Ethan/Isaac

Author's Note: So this is AU, no werewolves. Everyone is human. Also, I feel the need to point out that there is almost nothing out there that focuses on Ethan and Isaac. Which I find disappointing, I would love to read some good Ethan/Isaac stories. But since there isn't much else out there, here's my contribution. Hope you enjoy.

Ethan knew he would've been nervous about his first day at a new school if he hadn't done this with his brother so many times already. It was nothing about him and his brother, their family just moved around basically every year. So he walked into Beacon Hills High School with his brother at his side, both of them wondering why it was their family had decided that this was the place to finally stop moving around and settle down.

The day went by pretty much as he expected. Some of the teachers pointed him and his brother out as the new kids, some just went about teaching as if nothing had changed. They didn't really have a chance to talk until lunch, but first there was the issue of where to sit. Ethan and Aiden stared out at the tables after getting their food.

Ethan's eyes were drawn to the emptier tables and one table in particular. There was just one person sitting there, a guy with curly hair and long limbs, and he had a textbook open in front of him. His clothes were kind of plain and simple and they covered almost every inch of him. His sleeves came up onto his hands.

But then Aiden nudged him with his elbow and he turned to see his brother looking at a table that had a few people sitting there and a few empty chairs. One of the guys was waving, clearly inviting them over. Aiden glanced at him and he shrugged, fine with sitting there and fine with not sitting there. But Aiden's mind was made up and he headed over, Ethan a step behind.

They all introduced themselves and Ethan was happy to see that Scott, Stiles, and Allison were very friendly, if a little quirky. It became clear pretty quickly that these three weren't among the most popular crowd, but Ethan wasn't concerned about that. He could see Aiden frowning as he realized that. Ethan could also see that Scott was completely infatuated with Allison and he hoped the feelings were reciprocated because Scott kind of reminded him of a puppy.

It didn't take long for Ethan's eyes to wander back toward the guy sitting at a table by himself and, while Stiles was rambling on about who was who in Beacon Hills, he found himself asking, "Who's that over there, sitting by himself?"

Everyone follows his gaze, then Stiles easily says, "That's Isaac. He never talks to anyone."

Everyone else at the table seemed willing to leave it at that, but Ethan pressed, "Why not?"

It was Scott who answered this time, with a shrug, "I don't know and I'm not sure anyone else does, either. He just never talks to anyone unless he has to. Stiles and I tried inviting him over once because he looks like he could really use a friend, but he just said no."

Stiles nodded in agreement, "Its not like he's a loser or anything. I mean, his grades are good and he's one of the better players on the lacrosse team. He just … doesn't have any friends … doesn't talk to anyone."

Ethan frowned, wondering why someone wouldn't have any friends, "Maybe he's shy?"

Stiles snorted, "More like terrified. When Scott and I tried, it was like we were threatening to kill him or something. He couldn't get away fast enough."

He didn't really have anything else to say, so he let the conversation shift away from Isaac and to … Stiles' apparent relationship issues. Which seemed to revolve around his years-long crush on Lydia Martin and his newfound attraction to some older guy named Derek, who Stiles said multiple times wasn't old. Just past his college years. Ethan wasn't sure how to respond to that considering everyone at the table was sixteen and this Derek was an adult, but he was sure that as soon as Aiden saw Lydia his brother was going to make a move. It was only a matter of time. So for Stiles' own good, Ethan hoped that Derek wasn't a perv and that Stiles would take a chance with Derek.

After lunch, Ethan kept an eye open for Isaac in his remaining classes. They had a couple classes together, but Isaac always sat near the back and didn't say a word, didn't draw attention to himself in any way. And everyone else just went along with it as if everything was perfectly normal. But as the school day came to an end, Ethan decided to stay to watch the lacrosse team practice and Aiden stayed as well. Ethan knew his brother was only staying because the wheels in his mind were already spinning toward the goal of hooking up with Lydia Martin and being an important member of the big team probably wouldn't hurt.

It didn't take him long to see that Scott and Stiles had been right, Isaac was a good player. Ethan wasn't very familiar with lacrosse, but it wasn't hard to see that Isaac was a defender. With his tall body, long arms, and long stick, no one had an easy time getting by Isaac.

Aiden nudged him and quietly said, "Looks like I'm not the only one who's spotted someone. Isaac, huh?"

Ethan shrugged uncomfortably, "I'm not sure yet. I'm just … curious. If he's smart and a good lacrosse player, why doesn't he have any friends?"

Aiden patted him on the shoulder, "If you say so. But if you do end up bringing him home, let me know so I can make plans."

He just grinned and shook his head, knowing he would never stop being surprised by Aiden's focus on sex rather than relationships. It was probably due to how often their family forced them to move. He guessed Aiden didn't want to get hurt by leaving someone behind every time they moved. Not that Aiden would ever confirm that.

