Amnesiac

by BrooklynFazenbaker

When a teenage girl is found in the middle of the road by with no memory and a vague idea of her name, Sheriff Noah Stilinski takes her in. 'River' starts high school with Stiles and Scott and befriends both the loners and the popular kids. How will this affect the future of Beacon Hills with River as the glue that helps hold the pack together and will her past catch up to her?

4. Chapter 3

p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"I do not own Teen Wolf/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" /p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Chapter Three/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Be careful, Is," River reminded Isaac as he headed towards the locker room to get changed for practice. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Erica and Boyd were already on the bleachers in their normal spot waiting for River to join them. River took her spot beside Erica, smiling as Allison sat on her other side, Lydia sitting beside her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""So, you and Stiles aren't related?" Allison asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No," River shook her head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Why do you live with them?" she questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""The sheriff found me on the side of the road one day with a bump on my head. I didn't even know my own name, still don't honestly. I went to a group home originally, but Dad didn't want to leave me there, so he brought me home, made a few calls, and now I live there."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Dad?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""The sheriff," River explained. "I call him dad sometimes. He has raised me for as long as I can remember."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""She doesn't call him dad to his face," Lydia cut in./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""We're having a movie night on Saturday," River said, speaking around Allison to Lydia before looking to the new girl. "You can come, too, if you want. Scott and Stiles won't be there, but Is, Erica, and Boyd will. Speaking of this is Erica and Boyd."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Hi," Allison waved at the two. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'll introduce you to Isaac later," River promised. "He's on the field today."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is he?" Lydia asked, making a face like she just sucked on a lemon. "Or is he on the bench with the other two?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Stiles and Scott practiced a lot this Summer," River defended. "They're trying for first line."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm sure they'll get it," Allison smiled as the team came to the field./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Scott got sent to the goalie position and Stiles and Isaac stood towards the front of the line. Isaac and Stiles both waved to where the small group was sitting before facing front./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is that Stiles' shirt?" Boyd questioned from the other side of Erica./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What's theirs is hers and what's hers is hers," Erica repeated River's words from the day before./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yupp," River smirked and Allison gave her a strange look. "I steal their clothes sometimes."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Why?" Allison asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't know," River shrugged. "They're clothes are comforting."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Oh," Allison frowned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""So, are you bringing anyone to my party?" Lydia asked River./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Stiles," River answered, nodding her head towards the field and then smiling widely as Scott saved a shot. "Nice."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He caught it," Lydia said in disbelief./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I told you," River smiled as Scott caught another ball. "They've been practicing."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Jackson stepped forward, hitting Stiles' chest and cutting him in line. River let out a small growl at the action, moving to the edge of her seat and watching as Jackson shot the ball. Scott caught the ball again and Lydia and River both jumped up, applauding Scott. Lydia gave Jackson a smirk before sitting back down at the same time as River. Stiles stepped forward, shooting the ball, which Scott caught easily./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Guess Stiles needs more practice," Allison commented./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""So does everyone else," River nodded. "I think he's caught every ball except the first one."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Allison frowned before turning to Lydia, starting a conversation as the team ran through a few more drills before starting a scrimmage game. Scott was goalie on one team while Danny took his normal goalie spot for the other. River and Erica cheered when Stiles made a goal past Danny and called out to tell Isaac he had done well when Scott caught the ball he had thrown. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"When practice ended, the small group stood, heading towards the parking lot together. Lydia followed Allison and talked to her dad for a moment, probably trying to convince him to let Allison come to her party that Friday. River jumped onto the hood of the Jeep, waiting for her boys as Boyd drove Erica home before he had to go to work. Stiles, Scott, and Isaac came out a few minutes later, along with the rest of the team. River smiled as the three boys approached her, Stiles glaring at her as she slid off of Roscoe carefully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Need a ride, Isaac?" Scott asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No," Isaac shook his head. "I've got my bike."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Text me when you get home," River told him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Will do," Isaac promised, walking towards where he had his bike locked up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles unlocked the Jeep and River climbed into the backseat, rolling her eyes as Stiles continued to glare at her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Glaring isn't going to convince her to not sit on the hood," Scott said, buckling his seatbelt./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It should," Stiles grumbled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I heard that," Scott said excitedly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""So did I," River rolled her eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Did Allison say anything about me today?" Scott asked hopefully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""She said you did well on the field," River offered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Cool," Scott smiled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Did Lydia say anything about me?" Stiles asked curiously./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yes. She confessed her love for you and demanded I give her your shirt off my back so she could wrap it around a pillow to cuddle every night," River deadpanned, pulling her phone from her pocket so she could keep an eye out on it for when Isaac texted her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You're hilarious," Stiles rolled his eyes before looking at her in the rearview mirror. "Is that my shirt?