【ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ　ｔｈｒｅｅ】

🀢 🀣 🀥

"'𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲

                             𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗱"

🀢 🀣 🀥

"So I was thinking that after the party tonight, you, Jackson, and I could hang out at our place. By the way, I think you should borrow my white dress, and I wear your pink heels, or maybe you wear heels, and I wear your new top. That would be better since we were going to have dinner with Jackson's friends before the party," Lydia said, telling her sister what their plans were for the night. She was not told these plans until today so, she was very interested in how they were spending Monday night.

Ariel let out a breath of relief once she finally reached the doors to her first class. She never thought she would be so happy to go into Mr. Harris's class. He was a jerk and super perverted, but that seemed better than Lydia's conversation at the moment.

Ariel stopped at the door before spinning on her heels and smiling at Lydia, "This is my stop. See you at lunch."

"But I-"

The brunette walked into class before Lydia could add any more plans to her schedule for after school today. Ariel smiled, noticing that her seat was empty. She took her seat near the window and began taking out her books.

The brunette noticed Stiles took the seat behind to her, so she looked up to send him a wave but noticed he was talking to Scott about something.

Ariel began copying down what she saw on the board while Scott and Stiles's spoke about what happened the previous night.

"Maybe it was my blood on the door," Scott mumbled. Thinking back to his horrific dream the night before.

"Could have been animal blood. You know, maybe you caught a rabbit or something," Stiles assured his best friend.

Maybe they went hunting. I know that a lot of people go hunting this time of year, maybe they were talking about hunting.

"And did what?" Scott sounded confused.

"Ate it," Stiles muttered.

"Raw?" Scott's eyes widened.

"No, you stopped to bake it in a little werewolf oven," Stiles sarcastically replied.

"I don't know, you're the one who can't remember anything," Stiles stated.

"Mr. Stilinski, if that's your idea of a hushed whisper, you might want to pull the headphones out every once in a while. I think you and Mr. McCall would benefit from a little distance, yes?" Mr. Harris announced.

"No," Stiles deadpanned.

Ariel raised her hand to cover giggles as she watched Mr. Harris get more upset with Stiles. The brunette watched as Mr. Harris motioned for Scott and Stiles to move, "Let me know if the separation anxiety gets to be too much."

Stiles fake laughs as he moves to sit in the empty chair next to his crush. Ariel sighed, silently mourning the time when she had the table all to herself. Her sadness quickly faded once Stiles sent her a smile, causing the girl's cheeks to slightly redden as she went back to her notes.

"That's really impressive," She heard Stiles whisper over her shoulder, "And also a little scary."

Ariel furrowed her eyebrows looking at him in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Stiles began to stutter before he nodded his head towards her book, "Your art."

Ariel shook her head, trying to think of what art he could be pointing to. She was taking notes from the board, "I wasn't drawing..."

The girl's mouth fell open in shock as she looked at a drawing she had made over where her notes had originally been written. It was an unfinished face that featured a pair of piercing blue eyes and a mouth with long canines that looked lethal, almost like a wolf.

Ariel gulped, looking at the blue pen in her hand, proving that she had drawn the image on her paper. "Thanks," she smiled up at Stiles, trying to not reveal her confusion.

"Hey, I think they found something," Hannah announced, causing the entire class to stand up and rush towards the window.

Ariel glanced at her notebook one more time before turning to a new page to hide the terrifying image. She got up and stood next to Jackson, who gently put his hand on the small of her back to help her towards the window so they could both see what was going on. It was times like this that the Martin didn't hate him, and remembered that he was a decent human being.

Ariel raised my hand to cover her mouth as she saw a man being lifted onto a stretcher. He looked more than hurt; he looked dead.

The bus driver sat up and screamed, causing everyone to jump back before letting out a scream. Ariel's penetrated through the room, nearly drowning the other's out.

Ariel noticed how loud her scream was when Stiles grabbed her hand, gently rubbing circles on the outside, "It's okay."

Ariel smiled as she looked at him with a small nod, trying to remain calm.

🀢 🀣 🀥

Lydia and Ariel were in the cafeteria to meet Allison, Jackson, and Danny. They did the same routine every day. The girls would go up and grab a water and then meet up with everyone before heading outside to eat lunch on the quad, where the popular kids ate.

