"And I like large parties. They're so intimate. At small parties there isn't any privacy."
― F. Scott Fitzgerald

The bar had been relatively slow which was always something Cora was thankful for. Most of her shift was spent reading and occasionally pouring drinks to jaded businessmen and tired construction workers.

The jukebox kept playing songs Cora didn't recognize and the booths were empty save for the last one, where her coworker was studying for a test. The lighting from the yellow lanterns overhead and the walls covered with posters of old punk bands made Cora wonder why this place wasn't more popular for the younger crowd. She didn't bother asking her manager and was content to spend the rest of the night reading.

It was seven when the doors opened and the sound of Stiles laugh made Cora look up from her book. Stiles and Scott were laughing about some stupid movie which Cora couldn't remember the name of. Allison and Malia followed in after them, Allison clutching a long stick that Cora knew was just her collapsible bow. Malia's shirt was dirty and there was some soot on her face but she looked fine and confused like always.

Allison was the first to spot Cora but Scott was the first to say something about it.

"Cora?" he said, making his way over to her while Stiles did his best to make himself scarce. "I didn't know you were working tonight!"

Scott always sounded like he hadn't seen a person in years.

"I'm covering for someone." Cora said and Scott smiled. The boy was always smiling about something. Cora wasn't surprised when Allison had fallen in love with him. Anyone
could've fallen in love with the boy's dopey grin.

"Wanna come over for a drink?" he asked.

"Can't Mccall. I'm working. Thanks for the offer, though."

Scott shrugged and went back to the table, joining Malia and Stiles. Allison lingered at the bar, playing with a bowl of nuts that Cora had set out.

"What's up with the dirt on Malia's face?" Cora asked, wiping down the bar with a discarded rag.

"Stiles had some problems with the Nemeton."

Cora froze and looked up. "What do you mean? Is it open again?"

"No, no, everything's fine. Sometimes, something that's left over shows up. Nothing to worry about. Deaton said everything's fine. Malia just happened to chase down
something that looked like a demon. It was a very large, very lost dog."

"Then what's with the crossbow?" Cora asked, jutting her head towards the black stick.

Allison smiled. "Good eye. It's for emergencies."

Cora shook her head. "So you guys decided to come to the bar after? Two of the four of you can't get drunk. There's no point."

"Actually, Stiles is working on a little project he calls Shiftjuice."

"Shiftjuice?"

"Alcohol for werewolves. O were-coyotes. Were-anything, actually."

"That's a niche market isn't it?"

Allison laughed and looked around. "It's quiet today."

"Don't jinx it."

Allison grabbed a handful of nuts and popped them into her mouth, chewing thoughtfully before speaking again.

"So, listen, a bunch of us are throwing Lydia a birthday party."

Cora looked up from her book. "Isn't her birthday on August 12th?"

Allison smiled. "Yeah, it is."

Cora remained silent, ignored Allison's smile.

"Her birthday's passed but since none of us have celebrated the last few years, we were gonna throw her a huge surprise party a few weeks from now."

"Don't tell Stilinski anything about it. He'll blab it to Lydia the second he sees her."

"Don't worry. Stiles won't tell her anything."

"How do you know?"

"I threatened him with an arrow to the foot if he so much as breathes a word about the party."

Cora nodded impressed.

"You're invited too, by the way." Allison said.

"No thanks, parties aren't exactly my thing."

"Trust me, I've known that the second I met you. But the rest of the pack is going to be there."

"We're not a pack, Allison." Cora said and Allison smiled again.

"Funny, Lydia said the same thing."

Cora shrugged. "It's true."

"No it's not. We are a pack. The things we've been through, the things we've done…you can't come out of that alone and expect to survive. Whether it's now or years from
now, we'll always need each other. That's what a pack is."

Cora shrugged. "I haven't needed a pack. And I'm still fine."

"What about Erica? Or Boyd?"

Cora remained silent and Allison looked back at the table where Scott was showing Malia how to play chopsticks with their fingers.

"We were just a bunch of tired, scared kids looking out for each other. In a way, we still kinda are. If that's not a pack I don't know what is. And you are part of the pack, you always
will be. And in saying that, I'm also saying you're invited to the party."

Allison smiled and walked back to the table but Cora didn't look up.

An hour later, Cora finally left the bar, tugging on her jacket.

"Cora? Where are you going?" Scott asked as she headed for the door.

"Home." Cora said, putting on her beanie and grabbing her helmet from the end of the bar.

"No, come on, Danny's throwing this get together at his place and we were gonna head over there."

"I'm a little too old to hang out with you guys." Cora said.

"You're literally the same age as me." Stiles said. When Cora looked at him, he became very focused on his beer.

"Come on, it'll be fun." Allison urged. "Besides I know for a fact that Erica's going."

