Chapter Text
Sue had never really paid any attention to Carrie White. She had always been too preoccupied with her school work, friends and other things to give the girl attention. Unless it was to laugh at her, Carrie was non existent to her. But after what had just happened, she came to regret it.
Chris and her friends had just pulled off a humiliating prank on the poor girl. One that left her a sobbing mess. Miss Desjardin had to escort her away while the School staff took Chris and the other girls away. Sue knew what they were up to and she didn't say anything. She thought it would be funny. She didn't think you would mess with Carrie this emotionally. The girl usually tried to ignore any teasing and bullying but this was too far.
Sue felt just as responsible. She had to do something.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day Sue looked around the school for Chris. Carrie was taking a one week leave of absence from school so at least Sue didn't have to worry about her.
That's when she finally found her.
She was talking about Carrie in the hallway with her friends Tina Blake, Helen Shyres, Norma Watson, and other girls who were gathered around her. They noticed Sue walking over to them and wanted to see her reaction to their prank.
"Can I speak to you alone, Chris? It's really important," Sue asked.
Chris wasn't expecting this. She expected Sue to join them in on the laughter. But her demeanor wasn't amusement. She seemed Stern. Even a little angry. The other girls noticed too because the mood instantly shifted.
"Fine, Chris said. "I'll talk to you girls later." The crowd dissipated as Chris and Sue were left alone in the hall.
"Alright, Snell. What's on your mind?"
"Why are you so mean to Carrie, Sue asked getting straight to the point.
Chris was speechless for a second. She hadn't expected the question. She thought she wanted to speak to her alone to compliment her on her glorious prank. Or to maybe ask her to the prom.
Not that she would have said yes if that was the case.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because you went too far. Why do you treat Carrie like that?"
"Because she’s different. And nobody in this town wants different. Not to mention, she dresses like a freakin grandma! Also, we gotta have a little fun every now and then. And making poor little Carrie's life miserable is a great form of entertainment."
Chris leaned on her locker, crossing her arms over her chest and grinned.
"Don't you think you went too far? Haven't you tormented her enough?"
Chris let out a sharp, tinkling laugh and flipped her hair.
"Oh please, Sue. Don’t get all guilty on me now. You were there too—laughing just as hard as the rest of us.”
She stepped closer, voice dropping to a mocking whisper. “Or are you suddenly too "pure" to enjoy watching a freak squirm? Wake up—Carrie’s been asking for this her whole life. Look at her! She dresses like she time-traveled from 1820 and talks to God like He’s her only friend—which, guess what? He is.”
"There's nothing wrong with being different. You should learn to be nicer. Being mean to whoever you want isn't healthy for anyone not even yourself.
Chris scoffed again, flicking some invisible dust off her sleeve. "Oh, save it. Carrie's practically a social reject. All she has going for her is that creepy psychic stuff, which I'm sure is just some kind of mental disorder anyways. Besides, she deserves to be humiliated every once in a while. It builds character, you know?"
Sue wasn't backing down. "Keep up with this path and you'll be miserable and alone for the rest of your life. Money and power won't ever change that."
Chris was starting to get annoyed.
"Why should I have to be nicer? And besides, who do you think you are, my mother or a shrink? I don’t care what anyone says or how they feel, including you! You don’t get to tell me what I can and cannot do! In fact, this is pretty rich coming from you Miss goody two shoes. Where were you before during the times Carrie was being tormented?"
"That's the thing, Sue said. I've really been doing some self-reflecting lately. Chris. I love you but Carrie needs support from both of us."
Chris rolled her eyes, annoyed by Sue's defense of Carrie. "Why do you care so much about Carrie anyways? She's a nobody, and everyone knows it. I mean, come on, we were all just having a little fun. It's not like anything serious happened. She'll get over it like she always does—or just cry to God about it again."
Sue hugs Chris and whispers in her ear "I hope you understand someday."
Chris tenses up briefly, not expecting the sudden hug from Sue. She hesitates for a moment before reluctantly relaxing into it. The whispered comment from Sue causes her to clench her jaw slightly in irritation, even as she gently pats Sue on the back.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure I'll "understand someday" - whatever that means," she muttered, pulling away from the hug.