It had been a month now, a month since Stiles said what he said. A month since he left. He hadn't gone to school, or answered his phone, he hadn't left the motel room except to get something to eat. He paid the main office with cash instead of credit so no one could track him using it. (by someone he means his dad). Stiles didn't know yet if he wanted to go home, he loved college, the classes, the teachers, lacrosse. He wanted to stay but he didn't want to see his previous roommates faces. He was using this month to think about weather this was worth leaving or not. He figured he could just switch classes and avoid them, but when he really thought on it he knew that if he ran into her for just a second that he would die at the look on her face. When this month was up he came to the conclusion that he was just gonna go back home. Maybe he could join the police academy, learn to be a cop, take over his father's position one day.

Stiles woke up and climbed off the tiny bed he was on. He stood up and walked to the bathroom. He looked in the mirror at himself. He looked like a zombie. He had dark circles underneath his eyes. huge bags. He had a five o clock shadow. He went outside to his truck and got some clothes to wear. Ruturning to his room he tossed the new clothes onto the bed and opened the tiny fridge in the corner next to the tv. He grabbed a protein bar and a canned soda. As soon as he sat down there was a knock on his door. He dropped the soda and protein bar on the bed and went to open the door.

"Where the hell have you been?" Scott yelled at him.

"Listen, Scott, I know you're still mad at me and I owe you an apoligy. So... I'm sorry." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Thank you for your apoligy but I'm not mad."

"You're not?"

"No, now where the hell have you been?"

"Right here." He sat on the bed and Scott intered the room.

"Yeah, I can see that."

"How is everyone?"

"Kira and I are back together, thanks to your little outburst."

"I know and I feel like shit." Stiles slid down to the floor with his face in his palms.

"And Lydia, pheeew. Lydia's a mess."

"What do you mean?"

"She hasn't stopped crying yet."

"Oh, man. I never meant to make her cry. I never meant to say what I said, at all."

"That's not why she's crying. She's crying because you left. She doesn't leave her room alot anymore and her eyes are always puffy but she tries to play it off like she isn't crying. She's not mad at you anymore, no one is."

"How do you know she's not mad?"

"Because she told us. She told us to forgive you, that you didn't mean to say what you said about her and that she somehow knew you were a great guy."

"Lydia said that?"

"Actually, Allison did." Stiles' eyes widened and he didn't say a word. He was thinking about the words he said to her before he left, wondering if she actually heard him. Scott interupted his thoughts saying, "We have a problem."

"And that is?"

"You're about to lose Lydia."

"I already lost Lydia."

"No, Lydia's still yours but not for long."

"What are you talking about?"

"Idiot, listen, Lydia misses you, she wants you back. But not for long."

"What?"

"This is what happened."

Lydia had just gotten home from school. She didn't speak to anyone, she didnt eat anything she just went up to Stiles' old room and looked in. She closed her eyes before opening the door, hoping that when she opened her eyes Stiles would be there, sitting inside, with all his stuff back how it was, but that was never the case. She walked into his room that still had his smell inside because no one else went inside there. She would sit on the floor and cry for a while until she heard Scott or Kira come home. Then she'd get up and run to her room to clean herself up. If it was Scott he'd knock on her door and leave something to eat in front of it, otherwise she'd never eat anything. If it was Kira she'd barg right in bringing with her the mail or a something to eat. Some days Lydia would come down to eat or watch a movie with the two of them. Scott would make sure the movie wasn't a rom-com or else Lydia would retreat to her room sooner than later and Kira would get mad at him. It got worse over time. She'd wince at any romantic move and try to be strong which would result in her sobbing silently in the dark. Scott and Kira made sure to stay away from each other romanticly when she was around too. Jackson and a lot of other guys would try and ask Lydia out everyday. It started when they all noticed Stiles had dissapeared. After about a week Scott started escorting her everywhere on campus. No one in school would mess with Scott after hearing what he did to Jackson. The few who saw it stayed as far from him as possible.

