Anyone But Her

Family Time

Lydia had been sat downstairs for awhile now, watching TV with Mrs Whittemore as they drank coffee together, ate some bacon sandwiches and watched reality TV. Lydia loved times like this is made her feel happy and appreciated unlike back at home with her own mother who barely had the time of day for her and was never around. Lydia was sure that most of the time, her mother forgot she even had a daughter. The sun had begun to glare through the blinds and was blinding Lydia, she could already tell that it was going to be a hot day.

Just soon after, Lydia heard small footsteps come downstairs and turned to see Bella walk in the room. She was wearing the cutest little bear onesie and was clutching a small brown teddy bear, rubbing her eyes of sleep. As soon as she spotted Lydia sat down, she raced over to her and curled up next to her. "Aww hiya cutie how are you this morning? i love your outfit!" Lydia spoke happily before attempting to tickle the little girl.

Bella rolled around in Lydia's arms laughing uncontrollably, saying she was good numerous times answering her question before Lydia stopped. Mrs Whittemore smiled happily at them. "Morning Sweetie! Are you hungry? What would you like for breakfast?" Mrs Whittemore spoke clearly as she stood up and walked over to Bella. "How about some pancakes?" She said while grinning and the little girl lit up with excitement as she got up and ran into the kitchen along with her mother.

Lydia smiled joyfully at the pair, she absolutely adored their relationship, it was so damn cute. Lydia was again alone with her thoughts, as she pondered what to do today. Before she could think of something, Mrs Whittemore re-emerged from the kitchen as if to answer her thoughts. "Oh by the way Lydia i forgot to mention, we're all off to the zoo today and we'd love it if you could come too!" She said cheerfully awaiting her response.

Lydia smiled contently at the idea before replying. "Aww I'd absolutely love to it sounds like a lot of fun and it looks like it's going to be a beautiful day today!" Lydia spoke gleefully as she stood up and with a smile and a nod Mrs Whittemore was back making pancakes in the kitchen. Lydia raced back up upstairs to grab her bag and noted that as usual Jackson was still asleep.

She quickly got her things together, going to the bathroom to change her outfit. She wore a floral romper that tied at her waist exaggerating her curves. She wore some black high heels to match and tied her hair up in a Dutch braid. She quickly applied some mascara, eyeliner and light pink lipstick. She didn't want to wear any foundation today if she was just going to sweat it off. Lydia took one last look in the mirror at how she looked and with a nod she was off back downstairs.

By the time she did come down, Mrs Whittemore has appeared to have finished making pancakes for Bella, which smelt amazing, and managed to somehow get Stiles to come back downstairs, and by now Jackson was also sat with him grumpily checking his phone. As soon as she walked in, Stiles was the first to look up, he looked her up and down quickly with wide eyes and dazed expression on his face before catching her gaze and going back in the huff he was in this morning.

Lydia tutted and ignored him sitting at the opposite sofa to his, crossing her legs elegantly and examining her nails. She noted that Jackson on the other hand hadn't even looked up and she'd be surprised if he noticed a change in a appearance at all. Mrs Whittemore soon walked in with Bella, who had gotten changed into the cutest pink and white polka dot dress she'd ever seen and a large straw hat, she announced that Mr Whittemore was actually taking a half day at work today and that he was on his way home to pick them up.

Lydia didn't know what Mr Whittemore's job was but she knew for certain that he must own his own company or something since he earned a lot of money and was able to control when he worked without any consequences. Jackson suddenly groaned loudly, "I don't want to go to the stinking Zoo, it's shitty." Jackson replied moaning like he was being forced to do slave labour or something.

Lydia rolled her eyes at him, he never ever wanted to do anything fun plus she knew they were mainly going for Bella and to get out on a hot day but she was still happy to be brought along too. To be honest, Lydia was more surprised that Stiles was going, he was usually the hardest to get out of his room, never mind actually go somewhere with them. He was so antisocial, the kid barely left his room for food.

"Shut up Jackson it's a beautiful day and we're going end of story. You too Stiles so don't even think about going back to bed." Mrs Whittemore spoke sternly, eyeing them both. "I didn't even say anything!" Stiles whined in protest while throwing his hands in the air dramatically at her accusation. "I know i just also know what you're like but we're having a family day out today so we're all going and you're all going to love it." Mrs Whittemore smiled with pleasure. Lydia always admired how much strength and resilience she had, especially when it came to the boys. Despite them being much taller and bigger than her she never put up with no crap from them.

Stiles and Jackson groaned loudly together while Bella's small giggle could be heard which made Lydia laugh too. Suddenly Mr Whittemore appeared at the front door, explaining that he was quickly off to change, before running upstairs. Mrs Whittemore swiftly noticed Stiles and spoke once more. "Stiles!" She spoke stiffly. "You're not even dressed go upstairs and change into some actual clothes that you can wear outside." She replied once more her voice aching with boredom.

"What?! but but what's wrong with what i'm wearing? i always wear this?" He replied hastily in defence while gesturing to his outfit. "Precisely Stiles. You ALWAYS wear that that's what i'm saying so go change please." she spoke back calmly while grabbing some sunblock and placing some on her hands before putting it on Bella. Lydia giggled a little at what she said and Stiles shot her a glare.

To be fair, Mrs Whittemore wasn't wrong, Stiles did always wear pretty much the same thing. He was currently wearing a large cream t-shirt that looked way too big on him and his famous grey sweatpants which he apparently either never liked taking off or owned hundreds of pairs of. "But But..." Stiles tried to argue back but he knew that she was right and there was no way he could change her mind. "Fine." Stiles stood up in a mood and slowly dragged his feet upstairs.

Mrs Whittemore tutted loudly and went back to putting sunblock on Bella. Mr Whittemore appeared at the front door, not a minute later in some grey trousers and a white shirt. He announced that he was going to go wait in the car for everyone and Jackson must have been fed up because he agreed to come too.

Lydia sighed heavily. "I don't understand why everyone is in such a foul mood about this, i can't wait to go i love going to the zoo!" Lydia spoke excitedly to Mrs Whittemore. "I know i know me too dear i can't understand it but let's just say that they're boys and pretty lazy ones at that." Lydia laughed at what she said but before she could respond Stiles had come trudging through the door wearing some different clothes.

He surprised Lydia she'd never seen him dressed in anything other than what he always wore, but this time he was wearing a tight grey long sleeved t-shirt that fitted him well, showing how muscular he really was and some dark jeans, that were much thinner and tighter than the grey sweatpants he had on before.

Lydia didn't know what to say, he looked good...like really good, she couldn't believe that he never wanted to show his body off more especially with how good it was, he would definitely pull tons of girls if he dressed like that everyday. Although, for a slight second, the thought irritated her for a reason she didn't know. "See, was that so difficult Stiles? Thank you! now can you take Lydia and get in the car please?" Mrs Whittemore spoke as she grabbed her purse and Bella's little rucksack that was covered in unicorns.

Stiles groaned loudly and flashed Lydia agitated glare before walking out the house, not even bothering to check that she was following him. They had a very big car, one of those 7 seaters and Lydia was glad they could all ride together. When they got to the car, Jackson was already sat at the front on his phone with his dad sat in the drivers seat. She sighed, she was daft for thinking that Jackson actually wanted to sit with her.

Mrs Whittemore and Bella quickly appeared behind her and Stiles and she sat Bella in her car seat behind Jackson's seat and she told them that they'd be sitting in the back seats as she herself climbed in next to Bella. Lydia groaned internally and it looked like Stiles did too by his reaction as they both climbed in back, forced to sit next to each other. They both gave each other one last glare before turning to their phones as the car set off.