KENNEDY'S POV

When I got home after the game last night, I still hadn't heard from Stiles, and my mom was gone. I didn't really care where she went if I was being completely honest, it's not like we normally hang out together anyway. I hardly ever talk to her anymore, when I say something it's just in one ear and out the other. It's pathetic. My life is turning into one of those crappy B-rated movies about a teenage girl. 

The next morning when I woke up to the smell of bacon, I was highly confused. My growling stomach was the reason that my feet carried me down the stairs, only to find my mother "slaving" away at the stove. She was wearing that stupid white silk robe that she's had for years and her dirty blonde hair was pulled up into a knot on the top of her head. 

I cleared my throat to get her attention and she jumped slightly, dropping the spatula onto the counter before turning around to face me. Her eyes widened slightly, "Kennedy, good morning... I was going to come and wake you when breakfast was done."

My eyebrow shot up, "Why are you making breakfast? Trying to show off for Mr. Harris?" I cringed as the name left me and I silently prayed that he wasn't upstairs in her bed. 

"Adrian... I mean, Mr. Harris, did not stay over if that's what you're implying. I actually decided to do this because we need to talk." She sighed before turning her attention back to the sizzling bacon. 

I hopped up onto a bar stool and rested my elbows on the granite counter top. My mom took pride in having nice and expensive things, she always has, so it was no surprise that she had to have the next best looking house on the street, Lydia's family obviously had the first. I flinched at the thought of running across Lydia today. 

This whole argument is so stupid and I really just want to move on from it, but I know that we won't ever be able to be the way we were before until she tells me why she hates Stiles so much. I don't understand it. He has never said or done anything to her that would deem him worthy of her hateful wrath. All he did was be nice to me, and if that's all it takes to get Lydia Martin to hate you, then I won't ever have another friend again.

"Have you and Lydia gone shopping for your dresses yet?" My mom asked light-heartedly, attempting to change the subject. 

I blinked once before deciding on lying to her, "We're actually going out shopping for them today." Lydia was not coming with me today. I was going by myself because apparently I don't have any other friends, I would invite Stiles but he still isn't answering my text messages. I certainly do not want to appear entirely too clingy, so I decided to just stop sending them to him.

"That's exciting, I presume you have a date? Lydia must be going with Jackson." She chuckled, flipping the bacon over. I inwardly scoffed, if only she knew that Lydia had actually cheated on Jackson because he was being a complete and total asswipe to her.

I nodded once, "It's so exciting."

"Are you okay with me dating?" My mom suddenly asked, her tone hesitant. 

My head fell back as I let out a sigh, "Do we really have to have this discussion at ten in the morning? I'm not up to full mental capacity just yet." 

She spun around and placed her hand on her hip, "I am going to continue dating, I just want to know if you are comfortable with it or not. If you aren't then I won't bring people around."

My eyes widened slightly, "Excuse me?"

"It's been eight long years, Kennedy. I've been lonely, you've been lonely. Your father would not have wanted us to be like this, I know he wouldn't have." She sighed, desperately trying to plead with me to entertain this idea of her prancing around Beacon Hills with a different man every week.

I don't know why my eyes were stinging with that stupid feeling of tears, maybe it's because this whole Lydia thing is hitting me harder than I would like to admit, but for some stupid reason I just wanted to cry. I wanted to lock myself in my room and sob until I didn't feel this shitty inside anymore. 

"No, mom, he wouldn't have wanted you to be sleeping with my Chemistry teacher!" I snapped bitterly, pushing myself off of the stool, the legs scraping against the wooden floor. 

Her eyes were wide and her cheeks were a bright red, "Kennedy Jane Martin! How dare you-- what the hell has gotten into you?!" She gasped, the bacon was burning and I laughed at the symbolism in this entire situation. 

"I'm going to get dressed and then I'm leaving. You may want to turn off the burner." I muttered before storming out of the kitchen. I have no idea what the hell has gotten into me, I normally wouldn't speak to my mom like that. I just need to calm down, dress shopping should help. 

