Everything Has Changed [LIAM DUNBAR] #2

Stayin' Alive

"What do you think you're doing?"

Aspen jumped, turning her head to see Mason beside her, a wild look on his face. She looked back at Deputy Clarke as she drove away. "Someone has to tell her about Hayden."

Mason exclaimed, "No, somebody doesn't have to be you, okay? Especially looking like this."

Aspen looked down at her dirty shirt, little smudges of blood from Liam's hands on it. She glanced sadly at Liam as Mason continued. "I mean, what if they think you killed her?"

Aspen sighed and closed her eyes, leaning against the car. "Maybe I did."

Mason's eyes landed on Liam and Aspen's hands, intertwined subconsciously between them. "You didn't, okay? And she's gonna find out, but it's not going to hurt any less coming from you."

There were tears rolling down her face again, creating new tracks in the dirt on her cheeks, but she wouldn't look at them. Aspen stared off at the flashing police car lights, their sirens ringing in her ears.

Liam inhaled beside her, standing up suddenly. Aspen looked up at him, running the back of her hand under her nose. "What?"

His eyes fluttered around, his head looking straight at the police station. "It's.. It's Hayden's scent.."

Aspen stood up, leaning against the car still. "What do you mean? She's.. She's dead..." Mason put a hand on Liam's shoulder. "Liam, stop."

"But I-I swear..."

"Liam," Mason said, lowering his voice, "You're making things worse. You watched Parrish carry her body out of the hospital.. She's dead."

Liam shook his head, his hand finding Aspen's again. "I-I'm sorry.. It was her, I-I swear."

Aspen swallowed, her head leaning against his shoulder. "It's.. It's okay."

Mason put a hand on her arm. "Come on.."

The three friends started walking to Mason's car but Aspen stopped, seeing a flash of brown hair in the corner of her eye. "What?" Mason asked. She blinked, turning around in a complete circle. "I-I thought I saw.." Her voice trailed away and she cleared her throat.

"Never mind.."

-/-

As soon as Aspen got Scott's call, she was outside of Lydia's hospital room in seconds, Stiles standing just outside as well.

"Stiles," she gasped, flinging her arms around the tall boy's waist, face colliding with his chest. His lanky arms coiled around her as well, his chin resting on the top of her blonde head.

Aspen looked up at him. "I-I heard about your dad.. Is he all right?"

Stiles swallowed and looked down the hall, away from her. "I... I don't know."

Aspen knew when to not press the subject, so she took Stiles' hand instead and they walked into Lydia's room, Aspen spotting her mom immediately.

"Mom," she whispered, eyes locking on her catatonic sister. "What happened-"

Her mom turned around, setting her jaw angrily. "No.. No you don't," she said, "You're not coming in here. Get out."

Aspen's heart dropped and she blinked. "What?" Her mother's nostrils flared and she pointed at the door. "Get out!"

Aspen's mouth parted and was suddenly very dry. Stiles stepped in front of her. "Just wait, wait. I think I know who did this, just let me look at the back of her neck-"