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No," River said, shaking her head no./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I swear I have one just like that," Stiles said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"After dropping Scott off at work, Stiles turned towards the house and River climbed into the front./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't like Harris," Stiles sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He doesn't like you either," River nodded. "He's pissing me off actually. Have you looked up any more of your werewolf theories?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I plan to once we get home. Did you see Scott on the field? That was unbelievable."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm proud of both of you," River smiled. "You've both gotten better."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No. I mean, it was unbelievable. Even with how much we practiced, Scott wasn't that good a week ago."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Add it to your list."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""My list?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah. Better hearing and eyesight, no inhaler, good at lacrosse."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Oh," Stiles nodded. "Will do."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River smiled at him as they pulled up to the house./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Do you work tomorrow?" he asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Tomorrow and Thursday," River nodded. "I moved down to those days because of school. I told Melissa if I need to focus on school at any point I'll have to quit though."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well, you're smart," Stiles shrugged as he unlocked the front door. "I'm sure you'll be alright."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I hope so," River sighed as they headed up the stairs towards her room. "Do you need help with any of your homework?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Nah. I got most of it done in study hall. What about you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No, I'm good," River answered, throwing her bag down and turning the volume on her phone up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm going to go research," Stiles said, heading to his own room./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River shut her door, changing into pajama shorts the moment it was closed. She left out a harsh breath before taking a seat at her desk and pulling out her economics homework. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It is my shirt!" Stiles' voice carried from the other side of the wall, causing River to laugh loudly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Her phone rang a moment later and she answered it without even checking who it was./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Hey," she said, still laughing slightly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm home," Isaac said. "What's so funny?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Stiles fell down," River lied, clicking record on the call quickly. "Is your dad home?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah," Isaac sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well, put me in your pocket and go to your room," River demanded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Okay, mom," Isaac joked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River rolled her eyes, ear glued to the phone as Isaac stuck his phone into his pocket and walked inside. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Took you long enough," she heard his dad say./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I had practice today," Isaac explained./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Are you talking back?" he asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No, sir," Isaac answered immediately./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It sounded like you were talking back to me," he argued. "Are you saying I'm wrong."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No, sir. I was just letting you know where I was," Isaac's voice was shaking./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She heard the sound of knuckles connecting with flesh and bit her lip to keep from making a sound. She heard Isaac hit the floor and gasp in pain. She heard struggling and could hear Isaac crying. She stood up, shaking as she listened to her friend being thrown around./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You'll stay here for the night. Teach you to talk back to me," his dead said, out of breath from dragging Isaac around./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No! No, dad, please!" Isaac tried./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She heard him hit Isaac again and her lip began bleeding from how hard she was biting into it. She heard more struggling and the sound of something slamming closed. River ran out of the house, running in the direction of Isaac's house and ignoring Stiles calling after her. She cut across yards and went through alleys until she was in front of Isaac's house, gasping for breath. She brought the phone back to her ear, listening to Isaac crying./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is?" she asked, out of breath from the five minutes it took for her to run to his house./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She heard movement and then Isaac held the phone to his ear again./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Are you still there?" Isaac asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm right here," River promised. "Where are you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""In the basement," Isaac said. "He put me in a freezer down here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Did he go back upstairs?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah," Isaac said. "There's a lock on it, though. I can't get out."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is, I'm going to hum to you and then I'm going to hang up the phone and call you back in a few minutes, okay? Close your eyes for me and get as comfy as you can."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"After a minute, Isaac spoke up again./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Okay," he said and River's heart broke knowing he was trying not to cry./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Close your eyes and pretend we're in the library. You're laying across a chair and your head is in my lap. I'm running my fingers through your hair."