"Can't stop starin' at those ocean eyes,"

Lia looked in the mirror, running her fingers along the pink fabric. She absolutely adored the dress Ozzie made for her, and she'd be forever grateful for the hard work he put into it. It was gorgeous, and she couldn't help but feel beautiful in it.

If she ever met Ozzie's mom, she'd have to thank her for teaching her son this amazing talent of his.

"Come on, Lia we're going to be late!" Tatum shouted from the other side of the door.

"I'm coming! Give me five minutes!" She shouted back, letting out a deep breath.

She pulled some bobby pins off of her vanity, twisting some hair out of her face and pinning it back. Once she was finished with the last-minute touches, she snatched the fake princess crown from her vanity and grabbed her purse.

Opening the bedroom door, she smiled to see Tatum and Amanda patiently waiting for her. "Where's everyone else?" She asked, letting out a deep breath.

"They-" Tatum stopped, grabbing the tiara out of Lia's hands. "Went ahead of us, you took too long."

"Thank you for staying," She told them as Tatum put the tiara on her head, messing with her hair slightly to get it to look better.

"Eh, the party will still be going when we get there," Tatum responded. "Where'd you get the dress? It's cute!"

"Ozzie made it," Lia did a quick spin. "He made the perfect princess dress."

"You're a princess?" Amanda asked as the three began to make their way toward the frat house.

"Yeah, why?" Lia asked, glancing between the two others.

"I heard Ethan was dressing as a knight," Tatum snickered. "Actually, I didn't hear, I know."

"How do you know?" Amanda asked.

"Because he asked me yesterday to help him make his costume," Tatum said as she wrapped an arm around Lia's shoulders. "A little birdie told me he heard you were a princess and he wanted to match."

"You're lying," Lia said.

"Why would I lie? Just wait till we get to the party," Tatum spoke with a smirk.

"When are you guys making it official?" Amanda asked with a scoff. "It's been months and no move has been made."

"Well, there would have been twice now if it weren't for Ozzie," Lia admitted, earning a look from both of the other girls. "What?"

"What do you mean there would have been?" Tatum asked, shock written on her features.

"We've almost kissed twice now, but Ozzie has managed to walk in the room both times before it happened." Lia elaborated, tapping her fingertips along the dress fabric.

"When was this?" Amanda asked.

"Uh, the first time when we went to clean Ethan up after Isaiah punched him, and the second in my bedroom at my dad's house," Lia responded.

"Ozzie's such a cockblocker," Amanda groaned. "We could have sped this process up a little bit."

"Process?" Tatum questioned, earning a wink from Amanda in return.

"The process of their relationship, duh!"

"Oh, look! We're here!" Lia exclaimed, catching the other two off guard.

"Go get your knight, baby!" Amanda called out after Lia, who just rolled her eyes in response.

She found her way through the crowd littering the front door, her eyes searching for anyone she knew. From what she was told, Ethan had already arrived. Usually, he came to pick her up and he did offer, but she decided to head with Amanda and Tatum since she hadn't spent much time with them lately due to school and other activities.

Entering the living room, her eyes landed on Mindy and Anika sitting on a couch together. She greeted them, to which she immediately received compliments from both girls. "Have you guys seen Ethan?" She asked loudly, the music blaring in her ear.

"Last I saw he was clinging onto Chad," Mindy answered. "You can hang out with us till you see him?"

Lia knew Mindy was mostly offering due to not wanting her to have another run-in with Isaiah. She just shook her head in response, motioning behind her. "I'm gonna grab a drink and find him."

The two nodded, and Lia found herself in the kitchen. She grabbed the first unopened wine cooler she saw, dodging her way out and back into a different room to avoid another confrontation with her ex-boyfriend. Knowing Isaiah, he'd be here, so she was determined to find Ethan as quickly as possible.

Ethan stood against the wall in another room of the frat house, listening to whatever Chad had been mumbling about. He had been talking about Ethan looking like a meal, even taking it as far as asking a random girl nearby about her thoughts about the boy.

He didn't care, and Chad knew he didn't care. There was only one girl's opinion he cared about, and he'd yet seen her arrive at the party.

"Chad," Ethan said, quiet yet loud enough for the boy next to him to hear. "I need to tell you something."

"What's up, man?" Chad asked, leaning in close to the boy.

"I think I'm in love with Lia," He admitted. It was most likely the alcohol he'd allowed in his system, but admitting it lifted a weight off of his chest.

Chad looked at his friend, resting a hand on his shoulder. "I'm so glad you've finally come to the realization. What did she say?"

"I haven't told her," Ethan spoke as he shook his head.

