Disclaimer: teen wolf does not belong to me in any way, shape or form :( thank you for all your continued support and all the reads and wonderful reviews, it means the entire world to me and my little story :) and a big shoutout to Natalie Jarrett, anonymousvoice and Minnie999 for the lovely reviews, hope you enjoy this next update x
"What do you mean by that?" she demanded, "what's wrong with 'Stilinski'?"
"What isn't wrong with Stilinski" Derek grumbled.
"Oh shut up" she snapped, rolling her eyes, "nothing happened and nothing has happened. Not that it's any of your business".
It was a blatant lie, one she knew she wouldn't get away with, but she didn't care. Not after the hellish last few days that Derek had put her through.
He narrowed his eyes at her, clearly not buying her lies - his head cocking slightly to the side to no doubt listen to her heartbeat.
Wow, invasive much?
"What are you doing here?" she sighed, folding her arms across her chest, changing the topic of conversation before he could lecture her like he was her father, "already got the memo you're alive, remember? If you were expecting a happier reaction, don't hold your breath".
"The full moon was last night. I wanted to check in on you".
"What's the point? I'm fine now".
"Are they getting worse?"
"Well it's not like they're going to get better, is it?"
"Kayla-"
"What?" she snapped, "what, Derek? What do you want me to say? It is what it is. I can't change it. Im fine. I'm always fine".
"What if you could?" he asked, something changing in his gaze that she couldn't quite put a finger on, "what if you could change it?... Change yourself?"
"What do you... oh" she realised, her brows scrunching together, "you mean what if an Alpha bit me and changed me into a werewolf?"
A single direct nod was all she got in return.
"You heard what my dad said about that... that there's no guarantee it would work. It could cause my body to further reject the werewolf genes and then I wouldn't get to feel the pain of a full moon because I would be, well, dead. I don't think that's a viable solution, do you?"
"If there wasn't that risk, would you do it?" Derek probed, something in his tone unsettling her to her core, "would you become one of us?"
"Would I become a werewolf?... No" she shook her head, "why would I want that? It's a curse. It's the reason our entire family is dead. Think I'll pass".
Something in his gaze told her he was disappointed by her response although she couldn't pinpoint why, trying to understand what he could possibly be getting at.
"Why are you asking me that?" she questioned suspiciously, "what are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking that if you changed, you wouldn't be in pain anymore. You would be safer, stronger, faster-"
"And also used as target practice" she scoffed, "gee, what a sell".
"You can't lie and say you've never thought about it" Derek said, "growing up in a family of werewolves, always being weaker and ordinary, never made you want it?"
She decided to glide right past the 'weaker' and 'ordinary' comments, quirking a brow at her cousin.
"Maybe. But it is what it is. I'm no werewolf. I'm just me. Isn't that enough?"
He remained quiet, unable to reply to her words. Clearly, whatever she had said had upset him for whatever reason though he wouldn't admit that, fueling her suspicions.
"Derek-"
"I'm glad you're okay" he interrupted, "and if Stilinski helped then..."
"...Then...?"
He never said anything, too stubborn to admit that he may have been wrong and Stiles was a better guy than he gave him credit for. Willing to choke and die before he ever admitted it.
"Well, before you disappear again, I need to ask you about something" she said, grabbing his attention, a flicker of guilt flashing through his eyes.
"I found out some stuff about the fire and I thought you could fill in the blanks? Just don't lie to me. I may not be able listen to your heartbeat but I will kick your ass into the next century if I find out you lied to me again, got it?"
"The fire?" he asked, a slight hint of panic in his voice, "what about the fire?"
"The fact my dad was there, to start with".
Derek sighed, dipping his gaze to hide the flash of guilt that passed through his somber eyes.
"How did you find out?"
"Does it matter?"
"No. No I suppose it doesn't" he said, avoiding her expectant look as he brushed past her and sat on the edge of her bed and, if the situation wasn't so serious, she would've given him an A plus for brooding.
