Teen Survivors 💰 S.S.

Monstrous

The front of the Hale House had a black Camaro with the trunk wide open with a giant suitcase already loaded inside. Peter and Derek were walking over to it, carrying two small boxes filled with Laura's things.

"I can't believe that Laura's really leaving," Derek mumbled as he set the box in.

Peter then loaded in the box he was holding. "Well, this time next year, you'll go off to college." But Peter ducked his head to give a small snort.

Derek narrowed his eyes at him. "And just what is so funny?"

Peter tried to put on an innocent face. "Oh, nothing."

His tone meant that it was anything but nothing. Derek guessed that his uncle's amusement must have to do with his current GPA. Even he had to admit, the last year hadn't been his most impressive. He barely managed to get a C- average last semester. To be fair, with everything that had happened to him over the last school year: Paige, his eyes changing, and then with the team making it to the finals, he hadn't really been putting as much efforts into his studies as he could've.

"I just had a bad year," Derek spouted defensively.

Peter raised his eyebrows at him. "Is that really what you're going to use to call it?" Derek shrugged uncomfortably. "Well, don't worry. You'll be able to make sure that you won't have a repeat of that happening again. You'll have all the time you need to focus on school."

"What?"

"Well, since you won't have to worry about the team this year or that girls won't approach you after what happened with your last girlfriend, you'll have all the time to keep your mind on your grades."

Derek's face hardened at that and he stomped off. From the front door stepped Talia with Laura carrying the last bag with her stuff and Cora was trailing behind them.

"Where's he going?" Talia asked as she saw Derek's form rushing off. "He's not going to say goodbye to Laura?"

"I think I said something that upset him a bit," Peter said as he rubbed the back of his head.

Talia sighed at her brother. "Yeah, that wouldn't surprise me." She then looked over at Laura. "You sure that you have everything?"

Laura rolled her eyes at him. "Yes, mom. For the tenth time, I'm okay. If I've forgotten anything, I can always come right back. I'll only be over three hours away. Besides, I'll be back in over two weeks for Ray's wedding." She then placed her last bag into the trunk and then closed it. She smiled as she looked the car over. "And thank you again for the car," she said in squeaking glee.

Now it was Talia's turn to roll her eyes. "For the tenth time, it was my pleasure. You earned it Laura. You were a great help this year. Took care of everything around here while I was busy with my Alpha duties and kept your grades high. I'm proud of you." She finished by bringing her arms out and her daughter quickly moved in for a hug. "Oh, don't forget to check in every once in a while."

"I won't," she promised as they broke away. Laura then looked down at Cora. She went and bent down slightly to be at eye level with her. "And you, you have to take over my sisterly duties with our brother. Make sure that Derek doesn't go off the deep end. Don't be afraid to give him a good whack when he's being an idiot."

Cora smiled. "Can I still do it when he annoys me?"

Laura laughed. "Hell yeah."

The two of them softened their faces a bit before they went into a warm but tight hug before they separated a few moments later. Laura got back to her feet and then turned to look at her uncle.

Peter held a restraining hand out at her. "Oh, please don't get mushy with me."

Laura rolled his eyes. "Please, I'm not that depressed Uncle Peter."