Poison and Wine

Monday morning, Hailey woke up wondering what the week ahead of her would be like. Jackson and Lydia would probably be back at school today and she wasn’t ready to face that. Every day until all of this ended was going to be a struggle. She was just glad that she had people around her who were willing to do anything to make sure she and her family stayed safe.

Stiles showed up at her house on time and they made their way to the school where Derek was waiting. Hailey climbed out of the Jeep as Stiles grabbed her backpack and as she got closer to Derek she realized how angry he looked. She walked up and put her hand on his elbow and he turned to look at her, his eyebrows furrowed together.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as he turned back to the school.

“Jackson and Lydia are back,” he growled and Stiles dropped their bags on the ground and his eyes widened.

“Okay we’re at DEFCON 2 people. I repeat, DEFCON 2,” he said quickly and Hailey raised an eyebrow as Derek shook his head.

“Can you be serious at least once in your life, Stiles?” he asked.

“I am being serious! Haven’t you heard of defense readiness condition?” Stiles asked.

“Isn’t that for the military?” Hailey asked.

“Yes and right now we’re at DEFCON 2 a.k.a. war readiness,” Stiles said, crossing his arms and looking from Hailey to Derek.

“Yupp, that about sums it up,” Hailey said, pushing some hair behind her ear and looking up at Derek who had his eyes on her.

“Whatever you do, stay away from them as much as you can. However, I have no problem coming inside and ripping their hearts out with my bare hands,” he said, clenching his fists at the thought of it.

“Oooo that’s a good one! I like that one! Just… don’t use it on me,” Stiles said warily backing away.

“Come on Stiles, we’ve got to go,” Hailey said, rolling her eyes.

“I’ll be right out here,” Derek said with a nod as Stiles picked up his and Hailey’s backpacks.

****

Throughout the morning, Stiles, Scott, and Allison had done their best to help keep themselves and Hailey away from Jackson and Lydia. Towards the end of the day, however, they all had gym class. Hailey had to sit out because of her arm and Lydia had to because of her ankle, which they all seemed to momentarily forget about. Hailey bit her lip as she walked beside her friends out to the soccer field, Lydia and Jackson in the group behind them.

As Hailey sat on the cold bleachers, her coat wrapped tight around her, she watched as her friends attempted to participate, keep away from Jackson, and watch Lydia. She could see Derek across the field, among the shadows of the tree line. He kept pacing and his eyes flashed red every few steps. She tried to keep her heartbeat steady and her eyes focused on the field. Her ears perked up when she heard pounding against the metal of the bleachers. Looking over her shoulder she saw Lydia hobbling over to her, her left crutch hitting the bottom seat of the bleachers with every step.

“Hello Hailey,” she said coyly as she sat down, resting her crutches in the grass at her feet.

“What do you want, Lydia?” Hailey asked coldly. Across the field she saw Derek had stopped pacing and was looking towards them. Scott had also stopped on the field, the soccer ball flying through the air towards him and hitting him square in the chest.

“McCall! What the hell are you doing? If you do that during the game on Friday you’ll be warming the bench for the rest of the season!” Coach Finstock shouted as he threw his arms in the air.

“How’s your arm?” Lydia asked.

“Seeing as how your boyfriend broke it, it probably feels as good as your ankle,” Hailey scoffed as she looked at Lydia’s bandaged ankle.

“Jackson didn’t break my ankle,” she said quickly. “I fell.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Hailey said, rolling her eyes and looking back out to the field.

“How’s your brother doing? Aaron is it?”

“Listen she-devil,” Hailey said, whipping her head towards Lydia who had a wicked grin on her face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you and your wolfed out boy-toy over there and why you’re out for my family but I swear to God if you touch a hair on them I will kill you.”

“I always love a good empty threat,” Lydia laughed. “Let’s face it Hailey, you wouldn’t be able to kill either of us no matter how hard you tried.”

“Maybe not. But he could,” Hailey said, nodding across the field towards Derek who was standing facing them, his arms crossed tight over his chest.

“If Hale really wanted to kill Jackson and me he would have done it by now. It seems like you’ve got him wrapped around your pretty little finger. Who would have thought the big, bad, alpha wolf himself would submit to a human,” Lydia said, twirling her hair around her finger. Hailey looked across the field to Derek and saw Scott looking at him too, shaking his head quickly.

“Derek makes his own decisions. He acts upon what he thinks will keep not only me but my family and our friends safe,” Hailey stated clearly.

“He and his little pack of pups can’t be everywhere all the time,” Lydia remarked.

“Let’s get one thing straight. Derek will do anything to protect us, even risk his own life. So whatever you two have planned you should probably revise it and then revise it again because no matter how hard you try you are not going to break us.”