As soon as the practice ended, Aiden said, "You should go talk to Isaac if you want. I'll talk to the coach and see if we can get on the team."

Ethan didn't need to be told twice and got up quickly, but as he walked over to the field he saw Isaac hurrying back to the locker rooms as fast as he could without flat out running. He knew he couldn't catch Isaac without running after him and he didn't want to look weird by chasing after him that blatantly. Thankfully, Scott saw him and headed over.

When he saw who Ethan was looking at, he smiled apologetically, "Sorry, if I'd known you'd be here I would've told you. Isaac's usually the first person on the field and the first one off."

Well, that was frustrating, but Ethan tried not to let his frustration show, "Thanks. I guess I'll just have to find some other time to talk to him."

Scott nodded, "If you ever need help with that, feel free to ask."

"Thanks."

The next day Ethan was determined not to miss his opportunity to talk to Isaac. Scott had suggested that they all just sit down at the table Isaac always sat at for lunch, but Ethan had vetoed that idea. He figured if Isaac really was so shy and uncomfortable around people as he seemed then it would probably be a little overwhelming to suddenly have almost half a dozen people sit down beside him. So when it came time for lunch, Ethan went over to Isaac's table on his own.

Isaac looked up at him and stared as he sat down, clearly surprised that someone would sit down at the same table as him, but didn't say anything as he turned back to the textbook and notebook in front of him. That wasn't exactly encouraging and Ethan couldn't help but feel a bit of doubt creeping in. For a few minutes he didn't say anything, instead focusing on eating his lunch and trying to be subtle as he could as he watched Isaac, who kept sneaking glances at him as well. No doubt he was wondering what Ethan was doing, while Ethan hoped that Isaac would get used to his presence a bit more easily if he wasn't immediately forcing him into a conversation. He figured that small steps would be better than taking giant leaps.

Hoping to get a conversation going, he asked, "What are you studying?"

Ethan wasn't sure what to think when Isaac stared at him for a few seconds before answering, "Chemistry. Why?"

At least Isaac didn't look scared or nervous, just confused as if he wasn't used to other people just talking to him, so Ethan took that as a good sign, "I'm just wondering what the hard classes are. My brother and I are new here."

He hoped talking about classes was a safe subject and, after another few seconds of Isaac staring at him, it seemed he was right because Isaac quietly said, "Anything with Mr. Harris will be tough, the guy's a dick. So chemistry, physics, any science class really. Um, if you have Coach Finstock teaching any of your classes, make sure you do all the reading and all the homework."

Ethan frowned, confused, "Why? Is he really harsh or something?"

Isaac shook his head, "He's actually a really easy grader, but he's kind of nuts. You never really know what he's going to do until you actually see him do it."

"Okay. Should I be worried?"

Another shake of the head from Isaac, "I don't think so. Greenberg is the only person he ever really seems to dislike."

With that, Isaac went back to his studying and Ethan decided not to push. It hadn't been much, but their little conversation had been pretty normal. No freaking out or wanting to run away on Isaac's part, which made Ethan wonder what Scott and Stiles had done or said to scare him. Baby steps, he reminded himself. Isaac was supposedly completely friendless, so getting really personal would be overstepping it.

Even though he didn't want to make Isaac uncomfortable, he searched his mind for something else to say, but before he could it was Isaac who spoke, his voice quiet, "You don't really want to sit by me." Ethan blinked and opened his mouth to say something, but he was too flabbergasted to think of a response so Isaac kept going, "You and your brother are new here, if you want to make friends you should find another table. If no one's told you yet, I'm always alone here."

Ethan's first thought was that Isaac was just trying to get rid of him, but something about Isaac's posture and the way he spoke gave Ethan pause. Isaac's shoulders were hunched as he leaned over his notebook and he wasn't even looking at Ethan. There was also a tiny bit of nervousness in his voice, instead of anger or irritation or anything else that would signal that Ethan's presence was unwanted. It felt more like Isaac saw the way things were and was trying to help Ethan avoid getting stuck in a bad place. Like everything was set in stone and nothing would change that.

It was kind of depressing to Ethan, that Isaac had resigned himself to the fact that he was stuck without any friends, and he wished he could change that, "Who says I don't want to sit here? You seem nice enough to me."

This time Isaac was the flustered one, clearly unsure of how to respond, and in the end he didn't say anything. He just went back to his studying and even few minutes would glance over at Ethan, as if to make sure he was still there. Ethan just finished his lunch and settled back in his chair to study his chemistry notes, happy with the progress he'd made. It wasn't enough, he wanted to know more about Isaac, but he was content for now. He had to just take it one step at a time.