The three of them exchange glances, something that really speaks of the connection between them in a way nothing else this evening has done; precisely the same ‘one thought many minds’ relationship Stiles has with Scott. Zenobia’s slightly wicked grin spreads across the other two girls’ faces, and then Summer slings an arm around Stiles’ shoulders. “Let us teach you,” she says, “about the joys of midnight grocery store runs.”
“We’re still playing another game,” Beth interjects, and Summer looks up to realise that they’re on the last frame of this one anyway. She unwinds herself from Stiles and the scoring computer and the chair and picks up her ball, muttering, “Yes, yes,” half under her breath. Managing a split that puts her just barely in second place if Stiles doesn’t do something spectacular, she whirls to cheer and catches Jesse staring at them.
Summer just hopes nobody noticed the stuttering second of hesitation before she forces herself to ignore him.
“Oh. Oh. Well, no, see, I thought you were talking like an actual Ben and Jerry’s store, I am…not actually…a stranger to midnight store runs, as it turns out Adderall cravings are a total bitch…” Stiles is well aware there is a hivemind running here that doesn’t include him in it. It’s such a strange experience, he’s so used to it being him and Scott having those wordless conversations that for a few seconds he almost looks like he thinks they’re all of them lionesses and he’s a lonely gazelle.
He doesn’t miss much. Stiles also doesn’t miss the way Jesse’s watching the little group he’s found himself in the middle of, and he doesn’t miss how it makes Summer’s good mood stutter.
Being who he is, Stiles figures Summer would be far more comfortable not being the center of attention, and he’s had years to become comfortable with it. So when he gets up to take his turn, he turns to look straight at Jesse, waiting until he’s made eye contact with the other boy before he’s actually, legitimately throwing a finger gun and winking one eye. He even makes the ‘chk-chk’ noise with his mouth, probably not audible over the distance but obvious just from the way his mouth distorts. Here’s looking at you, hot shot.
Suffice to say he doesn’t do anything spectacular when it comes to the bowling, but his attention is a little split. (When isn’t it?)
“/Is/ there an actual Ben & Jerry’s store in this town?” Beth asks, idly. She doesn’t get an answer, and shoos Summer out of the scoring computer seat when Stiles finishes his frame. “Go get some drinks. And nachos, I want nachos. Both of you, while I set up the next game.”
Summer gives her a flat look, which Beth only returns with a lifted eyebrow. She’s basically telling Summer to deal with it, the way one deals with a fear of bees — exposure. Summer sticks her tongue out before shrugging her shoulders at Stiles. “I guess we’ve been told. I’m going to need the extra hands anyway. Come on.”
She holds her head high, displaying as much “devil-may-care” attitude as she can find, when she walks past Jesse. She doesn’t actually look at him, though he’s watching her, and when his gaze switches to Stiles it noticeably darkens.