Twenty-Seven

"I BROUGHT MCDONALD'S!"

Scott's excited voice echoed through Sierra's entire house as he suddenly walked in, throwing the door open dramatically. Stiles, Sierra, Malia and Lydia all turned their heads at his entrance, everyone raising their eyebrows in surprise.

"I told him just to walk in normally," Kira stated, appearing behind him with other brown bags in her hand. "But he obviously didn't listen."

Sierra laughed, getting up from where she had been sitting to help them carry everything into the living room. "You guys made perfect timing! Malia was just saying she wanted a burger."

"And now we have the perfect balance of snacks for an amazing movie night," Lydia agreed, her red lips widening to a grin.

Stiles snorted, glancing over all of the food. "I sure hope so. We have all the stuff they bought, plus Sierra's muffins, all kinds of chocolate and chips—"

"Don't forget the ice cream in the fridge!" Malia chirped, bouncing on her toes. Never before had she done something like this with so many of her friends, which led her to act incredibly giddy.

Looking at her, amused, Stiles added with a nod, "And the ice cream in the fridge. Nice catch, Mal."

Everyone dressed in their sweats, they were all ready just to have a relaxing night like normal teenagers. Scott handed out burgers to Stiles and Malia while Kira gave Lydia the chicken wrap she ordered. Sierra eagerly grabbed her own chicken nuggets from the bag and went to find a seat.

Earlier when Sierra had finished baking, Stiles brought down all kinds of blankets and pillows so everyone could spread out. Malia claimed the recliner quickly, plopping down on the cushion with her burger and a bag of Doritos in her hands. Lydia sat in the chair opposite of her, tucking her legs inwards.

Scott and Kira took the floor, sitting up on top of a comforter right in front of the sofa, which occupied a happy Sierra and Stiles.

"So what movie are we watching first?" Kira asked, taking a bite out of her wrap.

Lydia stopped sipping on some of her soda to answer, "I brought literally my entire collection so whatever you all want is fine with me." Leaning over the arm of the chair she was in, Lydia pulled her bag into her lap. Starting to dig through the DVDs, she continued, "Though, I know I have a certain film that fits the occasion."

Scott scrunched his nose, confused by her words. "And what exactly is the occasion?"

"Junior year is almost over, meaning in a few months we will begin our final journey in high school," Lydia explained, her face brightening once she found what she was looking for. "So I brought this!"

Sierra grinned from the title on the case, Malia getting excited as well from seeing her favorite actor's face. "Awe, that's perfect!"

"Is it bad that I've never seen it?" Kira asked, glancing around her friends with red cheeks.

"Trust me, you're better off," Scott commented, waving one of his hands in dismissal.

Stiles stifled a laugh, his arm resting around his girlfriend's shoulders. "Says the guy who learned the entire We're All In This Together dance with Sierra."

"Bro," Scott complained, bowing his head in shame. "I told you and Sisi to never tell anyone about that."

"So does that mean we can watch High School Musical?" Lydia clarified, looking at Sierra for confirmation.  "Cause I might've brought the other two as well."

"As long as Zac Efron is on the screen, keep'em coming," Malia told her, grinning widely.

"High School Musical it is then," Sierra mused, standing up from her spot on the couch. Accepting the disc from Lydia, she stepped over Scott's legs to get to the television and slip it in on the side. Stiles held his arms open for her once she returned, having moved his food to the coffee table.

Sierra smiled, accepting his invitation as Scott pressed a button on the remote to start the film. She snuggled into his side, pulling a blanket over their legs while she rested her head against his heart. Stiles couldn't fight the smile that overtook his face when she softly sung along to the movie, and laid his head on her hair.

Barely anyone stirred as the plot continued, too immersed in the drama of East High School. However, when the final dance started to play on the screen, Sierra jumped up.

Everyone flinched from the sudden movement, as she grinned down at Scott and held out her hand. "Come on, Scotty!"

Knowing what she wanted, he quickly started to shake his head. "No, no, no," he disagreed firmly, "I'm not doing it."

Sierra pulled at his arms, trying to get him to stand. "Yes you are! Come on, dude, we do it every time we watch this film!"

"That was before I had dignity," Scott argued, unwillingly rising to his feet.

"Screw dignity," Stiles spoke up, standing up. "I wanna learn the dance. Sierra, you wanna teach me?"

"I wanna learn too!" Malia said eagerly, joining the couple in the small open space. Kira playfully pushed past Scott, shuffling past him to learn the dance moves.

