I spent practically all weekend at the hospital with Lydia, waiting for her to wake up and when she finally did, I anchored myself at her side and did not budge for anything. Even Stiles was there, demonstrating his love sickness like an overly attached puppy, but for the most part I ignored him. Occasionally I sent him a glance or a bland acknowledgement of his presence, but for the most part I just pretended that he wasn't there. Lydia remembered very little of what happened the night of the dance, it was like she had completely eradicated the memories from her mind as a means to protect herself from whatever trauma she faced. I was just glad she was okay and awake, so after bringing her makeup to her, I dedicated several hours to doing her hair, face and nails so that she could feel a little more like herself again.
In order to distract her I talked almost nonstop, mentioning my history project and how I'd been giving an outstanding grade for all the hard work I'd put in which not only made my parents very happy, but had made my mom cry. "And I'm talking real sobs here, not cute little tears and sniffles, she had a full on bawl when I showed her my paper. It was like I could have done nothing else to make her more proud of me just because of some dumb family history project."
"Well at least it's over, but now you have to keep that grade from falling, otherwise you're back to square one." Lydia told me tartly as I expertly painted her nails a pale shade of pink. "You'd make life so much easier for yourself if you just came out and admitted you have dyslexia you know."
"No way, I'm already dumb enough as it is. I don't need that kind of label."
"It's not a label, Cordy, I've told you this like a thousand times. If you get yourself evaluated, then the school will actually be able to help you do better. They'd be more patient with you and give you more leniency for homework and exams. You're literally digging your own grave here." I shrugged, brushing off the subject and changing it to something I knew would distract her. Shopping. I told her all about these new shoes I'd had my eye on, describing them in full detail as well as showing her a picture, wanting her opinion and just like that, all talk of dyslexia was forgotten.
I stayed until Sunday evening before heading home late to literally shower and sleep ready for school the next day. As much as I wanted to be there for Lydia, my attention was now turned towards Allison. I'd found out over the weekend that her aunt Kate had been named responsible for a six year old arson case which resulted in the death of an entire family, which meant that not only had Allison lost someone close to her but now she would be under the scrutiny of the entire school. Now that I knew Lydia was going to be okay, I wanted to be there for Allison. Jeez, since when did I get so sentimental about people?
All the same, I rocked up to school wearing only my best brands with perfectly straightened hair which fell past my shoulders and down my back, two braids sectioned off and wrapping around the crown of my head neatly. I was in business mode, and my business right now was making everything seem as normal as possible, or at least to draw attention away from Allison's current circumstances. Plus it also meant that I had an excellent excuse for looking absolutely killer and having everyone see me when I walked down the hall. I didn't exactly mind that fact either.
Looking up from her locker, Allison blinked at me as I sauntered over seemingly without a care in the world. "Why hello there beautiful, I see you're beginning to agree with mine and Lydia's view on your wardrobe, glad to see you taking our advice on things because you are looking goddamn gorgeous." I launched myself into a tirade of senseless chatter, keeping up the pace as Allison offered small words or brief responses to any question directed at her, so I just kept going. Around me I could tell people were looking, but with the outfit I was wearing today, most of them were looking at my ass rather than her. The things I do for friendship.
"Cordy, I know exactly what you're doing and I appreciate it, but you don't have to." Allison finally said to me, clutching her books a little too tightly against her chest. "I'm fine. Really. You don't have to make a scene."
"Me? Make a scene?" I returned tartly, fluttering my lashes as I gave her a toothy grin. "Ali sweetie, it's like you don't know me at all. Make a scene…as if I would ever do such a thing." Winking at her cheekily I was glad to see a little smile return to Allison's face as the bell rang for class. "I will see you at lunch my beautiful Ali-Cat, I'll save you a seat and you can listen to me despair over all the math homework I have to learn for a non-too-secret pop quiz tomorrow." With a frown, Allison reminded me that there was also a chemistry quiz for Mr Harris's class and my face fell instantly before resuming its bright, carefree expression. "Then you can also listen to me complain about how much I suck. Love ya!" Blowing her a kiss and strutting away with a swing in my hips, I made my way to class without a care in the world.
The school day passed without too much happening by means of drama, which I felt was good. This place could seriously use with some peace and quiet now that all the murders had come to a stop. I didn't know for sure if it was actually Allison's aunt who had been responsible for all this, but it didn't seem right. Some of those people had been literally slashed up with nothing short of an animalistic rage, it didn't feel like a human was capable of that. Either way, Allison had nothing to do with any of it, so this shouldn't come down on her just for being related.
Of course, I had hoped the rest of the day would continue that way, however whilst I was at home attempting to muddle my way through homework, I got a call from an unknown number. I considered ignoring it, but on a whim I answered only to find Stiles speaking frantically on the other end. "Hey Cordelia? Its Stiles, you know, I'm the one always second line in lacrosse, Scott's best friend and the guy who took Lydia to the dance? Yeah, speaking of Lydia, you might want to know what just happened…"
"Speak plainly and to the point, Stiles. What happened to Lydia?" I was already up on my feet, worry causing my heart to pulse and race.
"She's gone. I don't know what happened but I heard screaming, and when I got to Lydia's room the window was open and she's just gone. She left her clothes, her phone, everything." He explained, breathing heavily and continuing to panic with his voice breaking as it shook. Now I didn't even care how he'd somehow managed to get hold of my number, my mind was completely in shock to find out that Lydia had left the hospital butt naked.