Cora looked at her. "How do you know that?"

"She texted me and told me she's already there."

Cora rolled her eyes.

"It's not gonna be fun going back to an empty apartment." Scott told her, standing up.

Cora groaned and Allison nudged her shoulder.

"Please, Cora, I'm sure-"

"Fine, fine, just stop fucking talking." Cora said, walking out the door and to her motorcycle.

"He lives in a mansion?" Robbi said, looking at her cousin.

"You should've seen his apartment in New York." Lydia told Robbi, looking up at the house.

The party was in full swing. People were pulling up to a lit driveway, carrying various drinks. Strobe lights set up around the entrance made the place look like a nightclub.
The pool was full of half-naked bodies and each corner of the room seemed to have a couple making out in it.

"You guys party like teenagers." Robbi told her as they made their way up to the driveway.

"I can't believe you've never been to one of Danny's party's." Lydia said. "They're legendary."

"I moved here a few years ago. You've known him since high school, give me a break."

"Well, you're pretty popular seeing as how you're invited." Lydia said.

"That's not saying much. The whole town seems to be invited."

"Robbi!" a voice shouted from behind them.

The two girls turned around to see Scott and Allison walking towards them, hand in hand. Cora was behind the couple, a sour expression on her face. Her helmet was in one
hand and her keys in the other.

"Allison!" Robbi said, walking over to the couple and giving her a hug. Scott grabbed Robbi and gave her a bear hug, lifting up the shorter girl and swinging her around.

"We haven't seen you in forever dude!" Scott said, putting the girl down.

"You guys know each other?" Cora asked, looking back and forth between Scott and Robbi.

"We kinda grew up together." Scott said.

"Yeah, my mom was a nurse just like Scott's." Robbi added.

"And now you're gonna be a surgeon!" Scott said, giving her a high-five.

"Hi Cora." Robbi said making sure Cora was looking in her direction. Cora merely nodded before looking up at the house.

"Holy fuck. This kid must shit money."

"Like you're one to talk." Lydia said, falling in step with Cora. "Your family has a house on every country."

"My family." Cora said, as they climbed up the steps that led to the main gate. "Not me."

The doors were open and the foyer led out to a living room packed with people. The lights were dimmed and the sounds of electronic music thumped throughout the room.
Everywhere Cora looked someone was either drinking alcohol or preparing to drink alcohol.

"Danny!" Lydia said, running over to a tall boy with dimples.

They all crowded around Danny who introduced them to his fiancé and took them on a tour of the house that led to the kitchen.

It was only when Lydia turned around to find Allison that she heard someone shouting "Shots, shots, shots!"

She walked back to the living room to find that Erica had found Cora. She was standing next to the brunette, holding a half-empty bottle of tequila and leading the chanting.
Every time Cora slammed one shot glass down, Erica poured another. Lydia lost count after the eight one. Cora was drinking them like they were tiny cups of water.

Lydia pushed her way through the crowd and dragged Cora away just as she was about to take another shot. Erica smiled after them.

She led Cora to a tiny nook underneath the stairs and closed the door. The room was tiny and but Lydia turned on the flashlight on her phone. When she looked at Cora, she
found the girl's eyes glowing golden.

"Don't do that!" she said, smacking Cora. Cora laughed and changed her eyes back.

"Why'd you bring me here?" she said, looking around.

"What were you doing out there?" Lydia asked, trying to put as much ice in her voice as possible. Cora could smell the peppermint around Lydia, in her hair, on her porcelain
skin, in every move she made. It wasn't like the apple cinnamon from earlier. It was stronger it drew her in.

"I was mingling."

"You're a werewolf. You can't get drunk."

Cora grinned. "The guy that bet me fifty dollars if I took twenty shots doesn't need to know that. And I promised half of it to Erica if she helped me make it look convincing."

Lydia rolled her eyes. "You're being immature."

"Says the girl who carries a flask everywhere. Don't pretend I didn't notice you stowing it away in your pocket."

"That's different. A lot of these guys are drunk and very big. You might get hurt."

Cora shrugged. "Why do you even care?"

It was Lydia's turn to shrug and take a step back. "I don't. Do whatever you want Hale."

She left the closet without another word, leaving Cora alone and sober.

"Where's your honeymoon?" Danny asked. They were outside by the pool where it was empty of anyone else. The weather was too cold and there was no alcohol. No one but
Lydia noticed.

"France." Allison answered immediately.

"Los Angeles." Scott answered immediately.

The two looked at each other and giggled.

"Can you please tell him that Los Angeles is the absolute worst place for a honeymoon?" Allison urged her friends.

"She's right, Scott." Robbi said. "I've lived in L.A. Unless you want smog and the smell of piss to follow you around, you best go to France."