"Derek, tell me" she insisted, turning to face him, hovering over him because she was not going to let him get away with anything but the truth, "I deserve to know".
"It's... complicated".
"And what am I, stupid?" she scoffed, "I'm not a kid anymore Derek and you are not my parent".
"That's the thing Kayla, you are just a kid" he said, "you're sixteen years old. You're a kid and you deserve to be a kid a little while longer".
"Cut the crap and fess up... now"
He sighed again, patting the spot on the bed next to him and she gingerly took a seat, apprehension coursing through her veins.
"It was a wolf moon. The night of the fire" he clarified, "traditionally, it's when family and packs come together and share power-"
"I know this already".
"Well, every year your dad and your family were invited. And every year he said no... apart from that year".
"Why?"
"Because of the threat of hunters" Derek shrugged, "2004 had one of the highest number of deaths of werewolves and 2005 wasn't looking any better. So the first full moon in January - the wolf moon - was going to be used as a meeting as well. To figure out what to do. Your dad... he agreed to come. After all, a united front was a strong front".
"Okay, but why wasn't he at the house?"
"Your dad and Peter had a... disagreement" he said carefully, "as they usually did whenever they were within ten feet of each other".
"Why did they hate each other so much?" she mused, "what happened between them?"
"I don't know" he answered truthfully, "no one knew. It was just one of those things that was never spoken about. Brushed under the carpet. Before they could tear each other to pieces, my mom told your dad to leave and cool off. When he came back... everyone was dead".
"But why would he lie about it?" she asked, "why would you?"
Derek sighed, "survivors guilt".
"So that's it? That's the big secret about the fire?"
Her cousin paused, making her wonder if he was telling her the entire truth - or just the parts he thought she needed to hear.
"Yeah".
She narrowed her eyes, scrutinising him carefully.
"Are you sure?"
He looked her dead in the eye, his gaze unwavering.
"Yes".
"I don't believe you" she said, shaking her head, "it doesn't make sense. If he was here in Beacon Hills, and survived, why not just say? Especially when there's physical evidence putting him here".
"What physical evidence?"
"Police statements".
"Police-oh" Derek rolled his eyes, "let me guess... Stilinski? Is that what's got you questioning all this?"
"No, but he-"
"He what?" Derek questioned, "because maybe he should mind his own business. The fire has nothing to do with him".
"Why are you getting so defensive?" she demanded, "what are you scared of us finding out?"
"Stop looking into the fire" he said, his tone hard and bordering on hostile, "trust me, for your sake..."
"For my sake-?"
He stood abruptly, his uptight and touchy behaviours making her all the more suspicious because when Derek lost his cool it meant the mask was slipping and the truth was coming out.
"Derek-"
"I can't stay any longer. The police have your house on close watch. If they know I'm here-"
"If you don't tell me the truth right now then I'll phone them myself" she exclaimed, standing up and grabbing Derek's elbow before he could walk away, "Derek, c'mon... it's me. I'm the only family you got left. Don't push me away".
He kept his back turned to her, his shoulders hunched and tense - shutting himself off from her completely.
"It's for the best Kayla" he said, "there's nothing you need to know about".
With that, he stalked from her bedroom. Leaving her with more and more questions than before and no closer to any answers.
Running on little to no sleep and her body still recovering from the intense spasms and pain, she got ready for school that morning after a long hot shower. Taking her time and saving her energy, consuming copious anounts of black coffee and sugar to keep her going.
She decided, if she could face Stiles after their closeness last night and this morning, she would ask him for all the files he had on the fire and go over them herself with a fine tooth comb.
If Derek wasn't going to tell her the truth, then she would just have to find out for herself.
She lightly curled her hair so it didn't look so lacklustre, bouncing around her chest and shoulders, tying some back with a black hair bandana. She quickly did her make up, flicking her eyeliner and applying a couple coats of mascara so her eyes popped. Her outfit, a simple purple jumper dress with a cut out across the chest, paired with some black leather knee high boots, was the first thing she grabbed from the wardrobe. It was giving 'Daphne' vibes from Scooby Doo, but she didn't care. Grabbing her bag and heading down the stairs.
