CHAPTER NUMBER THIRTEEN.
season number for episode time of death!

・・・・・☆

            OPHELIA FLUTTERED HER EYES OPEN IN CONFUSION. Her mother was sitting in the chair with tears staining her cheeks as her heart skipped when she saw Ophelia's facial expression change. She had been out for what seemed like forever— and it had been killing Olivia... Scott and Liam hadn't left the hospital since, both parents tried getting them to leave and take a breather. However their persistence wasn't diminishing until Ophelia woke up.

            "Oh baby." Olivia cried, rushing over to Ophelia's side. The golden blonde groaning as memories flooded her mind. Her cool hand wrapped itself around Ophelia's needle injected one. "You had me so worried."

           Ophelia's bottom lip trembled as fear struck her once again. The crisp and sour smell of the hospital made her nose burn— and a throbbing sensation started happening in her thigh. "Momma..." She whispered, swallowing a lump in her throat. "Scott?"

            Gently brushing a few strands of hair from Ophelia's face. "You mean that tan boy with the tattoo on his arm?" She asked, receiving a nod in return. "He talked to your father last night... He hadn't left your side until his mom made him go home and get some rest. Though that Liam boy is still here, if you want me to get him?" Ophelia licked her lips and motioned towards the door.

           Olivia disappeared out the door, and Ophelia anxiously awaited Liam's arrival. She started remembering bits and pieces— and she remembered hearing Liam in the background. Her heart hammered in her chest as she just laid there with an emotionless face. A few seconds had pasted when Liam's head popped through the door, and Ophelia almost leaped out her hospital bed. She could tell by his appearance that he had been having trouble sleeping, and she couldn't help but have guilt settle at the bottom of her stomach. "Oh Liam," she murmured— watching as he took slow steps towards her. He acted as if any little movement would break her in two.

           The two stared at eachother for a couple minutes, internally starstruck. Ophelia's cheek had healed into a yellow and light blue bruise. And his blue eyes couldn't seem to stop staring at the mark. "Ophelia I'm sorry." Was the first thing Liam had let slip from his trembling lips. His legs swiftly moving to the chair beside her. "I tried to help you— I tried to lift the bookshelf off of you before it..." He struggled to figure out the words to tell her. "Melissa said just the left leg's broken. The right just had tissue damage." Liam choked. "I should have got there sooner. I should answered your text faster..." His brunette hair dropped into his shuddering hands. "I should have done better. I can't stand seeing you like this."

            Ophelia sighed, not knowing what to say. She had a million thoughts, but none of them seemed to good enough to share... "We always seem to be put in these shitty situations." She pointed out. Groaning she tried pulling herself up, but Liam was quick to help her. Ophelia smiled gratefully, and scooted herself over. "Come lay with me." She demanded, patting the spot beside her.

           Liam carefully climbed into the white sheets. His sadness dwindling for a second as he felt the warmth radiate off of her. Liam slid down into the sheets, and laid on his side. Ophelia looked down at him and lifted her hand to the side of his cheek. "Don't be sad over me anymore, Liam. I'm okay— I lived— and a few weeks on crutches won't kill me." She slid her arm around his shoulder as he nuzzled his face in her neck. Shivers traveled down her spine as his warm breath hit her skin. "Get some rest, Liam..."

            It didn't take long for him to drift off into a deep sleep. For he had been deprived of it for so long. Being wrapped up in Ophelia's arms made him feel safe— and the nightmares that haunted him in the hollow parts of his mind seemed to be a distant memory now. Ophelia held him close, rethinking that day. The day that he had threatened her— the day someone tried to kill her because she was on the benefactor list.

            Once again— Allison had popped out of nowhere. Her presence making the blood in Ophelia's veins run cold. The worry was splattered all over her face as she stood at the foot of the bed. "Ophelia you had me so worried..." She admitted. "But I knew you were going to make it— you had to." The girl's hair had been straight today. Which was unusual because Ophelia was used to seeing her sport bouncy curls. "Scott was right..." Allison glanced at Liam. "He does like you."

            Ophelia glanced down at Liam with a soft smile. "I don't think it's like that..." She denied, shaking off the accusation. "Me and Liam have this bond that makes us want to protect eachother and be there. He's my bestfriend now— and I couldn't see my life without him." Allison grinned at her, happy that Ophelia had made a friend. Ophelia looked up at Allison through her lashes. "When I won't be able to see you anymore, I'll at least have someone here with me." — The two hadn't talked about what would happen once things settled down, and everyone was safe again. Allison wasn't supposed to stay forever, however she had grown to love Ophelia. She was slowly watched the girl blossom into the woman she always knew she could be... and it hurt her knowing she'd have to leave her behind. Moving on was crucial to her soul being accepted into heaven, but Allison hadn't found a reason to leave.

