Chapter 3

Monday. The day Stacey feared the most. She knew she was going to be the center of attention since her face was plastered all over the news since she was attacked and witnessed the murders. Randy was right. She was a final girl.

Stacey gets out of bed and goes to her bathroom to take a shower. As she rinses her long blonde hair, she thinks about the phone calls and how Casey screamed as soon as she saw Steve's dead body. It wasn't the blood or the terrifying mask that stuck to Stacey. It was Casey's piercing scream... a scream of pure terror. She couldn't stop hearing that damn scream that was sure to haunt her dreams in the next few months to say the least.

She brushes her teeth and puts on a little makeup, mainly to hide the horrible bruises that cover her fair skin. While she looks in the mirror, something gets her attention. Attached to her vanity is a note that wasn't there before. She opens the carefully folded white paper and gasps as soon as she reads the note. AREN'T YOU GLAD I SPARED YOU? I TURNED YOU INTO A FINAL GIRL. Stacey decides to hide the note. Maybe it was just a prank. She didn't need any more attention.

After putting the note inside her diary, Stacey opens her closet and picks an outfit. She decides to wear a blue plaid skirt, a white top and a baby blue cardigan. For shoes, she picks her favorite blue wedges and smiles as soon she looks in the mirror. Stacey brushes her hair and decides to wear it down. Keep it simple.

As soon as she gets downstairs, she takes a whiff of the coffee her mother just made. "Morning, mom!" She greets her mother a soft kiss on the cheek and pours some coffee into her Freddy mug. It was given to her by Randy as a Christmas present.

"Honey, are you sure you're ready to go to school?" Her mother asks, clearly worried about the reporters.

"I need to get my life back." Stacey takes a sip of her coffee. "If I hide, the press won't leave this story alone and it will turn into a bigger thing that it needs to be." She raises her eyebrows. "So what, a couple of kids got killed and I was there... It doesn't mean there's a serial killer on the loose and it doesn't mean I'm a hopeless victim. I'm not a final girl."

"A final girl?" Her mother questions.

Stacey finishes her coffee. "It doesn't matter." She grabs her brown backpack and kisses her mom. "I'll be home after cheer practice." She turns to the door and opens it, clashing into someone. "What the fuck?!" She grabs her backpack from the floor.

Stu Macher smiles at the blonde girl. "I was going to ring the doorbell." He defends himself.

Stacey jumps into his arms and kisses his soft lips. "I didn't know you were picking me up."

He puts his girlfriend on the ground with a goofy grin. "If I had known you were going to be so happy to see me, I would have come sooner so we could do stuff." He winks at her and Stacey rolls her eyes.

"Let's just go to school and we can do stuff later." She smiles.

Stu gets behind Stacey and grabs her waist. "And what do you have in mind?" He gently kisses her neck.

The blonde smiles and decides to tease her boyfriend. "I was thinking about something that involves exercise and basically no clothes."

"You are a very naughty girl." Stu chuckles and Stacey feels his excitement growing in his pants.

"And you are a very horny boy." Stacey smirks and Stu decides to hold her hand. It was true that he couldn't control himself whenever they were together. She had some sort of mystical power over him and whenever she touched him, he got a boner. Damn, he got a boner just from thinking about her. The boy was crazy about that blonde vixen.

...

Woodsboro High School

As soon as Stacey and Stu approached their school, they saw four reporters giving their own version of news reports. "What the fuck is going on?" The blonde asks.

"I guess the news of the murders really spread fast." Stu starts rubbing his girlfriend's shoulders. "I'm here for you, baby." He kisses the top of her head and Stacey smiles softly.

A reporter in her thirties is holding a microphone as she smiles at the camera. Her hair was perfectly placed and her blue eyes were sparkling. It's as if she's enjoying the brutality of the murders. "The small town of Woodsboro, California was devastated last night when two young teenagers were brutally butchered. Authorities have yet to issue a statement but our sources tell us that no arrest has been made and the murderer could strike again..."

