Right Beside You | Stiles Stilinski | Two

22 - Transport Troubles

"You did what?!"

Scott threw up his hands, looking nervously up and down the hallway. "Shh! It was the only thing we could think of to hold him!"

"A prison transport van?! Do you realize that's illegal?! Do you know how illegal that is?!"

"Yes! Yes, Scarlett, I know it's illegal. You know what else is illegal? Murder! Which is what's gonna happen if we don't keep Jackson locked up."

"He has a point," Allison sighed, leaning her shoulder on the locker next to mine. "We can't keep him at Scott's house, because his mom could find him at call the sheriff. We can't keep him at Stiles's house, because his dad is the sheriff. Your mom is home twenty-four-seven, and if my family finds him, he's dead."

"I know," I groaned. "I know, it's just...this isn't something we're gonna get away with this time."

"You never know," Scott said with a weak smile. "Who's gonna think two teenage boys could get their hands on a prison transport van anyway?"

I gave him a pointed look and he deflated like an old party balloon.

"Okay, one problem at a time. Jackson's safe for now. Now will you please just take the coffee, Scarlett?"

"No," I repeated, for what felt like the hundredth time. I glared at the offending cup in his hand. "I'm not going to take a coffee bribe sent by my stupid, completely idiotic, law-breaking, criminal boyfriend."

"Okay," he tried, turning on his puppy dog eyes. "What about your super nice, super apologetic, super worried-that-you-have-a-hangover boyfriend?"

"Hm. Not keen on acknowledging him either."

"Oh, just take the coffee, Scarlett." Allison grabbed the cup and pushed it into my hands, giving me a fierce look. "Stiles is an idiot, but he's sorry. About Jackson, about Lydia, about everything. We all are. Just let him make it up to you."

I pursed my lips, staring down at the coffee. Stiles had texted me that morning, just like he'd promised he would, assuring me that he and Jackson were safe and the Scott would explain everything when he saw me at school. Apparently, before they'd split up last night, Stiles had pushed some money into Scott's hands and typed my coffee order into his phone—a shotty apology gift to get me through the day. But I knew he was trying.

I rolled my eyes and took a sip. I tried to stop myself from enjoying it, but Allison gave me a knowing smile all the same.

"I should go before anyone sees me. I'll talk to you later."

She stared at Scott for a moment, her lips trembling as her smile threatened to fall away.

It was awful to watch the two of them. Not because they were so grossly in love, but because it was almost painful that they couldn't be. I gladly would have taken third wheeling their dates and being uncomfortable as they made out next to me if it meant they didn't have to look so sad all the time. They stared at each other, memorizing each line and curve that they wouldn't be able to look at in class. It was like they wouldn't see each other again for eternity.

Finally, Allison seemed to gain the courage to separate herself. She mumbled another goodbye and slunk down the hallway, her head hanging low. Scott watched her dutifully until her back disappeared around the corner.

"This sucks," I said for him, shaking my head bitterly. "I mean, I get that you guys can't go out because it's a life or death situation for you, but in school? You guys should be able to talk to each other, at least a little bit. Who's gonna find out?"

"I don't know if you remember this, but her grandfather is the principal."

"Okay, fine, but Gerard is in the main office. You think he's got student scouts reporting to him every time you and Allison look at each other? Maybe there's a special unit of teachers he's deployed to write incident reports every time you pass in the hallway."