Shrill *VERY unholy version*

Chapter 7

The halls stayed clear when I walked through them, but I wasn't going to complain. I could walk without getting ran over now. I didn't have to worry about a stray football making its way to my face or a piece of paper slipping me up. School is a peaceful place... At least for me. Then Gale with her camera man interrupted me.

"Gale." I addressed.

"Megan. I'd like a few words please."

"You're not allowed in here. Police and principal Himbry told press they weren't allowed in the school."

"You're my baby sister. And the hot news of the day. So, tell me. Did you kill those two teenagers in a jealous rage? Steven was hiding you behind his back and eventually you snapped when you realized he would never give up his prettier, innocent girlfriend." Gale speculated.

"You're worse than I thought. Not only are you accusing me of murder but you're accusing a dead person of adultery. Speaking ill of the dead isn't totally new for you though, is it?" I cocked my head to the side in fake curiosity. "Now if you'll excuse me Ms. Wethers," I spit vehemently. "I have a class to get to." I walked past her briskly, but she caught my arm.

"That wasn't an answer, Megan." She pressed. I looked to the camera on my other side.

"Fine, you want a story so bad? No, I did not kill my classmates Casey Becker and Steven Orth. No, I was not sleeping around with Steven Orth. Yes, I was there that night and yes, I was in a cop car. But I arrived on scene in that car for my own protection because your book-" I pointed at Gale and took a deep breath before saying the next part slower. "Has put my life in danger more times than I can count. Because you are so selfish you don't realize your actions do have consequences and those consequences hurt me." I yanked my wrist out of her grip before turning back to the camera. "How's that for your big story?" I curtsied and went to class like nothing even happened.

Just before making it I was yanked into a different, empty, classroom. "He-" A hand covered my mouth and my back hit his chest. He wrapped his other hand around both of my free hands behind my back. "Sh sh sh sh sh." A finger tapped against my cheek. "You did a bad thing, Megan~" A low voice sang in my ear. His lips lightly brushed against my helix. I whipped my head away, but he gripped my cheeks. "Quit it, bitch." He seethed. "You and I both know you shouldn't have said what you said at lunch." He whispered into the other ear. Billy. "Bad, bad, girl." He mocked. "And bad girls get punished." He bit my ear lobe just slightly. My eyes widened and legs clenched. What the hell is he thinking? "Telling on me like that. So publicly too." He pushed me over a desk. "I'm going to remove this hand; it'd be wise that you keep your mouth shut." Billy removed the hand over my mouth. 

"Billy, please-" I whispered.

"I said shut up, slut." He pushed my head harder on the desk and pulled out a knife. "Stay girl." He taunted. I felt the cool metal against my throat and stilled completely.

The doorknob began to rattle and before anything else could happen Stu walked in. In shock, Billy pulled himself off of me. "Stu!" I cried out collapsing into his chest. 

"What's going on in here?" Stu pulling me by my shoulders away from him and looked me in my eyes. "I was following you to keep an eye out and I lost you. I'm so sorry, baby." Stu held me again.

"Don't be too sorry, she was the one seducing me." Billy lied. My body stilled other than my shaking head.

"No, no, no, no. Stu, don't listen to him. He was covering my mouth, Stu. I think he was going to hurt me." I gripped the hem of Stu's white sweater for comfort.

"Billy, I told you to leave her alone. I don't want her a part of this." Stu pleaded. So, Stu was talking to Billy that morning.

"Ever since you two started seeing each other, you've been off your game, man." Billy's voice got more comforting and sympathetic. The voice of a manipulator. "And you're cheating on Tatum with her. That makes her one of them. She's trying to deceive you, Stu. Turn you into the bad guy... just like my dad. She's just like her." Billy said. I could feel Stu stiffen.

"What are you even talking about? Stu, you are not the bad guy here."

"If she found out what you did, Stu, she'd turn you in. She'd tell everybody. You'd be in cuffs before you could dare beg for her forgiveness."

"What is he talking about, Stu? I wouldn't do that, Stuey, I promise I wouldn't. You have to talk to me love, that's the only way I can help." I held his jaw in my hands and he relaxed a bit, taking in the feeling before pulling away.

"No, no, no. I can't tell you. He's right, you'll be mad at me." He said.

"Ok, ok. That's okay." I begged softly. "But he's crazy, baby. I would never turn you in." I whispered. "Never."

"I know, I know. Think, Stu, think." He was wracking his brain for ideas.

"Stuart, there is only one way this can go. Give me Megan, now." Billy grew stern, like an angry parent.

"Stu, don't. I can stay away, I promise. We can break up if you want. Don't let him hurt me." I started crying again.

"No, don't cry, please. I won't let him hurt you. Just give me another week, ok. I'll settle things with Tatum, and everything will be okay." Stu said. Billy huffed behind me. "Let's just go to class." Stu said wiping my eyes of tears.

"See you around, Princess." Billy slipped by me. My eyes widened.

"What did you just call me?" I rushed out the door, but he was gone.

"What's the matter?" Stu asked.

"That's what the stalker called me. 'Princess', like it was both flirtatious and an insult." I explained. "Stu, is it possible Billy called me-" And he talked to him that morning saying to never call me again. "You- You're right. We should have some space for a week." I squeaked out.

"Megan, don't do anything crazy." Stu warned with his arms up in a surrender.

"I already told you; I won't say anything." I walked away in shock. The conversation in the room sounded a lot like the one he had on the phone; Billy called me Princess JUST like the guy on the phone. Is Billy stalking me? Does Stu know? And what is this plan that'll get them into trouble? Do I even want to know that? Then there's the murder. Will that happen again? Am I also on the hit list?