Second Quarter : January to March 2013

Corey Bryant hated his life.

His parents didn't even notice his presence, let alone his absence, his boyfriend broke up with him, because they weren't in the same page, and school was starting to be exhausting with football practice, that he didn't ask to be part of.

He came in the Triskelion dinner with a huff after receiving a message from one of his little brother who's the one who told him they had a family dinner. One that he wasn't invited since his parents didn't even think about informing him. When he said they wouldn't notice his absence. It's not like he didn't tell them he had football training.

Of course, he was later than usual because he was dealing with Lucas for the last time, but yeah, none of the Byant wondered where he went or wrote him a note to tell him where they were. He had to ask his little brother in grade school.

Once in the dinner, he knew the night wouldn't go in better shape. The guys of football team were there too. Because that's where Theo work.

OK, so, him breaking up with Lucas would have been more tempestuous if the guys didn't intervene. But they only did because they were in the same team and because Lucas was Nolan's friend and Gabe was only there to stop his noisy friend (which didn't help much as Nolan was still so noisy about his relationship) while Josh and Jiang were pretending to be high. In the end, after they broke up, it was Theo that made sure that won't impact on their game, because captain's order.

Maybe he could be less hard on Theo as he seemed to be working harder than him. Having to go on his shift even after an exhausting day at school (because he was also part of the school swim team).

And between his indifferent family and the noisy guys, his choice was quickly made as he headed to the table of four students intead of four members family which probably didn't even have a seat for him. They quickly made a place for him and Nolan even shove him his plate of fries.

"What are you guys doing here? I thought Theo didn't want you to see you during his shift."

Josh and Gabe rolled their eyes while eating their fries without seeming to answer him. Nolan, the quirky and talkative one, just sniggered and nearly choked on his drink, but it was Jiang who answered.

"He did, but you know Nolan, he's not the one who listened."

"Hey, not true! I only did that for you, dude!"

This time, it was Jiang who rolled his eyes.

"That's what he said, but it's just an excuse to surprise Theo."

The guys jumped as a new voice joined their conversation. They turned to see Malia and Erica next to their table. If they made a place enough for Erica, Malia took a chair from another set and placed it a the end of the booth.

"Wouldn't it bother the staff?"

"I know the manager," Malia shrugged.

And they let it go because they won't be the one who were going to reason her, she knew her deal and how to defend herself, thank you.

"I didn't know we were having a meeting," Corey commented.

"We don't, but if it could be enough to annoy Theo, everyone's in."

That said, Nolan made a show to call a waiter. But his eyes were searching for their friend. And Theo noticed it too, he just seemed to be more busy with the customers he was serving. Which couldn't hold him that long as it was just a couple of father-daughter. Besides, he even ignored his friend to head to the counter and send them their other friend. Hayden raised her brow seeing their assembly.

"It's like school again, except I will be serving you. What will you take?"

She's not wrong as during lunch break, the football team would always eat together with the addition of the girls (Hayden, Kylie of his physics class and lately Malia from football and Erica who was senior like Malia and Theo). After they commanded, they asked politely (because Hayden was at work) if they could have the other waiter to serve them, at what the waitress laughed.

"Sorry, but not gonna happen. He said he rather serve the annoying family table than you."

She pointed the Bryant (without her knowing, Corey bet) and they all glanced at them. And truth to be told, the table did seem annoying as the two boys were so loud that the parents had to speak louder to be heard. The father-daughter, sitting at two tables from them, didn't seem they can take it any longer.

"Yeah, he needs every nerves he had to endure them," Corey grunted.

Thanks god he chose the guys, otherwise they would have see him with them.

Malia scoffed. "That's why I don't work here."

"Well, it's still better than Sinema where the clubbers didn't even seem to be sober," Hayden shot back playfully.

And her look slid to Josh to Malia to him. He turned aways quickly because yeah, he did done something he wasn't proud back there. Promise, he will moderate it.

At the moment Hayden disappeared behind the counter to pass their command to the kitchen, the Bryant started throwing a tantrum and Theo had to rush to their table so they won't break anything. Corey's pretty sure something will crack, if not the cutlery, it would be Theo's patience.

The doorbell rang and new customers showed up, but Theo was still busy with the Bryant, so Hayden went to take care of them, while the father-daughter ran out of patience and walked to the counter to pay their meal. Another woman was behind to cash register and after thanking them, she head to their table with their command.

"So, Malia, I didn't know you made friends," she greeted the football player with a bright smile.

"Very funny, Laura."

"I'm serious! I'm glad to see you had people to hang out as you seem so lonely that summer. I guess you're all go in Beacon Hills High."

"Yeah, we're on the same football team."

Laura didn't expect that answer. "I didn't even know there was a football team."

"Theo created it. And I shared english class with Theo and Malia," Erica introduced herself.

The woman glanced at Theo, still dealing with the Bryant, with a look that said 'That boy doesn't cease to surprise me', before turning back to the group.

"Well, to thank you to deal with Malia, I'll give you half price for your meal!"

"For real? If that's the case, I'm going to stuck with you every time to half a cheap but filling meal!" Josh guffawed.

And well, it was very nice of Laura.

"You're sure about that?" Malia arched her brow "I could have pay for them."

"This is so cool to befriend you," Erica joked.

"Don't worry, I'm the one running the shop, I know what I can afford or not!"

Just then, the sound of a broken glass cut them from their conversation.

"And something as annoying like that was the kind of thing I don't want to deal," the manager of the dinner grumbled before heading to the Bryant table.

"Look like they want to broke every china from the dinner," Gabe sighed.

"Because it's not the first time?" Corey chocked on his meal.

"Probably not the second either. When we came, they already broke a plate full of food. Theo had to fill them back to avoid to be sued while they're the one who let it down."

"They're the one who need to be sued," Malia growled.

Corey couldn't agree more.

A clatter stopped them from the rest of their meal as Laura's voice followed suit. Next they knew, the family was starting to shout louder, nearly drowning Laura's rattling instruction. Malia stood out from their booth and joined the manager to start cursing the family, Erica joined the commotion too, but she was more worry about Theo's bloody hand. The guys rushed to the assembly in the middle of the dinner, which totaly scared the new customers, and added their panics (mostly Nolan) to the chaos.

"To the hospital!" They screeched just to put the blame on the family.

