TW: Depictions of self-harming, flashing, pulsing, and major character death!
Please read 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒊𝒙 ~ Ronnie’s POV and 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒊𝒙 ~J.D.’s POV before reading this
The rise of Heather Chandler, like the rise of the Roman Empire and any great dictator, didn’t happen over night. When we were in kindergarten, we all got along-even Heather did. She’d play dolls with Martha and I and bake cookies with Betty Finn from French Class. Then we got older and by the time we hit first grade Heather had already entered her terrible sixes. She never got better from there. Like Rome before us, our school system transitioned from a republic and into an empire where the power shifted over to Heather. High school wasn’t a democracy where everyone is free, it was the third circle of hell in imperial authority. Our survival now resting in the perfectly manicured hand of a tyrant.
Sometimes I look at Heather and wonder what happened to her that made her become this? She didn’t have to be like this but there was no reasoning with Heather.
Brutus betrayed Julius Caesar, his best friend for political power by stabbing him along with the rest of the senate. As I sit at my desk, writing this forged queue cards to blow up Heather’s reputation at the pep rally tomorrow I wonder: am I being a Brutus to Heather’s Caesar? Heather took me in, made me a Heather, I mean, sure it wasn’t for the best reasons but she was my best friend before she kicked me out of the group at the Homecoming party!
Killing Heather would be like offing The Wicked Witch of the West, or more like William Afton! “She always comes back!” Now knowing J.D. I know it’s not as far fetched as you would think.
I sound like a total psycho.
Right…I still want to believe I’m a good person, but, this is different. My revenge isn’t going to kill her like Brutus to Caeser, it’s just a shitstain on her reputation, right? Let me dream of a world where I don’t have to go to school with a target on my back or live in fear that I’ll never be left alone by Heather and her posse of hypocrites and ass kissers!
The same group of hypocrites and ass kissers I used to know…
They say that the beginning of the end is more like the end of the beginning. That “the road to hell is paved with good intentions” Yeah, well, how was I supposed to know I was on that road before I reached the end? The beginning of the fall isn’t something you can just predict until you’re already falling. It’s like being on a rollercoaster you’ve never been on seconds before dropping into the dark for the first time. She who seeks revenge should dig two graves and I was already digging mine, I just didn’t see the soil. I’m sure Julius Caesar never saw Brutus coming like I was too blind to see that the beginning of my end didn’t start with tears or fear, but with laughter:
I was walking in the hallway, my body posture wasn’t perfect or proper like a Heather, not that it mattered anymore. I was hunched over like I was playing hunchback when I heard the sound of J.D. whistling a tune to himself on the hallway floor over by the lockers. He looked calm and peaceful and in his own little world. Like nothing could touch him. I don’t know how he looks like that. I would give anything to be that serene. Guess death does that to you…Shit. Too soon? Is 30 years too soon?! I ran over to him. Maybe it was a little much to think he was waiting for me but I thought he was. We had been going steady again now that the whole “undead ghost” thing had been handled. Not that it didn’t feel weird talking to someone who wasn’t there around these kids I know. God, I must’ve looked like a total head case, like I needed to see a shrink! Looks like everyone’s life has got static and my static was literal ghost static. Guess we’ve all got our own problems…
When I was close enough, I smiled and clapped my hands together, which were full with the forged cards I had been working on the night before.
J.D. looks up at me slowly with a smug smirk. “You know it?”
“Oh, no.” I shake my head. “No, I don’t listen to the oldies radio station.” I point with a teasing face.
His eyebrows furrow slightly. “You’re calling me old? Huh, how unexpected…and here I thought I was an old soul with eternal youth on my side.” He batted his eyes with a pout.
“Uh, huh yeah.” I tilt my head, matching his pout with my arms crossed before smiling. He flashes that self-deprecating grin he always does when he’s said too much before narrowing his eyes with focus.
“Queue cards? Pop quiz trouble I presume?”
I wave the cards up in the air. “Oh these? No, good guess though-but these are the pièce de résistance!” I chuckle before sitting down next to him on the floor. “I’m using these to get back at Heather at the pep rally tonight. My revenge.”
