Emotional Tethers

Chapter 16 - I care About You

Lydia was unsure about a lot of things. One of them being if Stiles was honest or if Scott forced him to tell her. But, they got out of the magical world meaning that it was true. But even if it was the truth that Stiles told her, she was scared. Scared of not being enough for him. Scared of not being able to give him what he deserves. Scared that she was going to crew everything up. And she didn't want to go through another breakup.

"Okay, Martin," Scott said as he climbed in through the window.

"I think it's time for you to be completely honest with Stiles. Before he loses interest. Come on, Lydia. I got him so far as to confessing he likes you. Do the same. Let those third-grade feelings go before..."

"Before I kill you?" Stiles asked appearing from behind the door.

Lydia looked at him exhaling, as she pinched her eyes, and stood up. She saw as Scott went out of the window and she was left alone with Stiles. She didn't know what to say to him nor did she think did he know what he wanted to tell her. They both just kinda knew that they had to say something.

"Seems like we're supposed to have some talk, hey?" Stiles said as Lydia bit her lip.

"Trust me. I'm not going to yell," Stiles said as Lydia exhaled.

"Scott just keeps on..."

"Letting me in on stuff he shouldn't. Yeah, I'm definitely killing him next time if you're not going to. Lydia, why do you, out of all people, feel like you have to hide stuff like this?" Stiles asked.

"Because... What do you mean with out of all people?" Lydia asked.

"Lydia. You're beautiful, strong, smart for goodness sake. You stood up to Jackson and you are the most powerful human being alive. You're a banshee. Which is basically a human with a deadly scream. Why do you feel like you are worth nothing? Or worth less than you actually are," Stiles said.

"You date Jackson Whittemore and we'll talk again," Lydia said.

She stood up from her bed as she walked towards Stiles. She stood in front of him, feeling like she's supposed to say something, but didn't know what to tell him.

"You... You're Stiles Stilinski. The son of the sheriff. The lacrosse co-captain. One of the most popular boys in Beacon Hills High..."

"Yet it seems like Scott and Malia are happening. I've seen them together. And I know he's going to get the girl. Lydia, I've been obsessed with Malia because she could give me something that I would never get from my father. Somehow I wanted that popularity. The fame that she also had in high school. Without lacrosse, I'm nothing," Stiles said.

"That's not true," Lydia said.

"What am I without lacrosse? Let's hear what you have to say. Because I'm nothing without co-captain of lacrosse," Stiles said.

"You're the son of Noah Stilinski, the local sheriff. You're the guy who started to hang out with a girl who had no popularity level at all. The guy who constantly saves me and keeps me safe. Who kissed me to stop a panic attack. Who stayed with me when I thought my mother was busy dying. Who consoled me when my father and best friend died, both within 24 hours. The boy who threw me a sweet sixteen party. Stiles, you're the boy I've been in love with since third grade," Lydia said as Stiles slightly smiled.

"Maybe. But I'm messed up. My mother is dead. My father fights off criminals on a daily base leaving me to do a lot of crap that I'm not proud of."

"My father and best friend are dead, and my mother spends her time trying to fix people's minds form thinking they're not messed up," Lydia said.

Stiles laughed as Lydia followed him. It was moments like this that made Lydia fall deeper in love with him. It made her feel like he could make her laugh. Lydia looked at Stiles as she wrapped her arms around his waist, laying her head on his shoulder, while he placed his hand on her arm.

"We're all broken in some way, Stiles. But, we have to stand up and figure out how to fix everything. We can't stand back," Lydia said as Stiles nodded.

"Guess so. Listen. I'm actually here for something else. Not just to talk to you about that," Stiles said as Lydia looked at him.

"I need your help."

"What does Stiles Stilinski need help with?" Lydia asked.

"Well... There's another riddle that needs to be solved and I may need help from my best friend," Stiles said.

"Go and find him then," Lydia said.

"I'm not talking about Scott. Lydia," Stiles said taking her hand in his.

"Me and Stiles have been sitting for days with this. We can't figure it out. I need your help," Stiles said as Lydia bit her lip.

"Please. Bodies are missing. People are cruel getting killed and we can't figure out why," Stiles said.

"I know I've been finding a lot of dead bodies, but what guarantee do you have that a banshee can help with this?" Lydia asked.

"She can't. But I don't need a banshee to help me. I need my best friend who is so smart she can win field medals for a mathematics equation," Stiles said.

"You're pushing it, Stilinski. But okay. Let's do this. I'll help. Where do we start?" Lydia asked.

"Come on. We're heading to my place. You'll be shocked at what I've done," Stiles said.

"Strongly doubt it, but let's go then," Lydia said as Stiles grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her room.

They were sitting in the car, but didn't know what to say. The drive was ten minutes and Lydia knew the silence was killing both of them.

"I care about you," Lydia said as Stiles looked over at her.

"I know you do," Stiles said.

"I... I just don't want to mess all of this up. That's the last thing I want to do. My mom was right. I tend to mess up every relationship I step into. Look at me and Jackson. That relationship failing was..."

"Not your fault, Lydia. Your mother can't blame you for Jackson's poor behaviour," Stiles said.

"I have a favor to ask," Lydia said as Stiles looked at her.

"Well, I do owe you for this, so anything," Stiles said.

"Will you teach me how to drive?" Lydia asked as Stiles looked at her.

The young girl got her learners not too long ago, considering she did turn 16 recently, and Scott did discuss with Stiles that she would ask one of them to teach her. But he didn't know which one.

"Funny enough. Me and Scott spoke about this yesterday and he asked me if you were to ask me, if I would be willing to do it. Yeah, of course. I'll be more than glad to teach you. We can use the jeep. Let's go after we meet up with Scott though. He's already at my house," Stiles said as Lydia nodded.