"Why not? Man, I'm telling you, you gotta tell her or-"

Chad was cut off by Ethan slapping his chest, his eyes looking behind the dude. Chad's mouth slammed shut, looking at the other boy in confusion. He then followed his eyes, his own face turning into shock as they watched Lia looking around the room.

She held a wine cooler in her hand tightly, drumming her fingers along the glass. She was dressed in one of the most beautiful dresses ever seen, a cheap tiara placed on the top of her head. Her makeup was done more than usual, and she looked exactly how she intended to look: like a princess.

"Holy shit, man." Chad glanced back at Ethan.

Ethan's heart hammered in his chest, the buzz leaving his body almost instantly. He couldn't say anything, as he was too shocked to do so. He felt nervous, knowing his cheap costume looked like shit compared to hers. Well, it looked like shit compared to anyone, but he'd only done it to match Lia's princess dress. If anything, he looked like one of the princess' servants than her prince.

"Lia, over here!" Chad called out, whistling to catch her attention over the loud music.

The girl looked over almost instantly, a giant smile resting on her face as she began the walk over to the two boys. She stopped in front of them, glancing between the two of them. "I've been looking for you," She said, although both of them knew she hadn't been looking for Chad and was looking for Ethan.

"You clean up nice, Miss Murphy." Chad complimented the girl, tipping his hat at her.

"Thank you, Chad." She curtseyed, before twisting the bottle cap off of the wine cooler.

Ethan continued to look at her, a big, goofy smile on his face as he failed to find the words to say.

"I'm going to go this way," Chad said, giving a glance from Ethan to Lia. He slapped Ethan on the chest, catching him out of whatever trance he'd been in.

"Hi, Laundry Basket." She greeted. She fiddled with the bottle cap in one hand, holding the full drink in the other.

"Ophelia, you look- so fucking pretty." He breathed out, suddenly feeling sweaty.

"You're still on that?" She asked, referring to her name. "I figured you'd stop after the first three times."

"Never," He said with a smile. "But seriously- Ozzie did such a good job."

"And you're supposed to be?" She asked, pointing a finger at his costume.

"Your knight in shining armor?" He spoke as a question.

"That's cute," She admitted. "I like it."

"You're cute," He said. He swayed back and forth slightly, the girl only blushing in response.

"Are you drunk?"

"Nope! Just buzzed," He answered truthfully, the girl smiling even bigger. "Are you having fun?"

"Well, I just got here a little bit ago. Would you like to dance?" She asked, waving a hand back. She took a big drink from the wine cooler, frowning at the taste. "This is the worst one I could've possibly grabbed."

"Those ones are the best!" Ethan exclaimed, "But yes."

"Yes?" Lia asked, seeming to forget her question from before.

"I'd love to dance with you, Princess Ophelia." Ethan bowed, earning a giggle from Lia.

She sat the wine cooler and the cap on a random nearby table, reaching for Ethan's hand. He gladly took it, letting her drag him closer to the drunk young adults dancing. 

Thankfully, Ethan had just the right amount of alcohol in his system. He wasn't drunk and barely buzzed. He knew everything he was saying and doing, but he'd gotten more than enough confidence to touch the girl without looking like a total dork. They began to dance together, laughing and joking around as they acted as if nobody were around them.

"That should be me," Joshua sighed, watching the couple with sadness.

"You're hopeless," Cleo spoke with disgust. "Literally hopeless."

"Let a man dream, Cleo." Ozzie smiled as he watched his best friend. "I wonder who her designer was tonight."

Cleo scoffed, slapping Ozzie on the back of the head. "You can stop bragging, you know."

"I'm really proud of it, and she looks beautiful. I'll never stop bragging." Ozzie shook his head.

"She's the most beautiful princess," Joshua spoke. "Too bad she's not with a prince."

"She is, you fuckrag." Jonah shoved Joshua slightly. "Just because you're not the prince she chose doesn't mean he's not a prince."

"I'm just saying- we're a lot of like and it's sad she can't see that." Joshua took another sip of his drink.

"I hate drunk Joshua," Cleo complained, earning a laugh from Ozzie.

"Let's ditch him, then."

"Say less!" Cleo exclaimed, grabbing Ozzie and pulling him away from the other two.

"Dance with me, Jojo?" Joshua asked Jonah, earning an eye roll from the boy.

"Let's go, fuckhead."

++

"Are you enjoying the party so far?" Ethan asked Lia, his breath tickling her ear. She smiled as she looked around, her eyes eventually meeting Ethan's dark ones again.

"It's alright, although it is a little bit hot in here." She waved her hand over her face.

"Do you- would you want to-"

"Do you want to go outside?" Lia cut the other boy off, seeming to ask the question he'd been struggling to ask himself.

