"Will I ever get my head right?"

Ethan sat at the dinner table, his head in his hand as he listened to his father rant about whatever the problem was this day. He shouldn't have gone home and he knew that, but with Lia visiting her own family, he had no excuse to stay away.

"The friend group grew unexpectedly," Quinn, Ethan's older sister spoke. "What was supposed to only be like a few people added there's now a huge amount."

Ethan watched as his father tapped his hand on the table a few times, a gesture that made him think of the redhead he was with constantly. His mind traveled to the kindhearted girl, only causing his heart to ache at what he'd been currently talking about with his family.

He wanted nothing to do with this, he never had. Even before meeting Lia, he found himself second-guessing this ridiculous plan that his father had come up with, but the redhead just gave him the exact confirmation that this was the last thing he wanted.

Ethan didn't think his family realized what they were getting themselves into. Not only would this ruin multiple people's lives, but it would ruin theirs as well. He knew what his brother had done was wrong, and no matter how much it sucked the guy was now dead getting revenge wasn't going to do anything but make matters worse if anything.

"Well, I don't see how that's a problem," Ethan's dad said, shaking his head.

"It's a problem because it's harder to sneak around," Ethan said. He cleared his throat as the two looked at him, suddenly nervous underneath their stares. "Quinn you're having to sneak around three other people at the place you live at. I'm needing to sneak past not only my roommate but three other guys just in the dorm in general." He pointed to himself.

Of course, he was only trying to come up with excuses. He'd never up and exactly told his family he wanted nothing to do with this, knowing the consequences of going against them. It scared him, and the last thing he wanted was to end up how other people had simply because he didn't want to live the way they wanted to.

Quinn rolled her eyes at this, scoffing in response. Their father noticed the tension brewing between the two and glanced from Ethan to Quinn in confusion. "What's going on?" He asked.

"Ethan's found himself making side quests, apparently," Quinn admitted, causing the boy's eyes to widen.

"What?!" 

"What's she talking about Ethan?" Their father asked, sending a stern look toward the boy.

"Nothing, she's crazy just like everyone else in this fucking family," Ethan said. He shot Quinn a glare as he scooted his chair back.

"Ethan," His father said. "You better not be ruining what this family has worked so hard for."

"Yeah, because I won't hesitate to snap her neck if she gets in the way," Quinn smirked, knowing the comment would send her little brother over the edge.

Ethan froze, his blood running cold at the simple thought of Lia getting hurt. He leaned against the dinner table, his eyes staring straight into Quinn's angry ones. "If you touch her Quinn I swear to god I'll kill you myself," He muttered.

The girl in front of him gulped, unable to tell if he was being honest or if it were a bluff. Ethan's jaw clenched, anger coursing through his veins. "Lia has nothing to do with this, and I won't hesitate to bend the plan a little bit if you touch her at all."

"Then don't let her get in the way," Quinn said in return. "As long as she's not making any stupid decisions, then she'll be safe."

"Guys, stop arguing," Their father looked between the two, anger laced in his tone. "We've already decided if anyone tries to get in the way we won't hesitate to off them."

"She has nothing to do with this," Ethan said as he finally looked over at his dad. "She's barely even friends with the Carpenters, let alone Samantha."

"But she's still friends with them, right?" His father asked. Ethan didn't say anything, giving the older man all the confirmation he needed. "Then there's still a chance she gets involved. We can't risk letting anyone get in the way, Ethan."

"Exactly," Quinn agreed. "And don't worry baby brother, I'll be the one to take care of her if she were to try."

Ethan's head snapped to the girl sitting across the table from him, a knowing smirk resting on her features. His blood ran cold, knowing how brutal Quinn could be. He knew she wouldn't hesitate to put her hands on Lia, no matter what Ethan was to say to stop her.

"What do you think she's going to think of you when she finds out who you really are?" Quinn then asked, catching Ethan off guard. "You think she's going to find out the truth about you and jump into your arms because you decided to not kill her as well?"

Ethan didn't say anything at this, knowing that Quinn had a point. It was what he thought about the majority of the time, what Lia's reaction would be when she found out how much of a monster Ethan truly was.

"Don't let some girl get in the way of the plan Ethan," His father butted in, looking at him in disapproval. "Richie never did, and neither can you."

"Of course Richie didn't, because the person he found was just as crazy as he was." Ethan scooted his chair back, tears filling his eyes. "Lia stays untouched or I'm done with this fucking plan."

He didn't bother to wait for anyone to say anything, his anger becoming too much to handle. He left the house, wanting to be anywhere that his family wasn't. He hated his family, they took everything normal about his life away.

