Beacon Hills 1983

Chapter 18: Sneaking Out

(Teen wolf)

Restlessly, I toss and turn, trying to win the endless battle of sleep.
There's a twitching unease inside me that just won't relax. Part of me feels it's because I'm lying to everyone. Another part feels it's the full moon approaching.

Can't it just come already?

Or maybe it's Natalie...
I decide against it.

What could she have seen? Stop being paranoid Nes.

I lit the candles Lucy once gave me (-for no reason at all), and watch them burn to try and bore myself to sleep.
With a warm white glow, the little flames dance.
The longer I stare, the more they morph into fierce, skin-ripping claws.
I shake my head and decide to blow them out.

That definitely didn't work.

I sigh.
Just then- my bedroom door creaks.
"Nes?" A whisper weaves through the darkness. I know who it is.
"Yes, my alpha?" I joke softly.

Usually, it would be insensitive to joke with your cousin a day and a half after finding out your aunt, her mother, has been murdered.
Talia is a very understanding, calm, intelligent woman who is handling her loss with acceptance.
Of course, it's normal to feel grief when a loved one passes away, but Talia is the kind of person who believes that the way to feel better is, not to forget, but to move on- and so, through her actions, she proves this belief.

My cousin shakes her head and walks in, closing the door behind her.
"I know what you're doing Nes."
The words came unexpectedly, dissolving all humor.
My blood runs ice cold.
"Um... Trying to sleep?" I test.
"No." Talia stares with her sturdy eyes, "I know about the Riverdale trip."

In that exact moment, I panic.

"Talia, look, Atticus had nothing to do with it- I forced him- I just want to help mom- help you- find the omega, and you said it was a teenager and-"
"Shhh," She tries to slow me down, "I know you have good intentions."

My spirit for tomorrow dampens, as I now realize I won't be going after all.

Other than the secret plan, there was something more exciting about this trip; being out of Beacon Hills.
Everyone else seems to leave now and then, either for business or alpha meetings or- whatever it is Emel always dissappears for.
But I'm always here. At home. And I was really looking forward to getting out for a while.

"But," Talia's sudden change of tone sparks a sliver of hope; I look up with desperate eyes.
"That's why I'm letting you go."
Excitement overtakes me as I lurch for a hug.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!"

Knowing this was all too easy, she almost predictably adds,"Calm down- there's more to it."
My arms release Talia, "What more?"

She sighs, "The only reason I'm actually allowing you to go is because I received information this morning from a source, that a teenage boy has been seen lurking around Argent's house multiple times in the past few weeks. They think he might have something to do with- you know. The omega-thing. The source say they aren't sure if it might be him, but either way, I need you to keep a close eye."

There's a short silence while I think.

Teenage boy? Doesn't Argent have a teenage son? The source- obviously the alpha's- could have been wrong.

"Are you sure it isn't Argent's son?"
"Yes, I'm sure. His name is Chris Argent. That's not the name my source mentioned."
Her words grab my attention, "They told you his name?"
She closes her eyes and nods, "I know you're not really going to like this."
Anticipation grows like vine on a tree.

"Talia, just say it."

"Billy Hargrove."

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Sometimes I hate living in isolation from all other human life forms.
It can be quite pestilent, like right now, trudging in the dark soil, with nothing but golden eyes shining like stars on earth, guiding me out of the woods.

I also love it at times. Keeping us a mystery and secret; separating Hale's from the rest of these mediocre, every-day-families in the middle of town.
The Hargrove's included.

I've never seen any of Billy's family members, other than his younger sister, Max.
They're hardly together, and when they are, it doesn't seem like they share a good relationship.
I'm not surprised. Billy is an ass.

Yeah, a really hot ass.

Oddly, I decide not to fight against it this time, taking in every last bit of memory of that scent at school. That soft, gentle scent, which told me that the boy I've hated for so many years, might actually be closer to me than I thought.

"Billy?" I burst out laughing. "No way it's Billy."
Talia was serious.
"My source said-"
"Your source was wrong." I cut her off. "I've known Billy for years. He doesn't know a thing about the supernatural world- even if he did, he'd be too dumb to realize it."
"Look, Nes," Talia began, "they could be wrong. But would it hurt you to just watch the boy?"
I stop for a second.
Talia was right. It could be Billy.
After all, how often do I pay attention to him?

All the time recently-

I spoke before my thoughts continued, "You're right. I will watch him. But only because you want me to."
The last part was partially a lie.
"Thank you Nes. I know how hard this must be for you... You know because he... Because he used to bully you when you were younger."
I wouldn't call Billy a bully now.
He's an irritation.
"Don't worry about it. He doesn't anymore. I'll watch him for you."

And then Talia told me to pack my things and sneak out.