The peace of the park had only been temporary. Soon the quiet was disrupted by a familiar rumbling noise, followed by the sight of a blue jeep careening into a space against the curb. For a second I considered running again when I saw him leap out of the vehicle and stalk towards me. He had such strong strides that I could practically feel the tension radiating from him from my seat meters away. But unlike before I stayed put. I was just so tired.

Tired of running, tired of aching, tired of hiding way. Exhaustion has permeated my skin and settled into my bones. My limbs felt heavy as lead, my muscles weak and useless. I just wanted things back to how they were, even if it meant embarrassing myself ten million times over like before. Because really was it worth it? Was it worth all this trouble on the whim that maybe the boys found me annoying? I'm not sure it was…and I'm not sure it wasn't. I was confused, tired, and ready to give in.

I, however, found myself unable to even look at him when he stopped in front of me. It was like some ghastly habit I had gotten into. I had been so distant, so standoffish that I couldn't go back to smiling, laughing, talking. It was like I had forgotten how.

"Look you don't have to talk to me...or...or look at me…" A heavy sigh escaped his lips, and I'm sure he had that furrowed brow, tight lipped look on his features. The one he got whenever something pissed him off or exasperated him. "But we are going to sort this out eventually."

A cautious hand came to rest upon my shoulders which tensed instinctively. They'd never done that around Stiles…I'd always been relaxed, the same with Scott. They were harmless in practically every way, yet I'd brought myself to the point at which I had to stop myself from shrugging off his touch.

"Okay…" My voice was weaker than I wanted it to be. More monotone than I'd ever heard it. It honestly didn't sound like me at all…there was no cheery lilt or inability to stop talking to take a breath. There was just hollowness and silence…and he noticed, oh boy did he notice. I'd never seen Stiles look so cautious around anyone.

"Okay," he repeated hesitantly. I could feel his eyes searching my face, waiting expectantly. A pregnant silence stretched between us, making me hyper aware of the sound of my own breathing and ticking over of my fingers. This was my cue - this was the bit where I was meant to explain myself. I opened my mouth, ready to vocalise my thoughts, tell him how I'd gotten myself into this ridiculous mess, but no words came out. It was like my tongue was made of lead, my brain drawing a complete blank. I was again overwhelmed by how cliché this was - all that was missing was some cheesy line like 'it's not you, it's me'. I shook my head at myself, letting out a noise halfway between a snort and a laugh, though the sound was hollow, holding no real amusement.

Stiles seemed to accept that I wasn't about to explain any time soon, that I couldn't, but instead of giving up and leaving like I had expected, he quietly collapsed onto the swing next to mine. Although the silence wasn't exactly comfortable, it wasn't as deafening as before. It wasn't suffocating me. He started swinging slightly, unable to keep still as usual. The metal of the swing squeaked and groaned lowly, but I didn't find it annoying; the steady rhythm was actually rather comforting, like the ticking of a clock when you had nowhere to be or the steady rhythm of a drum.

"I-uh, I used to come here a lot, when I was a...um, kid..." his voice was soft, hesitant like he was poking a bear or something equally as likely to jump at him. He paused for a moment, but it didn't seem like he expected a reply from me... it was more like he was collecting and organising his thoughts before continuing on.

"My mom used to bring me here, before she..." A forced cough left his throat before he carried on, "I, uh, actually met Scott for the first time in that very sand box, if you can believe it." I looked up at the sandbox in question. It was studded with weeds and litter, the sand a dark grey colour no longer a golden shade, looking very much like it had seen better days. It was hard to imagine such a sad looking sandbox could hold such significance.

He had that little half-smile on his face as he delves deeper into the memory; it's soft and humoured and I'd missed it. "I had been mouthing off to some kid, I, um, never did know when to shut up... and this guy was twice the size of me. I was a scrawny kid-"

"Were a scrawny kid? Past tense?" I blurted, surprising myself at the ease at which it left my mouth. I quickly diverted my attention to my feet hovering above the ground. When had it become so easy again? Maybe it was just because it was Stiles…

"Hey, shut up! I'm telling a heartfelt story here!"

