we'll be alright.

It's Scott, here. I'm now attending Beacon Hills University with a few of my best friends, and I'm excited! This year is going to be better. I know it.

[luceknight13-blog]

Maybe he does.  And if anyone can figure it out, it’s Katie and Fee, for sure!

Of course, Scott!  I-I mean…thank you for giving me a chance.  I…I am really, really happy that you did.  Really, really, really happy.

I…I think you are absolutely, positively, completely right about that.  And I don’t know where I would be without any of you, and I…I don’t even want to think about where I would be.

[alphcmccall]

Definitely! I know he’s in good hands.

I am, too. I’m... really, really, really, really happy.

We’re all really happy you’re here with us. We need you here. Always.

[luceknight13-blog]

Neither can I.  And I do not want to explain that to her…plus, when he gets old enough, he would probably never forgive us.

Definitely especially now.

I think we are, too!  We’re a perfect team, all of us together!

[alphcmccall]

I don’t, either. But we’ll figure it out. I bet Katie and Fee will figure it out in no time. And if they don’t, then we’ll find another solution. Maybe Derek does remember something. And as long as he’s okay with it, maybe he can help us solve this.

...Hey, Lucy? Thanks for giving me a chance.

Yeah, we are. Lightning only strikes once, right? This pack... I think it was one huge lightning strike. For all of us.

[luceknight13-blog]

We might be.  I don’t think Derek remembers what happened, and…it’s not like we can exactly ask Kate.  I just hope we figure out how to reverse it, soon!

I am.  Really, really happy.  Especially now.

I think you are absolutely right about that!  You know…we make a pretty awesome team.

[alphcmccall]

I do, too. Because, otherwise, I don’t know how his mom will handle having to raise him all over again, but I can’t imagine her being too happy about it.

Me, too. Especially now.

We do. I think we’re best when we’re together.

[luceknight13-blog]

I hope she has!  Or maybe…I…I really don’t know.  Do you think it is at all similar to…to what happened to Derek?  I mean, did Kate use witchcraft at all?  Maybe…maybe it will wear off, or…something like that?  But…it doesn’t seem to be doing that yet…

I think so, too!  And I am really happy you are okay.  You really deserve to be okay.  More than okay…you really deserve to be really, really happy.

I think you are right about that!  You always find a way to help the people around you.  And you always…really care about the people around you, too.  You’re…I mean, you are really, really amazing.  I understand why you are a true alpha.  You’re the kindest person I know, and you always want to do the right thing, and you always find a way to do the right thing.  Even when it seems like there is no right thing, or when there is so much happening,  you find a way to do the right thing, and that is…it is really, really amazing.

[alphcmccall]

I’m not too sure, actually. I don’t think we ever actually figured out how she changed him. He just changed back on his own. Maybe it will wear off? We might be missing something. 

I am. Really, really happy, I mean. Are you?

Thank you for saying that. I honestly have no idea what I’m doing, most of the time. But I think we do the right thing because we don’t depend on one person to figure it all out. We used to depend on Derek to have all of the solutions, and I can’t imagine that being good for him. I think we work so well because we all work together, you know? We all want to keep each other safe, and we all do the best we can to do it. It’s easier to think of the right thing, when the people you care about depend on it.

[luceknight13-blog]

That is a really great way of looking at it, Scott!  I hope that he will.  But…even if he does, and he is happy, you are right.  He can only hide out for so long, and miss so much school, before it gets really suspicious.  And they have finals coming up, too…and a little kid is so not ready to take those!  Do you think there might be anything in the bestiary about it?

Thank you so much!  And that is great, Scott!  I’m so happy we finally have so much…calm around us.  You’re so smart, but you always have so much on your plate, and…well, I am just so happy things are finally calm!  I bet you will do amazing on your finals!

[alphcmccall]

Hopefully the girls will be able to catch him up in time for finals. And if he’s not back to himself by finals... then I have no idea what to do. But we’ll figure something out. And I’m not sure! I’ll ask Allison if she’s found anything!

Thanks, Luce! I really hope so. Things are really easy for us right now, you know? Nothing bad is happening. No one is hurt, or scared of dying. Yeah, we have a few snags, but we’re all pretty happy. I really think things are going to be good for a while. And I’m okay! I like working, honestly. I like having my jobs, and school, and the pack.

...You know something? I never really understood why I became a true alpha. In fact, I still don’t. But I think it’s because of everything that I take on. I mean, we all have things that make us who are, and where we are. Like, why Jackson’s the captain of the world, and why Allison is the leader of her family. Jackson’s really adaptable, and he’s quick on his feet. He can see victory, no matter what stands in the way. And Allison always finds an answer; she finds a way to protect us, even if it can hurt her. I'm durable. No matter what happens, I don’t get tired easily. I think I work better when there’s a lot to do. Even when I can’t find the answer to everything, I know there’s at least one thing I can do to help everyone around me.

[luceknight13-blog]

That…is the one kind of major snag.  The good news is that nothing evil caused it!  But, um…has anyone figured out how to fix it yet?

Thank you for saying that, Scott!  How is studying going for you?  

