Chapter 19

Silver was able to escape going out with Michael during the night as the boy felt sick and his dad believed him. He snuck out the front door with the car keys in his hands and the car easily unlocked.

As soon as he entered the car, he closed the door and breathed on the window to see a hidden message from Scott that read, ‘9 pm’. Silver checked the clock to see it was five to and when he turned back he jumped seeing Gerard staring at him.

Gerard opened the door to help his grandson out as Silver looked panicked, “I didn’t mean to scare you…” He said. “It’s okay, I was just-” Silver nervously said as he leaned against the car door.

“Are you expecting someone else?” Gerard asked him. “Yeah– I mean, no. No, definitely not. I sometimes go on a drive when I feel anxious.” He stammered trying to convince himself knowing his dad would rather him not be in a vehicle. “Good! Then we can talk for a minute.” Gerard said believing him.

Silver never really knew his grandfather and he was unsure how much Gerard knew of Silver’s past but knowing Michael, he probably knows all of his secrets. Gerard went to pull something out of his pocket when a book bound in leather fell on the ground and Silver picked it up for him.

“Oh, thanks. Don’t want to drop that. I’d be lost without it.” Gerard chuckled as he took his pills, “When I was your age, I didn’t even take vitamins. Now, I’m choking down a cocktail of pills three times a day. But, I do what my doctor tells me, because I trust him. Trust is a commodity our family holds very high, you know? And my daughter– well, your aunt Kate– died doing what she thought was right. Her intentions may have been a bit misguided–”

“A bit?” Silver muttered. “I like that. Oh, you and your sister remind me of her. She challenged me, too.” Gerard said to him.  “Is that what you want me to do? Challenge you?” Silver asked, unsure of the situation.

“I want you to trust me. You’re gonna find yourself put in the position where you question the trust of people close to you– even your closest friends.” Gerard placed a hand on Silver’s shoulder, pulling him close, “I know you were hurt, Arthur. But understand that with family you can be stronger. You have to know the trust you’d never question is family. Can I trust you, Arthur?”

Silver sighed as he nodded, “Yeah.” He whispered. “Not “yeah.” Speak with conviction! Yes, or no?” Gerard yelled at him. Silver looked up straight into his grandfather’s eyes, “Yes. You can trust me.”

🦎

SIlver was able to escape Gerard stating that he would still like to drive and pick up some food but of course he drove to the preserve, hoping to see Scott. He quickly ran out to look out point only to see no-one there. “Scott?” He called out with hope.

He looked down to a rock to see Scott’s message of, ‘Couldn’t wait. Missed U.’ causing SIlver to sigh and take a seat on the rock.

“Silver?” He jumped, seeing Michael and Allison standing behind him. “What are you guys doing here?” He asked, worried. “Allison said she saw Gerard talking to you.” Michael admitted, “We wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“And you followed me here?” Silver asked him. “Allison told me that sometimes you meet Scott here.” Michael said making Silver glare at his sister. Michael went up to read Scott’s message as he sighed, “Come on. Let’s go home.”

SIlver nodded as he didn’t say a word to either of them and walked off. “

🦎

“Coffee?” Silver look up from his seat outside to see his twin sister holding a coffee in front of his face. He took it without saying a word and Allison sat down across from him. “I’m sorry I told Michael but I was worried about you. I have to take care of you.” Allison admitted.

“Why were you with him?” Silver asked finally looking up at Allison. “He just wanted to talk things out.” Allison said causing Silver to roll his eyes. Stiles rushes over to the twins and quickly goes to recall the conversation with them.

“I think you mean-“

“No, I mean bestiary.”

“He means bestiary.” Stiles points over to Silver, “I’m so happy you’re smart. And the two of you I don’t want to know what’s going on with your heads.”

“Okay, um can you describe this thing?”

“Uh, it’s probably like a book. Old, worn-“

“Like bound in leather?”

“Have you seen it?” Stiles questions and Silver turns to Allison as they both nod, “Gerard carries around something like that.”

🦎

“Sorry I’m late.”

“Oh you have to be kidding me.” Silver groaned as Michael took a seat next to him. “What are you doing here?” Silver asked him. “At school? I want to learn Silver.” Michael said chuckling causing Allison to join him.

“I mean here. I thought we were just going to be fake friends around our families.” Silver told him. “Well Gerard is the principal.” Allison told him, “Come on. You said that he wants to help us.” Allison said with a smirk.

“Where does he keep it?” Stiles asks them out of breath not seeing Michael. Michael furrows his brows as he rushes off before holding up his phone, “Has he heard of a cellphone?”

