Disclaimer: Sadly I did not write Teen Wolf.
OK, being left alone at a high school party kind of sucks. Especially while one of her best friends is sucking faces with her hot lacrosse captain boyfriend and is too occupied to keep her company.
Avery walks around the party some more and pours herself another two shots to distract herself.
"Hey." She hears behind her. She turns around expecting Danny but is happily surprised to see Jake.
"Hey." She says with a smile.
"So where'd Stilinski go?" He says leaning an arm on the wall next to her.
"He ditched me. Like really ditched me." She says with a nod looking at her cup.
"Well there's no shame in that." But he can see she's not all that thrilled. "Do you want me to beat him up for you? Cause I can. Really it wouldn't even be that hard." He nudges her arm with his making her laugh.
"No it's ok. He's a good friend so I think I'll let it slide this time." She says with a shrug looking up at Jake. "Thanks though."
"Any time. So do you want to dance?" He asks gesturing outside.
She isn't really sure if she wants to dance with him. Stiles was one thing, because they're friends so she could embarrass herself without feeling too weird, but with Jake. She isn't really sure how you're supposed to dance with someone your into. But she nods anyway and allows him to take her hand and lead her outside. It's actually kind of fun. Really the only difference between her dancing with Stiles and Jake is that with Jake they're in constant contact. He always has his hands wrapped around her waist and her around his neck. And when it's time for her to go he walks her to her car.
"So uh will I see you at lacrosse sometime?" He asks while they walk out of the house.
"Yeah of course, or at lunch or something." She shrugs and continues to walk forward.
"Definitely." When they finally reach her car and she stands in front of her door for a second. She's not sure what she's supposed to do.
"Well um… bye." She says with a smile and a dorky laugh. He bends down and kisses her lightly on the cheek.
"Bye." He returns her smile then turns and walks off back to the party.
She drives home floating on cloud nine. Or maybe she's just a little buzzed, who knows. When she gets home she see's that her mom and step dad are already asleep, so she sneaks off to bed. After taking a shower and texting Allison to make sure she gets home safely and Lydia to let her know she had a great time, she goes to sleep.
That night she doesn't dream about fighting with her sister or laughing with her or spending time with her. Instead she dreams about finding her dead body in the bathtub surrounded in a pool of her own blood. She wakes up with tear streaks down her cheeks; puffy red eyes and a killer head ache the next morning. That's it, drinking doesn't go well with her.
After washing her face she checks her phone and sees she has five messages.
Lydia- of course you had a good time. I threw the party remember. And I expect you here tomorrow at noon to help with clean up.
Stiles- Hey. Sorry for bailing on you tonight.
Stiles- Allison's fine. I went by her house last night to make sure Derek got her home and all is good. Scott's kind of missing so I'm going to drive around and see if I can find him.
Stiles- Hey I found Scott this morning. I took him home and he told me what happened last night.
Stiles- Wanted to know if you were still up for getting together today to investigate all of the wolf stuff.
After checking the clock and seeing a big red 10: 58 she decides to text back.
Avery to Lydia- I'll be there.
Avery to Stiles- How's 2? I have to help Lydia with clean up from the party last night.
Stiles- Perfect!
Lydia- I wasn't asking for a RSVP I already knew you were coming.
And with that she decides to get ready. She finds some high waisted denim shorts and pairs it with a gray sweater that stops where the shorts start. Then she adds a black beanie to go with her black lace up heels. And for accessories she puts on her black earrings and one of them has a gold chain hanging from it that connects to a gold ear cuff that clips on to the top of ear. She then empties out her black leather backpack and puts in her sisters journal and a notebook filled with all of the things for her sister's investigation. She quickly applies her eyeliner and mascara to bring out her green brown eyes. Once she's done she runs downstairs and into her mom. If only she had cover up to put on her eyes so she could hide the lingering redness. Too bad she doesn't ever buy any because she refuses to cover the small amount of freckles she has across her nose and cheeks.
"Hey honey how was the party last night?" Her mom asks with a smile and a cup of tea in her hands. Her parents refuse to drink coffee because they say it's a gateway drug or whatever. But right now she could really use some. Instead she settles for a water bottle from the fridge.
"It was fun. Everyone loved your food."