“Well we’ll just have to see about that. Won’t we?” Lydia asked, pursing her lips and widening her eyes before grabbing her crutches and standing up to move back down the bleachers. Hailey looked out to Derek and saw him crouching on the ground his head ducked down.

“Did I say something wrong?” she asked softly, knowing he’d hear her. He looked up and locked eyes with her, shaking his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

You were fine. It just made me realize how agonizing these next two months are going to be since you won’t let me just kill Jackson, he sent. Hailey shook her head and couldn’t help but smile, knowing that he said it out of protection.

****

“So I was wondering something,” Allison said as the group of four walked out to the parking lot towards where Derek was waiting next to Stiles’ Jeep.

“What would that be?” Hailey asked, smiling at Derek when they were close enough and wrapping her arms around his torso.

“How about instead of Stiles’ bringing you home, you and I go to the mall to get our dresses for Friday night?” she asked, cocking her head to the side.

“That would be great so I wouldn’t have to rush back here for practice,” Stiles said, setting Hailey’s backpack down.

“I’d love to!” Hailey exclaimed, a large smile on her face.

“I’ll have to come too,” Derek said, not sounding too thrilled at the idea of dress shopping.

“I figured,” Allison said, shrugging her shoulders.

“You two go in Allison’s car and I’ll follow behind you,” he said, picking up Hailey’s backpack and nodding to Scott and Stiles as they headed back into the school to go to practice.

“Are you sure you’re prepared for this?” Hailey asked as Derek walked her and Allison over to Allison’s car and he shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s just dress shopping. How bad could it really be?”

“Oh my God… you’re so not prepared for this,” Hailey said with a laugh, shaking her head at Derek’s confused expression.

****

“How many do you need to try on?” Derek asked, rolling his eyes as Hailey handed him a sixth dress to try on.

“I don’t know,” she said, leading the way to the fitting rooms. “They only allow six items at a time.”

“Great,” he grunted as she went into a stall. He hung the dresses up for her and stepped back, sliding to the floor leaning against the wall to wait for her. Allison gave him a half smile as she went into the stall next to Hailey.

“Hey can you give me a hand?” Hailey asked a few moments later, opening the door just enough to poke her head out. Derek stood and opened the door wider to join her.

His eyes widened as he took in the form fitting silver dress Hailey had on. She turned her back to him and lifted her hair so he could zip her up. He stepped forward, placing one hand on her waist; the other grasped the zipper and pulled it up. When he was done Hailey dropped her hair and cocked her head as she looked at herself in the mirror, a frown on her face.

“What’s wrong with it?” he asked and Hailey sighed, lifting her casted arm.

“It doesn’t go with my cast,” she pouted and Derek rolled his eyes again.

“Trust me, if you wear that, no one’s going to notice your cast,” he said and she raised an eyebrow, a smile on her face before turning to him.

“So are you saying this is the dress?” she asked and he nodded his head. “You do realize I have five other dresses to try on.”

“I don’t care. Get this one.”

“A girl never tries on just one dress,” Allison called from the next stall over.

“Thank you, Allison,” Derek said with a huff and Hailey laughed.

“She’s right,” Hailey said, nodding her head. Derek furrowed his eyes and sighed. “Humor me?”

“Fine,” he grunted, unzipping the dress for her and going back to the hallway until she had the next dress on.

****

Friday, right after school, Hailey’s parents and Aaron joined her, Allison, and Derek in the bleachers to watch the game. Sheriff Stilinski showed up and joined their group. As the game was about to begin, Hailey felt Derek tense up next to her and she put her hand on his knee.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Lydia,” he said, pursing his lips. “She’s… saying stuff to Jackson… that Scott and I can both hear which she either seems to forget or it’s on purpose.”

“What kind of stuff?” Allison asked.

“Well Jackson just told me that I’m very deductive in that asshole way he has and Lydia was saying how she can’t wait for tonight and the big surprise that they have in store,” he said, his fists clenching against his legs.

“Big surprise?” Hailey asked, her heart starting to race.

“How important is this dance?” Derek asked, turning to look at her.

“I’d like to keep as much normalcy in my life as possible. And that includes high school dances,” she said, cocking her head and moving her hand to his back.

“I feel like every week gets worse with this whole thing,” he said, shaking his head.

“We’re going to be in the middle of the school gym. People are going to be everywhere. What could they possibly do?” Allison asked.

“I don’t even know what they’re capable of anymore,” he said with a sigh.

“We’ll be fine,” Hailey said. “I promise.”