ღ

As I browsed through the plethora of dresses in Macy's, I couldn't get the altercation with my mother out of my head. It was really starting to cause some actual pain in my brain, and I have already taken four Advil because of it. Why would she even dare say that my father would be okay with her banging my Chemistry teacher? She's a sociopath, I swear. Has she been leading a double life or something for the past eight years, because every time I've seen her she has been working non-stop, how has she even had time to date?

"Hi! Welcome to Macy's, are you finding everything okay?" A bubbly sales associate appeared out of nowhere, I glanced at her uncertainly as I pulled my hand away from the purple dress I had been looking at. 

Her name-tag red Madigan and she seemed happy enough to be working at the Clothing Department of Macy's. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a tight ponytail, and surprisingly she was about an inch or two shorter than me-- that never happens! 

"Not really, no." I laughed despite my gloomy mood. I need to find a damn dress before all of the good ones are gone. This is usually an activity that Lydia and I do together, but I guess she just had to ruin that too. 

Madigan glanced at the purple dress in distaste, "I don't really think that would look good on you. Some of the things they sell here are awful."

I chuckled at her blunt response as she sifted through the rack behind me, the one full of white and cream dresses. I assumed she was trying to help me pick one out, but I couldn't be for certain. My eyes then landed on the fragrance counter and I felt a pang of nostalgia.

The time when Stiles and I came here together had been so much fun. I talked the entire time while he just listened, but he actually listened. And he smiled and he laughed and he offered to carry my clothes for me. He was entirely too sweet, and I honestly don't know why I had waited this long to grow the ball to actually speak to him. Stiles is probably the most genuine person I have ever met in my entire life and I really wish that I could have known him for the past eight years. My life would be entirely different, I would actually more than likely be happy.

"I really like this one!" Madigan chirped as she pulled a white dress off the rack. The skirt was layered and would end at mid-thigh. The top was embroidered with sequins and had a netting top that gave the dress a more reserved look. 

Upon seeing it, my eyes widened and I reached for it instantly. The fabric was soft and I checked the tag to see that it was in my size. "Can I try this on?" I asked her impatiently, this very well could be my Winter Formal dress. How did I not see it when I was going through that rack earlier?

Madigan nodded as she gestured to the dressing rooms, "Go for it." 

I smiled brightly and hastily made a dash for the dressing room. There was a baby crying loudly behind one of the doors and I felt sorry for the poor mother that had to deal with that. If I ever end up having a kid, I will definitely not be bringing them along for the ride when I go shopping. That's entirely too many things for my brain to focus on at one time. 

The third room was open and I slipped inside, locking the door and practically ripping the skirt and blouse off that I had on. I pulled the dress over my head and smoothed it out as I glanced at myself in the mirror. The dress was perfect in every sense of the word. I smiled widely as I twirled around and giggled, I had found the dress. Well, Madigan had found it to be fair. Maybe she would want to see me in it?

I pushed the door open so I could venture back into the store to find her, but she was standing in the dressing room grinning like a fool when she caught sight of me. I couldn't help but grin back and she squealed as I spun around again, "You look beautiful! You so have to get that one!" She insisted. 

"Oh my god, I love it so much! Thank you for finding this!" I couldn't stop looking at myself in the mirrors that lined the walls. I looked so pretty. I even have a pair of glitter heels that will match this perfectly. 

She waved her hand at me dismissively, "Don't mention it, you are by far the best looking girl I've seen try that dress on." 

My cheeks heated up at the compliment, usually when I go dress shopping the sales consultants always are helping Lydia, complimenting her and telling her how beautiful she is. It's nice to finally be the one to hear those compliments. 

I sighed in content and nodded at my reflection, "Well Madigan, I'm saying yes to this dress."

Madigan busted out laughing as she nodded, "I'll start a new show! Madigan to the Rescue!" 

STILES' POV

I slid into the kitchen and jerked the fridge door open, tugging out the half gallon of milk and taking a large gulp. I have some serious research to do tonight, and I have to make the inevitable call to Kennedy about why I've been dodging her text messages. My eyes snapped into the dining room when I heard the sound of paper's shuffling, my dad was seated at the table with his glasses on with a blue ink pen in his hand. 