Two days before Scott found out where Stiles was Lydia had come home and as usual went to Stiles' room first. Upon reaching for the doorknob she remembered they had a new roommate now and retreated her hand back as she made a b-line for her room.

Scott and Kira made it home together and went for lydia. Scott knocked but Kira just opened the door. Kira walked in carrying mail and Scott carried a paper bag and a soda. The walked over and sat next to her on the bed. She had her face buried in her hands but she wasn't crying.

Lydia looked up the two and immediately hugged Kira then soon after she hugged Scott. "Thank you." She whispered. "For taking care of me. And helping me look for him."

"Wait you guys looked for me?" Stiles asked Scott.

"Yea, of course. You're our best friend, we wouldn't completely hate you over an accident."

"Well, how did you find me. I paid with cash only, I kept my phone off. I even created a fake smell trail to keep you from sniffing me out."

"How'd I find. Ask the weathered blue jeep outside, full of your stuff. I was driving past when I spotted it."

"Oh, okay so what happened next?"

Kira handed Lydia the mail and she read it. "Credit card statement, letter from PITA, and a letter from... my dad?" She was shocked. She hadn't spoken to him since the day she left for college.

"Why would your dad send you a letter in the mail?" Kira asked.

"Because I refused to give him my phone number."

"Why didn't he ask your mom for you number?" Scott asked.

"She hates him, and I think it actually made her feel better that I wouldn't give it to him."

"Oh, well read it let's see what it says." Kira was a little enthusiastic.

Dear, Ariel.

I've been trying to find you for sometime now. I miss you dearly, sweetheart. I wish you'd trust me again, you and your mother. Life has become so much harder since I've lost you two. I'm sorry for doing what I did, but I cannot change the fact that I did do it. I know your mother and I could never be the same again but I hope and pray that I may someday get my daughter back.

That being said, do you remember the parties I used to take you to when you turned thirteen? I hope so, because a friend of mine is throwing a Masquerade ball for his son's birthday, and I would really love it if you'd come and make and old man happy once again. You remember my friend Robert and his son Samuel. Who knows maybe you two will hit it off. You used inseperable.

The date is November, 12th. I know it's short notice so I don't expect a reply. I just hope you come, and if you do masks will be provided. There are two invitations in the envelope for you and a friend of your choice. Anyway, I love you and hope to see you there.

Sincerely, Daddy

"Wow." Scott spoke first. "He sounds guilty."

"That's because he is." Lydia folded the letter. "That's why he called me Ariel. He only calls me that when he feels guilty. That was my nickname when I was younger, you know because I loved the Little Mermaid."

"That's true, you loved that mvoie." Kira added.

Stiles smiled at the whole Ariel thing.

"Do you want to pay attention or what?" Scott was annoyed.

"Sorry, continue." Stiles gestured.

"So, who are you gonna take?" Kira asked enthusiastically after taking an hour to convince her to go.

"I want to take a guy because as soon as everyone sees me they'll try to get Samuel and I together."

"Oh."

"Kira, would you like to be my date to the Masquerade Ball?" Lydia proposed on one knee.

"Oh, my... but... what if... I mean... what about... Of course!" the two girls squeeled. In the excitement of the moment Kira turned and kissed Scott. It lingered for a while but the hurriedly pulled apart remembering they were around Lydia.

"It's fine." Lydia laughed a bit. "I think I'm okay now."

"We'd better go pick out something to where." Kira said linking arms with Lydia and turning to Scott.

"Oh, I already have a tux." Scott smiled.

"Huh?" The two girls were confused.

"You two didn't think I'd miss this did you?"

"But you don't have an invitation." Kira said.

"I wont need one." He smirked.

"Do you see my dilema?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, you need a way in."

"No, dumbass. Lydia's on her way to a Masquerade Ball where she could 'hit it off' with some other guy."

"Why shouldn't she?" Stiles shrugged.

"Because she's yourgirl."

"Not anymore."

"Did you hear me? She cried over you. You made Lydia cry. And you have to fix it."