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River began humming a lullaby to Isaac. She hummed for a good ten minutes until she heard his breath even out and he fell asleep. She hung up the phone and turned to Jackson's house. He stood on the front porch watching her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Do you have bolt cutters?" she questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah," Jackson shrugged. "Why?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I need them," she said, walking up his driveway./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Jackson met her at the garage door, putting in the code so that she could get inside. He went into the garage to get the bolt cutters as River went through her contacts. She clicked on the contact labelled, 'dad' and sent the call./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Hey, River. I can't really talk right now."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I need help," she said. "I'm at Isaac's house and I'm about to break into his basement."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She rattled off the address and hung up, knowing Isaac would be angry at her later. Jackson brought the bolt cutters and followed her across Isaac's lawn and to the backyard. She found a small window that looked into the basement and pushed on it, growling when it didn't open./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Look out," Jackson pushed her aside./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"He hit the window with the bolt cutters twice, shattering the glass. He knocked the loose glass away from the window and laid his jacket across the bottom of the window before offering River his hand. She took his hand and allowed him to help her crawl through the window. He passed her the bolt cutters and followed her into the basement as she began searching for the freezer. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She found it quickly and struggled to break the lock. Jackson took the bolt cutters from her and broke the lock. He pulled the chain off of the freezer and opened the lid, his eyes growing wide at the sight inside. Footsteps above them caused both of them to freeze before moving quickly. River ran forward, shaking Isaac awake. He stood when he saw her, grabbing his phone and climbing out of the freezer. Jackson led them back to the window as the door to the basement opened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Jackson climbed out first and Isaac pushed River up, Jackson pulling her out. She turned and helped Jackson pull Isaac out. The three stood and ran to the front of the house, hearing Isaac's dad yelling from the basement and hearing sirens from a distance. The three ran to Jackson's house, running into the garage. Jackson closed the garage door and the three watched it close slowly, all holding their breath as they hoped it closed before Isaac's dad made it to the front door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"It closed just as the door across the street opened and two police cruisers pulled up to the house, the sheriff not far behind./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You called the cops?" Isaac asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah," River said, not giving any other explanation as her phone rang, 'dad' flashing across the screen before she answered. "I'm across the street at Jackson's. Isaac is with us."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"They went to the living room and Jackson opened the front door just as Noah ran up the steps./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What were you thinking?" Noah asked, trying to not raise his voice as he caught sight of her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She looked over at Isaac and Noah's eyes followed. He took in Isaac's appearance and his eyes grew wide. He looked back to River, nodding before turning back to Isaac's house. He slowly walked down the steps where Mr. Lahey was screaming about his runaway son and a broken window. Noah, once he was across the street and close enough, grabbed Mr. Lahey and slammed him to the ground, putting cuffs around his wrist. River deflated slightly before looking to Isaac. He was staring across the street with wide eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is?" her voice was small, fearful that he would turn his anger on her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Where will I go?" Isaac asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I can ask Noah if you can stay with us," she suggested. "He's already a foster parent because of me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What if he says no?" Isaac asked, still not looking at her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Then I'll go wherever you go," she said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Isaac finally turned to her, surprise on his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You would do that?" he asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You're my best friend," River smiled. "I'd do anything for you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""As touching as this is, can both of you get out now," Jackson breathed. "I need to go get my jacket."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River rolled her eyes and smirked, following Jackson out of the house, Isaac on her heels. Once outside, River noticed Mr. Lahey in the back of a cop car. He caught sight of Isaac and started screaming, but it was too muffled for any of them to understand. Jackson walked across the street and straight to a deputy./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Can I get my jacket back?" he questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""That's yours?" Noah questioned as the cop car with Mr. Lahey in it drove away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah," Jackson stated./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'll get it back to you right after we finish crime scene photos," Noah promised. "Are either of your parents home?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No," Jackson shook his head./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Call your dad for me. We need to ask you a few questions," Noah explained before turning to River. "You will drive to the station with Isaac and wait for me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I didn't drive," River responded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""How did you get here?" he asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I ran," River shrugged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""From your house?" Isaac asked, shocked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah," River said, confused. "It's not a long run."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It's five miles," Noah cut in./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Not if you go through yards and alleys. Then it's only, like, a five-minute run."