"Fezzz!." Alma sang as she walked into his house, humming as she looked around. "Hey! You in here?

"Yo, stop your yelling!" a new voice rung from the kitchen, making Alma look over. "Trying to enjoy my cereal."

"Ash." Alma grinned, walking over. "I'm all out."

"He's sponge bathing grandma, just chill." he waved her off, wincing as she planted a kiss to his forehead. "Aye!"

"My small child." Alma rubbed his head. "What is- do you have any clue how much sugar is in this?"

"Give me that back!" Ashtray argued as Alma took his bowl. "Aye!"

"Aye!" she mocked, turning around. "Chill out, i'm gonna give you something good to help your insides be healthier."

"You're telling me to eat healthy when you do drugs?" he rose his eyebrows her way, getting a look of disbelief. "It's true!"

"Okay, wise ass." Alma shoved his head to the side with a laugh. "Look, I use to do this for my little sister all the time. Just try it."

Ash shrugged. "I still want my cereal."

Alma passed it to him, opening the fridge. "You like green or red apples?"

"What's the difference?" he shrugged with a mouth full.

"Oh my god, i'm a horrible mother to you." Alma shook her head, grabbing a green. "Green is more sour."

"Apples aren't even good." he rolled his eyes her way.

"Trust meeee." she gave a knowing point, sniffling as she rubbed her nose. "Can I get a hit first? I'll pay you instead."

Ashtray walked off while Alma skinned and cut up the apple. He came back over, a baggy in hand as Alma passed him the cash. "Don't do drugs, Ash."

"Great influence." he nodded to her as she took a quick line off the back of her hand. "I'm gonna knock you in the head if you tell anyone I half priced you."

"You know, I feel extremely special." the Darling girl hummed in agreement, tossing the cut apples in a pan on the stove. "Don't tell Fez."

"Believe me, I won't." he gave a knowing look. "Alma, there's an annoying ass bitch living here."

"The blonde is still here?" she whispered with an odd look, looking around with alarming eyes. "Is she gonna sneak attack on us?"

"Probably shooting up in the bathroom." he waved her off, hoping up on the counter. "What are you even trying to make?"

"Shh, don't ruin this." Alma held a finger his way, scooping peanut butter into the pan. "You're gonna love this, okay? What are you? Ten? I loved this when I was ten!"

"Fourteen." he corrected her with an offended look.

"That's what I meant." she defended herself in return. "You know what I was doing when I was fourteen? Having a The Hunger Games obsession."

"You like to kill people?" he gave her a weird look.

"What? No, the movies, Ash. The movies." Alma shook her head, grabbing a bowl and a spoon. "You'd hate fourteen year old me."

"I still don't totally like you." Ashtray argued.

"Not true, i'm your favorite customer." she gave a questionable look, jabbing her finger into his side. "Say it."

"Only when you don't act like a maniac." he hopped off the counter as she headed for the table with the bowl. "Like you are now."

"Concerned mother." she corrected him, nodding toward the bowl. "Don't be immature. Eat your healthy snack."

He flung into the seat, looking down at the soft apples and peanut butter. "This looks horrible, Alma."

"Just trust me." she nodded to him. "I'm not leaving until you try it."

With a risen eyebrow, Ash took a hesitant bite. Alma watched with wide eyes, her leg bouncing as he pretended not to like it. "I hate it."

"You love it!" she laughed, shoving a finger his way. "What'd I tell you? Phenomenal!"

Ash rolled his eyes with a half grin. "You crashing on the couch again?"

"Maybe. Moms kinda pissed at me." Alma scratched the side of her head. "Ethan might swing by to grab me."

"Haven't heard that name in a while." he said, looking toward the tv. "Look what you did. The recording stopped so the news is on. I hate the news!"

Alma turned, looking to the news as a video of the protest outside of the police station was showed. Arrest Elliot Bryant signs still being held, having it chanted as well. The protest group was smaller now. "Can't believe people are still fighting for that girl."

Ash looked to Alma when she said it. "What?"

"Like, you think they'd get annoyed by now." Alma cleared her throat, facing him again. "It's been four months and she hasn't came forward."

"Well, no one would blame her if she wasn't ready." Ash said, not telling Alma what he knew.

Alma frowned her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Fuck 12." Ash shrugged. "I wouldn't want to talk to them either."

Alma shrugged. "Fuck 12."

"I'm just saying, whoever that girl is, she deserves for people to be fighting for her." he pointed out, taking a spoonful again. "For howeva the fuck long it takes for that weird lookin dude to get what he deserves."

"Howeva." she mocked him with a half grin. "You're such a good kid, Ash. You know you're my favorite little dude, right?"

"Hell ya, that's why I half priced you." he shook his head, getting a grin in return. "Trust the process, Alma. There's a plan, it's just taking some time."

His words confused her, but Alma didn't have time to question it before she heard Fez yell out. "Hell no! Come here!"

"Get off!" Rue yelled, Alma and Ash looking down the hallway to see Fez practically carrying Rue.

"We not going this shit today! We not doing it!" Fez yelled over Rues protest.