Ariel felt her stomach clench as she grabbed her water from the cafeteria. The younger Martin was starving, as usual, but Lydia wouldn't let them get any of the cafeteria food because it was too unhealthy. Ariel was used to this, knowing that during her break period, she would get something from the vending machine.

But today, she was hungrier than usual because she had forgotten to eat breakfast.

Ariel was heading to the doors that led outside when Lydia pulled her in a different direction. Ariel looked back at the doors that they usually left in before turning back to her sister, who was confidently walking towards a table in the cafeteria.

"Lydia, where are we going?" Ariel asked her.

"I feel like changing thing up a bit," She shrugged, with a devious smirk, causing her sister to groan. What was she planning now?

Ariel's breath caught in her throat as she saw her sister sit down next to Scott. "Figure what out?"

The brunette was offically scared of what her sister was planning, as she watched her smile at Scott and Stiles. The very people she has been trying to make Allison and Ariel avoid.

"Are you going to sit down, Ariel?"

The blue-eyed angel looked down at her sister and nod, realizing that she had been standing next to her.

Putting on her best fake smile, Ariel sat next to Stiles, not bothering to look at the boy next to her because she was too distracted by her devious sister.

"Just, uh, homework," Scott replied to Lydia's previous question.

"Yeah," Stiles as Ariel feel his stare.

Ariel watched as the rest of the gang began to sit next to them, causing her to feel a little more relieved knowing that her sister wouldn't do anything to rash in front of their friends. Deciding to enjoy this rare moment of being allowed to socialize with Stiles, Ariel joined the conversation.

"Why are they sitting with us?" Stiles leans over to ask Scott, receiving a shrug.

Ariel leaned on Stiles to softly whisper in his ear, "I think it's because of Scott and Allison." He gulped and nodded, his body was rigid as the gorgeous girl leaned on him.

Ariel smiled at Stiles, trying to make him feel more comfortable.

As Ariel looked at Stiles, as she realized that he was actually cute.

'His lips are a light rose color, and they looked super soft,' Ariel thought, 'He also had these adorable moles dotting his face that went down to his neck. And I love his dimples, but his eyes are my favorite. They looked brown at first, but after looking at them more closely, they were a deep caramel color. I bet he would be even cuter if he grew out his hair.'

Ariel snapped out of her reverie when Danny between Xander and her. The girl smiled, leaning on Danny and lying her head on his shoulder as a kind of side hug, "Hey, bestie."

Danny laughed, "What's up, Sprite?"

"Get up," Jackson ordered Xander, who was causing the small bench they all sat on to be a tight squeeze.

"How come you never ask Danny to get up?" Xander argued.

"Because I don't stare at his girlfriend and her twin's coin slot," He ordered.

Ariel blushed, looking down to make sure that her top wasn't too low cut, before whispering a small thanks to Danny. Xander stood up from his seat and walked away, obviously upset. Lydia sent him a smirk as she waved goodbye.

"So, I hear they're saying it's some type of animal attack. Probably cougar," Danny stated.

"I heard mountain lion," Jackson corrected Danny, causing Danny to roll his eyes.

"A cougar is a mountain lion," Lydia and Ariel corrected in unison. Everyone turned to give the girls strange looks. Stiles just smirked, admiring the smart girl who hid her intelligence from the world.

"Isn't it?" Lydia added, while Ariel airily giggled, "I think?"

Stiles grabbed his orange, peeling at the tough skin, as he tried to hide his disappointment. He knew that Ariel hid her smarts, but the fact that Lydia was constantly encouraging her made it even worse.

"Who cares? The guy's probably some homeless tweaker who's going to die anyway," Jackson said earning a scoff from the brunette next to him.

"Actually, I just found out who it is. Check it out," Stiles announced, showing the table his phone.

Ariel listened to the news report inform them that, "The Sheriff's department won't speculate on details of the incident but confirmed the victim, Garrison Meyers, did survive the attack. Meyers was taken to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition."

"I know this guy," Scott stated, turning the phone towards him. Ariel's lips pursed into a small frown, nearly causing Stiles to fall out his seat.

