Another night at work is going by at the slowest pace ever since it's a weeknight.
My co-worker for the evening opted to change the few lights that are flickering around the store while I reorganize the returns back onto the shelves.
Getting my pile ready to head onto the floor I hear the door open and a few seconds pass by before I hear "Can somebody help me find The Notebook?"
"Hello is anybody working here?"
Turning around the corner and setting my pile on the counter I see Jackson ugh kill me now
I roll my eyes and head over to him "doesn't exactly seem like your type of movie Whitmore, color me shocked."
He rolls his eyes and does his best bitch face "McCall, just help me find it so I can leave already."
I roll my eyes and turn to go down the aisle where his obvious favorite movie is waiting.
Grabbing it, I head back to him reaching it towards him. His focus, however, is on the floor in front of him so I wave the movie case around trying to gain his attention "Dude, what are you doing?"
He swallows "Addy, was someone else in here before me?"
Dropping my arm with the movie to my side I'm taken aback by his sudden change in demeanor "What? I-well no, just Steve who's changing the lights" I turn and see the empty ladder "I don't know where he is now though, why?"
"Stay here."
"What the hell are you talking about"
He just walks past me going up the main aisle, I step out of the side aisle I'm in and see him walking slowly towards the back of the store where the ladder is at, I look at the floor and see....shoes? oh fuck me, really?
"Jackson?" my voice shakes as I pray to whoever the fuck is out there that this is not the way I die.
In a fucking video store.
With Jackson Whitmore being the last person I ever see.
Fully registering what he's seeing he backs up and hits the ladder knocking the light that was dangling down and making all the lights in the store go out and start flickering naturally
I walk towards him, though he tries to stop me by holding out his hand "Addy, don't" I ignore his protest and go to help him up but not before my wandering eyes see a very dead Steve to our left why did I agree to cover Brenda's shift tonight?
Standing him up and beginning the scared heavy breathing, we hear a growl coming from the front of the store not happening, no
Jackson turns around in the aisle and gasps making his breathing increase, so I'm taking a hard pass at looking at what I can only guess by the growl is something I do not want to see.
Jackson reaches to push me down behind the shelf as he jumps across the aisle to hide behind the other row. Both panting and looking at each other he puts a finger to his mouth signaling me to be quiet obviously
Whatever is back behind us shakes the shelves on Jackson's side causing them to hit each other and knock down movies all around him.
Just as Jackson leans over and attempts to look down the aisle there is a loud thud and then the shelves bang together as the domino affect knocks them down one by one until they are coming closer to him. He attempts to jump out of the way but doesn't land far enough in the aisle and the shelf crushes his upper thighs
I start to head to him but he puts up his hands again and shakes his head vehemently no, sending a glare to keep me in place as he's groaning with the pain that shelf is obviously causing shockingly chivalrous
Hiding behind the ladder as my only barrier I hear and see a definite animal outline in the shadow come up on Jackson, it's claw coming up to his neck.
I look around me trying to find anything to defend us with when it lets out a growl, connects it's red fucking eyes with me, and in a flash takes off running. Next thing I hear is it crashing through the front window and taking off into the night.
Phone already to my ear connecting to 911 I get up and run over to Jackson. Using my tiny arm muscle, I am able to lift it long enough for Jackson to scoot out from under the shelf. He goes to get up but I push his shoulder back down "No stay laying down until the paramedics get here"
He scoffs and attempts to push up onto his hands "What– no I'm fine."
I increases my hold on his shoulder, going for a more gentle tone "You don't know that, shut up and lay there please– adrenaline is a bitch."
He huffs but surprisingly listens as I fill in the dispatcher on the dead body and Jackson's condition. I end the call and we wait for the ambulance to get here.
Turning his head slightly he interrupts the silence "What was that thing, did you see anything?"