Ethan nodded with a smile, the girl just responding by grabbing his hand. He stared down at their laced fingers, his heart fluttering at how perfectly their hands blended together.

He wanted nothing more than to just grab her and run away, to leave New York and their pasts forever. He wanted to admit everything to her, to tell her how she meant so much to him and how the only thing he was afraid of was losing her.

But with Quinn in the way, he couldn't. He knew his family would stop at nothing to find him, and they'd probably succeed with his dad being in the police force.

However, Ken Murphy was an FBI agent, maybe he could put them under special protection?

Looking at Lia, at the way she smiled at him, he knew she wouldn't leave anyone. She was here getting her degree, and she'd become so close with the others that she'd never agree to such a dumb idea.

It was selfish for him to think for even a second she'd be willing to throw her entire life away for him. He was just a boy, and she was a beautiful young woman with so much potential.

Once outside in the nice cool air, they both felt as if they could breathe. People that littered outside were lost in their own conversations to the point where they didn't react at all when the couple passed them.

Lia took them over by a bush, one that separated them from the house but still meant they could see anyone leaving or arriving.

"It's a nice night out tonight," Ethan started the conversation, his eyes stuck on the girl next to him.

"It is, especially for October," Lia agreed.

"You really do look beautiful," Ethan complimented her for probably the hundredth time tonight, earning another blush from the girl. She blushed each and every time he complimented her, and he loved it.

"You've made me aware," She said. She looked over at him, and it was as if both of them were middle schoolers.

They stood awkwardly, both wanting to say so much yet saying nothing at the same time. Their stomach's swarmed with butterflies and they found themselves stealing glances at one another, their minds full of the other.

Ethan opened his mouth to say something, to finally break the silence between the two but was cut off by someone ramming into Lia. This pushed her entire body toward him, and he stood his ground firmly as he wrapped his arms around her torso.

"It's okay, I got you." He mumbled, staring at her with a look she couldn't describe. "Just like before."

He'd been referring to the day they met when she'd been too busy looking at the ground to realize he was in front of her. She knew that's what he'd been talking about, and just as she looked up to say something in response a familiar voice brought her out of the trance.

"Well if it isn't Lia!" The high-pitched voice caused her blood to run cold, and Lia found herself gripping Ethan's upper arms tightly. "Crazy we hadn't seen each other yet, right?" The person added, and Lia looked away from Ethan's worried eyes to the girl standing behind her.

Savannah Bright. The person she hated almost as much if not the same as Isaiah. She stood in front of her, dressed as a witch. Of course, it was what you'd see teenagers wearing in the movies. Half a skirt, a hat, and fishnets. Low-cut top, the diamonds on her belly button piercing dazzling in the light when it was hit.

She was beautiful, there was no doubt about it. But she used this beauty to an advantage and Lia couldn't help but feel as if she were going to throw up everything sitting in her stomach at the simple sight of the woman.

"What are you doing here?" Lia asked. She could feel the tears prickling in her eyes, and she scolded herself for not only showing this type of emotion with Ethan right behind her but in front of the girl only two feet away.

Ethan, who still had his hands wrapped around Lia, glanced down at the girl in confusion. She clearly wasn't happy to see whoever this was, and if he were being honest - he'd never seen this girl before.

"I go here, duh!" The girl with dirty blonde hair spoke, a big smile on her face.

"Did-" Lia started to ask a question burning in her mind, before deciding against it. She shook her head, her fingertips beginning to shake against Ethan's hand.

"I see nothing's changed in you, Murphy." Savannah looked the girl up and down, "Not surprised, either."

This was it. The bile grew up in her throat, and she knew if she stood in front of the girl any longer she may just throw up all over her. She pushed herself off of Ethan, running into the house.

Ethan looked after the girl in worry before his eyes landed on the girl known as Savannah. She just stared at him, a smile on her face as she twirled some hair between her fingers. 

"I didn't notice you here," She said.

"I should probably go after her," Ethan told her.

"But why?" Savannah stepped in front of him. She rested her hand on his upper arm, the boy just looking at it in disgust before back at her. "I just got here."

"Okay?" He said, making it sound like a question.

"Why go after Loser Lia when you could stay here and hang out with me?" She asked.

"You're disgusting," Ethan insulted, snapping his arm out of her grasp.

She gasped, looking at him in surprise as he just pushed past her and back into the crowded house. He glanced around frantically, not seeing her anywhere in the crowd.

"Ethan, what's going on man?!" The sound of Ozzie's voice came from the boy's left. He looked over, meeting the boy halfway.

"Did you see Ophelia pass through here?" He asked.

"I think she just said she was going to the bathroom," Cleo said, standing behind Ozzie. "Something happen? She seemed upset."

