The weekend has finally arrived. Everyone besides Liam had been MIA for almost a whole day- well, to us anyways. All I know is that Stiles and Lydia had decided to go to Eichen House, a place for mental patients, for some clues. They found another banshee named Meredith whom Lydia knew for quite some time and was supposedly dead, but she was very much alive. I don't know much about her, but Scott said not to dwell on all of that. All he kept saying was that he would handle it.

I was last in touch with Scott late last night. I stayed up as usual since it's now a Saturday in the late afternoon, and he told me that he would be with Argent to help out another pack and that even more professional assassins might be after them; he claims they'll be different from the past ones. I shouldn't be surprised. Of course he was doing more selfless things.

Another thing is that Kira had come back. When her mother was injured a few days ago in the Beacon Hills Hospital after battling the Berserkers, she was transferred to a different center and is currently healing.

Now, I had just come back from watching a movie with my mom. She had the day off, so we decided to finally catch up on the recent movies. I'm currently in my bedroom just using my laptop, mindlessly scrolling through my timeline while I simultaneously finish typing out my essay for History class.

The familiar ring tone coming from my phone catches my attention. I leave my laptop, hop out of bed, and grab my phone on the table by my bed. Upon seeing one of the names who hasn't contacted me yet flashing on the screen, I immediately accept the call.

"Uh, Stiles?" I ask, a bit confused.

"Hey, Riley."

"What's up?"

"I just called to fill you in on everything."

"So, what happened? What did you do last night?"

"The dead pool... it's done."

I should be jumping for joy. If the dead pool is officially over, then all my friends are safe now. But my face stays emotionless and I can't help but not be satisfied with his words.

"That's amazing," I manage to say.

"Well, we hope it's done."

There it is. "Oh. What do you mean?"

"Firstly, you know Scott had to bring a woman named Satomi's pack to Argent last night, right?"

"Well, yeah."

"Brett's part of that too. You remember him, yeah? They were on the run and needed a safe place. More professional assassins came in to kill them but they soon left. Scott told me that he saw a message from the Benefactor."

"What did it say?"

"It said that all contracts were terminated."

"So what makes you unsure that everything isn't over just yet?" I question him, beginning to pace around my room.

"Scott told you how that Meredith girl is alive, yeah?"

I nod but realize he can't see me. "Oh, yeah."

"She only wanted to talk to Peter. To make things short, Peter was in a fire a long time ago. He got into a coma and was in the same room as Meredith, and her being a banshee, she could hear all his thoughts. Turns out he planned this whole dead pool thing from the start," Stiles says.

"Whoa," I breath. "How did you know this?"

"Lydia just told me. Also, her late grandmother was just like her. She created the list of supernatural creatures, but it was Peter's idea to make it a dead pool."

I sigh. "You and Scott weren't kidding when you said he was bad and to stay away from him."

"Yep."

"Is he still out there?"

"Lydia told Sheriff Stilinski to let him go."

"What? Why?"

"There's no proof that he did all this."

I become silent. Of course that's why. How else could the Sheriff explain to the judge how it's all Peter's fault that normal people- well, supernatural beings, but they don't know that- are becoming murderers all for the sake of a large amount of money?

"Oh," I finally say. "So, um, where are you now?"

"On my way home. I came from the hospital."

"I thought you and Lydia came from Eichen House at first?" I say, feeling more confused by the minute with all these new information.

"We were. Brunski, that crazy guy who handles that place, attacked me. I got a concussion and all but whatever, then Malia and I went to the lake house for some more clues."

I hear Stiles take a deep breath after all his rambling. He talks way too fast. I chuckle lightly and speak before he can ask me why I'm laughing.

"You obviously need some rest."

"That's what Melissa told me."

"Then listen to her," I urge. "Get some sleep or something. By the way, where's Scott now?"

"He went to Deaton." Right, the veterinarian. "I think he'll be home soon, though."

"Well as long as you guys are okay now, then everything's fine," I say with relief. "Tell him to chill for a moment. You too."

"Yeah, sure, Riley," he says, sounding amused. "Look. I gotta go now. Maybe you can talk to Scott later."

"Yeah, maybe. Bye Stiles."

With a click, the phone call ends and the line goes dead. As if on cue, another person is on the line and calling me. With a sigh, I answer the next call but not before reading the name that flashes on the screen.

"Hiya, Liam."

"Mason will be over at my house in like, twenty minutes," he begins casually. "He told me he had to finish some business or something."

"How secretive," I joke.

"Yeah," he agrees. "So, wanna come over?"

"You should be glad I just came from the movies, Dunbar, so I'm all dressed up already," I tease him, grabbing my shoes from beside my bed.

"Look, I don't care if you'll just wear some baggy old shirt, alright?" he laughs back. I smile widely at that as I slip on my sandals one handedly. "Are you gonna be playing video games?"