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Are you on the track team?" Noah asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You should be."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It's not that far," River rolled her eyes with a smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Go wait in my car," Noah rolled his eyes as Jackson hung up with his dad./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I can drive them," Jackson offered. "Dad said he'll meet us there."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Thank you," Noah told him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Isaac, you're in the back," Jackson said, turning on his heel and walking away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Did Jackson Whittemore help you jailbreak me?" Isaac questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He did," River nodded as they headed across the street. "Surprised me, too."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Isaac snorted./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He's your friend. Why are you surprised?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't know if I'd go as far as to say friend," River joked, knowing for a fact that she and Jackson were friends./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Isaac climbed into the back of the Porsche, stretching as much as he could as River sat in the passenger seat. The three remained quiet as they drove to the station. Once there, the three walked inside and River greeted Ricco at the front desk before he waved her back, along with Jackson. Isaac got stopped and told he was going to be taken to the hospital by a deputy before the police spoke to him. Isaac squeezed River in a hug before he left, River promising to head to the hospital as soon as she got the chance. Noah came in a few minutes later, his phone pressed to his ear./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah, I've got your sister at the station for breaking and entering," Noah sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Oh, that's weird," Jackson said from River's right./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What's weird?" River asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Someone calling you Stiles' sister," Jackson said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Do you forget that the Sheriff has custody of me sometimes?" River asked with a smirk./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No. I just think it's weird that you have the hots for your "brother" is all," Jackson shot back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't have the hots for my brother," River rolled her eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Fine. You have the hots for your brother's best friend then."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't have the hots for Scott either," she sighed, rubbing her face with her hands./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""River," Noah grabbed her attention./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah?" she asked, sitting up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Come in here," he sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River followed Noah into his office and sat down in her usual spot. The fact that she had a usual spot in the sheriff's office felt a bit strange, as if she had committed crimes in the past before when she hadn't. Noah sat across from her in his chair, taking a deep breath before pulling out a voice recorder and a pen and paper./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You need my statement, don't you?" she asked, eyeing the recorder./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I do," Noah nodded, pressing record. "What happened?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River went over everything that had happened when she got home. She mentioned recording the call and Noah gave her a strange look but let her finish her story before asking any questions./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Why did you record the call?" Noah questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I record all of my calls with Isaac," she admitted, sitting forward in her seat. "I've suspected what was happening for a while and, when I flat out asked him two weeks ago, he told me. He wouldn't let me go to you, though, so I collected evidence until he would agree to talk to you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He finally agreed?" Noah asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No. I just couldn't listen to my best friend get beat up anymore. When I heard everything happening, I took off. I didn't even grab any shoes on the way out of the door. I know I should have told you when I first started suspecting the abuse, but Isaac was so scared to get separated from me that I couldn't do it. I knew he would want to leave his dad one day though, so I recorded everything. I have pictures of injuries as well. The phone calls and pictures are all on my laptop. I just added the call from today to my drive on the way here."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm going to need your laptop," Noah said./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I can put it all onto a flash drive if you want?" River offered./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Okay," he nodded, his hand shaking as he stopped recording. "You should have told me."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I know," River nodded. "I just wanted to make sure I had proof first, that way he couldn't take Is back."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I know," Noah sighed, rubbing his face with his hands, a habit that River realized that she had picked up from him. "Are you okay?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah? Why?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""There was broken glass and you've been listening to your best friend get abused for the past few weeks," Noah deadpanned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Oh," River said, trying to tell if she had any pain in her body through the adrenaline that she was still feeling. "I think I got cut."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah stood and waved his hand, telling River to stand for him. She winched slightly as she felt a piece of glass in her back. She lifted the back of her shirt and heard Noah curse./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""How bad is it?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I think you might need to throw that shirt away," he admitted./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Oh, Stiles is going to be pissed," River groaned, flinching at the sharp pain. "Can we pull the glass out?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm going to take you to Melissa to do that," he said. "She's the nurse."