            "Even though you won't be able to see me, I'll always be with you Ophelia..." Allison promised, the corners of her mouth never drooping. "Maybe I'll even become your guardian angel— not some cheesy ghost."

           Ophelia didn't like thinking of the future. She didn't like the idea of the unknown. Especially when it came to the supernatural world and her involvement.

            "We still have time right?" Ophelia questioned hopefully. Allison's dimples appeared as the outline of her body slowly began to fade away with the bland wall.

            "We still have time, O." Allison confirmed with a nod, before completely disappearing into nothingness...

―•―•―•―•―

           RELIEF WAS ALL SCOTT MCCALL COULD FEEL AS HE RUSHED INTO OPHELIA'S ROOM. Her mother confirming that Ophelia was doing good— and that she had woke up a few hours ago. Guiltiness creeped up his neck when he realized he wasn't there... However he was still over the moon to see and hear Ophelia's voice again. But his smile dropped when he walked through the door to see Liam and Ophelia fast asleep. His lips curling in his teeth to stop himself for snapping at the two. Scott knew the relationship she and Liam shared, but he couldn't help but feel envious.

             He and Ophelia had something. He couldn't decipher what that something was, but he knew Ophelia meant a hell of a lot to him. Loosing her was a devastation he didn't want to face... Scott sucked a breath between his teeth as he walked closer to the bed, his finger tips tingling as his thumb reached out to touch her porcelain bruised skin. "Oh Ophelia." He sighed, shaking his head. "You have no idea what you're doing to me."

           Her hair was sprawled around her, the roots a little darker from being unwashed. The IV sticking out of her hand running fluids into her veins. Scott felt the air around him start to become thick. His head spinning as he come to realize his feelings for Ophelia had grew over the short amount of time knowing her. She was different— innocent. Ophelia had this spark in her that drew Scott to want her more... A spunk that always kept him on his toes. He learned to love her flaws, and was quick to accept the fact she was different. Scott could feel his expression changing into a genuine smile as he reflected his life the past few weeks with Ophelia in it. She was helping him heal— helping him move on from the heartbreak he was still feeling from months ago. Slowly the holes in his heart were getting stitched up by her...

           He froze as her eyes started to flutter open, her gaze falling on him. Suddenly they started glimmering like emeralds as she grinned. "You came..." She said gently, her hand reaching up to grab his wrist. Her lips turned upwards in a blindingly bright smile.

            Scott chuckled as he brought her knuckles up to his lips, kissing them. "Of course I did, princess." His teeth were the color of stars as he looked at her. "You scared me." A pit grew in his stomach. "I promised to protect you— and I didn't... and I'm sorry."

            Ophelia frowned and squeezed his hand. "You can't protect me from everything, Scott. This world is dangerous, and it's scary. But I'm not going to have everyone fight my battles for me. I can't have you or anyone else get hurt because I can't help myself." She told him. Scott's expression hardened. "Something tells me that this is just the beginning, Scott." Her grip on his hand went soft as she detached herself from a sleeping Liam. "I refuse to feel like that again. Like I have no hope... Because there's always hope."

           Scott didn't answer as he scanned her face. He didn't know how to respond— except bend down to press a sweet kiss to her lips. It didn't get too out of hand and it wasn't anything too rough. But it told more than words ever could. It made Ophelia's neck turn a shade of red as her cheeks matched. "Once you get out of here— I want to take you out."

            "Like on a date...?" Ophelia asked.
Excitement flooding her stomach.

             "Exactly like a date."

            "I've got to go find Stiles... There's something I have to do." Scott told her, pressing his lips to her cheek. "Just know that— that..." He hesitated... "That I like you."

            Her face twisted in confusion at his sputter of words, but grinned nonetheless.
"I like you too." Ophelia responded, making sparks explode inside Scott's chest...

―•―•―•―•―

            OPHELIA LAID ON HER BED ALONE FLIPPING THROUGH AN OLD MAGAZINE. Her mother sat on the chair beside her waiting for her husband to bring her food from the cafeteria. An awkward silence hung over them until Olivia spoke up the question that's been burning her mouth.
"So is that Scott boy your boyfriend?"

            Ophelia looked up startled. Her cheeks began to burn as she concluded an answer to her mother's raised cheeks. "No— well I mean— kind've. Well it's complicated."

            "Have you kissed him?" Olivia asked, turning the volume on the television down.

            "Mom!" Ophelia burst embarrassed.

           "Well have you?"