"Sorry, sorry, my apologies. Please continue."

"Anyways... So I was a scrawny kid - past tense - and this guy didn't like what I was saying. Something about lolly pops and noses…So, uh, he grabs me and shoves my face into the sand. I can't breathe, and this guy's not letting up, and I'm freaking the hell out. Like full blown panic attack style, and suddenly, he lets go. I sit up, and I see that this other kid, not much bigger than me had tackled the guy. They're rolling around wrestling, and then naturally I, um…I join in. Now it's two against one, and the bigger guy realised he's outnumbered, and he concedes defeat. So this kid looks up at me, all casual, with a massive freaking grin on his face and goes 'Hi, I'm Scott'. "Stiles had leant forward on the swing, elbows resting on his knees, hands gesturing as he described what had happened. Somehow I wasn't surprised that he joined in…it was Stiles after all.

"And it's been you two against the world ever since? Thing One and Thing Two?" I was surprised by how much calmer I was feeling. All the attention off of me, and instead on Stiles…and I wondered if that was his plan all along. Did he know what he was doing?

"Nah... Straight after that, our moms come running over, and they're pissed. My mom drags me off straight away by the, uh, ear, grounds me for a week; I used to have a habit of getting into fights back then. Probably all that extra energy or something…anyway, I didn't see Scott again until that September. He was in my class at school…and so was the guy, Jackson Whittemor-"

"Jackson? Seriously?"

"Again with the interrupting! Anyway I hadn't gotten a chance to tell Scott my name, so he was just like 'hey, you're the kid who got his ass handed to him in the sandbox!' But after that... yeah, it was pretty much us against the world." He looked at me then, his eyes the familiar warm golden colour, a fond smile twisting his lips, and I couldn't help but return his smile with my own. It felt odd to…well, to smile at him again. But not bad.

"So... want a lift home?" I was glad he wasn't pressing me to talk. How I got so lucky I don't know…maybe I never would.

I drew in a deep breath, feeling the fresh air hit my lungs, and the cold on my tongue. I paused momentarily before replying, "Yeah... that'd be…that'd be great."

Sitting in that Jeep I didn't realise how much I missed it. How I missed the familiar worn leather under me, the smell of lacrosse gear, food, and mud…the way I had to practically jump to get in it. The way it made me feel tall. It was odd to miss something like a car, but then I suppose in a way it was just another extension of Stiles…another limb of sorts. It was his baby. His jeep. It was like Scott and his uneven jaw line. It wouldn't be quite right if he didn't have it…

"Why are you even bothering with me Stiles…?" It just didn't make sense. Everyone left. Most people would have given up, but not Scott and Stiles. It didn't seem to matter how far I pushed them away or how hard I tried to get rid of them. They never seemed to leave…they only seemed to come back like a boomerang. Every day at school they were everywhere. Around every corner, at every table, trying to catch me. I wonder if I'd have given up if the roles were reversed…

Silence surrounded us for minutes upon minutes, his brow furrowed as he pulled in front of my house. I felt like forever and a day had past when he turned to me finally, putting the jeep into park. "Because the best people are worth fighting for…whether you believe that or not…and because I- we miss you…" My breath caught in my throat. I was not one of the best people. I was selfish, loud, overly emotional, and quick to judge. I had spent the last goddamn week ignoring them; I didn't deserve to be thought of like that.

"Look, Stiles-" I froze at the hopeful look on his face. I swallowed thickly before blurting out words in a jumble, "I'm really sorry for being an idiot and ignoring you, I don't mean to hurt you in any way, I just... I'm going to explain everything. I promise…I just don't know how to-"

"Woah, Lottie, it's okay. You don't have to apologise to me. I just need to know..." His grip tightened around the steering wheel and his eyes locked onto mine, nervous looking. "Did I…did I do something that I should be apologising for?"

"God, no!" That was the last thing I wanted him to think! Jesus Christ…

"So...we're okay then?" A hand rubbed at the nape of his neck, his expression careful.