I flick my eyes from the front window and down to his face, shaking my head as I grumble "Other than a terrifying animal decide neither of us looked appetizing? No– nothing." Terrifying what I'm guessing was the fucking Alpha is what the fuck I saw, but you don't need to know that
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Sitting with Lydia on the back of the ambulance, the paramedics are finishing checking me over when the Sheriff's car pulls up next to us. I let out a breath of relief when I see a familiar buzzcut boy sitting in the front seat.
Jackson is getting increasingly angrier by the second because they won't let him leave. I close my eyes, shaking my head before I open them and they immediately connect with honey orbs that widen upon seeing me sup bestie
"Why the hell can't I just go home?! I'm fine." Jackson is shouting to anyone who will listen.
Sheriff walks up and addresses the douche canoe "I hear ya, but the EMT says you hit your head pretty hard. They just want to make sure you don't have a concussion."
Turning to me, Mr. S silently asks if I'm ok to which I respond with a small smile and nod of my head just before Jackson interrupts my second dad's concern "What part of 'I'm fine' are you having a problem grasping? Okay, I wanna go home."
Mr. S turns back to him and lifts his arm like he's trying to calm down the potential threat "And I understand that–"
Jackson grits his teeth before he exclaims "No, you don't understand, which kind of blows my mind, since it should be a pretty basic concept to grasp for a minimum-wage rent-a-cop like you!"
"Hey!" I shout completely done with his fucking attitude as I sit up straighter I'm so ready to kick him in his shin
Mr. S raises his hand to me signaling it's ok before he looks back to Jackson as I turn my head with a shake. I watch as Stiles gets out of the car, closing the door behind him before he's immediately heading over to me.
"Okay, now I want to go home!" the dbag continues like I didn't interrupt however I keep my eyes on Stiles' advancing steps.
Finally reaching my side, Stiles goes to speak when his attention is grabbed by the gurney moving from the store behind his dad "Oh, whoa, is that a dead body?"
I drop my head into my palm with his loud question before I turn my head in my hand and look back up at him. He looks between me and his dad and at least has the decency to look embarrassed with his outburst.
Mr. S throws him a look and directs his orders to the gathering crowd that is that much more interested in what happened inside "Everybody back up– back up."
Mr. S comes back over after creating a space and places a hand on my shoulder giving me a comforting squeeze "Addy, as soon as you're cleared you can wait in the car with Stiles, I'll give you a ride home."
"Thanks, Mr. S" I nod and he offers a gentle smile before walking away from us. Moving my lips between my teeth to try to hide my smile, I turn my head to face my best friend.
He throws me a look, moving his eyes around as he nervously scratches the back of his neck, grumbling "What? You know my mouth is faster than my brain can comprehend sometimes."
Chuckling, I nod with that statement before the paramedic says I'm fine to leave.
Stiles offers his hand towards me and helps me jump down from the ambulance before we make our way to the Sheriff's car to wait for him.
We both climb in the backseat and for the next silent two minutes, Stiles does a lovely fish impersonation while looking between the side of my face and out his window.
After he opens and closes his mouth for the umpteenth time, I huff and flick my head in his direction "Are you going to ask me what you want to ask me or can I just tell you everything that happened in there?"
"Wha– I wasn–" he stutters out nervously, earning me to throw him a knowing look as I deadpan "Stiles."
He instantly softens his face and morphs into the sweet boy I've known my whole life. Licking his lips quickly he turns in the seat to face me more "I can only imagine what you saw and went through tonight, tell me anything you want Adds."
I chew on the side of my lip, looking down to my hands in my lap before I take a deep breath, connect my eyes with his and tell him everything.
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I'm running late the next morning when I bypass Scott and Allison in the hallway as they walk in the opposite direction. Stopping my steps I turn back to her "Ally! Happy Birth–"
"Shuuuuush" she waves her hand in between us and looks around frantically, checking if anyone heard.
I look around the mostly empty hallway before flitting my eyes between the pair as I question "I'm sorry, is it not your birthday?"
"No– I mean yes it is, how on earth did you and Lydia find out?" Ally questions and I can't help but laugh as I clarify "You've met Lydia, yes?"
