The Bones of You

- Stiles -
Once Was a Warning

“You guys walk here?” Allison asked as we departed Lena’s house. I nodded as did Lydia.

“Want a ride?” Scott asked as he walked over to the drivers side of his mom’s car.

“Nah, it’s nice out. Shouldn't be a wolf night. I don’t mind hoofing it,” I said.

I took off through the forest when I heard footsteps behind me. I slowed down to let whoever it was catch up. Even though I should be wary, the sounds coming from behind gave me a clear indication of who it was. There was sounds of stumbling and whimpering with the occasional f bomb dropped as normal. Finally, their footsteps fell into step with mine.

“Nice of you to wait,” Lydia said as she tried to brush the leaves out of her hair.

I stopped her and gently picked up a section of hair, releasing the leaves from her strawberry blonde curls. I kept my eyes on her hair while she kept her eyes on me. When the last leaf was free, I let her hair slide out of my hands. We managed to maintain eye contact for a few seconds before I turned my head.

“Shall I escort you to your house milady?” I said and held out my arm. I could see her cheeks go rosy as she slid her arm through mine.

We walked quietly until we reached a small clearing with the night sky peeking over us. “What do you think we should do about Derek and Lena?”

“Lydia, the last thing I want to do is interfere with whatever Derek has going on in his life, let alone his love life. That’s just asking for trouble,” I said.

“ Isn't that what we do best?” she said and smiled at me. I couldn't resist that smile. It’s made me weak in the knees for years.

She told me what she’d witnessed when we were in the basement and I listened with keen interest. She kept insisting they belonged together and all they needed to realize that. That’s when my mood turned sour.

“Thinking you belong with someone doesn't guarantee that it’s going to happen. I should know,” I said. She kept her arm through mine but I could sense her muscles tensing.

“All they need is a little bit of time,” she said as we approached her house.

“Are you talking about Derek and Lena or are you talking about yourself?” I asked as we walked up her driveway.

“Both, I think,” she replied.

When we got to her doorway, I was going to bid her a simple goodnight when she put her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I could smell her shampoo, her perfume, her laundry detergent. It was heavenly. When she pulled away, she let her lips graze mine ever so subtly. I almost tripped over myself trying to make the kiss last longer.

“Goodnight Lydia,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. She had left me breathless once again.

“Goodnight Stiles,” she whispered back and slid through her open door.

I stood on her doorstep for a few moments before stumbling off, hands shoved back in my pockets. I couldn't help but look up at the night sky with a smile on my face. Lydia had kissed me. It was almost bittersweet, all my childhood dreams had come true. Even though it was the most chaste kiss, it was all I had ever wanted.

When I walked in the door of my house, my dad was at the dinner table finishing up his paperwork for the night. He must have just beat me home judging by what he was filling out. I threw my backpack over the chair and discarded my hoodie on the floor. He stared at me as I made myself a drink, a smile plastered on my face. When I started up the steps towards my room he cleared his throat.

“You high son?” he asked with a straight face.

“High on life dad. I’m high on life,” I responded.

That was his cue to go all dad on me. He motioned towards the chair across from him and I knew escaping was not an option. I eased into the seat, still smiling, which caused my dad to narrow his gaze at me. I took a sip of my soda waiting for whatever inquisition he had planned for me now.

“Should I be concerned or is there a new street drug called life I haven’t heard about?” he asked. I laughed. God I was starting to act like I was stoned.

“She kissed me dad. Lydia actually put her lips on mine, voluntarily and it was awesome,” I said and took another swig of soda.

“You’re acting this way because a girl kissed you?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

“Not just a girl dad, the girl. The girl I've been pining over for since forever. It’s a miracle. You should be proud of your son for landing the girl of his dreams,” I said.

“Open your eyes for me, wide,” he said.

I guess he didn't believe me fully. I don’t blame him. He knew that she was my dream girl and I wasn't exactly a catch. Well for her I wasn't a catch. Now I even ramble when having an inner monologue.

“Can I go now?” I asked after obliging him for a minute.

“Get out of here. And son, I am proud of you. I’ll be even prouder if you don’t screw it up and knock her up,” he said.

I quickly disappeared to my room after that. Anytime my dad started to have the sex talk with me my stomach would start to churn. When I opened the door to my room, something seemed off. I couldn't place it but I slowly turned the light on. My window was open, curtain flapping in the breeze. Nothing seemed out of place except of a piece of paper on my pillow. I didn't dare pick it up but I leaned over my still unmade bed to read the words that were scrawled across it in black sharpie.

Beware Stiles. Once was a warning. Twice will be pain.