"Yeah... yeah, we're okay…" I mumbled, twisting my fingers in my lap. The relieved expression on his face broke my heart a little. God, I'm an idiot…

"Well, in that case, you don't need to explain yourself to me. We can talk when you're ready, and until then... well, you know where I'll be" he said with a small grin. I didn't deserve him as a friend. I really didn't.

"Okay" I breathed. I opened the Jeep's door, shooting Stiles a grateful smile. This was the part where I would usually give him a parting hug. I considered it for a second, my arms jerking forward slightly, before slipping out of the door. Despite his promise that we were okay, it felt too soon for a hug - there was still too much tension between us. Just before the door slammed shut, my ears picked up what sounded like a whispered "Later, Charlotte."

I heard the distinct sound of his engine running and the wheels spinning against that tarmac. Once he was gone I finally allowed myself to say it out loud, to admit it… "I missed you too" It was whispered so softly even I hardly heard myself. I leant against my front door. I didn't deserve Scott and Stiles. They deserved better than me…better than whatever I offered them. Whatever I could give them. I was a horrid excuse for a friend.

I dragged myself through that door, shoulders slumped and eyes heavy, stopping to look up when I heard a voice call out to me "Bad day? Me too…" It was Dori. She was sat on the bottom step of our staircase, a hand fiddling with her phone and the other patting the space besides her beckoning me forward.

I found myself sinking down next to her, my head tilted back staring past my glasses at the white ceiling as if it held the answer to all my problems. Which unfortunately it didn't. I was waiting for it to start hold mysteriously appearing writing or begin talking to me in a deep gravelly voice…instead I got Dori's discontented chatter next to me…

"What happened to you then? Lydia not kiss you yet?" I muttered bitterly; I could still feel the loneliness when she hung up on me without even asking what was wrong. 'Busy with Lydia. Bye'. I was supposed to be her sister. Maybe it was selfish of me to ask her to drop her plans, but I had needed her and she'd not even shown an ounce of concern for me or why I'd called.

"She was making posters for Jackson…" That's right. The game. Tonight. With the Lacrosse team including Stiles and Scott. I had completely forgotten about it.

"Ahuh" I mumbled noncommittally. A hand reaching up to push back my dark hair and scratch at my neck absentmindedly.

"What's got your knickers in a twist?" She asked scathingly, obviously picking up on my bitter attitude. Which I had every right to be in.

I pushed myself to my feet and spun around to face her "You know what Dori? You're unbelievable. I phoned you…I needed you and your help and you blew me off for Lydia. Goddamn Lydia of all people?!" It had always been that I would have Dori to help me. If all else failed I had Dori. But apparently Lydia was more important than me…Sure I supported her in her endeavours, but when Lydia gets chosen over me? When I need someone to talk to? To rely on? That's where I draw the line. It crossed my mind that I was being hypocritical. That I had ignored Stiles when he needed my support. That in essence I was yelling at her for something I myself had done.

"What? Well how was I meant to know that you needed my help?!" She shoved herself off the stair, until she was looking down at me slightly. Her face was a picture of a storm; furrowed brows, curling lip, and darkened eyes.

"I know this might be a confusing concept for you, but if you actually listen to someone other than Lydia Martin for 0.2 seconds, you might know when someone needs you!" My voice was climbing in volume. I could hear mum and Norman shuffling about and making their way towards us, most likely wondering what the bloody hell all the racket was about. I was just so angry. I'd hadn't felt that angry in so long and not at Dori.

"Oh, well excuse me for having a life outside of your fucking problems!" Dori screeched before storming off to her bedroom. Her door slammed hard enough to be heard from where I stood, chest heaving.

"Charlotte…" I shifted my gaze from where Dori disappeared up the stairs to my mother who stood in the doorway to the living room, a disapproving look on her features. The ice-cold look of a mother who was disappointed in you. I didn't need it that day. I still had to go to a game tonight and now I'd pissed off Dori. God, I was having a good week wasn't I?

"Mum. Don't start. Please"

"You shouldn't talk to your sister like that." Her tone was the coldest it had ever been. We'd been drifting more and more apart. With her work as a lawyer taking up all her time, and my school career. When we did see each other it was very briefly. When had we gone from thick as thieves to this? When had she stopped being my mum and become a distant figure? A memory? A ghost?