Unfortunately, just in time for her mom coming home.
She stopped a couple stairs up from the foyer entrance, watching her mom enter and throw her keys on the table.
"I trust you're feeling better today?"
Her mom's tone was clipped and snarky, but she didn't care. Narrowing her eyes as she folded her arms.
"I am".
"Good" her mom said, "because the principal called - you're retaking that test today".
"Okay".
"I expect a pass, Kayla" her mom said, "after your behaviour-"
"I get it" she interrupted, "trust me, we've had this talk multiple times about how much of a 'disappointment' I am. It's burned into my brain by now".
"Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to stick. No more screw ups, alright?"
"Yeah... no promises there" she mumbled under her breath.
Her mom was just about to open her mouth and no doubt tell her off some more when the doorbell rang.
They both looked at each other in confusion, wondering why someone was at their door before eight o'clock in the morning, as her mom turned around and gingerly opened it.
Standing on the doorstep was Sheriff Stilinski who removed his sunglasses as the door opened, a sympathic look plastered over his face.
"Good morning" he greeted, "Mrs Hale... Kayla".
He said her name almost with embarrassment, nodding his head at her, his cheeks turning a light pink - no doubt remembering catching her in Stiles' room in Stiles' clothes, followed by slipping the condoms under the door.
Her mom turned to look at her, her expression like thunder.
"What have you done this time?" she demanded, "Kayla, I have had enough of this-"
"What? Nothing" she interrupted, "why do you think this has anything to do with me-"
"No one has done anything" the Sheriff cut in before mother and daughter could tear each others head off, "no one's in any trouble... I hope" he added quietly, blushing again, awkwardly sending Kayla a look that basically said 'please don't get knocked up by my son'.
"Then what's going on?" her mom asked as curiosity got the better of her and she came down the final two steps, standing next to her mom, "what is this about?"
The Sheriff removed a file from under his arm, opening it up and looking at them both.
"Laura Hale's body can be released now" he said, "and, uh... Derek was her next of kin but, given that situation, next of kin falls to... to you".
His pale eyes were trained on her, handing her the file that had documents waiting for her signature.
"Oh" she said, weakly taking the papers from his hand, the blood running through her veins turning to ice, "as in..."
"You can finally have a funeral for her" The sheriff nodded, "your family already has a plot at the cemetery and I spoke to an officiant who can conduct the service whenever you feel ready-"
"Today" she said, "I want it done today".
He frowned, "are you sure? You don't need time to contact family, friends-"
"Our family is dead" she interrupted, quickly reaching for a pen from her bag and signing her name sloppily on each bit of paper, not even reading what she was signing, "there is no one to contact. I want the funeral today. After school. Any coffin will do... it's just a wooden box at the end of the day, right?"
Both her mom and the Sheriff remained quiet, watching her shaky fingers sign the papers, unsure what to say.
"Okay, uh... well, I will get straight on that for you" the Sheriff nodded, accepting back the file stuffed with the papers, "today, after school" he confirmed.
"Thanks Sheriff".
"It's no problem" he smiled graciously, "and, again, I am so sorry for your loss".
She had heard that statement hundreds of times over her short life and each time she didn't know what to say apart from a tight smile and a nod.
The Sheriff left, leaving her and her mom standing by the doorway.
"It should be Derek sorting and paying for this" her mom said, "it's his sister".
She shot her mom a glare, "Derek is on the run, remember?"
"A perfect example of where making bad decisions will get you".
She bit back a snarky remark, throwing her bag over her shoulder and stepped over the threshold of the front door.
"I'm off to school. No need to look out a funeral outfit, I don't want you there".
"Kayla-"
"Bye".
Without even a wave she walked off down the path, ignoring her mother's calls of her name. Sticking her earbuds in her ear and ignoring the world around her until she got to school.
As expected, Lydia hunted her down before she barely got onto school property, catching up with her on the concrete steps, sniffing her out like a god damn bloodhound.