[alphcmccall]

Not that I know of. I talked to Miss Satomi, but she isn’t sure how to fix it, either. Fee said her parents would help look for a reverse, but it sounds like it was an outdated spell that wasn’t supposed to work at all. He seems happy, anyway. He didn’t have a bad childhood, so we don’t have to worry about any bad memories resurfacing or anything. Though I do think he’s happier this time around. He has the pack now, so he doesn’t feel as... lonely. I don’t know. Maybe he’ll remember a happier childhood now. 

Either way, we do need to fix this. He can only hide out at Fee’s place for so long before his parents ask him to come home.

You’re welcome! I mean it. And studying’s going okay! Lydia and Jackson have been helping me with anything I miss or don’t understand, but I understand most of it. I actually feel kind of confident about finals this time around.

[luceknight13-blog]

Hi, Clyde!  [Lucy reaches out and pets Clyde, scratching behind his ears and giggling when he licks her hand.]  You’re such a sweetheart!

I’m great!  I know I should be stressing about finals, and I am, but…it’s almost Christmas and things are good with the pack, and with…me and you and…I can’t not be great!

[alphcmccall]

[Scott smiles as he watches Lucy and Clyde interact. The puppy seems a bit more content in the bath now, which is always a plus.]

I’m glad things are going great. And they are! We’re great, and the pack is great -- even though Liam is still a five year old -- and classes are almost over. And, hey, I’m sure you’ll do great on finals. You don’t need to stress!

[luceknight13-blog]

Aww!  Oh, hello, Clyde!  Can I pet him?

[alphcmccall]

Of course you can! He’s super friendly!

How are you?

[luceknight13-blog]

Yes!  Oh, really?  I would love that!  [Lucy smiles and shifts her bag slightly.]  Hi, pup!  Is he okay?  What is is name?

[alphcmccall]

Yeah, of course!

His tag says ‘Clyde’. We found him hanging around by himself outside. He’s okay, I think. We’re just getting him cleaned up.

[luceknight13-blog]

Well, I was heading back to campus, but I remembered you worked tonight and I thought you might be hungry, so I, um, I brought you some dinner!  It’s a cheeseburger and fries from the Beacon Cafe.

[alphcmccall]

You did?! Lucy, you’re the best ever! Thank you so much!

Do you want to stay for a minute? Once I finish this little guy up, we can eat together! If you want, of course!

[luceknight13-blog]

Hi, Scott.  Is…is this an okay time?  I can come back…

[alphcmccall]

Oh, hey, Lucy! No, now’s perfect! What’s up?

[alphcmccall]

Here ya go, buddy. Almost done...

I promise it’ll feel better when it’s over.

[alphcmccall]

YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS. |  a scott mccall playlist.

01.  gravity -- john mayer ↳ Gravity, stay the hell away from me. And gravity has taken better men than me. How can that be?

02. hope for now -- city and colour ↳ How can I instill such hope, but be left with none of my own?

03. cannonball -- kiesza ↳ As the bridges fall, I still find a way to cross. And even if you are lost among the stars, your love won’t go off.

04.  one man can change the world -- big sean ↳ Slow down, don’t crash. All the drive in the world, I swear you still need gas.

05. timshel -- mumford & sons ↳ And death is at your door step, and it steal your innocence, but it will not steal your substance.

[alphcmccall]

Text → Jackson

Jackson: Yeah, sure, no problem. I hate that class, but I take notes. Want to go over them this weekend?

Scott: Yes, please! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!

[luceknight13-blog]

Of course not!  She is your mom!  I, um, not that that applies to every mom, of course, but I don’t think…it’s really good, and nice, that you feel that way, I mean.

Neither could I!

[Lucy smiles and nods, looking at Scott nervously.]  I am!  Are you?

[alphcmccall]

[Scott gives Lucy an understanding smile. He doesn’t know everything about her mom, but he knows that Lucy falls into the same category as Isaac, Daria and Danny: those whose parents were not great people, and fell somewhere on the abusive spectrum.] Thank you.

Yep! [He places his order -- baked lasagna has been proven to be his ultimate weakness -- smiling at his coworker and handing over his menu, and patiently waits for Lucy to order.]

[alphcmccall]

Text → Jackson

Jackson: Sure, what's up?

Scott: I completely missed philosophy yesterday, and zoned out in the previous class, so I'm preeeetty lost on what we're going over. I don't want to, like, steal your notes or anything, but is there anyway you can bring me up to speed?

[luceknight13-blog]

That is really, really nice.

Yeah, it is. It’s so nice to be able to just…go back to it, sometimes.  I do love college!  I really do.  But having home so close is good, too.  And of course, it really makes me happy that all of my friends are here!

[alphcmccall]

Yeah. I know we’re supposed to be branching out and everything, but I don’t think I could ever really just leave her behind, you know? I like being able to see her, or call her and not worry about being in a different timezone or anything.

Me, too! It feels good, having everyone so close, ans still being able to just go home if we need to. I don’t think I’d ever be able to leave, to be honest with you! 

[Their waiter shows up then, placing their drinks on the table in front of them, before asking if they’re ready to order.]