La Fuerza del Lobo

Chapter 2: Fresh Start

The sun peeked through the clouds, casting a warm glow over Beacon Hills High School as Harley and Lydia walked side by side, with Lydia's heels clicking against the pavement The best friends exchanged excited smiles, ready to tackle their sophomore year together.

"It seems surreal that we are sophomores already." Lydia tossed her strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder and laughed. "It feels like just yesterday we were freshmen, trying to navigate these halls."

Harley chuckled and adjusted her backpack's strap. "Time flies when you're having fun, Lyds. And with you by my side, I know this year is going to be epic." Walking into homeroom together, Harley goes to sit in the back, but Lydia stops her, pulling her over to a couple of desks in the middle of the room.

"What?" Harley asked. "What're you doing?" Lydia exclaimed. "I'm sitting in the back." "You are one of the most respected and well-liked people in this school; besides me, of course. People like us do not sit in the back or the front. We sit in the middle where it can hold everyone's attention." Lydia smirked. Harley smiled, rolling her eyes, playfully. "If you wanted me to sit next to you, all you had to do was ask." Copying the same expression, Lydia rolled her eyes while smiling.

After getting settled, footsteps are heard walking into class. Harley and Lydia lift their heads to find Lydia's boyfriend, Jackson, and Harley's brother, Danny, moving towards the desks near them. Jackson is to the right of Lydia with Danny sitting behind Lydia so he can talk to all three of them. The teacher, Mr. Epstein strides into class; greeting students and handing out the syllabus for the new year.

20 minutes later, the bell rings, alerting students that first period is about to start. As they entered the bustling hallway, an unfamiliar face caught their attention. A tall, brunette girl with dimples stood by the lockers, smiling at Scott McCall. "Hey, I haven't seen her around before," Harley whispered to Lydia. "She must be new." There was a playful twinkle in Lydia's eye as she nodded. "Don't even." Harley deadpans. "Whatever do you mean?" Lydia asked, feigning innocently. "Lydia." Lydia huffs. "Let's go introduce ourselves. It's our duty as the school's resident it-girls to make her feel welcome."

The duo approached the new girl, their confident strides turning heads as if they were gliding across the floor. "That jacket is absolutely killer. Where did you get it?" Lydia greeted warmly. The brunette smiled shyly. "My mom was a buyer for a boutique back in San Francisco. "And you are now my second best friend. I'm Lydia, and this is my best friend, Harley. You must be new here." The new girl glanced nervously at the floor. "Yeah, I just moved to Beacon Hills. I'm Allison Argent."

Just then, Jackson joins them as Lydia smiles at him lovingly. Harley jokingly flips him off, which he does back. Jackson and Lydia share a kiss, making Allison a little uncomfortable, unlike Harley because she's used to it. Meanwhile, across the hall, a newly enhanced Scott McCall was listening to the conversation happening in front of him. "Can someone tell me how the new girl is here all of five minutes, and she's already hanging out with Lydia's clique?" A girl named Claire asked facetiously. A pale boy with scattered moles on his face answered, "Because she's hot."

Claire gave him a look. Stiles continued, "I'm just saying that beautiful people herd together." So engrossed in the conversation, Scott resumes to listen on. "So, this weekend, there's a party." Lydia started. "A party?" Jackson interjected. "Yeah, Friday night. You should come." Allison felt bashful. "Uh, I can't. It's family night this Friday. Thanks for asking." Harley smirked; seeing through the confession while Lydia and Jackson looked disappointed by the answer.

"You sure? Everyone's going after the scrimmage." Jackson questioned. "You mean like football?" Allison wondered. Jackson and Harley laugh. "Football's a joke in Beacon. The sport here is lacrosse. We've won the state championship for the past three years." Lydia looks at Jackson with a warm expression as she ruffles his hair. "Because of a certain team captain..." Jackson smirks smugly. Harley added: "Well, they have practice in a few minutes. That is if you don't have anywhere else to be." Allison tried to come up with an excuse but was interrupted by Lydia. "Well, I was going to..."Perfect! You're coming." Grabbing Allison by the hand and drags her to the lacrosse field, with Allison glancing at Scott one last time.