Chapter 13: Formality
Scarlett is sitting in Scott's room with Stiles as Scott runs around searching for his cell phone. His room was quickly turning into a mess as Stiles and Scar took turns calling his phone. "Call it again." Scott says.
Scarlett rolls her eyes as Stiles answers, "It's not here." Scott continues to tear his room apart, "So you lost your phone. Get a new one."
"I can't afford a new one. And I can't do this alone. We have to find Derek."
"Hey! You are not alone! You have us." Scar gestures between Stiles and herself.
Stiles starts nodding his head agreeing, "And didn't you tell us Derek walked right into gunfire?"
Scott shakes his head, "Argent's plan was to use him to get the Alpha. They won't kill him."
"Then let them do what they're planning. They use Derek to get Peter, problem solved."
"But after they get Peter they'll kill Derek and I am not alright with that." Scar purses her lips as she looks at Stiles.
"Plus Peter might be going after Allison to find Derek. I can't protect her myself. Which means I need to find Derek first. So help me." Scott says, panicking.
Finally, Stiles and Scar get up and start searching Scott's room. "You know, you probably lost it when you two were fighting. Remember? When he was trying to kill you? When you interrupted him trying to kill Jackson? Starting to see a pattern of violent behavior here? No? Maybe it's just me." Stiles sighs.
"He wasn't going to kill anyone. And I'm not letting him die."
"Could you at least think about letting him die?" Scar instantly throws a pillow at the back of Stiles' head, "Ow! What the hell Scar?!"
"You really need to--" Scarlett starts.
"Shh, mom's home." Scott interrupts.
Stiles and Scar go quiet as Scott listens to his and Scar's mom. They both keep their eyes locked on Scott, trying to read his expression. "Is she okay?" Scar whispers to her twin.
Scott just shakes his head. "What's she doing now?" Stiles asks, just as quiet.
"Crying." Scott answers. Scar immediately slumps into Scott's computer chair. Scott follows her lead and sits on his bed, his shoulders sagging.
"Scott. You can't protect everyone."
"But I have to." Scott chokes out.
*_*_*_*_*_*
Lydia and Scarlett were at their lockers grabbing books for their last class. "I can't believe you want to go to the dance by yourself. You're hot Scarlett. There are plenty of guys at this school that would jump at the chance to take you."
"There are plenty of guys that want to get in my pants." Scarlett reiterates.
"And? What's wrong with having some fun? It's not like you're a virgin."
Scarlett laughs and shakes her head, "I love you Lyds, but I am not looking for a hookup. Nor am I ready to start dating again."
Lydia purses her lips and glances over her shoulder, "Incoming" Scarlett looks at her then follows her eyes to lock onto Nate, heading in the girls direction. She rolls her eyes and quickly shuts her bag. Before she can slam her locker shut and walk away with Lydia, Nate reaches them.
"Hey baby. What time should I pick you up tomorrow?" Nate asks.
Scarlett clenches her teeth, gripping her locker door tight, "Never. And don't call me baby."
Nate sighs, "What do you mean never, Scar? We planned this since the beginning of the school year."
Still not looking at him, Scarlett squeezes her eyes shut and speaks, "That was before you cheated on me."
"Scarlett c'mon. You know that was a mistake. I miss you." Hearing those three words, Scarlett's eyes snap open, she finally slams her locker shut, gaining the attention of the students nearby. Scar turns to face Nate, Lydia now standing behind her best friend.
Scarlett scoffs, "You miss me? Don't you dare say you miss me with her spit still on your tongue." She takes a deep breath then continues, "Leave me the hell alone." Scar quickly turns around, storming off knowing Lydia would follow.
"If you ever try to talk to her again, I will personally chop off your balls." Lydia threatens before turning around and following Scar. She quickly catches up with Scar, linking arms with her. They exchange smiles and continue to their class.
*_*_*_*_*_*
After school Lydia, Allison and Scarlett head to Macy's to buy dresses for the formal. They get onto the escalator, Lydia and Scar looking at Allison who looks like she's worried about something. "Okay, what's wrong?" Scar finally breaks the silence.
She glances at the brunette before answering, "Nothing's wrong. I have a lot on my mind."
"You could smile at least." Lydia suggests, "Ever hear the saying: Never frown. Someone could be falling in love with your smile." Allison glares but Lydia continues, "Smile, Allison. I'm buying you a dress. And you too Scar."