Scott was right. Stiles had never meant for Lydia to cry, he just thought that he was doing what she had wanted. It hurt him knowing she cried over him and he was determined to never make her cry again, to always be there to stop her tears. "Alright, let's crash a ball." Stiles said.

"Now you're talking." Scott said.

Lydia and Kira walked into the building. It was dark outside but that had no effect on the inside. When they got inside they were mesmerized. The ceilings where high. All the walls were white and laced with gold trims. The ceiling had a mural on it that they made out to be a baby sitting ontop of some clouds with four angels surrounding it. The baby was naked except for a red sash. And the angels were surrounded by clouds. There were pillars along the walls that looked like ancient greeck pillars. And all that was just the main hall.

They stopped and handed the bouncer their invitations and were excused. They stopped at the first table and picked out there masks.

Lydia wore a teal dress that showed her back. The dress mached her eyes and her flame-like hair laid over her shoulders. It was curly the way she used to wear it at the beginning of high school. She had on some white heeled pumps and a white pearl necklace. Her mask was silver with teal feathers on it.

Kira wore a lavender dress that draped to the floor. She had her hair pulled up into a bun-like ponytail that held there by a small purple pin. She had on black heels and a barrowed silver necklace with a black diamond on the end. Her mask was black with purple feathers.

They stood close and walked into the ball room. It was the same as the main hall aside from some dark red curtains pulled over the windows. They walked over to a table and sat down.

"These rich people really know how to party." Kira spoke.

"Don't speak too soon." Lydia warned. "Just wait until someone tries to have a conversation with you."

Lydia started to feel someone watching her. Looking around she spotted a tall blonde guy walking toward her and Kira. He stood in front of her in a slate black suit and tie. He bowed and held out his hand for her to take. "Lydia Martin. You look even better than I expected. Don't bother trying to lie, I know that hair anywhere."

"Sam, hi." Lydia stood and hugged him. "This is my best friend Kira. Kira, this is my childhood friend Sam." She introduced the two.

"Uhp, actually it's Samuel now. And what are you two doing sitting over here." He said and continued before they could speak. "Come join us." He took Lydia's hand and led her to a table of his peers.

Thirty minutes into the conversation Lydia was bored and slowly dieing from it. She was zoned out, thinking about where her dad was. Leaning back in her chair she smirked jealously at Kira who had already been rescued from the boring group of rich kids and their conversations.

Kira had been approached by an average guy with very very dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. He wore a black tuxedo with a black shirt, a gold tie and a gold mask. He took her hand saying only 'may I have this dance'. And she accepted. She watched them dance and then a light flashed and she saw the way his eyes reflected it and she immediately knew it was Scott.

She looked back to the conversationalists at her table. "So I'm on my yacht playing squash when..." Her attention was cut short by a guy standing behind her. She turned around to look at him. His hair was much like Stiles' but it was a midnight black. He stood just a little taller than Stiles. She couldn't see his eyes through his plain black mask. He was wearing a navy blue tuxedo, with a black shirt, bow tie, and shoes. He smiled at her without showing teeth.

"Would you like to dance?" He asked.

"Sure." She said. Anything to get her away from that table. They walked to the dance floor just asMasquerade byRobosoul started to play. They started to dance while talking.

"So, you come here alone?" He asked.

"Uhm, no, my friends are overthere."

"Oh, they look... fun." He searched for the right word.

She giggled a little. "They really are."

"You have a cute laugh." He shocked her with the comment.

"Thank you." She started to blush. "Is that the only reason you asked me to dance?"

"No, actually I can't stand to see a woman in distress." She was confused. "I could tell you wanted out of that conversation."

"Yea, I was about to go sit with the old people." She made him laugh loudly.

"Yea, there's something about rich people that just makes me wanna punch 'em." She laughed loudly this time.

They kept danceing until it was nearing time to leave. They locked eyes as they were slow dancing, pressed closly together. She could feel his breath starting to give her goosebumps. She was starting to feel wierd. Like she wanted him to kiss her, but at the same time she didn't. His gaze deepend as they started in for a momentumful kiss.

