𝑾𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 ➸𝑨𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑨𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕 ꟾ𝟏ꟾ

Old Friends, New Secrets

[Majorly Edited]—6/2/21

I

"Hey, kiddo." Sarah sits on the couch as I collect the keys from the tray by the door. "You heading to school?"

"Uh, yeah." I lean against the arm of the sofa. "You're off work today, right?"

"Yes, and I need you to come home right after school. One of my best friends from high school is in town and invited us to dinner tonight."

"Who's the friend?"

"Oh, her name's Kate."

II

I watch with anticipation as Mr. Westover begins returning graded history tests from Wednesday's exam. I flinch as Stiles hits me with his pencil. He points toward Scott as he repeatedly taps his thumb on the corner of the desk and leans forward. "If Derek isn't the Alpha, if he's not the one who bit you, then who did?"

"I don't know."

I lean over the arm of my desk. "What if you're not the only wolf in his pack? Do you think you can feel if there are more?"

"I don't know."

"Did the Alpha kill the bus driver?"

"I don't know."

"Does Allison's dad know about the Alph—"

Scott spins around in his seat. "I don't know!"

A dozen sets of judging eyes land on the three of us; I melt into my chair just as Mr. Westover places the test on top of my notebook. I let out a sigh of relief at the red A- at the corner of the page.

"Dude, you need to study more." I peer over to see Stiles gawking at the large D- plastered on Scott's test. A short message is written underneath: Not like you! See me after class.

He hides the test under his World History textbook at Stiles' comment. "That was a joke. Scott, it's one test you're gonna make it up."

"I have to be somewhere tonight, but we can study later for next Tuesday's test."

He shakes his head at my offer. "No, I'm studying with Allison after school today."

Stiles smirks. "That's my boy."

"We're just studying."

"Uh, no, you're not." I begin biting my nails, imagining the worst.

"No, I'm not?"

"Not if I'm forced to live vicariously through you. If you go to her house and squander that colossal opportunity, I swear to God I'll have you de-balled."

Stiles locks eyes with me, noticing my far-away expression. "On second thought, maybe it's better to let the relationship blossom slowly, like really, really slowly. Maybe even at a snail's pace or even a—"

Scott furrows his brows. "Uh, okay. Just... both of you, please, stop with the questions."

"Done. No more questions. No more talk about the Alpha or Derek. Especially Derek... who still scares me."

III

After school, I immediately came home, just like Sarah wanted, and honked the horn. A few seconds later, she emerged from the house, locked the door, and moved for the car.

"So, where is she staying?"

"Not too far. She's bunking with her brother and his family. Just head straight for now and take a left on Circle St."