“Don’t make fun of Stiles.” Silver hissed at him.

🦎

Michael left the twins alone understanding that Silver didn’t want him near. Silver saw his sister deflate, making him look at her with a questioning look. “What?” He asked her. “It’s just – he’s trying to make amends, Silver. I understand he did something bad-”

“He slept with you. You dated him. Both of you fell in love with each other.” Silver told her, “He did something unforgivable.”

“But I broke up with him, too. He and he are also trying to be friends.” Allison said. Silver couldn’t answer as Stiles ran over and used an inhaler. “You know, drug dealers have been using disposable cell phones pretty successfully for years.”

“My parents check every call, email and text message I send. Trust me, they’ll find it.” Silver says. “Alright, can you get the book?” Stiles takes a seat next to Allison. “Not without his keys.” Silver says to him.

“I’ll help you think of a plan.” Silver told him as he stood up. “You know the only reason I forgave you right away is because you’re my sister.” Silver said to Allison before leaving with Stiles.

🦎

Silver and Allison both wait by the principal’s office later that night as Gerard locks the door. “Look at my grandchildren.” He calls out as they lock arms with him. “Well, I think it’s time we start acting like a family.” Silver tells him.

“I need to warn you, by the way– you might need to be a little patient with me.” Gerard says looking over at Allison. “How come?” She questions.

“I’ll probably have a lot of questions, seeing as I’ve never actually seen a lacrosse game before…” Gerard says, causing both of his grandchildren to laugh.

The three Argents grab a seat on the bleachers as Silver tugs a beanie over his head. “Hey. Glad we found you guys.” Rachel Heart called out as her family followed her. The two older Hearts took their seats in front of the Argents as Michael sat next to Allison. Gerard watched as Silver tugged his sleeves over his wrists and he took off his jacket, “Here.” Gerard said to his grandson, “They’re longer.” He said and Silver took it gratefully.

Silver felt the keys in the pocket as he grabbed them and passed them down to Stiles as he walked by. “Silver.” Silver looked up to see Thomas Heart staring at him, “Yes?” He asked, “What did I miss?”

“Nothing.” Rachel answered laughing, “Your parents told us that your ex-boyfriend is on the team. Is he any good?” Rachel asked. “He’s a co-captain.” Silver said nodding, “The other captain is pretty good too.” He said quietly.

“Can’t be that good if they’re co-captains.” Thomas Heart muttered as the rest of the Hearts glared at him.

“Dad.”

“Thomas.”

“It’s okay.” Silver told them, “Scott actually got promoted during the season.” Silver glanced over to his sister to see her eyes widen at the sight of her phone before slightly shaking her head at him. Silver looked back at the game as he stood up and cheered as Scott got the ball and ran towards the field, scoring the shot. Everyone clapped just as someone body checked Scott slamming him to the floor.

Silver quickly ran down to the field as he knelt down next to Scott. “Are you okay?” Silver asked. “It’s okay. I’m healing. It’s okay.” Scott told him, “The book?”

“It’s not in his office. It’s gotta be at the house. Let’s look at your leg,” Silver trailed off, “It’s broken.” He said appalled. “Not for long.” He told Silver as Melissa and Coach ran up to him.

“Scott-” Melissa yelled as she ran towards her son. “It’s okay. It’s okay.” Scott told her, “I’m fine. I’m fine.” Melissa looked at him shocked and confused, “I could’ve sworn I heard bone breaking from where I sat.”

“Heard it? I felt it.” Coach said as Gerard approached them. “Seriously, guys, I’m fine.” Scott said. “We should go.” Silver told his grandfather. “Hold on – I want to ask him one more thing.” Gerard said stopping his grandson.

🦎

“Oh, good, you’re back. Dinner’s almost ready.” Victoria Argent called as the door opened. “How was the game?” Argent asked.

The Argent twins, Michael and his parents all walked in first as Geard walked in slowly behind them. “Why don’t you ask the star player?” Gerard says as Scott walks in finally looking at Chris and Victoria Argent. “Hi.” Scott says quietly.

It was quiet. The only sounds that were heard were the scraping off forks on the plates, people chewing and the occasional glass being picked up. “All right. Why is everyone so quiet?” Gerard asked. “Is it that uncomfortable that they dated?”

“Would you ask them if they would be uncomfortable?” Chris Argent asked his father. “Okay, I know it’s been a few centuries since I was a teenager, but even back then we dated, broke up, and moved on all the time.” Silver glanced up as he, Allison and Michael each other.