"Good! I'm glad… See your dad and I was right. Moving you here was for the best. It's good for you to start over." She pushes the whole 'good for you' speech again causing Avery to roll her eyes.
"Yeah I guess. Where's dad?" She asks not hearing anyone else in the house.
"Oh he went into the shop early today." She smiles warmly. "It'll be up and running soon." She says happily. It has always been her step dads dream to own his own mechanics shop and it's finally happening.
"Well I have to go help with clean up from the party. Is it ok if I barrow your car?" she asks sweetly.
"Yeah of course. And Grandma should be here Monday with your car and Roxy. Or at least that's what she says. You know she's not the most reliable person." Avery jumps up and down happily. Her friend Lily has been watching her German shepherd, Roxy, until they could settle in. It took them forever to convince her alcoholic grandmother to bring them both down. But soon she will be reunited with her red and white 1967 VW bus-truck. The one her step dad got her to help him run errands for the auto shop they both worked in. He got her the job last summer as the receptionist and slipped her extra money to pick up parts.
"Ugh, I can't wait!" She says with a huge smile. "Ok bye mom, love you." She leans over the island and kisses her mom on the cheek.
"Oh here. Take some muffins. I made your favorite. Poppy seed." She says as she puts some muffins in a bag.
"You're the best. Love you!" She grabs the bag and is out the door.
By the time she reaches Lydia's its ten past twelve and Avery practically runs to the door. She knocks on the door three quick times and Lydia answers in a matter of seconds.
"Your late." She says before turning around and leading her to the kitchen. Where a half naked Jackson is sitting at the counter and drinking coffee.
"Hey Avery." He gives her a small wave with a smile, which she returns.
"Hey Jackson."
"… And what did I say about hat's!" Lydia goes on.
"Hey. You don't have to deal with curly hair every morning. It's a battle. One, in which hats and hair clips are my best weapons. Plus I have a hangover. I should at least get a pass for that alone. And it goes with my outfit." She gives Lydia a puppy dog look making her roll her eyes.
"Fine." She says folding her arms across her chest.
"I mean is it really that bad?" Lydia closes her eyes and nods slowly. "Jackson?" she turns to him with a hopeful face.
"Who cares?" He says simply handing her a cup of coffee.
"Ooh coffee!" She grabs the cup like it's a lifeline.
"Wow calm down." Jackson says pulling his hands away like she was about tear his arm off.
"Her parents don't allow coffee in the house." Lydia offers up an explanation for Avery and she just shoots Jackson a thumbs up in confirmation.
"Why?" He says narrowing his eyes.
"Gate way drug." She says with a shrug.
"Well with the way you grabbed at that cup I would believe it." Lydia says taking the seat next to Jackson and leans forward. "Now come on we have work to do."
And work they do. They start with they back yard and work their way inwards and upward. Two hours later they're done. She realizes the time and sees she has ten minutes to get to Stiles house before she's late.
"OK I have to go." She says giving Lydia and Jackson each a wave.
"Where to? Do you have a date with Jake? I heard he was all over you last night!" Lydia sounds way too excited for her.
"Uh no… I'm hanging out with Stiles." She says grabbing the trays and bags filled with her mom's leftovers.
"Ew. Why?" Jackson cuts in.
"School." She shrugs.
"God. You are such a loser. Why do I hang out with you again?" Lydia says rolling her eyes.
"Because I'm funny and smart and fun to look at!" She responds immediately.
"Only half of that is true." She says pursing her lips.
"Oh I gave Jake you number by the way." Jackson says grabbing another brownie from one of the many bags she was struggling to keep up.
"OK. I really have to go. I'm going to be late. Bye." She tries to wave but fails and makes the long struggling journey back to her car.
When she finally gets everything situated she lets out a big sigh and takes off for Stiles' house. She knocks the regular three sturdy times she always does and takes a step back. She was expecting Stiles to answer the door but was surprised with being greeted by his father.
"Uh- hello." Mr. Stilinski says hesitantly. While Stiles practically throws himself down the stairs to reach the door.
"Hello. I don't believe we've met. My name is Avery Mason." She shoots out the hand that isn't holding the bag of muffins. He shakes it and continues to stare between her and Stiles. Who has just clambered down to stop right next to his father in the doorway.