"It was nothing! Barely a scratch!" The mother cried out, shutting Theo's response that matched her, then noticing Corey among them, she called him up. "Corey, tell them it's nothing!"

"Well, what I see is that my friend is in bad state and need the first aid! Maybe even stitches!" He answered back, not helping his family at all.

"You little...!" His father started.

The guys didn't wait to discover what he was mumbling and headed to the hospital even if Theo was saying it was nothing. When they left, Laura and Malia was still blaming the family and even threatend to sue them.

Theo did need stitches. Fortunately it was on his left hand, and though it would be painful to use it for a while (especially during football practice), he would heal in short time. They were all waiting to see him in the waiting room, even the girl from the father-daughter duo who were about to leave the dinner when the chaos rose, as they were the one who take them to Beacon Hills Memorial Hospital.

"Hayden said the screaming match ended in Laura and Malia (and Erica)'s favor. The family will pay fines to the dinner and its staff, including Theo," Josh told them while reading his texts. "Oh, and Malia did pay for our meal."

They remembered, a little late, that, indeed, they didn't pay the food. They will make it up for Malia, later. Now, it's about Theo. The door opened and nurse McCall walked out, she smiled at them and let them see their friend. Theo wasn't glad about the whole situation.

"Why did you have to take me to the hospital?" He huffed.

"You were bleeding out! And even stained the Stewarts' car with how much you were bleeding!" Corey said and looked at the Stewart girl standing in the corner.

Theo addressed her an apologetic smile but turned an annoyed look to them.

"I could have deal it with the first aid kit."

"Dude, stop playing tough, you had a dozen stitches, the nurse said the cut was deeper and bigger than an usual injury by broken glass could do."

"That's because I tripped on it and it sort of empaled in my skin and some frangments were stuck inside my flesh, but otherwise it was nothing."

"By the way you describe it, it doesn't seem to be nothing."

Corey felt shuddering by picturing how bad the wound was when the nurse had to deal it.

"Yeah, like the bills, I don't have anything to pay it!"

So that's why he was complaining to be taken at the hospital.

"I can't believe you're woried about that while being treated by the professionnal medical. Let me take care of that, kiddo."

"Deucalion? Why are you here?"

Theo was so shocked he looked like a deer-caught-in-headlights. The old man smirked at him without saying anything and had to slip when the nurse asked him for additional information. Seeing the problem seemed solved, the Stewart girl made her exit too.

"Hey, Tracy, thank you for the ride," Theo called her out.

She smiled shyly and vanished behind the door, but someone else took her place. Corey remembered seeing him during an audition to apply in the football team, he didn't make it because he had a severe asthma. His name's Scott, it seemed.

"You alright?" Scott asked Theo. "I didn't know you knew Deucalion."

"It's a long story, he's now my guardian."

That surprised Scott but he accepted it and after making sure that everything's OK, he let them to find his mother. Before Theo's guardian head back, the guys wanted to know more about him. Because his early explanation was too intriguing.

"You're orphan?"

"No. Yes. I was emancipated before meeting him."

"Dude, I wish I was emancipated too," Corey mumbled.

But they all hearded him. Nolan's the one who asked him confirmaltion : "The family just now... it was yours?"

Corey sighed painfully but nodded.

"Well, you don't chose your family," Josh tried to cheer him up.

"More like they didn't choose me. Didn't you notice they didn't even notice my absence till I was on Theo's side? They would totally forgot me if I don't remind them."

"That's probably because you had two little brothers."

"Yeah, they were little monsters, but when my big brother was there, they noticed him more they could even remember me."

"That's a huge family," Theo said nodding.

Gabe nodded too, because except the two of them, the others were only child.

"That still didn't explain how you got to be under his care. Deucalion got some dark past," Jiang said.

"Probably because I also got some dark past."

"Don't we all?" The asian said back.

Corey glanced at the others guys who shrugged. They didn't seem to agree on that. Even Josh who used to do drugs.

"I mean, I used to be high but I used legal way."

Although an underage doing drugs was nothing legal.

Jiand snapped. "That's it. He used to be a dealer."

That landed. And Josh coughed, he probably had met him and just realized it.

"Then, he retreated before I fell into that, because I never heard about him."

"Yeah, about a year ago, he left that behind and is now working a normal job."

"Banker," Theo supplied. "How do you know that?"

"Well, I said everyone got dark past. I used to be in juvie last year, thus making me hold back a year."

"What did you do?"

"Hey, not fair, Theo! You can't ask people what they did if you don't even say your own story!"

"This is not about fairness, it's about trust here."

"Well, Jiang did most of his part, you could do that to."

"I didn't go in juvie, but what I used to do could put me in jail. I was sort of able with computer."

"That's it? I thought you were dealer, too. For my part, I stabbed someone."

That kind of confession was certainly unexpected as the guys distanced themselves instinctively from the asian boy. Which earned them an unfazed look from Jiang that reminded him he's still their friend, but they should have thought about it, to be put in juvie it was surely something dangerous to the society.

"And they died?"

"No. I don't think so, or they wouldn't have free me, right? Anyway, I'm also placed in a foyer as my family couldn't take me back."

"Because you stabbed someone?"

"Because they passed away."

"After you stabbed someone?"

"Because they passed away, I came to stab someone. Are you reassured or should I uncovered another pan of my life?"

"Is that as dark as this one?"

Jiand didn't have the time to answer that as Deucalion came back to take Theo home. Theo bidded them goodbye and the guys headed back home using Gabe's car as he's the one that drove them here when the others were in the Stewarts' car. The tension with Jiang ceased during the ride and Corey was thankful to have them as friend, since he didn't have car for himself.

Maybe he should really emancipated himself and be put in adoption.

The next day, Theo's bandaged hand surprised the coach during morning practice, and Theo had to be benched for the entire training till it healed. Fortunately, it was before their next game. During lunch, the team found their group back. And Corey was among them, as he was usually with Lucas.

Now, it was just them, with the girls sitting on the table next to them, with the addition of Tracy, now.

(Later, there was even an asian girl, Kira, for a short amount of time.)

And Corey thought that he didn't hate his life that much.

 

Kira Yukimura was excited for her return to Beacon Hills.

It was the last time as she was now a senior but she could apply to Stanford University and their science program, as well to be closer to her friend.

