IT IS SO HARD TO SAY NO TO SOMEONE SO DAMN PRETTY.

☆︎ JANUARY, 1998 ☆︎

Cici had officially moved into the Omega Beta Zeta house, and Indiana was convinced it was the worst thing in the entire world. She was the first of all their friends to return to campus from Winter Break, and right away, she and a gaggle of sorority girls moved all her things out of the dorm room. Indiana helped as well but complained the whole time — not about the heavy boxes but about them stealing Cici from her.

All dramatics aside, Indiana did get along with the OBZ girls, and she was always welcome at their house. If anything, they were hoping to recruit her and they weren't very subtle about that. While Indy wasn't even considering the offer, someone else in their friend group was beginning to think about joining Greek life.

"I ended up being on the same flight as Allison Lois," Hallie told them. "Turns out she's from Louisiana too."

Everyone but Sidney and Randy had returned to campus. The two coming from California had the longest drive and were scheduled to return the next day. For now, because it was so cold outside, the group was sitting in a coffee shop, Smooth Roasted, rather than on the main quad.

"She's in a bunch of Sid's theater classes," Derek commented. He'd helped out building sets for A Streetcar Named Desire — a not-so-subtle way to spend more time with Sidney. "And she's friends with that Melanie Murphey that's into Indy."

"She was telling me all about Delta Lambda Zeta," Hallie went on. They all ignored how Mickey raised an eyebrow over Derek's comment. "I'm thinking about meeting a few more of the members. She offered to introduce me."

"The Delta Lambdas?" Cici asked, scoffing. "Why wouldn't you go OBZ?"

"Or one of the NPHCs?" Jackson also questioned. The Delta Lambdas were notoriously known for their parties, so they were surprised that of all the options, that was the one Hallie was showing interest in. Then again, it was only because she happened to spend a prolonged amount of time with Allison.

Hallie just shrugged. "I'm just thinking about it. I mean, spring recruitment is a lot more lowkey than fall semester, so who knows what will happen."

"Are you gonna jump on the roommate abandonment train with Cici and Derek if you do pledge?" Indiana asked, looking at her accusingly. She was perched on Mickey's lap rather than a chair with his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. His chin was resting on her shoulder so that he could see everyone.

Previously, she'd been eyeing a new flyer on the wall claiming that they wanted someone to play music in the coffee shop a few days each week. But as a staunch supporter of not leaving your roommate behind for Greek life, Indiana quickly jumped into the conversation.

"You could room with Sid then, at least," Derek pointed out. "And I'm not abandoning Jackson next year."

"Well, you are," Jackson told him while shrugging. "But I have Randy, who is foaming at the mouth over the prospect of getting rid of Paul as a roommate."

"Well, at least you've got a room all to yourself," Hallie said to Indiana to try and cheer her up.

"So, a room is worth more than me?" Cici asked, pretending to be hurt.

"No, baby!" Indiana exclaimed. She quickly slid off of Mickey, who tried and failed to pull her back, and then moved to Cici's waiting arms. As Indiana sat on Cici's lap, the blonde stuck her tongue out teasingly at him, earning a glare. It was a funny sight, seeing Indy's lanky form on Cici's smaller frame.

"You're perfect, Cici, the light of my life," Indiana cooed, wrapping her arms around Cici while looking down at her. "And I'll be consumed with darkness without you. I've never loved anyone more."

"Well, fuck me then, I guess," Mickey muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, me too," Jackson said, covering his smile with a pout.

Cici smiled evilly at the two boys, tightening her arms around Indy. "She's mine forever," she declared before leaning up to peck Indiana's lips.

Mickey had seen Indiana do it a hundred times with Sidney and Cici, knowing it was just a friendly kiss. Despite not wanting to be the kind of boyfriend that asked her to not be so affectionate with others, he still felt insanely jealous and angry every time it happened. And it didn't help with how Cici liked to rub it in Mickey's face with the smug little look she was shooting him now. He'd gone a whole month without seeing Indiana — she should've been on his lap, not hers.

"Now that ownership of me has been established," Indiana said, laying her head on Cici's, "what'd everyone get for Christmas?"

"Oh, you're gonna love my new clothes," Hallie jumped in, her eyes lighting up.

"And I got those jelly sandals I've been wanting," Cici added.