The wired earphones got ripped from her ear, turning to face Lydia who was peering across at her expectantly.
"Good morning to you too" she grumbled, "what's up?"
"You ran off yesterday" Lydia huffed, "I thought we were going to go over the potential boyfriend profiles that I meticulously created and colour coded?"
"Oh right" she drawled out, "I would rather slit my own throat".
Lydia smacked her arm, "don't be so dramatic" she chastised, following her up the steps, "seriously, what do you have against boys?"
"Nothing. I love them. I've hooked up with plenty of them. I went through a very slutty phase... of multiple years" she added, "I just... I have no energy for them right now".
"That's not it" Lydia shook her head, "you're such a liar. Haven't you realised you can't lie to me by now?"
"Boys and me isn't a good combination" she said, "trust me".
"Hmmm" Lydia pursed her lips as they pushed open the double doors, "you're still lying to me" she sing songed.
"I am not"
"Are too"
"How would you know?"
"I can read your facial expressions"
"Okay, Miss Marple" she remarked sarcastically, standing in the corridor and rolling her eyes.
"Okay, okay. I'm done pushing" Lydia smirked, folding her hands up in surrender, "I'll lay off trying to be Cupid".
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "you're giving up? Lydia Martin is giving up?"
"Yes" she looked up at her in faux innocence, "because I think you already like someone and that's why you don't want to date around".
"What? Don't be so ridiculous" she exclaimed, her face falling, "that's-that's-"
"That's-that's" Lydia mimicked with a giggle, "as long as it's someone from the lacrosse team, I don't care".
Well... technically...
"Meet me at lunch. I want all the details" Lydia said, "and I mean all the details. Name and all. Toodles".
She watched Lydia bounce away, everyone moving out the Queen Bee's way. Her dominating energy overruling everyone here.
Down the corridor was Scott and Stiles, huddled against the lockers talking. No doubt discussing the events and dramas of the full moon.
She wanted to go over, she really did. She wanted to check on Scott and ask Stiles for a copy of all his research but, when she looked over at them, she froze. The bleary memories of last night and this morning rushing into her head.
Full moons were always hard on her. They were confusing, scary and painful. Yet, over the years, she had always coped with them by herself.
Last night was an exception.
No one had checked in on her like Stiles had.
No one had spent the night holding her and whispering reassuring things in her ear like he did.
No one had the time or the patience to help her.
It was a new thing to her, a new feeling of vulnerability she hadn't felt before. Suddenly being faced with Stiles, who had seen her at her lowest, made her scared.
She watched them interact with curious and soft eyes, unable to look away.
It wasn't long until they realised they were being watched though, Scott looking up first and finding her eyes, giving her a soft smile and a wave. It took Stiles a few more seconds to catch on, looking around in confusion before meeting her stare and, despite the distance, she could see his eyes melting, bringing his hand up into a two fingered wave.
She swallowed thickly, trying to force herself to wave back but she was suddenly stuck to the spot, a new found panic spreading through her body.
Why did he have to make her feel like this?
Why did he have to come around and care?
Why did he have to keep seeping through the kinks in her armour that she thought she had built so well?
Now she was left feeling embarassed that he saw her so vulnerable and in pain, hating feeling so raw and exposed.
They were both looking at her in varying degrees of concern and confusion and, not knowing what else to do, she simply turned on her heel and walked away the way she had come, pushing open the double doors and escaping into the daylight.
"Uh... what was that about?" Scott questioned, sounding just as confused as Stiles felt, "is she okay?"
"I... I don't know" Stiles mumbled, his brows knitting together as he felt his heart sink, wondering if he had pushed too far over the line she had drawn.
"You don't think it's because I almost tried it on with her, do you?" Scott winced, "I should probably apologise for that - again".
"It was a full moon. I'm sure she understands".
Scott turned to face him, sudden realisation crossing his features.
"You went there last night" he stated, remembering their phone call, "what happened?"