"Um please, come in." He steps aside.
"Thank you Mr. Stilinski. You have a lovely home." She says admiring it for the second time.
"Please, call me Sheriff. Everyone does."
"Yes of course. Oh I brought muffins. I know it's a little late in the day but…" she shrugs.
"Avery, why don't we go upstairs to my room?" Stiles offers hurriedly.
"Why? I was just getting to know your friend, Stiles. Please Avery take a seat. Its not everyday Stiles has a girl over." He smiles and offers her a seat, which she gratefully accepts. She's always been great with parents. But Stiles obviously isn't too happy and groans taking the seat next to her looking wildly unhappy and anxious.
"So where are you from Avery?" The sheriff asks while she pulls out the muffins and places them on napkins in front of each of them.
"L.A." Stiles answers for her causing the sheriff to scowl at him. They each gratefully accept the muffins she offers.
"And why did you and your family move?"
"A change of scenery" Stiles answers again through a full mouth of food. The Sheriff hits him over the head and turns back to Avery.
"Avery, these are really good. Did you make them yourself?"
"No her mom did. She's a caterer." Stiles answers yet again.
"Stiles, is your name Avery?" The Sheriff turns to Stiles making him sink into his chair.
"Last time I checked no." He says rubbing the back of his neck and smiling.
"So, Avery your mom is a caterer. And what does your dad do?" He asks turning back to her. He glances at Stiles though expecting him to answer anyways.
"I don't know that one." He shrugs.
"My dad, or my step dad really, but I call him my dad, is opening a mechanics shop in town soon."
"That's nice. And what does your real dad do?" He asks taking another bite of his muffin. She shrugs and smiles lightly.
"Uh your guess would be as good as mine. I haven't seen him since I was seven." She looks up and sees Stiles staring at her intently. Those big brown eyes watching her making her stomach turn and her move in her seat.
"I'm sorry." The Sheriff says.
"Don't be, I have my step dad and he practically raised us." She smiles and hopes to God that it reaches her eyes this time. But the look on Stiles face basically tells her it doesn't.
"Oh do you have siblings?" The Sheriff asks looking for an out of this depressing conversation without realizing he stumbled on a far worse topic.
"Uh no its… its just me." She smiles hesitantly staring down at her untouched muffin.
"Hey dad, we really have a lot of work to do. Can we please go now?" Stiles begs while moving around in his seat like a child.
"Alright, alright. Go work. Avery it was lovely meeting you." But she didn't have time to respond before Stiles grabs her hand and the bag of muffins and drags them both upstairs.
"Sorry about that." He says closing the door behind them. It takes him a second to realize that he's still holding her hand and he drops it awkwardly and rubs the back of his neck. "So what was that?"
"What was what?"
"All that girly lady like stuff. You didn't really peg me as a miss proper and manners girl." He says taking a seat at the desk and turning around to face her. She sits on the bed.
"Well one, I am a girl. Two, my mom sent us to this all girls summer camp for ladies like two years in a row. That stuff sticks. And three, I'm only like that when the situation calls for it." She shrugs and takes a bite of the muffin she's been holding.
"Hmm interesting." He narrows his eyes and leans forward. "I have a feeling there's a lot about you that I don't know."
"Same here." She says narrowing her eyes back. "So are we going to do this thing or what?"
"Yeah. Yeah lets do this." He says snapping out of his trance. "Here's all the research I already found." He hands her a huge stack of papers.
"Stiles, did you just print out everything with the word werewolf on it?"
"Did I jus… no I did not. Look I didn't even know they existed and all I had to go on was Scott. So I printed out anything I thought would help him figure out what he is." He shrugs and turns back to the computer. But no less then a minute later he turns back around. "How did you find out? I mean you knew what all this was before Scott even did."
"I uh… I can trust you right… not to say anything?" She looks up at him and he nods vigorously and wheels his chair next to the bed where she's sitting. "Um well I guess you get to hear the story about my sister a lot sooner then you thought you would." She laughs humorlessly.
"You uh… you don't have to tell me if you don't want to." He puts a hand on her shoulder but the pulls it away awkwardly again.
"I don't mind telling you. I just don't want you to think I'm crazy."
