DIET MOUNTAIN DEW • SCREAM 1996

0.6: " PERPETUAL AVOIDANCE "

0.6: " PERPETUAL AVOIDANCE "

SEPTEMBER 23RD, 1996

BENNY MERCER is not a scaredy cat. Let it be known that Benny isn't one to be fearful easily. His favorite all-time genre is horror and thriller, but after he got that threatening phone call, Benny was scared shitless. If there was one thing that the boy hated to no end, it was someone watching him.

The thought of eyes following his every move, perhaps marking down every habit he has or maybe even everything he says, is beyond unnerving. It made him uncomfortable to the point of tears. Not to mention, the person threatened both his and Willow's lives.

But with Billy and Stu, Benny felt safe.

The teen spent the entire weekend latched onto their sides or hiding under his sheets. He slept over at Stu's, or they slept at his place. Honestly, he was beginning to think he made them annoyed with his constant presence. Benny brought up his anxieties, and Stu only laughed it off, and Billy claimed they'd never get sick of him.

It warmed Benny's heart, and he was even more willing to stay by their side.

Throughout these days, though, the brunet would have to dodge Willow's calls like bombs. Each time he heard the phone ring out, a wave of guilt would flood through his veins. Her voice messages were even worse, and hearing her sweet voice transform to something cold and angry made Benny want to cry.

He couldn't understand how any of this was fair. All the boy wanted was to be like a normal teenager and go out on dates with cute girls, but instead, he's getting stalked, and the girl he likes is being threatened.

But as always, life goes on, and by Sunday, Willow had ceased her calls. Benny was both relieved and disappointed, but he knew it was for the best. He didn't want the girl to get hurt, and neither did he want to end up dead in a ditch somewhere.

School rolled around, and Benny was invaded with a new sense of fear. The boy shared his first period with the Pierson girl. There was no getting out of it. Though, that didn't mean Benny wouldn't try his damn best to put it off.

"Come on, Benny." Billy groaned lowly, a hand gripping the smaller boy's ankle and tugging it in an attempt to get him out of bed. "We're gonna be late."

"Don' wanna." Benny grumbled with his face shoved into a pillow, effectively muddling his words.

The newly turned seventeen year old huffed. "I guess there's no choice." Billy mumbled before he began to yell. "Stu! Get your giant ass–"

Stu was in the room so fast, even Billy had a disturbed look on his face. The blond grinned brightly, "Yes, my dear best friend, how may I be of service?'

The other boy only pointed vaguely at their stubborn friend with a scowl. "Get him up. I'm exhausted."

Benny's eyes widened in fear as he caught sight of the mischievous look in Stu's blue hues. Before he could even scream for help, Stu had hauled him over his shoulder and dumped him in the bathroom.

Let's just say they made it to school on time.

—

" PLEASE . . . I can't see her." Benny whined, hooking his fingers into Stu's shirt as his best friends attempted to pull him off and send him to class.

"You said she stopped calling already. Just ignore her. She's probably going to give you the cold shoulder anyway." Billy tried his best to patiently explain while also manhandling the smaller brunet off their big friend.

Benny had explained the situation minus the phone call. He had felt guilty for invading their time with his presence, so he told them the truth about Willow. He explained how he lied to them and how bad he felt about it. However, instead of getting pissed like he thought they would, his best friends just pulled him into a long embrace. They coaxed him until he fell asleep.

"Fine." The boy huffed, letting go of Stu just as Billy gave a mighty pull. They were sent sprawling into a large pile of limbs. Stu was the first to start cackling, which made Benny start giggling, and even Billy let out a few chuckles.

"Tch."

Benny went silent, though, when he heard the angered scoff. He glanced up in fear and caught sight of Willow's sneering face. The boy immediately darted his eyes to the ground in shame. He let Stu lift his body up, too focused on the click of Willow's heel as she walked away.

"Did she just scoff at us?" Billy scowled, his natural bitch face becoming harsher with anger.

Stu was frowning too as he watched the girl slip into a classroom. He turned back to Benny, and the smaller boy quickly understood the blond was serious when he said: "I can get Tatum to beat her ass. Just say the word, bud."

Benny shook his head vigorously and messed with his earring. "No, uh, I deserve it. Uhm, I-I'll see ya at lunch."

Then he was gone, disappearing behind the closed door of his English class. The two boys remaining shared a look before walking off themselves.

—

BENNY WASN'T a very sociable person typically, so it was all too easy to cower into a corner and ignore everyone but his best friends. From break to lunch, the boy would stick to Billy, Stu, or at some point both of them like an urchin.

The boy had an inkling they were enjoying it a bit too much. All day they were smiling and in a very caring mood. The most obvious change was Billy as he went from his stoic darkness to more of a mother hen with Benny so close. The one who noticed it the most was his one and only girlfriend, Sidney Prescott.

"You're different today, Billy." The girl mentioned offhandedly during lunch period.

They were positioned on a large fountain in the school courtyard. Benny honestly didn't know why his friends enjoyed this spot so much. He felt like he was gonna melt with so much direct sunlight. Billy was the first to notice the boy's discomfort and nudged him to a small spot that was shaded by a tree. Where Randy was actually sitting, but one glare from the Loomis boy sent him scrambling away.

Billy raised his nicely shaped brow as he gently swiped a leaf from Benny's fluffy curls. Soon he walked back to his girlfriend and positioned himself behind her leaving Benny to cool off comfortably.

"You haven't noticed before?" Tatum spoke up from where she was whispering to Stu playfully. "Billy and Stu are always so much nicer around Benny. I honestly get a little jealous sometimes."

The words were said in a jokingly mad way, but it still made Stu tense up.

Benny glanced over a bit confused. He never really noticed a change when the boys were with him. Perhaps Billy was a bit more talkative, but that was about it. Stu was always nice and although Billy seemed like a hardass, he was a sweetheart through and through.

Stu laughed off the comment with a shake of his head and a kiss to Tatum's cheek.

"Hey, Benny. Can we talk?" The voice made everyone pause, but no one was as surprised as Benny. His head snapped up and he flinched when his eyes met Willow's own.

It felt like every one of his nerves were on fire. The boy didn't know whether to turn her down or not. He really wanted to be able to explain himself, but at the same time he had a feeling that whoever his stalker is would know if he did. Benny couldn't help himself as he glanced at Billy and Stu but their faces were frustratingly blank, providing no help whatsoever.

Benny sighed, about to quietly decline when familiar blue painted fingers latched onto his arm and tugged him away.

—

red speaks!

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