I backtracked back so I was in the middle of the kitchen and grinned at him, "Whatcha doing?"

"Work." He dead-panned, not even bothering to glance up from the files in front of him. 

This could be my chance to get my hands on some actual Police Reports about Derek's house, "Anything I could help with?" I offered, squinting my eyes in hopes he would give me some minor task. 

"You know, if you poured me an ounce of Whiskey that would be awfully nice." My dad replied instantly. 

I leaped over to the liquor cabinet where I had stolen that bottle of Jack Daniels from last week, grabbing the new bottle to replace it and one of his crystal glasses that he kept beside it. The milk was placed on the counter, I couldn't be bothered to backtrack to the fridge at the moment. I then quickly walked into the dining room and sat both the bottle and empty glass on our circular wodden table.

There were at least a dozen different files opened up, with different records scattered around. I don't know exactly what he needs all of these for reference for, but maybe they could be helpful. 

"Any leads?" I inquired as I  reached to flip some papers over, but he swatted my hand away and shot me a look, "Hey!"

I jerked my hand back and shook out my now throbbing fingers, "Ow!"

"You know I can't discuss that with you." He replied before his eyes were fixed back on the papers before him.

I sighed as I grabbed the bottle of Whiskey and twisted off the cap, the amber liquid ran in a steady stream into the glass and I watched it intently, "Not too much." My dad stated. I stopped pouring the Whiskey but then it hit me, if I can get him drunk enough, maybe he'll tell me what I need to know... I glanced at him briefly before pouring some more Whiskey into his glass. It was nearly filled to the rim.. I swallowed nervously as I placed the glass in front of him, "Okay.. there you go, Dad."

"Thanks. Bottoms up." He remarked as he grabbed the glass and then sucked down it's entirety. My eyes widened considerably as he softly placed it back on the table. Well that was a hell of a lot easier than I thought it would be. 

My dad leaned forward on the table and blinked a few times, "You know, Derek Hale would be a whole hale of a lot... Hale of a lot?" He questioned. 

I glanced at him in amusement, "Hell of a lot?"

He gave me the thumbs up, "Hell. Hell of a lot, yes. He would be a hell of a lot easier to catch if we could get an actual picture of him."

I quirked an eyebrow, "How do you not have a picture of him?" He should have a mugshot or something from when Scott and I had gotten him arrested after we found that upper-half of his sister's body buried on the side of his house.

"It's the weirdest thing, it's like every time we try to get a mugshot, it's like two laser beams were pointed right at the camera." He stated.

My eyes scanned the table for Derek's aforementioned mugshot and when I saw it, what my dad had said actually made sense. Where his eyes are, the entire picture is white and blue. I sighed as I dropped the photo back on the table, "Nice."

"Oh, my god. Oh! That ounce hit me like a brick. And I have said way too much, and if you repeat any of that..." My dad moaned as he pulled off his glasses and rubbed at his temples. 

I held my hands up innocently, "Dad-- it's me. I'm not gonna say anything, come on."

He smirked and nodded to himself, "See the things is... is they're all connected. I mean the bus driver that got killed, he was an insurance investigator assigned to the Hale house fire." 

I glanced at the paper he was looking at and read the bolded letters, "Terminated under suspicion of fraud."

My dad nodded, "Exactly."

I glanced at the photos from the house fire that were in front of me, the skin of the victims, Derek's family members, were bright red and charcoal black. "Who else?" I asked quickly, the pieces were finally starting to come together. 

"The video store clerk who got his throat slashed... he's a convicted felon, history of arson." My dad's speech was starting to slur, maybe I had given him a little too much Whiskey..

I dropped the photos and glanced at him, "What about the two guys in the woods?"

"Priors all over their records including.." My dad trailed off, he was losing his ability to think and speak fluently at the same time. 

I blinked as I ran my hands over my face, "Arson. So maybe they all had something to do with the fire?" 

My dad sat up and smacked at the table, oh he was about to leave! He can't leave, there is still more that I need to find out. I hastily snatched up the bottle and glass holding them up with a grin on my face, "Another shot?" 

"No, no, no. No more." He rushed out. 