"I promise I won't. I mean look who your talking too. I'm practically crazy myself. So I really can't judge." He rambles. As he talks she leans back and grabs her sisters diary and notebook from her backpack.
"So a month ago from yesterday my family decided to go out to dinner to celebrate some stupid award I got in school. My sister said she didn't want to come because she wasn't feeling well. At the time I didn't think anything of it. But when I came home with my parents from dinner… I walked into the bathroom and uh… found my sister dead in the bath tub." She keeps looking at her hands. And then Stiles takes the seat next to her on the bed. "She was nineteen. She just started fashion school. She wouldn't have… she wouldn't have killed herself." She continues to ramble not allowing any tears to leave her eyes. She refuses to look at Stiles. "Well um. Haha. Sorry about that."
"Avery you don't have to apologize for showing basic human emotions." She finally looks up at him and shrugs. "Or almost human emotion. A normal person would have full blow ugly cried right there so…"
"So I'm like a cyborg half human half robot, right?" She smiles.
"Yeah basically." He smiles back and leans into her.
She stays completely still forgetting how to breath as he pushes back a curl that made its way into her face. Then there eyes flitter up to each other. For half a second she thinks they're having a moment and then her phone goes off snapping them out of it. Stiles pulls his hand away from her face and coughs. While she turns around and grabs her phone out of her bag next to her. She opens it up and it's a txt from Jake
Jake- Hey Avery, it's Jake. I got your number from Jackson last night. How's it going?
"Uh… uh who is it?" Stiles says gesturing to the phone.
"… Its Jake." She says looking up at him. And for a second she could have sworn she saw a look of disappointment on his face, but as she continues to look it disappears so she just assumes she imagined the whole thing.
"Oh yeah. That. That makes sense. I mean he seemed really into you last night. Uh what, um what did he say?" He looks at her searchingly.
"Just hey and how's it going. I'm going to text him back that I can't talk right now though."
Avery- Hey Jake. Can I text you later I'm studying with Stiles?
Jake- Uh yeah sure.
"You don't have to. I don't mind." He shrugs with a fake smile.
"Already done." She shows him her phone and he laughs. "What?"
"Don't be shocked if the next time you see me I have a black eye." He laughs without humor and gives her a slightly stressed look.
"If he even wants a chance with me I seriously doubt punching one of my best friends in the face would be a good idea." She laughs back.
"Aw I'm so touched." He says sarcastically. And then silence starts to creep in like fog.
"…Oh right… we were having story time." She laughs and sits back up facing Stiles who all of a sudden has a very serious look on his face. "Like I was saying. None of it made sense. I know she wouldn't have killed herself. Especially not by cutting her wrists. She hates blood. And once the doctor ruled it a suicide they stopped the investigation. No one would listen to me. I begged them to listen but it was like I was speaking another language." Stiles continued to nod at her so she keeps going. "So I took over the investigation. My parents thought it was 'unhealthy' for me to investigate my own sister's suicide so they moved me here." She shrugs and continues. " Um here are my notes." She holds up the notebook and he takes it from her gently. "There's a DVD of security footage that I think is the person who… did it. And here's her diary." She holds it out but he hesitates to take it. "Um this is the thing that has all of the stuff on werewolves. It's all on the last couple of pages… Stiles take the diary."
He does finally and flips to the last couple of pages. While he reads Avery downs the rest of her muffin and starts another. Once he finally finishes he looks up at her with a look that practically shows the gears turning in his head.
"So your sister was a werewolf? And she thought there was a cure? One where you have to kill someone?" He shakes his head in disbelief.
"Yup." She nods.
"We can't tell Scott." He says simply.
"Why?" She replies shocked by his hast.
"Scott's not a murderer and if he finds out there's a cure and the price is murder he'll lose himself." He gives her a searching look hoping for her silence.
"My lips are sealed."
"Good. There's just one thing I don't get?" He says taking a bite out of another muffin.
"What is it?" She says fallowing suit and finishing hers off.
"Why would an alpha want to kill off it's own pack? It just doesn't make sense."
"That's why I came to you. If I'm going to find this guy and make him pay for what he did to Quinn. I need details."
"Lets get to work then." He says with a smile that she returns.
