The Wild Side | Stiles Stilinski | One

9 - Gameplay

Just when we were finally dressed and ready to head out to the lacrosse game, Mr. Argent threw another wrench in our plans.

"Allison, why don't you ride with me?" he asked as he stepped into the driveway.

Allison already had one foot in the minivan, which she stamped back to the pavement in mounting frustration. "Dad! Come on!"

"No, I'm sure Scarlett understands, don't you, Scarlett? The way a lot of kids drive these days, I just want to make sure that my daughter's safe. I'm not really comfortable letting her be your passenger when we've only just met."

"You let Scott drive me to the party," Allison said sourly.

Her father shot her a look, and I stepped in before any more damage was done.

"That's okay," I said, adopting my best people-pleaser voice. "Actually, why don't you guys ride together and you can tail me to the high school? It'll be like an Argent-issued road test."

"Scarlett, you really don't have to," Allison started, but I shook her head.

"I kinda do. It's gonna be hard to hang out anywhere if I can't drive you. Go on! I'll meet you at the game."

Reluctantly, Allison nodded and followed her father to his car. I secured Scott's poster in the back of the van, took a long time buckling my seat belt, and then pulled out onto the road.

Chris Argent was smart; I had to give him that. Obviously, he didn't have any trouble letting Allison drive around with her friends. His real fear was that Allison and I would spend the drive to school plotting against him, finding ways for Allison to sneak off with Scott. Which is absolutely what we'd been planning to do, so...good for him, I figured.

Still, I was going to have to think of something. Allison had been beside herself when she found out her dad hadn't been joking about coming to the game. She'd practically been shaking as she tried to get dressed. I promised that I would help get Allison and Scott alone, but it was going to be puzzle with Mr. Argent breathing down our necks.

I drove more carefully than usual on my way to the school. I paused longer at stop signs, signaled with directional lights a tad earlier than necessary, and just to show off, pulled into a perfectly executed parallel park when we reached the field, leaving the last marked stall for Mr. Argent.

I grinned as I hopped out, grabbing my belongings from the back. "So? How'd I do?"

"Beautifully," Mr. Argent chuckled as they walked over.

I curtseyed, making Allison roll her eyes.

"We're gonna go grab snacks," she said, giving me a pointed look. "Can you save us seats?"

"Yeah, of course. I have to go find Lydia anyway."

We parted ways, Allison and her father walking toward the concession stand at the entrance to the school while I made my way to the field.

It was no surprise that the stands were already mobbed. Most of the school was there, plus parents and faculty, on top of all the visiting fans from the opposing team. Altogether, it was almost more than the bleachers could handle. Finding Lydia was going to take forever, even with her bright red hair.

Instead, I pushed my way down to the sidelines, where the lacrosse team was beginning to fill out the bench. I spotted Jackson already in place, sitting alone, and figured that was my best place to start.

"Hey, stranger," I offered, strolling up behind him. "How you feeling?"

Jackson glanced back at me over his shoulder, and for a moment, I caught him with his walls down. It had only happened a few times over the last few months, but it always shocked me to my core. Jackson's blue-grey eyes stared up at me, tentative and worried. He seemed sad, lonely, and above all, tired.