J

for the past few weeks, something had shifted, you felt a different energy to him

the vibe between you and stiles felt warmer, softer, like the electricity between you had stopped crackling and settled into something gentler.

it was a warm saturday afternoon, you were in your bedroom, scrolling on social media.

until you received text message from stiles

stiles: are u free today

you: depends.

you: why

stiles: there's this ice cream spot i like

stiles: was thinking i could take u... like actually take u

stiles: as in a real date lol

you: who are you and what did you do with stiles

stiles: i thought i owed you one a date… a proper one

you: hmm

you: do i get to judge ur ice cream order

stiles: obv

stiles: but i get to judge ur toppings so choose wisely

stiles: pls go, don’t humble me

you: fineeee

-

you got ready, into a cute outfit and simple makeup. the shop was tucked away thirty minutes off campus, somewhere he swore had the best ice cream ever made.

the drive was with the windows down, music, and him drumming the steering wheel to some song, even though he implied it was a date, nothing felt different, it was still normal between you two.

now, you were sitting outside the shop at a tiny table with your knees almost brushing under the table, two melting cups of ice cream between you.

the world felt far away here, just laughter, plastic spoons clinking, and the steady chatter of a saturday afternoon.

“strawberry ice cream is so basic,” he teased as you fed him a bite from your cup.

you gave him a look. “it’s classic… plus it has unicorn sprinkles.”

“its boring,” he fired back.

“better than mint chocolate chip. which is mid by the way,” you said with a grin.

his jaw dropped. “wow- that’s a personal attack.”

you giggled, shrugging. “i’m just being honest.”

stiles leaned forward, eyes bright “you’re wrong, but fine. i forgive you. only because you’re cute when you’re wrong.”

“did you just call me cute?” you asked, teasing, but your voice softened on the word.

he rolled his eyes but his mouth twitched, like he couldn’t help the smile. “no. you hallucinated that.”

“hmm,” you hummed, spooning some of your ice cream. “crazy. thought i heard something.”

you fed him a bite again “hey,” he said suddenly, voice quieter. “i like this.”

you blinked twice. “what, the ice cream?”

he shook his head, with a laugh escaping his lips. “spending time with you.”

you looked at him for a moment too long.

something in your chest fluttered. maybe he really meant it. maybe this date means something more.

“stiles?”

a voice cut through.

you turned to see the voice.

she was already walking up to your table, smiling wide, radiating confidence, her walk was easy and sure.

she was the kind of pretty that didn’t try. the kind that made you doubt your worth.

her eyes locked on stiles immediately, flashing him a pageant smile, and just like that, the air around you shifted.

you felt it in your gut, you’d just been replaced in the room.

stiles shifted slightly in his seat. moving away from you.

she stopped beside your table, a soft jingle sounding from the car keys she lazily twirled around her fingers.

behind her, two other girls—friends, probably—headed inside to order, barely sparing you a glance.

“wow,” she said, like she meant it. “long time no see. didn’t think I’d run into you here”

you watched the smile spread across stiles’ face, easy and familiar.

“holy crap—hey!” he laughed, like nothing else existed. “it has been a while.”

you shifted slightly in your seat. still, he didn’t introduce you.

not even a glance your way. not even a hand on your leg, or a “hey, this is—”

nothing.

just silence. just you sitting there, invisible in the warm sun.

“didnt know you still came here not after—” she said, her eyes flicking toward his half-eaten cup of mint chocolate chip.

what does that mean?

“It’s been a while since I last came,” he replied, voice lower.

you swallowed hard.

your strawberry ice cream was already starting to turn into ice cream soup.

“yeah,” she smiled, stepping a little closer. “i’ve been meaning to text you—guess i don’t have to now.”

she laughed softly, like there was an inside joke there. like you weren’t even at the table.

“how’ve you been?” he said, smiling.

“good,” she replied, shifting her weight from one leg to the other. “busy, mostly. work, the usual. you still in the frat?”

stiles chuckled, nodding. “unfortunately. yeah.”

what the fuck does that even mean?

“some things never change,” she said with a little laugh, brushing her hair behind her ear. her eyes sparkled, and for a second, you could practically see their shared history… this was some esoteric joke, you weren’t a part of.

