𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐋, ghostface

𝟬𝟬𝟮. first call

I HATED PARTIES, AND this was exactly why. Anika came rushing over, her face tight with urgency, telling us that some guy was taking Tara upstairs. Not on my watch. Tara's almost like a little sister to me — maybe because one night, she showed up at my apartment, her eyes red and swollen, and broke down about everything that happened in Woodsboro.

She needed someone to just be there, someone to stroke her hair and listen without judgment. I didn't hesitate; I was more than happy to be that person.

"Tara!" I called out, spotting her just as she was halfway up the stairs. I reached out, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward me. But the guy she was with tightened his grip, his fingers clinging possessively as if he had any right.

Chad moved in beside me, keeping his cool. His easygoing smile was in place, but I could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes were locked on the guy. "Hey man, Tara's better with us down here," He said, trying to play it friendly. But I knew Chad too well.

Tara's hand slipped out of mine. "No, Jo, I'm fine," She insisted, her eyes meeting mine with a pleading look that made my chest tighten. But the heavy scent of alcohol on her breath told me everything I needed to know — she wasn't thinking straight.

"Chad, I want to," She said softly, glancing at me too and placing her hand on the guy's chest, as if to reassure Chad and me both. And for a brief second, I almost let her go. I mean, I get it. Sometimes you just want to make a reckless decision, even if it means hooking up with an asshole. But then the asshole decided to push his luck.

"See, Chad, she wants to." He turned to me, his eyes full of arrogance as he smirked. "You know, you could join."

That was it. Before I even registered my own anger, my fist was already flying. It connected squarely with his face, the impact sending a satisfying jolt through my knuckles. He stumbled back, clutching his nose as his eyes flared with fury. "You bitch!" He spat, and I could see the moment he decided to lunge.

But before he could reach me, a body stepped in front of mine, blocking his path, Evan.

"Hey, I think she has something to tell you," He said, motioning to Sam, who appeared like she'd materialized out of thin air, her expression cold and unyielding.

"Yeah, excuse me. So now I'm gonna tase you in the balls real quick," She announced, her voice dripping with calm menace. And she did just that, while Evan slowly pulled me away from the scene.

"Don't ever lay hands on my sister or my friend again," She warned.

I felt a rush of relief, but when I turned to Tara, my grin faded. She was glaring at her sister, her eyes hard and accusing. "Are you fucking kidding me?" She snapped. The guilt hit me like a wave, and I opened my mouth, ready to apologize, but before I could, Evan grabbed my arm and completely pulled me away from the crowd.

"C'mon, we need to get something for your hand," Evan said, guiding me into the kitchen. I shrugged, trying to act casual. "I'm fine, really. It doesn't even hurt." But he wasn't having any of it, his grip firm as he led me forward.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "I'm fine, really."

"Yeah, and Chad's a genus," He shot back, raising a brow at me.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes again. "Evan, I'm fine. Like, no joke, no cap, no... whatever. Plus, it's not even the first time I've punched someone this month."

He stopped so suddenly that I walked right into his back. "You what?" He asked, turning to face me, his eyes narrowed in concern.

I pulled my hand from his grasp, trying to ignore the way the coolness of his touch felt against my skin. "It's no big deal. Sam and I were at a bar, and some asshole wouldn't take no for an answer, so I punched him. End of story."