That evening, after he has Liam dropped off at the bus stop – apparently the chain on his bike had broken the other day – Scott chooses to replace his Chemistry homework for some other homework, perfectly aware that Lydia's going to kill him for it tomorrow. He start up his laptop, opening a new webpage, typing into the search bar 'Depression'.

And thus begins Scott's research, which lasts into the night. When his mother calls him downstairs for dinner, he tells her he'll eat later. Finding he has the concentration span of a five year old, he wants to make use of this focused state he's in.

Scott finds depression is a depressing subject; and he can't help but to chuckle a little when he thinks that. Which he instantly feels bad about, because one shouldn't laugh at depression. But then he remembers that Liam does the same thing – smile when things get too serious.

There are a bunch of emotions people suffering from depression go through; anxiety, shame, restlessness, guilt, hopelessness, emptiness, helplessness. If anything, Scott didn't even think there were that many feelings. After that paragraph, there's a few examples of what those emotions can result in. Scott's heart sinks in his chest when he reads the word 'suicide'. But he's surprised when apparently there's also possibilities of insomnia, excessive sleeping, aches, pains and loss of appetite. Coming to think of it, he hasn't really seen Liam eat that much.

He opens a page on self-mutilation. It's difficult, a whole lot of scientific and, Scott's personal favourite; chemic, words that he takes a while to grasp the content of. He even has to read the same line a couple of times over again. The article finalizes with some psychological healthcare institutions and the phone number to the suicide hotline. Again, Scott shivers at the realization that such line is apparently needed in the world they live in.

But to his surprise, after looking at some more websites, he can't really find anything on what causes depression. There's some theories about childhood traumas or, for example, family deaths, or one of those combined with social exclusion. Apparently Liam was right, depression really is like the weather. It just happens to you, whether you always used to be a happy person or not, which is quite scary.

Nonetheless, researching like this makes Scott feel a little bit more comfortable. At least now he feels like he understands Liam a bit better, which means he can sympathize. He also feels a little proud of himself, because, as it turns out, depression has a lot to do with thinking, as Scott expected. It's indeed true that Liam needs some positivity in his life, it's just that it doesn't come as easy for him as it does to others. Which is okay, because Scott is sure he can help with that.

It's past 10 pm when the seventeen year old feels like he knows enough. He glances at his Chemistry book, which is lying unappealingly next to him on his desk. For a moment he hesitates, but then figures he's way too tired. Which he doesn't blame himself for, given the fact that he hadn't been sleeping well this past week. All his worrying about Liam had been the result of that.

So, Scott gets up from his chair and undresses, ready for bed. He plugs his phone into the charger on his nightstand before flicking off the light. Immediately, the room fills with a quiet darkness, and ten minutes later, when his head is finally comfortable on the pillow, he decides to ruin that perfect peace and text Liam.

'Looking forward to tomorrow,' he types.

With a smile on his face, Scott hits send. A peaceful blanket tucks him in; the thought that if Liam's feeling depressed right now, Scott just gave him something nice to hold onto, and even while avoiding having to ask and risking getting into an awkward conversation.

His phone buzzes and Scott's heart skips a beat. He quickly opens his messenger, eyes squinting from the blinding light of the screen.

'Me too. And thanks for the cocoa.'

A wave of heat rushes through Scott and he grins, locking his phone. Suddenly his mattress feels even softer than it did before. It seemingly absorbs him and a couple of minutes later Scott's mind drifts off into a peaceful sleep. Something he hasn't had in a while.

The next Tuesday morning starts off well. It's that one day in early February where Mother Nature seems to decide to grant all living creatures one day of hope; a small reminder that winter and coldness is not eternal and that spring is on its way. Therefore, the clouds have made way for the sun to shine and even though there aren't many, Scott can hear birds chirping when he wakes up.

His mother has made breakfast and he gratefully accepts it, kissing her on the cheek before he crams it into his backpack.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" she asks.

"No reason. It's just a nice day and I want to enjoy it," he answers. "Oh, by the way, Lydia and Liam are coming over to study tonight."

"Liam?"

"Yeah, Liam."

"The boy who you thought was-"

"Yeah."

Melissa frowns, a little taken aback. "So I take it you're friends now, then?"