"Oh? And I suppose her talking to me like that is fine then? Of course it is." At her lack of protest I stalked off upstairs towards my own room. But stopped suddenly outside Dori's. A hand raised to knock, it fell lightly against the wood of the door as did my forehead…I couldn't have her angry at me too. I'd done enough this week without adding more to my trail of wreckage and debris.

"Dori…" I began to mumble through the door, knowing she could hear me as her shuffling stopped "I'm sorry…okay...I'm just, with everything going on with the boys I've been strung up…and you weren't there and it upset me…I'm sorry…I'm an idiot"

The door was pulled open so fast I had to catch myself from falling where my weight had been resting against it. Dori was stood there face set in a scowl. "Yeah. You are…but I'm sorry too. I should have been available when you needed me…"

"So…we're okay then?"

"Of course, Midget" I wound my arm around her middle, my face burying itself in her shoulder. I needed that comfort in that moment, I needed her hand rubbing steady circles against my back and the tight feeling of being close to someone. I needed to feel like I wasn't falling completely apart for once. To feel like everything wasn't tumbling down.

"You want to make a sign for Scott? Since it's his first game…you talked to Stiles today right? I heard his jeep" She pulled back and motioned me into her room, large pieces of card, felt tips, and glitter was on the floor beside her bed.

"Yeah…he's not pushing me to say anything…" I stared at the card, the glitter, the curvy lines she'd written Danny's name in. I wanted Scott to know I supported him, that everything was going to be okay. "I guess I could make a sign…that would be a good thing to do for him right?"

"I'm making one for Danny, come on" So we sat there with massive bits of card, horrendous felt-tip pens that reminded me of being five years old again and tonnes of glitter.

I usually had a pretty strict no glitter policy, but I wanted to make it up to Scott and if covering my "GO SCOTT #11" sign in glitter would show how much effort I put in then I'd make it so sparkly Edward Cullen would have a rival on the shining front. This was about showing Stiles and Scott that I wasn't going to run away. That I was ready to put that behind me, like I had been ready to apologise to Dori. This was about amending my mistakes.

It honestly was incredibly glittery and as I put a scarf around my neck and a coat on my back to combat the growing chill outside before heading off to the game I found glitter on everything I owned, on my shirt, my trousers, even my bra. I probably looked like I worked part time as a stripper... or maybe like I had just been attacked by some supernatural clowns, Sam Winchester style. But admittedly I felt better about going now I had a sign as some sort of glittery and eye assaulting peace offering. It was an awkward sort of family outing, all of us were going.

The ride in the car was quiet; Norman was nervous because of how obviously unhappy with me mum was and Dori was probably wondering why I wasn't even looking at my mother. After the body of the girl was found Mum and Norman had decided that staying out to a Lacrosse game on a Saturday meant they needed to be there. By mum and Norman, I mean mum. Norman probably would have been happy as long as we were.

The school car park was filled to the brim. Even during the school day I'd never seen it so busy. There were parents everywhere and I excused myself from my family when I saw the Sheriff standing beside a very beautiful dark haired, tanned woman. She looked awfully familiar.

"Hey, Kiddo…everything alright from earlier?" I pulled my coat tighter around me. I thought California was supposed to be warm? It was only September for God's sake…someone turn the bloody heating up. I could see my bleeding breath.

"Yeah…we've…we've sorted it" I almost forgot that I'd practically run out on the Mr. Stilinski. It seemed like a world away from that car park. And although in a sense it was sorted, I was still worried and uncomfortable. It would take a bit for everything to get back to 'normal' and I knew that. I'm sure Stiles knew that too. I made a promise to myself that I would tell him and Scott everything soon enough. They deserved to know the whole story.

"Yeah?" I shifted clutching the huge piece of card tightly. I swear it was larger than me…which to be fair wasn't hard, I was even shorter than Lydia…lord help me…I made being friends with boys interesting though. I felt like I was a kid again amongst a pair of giants or something.