Sure, it sucked that Richie was gone. But Richie's gone because of the consequences of his own actions. If anything, his father was ruining his and Quinn's life as well all for his beloved first son, someone who deserved what was coming to him if you were to ask Ethan. Call him jealous, tell him he's just mad that Richie gets all of the attention; but Ethan didn't care. Ethan liked the life he had at Blackmore, he grew to realize. He didn't mind Chad or even Mindy, and he most certainly didn't mind the Carpenter sisters.

Stray tears fell, Ethan wiping them almost immediately as he walked further into the busy city. His mind had already been killing him within the past month, from the moment he realized that something was coming out of his friendship with Lia. 

He didn't know what to do. If he disagreed with his dad, he'd have the same fate as his mother. If he pushed Lia away, he couldn't guarantee she'd be safe. If he kept her close, it might bring her closer to the Carpenter sisters and Quinn would use her as leverage on him. They could use Lia to cause him to actually pick up the knife, making him do something he didn't want to do.

Lia was bound to get her heartbroken no matter what he chose to do, so every possible choice seemed like the wrong one.

Running a hand through his hair, he sighed in frustration. He needed to get his mind off of everything, as the simple thought of Lia getting hurt was enough to make him want to throw up. He continued to walk, however, thinking of each outcome that was to happen depending on the choice he chose.

Finding himself in front of the same diner he'd been at multiple times now, he entered with a sad look on his face as he decided to get something in his stomach. He wasn't hungry- as a matter of fact, his stomach churned in disgust at his thoughts. But he hadn't eaten a full meal in a couple of days, and he wouldn't be able to do much at all if he wasn't able to eat.

He was sat in a booth in the corner of the restaurant, his back to the wall. He could see anyone who entered or exited, immediately recognizing a few people as students that attended Blackmore. None of them were people he genuinely talked to, as the only people he bothered with were Lia and their friend group. He didn't really care to either, considering he liked to give the majority of his time to Lia.

"What can I get you today?" The waitress asked as soon as she walked over.

"Could I just start off with some water for now?" Ethan asked politely, biting the inside of his lip. He couldn't bring himself to order any food, not yet.

"Of course, hun. I'll get that out as soon as I can and whenever you decide to order something to eat just let me know." She sent a nice smile, to which he just nodded in response.

As soon as she walked away, Ethan pulled his phone out. He saw he had a couple of texts from Lia, ones informing him she was finally back from visiting home. She'd left this past Friday, and if Ethan were to be honest it was the longest weekend without Lia around. He'd done some hanging out with the others in the friend group, mostly finding himself following Chad around like he'd been a lost puppy. He was either doing that or cooping himself up inside the dorm room, catching up on late homework or getting ahead on work.

He was lonely without Lia around, as she helped him forget about the shithole he called his life. She made him forget about Richie, Quinn, and everything his dad was making him do. She helped him make him feel normal again like there was a potential relationship and future for the two of them.

Sending a quick text back, he smiled at the waitress who dropped the small glass of water on the table. She slipped a straw down next to it, smiling another kind smile at him before leaving him alone again.

He stared at the table in front of him, his eyes watching the condensation on the glass in silence. He was probably receiving weird looks from people, as he looked like he could break down at any given moment. He didn't care. All he cared about was getting himself out of this problem. Or, at least he liked to think he could.

Ethan knew deep down in the end he wouldn't be able to overpower his family. Quinn, maybe, but his father? That's who he was truly afraid of. With the power and strength his father had he knew he couldn't put up a fight with him. Ethan couldn't even fight off Isaiah, a drunk college student who couldn't even tell where he was. How could he think he'd ever be able to keep Lia and their friends safe with his father around?

Of course, there was the option of telling authorities, but he knew that wouldn't work either. His father would just claim he was crazy, and either end up killing him or shoving him into a mental institute.

The feeling of someone sitting across from him caused him to glance up, shock written on his face as he saw the familiar redhead sitting across from him. A smile rested on her features, and she rested her head in her hands as she stared at him.

"Lia? What are you doing here?" He asked, glancing around before back at her.

"You texted me saying 'Glad to hear you're back, it's awkward sitting at the diner alone'." She read the text from her phone, "Thought you might want some company."

"Thank you," He said. Lia noticed his change in behavior and frowned. She reached her hand across the table and grabbed his, causing his eyes to snap back to hers.

"Are you doing okay?"

"I will be," He answered. He would like to say that was the truth, but it wasn't. He didn't think he'd ever be okay, especially with the situation he was in. "Just family problems."