“We’re fine. Right, Silver?” Michael asked as everyone turned to Silver. “Totally fine. Scott?” Scott nodded, “Perfectly fine.”

“Then why did you break up?”

“He dumped me..?” Scott said anxiously causing everyone to look at him. “No offense Scott. But I think maybe Silver felt the two of you were just growing apart.” Argent said defending his son.

“Dad.” Silver hissed.  “As if the father’s opinion isn’t biased. How do you know they weren’t as passionate as Romeo and Juliet?” Gerard asked. “Romeo and Juliet committed ritual suicide.” Michael blurted out, surprising everyone.

“Can we please talk about something else?” Rachel Heart suggested and Victoria agreed. “Great idea, Mrs. Heart.” Allison said.

“Scott,” Argent called out, breaking the glare from Michael and Silver at each other, “How about you help me grab dessert from the kitchen?”

🦎

“Do you mind if we are excused? There’s actually some notes from English I need to go over with Scott, Allison and Michael.”  Silver asks his family. Gerard gives a sign of approval as the three teens stand up.

Scott and Michael follow the twins silently up the stairs as they both start to head towards Silver’s room. “Wait, wait.” Silver whispers, grabbing Scott’s hand, pulling them in the opposite direction, right into Gerard’s room.

“Hurry.” Allison tells Scott. “Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Michael whispers. “You know what’s out there, Michael.” Silver said. “So, what exactly is Scott doing?” Michael turns to see Scott looking through some files and Allison turns to look through books, “You’re trying to figure out what it is, right?” He guesses but as Scott’s body language turns to rigid causing her to chuckle, “You want to look through the Argent’s bestiary.”

Allison walks over to pull a cloth away from a safe, “There goes that plan.” She tells them. “Michael.” Silver groans as the redhead smirks at him, “Help us.” He mutters and Michael smirks as he kneels down to the safe. He puts his ear up against the safe as he starts to twist and turn listening for the clicks. He opens the safe with a smirk as he steps back, “You’re welcome.” He reaches in to grab a leather book, handing it to Scott, “Is this it?”

Scott nods as he starts to flip through the pages, “Salmon moutarde creme fraiche? What is this?”

“A recipe. It’s a cookbook.”

Scott shuts the safe as the four teens feel out of luck, but Scott’s phone starts to ring causing them to panic. “Scott?” Stiles calls out as he picks up the phone. “I can’t talk right now.” Scott quickly says before hanging up.

“Okay, where else can we look?” Silver asks. “Well, what haven’t’ we thought of?” Scott asks everyone. “Maybe it’s not a book – something else close to him?” Allison says thoughtfully. “I know where it is.” Silver says quickly before rushing out.

“Principal Argent- Gerard. Mr. and Mrs. Argent.” Scott says as everyone rushed down the stairs. “Uh, thank you for dinner. I just realized that I have to pick up my mom from work.” Scott rushes out as the remaining teens take a seat at the table, “I don’t get it. What’s not to like?” Gerard said causing Silver and Allison to laugh.

🦎

Outside of the hospital, Scott gets out of his car as Gerard approaches from behind him and turns him around to pierce a knife through his stomach. “Don’t move.” Gerard murmurs, “Even though I can practically feel the tissue around the blade already trying to heal, you never know with a Beta.”  Gerard leans in to hug Scott as he trembles in his arms. “Besides, we’d lose this perfect picture– the kind old grandfather embracing his favorite grandson after hearing good news from the doctor.”

“That’s right– I can play the nice, doddering grandpa who likes to cook, and tell stories, and be sweet and charming. And trust me, I can do it far better than you playing “average, broken-hearted teenage boy.” Are you listening?” Gerard asks as he twists the knife in Scott.

“Yes.” Scott answers weakly. “Perfect. Now, you’re gonna do me a favor one of these days… and, you’re gonna do it, because if you don’t, this knife goes in her.” They both look over to see Melissa through the doors talking to another nurse.

“Scott? I truly believe that it’s so much easier when bad things don’t have to happen to good people. Don’t you agree?” Gerard asks him. “Yes.” Scott answers weakly. “And as for Arthur, he deserves to be happy but only with someone who can protect him. Someone like Michael and that boy doesn’t even have to love him, only to protect him.”

Gerard rips the knife out of Scott as he brushes Scott’s shoulder. “After all, he told me about you but he’ll never know that.” Gerard says before walking away.

“Hey, there. You okay?” Melissa asks, walking out to the car as Scott zips up his sweatshirt. “Yeah, fine.” He says wiping away a tear, “Everything’s fine.”