i. Teenage dream
4631 words.

CASSIE FIXED HER BLUSH with practiced calm, the soft beat of Teenage Dream by Katy Perry filling the air. Her fingers moved in rhythm with the song as she hummed along, a subtle smile playing on her lips.

"I'mma get your heart racing in my skin tight jeans, be a teenage dream tonight," she sang quietly to herself, swaying slightly as she applied a final coat of lipstick. She wiped her index finger across her lip, cleaning up a stray smudge, when—knock knock knock—the door swung open without warning.

"Kyle!" her mother, Katherine, called from the hallway, her voice cutting through the music. Cassie looked up just as Katherine handed a piece of toast to the tall figure standing in the doorway.

"Thanks, Ms. Montgomery," Kyle said with a soft smile, his eyes meeting Cassie's for a moment before she turned the music down.

Cassie couldn't help but grin as she met his gaze. "Hey, hey," she greeted, setting her makeup brush down with a soft click and zipping up her bag. Kyle stepped into the room, brushing a light kiss to the top of her head.

"There's my girl," he said, his voice warm but with the familiar playful undertone.

Cassie laughed, spinning on her heel and gathering her things. "Ready to go?"

Kyle nodded, taking a bite of toast as he leaned casually against the doorway. "Yeah, if you are."

She slipped her bag over her shoulder, taking his outstretched hand with a smile. "You know me, I'm always ready."

They walked down the hall, the soft light of the morning filtering in through the windows. The house felt like a dream, all light wood floors and warm hues, the scent of coffee drifting through the air from the kitchen.

From the kitchen, Katherine's voice echoed softly. "You two have a good day!"

"You too, Mom!" Cassie called back, though the words felt somewhat detached as she reached the front door, stepping into the cool morning air with Kyle by her side.

Kyle opened the passenger side door for her, a small gesture that always made her feel like she was being swept into a movie. Cassie smiled at the familiar comfort of it as she slid into the seat. He shut the door softly, moving to his side of the car before pulling out of the driveway.

The hum of the engine felt like a heartbeat as they drove off into the day, the radio playing in the background but neither of them saying much. "Do you have your lacrosse stuff?" Cassie asked, her fingers tapping on her phone's screen as she messaged someone.

   "Yes, I do," Kyle replied, his eyes briefly flicking to her before returning to the road.

   "Your phone?" Cassie raised an eyebrow, her voice calm but questioning.

   Kyle sighed dramatically. "Yes, mom."

   Cassie shot him a sideways glance, unimpressed, but Kyle just grinned, clearly unfazed. "I'm starting to listen to you more often," he added with a teasing smirk.

   "Thank God," Cassie muttered under her breath as she slipped her phone into her purse.

   "What, texting Lydia?" Kyle asked casually, taking his eyes off the road for a split second to glance at her.

    Cassie nodded. "Yeah. She's waiting on me."

   Kyle just nodded in response, quiet now as they fell into a comfortable silence, the soft pulse of music filling the car. Only a few minutes later, they rolled into the school parking lot. Cassie glanced out the window, watching the familiar faces and the chaos of students heading to class.

   Kyle parked smoothly, and the second the car came to a stop, Cassie grabbed her purse, ready to get out.

   "Ah!" Kyle called out, stopping her mid-movement. He held his cheek toward her, an exaggerated pout on his face.

   Cassie rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at her lips as she leaned in, pecking his cheek quickly.

   Before she could pull away, Kyle turned his head suddenly, his lips catching hers in a brief kiss. "Love you," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

   Cassie smiled back, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Mhm," she replied, already reaching for the door.

   The door swung open before she could get the chance, and Lydia popped her head inside, giving Cassie an exaggerated, impatient look. "Come on, Cassie! We're gonna be late," she snapped, clearly rushing.

   "Alright, I'm coming," Cassie replied, laughing softly as she slid out of the car. Lydia waved a casual goodbye to Kyle as Cassie shut the door behind her, and the two girls began walking ahead.

   Kyle stayed in the car, but his eyes followed them for a moment, his smile lingering.