"You do?" Allison asked, definitely confused.

"Yeah, when I used to take the bus back when I lived with my dad. He was the driver," He answered her. I never knew That Scott's parents were divorced. Not that we were close.

"Can we talk about something slightly more fun, please? Like, oh, where are we going tomorrow night? You said you and Scott were hanging out tomorrow night, right?" Lydia says.

'There goes my Tuesday night,' Ariel groaned.

"Um, we were thinking of what we were gonna do," Allison answered Lydia, chewing on a fry she had shoved in her mouth. Ariel felt her mouth water as she looked at her plate filled with fries.

"Well, I am not sitting home again watching Lacrosse videos, so if the five of us are hanging out, we are doing something," Lydia scolded. Ariel nodded her head with her sister, Jackson's videos were the worst, and she had the misfortune to always be in the den when he wanted to watch them, forcing the girl to stay.

Ariel sighed, trying to find a way out of the date, "I'm a fifth wheel?"

Lydia groaned as she glanced around the cafeteria before glaring at Stiles, "You will take Stiles."

Stiles gaped as he looked between Ariel and her sister, trying to decide if this was a prank. Ariel frowned at the boy, realizing her sister had just made plans for him, "Do you want to come?"

"Um, well, yeah, I guess," He muttered. Internally the boy was freaking out at the thought of being with the girl he had been in love with for years. For Stiles, things could not be better.

Ariel could not believe her sister. The older Martin told her sister that she couldn't talk to Stiles, and now she was forcing them to practically go on a date.

Ariel noticed the pile of fries on Stiles's plate. They were practically untouched. He must have noticed because he pushed the plate towards me.

Ariel sent him a small smile, embarrassed that she got caught eyeing his food. The brunette quickly taking a fry and popping it into her mouth, trying not to moan as she took in the flavor.

"Hanging out? Like, the six of us? Do you want to hang out, like them and us?" Scott asks Allison, obviously not interested in making his date a group date.

"Yeah, I guess. Sounds fun," She shrugged.

"You know what else sounds fun? Stabbing myself in the face with this fork," Jackson scoffed, holding a fork to his forehead.

Ariel's face lit up, tired of his attitude, "Let me help," she grinned as the small girl grabbed a fork from Danny's plate. Danny just raised his brow at the quirky girl.

Lydia took the fork from her sister, sending the both her boyfriend and her sister glares, "How about bowling? You love to bowl," Lydia looked at Jackson.

"Yeah, with the actual competition," He rolled his eyes at the four people at the table.

Allison tilted her head at Jackson, "How do you know we're not actual competition?"

Ariel knew that she was a terrible bowler, but prayed that maybe Stiles wasn't, "Stiles? You can bowl?"

Stiles nodded but didn't speak.

"You can bowl, right?" Allison asked Scott.

"Sort of," Scott mumbled.

"Is it a sort of, or yes?" Jackson looked annoyed.

"Jackson, can you chill out?" Ariel turned to look at him.

"Yes, in fact, I'm a great bowler," Scott said, glaring at Jackson.

Stiles shook his head thinking about the major lie his friend just said, 'Oh, Scott, did you have to lie your ass off? Why couldn't you just say you were an ok bowler? Or better yet, I can't bowl for shit, why don't we get fajitas instead?'

🀢 𝔞 🀥

Ariel was sitting on Allison's desk chair as she looked through her closet for an outfit to wear tonight. Lydia and Ariel had already changed into more comfortable attire for the night and were waiting for Allison to do the same before they left. 

Lydia was leaning on the window, commenting on all of her choices, making the process five times faster.

"This is no fun," Lydia sighed, pushing herself off the seal to leaning the desk next to me, "Stiles seems nice," Lydia shrugs, assessing her younger sister's reaction.

Ariel cluelessly looked up at her sister, not even thinking about the sarcastic boy, "I don't know what you are talking about."

Lydia smiled at Ariel, like a lion before it captured it's prey, "Come on, Ariel, you two are so cute together."

"He so totally likes you, Ariel!" Allison exclaimed.

Ariel scoff, "N-no, he doesn't."

"Shut up! I know a crush when I see one," Lydia flips her hair, as she walked up to the mirror behind Ariel, "Too bad he is a loser."