”chloe…” he said, her name slipping off his tongue like it still lived there. “you still hanging with that same group? what were their names—sam, sophia and marcus, ?”

your stomach flipped. he knew too much of, this girl not being dramatic but it was like a slow turn, like your body knew something before your brain could catch up.

the way he said her name.

soft. familiar. like it was muscle memory.

you blinked down at your melting cup of strawberry ice cream and slowly reached for your phone under the table. stiles and chloe were still talking, laughing about some old party.

you opened your texts and stared at your contacts. carmen or luke?

carmen would spiral with you.

but luke? luke would give facts.

you: ANSWER LUKE THIS IS URGENT

luke: ???

you: who is chloe. i’m out with stiles and she’s here

luke: NOOOO WAY

luke: chloe dated him sophomore year. she was graduating and didn’t wanna date a college kid.

luke: sorry bro was a sophomore not paying his mortgage

you: omg thank u for this emotionally devastating lore drop

luke: is he ignoring u?

you: basically.

luke: wtf

luke: this mf

you set your phone down face first and tried to remember how to breathe casually. like, normal inhaling. not hyperventilating. totally!!!

you stirred your ice cream dramatically, like it was tea.

meanwhile, stiles was still giving her his full attention, nodding like he cared deeply about her personal growth journey.

and you? you were sitting there like a fool trying to look, at the birds, rolling your eyes at her explaining how she started reading self-help books and started life coaching her friends on TikTok live.

she looked at him, smiling. “you look good, by the way.”

stiles rubbed the back of his neck. “yeah? you too. i mean—yeah, you look great.”

your life couldn’t get any better.

chloe’s eyes flicked to you then—finally. just for a brief second.

she smiled, tight and polite. “sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt your… friend.”

she didn’t wait for your name. didn’t ask.

she didn’t want it. didn’t have to.

“we’re just hanging out,” stiles said quickly, before you could even open your mouth.

not even a pause. not a glance your way. it was the way he said it, like pretending he didn’t ask you on a date here.

and that?

made your wanted to die

“i should go,” she said casually, slipping her keys into her tote. “it was really good seeing you, stiles. maybe you should text me now, since the universe is giving us a little nudge.”

“yeah,” he said with a small smile

chloe left a few seconds later, her keys swinging, that confident little smile still on her lips as the door closed behind her.

you watched her go, trying not to wonder how long it would take him to actually send that text. you'd give it twenty minutes. tops

stiles turned back to you like someone had just hit “resume” on his podcast.

“so what were you saying?” he asked casually.

“i don’t remember.”

he didn’t notice your tone. or maybe he did—and just didn’t want to touch it.

you pushed your chair back slowly, careful like moving too fast might crack you open.

“i’m going to run to the restroom kay?”

“you okay?” he asked.

“yeah why wouldn’t i be?” you said, already walking.

the moment the bathroom door clicked shut behind you, your body rested against it.

you let your head rest there, breathing shallow, like you could hold in the feelings if you didn’t move too much.

your fingers shook slightly as you pulled out your phone and opened your messages

you: i just met the ex

carmen: stiles ex?! i thought he didn’t do dating

you: bitch idek anymore

you: luke told me they dated but she broke up with him bc she didn’t wanna be seen with a college boy

carmen: LMAOOO

carmen: this cougar bitch

carmen: wait so what happened??

you: bro i was having a main character moment… like full romcom. he was looking at me like how every girl wants to be looked at.

you: then she showed up and suddenly i was like a fly on the wall.

carmen: NOT A FLY

carmen: omg did he actually ignore you???

you: deadass didn’t even introduce me… just sat there like he forgot i existed

carmen: ew. i’m gonna beat him up with my stanley

you: pls do. make it look like an accident tho

carmen: ofc. i’ll be wearing sunglasses and hoddie. no one will suspect a thing

you: ur a real one

you: hiding away in the restroom.

carmen: i love you, i’m sorry :(

you: i love u.

you: i hate men

carmen: this mf

you let out a strangled laugh, over the fact that luke used that line. you wiped under your eyes quickly. okay! you could do this.

i mean you once survive falling off the stairs, so this can’t be THAT bad…

you unlocked the door and stepped out, avoiding the mirror this time.

when you walked back out, stiles was mid scroll on his phone. he looked up, kind of startled to see you again.

probably already texting her…

“is everything okay?” he asked, like nothing happened. like he didn’t emotionally take a dagger inside of you and removed it.

you just gave a smile.