"Nothing" he denied, although his voice was definitely a few octaves higher than usual, "nothing happened".
"You sure?"
"Yes" he exclaimed, "I just... held her".
"You held her?"
"She was in pain Scott so, yes, of course I held her" he blurted out, "what else was I meant to do?!"
Scott looked at Stiles in surprise for a few seconds before smirking, his gaze dazzling with amusement.
"What?"
"Nothing".
"What?" he insisted, freaked out by Scott's giddy smile, "why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's just... holding someone is kind of an intimate thing. Especially for hours overnight".
Stiles blushed, "we were wearing clothes. Clothes were definitely involved".
"I mean like, emotionally" Scott continued, "did you speak about it?"
"... No..."
"Of course you didn't" Scott mumbled under his breath followed by a laugh, "dude, she ran away from you. What the hell did you do to her?"
"Nothing" he insisted in panic, "we didn't even kiss. Oh God, I probably crossed a line. Do you think she hates me now?"
Scott's deep brown eyes glimmered with amusement as he glanced at the place Kayla had been standing before darting off, playfully slapping Stiles' shoulder.
"No Stiles, I would say she definitely doesn't hate you. In fact... I think it's the complete opposite..."
"I hate him. I hate him so much. I wish I could just- urgh" she exclaimed, putting her hands out and pretending to strangle someone.
"Who?"
"Mr Harris" she replied to Allison as they sat side by side at lunch, "who else would I be talking about?"
"I don't know. You seem to hate a lot of people".
"Well, people suck" she shrugged, "him most of all. Why did he have to be the person overseeing me repeat my stupid test anyway? I spent half my time imagining all the ways I could torture him. Was a little distracting".
Allison chuckled under her breath, "how did the test go?"
"Fine. If not though, I'll just hack into the school system and change my scores".
Allison's jaw dropped, looking at her in surprise.
"What? I'm kidding... maybe" she smirked.
"You've done it before?"
"You haven't?"
Even after all this time, Allison was still surprised by her behaviours, just having to laugh and brush it off.
"Anyway, how are you?" she asked, pushing the Mac n' cheese around on her plate, "y'know, with the whole Scott situation?"
Her brunette friend simply shrugged, a crestfallen look spreading across her features.
"It's hard seeing him" she admitted, "it's like a knife in my heart every time I lay eyes on him".
"Do you think you'll ever get back with him?"
"I don't know" Allison said, "I really like him. I just can't stand all the lies and secrecy".
She stayed quiet, trying not to feel guilty at all the things she was keeping from Allison too.
"Do you think I should give him another chance?" Allison asked, turning to peer at her, "is he worth it?"
"Scott's a great guy. Definitely better than most of Beacon Hills' male population" she chuckled, "see: exhibit A"
She lifted her fork and pointed it across the canteen to Brian that was waiting in line for lunch, his boisterous and egotistic laugh filling up the room.
Allison winced, "I still can't believe he's getting away with what he did to you. He left you for dead. You could've died".
"Just a regular Wednesday for me".
Her friend frowned, "it was an awful thing for him to do. He's a dangerous guy. Stiles was right to stand up to him".
The mention of his name made her breath shudder, her back automatically straightening - something Allison's perceptive gaze picked up on.
"Uh... yeah. Yeah" she gulped, "Stiles is... he's uh... he's good like that".
Allison tried to hide her smile but Kayla still picked up on it, jutting her elbow into her side.
"Shut up".
"I didn't say anything".
"No, but your face did".
She finally let her smile widen, knowing how to tease her.
"He punched Brian for you".
"No, he probably punched Brian for himself. He's hated that guy almost as long as he's hated Jackson".
"I've never seen him so angry".
"Seen who so angry?" Lydia interrupted, sitting down next to Allison, placing her tray on the table.
"Stiles" Allison replied, not missing a beat, "that night in the school when he punched Brian after he trapped Kayla".
"Hm" Lydia hummed, poking away at her salad, "yes, someone definitely needs anger management classes".
