Invitations and Intrigues

As classes end, students begin streaming out of the classroom, heading for their lockers. Allison slips out first, while Jasper lingers to chat with Scott about meeting up at lacrosse practice later. With a quick goodbye, Jasper heads to his locker, which, as fate would have it, is right beside Allison's.

Just as Jasper opens his mouth to greet her, a striking strawberry blonde steps up, her expression radiating confidence.

**LYDIA:** *"That jacket is absolutely killer. Where'd you get it?"*

**ALLISON:** *"My mom was a buyer for a boutique back in San Francisco."*

**LYDIA:** *"And you are my new best friend."* She finishes her sentence just as Jasper, with a knowing smile, interjects.

**JASPER:** *"You must be the beautiful Lydia Martin."*

Lydia and Allison turn in unison to find Jasper grinning at them. Allison appears collected, though the faintest pink tinges her ears, while Lydia flashes a smile as enchanting as Jasper's. Her eyes narrow slightly as she asks in a sultry tone.

**LYDIA:** *"And you are?"*

**JASPER:** *"Jasper. Jasper Nyx."*

Recognition flares in Lydia's eyes as she gasps lightly. *"So you're the Mr. Nyx my mom's been raving about—the mysterious tycoon who bought our lake house."* Allison, intrigued, raises an eyebrow at this.

**JASPER:** *"Well, not so much a tycoon, but yeah, that would be me."* He extends his hand with a charming smile, which Lydia takes gracefully, her own smile lingering as their hands meet.

Just then, Jackson joins the group, slipping his arm around Lydia's waist in a possessive gesture that seems to stir a memory for Allison. A soft blush creeps onto her cheeks, reminding her of her own close encounter with Jasper earlier. Jasper notices and lets out a small chuckle, which doesn't go unnoticed by Lydia.

**JACKSON:** *"Heyyy."*

**LYDIA:** *"Hey, Jackson. This is Allison—my new best friend. And here we have Jasper."*

Jackson gives Jasper a once-over, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly before he nods in acknowledgment, clearly sizing up this new addition to the group.

Meanwhile, across the hall, Harley watches the scene unfold with a mix of amazement and skepticism. She casts a glance at Scott and Stiles, her eyebrows raised in disbelief. Scott, however, is too focused on listening to Allison, Lydia, and Jackson's conversation to notice.

**HARLEY:** *"Can someone explain how the new kids have been here for all of five minutes, and they're already hanging out with Lydia's clique?"*

Though Harley's tone is obviously sarcastic, Stiles replies with complete seriousness.

**STILES:** *"Because they're hot."*

Harley gives him an unimpressed look, but Stiles just shrugs, as if it's the most logical answer in the world.

**STILES:** *"Beautiful people herd together."*

Scott isn't paying them much attention; his gaze remains fixed on Jasper, his new friend, who's fitting in effortlessly with the beautiful Allison, Lydia, and Jackson.

**LYDIA:** *"So, this weekend, there's a party."*

**ALLISON:** *"A party?"*

**JACKSON:** *"Yeah, Friday night. You should come."*

Lydia beams, her eyes flitting between Jasper and Allison with expectation. Allison looks slightly bashful, a hint of hesitation in her voice.

**ALLISON:** *"Uh, I can't. It's family night this Friday. Thanks for asking, though."*

Jasper catches her glance, his smile softening as he says, *"You know what? I'll be there,"* still watching her with a fondness that makes her cheeks flush slightly.

Jackson doesn't let it go, however, as he leans in with a casual shrug.

**JACKSON:** *"You sure? Everyone's going after the scrimmage."*

**ALLISON:** *"Scrimmage? Like, soccer?"* she asks, curiously.

Before Jackson can respond, Jasper steps in with a knowing smile.

**JASPER:** *"I think he means lacrosse."*

Jackson's gaze sharpens as he sizes Jasper up.

**JACKSON:** *"Well, we have practice in a few minutes. That is, if you don't have somewhere else—why don't you come try out?"*

**JASPER:** *"I was thinking the same thing."* He smirks, then turns to Allison with a playful glint in his eye. *"And would I be lucky enough to have a beauty cheering for me from the stands?"*

Allison's cheeks take on that rosy hue once more, but before she can answer, Lydia hooks an arm around her shoulder, smirking.

**LYDIA:** *"She'll be there."*

With a quick grin, Jasper stows his books in his locker and follows Jackson down the hall to the men's locker room, excitement building. As they head toward the field, he can already spot the girls gathering in the stands, with Allison's bright presence catching his eye.