Last Summer 🔪Scream 1996

Ch. 1: Get Dressed

Chemistry is hard....

I'm sitting at my desk, twiddling my pencil as I stare at my notes. Tomorrow is the last day of my sophomore year and I want to be prepared for next year. I'm sifting through the periodic table as the phone on my bedside table rings.

Huffing, I stand and make my way towards the phone and answering it before it reaches its second ring. I barely have time to speak before I hear my best friend's voice coming through the speaker.

"Chris! Guess what?!"

"What Tiff?"

"I got invited to a upper classmen party!? Get dressed! We're going!"

"But..."

"Don't 'but' me. You hardly have any fun and your constantly cramped up in your room, Studying. You need to live a little!? Have fun!? Be a teenager!? So I'm coming to get your ass and we're going to go out and be teenagers who live life to the fullest, okay?"

"I-I don't know..."

"I'll even bring over some of my sister's clothes...she's already out."

"How is Bonnie? I haven't heard from her in awhile..."

"She's been hanging out with Casey and Maddy a lot...she's really turning into a bit-"

"CHISTINA?!"

"Hold on...my mom's callings for me..."

I lay the phone down before walking out of my room, heading for the living room banister. I looked down, seeing her dressed in her scrubs with her work bag draped over her shoulder. I smile a little as I walk down the stairs, meeting her in front of the beautiful glass door.

"Mi hija...I have to work another double so I won't see you until tomorrow night, okay? Dinner and breakfast are both in the fridge and your lunch money is in the cookie jar. I love you, Mi Amor. Sleep tight, okay?"

"I love you too, Mom..."

People are surprised when they find out that my mom is from Mexico, let alone a retired actress from the 70's. She quit after she got pregnant with me and my twin sister, who lives with my father. She became a nurse when I was nine and now works in the surgery department most nights.

I smile as she kisses my cheek, brushing my hair behind my ear before turning and walking out the door. I call out and stop her right before the door shuts, causing her to turn around.

"Mom? Is it okay if Tiffany stays the night? She's on the phone now and she was wanting to know..."

"I don't care...just make sure the house is clean before I get home tomorrow, okay?"

"Yes! Thanks mom! I love you!"

"Love you too...now go eat. You look staved."

I smile as the door shuts, leaving me alone in the big, empty house. I get jittery as I rush upstairs, picking back up the phone and lifting it to my ear.

"Tiff? You still there?"

"Of course I am, Chris. Where else would I be?"

"My mom just left for an overnight shift and she said that you can come over and stay the night!"

I smile as I fiddle with my nails, looking down at the cord as I wait for her reply.

"Perfect! Now we have a cover. I'll be at your place in five...get in the shower and shave everything. I've got the wardrobe."

"Wait Tiff-"

The line clicks before I can even get my sentence out. I didn't want to go out. I wanted to stay in and watch tapes of our favorite movies. I huff as I slam the phone onto the receiver, rolling my eyes as I walk into my ensuite bathroom. I strip as I turn on the hot water, walking out into my room as I grab underwear and my robe.

I completely forget about the open window as I stand in nothing but my slippers and my braided hair. I turn to shut off my radio when I see someone across the street, looking at me as they stand under a lamppost. I squeal as I shut the window, locking it before shutting the curtains.

That's what I get for being a dummy...

I shiver as I rush into my bathroom, slamming the door shut before locking it and hoping in the shower.

——

After my shower, I head downstairs in my robe as I avoid my bedroom window. I walk into the kitchen, jumping as I see my best friend eating my dinner.

"Tiff!? When did you get here?!"

"Oooo! Someone's jumpy! Don't worry...I just got here. You were still in the shower belting out Stevie Nicks so I helped myself to your kitchen..."

I walk over, taking the fork out of her hand right before it reaches her mouth. She looks up in surprise as I eat it, a smirk on my face as her eyes show nothing but betrayal. I giggle as I grab the casserole dish, taking another bite as Tiffany huffs. She grabs another fork and starts eating it again, both of us hunched over the counter as we enjoy my mom's cooking.

"This is the best.."

"You should try my mom's fried chicken....you would love that shit..."

"I already have..twice."

"Oh yeah..."

We laugh as we take one last bite. She grabs the cover, putting away the leftovers before looking up at me.

"We should get ready...the party starts in an hour..."

"Okay...."

I gulp as she smiles, grabbing my arm as she leads me towards the stairs. We get to my room, where I see bags all over my bed that I didn't see before. Tiff walks over, unlocking and opening my window a crack before shutting the curtains again. I watch as the white fabric floats in the wind, dancing every time a breeze blows through.

Tiffany starts to dig into bags, pulling out different garments before holding them up while looking in my floor length mirror. She looks up when I don't move, giving me a concerned look as she drops a dress on my bed.

"What's wrong, Chris?"

I look at the window, not seeing anything across the street. I sigh as I smile at my best friend, walking over so she can dress me up.

"Nothing..Tiff...why don't we just get ready?"

"You can say that again!"

She smiles at me before grabbing another outfit.

🔪🗡

A/N

This is my first Scream book...so bare with me, okay?

Drink water!!!!

Love
-the Author