Liam sighs. "You know me so well," he says dramatically.

"I know, I know," I say, pretending to be extremely proud. "I'll just be finishing up my essay for History the whole time, though."

"Wait, we have an essay for History?"

I laugh heartily at his words. I grab my phone, a textbook and notebook, shut my laptop, and then pick it up. I then simply say into the phone, "Yes, we do. Don't worry, it's due on Tuesday. Or Wednesday. You can procrastinate."

"Good, good."

"But I've got a test tomorrow on the topic in History before the one about this essay, so I'll be studying too."

"Wow," is all he says. "I'm sure I still don't have a scheduled test."

"Mr. Yukimura did say that some students would be taking it later," I add thoughtfully.

"Oh, great."

I merely smile a bit and shake my head at his words. "I'm just gonna go tell my mom then I'll be there in a few," I inform him. "Bye."

"See ya."

This time, I'm the one who ends the phone call as I march over to my mom's office down the hall. I knock two times before entering. She sits behind her desk, writing some things down on a bunch of papers and I have no idea what they're all for. I never did fully understand her job.

"Hey, Mom. I'm heading to Liam's for a bit," I say as she lifts her head up to look at me.

"Oh, alright. Will you be back for dinner?"

I shrug, really not knowing if I will be. "It depends if Liam's mom invites Mason and I to stay."

"Well then, I'll just leave food for you like we always do the past few days."

I laugh nervously, knowing it was the fault of all these crazy adventures that occur practically every day and every night. "Right. See you later, Mom."

"Bye, Riley."

I step out of the office, closing her door properly before jogging down the steps of my staircase. As usual, I grab the keys before exiting my house and making my way to Liam's which is literally only a few meters away from mine.

I ring the doorbell and bounce on my heels as I wait. I can hear shuffling inside the house, then a few seconds later, I am met by a woman who so happens to be Liam's mother.

"Hi, Mrs. Dunbar," I greet her politely.

The woman smiles kindly at me. "Hello, Riley. Liam told me you'd be coming over today. Mason hasn't arrived yet, though."

"Oh, well that's fine." She steps aside and makes way for me to get in. After a little small talk with her, I walk up the stairs and go straight to Liam's room. His door is left ajar, so I cautiously step in. Luckily, I just see him placing some things down on his desk.

"Hey, Riley Bales." He grins at me upon noticing me enter.

"Hiya, Liam Dunbar," I say back, walking in casually then plopping down at the edge of his bed.

"Since Mason isn't gonna be here for another fifteen minutes, I have decided to get started with that History essay I forgot," Liam tells me in a posh voice. I raise my eyebrows at him in amusement as he brings his laptop over to his bed where I sit. He copies my position and places his laptop on his lap, opening it up before I do.

"Good luck with doing that in fifteen minutes. You still need to research," I say, making him groan.

"I've still got until Tuesday, right?"

"Yeah. Technically." I shrug. "But with everything going on, you should start doing your work in advanced."

"Sure, teacher," Liam jokes. I gasp in mock offense and he nudges me playfully, laughing at my face.

"I'm not that old just yet!" I exclaim and he doesn't stop laughing.

"Not all teachers are that old. But don't worry, you don't look old," he reassures.

"Yeah, I look my age," I say defensively.

"I wouldn't necessarily describe you by saying look your age." I look at Liam in confusion, not knowing where he is going with this. "I'd just say you're cute."

I flush in embarrassment, dropping my arms. Whenever he makes a comment like that, I get thrown off guard, just like now. I wrack my brain for something interesting to say or for a change in topic, but I have nothing.

"Riley." Liam pokes my arm childishly.

I scoff at him, rolling my eyes with a small smile on my lips. "Come on, let's just continue with that essay."

For the next ten minutes or so, we quietly proceed with typing out our essays in our laptops. We confide in each other occasionally- it's mostly Liam asking questions, but I don't mind. He still does his research on his own, and by the time we hear the front door from downstairs open and close, signaling Mason's arrival, I am done with my essay and have scanned it over just once. On the other hand, Liam has only completed two unedited paragraphs.

"At least I got some work done," Liam comments to himself as he saves his work.

"While I am free for the rest of the weekend. No more homework for me," I brag, smiling widely and triumphantly.

"Stop bragging-"

"Why are you guys talking about homework when we're supposed to be hanging out?"

Liam and I snap our heads to his bedroom door and grin at Mason who now enters.

"Because Liam here forgot that we had school things to do," I say as Liam sends us both a sheepish look.

"Oh, come on! That essay isn't even due tomorrow!"

"It's alright, man. I understand you." Mason walks over to Liam, patting him on the shoulder and the two of the, share fake looks of sympathy. I roll my eyes yet again at these two having a little play here.

"How touching," I say sarcastically.

Mason sends me a little glare but speaks in a joking way, "We can't all be smart like you, Riley."

