14 Formality

I was sitting in Scott's room with Stiles as Scott ran around searching for his cell phone. His room was quickly turning into a mess as Stiles and I took turns calling his phone. 

"Call it again."

I rolled my eyes as Stiles answered, "It's not here." Scott continued to tear his room apart, "So you lost your phone. Get a new one."

"I can't afford a new one. And I can't do this alone. We have to find Derek."

"Hey! You are not alone! You have us." I gestured between Stiles and myself. 

Stiles started nodding his head agreeing, "And didn't you tell us Derek walked right into gunfire?"

Scott shakes his head, "Argent's plan was to use him to get the Alpha. They won't kill him."

"Then let them do what they're planning. They use Derek to get Peter, problem solved."

"But after they get Peter they'll kill Derek and I am not alright with that." I purse my lips as I look at Stiles.

"Plus Peter might be going after Allison to find Derek. I can't protect her myself. Which means I need to find Derek first. So help me."

Finally Stiles and I get up and start searching Scott's room. "You know, you probably lost it when you two were fighting. Remember? When he was trying to kill you? When you interrupted him trying to kill Jackson? Starting to see a pattern of violent behavior here? No? Maybe it's just me."

Scott sighed, "He wasn't going to kill anyone. And I'm not letting him die."

"Could you at least think about letting him die?"

I instantly threw a pillow at the back of Stiles' head, "Ow! What the hell Scar?!"

"You really need to--"

"Shh, mom's home." Scott interrupted.

Stiles and I went quiet as Scott listened to our mom. We both keep our eyes locked on Scott, trying to read his expression. "Is she okay?" I whisper.

Scott just shakes his head. "What's she doing now?" Stiles asks, just as quiet.

"Crying." I immediately slump into Scott's computer chair. Scott follows my lead and sits on his bed, his shoulders sagging. 

"Scott. You can't protect everyone."

"But I have to." Scott chokes out. 

*_*_*_*_*_*

Lydia and I were at our lockers grabbing books for our last class. "I can't believe you want to go to the dance by yourself. You're hot Scarlett. There are plenty of guys at this school that would jump at the chance to take you."

"There are plenty of guys that want to get in my pants." I reiterate.

"And? What's wrong with having some fun? It's not like you're a virgin."

I laugh and shake my head, "I love you Lyds, but I am not looking for a hookup. Nor am I ready to start dating again."

She pursed her lips and glanced over my shoulder, "Incoming"

I look at her then follow her eyes to lock onto Nate, heading in our direction. I roll my eyes and quickly shut my bag. Before I can slam my locker shut and walk away with Lydia, Nate reaches us.

"Hey baby. What time should I pick you up tomorrow?"

I clench my teeth and grip my locker door tight, "Never. And don't call me baby."

Nate sighs, "What do you mean never, Scar? We planned this since the beginning of the school year."

Still not looking at him, I squeezed my eyes shut and spoke, "That was before you cheated on me."

"Scarlett c'mon. You know that was a mistake. I miss you."

Hearing those three words, my eyes snapped open and I finally slammed my locker shut, gaining the attention of the students nearby. I turned to face him, Lydia now standing behind me. 

I scoffed, "You miss me? Don't you dare say you miss me with her spit still on your tongue." I took a deep breath then continued, "Leave me the hell alone."

I quickly turned around and stormed off knowing Lydia would follow.

Still in hearing distance, Lydia threatens, "If you ever try to talk to her again, I will personally chop off your balls."

Soon after she catches up and we link arms. We both exchange smiles and continue to our class. 

*_*_*_*_*_*

After school Lydia, Allison and I head to Macy's to buy dresses for the formal. We get onto the escalator, Lydia and I looking at Allison who looks like she's worried about something. 

"Okay, what's wrong?" I finally break the silence.

She glances at me before answering, "Nothing's wrong. I have a lot on my mind."

"You could smile at least." Lydia suggests, "Ever hear the saying: Never frown. Someone could be falling in love with your smile." Allison glares but Lydia continues, "Smile, Allison. I'm buying you a dress. And you too Scar."