Scarlett smiles knowing that she's trying to cheer her up from her encounter with Nate earlier. Then Allison speaks, "I'll admit, as far as apologies go that's more than I expected. But not as much as I'm going to ask."
Lydia knits her eyebrows together and glances at Scarlett. Scar shrugs, causing Lydia to look back at Allison, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're going to cancel on whatever dumb jock you said yes to and go with someone else."
"Who?"
"Him." Allison points to someone standing behind them. They turn around and see Stiles standing by the perfume counter. He sprays a bottle in his face and sneezes, quickly putting the bottle down. Scar instantly starts smiling but Lydia frowns in horror. "Don't frown, Lydia. Someone could be falling in love with your smile."
They turn back to look at Stiles who is waving. The girls wave back, "Go tell him the good news, Lyds. I know you might not like him now but Stiles is amazing so you better treat him good." Scarlett smiles.
"I'm so happy that you think that. Why don't you ask him?" Lydia replies.
Scar laughs, "You know why. Now go." She gently push her best friend in Stiles' direction then turns to the dresses in front of Allison and herself.
Once Stiles joins the group of girls, Lydia quickly starts picking out dresses. Lydia places a dress on a stack held in Stiles' arms, "You're going to try all of these on? Is this a 24 hour Macy's?" Stiles' asks.
Lydia ignores him then glances at Scar. Scarlett holds out a black dress, analyzing it. Lydia quickly makes her way to Scar, takes the dress out of her hands, putting it back on the rack, "What was that for?" Scarlett questions.
"Can you try to get a different color?" Lydia asks, exasperated by her friend.
Scar pauses, acting like she's thinking about her answer, "No."
"Please, Scar? Just try this navy dress," She pulls out a navy halter dress, putting it in the taller girls arms. She then drags Scar to another section, Stiles trailing behind, "Or maybe this army green one."
She hands Scar another dress and continues to another section, "Maroon looks great on you! And maybe this purple dress."
Scar rolls her eyes, "I'll try them on for you but I'm getting a black dress." She pulls out a few black dresses, adding them to the growing pile in her arms. Lydia and Scar make their way to the dressing rooms with Stiles once again trailing behind them.
They walk into the handicap dressing room, and let Stiles put his pile down. Once he's out of the room and waiting for the girls, Lydia and Scarlett get undressed and try on the dresses in their piles.
Some people may find it weird that the two best friends share a dressing room, but this is something they have been doing since they were little. About 40 minutes later Allison, Lydia and Scar all find dresses for the dance. Lydia pays then the girls go their separate ways.
*_*_*_*_*_*
Scarlett sits in front of her vanity applying makeup. Her dress is on and hair straightened. She can hear her mom and Scott talking in the room next to her but she can't make out the words.
Once she finishes applying her lipstick, she reaches for her heels. She slides them on and stands up, grabbing her purse and walking through the bathroom, into Scott's room. The two look up as she enters, "So, how do I look?" Scarlett asks.
"Beautiful," Scott says.
At the same time mom says, "All grown up."
Scar playfully rolls her eyes at her mom, "Thanks guys." She gently tugs at the short black dress adjusting the way it was hugging her body. "Are you almost ready?"
"Yeah, let's go." Scott replies.
"Hold on! I want pictures," Melissa runs out of the room to grab her phone. Scott and Scar meet her in the hall and pose for a few pictures before they head out the door and to the dance.
*_*_*_*_*_*
Scarlett parks Lydia's car, who graciously let her borrow it for the dance, and turns to Scott. "Do you know how you're sneaking inside?"
He hesitantly nods, "Yeah, don't worry about me. Just enjoy yourself."
Scarlett nods then they both get out of the car and part ways. Scar heads towards the entrance and Scott goes around back. Once inside, she makes her way to the punch bowl, grabbing a glass then turns to find Lydia, Allison, and Stiles. As she makes her way through the crowd, she accidentally bumps into Nate.
Scarlett's mood turns sour in an instant, she turns to walk in the other direction but before she can, she's spotted. "You look amazing Scarlett." Nate breathes out.
"Obviously. Bye." She replies before he can say anything else.
She turns and walks away, quickly finding Lydia and Stiles who are sitting at a table. They both look miserable causing Scar to cringe wishing that Lydia would just try to have a good time. The minute Scar sits down, Lydia starts talking to her. Stiles is looking out at the crowd when something catches his eye. He quickly stands up and holds out a hand for Lydia, "You want to dance?"