Not that her New York friends weren't goods but she had more bond with Malia, and Scott and Allison and even Lydia.

The first time she came to Beacon Hills, she thought it was a huge joke to have her history project in this lost town and feared that the people here would be weird. But her worries just came from rumors and the truth was way better. Her trip in the town only last four days, the time of the exposition would take, but she did make good use.

She befriended Malia and her sister Cora, took interest in the lacrosse sport and even played a game with the team that were actually really nice and she got to know cool kid like Allison and Lydia.

But she didn't remember there was a football team. And since Malia was in, she would have know, so it must be something new from this year.

"Nothing serious, it's not like they could be compared with us," Jackson smirked.

But Kira noticed the lacrosse captain's smirk wasn't that sure anymore.

"But they did win most of their game and were admitted to regional games," Danny noted.

The point was relevant but just served to anger Jackson more as Kira had to hide her smile. She was only participating at the lacrosse training because she like the atmosphere and because coach Finstock invited her, saying that her agility would push the guys up a little as they seemed to slacken, like his granny could more athletic than them.

It was of course a sting to motivate the team.

And the players did seem to be more firece during the training, according to Kira. Especially Liam, the sophomore. She remembered last time she saw him, he just made into the team (and first line!) and was really good. He still is and could be the next captain once Jackson graduate. There was even a girl, Gwen, and she's good but as everyone accorded it, she lacked stamina.

During a break, she joined Scott and Stiles on the bench, their assigned place even if they do take training seriously, and ssked them about this football team.

"It's Theo who founded it," Scott told her.

She replaced the guy in her mind. He sat among his teammate in the school cafeteria and Malia would taunt him when they would sit back to back. He's handsome and totally had the body to be football player.

"We went in grade school together but he moved out after fourth grade. He returned in the town at the start of the year," Stiles said shrugging.

"Was Malia the one that applied or was she invited?"

"She applied. I was there at her tryout, she's really good."

"Well, she sure is, the girl's wild," Stiles snarked.

Kira knew the two had a history, but it was nothing serious. She just wondered how they could even got a link as they could barely stand each other with their clashing character. Though, it wasn't a good point, as even with a likely type like Lydia, Stiles couldn't have a relationship with. Besides the guy must be too busy with taking care his mother to even think about relationship.

Kira returned to training when the coach called her to be goalie, so she help the boys to heighten their agility. Except Jackson and Liam, and Matt, the others weren't that agile. Isaac got chided as he seemed to be in particularily bad day.

Kira then noted that Lydia wasn't in the bleacher to assist the training. Harley was there but even Allison was absent due to swim practice.

When she returned to New York, she exchanged a lot with Allison, and she somehow got that Lydia and Isaac were a thing. Not labelled, but the two were totally shagging, as they say. At first, Kira thought that Lydia's type was the ripped athletic (because she did get the chance to see the guys topless) as Jackson, Aiden (now graduate, but a then lacrosse player when she was there) and Isaac were all in the lacrosse team. But then, she also noted that the guys all got a brand new car (porshe for Jackson and moterbike for the others two) and Kira came to the conclusion that Lydia seemed to be the superficial girl that took a lot of attention of her look. Which wasn't a wrong but it's kind of sad as the girl was so smart she could live without a partner (like none could reach her perceptive mind). Although, now, she got that she was only putting with them to have fun.

(Even if the aftermath wasn't that fun for the guys)

Kira wasn't one of cheesy love, but she got a boyfriend and they broke up because it was the high school sweetheart kind. Which wasn't something that any of them was looking for. She's not like Lydia who could get all the guy she want or Allison who stick with her first love, or Malia who hook-up with some guy, she's the kind of girl that considered friendship before anything else and could fall for a friend.

(She will later get it's called demi-romantic.)

As four days was really short, Kira had to head to New York back, to her friends' disappointement.

"Couldn't you stay longer? It's the week-end after tomorrow," Malia pouted.

"Which means I still have class tomorrow."

Erica shrugged. "Call a day off."

"I had to take the plane that the school paid for me."

"Miss it." The blonde suggested again.

"They paid the tickets," Kira repeated.

Not that she didn't had the money to pay another plane, but she doubted her parents would allow that. Or they could allow if she explained it to them, Ken and Noshiko Yukimura could be really understanding with their only daughter. And Allison did ask her to stay as her birthday was this week-end.

"It must be annoying to pay a week-end ticket, not only it's expensive, it would be also all taken," Tracy said.

Yeah, that too.

"I'll pay your ticket, stay," Malia insisted.

"You don't have to. I will see if I can delayed the return ticket."

"I asked you to stay, I will deal with the additional fee."

Her friend could be really stubborn when she wanted to. But Kira was well raised and she knew how to be polite too, so she made sure to deal her own problem.

Whatever if Malia came from a wealthy family or not.

Though, she had to deal about the place she will stay as the school only paid for three nights in the motel. Since she had to count on Malia (sigh).

At least, she could celebrate Allison's birthday.

 

Lydia Martin was known to throw the biggest and best party in Beacon Hills.

She started her image at the start of her sophomore year, when she realized that to be see as a Queen Bee she had to date the winning team of the school, lacrosse captain.

It just happen that Jackson was as about image than her and they split when Allison entered in the picture. The girl's pure, the girl's beauty, she put them in their place and Lydia broke up with Jackson so they both stop hurting each other. But she never said she will stop being his friend of hooking-up with attractive boys.

Why stop the fun when it presented itself on the plate.

Besides she needed to change idea with her parents divorce back in sophomore and how her father abandoned her an her mother even when he knew she was a little genius. Seemed that an average man like him couldn't get the smart woman in the gene he didn't get. Whatever, she could live without him, her mother could live without him too, even if that meant she had to work again. Yep, women need no men.

Not when they're average braincell, not when they're smart because then they would have torturous mind.

(Like Stiles, like Theo.)

Isaac was fun to play with, but when he started showing feelings, that's when she had to put a stop. The guy's cute and nice (but too nice) and want a female presence that could control him, and if Lydia was fine with the second part, she won't hold the first part any longer (no way). Like Stiles, but the boy showed how obsessed he was with her in first hand so having to put up with him was a long road already. But then, they befriended, but then he's the one who back off when fighting against Isaac, so end of the story.

