REESE

- 8 -

          Today was Monday, but that was the least of Sidney's concerns; Mondays had nothing on this. <School.> Sidney pushed herself up, up in a sitting position, her eyes locked on the phone atop Tatum's vanity. <We have... school.> The events of the previous night flashed through Sidney's mind like lightning through the sky, from the break-in to both Reese and the mystery man -- Sidney... could've sworn... she'd seen his face before. Roman? -- being whisked away via. ambulance to the call and, finally, to waking up for school.

           It'd been a rough night.

           The mattress dipped beneath her body, prompting Sidney to redirect her gaze to Tatum, who was starting to wake up, and shoot her a small, albeit forced smile. Tufts of hair had escaped Tatum's ponytail at some point during the night, partially covering her face, and she brushed them to the side before stretching, focusing on Sidney. It couldn't have been more obvious that Tatum, like Sidney, hadn't gotten much sleep last night. The girls had been lucky to have gotten even a wink.

           *          *          *

           And all eyes were on Randy as Billy, Sidney, Stu, and Tatum ceased the gossip session, all waiting for Randy to utter another word -- speak! It had been only about 12 hours since Reese and her roommate, Roman, had an encounter with Ghost Face that left the pair in critical condition but, to the group, it felt longer. The world seemed to come to a standstill. 

           Speak!

           Gaze on the ground, at his feet, Randy began to speak, the group as a whole hanging on to his every word. Billy and Stu, especially. Speaking just loud enough for the group to hear, but also just quiet enough to deter potential eaves droppers, Randy told them everything, but left out 1 detail -- it was better to do so for the time being... at least in Randy's eyes.

            You!

            After about 5 to 10 minutes, Randy ceased to speak, his gaze relocating from the ground to the group, waiting for a reaction or something like it, but only being greeted by silence and silence, only. It was deafening. It was deafening. It was deafening. It. Was. Deafening. It was deafening. It was deafening. It was deafening. Why wasn't anyone doing anything?

             IMBECILE!

             The only sound to be heard came from a bunch of nearby gulls, shrill screeches filling the air as they sought refuge in the shade of some nearby trees -- man, were gulls annoying. Loud. Never giving a damn about personal space. Volatile. Ugh... gulls... why? Randy, feeling as awkward as awkward could be, opted not to say a word, instead watching as some of the gulls proceeded to go to war over an apple. 

             *          *          *

              Sidney sighed, biting her lip, "This is it."

              "Come on, then!"

              Without bothering to give anyone any sort of verbal and/or non-verbal warning whatsoever, Billy pushed past Sidney and into the room, leaving her alone in the hall! <What,> Sidney, at a loss for words, followed suit. <has gotten into you, Billy?> Making sure to keep the door ajar, Sidney immediately made her way over to Reese's bed and engulfed her in a bear hug, the tears gathering in the corners of her eyes threatening to fall at any given moment! Reese returned the gesture, albeit begrudgingly. It felt as if hours had passed before Sidney retreated, dabbing her eyes with her sleeve as she did so, but never looking away from Reese. <Oh, thank God you're OK!>