   Lydia linked her arm with Cassie's as they walked toward the school entrance. "You two should just, like, attach yourselves to each other for the entire day. I'm sure no one would even notice," she said with a smirk, clearly amused.

   Cassie chuckled, a wry smile on her face. "I wish," she said, her tone light but with a hint of something else, like she wasn't sure if she meant it.

   Lydia rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "You're hopeless," she teased. Then, after a beat, she shifted gears. "So—party this weekend? We're still on, right? Like, for sure?"

   "Of course," Cassie replied easily, her face lighting up with excitement. "I picked my outfit out like a day ago—I'm so ready."

   Lydia grinned, their arms separating as they reached the stairs. Cassie's phone slipped from her hand, hitting the concrete with a soft clatter. She sighed, quickly kneeling to scoop it up, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she did so.

"—Since the birth of Lydia Martin!" a boy's voice rang out, full of dramatic enthusiasm. "Hey, Lydia! You look—" The words hung in the air as Lydia breezed past him without so much as a glance, her heels clicking against the concrete in perfect rhythm.

Cassie straightened up, clutching her phone tightly as she turned toward the source of the voice. Her eyes landed on him—a tall, gangly boy with buzzed hair and an awkward but oddly charming smile. He was still staring after Lydia, waving as if she might suddenly decide to acknowledge his existence.

The boy's gaze flicked to Cassie for half a second, his smile widening in recognition. He waved at her this time, a little less enthusiastically but still hopeful.

Cassie's lips pressed into a polite but indifferent smile. She didn't say a word, just adjusted her bag and calmly followed Lydia into the school.

Still, something about him nagged at her. He looked familiar—like she should know his name, like she'd seen him somewhere before. But the memory wouldn't come, and she let it slip away as Lydia's voice cut through her thoughts.

"Cassie, are you listening to me, or is your head stuck in the clouds?" Lydia quipped, not even slowing her pace as she glanced back at her.

"I'm listening," Cassie replied, her tone as calm and composed as ever. She matched Lydia's stride, the moment with the boy already forgotten—or at least pushed aside for now.

Behind them, Stiles watched the two girls disappear into the crowd, his gaze lingering on Cassie for a beat longer than he'd intended.

☆

Cassie walked into the English classroom, her eyes on her phone, thumbs scrolling with quiet precision. The faint murmur of conversations barely registered as she moved through the room, her blonde hair catching the light just so, a soft halo of gold framing her face. Her outfit—particularly the pleated skirt she'd picked that morning—looked effortlessly put together, a sharp contrast to the chaos around her.

She made her way to her usual spot: somewhere in the middle—not too eager at the front, not too detached at the back. It was just right, like a neutral zone. Sitting down, she placed her purse carefully on the desk beside her and tuned out the hum of voices, completely oblivious to the subtle glances being thrown her way by a few of the boys.

A moment later, the room quieted slightly, and Cassie glanced up to see a girl entering the classroom. She was striking in a way that felt natural, effortless, with dark, glossy hair that framed her face perfectly and an approachable but chic sense of style. Her nervous demeanor only added to her charm, like she was unsure of her place but trying to own it anyway.

"Class, this is our new student, Allison Argent. Please do your best to make her feel welcome," the principal announced, standing just inside the doorway.

Cassie's eyes lingered on Allison as she made her way to a seat two rows ahead and to the left. Her presence seemed to command attention without even trying. Cassie gave a small, almost imperceptible smile before glancing back down at her phone. She typed something quickly before locking it and slipping it into her bag.

As she pulled out her pencil case, a stray pencil slipped from her hand, launching forward in an unintentional arc. It hit the shoulder of the boy sitting in front of her, then fell to the ground with a soft clatter.

The boy turned, already leaning down to grab it, his movements slightly chaotic but oddly smooth at the same time. As he handed the pencil back to her, he flashed a quick, awkward smile.

"No worries. Happens all the time. I mean, not to me. I usually have, you know, pencil control. But uh—yeah." He stopped himself, handing her the pencil with an almost exaggerated flourish.

