𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗘𝗥, billy loomis & stu macher

21 the beginning of the end

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(   chapter twenty-one,   the beginning of the end )
❝ I had all and then most of you, some and now none of you ❞

march 26th, 1997

THE FLORESCENT LIGHTS of Woodsboro High hung overhead as Kathryn made her way through the loud hallways, her head down, fingers gripping the straps of her worn-out bag. She was still adjusting to this place - new faces, new routines, new problems. But it wasn't new enough to escape the weight she carried from home.

Sidney Prescott and Tatum Riley walked a few paces ahead of her, their laughter rising above the noise of students rushing to their next classes. Kathryn knew them but hadn't let herself get too close. There was still a wall between them. She kept her distance - not out of disinterest, but for her own good.

She caught Randy's eye from the other end of the hall as he waved in his usual, awkwardly enthusiastic way. His gaze quickly shifted past her, though, focusing on something - or other, someone - over her shoulder.

Kathryn frowned and turned just in time to see Stu Macher and Billy Loomis rounding the corner, walking in sync as if they'd rehearsed it.

Stu was all energy, a goofy grin plastered across his face. He was saying something to Billy, whose expression remained neutral, distant, his eyes scanning the hallway as if everyone else were background noise. Kathryn slowed her steps instinctively, narrowing her eyes slightly.

She'd noticed them before - both of them. It was hard not to. Stu was loud and always the center of attention in some chaotic way. Billy was quieter, more observant, but he had a reputation, mostly because of Sidney.

Still, there was something about him that drew people in, something that had drawn her in despite herself. He had that mystery - like the kind of guy who didn't care what anyone thought, and for someone like Kathryn, who spent most of her time fixing herself to fit other people's expectations, that was... alluring in a strange way.

Stu's gaze landed on her, and his grin widened, more pointed now. He nudged Billy with his elbow.

"Hey, look who it is," Stu called out, stopping right in front of her. "Kathryn Ellis, right? New girl?"

Kathryn nodded, her eyes flicking from Stu to Billy, who was now studying her in that unsettling, unreadable way of his.

"Yeah, I've seen you around," Stu continued on, rocking on his heels. "You've got that whole 'lone wolf' thing goin' on. Mysterious. Kinda cool, y'know?"

Kathryn raised an eyebrow, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "Thanks... I guess?"

Billy finally spoke, his voice low, smooth, and sultry. "You're not exactly hard to notice."

Her gaze snapped to him, her pulse quickening slightly. There was something about the way he said it - not quite a compliment, more like a statement of fact, but one that made it clear he'd been watching her. A lot more than she'd realized.

"Oh, yeah?" Kathryn replied, her voice sharp but curious, unwilling to give anything away. "What makes you say that?"

Billy's lips curved into a faint smirk, eyes shining. "You've got this look - like you don't belong here. Like you're just waiting for something."

Kathryn's stomach twisted uncomfortably, though she didn't show it. How the hell could he see that in her? Was she that obvious?

Stu clapped his hands together, breaking the tension. "Anyway, Kat - can I call you Kat? I'm gonna call you Kat. You should come hang sometime! You know, when you're not being all mysterious," his tone was playful, but his gaze flickered to Billy as if they were sharing some inside joke.