They read everything they can get there hands on and highlights everything with any significance. An hour into it she runs out to her car and grabs all of the leftovers from the party.
"Wow you can eat a lot." He says sounding impressed.
"It's a gift really." She shrugs. "You should feel honored. I never eat like this unless I'm really comfortable around somebody."
"Good. I'm happy to hear that." He laughs.
"Hey Stiles? Can I ask you a very serious question?" She sits up straight and turns to face him.
"Uh oh. Should I be worried?" She gives him a serious look. "Ok fine. Go for it." He finally says. She nods and continues.
"Are you in love with Lydia?" She says looking deep into his eyes.
"What are… what are you talking about? I honestly have no idea what your talking about."
"Stiles I trusted you with one of the hardest times of my life. Can't you trust me with your crush?" She gives him the puppy dog look that Scott usually wears.
"Really. Your guilt tripping me into trusting you?" She nods. "God I hate you so much right now... Yes I have been in love with Lydia since I was eight years old."
"Ha! I knew it!" She dances around completely embarrassing herself, but she honestly doesn't care. "This is good." She gestures between the two of them. "This trust thing is good." He finally, unwillingly, cracks a smile.
"You looked like a dork dancing around like that." He says laughing. She throws a cookie at him. Which he just picks up and eats.
"Hey! You weren't complaining about my dancing last night." She says pretending to be offended.
"Oh yeah speaking of last night. How was the party after I left?"
"You would've been proud of me. I took two more shots and danced with Jake. I even almost did that thing that all the girls do in the movies where they make out with a random jock." Again the hint of disappointment flashes across his face.
"Oh so uh. You kissed Jake?" He says looking up from his hands.
"No. I said I almost did. But I don't think I'm quiet ready for that part of partying yet." She can feel the heat rising in her cheeks.
"Yeah I agree. You're definitely not ready for that part. Totally not ready. You and ready might as well be on other sides of the planet…" He continues to go on, making her laugh.
"OK Stiles I'm not about to become a nun." She continues to laugh and takes a bit of keish. He looks back at her and bursts out laughing along with her. Honestly it really wasn't funny… like at all. But for some reason they just laughed and laughed. Until Stiles dad walks in that is.
"Wow that's a lot of food." He says lifting his eyebrows.
"Yeah. Do you want some?" Avery gets up and fills an empty tray with some of each food and hands it to him.
"Wow your mom is an amazing cook Avery." He says after popping a piece of brownie in his mouth.
"Thank you. I'll definitely tell her you said so… Actually we would love to have you guys over for dinner sometime." Avery offers remembering her manners.
"That would be great. Thanks." He says nodding.
"Good! I'll contact Stiles with the details." She nods in his direction and sees him grinning wildly.
"Great. Well, I just came up here to tell Stiles I'm heading to the station really quickly."
"OK dad." Stiles responds with a small wave.
"I don't need to worry about anything here, do I?" He asks them both raising his eyebrows.
"Dad?!" Stiles says covering his face with his hands "Seriously?!"
"Don't worry Sheriff. He just told me he's in love with Lydia. I think your good." She smiles up at the Sheriff and he gives her a smile back.
"Good." He nods and then leaves.
"That's great, just great." He says leaning back on his desk chair. Then a ringing sounds, it's Avery's phone.
Mom- What time are you coming home? Should I set a place for you at the dinner table or are you eating at Lydia's?
Avery- I'm at Stiles house working on a school project. I'm not sure how much longer it will take so you can just start without me.
"Who's that?" Stiles asks looking wildly curious
"My mom. She just wanted to know what time I'll be home." She shrugs.
"Oh do you have to go, because if you do it's okay. We can just keep working on another day. I don't want to interru-"
"Stiles, your fine. I told her I might be home late. Don't worry about it." She smiles.
"Oh okay." He turns back to his papers with a grin on his face.
They work and eat for another two hours before Avery starts to feel at all tired. So she lies down on the bed still reading and highlighting. She looks at the clock and it reads 9. Wow she feels like such an old lady being tired at nine o'clock. She closes her eyes for just a second and when she opens them the clock reads 9:40 and she has a blanket draped over her. She looks up and sees Stiles still working at the desk.
"I fell asleep." She says moaning. He jumps not aware to the fact that she had woken up.
