Amber’s house is already loud when you walk in.

Music hums through the living room, people talking over each other, red cups scattered across the kitchen counter. You’re standing off to the side of the living room near the TV, not fully part of the crowd.

Mindy is sitting cross-legged on the couch in front of the television, completely absorbed in the movie playing on the screen.

It’s Stab.

Which, technically, is based on the real Scream killings that happened in Woodsboro years ago. Including the murder of her uncle, Randy Meeks.

You kinda think it’s weird that Mindy loves the Stab movies. It’s almost comforting to her.

She laughs at the dialogue. She quotes lines under her breath. Sometimes she even critiques the acting. She’s grinning at the screen as Ghostface appears behind a character who clearly hasn’t noticed yet.

Across the room, Chad and Liv are talking. You look back at Mindy.

You’ve been friends with her long enough now to recognize that calm, analytical look she gets when her brain is running a mile a minute. You’ve also been trying very hard not to think about the fact that you’ve had a crush on her since you met her. Which she probably has no idea about.

The front door opens suddenly. Amber turns toward it immediately. “Hey!”

Sam walks in first with Tara. Richie is right behind them. You catch pieces of the conversation from where you’re standing.

“…not staying here…”

Then Amber and Richie are telling everyone the party is over. Everyone leaves except for the main friend group, you included.

You just lean back against the wall again.

Everyone’s been paranoid ever since Tara was attacked. Then Wes and Officer Judy Hicks were murdered in their own home.

You glance back at the couch.