killer queen; ethan landry

chapter one: party's over

chapter one: party's over
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Jason pulls his mask off, proud of killing his professor. He steps back, checking his surroundings before grabbing his backpack. But before he can disrobe, he's stabbed in the back with the same model knife associated with the mask.

Another Ghostface is standing as Jason's body falls. He coughs on blood for a moment, before his eyes grow still. The Ghostface still standing has a bag of their own, stuffing Jason's Ghostface costume as well as their own to hide any and all evidence.

Emerging from the alley inconspicuously is Riley Adams, student at Blackmore University. She takes out a pen and paper from a side pocket of her backpack. She crosses off a name from her list. Jason paid for what he did to her, but he was just the easiest target. There's more to her plan.

A phone call from her friend, Tara, makes her groan in frustration. She reaches for her phone, vibrating from her pocket. "Hey, Tara." She drags out her greeting, feeling guilty for being late.

"You were supposed to meet me at my apartment half an hour ago," Tara tells Riley. "Just get ready and meet me at the party, okay?"

"You got it." Riley hangs up, frustrated at herself. But she looks beside her at a convenience store. Conveniently, the store is selling costumes.

***

Ethan and Chad are dancing at the party. Chad hypes up his roommate, trying to get him ready to talk to girls at the party. "Time to start making moves. Yeah, get you out there. Introduce you to some girls!"

Ethan looks around, his eyes searching for Rylie. They have every class together, and have quickly grown to be close friends. He shakes his head, "Nah, I'm good."

Chad knows him. He rolls his eyes. "Riley ain't worth it, man."

Ethan rolls his eyes, never appreciating Chad's negative comments about Rylie. Sure she's an ex, but Chad shouldn't continue to be negative about her.

His face lights up, finally spotting Riley in the crowd. She apologizes to Tara for being late.

Ethan ignores and leaves Chad, before heading to Riley. He taps her shoulder, her expression brightening with a smile and sparkling eyes when she sees him. "Hey, Ethan!"

He's glad his cheesy costume and the dim lighting can hide the blush in his cheeks from her being so excited to see him. "I didn't think you'd make it. Tara said you were coming with her?"

"I got caught up in something, then had to drop my bag off at my apartment. I told her I'd meet her here." She takes his hand, half dragging him to the living room. "Wanna dance?"

Ethan isn't one to dance or be too social, but he can't say no to her. He follows her, happy that she's still got him by the hand. She only lets go to dance, moving to the rhythm of the music. He dances too, getting a little more comfortable as they dance closer together.

She's dressed as a slasher nurse with real blood on her costume — the exchange got messy when changing from her clothes before into the costume.

"I'm glad you could make it," Riley admits. He's the realest friend she has right now. Their dancing slows down to almost standing, the space between them getting closer. Ethan tries to reach for her hand, their fingertips touching, when a fight breaks out and catches their attention.

The two rush over to see who it is, seeing Sam and Chad face off with a frat boy. Rylie can read the scene, seeing that Tara was trying to hangout with the frat guy.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," Sam steps between Chad and the guy. "I'm going to take your balls real quick." Sure enough, she takes a taser to the frat's balls. He falls to the ground in pain.

Tara and Riley briefly make eye contact, Riley seeing how embarrassed her friend is. Tara takes off, Riley immediately going after her.

"Holy shit, it's that psycho girl!" Partygoers pull their phones out, recognizing and chattering about Sam. She flees the party out of embarrassment, and chases after her sister. Ethan, Chad, and others from the friend group — Anika and Mindy — leave as well.

"Tara, will you stop?" Sam calls out.

"I cannot believe you did that!" Tara spits back. "You embarrassed me."

"That guy was a dick. He was going to take advantage of you."

"So?"

The sisters stop to face one another. Sam doesn't understand, "So?"

"If I want to hook up with an asshsole, that's my decision. It's my decision!" Riley can see Tara's frustration. "You're out of my life for five years, and then you can't leave me alone for five minutes."

"Because you're not dealing with what happened to us. Have you even gone to see the counselor?"

"Because I'm uninterested in living like the past like you are."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Chad tries to cut in. "Guys, come on."

Riley's eyes shoot him a glare. "Shut up, Chad." She's mainly just giving him attitude towards him because he does this to her. But she also knows the sisters need to have this talk.

Tara continues, "It means I'm not going to let what happened to us for three days define the rest of my life."

Rylie slowly steps away from the sisters, subconsciously towards Ethan, while watching the sisters. She tries to not think too deeply about Tara's 'living in the past' point, as she too is — in a way — living in the past. But she's got a plan to get past it all.

Suddenly, a girl runs over and dumps a drink all over Sam. The girl has a group of friends filming everything.

"Murderer!"

"What the fuck is wrong with you, bitch?" Sam is held back by Chad and Tara.

"You guys should stay away from her," the other girl says. "She knows what she did."

Riley notices Ethan clench his jaw.

Sam defends herself. "I didn't fucking do anything!"

The girl's group of friends all walk away. Mindy and Anika walk off too. Chad tries to bring Tara along, as he leaves the situation.

Ethan stays beside Riley, but offers Sam some tissues. He realizes he only has three. She accepts them, dabbing herself dry. She goes back to her apartment upset.

Ethan and Rylie walk slowly — both on purpose so they can spend more time together, alone.