Ally smiles and lets out a soft sigh as Scott just looks at me like I'm not helping.
I jerk my head back slightly and give him a what the fuck look– which he just glares and shakes his head at me in return.
Ally notices our silent argument and chuckling she ends our silent banter "Sorry I just don't like to talk about my birthday."
Guilt floods me and I step closer to her as I rush out "Oh, Ally, I'm so sorry I had no idea. I tried to tell Lydia to do less but she–"
She shakes her head and elaborates quickly "No, really it was incredibly sweet of you guys, thank you. Really. I just–"
I make a noise and put up my hands stopping her, smiling softly as I interrupt "Hey you do not have to explain anything to me– I get it."
Ally instantly breathes a sigh of relief, nodding her head once with my words before I notice the time "Yikes I have to get to class, I'll see you guys later."
I give them both quick hugs before I turn on my heel and rush off towards Chemistry.
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Sitting down at my lab table just as the bell rings, I'm opening my book and getting my notes all together when Mr. Harris speaks up from the back of class "Just a friendly reminder– Parent/teacher conferences are tonight. Students below a 'C' average are required to attend. I won't name you, because the shame and self-disgust should be more than enough punishment. Has anyone seen Scott McCall?"
Mr. Harris stops in front of mine and Stiles' table looking down at the boy who is highlighting what looks like the whole page.
I shake my head as Mr. Harris' eyes land on me expecting me to know the whereabouts of my twin can't help you my dude
We all turn to the door as it opens and closes loudly with Jackson casually walking to his seat.
Everyone's eyes are on him as Mr. Harris walks over to him and puts a comforting hand on his shoulder, bending close to him and keeping his tone soft "Jackson, if you need to leave early for any reason, you let me know."
Jackson nods and connects his eyes with mine, to which I answer with my own small smile hey he did make sure I was safe last night
Turning back to me Mr. Harris adds "You too Addy. I however do appreciate both of your dedication to your classes."
I shrug and look back to my book with everyone now looking between me and Jackson.
"Everyone start reading Chapter Nine– Mr. Stilinski, try putting the highlighter down between paragraphs. It's Chemistry not a coloring book." Mr. Harris adds back to being the dbag he is, before he walks up to the front of the class again.
Stiles flicks his eyes to me, rolling them before tilting his head back. He spits the highlighter lid that was in between his lips up into the air before he easily catches it show off
Stiles throws me a look before he leans forward towards the lab table to our left "Hey, Danny. Can I ask you question?"
"No"
Laughing to myself I try to keep reading as Stiles continues unfazed by Danny's short answer "Well I'm going to anyway. Um, did Lydia show up in your homeroom today?"
I roll my eyes and set my elbow onto the table, resting my hand against the side of my face as Danny looks towards Jackson quickly before he answers Stiles "No."
"Can I ask you another question?"
"Answer's still no."
Stiles looks back at me and my raised eyebrows before he asks Danny "Does anyone know what happened at the movie store last night?"
You do, why are you asking questions?
"He wouldn't... tell me." Danny finally admits, earning Stiles to state the obvious "But he's your best friend..."
Danny just shrugs as answer before Stiles leans forward again "One more question."
"What?"
"Do you find me attractive"
I drop my forehead into my palm he's too much sometimes
With Danny's silence Stiles continues to lean forward in his stool, which it's a stool so you can only imagine what happens next
Yup, you guessed it, the stool slips out from under him causing him to fall forward. Luckily he catches himself with only a slight brush against Danny's shoulders and I try to conceal my snicker behind my hands as everyone looks at the commotion.
I move my lips between my teeth and give Stiles a thumbs up– which earns me a glare as he gets situated at our table again.
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"You haven't seen him since when?" Stiles asks while hitting Scott's contact info on his phone and putting it up to his ear as we walk into the hallway after class.
Letting out a breath I swing my eyes over to his face "I– well this morning I guess. I saw him and Ally at the lockers on my way to class, but I was running late so I left them. They didn't say anything about skipping school but it's her birthday so I'm sure that's what they did."