"Anyway-" she cut in, desperate to change the topic of conversation to anything that didn't involve Stiles, "-any new shopping sprees you want to talk about? In detail?"
Her tone, bordering on pleading, caught both their attentions because when the hell did Kayla ever ask them about trips to the mall?
"You're acting weird" Lydia declared, pointing her fork at her, "what's up with you?"
"Nothing" she exclaimed, "I just don't understand why every conversation has to come back to Stiles. He's... he's just..."
Lydia's dramatic gasp cut through her like sharp glass, the metal fork slipping from her fingers and clattering to the table below.
"STILES?!"
Her voice was loud enough to draw the majority of the canteens attention to them - including, unfortunately, the boy in question.
"Took you long enough" Allison snorted, "see if you just stopped trying to hook her up with every guy in Beacon Hills, you might've noticed".
"It's not like that..." she mumbled helplessly.
"Oh girl" Lydia blew out a long breath, "you keep telling yourself that. I suppose the only saving grace is he is on the lacrosse team, after all..."
"Kayla? Hey Kayla, wait up" she heard as she walked down the busy hallway at the end of the school day, people continuously bumping into her in their haste to get out.
She turned around, seeing Scott rush towards her, dodging people's elbows and knees.
"Hey Scotty" she smiled in wondering, slowing down so he could catch up with her, "everything okay?"
"Yeah, I just... I just wanted to apologise. Again" he said, walking with her, "about yesterday".
"You're not still stressing about that, are you? It's fine. You weren't yourself. Full moons can be pretty rough".
"I know, I just don't understand what happened. I would never do that, I promise".
"Don't sweat it" she smiled, "totally forgotten about".
"You sure?"
"Sure about what?"
He frowned in confusion, his big dopey brown eyes filled with perplexity.
"Uh... sure about what happened yesterday...?"
"Scott" she stopped him, unable to hide her amusement, "it's forgotten about - hence, I have no idea what you're on about"
"Uh... oh. Oh" he laughed, finally catching onto what she was meaning, resuming their walk, "thank you".
"Of course. Anytime".
"I'm just still confused about it" he continued, obviously not understanding that 'forgetting' about it meant they didn't have to talk about it anymore, "your scent was different".
"Scents change Scott" she explained, "based on feelings, emotions, experiences-"
"No, no, like... like... not human" he said gingerly, much to her surprise, "since becoming a werewolf, I've smelt a lot of different things. Mostly bad things" he added with a wince, "the boys locker room is disgusting".
"I can imagine".
"But yesterday, with you, it was... different. You smelt different?"
She frowned, stopping walking before they could reach the exit.
"I know. You said my scent was really sweet".
"Intoxicating" he nodded, "maybe I'm looking too much into it, but the more I think about it, the more I realise how weird it was".
"Well how do I smell now?"
"Normal" He said, "still sweet, just not as overpowering. Better than most people" he added with a short laugh.
"Okay...?"
"I'm not explaining this very well" he muttered, "but whatever your scent was, it was..."
He trailed off, his eyes glazing over as he tried to remember what it was like, the remnants of her scent still tantalising his tastebuds.
She folded her arms across her chest expectedly, cocking an eyebrow as she waited not so patiently for an answer.
"It was...?"
Scott shook his head, pulling himself from that daydream.
"I don't know. It just was" he said, "and I thought you deserved to know... just in case..."
She didn't really understand this conversation as she didn't know what he was trying to tell her apart from she smelt really good, but he was getting flustered so she pretended like she knew, offering him a small smile.
"Okay, well uh... thanks. I'll look into it. Maybe my fucked up genes are changing or something".
"I should go, I'm running late for my shift at the animal clinic".
"Wait, you still work there?" she asked, "even after the whole kidnapping incident?"
Scott looked at her innocently, "we don't talk about that".
"Right. Well, have fun".
They parted ways and she headed down the concrete steps, the mass of bodies all in a desperate rush to leave which ended in her bag getting knocked from her shoulder, her books and papers cascading down the steps.