Scott stood firm, a pout on his lips with his arms crossed as Sierra started to go through the motions—everyone laughing and having fun for the first time in a while.

Lydia stayed seated, though she recorded the entire mess. Her laugh bounced off the walls as she zoomed in on Scott's face. "You know you wanna do it," she teased him, wiggling her eyebrows from behind her phone.

Scott dramatically sighed, slouching his shoulders in defeat. "Do not post this," he warned the strawberry blonde, pointing to the camera. Lydia's grin grew as he stepped forward, shoving Stiles aside. "Move you, amateur! Watch and learn."

Sierra couldn't remember the last time she laughed so much, watching Scott and Stiles flail their limbs around. Malia and Kira caught on quickly, while the boys goofed around. Looking around at her best friends, Sierra didn't believe how nice the evening was going. She had gotten used to the intensity of their lives; always fighting to survive the next villain...it felt strange to have a night to simply be a teenager.

When Sierra's eyes swept over the room, her heart hurt. But not in the way it did towards the beginning of the semester. Before it had been because she didn't know how to go on; she felt defensive and utterly empty inside. Now, the ache came from her head being thrown back, hands holding her stomach as laughter shook her body.

Sierra loved being there, in that moment, just acting ridiculous with her best friends and not having a care in the world.

And she knew Allison would've loved it too.

*^*^*^*^*

"Sierra."

A voice whispered gently, the girl feeling a slight push on her shoulder. "String bean, wake up."

Sierra let out a groan, but didn't open her eyes. She couldn't recall falling asleep, but honestly didn't care. Face pressed against the side of the couch, her legs curled into her side, she was comfortable. And she didn't feel like getting up.

"Sierra," Stiles tried again, his tone quiet so he didn't disturb anyone else. Scott was passed out face-first, snoring into a blanket. Lydia slept soundly in her chair, a blanket cuddled up to her neck while Malia sprawled out on her own recliner. Kira didn't make a sound either, sleeping on the opposite end of Sierra with her arms covering her head.

After making sundaes in the kitchen, everyone went on a sugar high before crashing in the middle of watching 17 Again. Now, a random episode of F.R.I.E.N.D.S illuminated a soft light over the room, Stiles using it to find his keys and shoes before trying to get his girlfriend to get up. Having a desire to be spontaneous, he wanted to sneak her out for a drive.

"Why do you hate me?" Sierra mumbled sleepily, her face scrunched up once she recognized his voice.

"Because you left me handcuffed to my dad's desk," Stiles teased, bringing up the incident from earlier that afternoon.

Sierra huffed and finally met his gaze. "You do something one time," she grumbled, making him chuckle. "Alright," she paused to yawn and rub her eyes, "where are we going?"

"Just out for a drive," he answered in a whisper, holding her hands to pull her off the couch. Instead of creating more distance between them so she could slip on some shoes, she tiredly stumbled into his arms and leaned her forehead into his chest.

Stiles stifled a soft laugh, slipping his arms around her waist so she didn't fall. "I'll buy you coffee," he attempted to bribe her, rubbing her back.

"What coffee place is at open at three in the morning?" she asked, her voice muffled from her mouth being pushed against his T-shirt.

"Our McDonald's is open twenty-four hours," he reminded, and her head shot up—nearly knocking into his chin.

"Can I get French fries?" She tested him, squinting her eyes.

Stiles scoffed, "Of course. Why else would we go there?"

Sierra pondered her options, her lips pursed. Stiles cheekily grinned at her once she met his eyes, moving her hand under his chin. "You're very lucky you're cute," she stated bluntly, and stood on her tiptoes to swiftly peck his nose.

Stiles laughed, replying in amusement from her sleepiness, "Why thank you, darling. Now, where are your shoes?"

Sierra brushed past him to where she had taken off her sneakers earlier in the evening. As she shrugged them on, she glanced over their sleeping friends. "You think they'll notice we're gone?" she questioned, trying to keep her volume low.

Right before Stiles could answer, a giant snore escaped Scott's mouth. Sierra quickly covered her own lips with her hand, trying not to burst out laughing. Stiles bit back a grin too, and looked back at her with a teasing glint in his eyes.

"I think we're good."

*^*^*^*^*

"Tell me again why you wanted to braid my hair?"

Sierra asked Stiles, her curiosity getting the best of her.

