Stiles, Scott, and Isaac rattled up in the Jeep.
"Should we go to the door or something?" Isaac wondered, sitting up and holding onto the backs of the front seats.
"No, I'll just text Lydia," Stiles told him.
"Oh," Isaac replied. "Right." He slumped back into the back seat.
Before Stiles had a chance to send the text, the three girls emerged from the house, waving at the Jeep.
"Should we get out?" Isaac asked nervously.
"Uh…?" Scott tried to answer, looking at Stiles for the answer.
"No, we shouldn't get out," Stiles responded, looking around incredulously at the two of them. "We're just going as a group of friends. Now, would you two relax?"
"Lacey and I aren't just going as 'a group of friends,'" Isaac pointed out. "I actually plucked up the courage and asked her."
"But you're going as friends," Stiles said firmly.
"Yeah, but—"
"And what do you mean you 'actually plucked up the courage and asked her?'" Stiles demanded defensively.
"She can probably hear you now…" Scott warned quietly through his pasted-on smile, his eyes fixed on the girls as they approached.
"I'm getting out," Isaac announced hastily, opening the door and clambering out of the Jeep.
"Dammit, Isaac," Stiles complained. He looked over at Scott. "I hate the guy. I hate him."
Scott laughed. "Just get out of the Jeep, Stiles," he urged.
Lacey saw Isaac emerge from the back seat of the Jeep and had to admit that he cleaned up nicely. He wore black dress pants and a black suit jacket over a crisp, white collared shirt. His blond curls were tamed over to one side with gel.
She also couldn't help but notice how dashing Stiles looked in a gray suit jacket and maroon shirt. Shaking her head slightly, she remembered she was going to the dance with Isaac—it would be rude to be drooling over someone else all night. She put a smile on her face and walked straight up to Isaac.
"Wow," he breathed as she reached him. He quickly cleared his throat, flustered. "I mean, hi." He chuckled and scratched the back of his neck, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly.
"Wow, yourself," Lacey returned smoothly. She became acutely aware of Stiles watching the two of them, even as he was greeted by Allison and Lydia. She turned toward him and Scott. "You two don't look too bad yourselves," she commented.
Both of them smiled bashfully, first at Lacey and then at their dates. An awkward silence fell over the group. "So… should we get to it, then?" Stiles wondered, turning and walking around to the driver's seat.
They all silently consented. Isaac held the back door open for the girls and they climbed in.
"Uh, we're short a seat, Stiles," Isaac said.
"Just squeeze, okay?" Stiles beseeched, looking back at the four of them.
"Sure, yeah," Isaac answered, squeezing in beside Lacey. They all squished in as he tried unsuccessfully to close the door. "This Jeep is smaller than it looks," Isaac joked with an nervous laugh.
"Here," Lacey said. She slid halfway onto Isaac's lap, allowing him to scoot the rest of the way in and close the door. He gave her a hesitant thankful smile.
Stiles started up the Jeep and tried not to take too much notice of what was happening in the back seat. The drive to school was the longest ten minutes of his life.
When they finally arrived, everybody hopped out of the Jeep. Lacey tugged her dress down futilely. She could already hear the music emanating from the gym. She sucked in a breath—nervous all over again.
Suddenly, Lydia and Allison were on either side of her, linking their arms with hers. "Just relax, Lacey," Allison urged kindly. "School dances are fun, we promise."
They began to walk toward the school, leaving the boys to trail behind them. "It's occurred to us that you've probably never done this before," Lydia told Lacey.
Lacey smiled at them appreciatively. "You sort of need friends if you wanna go to school events," Lacey replied.
"Well, you have those now, so lighten up," Lydia joked. She lowered her voice. "The three of us are going to have fun tonight, no matter who we're here with."
The three of them giggled and Lacey felt herself lighten up, as Lydia had suggested. They arrived at the entrance to the gym.
"Photo op," Lydia announced, noticing the backdrop and photographer ahead. "Pair up and prepare to cheese."
Lacey unlinked her arms from Allison and Lydia and hung back to wait for Isaac. He stuck his hands in pockets and looked at her. "Do we have to do pictures?" he wondered, his tone slightly complaining.
Lacey chuckled and tugged at his arm. "Of course we do," she told him. "This is my first school dance. I need proof." She grinned at him. "I know you like me because I let things go, but I'm not letting this go."
