Claudia started to go to the hospital more often over the next few months, and eventually was admitted after she'd gotten worse. Every day after school, Stiles would take the bus to the hospital, and do his homework while he visited her.
Most days, she seemed like herself, happy, and full of love for her young son. Some days, though, she didn't seem to know who he was. Those were the most difficult for Stiles, as he lingered in the doorway of his mom's hospital room, wanting to rush to her side.
Stiles was grateful that Scott's mom, Melissa, worked as a nurse at the hospital. She kept him company on her breaks, and even helped him with his homework a few times.
"Stiles, you're still here?" Melissa asked, surprised, as he walked past the nurse's station. "Is your dad coming to pick you up?"
"He's at work." Stiles said, leaning his elbow against the counter.
"Do you want a ride?"She asked, looking briefly out the window. It was a cold, windy night.
"Okay." Stiles said, watching as she grabbed her jacket and they headed out to the parking lot.
"Did you finish your math homework?" Meliss asked, giving Stiles a smile. He nodded, looking out the window.
"What are you having for supper?" Melissa asked, as she drove.
"I dunno. A sandwich, maybe." He said, playing with the straps on his backpack.
"If you want, I can drop you off at my house. There's meatloaf in the fridge for Scott and I, if you'd rather have that. Scott rented a few video games yesterday." Melissa said, glancing at him.
The idea of going to Scott's house sounded way more appealing then going to his own empty, lonely house. "Sure." Stiles said, perking up a bit. "Can I sleep over?" He asked.
"You'll have to call your dad at work, and ask him." Melissa said, pulling into her driveway, and watching Stiles bounce up to the front door and let himself in.
Stiles drew his blanket up to his neck, and squeeze his eyes shut. He was filled with worries about his parents, to the point where he had a massive headache.
"Do you want me to read to you tonight?" Derek asked, standing over him. Stiles shook his head.
"Not tonight."
"You wanna talk at all?"
Stiles rolled over, and looked up at Derek. "I'm scared, and my head hurts. I just want to sleep forever." He said. "Go away, Derek."
Derek turned into a wolf, and curled up beside him on the bed. He quietly watched Stiles until the boy finally fell asleep.
John walked into Stiles' room at seven AM, and gently shook his son awake. Stiles rubbed his eyes, and frowned up at him.
"What?" He asked, groggy.
"Get up for school," John told him. "I have to leave in half an hour for work."
Stiles dragged himself out of bed, and changed into jeans and a blue plaid shirt. He wished he could stay home, and watch TV all day, and try and ignore the fact that his mom was in the hospital.
"I don't feel good," Stiles said, as he poured himself a bowl of corn flakes. The sun hadn't come up yet, and it was dark and cold outside.
"Son, you have to go to school. You're not sick." John told him, as he rushed around the kitchen making their lunches.
"How do you know? I could have the chicken pox or something." Stiles said, watching his dad slather the bread with mustard.
"You had it when you were three." John reminded him. "Eat your cereal."
"Can I skip school, and go to the hospital instead?" Stiles asked, looking forlornly at his untouched bowl. "I wanna talk to mom."
John stopped making the sandwiches, and turned around to face Stiles. "I know this is hard for you." He said. "Go to school. Have fun with your friends. I'll take you to see her all day tomorrow, I promise."
Stiles sighed, as he took a spoonful of cereal. "Fine." He said.