Stacey holds Stu's hand tightly as they are approached by Sidney Prescott, a pretty brunette with a sweet smile, and Tatum Riley, Deputy Riley's younger sister and one of Stacey's best friends. "Do you believe this shit?" Tatum shakes her head in disbelief.

"What happened?" Sidney asks, clearly in the dark.

The foursome start walking toward the school with Stu wrapping his arms around Stacey's shoulders. "Fuck! You don't know?" He asks with a huge grin. "Damn, Sidney, you're in total darkness here." Stacey just stays quiet.

"Casey Becker and Steve Orth were killed two nights ago." Tatum states.

Sidney looks at her friend. "No way."

"And not just killed, Sid. We're talking splatter movie killed, split open end to end." The blonde cheerleader informs her friend.

Stacey buries her face on Stu's chest. "Nice going, Tatum." He scolds her.

Tatum gasps, horrified. "I'm so sorry, Stace. I forgot you were actually there."

"Wait, you were there?" Sidney asks her friend.

Stacey nods and looks at the girls. "I didn't seem them get killed. The killer knocked me down."

Sidney places her hand on Stacey's back in a comforting manner. "You're lucky to be alive." The blonde nods and Sidney turns to the group. "Casey Becker? She sits next to me in English." The brunette remembers.

"Not anymore." Tatum says. "Her parents found her hanging from a tree. Her insides on the outside." Her face contorts in disgust.

"Hello?" Stu puts himself in front of the girls and waves his hands dramatically. "Could you be more sensitive? Survivor girl here has major trauma." He points at his girlfriend.

"It's okay, really." Stacey smiles. "I've come to terms with what happened. I just want to move one."

Sidney looks at Stacey. "Do they know who did it? Did you recognize the killer?"

Stacey shakes her head. "He was wearing a ghost mask."

"Fucking clueless." Tatum chimes in. "They're interrogating the entire school. Teachers, students, staff, janitors..."

"They think it's school related?" Sidney asks in a soft tone.

"I was interrogated at the hospital." Stacey replies. "The rage present in the killings suggests someone really hated Steve and Casey."

"Who wouldn't hate them?" Stu grins and Stacey pinches him. "Ouch!"

Tatum laughs and Stu glares at her. She turns to Sidney. "They don't know. Dewey said this is the worst crime they've ever seen. Even worse than..." Tatum stops and shares a look with Stacey. Clearly, she was thinking about Sidney's mom's murder. "Well, it's bad. They're bringing in the feds. This is big."

Sidney looks back at Gale Weathers, the reporter responsible for Maureen Prescott's news. The pretty brunette really hated the reporter and the sentiment was shared by Stacey. Gale mentioned in a news that the blonde teenager was involved in Casey's murder. What a bitch!

...

It is lunch time and Stacey meets her friends outside near the fountain where they usually have hang. Sidney is sitting between her boyfriend's, Billy Loomis, legs. Tatum sits near Stu, they have a really complicated relationship since they hooked up last year. On Tatum's other side sits Randy. He's the geek of the group but Stacey believes he's the coolest of the bunch.

As soon as Stacey walks to the group, Tatum moves and the blonde sits next to her boyfriend who drapes his arm across her back. "Hunt? Why would they ask if you like to hunt?" Tatum asks in confusion.

"I don't know. They just did." Stu answers.

"They asked me the same thing." Stacey replies while pulling a sandwich from her lunch bag.

Randy grins like an idiot. "Because they're bodies were gutted." He looks at Tatum.

Sidney flinches. "Thanks Randy." Billy glares at the boy.

"They didn't ask me if I like to hunt." Tatum continues.

Stu chuckles. "Because there's no way a girl could've killed them."

"That is so sexist." Stacey replies with a raised eyebrow. "The killer could easily be female."

"Yeah." Tatum agrees. "Basic Instinct anyone."