I looked to make sure there weren’t too many people around. Once we were in the clear I cleared my throat and began reading the notes out loud in a mocking impression of Heather’s husky voice, smirking at J.D. as he listened. His hands were resting on his knees and he sat as close to me as he could watching intently with an amused expression. At least I knew he always found me funny, even when Martha didn’t…
“…And it’s not just about the team and their handjobs it’s about coming together as teachers and students, as a school to destroy the evidence of my family’s tax fraud and win another victory against the Razorbacks! We win as a school, we lose as a school, go straight to hell Rottweilers! Woo!” I finished before turning my gaze to J.D. hoping he’d be as stoked as me for the plan. But, no instead he was looking out at everyone in the hall, his face was cold and serious.
“And you’re so sure this’ll do it?”
My face drops faster than the new years ball. “Well yeah,” I force a smile. “Trust me, she’s over by this weekend. I mean, the whole school will be there, I’ll be recording. The minute the rest of us with less school spirit click on Heather Chandler embarrassing herself in the gym? It’ll be everywhere, she’ll go completely viral. It’s totally fool proof!”
“Come on, don’t be a sad ghost, ok? I know what I’m doing. You trust me, right?”
He looks at me for a long time before leaning so close he could’ve kissed me in any other life. “I do.”
“Hey, Ronnie. Missed you after class today.”
Great andddd the moments ruined…I look over to see Heather and Heather standing above me. Ugh, I must’ve looked so dumb leaned over like that and everything. Too late now. Yuck, what could Heather’s minions with smaller claws want now?
“Hey.” I mock in a chipper voice. “I was avoiding you because you all kicked me out of the group, remember?”
J.D. snorts, putting his hand above his mouth as he nods. I would’ve nudged his shoulder if there was anything to nudge. Like they could even hear him anyway…
“Are you ok?! I heard you hit your head in the gym!” Heather Mac gestured wildly.
“It’s all everyone’s talking about.”
“Yeah? I’ve heard.” I cross my arms and look away from them both, carefully hiding my notes so they can’t see.
Heather rolls her eyes and Heather’s face drops. “Um…So are you coming to the pep rally tonight? Ready to show some Westerberg spirit?!!!” She pumps her fist in the air.
“Anyone who’s anyone will be there.”
“Right, ok. I thought I wasn’t an ‘anybody’ anymore.” I tilt my head and wave my hands.
“Come on, just because Heather said you’re not our friend anymore doesn’t mean you’re not our friend anymore!”
“Actually that’s totally what that means. Rules are rules, Ronnie.” Heather Duke crossed her arms.
“Did Heather put you up to this?”
“No need for the paranoia. Heather wants everyone to be there for her big speech.” She flapped her hands.
I force another smile and nod. “That’s very thoughtful. You know what? I’ll be there.”
Heather Mac, ever the cheerleader clapped her hands and squealed. “See you tonight!!!” and then bounced away excitedly.
Heather on the other hand, looked more skeptical. Making a shocked face. “See you tonight…” She responded before sauntering away.
“See you.” I wave before turning my eyes back to J.D., whose head was back, tongue pressed to the inside of his cheek doing another olde lazy swipe as his fingers tap on his opposite arm.
The plan was made, the stage was set. Now I had to you know, actually go through with it…
The night of the pep rally I skimmed the gym assembly for any sign of Heather getting ready for her big speech. Yeah, I didn’t see her and I knew she wouldn’t answer her phone if I called her. So when I realized she wasn’t there I left to go find her. J.D. was waiting outside the gym, his arm was resting on the water fountain and his other hand was in his pocket.
“Enjoying the pep rally tonight?” I ask lightly, my hands behind my back as I swayed from side to side.
“Loud noises, bright lights, a group of students yelling peppy but ultimately hollow sentiments? Yeah, really got a taste for that kind of stuff.” He snarked.
“Well, if the wise olde ghost prophet says so.” I laugh before walking closer.