"Robbi's right." Danny said. "France has class. That's where Patrick and I are planning on honeymooning. And besides, think about this, you'll always have a chance to go to
LA, its close by. France is on another continent."

Malia looked at Allison. "You should just go camping."

"And not shower for a week?" Allison asked. Malia nodded, enthusiastically.

The sliding doors opened and Cora walked in, a giant bruise on her neck and a cut on her lip. Erica followed after, her cheeks flushed. She looked like she had won a battle.

Lydia and Robbi turned around but Robbi was first to her feet.

"What happened?" Robbi asked and Cora smiled gently.

"Nothing, nothing, I'm fine." she said.

"No, you're not." Lydia said, reaching up and gently stroking Cora's cheek. If either girl felt goose bumps, they didn't say anything.

"Yes, I am." she replied, taking a step to the side and looking at Danny.

"She's better than fine." Erica said, punching her in the shoulder. "She might've ended a family line back there."

"Danny, thanks for the party but I gotta get home." Cora replied, wiping the blood from her lip. She could feel the cut healing already.

Danny stood up and nodded but Lydia kept stopping her from leaving. Cora was standing against Lydia and the pool and every time she tried to take a step to the side, Lydia
would block her.

"Who did this?" she said, taking a step towards the girl.

"What? No one." Cora replied, taking a step back, closer to the edge of the pool.

"Bullshit. Who. Did. This?"

For every step back Cora took, Lydia would close the distance. They right on the edge of the pool but almost everyone was too entertained by their argument to notice.

Cora could barely breathe. The smell of peppermint that clung to Lydia's skin was clouding her senses. She made a note to tell Lydia to tone down the perfume but she
couldn't escape.

Lydia took another step towards her and Cora took another step back. She felt her feet land on and then sink through water. She only had a second to reach out, grab cloth,
before she was completely submerged in the pool.

Stiles shouted and threw up his hands like he watched a soccer goal. Scott was the first one at the pool, prepared to dive in and help the girls should either be hurt. Lydia
popped up first, catching her breath, and looking around. Cora joined soon after a wide grin on her face. When Lydia saw Cora's grin she shrieked, angrily.

Cora swam to the edge of the pool and hoisted herself up. Her grin grew wider as she saw Lydia glare at her.

"What?"

"You did that on purpose!" Lydia said.

"No, I didn't." Cora replied, running a hand through her wet hair.

"She's right." Robbi added. "You were so close that when she took a step back she fell in the pool. She needed something to hold on to."

"I'll go grab you guys a couple of towels." Danny said, quickly removing himself from the awkward situation.

Lydia swam to the edge and Cora held out a hand, trying to help her up. Lydia slapped her hand away and grabbed Robbi's hand instead.

"Hey Matchstick?" Cora shouted as the redhead began to walk away.

"What?" Lydia snapped.

"You forgot your shoes."

Lydia turned around and narrowed her eyes, trying to see clearly into the pool water. Sure enough, her pair of black heels had sunk to the bottom.

"Well, aren't you going to get them?" Lydia said, crossing her arms.

"And why would I?"

"Come on, Cora." Scott said. "She's your girlfriend."

Cora shook her head, ready to tell him how wrong he was but then caught Lydia's eye and sighed. She kicked off her sneakers and took off her shirt, revealing a black sports
bra. There was no point in getting them wetter.

Lydia watched as the girl smoothly dove to the bottom, grabbed her shoes, and sprang back up. She tried not to pay attention as Cora got up out of the pool, her arms and
abs flexing at the effort. She tried not to notice the droplets of water sliding down her flat stomach.

She stood up and walked over to Lydia and handed her the shoes.

"Thanks sweetie." Lydia said and Cora gave her the finger.

"Stop it you two." Robbi said. "Look Danny's coming back with some towels."

Danny handed the girls the towels and then looked at Cora.

"Listen, I know you have to go but come on, you'll freeze like that. Let me put your clothes in the dryer and you can hang out for a half an hour."

Cora shrugged but handed Danny the soaking t-shirt, her face showing nothing but disgruntlement.

The party was winding down and everyone was inside. Cora sat by the terrace, looking at the bright city. She was wearing a plaid shirt and baggy pajama pants that Danny

had lent her but she still felt cold.

She heard the sound of footsteps and turned around to see Lydia. The girl was barefoot, wearing a dark t-shirt and leggings, presumably given to her by Allison.

"Go away Lydia." Cora said.

"You're missing the party." Lydia replied, standing next to Cora. Cora shrugged.

"I don't like parties."

Lydia sat down besides Cora.

"I don't like being in a pool with all my clothes on. And not having a ride home. And my old physics professor's lectures, I especially didn't like those."

Cora looked at her. The makeup was gone from her face and her hair fell in soft waves on her shoulders. She looked softer.