I sighed, "Dad, come on, you work really hard. You deserve it." 

He smiled and rubbed at his dead, "Oh my god, I'm gonna have such a hangover."

"You mean you're gonna have such a good nights sleep." I sarcastically pointed out as I swiveled in the chair to hide how much Whiskey I was pouring into the glass. 

As I tipped the bottle into the glass I let out a sigh, "And I'm going to have an eternity in the lowest circle of hell."

ღ

My dad went to sit his glass back on the table but it fell off due to his major impairment. I quickly grabbed the glass and placed it on the table without hesitating. He sighed as he rubbed at his head, "Oh, Stiles, there's just so many questions." He mumbled.

"Like what?" I asked as my leg bounced up and down nervously. I just got my father drunk so he would tell me confidential Police information. And, I had planned on calling Kennedy like twenty minutes ago but my dad just kept talking. She text me earlier saying that she picked out her dress for the dance and that my tie needed to match a white or silver theme. I can't believe I keep blowing her off like this. The one time in my life when I literally have no time at all is when she decides to show interest in me. How ironic.

My dad rubbed at his eye, "Like, if Derek wanted to kill everyone involved with the fire, then why start with his sister? I mean, she had nothing to do with it. And why make it look like some animal did it? When that cougar showed up in the parking lot, I checked with animal control. You know, the instances of wild animal reports were up 70% in the last few months? It's like they're just going crazy, running out of the woods. I don't know."

I sighed as I sunk back in the chair, "Or something's scaring them out."

"Ah," He attempted to nod but he had his head rested in the palm of his hand. 

"You know, I miss talking to you... it's like we never have time." My dad mumbled. 

My mind was already whirling about all of this new information to tell Scott, I reached for my phone and attempted to stand up, "Dad, you know, I have to make a phone call. I'm sorry." I rushed out.

"I do. I miss it. And I miss your mom." He continued. I wouldn't have heard him if I had gotten out of my seat a second sooner. My dad very rarely ever talks about my mom. My eyes widened as I slowly turned back around to face him.

"What did you just say?" I asked hesitantly, a part of me was screaming for him to keep talking about her while another part of me was telling him to shut the hell up because I don't have time for an emotional breakdown right now.

He smiled faintly, "Kennedy is so much like her... I talked to her... she really cares about you." 

My heart was hammering in my chest at this information. When I had gotten my dad drunk, I had intended on him telling me things about the case he was working on, not anything about my mom or Kennedy. When did he talk to her? 

My dad reached for the bottle again and I quickly placed my hand over his to stop him, this is why he never talks about my mom. Whenever he does the guilt hits him and he starts drinking, and he hates himself when he drinks so much that he can't function normally. He let out a sigh, "Thanks." 

"Dad... when did you.. when did you talk to Kennedy?" I asked hesitantly, praying that he still had enough awareness in him to answer my question. 

He smiled again at the sound of her name, "She was nice... she's good for you."

I swallowed thickly as I tried to think of when he could have seen her and held an actual conversation with her... the game. It had to have been the game yesterday that I missed. Why did she sit by my dad and not Lydia? 

"Was she okay? Why did she sit with you?" Asking him questions at this point is probably pointless, but I'm too afraid to call her right now, I need to call Scott first that way Kennedy will be the main focus of the rest of my evening. He mumbled something I couldn't understand and rested his head on the table, seconds later soft snores flitted from his parted lips. 

______________________________________________________________________

Well I'm sorry this took a bit longer to get out than I had anticipated. My anatomy project that's due on Monday is completely effed up and so I have no idea how to fix it because we filmed it all backwards. Therefore, we're going to end up failing and I hate school even more because of it. We couldn't just do a poster like I wanted, no we had to do a freaking video. 

Anyway, back on topic. I really liked this chapter. As you all may know, Madigan a.k.a.  @occlumency is my bestest buddy so I thought it'd be cute to give her a cameo in this story since she is such a huge fan of Stennedy. If you want to see Kennedy's dress, it's posted on my polyvore. If you don't know my polyvore it's  simplysashaaa 

Be sure to fan, vote, and comment what you thought! Only five chapters left! xx