Ariel numbly nodded her head, looking to the ground as she began to play with her long brown hair.

"Now, let's pick out an outfit for me," Allison smiles, squeezing her friend's arm after she noticed her disappointment. 

Ariel smiled as she stood out of the desk chair and moved to sit Allison's bed so she could look in the closet.

Allison begins sorting through all the clothes in her closet, trying to find something cute.

"Mmm. Pass," Lydia shakes her head as Allison shows Ariel a cute shirt.

"Pass," Lydia states again before she gets up and walks to the closet, "Let me see," Allison nods her head before sitting on the bed next to Ariel. Ariel knew that Allison wanted to look good for her date with Scott, so she stood up from the bed to help her sister.

"Pass, pass, Uh, pass on all of it," Lydia said, before looking at Allison, "Respect for your taste is, uh, dwindling by the second," Lydia informs her.

"This," Ariel heard Lydia say, pulling out a sequined black dress that was more Lydia's style than the other two girls.

"Uh, Dad? Hello," Allison said, acknowledging her father who had walked into the room unannounced.

He stopped halfway from putting on his jacket as he winced, "Right, sorry, I completely forgot to knock," He apologized.

"Hi, Mr. Argent," Ariel smiled, getting up from the bed.

"Mr. Argent!" Lydia smirked, draping herself across the bed in a flirtatious manner. Ariel tried to hold back her gag as she watched her sister give him strange looks.

"Dad, do you need something?" Allison asks.

"I wanted to tell you that you'll be staying in tonight," He informed her.

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

Mr. Argent shook his head, "Not when some animal out there is attacking people."

"Dad, dad, I'm- uh,"

"It's out of my hands. There's a curfew. No one's allowed out past 9:30, and, hey, no more arguing," Mr.Argent smiled at Allison before he walked out, sending Lydia and Ariel a final wave.

"Someone's daddy's little girl," Lydia teased.

Allison looked back at her dad's retreating figure before shaking her head, "Sometimes, but not tonight."

Lydia and Ariel look at each other sharing the same worried expressions as they watch Allison put on a knit cap before opening her window and climbing out.

Ariel nervously laughed, "So, Uhh, Allison...Let's remember we can't fly."

Allison looks at the doll-like girl, "Haha," Ariel's eyes widened as she watched Allison flip off the roof and lands.

"That was perfect form," Ariel laughed in awe while Lydia smirks.

Allison looks back up at the Martin girls, "Eight years gymnastics," Ariel nodded her  head impressed, "You coming?"

Ariel excitedly watched Allison from the window, "Yeah," Lydia watched in awe as her sister climbed through the window, just like Allison had.

"What are you doing?"

Ariel easily executed a triple Arabian flip before cleanly landing. She turned to Allison, who didn't honestly expect the younger Martin girl to jump off the roof, "That was fun," the girl bubbled, stretching out with ease.

Allison looks back at the roof before turning back to me, "That was amazing, Ariel."

Ariel shrugged her shoulders before looking at Lydia, who smiled before pointing behind her, "I'll take the stairs."

🀢 🀣 🀥

I walked up to Stiles, who was looking for a bowling ball. He seemed to really know what he was doing as he held a serious expression on his face, testing the weight of each ball.

"I have a confession to make," I wince as I look at Stiles, "I am a terrible bowler."

Stiles turns to look at me, "Come on, you-you are good at everything," Stiles says as he nervously scratches the back of his neck.

I let out a light laugh; he was so sweet, "I wish. Bowling has never been my friend. No matter how hard I try, it never hits a pin," I huff causing Stiles to laugh, I lightly slap his arm, "It's not funny," I smile, "I am so bad that once I accidentally tossed the ball behind me."

Stiles and I were was laughing so hard that we didn't notice that they had begun to play, "I am sorry. Look, I-I promise to help."

I smile, "Thanks," I grab the first ball I see, before realizing it was too heavy as it slipped out of my hands. My eyes widened as I waited for it to hit the ground, but instead, Stiles caught it with his free hand.

I couldn't help but blush as I watched him place the ball back on the rack with ease. He grabbed a pink ball before handing it to me, "Maybe try this one."