“Any signs of her?” His arms swing limply as he walks away. “Maybe she’s not here…”
I tilt my head. “Please, knowing Heather, she’s probably doing makeup touch ups in the bathroom down the hall instead of actually practicing.” My head straightens as I walk towards the girl’s bathroom, J.D. coming with. The sound of the pep rally was echoing down the quiet, dark hallway. God, the whole thing was such a spectacle it made my ears bleed.
By the time we make it to the bathroom, J.D. tried to go inside but I quickly put my arms out in front of him.
“Woah!” I exclaim nervously before looking down.
It was nice that J.D. wanted to fight for me. Not a lot of guys around here would do that. But, I couldn’t just let him go in there…Right? Maybe it was just me, maybe there was nothing to worry about but there was something gnawing at me to not let him come inside…
I smile at him before nodding my head. “Thanks, that’s very sweet of you, wanting to protect me and all that crap but nice try.” I point at his chest with a teasingly accusatory tone. “You Mr. can’t keep going into the girl’s bathroom unless you want to be labeled a pervert.” I laugh again before my voice grows softer, my hands now out in front of me like I wanted to take his. “I know your heart’s in the right place. I’ll be ok, I promise. I’ll see you after the pep rally.”
I pull away and walk towards the door, waving at him before closing it behind me.
When I walk inside I see a familiar view, Heather adjusting her ponytail slowly for “maximum volume” with makeup more expensive than my mom’s car scattered across the sink, Heather helping her with her makeup while Heather cheers her heart out in the gym. I’m reminded back to that first day of senior year when I was sitting in one of the stalls with a scarf, a diary, and a dream for a better way with a boon on my lips. Now look where that got me. I approach Heather slowly, smiling nervously and waving. When she sees me she turns to Heather with an annoyed look before going back to checking her teeth for any lipstick stains.
“Ah, Ronnie. Quelle surprise.” She tilts her head.
“Hey, Heather. Oh, you missed a spot.” I point at her reflection in the mirror where there’s a small red smudge on her teeth.
“Thanks. What are you doing here? I thought we were over the whole begging thing.” She smirked.
“No need to be so smug. I brought you a gift.” I bow sarcastically in front of her, holding out my cards now tied up in a red bow.
She puts her hands on her hips before walking over and grabbing the cards with a click of her heels. “What gift?”
“I thought you might need help with memorizing your speech. I mean, Heather told me you were and you’ve got the looks down pat and all but-”
She cuts me off with a laugh.
“Does it look like I need your help? Oh, come on, Ronnie don’t get your panties in a twist. Judging by your house you can’t afford replacement panties.” She looked at me with mock sympathy, before taking a deep breath. “The speech will go awesome. Get over yourself. Just because you hung with us for a sec doesn’t make you any less of the greasy little nobody we raised up from playing Barbies with Martha Dumptruck. If you can’t keep up don’t pretend like you’re anything better than you are. Another loser failing to be popular.”
I watched in anger as Heather threw out my cards and plan of revenge along with it before both Heathers walked towards the door-
Swell, there goes my one chance at defeating the monster, my one chance of proving anything. This is Heather’s world, pretty, blonde, popular and we all just live in it. Maybe J.D. was right-I needed something more. We’ll never know now. Clock struck twelve and it was time to leave the ball. Except there was no ball, no glass slipper, no prince “waiting up” just me with an eye twitch and defeated rage walking out towards the gym.
Once I sat down on the gym’s bleachers Heather Mac stood up to a cacophony of cheering. My hands were resting on my knees as she went up to the mic with enthusiasm. Heather Mac could be called a lot of things, but a bad friend or cheerleader wasn’t one of them. God, can we just get this over with? I don’t know why I’m sitting here. Watching Heather claim victory over the Razorbacks, fear and adoration from our class, and my head like it was a croquet ball out on the field. But here we are. Guess this should be good…
“Hey, Rottweilers!” The crowd went nuts, erupting at her words.
“Come on, we can do better than that!” She tilted her head, her hands moving side to side with an excited if awkward titter. “Hey, Rottweilers!!!”
