My Brother's Beta » Teen Wolf

nineteen

If someone is to kill Liam Dunbar, they are to receive eighteen million dollars.

The thought sinks into my head, remaining there even after the bell rings, after Scott leaves us, after the halls fill up with students, and after I sit down in my next class.

"Hey fam!" Mason exclaims as he throws down his stuff on the desk in front of Liam and I. I forcefully smile at him while Liam doesn't even bother.

"My mom says she can drive us to the bonfire tonight," Mason tells us, settling into his seat. "Do you need a ride, Jess?"

I think about Scott's unpredictable schedule. "Um, yeah. I think so. Thanks."

"No problem. And Liam, I assume you need a ride too?"

Liam grunts in reply and exchanges a glance with me. Mason furrows his eyebrows at him and turns back around in his seat. He doesn't turn around the rest of the period.

Liam fidgets in his seat quite often. He just seems really... nervous today. I mean I can't blame him though. I would be nervous if I found out I'm worth eighteen million dollars to an assassin.

When the final bell rings, I gather all of my stuff and start to walk with Liam. Mason has already headed off. He was really upset this period. This day is just dull.

"Hey," I tell Liam, giggling. "Smile!"

I know it seems kind of stupid, but I'm honestly just out of ideas. And it kind of worked. Liam glances over at me and lets out a deep chuckle. I reach my hand up to his mouth and lift up the corners.

"It's just so stressful," Liam says, sighing and shaking off my hands. "Being a freaking werewolf."

I nod and press my lips together. I feel bad, Liam didn't ask to be a part of this. Well, neither did Scott. Or me. Or anyone, really. It's just something we have to live with.

"You're getting pretty good at it though," I tell him, bumping his shoulder playfully.

"Yeah," He laughs, "Practically all thanks to Scott. And you, actually."

I stop to look at him. "What? Me?"

He looks at the ground and his cheeks go slightly red. "You've been helping me through all of this." He tells me in a soft voice. "And, Jessica, I think you might be my anchor."

I shift on my feet and think about how serious the conversation just got. I honestly don't know how to reply to Liam. If he even wants me to reply. Crap, he's still looking at me.

Instead of answering, I simply just feel myself blush. Like high-key blush. Liam must notice. He smiles shyly and looks at the ground.

"You should wear my sweatshirt to the bonfire tonight," He changes the subject. "For you know, support."

I laugh and smile up at him. "Of course,"

Liam steps ahead of me to push open the door and hold it open for me. He winks at me jokingly. He's being very... Flirty today? I stick my tongue out at him jokingly.

I look up to see Scott and Stiles standing by the buses. Stiles is leaning on a pole on his phone while Scott seems to be looking directly at me. Stalker much?

To avoid being completely awkward, I give him a small wave. He glances away quickly and starts to talk to Stiles. I roll my eyes at him.

The steady flow of kids walking out the halls disperses when we get outside. Liam stops walking and I follow. "I don't wanna go," He whines, inching just barely towards me.

"Me neither," I reply, sighing and running my fingers through the ends of my hair.

Someone suddenly comes rushing to my side, hitting my shoulder pretty hard. I whimper and step back quickly, only to realize that it's just Mason. He places a hand on both mine and Liam's shoulder. "Aw, you guys are so cute,"