5 Pack Mentality

I slowly blinked and rubbed my eyes as my alarm went off telling me it was time to get up. I felt an arm wrapped around my waist and a quick kiss on my exposed shoulder, "Morning babe." Nate smiled at me leaning over to give me another kiss. 

Before he reached my lips, I quickly reached over to shut my alarm off as I said good morning back. Nate pouted when I started tugging the sheet off the bed to hide my body, "Where are you going?"

"I'm getting dressed." I looked back over to him to see him sprawled out on his bed, not moving. "We have school and my mom will kill me if she found out I was late."

"But babe, it's my birthday."

"I know, that's why I spent the night here." I smirked as I continued, "Now get up or you won't get your gift."

As Nate was in the shower I got dressed in black, ripped skinny jeans, a black and white striped tank top, and black ankle boots. When Nate was finished I gave him a quick kiss then pulled him out of his room so we could get to school.

"Come on! Lydia left your gift at your locker for me."

When Nate opened his locker there was a gift bag waiting for him inside. He smiled at me then pulled it out, inside was a new pair of sneakers, his favorite cologne that he kept saying he needed a new bottle of, and a book with the best travel destinations. 

"You always talk about how you want to travel around the world so I thought that book would be helpful, and maybe we can visit some of those places together?"

"I love it, all of it. Thank you so much babe." He leaned over to give me a kiss and we only broke away when the principal started speaking over the PA.

"Attention students. I know you're all wondering about the vandalism that occurred to one of our buses last night. While the police work to determine what happened, classes will proceed as scheduled. Thank you."

*_*_*_*_*_*

I was sitting next to Jackson and Danny in Mr. Harris' chemistry class. I could see Scott and Stiles whispering to each other and Scott seemed pretty freaked out. I wonder if he's worried he caused the bus issue?

Breaking me out of my thoughts Mr. Harris quickly spoke up, "Mr. Stilinkski, if that's your idea of a hushed whisper you might want to pull the earphones out once in a while. I think you and Mr. McCall would benefit from a little distance." 

The two boys then moved seats so they were on opposite sides of the room. Scott ending up near Jackson, Danny, and I.

Suddenly one of our classmates, Harley stood up quickly and pointed out the window, "Hey look! They found something! They found a body!"

The whole class stood up and rushed to the window. I made sure I was near Scott and Stiles so I could hear what they were talking about. 

As we saw the person get pushed towards the ambulance Stiles whispered to Scott and me, "That's not a rabbit." The person on top of the gurney then lurched up and Stiles continued speaking, "This is good. He's not dead. He got up. A dead guy can't do that."

I turned to look at Scott, who looked very panicked about the whole situation, "I did that."

"Woah, wait. Do you know for sure?" As soon as those words left my mouth Scott and Stiles pulled me to the side to quickly explain Scott's dream from the night before.

*_*_*_*_*_*

At lunch, Lydia made her way over to my brother and Scott. A few moments later I followed closely behind sitting in between her and Scott. Next came Allison sitting on Scott's other side, soon followed by Jackson, Nate (who was sitting across from me), Danny, and the other lacrosse players that usually sit with us. 

When everyone is seated Danny speaks up, "So they're saying it's an animal attack. Probably cougar."

"I heard a mountain lion." Jackson quickly replies.

"A cougar is a mountain lion." Lydia corrects her boyfriend then glances up and starts playing dumb, "Isn't it?"

"Yeah Lyds, it is." I turn to her to give her my classic don't play dumb face.

Jackson continues, "Who cares? The guy's probably some homeless tweaker who's gonna die anyway." As soon as the words left his mouth I glared at him, knowing that this conversation was making my brother uncomfortable.

"Actually, I just found out who he is. Check this out." Stiles holds out his phone for the table to watch the news report on display. As the video plays and a picture of the victim pops up I can't help but think the guy looks very familiar. 

The moment the thought enters my head my Scott begins talking reminding me where I know him from, "I know that guy. Remember, Scarlett, he drove the bus that we use to take when we lived with dad." 

Lydia then pipes up, "Can we talk about something slightly more fun, please? Like where we're going tomorrow night?" Allison, Scott, and I all turn to look at her. "You said you and Scott were hanging out tomorrow, right?"

Allison glances at Scott as he answers for the two of them, "We hadn't decided." 