"That was an ice pick." Both Randy and Stacey answer. "Not exactly the same." The nerdy boy continues.

Stu shoots daggers with his eyes at Randy. "Yeah, Casey and Steve were completely hollowed out. Takes a man to do something like that."

"Or a man's mentality." Stacey fills in. "Either way, I'm sure the killer is a guy. I heard his voice."

Tatum runs Stacey's arm. "Shit! You were there. I keep forgetting that."

"How do you gut someone?" Sidney asks, almost in a whisper.

All eyes turn to her in silence. "You take a knife and slit from groin to sternum." Stu answers in an instant. Seem almost excited about the image.

Sidney shivers and Stacey elbows her boyfriend while everyone else just rolls their eyes at him. "Nice going, fucker." Tatum says.

"What?" Stu shrugs. "She asked."

"It's called tact, you fuckrag." Billy responds while embracing Sidney.

Stu looks at Sidney with guilt in his eyes. "Sorry."

"Remember in Jaws when they caught the wrong shark at first and Richard Dreyfuss cut it open to look for body parts and all they found was a license plate and all this white milky goo?" Randy questions. Only he could come up with something so random and visual.

Stu leans over and punches Randy in the arm. "You heard Billy. Shut the fuck up."

"Hey, Stu!" Sidney calls out. "Didn't you use to date Casey?"

Stu seems surprised by her question. "For about two seconds."

"More like 6 months." Stacey corrects him.

"Before she dumped him for Steve." Randy mocks him.

Tatum turns to Stu. "I thought you dumped her for me before realizing your love for Stace." She seemed genuinely upset.

"I did. He's full of shit." Stu defends himself.

"And are the police aware you dated the victim?" Randy points at Stu in an accusing manner.

Stu looks at Randy offended. "What are you saying? That I killed her or something?"

Stacey holds his hand and smiles. "He's not saying that. Right, Randy?" She glares at her friend.

"It would certainly improve your high school Q." Randy responds.

"I went to the movies last night." Stu replies.

Randy smirks. "Was that before or after you sliced and diced?"

Stacey is mad. "Fuck you, nut case. Stu would never hurt me." She defends her boyfriend.

"Where were you last night?" Tatum questions her friend with a teasing smile.

"Working, thank you very much." The nerdy friend answers.

"I thought Blockbuster fired your ass." Tatum crosses her arms.

"Twice." Randy smiles as he steals a grape from Tatum.

Stu sighs, much to Stacey surprise. "I didn't kill anybody." He finally speaks.

"No one's saying you did." Billy states.

Stu turns to his friend and smiles. "Thanks, buddy."

"Besides..." Randy stands up, mimicking Stu. "Takes a man to do something like that."

Stu stands up and points at Randy. ""I'm gonna gut your ass in a second." He threatens.

Stacey laughs and Randy gets on the ledge of the fountain, turning to Stu. "Did you really put her liver in the mailbox? I hear they found her liver in the mailbox."

Tatum makes a face and looks at Stacey. "Randy, you goonfuck. I'm eating here."

Stacey touches Tatum's hair while laughing. "Yeah Randy, she's getting mad." The blonde confirms.

"I think you better liver alone." Stu jokes and laughs as the rest of the group just leaves their spot. "You got the joke, right baby?" He asks Stacey.

Stacey just shakes her head and holds Tatum's hand before showing the finger to Stu. That boy didn't know the meaning of boundaries.

...

The Hastings' Residence

Stacey arrives home and finds a note from her mother, saying she is going away on business and won't be back for a couple of days. Thank God, she left money and stocked the pantry but Stacey did not want to stay home alone.

She immediately dials Sidney's number and waits for her to answer. "Hey, Sid My mom had a work emergency and left me alone. Do you mind if I stay at your house?"

"No problem. You can meet me up here." Sidney smiles. "Tatum said she was gonna pick me up after cheer practice so we could have a girl's night since my dad went away on a business trip."