"God Avery, waita scare the crap out of me… But yes you did fall asleep."
"I should probably go home, shouldn't I? I don't want to monopolize your bed. Especially while I'm not even helping."
"Monopolize away. I'm not going to use it for at least another four or five hours." He waves to his bed.
"Waita make me feel like 90 year old lady." She says with a laugh as she stretches her arms out. "It's ok. I really should be going… You got a copy of the important diary pages right?" She gets up and grabs her stuff.
"Uh yeah. I'm all set. I'll uh walk you out." He gets up and puts his hands in his pockets. They walk down the stairs and out to her car. But before she gets in she hugs him. It takes him a second to realize but once he does he hugs her back.
"Thanks." She says into his shirt.
"For what?"
"For listening." She says finally pulling apart. "No ones been listening and it means a lot to me that you did." She smiles up at him.
"Any time... And Avery, I know what you're going through. My mom passed a while ago, so if you ever need to talk… I just… want you to know that I get it. And your secrets safe with me." He smiles shyly. And then she did something she didn't totally mean to do. She reaches up on her tiptoes and kisses him lightly on the cheek. Not a romantic kiss but a grateful one, full of understanding.
"Thank you." She says lightly, gets in the car, and drives away. Leaving him standing there with his hand on his cheek in the exact spot she kissed it.
The rest of her weekend was definitely less eventful then Saturday. All she did was do homework and text people: She texts Allison about Scott, Lydia about who knows what, and Stiles about anything and everything… oh and Jake. They talk all day about lacrosse and school and people and movies. And when Monday finally rolls around Avery is actually excited. The school part was bland except for Allison forcing her to switch seats so she wouldn't be next to Scott; Avery ends up talking to Stiles through the whole class. And Jake takes the seat next to her at lunch and they talk the whole time too. After school's over she meets up with Allison at her locker.
"So have you talked to him yet?" Avery asks as Allison shoves her books in her bag.
"Nope and I don't know if I want to." She closes her locker and speed walks towards the door. Avery has to jog to keep up.
"Well you're going to have to talk to him some time. And if you're going to give him a hard time it might be fun to do it now." Allison stops suddenly at the door and Avery almost falls over trying to not run into her.
"You know what? I think you're right. I might as well do it now." She gives a sigh and pushes the doors open.
"Ok but remember one thing."
"What?"
"Just think 'Lydia'." She moves her hands in the air.
"Ok… Lydia. Lydia." She murmurs to herself as she struts past Scott and he follows after her like a little puppy. Avery takes a seat on the front steps and watches the scene unfold. Just then someone takes the seat next to her and she's pleasantly surprised to see it's Stiles.
"So what are we watching?" He says looking around. She points to the lovely couple. "Aaah is the beautiful couple getting back together?"
"I don't know. Depends on how good Scott's apology and or excuse is."
"To bad he can't just say 'I wolfed out because of a full moon.' That would be so much easier."
"Oh yeah, you never actually told me what happened to Scott. With the whole disappearing thing."
"Oh turns out Derek Hale is a werewolf and there are such things as werewolf hunters and Scott got shot." He shrugs. Avery turns to him with her mouth hanging open and punches him in the arm. "Ow! What was that for?" He says cradling his arm.
"I spent all day with you Saturday and you didn't think to mention the fact that Scott got shot. And Derek, the person I sent my best friend home with, is a werewolf! God Stiles!" She gets up and stomps over to Scott who is standing right were Allison left him looking dumfounded at something.
"Hey I just heard the news. Are you ok?" She asks Scott snapping out of his weird little trance.
"What?"
"I just heard you were shot Friday night. Are you ok?" Just then Stiles runs up next to her.
"That's him." Scott mumbles. "That's the guy who shot me." We all turn and see Allison getting in the car with her father.
"Mr. Argent? He's the one who shot you?" Avery finally says watching the car drive off.
"Yeah." He nods. And then Stiles and Avery share a look and burst into laughter.
"Dude, I think your relationship just hit a speed bump." Avery says patting his back gently between fits of laughter.
Again, sorry for the grammar mistakes. I hope you enjoyed it and I would love to get some feedback from everyone. Hopefully another chapter will be up really soon.