Stiles nods before his eyes widen and he shouts "Finally! Have you been getting any of my texts?"
He waits for a few seconds before rolling his eyes at Scott's reply and continues "Do you have any idea what's going on? Addy hasn't lost the 'I've just seen a ghost face' all day, Lydia is totally M.I.A., Jackson looks like he's got a time bomb inserted into his face, another random guy's dead, and you have to do something about it."
I hit him in the shoulder at the mention of my 'ghost face', to which he answers with a look that says he isn't wrong before his attention is grabbed by Scott's response.
Throwing his free hand up along with both of his shoulders he frantically answers Scott "Something!"
Confusion crosses his face before he pulls his phone away from his ear to look at the screen.
He puts the phone back to his ear, mumbling "Scott?" before he huffs and pulls it away completely and shoves it into his pocket.
Stiles scratches the back of his head and connects his eyes with mine "Do you want to come with me to go check on Lydia?" not so much
Instead of saying no I offer him a shrug, thinking why not "Yea, we should probably see if she saw anything since she was in the car right outside the window it jumped out of."
Stiles nods like that's exactly what he was thinking as well and lifts his arm to indicate down the hallway, smiling softly "After you."
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Mrs. Martin opens up Lydia's bedroom door with a slight knock "Honey, there's a Stiles and Addy here to see you."
Lydia is laying on her stomach across her bed in a not really appropriate outfit for company but alright
"What the hell is a 'Stiles'?" Lydia slurs out with a flick of her hand is she drunk?
Her mom turns to look at us and our shared raised brow expression, offering thoughtfully "She took a little something to ease her nerves. You guys– you can go in." We smile politely and thank her as she closes the door after we are inside.
Lydia flops over onto her side to look at us, resting her hand on her hip "What are you both doing here?"
Stiles looks at me nervously before he answers her "We just wanted to make sure you were okay."
Turning her head away and smacking her lips, she sits up on her elbow a little more "Why?"
She pats her bed and we slowly move more into her room, Stiles taking a seat on the edge of her bed as he fills in "Because we were worried about you today. How are you feeling?"
She stretches her arm out and caresses his upper arm while sitting up more. She leans closer to him and gets really close to his face "I feel– fantastic."
Stiles chuckles nervously as I walk in front of them and sit on her other side of the bed noticing a pill bottle.
Picking it up and looking at it, I scoff and turn it towards Stiles.
"Oh– what?" He mumbles and grabs the bottle from my hand, reading the label and sharing a look with me before he smirks over to her "I bet you can't say, uh, 'I saw Susie sittin' in a shoe shine shop' ten times fast." can anybody say that ten times fast while sober?
Smirking at both of us Lydia confidently spouts out "I saw Shuzy– I shaw– I saw–" her sentence fades off and Stiles' eyes widen as he moves them over her face.
I lean forward taking in the lost look on her face before I gently inquire "What? Lydia, what did you see?"
"Something..." She murmurs and Stiles flicks his eyes over to me, directing his words to her "Something like– like a mountain lion?"
Lydia nods with the distant look still on her face "A mountain lion."
I touch her shoulder gaining her to look over to me as I elaborate "Are you sure you saw a mountain lion, or are you just saying that because that's what the police told you?"
Lydia still distantly answers with a slight nod "A mountain lion."
Stiles makes a noise and reaches for the giraffe stuffed animal on her bedside table, holding it up to the side of his face "What's this?"
Lydia answers with a more confident but still dazed nod "A mountain lion."
Stiles looks at me, both of us realizing we aren't going to get anywhere with drugged up Lyds.
He sighs out deeply "Okay. You're so drunk. Oh–"
Lydia abruptly stops his words as she passes out... right on Stiles' lap and the face he makes causes me to instantly feel super awkward I need to be anywhere but here
Stiles moves one of his hands in front of my face and gestures for me to help move her.
