Barely Breathing | Book Three/Season Three A

8

chapter 08

"What're we doing over here? I feel intrusive." I ask Stiles as we stand outside the deceased boy's locker, looking at his memorial the students had put out for him.

"We're looking for clues that could lead to any possible pattern in these sacrifices." He explains as if it's obvious.

As Stiles is studying the memorial, I grow bored and look around the hallway. I notice Boyd walk over and place something onto the locker before trying to walk away.

"Oh, hey Boyd." I greet him, grabbing his bicep and pulling him back towards us. I smile invitingly as he looks to me and Stiles, confusion written all over his face.

He pulls away, and I opt not to use my vampire charm on him just to get answers. That might be a little too morally gray.

"I didn't know you were back at school." Stiles says, stepping forwards and inserting himself into the interaction.

"Yeah, I would have told you, but we're not actually friends." Boyd says almost as if he feels bad for the statement. Or, maybe he's just really, really unsure of why we're speaking to him.

"Oh, yeah." Stiles agrees, looking down at me awkwardly, asking for help with his eyes.

"So, did you know Kyle?" I ask, taking the lead of the conversation once again.

"Yeah, we were in junior R.O.T.C. together." He explains their connection, his hands gripping the straps of his backpack tightly.

I nod my head before looking up at the tall boy and asking, "So you two were friends, then?"

"I only had one friend. She's dead too." Boyd reminds us before looking down and shuffling away, getting himself lost in the crowd of bustling students.

"What now?" I ask, looking up and over at Stiles who stands with his brows knitted together in thought.

"I'm thinking." He states, running a hand through his hair.

"I like when you do that." I comment on his habit, reaching my own hand up and running it through his messy brown hair.

"I like when you do that." He responds, smirking down at me as the students begin to clear the halls.

I push up onto my tiptoes, placing a quick peck onto his lips before turning around, ready to head to my next class.

"Hey-uh...wait for a sec." He calls out, causing me to halt and face him.

"What's up?" I ask as he walks over, standing in front of me once again.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" He asks, reaching up and grabbing the straps of his bookbag as he awaits my answer.

"What's tomorrow? Saturday?" He nods his head, answering my question without any words. "Uh, nothing, I think."

"Want to hang out?" He questions, causing me to grow confused.

"Stiles, we hang out every day." I remind him, laughing a little as I speak.

"Well tomorrow I mean, like, all day." He tells me, bringing his hand away from his bag and grabbing mine, bringing it up to his face and resting it under his chin as if he's cozying up to it.

"Sure, what'd you wanna do?" I ask as he begins to lead me down the hallway, to my class that I'll probably be late for.

"It's a surprise. Here's all that you need to know. Ready?" I nod my head as we walk and he repeatedly takes a look at my face, reading my expressions. "Number one, just dress casual. Nothing fancy but not a tank top and sweats."