A Question Of Roomates

Ch. 24

I tried not to feel so out of place as Scott and I sat observantly within the over the top restaurant. Had he warned me I would have made a better attempt with my appearance, but at the moment the two of us stuck out like sore thumbs. Me in a hoodie and jeans and Scott rocking his signature jean coat, not breaking eye contact from the table Stiles had been glued too. All he'd been missing was a set of binoculars.

All of it made me feel a bit inadequate. Matt spoiling Stiles in a place I'd surely have to borrow money from my parents to afford. Who knew where the college student got all his money from. He seemed like the type to talk his way out of a lot of things, he managed to get his date with Stiles.

The more and more I thought about it the entire predicament seemed to unfold to perfectly play into Matts favor. From gaining the luxury of Stiles and I crawling to his mercy, to having just the right software to be the one to save the object of his desires and come out on top. It all seemed too...planned.

"What's up man? Somethings been buggin' you" When I glanced up Scott was sipping at his complimentary water and had finally managed to pull his gaze from Stiles. Stiles who'd actually been smiling.

"Am I that readable?"

"Sometimes. What is it? Things look like they're going fine. Though that's probably why you look miserable"

I rubbed my brow, cautiously trying to find a way to turn my suspicions into words while simultaneously not look like I was reaching for any explanation that could make things Matt's fault "It's not that, it's something Matt said. He told Stiles he had the software pulled up and could fix it all with the click of a button"

"Yeah"

"I know I'm pushing it, it's a pretty big accusation, and Stiles would probably just say I'm being jealous but-" I bit my lip looking from Scott to Stiles and back again. It was a big accusation, that came with a very big consequence. Perhaps I just needed someone to confirm I was being crazy and I could let it all go "Why was it pulled up before we even asked? I doubt it's a software you just keep lying around. Like he knew we were coming and knew what we needed before we said a word. Stiles told me they met when he fixed his laptop. What if he stole all of his information then and has just been sitting on it waiting for the right time. You know Stiles, he barely remembers to change his socks let alone account passwords"

"iforgotagain24 10 years strong" Scott scoffed reciting what must have been one of Stiles' long time passwords. Then, just as he easily spoke the phrase, it all suddenly dawned on him "Oh man! It was Matt! He broke into the account and somehow took the money leaving not trace so Stiles would need his help" he all but shouted eureka as he struggled to fish his phone from his pocket.

"Who are you calling?"

"Campus security. They can get into Matt's dorm without-" I was all on board with his plan, waiting for my own role to play when the blinding red and blue lights of cop cars were shining through the building. They were there for someone specific, no doubt about that, because two officers strolled into the building and calmly asked for their suspects. It didn't take long until they were being led to a table in the corner.

The two towered over Matt and Stiles as if it were nothing. Matt was sweaty and turning redder by the second. To my surprise, or perhaps my amusement one officer hadn't given Matt much of a choice on how to be walked out. So he ended up being paraded out of the building in a pair of cuffs.

It all happened so fast. As soon as he was out the building, everyone so intently watching, casually went back on with their lives, not to be bothered.

Scott and I were though. And continued to watch as the second office smiled and laughed with Stiles who had remained alone at the table.

Before either of our bodies could comprehend it, it seemed as though the both of us were leaping from the table and tip toeing not far behind once the officer decided to take Stiles outside for what looked to be further questioning.

"We were able to find everything we needed Mr. Stilinski. He had your money along with files on six other people. Deputies have been dispatched to inform them all"

Scott, not caring about the serious of the situation, pipped up over the man's shoulder "Wait. Hold up so you knew?"

The policeman chuckled, firmly shook Stiles' hand, then went on about his job. Stiles was grinning smugly as he watched Scott and I try to pick our jaws up from the floors "I figured it out the second I told you about how we met...Well, not right then but my mind never sleeps so I put it together when I was up listening to you snore"

"Wow. You sly sly dog" Scott laughed, punching his friend in the arm.

"You don't grow up raised by a cop and not pick up a few things here and there"

"Do you think the cops will let me take a selfie with Matt in the backseat?"

"I'd say no but I think you're going to try it anyways" I stood laughing with my boyfriend as he watch Scott bounce away. It was an odd feeling being surrounded by the chaos and feeling relaxed, but it couldn't be helped. The situation was over and I was just about ready to put it behind the both of us.

"I am still in shock, not just that you figured it out but that you were able to keep the secret"

"Get to know me Derek, I'm a man of many talents"

"So, that fight about the money? The-uh-the crying? Did you plan that as well?"

He bit his lip as he shed his jacket. It was getting late and I could've saved that for the morning but I couldn't let it go "No. At first I thought I was upset because no one else knew about my plan  so I would have to find a way to get the money back to your mother. But the more and more heated we got I guess the more the truth came out...And I just broke"

"Stiles, I've never tried to be the hero, or make you feel less than or like you can't do anything on your own. I just...I guess I've seen how hard you work taking care of yourself so no one else has too that you've forgotten that it's okay for others to be there for you. I don't take care of you because I pity you or because I don't think you can do it on your own. I do it because you deserve it and because I love you"

"I love you"  he smiled brightly, reaching up to wrap his arms around my neck. The jealousy in me prayed Matt was watching from behind the cop car "You're wrong about one thing though"

"What's that?"

"You are my hero. That's one thing I will never deny"