I stand up and grab her arms, succeeding to lay her back onto the bed without waking her. We both get up and Stiles speaks up as we head towards the door "Well, we're gonna... go. Uh, let you get back to the whole post traumatic stress thing..."
Reaching the door, we turn back to Lydia who mutters out "Mmm, stay."
Stiles looks like he won the lottery pointing to himself "M– me? Stay? You want me to stay?"
I stay by the door as Stiles trips over himself to get back over to her bed graceful as ever
Lydia nods as she sits up and caresses his face when he sits down next to her again "Yes, please" oh there's my cue to leave, I almost missed it
I grip the hands and walk through the doorway, hearing Lydia's continued whisper of a voice "Stay. Please– Jackson."
My head snaps back into the room as Lydia falls down onto the bed that's a swift kick in the balls
Stiles' face screams of course "aaaaand we're done here."
Lydia's phone chimes on her bedside table, gaining his attention "You want me to get that?"
Reaching forward he grabs her phone, muttering "It's a text– I don't know how to..." He trails off before swinging around to look at me with the widest eyes.
As spastic, yet quietly as he can– he runs out the door closing it behind him and whisper shouting to me "We have to go– Now!"
Following behind him and waving a goodbye to to Mrs. Martin once we get down the stairs, we get back to his jeep in no time.
We climb into our seats and I rush out while we slam our doors closed "Stiles, what is it? What did you see?"
"Lydia definitely saw something that wasn't a mountain lion. Look at what she caught on video" he reaches her phone over to show me the definite blurred version of what attacked us last night.
My eyes widen and my breathing picks up slightly at seeing the terrifying face up close. Last night was dark and I only saw the shadow outline and the red eyes– however it was just as terrifying as what I'm seeing on her small phone screen is it stuffy in here?
Ignoring the lump in my throat I look up at Stiles "Did you just steal her phone?"
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Phone to his ear and pacing his room, Stiles looks over to me and announces "Voicemail... again"
He rolls his eyes when the beep sounds and begins his message "Hey, it's me again. Look, I– Addy and I found something, and I don't know what to do, okay? So if you could turn your phone on right now, that'd be great. Or else I'll kill you. Do you understand me? I'm gonna kill you. And I'm too upset to come up with a witty description about how exactly I'm gonna kill you, but I'm just gonna do it, okay? I'm gonna– ugh! Goodbye."
Stiles hangs up the phone and huffs out angrily as he throws his phone next to where I'm sitting at the edge of his bed.
He turns and sits backwards in his desk chair, crossing his arms and dropping his head onto them "Fuck." basically
There's a knock on the door causing us both to jump and gasp, looking at the open doorway that Mr. S is now occupying.
He gives me a head nod as a hello which I return with a small smile, before he brings his gaze back to his son "Please tell me I'm gonna hear good news at this parent/teacher thing tonight."
Stiles makes a face "Depends on how you define 'good news'."
Mr. S raises his brows before answering thoughtfully "I define it as you getting straight A's with no behavioral issues."
Nodding his head to the side, Stiles relents "You might wanna rethink that definition."
I chuckle at the clenched teeth grimace he gives towards his dad who nods and backs out of the room "'Nuff said."
Stiles sighs and shakes his head while he grabs Lydia's phone off of his desk, clicking on the video she captured and watching it again.
He exhales and drops it back onto his closed laptop before rubbing his hands through his buzzcut hair in frustration "Come on, Scott. Where the fuck are you?"
He turns to me and I give him a knowing look "We have to give her her phone back eventually–"
"I know" he nods and looks back at said phone before I add "Without the video"
He huffs and flicks his eyes over to me "Yea"
Grabbing the phone he clicks on the screen, letting out a sigh before looking at me again, to which I nod and he sighs again.
He clicks on the screen again before clutching the phone in his hands 'There, it's deleted."
Crossing his arms after he sets the phone down on the desk again, he nods more confident in his action before he looks at me "Want me to drop you off at home on my way to school?"
