Oblivion » Stiles Stilinski |Book One

Dinner Party

I bit into my knuckles as I sat crosslegged on my bed, awaiting my father's permission to begin getting ready for dinner.  Stiles and his father were joining us tonight, and I dreaded it.  Things were awkward between Stiles and I, and I didn't want to see him after my vision at practice.  But I was forcing myself.  Maybe it wouldn't be as bad as I was making it out to be. 

"Valerie-" The door swung open and my father shut his mouth the minute he entered the room. 

"Hey, just take it easy today, alright?  I promised Stilinski we would do this.  You should head to bed extra early tonight."

I bit my tongue and nodded, tears pooling in my eyes.  "Okay."

"Start getting ready.  They'll be here in an hour."  And with that, he left, closing the door behind him.  I rose from my bed, blowing out a puff of air from my lungs before searching through my closet for a simple-yet-cute Aztec print dress and black tights.  I curled my hair and battled with the tangles until it was presentable.

I glanced at the clock once more after doing my makeup: it was 6:57.  They would be here within a couple of minutes. 

I would be okay.

I could fake a smile.

I could force a laugh.

I would be fine for tonight.  Just for tonight.

The doorbell's shrill call screamed through the house, and I pushed open the bedroom door.  I blew out a puff of air and opened the door.

Stiles was wearing a plaid shirt over a white t-shirt and jeans-his casual apparel-while his father wore a navy button-up shirt and tie.

"Hi, Mr. Stilinski.  Hey, Stiles." I greeted the two of them calmly.

Sheriff Stilinski was a middle aged man with graying hair and brown tired eyes.  He shook my hand and patted my dad on the back.

"Thanks for having us, Deputy."

"My pleasure.  This your son?" Stiles gulped and held out his hand.

"Hi, sir.  My name's Stiles."

"What's your first name, boy?" he boomed.

"Er, I..." He swallowed hard and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

"Dad, he doesn't like to be called by his first name."

"Oh, my mistake.  You can call me Mr. Hampton."

"Dad..." I groaned.

He shrugged off my complaint and engaged in a conversation with Stilinski.  Stiles pulled me into the living room and sat me down on the couch.

"Valerie, what happened today?" he asked.

"I don't know.. I don't know why I keep seeing these things... But it just happens, it just keeps happening."

"What'd you see today?"

My stomach twisted itself in a knot.  He couldn't know.  He wouldn't want to.

"It was just like, reliving my mother's death," I lied as I tried to resist digging my claws into my palms.

"No."

"What?"

"If it was about your mother, then why were you screaming?  Why did you keep saying 'No, leave him alone'?"  Panic set it immediately.  I was going to have to tell him.

"Fine, I saw you," I blurted, the words crawling out of my mouth without my control.

"You saw me?"