"Do you think Tate will mind that I tag along?" Stacey asks nervously.

"No way." The brunette answers.

The blonde sighs. "Things have been weird between us since I started dating Stu."

Sidney pauses. "Tatum knows you and Stu were meant to be together. I promise she's fine with you two being an item and she really doesn't mind spending time with you."

"I guess..." Stacey twirls the phone wire. "So, I'm gonna pack an overnight bag and I'll stop by your house in 20."

"Cool." Sidney smiles. "See ya."

"See ya." Stacey hangs up and goes upstairs to her room.

Stacey grabs some clothes, her hair brush, tooth bush, slippers, makeup and some other essentials and puts it inside her pink gym bag. She knows the girls like to gossip about boys and other stuff so she decides to take a few snacks as a way of thanking Tatum. Ever since Stu and Stacey made up last year before summer vacation, Tatum had been on the fence with her. After Casey and Stu broke up, he hooked up with Tatum and she told Sidney she was falling for him, until he broke up with her and told her he was in love with Stacey. She felt guilty and tried to talk to Tatum about it, however, the blonde would always change the subject.

...

Sidney's House

Stacey arrives at Sidney's house and is immediately greeted by her friend. "Did I take long?" She asks.

"Not at all." Sidney grabs her bag and puts it on the couch. "I was just gonna watch some TV."

"Sounds like a plan." Stacey says in agreement. "What about Tatum?"

Sidney looks at the clock. "She said she would be here by 7. Shouldn't you be at practice?"

"I decided not to go." Stacey takes off her light blue cardigan, showing her bruises. "He really roughed me up."

"I'm so sorry." Sidney says with pity in her voice.

Stacey smiles and nods softly. "Let's just watch TV."

Sidney grabs the remote and turn on the TV. "The entire nation was shocked today by the teen murders in California..." A reporter states.

The brunette switches channels. "The State Bureau of Investigation has joined forces with local authorities to help catch what the Governor has called the most heinous..."

Once again she switches channels. "This is not the first time the small town of Woodsboro has endured such tragedy." Gale Weathers states, her eyes giving the girls the creeps. "Only a year ago, Maureen Prescott, wife and mother, was found raped and murdered..." A picture of Maureen shows up on screen and Sidney just freezes.

Stacey turn the TV off and grabs Sidney's shoulders. "It's okay, Sid. We both know what it's like to face a killer." She hugs her friend. "I know your mom would be proud of you for testifying, That was a badass move."

Sidney grabs a movie and decides to put it on. "We should distract ourselves from the real world."

"I agree." Stacey smiles and sits on the couch while Sidney presses play and they both watch Interview with the Vampire. "Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt look so hot in this movie." The blonde smirks and Sidney laughs.

...

It's past 7 and Tatum still hasn't arrived. Suddenly, the phone rings and Sidney immediately answers it. "Practice ran late. I'm on my way."

"It's past 7." Sidney points.

"Don't worry. Stacey is keeping you company." Tatum states. "Besides, Casey and Steve didn't bit it til way past 10."

Sidney looks at Stacey. "I'm not worried."

"Good, cause I wanna swing by Blockbuster and get us a video. I was thinking Tom Cruise in All the Right Moves. You know, if you pause it just right you can see his penis." She giggles.

"Whatever. Just hurry." Sidney demands, annoyed by her friend.

"Bye." Tatum says before hanging up.

Stacey sits on the edge of the couch and stares at Sidney. "Did Tatum ditch us?"

"No. Practice ran late and she is going to Blockbuster to rent a video." Sidney rolls her eyes. The phone starts ringing again and she picks it up, hoping it is Tatum. "Tatum?"

A man's voice echoes through the phone. "Hello, Sidney." It's him. The killer that taunted Casey and Stacey before striking. The same voice that lured Stacey and made her believe the girls were safe. Sidney looks at Stacey without moving and the blonde knows exactly what that means.