I smile knowing that she's trying to cheer me up from my encounter with Nate earlier. 

Then Allison speaks, "I'll admit, as far as apologies go that's more than I expected. But not as much as I'm going to ask."

Lydia knits her eyebrows together and glances at me. I shrug and she looks back at Allison, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're going to cancel on whatever dumb jock you said yes to and go with someone else."

"Who?" 

"Him." Allison points to someone standing behind us. We both turn and see Stiles standing by the perfume counter. He sprays a bottle in his face and sneezes, quickly putting the bottle down. 

I instantly start smiling but Lydia frowns in horror. "Don't frown, Lydia. Someone could be falling in love with your smile."

We turn back to look at Stiles who is waving. We wave back, "Go tell him the good news, Lyds. I know you might not like him now but Stiles is amazing so you better treat him good."

"I'm so happy that you think that. Why don't you ask him?"

I laugh, "You know why. Now go." I gently push her in Stiles' direction then turn to the dresses in front of Allison and myself.

Lydia places a dress on a stack held in Stiles' arms, "You're going to try all of these on? Is this a 24 hour Macy's?"

Lydia ignores him then glances at me. I hold out a black dress and she quickly makes her way to me, takes the dress out of my hands then puts it back, "What was that for?"

"Can you try to get a different color?"

I pause acting like I'm thinking about my answer, "No."

"Please, Scar? Just try this navy dress," She pulls out a navy halter dress and puts it in my arms. She then drags me to another section, Stiles trailing behind, "Or maybe this army green one." 

She hands me another dress and continues to another section, "Maroon looks great on you! And maybe this purple dress." 

I roll my eyes, "I'll try them on for you but I'm getting a black dress."

I then pull out a few black dresses and add them to the growing pile in my arms. Lydia and I make our way to the dressing rooms with Stiles once again trailing behind us. 

We walk into the handicap dressing room, and let Stiles put his pile down. Once he's out of the room and waiting for us Lydia and I get undressed and try on the dresses in our piles.

Some people may find it weird that Lydia and I share a dressing room, but this is something we have been doing since we were little. I guess old habits die hard... 

About 40 minutes later Allison, Lydia and I all found our dresses. We paid and went our separate ways.

*_*_*_*_*_*

I sat in front of my vanity applying makeup. My dress is on and hair straightened. I can hear my mom and Scott talking in the room next to me but I can't make out the words.

Once I finish applying my lipstick, I reach for my heels. I slide them on and stand up, grabbing my person and walking through the bathroom, into Scott's room. 

The two look up as I enter, "So, how do I look?"

"Beautiful," Scott says at the same time mom says, "All grown up."

I playfully roll my eyes at her, "Thanks guys."

I gently tug at the black, knee length dress adjusting the way it was hugging my body. "Are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, let's go."

"Hold on! I want pictures," She runs out of the room to grab her phone. Scott and I meet her in the hall and pose for a few pictures before we head out the door and to the dance. 

*_*_*_*_*_*

I park Lydia's car, who graciously let me borrow it for the dance, and turned to Scott. "Do you know how you're sneaking inside?"

He hesitantly nods, "Yeah, don't worry about me. Just enjoy yourself."

I nod then we both get out and part ways. I head towards the entrance and Scott goes around back.

Once inside I make my way to the punch bowl, grabbing a glass then turn to find Lydia, Allison, and Stiles. As I make my way through the crowd I accidentally bump into Nate.

My mood turns sour in an instant and I turn to walk in the other direction. 

"You look amazing Scarlett." Nate breathes out.

"Obviously. Bye." Before he can say anything else I walk away.

I quickly find Lydia and Stiles who are sitting at a table. They both look miserable and I cringe wishing that Lydia would just try to have a good time. 

The minute I sit down Lydia starts talking to me. Stiles is looking out at the crowd when something catches his eye. He quickly stands up and holds out a hand for Lydia, "You want to dance?"

"Pass." I gently push her shoulder and she glares at me. 