That was all it took for everyone to go around, listing their favorite gifts. Derek got some books and new tires for his car — not the most exciting gift, but he came from a very practical family. Cici got makeup and shoes for the most part and things for her room at the OBZ house. Hallie received lots of jewelry and clothes, as well as a designer handbag she'd been eyeing. Mickey, with gifts that he no doubt had in common with Randy, got some new movies and supplies for his camera so that he could keep documenting every day.

"What about you, Indy?"

"Well, the big gift was Spiceworld tickets," she said, earning a squeal from Cici who hugged her even tighter. "But you know, the standard. Some clothes, a hat from Mrs. Martin, Rand got me my favorite lipgloss."

"The strawberry kind?" Mickey asked, raising an eyebrow. She just smiled and nodded, knowing how much he liked the flavor. "I'll need to thank Meeks."

"Virginia also took her to get another tattoo," Jackson added. "This one was not from a sketchy guy in her bedroom but from a sanitized business establishment."

"You act like it got infected or something," Indiana said, rolling her eyes. "But it looks real good for forty bucks."

"Wait, wait," Mickey said, craning his head to look at his girlfriend. She was bundled up in a sweater, jeans, and boots because of the cold weather. "You didn't tell me about that when you called on Christmas. What kind of tattoo? Where is it?"

Indiana smirked at him from across the table. "Why don't you come and find it?"

"Ew!" Cici said, pushing Indiana off of her lap. Indy just laughed while catching herself on the table so she wouldn't fall. "Don't come over here and find out."

Mickey got up from his seat and grabbed Indiana's hand, a delighted smile on his face. "There is one pro to you abandoning Indy as your roommate," he said smugly. "Let's go explore said reason."

Indiana let Mickey drag her out of the coffee shop, laughing as their friends boo'ed them and tossed crumpled-up napkins their way. She didn't bother to be embarrassed — not when it'd been four long weeks without Mickey. As silly as it was, they still wanted to spend every day with each other because they were friends in addition to dating. And Indiana was damn happy she fell in love with one of her best friends.

With the heater in the dorms running, Mickey began removing all of Indiana's layers. She laughed when he clumsily pulled her sweater off and flung it to the side before examining her skin. All he saw was the final girl tattoo and the two scars on her torso.

"Fuck, I missed you," he murmured while running his hands along her sides, brushing his thumb over her older tattoo.

"Me too," she said softly. Then she leaned up and kissed him softly for a second. "Now get to hunting."

"Yes, ma'am," Mickey said, mock-saluting her. Then he worked her jeans down her legs, getting on his knees as he did so. His eyes dutifully drank in the sight of her legs, finding it hard to tear his gaze from her thighs. When he tapped the inside of her knee, she turned for him, letting him check her calves and the backs of her thighs, all of which were tattoo-free.

"You so fucking planned this," Mickey said accusingly, looking at the matching underwear and bra set she was wearing in his favorite shade of blue. And given that he'd seen every other inch of her, the tattoo had to be hidden beneath the thin fabric.

"Mickey," she said, turning back to face him on his knees, "if you'd of been here Christmas morning, I'd have blown your fucking mind after opening your gift." She ran a hand through his hair as she spoke. "Of course, I planned for this."

"And there I was, wasting my time in the fucking Kentucky backwoods," he said, rolling his eyes. He didn't even want to go home for the break — it was just more precious time he lost with Indiana. Then he went back to admiring her body, not sure where he wanted to start. "Can I get a hint? Am I hot or cold?"

"You're pretty damn hot, Altieri," Indiana told him. As she spoke, she also reached back to unhook her bra, letting it fall off.

And Mickey thought her tits were perfect, but they still weren't what he was trying to find, so he didn't let himself get too distracted. Okay, he was marginally distracted, but then Indy's nails scratched his scalp lightly, bringing his thoughts back to the surface.

Slowly, he slid his warm hands up her thighs, thumbs brushing the fabric of her underwear. And then as soon as he hooked his fingers around the band and pulled them down the slightest bit, he saw the tattoo, halting his movement as he studied it.

It was quite small and right in the junction of her hip, almost completely hidden given the cut of her underwear. The tattoo didn't have nearly as much meaning as her first one. It was just a small eighth note, commemorating her love of music.

"Interesting placement, Sweetheart," he murmured, looking back up at her with darkened eyes.

"Do you not like it?" she asked with an innocent smile. "I think it's cute."

"I fucking love it," Mickey said before leaning forward to kiss her hip.

Then he moved so quickly that Indy let out a startled yelp. He stood to his full height, hooking his strong arms around her legs as he hoisted her up, making it seem so effortless. Indiana wrapped her arms around his shoulders and leaned down to kiss him forcefully while he walked them toward her bed.

