Stilinski's Secret (Stiles | Teen Wolf)

Chapter 4: Research

Friday | Early Morning

I woke up to the noise of multiple girls in my room all talking passionately about the chocolate palette of a line of fancy make up I've never heard of and how you can replicate a cheaper version.

Half awake I pulled myself up, expecting to find Lydia, Kira and maybe every other girl I've seen in Beacon Hills standing around my bed and telling me how to perfectly wear mascara.

I was a little confused to find no one in my room but on my laptop many videos were playing simultaneously. Without my dad being one for technology that only left one "innocent" culprit.

I pulled myself out of the bed, blinking a little and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes as I managed to blindly find the computer. I exited the twenty-seven tabs and shut down my computer, turning around. I glanced at the time and smiled, I had a whole hour before I needed to leave for school.

Down the hallway, opposing the stairway, led to the bathroom. I took the leisurely stroll to it and opened the door, heading inside as usual. For the umpteenth time in two days I found myself screaming at the sight of another person. It had been so quiet I honestly thought Aspen had dozed off downstairs.

She screamed in reply to my scream and when I gazed over her face I saw that she had a variety of natural-made make-up on. I turned away and had to hold onto the wall to keep my limp body upright and she settled herself while washing her hands. I gave us both a moment before I asked, "Where did you get those?" Knowing no one in our house had ever owned make-up since my mother...departed.

"I made them," she explained as if it was the most logical answer.

"How the heck did you do that?" I gasped, turning to face her this time.

"It's actually quite easy, you see, I used your computer."

"You didn't think to ask or even wake me up before dashing out of my room leaving thousands of girls chattering about their favourite product?"

"Nope," she retorted quickly and simply and I found myself chuckling a bit at our childish demeanour.

"Well," I began, "You're going to have to pack up this mess and move out, because I need a shower." I explained, finding it hard not to grin as I saw Aspen roll her eyes.

"I don't think so," she replied, eyes looking up as she spread some black substance along her already-long lashes, I pulled a face.

"And why's that?"

"Because I'm not done and I was here first." she explained. She had a point so I nodded, raising my hands.

"Okay so you got me but," I began and walked over to the sink, pushing her gently out of the way so we had a fair amount of mirror to see ourselves in. I found myself blushing that my hair was haphazardly sprawled across my forehead like some dead spider and quickly sorted it out with a few rakes of my fingers. Thankfully Aspen hadn't been paying much attention. "I'll be brushing my teeth now. I suppose you can use this spare one until we go shopping...after school?" I offered and she nodded, picking up the spare. I squirted a pea-sized blob on each of our brushes before starting to scrub my teeth. She did likewise but she used the opposite hand to me which proved difficulty when our elbows narrowly missed or awkwardly collided with each others. After the third time she burst into laughter and I winced at the ache in mine.

"You hit my funny bone!" she complained and pushed me away, toothbrush lodged between her bright teeth. I scoffed and pushed her away and she stumbled back, landing on the toilet with a startled gasp. I froze and watched as her face merged to fear mid-stumble and by the time she landed on the toilet she had morphed. Her antlers shot outward and hit the shelving beside her, towels fell down and blinded the creature.

There wasn't much room in the bathroom as it was but now mostly taken up by a large antlered beast meant that I could barely breathe pressed up against the cold tile wall. She bleated uncontrollably, probably trying to apologise as she continuously hit down all the bottled goods.

"Aspen!" I hissed, trying to get her to stay calm but to be honest she looked like a deer with rabies what with all the frothy toothpaste spilling out. After biting down on my toothbrush, keeping it between my teeth, I grabbed a hold of Aspen's antlers and sighed softly murmuring a low "Calm down". The deer's panicked jolts and movements to escape ceased and I felt myself deflate with relief that I hadn't got spliced by the flailing horns.

*

We swapped sides after that and carefully brushed our teeth in a more calm and collected manner before she left to make breakfast and I showered.

"I'm sorry." she said sincerely as I shovelled the cereal into my mouth, I found myself smiling a little and then a small chuckle left my lips, almost choking on the organic milk I was still adjusting to.

"No, no, it's fine, Aspen. It was actually quite funny." I managed to explain without killing myself and then wiped my lips with my sleeve. She looked uncertain about my reply but soon we were both laughing. "I bet my face was hilarious.." I said, trying to recall my feelings in that moment.

"Yeah, it was, actually." she smirked and finished up, taking both our plates to the sink. "Are we leaving now?" Aspen asked, shoving her hands into the oversized jumper she was borrowing. I gave a half smile at her attire before nodding.

"Yes but we should probably get you some better fitting clothes; I've got some money, you've got your five dollars and we have time." I explained. She looked over her clothes for a moment before nodding albeit pulling them closer. She was probably very comfortable.

*

The drive to the store didn't take long nor was there much conversation. It was still a little awkward sometimes, realising that I had a sister was a strange thing. Every so often I would look at her and have to make myself admit it.

Aspen didn't take as long as most of the girls I knew when shopping and she picked out some rather cute items. I thumbed up every item she held to her chest but I had to warn her that I wasn't one known for fashion anyhow. We quickly paid and moved on to school, arriving rather early. Around the car park awaited our friends, Lydia, Kira, Scott and Malia. I smiled as she embraced me eagerly, kissing my neck. I held Malia close and we rested foreheads.

"How's it, having a sibling? Is she better than me?" I heard a possessive tone taking Malia's voice. I laughed and calmed her down, our fingers intertwining.

"It's strange. What do you mean 'better'?" I quirked a brow and she pressed her lips to mine for a moment. When she broke, she glanced toward Lydia. I had been noticing this recently, how she would always turn to Lydia when we interacted. Keeping in mind to question that later, I looked around for my sister. Lydia and her were conversing and I decided that she was in good hands and caught up with Kira and Scott who after greeting us had headed to class.

"So did you find out what my sister is?" I asked Kira, pushing between the couple and wrapping my lanky arms around both of them. They groaned a little and I laughed, Kira pulled from her bag a heap of papers. "You know, instead of printing every wiki page out why don't you just make a summary." I suggested some constructive criticism and got a jab to the side. "So... My sister's a ceryneian? A doe bearing antlers?" Kira nodded as I briefly skimmed the information. "The hunter's..."

"They want her antlers, those things sell for millions. Also they can be used to make some kind of healing antidote. It can heal anything!" Scott expressed enthusiastically and I hummed.

"Interesting." I confirmed, handing the pile of paper back to Kira who pouted. Scott gave her a peck on the lips and ran after me. "So we have to keep my sister away from these hunters, what'll we do with them?"

"We just can't let them see her in her animal form, that way they'll never tell. Did you find out how she.. you know, came to be?"

"I don't want to hear it." I explained quickly, too quickly. Scott looked taken aback. I smiled at him, "I'm fine, I'm not being sour about this. Let's just get to class before Finstock blows a fuse or something."