Drowning Out Sound

Drowning Out Sound: Chapter #6

AFG Mixed: Flower Crowns
AFG Angst: Toxic Family
AFG Bad Bitches: Malia Tate

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Summer ends and on the last day before school starts back up, the kids–Malia, Stiles, Jackson and Callie–all head to the park near the Hale's house. Stiles giggles as the girls put a crown on his head that they made out of flowers. Jackson takes a picture of him and then grumbles halfheartedly when he gets his own crown. They've played for hours all summer long and Stiles plays with Callie nearly every day. She is his best friend.

Stiles starts some more rigorous and in depth therapy with Doctor Bowen to talk about what his mommy did. Jackson and Malia walk him to class and home. Sometimes they even ride the bus with him so he's not alone.

Third grade is even better than second was and Stiles is enjoying every moment of it. His favorite thing is when he gets to read. Since Stiles was little, he has always loved reading. He is like a sponge, soaking up every bit of knowledge he can. Callie's older brother suggested he read The Hardy Boys and Stiles eagerly gobbles up all fifty eight of them.

Callie suggests Goosebumps and Stiles gives it a try, but they don't appeal to him. He still thanks her for the suggestion. His favorites to read are The Chronicles of Narnia, Charlie Bone, The Giver and he actually really likes the Nancy Drew books too. That's what he's reading today.

Now that Stiles is seven, Jackson, Malia and he are in third grade. Stiles is technically doing fourth grade work but now that he's fully attending public school, he wants to stay in the same class as Malia and Jackson. Aunt Talia talked with the school and got it all sorted out. He just does different schoolwork but is physically in the same classroom as his siblings.

At recess, a car pulls up to the school. It's not unusual for people to come and go during the school day but for some reason, Stiles's stomach starts to churn with rapidly rising anxiety. He doesn't know why but his heart jumps to his throat when the car door opens. Zuri is right there with him to calm him as he lays eyes on the person exiting the car.

Malia looks over, noticing her brother isn't paying attention to her anymore, nor his book or anything else. Well, that's not true exactly. He's looking at–'Uh oh,' she thinks to herself and quickly rushes to her brother's side. The woman whose eyes are scanning the playground is someone who definitely shouldn't be here. Malia knows she has to tell her daddy. Carefully she pulls out her phone and almost misses Stiles speaking.

"Mo'my?"

It startles Malia because Stiles rarely talks, usually using sign language now for everything. He only speaks vocally to daddy or to the family at home. She doesn't get to dwell on it long as she hears the woman speak.

"Hi baby," Claudia says. She has a soft, disarming smile on her face, but Malia can see how tense Stiles is. She grabs his hand as Claudia speaks again. "I've missed you baby boy."

Of course, Stiles doesn't hear her, and Malia is glad.

He turns to Malia.

> Why is she here? I want daddy.

His hands tighten on Zuri's leash as they begin to shake.

Malia nods and texts their daddy before glaring at Claudia. Her eyes are cold as she stares at the woman who hurt her brother. She places herself in front of Stiles with her arms crossed, cutting Claudia off from seeing him.

Peter's reply is instant, and Malia relays the text to Stiles.

> Daddy is coming. He says stay put.