            Ophelia fidgeted with her fingernails as she suddenly found the unpolished nail bed interesting. "A few times." She said quietly.

            Olivia pursed her lips. She had expected that answer. "I know we're the best of friends, Ophelia... Especially with what happened a few years ago, but I'd wish you'd tell me these things." She sighed. "I want to make sure you're making rational decisions."

            "Time has proven you don't know what rational decisions are..." Ophelia mumbled. "But I'm being careful. He knows that I have boundaries and we're taking things slow."

            Tapping her fingers on the armchair, Olivia could see a glow radiating off Ophelia's face. It reminded her of when she and Robert first had gotten together. Passionate nights and a feeling of lasting forever. She remembered being a teenager— the feeling of being in love... She could feel a smile take a place on her face, knowing Ophelia deserved happiness. "I'd love to meet him, Ophelia."

            Ophelia's eyes lit up.
"Oh you'd love him!" She gushed, sitting up excited. "He's so sweet and is always protecting other people. He's awkward sometimes— but it's a cute kind of awkward. If you look at him close enough, you can see that his jaw is crooked on one side. And his eyes are the prettiest thing about him..."

            Olivia felt her heart warm up as she watched the light catch Ophelia's eyes. It glistened with infatuation. "You seem to care alot about him." Olivia concluded grinning.
"Love's a good look on you, Ophelia Elisabeth. I hope it can stay there."

            Ophelia's brows furrowed as her breath shortened. "I—I don't love him." She denied, fiddling with a loose strand on her gown. "It's been a few weeks... That's too soon."

            "You know Ophelia—" Olivia paused as she took her daughters hand in hers. "Loving someone can happen at any moment. People are afraid to admit that they love someone for many reasons: because it's too soon, or they're terrified it's unrequited... But no matter how much you want to suppress those feelings, they won't go away until you admit them. Until all those breaths you hold when you see them are released, and the fire they ignite in your soul is burnt out." Pressing her lips together she smiled. "Love is spontaneously unavoidable, sweetheart."

            Ophelia soaked in her words and chuckled. "You feel that with dad still?"

            "It's complicated," Olivia said.

            Before Olivia could elaborate, a knock was heard on the door. Ophelia and her mother shared a look, before Olivia got up out her chair to open the door revealing a sullen and very nervous Stiles Stilinski...

            "Can I talk to Ophelia...?" He asked, nervously licking his lips. "Alone?" He added. Olivia's eyes turned to slits. "Please?"

            Cautiously nodding her head, she stepped out his way allowing him to walk in the room. "I'll be right outside." She chimed.

            Ophelia groaned as Stiles closed the door behind him. "How unpleasant it is to see you." She said sourly crossing her arms. However Stiles didn't send her back a witty remark, his eyes seemed duller now. Ophelia's brows creased as she sat up a bit more. "Stiles what's wrong?" A few tears dropped down his cheeks, alarming her.

            "It's Scott..."
Was all he said to make her heart drop.

―•―•―•―•―

            OPHELIA FELT NUMB AS SHE LAID IN HER BED. Her father and mother giving up after numerous times of trying to talk to her. Eventually the two gave her some space and took a trip home to pick up some clothes. Ophelia didn't know how to feel with the sudden news. She didn't even know if she was able to come to terms with the truth. There was a hole forming in her heart— and sorrow was the one thing filling inside of it.

           "He's dead..." Choked Stiles. His fingers shaking as he went out to touch her hand. "Someone broke into his house. He was showering and— and they killed him."

            The usual hot blood that pumped to her heart seemed to run cold... Memories of him flashing in her mind as the saltiness ran down her cheeks and down her cheek. She wanted more time— more time to love him.

            Stiles went to sit in the chair, his hand wrapping around her fingers to stop them from shivering. Ophelia's body raked in sobs as all she could was cry. Nothing she could say would bring him back... "Stiles please tell me this a joke," she begged. Her chest seemed empty as she gulped down breaths. "Some sick joke that I wish you never played on me." Ophelia barked at him viscously.

            Some people say that they have different steps of the grieving process. Denial. Anger. Depression. Then acceptance. But Ophelia doubted she'd ever accept the fact he's gone. Gone in a flash she never saw coming... A flash she wished never happened.

            Stiles placed his head on her shoulder as his own tears stained the fabric of the hospital gown. His hand resting on her neck as she turned to cry in his hair— drowning the strands in her desolation. "I'm alone."

            The ceiling seemed to interest her as she stared at the ridges. It was odd because the one person that made her feel so much, now made her feel like a bottle of nothing.

            "You aren't alone."

            Those words echoed in the back of her mind. She wanted to close her eyes and convince herself it was just a bad dream.

            "Scott's dead."