Two Months

"YOOOO STILES!"
"You the man, Stilinski!"

A flurry of car horns, shouts and obscene gestures flew out from the red SUV driving down the road of Stiles' division, making him turn and grin.

"No, YOU the man, Whittemore!" The heads his former lacrosse teammates pulled back inside as they turned the corner and Stiles chuckled as he turned back to fastening down the bungee cords holding his belongings in the back of his jeep.

"Your friends are… something, aren't they?" Sheriff Stilinski ambled out of the house, looking very "lumberjack chic," as his ex Malia would have said. "Are you sure you don't wanna spend another year at home? It's not too late to move all this stuff back upstairs."

"Dad, I'll be fine. We've already paid the down payment on the house. Besides, Scott'll be devastated. Really, Dad. Think of the sad puppy dog eyes you'll be getting all year. Really, I'm saving you."

The sheriff rolled his eyes and walked towards the waiting U-Haul on the street. Stiles and Scott had been talking about living together since before they could talk, and he really was happy to get the crap the boys had been hoarding in his basement out of the house. But there was always that part of him that never wanted Stiles to move out, didn't want him to grow up and grow away.

"Let's get a move on then. I'm sure Scott's driving Melissa crazy as well."

"Excuse you, sir!" Stiles began his rant at his father, but the Sheriff had already climbed into the truck and started the engine. "It's like he doesn't even try anymore."

With one final look at his childhood home, Stiles started the jeep and pulled away.

"Allison, you better be on your way. I am not moving in by myself. I refuse to be that person." Lydia Martin stood on the stoop outside her dormitory, scanning the arriving cars anxiously. The U-Haul that had driven most of her belongings to the school sat at the curb like a giant white beacon, attracting unwanted attention. The two boys who worked for the moving company had immediately gone off to smoke once they'd arrived; apparently moving five kids' boxes into rooms was too much hard work for them to pay her any respect.

Allison was supposed to have met her an hour ago. They'd get their keys, find their room, and move in all of their belongings together, just like they discussed so many times over the last six months. They'd lived on the same floor last year and quickly became like sisters. The decision to live together this year came naturally and now all that was missing was her tall BFF and Lydia was all set to have an amazing year. If someone would just show. Up.

"Hey!" Allison's breathless greeting cut through the air and caught Lydia's attention, a smile immediately replacing the worry lines. "Sorry, we got caught in traffic on the 405." Willowy arms wrapped around Lydia's frame and she was instantly excited again.

"It's okay, you're here now! Where's your dad? Will he watch the U-Haul, too? The idiots who are supposed to be helping me move in have disappeared." Allison laughed and nodded as her father approached, side-eyeing the monstrous white vehicle. "You're the best, Mr. A!" Lydia smiled brilliantly at Allison's father before grabbing her hand and dragging her through the doors of their dormitory.

"Sophomores, coming through!"

Their house was the most magnificent sight Stiles had ever beheld.

Sure, their couch was a ratty castoff bought at Goodwill for ten bucks and the whole place exuded more shabby than chic, but it was theirs and it was amazing. Though, judging from the politely courteous looks their three parents were giving them, it was still pretty disgusting.

"Call me if you need anything."
"Moooom."
"You have the emergency numbers?"
"Yes, Mom, they're on the fridge, right where you put them."
"Make sure you don't burn the place down?"
"Thanks, Dad. I appreciate your faith in me."

After a million more platitudes, the three housemates were finally left in peace, sitting on ratty furniture in silence.

"Dude." Stiles broke into a grin. "This is going to be the best fucking year."

"Hell yeah!" Scott and Danny chorused together, making them all erupt in laughter as Danny slid a six pack of beer from its hiding place behind the side table. He passed them out and held his bottle out for a toast.

"To freedom."
"To freedom!"

After a lot of hard work and heavy lifting, mostly on Allison's dad's part, their dorm room was spectacular. On the upper classmen's floor, the room was bigger with their own attached bathroom. The white walls made the pastel floral prints hung around the room as decoration pop. The room looked as if it were pulled straight from the pages of a collegiate catalog. Mr. Argent had bowed out as soon as he could. He'd made more of an effort than either of her parents, but that didn't mean Lydia was sad to see him go. She finally had her best friend back and all to herself and life could hardly get much better than this.

The excited chatter of the first day wove through the hallways and through their doorway, interspersed with random strains of music and raucous laughter. It felt like home.

Risking the wrath of the RA, Lydia brought out the chilled miniature bottle of Champagne she had snagged from the town car, eyes dancing as she held it out to Allison.

"Lyds, you didn't!" Her voice was equal parts aghast and amazed.

"I had to do something to celebrate this moment," she replied, procuring two glasses from their food station. "Here's to the beginning of the rest of our lives."

"You're so cheesy." Lydia focused her most intense glare on her tall friend, who sighed and gave in. "Okay, okay. To the rest of our lives." She poured a generous amount into each of the glasses and they giggled as they clinked glasses together.

A/N: Hey there!

So… after much cajoling, I'm turning this into a series. Expect a couple of quick shots to catch us up and then we'll be into the heart of it. Hope you enjoyed this little prologue, let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I wouldn't be unemployed if I owned anything.