Castles Crumbling | S. Stilinski

76| Can you be optimistic for once?

"Liv.."

I look over my shoulder at Scott. We kinda made up the other day after reading the Dread Doctors book. He apologized for what he said. It's been semi normal between us.

"What's up?"

"We gotta get to the clinic."

"Umm.. why?"

"Just, come on."

I follow him out of my room and down the stairs. I see his bike, rolling my eyes.

"You still haven't had a ride on it."

I snatch the helmet he gives me. I put it on, getting on the bike behind him. I wrap my arms around his stomach.

He's been begging me to let him take me on a ride since he's gotten it. Our mom hates it. It scares her which is funny considering some of the shit we've been in.

We reach the clinic and I hop off. He walks in first, blocking my view of who we're meeting. I see a body on the table with Stiles and Theo on one side of it.

I walk closer to the body, getting a good look at the kids face. A kid is what he is. Or was. That's what all the chimera's are, just kids. I can't tear my eyes away from his face.

"Do you recognize him?"

"Josh." Scott says. "He's a junior."

"Who did it?"

I finally look up to Stiles. He ignores my gaze.

"Was it the one with the cane?"

Stiles doesn't answer. He looks at Theo instead.

"Yeah."

He's lying. They're both lying. It wasn't the Dread Doctors who killed Josh. My thoughts are interrupted by my phone. I pull it out to look at Liam's text.

Liam: Don't be mad. I'm at your house with Hayden. The Dread Doctors were after her

"What?"

"Another chimera."

I look at Scott.

"Meet at the house."

I throw a portal and walk through it. I walk down the hall to Ashley's room to see it empty. I turn my head hearing Liam and Ashley bicker like an old married couple. They're in my room.

"I'm gonna kill them.."

I walk up the stairs and go to my room. I stand in the doorway with my arms crossed as Liam smiles.

"Your little puppy dog eyes are not working on me, Liam."

I look at my closed bathroom door. I knock on the door.

"Hayden, it's Olivia. You definitely do not know me very well but umm.. please, get out of my bathroom."

She doesn't say anything. I listen to her heartbeat. It's beating like crazy. I turn around to Liam and Ashley.

"What the hell happened?" I ask. "I don't think I've ever heard someones heart beating that fast before."

Stiles and Scott run into my room.

"She was fine when we got here. I texted you for two seconds and she locked herself there."

"Why the hell were you even in my room?"

"I didn't want them in my room.." Ashley chimes in.

I slightly hold my hands out to air strangle her. Stiles walks around me to try and get her to open up by knocking on the door.

"I know you don't really know me but I will literally break this door down and-"

"We just need to tell you the truth. And that kinda thing is better face to face." Scott interrupts me. "Hayden.. just unlock the door."

She unlocks the door, leaving it slightly open. Scott pushes the door open more, revealing Hayden's glowing yellow eyes.

The next day comes fast. I slept like shit mainly because I slept on the couch. Hayden slept in my bed with Bella looking after her. I could've slept with my mom but decided not to when Stiles offered to stay the night.

I'm sure Stiles slept even shittier because he slept on the floor. I walk down the hall to the library as our conversation from last night replays in my head.

"Livvy?" He whispers. "You up?"

I can't sleep. I'm tired, exhausted even but I can't sleep with him this close to me. We're not even that close. I'm on the couch and he's on the floor.

"Yeah.."

It's dead silent. Everyone in the house is sleeping except us. Under any other circumstance I'd find this peaceful. It's been a long time since I've had silent bliss without a worry about world domination from some lunatic.

"Malia and I broke up."

I don't know what to say to that. What am I supposed to say to that?

"Oh."

"I love you."

And there goes my heart.

"There hasn't been a moment in my life where I haven't. I've made some real shitty decisions that made it seem like I didn't and I'm sorry."

I hold in my tears. I don't know what to say. I can't tell him I love him and that I made mistakes too. He will always be my one true love.

"Say something."

"Stiles, I don't know what you want me to say."

"Say you love me.. and never stopped."

My heart aches because I do, I want to say that. But I know I can't.

"If you're in my life you will always be in danger. I'm not the kind of person who gets to live a happy ever after. The people closest to me will always be targeted and I don't think I can live like that with you."

I've lost so many people and it showed me that no matter how powerful I am, I can't save everyone. Even the people I love. I survived losing them even when I thought I couldn't.

I don't think I could survive losing Stiles. Everyone was right. Stiles Stilinski will always be my greatest weakness.

"Tell me you don't love me."

I can't do that either.

"Tell me you'll never love me again."

I close my eyes, tears falling down the sides of my face.

"I love you."

I get to the library, looking at Stiles and Scott. I let out a shaky breath while walking towards them. I don't really know the dynamic between us right now. Admitting I love him out loud to him feels like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

"So.." I say. "What's the plan?"

Scott explains the plan as I nod.

"Do we really think this is gonna work?"

"Can you be optimistic for once?"

I force a smile.

"What a glorious plan, Scotty, this will go great."

I glance at Stiles. After Scott gives me the rundown I walk out of the library, heading towards the parking lot. I look over my shoulder as Stiles runs after me.

"About last night-"

I don't let him finish, crashing my lips onto his. I wrap my hand around his neck as his hands find my lower back. After a few seconds I pull away.

"Does that answer your question?"

"I-I didn't even ask it yet."

I know he's doubting what I said but I meant it. I love him. I always have and I always will.

I step out of his grasp, fixing my now messed up lip gloss. I don't really know what this means for us but I do know I need to get home.