"That's not on the way to school" I smirk and add "But if you don't mind I'll just come to the school with you to meet mom? I don't really want to be alone at home right now." or ever again
He gives me an understanding look before grabbing his laptop and getting set up next to me so we can watch a movie "Office Space?"
I smile wide at my best friend and his ability to always pick the perfect movie, no matter what it is, to cheer me up.
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3rd POV - Parent/Teacher meetings
Mr. Harris: Jackson's a highly motivated student. In fact, I'd describe him as "unusually driven."
Mr. Whittemore: Yeah, we were hoping he might ease up on himself a little. He's always been real hard on himself. It's just, you know, something we assumed was an effect of him being adopted.
Mr. Harris: I think I understand. He's never met his biological parents.
Mr. Whittemore: Yeah, that's right. It's the need to please, the overachieving, the desire to make someone proud - Someone he's never even met.
Mr. Harris: Something certainly seems to have recalibrated his desire for achievement several notches higher. Not to be too blunt about it, but he seems almost obsessed.
~
Ms. Ramsey: Let me tell you, there's plenty to say about Lydia.
Lydia's Dad: Did I not predict this?
Lydia's Mom: Here we go. Total nuclear meltdown as usual.
Lydia's Dad: What is it? Is it her grades, concentration issues, erratic behavior?
Lydia's Mom: I'm not the one who told her she had to choose who she wants to live with, as if that wouldn't warp a 16 year old girl.
Lydia's Dad: Just tell us what the problem is.
Ms. Ramsey: I wasn't aware that there was a problem. Academically, Lydia is far achieving what is required of her, her A.P. classes push her GPA over a 4.0. And socially, she displays outstanding leadership qualities. I mean, she's a real leader.
~
Coach: Stiles, that's right. I thought "Stiles" was his last name.
Sheriff: His last name is "Stilinski."
Coach: You named your kid "Stiles Stilinski"?
Sheriff: No, that's just what he likes to be called.
Coach: Oh. Well, I like to be called "cupcake" - What is his first name? Wow, that's a form of child abuse. I don't - I don't even know how to pronounce that.
Sheriff: It was his mother's father's name.
Coach: Wow. You must really love your wife.
Sheriff: Yeah, I did.
Coach: Well, this just became incredibly awkward.
Sheriff: Hey, what do you say we get to the conference part of this conference, cupcake?
Coach: I like your thinking. So, Stiles. Great kid. Zero ability to focus. Super smart. Never takes advantage of his talents.
Sheriff: How do you mean?
Coach: Well, for his final question on his midterm exam, he detailed the entire history of the male circumcision.
Sheriff: Well, I mean, it does have - historical significance, right? I mean -
Coach: I teach economics.
Sheriff: Ah, crap.
~
Melissa leaving a seventh voicemail on her son's phone closes her eyes "Where the hell are you? Get to the school now."
Mr. Harris: How about we get started?
Melissa: Sure.
Mr. Harris: Addeline... sorry, Addy, she's one of the brightest students I've ever had. Her A.P. classes push her GPA above a 5.0. I've actually talked with a few of my colleagues and we'd like to have her I.Q. tested.
Melissa smiles proudly at the mention of her daughter's academic success. Though that smile fades quickly at what is said next
Mr. Harris: However the same could not be said for the second half of the McCall twins. Lately Scott's mind has been somewhere else, as has his body. Personally, I think it may have something to do with his home situation.
Melissa: Oh, well, personally, I'm not sure what you mean by "home situation."
Harris: Uh, specifically the lack of an authority figure.
Melissa: Yeah, I'm the authority figure, so -
Mr. Harris: Sorry. Allow me to clarify. I mean the lack of a male authority figure.
Melissa: Oh. Well, trust me, we're much better off without him in the picture.
Mr. Harris: Well, do Addy and Scott feel the same way?
Melissa: Yes. I think so. I hope so. Addy definitely does.
Mr. Harris: But Scott... he's going through some difficult changes. He just needs a - little extra attention, a guiding hand through this crucial stage of his development.