I nodded, unable to hide my embarrassment as I take the lighter ball from his hands.

We made our way to sit across from Allison and Scott. I watched Lydia walk up with Jackson, as he held her waist. I watched as he guided her hand with the ball. She threw the ball and watched as it rolled into the gutters.

Lydia sighed, missing her next shot as well, turning back to Jackson, she walked back to their bench. "I'm so bad at this."

Allison went up next, holding the ball with a look of determination as she eyed the pins before bowling the ball. The ball rolled quickly, knocking out all of the pins.

"Great job, Allison," I smiled at her while Lydia laughed, "Somebody brought their A-game."

I turn to look at Stiles, who had been pretty quiet, "You okay?"

Stiles looked up at me, blinking a few times before nodding, "Y-yeah."

I smile as I watch Stiles get up and grab his ball from the holder, Quickly bowling his ball and earning a strike.

I laugh in awe, "That was perfect."

Stiles shrugs, "I mean-I-just-uh-"

I smile at him just as I hear Jackson shout, "You're up, McCall."

I turn to look at Scott nervously get up from his seat before grabbing his bowling ball.

I send him a wink, knowing he will get it when he turns towards us.

Allison smiles, "You can do it, Scott."

Stiles nods, "Yeah, you got this."

Scott slowly walked up to the alley, staring at the ball before taking a deep breath and bowling. I hold my breath as I watch the ball roll... straight into the gutter.

I sigh as Jackson begins to laugh.

Stiles and I both glared at him. I roll my eyes, "Can you be nicer?"

Stiles nods his head, "Yeah, Scott just needs to warm up."

Allison raises her eyebrow at me, but I lightly roll my eyes, just as Scott moves to sit back in his seat.

Jackson shook his head, his face red, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm just flashing back to the words, 'I'm a great bowler.'"

"Maybe he just needs a little time," Allison glares at Jackson.

Jackson scoffed. "Yeah, maybe he just needs the kiddy bumpers."

Lydia looks down at the screen before turning to me, "Ariel's turn."

I nervously stand up, making my way to the alley with my little pink ball in hand. I, now, understood why Scott was so nervous. It felt like there were a million stares behind me, waiting to see me fail.

I felt my breathing begin to hitch as I realize I won't be able to hit the pins. I felt Stiles stand next to me.

🀢 𝔰 🀥

"I can't do this," Ariel shook her head, her pink lips painted into a frown.

"Okay, um, I can be with you, yeah? I'll show you - I'll show you how until you're able to do it on your own," I comforted her. God, I hope she doesn't think I am some weirdo. I can't ruin this night, my first time hanging out with the girl of my dreams.

"Are you going to play?" I heard Jackson call out, causing Ariel's breathing to hitch. Why does Jackson always have to be an asshole? I glare at him, causing him to send me a murderous look, preparing to get up, causing me to jump and turn back to Ariel.

"Hey, come on, you'll do fine," I try to comfort her, placing my hand on her back so she won't turn around and see the Jackass laughing at her.

Ariel nodded, causing her long ponytail to move over her shoulders. I smiled, before grabbing the ball, "Okay, so um first you - you place your fingers like this," I show her where to place her fingers before standing behind her, "Okay, um, I'll be standing behind you and kinda holding you, is that - is that okay?" I ask her, trying not to sound like some horny teenager. I barely have my hands on her waist when I feel Ariel's soft hand reach to pull my flush onto her back.

Calm down, Stiles! Relax, don't get too excited.

Once I was sure I was okay, I carefully wrapped an arm around her waist and helped her improve her form. It felt so right, holding her in my arms like this. I never wanted to change this moment.

"On three, we let go, okay? But don't think too much, it won't help," I try to tell her, causing her to nod before she repeats what I said in a shaky voice.

"Um, well, uh, just think about the game," I try to comfort her, whispering softly in her ear, "think about how nobody else is around. Clear all negative thoughts, okay? Just think - about us right now. Just us," I feel Ariel lean back as she listens to me whisper in her eat, causing a huge grin to form on my face. This is perfect.

I begin to count down as I help her bowl the ball, "Okay. One, two, three," We let go, and it hits six pins.