"Great" she mumbled, "thank you for that dickhead" she called out to the retreating figure, huffing out a breath as she kneeled down to try and catch the flying bits of paper that got caught in the breeze.
Another pair of hands soon came to her rescue, clumsily trying to catch the papers but ended up crumpling them.
Hands she would recognise anywhere.
"Uh... sorry" Stiles winced, trying to uncrumple and flatten the ripped papers, "I hope that wasn't anything too important".
"Just school work. Definitely not important" she said, accepting them back and trying to ignore how their fingers brushed together, "um... thanks".
"Anytime".
He watched her stuff everything back into her bag, hurriedly trying to pack it all back in so she could make her escape.
"Well, I should probably-"
"How are you feeling?" he rushed out, quickly standing up the same time she did, "I mean... you look better. Do you-do you feel better?"
"Oh. Oh yeah. All better" she nodded, "sun's out. No moon. Happy days".
"That's good. That's great. Fabulous news" he exclaimed, "I was-I was worried".
"No need to be worried about little ol' me" she forced out a laugh, "I'm... I'm good".
"You sure?"
"Very sure. Why? Do I not look 'good'?"
"You always look good" he said, not missing a beat before realising what he said and coughing awkwardly, "uh... so are we... are we good?"
"We?" she asked, "we as in... us?"
"Us - me and you. You and I" he said awkwardly, "us being two people. Two individual people".
"I'm good. Are you good?"
"I'm good" he nodded, "things are..."
"Good?" she guessed.
"Exactly".
"Then that's... really... good..."
"Kayla?" he asked, drawing her attention back to him before she had a chance to leave, "did I do something wrong?"
"What? No" she shook her head, "why do you think you've done something wrong?"
"You've avoided me all day" he laughed nervously, "and usually that means someone has done something wrong and that someone is usually me, so..."
"You've not done anything".
He frowned in confusion, "is that what I've done wrong? Not doing anything?"
"What?" she asked, completely bewildered.
"Should I have done something?"
"Done what?" she wondered, not following this conversation at all.
"Do you want me to do something?"
"I want to understand this conversation" she laughed nervously, "because I am not following..."
"Do you want me to kiss you?"
"What?"
"What?" he asked innocently, blinking across at her.
"Why-why would I want that?"
"I... I don't know" he mumbled, "I'm confused".
"Join the club".
"I think I've got the wrong end of the stick" he winced, "it seemed to me like you were avoiding me because of last night. Because we... well, we... y'know..."
"What?"
"Were intimate" he said, repeating Scott's words from earlier.
"Intimate?" she asked cluelessly.
"With clothes on" he clarified.
"Intimate with clothes on?"
"Emotionally" he emphasised, the repeat of Scott's words digging him into a majorly deep hole.
"Emotionally intimate with clothes on?" she asked, "you mean we cuddled?"
"That's... that's the word I should've used" he winced, imagining kicking himself in the teeth.
"I was in a lot of pain. I don't really remember" she lied, "so, no, we're-"
"Good?" he guessed.
"We're good" she concluded, "I've just been busy".
"Oh. Anything interesting?"
He was trying to make small talk with her, lessen the awkwardness. Except it was just making her feel things that she wasn't used to feeling causing her to internally panic.
"Not really".
"Well, uh..." he looked around at the almost deserted school, "do you need a ride?"
"I'm not going home".
"I'm flexible. I can take you anywhere" he smiled, "save you a walk".
She softened with his generosity, finally nodding and accepting his offer.
"Okay, sure".
"So where you heading?"
"The cemetery" she said, "I have a funeral to go to".
A/N) ANOTHER CHAPTER YAYYYYY I'm living for this development and Kayla being unsure how to act and Lydia finally realising and then STAYLA BEING CUTELY AWKWARD IT GIVES ME LIFE
Don't worry guys, not long to go at all ;)
Also, the truth about the fire... dun dun dunnnn
so pretty please let me know what you thought and I'll see you all super soon xxx