"You sure?"

"Quite."

"Let me try this again." I don't hear the rest because one of my classmates walks up to me, "Hey Scarlett, would you like to dance?"

I smile, "Sure thing." I grab his extended hand and we make our way to the crowded dance floor. 

After a few minutes of dancing the music stops as everyone turns towards Coach who just yelled, "McCall, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

Scott was spotted. He and Danny had their arms wrapped around each other, dancing within the crowd of high schoolers. I bit back a smile proud of my brother's quick thinking. 

Coach said some things to Scott then nervously turned to the rest of us, "I was... I mean, I wasn't... I'm not... You guys don't think I'm..." I slowly cross my arms, enjoying Coach's discomfort. 

The last thing Coach does is yell, "What the hell are you looking at Greenberg?" Then he quickly walks away, embarrassed about what just happened. 

The music turns back up and I continue dancing with my group of friends. Carefully making sure I am as far away from Nate as possible. 

Soon after I pull away from the group, needing a break from all the dancing.

"Hey Stiles, where did Lyd go?"

"To find Jackson."

I frowned, "I'm sorry."

Stiles shakes his head, "No don't worry. I get it. It's the same reason you decided to show up stag."

I nodded my head agreeing. We both sat in comfortable silence for a minute before he stood up, "Let's go try and find Jackson and Lydia."

I nodded and followed him out of the gym. We bump into Jackson almost instantly, "Where the hell have you been? Did Lydia find you?" Stiles asks, grabbing Jackson's arm.

Jackson just shakes his head, dazed.

"What's wrong, Jackson?" I ask, bringing his attention to me.

"I was out behind the school. I was..."

Stiles, now alarmed, quickly questions the blue eyed lacrosse star, "What happened? What did you do?"

*_*_*_*_*_*

After Jackson told us what happened Stiles and I looked at each other then quickly ran out the doors, searching for Lydia. 

I was slightly behind Stiles, stupid heels, when I heard him scream, "LYDIA!"

In the distance I see her standing in the middle of the lacrosse field. She whips her head around at the sound of Stiles' voice. "RUN, LYDIA!" Stiles and I scream together.

But before she has the chance Peter bites her. She lets out an ear piercing scream and falls to the ground. Stiles and I finally make it to her and Peter, falling beside her limp body.

I have tears in my eyes as I quickly check her pulse. I reach for my phone but remember I don't have it, stupid dress with no pockets!

Before I can tell Stiles to call an ambulance Peter roughly pulls my arm, making me stand next to him. He wraps one arm across my chest pulling my back against him. "Stop, don't kill her. Don't kill either of them." Stiles pleads.

"Of course. Just tell me how to find Derek."

"How the hell are we supposed to do that?" I snap.

Peter tuts, "Now, now darling. You shouldn't be using that tone with me when you're in this position."

"Screw you." 

Before Peter could reply Stiles speaks up from his spot beside Lydia, "I don't know where he is. How am I supposed to know?"

"Because you're the smart one, aren't you? And because I can smell it on you. Deception has a particularly acrid scent, Stiles. So how about you tell me the truth before I rip her apart."

"You don't scare me Peter. So stop trying." I say through clenched teeth. 

"Funny you say that. Because I can smell fear too, and you are right, you're not afraid." I'm slightly surprised when he says this, I know I'm a good liar but I didn't realise I would be able to blatantly lie to an Alpha werewolf. 

Peter continues, "Which means you'll make a great beta. I should have chosen you Scarlett. Too bad you weren't in the woods that night."

Peter lightly pushes my hair away from my neck, he moves so his hand is now around my throat. "So Stiles, I'll turn Scarlett and kill the redhead if you don't help me."

Stiles panics and looks quickly between Lydia and myself. He finally meets Peter's eye and says, "Okay, okay! I think... I think he knew"

"Knew what?"

"Derek, knew he was going to get caught by the Argent's. When they got shot, him and Scott, I think he took Scott's phone."

"Why?"

"They all have GPS now. If Derek still has it, if it's still on... I can find him."