Cassie blinked, caught off guard by the rambling. "Oh—sorry. Thank you. That wasn't on purpose, I'm just... really clumsy today." Her tone was calm, dismissive, as if she didn't notice the way he was looking at her.

Stiles, however, very much noticed her. His gaze lingered, and for a brief moment, his brain completely short-circuited. Was she glowing? Did people glow?

Cassie didn't look up, not at first, completely oblivious to the way he was probably drooling over her. When she did glance up, her calm blue eyes met his, and he immediately cleared his throat, straightening like he'd been caught doing something illegal.

"Yup! Yeah. No problem," he said quickly, spinning back around so fast his elbow almost knocked his notebook off the desk.

Cassie arched a brow but said nothing, her attention already drifting elsewhere as the teacher called the class to order.

"We'll begin with Kafka's Metamorphosis on page one-thirty-three," the teacher announced, the familiar shuffling of books and papers filling the air.

Meanwhile, Stiles tried to discreetly glance back at her again, only to accidentally drop his pen.

Cassie didn't notice. But if she had, she probably would have rolled her eyes.

☆

Cassie walked alongside Lydia through the bustling hall, her heels clicking softly against the tiled floor. The fluorescent lights above seemed to cast a golden glow on her, or maybe that was just how she carried herself—effortless, composed, the kind of girl who looked like she belonged in a magazine spread.

"Look. Her." Cassie muttered, her voice low as her gaze shifted to a girl up ahead. She nudged Lydia lightly. "She's pretty, right? Like, really pretty?"

Lydia raised a perfectly arched brow, her tone carrying that signature Lydia Martin sarcasm. "Are you about to go on a five-minute rant about how pretty she is?"

Cassie's lips curled into a small, knowing smile, her gaze darting away with faux nonchalance. Before Lydia could press further, the two girls stopped in front of the new girl, Allison Argent.

"Hey," Cassie greeted with a warm smile as they approached, her tone calm and self-assured, the kind of friendliness that felt deliberate but sincere.

"That jacket is absolutely killer. Where'd you get it?" Lydia cut in, her eyes scanning Allison with a calculating but complimentary expression.

Allison looked up, her smile soft but genuine, her nerves only barely visible beneath her polished demeanor. "My mom was a buyer for a boutique back in San Francisco."

"Style," Cassie nodded approvingly, her smile widening ever so slightly.

"And you are officially our new best friend," Lydia declared, her grin dazzling as if she had just won some silent competition.

Before Allison could respond, Jackson sauntered up, his arm immediately wrapping around Lydia's waist with the casual ease of someone who owned the moment. Right behind him was Kyle, who leaned down to place a quick kiss on Cassie's cheek.

"Heyyy," Jackson greeted with a nod, his grin teetering on smug as he addressed Cassie.

"Hey, Jackson," Lydia replied, her tone dripping with affection as she leaned into him. They exchanged a kiss, Jackson grinning into it, while Cassie raised her eyebrows at the display.

Kyle turned to Allison, offering her a friendly smile. "New friend?"

"Hi—I'm Allison," she replied, her voice tinged with shyness but warm.

"This is Kyle," Cassie chimed in, her tone light but with a slight air of possessiveness. "My boyfriend." She gestured at Lydia and Jackson with a small smirk. "And the two who are always making out? Lydia and Jackson."

"Funny," Jackson quipped with a grin, clearly unbothered.

The group exchanged easy laughter, the kind that made it clear they were a tight-knit crew. There was an undeniable aura around them—the best-dressed, most effortlessly confident, and undeniably magnetic. They weren't just popular; they were iconic.

Lydia turned her attention back to Allison, her grin sharp and conspiratorial. "So, this weekend—there's a party."

"A party?" Allison asked, blinking in slight surprise.

"Yeah, Friday night. You should come," Jackson added casually, his tone carrying the assumption that this wasn't an invitation—it was a statement.

Allison hesitated, her bashfulness evident. "Uh, I can't. It's family night this Friday. Thanks for asking, though."