Cora smiled and leaned her head a little closer. Lydia leaned back.

"What are you doing?"

"You have freckles." Cora said. "I never noticed that."

"The makeup usually covers them."

"Why?"

Lydia shrugged.

"I like freckles." Cora said. "You're an idiot for trying to cover them up."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize I had to cater to your every whim when it comes to my own appearance."

Cora sighed. "And I didn't realize I had to cater to your every whim when it comes to parties. Getting your shoes, giving you a ride, what's next? Picking up your dry cleaning?"

"You didn't have to get my shoes, you know? It's not like anyone forced you."

"And have Mccall question my honor?"

"Well, he wouldn't question your honor if you behaved like a decent girlfriend."

"I'm not your girlfriend!" Cora shouted and Lydia closed her eyes in frustration.

"Yes, I know this. You know this. Erica and Allison know this. But as far as everyone else is concerned, we're dating."

"And as far as everyone else is concerned, you're a decent human being. It's funny how many ways we can find to deceive people, isn't it?"

There was a silence before Cora got up.

"What happened earlier? When you came out here with the bruises." Lydia asked, the night sounds of crickets adding background music.

"Nothing."

"It wasn't nothing." Lydia urged. "Listen, I may not be a decent human being but I don't want anyone beating you up. Not while we're fake dating at least. Got to keep my
girlfriend looking good."

"Why is that?"

"Because you're clearly in my league. That's a rare find."

Cora raised her eyebrows surprised but all Lydia did was shrug.

"What? Anyone can see you're a solid seven. And when you smile, you move up to a nine."

"Did someone just hit me on the dead? Am I having a trip right now? Am I on a trip right now? Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Because you're going to give me a ride later. Now, tell me why and how someone beat you up?"

Cora shrugged and Lydia nudged her.

"Shame. I'm sure Switzerland looks beautiful in January."

"Fine, fine, alright! Remember the guy who bet me I couldn't take the shots. Well, after I won he wouldn't give me the money, so…."

"You confronted him." Lydia said, letting out a deep and frustrated breath. "And he gave you those bruises."

Cora nodded. "I would've wolfed out but there were too many people around. So Erica and I improvised."

"What did you do instead?"

"Kicked him in the nuts. I also helped Erica slash his tires."

"Can you go a day without committing a misdemeanor?"

Cora grinned. "I haven't really tried."

The streets were empty off everything except cars and silence as Cora and Lydia walked down the hill, away from Danny's house.

"What?" Lydia asked, as Cora kept looking back.

"The sound of your heels isn't as grating to my ears."

"That's cause I'm not wearing them genius."

Cora stopped and looked at Lydia's bare feet. In a second, she had taken off her red Vans, leaving her feet covered with only a pair of polka dotted socks.

"What are you doing?"

"You might get a cut or something. And you can't heal. Besides I have socks on."

"I'm not wearing your shoes!"

"We're the same size! You might get an infection or something and I sure as hell am not carrying your ass to a hospital."

When Lydia didn't move Cora shrugged and began to walk away.

"Suit yourself, Matchstick, but I parked pretty far away."

After a few seconds Cora grinned when she heard the familiar shuffle of sneakers following her.

At the base of the hill, Lydia stopped when she saw Cora walk towards the motorcycle.

"Please tell me this isn't what you drove over here?"

Cora looked at her bike then back at Lydia. "No, no, see, whenever I see a stranger's bike, I like to sit on it and go 'Vroom, vroom."

"I thought you borrowed Derek's car!"

"When have you ever seen me borrow Derek's car? Besides, how did you not notice the helmet underneath by arm this entire time?"

When Lydia didn't answer Cora rolled her eyes.

"Come on, this thing is super reliable. It's a second generation Ducati. It was my aunt's old bike. I promise you, you'll be safe."

Lydia stood still and watched as Cora put her things away in her bag. When Cora looked up at Lydia, she was surprised.

"Oh come on! Don't tell me Lydia Martin's afraid of a little motorcycle."

"More like, Lydia Martin's afraid of the person driving the little motorcycle."

"It's called riding. Not driving. Now, unless you have a better option, I suggest we get going. I got an opening shift tomorrow and it's nearly 3 AM."

"You couldn't have gotten something a little flashier."

Lydia sighed and walked towards the bike. Cora fished another smaller helmet from the trunk, giving it to Lydia. She put it on and Cora waited.

"Isn't this the part where you start driving?" Lydia asked Cora.

"Riding. Now, unless you wanna fall and eat shit, I suggest you hold on."

Cora felt Lydia's arms grip her waist and a pleasant warmth settled into her stomach. It was difficult to ignore Lydia's hands wrapping around her middle as Cora wove her
way down the hills. It was impossible to ignore Lydia's contented sigh and her head resting against Cora's back as they made their way home.