Although she said she thought about having an affair with Theo Raeken, the boy was as interested as basic human interaction, and she didn't have the patience to teach him. Maybe she could deal with a man like Scott, he's truthful, he's passionate, he's loyal, but he's taken by Allison. And she wasn't a cat buglar, sure she kissed Scott back in sophomore, but the couple wasn't one at this moment and she only did it to stop Jackson from falling for Allison. It was messed up back then, now, they're OK, and she won't do anything to break it.

She will even do big to celebrate her best friend's birthday (even if she wasn't eighteen anymore), it's an excuse to throw one of her last party as she'll head for Stanford next year.

The word was spread, and half of the school was there at the Martins house (not the lake house as it was sold). Even those who aren't used of party.

Like Tracy Stewart, Lydia's pretty sure the girl didn't even have friends before starting to stick with Malia Hale and the football team. Speaking of, the group came together and stuck together most of the night.

By one am, everyone started drifting or passed out. Lydia started to shoo most of them away but hold back some seniors for an after. Most of the lacrosse team was there, but barely four members of the football team but all her friends were there. Since she currently wasn't seeing anyone, she could have some fun while helping her bestie to get some.

They played seven minutes in heaven.

She thought that as teenagers, everyone knew the rules. Malia didn't, and to be honest Theo didn't either, but he must feel awkward to say it so he let the girl showed her unawareness alone (Coward). Thanks god, Malia got Kira as friend, the sweet girl explained her the rules and even though Malia thought it was a stupid game, they played it.

First, she spinned the bottle, but when it landed to some unattractive young man (that she didn't even know the name) she used the fact that she's the host to divert the rule. As master game, she spin the bottle so the first person got the chance to spin it and got his seven minutes with the someone the bottle was landed (hopefully not her) and she will entertain the rest of the players with an ice-breaker (till next time the bottle landed on her).

In short, the after would split in two 'groups'. Those who got their seven minutes in heaven (or hell) and the rest who told their story through two truths one lie (because not everyone know everyone, so hey, one stone, two birds!).

During the first seven minutes, everyone got to know that Vernon Boyd was in the R.O.T.C because enlisting could make a lot and that except his sister, he had no one. And that Kira half-Korean and Half-japanese that couldn't speak either language (a shame, Lydia could even read archaic latin because she got bored of basic latin).

Next, while Danny got his seven minutes with unknown senior girl, they discovered that Tracy Stewart got a skin graft at eleven because she fell from a bicycle (really bad fell, then) and that she never knew her mother. And that Erica Reyes could actually prevent her seizures and that her dog was the one who changed her life (of loner and physical maintenance, because Lydia's pretty sure the girl wasn't that attractive before winter break).

When Danny's spin got him Stiles, Lydia scoffed seeing her gay friend rolling his eyes in adavance. Allison confessed that before coming to Beacon Hills, she was only two years in U.S.A as she lived in France before that and that she was actually not that good in English (she didn't actually say it but it was during those two years struggling with the international language that she got held back a year and was actually nineteen years old, but she didn't have to if she didn't want to). Theo then said that he started being interested in sciences when he was nine because his asthma was serious to him (thanks god he get rid of it after moving out of Beacon Hills) and that he never had a relationship (whatever that means).

(And suddenly a junior came up from nowhere and saying he will be his first if he want. Theo and the football members called him Nolan and was saying how drunk he was and he should head home. Lydia was so shocked of his appearence that she nearly missed Theo saying he will take him home, but thankfully Boyd proposed to give him a ride, as he wanted to leave the after party anyway. And since he made his confession, he was free to.)

Stiles spinned the bottle and it stopped at Kira and the two friends walked to the closet with a grin. Harley came out as bi and that her first time with a girl was dreadful (maybe they weren't prepped or they didn't do all the researches about girls first time). Danielle said she's bi-curious and that she could take down all the guys in the room if she want to (nobody doubted her words after seeing her stature and her arm muscles).

Kira's hand was trembling when she spinned. And like a movie, it landed between Allison and Scott. There wasn't even use of bargain, the couple said they were a package deal so the two of them will get seven minutes in heaven with Kira. When Lydia met her eyes, she knew it will be heaven for the three of them (from the time Allison came out as bi to her, Lydia knew she wanted to have a threesome with the Asian, and since it's her birthday...) and everyone was so surprised that it took them time to recover and they only got Stiles' confession. His mother was sick of a mental illness that made her disillusioning and he's hesitating about becoming private investigator or in the law enforcement.

(Once the trio walked out of the closet, they were all flustered and Malia bluntly asked Kira if they shagged. The silent was talkative enough, especially the way Kira was blushing and the couple's pleased grin and Lydia can't help but chuckled at Matt's utter shock and Stiles' proud face to his best friend.)

Allison and Scott (as package deal) got Erica which made the trio raised a brow. Jackson admitted he was adopted and that he was bi. If no one dared say anything, Theo said it was a good thing for the first because that meant he was actually wanted by someone, which Malia agreed (and it probably changed Jackson's feeling about this new guy with perfect body and physical condition, much to Danny's joy). Malia said she was homeschooled for eight years because at nine, her biological father was put in jail for having sell drugs to underage and that she only went back to public school because her sister -who's her father's sister's daughter- wanted to.

(Lydia, and most of the audience took more time than needed to understand it. Stiles then exclaiment by the way he's used that she was adopted by her cousin's family and everyone nodded before frowning. Because wow, Stilinski was more understandable than someone else? Progress.)

Erica exited the closet with a smirk while the couple was dragging their steps. She then promptly spinned the bottle that landed on Theo. She raised a brow as they stood to head to the closet (having clearly set in mind to be his first relationship). Scott then let them know he wanted to be vetenarian because he missed his first ever beloved pet a dog named Roxie and that he may be bi (maybe, which made Jackson snigger). Danny said that he got enough GPA to actually graduate (like, right now) and his SATs could let him in the Ivy League and that his parents were one of the wealthiest hawaian back in the Island.

When the two friends came back, they didn't seem to have changed the statue of their relationship and then, Lydia didn't even care because Theo's spin landed on her. She will get some fun, it seemed.

