Chapter Text
“Stiles.”
“Scott.” Stiles replied without taking the conversation any further. He then took one hand off the wheel of his jeep to turn the radio up. “Schoooooool's out...”
Scott rolled his eyes as Stiles began singing along to the song that came on. He reached out and turned the volume all the way down. “Stiles, I—”
“Hey! Come on! Don't turn it off.” Stiles reached for the volume, but Scott slapped his hand away. “That song is perfect for us right now. It's summer vacation, Scott. And it's going to b—”
“Stiles, I'm not going to be here.”
Stiles took his eyes off the road, and turned his head to look at Scott. “What?”
“Remember weeks ago, that summer school program in New York that my mom found? If I go to it I can make up for my bad grades this school year. Well I applied and my mom text me earlier that I got accepted.”
“So...” Stiles looked back at the road. “You're leaving? To New York?”
Scott sighed. “Yes. I'm really sorry, but I have to do this. I don't want to be held back a grade and it would really make me mom proud.”
“Well what about you? Do you want to do it?”
“Yes, Stiles. I really do. I don't want to disappoint anyone anymore. Myself included.”
Stiles stayed silent for a moment. He focused on the road as he thought. “Well, then of course you have my blessing or whatever.” He gestured his hand in the air. “And you don't need to apologize. You gotta do what you gotta do.”
“Thank you, Stiles.” Scott said, smiling at his friend.
“So when do you leave?” Stiles asked.
Scott sighed again. “Tomorrow.”
“Wow.” Stiles widened his eyes.
“Yeah, it's all happening so fast. But I think it'll be good.”
“I'm sure it will be, buddy.” Stiles pulled his jeep into Scott's driveway.”
Scott reached down and grabbed his backpack from where it sat at his feet. He didn't get out of the jeep right away though. “Do you want to hang out tonight? I've gotta pack but we could watch a movie or something while I do that.”
“Nah.” Stile shook his head. “I'll pass. Let you do that, and I'm guessing your mom will want to spend time with you too.”
“Yeah, that's true.”
The boys sat in silence for a few minutes.
“So...” Stiles started. “I guess this is it till...” He trailed off, realizing that he didn't know when Scott would be back.”
Scott hesitated a moment before answering. “August.”
Stiles gave him a shocked look. “August?!”
“I know, I know.” Scott said looking away.
“Scott! Who am going to hang out with all summer?”
***
“You're going to Europe?!”
Lydia Martin had just come over to Allison's house only to find her in her bedroom packing.
Allison put the folded shirt she had in her hand in her burgundy suitcase before look at Lydia. “Yes, I'm really sorry for abandoning you this summer, but—” She paused for a moment. “But after everything that's happened my dad and I really need this.”
Lydia sighed. That was hard point to argue, and after recent happenings the father and daughter could definitely use a getaway. “Don't be sorry.” Lydia said in a quiet voice. “I'm sure you're going to have a blast. Just promise me something.”
Allison sat down on the edge of her bed. “Yeah, of course. Anything.”
“Promise me that you'll bring me back a good souvenir. Not some lame ass keychain.” Lydia smiled.
“I promise.” Allison said smiling back at her friend. “Only the best for you.”
***
Stiles took a seat near the counter of the pizza restaurant. He'd called to order a personal pizza for pick up an hour ago and it still wasn't ready. He looked around the nearly empty restaurant and rolled his eyes. “Great service here.”
The bell above the door chimed, and Stiles looked up to see who entered the building. He gasped once he saw it was Lydia Martin. She didn't notice him right away. Instead she went up to counter and spoke to the cashier. He informed her that her food wasn't ready, but she was welcome to wait here. Lydia turned towards the area with several chairs in the corner and finally noticed Stiles.
He slowly rose a hand in the air. “Uh, hey.”
She gave him a small wave back. “Hey.”
Lydia walked forward and took a seat next to Stiles. Neither of them said anything for a few moments. Finally, Lydia broke the silence. “Getting a pizza for you and Scott?”
Stiles shook his head. “Nope. Scot is off in New York for the summer, trying to make up some grades at a fancy school camp...thing.” Lydia made no comment on his poor explanation of where Scott was. She just nodded.
“You and your dad?”
“Nope. Dad's working tonight. So I'm riding solo.” He pushed his hand forward like a car when he said 'riding.'
“Ah, I see.” Lydia replied. “Well I too am riding solo this evening.”
“Really?” Stiles couldn't hide the shock in his voice.
She nodded. “Allison's off galavanting in Europe this summer.”
“Oh, well we should start a club then.”
“A club?” Lydia asked, confused.
Stiles nodded. “Yeah, I mean both of us have been abandoned by our best friends.”
Lydia laughed, which made Stiles smile. “That's true.”
“But you don't have anyone else to hang out with?” Stiles asked. He wanted to directly ask about Jackson, but he was nervous about how she'd respond. Luckily, she picked up on his true desire instantly.
“Nope. Jackson left too. But for good.”
“No way.”
Lydia nodded again. “Yeah. Jackson, his parents, they packed up and moved.”
“Wow. That's—that's surprising.” Stiles replied honestly.
“I guess.” Lydia shrugged.
“Um,” Stiles turned slightly so he could face her better. “Are you—are you okay?”
Lydia answered quickly. “Yep.”
“Are you sur—”
“Positive.” Lydia said before Stiles could finish his question. She then gave him a big, obviously fake smile.
Stiles let it go though. It was clear she didn't want to talk about it now. “Okay. Well if you ever need to talk...about anything. I am here.”
Lydia faced Stiles, and gave him a small, real smile. “I know you are.” Their eyes locked, and Stiles felt his stomach knot up.
“Stilinski! Martin!”
They both jumped as the cashier called their names.
The cashier took notice, but he just rose the pizza boxes in the air. “Food's ready.”
***
Lydia and Stiles walked out of the restaurant together, and lingered near their cars.
“So...” Stiles watched Lydia. She was absentmindedly tapping the pizza box in her hand with a well-groomed finger. “We sh—”
“What about Derek?” She asked abruptly.
“Uh,” Stiles wasn't sure how to answer. “What about Derek?”
“Where is he?”
“Oh! Actually Scott was telling me that he's gone for a few months. He's hiking across the country or something weird like that.”
Lydia looked at Stiles curiously. “So it's basically just us.”
Stiles shrugged, and tried to keep a smile from spreading across his face. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“Stiles!” Lydia suddenly seemed very excited about something. “Do you know what this means?”
“No! I do not!” Stiles replied in a voice that was just as excited as Lydia.
“We're finally getting a break from everything supernatural!”
“Huh.” Stiles thought for a moment. She was right.
“I know it sucks that our best friends are gone.” Lydia continued. “But Jackson and Derek are gone too. Which means we can finally get some peace for a little bit.”
Stiles nodded. “You're right, Lydia. Because god knows all that crap will probably start again once fall comes around.”
“Exactly!”
Stiles and Lydia looked at each other, and then both burst out laughing.
“Okay, okay.” Lydia said, after composing herself.
Stiles wiped a tear from his eyes, as he too tried to pull himself together.
Lydia unlocked her car and opened the door. She tossed her pizza onto the passenger seat. Before she got in she turned to Stiles once more.
“Alright, Stilinski. We're going to make the most of this summer. You'll be hearing from me tomorrow.”
And with that Lydia Martin got in her car and drove away.