"Well, I'm not sitting at home watching lacrosse videos again. If the six of us are hanging out let's pick something fun." 

Jackson then speaks, clearly not excited about this, "When the hell were you going to tell me about this?"

"Yeah, I'd like to know that too," Nate says, raising his eyebrow.

I shrug helplessly, knowing that there is no arguing with Lydia, though I really do not want to go on the date.

"How about bowling? Jackson, you love to bowl!" Lydia suggestions before anyone can continue arguing.

"Yeah, with actual competition."

"Hey, Nate and I are actual competition. And how do you know Allison and Scott aren't?"

Allison then continues as she looks at Scott, "You can bowl, right?"

"Sort of..." Scott answers hesitantly. 

Nate then looks at Scott, "Sort of? Or yes?"

Scott then glares at Jackson and Nate, "Yes. In fact, I'm a great bowler."

Instead of making a comment, I reached for my water and took a sip, hoping for lunch to quickly end. 

After lunch, I walked with Scott and Stiles to my twin's locker. "You're a terrible bowler! Scarlett, why would you bring up Scott and Allison being competition?"

"Well, Allison at least might be!" I tried to defend, "Plus maybe with you being a werewolf and all you got better at bowling." I shrug and smile innocently at my brother who looks miserable. 

"I'm sure it will end up being fine, and I am sorry it turned out to be a group date. But we really can't argue with Lydia, she always gets her way." I then leaned up to kiss Scott on the cheek and waved bye to the two boys. 

*_*_*_*_*_*

Scott asked Stiles and I to come with him to the bus so he can remember what happened the night the driver was attacked. When we arrived at the school Stiles pulled up to a chain-link fence surrounding the parking lot. 

The bus can be seen parked on the far side of the lot with yellow police tape draped around it. I follow the boys out of the car and lean against the hood of the jeep. Scott goes to climb the fence but pauses when Stiles follows, "Just me. Someone needs to keep watch." 

"That's why Scarlett's here. I don't always want to be the guy that keeps watch."

"Sorry, Stiles. It has to be just me." Scott then continues over the fence and walks towards the bus as Stiles and I make our way back into the jeep. As we were waiting Stiles looked at me, "Scar, am I attractive to gay guys?"

"What? Why would I know that?" 

"You're friends with Danny, I just thought..."

"You thought wrong. Just because I'm friends with him doesn't mean I know how the mind of a gay man works."

Stiles paused thinking then says, "I was telling Scott earlier how you don't just hang out with a hot girl. Once you hear the words hang out, it's like becoming the gay best friend."

I then gave Stiles my best are you stupid look, "Do you think I'm hot?" 

"Wha- I, I..." he looks horrified at the question and I almost want to laugh.

"Just answer the questions Stiles, do you think I'm hot?"

"I feel like this is a trick question..."

I rolled my eyes, "It's not, so answer the question. And be honest."

Stiles hesitates before answering, "Well, I mean... Yeah, you're hot."

"First, thank you. Second, I don't look at you as my gay best friend and we hang out all the time. Allison definitely doesn't look at Scott that way. Just because you 'hang out' with a hot girl does not mean that you will always be strictly in the friend zone."

Before Stiles can answer a light catches the corner of our eyes, we look through the front window and Stiles immediately starts blaring the car horn. I quickly climb into the back seat as Scott runs to the jeep. When the door slams shut behind him he yells at Stiles to go. 

"Did it work?" Stiles and I ask in unison.

"I was there last night. And the blood, a lot of it was mine."

"So did you attack him?" I ask, growing impatient.

"No. I saw glowing eyes in the bus. But they weren't mine. It was Derek."

"What about the driver?" Stiles asks next.

"I think I was trying to protect him from Derek."

"Wait," I interrupt, "Why would Derek help you remember that he attacked the driver?"

"That's what I don't get..."

Stiles then interrupts Scott, answering my question, "What if it's a pack thing? Like an initiation. You do the kill together." There was a brief moment of silence with that thought hanging over our heads, "But you didn't do it. Which means you're not a killer. And it also means..."

"I can go out with Allison."

"I was going to say it means you won't kill me or Scarlett."

"Oh yeah. That too."

*_*_*_*_*_*

The night of the group date I was dressed in black short overalls and a cream long sleeve shirt with black vans. I was sitting in Allison's room on the bed with Lydia as we tried to help her choose an outfit.