Once in the dark of her closet, she placed herself confortably against him, which didn't even bother him. But he didn't look like he was going to do anything so she had to make a move (but not force him into anything, she's respectful, thank you) as she didn't like to waste time. She made him play the twenty questions. Which made him scoff and he explained that Erica did the same. That intrigued and annoyed her as she wasn't the first to think about it, but it also meant that he wasn't any forward with the blonde. They started questionning, and it may or may not exceed the twenty questions (or even the seven minutes), she didn't care as she was the host and the game master.

But just to play with the curious' mind, she placed a lingering kiss on his cheek and was satisfied to see her lipstick mark on his pale flesh. He didn't try to erase it as he got the idea she did it on purpose but shot her a quizzical look that she dismissed with her manicured hand. He should be pleased by her attention.

The whole room was watching her return and waiting for Theo's appearance as the guy had the great idea (no sass, here) to postpone it, making it look like he was recovering. And he had some to recover as the lips mark on his cheek was way too visible.

The game kept on and she spinned the bottle. But it wasn't as interesting after.

If the two had the chance in the future, Lydia would gladly work with Theo about science discovery. Or others intellectuals subjects as their great mind go along well.

 

Erica Reyes' birthday soon.

Last month, at Lydia Martin's party (to lowkey celebrate Allison Argent's birthday), she played spin the bottle for the first time and got the chance to land on Theo Raeken (after some seven joyful minutes with the cheesiest couple she ever seen, a.k.a Scallison). They played twenty questions during the imposing time because he didn't seem to know what to do (and neither did she to be honest) and she even got a date with him.

Nothing romantic (but she wouldn't say no), just he spend her eighteen birthday with her.

Like, she didn't have a lot of friend, she didn't know if he could be called that, and she wasn't brave enough to tell those with who she spend lunch break to spend the day with her. But since the seven intimate minutes, she guessed she could do it with Theo.

She remembered lightly the other asthma boy who was friend of Stiles. He didn't pose as much thought in her like Scott, as she was head over heal about Stiles, but now he came back, she had to admit that he was as cute as her crush.

(Besides, Stiles got his first time with some girl she didn't even get the name then with Malia Hale while he was shouting loud and proud his ten year plan about his huge crush Lydia Martin. So, she could spend some quality time with Theo, who was nice to her.)

And he was adorable enough to call a day off on his shift at Triskelion (but not the swimming practice, because he need those in his college application) and even brought her a present (probably nothing crazy as he's broke, not that he's proud about the fact but he like to remind he can't afford something). Earrings.

That was the least he could do as he will spend the evening in her empty house.

Basically they did all the things a couple could do, but they were clumsy and bashful about it as none of them dated. It could seem ridiculous to admit it, but they played spin the bottle so it couldn't be that hard to do the rest!

Except, it did feel weird to hold hands or even cuddle while watching movies in the T.V. Thankfully her terrier Diana was there to change the mood and they were entertaining her more than each other.

It's when she proposed to transition to dinner that all went south. She didn't prepared anything to eat. One could say as loner and spending most of her time indoor, she would know how to cook but she didn't. Usually her mother would cook something and let it in the fridge or her father would let her some money to takeaway as they worked really hard to provide the family and afford her medications of epilepsia.

Sure, there were things in the cupboard, but they were raw. And how surprising was it that Theo could cook! Those were points as good husband.

Since they didn't have much to do during preparation and the meal, they talked. Like, during the seven minutes, she got to know what were his interests and leisures, but now she got to know a little about his past. That his parents weren't presents in his life (and not just because they were working) that he had a distant older sister (maybe it was due to their five years gap) and that he dropped out school for a year and half (thus him taking all the AP in his senior year as he didn't want to be held back and just graduated and be taken into college by fee waiver).

For him, she told him how her disability got onto her feelings and esteem. She felt lonely and was laughed at, she didn't even care about making friends as she was pretty sure they will talk behind her back and that she couldn't even do basic sport by fear of a seizure. And that, once, some evil children pulled a joke on her and made her discover her state during her weakest moment. How she was bullied because of her condition and how she felt so down that she fell in depression.

This time when he held her hand, it didn't feel odd and she accepted his silent feeling while they kept eating on the meal and petting the dog.

As time flew, she put the terrier to sleep and she pulled out the whiskey bottle from her father's cabinet and suggested they drink it.

"You do know that even at eighteen, you can't legally drink alcohol."

"Dude, I'm eighteen, I'm adult, I'm responsible of my own action!"

"Yeah, but I'm not eighteen yet, so I'm not responsible."

"Yet. It's only a month and half! You could do a little illegal thing!"

"I still had to drive back home and I don't want to crash on the road! Or worst, being pulled over by a deputy that charged me for thing as stupid as drunk driving!"

"Come on, just a little! I'm asking you?" She pouted. "Please? It's my birthday, I can't drink it alone?"

"Why not?" He rolled his eyes, unfazed by her antics.

"Because you're here to spend the times with me, not letting me down."

That was true as it was the deal. He hesitated more but finally gave up and reached out his hand. Thanks god she thought about pouring into some glass because the taste was horrible. She felt her throat burning as the drink running down and her entire palate shut down from taste. But being proud (and eighteen) she forced herself to finish her glass (who was more filled than expected).

Theo already abandoned at his first sip (it was probably a testing sip as the level of whiskey didn't seem to change at all).

"Come on, you didn't even try," she drawled.

"Ditto."

If she thought her slow talking was ridiculous, Theo's pouty stance was worse. She sighed dramatically and reached for his glass to finish it, now that she's drunk, it would'nt hurt a little more.

But the taste was absurdly strong (even after three tries) and her whole body was warming up in an incredulous rate that she felt the room spinning.

The spinning bottle picture came into her mind and the connection was so weird it made her laugh.

"Erica?" A voice called her up.

She opened her eyes and Theo's concerning face was before her. They were closer than she remembered but then again, their position was also a little odd, as she seemed to be above him. Which was foolish, why would she be on top of him, as if she was straddling him?

However she was indeed straddling him, she noted as she let her hands slid on his chest then on his abs. He was well-built, glad to know it, she snuggled against him, feeling comfortable. A hand passed in her hair and it felt so good she nearly fell asleep.

"Seems like someone's drunk."

Feeling the chest against her cheek vibrating along the talking voice's, Erica giggled childishly at the sensation. But then she got the reference.

"Yup, I'm drunk."

"Hmm," Theo hummed making his chest vibrate again, which started another laugh.