"Yup. He's great," Scott says. "Alright, got to go."

Melissa McCall shakes her head at him, blowing at the surface of a cup of steaming coffee in her hands as her son flashes out the door.

Once at school, Scott runs into Stiles in the hallway, who wraps an arm around his shoulders.

"I saw you and Liam leave school together yesterday," he says. Scott raises his eyebrows at him expectantly. "Where did you guys go?"

"We had coffee," Scott explains.

"And…?"

"And what?"

"Have we found out more?" Stiles asks impatiently.

"A little," Scott answers. "But I also did some research online last night. It's all quite complicated. And you were right, he hasn't stopped doing it."

Stiles nods. "I'm sorry about that. But, hey, at least he has you now, right?"

"He does," Scott smiles. "And I like hanging out with him. I mean, apart from the whole depression thing, he's a really cool guy."

"Cool as in…I look up to you cool, or as in…I wanna be around you a lot cool?"

Suddenly, Scott grows suspicious. "What are you saying?"

Stiles smirks. "Nothing, just that I haven't seen you so obsessed with someone since Allison."

Scott scoffs. "I'm not obsessed. I just care about him and, yeah, I like to hang out with him," he explains. "I have the same thing with you, you know."

"You never took me out for coffee, though," Stiles winks.

The muscles in Scott's face relax, the guy finding himself at a loss for words. In response to Stiles' smirk, he changes his strategy, switching from defence to offence.

"Did you tell Lydia I wanted his phone number?"

Stiles' eyes widen. "Oh, I totally forgot, my notebook's still in my locker. Gotta go, duty's calling. Bye," he blabbers before he turns around and runs off.

Scott chuckles, shaking his head. His friend is the worst liar in the world, thankfully. He didn't ask Stiles so he could get angry at him; his discomfort is more than enough. Especially since Scott knows he only did what he did to help out, which brings the seventeen year old to the sudden realisation that his friends tend to have the weirdest ways of helping him.

At lunchtime, Stiles dares to show up again. He sits down next to Scott and nudges him with his shoulder. Scott smiles at him and Stiles winks; a small confirmation that they're okay. Lydia's across form them and soon Kira and Malia join them as well. Somehow, the subject falls onto test dates.

"Can we please talk about something else?" Scott moans, his head falling onto his arms on the table. "I have Chemistry on Thursday."

"Which you're going to ace," Lydia reminds him, adjusting her lipstick in the meantime.

"No, he isn't," Malia replies in an obvious, oblivious tone. "He sucks at Chemistry."

Lydia gives her a look and Scott also moves to turn at her. "Thanks for the support."

"You're welcome," Malia shrugs. "It's all about acceptance, and embracing that you're a failure. At least, that's how I do it."

"You're not a failure," Lydia replies sternly. "And Scott isn't either. He's going to do well, because I'm tutoring him."

The gang falls silent, with Kira and Stiles looking concerned for their friend, while Malia seems full of amusement.

"Oh-oh," she scoffs. "You're in for a fun ride. Make sure to bring tissues."

"That was one time!" Lydia interrupts. "I didn't even think you were capable of crying."

"Me neither. I hadn't cried for over seven years, then you came along…."

Lydia gives her a look. "Still, did it help?"

Malia averts her eyes, swiftly shutting up.

"Exactly," Lydia nods. "Face it, guys, I book results."

"Yeah, but at what cost?" Malia can't help but mutter.

"Well, you're gonna have to be nice tonight, because Liam's coming over as well," Scott warns, unaware of the four pairs of eyes that are now looking at him.

"What?" he says after he has finally looked up. His eyes narrow at their penetrating stares. It starts to dawn on Scott what's going on and he slowly turns towards his best friend.

"Stiles!"

"Gotta go!"

Scott attempts to explain to his friends that he and Liam are just friends, but he gets distracted when he feels his phone buzz in his pocket. He takes it out, seeing he has received a text. His lips curl: it's Liam.

'You know, I actually have no idea where you live…and I have no idea how I'm gonna get there,' it says.

'Send me your address, I'll pick you up.'

When he looks up, the girls' staring still hasn't stopped. Scott shies away slightly. "Liam," he explains, holding up his phone.

The girls giggle, all nodding simultaneously.