The following day, Aspen occupied a seat in the library in one of the upstairs tables. She had her chemistry notes scattered out in front of her, hastening to complete the assignment due next period. Arriving home late last night did not help her. As soon as she set foot into the warm shower, her drowsiness took over, and she went straight to bed. Fortunately for her, she only had chemistry homework that night, but being the hardest class, she still struggled nonetheless.

Looking up after craning her neck over her work for nearly thirty minutes, Aspen shook her hand before it could cramp from gripping her pen for so long. From the corner of her eyes, she caught sight of a familiar tall boy with the cerulean eyes in one of the bookshelf aisles. Isaac balanced books in one of his long arms as he mumbled the lyrics of a song to himself. He finally caught onto Aspen's gaze and looked in her direction. She sent him a soft smile with a wave, but as Isaac was about to return it, his tower of books fell to the floor with a loud thud. Isaac cussed under his breath as he knelt down to recover the fallen books.

Aspen flinched, hoping the librarian wasn't around to scold them. She went to help him when she was startled by the familiar raven-haired girl gradually approaching her table, clutching her books close to her chest.

"Hey," Allison said sweetly. It was apparent her eyes were holding a question that she was too hesitant to ask.

"Are you okay?" Aspen asked her, setting her pen on the table and tucking a hair behind her ear. Since Lydia said she would look better with her hair down, Aspen took her advice, but she had to get used to it. Allison pulled out the chair across from her and took a seat, gently placing her books on the table.

"Yea, everything is fine. I'm more than okay, actually." The smile on Allison's lips was ever-growing, her dimples deepening in her cheeks more than usual. Aspen couldn't believe how much Allison could blush. Her fair skin did not help when it came to suppressing her emotions.

"Why are you smiling like that? What happened?" Aspen laughed, leaning forward in her seat.

"Okay, well, it's gonna sound silly, but you're close with Scott, right? You're always with him and Stiles."

"Yea, we're close. Why? What did Scott do?" Aspen was ready to strangle Scott if he had ruined his chance with Allison. Not that she thought he would ever get a chance with her.

"Nothing wrong I'll tell you that." Allison bit her lip with a small giggle "it's a long story, but to sum it up, basically, I hit a dog on the road last night. I was a complete mess, and I don't know what came over me. So I took the dog to the animal clinic, and Scott was there, and he was just so....so sweet about the entire thing. We got to talking and well...he asked me to Lydia's party tonight."

Allison had told the story so fast, and Aspen just stared at her disbelief. Scott McCall, her dork of a friend, asked out the gorgeous Allison Argent.

She felt like a proud mother as she grinned at Allison.

"Oh, wow. That's great," Aspen told her, "I mean the hitting the dog wasn't great but still great in the end. Wait, why are you telling me this and not Lydia?"

"Well," Allison sighed, brushing her foot on the rugged floor, " I wasn't sure if you two were a thing or anything. I would hate to intrude-"

"Oh, no, no!" Aspen cringed from the mental image in her head. Her loud reply earned her a shush from a student in passing, making Aspen look down submissively as she mouthed a sorry.

Aspen had seen Scott as a brother for so long for someone to assume that they were anything more than that.

"God, no, please. It's fine. He's all yours. He and I are just friends. And the same goes for Stiles, trust me."

"Oh, okay. You don't know how relieving that is. I would have hated for things be awkward between us," Allison admitted, literally letting out a breath she had been retaining the whole time. "are you going to te party?"

"Uh, yea, Lydia invited me...for some reason."

"Well, I asked her to invite you."

"Really? That explains so much."

"Yea, I mean, I'm going with Scott, but it would be nice to see a familiar face there."

"Well, I'll be there."

"Are you bringing anyone?" the slight wiggle from Allison's brows made Aspen snort.

"If you mean a date, I'm afraid that's a no." Aspen sighed.

"Oh come one. There are plenty of guys to go with. Choose your player." Allison deepened her voice as she acted as a commentator with one of her fingers held against her ear, and the other balled in a fist acting as a microphone.

Aspen kicked Alsion's foot from under the table, causing the girl giggle.

"I wish it were that easy, but I don't think any guys would want to go with me anyway."

"Why not?"

"I'm not exactly every guy's preference when it comes to a girlfriend."

"They're just picky. Just because you have standards, doesn't make you any less fun. Guys like easy, and I have a feeling you're not. You just have to keep an open mind. Broaden your selection."

"It's not that simple. Yea, I have standard, but it's not like I make it challenging to live up to them. And I most definitely don't play hard to get, that's too much for me. Then again, I don't go looking for guys either, and I just don't care to pay attention. But I have a feeling broadening my selection would lead me to Greenberg."

Allison grimaced. "Yea, I only met him once, and I feel bad for him. But not so bad that I need to talk to him." Aspen laughed, making Allison tilt her head with a smile. "If it makes you feel any better, I think you're really really pretty. I would definitely date you."

