"Erica please call me back" Gabriella said as she walked into the cafeteria

It has been two days since Erica saw what they truly were.

Before Gabriella can explain Erica ran away but Gabriella couldn't go after her since lucas was going through his first full moon.

After that night, she tries everything to talk to Erica, she waited for her infront of the school, she went to her house and she even checked the hospital to see if she was admitted but she wasn't there.

"Still no word from her" stiles said as Gabriella sat down on the table

" none I've been texting her and calling her two days straight where the hell is she"

As she said that the door of the cafeteria were pushed open making The ENTIRE CAFETERIA seems to turn their heads almost simultaneously as--

Long, toned legs step through the threshold. A figure passes through the crowd, catching every eye.

The flash of a bare midriff sends jaws dropping--guys and girls--as the stunning figure approaches the counter.

A HAND reaches out to the selections of fruit.

A red apple is chosen and a dollar drops in front of the Cashier. Even she looks awestruck.

" Erica?"

Turning from the cashier, Erica lets the stares fall on her, Hair flowing back from now flawless skin, she takes a

delicate bite of the apple and heads for Gabriella

Gabriella looked at her in disbelief "your a werewolf"

"No thanks to you" Erica said bitterly

"Erica—" Gabriella began, standing up quickly, her heart racing as she tried to close the distance between them.

Erica raised a hand to stop her. "Save it, Gabriella. You knew about werewolves, and you lied to my face. There was a cure for my epilepsy, and you didn't give it to me. Derek did. Being a werewolf made me so much better—stronger, hotter," she gestured to her flawless appearance, "and Derek... he didn't hesitate to offer me a solution."

"I wanted to protect you, not drag you into this mess. Turning into a werewolf isn't just about being stronger or looking good. There's so much more—"

"You could've saved me from all those seizures," Erica cut her off, her voice rising with frustration. "All the suffering I went through, the way people treated me like some sick, fragile girl—you could've ended it."

Gabriella clenched her fists, trying to keep calm. "Being a werewolf has its own dangers. I didn't want you to go through the pain of losing control, hurting people, or even yourself. You don't understand what this life means, Erica."

Erica's eyes flickered with anger. "I understand that I'm not that weak, pitiful girl anymore. I have control now, and Derek gave me that when you didn't." She gave Gabriella a final, cold look. "So don't act like you did me any favors. Derek's the only one I can trust now." With that, Erica turned and walked away.

[...]

Stiles and gabriella sit side-by-side putting on their skates

They were at the ice rink with Lydia, Scott and allison

Stiles notices gabriella's mind was somewhere else "you ok"

Gabriella snapped out of it " yea I am"

Stiles glanced at Gabriella, unconvinced. "You sure? You've been pretty quiet since we got here...you've been quite since the full moon"

Gabriella paused, tightening the laces on her skates a little too forcefully. She knew Stiles wasn't going to let it go, not after everything they'd been through together.

"I'm fine, Stiles. Just... dealing with some stuff," she said, her tone more serious than she intended.

Stiles raised an eyebrow. "Is it about Erica? You two haven't exactly been, you know, besties lately"

Gabriella let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping a little. "Yeah... it's complicated. She's mad at me. And I don't blame her. I kept things from her, things she had every right to know....but am worried she's a werewolf now and if that wasn't bad enough she's Derek's beta"

"I get it. Derek doesn't exactly have the best track record when it comes to keeping people out of danger."

Gabriella nodded, her frustration evident. "Exactly. Erica's mad at me for keeping secrets, but now she's stuck in something way worse. Being a werewolf isn't easy, especially under Derek's guidance. I don't know how to protect her anymore, and she's already shutting me out."

Stiles gave her a sympathetic look. "You didn't ask for any of this, Gabby. Neither of us did. But if Erica's a werewolf now, maybe all you can do is be there when she needs you. She'll come around."

Gabriella looked up, her expression torn. "But what if she doesn't? What if she ends up like Derek? Or worse, what if she hates me forever for not telling her the truth sooner?"

S

tiles paused, thinking for a moment. "Look, you didn't make Erica a werewolf. That's on Derek. What matters is how you handle it now. And trust me, if anyone can pull Erica back from the edge, it's you." He gave her a reassuring nudge with his shoulder.

Gabriella let out a small, grateful smile. "I hope you're right, Stiles. I really do."

He stood up, offering her a hand. "Come on. Let's hit the ice. Maybe skating around a bit will help clear your head. Plus, watching Scott and Allison try to skate? That's entertainment gold."

Gabriella laughed, taking his hand and pulling herself up. "Alright, let's do this."

Gabriella still hadn't told Stiles about the kiss with Erica and she is feeling guilty

[...]

As Gabriella and Stiles glided across the ice, she couldn't shake the weight of guilt pressing down on her. The memory of Erica's sudden kiss played in her mind, and though it had pulled her out of her panic, it left her confused—and now, burdened with a secret she hadn't shared with Stiles.

