Bravely Courageous

26

Lydia pursed her lips. "Pareidolia. Seeing patterns that aren't there. It's a subset of apophenia."

Scott's eyes narrowed at the werewolf. "They're trying to help."

Derek pointed to the two girls. "This one, who used me to resurrect my psychotic uncle. Thank you. And this one, who shot about 30 arrows into me and my pack."

Stiles said, "Okay, all right, now, come on. No one died, all right? Look, there may have been a little maiming, okay, a little mangling, but no death. That's what I call an important distinction."

Allison glared at Derek. "My mother died."

Derek rolled his eyes. "Your family's little honor code killed your mother. Not me."

She let out a sigh. "That girl was looking for Scott. I'm here to help him; not you."

"You wanna help? Find something real."

Scott frowned. "Derek... Give her a chance. Okay? They're on our side now."

Derek turned to Scott. "Well, then, maybe you should tell her what her mother was actually trying to do that night."

Stiles attempted to change the subject. "Okay, what would a pack of alphas want with Erica and Boyd?"

Scott shook his head. "I'm not sure it's them they want."

Caleb frowned and said, "They might be recruiting alphas, which is why they're after Derek."

As they made their way to the Econ classroom, Stiles turned to Scott. "Hey, Scott. You coming?"

Coach started class. "The stock market is based on two principles. What are they?" Scott raised his hand. "Yes, McCall, you can go to the bathroom. Anybody else?"

"Uh, no, Coach, I know the answer," Scott said.

"Hahahahaha," Coach bellowed. "Oh, you're serious."

Scott nodded. "Yes. Risk and reward."

Coach shot him a wide grin. "Wow! Who are you? And what have you done to McCall? Don't answer that. I like you better. I like you better. Does anybody have a quarter? A quarter."

Stiles held a quarter into the air. "Yup."

Coach made his way towards Stiles and picked something up. A condom. "Stilinski, I think you, uh... You dropped this. And congratulations. Risk and reward. Put the quarter in the mug, win the reward. Okay, watch Coach." He tossed the quarter and landed it in the cup. "That's how you do it. Okay. Danny. Risk, reward."

Stiles glanced warily to Maggie, who seemed annoyed at the awkward event.

"What's the reward?" Danny inquired.

"You don't have to take the pop quiz tomorrow."

Danny frowned in confusion. "Coach, it's not a pop quiz if you tell us about it."

Coach just shook his head. "Danny, you know, I really expect more from you at this point. Really. McCall. Risk, reward. The risk: if you don't put that quarter in the mug, you have to take the pop... the... the quiz. And... and you have to write an essay. Risk, more work. Reward... no work at all. Or choose not to play."

Scott looked up at Coach. "But isn't this just chance?"

"No. You know your abilities, your coordination, your focus, past experience... all factors affecting the outcome. So what's it gonna be, McCall? More work, no work, or choose not to play?"

"No play."

Coach sighed. "Okay. Who's next? Who wants the quarter?" Stiles' hand shot into the air, causing Coach to cheer. "There ya go! There's a gamblin' man! Come on! Step up, step up." Coach clapped loudly. "All right, Stilinski."