𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬, i. lahey

𝟎𝟎𝟗. social anxiety 101

SIDELINES

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STILES' CONTACT POPS up on the display of Emery's home screen, and she accepts the call while positioning her phone between her ear and shoulder. She flips through a veterinary book on the counter as she says, "What's up?"

"What do you know about Isaac's brother?"

"Camden?" Emery asks, discarding the book and walking into the waiting room. Scott and Deaton discuss their plans in the back of the clinic, not paying her any mind. She takes the phone into her hand with furrowed brows. "Why're you asking?"

There's a sigh on the other end, and Emery rolls her eyes at his impatience. "Just tell me what you know about him. It's important."

She breathes out deeply, "He died almost two years before Isaac and I started dating when he was in the army— that's all I know. Isaac doesn't really talk about him much."

"Huh..." Stiles mutters to himself, seemingly processing the new information. "What year did he graduate?"

"I just said—" Emery runs a hand over her face. "I don't know. Isaac said he was twelve when Camden enlisted, so maybe around 2006?"

Another moment of silence passes over their phone call, and Emery waits for the boy to ask another question. Then Stiles blurts, "Thanks, Em. Bye!" and ends the conversation.

Emery shakes her head dismissively. Why is Stiles asking her about Isaac's brother?

Scott emerges from the examination room, looking at Emery with curious eyes when he sees her expression. He doesn't say anything to her, though, because the sound of a car pulling into the parking lot outside catches his attention as he makes his way to the door.

He inserts the key and twists it, pushing the frame open. Scott's eyebrows knit together in dismay at the sight of Isaac walking beside Derek as they enter the clinic. "What's he doing here?"

"I need him," Derek replies shortly. He motions to Emery, who stands by the desk. "What's she doing here?"

Scott glares at the beta, ignoring Derek's inquiry. "I don't trust him."

Isaac crosses the room to meet Emery's side, resting his body against the edge of the desk and wrapping an arm around her waist. They're almost at the same height when he's sitting down, and she leans into him as he responds to Scott. "Yeah, well, he doesn't trust you either."

Derek's features are filled with agitation at the teenagers' bickering. "And Derek really doesn't care. Now where's the vet? Is he gonna help us or not?"

"That depends," Deaton states, appearing in the doorway leading to the examination room. He has his arms crossed over his chest; one shoulder pressed against the wall. "Your friend, Jackson. Are we planning to kill him or save him?"

"Kill him."

"Save him."

Emery and Isaac glance at each other when Scott and Derek give opposite answers to Deaton's question. She absentmindedly traces circular patterns on his knuckles with her fingertips, his hand resting at her hip as they watch Scott turn to glower at Derek.

"Save him," Scott repeats his statement to further emphasize their intended plan. He averts his narrowed gaze to his boss. "Save him."

Deaton nods, turning the other way and leaving them to follow him into the back room. The werewolves stand across from Emery and Deaton as they surround the examination table, the veterinarian placing a metallic crate filled with various bottles. Each of the lids to the containers have symbols engraved at the top, labeling the powders and herbs within the glass.