Stiles skated ahead, glancing back to make sure she was following. "You're doing better than last time," he teased, clearly trying to keep the mood light.

Gabriella smiled faintly, but her thoughts remained elsewhere. Should she tell him? She wasn't even sure how she felt about it herself. But keeping something like this from Stiles—especially after everything they'd been through—felt wrong. The more she kept quiet, the heavier the secret became.

She caught up to him, her heart racing, not from skating, but from the decision she was about to make.

"Stiles," she began, her voice a little unsteady.

He skated in a circle to face her, noticing the change in her tone. "Yeah? What's up?"

Gabriella hesitated, then took a deep breath. "There's something I need to tell you. About Erica."

His brow furrowed in concern. "Okay... what is it?"

She swallowed hard, the words sticking in her throat. "The other day, when I had that panic attack... Erica was there. She—she kissed me." The admission hung in the air between them, her guilt now out in the open.

Stiles' eyes widened in surprise, and he stopped skating, letting the words sink in. He was quiet for a moment, processing. "She kissed you?"

Gabriella nodded, her gaze dropping to the ice. "It wasn't... I don't know. It was sudden, and I think she was just trying to calm me down. But I feel guilty, like I should've told you sooner."

Stiles blinked, then slowly nodded. "Okay, that's... unexpected. But I get it. You were having a panic attack, right? Maybe she panicked too, trying to help."

Gabriella looked up, relief mixing with uncertainty. "So... you're not mad?"

He shrugged, giving her a small, understanding smile. "No, I mean, it's Erica. She's... intense. And if it helped you, then I can't be mad about that." His expression softened. "I'm just glad you're okay."

Gabriella let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her guilt easing slightly. "Thanks, Stiles. I didn't want to keep it from you. I just wasn't sure how to explain it."

He smirked, nudging her playfully. "Well, next time you have a panic attack, maybe just text me instead of kissing werewolves."

Gabriella laughed, feeling a weight lift from her chest. "Deal."

Suddenly, a piercing scream echoed through the ice rink, cutting through the air like a knife. Gabriella and Stiles immediately stopped their conversation, their heads whipping around toward the sound.

It was Lydia.

She stood in the middle of the ice, screaming at nothing, her face pale with terror. The crowd around her backed away, unsure of what was happening, but Gabriella and Stiles didn't hesitate. They rushed toward her, the panic in Lydia's voice sending chills down Gabriella's spine.

As they reached her, Lydia collapsed, trembling violently. Gabriella skated down to her knees, cradling Lydia in her arms, whispering softly, "Lydia, it's okay. We're here. You're safe." But the words didn't seem to reach her. Lydia's eyes were wide with fear, still staring into some unseen horror.

[...]

Catching her reflection in a small mirror hanging inside her locker, Erica smiles at herself, loving her new look.

But then her smile fades. She takes in a breath, sensing a familiar scent. She turns around.

Gabriella stands in front of her, a dead serious look in her eyes " we need to talk"

Erica raises an eyebrow, letting out a sarcastic chuckle. "Are we breaking up?" she quips, folding her arms defensively, but there's an edge of tension beneath her teasing tone.

Gabriella doesn't crack a smile. "I'm serious, Erica. This can't keep going like this."

Erica's playful demeanor fades as she realizes Gabriella isn't here for jokes. She crosses her arms tighter, bracing herself for whatever is coming. "What do you want to say, Gabriella? That I'm different now? That you can't handle it?"

Gabriella takes a breath, stepping closer. "No, it's not that you've changed. It's that you don't realize what Derek's turning you into."

Erica narrows her eyes, her frustration bubbling. "What Derek's turning me into?" she echoes. "I'm better now. I'm not the sick, weak girl I was before. I feel alive, Gabriella."

"And that's exactly what he wants you to believe," Gabriella shoots back. "But you're being pulled into something dangerous, something that could get you hurt, or worse."

Erica rolls her eyes. "You don't get it. I don't need saving, Gabriella. Not from you, not from anyone."

Gabriella clenches her jaw, trying to hold back her frustration. "You're right, you don't need saving," she says quietly, "but you're still my friend, and I'm not going to just stand by and watch you get dragged into something you don't fully understand."

Gabriella tenses as Erica steps closer, her back now pressed against the cold locker wall. Erica's presence feels intense, and the look in her eyes is something Gabriella hasn't quite seen before.

"Are we just friends?" Erica asks, her voice softer now but filled with challenge. "It didn't feel like it in the bathroom." Her words hang heavy in the air, the memory of that moment between them rushing back.

Gabriella swallows hard, her pulse quickening. "Erica... that was—"

"A distraction?" Erica interrupts, leaning in, her arms braced on either side of Gabriella, trapping her between the lockers. "Or was it something else?"

Gabriella's breath catches, the tension between them palpable. "It wasn't supposed to happen like that," she murmurs, her eyes flicking down before meeting Erica's again. "I was panicking."