"I'm sorry!" she begged, trying to fight against him.

"Nah, you gotta get the fuck out of the house now." Fez said sternly, pulling her toward the door immediately.

"You know what this about?" Ash looked to Alma.

"No clue." she rose to her feet, Ash behind her as they went toward the door, watching Fez push Rue outside and slam the door. He huffed, breathing heavy. "What'd she do?"

"She's loosin it, man!" Fez ran a hand over his head. "Loosin it."

Alma nodded, grabbing her phone. "I'll find her."

"You be carful." he gave her a look, inhaling to catch his breath. "You know what she can do."

"You think i'm going alone?" Alma gave a crazy look, sending a quick text. "I'll call you if I get her."

"Yo, be carful!" Fez called as Alma sprinted out the door.

"Hurry, hurry." Alma latched onto Ethan's hand, pulling him toward Cassies front door.

"Alma!" Leslie called, meeting her half way as Gina stayed in the car. "You found her?"

"Maddy called me, I called you as soon as I could." Alma took heavy breaths, the worried mother hurrying up to her. "Sorry, this is Ethan. He's good help."

"Thank you for calling me." Leslie held her shoulder, Sue opening the door and letting the trio in. The girls were stood opposite of them, Maddy giving Alma a nod to clarify she was still here. Ethan sensed the worry and panic on Alma, rubbing her shoulder and forearm.

Foot steps were heard, Rue coming down the stairs before she paused at the sight of them. "Oh, fuck. It'll never fucking end."

"This can't make you feel good, Rue." Leslie looked up at her daughter as she took a seat on the stairs. "Living like this. Lying to the people you love. Being mean to the people you love. This can't make you feel good about yourself."

"I don't care." Rue breathed out, sweaty and in pain. "Just fucking leave me alone, please."

"I know you're in pain." Leslie walked closer to the stairs. Alma looked back at Ethan, a million different emotions hitting her. Not only was she seeing Rue, her close friend who she wanted so protect, like this, but apart of her was also seeing herself in a few months. It hurt, and Ethan saw the pain in her eyes, wrapping a comforting arm around her.

"You have no fucking idea, mom." Rue inhaled, shaking her head as her teeth chattered slightly. "How'd you even find me? Hum? Lexi call you?"

"Don't be mad at Lexi." Alma spoke to to defend the younger Howard. "I'm the one that called your mom."

Rue laughed. "You called my mom?"

"You scared the hell out of me earlier. I didn't want you to get hit by a car, or get hurt." Alma looked up at her, escaping Ethan's arms as she stood just a little bit behind Lealie. "I know this is hard but I want to be here for you."

Rue hummed, because even though she knew deep down that Alma truly did want to care for her, all she saw was after Elliot and Jules, now Alma had turned on her too. "Fuck you, Alma."

"Woah, hey." Ethan spoke cooly up toward Rue. "She cares about you."

"So you call my fucking mom?" Rue yelled down to her, Almas eyes watered in guilt. "You wanna start telling secrets? Huh? Wanna rat me out, let's do it!"

"Rue-" Leslie began.

"Why don't you tell the rest of us here what you've been doing since New Years." Rue pointed out, her head was screaming at her to shut up, but she wouldn't. And maybe Alma deserved it, or maybe she didn't. Rue didn't honestly know anymore. "Go ahead, tell them."

"Rue, please-" Alma started.

"Sorry, tell us what?" Ethan had to ask with questionable eyes.

"Nothing." Alma lied.

"How Alma Fucking Darling has been snorting coke and taking opioid." Rue announced to everyone down stairs. Alma stared up at her. "What? You can expose me but I can't say shit about you?"

"I didn't say anything about you doing drugs! All I said was I was fucking worried you were gonna get hurt running around alone at night!" Alma yelled up the stairs at her.

Oh, shit. Rue didn't think of that. Leslie looked to Alma. "You knew she was using?"

"I'm sorry, you're using?" Maddy spoke up as Alma turned quickly. "That's what you meant. At New Years."

"Alma." Ethan stared at her with hurt in his eyes. "You could have talked to me."

"I'm no- it's not like that." Alma shook her head quickly, her eyes watered while his did the same. "I had- I can stop! I know when! I'm not a-"

"You don't have to explain yourself. But, why couldn't you tell me? You know i'm always here to help you." Ethan grabbed her shoulders with a concerned look in his eye. "We can get you help."

"The both of you." Leslie spoke up, making Alma look backwards at her. Ethan grabbed her arms, pulling her into a hug as Alma tried to hold herself together, staying near the doorway, wrapped in his arms.

"I can't get clean. I can't do that shit forever." Rue shook his head, a hand pressed to the wall as sweat poured down her face.

"You don't have to." Cassie smiled up at her, genuinely thinking she was helping. "Just take it one day at a time."

Alma winced slightly, giving her her best forced smile when she looked from Rue to her. Rue stared down at her with a gapping look. "Hey, Cas?"

"Yeah?" she gave her a smile.

"I have a quick question for you." Rue spoke as Alma and Ethan pulled back, but he kept his hands secure around her forearms.

