DAMSEL IN DISTRESS [SCREAM 1996]

22: Prom Night

Cassandra approached Stu and Randy, her heart pounding. Randy had just calmed back down after screaming something about 'everybody's a suspect'. When she was close enough, Randy noticed the 'Carrie' tape in her hands and smirked. 

"Carrie, huh? That's an interesting choice," Randy said.

Cassandra raised an eyebrow. "Why's that?"

Randy's smirk widened. "Well, it's ironic. Carrie has Billy Nolan, a shitty bully, and you're gonna watch it with Billy Loomis, a serial killer."

Cassandra felt a surge of anger. "Knock it off, Randy. You're being too much."

Stu chuckled, enjoying the tension. "Randy here thinks he's got the whole killer thing figured out. A regular little Sherlock Holmes."

Cassandra's eyes narrowed as she looked at Randy. Her temper was slipping bit by bit. Stu recognized that face and laughed again. 

"Uh, oh. Keep the drinks clear," Stu mumbled and leaned on the shelf to watch the back and forth better.

"I know about the jokes you made about Casey's death," Cassandra revealed. "I won't let that go."

Randy frowned a bit and sighed. "I didn't mean any harm. Just trying to lighten the mood."

"Yeah, like the one about Casey's liver in a mailbox? Real knee-slapper," Stu interjected.

Cassandra's anger flared. Sidney and Tatum had spared Cassandra's feelings for the most part when talking about it. But, Stu.. well, he never did have a filter.

She turned to Stu. "Are we cool?"

Stu grinned. "We're cool, Cass."

She nodded stiffly. She finally felt backed up for once in all of this madness.

She then pointed her finger hard at Randy. "You're number one on my list, Randy. If I find out you killed Casey, I'll make you pay."

Randy scoffed, shaking his head. "You already know the killer, Cass."

"Who?" she demanded.

"It's obviously Billy," Randy said. "It's not the first time he's lied to your face."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" she pushed.

Randy picked up some tapes to continue stocking. When he turned, Billy grabbed him by the shirt and Cassandra startled.

"You talk a big game. How do we know you're not the killer?" Billy questioned.

"H-Hi, Billy," Randy stuttered.

Stu patted Cass' head as he walked around her. Then, he rested his arms on Randy's shoulders from behind, trapping Randy between Stu and Billy.

"Maybe your movie-freaked mind lost its reality button, you ever think of that?" Billy continued.

"You're absolutely right, I'm the first to admit it," Randy agreed. "If this were a scary movie, I'd be the prime suspect."

Billy glanced at Cassandra who walked closer. She looked angry.. but not at Billy. Randy was her suspect. And even if he wasn't, he was still on her last nerve for the jokes he made.

"And what would be your motive?" Stu asked, fiddling with Randy's ear lobe teasingly.

"It's the millennium. Motives are incidental."

Cassandra rolled her eyes and stormed off to the counter to rent the movie. She just wanted to leave now. Randy, while he didn't give any clues on being the killer, was irritating.

As Cassandra walked out of the video store, she felt a mix of frustration and anger swirling inside her. The encounter with Randy had only added to her confusion, and she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone around her was hiding something. 

She sat on the hood of Billy's car and read over the VHS of 'Carrie' once again. After a few minutes, Billy and Stu exited the store together.

Billy approached her first, his expression softening as he saw the turmoil on her face. "Hey, you okay?"

Cassandra nodded, but her eyes remained fixed on the tape. "Yeah, I'm just.. I don't know. I feel like I'm getting nowhere with finding the killer. Randy is my suspicion, but he's just.. it's like talking to a wall."

Stu joined them, leaning his back against the car beside Cassandra. "Randy's just an idiot who watches too many movies. Don't let him get to you."

Cassandra sighed, looking up at Billy. "The Beckers told me that Casey wouldn't want me to throw my life away over this. It's been a week since she died, and I'm trying to move on, get into a new routine.. but I feel guilty. Like I'm betraying her by not doing more. Or by moving on too fast."

Billy cupped her face gently with his hand, his thumb and pointer finger holding her chin. He leaned in and kissed her forehead, lingering there for a moment before pulling back. He didn't say anything, it was a silent assurance that he was there for her.

Stu, sensing the weight of the moment, tried to lighten the mood. "Hey, why don't you come with me to my place? Tatum's probably there already, getting ready for the party. You guys can talk, maybe smooth things over."

Billy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. It'll be good for you to hang out with Tatum, and clear your head a bit."

Cassandra hesitated but then gave a small smile. "Okay, I'll go with Stu."

She leaned in and kissed Billy softly, a silent promise between them. Then, she climbed off the car, Billy holding her hand so she didn't slip, and headed to Stu's vehicle. 

Stu opened the door for her with a dramatic bow, making her laugh despite the tension.

As she settled into the passenger seat, Cassandra glanced back at Billy, who waved them off with a reassuring smile.

𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇 𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒷𝓁𝑒𝓈--

randy the only real mf in the room at all times