When she was on her back, he crawled up her body, kissing her new tattoo first before working his way up, placing warm, open-mouthed kisses to her stomach, her scars, her breasts, her collarbone, her neck, her jaw. Then he finally sought out her lips again, savoring the taste of her as he kissed her slowly.

"I love you," Mickey whispered once they parted. He gently tucked her hair behind her ear and then held her cheek carefully after, smiling softly when she leaned into his touch. "So goddamn much. Don't ever forget that."

"I love you too" she murmured, covering his hand on her face with her own. He turned his wrist so he could hold her hand. "I won't ever forget that."

Indiana didn't know, not really, how much he was asking of her then. She didn't know that he'd been planning with Nancy Loomis in Kentucky over the break. She didn't know that she only had four months left with the man above her before the world came crashing down around her for a second time.

All she knew was that he loved her, and that's all she wanted to know.

☆︎

The one upside, Indiana quickly realized, of Cici no longer living in the dorm room was that no one was there to complain when Mickey stayed the night. They fell asleep, Indiana wrapped in his shirt and his arms. And when she woke, it was because his fingers were lightly tracing shapes on her thigh.

"Morning," Indy mumbled sleepily, turning her head to look back at him.

"Mor—" Mickey's greeting was cut off as he let out a huge, loud yawn, which Indiana giggled at. "Sorry. Good mornin'." Then she craned her head to kiss him softly, and he smiled into the kiss. "Correction — great morning."

"I don't know how I went a month without kissing you," she said sweetly. "Should've had Jax drive me down to you for a day."

"Well," he grinned, "the other option is to do what everyone else does and get a car of your own."

"But it's so easy to bat my eyelashes and get everyone else in my life to drive me around," she said while turning around in his arms to face him. "You included."

"It is so hard to say no to someone so damn pretty," he admitted before kissing her again.

Indiana hummed happily against his lips. "You know, I think your accent's a little thicker after going home," she told him. Mickey always had a subtle southern accent, one that was difficult to notice unless you spent a lot of time with him. It typically shined in the heat of a movie-centered argument or the heat of, well, fucking.

Mickey rolled his eyes playfully — he hated sounding like he was from Kentucky and made an effort to drop his natural accent when he moved to Ohio. "It'll fade in a day or two, Darlin'."

She giggled as he called her that and then kissed him again. "You'll have no complaints from me, Cowboy."

"I can't even ride a horse," he said with a grin. Then he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, leaving his hand to gently cradle her face, letting his thumb brush her lips. "Are you gonna stay here for Spring Break? I know it's not exactly a month, but still."

"Nah, the season will be over, so Jax and I will go back to California — won't make the cut of athletes allowed to stay," she told him.

He nodded in understanding, a small frown on his face. It was just another week he'd lose out on with Indiana. "I guess I'll try to survive."

"Well, what if you came with us?" she asked him, a hopeful look taking over her face. "I mean, hop in the van with Jax, Sid, Randy, and me. You could meet Virginia, stay in our spare room — or mine after she goes to bed."

"You want me to come to Woodsboro?" Mickey asked, looking genuinely surprised.

Indiana nodded and kissed his thumb gently. "Yeah, I want to show you around, show you my favorite spots, introduce you to Isaiah and Sophia. And having you there might make it a little more bearable. We did all move to a college on the other side of the country for a reason, ya know."

"Yeah, I recall you mentioning some rather unfortunate circumstances," he joked lightly. Then he wrapped his arm around her waist a little tighter, drawing her covered chest to his bare one. "Never been to California before. It'll be fun. Plus your birthday is right at the end of it, so I won't miss out on seeing you."

Indiana grinned as he agreed to go with them. "We're gonna have such a great time — maybe drive Virginia crazy, but it'll be worth it."

"My mama's gonna be pissed about me not coming home," he admitted, not looking all that bothered. Mickey's parents got divorced when he was just a kid, and his strict and controlling mother wasn't all too thrilled about him leaving the state to go to college — he'd have a lot in common with Isaiah. "Not like I care that much. I'd much rather be looking at you over the breakfast table."

"Yeah, and it not be the shitty caf food," Indiana added. Then she slid her arms around his neck. "Speaking of, wanna grab breakfast with me?"

"Well, I am feeling pretty hungry," Mickey said, his hands moving down her body before reaching the bottom of his shirt that she was wearing, slipping underneath the fabric. "For something a little sweeter than an omelet, though."