She was really starting to doze off with the even breath and fall and raise of the cushion-chest when he spoke up again, but so low as if he was whispering to her ear.

"If you're going to sleep, I better head back."

She blinked for a few moment, trying to get the meaning of his sentence. Her head lifted to face him and she stared at him wordlessly. When he arched a brow because it was starting to be bizarre this eye contest, she felt brave enough to demand a last request.

"Would give me my first kiss?"

His raised his hand to cup her face tenderly and opened her his own vulnerable side.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded but decided to voice it as to confirm it wasn't just drunk talk (which was too).

"Yeah."

So they kissed. And made out, because the ambiance was set and because of the alcohol for her part, besides kissing was addicting and he wasn't a bad kisser for a first time (unless it was her drunk state judging?).

Later, after sobering a little (for her) and with sore lips for kissing so long, Theo went home.

"I can't believe you're letting me go after making me drink."

"Would you rather sleep here and have the walk of shame the following morning?"

"Shame? Have you seen me?"

"Right, nothing to be ashame of."

They laughed and fell silent for a moment, content of themselves.

"Thank you for spending your time with me," she said.

"Happy birthday, Erica."

She can't help but smile sweetly and watched him turned and walked out her yard. Then, he got in his dark blue truck and started the car after waving at her.

She shut her door behind her, leaned on it and breathed deeply, feeling light for the first time after a long time. (4/5/2020)

 

Tracy Stewart was a shy girl that usually underestimated herself.

She's gentle and smooth, thinking that could fill her mother's absence in the Stewart household, but her father was neither that present in her life as he had to work and made the end of month for them.

They lived in a cosy house with a yard and plenty rooms because she chose to take the attic as her bedroom, wanting to be isolated and had the best view before sleeping. Her father let her do it as he let her do most of the thing since he didn't have much time to spend with her. Not that their relationship are strained or what, but he's busy. He tried to make time so both of them could spend some quality time as father-daughter, like a movie night or even having dinner.

Because when she tried to do something without him, it didn't end well like at her eleven. She wanted to ride the bike just in the yard, but without supervision and with how unmaintened the garden was, she fell and scratched badly her shoulder. Fortunatey, the neighbor saw her accident and took her to the hospital where she had an urgent surgery. 

She wasn't embarrassed to be seen with him as she only had him.

That was until this January night where they eat in the Triskelion dinner, where she met the guys and later befriended the girls. At first, she, like her dad, were eager to live the place as they were sitting no far from this very annoying family but then things happened and she wanted to help so maybe she could have friends.

And she did, for both.

Sure, the guys were louds like most teen boys but they were also nice as most of them seemed inadequates with girls, especially the unusual group of them.

Malia's blunt and forward, she could be seen as insensitive, but she's actually not used of social skills. She's like her but she acted differently (very) but Tracy liked her honesty and she's sure it could help her in the active life where people could be meaner than her (besides Malia wasn't purposely mean, she's true). Erica was unpredictable, she could be calm but then snarked (and quite nastily), but Tracy figured it happened when the subject about disable people and how they are treated in the society's eyes. Then, there was Hayden, so young and so protective. Her independancy and will to help her sister's burden raised her admiration and Tracy wanted to be like her, but she's not, so she liked being close to the girl and thinking that she could be bathed in her fierce character (one day). And Kylie's joy of life was really catchy and Tracy caught herself smiling more and more when chatting with the girl.

Then, there was Theo. He's the only senior in the boy's gang, who was also the football team (And Tracy watched teens movies too, she really thought the football players would be just jock, but they were actually not all about sport? In fact, they're only in the team because Theo made them to?), he's also in the swim team and he's tutoring in sciences, he also worked in the dinner (along with Hayden) where she met them. He had all those project because he wanted to be taken in university by recommandation and scholarship, at this rate he could even have fee waiver, it wouldn't surprise her.

Tracy was average, she's a studious student but didn't have extra project except being in band club playing the piano or the orchestra. She thought about applying art club but she didn't have the skills, so she stayed with the piano. She also thought about joining the dance club, but the people there was too much and she chose to dance by herself. She didn't have much vision for her future job except maybe lawer like her father.

And after having the seven minutes in heaven with Jackson Whittemore, where they talk about their lawer father, she's seriously considereing it. Then, with just that exchange, she noted how unattractive she is to not be considered as potential hooks-up for neither Jackson Whittemore nor Kyle from the football team (and R.O.T.C program).

She didn't care, not really, high school relationship usually didn't last. They're young, they had the time to meet people and see how harsh the world was.

Though Tracy still didn't know how to drive.

She never needed to pass her driver lisence as there was the school bus to take her home to the school and her father would take her to farther place, and she wasn't confidente about her ability to self-manage, so she never drive.

Which surprised all her friends who all passed it (with the exception of the sophomre kids who aren't sixteen yet), even Malia who was homeschooled. Erica advised her to do it quickly as once her eighteen hit, she wouldn't have much time with the end of school coming soon (in three months). Theo shrugged as if saying that couldn't take that much time if she was serious about passing it (especially with the school proposing driving lessons), the hardest part would be to have her own car.

And Nolan agreed because he didn't had his while he passed his driving lisence at fourteen (because his dad's in the army, right). Gabe was the only one who got his car (a cheap one as his parents didn't want to break themselves just so their son would fool around (which was a sterotype of guys but he let it go as they were more worry about his little sister with Down Syndrom), as Josh's parents didn't trust him (even now he stopped his uptake with narcotics) and Jiang didn't have parents so neither the funds to pay a car (but he got his driver lisence, and this was before he stabbed someone).

So Tracy went to the driving lessons. However, as she expected from herself, she wasn't really skilled being the one behind the wheel. She wanted to ask her friends' help by learning from their own experience, but Malia wasn't a good teacher and Erica told her to believe in herself (which of course was what stopping her from succeeding). And she disn't want to bother Theo as his days was already filled with exhausting training and tiring shift as waiter, but he said he could take it as tutoring, so he taught her to drive the gap of time before his evening shift (where he bled like his hand was sectioned. Thanks god it healed in three weeks. Tracy didn't fear of blood -what do you think she had every months?- but it's seeing the appearance of the cut and the story behind the wound that hurt her).

