"You going to sit with Max? She's all alone at that lunch table pouring over some ratty old book," Scott says knocking his elbow into mine.
"Watch it, watch it! You almost spilled my pudding."
"That girl gives off a weird vibe," he says rubbing his chin.
"Not a wolf vibe though," I say shaking my head.
"No…" he says slowly.
"Oh thank God."
"Go find out what she's reading," he pushes me toward her and my pudding splashes out over the table. She looks up at me, over at the pudding then back down at her book. I sit down in the seat across from her and try to push the pudding away from me. She looks up at me again.
"I'll clean it up after-" she cuts me off.
"We both know you aren't going to clean it up, don't lie."
"Ok," my voice cracks and she laughs slightly. "So what ya reading?" She lifts the book so I can see the title. "Strange and Fantastical Happenings in Beacon Hills" I feel my airways constrict.
"Got it from the library," she smiles.
"Oh," I smile back.
"You really have the most charming smile," she says closing one eye.
"What sorry?"
"You're cute, I'm telling you you're cute."
"Oh!"
"You aren't good at talking during the day," she says returning her eyes to the book. I sigh; rub my face and neck before shooting a look at Scott who has his eyes locked on Max. His wolf senses are tingling. I turn back to her. She wraps a strand of slightly curling dirty blond hair around the knot at the back of her hair. It's messy, but in a clearly contained way. I admire her blue eyes skipping over the page. She reads like there is something she is desperate to know. She reads like if she doesn't take in every word there is no point in reading the book at all. Her slender hand plays with the corner of the page she is stuck on. I notice the nails are not covered in any cracking color like Lydia's. I take the time to study her clothing besides her bra. Her shirt is black and blank, but multiple necklaces dangle like a pattern. One pendant stands out, a tiny plant branch made of silver. I almost reach out and touch it, but stop myself. Pushing my hand down seems to force words from my mouth.
"You are so odd I don't know what to say to you. You make me nervous. I mean look at you, your narrow blue eyes that like shoot through me like you know exactly what's going on in my head! Out there in the woods that was weird! Why I just talked normal out there I don't know, but in here with my friend staring at us I just don't have any clue what to say to you!" I say quickly.
"Then you don't have to say anything," she shrugs.
"What?" I say and she looks up at me and closes her book.
"You seem like the person who is constantly saying things," she says.
"Well that's not… Uhh ok yes."
"I'm the type of person who doesn't say much at all. Sitting in silence might be odd for you, but it's natural for me. When you sit quietly you hear more, learn more, observe more. Just from sitting here I've learned she likes him, but he likes her and she likes the straight one of those two," she points around the room.
"One of the twins is gay?" I splutter.
"Yep and the girl you're in love with likes his straight brother," she smiles at me.
"Lydia? No, I'm not-" she looks at me sideways. "Ok I get it you can read through my lies."
"How long have you liked her?" she smiles letting her chin balance in her hand. I feel myself smile and blush and I try to force it down.
"A while, but that isn't what I came over here to talk to you about!" I point in between her eyes. Hiding my embarrassment with anger.
"Then what do you want Stiles?" When she says my name all my thoughts fall out of my head again.
"Uhh…"
"I like you Stiles. You know exactly what you want. The only thing standing in your way of getting everything you want is your mouth," she laughs again sticking her finger into my spilled pudding. "You have to teach it to help you get what you want." She lets her tongue take the pudding from her finger as she stands up. She nods and leaves me alone. Scott pulls out the chair by my side and claps me on the shoulder.
"Well?" He asks happily.
"She was reading Strange and Fantastical Happenings in Beacon Hills."
"That's all you learned?"
"She is also really good at seeing through my bluff. She'd beat me in poker," I sigh rubbing my face.
"You barely know how to play poker," Scott laughs leaning back in his chair. "Anyone would be beat you."
"You are really good at building my ego up," I whine letting my head meet the plastic tabletop.
"Don't worry about girls. We are giving them up remember! Just focus on catching Boyd and Cora. We are meeting at Derek's apartment at nine tonight," Scott says patting my back. "Oh and coach says short practice today, he wants us rested for the next game."
"How nice of him. I really need to rest after all the bench warming I've been doing," I moan not looking at Scott.
"Perk up Stiles I feel like things are turning around for us, after we catch Boyd and Cora and take out the Alphas it will be smooth sailing!" Scott says happily.
"This whole positive Scott thing is starting to get on my nerves," I say turning toward him.
"This negative Stiles thing is making me worried. Get up, get through the day then go home and ask your dad if there have been anymore killings, that will make you feel better."
"Right, death and killing always cheers me up," I smile sarcastically as the fourth period bell rings overhead.