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Okay," River sighed, lowering her shirt as a Ricco knocked on the door./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Sir, Mr. Whittemore is here," Ricco stated./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Check over Jackson to make sure he doesn't have any glass in him from the window. If he doesn't, interview him for me. I need to take River to the hospital," Noah commanded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yes, sir," Ricco nodded, stepping out of the room to check on Jackson. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah and River waited for Ricco to give them the all clear on Jackson before leaving, Noah sending Stiles a text to tell him where they were heading before he began driving. River sat forward in the cruiser, not wanting to push the glass further into her back than she already had. Once at the hospital, River smirked at the blue Jeep that sat in the parking lot. Noah helped River get to the front desk, Stiles running over to them and handing the almost finished paperwork over to Noah./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah added the injury onto the paper as he spoke to the receptionist. She called for someone to come take River back since she was bleeding, and River was led away from Stiles and Noah. She ended up lying on her stomach, her shirt lifted in the back so that a doctor could pull the glass out. After a few stitches, she was released back into Noah's care./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Do you know what room Is is in?" she asked when she reached Noah and Stiles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Room 304," Noah answered, leading her to the elevator./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles grabbed River's hand and squeezed gently as they got onto the elevator. Once they reached his room, Noah told Stiles and River to wait until he was done talking to Isaac before they went in to see him. River sighed as she sat in down, careful of her stitches./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""How bad is it?" Stiles asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well, they numbed the area, which feels weird," she said. "I can't see it to know how bad it is. I got three stitches though, so it can't be too bad."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You got three stitches? Which isn't bad?" Stiles said, his voice flat./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Could have been more," River shrugged. "I owe you a shirt."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River shivered, noticing once again that she wasn't wearing shoes. Her pajama shorts didn't provide any warmth either and she was regretting having changed out of her school clothes so quickly after they had gotten home. She should have waited until after the call with Isaac./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Cold?" Stiles asked, pulling his plaid off and handing it to her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm in pajamas," she sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""My shirt is not a pajama top," he pointed out./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It is to me," she smirked, pulling her legs to her chest and lying the plaid on herself like a blanket. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close so that she could steal his body warmth. Her shivering slowed down and she sighed, her anxiety going up the longer they waited on Noah. After what felt like forever, but was only ten minutes, Noah stepped out of the room. He kneeled in front of River and took a deep breath./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He's denying it, isn't he?" River asked, already knowing the answer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I told him he could stay with us if he told me the truth, and he still denied it," Noah nodded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""But, you have proof that his dad was hurting him," River argued, sitting forward, removing herself from Stiles' embrace. "Can't you use that?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""We can try, but without Isaac's testimony against his father, and possibly with him defending him, we won't be able to do anything," Noah explained. "He'll walk."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""But, he'll continue hurting him," River argued. "He's going to end up killing him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""We don't know that for sure," Noah began to argue./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Dad," River interrupted, not even noticing the slip as she continued on. "You didn't hear the phone calls. You didn't see the bruises and cuts. You didn't see him in that freezer, locked in with chains and a deadlock that Jackson literally had to use bolt cutters to remove. He's going to kill him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Isaac wants to talk to you," Noah said, wanting more than anything to hold River and tell her he would do everything he could, even though he knew it wouldn't be enough./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River stood, rushing into Isaac's room, Stiles' plaid falling to the floor in the hall. Isaac was sitting up in his hospital bed, looking down at his hands. They both remained silent until Isaac finally looked up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't want to be friends with you anymore," he said, his voice void of any emotion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What?" she asked in confusion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't want to hang out with you anymore. I don't want anything to do with you. I already blocked you on everything. Leave me alone."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is," River breathed, tears filling her eyes. "Don't do this."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Get out. Leave me and my dad alone."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River slowly walked a few steps backwards. She turned, ignoring the gasp as he saw the blood on the back of her shirt as she left the room. She walked past Noah and Stiles, ignoring them as they called after her. She went up the stairs to the fourth floor, going to the front desk until she found Melissa./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""River?" she asked, shocked at River's appearance./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is Jennifer here?" River asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No," Melissa shook her head. "Honey, what happened?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River ignored her, walking to Peter's room. She shut the door behind herself, lowering herself into her normal seat slowly before leaning back. She sat in silence for a few minutes before pulling her phone from her pocket. She went to her saved books before opening 'The Fellowship of the Ring' and finding the last page she remembered reading. A few minutes after she had started reading, the door to Peter's room cracked open and Melissa stepped inside. She stood at the foot of the bed, watching River as she continued reading, her voice less lively than normal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"When River's voice cracked, Melissa walked forward, lifting River to her feet and holding her close. River let Melissa lead her from the room, her arms wrapped around Melissa's waist like a lifeline. Noah and Stiles stood at the end of the hall waiting for her. Melissa passed River over to Noah and was led to the Jeep, Stiles opening the passenger side door as she climbed in./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'll see you both in the morning," Noah said. "I have to go take care of a few things at the station."