I hear the most adorable noise to ever come from Ariel before she excitedly turns to me, "Did you see that? Stiles, we got a five," she laughed, pointing to the alleyway with an innocence about her that almost had me at my knees.

My eyes widened as she hugged me, causing me to try and calm my breathing before hugging her back. "You got a five," I corrected her previous statement.

Ariel pulled away way too soon, causing me to feel empty. I gave her a high five before she pulled me back to the bench.

Her small hands were barely covering my own. We sit down and watch as Scott goes up to play again. This time he looks more nervous than before, probably not wanting to look bad inf front of Allison again. I try to look at Scott but, I am too distracted by Ariel, who looked so adorable as she watched Scott with so much faith in her eyes. I wanted to wrap my arms around her.

Ariel's smile was gorgeous. Her perfect white teeth. And her luscious pink lips that looked so soft.

I have to go up, and bowl, which wasn't hard, and I easily got us two strikes before returning to sit back down next to Ariel—acting awkward and embarrassing myself in front of the prettiest girl at school.

"Yo! Martin! Let's go!" Jackson demands right after I sat down, causing Ariel to sigh and get up. I swear I could punch him right now.

"You ready?" I asked her, earning a small nod.

Ariel grabbed the ball before smiling, "I have got this." I nod, a bit upset that she didn't need my help anymore. Not that I should be shocked, why would someone as cool and popular as Ariel want some loser like me to help her.

"Where do you think you are going?" Ariel said, causing me to look up at her, confused before looking behind, myself to make sure she was talking to me. Ariel grabbed my hand and pulled me up with her. I blushed at the contact, causing Ariel to try and pull away. I don't know where the sudden spark of confidence came from, but I tightened my grip on her hand, not wanting to let go.

I grabbed the ball from Ariel and helped her hold it the right way before helping her bowl the ball the same way as before, "Like that," I nodded my head once she was in the correct form.

"Now, don't think - don't think about the negativity. Don't think about Jackass, oh sorry, um Jackson," my eyes widen, hoping she doesn't leave me for my comment, knowing that was her friend, but instead, all she does is giggle at my comment. Ariel Martin thinks I am funny. I swear I just fell in love with her even more. "Just think about this," I tell her, hoping I didn't sound stupid.

"Oh my god!" Ariel smiled before hugging me, causing me to wrap my arms around her small frame, "You're so cute," I sighed before my face turned the shade of a tomato. I need to shut up.

Ariel giggled before biting her lip, "Thank you, I think you're cute too."

Did she just-I-Holy shit.

"I um. I'm gonna bowl," I stuttered, unable to concentrate.

"That is seriously amazing. Jackson, uh, how many strikes is that?" Allison asked.

"It's six. In a row," Jackson looks like he's about to snap at me.

I shrug, looking at Ariel, who didn't seem phased, "How many for Scott?"

Jackson glared at her before muttering, "Three in a row."

"Something just clicked, I guess," Scott shrugged.

I feel Ariel lean on my chest before whispering, "more like Allison has been giving him some encouragement," I try to calm down as I feel goosebumps rising on my skin from the heavenly feel of her body on mine.

"Maybe it's a natural talent," Allison stated.

"I could use some natural talent. You mind helping me out this time, Stiles?" Lydia batted her eyelashes at me. How could Ariel be related to her?

"Um, I think - I think you will be able to do it," I stuttered, looking down ta Ariel, who seemed a bit upset.

Lydia purses her lips before wearing a fake smile, "Thanks for the vote of confidence, how about you, Scott?" She winked at Scott.

"No, you're good. Go for it," Scott told her, after looking at Allison. That's my boy.

"Hey, I'll help," Jackson suggested, getting up to help Lydia.

"How about I just try this on my own? I think I'm getting the hang of it," Lydia told him before grabbing the ball and getting a strike.

I knew Lydia was smart, but I didn't expect that "Your sister is great at bowling."

Ariel nodded, still leaning on me, "I know, she has always been the talented one."

I look at her, shocked that she didn't think the same of herself, "You-you are way more talented than Lydia," I muttered, thinking about all the things Ariel was great at. Music? Yep. Dancing? Yep. Languages? Yep. Art? Yep. Math? Yep. I couldn't think of one thing that she didn't succeed in once she tried.

