BLOOD IN THE WATER ━━━━━━━ Stu Macher ✓

8. IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS

CHAPTER EIGHT ━━━━━━━

IT'S LIKE CHRISTMAS.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, SIDNEY SAT IN BETWEEN KITTY AND TATUM AT THE RILEY'S KITCHEN TABLE FOR BREAKFAST.

Mrs. Riley prepared them some eggs, bacon for Sid and Tatum, and toast with fresh orange juice. And when the television they had set up there began to talk about the rape and murder of Maureen Prescott by Cotton Weary, Dewey quickly turned it off before sitting down at the table to inform the girls about Billy's release.

Kitty looked at him, a hopeful glimmer in her eyes, "So, he didn't do it?" She asked.

Dewey shrugged, "His cell phone certainly didn't make those calls," He explained, "Which is why we had to let him go."

"He called here, Dewey," Sidney sighed, still distressed from the phone call she had received last night from the killer, "He's never gonna stop, is he?"

Dewey sent her a sympathetic look, "We're checking every cellular account in the county," He told her, "Any calls made to you or Casey Becker are being cross-referenced."

Sidney sighed. She dropped her fork, losing her appetite. She leaned back in her seat. Her face now pale as she realised that the killer was still out there. That she still wasn't safe.

After breakfast Dewey drove the three teenage girls to school. Where Kitty broke off from the trio after having spotted Billy and Stu in the distance, talking in hushed voices. Whilst Sidney went over towards Gale Weathers, trying to figure out what she meant when she spoke about her mom's adultery behavior and whether Gale truly believed the stuff she wrote in her own book. About Cotton Weary not being the actual killer. 

The call she had received from Ghostface the night before had Sidney up almost all night. Trying to understand what he meant when he said that she 'fingered the wrong guy, again'. Could she somehow been wrong last year? Could it maybe not have been Cotton Weary she saw leaving the house? It made her question everything she thought she knew. Kitty could see it all in her eyes.

Kitty hiked up the strap of her school bag as she strolled over to her brother and her boyfriend. Stu grinned when he saw her approaching over Billy's head. 

"Hey, murderer," Kitty greeted, throwing her arm around Billy's shoulders. Teasingly grinning at him.

He rolled his eyes and jabbed her in the ribs which in return caused her to squirm and push his head when she unravelled her arm from around his shoulders. She walked over to Stu's side. Leaning up on her tip toes to kiss him.

He instantly kissed back. Pushing his lips hard against hers. Savouring the moment before Billy cleared his throat, causing the couple to pull away. 

"Thanks," Billy said, nodding at Stu and sending him a knowing look. One that only he, Stu and Kitty knew what it meant.

Stu shrugged, "That was the deal, man," He said before grinning down at Kitty. 

Without warning, he bend down and picked her up. Throwing Kitty over his shoulder causing her shoulder bag to fall off her shoulder and onto the grass. She let out a squeal, wrapping her arms around Stu's back and torso as to not slip off his shoulder. 

Billy rolled his eyes and walked off, chuckling under his breath at their behavior before glaring at the students that glanced his way in fear. Still not sure whether to believe that he was innocent.

"Stu, let me down now," Kitty laughed, poking him in his side.

"No can do," He said, shaking his head, a grin permanently on his face, "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I force my injured girlfriend to walk?" 

Kitty rolled her eyes, "It's a scratch on my arm," She pointed out.

"Exactly," Stu nodded, he patted her butt before bending down carefully to pick up her fallen bag from the floor. Placing it on his other shoulder with his own bag before starting to walk towards the school. 

She eventually convinced him to put her down. Only due to the fact that they were reaching a more crowded part of the school and she was wearing a short skirt that certainly didn't leave enough to the imagination in the position she was in. But he continued to hold her bag whilst wrapping his other arm around her shoulder as they strolled over to Tatum, Jason and Sidney at their lockers.

"This is a mistake," Sidney said, closing her locker door and turning to face her friends, "I shouldn't be here."

Tatum took out the lollipop in her mouth as she send Sidney a pointed look, "I want you to meet me right here after class, okay Sid?" She took out a book from her opened locker.

Stu reached into Tatum's locker to grab a small hand mirror she had in there. Glancing at his reflection. Specifically at his forehead for any strange markings.

Sidney nodded before turning her attention to Kitty and Stu, "Hey, I haven't seen Billy around. Is he really pissed?" She asked.

"Oh, you mean after you branded him the Candyman?" Stu asked sarcastically causing Kitty to snicker under her breath, "No, his heart's broken."

Tatum turned her head to look at the couple. Glaring at Stu before punching him lightly in the shoulder, "Stu!" She scolded.

"Ow!" He said, placing the mirror back into Tatum's locker and rubbing his shoulder.

A loud scream caught their attention. The group of friends turned to look down the corridor, watching as someone in a Ghostface costume ran down. Screaming and flailing their arms around, trying to scare the other students hanging around the corridor. 

Stu and Kitty both laughed quietly to themselves. Tatum looked shocked. Jason looked annoyed and Sidney looked terrified, backing further into her locker when the figure ran past. Right as they rounded the corner the school bell rang. 

"Why are they doing this?" Sidney asked. Looking distressed.

"Are you kidding me? Look at this place. It's like Christmas," Stu stated.

Sidney shook her head and began to walk away. Her shoulders tense. Her head hanging down. 

Tatum glared at him, "Stupidity leak," She said before turning back towards Sidney's retreating figure, "Sidney!" She called out.

Sidney didn't respond. Instead she sped up. Almost jogging through the corridor until she bumped into a figure coming out from around the corner.

Kitty noticed it was Billy and watched as the two conversed.

"Hey, heard you were attacked," Jason stated, turning to look at Kitty. She felt Stu's body tense at the mention causing her to wrap her arm around his waist, squeezing it discreetly, "You okay?"

Kitty lifted up her bandaged arm, "Yeah. Luckily," She said, looking at him with a terrified look in her eyes, "It was terrifying. I don't think I can ever be home alone again."

Tatum sent her a sympathetic look and rubbed Kitty's arm gently.

"I'll protect you," Stu grinned down at her, puffing his chest out and sending her a wink.

Kitty pretended to swoon, placing the back of her hand on her forehead and dramatically throwing her head back, "Oh, my hero."