Just like he promised, he bought her French fries and giant cups of soda to wake them up a bit. Holding hands over the gearshift, the couple rolled the windows down and played their favorite songs. Then, they headed to the nature reserve near the cliffs. A serene area they were starting to call their own, as it veered off the normal paths but came with a stunning view of the city.

After enjoying their snack and simply talking, both agreed to get out of the Jeep to enjoy some fresh air. Sierra sat crisscrossed on the hood, facing the cliffs as Stiles gathered all of her loose hair behind her shoulders.

Stiles, who moved to sit above Sierra on the actual top with his feet resting against the windshield, answered, "You don't like me playing with your hair because I always knot it. Now, there are two amazing benefits to me learning how to braid."

Sierra raised her eyebrows, her lips turning up in amusement. "Oh, and what are those?"

"One: no more knots!" he exclaimed first, separating her growing hair into three sections. Sierra stifled a laugh, trying not to move her head as he started to gently weave strands together. "Two: when you're tired in the morning, I can braid it for you so you don't get frustrated."

Sierra's smile grew at his thoughtfulness and she agreed, "Those are pretty amazing benefits."

"Right?"

Sierra sat perfectly still, her back straight. It took a lot of focus not to laugh during the silence that came next, for she could practically picture his eyebrows furrowed together, his tongue poking out from the corner of his mouth.

Her eyes fluttered closed, a small sigh escaping her from the peaceful environment. She could faintly hear leaves rustling in the distance, the gentle wind blowing a light breeze through the trees. After the events in Mexico, having a date like this with Stiles felt absolutely perfect.

Stiles smiled to himself as she started to hum under her breath, continuing to braid down her back.

"Are you sure you don't want me to pull up a step-by-step guide?" Sierra paused her quiet singing to double-check on him. "'Cause you like, barely glanced at it."

"Surprisingly, it's not as hard as I thought it'd be," Stiles replied, quite proud of himself as he held the end of it. "Do you have a ponytail?"

Sierra pulled a black band off her wrist and handed it over, allowing him to securely tie it. "How's it look?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder. "Did you do well?"

"I think so." Stiles gently leaned her head back so he could see her face and pressed a kiss right in the middle of her forehead. "You want me to take a picture of it?"

Sierra smiles up at him, her nose slightly scrunching. "Go for it."

Stiles did as he was told, Sierra sitting back up properly so he could snap the picture with his phone. "Scoot over, string bean," he told her as he carefully slipped off the top of the Jeep. Sierra moved to her left, allowing him to sit beside her on the hood. "How's this? Did I do it?"

Sierra observed the picture closely, zooming in once Stiles handed her his phone. "You did a lot better than I thought you would," she commented, making him grin.

"Yes!" He turned more towards her excitedly, mirroring how she sat. "Does this mean I can play with your hair now?"

Sierra couldn't hide her smile from how his face completely brightened, his eyes lit up hopefully. "Sure," she decided, only widening his grin. "You can play with my hair. But if you wanna do it the morning for school, you gotta long way, bub."

Stiles pouted, "Awe, why?"

"Anyone can master the normal three strand braid," she shrugged her shoulders. "I am very proud of you, but if you're doing my hair for school, then you need to learn how to French braid."

Stiles's scrunched up in confusion. "What the hell is a French braid?"

Sierra, still holding his phone, went on the internet quickly to show him a picture. He looked over her shoulder just as she clicked on the first image. "That doesn't look too bad," he remarked, feeling confident in his newfound abilities. "I bet I can learn how to do it before your birthday."

"Why not just learn now?" Sierra asked him, tilting her head. "I mean, you were dead set on it a second ago."

"There's something I wanna do first."

"What?"

Stiles didn't verbally answer her. Instead, he leaned forward, keeping one hand pressed on the hood as he caught her lips in a kiss. Sierra smiled, kissing him back happily. She moved her left hand to hold his cheek, the familiar sparks coursing through her veins.

"I'm really glad you're here with me," Stiles whispered against her mouth, when they slightly pulled apart to breathe. He gently pecked her lips again. "And I really, really love you. In case I didn't say it before."

"I really, really love you too," she echoed his words, her cheeks red from the way he looked into her eyes. Her lips quirked up teasingly, "You know, in case I forgot to say it before."

"Oh, so original," He playfully mocked her, their noses bumping together.

"You know you love me," Sierra shot back breathily, chuckling.

"Well I can't disagree with you there."