Mickey leaned down to kiss Indiana for the fourth time that morning, pouring far more passion into it than the sleepy pecks that they shared before. Indiana sighed happily into his mouth as he deepened the kiss, warmth spreading to every inch of her, right down to her toes. It wasn't long at all before he rolled her onto her back, shifting his hips against her thigh.

His hands moved past her hips, taking a moment to skim her new tattoo, having already memorized its exact placement the night before. Then he moved up, his warm touch reaching her breasts. Indiana whined and arched up into him as he brushed her nipples, feeling them harden from the attention.

"God, baby, you make the prettiest sounds," Mickey muttered against her mouth, swallowing said sounds as he continued to touch her.

Indy smiled into another heated kiss before pushing on his chest, managing to get Mickey on his back. He looked up at her in excitement as she straddled him. She eyed his bare chest hungrily, trailing a single finger down his defined torso, tracing the outline of his subtle abs. When she went lower, he took in a sharp breath of anticipation. "Maybe I wanna hear the sounds you can make," she said with a sly smirk.

"Oh, it is eight fucking AM." When they heard Sidney's voice, both Indiana and Mickey looked at the door to the room with wide eyes, seeing that it was open and their friend had let herself into the room. She looked quite unimpressed with the compromising position she found them in. "Gross."

"You guys made it back!" Indiana said, grinning brightly. She didn't bother to be embarrassed — it was just Sidney. Though she did climb off her boyfriend and the bed. "What are you over here for?"

"And can you go over to your own fucking room?" Mickey asked her while propping his head behind his hands. "We were a little preoccupied."

"I see," Sidney said, smirking at him. "Put your tits away, Mick."

"And deprive the world of such a view?" he asked with a cocky grin. In response, a shirt hit his face — his shirt. He pulled it away and watched with interest as Indiana walked to her closet, only a pair of underwear on as she did so.

"Put your tits away, babe," Indiana said, repeating Sidney's words while grabbing a sweatshirt to throw on. "What can I do you for, Sid?"

"Just missed you, ya know," she said, speaking softly. "After being home and all."

Indiana looked at her with a soft expression. "I know," she said. Then she glanced at her bed. "You should probably get going. Meet for breakfast in an hour?"

"Yeah, shit caf food wasn't exactly what I wanted to be eatin' for breakfast, but it'll do," he said in a flirty tone while getting up to find his jeans.

"The RAs are already walking around, Mickey," Sidney told him, glancing at the door. "And visitation hours haven't started. You know what that means."

Mickey sighed and cast a sorrowful look at the window. He was the only one not happy about the news. In sync, Indiana and Sidney began chanting, "Tree of shame. Tree of shame. Tree of shame," over and over again.

After bundling back up in his winter clothes and shoving his boots on his feet, Mickey made sure to kiss Indiana goodbye. Then he climbed out the window, carefully jumping to a nearby branch he knew well enough from experience that would hold his weight. While he made the descent, Indiana and Sidney leaned their heads out the window, cheering him on as he climbed down the big oak tree. And because of the noise, a few other girls on that side of the building stuck their heads out to cheer for the boy.

Once his feet were on the ground, Mickey ignored the catcalls as he looked up at Indiana, dramatically kissing his fist and throwing it her way. Since Cici wasn't there to do what she usually did, Sidney opted to reach in front of Indiana's face to catch the kiss, then she flipped Mickey off with a big grin while pulling Indy away from the window.

"It's like she's still here," Indiana said, giggling while she shut her window. Then she relaxed on her bed, Sidney joining her. "So, how was Return to Oz?"

"Safe to say that the Emerald City would've been more bearable with you," Sid mumbled half-heartedly.

Indiana cringed. "That bad?"

"Oh, yeah. They're planning tourist attractions for once the movie comes out. And to your left, you'll see where Billy Loomis grew up. Now don't miss what's coming up on the right — the garage door that violently severed Tatum Riley's spinal cord," she said, using a high-pitched tone to mock tour guides. But Sidney's voice was shaky, telling Indy just how upset she was by it all. She wasn't like Randy and Indiana, able to make jokes at the drop of a hat.

Indiana sighed and leaned her head on top of Sidney's, who immediately curled into her side. "I don't think that Woodsboro is ever gonna really feel like home, Sid. But if we avoid it altogether, it's like we're dead to the town — like Billy and Stu got what they wanted. So, when Spring Break rolls around, you and I are gonna have the best fucking time back home. Mickey's coming too, so we have to show him a good time."

