Wild Ones - Teen Wolf fan fic

Right here

"I can't believe we did that. I can't believe I did that!" I said, nervously sipping my Pepsi. Stiles sighed and took the can from me.

"I know. You've only said it like a million times now." He took a chug and handed it back to me. I set it in the cupholder of his jeep and relaxed back, reclining in the seat, with my bare feet dangling out the window. The weather was mild, with a cool breeze blowing in from the west. The sun was starting to drop, leaving everything a fiery shade of orange. I smiled.

We had left the school and come straight here to the edge of the preserve, overlooking the creek. The only sounds were the water and the rustle of the trees in the wind. Perfection. I closed my eyes and relaxed.

"Artemis?"

"Hmm?"

"...nevermind."

I opened my eyes and looked at him. He now sat rigid with his arms crossed tightly across his chest. He stared out at the water, a frown etched in his forehead.

"What's wrong?" I asked, shifting so I reclined facing him. He shook his head and scratched his neck.

"It's nothing."

I frowned. "It's not nothing. It's something. What is it?" He glanced at me for a second then turned his attention back to the water.

"I just... There's so much going on right now, and I'm not supposed to talk about it. I'm just supposed to take it as it comes and keep it to myself. And all this crap just keeps building up. And I have Noone to talk to about it, without hurting someone. And even if I keep my mouth shut, someone's going to get hurt anyways. And I don't know what to do- It's all so messed up!" He hit the steering wheel, making me jump in surprise. His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists around it. I had no clue what he was talking about.

"Why don't you try talking to Scott and Allison?" I asked, cautiously. Stiles snorted.

"Scott? Allison? They're in the middle of all of it. And I can't talk to them about it because I don't want them to think I have any doubts. But I do! I have doubts. About everything. Scott thinks he can protect everyone, but he can't. And Noone else knows what's going on. But its better that way. The less people who know, the less people who are in danger." He threw his head back against the headrest and sighed in exasperation.

"Talk to me." His eyes snapped open and he looked at me as if he had only just realized it was me sitting beside him. He stared at me for a few moments and I could see the turmoil there in his eyes. Could see the war waging there. I knew exactly how he felt. Torn. Torn between what was right for all and what was right for him. He shook his head.

"I can't drag you into it. It's not fair to you." I took his hand off the wheel and laced my fingers with his.

"Stiles. You can talk to me. I don't want you to ever feel like you can't talk to me. I want you to drag me in if it'll take some of the burden off your shoulders. And I'm not demanding that you talk to me now, tell me everything now. I just want you to know, if you ever choose to or are ready to... I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." He squeezed my hand and gave me a half-hearted smile. I gave him a genuine one. Something I didn't give to just anyone. He watched me for a few more minutes. I knew he was searching for something, a lie, a secret, something. But I also knew he wouldn't find one. I surprised myself with how open I was with him. I'd never felt the need to build walls between us. I was comfortable. And that scared the shit out of me.

Suddenly my phone began buzzing.

"Sorry, I should get that." I untangled our hands and picked up my phone from the dashboard. On the screen was a picture of Elle. 'Shit' I thought, trying to brainstorm a good excuse for being two hours late.

"Hello?" I answered it, praying for leniency. No such luck.

"Where are you?! Why haven't you called?! Mal and I have been sitting here worried sick about you!" I smirked imagining Mal sitting on the couch, filing her nails and rolling her eyes at Elle's words. Worried? Ha. Hopeful was more like. Hopeful that I'd been hit by a bus.

"I had detention, but I'm on my way home now." I gestured to Stiles to start the jeep, he nodded, hearing Elle.

"Detention?! Artemis Costa McCob! You get here now!" With that she hung up. I stuffed my phone into my bag and sat my seat upright again.

"Sorry, you had to hear that." I looked out my window gloomily, not looking forward to my welcome home. Stiles chuckled.

"I've heard far worse." I smiled. His father was the sheriff, so I believed he had.

We pulled up the driveway and parked.

"Artemis. Thanks for listening to me bitch and moan." I smiled and nodded.

"Like I said, I'm right here. And thanks for saving me."

"Kidnapping." He corrected me. "And is 'Costa' really your middle name?"

Before I could respond, a very angry looking Elle stormed from the house, followed by a very smug looking Mal.

"You have five seconds to get your sorry ass in the house. Starting now! And I don't know what you have to do with this, Stiles, but go home! I'm sure your dad is wondering where you are." I sent Stiles an apologetic smile and rushed to the house, Elle hot on my heels.

*******************************************

"So, what happened?!" Elle snapped as I sat at the kitchen table, nibbling on a plum. I shrugged.

"I had to clean the lacrosse fields with the janitors." Elle rolled her eyes.

"I meant, what did you do to earn a detention?" I took a bite of my plum and met her gaze.

"I feu asweep during cwass." I slurred my words with a mouthful of plum. She stared hard at me for a moment before deflating.

"It's the nightmares isn't it. You can't sleep." Her voice was soft and sad. I looked up to see Mal scowling from the sink, obviously not appreciating the turn of topic. I nodded at Elle and dropped my plum on my napkin.

"Hunny, do you want us to schedule you an appointment with Dr. Hoffman? He can prescribe you something, I'm sure."

I frowned. I'd been on all sorts of different medications and sedatives since my parents had died and not one of them ever did what they were supposed to do. I shook my head.

"No. I'm fine. It won't happen again." Elle watched me with a look of sadness on her pretty face. "But I've got to go get ready. Lydia's party is tonight. I promised I'd be there." Actually I had promised just the opposite.

Elle's eyebrows shot to the roof but then she sighed.

"Fine. I'm not that great at this whole bad cop thing. That's Brent's job. But he's not here. So, I'm letting you off the hook this one time. Got it?"

I grinned at her and ran upstairs.

My phone started buzzing the moment I slammed my door shut.

"Hello?" I asked, not recognizing the number.

"Don't forget. Dress or skirt with leggings. If you look like a rag-a-muffin when you get here, I will dress you myself. And trust me, you don't want that." I rolled my eyes at Lydia's petty threats.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Good. Be here by nine. That's when everything should be in full swing." I could just imagine her vacant expression as she spoke, twirling her hair around her fingers.

"Ok, Lydia. Bye now." I said sweetly, pressing 'end call' a little harder than necessary. I went to my closet and threw open the doors.

"Nope. No. No. Eh. No. What the hell is that? No. Here we go." I spoke to myself as I flipped through hanger after hanger, coming to a stop at a little party dress. I smirked. 'Oh, Lydia will eat her words tonight.' I thought happily, laying the dress out on my bed. I grabbed my towel and went to shower. 'Tonight is gunna be interesting.'