"What…what do you mean left? And what do you mean naked?! Why was she screaming, did she have a relapse? You better explain yourself to me Stilinski or I am going to bury you in pieces!" My voice cracked as it shook, unable to hide the fact that I was now completely unravelling.
"Don't yell at me it's not helping!"
"Well you're no help either, I can practically hear you crying right now!"
"I'm not crying I'm hyperventilating, and you are not one to talk, okay? You're panicking just as much as me!"
"You're not helping me keep calm!"
"And you're not helping me either!" We shouted and panicked together like a pair of simpletons, knowing no other way that to simply stutter and pace like fools trying to think what to do. There was very little I could do except go out and search for her myself, so I grabbed my keys and rushed out to my car, still on the phone to Stiles.
"How long has she been gone?"
"Less than an hour. My dad already has canine units looking for her but I don't think they're going to have much luck. I'm heading out with Scott to look for her and I was hoping that…" The sound of my car starting with a rather profound roar cut him off, listening to it rumble before continuing. "Of course, you're already in your car."
"Although I have no idea how you got my number, I want you to keep me posted. I don't care if it takes us all damn night, we're going to find that insane best friend of mine and make her put some clothes on. What the hell was she thinking?"
"I don't know but she sounded pretty freaked out right before she disappeared…"
"Rhetorical question, Stiles. Just call me." Ending the conversation there I reversed out onto the road and quickly put the car in fear, speeding away in order to start covering all of Lydia's favourite places. Her mom had already gone home to see if she'd turn up there but so far no luck when I called, so I continued onto other places but always received the same result. I couldn't find her anywhere and the stress was starting to get to me, so I turned on the radio and sang to myself in order to try and help stay calm.
Some hours later my parents called me, begging me to come home and just wait for news, knowing full well that if they didn't exert their authority I would stay out there all night looking for that moon brained redhead of mine. I didn't want to, but when my dad uses his teacher voice at me, I knew that unless I got my little tail back home, I would most likely never see the light of day again. They were understanding of my actions and reluctance to return, so when I drifted through the front door mom once again took to hugging me, stroking my hair and assuring me everything was going to be alright.
"Why is everything so not normal, mom? I don't understand it. Things were supposed to get better, but now Lydia's missing and I feel like I'm going crazy with worry about her. It's like I can't even help it."
"Oh honey, it's understandable you'd be so worried about Lydia. You two have been close ever since you were small, always running around after one another. You girls have helped each other through thick and thin, it normal for you to get all worked up when the other is in trouble." Crooning softly, mom led me upstairs and made me go to bed to try and sleep then brought me French toast and pancakes for breakfast in the morning, hand made by hers truly. I was on my phone the moment I woke up, hoping for good news but was severely disappointed. "Come on sweetie, put on a brave face. They'll find Lydia, she's probably just hiding somewhere so that she can be alone for a little while."
"Butt naked, mom?"
"Well, she has had a rather wild side to her ever since young." That I could not disagree with, but it did little to improve my mood. These pancakes however were a different story. Fluffy and light, I'd taken one bite of the buttery goodness and slowly began to feel the ravenous hunger in my gut, prompting to eat more and more until I'd cleared the entire plate whilst my mom moved about my room, picking up discarded clothes and tossing them into the hamper, tidying up in general.
"Maybe I should help with the search party and skip school today."
"No way, you're going to school sweetheart. I know you're concerned, but this kind of stuff is best left to the professionals. Besides, you're still behind on several classes and you know what your father said, no more cutting classes. You're still on probation, remember?" Unfortunately, yes I do. Ever since the teacher parent conference, my dad had brought out his tough love parenting and told me that I'd better start wising up otherwise there would be consequences. Getting mauled by a cougar got me a temporary pass, but now that I was back at school, that pass was now invalidated. No amount of reasoning or begging could dissuade my mom, and when she started to break and crumble under my puppy eyes, she threatened to go get dad. That shut me up fast, and before I knew it, I was pulling up outside the school.
"Lydia, wherever you are you better be having the time of your life otherwise I'm going to kill you for ditching me here." Grabbing my bag and books in annoyance, I climbed out of my car and butted the door shut, locking it with a click of my keys before practically stomping inside with a face like thunder. Hearing my phone buzz I quickly stopped to check it, biting down on my lip as I focused on the screen to see who sent the text.
Stopping so suddenly however meant that the person behind me didn't realise I'd halted until they'd walked into me, causing me to jolt forwards and almost lose my footing and my phone. "God damn it, watch where you're going!" I yelled, whirling around to glower at whoever it was who had the audacity to knock into me when I recognised the lanky physique and chiselled features of Isaac Lahey.
"Sorry, but you stopped." I blinked at him, momentarily forgetting that I was pissed.
"So? Do you walk backwards or simply not look ahead when you walk? Pay attention next time." With a sharp scowl I flicked out my hair indignantly and stormed off in a huff, already deciding that today was just going to suck. I wasn't far wrong, and when the bell rang I practically raced all the way back to my car in order to return to searching the town for Lydia, revisiting certain places before heading out a little further. Oh god, please don't let her be locked up in some dingy basement somewhere. There's no telling just how many closet psychopaths exist in this town.