"Aw, that's too bad," Kyle said, his arm slipping around Cassie's shoulder as he shot Allison a friendly smile. Lydia and Jackson both looked visibly disappointed.

"You sure? Everyone's going after the scrimmage," Jackson pressed, his tone almost teasing.

"You mean, like, football?" Allison asked, her confusion clear.

Kyle froze mid-step, exchanging a look with Jackson before bursting into laughter. "Wait—you're joking, right?"

Jackson followed with a scoff. "Football's a joke in Beacon Hills. The sport here is lacrosse. We've won the state championship the past three years."

Lydia tilted her head, a loving gaze on Jackson as she reached up to smooth his perfectly styled hair. "Because of a certain team captain..."

"The best of all time," Kyle added with a grin, throwing his friend a playful jab on the shoulder.

Cassie smirked at the exaggeration, crossing her arms. "Best of all time? I thought I was."

Kyle's eyes widened slightly as he scrambled for a response. "Uh—of the cheerleaders, babe. Obviously."

Cassie squinted at him in mock suspicion. "Mhm. Convenient."

"Stop competing for my spot in his heart," Jackson cut in with a smirk, shooting Cassie a teasing glare.

"You started it," Cassie shot back, their bickering dissolving into shared laughter as Lydia rolled her eyes.

"Well," Jackson began, his smirk returning, "we have practice in a few minutes. Unless you've got somewhere else to be..."

"I was going to—" Allison began, her tone faltering as Lydia cut her off decisively.

"Perfect! You're coming." Lydia's smile was radiant and unyielding, and before Allison could protest further, Lydia had hooked her arm around Allison's.

Cassie followed suit, looping her arm through Allison's other one. "Come on," she said with an encouraging smile.

The two girls didn't give Allison a chance to resist, gently dragging her toward the lacrosse field. Allison cast a final glance back at the hallway, her gaze landing on Scott before she was swept away.

Trailing behind them were Jackson and Kyle, their easy banter filling the space as they followed their girlfriends like loyal shadows.

☆

The lacrosse field buzzed with energy, the sharp sound of cleats skimming the grass and lacrosse sticks cracking together filling the air. The team passed the ball back and forth in practiced precision, while students gathered in the bleachers, their chatter creating a dull roar of excitement.

Allison, Cassie, and Lydia sat near the middle of the bleachers, the sunlight filtering through the trees casting long shadows across their faces. Allison's gaze wandered toward the field, her lips curling into a small smile as she caught sight of Scott. But before he could return the smile, Coach Bobby Finstock stormed up, his booming voice cutting through the noise.

"McCall!" Finstock yelled, startling him.

Cassie's dark eyes flicked between Scott and Allison, noticing the exchange but choosing to ignore it—for now. She leaned casually toward Allison, her tone light but curious.

"So, middle-of-the-year transfer?" she asked, brushing a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.

Allison turned to her, momentarily caught off guard. "Yeah—uh, my family moves around a lot," she replied, offering a hesitant smile.

Cassie nodded, her voice softening. "Well, I hope this is your last stop. You're pretty cool." There was no flattery in her tone, just honesty, her voice warm and sincere.

Allison blinked in surprise before her smile grew wider, her features brightening. It was like something clicked, a quick and unexpected connection forming between them.

The conversation lulled as Lydia's attention drifted to the field. Her sharp green eyes locked on Scott with an unusual curiosity, as though she was noticing him for the first time. Allison's gaze followed, softening as Scott reluctantly stepped into the goal.

"Who's that?" Allison asked, nodding toward him.

Lydia tilted her head slightly, unimpressed. "Him? I have no idea."

"Mmm," Cassie hummed thoughtfully, squinting toward the field. "Don't know his name. Why?"

Allison didn't answer right away, a secretive smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "He's in my English class," she finally admitted, glancing at Cassie. "Well, our class," she corrected, as though she had just remembered Cassie was there too.

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "Oh, he's that guy who sits in front of you?"

Before Allison could answer, the loud crack of a ball slamming into Scott's helmet cut through the air, the force knocking him backward onto the ground.