"What?" Cassie smiled.

Rue narrowed her eyes. "How long have you been fucking Nate Jacobs?"

"Oh shit." Alma and Ethan said on sync, eyes wide.

Cassie laughed. "Wha- What? What-What are you talking about?"

"How long have you been fucking Nate?" Rue repeated herself.

"I'm not." Cassie laughed. Alma and Ethan shared a look, she looked to Maddy with a questionable one.

"What are you talking about?" the Perez girl questioned Rue.

"Well, I just, I-I-I saw her get in his truck and then kiss him and drive off. That was like, what? Like a month ago?" Rue admitted, rejogging her memory.

"Oh shit." Alma and Ethan repeated on sync again.

"Are you kidding me?" Maddy asked Cassie in disbelief. Cassie tried to laugh, but she was crying, and made it obvious.

"Cas, that's like, really bad." Kat admitted with a nod of her head.

"No, I don't-" Cassie tried, crying, but still trying to cover her tracks.

"You're fucking Nate? Are you kidding me?" Maddy asked Cassie, venom in her tone.

"No, I don't even know why she would say that." Cassie laughed through her tears.

"Can we just table this conversation?" Sue cut in, clearly knowing what was happening with Rue was a lot more serious, considering her safety was at sake.

"No!" Maddy shot back.

"Okay, let's go." Kat tried to cut in.

"You expect me to stand here next to my best friend, who's been lying to me about fucking my ex boyfriend? I'm literally gonna get violent!" Maddy announced. Alma wrapped her arms around Ethan again, the two huddled in the corner to watch this go down.

"No, there is no need to get violent, okay? Because we are having an intervention. Stop it." Sue scolded her for Rues sake.

"Mads." Alma walked over to her with a gentle tone. "Look, I got your back. Let's just get Rue out of here first."

"She's fucking crying." Maddy spoke
up as Alma turned to see Cassie crying from a few feet away. "You're fucking crying?"

Ethan pulled Alma back when Maddy stormed toward Cassie, Kat trying to talk her down. "You're the most self centered, idiotic person I have ever fucking met! You fuck me ex, and you're fucking crying?"

"I'm sorry, i'm sorry, but I don't give a shit who's fucking who, okay? If you're gonna keep talking about it, get out of the room!" Leslie called to the girls.

"Yeah, look, come on. Let Ms.Bennett help Rue." Alma tried to speak over Cassie and Maddys yelling. Lexi opened the door.

"You're being an animal right now!" Sue tried to cut in, Lexi continuing to get the girls out of the house.

"I don't even know why you're believing her, she's a drug addict!" Cassie yelled in disbelief.

"How long have you been fucking him, be honest." Maddy glared, shoving a finger in Cassies face while Kat continued to try and talk her down.

"I'm sorry." Alma looked to Leslie in guilt. "Maddy, let's just go outs-"

"Alma, shut the fuck up!" Maddy waved a hand at her.

"I'm not gonna shut the fuck up! Two feet away and you'll be on the porch so Rues mom can fucking help her! Two feet!" Alma yelled back at her quickly. "Beat her ass on the porch!"

"Alma!" Sue scolded her words.

"Okay, okay, okay." Ethan walked over. "Alma is right, let's just venture a few feet away. No need to tell each other to shut the fuck up."

"Why you even defending her right now?" Cassie looked to Alma in disbelief.

"You're fucking your best friends ex boyfriend. Your best friend! Best friend, not just a normal ass acquaintance, and you want me to defend you?" Alma gave her a crazy look. "That would be like me fucking Kat!"

Kats eyebrows shot up.

"Woah, okay." Ethan cleared his throat. "Bad, horrible, analogy."

"I'm not having this conversation with your pathetic ass, when Rues mom has been driving around all night trying to save her daughter!" Alma yelled at Cassie with a harsh glare, leaning down on her level some.

"How long have you been fucking him?" Maddy asked Cassie again, getting nothing. "Rue?"

"Listen, let's just get into the car, okay?" Leslie spoke softly to her daughter.

"When was this?" Maddy spoke up again, Alma backed off in defeat with a long exhale.

Rue stared down for a moment. "Right after New Years."

Maddy laughed in disbelief. "You dumb, fucking, bitch! I'm gonna fuck you-"

Cassie took off up the stairs as Maddy chased her. "Don't you fucking run away from me."

"We should go. You're more important." Ethan spoke to Alma as the staircase went bare, Rue slipping out. "I know how to get you some help."

"Y-" Alma began, stopping as her eyes fell onto the tv. Leslie hurried out the door while Sue exhaled and caught her breath on the stairs.

"Alma?" Ethan asked, following her into the living room as Alma turned the tv up more. "What's-"

But he stopped when the pair stared at the headline on the news.

Elliot Bryant, former allegiant stealthing rapist, found missing from his home. DNA matched to a large blood stain, on the carpet, in his living room.

"Holy fuck." Alma breathed heavy, Ethan turning slowly with wide eyes, the pair staring a same look.

•

kylie speaks

ashtray really said
'alma rights 🥰😚✌🏼🔨'