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You mean, you have to let Mr. Lahey out," River corrected./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Noah took a deep breath, stepping away from the Jeep without another word. Stiles closed her door and ran to the driver's side, climbing into his own seat and starting Roscoe up. Once they got home, River ran into the house, slamming her door shut and locking it behind herself. She threw herself onto her bed and cried into her pillow, falling asleep due to her exhaustion and the crash from her adrenaline./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She woke up to her alarm the next morning, groaning as she shut it off. She took a shower, the water as hot as she could stand it, before she started getting ready for school. After staring at herself in the mirror for a few minutes, she called Lydia./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Can you come help me get ready?" she asked quietly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm on my way," Lydia said, not questioning why River needed help. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Jackson had probably already told her about them saving Isaac from the freezer the night before. She wondered for a moment if Jackson had gotten his jacket back as she unlocked her bedroom door and walked down the stairs. She ignored Stiles and Noah in the kitchen, both getting quiet when she got downstairs. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She stepped outside, waiting for Lydia on the front steps. Lydia pulled up fifteen minutes later, getting out of her car and walking over to River. River led her inside and up to her room, throwing herself on her bed. Lydia went to her closet, pushing clothes aside as she found something she approved of for the day. Lydia tossed the outfit onto the bed and stood with her hands on her hips, waiting for River to speak./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Did Jackson already tell you about Isaac?" River asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yes," Lydia stated. "It doesn't explain why you're heartbroken though. Is he going to a group home?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He told Noah that Jackson and I lied and that his dad doesn't hurt him. He then blocked me on everything and told me to stay away from him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Oh," Lydia said. "Well, that's not good. Is his dad going to come after you and Jackson for breaking and entering?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No clue."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'll warn Jackson so he can tell his dad. I'm sure he can convince his dad to protect you, too. I'm sure it helps that you live with the sheriff."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I think I called Noah dad last night," River sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You call him dad all the time," Lydia shrugged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Not to his face," River explained, waiting for Lydia to get it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""When did you say it?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""While yelling at him that Isaac's dad is probably going to end up killing him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm sure he appreciated that," Lydia joked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Shush," River smirked before her face fell again. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Time to get up and stop feeling sorry for yourself," Lydia insisted, grabbing River's hand and pulling her up. "Your third ranked bestie for the past four years just blocked you and went no contact. Time to start looking super-hot and show him what he's giving up."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River sighed before looking to the outfit./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I can't wear a crop top," she stated./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No teacher is going to dress code you," Lydia argued./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I have stitches in my back," River informed her. "A piece of glass ended up in my back."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Let me see," Lydia demanded./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River stood, lifting her shirt and showing Lydia the stitches./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It's kind of badass," Lydia shrugged. "Wear the top. I'll steal one of Stiles' plaids for you to wear over it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He's going to freak out if you go in his room," River smirked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You steal his clothes all the time," Lydia waved her off./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Not what I mean," River rolled her eyes as Lydia left the room, closing the door behind herself so River could change./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River stripped out of her pajamas and threw on the skinny jeans and black crop top that Lydia had chosen for her. The spaghetti straps zig-zagged across her back, making an 'X' across her shoulder blades. She pulled on the black pumps that Lydia had somehow dug up, sliding her feet into them just as Lydia came back into her room./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Do you know how to get blood out of a cotton shirt?" River asked out of curiosity./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Soak it in laundry detergent and cold water for a few hours, rinse with cold water, throw it in the washer and let it air dry," Lydia answered automatically. "Why?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""It was one of Stiles' shirts," River stated, pulling on the blue plaid that Lydia handed her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is it torn?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yeah. I'll probably just buy him a new one and keep that one to sleep in."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Sit," Lydia told her, pointing at the desk chair./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River did as she was told and Lydia started on River's makeup. Once the bags under River's eyes were non-existent, Lydia gave her a smokey eye and winged eyeliner. She turned River so she couldn't see her own reflection and started on her hair. Once her hair was done, Lydia made River stand and look into the mirror./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You're an angel," River smiled, looking at Lydia in the mirror./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You're a good doll," Lydia shrugged, causing River to laugh. "We should get going."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Did you tell Jackson yet?