"Hey, way to catch with your face, McCall!" Jackson shouted, his voice dripping with mockery.

Kyle, smirking beside him, added, "Your face isn't the goal, McCall. Though... it could be!" He snickered under his breath, earning a high-five from Jackson.

Scott scrambled back to his feet, shaking off the hit with a determined look in his eyes. The next shot came at him fast, but this time, he caught the ball with startling ease. For a moment, he stood there, stunned, staring at the ball in his stick as though it had appeared by magic.

On the sidelines, Stiles exploded with excitement. "Yes! That's my best friend!" he shouted, punching the air.

The next shot came. Then another. And another. Each one found its way into Scott's stick as though he were born for this, his movements suddenly fluid and instinctive.

Even Coach Finstock froze, his jaw slack as he muttered to himself. "What the hell...?"

Cassie leaned forward, her lips parting in disbelief. "Wow," she murmured under her breath, unable to look away.

Allison's eyes sparkled as she watched Scott's growing confidence. "He's pretty good," she said, more to herself than to anyone else.

"Very good," Lydia agreed, though her tone carried a new edge, her interest in Scott more apparent now.

Cassie nodded silently, her gaze still fixed on the field.

Scott's smile widened as he bounced on the balls of his feet, exhilarated by the sudden change in his abilities. Jackson, meanwhile, bristled at the attention Scott was getting. He shoved the next player out of the way, determined to show everyone who the real star was.

Jackson sprinted toward the goal, his muscles coiling as he hurled the ball with all the force he could muster. But to Scott, it was like the world had slowed down. The ball cut through the air in near slow-motion, giving him more than enough time to snatch it mid-flight without hesitation.

This time, both Stiles and Lydia leapt to their feet.

"Yeah! That's my boy!" Stiles shouted, his voice carrying over the field as Lydia clapped enthusiastically.

Even Cassie stood, clapping slowly with a grin spreading across her face. "Damn," she whispered, her voice almost drowned out by the cheers.

Jackson, however, stood frozen, his expression twisted in frustration and disbelief.

Scott glanced toward the bleachers, his eyes briefly locking with Allison's. Her smile was soft, encouraging, and for the first time, he allowed himself to smile back.

☆

Cassie slipped into her house quietly, her footsteps soft against the polished wood floors. She moved with the kind of practiced stealth that only came from years of trying to avoid being cornered. Just as her foot touched the bottom step of the stairs—

   "Cassandra Montgomery!"

   Cassie froze mid-step, closing her eyes briefly in exasperation before turning back toward the kitchen. She forced a smile onto her face as she walked in. "Hi, Mom," she greeted, her voice calm but edged with a faint undertone of annoyance.

   Katherine Montgomery stood by the kitchen island, her arms crossed, a half-empty glass of wine in front of her. She regarded her daughter with a mix of concern and subtle frustration. "Are you and Lydia planning some sort of party?"

   Cassie tilted her head, feigning nonchalance. "I guess... yeah. I forgot to mention it. Friday night," she hummed, opening the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

   Katherine looked away, her eyes briefly darting to the kitchen window, avoiding Cassie's gaze. "I don't think you should go," she said softly.

   Cassie paused, the bottle of water hovering in her hand. Her face twisted into a familiar look of irritation, brows furrowing as she snapped the fridge shut. "What? Mom, we already have everything planned. What possible reason could there be for me not to go?" She studied her mother's expression and then narrowed her eyes, her voice taking on a mocking edge. "Oh my God. Are you still freaking out about that whole full moon myth?"

   Katherine bristled, her lips pressing into a thin line. "No—it's not just that," she said quickly. "Look, crazy things happen during full moons. And let's not pretend every time you and Lydia go to a party, another bottle of alcohol doesn't mysteriously vanish from my cabinet."

   Cassie arched an eyebrow, her tone calm and utterly unbothered. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

   "Of course you don't," Katherine replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. She sighed and placed her glass down, her tone softening. "I'm serious, Cassie. I think you should just stay home this time."