Theo's car was a dark blue truck, that was actually second-hand he received from his foster care and was put up by himself as he learned mechanics from them. The painting and polish did a great job to pass as a new one, but the inside was still a turmoil. As they experienced it tonight.

The truck jerked a few time before stopping in the middle of the road, to Theo's utter frustration. He took a long breath before apologizing dejectly.

"I'm sorry, and you were driving superbly."

"No, it's OK..." And she wanted to add that he didn't have to overdo about what he thought about her driving, because she's pretty sure she wasn't that good.

"I'm going to check what's wrong, just... bear with me, I try to make it quick."

"It's nothing, don't worry."

But her voice was so low she doubted he heard her. So, she was waiting for his return while he was fixing under the hood, sometime playing with the dashboard and the radio, when something caught her attention in the mirror.

Someone was walking on the road in their direction.

It could be someone that could help them, so she thought about warning Theo as he's busy on the front. She barely opened her mouth that the hood was violently pulled down. It wasn't Theo's doing however. The hands on the hood wore black threatening gloves and they were reclined while the owner of the car was still under it, thus Theo's groan.

"Oh, my god, Theo!"

She fumbled blindly the handle but she was too shocked to actually reach it. When she actually turned to find it her gaze met a masked person behind the window. A scream escaped her mouth and she recoiled in the driver seat to put more space between them. Even further when the person was forcing the door on the other side, she called her friend's name to see where and how he was as she felt in danger.

A shock in the front of the car stopped the progess of the threatening person and next she knew, it went flying several meters away from the truck. Once sure that nothing will attack her if she open the door, she get out of the cab and checked on her friend.

There was another person there, helping Theo standing up. As she didn't have a mask nor wearing anything threatening, Tracy didn't fear her.

"Tara?" And Theo seemed to know her.

Or maybe he got a concussion after being hit by the hood of his own car.

"We should take you to the hospital, think you can drive us here?" The woman asked her.

Tracy trembled, didn't think she could do it, but straightened herself after glancing at the boy's curled in and agonizing frame.

"What about the car...?"

"I think he fixed it before he got attacked. Or maybe you want me to drive?"

Tracy shook her head and helped the woman, effectively named Tara, get Theo inside the car, she then sit on the driver's seat and drove them to the hospital while Tara was keeping Theo's awake in the back.

Nurse McCall frowned when seeing them, she and Theo (and mostly her helping Theo getting there, again), before checking on the injured patient. After a while, Tracy thought about warning Hayden that Theo probably wouldn't make tonight's shift, saying shortly they were attacked by some rogues. When she lifted her head to talk to the woman, she was already talking with the nurse on the front desk and filling all Theo's informations. But she stood stunned when they said they had a contact for the emergency call and if whether they should call it.

"We should call him, Deucalion is Theo's guardian," she said.

The woman glanced at her before agreeing. They waited in the waiting area for the time the doctor checked on Theo's state.

"What happened?" The man responsible of Theo asked them.

Tara stared at the old man before looking at Tracy who remained silent.

"Theo and Tracy here were attacked by two people wearing mask. They hit Theo on the head with his car hood and wanted to take the kids with them, I think, but I intervened before they could and got rid of them to take the children here. Though, the criminals get out."

Deucalion nodded and barely blinked during all at her explanation.

"I guess we coudn't ask too much, hopefully Theo wasn't wounded too badly. But this attack is worrisome."

"Indeed, we better deposite in case it occur again."

"That would have to wait for Theo, what he needed now would be rest and some supervision for the next 24 hours, and not physical exercices," Nurse Melissa McCall told them whie exiting the patient's room.

"Is he conscious?" Deucalion asked her.

"He is, and aware of what happened to him but still got headache which hold attention, you can check on him."

He did, but the women stayed behind. Tracy turned to Tara and wanted to deposite the events now so they could prevent potential attack, but the young female was asking the nurse to pay the bills of the consultation. It surprised her even if she got the picture that she knew Theo somehow.

Tara accepted to go deposite the attack with her as they both saw the assailants and were still in piece. However, there was another complaint of aggression in the station and Tracy knew the victim.

"What it is for?" The deputy on front desk asked them.

And Tracy returned her attention to him, deputy Strauss, when Tara told him that they need to deposit an assault. The deputy raised his brow but lead them to his colleague's desk. Deputy Clark, Hayden's sister, took their deposition. She frowned at the end of their story.

"You said they were wearing mask?"

When the girls agreed, deputy Clark showed them a picture of the masked person.

"Exactly, where did you take this picture?" Tracy gasped.

"Another victim testified to be stalked by this person last night, this picture was taken through their peephole. It was the only picture but they said they were numerous."

"Probably three," Tara said after examining the picture closely. "Even if it looked alike it wasn't actually one of the aggressors. The mask isn't the same, those who attacked the kids got tube as if they were using it to breath."

Tracy watched the picture a second time. Sure the mask and the ensemble of the picture reminded her of the threatening person that scared her on the other side of the truck window, but they did have difference. The one that wanted to force the door had a gas helmet with pipes while this one just had a hockey mask.

She stood up to leave because her witness role stopped there.

"Tracy?" Malia called her.

"Are you OK?" Josh asked her.

"Actually, no. Theo and I were agressed just now by some masked people, and Theo got a concussion."

"You too?" Josh gaped. "Is Theo OK?"

"He had to rest for a day, but I doubted he could give his version of the attack, so here I am, hoping to prevent other attack."

"Well, no use it seemed, as we got target too," Malia grunted. "Was he like six foot five and using a metal bar?"

Tracy noticed with horror how her arm was bandaged while Josh was helping her walk.

"No... I think they were two, one hit Theo on the head with the car hood and the other tried to attack me by forcing the door while I was inside."

Malia took a thoughtful look. "So, they're really three. I wonder why they chose to part and assaulted two targets tonight. Corey said the three  of them sneaked around his house last night."

"Corey was targeted too?"

"Yeah, Parrish showed us the picture his brother took from the peephole and send it to him while he was outside," the other girl said while designating the deputy they were giving testimony.

"So he wasn't actually attacked?"

"He was targeted, but when they realized he wasn't at home, so they didn't attack the Bryant," Josh guessed hazardly.

"So which one of you were actually targeted? Malia, did you actually fight them?"

"What do you think I'm limping for? But I think they were aiming Josh, they stopped fighting when pretty one got inside of the club and when the police and ambulance showed up."