I smile slightly at that compliment but answer back anyways with whatever comes to mind first. "Whatever, Mason."

The two friends chuckle at me. "Come on, Mase, let's play some video games right now."

"Why? So you can lose again?" And the banter begins... now.

"Oh, I've been practicing way more than you think. I'll beat you this time."

→ → →

I feel guilty for not having enough faith in Liam. After that last time where Mason beat him in numerous games, I am confident that he'll do that again, even after Liam claimed to have practice a lot. By the time it gets dark, Liam is announced the winner.

"How did you get so good?" Mason asks from the floor next to Liam. As expected, they sit close to the flat screen TV on the bedroom carpet while I relax on the bed. At first, I study even with all the noise from the game, but I don't mind. After an hour, I begin playing my own games on my phone and making occasional commentary for the boys' video game much to the their enjoyment. "You've been practicing? Or did you just suddenly get superhuman reflexes?"

I can't help but sit up straighter and feel like I've had my hand caught in the cookie jar. Liam sends me a look from the corner of his eye but answers Mason as naturally as he can.

"Practicing," Liam answers quickly with slightly widened eyes. "Yeah, I've been practicing."

"And I should be studying," Mason finally says, beginning to get up.

"Where are you going?"

"Home. I got a History test tomorrow, and Riley's been studying the whole time so I need to catch up," he chuckles.

"Come on. One more game," insists Liam. He's been saying that a lot, and although he and Mason enjoy these video games a lot, it seems different today. I must just be overanalyzing things. All I've been doing the past few days is noticing how different Liam has been acting recently. Am I just overthinking these things?

"Yeah, you said that four games ago," Mason states as he stands up. He walks over to the door, but Liam continues to speak.

"Well, study here. You can stay over." Mason catches my eye and though he doesn't make a face, it's obvious he's pondering over why his best friend is being this way.

"Come on, one more game. Just one."

This time, I'm more interested. I unfold my legs and swing them to the edge of the bed, awaiting what Mason will say next.

"You okay?" he asks carefully.

Liam suddenly shakes his head. "Yeah. You're right. You should go. I should probably study too. See you at school."

It's eerily quiet as Mason slowly backs away. I'm at loss for words. Liam is just sitting there on the ground, staring at the game controller.

Finally, I get up too. This causes a creaking sound from the bed and alerts Liam. He spins around and faces me.

"I, uh, I have to get back as well," I say awkwardly. "It's getting a bit late."

It seems like he wants to say the same things he said to Mason to me. He opens his mouth to speak, but closes it again. He looks back down at the controller before replying.

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow."

This really isn't like him. Even though it isn't early anymore, I live just nearby, so I can stay here a few more minutes to talk to him.

"Liam," I say seriously, walking towards him. He faces me again as I kneel down next to him. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," he shakes his head furiously. "Why... Why do you ask?"

"Well," I begin trying to phrase the words in my head properly. "Don't take this the wrong way, but you've been acting differently lately..."

"What's wrong with that?" he says instantly, sounding defensive.

"It's not exactly wrong," I quickly say. "I'm just concerned."

"Yeah, well don't be," Liam says harshly. "I'm fine. Nothing's wrong with me."

"I didn't say there was-"

"I though you needed to get home already?"

That was true. But he sounded so angry when he said that, and I can't help but feel slightly hurt at how he just shuts people out. I gulp and nod.

"Yeah, I do," I say shortly. I begin to stand up but have second thought. Looking back, I see that Liam is still staring emotionlessly at the ground.

"You don't have to keep everything to yourself, you know," I add, directly looking at him. "It's not bad to share things with others. With your friends."

At first, all he does is do the same thing. I sigh in slight annoyance, thinking that there's nothing else I can say. Slowly, Liam turns to meet my eyes. It surprises me slightly how vulnerable he looks now.

"Yeah," he just whispers. "I know. Thanks."

He has the faintest smile plastered in his face, but it's a genuine one nevertheless. I smile back at him softly, simply sitting there next to him just for a while. Feeling more confident due to the fact that he looks at least a bit better, I scoot closer and plant a small kiss on his cheek. Moving back, I see that his eyes are wide, but I don't know if that's a good or bad thing. I myself am blushing at my own actions, but I bite my lip and finally stand up to leave.

"Goodbye, Liam."

A/N: SOOO Riley and Liam didn't exactly kiss. Whoops. HAHA sorry guys but at least Riley was confident enough to kiss him on the cheek, right? Yes? No? Tell me what you think 😜 Also, anyone have any ideas for their ship name? 💘

P.S. 14 MORE DAYS UNTIL TEEN WOLF SEASON 5 COMES OUT. I REPEAT, 14 MORE DAYS. THAT'S EXACTLY TWO MORE WEEKS UNTIL WE GET TO SEE OUR FAVORITE SUPERNATURAL CREATURES AGAIN‼️