   Cassie rolled her eyes, the forced smile fading entirely. "Mom, it's for the scrimmage. I always go. I'm not staying home because you're spooked by some 'spooky, scary full moon' nonsense. I'll be fine."

   She didn't wait for a response. Turning on her heel, she strode out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Her footsteps echoed faintly, punctuated by the slam of her bedroom door.

   Inside her room, Cassie let her bag slide off her shoulder and onto the floor before reaching up to rub at her neck. "Ow! What the hell?" she hissed, flinching as she tugged at the necklace her mother had given her. The ornate, Victorian-style pendant with its crimson gem gleamed ominously as she yanked it off, tossing it onto her vanity.

   She leaned in closer to the mirror, running her   fingers lightly over the faint burn mark left on her skin. The irritation on her neck pulsed slightly, as though in defiance. "What is wrong with this thing?" she whispered, shaking her head before turning away.

   With a sigh, Cassie kicked off her shoes, letting them fall haphazardly to the floor. The evening routine began in earnest—thirty minutes and one second in the shower (not a second less, not a second more), a fresh set of soft pajamas, and her damp hair pulled into a loose braid.

   By eight o'clock, she sat cross-legged on her bed, laying out tomorrow's outfit with the kind of precision that hinted at a compulsive need for control. The necklace glinted mockingly at her from the vanity, but she ignored it, burying the strange burn in the back of her mind.

   Instead, her gaze wandered to the window, where the moon hung heavy in the darkening sky, round and luminous. For a moment, unease flickered across her face, but she quickly dismissed it, shaking her head as she muttered to herself. "Full moons. Spooky myths. Give me a break."

   Still, she tugged the curtains shut a little tighter before finally sliding under the covers.

   Cassie lay still on her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, the faint shadows of tree branches swaying outside her window casting fleeting patterns across her walls. Her mind buzzed, a mixture of lingering frustration and unease, but exhaustion began to creep in. Slowly, her eyelids grew heavier until they finally closed.

   She didn't know how long she had been asleep when the dream began.

   At first, it was just darkness. Then the sound of breathing—deep, ragged, and uncomfortably close. A low growl rumbled through the air, sending an unnatural chill down her spine. The scene around her shifted.

   There it was—a wolf. Its sleek, black silhouette darted through the woods, moving with an almost supernatural grace. It leaped over fallen logs, its golden eyes glowing with an intensity that froze her in place. She felt her heartbeat quicken, a pounding rhythm that seemed to echo in her ears as she tried to follow the creature's movements.

   Cassie didn't know if she was running toward it or trying to get away, but the forest blurred, the tall trees twisting unnaturally as if they were alive. The wolf stopped suddenly, its gaze locking onto hers. Those glowing eyes bore into her, and for a moment, she thought she saw something human flicker within them—something familiar.

   Her breath hitched as it lunged forward.

    Cassie woke with a start, gasping for air, her chest heaving as she sat upright in bed. Her hand instinctively went to her neck, the faint sting of the burn from the night before serving as a stark reminder that something wasn't right.

   The room was quiet, the kind of eerie stillness that felt almost oppressive. She glanced toward her window, where the pale light of the early morning was beginning to filter through the cracks in her curtains. The moon was gone, replaced by the dull haze of dawn.

   Running a hand through her messy hair, Cassie muttered to herself, "It was just a dream. Just a dream..."

   But the image of those golden eyes refused to leave her mind.

   Shaking off the unease, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, her feet sinking into the soft carpet. Cassie couldn't shake the feeling that the dream was more than just a random nightmare. It had felt too real—too vivid.

   As she moved toward her vanity, her gaze fell on the necklace lying there. The red gem glinted in the faint morning light, and for a moment, she thought it looked darker—like the color of blood.

   "Great," she whispered sarcastically, picking it up and tossing it into a drawer without another thought. She wasn't about to let herself spiral over some weird dream.

   But as she caught her reflection in the mirror, she couldn't ignore the lingering unease in her eyes. Something about that dream felt like a warning.

★