~
Ms Ramsey: Allison Argent. An incredibly sweet girl. And quick to adjust, despite all the moving around.
Chris Argent: We know it's hard on her, but, uh, it's a necessary evil.
Ms Ramsey: Necessary or not, I'd be prepared for some - How do I put this?
Chris Argent: Rebelliousness?
Victoria Argent: We appreciate the concern, but we have a great relationship with our daughter. Very open and honest.
Ms. Ramsey: I'm happy to hear that. And let her know that I hope she's feeling better.
Chris Argent: Oh, she wasn't in class?
Ms. Ramsey: Oh, she wasn't in school. I checked with the office.
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Mom meets me in the hall with her phone to her ear as she nods for me to follow. Putting one hand around my shoulders she whispers "I'm so proud of you honey"
"Thanks mom" I smile and look down at my feet with the praise but immediately raise it at the tone mom's voice takes as she yells into the phone. She takes her arm off my shoulder once we reach the door to go outside "Scott, you need to call me right now!"
I cross my arms in front of me at the chilly night air waiting for mom to finish her message to my oh so dead brother.
We notice the Argents walking down the stairs and mom walks up to them after the mention of Allison not answering her phone between the two.
I stay a few feet behind, not wanting to seem rude but also because Mrs. Argent is seriously intimidating
"Excuse me, you're not Allison's parents, are you? I'm Scott's mom, and I hate to say it, but he's not answering his phone either."
Mr. Argent couldn't look more disgusted as he snaps out "You're his mother?"
I glare at him and immediately stand next to mom who gives him a taken back look also "Funny how you say that like it's an accusation" she finishes with a slight are you kidding chuckle and raise of her hand.
"Well, I wouldn't claim it as a source of pride, since he basically kidnapped my daughter today." delusional asshole
I scoff under my breath as mom jerks her head back and raises her brow at him "How do we know skipping school wasn't your daughter's idea?"
"My daughter..." He trails off as his attention is grabbed by something behind us "–is right there. Let's go."
We turn and see Scott and Ally walking from her car. Mom immediately takes off towards the pair and I once again slowly walk behind her.
"Where exactly have you been?" mom questions, trying and failing to keep her cool.
"Nowhere, mom." Scott grumbles, looking between Ally and mom as I walk up near them but safely behind mom's wrath.
"Nowhere, meaning not at school." Mom counters knowingly and I grimace softly while shoving my hands in my pockets and look out into the parking lot.
"Kinda." Scott huffs out before Allison interrupts "It's not his fault. It's my birthday, and we were–"
"Allison. In the car." Her dad chimes in as he joins the huddle that I decide to walk farther away from to wait near the car.
I begin towards the parking lot when we all hear a girl scream and then more chattering and yelling as more and more people are running every which way.
Flashbacks from the previous night at work make me even more on edge as I hear a growl coming from behind me.
I feel adrenaline course through my nervous body and begin to walk backwards away from where the growl came from. I take a few more steps and bump into someone, making me jump and let out a small scream.
Hands land on my uppers arms to stable me as whoever I bumped into tries to calm me down "Adds, hey it's ok, it's me–"
"Stiles" Both of my hands land on each of his forearms as I try to calm down, letting out the breath I was holding or a whimper not really sure at this point
Keeping his hands on my upper arms to keep me looking at him, he nods and quickly moves his eyes in between mine "Yea, it's me– I've got you."
There's more screams and tire squeals all around us before we hear a gunshot making us both jump.
Stiles instinctively pulls me closer as we quickly move our feet and duck slightly behind the car we're next to.
"I'm fine" we hear gruffly from the next row over from us Mr. S?
"Dad?" Stiles asks, sharing a look with me before we make our way to our right.
Standing upright we come around the row and into the main aisle of the parking lot, seeing the Sheriff on the ground and a crowd gathered around an actual mountain lion? well that's different
We rush forward and kneel down next to Mr. S, who immediately waves us away as he gets up and gets dispatch on the phone.