"Yeah, I even made a sign!" I was kind of excited to hold up the glitter covered abomination to show the Sheriff. I felt like one of those kids who showed their parent a drawing they did that would be put on the fridge. I couldn't help feel proud at the small smile the Sheriff flashed me. It made me feel a bit better about everything.

"Is that for Scott?" I glanced over at the woman. She had warm brown eyes, and gentle features. Her voice was soft, but held a confident undertone. I wondered vaguely if she worked with the public; she had a quiet authority that comes with practice.

"Uh, yeah?" I lowered the poster from my face, to look at her properly. It was probably rude to talk with a poster in front of your face…I guess. I'm not sure, someone get me a book on etiquette.

"I'm his mom, Melissa McCall…are you Allison or Charlotte…?" It was the moment that I was slightly horrified that she might think I was Allison. I was definitely not the brown haired, long legged beauty who Scott fawned over. I didn't really want to be either…I was pretty happy being short, poor sighted, and 'unfawnable'.

"Charlotte, it's nice to meet you…" I saw Norman waving me over, his large grin still in place. Sometimes I wonder why that face isn't annoying…maybe because I'm not around it constantly. "I've got to go, but enjoy the game. And Sheriff?"

"Yeah?" He turned to me, as my attention shifted.

"Thanks for everything earlier" I meant it. I hoped my smiled was sincere enough to show how much I meant it. The Sheriff was good to me, he didn't have to be, but he was. He was so very much like Stiles in that way. Too alike.

"You're welcome, Kiddo!"

I waved my goodbyes and made my way back to the family. We had somehow managed to get spaces on the bleachers next to a familiar pair of girls. Knowing Lydia she probably went out of her way to save them, pushing away everyone else…she could be incredibly fierce when she wanted to be. Actually, she was always fierce.

"Charlotte!" I sat down and turned towards Allison and an older man with greying hair besides her. Unlike Mrs McCall, he was intimidating. Incredibly so. I found myself struggling to meet his icy gaze. I felt like he was looking into my soul.

Blink twice if you can read my mind. He didn't blink. Damn.

"Hey Allison, uh…" I shifted about, letting her continue for me.

"This is my dad" I found it almost unbelievable that this intimidating man created Allison, but I suppose sometimes the apple falls far from the tree. Allison leaned conspiratorially towards me, stage whispering, "He ran Scott over earlier…"

"What!?" Was Scott alright? Why was Allison smiling? Last I checked they weren't in a fight of any kind? Did I miss something? God I hope Scott was alright…

"He's fine…he just rolled off my car, I didn't mean to…" I wasn't sure if Mr Argent was genuinely apologetic or apathetic to hitting a teenage boy with his car…maybe it was a protective dad thing? Like 'don't come near my daughter or I'll hit you with my car! Oh wait! I already did! Haha…my bad'.

"Of course not…" I fidgeted with the corners of the poster sat in my lap, my eyes drifting out onto the field. I could see Stiles on the bench, but couldn't find Scott. He was somewhere amongst the others I just couldn't really tell.

"Scott said you weren't talking to him…?" I glanced at Allison, who was innocently staring at me. It made it slightly easier to talk about…it had obviously bothered Scott for him to talk about it. That made me feel a tonne worse.

"That's why I've got this..." I lifted up the poster and showed her, her father winced at the sheer amount of glitter, but Allison just grinned at me. "Peace offering!" She was far too sweet for her own good, I swear!

"I'm sure he'll love it" I smiled my thanks and we all chatted lightly, even Lydia and Dori who had been quite quiet, before the game started.

It was actually horrifying to watch; nobody was passing Scott the ball. Most likely? Jackson did something. He even rammed into Scott at one point, pretty roughly as well. I caught Stiles' eye at one point and expressed my concern as best I could from meters away. He looked as worried as I was.

"Which one's Scott?" Mr. Argent asked, and I let Allison answer, too busy trying to keep my eye on the ball and figure out what was bloody happening. I was still pretty new to Lacrosse, but I was learning! I was getting there! My main concern was really how tense Scott seemed to be getting…although I'd be angry too if nobody was passing me the ruddy ball!

