Dots and Dashes | Billy Loomis, Stu Macher; Scream 1996

Eight

Ophelia's school day was shorter than she expected. Almost as soon as she left Stu in the hallway and made it to her class, the school went into a brief lockdown because the killer was supposedly there. Ophelia wasn't sure if she took the lockdown seriously. There was already at least one person in the building with the killer's costume messing around and scaring people. She was almost positive that whatever caused this lockdown wasn't as serious as they thought.

In that same breath, Ophelia couldn't help but wonder further about the validity of a threat. Teenagers seemed to be the target at this point, starting with Casey and Steve and moving on to Sidney. The killer even called Ophelia, though she hadn't been face to face with the infamous ghost mask. The killer coming into the building or even being a student body member was possible, but attacking in broad daylight in a public place was hard for Ophelia to believe.

"Ophelia!" A voice sang out behind her, purposely drawing out the O in her name. The girl looked over her shoulder, letting the rest of her body follow. To no one's shock, Stu called out to her, Billy at his side. 

Ophelia felt her eyes light up before she ran to the boys, engulfing Billy in a hug. Ophelia held Billy tight, unwilling to let go. She knew that Billy would be okay but panicked when Stu got the call. Ophelia wasn't aware of how long Billy would be in a cell - if he was going to be in a cell at all - Ophelia wasn't sure how safe Billy would be wherever he was kept. The phone call she got later in the night didn't help, either. The safety of those she loved wasn't guaranteed anymore, which scared Ophelia more than anything. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Billy chuckled before responding, "Of course I'm okay." Ophelia just nodded against him, giving a final squeeze to his body before letting go of his torso and grabbing Billy's hand instead. She wasn't ready to let go. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Ophelia gave Billy a look of disbelief, sending the same look to Stu, who just laughed. "You got arrested!" Billy just smirked at her, squeezing her hand a little.

Billy slowly brought his free hand up to show Ophelia the ink that still stained the pads of his fingers. "I know I did, Phelia."

"Sorry." Ophelia mumbled. "I was just worried about you."

Before Billy could respond, Stu excitedly cut in, taking Ophelia's other hand. "Phelia, princess, I forgot to tell you!" Ophelia tilted her head curiously. "I'm throwin' a party!"

Ophelia frowned, and Stu pouted at her immediately. "Stu, bug, didn't you hear that there's a curfew now?" There was no way that Stu didn't hear it. Still, Ophelia didn't want Stu's willing ignorance to get him, or anyone else, into trouble.

Stu's eyes lit up in understanding, but his pout persisted. At the same time, Billy began to move his thumb against the back of Ophelia's hand, sensing the potential anxiety. "I know!" Stu answered, heavily resembling a puppy that wanted something. "But whoever comes will be inside a house, and therefore, not breaking curfew!" Despite the sigh she released, Ophelia acknowledged the point Stu was making.

With both boys holding her hands, the trio began walking into town. While Billy and Stu seemed to be on the same page on where they were going, Ophelia remained blissfully unaware. Truthfully, Ophelia didn't care where they were going. Ophelia knew that even if the boys were leading her into hell, she wouldn't complain. As long as they were together, Ophelia knew she wouldn't care.

She didn't know how to explain it, but Ophelia knew that she was safe as long as she was with Billy and Stu. She would be safe and loved, and the killer wouldn't be able to lay a hand on her. They would do everything possible to keep her safe, and Ophelia knew she would do the same for them. That was how it had always been, and Ophelia doubted that it would stop just because they were all getting older. Even when Ophelia felt like she was the clingiest being on the planet, the boys never seemed to hate it. If anything, they encouraged it.

"Lia?" Billy's voice suddenly broke through Ophelia's thoughts, seemingly waking her up.

Ophelia pressed her lips together in an embarrassed smile. "I'm sorry," she laughed, "could you maybe repeat all of that, please?"

"Sure." Billy complied. "We were thinking about having a little movie night before the party."

"What do you think?" Stu asks, a hopeful lift to his lips.

Ophelia looked between the two and felt herself flush. They looked at her like they would destroy the world at her whim. "Sounds good."

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Note: I know I disappeared for awhile, but I love and appreciate you all dearly! ♡