"Really?" Aspen laughed, sitting back in her chair.

"Yea, I would, and I bet any guy would be lucky to be with you."

"You know you're especially nice for someone that just got here."

"Well, my family moves around a lot, but my dad says Beacon Hills would most likely be permanent. I gotta make the most of it, right?"

The ringing of the bell made both Allison and Aspen jump.

"Shit," Aspen whispered, realizing she hadn't completed her chemistry assignment. She quickly shoved her textbook and notes in her bag and stood from her chair. "I'll see you at the elimination game?"

"Yea see you there," Allison replied.

Aspen practically ran to her locker, also tripping over the sole of her flats.

She couldn't be more relieved to finally have a female friend. This would also allow her to put in a good word for Scott.

It pained Aspen to throw her books in her locker so sloppily after she had just organized them the other day. But she only had a couple of minutes to finish her homework, and knowing Mr. Harris, he would keep her in detention till the sun came up tomorrow.

Approaching Aspen, Isaac leaned against the locker next to her, his chemistry textbook in hand. He still wasn't used to interacting with someone so often, but he became complacent with Aspen as she didn't seem to mind his company.

"Hey, I'm almost done with the chemistry homework, but I'm having trouble with the last question. If you wouldn't mind could you-"

Aspen sudden snap of the neck to look at him made Isaac jerk back and stop talking.

"You finished homework?!" Aspen asked him rather loudly, earning looks from passing students.

Isaac's lips were slightly parted as he tilted his head, confused by her sudden outburst.

"Y-yea I-"

"Oh, thank god!"

Slamming her locker shut, Aspen took hold of Isaac's sleeve and pulled him along into the chemistry lab. Taking a seat in the back, Isaac almost knocked over his stool from how harsh Aspen was pulling him.

"Can I please please please copy your homework? Just this once. I didn't have time the other night-...actually backtrack, I did have time. I'm simply an underachiever on select occasions. Last night being one of those said times. I'm really not a lazy person-"

"Hey," Isaac interrupted.

Aspen had a bad habit of rambling at the worst times, and having only a few minutes till the bell rang wasn't really benefiting her. Isaac slid his paper next to hers, letting her copying his answers.

Aspen sighed and laughed lightly. "Sorry," she whispered, looking down at the paper and quickly jotting down the answers.

"Habit of yours?" Isaac asked, leaning on one of his elbows to block the view from any possible prying eyes.

"What is?" Aspen narrowed her eyes at his paper, trying to make out his handwriting before getting to the last few questions.

"Rambling,"

Aspen let out a chuckle as she shook her head.

"You just had to catch onto it, didn't you Lahey."

"I mean, you called me out on my handwriting. Seems only fitting."

Aspen gasped as she peeked up from behind her hair that was acting as a curtain for her face. She was surprised by the sudden snappy tone from Isaac. It was apparent he was growing comfortable around her since they spoke at the cafe.

"Touche."

Keeping eye contact, Aspen slid the paper back to Issac, which he tucked into his textbook.

"PST! PST!"

Aspen rolled her eyes so far into the back of her head, she thought they would get stuck. Looking a little ways across the classroom, Stiles was wavering her down and grinned broadly once he had gotten her attention. Sitting next to him, Scott just shook his head.

"What?" she mouthed, with an annoyed glare. Stiles took notice of this and put his hand over his chest in mock hurt.

"Pen! I need a pen!" he whispers loudly, gesturing writing motions in the air as if she spoke another language and needed a visual. If Mr. Harris was in the class, it was guaranteed he would get a detention.

"No, get your own," Aspen whispered sharply.

"Will you just let me borrow a damn pen June."

Aspen almost chokes on her saliva as she coughed into her sleeve. Her face turned completely red as Stiles had decided to use her nickname in front of the whole classroom. For the select few that were listening, they would undoubtedly be confused as to why he called her that in the first place. Isaac being one of the few, raised a brow and looked at Aspen, who had her face buried in her hands.

"June?" Isaac asked himself, making Aspen groan quietly and shake her head from just hearing Isaac say it. There was a reason she didn't want anyone knowing her middle name and having people slowly but surely figure it out was eating Aspen alive.

Mr. Harris entered the classroom, the same stern and annoyed look on his face that he always wore. If the man despised his job so much, Aspen didn't understand why he hadn't just quit already.

While Mr. Harris faced the chalkboard to write down formulas for today's lesson, Aspen took the opportunity to chuck her pen to the back of Stiles' head. The boy jerked in his seat, gripping the back of his head. His dramatic movement made his chair squeak loudly, making Mr. Harris turn directly in his direction. He instinctively knew it was Stiles who was disturbing his class. Again.

"Is there a problem, Mr. Stilinski?" Mr. Harris asked roughly, rubbing his temple.

Stiles bit his bottom lip as he glanced back toward Aspen, who only smiled sweetly toward him.

