Searching For You (TW/TMR Fusion)

Chapter 5

Scott tapped his pen on the table while willing the time to go faster. Unfortunately for him, being a werewolf didn't actually give him any power over time.

He sighed forcefully, and glanced to his side to share an ever-suffering look with Stiles, when he remembered.

Stiles had left.

He had just packed and left Beacon Hills. Left him, Scott.

Scott felt an irrational anger flood him, which was quenched even before it could take hold, by an unrelenting wave of worry.

Was he okay? Was he eating properly? Was he remembering to take his medications?

He sighed again.

Unbidden, his mind flashed to that day. He cursed his wolf nature which granted him with high clarity vision.

He doubted that he could ever forget the way Stiles' face fell when the pack's unanimous decision to keep him safe by cutting him off was announced. Nor could he forget how hopeful Stiles had looked when he looked at his best friend, hoping to see at least a token of protest, and how his warm brown eyes had darkened with betrayal and sorrow.

Not for the first time, Scott wished that he had opposed the dumb decision put forth by the Alpha, Derek. Maybe if he had, this wouldn't have happened. Maybe if he had atleast gone after him, or spoken to him at school or gone over to his house, he would have been able to spot the signs of depression.

God, all these what-ifs made his head hurt, and a werewolf can't even get headaches.

He turned and saw Allison. His beautiful, fierce and absolutely stunning girlfriend. Looking at her, all his worries faded, leaving only mushy feelings behind.

He reassured himself that Stiles can take care of himself, and that he'll be fine.

Before starting to daydream about Allison, a tiny part of him wondered whether he was really that willing to cast aside concern for his best friend, who might be in danger for all anyone knows,to think about his girlfriend, who is quite safe in Beacon Hills.

***

Allison glanced at her boyfriend. She was worried about him. She was also worried for Stiles. She knew that Scott hadn't been paying much attention to Stiles since she came into the picture.

She wondered if she had been the reason for creating a wedge between them. When Scott had called a pack meeting to let them know that Stiles had decided to take a break from Beacon Hills, she hadn't known what to think.

That was when Scott had dropped the bombshell.

Stiles had been depressed.

And, they hadn't noticed it!

All Allison could feel was guilt. Maybe she should've told Scott to check on Stiles. Stiles, who had never been anything but kind to her. Stiles, who always found time to help her whenever she was in need of help. Stiles, who had only put on a brave face and a fake smile when he noticed the distance growing between Scott and him.

The same Stiles whom she had been so very jealous of for the bond he had shared with Scott.

Was it any wonder she felt guilty?

Please Stiles, please be safe, she prayed.

***

A few rows over, another pack member was thinking about the erratic human, too.

Lydia Martin was always fascinated with interesting things.
But for her to maintain the popular air-head image, it was near impossible for her to just let loose and indulge in whatever she wanted.

And Stiles had been the most interesting of everything, person or otherwise, she had ever come across.

She had worked quite hard to craft that mask of an average intelligent, arrogant high-schooler. And she had worked hard to maintain it constantly to prevent anyone from looking further than it.

When Lydia realised that Stiles hadn't even considered that facade to be real, but had kept quiet about it nonetheless, it had floored her. She was non-committal on the fact that Stiles happened to have a crush, the size of Mt Everest, on her. But the truth was, she was quite flattered and touched to realise that Stiles had seen the real Lydia and still liked her enough to crush on her.

Unlike what others thought, Lydia was very observant. She noticed and catalogued everything. This made her a formidable person. So, Lydia had noticed when something had been going on between Stiles and Derek. She wasn't sure what, but she did have her suspicions.

She also had noticed how Stiles' normally cheerful attitude deteriorated until it looked like he was barely holding on. She would have confronted him, but no matter how much she had wanted it to be true, she wasn't actually close with him.

So, she had trusted Scott McCall to take care of his best friend.

That was a mistake she would never commit again.

She also vowed to keep a close eye on Derek, while hoping that Stiles found enough of himself to put back together.

***

A/N:

Here is a few pack members' perspective of when Stiles had left. I apologise for any horrendous deviations in the mannerisms of the Teen Wolf characters. Do let me know of any mistakes, so I can correct them.

♡ and comments are much appreciated.