The darkness within

Chapter 3

She didn't have to look for long to find Jackson. Apart from the fact that the back door of the school gym could only lead to one place, Lydia knew that Jackson would pick a place where he felt like he belonged, where he had undeniable control and received unlimited praise. She quickly went to the back of the school perimeter and towards the lacrosse field. Walking in from behind the stands, she found him sitting at the player benches. He was sipping alcohol from his silver flask when he heard her approach in her noisy high heels. Jackson had to double-check, to make sure that it was indeed Lydia and he wasn't seeing things from the alcohol. His eyes opened wide and he almost choked when Lydia came closer; Jackson didn't think anyone would follow him, much less his ex-girlfriend. He wondered if she had seen him with Allison and got jealous. Jackson was sure that wasn't the case because Allison was her best friend and in a relationship. But then, why would Lydia be keeping an eye out for him? A couple of days before the prom, she had declared right in front of his face that she was already over him and that she, in fact:

- Already found a date for the Homecoming party.

He had no idea who that date was – and frankly, he didn't care – but when she showed up with that loser Stilinski by her side, he could barely hold his laughter. Jackson would later realize how much it bothered him. Lydia had made him feel ridiculed. What more did a good-for-nothing, buzz-headed moron had that he did not? How could she choose someone like Stilinski as a replacement? In his eyes, Stiles Stilinski was less than a proper school dance date; it was pure mockery.

When Lydia reached the bench, Jackson had so much he wanted to say. But instead, all that came out was:

- Why are you following me? What do you want?

Jackson's tone was cold, blunt and sharp like a blade. It made him look hostile in Lydia's eyes, and she couldn't blame him. His ex girlfriend was probably the last person he would like to see right now. She wanted – needed – to talk to him, however. Lydia didn't know where to begin or what to say; it was as if her mind had gone completely blank. She hesitated, but eventually decided to go sit beside him on the bench.

- I bet you missed me, Jackson said, gazing at the empty field in front of them.

Lydia was shocked. Was she that see-through after all? It was true, she had come to find him because she'd missed him. The awkward silence between them ate her up. Jackson wasn't looking at her and that bothered Lydia. Maybe he really was not interested in her after all; the vapor from his breath was too steady to tell. Jackson had gone through many break-ups, and had had his fair share of girlfriends in the past, but he had never gotten back with any of them. Lydia had witnessed through the years of hanging out with him. The way he would turn them down was brutal, to say the least. But none of them had ever made a huge matter out of it. Jackson didn't even talk to them; it was as if they never existed. Why was Lydia different? She wished she could come up with a list of reasons why Jackson Whittermore would still want her, when with a snap of his fingers he could have another girl wrapped around his little finger. He had seemed interested in Allison, which made her a bit mad but Lydia knew Allison would never do something such as going out with her ex. Plus, she was dating that dork McCall, and they were both so stupidly in love. Nothing she came up with made any sense to her. Thick clouds of vapor came out of her mouth. The night was damp and cold, and being outside wasn't ideal, unless you desperately needed a smoke.

- I... Lydia stuttered.

Jackson held his breath for a moment. Shock? Disgust? Embarrassment? Lydia wasn't sure. But what she did know was that she wanted him back.

- You know... I kind of miss you too, Jackson said flustered.

Lydia was shocked. She knew when she was being lied to, and this wasn't it. His words were genuine, just like Stiles' earlier. Jackson had missed her and he had admitted to it out loud. Affection wasn't really his thing, and it probably took a lot of courage for him to shove his ego aside and admit it. It was awkward, but Jackson finally turned to face her. It had been days since they had looked at each other for more than half a second, and she had missed that. His gaze was sweet and lovely, like never before. When Jackson would look at her, all Lydia saw was lust. That's all she had ever received in her life. Lustful looks from all the boys that had claimed to love her. She scooted closer, her heart beating like crazy. Jackson took her hands into his, and she felt his heartbeat through his wrists; that's how hard it beat.

Little did they both know, another heart was beating right there, right then, even harder and faster than theirs. Stiles had been listening in round the corner. He'd heard everything, like he always does. He had followed Lydia outside, for a bunch of reasons he had managed to convince himself were true. In reality – and he knew that pretty well, deep inside – Stiles had hoped that Jackson would push her away. That he would treat Lydia so harshly she'd come crying into his arms. He had hoped for the worst possible outcome to prove how worthy Stiles himself really was of her love. Him, not the ass in the expensive tux. He had hoped... but he was too smart to be caught up in false hope. He kept on listening in; he couldn't bring himself to leave.

- You missed me? Lydia exclaimed, almost relieved.

She wasn't sure if she was dreaming or not until she felt Jackson's warm touch over her freezing hands. They were soft and gentle. They had never held hands before; it excited her. This gesture reminded her of-

- Yeah. I did. Dumb, isn't it? Jackson breathed out, smiling to himself.

His words stopped her train of thought, and the feeling that was stirring up inside of her vanished. She didn't care. Jackson looked down at their hands, seeming glad to have reunited with Lydia. She was beyond happy as well. Lydia had managed to break through to him, to his softer side. Jackson leaned in. She didn't hesitate. The gap between their cold lips shrank further and further until it disappeared completely. Lydia savoured this moment of happiness she had been thinking about for so long. Jackson had brought his palm up to her cheek, placing it perfectly on her, like it was meant to fit there. Their moment, however, was interrupted by a loud thud, followed by the clanking of something metal on the ground. They both pulled away from the kiss and looked startled in the direction of the sound. It wasn't long before someone stepped out of the corner of the building and into the plenty of light shed by the floodlights of the field.

It was a slim, pale young man, with shaved head, in a suit that seemed a size too big for him. He was staring at them, his nose, cheeks and ears blushed red from the cold. Thick clouds of vapor gave away his heavy breathing, like mist that periodically hid his face. Stiles slowly slid his freezing hands into his pockets, and took a step closer toward the benches. His eyes were teary, probably from the cold. Or not. It was hard to tell. There was a slight tremble taking over his shoulders, and his lips quivered as he took notice of Lydia's smeared lipstick, the redness of Jackson's lips, their hands interwined. He begged his voice not to betray him and spoke.

- Welp, I'm glad you two made up.

He sniffled his cold nose.

- Sorry, just the cold. It's freezing out here. Y'know Jackson, Lydia was very upset because of you tonight.

Jackson eyed him angrily.

- I didn't ask for your opinion, you dumb ass. Didn't your daddy teach you not to interrupt? Sorry, maybe he was too drunk to remember to teach you manners.

- Jackson, please, Lydia pleaded with him.

Stiles bit his tongue. No, he wouldn't fight with Jack-ass, not in front of her, even though he itched to give him a piece of his own mind about how far that stick was shoved up his-

- Are you just gonna sit there and watch? Don't you have a computer at home for that kind of thing?

- Jackson! Lydia scolded him. 'Stiles, why don't you go inside? I'm sure you're cold and-'

- It's okay Lydia, no need to defend him. He is an... a bit strong-minded. Have a nice night, he waved at her and made his way back to where he'd come from.

- What a weirdo, Jackson scoffed. 'Did you see how he looked at you? Yikes. Just him and his hand tonight, am I right?'