Playing with Claws (Teen Wolf)

Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

Charlie's POV :

A sleepless night was the least of my worries when the warm golden rays of the rising sun lit up my room the next morning. It was a rather lovely day with a faintly clouded bright blue sky and almost no possibility of an unanticipated downpour. A day too perfect for a completely despicable event ; Lyla's memorial.

I thought I had time to prepare myself for this day, but it had come upon us a little too fast. I'd composed a mini eulogy which I'd written down on a piece of paper after drafting almost a million times. I was never the one to grab an entire crowd's attention with my speaking skills, but I knew what could impact peoples' insides. I didn't want to over praise her nor did I want to undermine any of her beautiful qualities, I only wanted to do her justice, especially for her heartbroken family who would be attending.

I witnessed a sudden attack of nerves that made me rethink my decision of speaking tonight. No Charlie, you can do this. Do it for her.

I forced myself out of bed and got into the shower. I watched the water wash away the sweat that had built up around my neck and almost half of my entire upper-body due to anxiety, but the feeling inside didn't seem to go away. I realized I was trying to occupy myself with my nerves so that I didn't have to face the real emotion that I had been neglecting; Fear of stark desolation and causing a scene at the memorial.

I stayed in there for a while until I heard a soft knock on the door. I quickly rinsed my face and jumped into my bath robe, my entire body soaking wet. I opened the door hoping to see Mom.

A little taller than me and up too close in my personal space stood Stiles Stilinski.

"Stiles?! What the hell?!"

"Ooh, is this a bad time?" He asked, a playful chime in his voice.

And then my head exploded.

To add to the despair that I was in about Lyla's memorial, all of yesterday just flooded through my system and re-enlightened me with the fact that I shouldn't trust anyone unless they provided me with the truth.

I grabbed my bathroom mop and prepared myself to duel him with it.

"What do you want Stiles?" I roared.

"Woah there! Calm down. I get it, you're not a morning person and frankly, it would've been a lot more intimidating without your "all-powerful" mop in the way. I'm surprised at your weapon choice! Personally, I would've gone for a baseball bat cause it could offer more power and control, but that's just me. I mean I'm sure I wouldn't want to be caught robbing your house." He put his arms in the air and smiled. He was trying to pull my leg.

"And, Yesterday... Well yesterday, I saw a whole different side of you..." His voice became deeper and the corners of his mouth twisted to form a grin. He was definitely referring to the kiss, the one that I conveniently tried to forget about.

He's not giving you the truth, Charlie! Snap out of it!

"If you're here to educate me on what the hell happened last night, and what you guys were up to, then please stay. Else, get out of my house!" I was a little too stern but I needed to make a point. Contrarily, he was amused by the way I unconsciously waved my mop at him.

"Look Charlie, I know yesterday was absurd, but can we just forget about that and talk for a second? I want to know if you're okay. Also, about what happened in my kitchen yesterday ..."He moved forward and closed in the distance between us. His hands cupped my face and I was forced to look into his eyes.