The Youngest (Teen Wolf) Rewritten

Chapter Twenty-Four

"Hey," Jackson said, in a bit of a sweaty mess. "What time should I pick you up for the dance tomorrow?"

Jackson looked really scared and paler than usual. This sudden appearance caused Allison's eyes to widen but smile a bit amused and Kylie, who was in the teenager's arms, to frown.

"Are you okay?" Kylie asked, unsure.

"Yeah, I - I'm great. I'm just excited to go to the formal. With Allison. As friends. Just friends. Just - just friends." Jackson said, stuttering and rushing his words as though he was being watched.

Allison and Kylie giggled at the state Jackson was in and Jackson laughed with them.

"Yeah, we'll just have to drop Kylie with Coach and then we can do whatever we want to do, I guess." Allison answered, motionning to the toddler in her arms.

"The Coach?" Jackosn asked confused.

"Yeah, he's gonna be the 'responsible adult' for Kylie until either me, Scott's mom or Scott himself come and gets her." Allison explained and Kylie smiled cheekily at Jackson.

"Okay, duly noted." Jackson said, then he poked Kylie's nose. "You're a lucky one, aren't you, Little Miss Incredible?"

"Yep!" Kylie agreed and she giggled as Jackson poked her stomach.

Then they walked away, but not without Kylie spotting her brother and Stiles watching them from the corner of a corridor. She smiled and waved at them and they waved back.

Kylie was now in Lydia's arms as the Strawberry Blonde had decided to take the trio to the mall to buy dresses for all three of them. Lydia's was for the Formal, and Allison's was as well, though there was a hint of an apology in it. As for Kylie's, well, Lydia simply felt like spoiling her with something pretty.

Lydia glanced at Allison as they drove, the mall coming into view. She could tell something was off; Allison's usual spark seemed dimmer, her smile more strained. Lydia adjusted her grip on Kylie, who was busy playing with the hem of her own tiny jacket, oblivious to the tension between the two older girls.

"You okay, Allison?" Lydia finally asked, breaking the silence that had settled in the car. She tried to keep her voice casual, but the curiosity was clear.

Allison forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, just... thinking about everything," she said, her gaze shifting from Lydia to the passing scenery outside.

Lydia raised an eyebrow, her eyes narrowing slightly as she shifted her attention back to the road. "Thinking about everything, huh? Is that code for 'something specific is bugging me, but I don't want to say it out loud'?" she probed, her tone half teasing but layered with genuine concern.

Kylie, oblivious to the tension, looked up at Allison. "Alli sad?" she asked, her innocent voice cutting through the tension like a small bell.

Allison's expression softened as she looked at Kylie, her hand brushing gently against the little girl's cheek. "No, sweetheart. Not sad. Just... a bit tired." She glanced over at Lydia, who gave her a knowing look that said she wasn't buying the excuse.

"Hmm, tired." Lydia hummed thoughtfully as they pulled into the mall's parking lot. "Well, nothing perks someone up quite like retail therapy. And maybe a hot chocolate," she added, winking at Kylie, who instantly perked up at the mention.

"Hot choc'late!" Kylie repeated enthusiastically, her tiny arms waving excitedly.

Lydia chuckled, turning to Allison. "You can't be sad when there's hot chocolate, and a perfect dress just waiting to be found, right?" she said, giving Allison's arm a gentle squeeze.