"A good time in Woodsboro?" Sidney asked, laughing a little. "What are we gonna do? Show him the cow pasture by the football field, and let him throw shit off the water tower?"

"I think he'd really be entertained well enough throwing shit off the water tower," she admitted. Then she shrugged. "And maybe we'll go out of town a few of the days."

Sid nodded in agreement while grabbing Indiana's hand, anxiously toying with her fingers to give her something to do. "I'm really glad things are working out with Mickey and you," she said after a minute of comfortable silence. "You know, I think we were all kind of scared we'd all be fucked up forever because of what happened. But it's kind of like you and your relationship are giving me hope or something — hope that we all won't be so fucked up for the rest of our lives."

"No, not our whole lives. Just half," Indy joked. Then she squeezed Sidney's hand. "Why ya talking about relationships, babe? Got your eye on someone I need to be jealous of?"

"It's nothing," she said quietly, shaking her head. But then Sid smiled softly down at her legs. "I mean, Derek got me this really sweet gift. It's a rare copy of the play I'm auditioning for next week — Agamemnon. And before I went home, he asked maybe if I wanted to get coffee with him when I got back. I said I'd have to think about it."

As soon as she heard Indiana start to coo, Sidney rolled her eyes playfully. "Stop it."

"Sidney and Derek sittin' in a tree—"

"Stop!" Sid squealed while elbowing her.

"He's so cute, Sid," Indiana said, grinning at her. "Sure, a little bland for my taste and I think he was born in a polo shirt, but he's sweet. Not to mention that he's shown no signs of being a psychopath."

"That is a plus," she replied a bit bitterly. Then she sighed, sounding a little hopeless. "So, what do you think? I'm I gonna be a total lost cause? Or should I say yes?"

"You, Sidney Prescott, are not a lost cause. You're the hottest bitch I know — not counting Cici," she told her in a very serious tone. "And Derek knows what you've been through. He's not a stranger. He's a friend and a good guy. So, if you really think you like him, go for it. And Hal and I will make sure you look banging for your date."

"Thanks for the support," Sidney said. "I needed the push."

"Just returning the favor."

☆︎

"I can't believe you've abandoned the Lethal Lawnmowers to be the Phoebe Buffay of Ohio."

"You say that like Phoebe isn't the second-best character."

Luca Marino, the rhythm guitarist for Lethal Lawnmower, shot Indiana a flat look as they whispered back and forth in their calculus class. They were sitting in the back, hardly paying attention as Dr. Varagona explained how to find the area under a curve or some shit like that.

Indiana ended up responding to the ad at Smooth Roasted that was asking for an in-house musician. She'd play her guitar in the corner for a small paycheck and tips. Because of that, she opted to also leave the Lethal Lawnmowers.

"Luca, y'all have got that guy, Art, who can also play guitar. He's been wanting to replace me since Halloween," she reminded him.

"Yeah," he said with a grimace, "but you're so much better. He's kind of an ass. Also, having a hot girl on stage really seems to draw people in. Not sure what the appeal is there but I'm open to capitalizing off it."

Indiana cut her eyes to the gay boy with an amused smile. "Some people do find me charming, Lu," she said sarcastically. "And you're pretty enough for the both of us."

Luca was a fairly handsome junior with smooth, tan skin, a lean frame, curly brown hair, and eyes so blue he should be disgusted with himself. Every now and then, a rumor would go around about a girl actually crying once they found out he only liked boys.

"I am pretty," he nodded in agreement. Then he glanced at the board for half a second. "Wait, so who is your favorite Friends character?"

"Chandler, duh," she said, scoffing. "Look, don't sweat me leaving the band. We knew it was temporary."

"Yeah, but I didn't think I'd enjoy your company so much," he admitted with a grin. "And I like Rachel. Also, I don't know why, but I thought Ross might be your favorite for some reason."

Indiana gaped at the boy, her eyes wide with horror. "Why don't you just buy me a puppy, wait for me to fall in love with it, and kill it? That'd be less offensive."

"You're so dramatic," he said, rolling his eyes. "I'll miss it."

"I'm not dropping out and disappearing off the planet," she told Luca. "I'm still gonna sit next to you here three days a week."

"Unfortunately," he said, grimacing at the board once again. "What's this shit even mean?"

Sidney, who was sitting in the seat in front of Indiana, turned in her chair to look at them pointedly. "Maybe if you two would stop talking, you'd learn something."

"God, Sid," Indiana scoffed playfully. "It's like you don't even know me."