Ethan just nodded, not bothering to sit around and chat any longer before taking the steps two at a time. He began to knock on each shut door, finally sighing in relief when he saw a nearby door open. 

Lia walked out, wiping her cheeks. She paused as she made eye contact with Ethan, who just sent her a look. "You followed me?" She asked quietly, messing with her hands.

"Of course," He said, stopping directly in front of her. "I was worried about you, the way you ran off."

"I was just being overdramatic," She mumbled with a shake of her head.

"No, she seemed rude." Ethan disagreed, "Snobby."

"She um, we knew each other before college," Lia admitted.

"She seems horrible," Ethan said. He reached forward, pushing some of her stray hair behind her ear. She just looked up at him, her eyes a lighter shade of blue than usual.

This indicated that she'd been crying, which she had. She thought she was going to throw up and booked it for the bathroom, but the only thing that happened was her crying in front of the mirror like a child.

"Look, Ophelia, I-"

Lia's eyes snapped away from the boy standing in front of her, and she rushed to the stairs to see Tara being dragged up the stairs by another student. Chad stood at the foot of the stairs, an angry look on his face as the boy standing next to Tara attempted to drag her up the stairs.

Lia had seen this boy around, he'd always been around Isaiah. This meant if he were anything like her ex-boyfriend, he was a shitty person. She glanced over at Ethan, who followed where she was looking. His eyes widened in surprise and they found their way toward the steps, stopping in front of the man known as Frankie.

"What are you doing?" Lia asked, a stern look on her face as she stood eye-to-eye with Frankie. She was only as tall as him due to the steps she'd been standing on above him, and she crossed her arms over her chest as if she were able to intimidate him.

"She said she wants to," He spoke again, before taking in Lia's appearance. "Unless you'd like to join us?"

Lia's face twisted in disgust, beginning to say something before she was pulled back into the embrace of Ethan.

"Get lost, pig. Neither of them wants you."

Tara, who'd been oblivious to the way Frankie was talking, leaned into Chad's tall frame. "No, it's okay, I want to I really do." She told him, her hands flat on his chest.

He just shook his head, attempting to grab her. Tara had already pulled away from though, causing Frankie to be able to grip onto her arm aggressively. He yanked her back, not getting very far due to Ethan and Lia standing on the other side, and Tara falling over.

"Ouch,"

That was all it took. Chad grabbed Frankie within a millisecond, flinging him down the stairs. He shoved him, the other guy shoving them back. It was Ethan and Isaiah all over again, only this time it was Tara begging the men to stop instead of Lia.

Tara began to advance toward the fighting duo, but before she could get very far Lia grabbed onto her arm.

"T, you're drunk." She mumbled.

"I-I'm fine!" Tara exclaimed, "Let go of me Lia, please."

"No, you don't want to go with him he's friends with Isaiah." That caused Tara to stop fighting against Lia, the girl with deep brown eyes looking into light blue ones.

"Well I'm not you," Tara mumbled. 

The simple words caused Lia to drop Tara, letting the girl go. Tears brewed again, as she was already on edge due to Savannah being at the party. She fell back slightly, Ethan not hesitating to reach forward to catch her.

"Hey, it's okay. It's okay!" Ethan mumbled in her ear, "She's drunk, she doesn't realize what she's saying."

"Sorry to interrupt, I'm going to taze you in the balls real quick." The sound of Sam's voice was heard, but Lia just looked after the other Carpenter sister in pain.

"Lia," Ethan mumbled against the girl's ear, "Ophelia."

"I-it's fine." She stuttered, turning to look at him. "I'm just far too sensitive."

"It's not fine, but you need to remember Tara's just drunk. She's not happy we stopped her from making a huge mistake." He fixed the tiara on her head. She was just about to respond when Tara's voice boomed through the air, causing the room to grow silent.

"Are you fucking kidding me, Sam?!"

++

3491 words.

We've finally arrived at the events of the movie <3 Dress in the beginning of the chapter is the dress Lia's wearing. I don't take credit for it, I only used the style and whatnot for story purposes.

As mentioned before, it won't have too much dialogue or moments from the movie, as this is Lia's story and I don't want her involved in every single scene considering this is an AU, plus we know most of the events of the movie already.

Question: Would you guys want me to continue their story before Scream 7 comes out, or prefer I wait until after Scream 7 comes out so it gives me enough time to figure out how to interpret Lia and Ethan's story in there since he's not killing in this book? Comment here!

I personally would prefer to wait, just to see the new characters they bring in/kill off, and what setting. That would also give me time to work on other stories, I just would like to hear your thoughts!

* This chapter is not edited *