"That's disturbing and worrying, maybe we shouldn't get home unsupervised."

"Yeah, Parrish said he will drive us home, think he could do the same for you too."

Tracy forgot about Tara till next evening.

Their group of friend learned that Hayden was also attacked after her shift. Fortunately, she was recued by her boss, Laura Hale, and nothing bad happened. But as the dinner's back door for the service employee got footage, Malia's cousin got her a duplicata so she could report it. Her sister Valerie Clark got her a summary of all the attack that occured last night and everyone was at Theo's little attention, who couldn't attend none of the football training, neither could Malia as she was disabled by her limping feet and injured arm.

"Three attacks in one night, that's scary. Shouldn't a curfew being put?" Erica frowned.

"Notice a pattern? Most of the target were football player," Nolan said pointed at Corey, Josh and Theo.

"No, it doesn't match," Theo argued. "The night when the freaks sneaked and give up on the Bryant, a sophomore was abducted. Stiles told me the station got a call of a missing child, Noah Patrick."

"He was in my chemistry class," Kylia said.

"So, they just attacked random students?" Jiang groaned.

"Maybe just Beacon Hills residents. They attacked at night and everyone could be aimed," Gabe pointed out.

"But the victims were all high schoolers," Josh said.

"Anyway, I had to do my deposition tonight, even if it would be useless as I didn't see anything," Theo growled.

"You will need supervision."

"I do."

It was Tara. And she was actually Theo's older sister that he didn't see for two years. Tracy accompany him for the deposition as she was with him during the attack. It was an excuse to know more about Theo's past that he didn't like to talk about.

"I know it's been two years, but last I heard, they said you were in school."

"It had to take you your last year of formation and half a year later to notice I vanished from your life. I guess I shouldn't be too upset, you never seemed to appreciate me being in your life."

"Don't be like that, I used the half year to look for you and you were good at cleaning after you, it was a chance that I find you when you're about the be attacked."

During the testimony, Theo's friend, Stiles intervened and said that Theo might be the one the aggressor were trying to reach. He showed him the logo of Ouroboros that Theo did seem to know according his gasp and Stiles, the sheriff's son, said that he had a source sure that said Theo knew more about how to use a computer. And the aggressors, the Dread Doctors, were known in the net to have trafficking human organs and their whole business fell after someone hack their pc and uncovered all their crime. Theo was the one who hacked them under someone's ask that paid him to.

When Deucalion learned it so he could also supervise Theo, he was disappointed that the kid got into his old habbits. But Theo swore it was before he stopped hacking. And they could stop the criminals doctors once they tracked down the customer who paid him to ruin them, because the doctors were now causing havoc by aiming genetic chimera who got more than one human organ inside them.

By the end of the night, Tracy learned that she could be a potential target again and that Theo was emancipated because his last family neglected him and that he subconsequently became a hacker to provide himself. Except, he get caught by Deucalion who then took under his care in condition he stopped his faulty act.

It took two days before they arrested the dread doctors and the perpetrator of this whole havoc, Gabriel Valack, a patient of Eichen House. Tracy was't surprised that someone of mental illness institute would be arrested. But Theo got another surprise from his sister, she wasn't in town just because she wanted to find him but because she was investigating about this case, as F.B.I agent. With the solved case, she would got a raise, but she earned Theo's hurt and he was even more upset to learn she will get out. Hopefully her raise would be enough for her to treat him.

In any case, after this affair, Theo became more open with the group and actually called them friends, which was something as he first stated that he only go along with them because he funded (and forced them to play) the football team and was embarrassed to call guys younger than him friends and making him friends of girls. He even told them about his hacker past (and that stay in the past so no one asked him about doing some favor, he won't).

Tracy got her driver lisence the day of her birthday and Theo happened to want to make up with their ruined session, but he never would have thought that's exatcly because of this lesson that she got her lisence.

 

Stiles' name wasn't Stiles Stilinski.

The nickname wasn't even his creation, it was his paternal gramps who went by this title after some time in the army, his dad said he was abusive but he was gifted intelectually and Stiles had to admit that the nickname was better than his actual name.

It was his mother that chose it, it was a heirloom from all the boy in Polish family with great meaning but Stiles wasn't sure he deserved to keep the name as his mother didn't even recognize him.

Claudia Stilinski had the fronto-temporal dementia for nine years now and it was eating on his dad. At best, she wouldn't recognize him, at worst she will accused him of attempting her life. His father, the Beacon County's sheriff, was tired of seeing her so scared of the boy she gave birth but couldn't do anything as workind and making the end for him and his son and paying the hospital fee. He nearly drowned himself in alcohol before Stiles made him get up and live again as luckily Claudia Stilinsi wasn't dead.

And it may hurt him to be rejected by his own mother but he will live and help his dad as much as he could.

So he was hesitating about his future, being deputy and help him out by working beside him or a private investigator as his character was much suit of investigating personally (not much of a people person, the Stiles). And he did his proof during the dread doctor case, even his dad had to admit it.

After meeting Tara Raeken eight years after the Raekens moving out of town (and Stiles felt some sympathy for Theo who wasn't recognized as son by both his parents and neglected by his sister, his own relative that Stiles could compared to his dad), he was also attracted of being F.B.I agent. But then, he learned from Tara that her closest Federal station in California was in Los Angeles, but the post of San Francisco was better filled and that if he wanted to have a special oppotunity he better gain an invitation from the station of Qantico for a formation. And knowing that Scott's dad (a former drunken and abusive man), Stiles thought agaisnt being F.B.I agent and set for P.I as he could work by himself and be close to his father.

He got goods grades, he could make it.

(He didn't think about girls, because his first and huge crush for Lydia didn't bring anything but their snarky friendship and his first time was with  out curiosity with his childhood friend Heather, that he get to know by their mother's friendship and his second time was as disastrous with Malia Hale because he was working on her nerves and she shut him up by kissing him. One thing leading to another, they did it and it was her first time. Anyway, the girl seemed to hook-up with the guys that annoyed her at some point like Nathan Pierce, though, he had a doubt with Josh Diaz. Maybe it was nothing as they say they aren't fucking and neither in relationship, but whatever it wasn't his problem, he had a college application to fill.)

 

Part 2

Part 4