Secrets in the Hunt (Book 2)

School is Hell

I frown as I walk into economics, immediately noticing Jackson sitting in my usual seat.      "You're late Johnson." Coach Finnstock says and I huff. I was in Gerard's office, talking to him about Isaac Lahey's return to school. Apparently, he finds it suspicious that someone who was a possible murder suspect is suddenly in school again. Not that I blame him, but I don't need him finding out that Isaac is a werewolf. I don't really wanna be responsible for the murder of my classmates.      "I was talking to Principal Argent. I don't have a note, but I'm sure if you call him he can vouch for me." I say, smirking as Coach shakes his head quickly. Like the majority of teachers at Beacon Hills, Coach Finnstock is scared of Gerard and the fact that he replaced the old principal so suddenly.      "Um, no, nope. It's fine, just take a seat." He says and I sigh before sliding into a desk in the front row next to Lydia. I hate sitting in the front, but I don't really have any choice thanks to Jackson.      "All right, listen up." Coach Finnstock says after clearing his throat. "A quick warning before we begin our review. Some of you, like McCall, might want to start their own study groups, because tomorrow's midterm is so profoundly difficult - I'm not even too sure I could pass it. Okay, I need a volunteer at the board to answer the first question. Who's got it, huh?" I sink lower in my seat, but Lydia raises her hand and Coach grins. "Come on, let's go, buddy." Lydia stands up and looks over the problem on the board. I sigh and look down, doodling in my notebook. I don't really care about passing this class. There's no way we'll stay here long enough for me to actually graduate, so what's the point. Especially since we have to figure out a way to save Dean now. We can't do that if we're stuck here waiting for me to do stupid high school things. We're not really needed here anymore anyway. Allison knows about the supernatural, she's training. She doesn't need me to protect her.       "Jackson! Do you have something you want to share with the rest of the class?" Coach yells, making me sit up and whip my head around. I raise an eyebrow at Stiles and Scott who look like they've been caught red handed. Since when did they talk to Jackson?      "Um - just an undying admiration for my - my coach." Jackson replies, his usual smoothness gone.Coach Finnstock rolls his eyes.     "That's really kind of you. Now shut up! Shut it! Anybody else?" He yells and everyone gets quiet. I look up at the board and frown. I'm not the best student in this class, but I'm pretty sure Lydia's answer is nowhere near correct. She had covered the board with nonsense. I glanced from the board to Lydia and noticed she was shaking, tears falling down her face. I was instantly worried for her. Even though we hadn't talked as much recently, Lydia is one of my best friends.      "Lyd." I call, but she doesn't move. "Lydia." I say louder and she jumps, blinking as she glances around the class.      "Okay then, anybody else want to try answering? This time in English?" Coach snarks and I glare at the man. Lydia looks at me and I see the fear in her eyes. She's terrified of something, and I know I have to help her. I nod towards her desk and she lets out a breath before rushing over and sitting next to me.      "You okay?" I whisper, ignoring the annoyed glance from Coach.     "Of course, why wouldn't I be?" She asks, quickly wiping the stray tears from her face. I frown, but nod before turning back to my notebook. She may not want my help, but I'm going to make sure that she's okay. I owe her that much.***Mr. Harris. Literally the epitome of 'shitty teacher'. I huff as I slouch on my seat. This is literally the longest day ever. I smile when I see Stiles and Scott walk in, but they immediately run and pull chairs up to sit around Lydia. What the hell is happening? The bell rings and Harris sighs as he looks at Stiles.      "Einstein once said, 'Two things are infinite: The universe and human stupidity; And I'm not sure about the universe.' I myself have encountered infinite stupidity." He says, looking at Stiles. I bite back a laugh at the look on Stiles' face. "So to combat the plague of ignorance in my class, you're going to combine efforts through a round of group experiments. Let's see if two heads are indeed better than one. Or in Mr. Stilinski's case, less than one. Erica, you take the first station. You'll start with - I didn't ask for volunteers. Put your hormonal little hands down. Start with Mr. McCall. All right, next two. Victoria and Mr. Stilinski." He says, before continuing to rattle off partners. Stiles rushes over and drops onto the stool next to me.      "So what's going on?" I ask, as I carefully start the lab. I don't want to accidentally blow anything up.      "What do you mean?" He asks, his eyes twitching as he looks around the room.      "You and Scott talking to Jackson in econ? Rushing in and sitting by Lydia? What's happening?" I ask and he sighs.      "Derek tested Jackson to see if he's the kanima, and he passed so now Isaac and Erica are going to test Lydia." He rushes out and I put the beakers down.      "I'm sorry, what?" I hiss out and Stiles winces.      "Derek used the kanima venom to paralyze Jackson because the kanima can't be posioned by his own venom. So now, Isaac and Erica are going to use some of the venom on Lydia to see if she's the kanima." Stiles further explains.      "So if she isn't the kanima, she's just going to unexplainably fall to the ground in the middle of class?" I ask and he pales.      "Well, um, I mean....yeah, I guess." He says and I groan.      "Do you know how hard that's going to be to explain to Gerard?" I whine and Stiles frowns.      "I don't know why you'd have to explain anything." He says and I shake my head.      "Of course you don't. I'm trying to keep him from hurting Scott and Lydia." I say. Stiles opens his mouth, but Harris cuts him off.      "Switch." He calls and Stiles huffs before walking to the next table. I purse my lips when Isaac sits next to me.      "If you harm a singular hair on her head, I will kill you. I'm sure Derek's told you all about my family. And not only will I kill you, but I will make sure it's slow and painful. That's a promise." I say, picking up the beakers and continuing to work on the project.      "I'd love to see you try sweetheart." He whispers, leaning in so that his breath hits the back of my neck. I slam the beakers down and whirl around so that I'm in his face.      "Don't call me sweetheart, honey." I hiss and he laughs, his eyes hardening as he stares at me.      "Oh, right. Wouldn't want Stiles to be jealous, would we?" He snaps back and I scoff.      "This has nothing to do with Stiles." I say. "It has to do with the fact that I don't appreciate you patronizing me."     "Big word for someone who's never been to school before." He says and I jerk back.      "How did you-" I start, but Harris cuts me off.      "Switch." He calls and Isaac squeezes my shoulder roughly before walking away. Scott walks over and sits down, staring at Lydia whose new partner is Isaac.      "Why didn't you tell me about Jackson?" I ask, and Scott jumps, turning to me.      "What do you mean?" He asks and I huff in annoyance.      "Why didn't you tell me that he asked Derek for the bite?" I ask.     "He didn't, what are you-" Scott argues, confusion covering his face.      "Scott, Derek tested him to see if he was the kanima. Why would he do that? He's not trying to test me, or Allison? He's only gone after Jackson and Lydia. Lydia was attacked, so it just makes sense that Jackson asked for the bite." I explain and Scott's eyes widen.     "But, he didn't change. And the venom didn't do anything to him." He says and I shrug.      "Sometimes, very rarely, nothing happens. I've never seen it happen before, but I have read about it." I say and Scott nods. He turns back to watch Lydia, and I continue working on the project, frowning at the sludge I made.      "Time. If you've catalyzed the reaction correctly, you should now be looking at a crystal. Now for the part of that last experiment I'm sure you'll all enjoy: You can eat it." Harris says, grinning when he notices that many of us just have sludge. Gotta love a teacher that thrives off the failure of students.      "Lydia!" Scott screams, leaping from his seat and making me drop the beaker, the glass shattering on the tabletop.      "What?" Lydia huffs, turning around and glaring at Scott. Scott sits back down, his face red as everyone stares at him.      "Nothing." He says. I sit still and watch as Lydia eats the crystal, not realizing the problem until I look at Scott's face. The sugar crystal must have venom on it. And nothing happens.      "Ms. Johnson, I'm not sure if you've been spending too much time with Mr. Stilinski and Mr. McCall, but one usually cleans up glass shards in their lab area." Mr. Harris says lazily, raising an eyebrow at me. I frown, but clean up the glass. Time to protect Lydia from Derek. ***

Hey guys! Another chapter, what? It's crazy that I've updated twice this month. But I hope by doing so, you guys see that I'm making an effort to update this story and get to the end of it. I have so much planned for it, and it's so nice being able to write again. As always, please vote and leave a comment letting me know what you think! I love getting feedback from you guys. 

LydiaRoseMartin