"It's my turn," Ariel smiled at me, not seeming to take my statement to heart.

"Need help?" I asked, moving to get up.

"I think I got it," Ariel smiled before I saw her eyes dart to Lydia. I watched as she picked up her ball incorrectly, which I knew she did on purpose since Ariel would not forget something so simple. I rushed to her aid, knowing she would drop it and caught the ball just before it hit her feet.

"I think you don't," I blushed then scratched the back of my neck.

"I'm such a klutz," Ariel adorably covered her face with her hands.

I smile, nodding at her. I wish she didn't act stupid just to please Lydia. Everyone would love her the way she was, even if she was smart.

"It's okay. I'm clumsy, too," I shrug before helping Ariel hold the ball correctly. "Okay, since - we - um - don't want you to break your foot. Let me help you," I told her, helping her do the same thing as we had done before.

I took in a deep breath enjoying the feeling of this angelic girl in my arms before whispering to myself, "Just us."

I let go of her and watched as she made a strike all on her own. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride knowing that she had made her first strike. I watched as she turned to look at me in shock before running up to me with a smile on her face, "Did you see that? I got a strike all on my own."

I chuckled, letting out a deep breath before wrapping his arms around me, "Y-yeah," if only things were always like this.

"That was amazing!"

I nodded, "You are amazing," I smile not realizing what I had said, "I mean-you are-the game-The strike was a-"

"Thank you," Ariel smiled before leaning to place a small kiss on my jaw. She was so adorably cute and petite. Wait. Did she just-holy cow-Ariel Martin just kissed me. I am never washing my face again.

🀢 🀣 🀥

After winning the game, Stiles had volunteered to drive Ariel home, since Jackson had rudely announced that he was not in the mood to drive the girls home. Lydia had decided to spend the night over at Jackson's house but, Ariel was not in the mood to be around the boy. This caused Stiles to offer to drive the girl.

Ariel smiled looking around Stile's jeep as they drove to her house. The girl had always enjoyed the design of jeeps so it was no surprise that she enjoyed riding in Stiles's blue jeep. 

"That was amazing," Ariel's blue-eyes focused on the driver of the car she was in, looking away from the window.

"You were pretty good, by the way," He complimented, fiddling with his fingers.

"Really?" Ariel asked him, moving in her seat to look at him better. She knew that the boy was just being kind, but enjoyed talking to him nonetheless.

"Yeah," Stiles smiled at the Martin girl, as he pulled into her driveway. Ariel's eyebrows furrowed once she realized they had made it to her house. She knew that she had never mentioned her address to the boy, but was unaware of the fact that Stiles had committed her address to his memory years ago.

"Thank you," The young girl hesitantly smiled, leaning over the console to hug Stiles. Both Ariel and Stiles froze, the contact caused a foreign feeling to spark within themselves. Eventually, Ariel pulled away.

Ariel noticed the lights in her house flicker on, signaling that her mom had noticed the two teens sitting outside, "I have to go, but I had a lot of fun."

"Bye Stilinski," the doll-like Martin jumped out of his car, literally, before unlocking her door. Stiles watched with a lovesick expression, slowly raising his hand to his forehead as he realized what had occurred. 

Once the door was closed, Ariel couldn't help but lean against it for a moment, with the biggest smile on her face. The sturdy wood seemed to ground her thoughts as she relieved the moment that had just happened.

"Young lady, do you know how - What got you so happy?" Ms. Martin asked, leaning on the stairwell.

"I had a fun night," Ariel shrugged, trying to hide the goofy smile that wouldn't seem to go away. The girl was giddy after her night out and couldn't seem to concentrate on anything other than the boy who had made her feel so happy on the first place.

"A boy?" the Martin mom raised her eyebrow with an eager smile.

"Maybe," the young girl shrugged, pushing herself off the door and walking up the stairs.

"What is he like?"

"Well, I'm gonna go sleep now," Ariel fake yawned.

"What is his name?"

"Good night, mom," the petit brunette yelled as she reached the top of the stairs, "Love you!"

"Come on," Ms. Martin yelled from the first floor, "You have to tell me something!"