"Pass." She instantly replies causing Scarlett to gently push her shoulder. Lydia snaps her head at Scar, glaring.
"You sure?"
"Quite."
"Let me try this again." Stiles starts but Scarlett doesn't hear the rest of his sentence because another one of her classmates walks up to her.
"Hey Scarlett, would you like to dance?" He asks.
Scar smiles, "Sure thing." She grabs his extended hand and they make their way to the crowded dance floor.
After a few minutes of dancing the music stops as everyone turns towards Coach who just yelled, "McCall, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Scott was spotted. He and Danny had their arms wrapped around each other, dancing within the crowd of high schoolers. Scarlett bits back a smile, proud of her brother's quick thinking.
Coach said some things to Scott then nervously turns to the rest of the high schoolers, "I was... I mean, I wasn't... I'm not... You guys don't think I'm..." Scarlett slowly crosses her arms, enjoying Coach's discomfort. The last thing Coach does is yell, "What the hell are you looking at Greenberg?" Then he quickly walks away, embarrassed about what just happened.
The music turns back up and Scarlett continues dancing with her group of friends. Carefully making sure she is as far away from Nate as possible. Soon after Scar pulls away from the group, needing a break from all the dancing. "Hey Stiles, where did Lyd go?" She asks when she spots the boy sitting at the table once more.
"To find Jackson." He grumbles.
Scarlett frowns, "I'm sorry."
Stiles shakes his head, "No don't worry. I get it. It's the same reason you decided to show up stag."
Scar nods her head agreeing. They sit in comfortable silence for a minute before Stiles stands up, "Let's go try and find Jackson and Lydia." Scar nods, following him out of the gym. They bump into Jackson almost instantly, "Where the hell have you been? Did Lydia find you?" Stiles asks, grabbing Jackson's arm.
Jackson just shakes his head, dazed. "What's wrong, Jackson?" Scarlett asks, bringing his attention to her.
"I was out behind the school. I was..." Jackson begins but trails off.
Stiles, now alarmed, quickly questions the blue eyed lacrosse star, "What happened? What did you do?"
*_*_*_*_*_*
After Jackson told the two teens what happened Stiles and Scarlett looked at each other then quickly ran out the doors, searching for Lydia. Scar was slightly behind Stiles because she was running in heels when she heard him scream, "LYDIA!"
In the distance, Scar sees her standing in the middle of the lacrosse field. She whips her head around at the sound of Stiles' voice. "RUN, LYDIA!" Stiles and Scarlett scream together. But before she has the chance Peter bites her. She lets out an ear piercing scream and falls to the ground. Stiles and Scarlett finally making it to her and Peter, falling beside her limp body.
Scarlett has tears in her eyes as she quickly checks her pulse. She reaches for her phone but remembers she doesn't have it. Before she can tell Stiles to call an ambulance, Peter roughly pulls her arm, making her stand next to him. He wraps one arm across Scarlett's chest pulling her back against him. "Stop, don't kill her. Don't kill either of them." Stiles pleads.
"Of course. Just tell me how to find Derek."
"How the hell are we supposed to do that?" Scarlett snaps at the Alpha.
Peter tuts, "Now, now darling. You shouldn't be using that tone with me when you're in this position."
"Screw you."
Before Peter could reply Stiles speaks up from his spot beside Lydia, "I don't know where he is. How am I supposed to know?"
"Because you're the smart one, aren't you? And because I can smell it on you. Deception has a particularly acrid scent, Stiles. So how about you tell me the truth before I rip her apart."
"You don't scare me Peter. So stop trying." Scar says through clenched teeth.
"Funny you say that. Because I can smell fear too, and you are right, you're not afraid." Scarlett is slightly surprised when he says this, she knows she's a good liar but she didn't realize she would be able to blatantly lie to an Alpha werewolf. Peter continues, "Which means you'll make a great beta. I should have chosen you Scarlett. Too bad you weren't in the woods that night."
Peter lightly pushes the teens hair away from her neck, he moves so his hand is now around her throat. "So Stiles, I'll turn Scarlett and kill the redhead if you don't help me."
Stiles panics and looks quickly between Lydia and Scar. He finally meets Peter's eye and says, "Okay, okay! I think... I think he knew."
"Knew what?"
"Derek, knew he was going to get caught by the Argent's. When they got shot, him and Scott, I think he took Scott's phone."
"Why?"
"They all have GPS now. If Derek still has it, if it's still on... I can find him."
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