Chapter Text
Lydia's closet may as well have exploded, littering her room with everything from cute shirts to sophisticated slacks. Sultry dresses draped over the bed posts, flirty, ruffled skirts were heaped in a corner, and that was only half of it. Stiles would say something about the mess, but after two and a half hours giving his half-assed opinion on outfits, it’s doubtful his opinion on the state of Lydia’s room would mean anything.
“What about this one?” Lydia said, voice dancing over the music playing in the background. She twirled, causing the little red skirt to flare and flit around with her movements. “Fabulous, right?”
“You wore that last year on the first day,” Estel said from somewhere to Stiles’ left. Her position on the bed meant her long, lilac hair cascaded down the side of Lydia’s bed as she contemplated Lydia’s outfit. “What about that blue toile de jouy skirt? We ordered that a few days ago, didn’t we?”
Delight brightened Lydia’s face before she sauntered her way to her closet. Stiles watched the whole exchange, so bored he could nearly pass out. His eyes cut over to the clock for the hundredth time thus far. He’s idly watched Estel as she skipped after Lydia, when his phone chimed on Lydia’s desk. Scrambling to get it, he destroyed the once glorious pile of cashmere sweaters in his haste. Rolling out of the heap of expensive clothing, Stiles discarded the stray scarf somehow wrapped around his waist. Letting out an exuberant laugh of delight, he nearly cried as he answered the phone.
“Scott! Buddy, my main man, how’s it going? You’re on your way to get me, right?” he asked in one breath as he fumbled his way over the window to look through the curtains.
“It’s that bad? I figured Estel and Lydia would have gone easy on you tonight.”
Stiles gave a humourless laugh at that. “I’ve had to endure thirty-three different wardrobe changes. Thirty-three, I tell you! They are evil, Scotty. Behind all that attractiveness is pure satanic power which no human being could ever harness without self imploding from the chaos of it all.”
“We heard that!” Lydia and Estel chimed in, sounding too smug to be offended.
“Please tell me you’re coming to save me,” Stiles begged.
“I’m right here, bro.” Scott's response was followed by a honk of a horn, loud enough to disturb all of the neighbors.
Lifting the curtain once again, Stiles smiled, relieved at the sight of his bestest friend in the whole wide world flashing the headlights of his Jeep to let his presence be known. Pushing away from the window, he smiled giddily as he ended the call and tucked his phone into his back pocket. Don't get him wrong, he loved Lydia and Estel to pieces. Lydia, with her abundance of wit and boldness, and Estel, with her kind heart and overwhelming sense of adventure; there is no doubt that either of them are on his list of top five favourite people in the world. However, there is only so much fashion talk he can take in one day.
Rushing to where the girls were, Stiles pulled them both into short hugs before promising that he’d see them both tomorrow at their favorite coffee shop before school starts.
“Well, go then, we can tell when we aren't appreciated,” Estel said with fake hurt as she dramatically flung a scarf around her neck. “Go frolic in the woods, and play your video games, or whatever you heathens do when you aren’t in our presence.”
“And tell Scott he better have done something with that hair of his, or else,” Lydia said with her eyes focused on the two shirts she was currently debating. “The fluffy schoolboy look was so junior year.”
“Love you too!” Stiles cried as he made his hasty retreat.
Skipping a few steps, Stiles quickly descended the staircase with as much grace as a baby deer. Zipping past the living room, he shouted a quick goodnight to Mrs. Martin and Mayor Martin, before exiting out the front doors. Closing the door behind himself, Stiles let out a content sigh at the sight of his Baby Blue. Striding forward, he made his way across the driveway to where Scott waited.
“Missed me?” Stiles asked with a pleased smirk as he brushed his fingertips over the hood of his baby.
“Are you talking to me or the Jeep?” Scott asked, while lowering the driver side window.
Glancing between Scott and where his hand rested on his precious Jeep, he pondered his options before shrugging, “Both, but mostly the Jeep.”
His smile grew twice as big at Scott’s wounded expression, and he let out a gleeful laugh as he jumped into the passenger seat. Relaxing into the warm seat, Stiles subconsciously did a once over of his baby to make sure nothing was damaged. Pulling the seatbelt across his chest, Stiles securely buckled it in place before aimlessly fiddling with the material.
“Sorry about having to take the Jeep for so long,” Scott started as he backed out of the Martin's lavish driveway, “I had to move new cages and dog food for Deaton today, and it was much easier with a vehicle.”
“No worries, dude,” Stiles said almost absently as he searched the radio for a better station. Sometimes Scott’s taste in, well, anything was questionable. “As long as you put gas in the — ” Before he could finish his thought, the car began pulsating as all of the lights and sound inside the car died out in an instant. Scott had just enough time to force the wheel to the right so they could coast to the side of the road safely, before Baby Blue decided to run out of gas completely.