Her eye shot to a guy walking in. His hair was brown and his eyes golden-brown. He was around half a foot taller than she was. He stood awkwardly in his silver tuxedo with a black shirt and no tie. And at that moment even in his black mask, he had 'Stiles' writen all over him. She backed out before the guy could kiss her. "I'm sorry but I can't... I... I just can't." He smiled at her as she took off. Almost running over she stopped in front of the guy in the silver suit. "I knew you were going to be here." She said removing his mask but stopping in her tracks seeing a familiar face that wasn't Stiles. It was a guy from the lacrosse team at their school. "Sorry." She said before replacing his mask.

Turning around she could no longer see anyone she knew. Scott and Kira had dissapeared, the guy she almost kissed as well, and her father never showed up. The silver suited guy still stood in front of her judging her and she couldn't help shed a tear. Everyone here had someone and she had no one. No one at all. She turned and ran out the door.

She exited the building and went to the parking lot stopping in her tracks when she spotted a familiar blue jeep. She walked closer to it but it was empty. She let out a sadend sigh before hearing a voice. "Leaving without saying goodbye?" She turned around and it was the guy in the navy blue suit.

"Listen, I'm sorry but I'm just not re..." She was cut off by his lips smashing against hers. She wanted to object, but it was so good. She wanted to bite, punch, scratch, or kick him, but she couldn't bring herself to. She was shocked at herself, she barely knew him, she didn't even know his name. He deepened and softened the kiss at the same time curressing her cheek. By the end of the kiss she knew everything she needed to know about him and that was enough for her to kiss him again. It wasn't one of thosefind out everything you need to know about a guy with a kiss, no it wasn't that at all. She kissed him until there was an 'ehem' from behind them.

They looked up and saw Scott and Kira behind them. "Are we interupting?" Kira looked at Lydia like she was making a mistake with him.

"No, not at all." Lydia spoke. "Stiles was just about to drive me home." Everyone's eyes widened. They all looked around at each other and then took off their masks.

Stiles smiled appoligeticaly at them all and Kira hugged him before smacking his chest."Where the hell have you been?" Scott smirked knowingly.

"I've been around." He said. "More importantly, how'd you know it was me?"

"I just knew." Lydia smirked.

"Oh come on, I died my hair, I wore shoes to make me taller, I even kept my voice low. How'd you do it?"

"I'll never tell." She smirked.

They stopped talking for a while and Stiles spoke up. "Listen, uh. I'm sorry about what I said."

"Stiles, stop." Lydia said. "It's behind us."

"I'm sorry for making you cry also." He added.

"Stiles... "

"I mean it, and I'll never do it again, I promise you." He leaned in and kissed her but before they could lose there selves in it Scott and Kira interupted.

"Eww." Scott said.

"Get a room." Kira yelled.

"Speaking of." Lydia parted from the kiss. "Are you coming over tonight?"

"Yeah, of course."

"We have a new roommate, too." Kira spoke.

"Yeah, I know. Scott told me."

They all went home and sat in the kitchen reminising one the party. Kira and Lydia changed but Scott and Stiles were still dressed in their party clothes. Lydia was wearing grey shorts and a white tank top and Kira wore deep blue shorts with a small pink t-shirt. Scott and Stiles had removed their jackets that now sat on the back of the girls chairs. Stiles rolled up his sleeves and Scott took his shirt off revealing his black tank top. They were laughing and having fun when they heard footsteps from the staircase. "I hope you guys are talking about me." The person said.

"Stiles, this is our new roommate. New roommate this is Stiles." Scott introduced them and Stiles turned to come face-to-face with a familiar face.

"Stiles!?"

A/N: I got this idea just listening to the song Masquerade by Robosoul.

Thanks to everyone for their support on this story. I think this is my most popular story yet.

Any guessess as to who the new roommate is or who teach he Sheriff woke up with? If you get it right you get a free cookie. I really want a cookie now.

This was a treat to write. I really love the Idea of a Masquerade Ball. Thanks for reading and a new chapter should be up soon. (: