A reader asked why I stopped with the Summer flashbacks. I honestly don't know why. I guess it's because I got impatient and just wanted to start writing the actual story. ):
Please, let me know what ya'll think! (: Reading reviews and seeing alerts/favorites definitely keep me motivated. It's like a bar of chocolate.
"Are you sure she'll want to come?" Allison asked. Her hand paused inches away from the door of Jubilee's.
"Yeah, yeah!" Scott said, trying to assure her. He placed his hands on her waist, encouraging her to stop freaking out. "I mean, you two had gotten pretty close, right? So why wouldn't she?"
"Well, Summer may like all of us," Stiles answered, "But remember? Last time Poppa Argent and Summer were in the same room, he tried to kill her. And these past days, we conveniently have been avoiding talking about him in front of her." He laughed at Scott's irritated look, nudging past his friends.
Allison looked at Scott, frowning, and said, "He's right, you know? She likes all of us, but I don't know if she likes my dad. I mean, when Summer came to drop Bashful off, my dad opened the door. I could literally feel the icy tension between them. They were civil and polite, but so rigid. "
Scott kept his mouth shut, not knowing how to respond.
"Well, asides from the two options – she says no, she says yes – there's also a third." Stiles looked at them mischievously. "If Summer does want to come to your party, we could lock your dad in the basement."
"Dude, seriously?" Scott asked, shaking his head.
They followed Stiles inside and sat down at a booth. Allison fidgeted in her seat, nervous, occasionally bumping into Stiles who was sitting next to her.
"You ask," she whispered to Stiles. "She's known you longer than she's known us."
"Listen." Scott reached over the table and held her hand. "Stop freaking out, okay? It's just a birthday dinner. You're not inviting her to a hunt, okay? Just a dinner."
She nodded, finally calming down. She tightened her hold on his fingers. "Okay."
"Sorry to interrupt, but here comes Summer," Stiles said. He turned, leaning against the window, his left arm resting against the top of the seat.
They watched happily as she approached them, a big smile on her face. She was carrying a tray stacked with food and drinks on the side.
Scott and Stiles had spent a few weeks testing everything on the new menu. Soon, the two friends had quickly decided on their favorites. Eventually Allison started to come with them, and she and Summer had quickly become friends even after that night at Derek's place.
Summer, who had gotten used to their schedule, would prepare their orders beforehand. By the time Scott, Stiles, and Allison arrived at the diner, their afterschool lunch was hot, fresh, and ready to be eaten.
And sometimes, when they had a rough day, she would hand them the check and give them permission to use whichever methods to destroy it.
"Hello, Stiles," she said. "Your triple stacked tofu burger with bacon strips. Onion fries. Ranch dressin'. Ketchup and Tabasco, mixed. And your cherry and chocolate milkshake. Extra whipped cream." She leaned towards Stiles, sliding his plate across the length of the table to him.
"You're the best," Stiles said, grabbing the burger.
She turned to Scott. "Extra spicy buffalo wings. Four slices of pepper jack cheese. Extra crispy waffle fries. BBQ sauce. Root beer, no ice."
"Thanks, Summer," Scott said as he drizzled the sauce over the wings.
"And for the darlin' who actually gives a hoot 'bout her arteries… Large garden salad with grilled salmon, crushed walnuts, and diced strawberries. Spinach. No dressin'. Water with a lemon wedge."
"Hey!" Stiles exclaimed. "I give a hoot! I ordered tofu."
Allison, tossing a strawberry into her mouth, said "But the bacon cancels it out. Doesn't count, Stiles." She playfully flicked his ear, laughing when he grumbled disagreeably.
"Don't know where ya'll pack all 'em food," Summer said, amused.
"We work out. A lot," Scott said, licking the BBQ that had smeared past the corner of his mouth. He gave her a cheeky grin.
Scott moved down the seat, giving Summer room to sit next to him.
"What's that?" he asked, pointing at the newspaper clipping in her apron pocket. "Something important you got circling?"
Summer nodded, pulling it out. "I've been lookin' for a small place to stay. The motel manager happened to be walking by my room and heard Bash barkin' up a storm." She frowned, looking at the addresses and price listing. "Wants me out by the end of this week. After I sanitize the room, of course. He hates animals."
Scott tilted his head, obviously an idea forming. "Hey, Stiles. Don't you have that empty bedroom?"
"Yeah." He took a sip. "It's right next to my room. Still has a bed and drawer. Might be really dusty since I use it to store my old stuff. I'll have to ask my dad first but if he says yes, you and Bash could live with us. I'll help you clean it out and set up." Stiles glanced at her, before quickly saying, "If you're interested. But the two bedrooms are joined together by a bathroom in between. So we'll have to share."
Summer looked at him, thrilled. "Yes, please! Of course, you should ask first. And it's alright if he says no. Completely understandable since we've never met. And I don't mind sharin'. "
"Hey, Summer," Allison quickly said after Summer. "I'm having a dinner tonight at my place. Can you come?"
"Absolutely!" Summer said, excited. "What's the occasion?"
"I'm turning 20 next week. But my dad and I are going somewhere on my birthday so they're letting me invite my friends over tonight."
Summer nodded. "What time should I arrive?"
"It starts at 8, but I know they'll be coming around 10. They seem to be taking 'fashionably late' to heart." Allison rolled her eyes.
"I will definitely be there."
"Great! It'll just be you three and Jackson. Erica, Isaac, and Boyd are coming, too. Danny can't because he's visiting his sister out of town. Don't know about Derek. Lydia is coming, too. She's another friend. She can be a bit… intense. But you'll get along, I'm sure."
"Oh, Lydia. My fair red – haired damsel," Stiles sighed, ignoring when his friends laughed.
Summer swiped the bold red lipstick against her lips. Sliding the cap back on, she took a step back, staring at her reflection.
It was difficult to pick a decent outfit; she's never been to a 20th birthday get-together – actually, she's never been to any get-togethers. Constantly on the move, evading her greedy family, searching for the cure, all distracted her from having a good social life.
She had finally decided on wearing a white sleeveless blouse tucked into a champagne – colored layered crepon skirt from Forever21.
After trying on three different earrings, she thought it would be best to avoid wearing any other jewelry besides the wide golden cuff bracelet.
"Is this too dull? Do I look like a granny?" she asked Bashful. She teasingly scowled at him, when the puppy yawned and went back to sleep.
"Well, you ain't good help at all."
Summer hurried to the closet to grab her shoes after hearing a sharp knock against the motel door.
"Summer, it's me and Stiles. You ready?" Scott shouted. Summer had offered them a ride to Allison's party after hearing the story of how their driving privileges were banned until next week.
"Yeah," she said, quickly wrapping her long, thick hair around her hand and twisting it up into a tight bun. She then tugged gently at the knot to loosen it up and ran her fingers through her hair to let some strands fall. She slipped into her plain nude pumps, grabbed her car keys and gift, and got out, locking the door behind her.
"I feel old," she admitted, seeing Scott and Stiles dressed far more colorful than her. "And drab."
"Nah," Stiles said, grinning. "You just look extremely classy."
She rolled her eyes. "You know how to make a woman feel good. Keep it up and I think Lydia might be beyond impressed."
They quickly got into her black '67 Pontiac GTO, presents on their laps, and drove to Allison's house. It was a short ride that took only 10 minutes.
The three friends arrived at the Argents' at 9 and found that the large house was still empty except for the residents.
"Either we're early or we're beyond late," Scott joked, leaning in to kiss Allison on the lips.
"I was freaking out the entire time," she said, crossing her arms behind his neck. "But as long as you three are here, it doesn't really matter." She gave him a quick peck. "Where's my gift, Scott?"
"Geez, you're impatient." He laughed as he kept the small box away from her. "You'll get it later tonight."
"Aw," Summer gushed. "Aren't they just too adorable?" She reached over and rested her arm across Stiles' shoulders.
"Yeah, yeah," he said nonchalantly. "I'm just waiting for Lydia." He glanced around, turning his head right and left, front and back, to see if his soon – to – be – girlfriend was there.
"Lydia's coming," Allison laughed. "Don't worry."
They walked to the kitchen and Summer looked around, admiring the new décor that managed to express Allison's playful yet mature personality. The entire house would have been pitch black had it not been for the dimly glowing light bulbs that were strung along the walls. A vintage and elegant version of Christmas lights. And hanging from the ceiling were white daisies.
"Hi, Mrs. Argent. Something smells good," Stiles groaned as he walked towards the stove. Victoria was there, gliding thick, white frosting on a vanilla cake.
"Hello, Stiles. I believe it's the calimari," she said, laughing. "Allison loves fried squid so I thought I should make some tonight." Victoria looked at her daughter. "The past years Allison has had obnoxious parties. Loud music, greasy finger food, teens with exploding hormones, tacky decorations," she teased. "I'm glad that this year she lady-ed up and decided on a small gathering. Simple and sophisticated."
"Mom," Allison said, rolling her eyes.
"And finally you decided to dress nicely," she commented, smiling appreciatively at Allison's dress.
Scott smiled as he took his girlfriend's hand, holding it high above their heads, and twirled her around. "Oh, I don't know. I think she always dress nicely."
The bottom of Allison's blue floral dress billowed around her. She laughed, her other hand clutching her waist - length pearl necklace close to her chest so it wouldn't be whipping around.
"And you must be Summer," Victoria said, tossing the empty tube into the trash and covering the cake with a glass lid. "I've heard lots of good things about you from Allison."
"Mom, I thought we agreed you wouldn't say things like that. 'Allison told me a lot about you.' It makes them think that I've been telling you everything."
The doorbell rang and Allison jumped up from her seat. "They're here!"
Seconds later, the kitchen was filled with laughing and excited people.
Lydia went to Allison and held her tight. "Happy early birthday, darling! We left your gifts in the living room."
"Thanks, Lydia."
"Hi, Mrs. Argent!" Lydia gave her a wave.
"Hello, Lydia!" She quickly placed the dishes on the table and brought out the Rogaska glasses her husband bought for her on their anniversary. "I know you all consume alcohol." She held a finger to shush them when looks of innocence and denial appeared on their faces. "Don't tell me you don't. I know you do and so I'm being a good mother and letting you drink ONE glass of - ."
"Beer?" Erica said with a mischievous glint.
"Whiskey?" Stiles sat down next to Lydia.
"Nah," Jackson said. "I think it's Goose."
"Wine, ladies and gentlemen," Victoria sighed, eyes rolled upwards. "Wine." She carefully pulled out a bottle of Pinot Noir from the wine cabinet and somehow managed to elegantly open it without struggling or spilling.
"Chris got this at a private, underground auction when we were in France." Victoria began pouring it into the polished glasses, filling halfway with the sultry red liquid. "Romanée-Conti." She breathed in the fragrance and gave Allison a loving smile. "Best use of 20 thousand ever. I was going to save this for a special occasion but I believe tonight is special enough."
Allison leaned into her mother's embrace. "Thanks, mom."
"Well, I'll leave you all. And I'll be taking the wine with me. Can't have you pouring yourselves an extra glass." She gave them a pointed look and left, taking two glasses and the bottle with her, heading to the bedroom where Chris was waiting with the same dinner everyone else would be eating.
"Why does this smell funny?" Jackson asked, squinting at the wine and swirling it around.
"Sorry we can't all enjoy frat boy drinks," Stiles joked. He grabbed a fork and started to eat the calimari. "This. I gotta try."
"Is that mushroom ragout?" Summer asked.
"Yeah." Allison turned pink. She was a bit embarrassed at what her friends would think about the dishes. She had tried to convince her parents to just order pizza and hoagies but they adamantly refused. Whenever she and her friends would go out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it was always at a fast food restaurant or a diner. But tonight would be the first night that they would be eating - what she dubbed - fancy meals. "It might look unappealing, but it's actually really good."
"Well, you don't need to tell me twice." Boyd quickly placed a scoop of the ragout onto his plate.
"I love mushroom ragout!" Summer said. "I can't remember the last time I ate this."
Scott chuckled as he sliced pieces of the braised lamb for himself and Isaac. "I feel like a grown up. This is weird."
"We're supernatural creatures, Scott. Everything is weird." Lydia smirked, cutting into her filet mignon. "This is all so delicious, Allison," she said.
"I wish I could take the credit but my mom and dad cooked."
"I definitely gotta thank them," Isaac said. "They even remembered to keep the meat rare."
Hours passed and they sat, eating and drinking, and talking. The plate of cake sat in the middle of the table, empty except for some crumbs.
The friends told Summer about themselves and stories that made everyone laugh as they remembered the silly events. Not once did Summer feel out of place.
By now, she would have moved. Like she had always done since she ran away from home. "Only one month," she would always tell herself and after that month, she'd say her goodbyes and disappear. But the other night, when she flipped through the calendar, she realized that she had been in Beacon Hills much longer. And then she realized that this town was her new home. And she never wanted to leave.
"And then after drugging him, we put him in this ginormous container with sand at the bottom. Like a lizard in a terrarium. Just as a prank. You should have seen Jackson's face when he woke up. It was all fun but we somehow forgot the fact that when he morphs back, he goes completely nake - " Erica stopped, glancing back to the sound of knocking at the door.
Allison got up, surprised. "I didn't think there would be anyone else coming. I'll be back, guys."
"That's terrible!" Summer laughed. "I feel so bad for laughing, Jackson. But that's just hilarious."
"I was pissed at first," Jackson admitted, ears turning red. "But it is kinda funny."
"Hey, who was it?" Scott asked when he saw Allison return.
She had a puzzled look on her face. "It was Derek. I thought he would be joining but turns out he actually wanted to talk to my dad."
"About what?" Stiles asked.
"I don't know. But he wants us to be there, too."
I know, I know... Victoria is dead. But don't get mad when I say that I'll be keeping her alive in this story. Sorry, ya'll!
It's one of my silly goals on my bucket list to try a Romanée-Conti. It's rare and pricey. But I decided to be nice to the Argents (right now I don't like them very much) and give them that most wanted Pinot Noir.
I thought about it for a while and decided that Summer will find out the truth (who bit her) in the last chapter. Is that a good decision? Should I put it earlier? And I will definitely be making a sequel.
There will be a Summer and Derek confrontation coming up. Just a heads up.
And now excuse me while I go to type chapter 14 and make me some mushroom ragout and pop a bottle of Baer Ursa. NOT a Pinot.