"I'm sorry, Laundry Basket." She sighed, squeezing his hand once more. When there was no reaction from Ethan, she began to pull her hand away.

Instead of getting too far, however, Ethan just gripped onto her fingers. This caused her to put her hand back down, letting him hold her hand. She knew that there was more to it than just some family problems, but didn't say anything as she didn't want to push him.

"How are the others? Anything I missed?" She asked, changing the subject.

"The usual," He said. "Amanda clinging around Mindy, Chad and Tara clinging to each other. Cleo and Ozzie."

"The usual," She repeated with a nod. "How did your weekend go overall, despite the family problems?"

"Boring. I didn't like it with you gone," He admitted. "I was third-wheeling Tara and Chad."

"Ew, gross." Lia's nose scrunched lightly, causing Ethan to smile at the cute look on her face. "Have you ordered anything?" She then asked as she finally pulled her hand away, grabbing the menu from by the window.

"Not yet, I was going to but didn't feel like it yet." He answered, pulling his hands off of the table and into his lap.

"Good, I'm starving." She sent a smile.

Ethan nodded in response and decided he'd get food now that she was here. He just stared at her as she glanced over the menu, her mind running with ideas on what to eat for lunch.

"Can I get you anything, sweetheart?" The waitress asked, scaring Ethan slightly as he hadn't even realized she'd walked up again.

"Um, just the chicken tender platter," Lia said, before looking at Ethan. "You know what you want?"

"I'll have the same," Ethan said, sending a quick glance to the waitress before looking back at Lia.

"What sauce?" The waitress asked as she scribbled on her notepad.

"Ranch," The two said at the same time, before looking at each other with nervous smiles.

"I'll have that out soon," The waitress told them with a smile before leaving them alone again.

Lia put the menu back where it was before she grabbed it, sighing a sigh of frustration. "I forgot to order a drink." Her brows furrowed together as she leaned back, "I was so focused on food I forgot."

"You can drink some of this," Ethan offered, pushing his water toward her.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

He shrugged, "I don't mind if you don't."

She sent him another one of her cute smiles, pulling the glass toward her. She took a sip, Ethan just watching her in admiration. He couldn't help it, he wanted to get as much of her as he could before everything went to shit.

Before people died, and before she hated him for the rest of their lives.

"You're really bothered by something, you know." She told him, "I know you probably don't want to talk about it with me, but I'm here for you."

"I don't know where to even start," He said. "Or where I would start."

"That's okay, E." She nodded, "It happens. Whenever you find the words I'll be here."

Ethan didn't say anything but just looked down, his thoughts running wild. He wanted to just scream out in frustration, and tell Lia everything that had been going on. He wanted to tell her the truth, warn her so she could leave before anything happened to her. He didn't care about what happened to anyone else. Well, he did, but not the way he cared for Lia. He didn't want anyone to get hurt, but he think he'd get physically ill if anything were to happen to the girl sitting in front of him. He couldn't live with himself knowing his family's selfish plans ruined her life.

Lia had so much going for her. She'd yet to experience any type of heartbreak such as someone around her dying. She didn't need to, either. She deserved to graduate college and find a boy who loved her for who she was and showed her that. She deserved to have the life she wanted.

And as much as Ethan wanted to be that for her, he knew he couldn't.

Thanks to his family, he was more than aware of the truth behind the famous Stab movies. He knew what was real and what was fake, and he knew how it always ended up for the famous Ghostface killers. His family was in over their head, and he knew that more than any of them. And with knowing that, he knew it would end up like it had many times before.

Them being dead, even him.

As he looked back up at the girl sitting in front of him, he hated himself more than ever. She had a look of nothing but concern and worry written on her features, the happy-go-lucky smile on her face gone as if it were never there in the first place. "Ethan," She said softly. "I'm not going to judge you."

But you will, he wanted to say. You're going to hear the truth and leave, warn the others, and hate me forever.

Almost as if the timing couldn't have gotten better, the waitress brought two extremely hot and fresh plates of the chicken tender platter out. It was awfully fast, but considering they were dead it made sense.

Lia sent a kind smile to the waitress, one Ethan mirrored when he made eye contact with the older woman. She asked if they needed anything else before walking away, leaving the two on their own once again.

The girl sitting across from Ethan sent him a sad smile, "This conversation isn't over, E."

"I know," 

++

2908 words.

We're getting closer to the events of the movie!

I might post a couple of times because there won't be updates for at least two days. Not sure about Monday at the moment, but we'll see <3

* This chapter is not edited *