"Everythings great," Stiles replied, lifting Aspen's pen in Mr. Harris' direction. "I got a pean, and I'm ready to learn. Ready ready."

When Mr. Harris turned around with an internal groan, Scott and Aspen put their hands up for a quick air high five before returning to the lab they were assigned for the remainder of the class.

<•>

"You? You asked her? You actually asked her to a party?"

Scott had broken the news to Stiles about him asking Allison to the party tonight. Though Allison had already told her about Scott asking her, Aspen did her best to appear utterly dumfounded. Scott seemed excited to go with the girl as he hadn't stopped smiling since they sat at the lunch table. Aspen was happy seeing Scott so ecstatic about this year. He was surprisingly good at lacrosse and got a girl that was totally out of his league. Aspen wanted to believe it was the bite that gave him the ability to gain natural talent for sports and attract someone like Allison.

"Yes, I asked her. Why are you surprised?" Scott asked before a light chuckle.

Stiles dropped his fork and gave him a look, asking if he was seriously asking that question.

"Okay fine. But I was surprised myself. I knew that if I didn't, I wouldn't gain the courage to do it again."

"Well, I think this is great," Aspen said, tossing her carrot on her tray and pushing it away. "Allison is super sweet, and you deserve someone like that."

"Thanks, June," Scott said cheekily, nudging her side with his elbow.

"Well, who am I supposed to go with?" Stiles threw his hands up exasperatingly before looking at Aspen, who was drinking from a mini water bottle, "What about you? Will you go with me?"

Aspen let out a dry laugh as she placed her bottle down and leaned forward to narrow her eyes at Stiles.

"You just called me June in front of the whole chemistry lab, and you think I'll just go with you to a party?" Aspen asked him quizzically.

"Yes," he replied simply. "It's a pretty middle name, and I think everyone should hear it."

"My middle name is a plant!"

"Everyone loves the environment. Go green!" Stiles waved a fist in the air while Aspen stared at him blankly.

"I'm not going with you."

"What, so you're going alone? That's sad."

"Says the one who's also going alone."

"Well, maybe I have a date."

"Maybe I do too."

Both boys fell silent and glared at Aspen, who was slowing sinking in her seat, sipping from her water bottle.

"You're asking someone?" Scott inquired.

"Maybe I was thinking about it," Aspen mumbled from behind her bottle as she averted her eyes.

Scott seemed to be listening to something when he turned in his seat to face her.

"Why is your heart beating so fast?" he asked abruptly, earning a look from both Stiles and Aspen.

"What?" Aspen asked.

"I-i mean, why are you so nervous?"

"I'm not nervous. Are you nervous?"

"Why would I be nervous?"

"Why wouldn't you be? You're going with Allison. Have an outfit yet?"

Stiles caught on to her plan to divert the attention away from her, but he wasn't letting her go that easily. He cocked his head toward her and laughed. "Why can't you just tell us who you plan on asking?" Stiles snorted.

"Okay, how about this? I narrow down the possible people I won't be asking, and you can guess from there." Aspen suggests folding her hands on the table. Stiles mirrored her actions and nodded in agreement.

Tapping her finger against her chin, Aspen pretended to think before she found his gaze again. "I will not be asking a big bald baby who lacks the coordination to simply pick up a lacrosse stick."

Stiles grew red in the face while Scott clapped a hand over his mouth to conceal a laugh. Grabbing a handful of napkins from the small dispenser on the table, Stiles began tossing them towards Aspen's face, making the girl giggle as she blocked them with her hands. Seeing the flushed and annoyed expression on Stiles' face was enough to make her whole week.

Both boy's attention was suddenly drawn to the cafeteria doors when Allison and Lydia walked into the lunchroom and found seats next to Jackson and Danny. As they fawned over the girls' beauty, Aspen rolled her eyes with a chuckle.

She instinctively reached for her water bottle that she remembered placing in front of her. When her hand clasped around nothing, she finally looked down to see the bottle far away from where she had initially placed it. Maybe she had moved it once Stiles attacked her with napkins. Attempting to grab the bottle again, a chill ran through her hand as the bottle slid away from her on its own.

Aspen gasped and pulled her hand to her chest, in shock with what had just happened. Growing frustrated, she quickly tried grabbing it again when the same cold sensation ran along her fingers, and the bottle completely tipped over without her getting the chance to touch it at all.

Hearing the thud of the bottle against the table brought both boys to look at her with confusion as she stared at the fallen bottle with her hands pressed against her chest.

"You okay?" Scott asked. From what they saw, she just accidentally knocked her bottle down. Stiles reached over and set the bottle upright again. Aspen didn't want to think she was crazy, but if she had just knocked over her bottle without even touching it, she believed she was seeing things and belonged in Eichen House.

"Y-yea," Aspen slowly reached for the bottle and grasped it before it could fall again. The boys watched as she quickly took a sip and held it close to her.