Stand By Me

21

Lydia carried three Macy's bags as she entered Allison's house. Since she made Peyton go shopping with her, she was willing to carry the bags.

"Clear your schedules," Lydia said. "This could take awhile."

She placed the bags on Allison's bed and Allison asked, "How many outfits do you plan on wearing tonight?"

Lydia met her eyes and shrugged. "It's my birthday party. I'm thinking host dress." She held up a grey-striped dress. "Evening dress, then, mm, after hours casual."

Peyton sat on the floor, listening.

Allison said, "I noticed you didn't send out any invites."

Lydia shot Allison a look. "It's the biggest party of the year, Allison. Everyone knows."

Allison was silent for a moment. "I was wondering if maybe this year, you know, might be different."

"Why would anything be different?"

"Just 'cause things have been off lately. Things and people. Like Jackson."

Lydia's voice took on an icy tone. "What do you care about Jackson?"

Peyton glanced up and said, "Is he coming? He was a pretty big part of your life."

Lydia frowned. "Everyone's coming." She held a beige dress to her body. "This one's America rag. Mm, I love it. For me, not you. Peyton, this is yours." She handed Peyton the maroon dress she'd picked. "This one's material girl. It's for you." She offered Allison a floral print dress and turned to see Allison's mom. "Ms. Argent. What do you think of this one?"

Mrs. Argent nodded half-heartedly. "Oh, it's lovely. Allison, uh, can I grab you for a moment to talk? Just the two of us."

Allison didn't look up. "Um, can we do it later?"

"Actually, uh, to be honest, sooner would be -- would be better."

Peyton frowned, realizing Mrs. Argent wanted to say goodbye to her daughter.

"Party's at 10:00," Lydia said.

Mrs. Argent licked her lips. "Um, will you be around before then?"

Allison let out a sigh. "I think so."

"You think so."

"I don't know."

Peyton frowned. "You should be nicer to your mom. And you should talk to her."

Allison turned to Peyton and narrowed her eyes. "I'll talk to her when I feel like it."

"You should probably it soon."

Peyton let out a sigh and stood. "I'll meet you all later. Happy birthday, Lydia."

"Thank you, Peyton," Lydia replied.

After a moment, Lydia pulled out another one. "Oh, I guess that black one would fit. All right, here you go." She handed the dress to Allison and cocked her head. "No, it's too much."

Allison smiled. "I think I like it."

"You like it?"

She nodded. "Yeah, no, I do. Happy birthday."

She smiled at her. "Oh, thank you. I actually appreciate that."

They arrived at Lydia's house, and Peyton showed up a short while later and heard a voice say, "Or maybe nobody's coming because Lydia's turned into the town whackjob."

Allison let out a sigh. "Well, we have to do something, because we've completely ignored her for the past two weeks."

Scott shrugged. "She's completely ignored Stiles for the past ten years."

Peyton joined them and stood between Scott and Stiles, still fuming at Allison. "She's a great friend. Don't call her a whackjob."

Stiles studied her a moment before saying, "Yeah, maybe. You look beautiful."

"Thanks."

Scott said, "We don't owe her a party."

Allison frowned. "What about the chance to get back to normal?"

"Normal?"

"She wouldn't be the town whackjob if it wasn't for us."

"For you all," Peyton argued. "I've never judged her." She pursed her lips and walked away.

Stiles frowned. "I don't think I've ever seen her so angry." He turned to Allison. "What'd you do?"

"I told my mom I was busy," Allison said. "I'll talk to her later. Peyton thinks my mom -- It doesn't matter."

As soon as Allison left, Peyton rejoined the boys and heard Stiles ask, "Are you gonna apologize to Allison or what?"

Scott frowned. "Why should I apologize?"

"Because you're the guy. It's, like, what we do."

"But I didn't do anything wrong."

"You should definitely apologize," Peyton told her friend. "I'm gonna talk to Lydia... If I can find her." She left once again.

Stiles nodded. "See, any time a guy thinks he hasn't done anything wrong, it means he's definitely done something wrong."

Scott shook his head. "I'm not apologizing."

Stiles met his friend's eyes. "Is that the full moon talking, buddy?"

Scott let out a sigh. "Probably. Why do you care, anyway? Why do either of you care?"

"Because, Scott, something's gotta go right here. I mean, we're getting our asses royally kicked, if you haven't noticed. People are dying. I got my dad fired. You're gonna be held back in school. I'm in love with a girl that doesn't seem to reciprocate my feelings. And if on top of all that, I gotta watch you lose Allison to a stalker like Matt, I'm gonna stab myself in the face."

Scott nodded and Stiles sighed. "Why not?"

"Because Jackson's here," Scott suddenly said.

Peyton called around for Lydia, but had no luck. She jumped when a hand touched her arm and relaxed when she realized it was Stiles' familiar touch.

After a moment, she and asked, "Where'd Lydia go?"

Stiles let go of Peyton, taking her hand, and did a 360. "Hey, I can't find her. And anyone who drank that crap, they're freaking out."

"I can see that," Scott replied with a shrug. "I don't know, but we gotta-"

Scott's sentence was cut off by Matt falling into the water and screaming. "I can't swim! No, no, no, no, stop, guys! I can't swim! I can't -- I can't-"

Jackson pulled Matt out who glared and asked in a rude tone, "What are you looking at?"

A kid suddenly cried, "The cops are here. Party's over!"

They exited the house and Peyton frowned as, unbeknownst to her, the kanima snaking around a soaking wet Matt.

"Is Matt the kanima's master?" Peyton asked.

Stiles nodded. "Looks like."