Isaac shook his head and smiled slightly. "Fine," he replied easily.
They waited in line behind Scott, Lydia, Stiles, and Allison. When it was their turn, they stepped into the center of the backdrop. Lacey wrapped one arm behind Isaac's back as he encircled her waist with his. She put her other hand on Isaac's chest, having seen Allison and Lydia do the same with their dates. As the photographer counted down, they both smiled. The picture was snapped and Lacey and Isaac made to leave.
"Not so fast!" Lydia said. "We need a group shot."
Isaac groaned and rolled his eyes, but Lacey grabbed him by the crook of his elbow, yanking him back.
"Forgot about the super-strength," he said, grimacing.
The six of them stood in a line, coupled up. Lacey found herself sandwiched between Stiles and Isaac. She put her arms around both of them, feeling more at ease with Stiles by her side. She gave his back a quick squeeze.
Stiles couldn't help but glance down at Lacey and smile goofily as the photographer started counting. She beamed back up at him, tilting her head toward him as she turned to smile for the photo. Then, it was over, and the six of them were walking back toward the gym.
When they entered the dance, Lacey was amazed at how the gym had been transformed. There were decorations, flashing lights, and people everywhere. She grinned as she took it all in, the music thumping in her ears.
As she watched couples dancing out on the dance floor, she was reminded of the last time she and Isaac had danced. At the party he had been disrespectful and handsy, which she hoped was just a by-product of the effect her scent had once had on him. Her eyes flicked sideways to look at him, catching him watching the dancers as well. She had the strange feeling that the two of them had been thinking the same thing.
"McCall, Stilinski, Lahey!" came the grating sound of Coach's voice. He walked up to the group of them. "There you guys are! How is it that my team captain missed the memo that all lacrosse players were to arrive on time?"
Scott looked like a deer in the headlights. "Er…I don't know, Coach…"
"Well, come on! Look alive! We're about to get the program underway!" he gestured flagrantly for the three of them to follow him, cutting through the crowd and pushing students out of the way as they went. Scott, Stiles, and Isaac glanced over their shoulders at the girls, looking like they were going to the gallows.
"I don't understand how Coach can keep his volume at a constant yell," Allison commented as they watched their dates disappear into the crowd.
"What program is he talking about?" Lacey wondered.
"They do a whole team introduction," Lydia informed her. "Since it's homecoming and all. And I'm sure Coach will give a long-winded speech about their win last night."
"It was pretty amazing to watch," Lacey admitted. She found that spectating lacrosse was much more fun than she had anticipated.
Lydia shrugged. "They're just getting started," she assured Lacey. "Let's just hope they make play-offs, or Coach will have a hernia."
The three of them laughed and stood back to wait for the program to begin.
Scott, Stiles, and Isaac followed Coach over to the stage that had been built specifically for homecoming week. It was currently hosting the DJ, but it seemed that the lacrosse players would soon be on it. Coach left the three of them and was off to wrangle other lacrosse players who hadn't shown up yet.
Greenberg and another one of their teammates, Kyle, slithered up to them. "Sup, Cap," Greenberg greeted, nodding to Scott.
"Hey, guys," Scott replied with a nod.
Kyle wasted no time in turning to Isaac. "I see you bagged the new girl, Lahey. Nice." He put up his hand for a high-five.
Stiles tensed, ready to jump the guy, his hands balling into fists at his sides. Isaac kept his cool, giving his teammate a stony look until he awkwardly lowered his hand. "I didn't 'bag' anyone," he replied levelly. "We're here as friends."
"Doesn't mean you can't get her out of that little dress by the end of the night, am I right?" Greenberg whooped, looking around at Scott, Stiles, and Isaac. He and Kyle bumped fists.
Stiles was seething beside Scott, who had grabbed his wrist to restrain him.
Isaac laughed derisively through his teeth, shaking his head almost pityingly. "That's exactly what it means, actually," he replied icily. "I didn't ask her to be my date so I could sleep with her."
Greenberg and Kyle looked at each other, both looking quite stupid. "Well, Lahey's gay," Greenberg spluttered out, cackling basely.
"I guess you won't mind if I make a move then?" Kyle asked tauntingly. He smiled deviously at Isaac, thinking he had him.
Isaac shrugged. "I'm not her keeper, Kyle," he said calmly, his eyes never wavering from the boy's face. "Do what you want. Personally, I would love to see her turn you down herself."