“ya. all good.”

it was awkward now. no one wanted to be the first to mention it.

“wanna head out?” he asked, already grabbing the keys off the table.

you nodded.

“ya, let’s go.”

the car door slammed shut, and the silence filled in fast. too fast.

stiles shifted in his seat but didn’t start the engine right away.

“you seem quiet” he says cutting the silence

“just my head hurts” you reply biting your tongue.

“your lying”

“i’m not“

there was a beat of silence.

“sorry,” he said finally. “shes my ex. i honestly didn’t know she’d be there.”

“okay,” you said automatically.

“i mean are you possible your okay?” he asked.

you nod.

the car ride started in silence. just the low rumble of the engine.

stiles glanced over at you once, then again, like he was waiting for the tension to dissolve on its own.

it in fact didn’t.

“please talk to me” he asked again, softer this time.

silence filled the car.

why did he chose such a far place?

he sighed, rubbed the back of his neck, then said, “uh—i’m not gonna text her.”

you turned your head slowly. your face said really? louder than words ever could.

“it’s not—like, it’s not a big deal. i just… thought you should know. just wanted to be you know.. uh. it’s not romantic or anything. i guess she just wants to be friends now.”

“like we’re friends,” you said. you laugh was flat. “cool.”

he hesitated. “no. that’s… different-“

you rolled your eyes at him, before looking out the window.

the silence that followed was brutal.

“if you still have a thing for her, you should just tell me.”

“i don’t have a thing for her—not anymore,” he said, too fast, too defensive.

“then why did it feel like i disappeared the second she showed up?”

“you didn’t.”

“no, seriously—explain it to me,” you snapped, turning toward him. “tell me how i imagined you ignoring me. not even introducing me. she looks in your direction and suddenly you’re on cloud 9, laughing over inside jokes, wow i didn’t know i pushed play on a movie about exes getting back together.”

yippie

“it wasn’t like that—” he tried, weakly.

“it was exactly like that.” your voice cracked.

“God, stiles, i’m giving you everything. i’m pretending i’m not affected, i act like this thing between us doesn’t matter more than it should. but it does. to me, it does. and i’ve been treating this like an actual relationship, when you didn’t even deserve it. i thought this ‘date’ meant something”

he blinked, stunned, like your words had physically knocked the air out of him.

“i didn’t mean to make you feel like that,” he said, voice low. almost ashamed. “you do mean something to me.”

“yeah? what kind of something, stiles?”

he hesitated.

said nothing.

and that silence?

it said everything.

“just take me home,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

“okay,” he said after a beat, his voice small for once.

-

when he pulled up to your apartment, neither of you moved.

you didn’t unbuckle. didn’t reach for the door. just sat there, staring up at the apartment building like maybe if you focused hard enough, you’d teleport inside and avoid all of this.

stiles drummed his fingers against the steering wheel, the silence stretching out between you like static. then, finally—

“can i walk you up?”

you shook your head, without looking at him. “no.”

he blinked. “okay.”

you turned your head just enough to glance at him.

“have you slept with her since you broke up?”

“no,” he said without even thinking. too quick.

“would you like to?”

you aren’t even sure why you asked that, it felt awkward, after a few seconds of silence, the pause was loud.

“i haven’t really thought about it,” he admitted. then, a nervous chuckle “i don’t think I’m that insatiable. i have you for that.”

the words hit you like a bucket filled with ice. your stomach twisted.

you turned your body toward him now. “is that supposed to make me feel better?”

“what?” he frowned, confused. “it was a compliment. i was trying to—lighten the mood.”

his facial expression were soft, like he didn’t mean it in a bad way but his words came out in a different manner.

“by reminding me that i’m convenient for you?” you laughed, but it wasn’t funny. “that i keep you satisfied, so you don’t need anyone else?”

stiles shifted in his seat. “that’s not what i meant—”

“but that’s what you said.”

“i was joking,” he snapped, his voice rising slightly.

“ya, well, it wasn’t funny.” you said with a smug in your face.

