[ Instead of apologizing or tipping Stiles off to why she grabbed his hand like that, Lydia pretends not to notice the questioning look at all. Issuing her own sigh, only half in response to Stiles giving one, Lydia shrugs to his suggestion that maybe Derek can help. She'd doubtful; Derek never helps with the logic stuff, he's always doing the brawn part, which Lydia isn't sure they'll need this time. ]

It wouldn't hurt to have an extra head trying to think it through.

[ For a moment, she thinks that he's going to let it go and she hopes that he does, largely because she's frustrated enough by whatever's happening; never mind trying to figure out how or why so that she can explain it to Stiles. That's wishful thinking and she knows it, though, and Stiles proves it a minute later as they walk.

More out of the reflexive desire to actually answer his question than the belief that she'll suddenly actually be able to get it out, Lydia tries again. ]

Ei—

[ and she stops again, mouth still open like the words are supposed to keep coming, only they just...don't. ]

Ei-ei-chan—

[ Once again, her voice stops abruptly only able to get out the first word and, even then, in a stuttering fight so that it sounds more like two words I can rather than the singular Eichan she means it to be. This time, her jaw snaps shut with a frustrated click of her teeth and her face goes red with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. In a lame attempt to cover and only half-lying because she remembers the word but whatever was supposed to come after it is gone again. ]

I can't remember. ...I don't know. I don't know what's...wrong. Listen, I just know you got me out, okay? And it took a lot, it had to have. Just trust me, okay?

[ When she looks back at him, her expression has softened into something more hopeful. ]

Can you?