If you didn’t know better you would’ve thought our class had gone wild, cheering even louder than before. I clapped with them, less excited but not wanting to look like a dick.
“Let’s get it and show some Westerberg sprit to my best friend, Heather Chandler!” She cheered, hyping up the crowd for the almighty emperor’s entrance. I crossed my arms, waiting for the inevitable.
Heather didn’t come out like she was supposed to.
At first I rolled my eyes, Heather was trying to be fashionably late to her moment, classic Heather.
Wait, hold on. No…Heather wouldn’t just flake out on this. Being Queen Bee means a lot to her. Even then by now? “Fashionably late” had past. Suddenly I didn’t feel so good about this. We all waited with bated breath, but Heather didn’t come out that door. I looked at Heather and Heather to see if they had any ideas what was holding her up. When I saw Heather mouth “Where is she?” I felt a pit in my stomach. This was bad. Really bad.
That’s it. I’m going after her.
I stood up and walked towards the door, ignoring both Heather’s protests and a pep rally crowd way too quiet all of the sudden.
I navigated the dark hallways slowly looking for any sign of Heather. Deciding eventually to retrace my steps from the girl’s bathroom. I don’t have to make it that far before I notice that my queue cards previously in the trash were now scattered across the floor in a line. This wasn’t just a mess for Janitor Pete to come and clean up.
It was a trail straight to Heather.
With one more glance back at the gym I followed the trail to whatever hell it was taking me to. As I got closer I heard a faint sound.
The trail lead me to the top of the school stairs, I quickly ran up to the second flight landing. What a relief.
“Heather? Hey, are you ok? You really had me going. I mean you almost missed the pep rally back there and…”
Heather was standing with her back to the stairs, I couldn’t see her face but, if she wasn’t careful she’d fall. She was whistling a tune I knew I had heard before as I saw the small light of a lighter in her hand, her other hand? Above the flame like it was something precious.
“What are you doing with that?”
No response, just more whistling.
“Really? No come back? No retort? Come on you’re going to hurt yourself if you keep doing that…”
I try to grab her hand and I feel a shiver in my whole body.
“Fuck, you’re so cold.” My eyes widen as I shake like a leaf.
It's like holding hands with a corpse…
I shake my head and charge up the final couple stairs to get a better look at her. “What is your problem, Heather?”
Once I got a good look at her the air got kicked out of my lungs. Her eyes weren’t their usual shade of greenish hazel but instead a sickly teal, almost glowing as the lighter burned at the skin on her hand.
“A little warmth in our cold world? Nothing wrong with that.” Heather smiled, but it wasn’t her smile. It was too wide…Too wrong. Like someone wearing her skin for dress up day.
“J.D.?” I tilted my head.
They closed the lighter, shoving it in her jacket pocket as they clasped their hands in front of them. “Now was it really so obvious, darling?”
“What are you doing? How are you doing this?”
“Oh, this?“ They pointed at themselves. “Oh, I’d hardly call this a hassle. Possession? Oldest trick in the book, you know being a ghost kinda sucks but it does come with some bells and whistles.” They put their hands up defensively with a head tilt. “And I? I’m doing this for you. You failed to get your revenge so I’m moving on to plan B…I’m helping…”
“Helping? Is that what you’re doing?!” My voice becomes softer as I blurt out my next words in spite of my wide eyes and shallow breathing. “Get out of her body.”
“Because it’s wrong.” I snap, my hands curled into fists at my side as I take a deep breath. “Cut the crap, ok? You’re scaring me…” I try to smile but I have to look away, tears welling in my eyes as I cross my arms again. Like I needed the waterworks to start up again.
J.D. as Heather tries to step closer. “Ronnie, I…” But, I turn away from them. “Ok, point made. I’m sorry.”
When I look back J.D. was exiting Heather’s body, now standing closer to the wall as Heather came back to.
“Where am I?” Heather demanded impatiently.
“Heather, thank god you’re ok! You need to get back in and give your speech!” I put my hand over my heart, feeling more at ease now that I know she’s ok.
