red || stydia

chapter nine: feeling.

It had been a week since the wreckage of Lydia's car and Allison was finally back home again.

Her surgery had gone extremely well, and they kept her in the ICU for recovery, but now she was finally able to go home. She still felt a lot of pain; the stitches across her abdomen were sensitive and hurt anytime her stomach muscles moved, so laughing was therefore extremely painful. Going back to school was also out of the question, so instead she occupied herself with texting Lydia and receiving updates on everything she's missing.

It was the norm for Stiles to pick up Isaac for school after he picked up Scott, and after some brief deliberation, Lydia also agreed to tag along. Especially since her car was totaled and she was still waiting on insurance money to buy a new one.

"Hey, did you hear?" Isaac spoke from the backseat of the jeep. His curly hair was skimming the top of the jeep, due to his height. "Coach made that track meet mandatory; the whole lacrosse team has to go."

Stiles groaned loudly, leaning his head briefly against the steering wheel. "I don't run."

"You play lacrosse," Lydia pointed out from beside Isaac.

Stiles met her eyes in the rearview mirror, while Scott answered with a laugh. "Trust me, it's different, Lyds. He runs because he enjoys the game, but he still sucks at running."

"I've already told him a million times it's because of his breathing," Isaac rolled his eyes, "he doesn't know how to breathe properly."

"I'm breathing just fine, thanks," Stiles replied with his own eyeroll, pulling into a parking space. "

They all made their way out of the jeep, and Isaac sent Lydia a dangerous look. "We're in desperate need of volunteers, you know."

Lydia snorted out a laugh, until she realized he was being serious. "That's not happening."

"Why not?" He pouted. "It's a day off school and you'll get to spend time with us."

"I happen to like school, so why would I put myself through the torture that is your company?"

Stiles frowned. "Okay, that one hurt."

The boys didn't argue any further. They knew Lydia was a very determined girl and there was no point in wasting time. Plus, they were all cutting it extremely close to the morning bell.

...

Lydia couldn't explain it.

It was clear to everyone that a lot of messed up shit had to been happening lately, especially to her. And her day was going fine; classes were going well, she just got her AP biology test back, which of course, she aced. So, she couldn't understand why she felt like she wanted to die.

It started after first period. It was a small feeling at first, in the pit of her stomach, so she ignored it. But the feeling wasn't subsiding, and it was only when she met the guys at Stiles's jeep that she realized it had something to do with them.

"Hey Lydia, you alright?" Scott asked with a raised eyebrow. "You smell a little funny."

Stiles elbowed him with a smirk. "Scott, how rude of you. Maybe she forgot to shower today."

Isaac rolled his eyes. "Shut up Stiles. I smell it too. What's wrong?"

"I'm not entirely sure," she replied, tilting her head while staring them down. "I've had this weird feeling all day, and for some reason, it just got stronger."

"Well, what does that mean?"

"I think it has something to do with you guys?" She replied, but she was still unsure.

Stiles snorted. "Oh well, that's fantastic."

"I'm sure it's nothing," Isaac brushed off, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Not sure if you've noticed, but we're pretty indestructible."

It was meant to be a joke and the guys laughed but Lydia still had an uneasy feeling. "Hey," Scott called out softly, "we'll be extra careful, okay? If you feel anything else, just call us."

"Yeah, okay," Lydia nodded.

...

Strangely enough, as her day went by, the feeling subsided. It was almost as if the second she separated herself from the guys, she was feeling okay. That obviously only made her more worried but at least she didn't feel like there was a black cloud hanging over her wherever she went.

She stopped by Allison's house alter on in the evening to check up on her and explained the situation. Allison reiterated what Scott and Isaac said, sure it was nothing. Admittedly, there was not much she could do in her state as it was, so surely it made her feel better saying it was nothing, because if it was something, she wouldn't be able to help.

The next day, she thought the feeling was all gone. The morning started out great; her mother was home and offered to drive her to school for once. That didn't happen often. It actually worked out great because she knew the guys had to hop on the bus for the track meet as soon as they got there.

She said goodbye to her mother and watched her drive away, preparing herself for another long day. And then she saw it.

The bus.

The feeling that had disappeared overnight hit her full force and she stumbled on her feet a bit. Her breath caught in her throat and for a minute, she couldn't understand why she couldn't breathe. And then she realized.

It was the bus. It was this whole trip that the guys were being forced to go on. That's what has been making her go crazy – something was going to happen on this trip.

"How do they always get into trouble?" Lydia mumbled under her breath. There was literally always something happening with either her or the guys.

She quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Scott's number, hoping to god he'd pick up. She could see him along with Isaac and Stiles laughing on the back of the bus, but none of them were paying attention to their phone.

"Greenburg! Get your ass on the bus or we're leaving you behind!" Coach Finstock yelled. Lydia watched as Greenburg rushed onto the bus and watched as Coach said something to the bus driver.

They were going to close the doors.

She wasn't exactly sure what came over her but lately, she was all about reckless decisions. She found herself running towards the bus and slipping through the doors right before they closed. She came face to face with Coach, who was looking at her with a furrowed brow.

"Who are you?"

"Uh, I'm—"

"Why are you on my bus?"

"Well, I—"

"Coach!" Stiles yelled from behind him, waving his arms awkwardly. "She's with me—I mean us, she's—she's our last-minute volunteer! I remember you saying you needed one?" Stiles eyes squinted nervously.

Coach looked from Stiles to Lydia, who still looked like a deer in headlights. "Stilinski, you better not be sneaking your girlfriend onto my bus."

"I'm not Coach, I swear," Stiles replied in a heartbeat.

Coach shook his head. "As long as she helps out, I don't care."

"Great. Thanks Coach," Stiles breathed out in relief. He grabbed her hand and pulled her quickly to the back of the bus where Scott and Isaac had worried looks on their faces.

"Lydia, what are you doing here?" Isaac whispered. Stiles slipped into the window seat, leaving the spot next to him wide open.

Lydia took the seat.