"Number 11"

"Otherwise known as the one who hasn't caught a single ball" Lydia added smugly. Sometimes I found her exceedingly irritating. She could be a delight one minute and a pain in the arse the next. But I guess I just needed to work on my Lydia tolerance, I had it perfected to our little study sessions…but if she became family I'd definitely have to learn to understand her better…

"Well, if your boyfriend would let him he would have by now…you think he realises it's a team sport?" I replied snarkily, before lifting myself to my feet and raising my poster. It was heavy after a while, but the wave from Scott was enough to keep me going and deal with the dull ache. Especially as Lydia had coerced Allison into helping her hold up her poster for Jackson, which I'm sure didn't go over well with Scott.

I don't know what changed the pace of the game, or what exactly made Scott jump and grab the ball with such ease after letting it pass so many times. Maybe he'd decided he needed to impress Allison, maybe my poster worked, or maybe he decided it was time to show up Jackass Whittemore once and for all? All I know is one minute I'm watching Scott be ignored the next he's leaping into the air and grabbing the ball, dodging his way down the field and scoring a goal! To say the crowd was excited would be an understatement. A proud grin was on my face, a warm feeling in my chest…maybe I had no right to feel proud of Scott, but I did.

The score was soon brought even again, with Scott scoring shot, after shot, after shot. The opposing side even willingly passed him the ball at one point, which I found amazingly amusing considering Scott was a great big puppy dog and not intimidating in the slightest. Apparently the opposing team didn't get that memo!

It was near the end when everyone was on the edges of their seats both literally and figuratively, my eyes stuck on Scott as he once again grabbed the ball. He had such surprising speed on the field, he wove between players, and dodged them very much looking like a blur of colour and shape. It's when he neared the goal that he stopped….it was almost like he froze and didn't know what to do. With the clock counting down and us needing this point to win everyone was yelling and screaming.

"Come one, Scotty…come on" I found myself muttering under my breath. I took a deep breath, bouncing up and down on my feet. I'd never been so into a game of sport in my entire life, I reasoned that my friend was out on that field and it was a natural reaction to them stopping stock still.

The relief I felt when he finally threw the ball couldn't be replicated, neither could the amazement at the realisation that he'd managed to break the Goalie's stick net…I could hear and see Stiles and the Coach arguing with the referee that it counted, that it had landed in the net. In the end the point was allowed and my throat was sore from the yelling I'd done.

It wasn't until I saw Allison slip away that I moved from my place following after her quietly, but being waylaid by Stiles "Hey! We did good right?" the lanky boy jogged up beside me still wearing all his padding and Lacrosse gear, looking bulkier than normal and extremely excited about the events that happened.

"You guys did awesome, even you…" We walked slowly towards the school, following the same path as Allison who'd been sneaking away from her father for some time with Scott. Those two were sickeningly sweet…I wasn't sure if I loved it or hated it or if I was stuck in limbo…

"I was just bench warming…" He shook his head dismissing his worth again. Every time he did that I felt the urge to slap him. I still felt kind of awkward next to him, but I felt like I was getting better…getting more accustomed to how things were before our little 'incident'.

"You still did good…Stiles, I promise soon I'll explain everything that's happened…just…maybe give me the rest of the evening…?" one hand gripped Scott's poster tighter the other fiddled with whatever it could get a hold of. Stiles stopped me outside of the Boys Locker Room, a hand chucking me under the chin making me look up at him.

"I told you. Take as long as you need…Scott and me? We're not going anywhere anytime soon..." The soft grin on his mole splattered face was enough to bring a tender one of my own out. That's right, they weren't rushing me. It'd be all fine. I'd be fine, we'd be fine. It'd be back to normal soon enough…well all except that my mother was absolutely livid at me. I doubt I'd be getting out of that one anytime soon. I'm surprised she didn't ground me or something equally as trivial.

"Thanks…Batman" I stumbled over the nickname. I'd called him it once or twice in the past. But it felt wrong saying it, like he'd be angry at me or something. Stiles obviously noticed my hesitation as smiled at me reassuringly, the nice half smile, the scrunched up brown eyes. It had a calming effect on my nervously racing heart.

