(Author's note: So I just started writing and this is my first story, hence I would really appreciate it if you left a review to let me know how you found it. I wouldn't mind if you gave me some ideas, either. Enjoy!)

Chapter Three: A Conversation Between Friends

Stiles returned with a tray, containing two glasses, a bottle of water, a pitcher of Lemonade and a plate with biscuits.

"What part of 'just water' didn't you understand?" asked Lydia, who couldn't help but laugh.

"First, these are excellent cookies, made by Melissa. And you know how great her cooking is. Um, actually no, how would you?" he paused for a moment and then continued. "And the Lemonade is so good, you should try it."

He filled a glass with the beverage and handed it to her.

"Okay, thanks" she said taking a sip.

"Okay, now, we need to talk".

Stiles sat on a chair opposite the sofa Lydia was sitting on. For the first time, the girl noticed that he had actually changed a lot since high school. He was more muscular and his shoulders had broadened. Stiles caught her staring and she quickly turned away.

"Where have you been, Lydia?"

"Um, away from here?" she couldn't help it, she kind of used sarcasm all the time when she was around him.

"Oh, really? I haven't noticed" but she wasn't the only one, Stiles had always been the master of sarcasm.

"At first, I went to my dad in Atlanta and stayed there for a couple of years. Then, it was college time and now I live in New York City."

"That's great, Lydia. Really great. What did you study in college?"

"Mathematics."

Lydia had always loved Maths. In high school she tried to act like a nut head, so she could preserve her popular status. However, Stiles was the only one who had understood that she actually had a brain and from then on she stopped her act and showed her teachers how good she was. Her favorite class had been Maths and therefore she decided to continue a Math career.

"If someone had to study Mathematics, it should be you, Lyds. I bet you were the best of your class."

Stiles smiled with the half smile of his and Lydia had the urge to kiss him…

Wait, what? What was she thinking? She wasn't attracted to Stiles, she couldn't be, she didn't even know him anymore, the man he has become. And she DEFINITELY didn't want to kiss him!

"What have you been doing all this time, Stiles?" she asked trying to get those annoying thoughts out of her mind.

"Well, we left to Seattle for a while, just to make sure Malia's dad was settled in okay at his new house. Then, we returned in Beacon Hills and took online classes for our degrees."

Lydia's ears were ringing. Had he just said 'Malia'? He was co-living with the were-coyote? Seriously?

Lydia had never really been fond of that girl. At first, she had no problem with her, but after Ali's death and before Lydia's leaving town, Malia tried to befriend the strawberry blonde haired girl. In reality, though, she had been trying to take Allison's spot in the pack and that made Lydia dislike her.

"You live with Malia?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even.

"For a few years now." Stiles replied simply.

"You're, um, together?"

"Yeah. Since high school."

Stiles was smiling, but not his usual goofy smile. It was a smile she knew all too well. Because it was her smile, the one he used to have only when he was looking at her. Lydia felt like someone was punching her in the face.

"That's great. I'm happy for you." She was happy for him, but still something didn't feel right.

"What about you, Lydia? Is there someone in your life?"

"Me? Um, no… There have been some guys, but they didn't stay for long."

"I'm sorry".

However, as Lydia was watching the man in front of her, she would think that he didn't seem so sorry. More, like, relieved she would say.

"So, Stiles, tell me about the rest of the pack. How are they? What have they been doing all this time?"

"Well, Scott and Kira got engaged and Derek's already married and has a baby with his wife, Denise. They all live here, except from Isaac who's always on the road but visits us rarely. Oh, and Melissa married my dad, so now Scott and I are officially brothers."

"Oh my God, this is great, Stiles! I can't believe it. And Derek's a father?" she couldn't help her excitement. She almost wished she have been there herself to all those events, almost. "And what about you and Malia? Are you engaged? Or married?"

"Nah, we're just a couple. You know, still that boyfriend and girlfriend thing."

'At least they aren't married!' Lydia thought even though she couldn't understand why she should care.

"So I heard about your mom. I'm really sorry, Lyds" continued Stiles.

"Me, too" her mother and her breast cancer weren't what she wanted to talk about in the moment.

As they were sitting there, the front door opened and a woman's voice called.

"Stiles, I'm back" Malia said.

"Malia, in the living room" he shouted back.

Malia entered the room and when she saw Lydia sitting on the sofa, she seemed like she had just encountered a ghost. 'How ironic', the strawberry blonde thought, 'others see frenemies from the past and they act like they've seen ghosts and others feel followed by them'.

"Lydia!" said Malia, still shocked.

"Hey, Malia" she greeted and then turned to Stiles "I should go".

"No, Lydia, you can stay for dinner if you want" Stiles replied, as Malia, having passed her state of shock, went into his waiting for her arms.

"No, really, it's fine. Thanks, though" Staying another moment in this room, having to watch the couple into each other's arms was already starting to make her feel uncomfortable.

Lydia got out of the room and went to the door. Stiles, being faster than her, opened it for her. Malia had stayed in the living room, so it was just the two of them. Lydia stepped outside and immediately felt that familiar feeling. She turned towards the thing that was following her, but again she could see nothing.

"What's wro…" Stiles started, but then stopped abruptly.

Lydia turned to face him. He was looking where she had a second ago. His jaw was clenched and the look in his eyes had hardened.

"Stiles?" she asked a little scared.

"It's time for you to go, Lydia. It was great talking to you" he said quickly. Then his eyes fell on hers, his gaze softened and he smiled "Don't be a stranger, Lyds".

Lydia went to her car and got inside. Before she started the engine, she looked back to where Stiles was standing. He was still staring at the place she thought she had felt the 'presence' was.

Lydia was already driving away and didn't see Stiles moving forward and talking to someone invisible for the human eye.

I'm terribly sorry for any mistakes, I'm trying to improve my writing skills and grammar, but it's difficult to write in a language that's not your native one. I hope you liked this chapter!