𝑽𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒓 | Derek Hale & Stiles Stilinski

Chapter 6

Flashback

Derek and Paige were sitting together in the library during their free period, with Paige helping Derek study English.

"Sometimes I think you're losing brain cells because of your handsome jock reputation," Paige teased as she reviewed Derek's practice worksheet.

"What did I do wrong this time?" Derek asked, exasperated.

"The analysis is off," Paige said, moving to sit beside him to explain better.

As Paige delved into the intricacies of literary analysis, Derek couldn't help but stare at her with adoration in his eyes. He was a young boy deeply in love. Every time he looked at Paige, he fell harder. She was smart, sometimes sharp-tongued, and even cunning according to Peter. But above all, she was his anchor. Paige didn't realize it, but she was the reason Derek was happier and more in control of his emotions. He wasn't good with words, but he was good at expressing his feelings in other ways.

He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, catching her off guard. She paused, a mixture of surprise and amusement crossing her face. Derek smiled, his dimples showing, and before she could chide him for being inappropriate, he captured her lips with his own.

The kiss was soft and slow, as if he had all the time in the world. One hand cradled her cheek, pulling her closer and keeping her in place. she melted against him, lost in the sensation.

Every time they kissed, Paige felt as though she were drunk—intoxicated by love. When they finally pulled apart, she found herself chasing his lips, wanting more. Derek responded by pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, grounding her from the haze.

"Stupid Hale," she muttered, her cheeks flushed as she avoided his gaze.

"Hmm, your stupid Hale," he replied with a smirk.

Paige playfully hit him with a textbook, unable to suppress her smile.

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After returning from practice, Stiles settled down to dive into detailed research on werewolves, keeping his other genius best friend, Sylvia, updated throughout. Recognizing that Stiles was on the right track, Sylvia joined in, jotting down all the important points in a spare red journal labeled "research."

She had no interest in attending Lydia's party and was looking forward to reading The Lightning Thief  when a call from Stiles interrupted her.

"You need to come with me to Lydia's party," Stiles said urgently before Sylvia could even greet him.

"Hello to you too, Stiles. But no," Sylvia replied curtly.

"Scott nearly ripped me apart, and the full moon might make him kill someone."

"He did what now?" Sylvia was shocked, to say the least.

"Just get ready; I will pick you up in 20 minutes," Stiles insisted.

"Okay, fine..." Sylvia grumpily agreed and started getting ready after ending the call.

She pulled out a white round-neck top, high-waisted black shorts, and a black leather jacket. She painted her nails a striking red, matching the color on her lips, and left her straight hair down. She accessorized with a silver chain and a crescent moon pendant, along with a few silver rings on both hands.

With her parents working the night shift, she sent them a quick text, receiving a prompt "Stay safe" from her mother. By the time she was slipping on her black pointed-toe ankle boots, she heard Stiles blaring his car horn. Locking her front door, she slid into the front seat of his car.

‎‧₊˚✩ 🪐✩˚₊‧

Sylvia was trying to fend off a group of drunken revelers while keeping an eye on Scott and Allison. The way Scott behaved around Allison reminded her of Derek—the lovesick smile and the glint in his eyes.

Allison and Scott were now nose-to-nose, and just when it seemed like they were about to kiss, Scott's grip tightened around the back of Allison's jacket. The full moon was finally starting to take effect on his body. He was suddenly stricken with a terrible headache as all his senses heightened at once, causing him to groan and clutch his temples. Allison stopped dancing, looking at him with concern.

"Are you okay?" she asked, worry evident in her voice.

Scott continued to groan until the ache subsided slightly. He opened his eyes just enough to see where he was going and turned to find somewhere private to ride out the sickness.

Sylvia noticed the sad look on Allison's face as she approached her.

"Hey, Allison," she called out. Allison looked up. "Scott wasn't feeling well before the party, but he insisted on coming because he promised you," Sylvia explained.

Allison's face lit up with a relieved smile, her beautiful dimples on display. "Scott told me about you."

"All good things, I hope," Sylvia joked.

"I'd like to hang out with you sometime," Allison said warmly. Sylvia nodded with a smile.

"So, anyone in your sights?" Allison teased. Before Sylvia could answer, a gruff voice called out.

"Allison."

Both girls turned to see Derek standing behind them, a charming smile on his face—the one Sylvia was familiar with, but this one didn't reach his eyes.

"I'm a friend of Scott's," Derek said.

Allison glanced back at the path Scott took to get home before turning back to Derek, who stepped closer, his eyes fixed on her.

"My name's Derek."

This fucker! Sylvia thought, her heart skipped a beat at his sudden appearance.