"You're welcome. After you, Lottie" He held the Locker Room door open for me and we entered. If possible it was colder in there than outside. I pulled my coat tighter against me and wondered how Stiles wasn't freezing in just his Lacrosse gear.

We didn't see Scott until we rounded the corner…where we found his face attached to Allison's, their lips moving in time with silly little grins in place and gentle hands.

"Oh…" Allison quickly pulled away from him at my sound of astonishment, and while clearly embarrassed nothing could keep that wide smile off her face as she passed us, practically skipping out the door. She exuded absolutely joy, and I couldn't stop my own silly smirk from forming. I kind of shipped it badly…next thing you know I'll be writing fanfiction about it and crying when they look at each other in the hallway.

"I kissed her" Scott turned to us, I leant against one of the many lockers watching that goofy, lovelorn grin on his face. He was practically delirious.

"Yeah we saw…" The amusement in Stiles' voice was clear. He was proud of Scott…I was proud of Scott, and exceedingly giddy for Allison…I'd heard her talk about him. It was sickeningly sweet sometimes.

"She kissed me" He was in a daze, moving forward, jaw practically on the floor. It was like he wasn't aware of anything that was going on around him. I wonder if everyone was like that after their first kiss? Did people do that? Were first kisses that amazing? If they were I was obviously missing out on something.

"Yeah, we saw that too…good, huh?" The dazed expression didn't leave; maybe Allison drugged him? You know like Poison Ivy with her weird venomous lips? What if Allison had drug lips? No. That was stupid…

"Wow, you're in so deep…" I chuckled. He was like a little kid who'd been given his first proper birthday cake…or those pictures you see of Grooms when their Brides walk down the aisle.

"Uh…hey…Charlotte" And the awkwardness was back. As awkward as bringing a knife to a gun fight, or accidentally straddling your friend (It was one time, okay?!). I coughed loudly, pining a smile back onto my face. I'd gotten through the weirdness with Stiles I could do it with Monsieur Puppy Dog. Hopefully.

"Hi, Scott" I gave a little wave, before pushing my glasses back up my nose. Stiles had gone silent watching the exchange, letting us figure it out. I was grateful for that. This was something I needed to do.

"We…are…does this mean we're good?" The daze expression had dropped, and had been replaced with concern and a clenched wonky jaw.

"Yeah. We're good, hence the sign" I gestured to the ghastly cacophony of glitter and felt-tip that he picked up, seemingly wanting to keep it. I'm not complaining I don't need the glitter in my room. I was messy as it was without glitter getting everywhere, in every crack and crevice…ugh…

"Thanks for that…so maybe…we should, uh, all do something tomorrow?" It was Sunday, the weekend was still here and I didn't have any homework. The boys probably did, but probably didn't care all that much.

"To celebrate the gang getting back together?" Stiles ventured, looping an arm around my shoulder and Scott's drawing us close together in some sort of huddle. It was closest I'd physically been to them in a week and it filled me with warmth to be back cuddling up to them again. It felt like a weird sort of home. Familiar. Happy. Safe.

"Yeah! What do you say, Charlotte? Round mine at 12 and we'll all hang out?" Scott suggested excitedly. I didn't worry about the address, I'd just text him in the morning. If I could be bothered to get out bed, I'd been awfully lethargic lately. Mum was worried, 'it's a sign of depression' she would say. Every single time. In my house everything was a sign of depression or some other physical or mental illness that needed 'solving'. Jesus…

"Sure thing, Scotty…well I'll…i'll, uh, see you two later then…" I came to the realisation that my mum would be even more irate if I kept them all waiting for me in the cold.

"See you tomorrow!" The call came from the two of them as I slumped my way out the Locker room, hands in my jean pockets, and eyes cast down. I hoped mum wasn't too angry. I needed to go tomorrow, I needed to clear the air. I needed to get everything out of the way and just get back to normal. A normal where I could study, joke, play, and have fun with the boys without second guessing myself. A normal where I could laugh at Dori trying to get with Lydia and fighting over her with Stiles.

"In the car. Now. Young Lady" Oh boy, was she not happy.

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