"I know," Erica says, her tone softening slightly. "And I get it. But don't pretend it didn't mean anything. Not to me."

Gabriella's heart pounds in her chest as she searches Erica's face, unsure of how to respond.

But Erica just smirked before whispering in gabriella's ear " your boyfriend's watching"

Erica pulls back, her expression amused as she turns away leaving Stiles and gabriella looking at eachother from across the hall.

Gabriella took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart before turning back to Stiles. She could see the questions in his eyes, the doubt forming. She started walking toward him, her mind scrambling for how to explain, but her legs felt heavy with every step.

"Stiles..." she began, her voice soft, trying to find the right words. "It's not what it looks like."

He folded his arms, his expression a mix of hurt and confusion. "What does it look like then, Gabriella? Because from here, it seems like a lot's been going on that I don't know about."

Gabriella swallowed hard, the weight of her secret—the kiss with Erica—feeling heavier now than ever. "I can explain everything. Just... give me a chance to explain."

Stiles stood there, eyes searching Gabriella's face, the weight of silence between them unbearable. He clenched his fists before letting out a shaky breath. "Do you even still love me, Gabriella?" His voice cracked slightly, and he looked at her with a mixture of vulnerability and frustration.

Gabriella froze. The question hung in the air, heavier than she expected. She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. She didn't know what to say, because in that moment, she wasn't even sure herself.

The pause felt like an eternity.

Stiles' eyes darkened as he saw the hesitation. He nodded slowly, a look of realization washing over him. "That's what I thought," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Gabriella reached out, but Stiles stepped back, shaking his head. "No, Gabriella. Don't." He ran a hand through his hair, trying to steady himself, but the hurt was too deep. "I don't want to be the guy waiting for you to figure out how you feel. I can't do that."

"I didn't—" Gabriella started, but Stiles interrupted, his voice growing firmer. "You didn't answer me, Gabriella. That's all I needed to know."

She stood there, words dying in her throat, watching as the realization of their relationship slipping away hit both of them.

"I think we need to end this," Stiles said, his voice steadier now, but full of sadness. "You've got your own stuff to figure out... and I can't be the one left in the middle of it anymore."

Gabriella looked at him, tears threatening to spill, but she couldn't argue. She knew he was right. "I'm sorry, Stiles."

He nodded, biting his lip to keep from saying anything more. "Yeah. Me too."

Without another word, Stiles turned and walked away, leaving Gabriella standing alone, the weight of what just happened settling in.

[...]
After Stiles walked away, Gabriella felt a weight settle in her chest that made it hard to breathe. The rest of the school day blurred together, the noise of the hallways and the classroom chatter fading into the background. She couldn't focus, couldn't even pretend to care about anything else. By lunch, she decided she couldn't stay any longer. She grabbed her bag and headed home, the emptiness of the house offering little comfort.

When she got home, she dropped her bag on the floor and collapsed onto the couch, staring at the ceiling as her thoughts swirled. Stiles was gone, and the reality of it stung more than she wanted to admit. Her phone buzzed a few times, but she ignored it, not in the mood to talk to anyone. Not even Lucas.

Hours passed, and the house grew darker as night settled in. She curled up in her bed, trying to push the events of the day away, but her mind wouldn't quiet. The breakup, Erica, everything felt like it was piling on top of her, suffocating her.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Gabriella froze, not expecting anyone. She stayed still, wondering if maybe it was just someone passing by, but then the knock came again, more insistent this time.

Curiosity and a sliver of hope pushed her out of bed. She padded to the front door and, after a deep breath, opened it.

It was Lucas.

He stood there, hands in his jacket pockets, looking a little lost and concerned. "Hey," he said softly, his eyes searching hers.

"Lucas?" Gabriella blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"I texted, but you didn't answer. I just... I had a feeling something was off," he said, his gaze softening. "Can I come in?"

Gabriella hesitated for a moment before stepping aside and letting him in. She hadn't realized just how much she needed someone to be there until now. "Yeah, sure," she mumbled.

They stood in the living room, an awkward silence settling between them. Finally, Lucas broke it. "I know something happened with Stiles."

Gabriella tensed at the mention of Stiles but nodded. "He broke up with me."

Lucas exhaled deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. I know how much you care about him."

Gabriella shook her head, feeling the weight of everything hit her all over again. "It's not just that, Lucas. Everything's a mess. Erica, Stiles... me. I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

Lucas stepped closer, his expression filled with concern. "Gabby, you don't have to figure everything out right now. You don't have to be okay all the time."

Gabriella's eyes welled up, and before she could stop herself, she wrapped her arms around Lucas, leaning into his warmth. He didn't hesitate to hold her close, his arms wrapping protectively around her.

For a moment, the world outside faded away, and all that mattered was the comfort of having someone there.

"Thanks for coming," Gabriella whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

"Always," Lucas murmured, holding her a little tighter. "I'm not going anywhere."