Her eyesbrows furrowed. “I’m sorry did you make me run late?” She asked with a head tilt.
“What? No?! It was J.D….”
“J.D.? Did that brain injury give you a tumor? I mean seriously, Ronnie. Blaming someone that doesn’t even exist…” Heather pushes me against the railing violently. “Jealous much? Admit it. You’re jealous you don’t have what I have. Take a hint, Ronnie. It’s over.” She leans in closer, “You’re history, roadkill, dead and you can’t come back from that with gifts and begging. Move on!”
With all of the fear and rage of being backed against a wall, I defend myself the only way I know how. “God, get off of me!” I push her off.
The fall of Heather Chandler felt like it was in slow motion and yet in 2x speed at once. There was no grand crescendo like in the movies, just a shriek and a clatter. It felt like the longest 20 seconds of my life watching her fall like that. No longer the graceful tyrant and instead falling with crude force. By the time she hit the ground that smirk on her face was gone, replaced by horror in its wake. I had wiped that smug look off her face at what cost. I scrambled over to the edge of the stairs to look at Heather and wonder what happened to her that made her become this? Brutus had killed Caesar.
I screech before putting my hand over my mouth. I look over at J.D. who quickly moves to stand next to me to get a better look at the crime scene. He looks totally shocked too.
“Don’t just stand there! Call 9-11!”
“Uh, little late for that.”
I run down the stairs frantically, towards Heather. “Heather! Heather!” I start gently shaking her. “HEATHER! Oh my god! OH MY GOD! I JUST KILLED MY BEST FRIEND?!” I hold my arms out and gesture at her body.
“And your worst enemy.” J.D. responds dryly as he sits down on the stair above me.
“Same difference! The cops are going to think I did this on purpose! They’re going to have to send my SAT scores to San Quentin!”
If I thought it was over before it’s over now. Being “a dead girl walking” has nothing on BEING A CRIMINAL?! Oh my god, my parents are going to have to bring me liverwurst during visiting hours! I’ll have to get a buzz cut!!!
“I didn’t mean to.” I say quietly to myself before looking up at J.D. frantically. “You see that? I DIDN’T MEAN TO!!!”
J.D. moves closer to me right on queue. “I know. I know.” He coos. “Look, you could go to jail. You need to get your head on straight now and leave before anyone or the cops see you, ok?”
“You say that like you’ve done this before.” I laugh awkwardly.
“This isn’t funny! Just follow my lead. Like this, ok?”
I take one last look at Heather with a heavy mind and heart, the blood red of what I’ve done staining my blue as I breathe and run up the stairs.
I can feel my heart beating louder and faster in my chest as I walk upstairs before I pass by a familiar face.
Shit. Gowan was scouring the halls for Heather too.
“Ah! Principal Gowan, what are you doing here?” I ask with whatever calm I had left.
“I heard screaming and trying to find out what was causing the commotion.”
I nod enthusiastically with a smile. “Right, right, right. That makes total sense what would we do without the Principal making sure we were safe?”
Just then, the lights above us began to flash again. Gowan looked up at them not with his usual annoyance, but this time? With fear.
As if we were in a scene straight out of a horror movie, I hear a scream from downstairs.
“Heather Mac!” I run towards the stairs, Gowan taking a minute to watch the lights before coming after me.
When I get to the edge, Heather and Heather are looking at Heather’s body. Heather looked like she was about to be sick and Heather looked like her watery eyes were about to bug out of her head.
“We need to call someone!”
“Heather Chandler is gone!”
I turn to Gowan, his eyesbrows shot up as he rubbed his forehead. It didn’t take long for the rest of the school to pile into the hallway and see what happened and all I did was feel sicker and sicker. My heartbeat was now louder than a school’s screams and cries of agony for their fallen ruler.
I think I’m a good person.
And I think this is not how this was supposed to go.
The great fire of Rome was engulfing us all, and I could’ve sworn that in between the loud of everyone around me and the lump in my throat I could hear the whistle of Nero in my head as he watched it all burn.
READ 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 ~ J.D.’s POV HERE!