“who asks those types of fucking questions anyways?” he argues

“who makes those types of fucking jokes?” you roll your eyes

he groaned, tipping his head back against the seat. “so i talked to my ex. big fucking deal.”

you scoffed, “it is a big deal when you act like she’s the only person in the room. you didn’t even look at me once while she was there.”

“i didn’t know there were rules for talking to people.”

“actually there is—especially if you asked me on a date beforehand” you spoke in a sharp and shaking tone.

“i mean,” he said carefully, “you can’t exactly be mad because we aren’t dating.”

oh heck nah.

you stared at him like you didn’t even recognize him. trying to think what to say before he cuts you off.

“i’m not trying to be an asshole.”

“you’re just naturally gifted, then?” you snapped.

he opened his mouth.

closed it.

because what could he even say?

what could he possibly say that would make this any less awful?

“God,” you whispered, voice cracking. “i feel so stupid.”

“you’re not—” he started.

“don’t,” you cut him off, colder than you meant to. “don’t lie to me.”

he flinched like you’d slapped him. maybe you should had bitch slapped him.

“i didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” he said, voice raw. “i just… i got scared.”

“scared of what, stiles? that i might actually want a relationship with you instead of being friends who fuck and act like they’re in a relationship?”

his mouth opened again, but nothing came out.

and that was your answer.

you exhaled shakily, blinking fast, trying to stop the tears before they started, but it was useless.

one slipped down your cheek. then another.

you wiped it away angrily, smearing your mascara across your skin.

“ugh, my makeup is ruined,” you muttered, half-laughing, half-sobbing.

stiles reached for you trying to comfort you, but you shifted away.

“no,” you said again, softer this time. begging. “please don’t.”

he dropped his hand, defeated.

“I just… I don’t know how to be what you need in a relationship.”

“stop treating this like it means nothing.” you said, voice shaking.

he looked at me, his eyes filled with something you couldn’t quite place—fear, regret, maybe both.

“but what if i mess it up? what if I’m not enough for you?”

“you’re not getting it,” you whispered, trying to steady your breath.

“i need more than this. i need your honest commitment, no more whatever this is… i need someone who won’t leave me second guessing, who won’t give me too much and then get scared.”

that was a long silence, you never heard silence quite this loud.

‘say something stiles, before i fill the collapse’ you mentally prepare for the worst.

nothing.

“can you say something?” you blurted out

now you're the one begging him to talk.

“please—”

the silence between you was deafening.

humbling, embarrassing, humiliating, shameful, no amount of synonyms can explain it.

you blink twice, realizing what you are doing, everything you stood against.

you used to make fun of girls for begging a man to want them back, and here you are.

irony hits hard.

you reached for the door.

“fine don’t say anything.” you huffed

“wait—” he said quickly.

before he could finish, you were out of the car, basically a bolter.

inside your apartment, you barely made it to the couch before you collapsed onto it

your phone buzzed on the coffee table, lighting up with his name.

you mentally rolled your eyes.

“CARMEN, PLAY ANY TRACK FIVE FROM TAYLOR SWIFT”

dala speaks: wow it’s been a long time coming ;) i ykyky, i hadnt posted since april and it’s been a while so heyyy!

i actually took a bunch of inspiration from normal people, i had this chapter DRAFTED a while ago (since april i think or march…) when i first saw normal ppl and that whole show made me wanna KMS.

to be honest i don’t like releasing chapters unless the next chapter is on his way! so the next chapter maybe next week! depends on how i feel :3

both stiles and reader are in the wrong. she is asking really off putting questions and stiles is not manning up. BOTH BAD CHARACTERS RAWR

adding on to this there is a bunch of taylor swift references. the COSOSOM one killed me bc it legit felt like a stabbed to the heart 💔💔

i also try on adding a bunch of humor into my stories bc without it, seems so weird and awkward!!!

not sure how i feel about this chapter… i need help planning out the next one 😁😁😁

next chapter release date… TBC😕

i also hated the misogyny joke but it needed to be done… FUCK HIGH SCHOOL CONELL (again reference to normal people)

YES THERE IS GRAMMAR ERRORS BUT OH WELL

TAG LIST: @trishiepo0 @chrissexuall @hey43916 @fiowerbeds @bookishtheatrekid @yomamaslays4lyfe @veronicadelrosastark