UNLOVEABLE ─ s.stilinski

xxiii. erica reyes

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
erica reyes

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Rhys stood awkwardly at the back of the class praying that if he didn't move coach Finstock wouldn't notice him. They were doing rock climbing for physical education and although Rhys didn't have a fear of heights, he did not like the idea of climbing up a wall in front of a whole class.

"Mcall! Argent!" Coach yelled after the last pair finished, "Get up there!"

Scott and Allison smiled at each other, competitiveness radiating off them. They moved over to the wall and Rhys watched as they began to climb.

They talked until Allison sped up, Scott doing the same but beating her using his werewolf powers. Allison looked up defeated before a mischievous grin spread over her features. She leaned towards him and knocked his ankle. Scott fell from the top of the wall to the bottom in a matter of seconds, with the harness saving him centimetres from the floor. Everyone laughed at him, including Rhys, who hid it by covering his mouth.

Coach Finstock chuckled as he approached Scott, crouching down to his level, "McCall," he laughed. "I don't know why, but your pain gives me a special kind of joy. Right?"

Allison finally got down from the wall, grinning triumphantly as she unbuckled her harness. "All right, next two. Stilinski, Rhys let's go!"

Stiles turned to look at him, an excited smile on his face. Rhys, however, was tempted to run away and use his injury that had practically healed as an excuse.

"You got this," Harley said appearing next to him. "It's like riding a bike."

Rhys gave her a baffled look, not understanding that at all. "No I dont," he huffed before swallowing his nerves and walking over to the rock wall and harnessing up. Stiles was already there waiting for him. "You don't have to wait."Rhys spoke to Stiles.

"I know," He smiled his annoying smile which made Rhys' stomach flutter.

Finally, his harness was on and he began to climb. They made it halfway up the wall when Stiles asked.

"So how's everything going?"

He was small-talking. Rhys hated it.

"This is awkward, don't talk," Rhys settled it, focusing on placing his foot on a red rock, trying to lift himself.

"Well, this is the only way to talk to you," Stiles huffed from beside him, obviously slowing down to his speed. "You're always avoiding me, it's kind of impressive."

"Shut up," Rhys hissed, "I'm trying to concentrate-" His foot slipped and he nearly fell, just like Scott, but Stiles grabbed his waist keeping him steady on the wall. "...thank you." He said softly, he could feel his cheeks glowing red.

Stiles smirked. "You're welcome," he said. Rhys held back the urge to roll his eyes. They got to the top of the wall and then eased their way back down, like spies on the side of a building.

"Good job! Stilinski, Corvus!" Coach called giving them a thumbs up as they joined everyone else, "Okay, Harley, Erica! On the wall!"

Harley excitedly went over to the wall and began to climb, Erica was only halfway up when she started to come back down. As Harley took her harness off, Rhys noticed the way Erica was shaking, producing heavy but short breaths.