After the fifth thing pulled out and declined by the two of us Lydia spoke up, "God Allison, Respect for your taste? Dwindling by the second."

She then stood up and yanked something black out of the closet. "This."

As soon as the word left her mouth Allison's bedroom door swung open revealing her father. "Dad, hello?"

"Right, sorry. Completely forgot to knock."

"Hello, Mr. Argent." Lydia and I smiled upon his entrance. 

"Dad, need something?"

"Just wanted to tell you that you'll be staying in tonight."

"What? I'm going out with my friends tonight."

"Not when some animal out there is attacking people," before Allison could try to protest anymore her dad continued, "It's out of my hands. There's a curfew. No one's allowed out past ten p.m." 

He walked out, closing the door behind him. "Aren't we daddy's little girl?" Lydia mocks.

"Sometimes. But not tonight." Allison walks over to her window, slips out onto the roof, skids to the edge, and launches herself off the roof landing perfectly onto the lawn. "Eight years gymnastics, you girls coming?"

"We'll take the stairs," Lydia replies as I nod in agreement.

*_*_*_*_*_*

At the bowling alley, I sit by Nate as we put on our shoes. I can't help but continuously look over at Scott, nervous that he hasn't gotten any better. The girls are up first, Lydia stands up beckoning Jackson over to help, though I know this is just an act and she is actually really good on her own. 

She gets down only a few pins after both tries then pouts, "I'm so bad at this."

I go next, only missing one pin after both of my tries. Followed by Allison who knocks down all of the pins. Jackson quickly steps up and easily gets a strike. Then Nate, who gets a spare, "You're up, McCall."

Scott's nervous and Allison and I both try to encourage him, "You can do this, Scott." He takes a deep breath and when he lets go of the ball, it goes right in the gutter. Jackson and Nate start laughing loudly, not even trying to hide their amusement. 

I quickly elbow Nate in the ribs to get him to shut up as Allison speaks, "Guys? Mind shutting up?"

"Sorry, I'm just flashing back to the words 'I'm a great bowler'" Jackson replies, still snickering.

"Maybe he just needs a little warm-up."

"Maybe he needs the kiddie bumpers." Nate jokes, followed by another jab in the ribs from me and laughter from Jackson and Lydia. 

Scott aims again and the ball launches down the lane but right when it looks like it's about to hit the pins, it goes straight in the gutter. Jackson and Nate start laughing again.

As we all go through another round it finally reaches Scott's turn again. Allison follows him up to try and give him some courage. I cross my fingers praying that this round will be better. When the ball is released, Scott gets a strike! Allison and I start cheering, "I knew you could do it, Scotty!" 

Scott gives me a disgusted look when I say his childhood nickname, "I thought I said not to call me that anymore." All I do is sit back and smile. More rounds pass and Scott keeps getting strikes. 

*_*_*_*_*_*

After two games, Nate drives me home. I know Scott is still with Allison and it doesn't look like my mom is home from work. I give Nate a goodbye kiss then head to my front door, quickly unlocking it and heading inside. 

About five minutes later, I am in the bathroom and hear my mother calling mine and Scott's name. I poke my head out to see her walk past my room to Scott's. 

I then hear a noise and quickly open the bathroom door seeing my mom almost hit Stiles, who was climbing through the window, with a baseball bat. 

"Stiles, what the hell are you doing?" My mom screams.

"What am I doing? Do any of you even play baseball?"

Right as the words leave his mouth Scott walks into his room. Mom looks back at him then sighs, "Can you please tell your friend to use the front door."

"But we lock the front door. He wouldn't be able to get in."

"You should lock your window. Anyone can get in..." I give Scott a knowing look thinking back to when Derek came in through the very same window. 

Mom nodded her head in agreement, "Exactly. And by the way, do any of you care that there's a police enforced curfew?"

"No." We all instantly reply.

"Okay then. That's about all the parenting I can take for one night. I'm going to sleep." She then turns around and walks out of the room.

Scott and I both turn our attention to Stiles who seems very serious all of a sudden. "What?" Scott quickly questions. 

"My dad left for the hospital fifteen minutes ago. The bus driver. They said he succumbed to his wounds."

"He died?" I gasped. 

Stiles only nodded.