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I texted him while thing one grabbed the shirt I asked for," Lydia shrugged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Thing one?" River questioned. "Am I thing two?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No. That would be puppy-dog eyes," Lydia shrugged, passing River her bag from where it sat on the floor./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I didn't charge my phone," River groaned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You can charge it in the car. You don't use it often enough for it to be dead already anyways."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Lydia dragged River out the door, both yelling goodbye to Noah and Stiles as they went. Lydia drove to the coffee shop, ordering two lattes and a few scones in the drive-thru before they headed towards the school. They parked around back, eating their scones as River's phone charged and they waited for the parking lot to fill up more. Once Lydia was sure that they could make an entrance, she drove around front, parking next to Jackson's Porsche and passing River a tube of lip gloss. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Once River's appearance was acceptable, Lydia gave her a smile and a nod and they both stepped out of the car. Jackson and Danny got out of the Porsche right after, Jackson going to Lydia's side instantly. Danny waved Greenberg over to them. Greenberg jogged over and Jackson whispered to him for a moment. Greenberg smirked and walked over to River, wrapping his arm around her shoulders./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I am your escort for the day," he announced to her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""A babysitter?" River raised her brow at Jackson./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""In case you try to run off and break into another house," Jackson smirked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Fair," River shrugged as Greenberg looking confused./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""When did you break into a house?" he asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What are you talking about? I wouldn't do that. My dad's the sheriff," River said, claiming innocence as the group headed into the school./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Greenberg kept River under his arm as they went first to Lydia's locker, and then to River's. He moved his arm so that River could open her locker, leaning against the one next to it with Jackson on her other side. Both boys kept their eyes peeled, watching the other students carefully, as if looking for someone./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Incoming," Boyd's voice carried over to River's ears and she smirked as Stiles appeared at her side./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What's with the bodyguards?" Stiles questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""In case of that," Greenberg stated, eyes locked on someone down the hall./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River let out a deep breath, slamming her locker closed and turning. Greenberg pulled Stiles to his other side so that he was beside River. He took her books, carrying them and grabbing her hand, intertwining their fingers as Lydia hooked her arm around River's elbow. River caught Isaac's eye for a moment before she looked away, strutting towards first period with her head held high, Lydia doing the same beside her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Throughout the day, Greenberg and Jackson would show up after her classes, either one of them or both walking her to her classes. At lunch, Lydia dragged her to the popular table, forcing her to sit on her left. Boyd and Erica shot her apologetic looks as they followed Isaac to the library after eating. She gave them an understanding nod before going back to her conversation with Greenberg./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"After lunch, Lydia and Jackson led her to study hall, the three taking their normal spots and Allison sitting with Scott, kicking Stiles out of his normal chair. Stiles sat beside River, leaning his shoulder against hers in silent support as he glared at Isaac, who was openly staring at her. Eventually Isaac caught the glares that Lydia, Stiles, and Jackson were sending his way and he looked down at his homework, not looking up again until the bell rang./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Isaac finally cornered her after psychology, a class that she didn't share with any of her other friends but was right next to Isaac's sixth period class./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""River," he breathed, stepping in front of her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Can I help you?" she asked, her head held high and her shoulders back, an unimpressed look on her face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'm sorry, okay?" he tried, anger in his voice due to her attitude. "Is your back okay?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is that any of your business?" River questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I saw blood," he stated./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""How is this you not wanting me in your life?" she questioned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I don't," he said, fed up./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Then why are you talking to me?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is there a problem here?" Danny asked from behind River./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Just reminding River that she was a horrible friend and that I wish I'd never met her," Isaac smirked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River refused to shrink under his words like she wanted to. Instead, she felt her anger rising. She opened her mouth to snap back at him when Scott appeared beside her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Step away from her," his voice was almost a growl./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Isaac rolled his eyes, turning on his heel and walking down the hall. Once he was out of view, River felt her knees begin to buckle, a low whine coming from the back of her throat. Scott caught her, lifting her back to her feet and pulled her towards a set of doors that led outside. Danny placed himself between them and the crowd that had formed behind them, refusing to let them see River break down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Once outside, Scott picked River up, carrying her to the bleachers. He sat her down, taking the spot next to her and wrapping his arms around her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Deep breaths," he told her. "I've got you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""What did I do?" River asked quietly. "I thought I was doing the right thing."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""You did," Scott told her. "He's an ass. Forget about him."