Stiles straightened up next to Scott, realizing Isaac had this—more in control than he could ever possibly be. Respect for Isaac swelled within him, and he found himself grateful to the guy he had hated just minutes before.
"Whatever, man," Kyle scoffed, obviously defeated. He and Greenberg retreated, looking confused.
Now that they were left alone, Scott clapped Isaac on the back proudly. "Nice, dude," he complimented.
Isaac gave him a small smile. "Thanks," he answered quietly, sticking his hands in his pockets.
"Seriously, Isaac," Stiles put in. "That was awesome."
Before Isaac had time to reply, Coach was back and roaring at everyone to get onstage. The lacrosse players all shuffled up nervously, the lights blinding them.
Lacey, Allison, and Lydia watched from the crowd. The program went exactly as Lydia had guessed it would. Coach Finstock introduced each player quickly and then proceeded to give a ten minute victory speech. Applause was hesitant at the end, but people cheered as the music was turned back on. Somehow finding themselves in the middle of the crowd, the girls decided to dance.
"Well, that was a waste of time," Isaac said, cutting through the crowd to return to Lacey.
"You guys looked great up there," Lacey returned, trying to find something nice to say. "The speech I could have done without…"
"We all could have done without it," Stiles piped up. "Coach gets a little carried away with the speeches." He, Scott, and Isaac all exchanged a knowing look.
Isaac inched closer to Lacey. "Anyway, do you, uh, wanna dance?" He cracked a smile. "I know it didn't go so well the last time, but I promise to be on my best behavior."
"You'd better be," Lacey joked, taking his hand and leading him further into the throng of people. Thankfully, it was an upbeat song and the two of them bobbed easily along as their friends filled in around them.
"By the way," Isaac said over the music. "If a guy named Kyle tries to talk to you tonight, knee him in the groin for me, okay?"
Lacey spluttered out a laugh. "Noted," she replied, giving him a wondering look. "Do I wanna know?"
Isaac shook his head. "Definitely not."
They danced for a few more songs before the music changed, a slower melody emanating from the speakers. Isaac looked at Lacey with slight apprehension. "Do you wanna…?"
Lacey answered his unfinished question by bringing his hands to her waist draping her arms over his shoulders. "Isaac, you're my date. Of course I do," she replied.
Isaac seemed to relax as they swayed back and forth. "So, can you feel Stiles' eyes boring holes in your back?" he whispered jestingly.
Lacey swallowed and looked down at her shoes. "What are you talking about?" she questioned.
"Lacey, I don't know you that well, but I know you're not stupid," Isaac teased.
"I'm not," Lacey agreed. "It's just complicated."
"Okay," Isaac said. Then, unable to help himself he continued. "To be honest, I felt a little weird about asking you, considering you and Stiles have kissed and all, but you two act like that never happened. Why didn't that seal the deal?"
"Because it never happened," Lacey replied incredulously. "Stiles and I have never kissed, Isaac. What would make you think that?"
"Well, I sort of…eavesdropped on one of Scott's conversations the other day. He was talking to Stiles on the phone…about you."
"What?" Lacey demanded, her mind reeling.
"So, you didn't kiss him after the Beacon Hills Prep party?" he questioned confusedly, suddenly feeling like he had gotten himself into the middle of something he wanted no part in.
"No," Lacey answered firmly. "No…I…" Realization hit her like a freight train. She didn't remember part of that night. It could have happened. Anything could have happened. She had woken up with Stiles in her bed.
"Lacey?" Isaac said quietly, his voice worried. Her expression must have said it all. "Look, I'm sorry. Just forget I said anyth—"
"I need some air," she interjected. She pulled away from him and made a beeline for the door. She made it outside and let the cold night air wash over her, taking a deep breath to calm herself.
It wasn't long before she heart footsteps behind her, knowing who it was before she turned around. "Stiles, I just need a moment," she said sternly, not looking at him.
"I understand," Stiles replied, slightly taken aback. "I just need to know that you're okay." Of course, just as he was beginning to come around to Isaac, he would pull some stunt that would make Stiles hate him all over again. "I don't know what Isaac did, but—"
"Stiles, have we kissed before?" Lacey demanded, turning to face him with her arms crossed.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Just out of curiosity, do you ship Stacey (Stiles/Lacey) or Icey (Isaac/Lacey)?