****

After the game, which was successfully won by the Cyclones, Hailey and her family headed home so she could get ready for the dance. Stiles was going to pick her up at seven and Derek was going to meet them at the house. She couldn’t help but feel a little nervous about what Derek said he overheard earlier but she tried to shake it away. After doing her hair she pulled her dress on and went over to the door.

“Mom!” she shouted and within seconds her mother was at the bottom of the stairs. “Can you give me a hand?”

“Of course,” Alyssa said, climbing the stairs and entering her daughter’s room.

“Can you zip me up please?” she asked, turning her back towards her mother. Alyssa pulled the zipper up and Hailey went to put her heels on.

“Let me see,” Alyssa said a smile on her face. Hailey stood straight and turned towards Alyssa. “Honey, you look beautiful.”

“Thanks Mom,” Hailey said.

“I love the dress.”

“Derek picked it out actually,” she said a smile on her face as Alyssa nodded in approval.

“He must be disappointed that he can’t actually be there.”

“Yeah I think he is,” Hailey said as the doorbell rang. “That must be Stiles.”

“Oh let me go get my camera!” Alyssa squealed, heading over to her room as Hailey went downstairs. Jason opened the door to let Stiles in just as Hailey reached the bottom.

“Well Stilinski, you sure clean up nicely, I must say,” Hailey said with a smile as Stiles turned to her.

“Not so bad yourself, Miner,” Stiles said, pulling her into a hug. “You ready to go?”

“Mom wants to take some pictures first,” Hailey said, rolling her eyes.

“Alright, here I am,” Alyssa said, holding her camera up as she rushed downstairs. “Let’s get pictures outside while there’s still light.”

“Mom it’s cold,” Hailey complained.

“It’s only for a few minutes,” Alyssa said, shooing them outside. Stiles opened the door and Hailey looked up to see Derek making his way towards the house.

“Hi,” she said, walking up to him.

“You look… beautiful,” he said. She couldn’t help but look down as she smiled, a blush rising to her cheeks.

“Oh good, I was hoping I could get a few pictures of the two of you together,” Alyssa said, smiling at Derek.

“Uh, Derek’s not really into getting his picture taken,” Hailey said quickly, turning towards her mother.

“Just one, that’s all I ask,” she said with a pleading look in her eyes. Hailey turned to Derek who, to her surprise, nodded his head.

“But…”

“I have an idea,” he said, wrapping his arm around her waist. “At the last second lean up to kiss me on the cheek and I’ll close my eyes laughing. I saw a picture of Scott and Allison like that.”

“Well okay,” Hailey said, happy to oblige.

“Okay on three,” Alyssa said, holding the camera up. “One… two… three!”

On cue Hailey leaned up and pressed her lips against Derek’s scruff and she could feel the smile form on his face. She could hear Aaron and Stiles behind her mother making gagging noises and she laughed as she pulled away.

“Alright, alright,” Hailey said, waving Stiles over to her. “One with Stiles and then we have to go.”

“Fine,” Alyssa sighed as Hailey and Stiles posed together, normally. “There.”

“Okay bye guys, I’ll see you later,” Hailey said, going over to kiss her parents on the cheek.

“Have fun.”

“Be careful,” Jason said and they nodded their heads. “Stiles, home by one.”

“Yes sir,” Stiles said, giving him a salute before following behind Derek and Hailey. He pretended to drop his keys in order to close the ash line as Hailey’s family went inside.

“Stiles,” Derek said as Stiles stood up.

“Yeah.”

“Do not leave her alone at all. I need one of the three of you near her at all times. Try to keep visual tabs on Lydia and Jackson as much as possible,” Derek said as Stiles nodded his head.

“Will do,” he said as Derek turned to Hailey, placing his hands on her shoulders.

“Be very careful. Isaac, Peter, and I will be right outside. If we hear anything we’ll come in right away,” he said, his eyes boring into hers.

“What if Finstock or one of the other teachers runs into you?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, shaking his head. “It would be so much easier if I could just be in there with you the whole time.”

“I know but this is the next best thing,” she said, putting her hand on his chest and he nodded.

“Alright, you two go ahead, I’ll follow behind you,” he said, nodding towards the Jeep. He leaned down and kissed Hailey before letting her go and watched as she and Stiles climbed into the Jeep.

****

“Do you see Jackson?” Hailey asked as soon as she and Stiles entered the gym.

“We literally just walked in the door,” he said with a laugh.

“Right. Oh! I see Scott and Allison,” she said, pointing over to the section of bleachers that was opened for students to sit on between dances.

“Hey guys!” Allison called when they were closer. “You look great!”