There was absolute stillness. No wind hit the windows. No clouds drifted in the sea of navy and black above. Not a sound could be heard. Even their own breath seemed to die as soon as the air left their mouths.
“...You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” Stiles snapped, his face a mask of disbelief. “Scott!”
“Dude, I’m sorry!” the other boy exclaimed as he began fiddling with the key in hopes of getting some life back to the car. As expected, all that happened was the engine making awful sputtering and groaning noises.
Getting out of the Jeep, Stiles slammed the door closed as he tried to think up a plan. The streets were empty, and they were conveniently stranded right in the middle of the empty but owned lands of the rich neighbourhoods. Meaning there wouldn’t be a saviour showing up any time soon.
“The next sign of civilization is,” he paused, squinting at the closest sign. Stiles groaned, “six miles from here, Scott. Six miles! That's a total of thirty-one thousand, six hundred and eighty feet. Which I’d have to attempt solo, because my brilliant best friend wouldn't be much help because of his asthma. Speaking of which, do you even carry your inhaler with you? Especially given you spent a day with furry felines and canines with your mystery boss, who, by the way, reminds me so much of an overly exaggerated, cryptic yoda. He gives these knowing looks my way every time I visit you at work, like I robbed you guys of all of your catnip or something.”
“Why would you steal our catnip?”
“That is most definitely not the point, Scott!” Stiles huffed out, trying to will his sudden migraine away. Turning to his right, he could see Scott walking towards him, resembling a kicked puppy. Deflating, Stiles let out a long suffering sigh before stifling a laugh. “Move it, McCall, let the genius work his magic.” he said, playfully brushing past his best friend to the driver side of the Jeep.
Opening the door, he slid into the seat with a practiced ease. Grazing his fingers over the wheel, he let out a huff as he stared at the key, dangling uselessly from the ignition. Grasping it, Stiles let out a soft sigh as he tried it once, twice, and then a third time.
“Come on... I know you’re upset because Scott is an idiot who forgot to put gas in you, but that doesn't mean you should be mean to me.” His whispered as he rested his head against the smooth leather. “Come on, girl, I know you can-” he felt a small zap of electricity spark against his fingertips and immediately pulled away, as his heartbeat skyrocketed at the small prick of pain, just as the car roared to life. Peeking behind the wheel, Stiles stared in shock as the fuel gauge remained at its empty state.
“Dude, how did you get it to-”
“Don’t know, just get in before it changes its mind,” Stiles said while gesturing urgently, not wanting to lose their shot at getting to a gas station.
The Jeep crept its way southwards as they made it closer to their goal destination. Scott didn't dare say a word the whole way there, and Stiles thanked the heavens for that small miracle.
The gas station was brightly lit with only a few random cars parked by the fuel pumps. Stiles paid them no mind as he zipped his way to the nearest available pump. In one fluid motion, he parked the car and slid out of the vehicle, his right hand reaching in his back pocket for his wallet.
“Come on, dude,” Stiles said, motioning for Scott to get out the Jeep. “Fill her up. I want to get some snacks, and possibly something caffeinated.”
Instead of waiting for a response from Scott, Stiles slid his card in the machine and typed in his pin number before heading towards the building. As he made his retreat, he could hear the passenger door opening and then closing, signaling Scott’s compliance to Stiles’ wishes.
As he pushed open the door, a small bell chimed, announcing his presence. Making a beeline towards the sugary sweets and chips, Stiles scooped up a bag of sour skittles and a snickers bar before walking further down the aisle to grab the bag of cheese puffs dangling just over the edge of the shelf. Halfway to the drink section, the bell rang again, catching his attention.
Turning his head towards the exit, Stiles paused and nearly choked at the sight of Laura Hale. She twirled around the shop with her oversized leather jacket loose on the shoulders as her long, bronze hair swirled around her frame. Her heels gave her already impossibly long legs an extra few inches, while her face appeared to be cut right from the pages of a men's magazine. She laughed freely, and there was a certain playfulness to her that Stiles hadn't ever seen from any of the Hales.
Her hands were soon filled with goodies, which her handsome companion gladly bought for her. The beautiful girl gave a blinding smile to the clerk as they headed towards the door. Stiles watched them openly, regretting his choice instantly as he and Laura locked gazes.
Stiles felt his stomach twist and sink as Laura directed a smile his way. However, compared to the first, this smile was all teeth, and full of knowing. His heartbeat skyrocketed while his hands became insanely clammy. Stiles watched, dazed, as Laura flicked her hair over her shoulder before skipping out of the store, with her companion close beside her.