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""He was supposed to be my best friend," she cried./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""No. That's what Stiles and I are for. We're your best friends. We have been since before you had a name, remember?" Scott joked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River let out a small laugh, sniffling and trying to control her breathing. Stiles came running up the bleachers, a water bottle in one hand and River's anxiety medicine in the other. He dumped a pill into his hand and passed it over to River, opening the water bottle and passing it to her. She swallowed the pill and leaned into Scott again./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Can we skip?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Dad was going to tell you that we didn't have to come to school this morning, but you ran out the door with Lydia," Stiles explained./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Is that a yes?" she asked with a small smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Let's go," Scott smiled. "I told mom you were having a rough day, so you don't have work today or tomorrow. She said she assumed as much from what she saw last night."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I have to read to Peter tomorrow," River insisted, pulling her phone from her pocket and shooting Lydia a text that she was skipping with thing one and two./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Are you sure?" Scott asked, his voice gentle./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River nodded, not wanting to skip a Peter day. The doctors said that they didn't know if he could hear anything while in his state, but she wanted him to hear a voice besides Jennifer's while he was stuck. She knew it would drive her crazy if that was the only person she had to listen to everyday. They walked to Roscoe and Scott forced her to sit in the middle, squeezed between them. She sighed, leaning into Scott's side as Stiles rested his elbow on her thigh so he could still shift gears while touching her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Do you know why Allison doesn't like me?" River asked, her head turning to Scott./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""She doesn't like you?" Scott asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Oh, why did I ask you?" River asked herself, pulling her phone from her back pocket again to text Lydia./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Wait, she doesn't like you?" Stiles asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I've gotten that vibe, yeah," River sighed. "I think it's because of how close Scott and I are."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Well, she just got here. She doesn't get to act all possessive. He was ours first," Stiles said matter-of-factly./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River smirked as they pulled into the driveway. Scott helped her out of Roscoe, hand careful to not touch her stitches in the process. Once inside, River kicked off her heels by the door and fell onto the couch beside Scott. She got a message from Lydia back, confirming her theory on Allison. She rolled her eyes and turned to Stiles./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Blanket fort and a movie?" she asked hopefully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Sure," Stiles smirked, unable to tell her no when she turned her blue eyes on him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Scott jumped up, running to get all the blankets and pillows that he could find while Stiles went to the kitchen to find all the unhealthy food that they hid from Noah. River went over to their movie collection, putting in 'The Phantom Menace' in the DVD player and turning the tv on. Scott came back to the living room first, running faster than normal./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Where's your inhaler?" River asked, remembering the strange behavior Scott had been exhibiting lately./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Haven't needed it," Scott shrugged. "It's kind of weird."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River nodded before pushing the coffee table in front of the love seat as Scott pulled the cushions off of the couch and love seat, tossing them to the floor. River straightened the cushions as Stiles started bringing snacks from the kitchen and placing them on the coffee table, making multiple trips to do so. River pulled a fitted sheet around the cushions as Scott used a different fitted sheet to make the roof of the fort. Once the fitted sheet was wrapped around the back of the couch, love seat, and recliner, Scott and Stiles started layering blankets over the sides of the roof to create walls while River made the cushions more comfortable with the quilts that she knew came from the top of her closet, because she had hidden them there so that Stiles wouldn't steal all of them during the winter months. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"Stiles looked at the quilts for a moment, ready to ask Scott where he had found them until River interrupted his thought process./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Star Wars good?" she asked, thoroughly distracting him./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""Yes," Stiles smiled widely, sitting down in his normal spot./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River and Scott took their seats, River in the middle with Scott to her left and Stiles to her right, closest to the snacks. River started the movie as Stiles passed bags of gummies out. Once the second movie started, all three were lying on their stomachs, a few snacks set in front of each of them as they got into the movie. By the halfway mark of the third movie, Scott was yawning and ready to head home./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;""I'll drive you," Stiles told him, standing and stretching./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"River paused the movie so she and Stiles could continue their watch party once he got back. She glanced at her phone to check the time, seeing that it was eight at night. She stood up, ordered some pizza for herself and Stiles and sat on the front porch. She stared up at the stars while she waited for the pizza or Stiles to get back, not wanting to be inside by herself. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"After ten minutes, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, as if she was being watched. She looked around, not seeing anyone on either side of the house before looking across the street. She looked around at the neighbor's windows, thinking maybe one of them had spotted her outside and were watching her, but couldn't see anyone. As she was about to just stand and go inside, she saw a red glare by the fence to the neighbor across the street's backyard. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"She stared at it for a few seconds trying to make out what it was, unsure why there were two red lights pointed directly at her. What the hell were her neighbors up to? She stood, walking down the steps to try to get a better look./span/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin;"The lights blinked./span/p