“So do you!” Hailey said, hugging both her and Scott. “Any sign of Jackson?”

“They’re not here yet,” Scott said, shaking his head.

“That’s good, I guess,” she said, shrugging her shoulders.

“Come on, let’s go dance while we can enjoy it fully,” Alison said, grabbing Scott’s hand and leading him to the large group in the middle of the gym.

“May I have the pleasure?” Stiles asked, bending in a half bow and holding his hand out.

“You’re such a dork, Stiles,” Hailey said with a laugh, putting her hand in his.

“I take offense to that,” he said, straightening his tie as they joined Scott and Allison.

They got through about three dances before Scott’s head turned towards the entrance and Hailey followed his gaze. She stared across the sea of dancing students and was finally able to spot Lydia’s red hair and right next to her was Jackson. He looked around before locking eyes with Hailey and he grinned.

“Okay, I’m officially creeped out,” Hailey said and Scott put his hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t worry, we’ve got you,” he said and she looked to see Stiles and Allison nodding in agreement. “Just act normal and try to enjoy yourself.”

Halfway through the dance Hailey and Stiles went to sit on the bleachers to rest for a bit. So far Jackson and Lydia hadn’t tried to do anything to them. Hailey was resting her back against Stiles’ legs and watching Scott and Allison. She jumped in her seat when Jackson appeared right next to her and Stiles stood up quickly.

“Get out of here Jackson,” he said and within seconds Scott and Allison were there too.

“I don’t see a sign saying I’m not allowed to sit on the bleachers,” Jackson said, looking around sarcastically.

“Well you’re not allowed to sit here,” Scott said, his eyes flashing golden.

“Oh real threatening McCall. I’m shaking.”

“What do you want?” Hailey asked, sliding a few inches to her left to put some distance between them.

“One dance. With you,” he said, a large grin forming on his face.

“You’re seriously fucking insane if you think that’s going to happen,” she said in disgust, standing up as Stiles moved in front of her.

“What are you now Stilinski her bodyguard?” he asked as he stood up.

“Yeah in fact, I am,” Stiles said, poking himself in the chest defiantly.

“You’re four against one tonight Jackson so just let it go,” Scott said.

“Right like Hale, the creepy uncle of his, and that idiot Isaac are stupid enough to come in here and make a scene in front of the entire high school population,” Jackson said with a laugh as he crossed his arms against his chest.

“Want a bet?” Isaac said and they all turned to the left to see him standing by one of the side doors, eyes glowing.

“Well there’s one,” Jackson said.

“Keep talking and Derek and Peter won’t hesitate to come in,” Isaac said, flashing his fangs.

“Well,” Jackson said, clapping his hands together. “Time for Plan B.”

With that he walked down the bleachers and out to the dance floor, getting lost in between the rest of the bodies. Hailey let out a deep breath and turned to Isaac who was talking to Scott. Stiles put his arm around her shoulders and held her tight to him.

“Come on, let’s go to the bathroom. Get away from the noise for a minute,” Allison said and Hailey nodded her head.

“If you’re not back in five minutes we’re coming to look for you,” Scott said turning to them.

“Thank you, Isaac,” Hailey said. He nodded his head as she and Allison headed out into the hallway.

“Well that could have been something terrible,” Allison said with a sigh as they walked down the deserted hallway to the bathroom.

“Tell me about it,” Hailey said, pushing the door open. As they entered there was only one other girl who was on her way out. Once she was gone and the door was closed behind her Allison turned to Hailey.

“So, I hate to say it, but do you think we should leave early?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Do I think we should? Yes. Do I want to? Not really,” Hailey admitted, biting her lip.

“I understand I just… I don’t know what can be worse than that,” Allison said shrugging her shoulders.

“Hopefully we won’t have to find out,” she said, turning to a stall.

“I’ll be right here,” Allison said and Hailey nodded, going into the stall and closing and locking the door behind her. She settled on the toilet and heard Allison’s phone ring. “Hello? … Hello? … This reception sucks. Hailey I’ll be right in the hallway okay?”

“Alright,” Hailey said, listening as the door swung shut behind Allison. When she was done she went to wash her hands and heard the door swing open again. She turned to look but there wasn’t anyone there. “Allison?”

There was no answer and her heart started to beat faster in her chest. Tentatively she walked over to the door, pressing her ear against it to hear if Allison was still on the phone but she heard nothing. The only sound she could hear was her heart pounding.

Slowly she pulled the door open and looked into the hallway. Allison was nowhere in sight. She stepped back into the bathroom and let the door swing shut and before she could turn around a hand clamped down over her mouth with a cloth that had a strange scent to it. She felt her legs start to give out before everything went black.