looked at him over her shoulder, waving goodbye. When she saw him excitedly strumming an air guitar, she only laughed. "Terrible form, Macher."

☆︎

Indiana was pouting in the back seat of Dewey's patrol car. After leaving school early, Dewey took her to the hospital to meet with her sister. Virginia got home the night before at two in the morning and then had to be right back there twelve hours later for another long shift.

While there, Sidney mentioned the party, and Virginia flipped. She told Indy to stay away from Stu's, not thinking a party while a killer was running around was very smart.

Of course, Indiana was going to the fucking party. What, like she was gonna sit home alone, waiting for Ghostface to come pop in for a visit? At the very least, she'd be surrounded by people at Stu's house, and Tatum convinced Dewey to hang around the property in case anything happened.

Once they left the hospital — and Virginia believing a lie — Dewey mentioned having to drop by the police station. Since it was around the block from a supermarket, Tatum convinced them to go ahead and get the snacks for Stu's party a day early. Then they'd have the whole next day free.

When the car stopped and they all got out, Indiana looked around the area. She'd never seen Main Street look so empty. Stores had early closed signs up for the curfew, and no one was out enjoying the sunny weather. It was like the whole town was hiding.

"Sure is quiet," Dewey noted grimly.

Sidney nodded in agreement with a frown. "God, look at this place, it's The Town That Dreaded Sundown."

"Great movie," Indiana mumbled even though it wasn't the point she was trying to make.

"Yeah, I saw that movie with your sister," Dewey said, looking over at Indiana. "It's about a killer in Texas, huh?"

"Oh, hey, Sid, Indy. Just think if they make a movie about you, who's gonna play you?" Tatum then asked with a grin.

"Oh, I shudder to think," Sidney mumbled, adding a shudder for effect.

Dewey smiled down at her. "I see you as a young Meg Ryan, myself," he told her.

"Thanks, Dewey. But with my luck, they'd cast Tori Spelling," she joked.

"Me personally, I'd want them to call Rachael Leigh Cook. Ooh, or maybe Liv Tyler — she was so hot in Empire Records," Indiana said, grinning.

"I'm sure they'll take that into consideration," Dewey said, rolling his eyes in amusement. Then he stopped outside the station. "I'm just gonna be a few minutes. Don't go far."

The girls waved to him before walking off toward the store. Sidney was the one to grab a shopping cart, and despite being the tallest of the three girls, Indiana climbed inside like a child.

"Is Billy going to be there tomorrow?" Sidney asked uneasily as they were talking about the party plans.

"He'd better not be," Tatum said, not bothering to hide her grimace as they went inside. "I told Stu to keep his mouth shut. I think we can live without the endorphin rush for one night."

"And I won't tell him about it either," Indiana promised. The girls already knew she was staying at Billy's — she used the excuse of wanting to be close to home and Virginia when she came home from work in the middle of the night. "But also..."

"What?" Sidney asked, raising an eyebrow. They headed right to the junk food aisles.

Indiana shrugged with a small smile. "Billy and Stu are basically boyfriends. I know Stu will invite him."

"Well, no one fucking wants him there after the shit he said at school," Tatum grumbled.

Sidney had briefly explained the fight she got into with Billy before running to the bathroom. Now, after being attacked a second time, it didn't seem as bad to the girl. But she was still saddened over the fight.

"Billy's right, you know," Sidney mumbled as Tatum tossed about six bags of chips in the cart. "Whenever he touches me, I just can't relax."

"So, you have a few intimacy issues as a result of your mother's untimely death," Tatum said, shrugging. They moved on to get some ice cream. "It's no big deal, Sid. You'll thaw out."

"Just be glad he's being patient. A lot of guys wouldn't be," Indy added. "And not just the jock guys — most are asses."

"Is it really patience if he just doesn't want to?" Sidney asked quietly, cutting her eyes to Indy for a second.

"Sid, you're a total fuckin' piece," Indiana said, scoffing. "Of course, he wants to."

"Not really," she said quietly. "He sort of just... stopped trying a few months ago. He'll kiss me goodbye and hello and stuff, but that's really it. Not that I've been pressing for more. He's just different, and I mean, I get why."

"What do you mean why?" she asked, tilting her head and studying Sidney. "Did something happen with him?"

"It's not what happened, Indy," Tatum butt in, giving her a knowing look. "It's you."

Indiana drew her eyebrows in together, looking between the two girls, pretending to be clueless. Of course, she wasn't clueless, but she wouldn't dare let Sidney know that.

"It's not bad," Sidney told her, grabbing Indiana's hand and squeezing. "But I see the way he looks at you."

"What are you talking about?"

Sidney took in a deep breath. "I'm talking about Billy only being with me because of my mom dying and not wanting to pile onto the grief. But anyone with eyes can see he'd rather be with you."

Indiana froze. Wasn't the whole point of not acting on her feelings for Billy that Sidney wouldn't know? She'd done everything she was supposed to in order to avoid the current, kicked puppy dog expression on Sidney's face that was currently staring back at her.

"Don't say that, Sid," Indiana told her, her throat feeling tight. "He loves you."

"But not like he loves you," Sidney replied with a sad smile. "I'll be okay, whatever happens, ya know?"

"N - nothing is happening," she told her quickly, sitting up in the basket. "Nothing will happen. You know I'd never do that to you."

"But I don't want you to feel bad on the off chance that something does happen."

There was that familiar guilt that'd been eating away at Indiana since the moment she met Sidney, knowing how badly she wanted the girl's boyfriend. And here she was, giving her a free pass despite every rule in the book that says you can't fuck your friend's ex-boyfriend.

Indiana got on her knees, ignoring how the metal of the cart dug into her skin, and she grabbed the sides of Sidney's face, making her stop pushing the cart.

"Sidney, you are a perfect, precious, beautiful, kind—"

"Just kiss her, why don't ya?" Tatum asked snickering.

At that, Indiana looked at Sid, raising an eyebrow. Sidney recognized the look and gave the smallest, most amused nod. Indiana swooped in and pecked Sidney softly before pulling away, both girls grinning.

"Billy Loomis doesn't deserve you, Sid," Indiana told her seriously.

"Well, I'll make sure to have your seal of approval for the next one," Sidney said with a grin while beginning to go down the aisles again.

"Hey," Tatum said, nudging Indiana and messing up her balance as she tried to sit back down in the cart. "Billy doesn't deserve you, either. All right?"

Indiana nodded. She'd always thought so after that first summer full of his flirting before she found out about Sid.

But it didn't matter if he deserved her, because she'd always want him no matter what.