"Are we there yet?" Tyler whined.
"Seriously Ty?! We're one hour away and now you wanna start with the most common kid phrases for road trips?" I huffed.
"Um hello we've cooped up in this car for hourssss!"
"Calm down we're almost there. Look" I said pointing at the sign for Beacon Hills surrounded by lush green forest.
"Finally!"
I couldn't help but laugh.
"So what do you wanna do first? Mr. Stilinski should be home now. We can go see him and Stiles? Or grab something to eat. Our boxes won't be here till the morning."
"Yeah let's go see Stiles."
"Mkay, let me see if I can remember where their house is." I pondered looking at the road signs. By this time we were in the center of town. Everything looked just as we left it. The memories punched me in the face one by one. The ice cream shop where I dumped my strawberry ice cream cone on Jackson's head for calling Stiles stupid and my mom making me go tell him sorry while Stiles laughed himself to tears. Or the hill that I crashed my bike on one summer into the concrete below. Scott held me while Stiles ran all the way to my house to get my dad. And being a daddy's girl, he picked me up off the ground and carried me 5 blocks over to the hospital where I found out I broke my ankle in two places.
"Brooke….BROOKE!" Tyler yelled getting me out of my reverie.
"Huh? What? Sorry, Ty." Shaking the images in my head.
"We'll there's the cruiser." I said pulling up on the curb.
Tyler jumped out first and sprinted towards the front door banging on it with his fist.
"Chill out Ty. Cheese and Rice that was loud."
Mr. Stilinski opened the door and a huge smile lit up his face still in his uniform.
"Hey guys!" he said wrapping us both in a hug.
"Howdy Sheriff" I smiled trying to give him my best cowboy impersonation.
"You're such a dork, B" Tyler rolled his eyes poking my back.
"And she's a redhead." The sheriff spoke looking at me with curiously.
"I'm a rebel what can I say? Don't worry I'm dying it as soon as I find a store. I've had enough self-expression to last me a while."
He nodded with sad eyes and ushered us in.
"So where's the big lacrosse player? I'm so glad he got first string. I can't wait to see him play."
"He's at practice right now, should be home soon though. I'll tell you what I'm glad you're back for good. Maybe you can keep his ass…" he looked over at Tyler grinning ear to ear and rolling his eyes "butt I meant butt!" Tyler and I both laughed. "Anyway maybe you can keep him in line. I swear he's been getting into more trouble than I know how to get him out of." He said shaking his head.
"No offense Sheriff, but I do recall some wild stories about you and my dad getting into when you guys were teenagers…"
"Ah I guess you're right, looks like it's true what they say…your kids are always twice as bad as you were." He laughed.
Just then we heard a loud engine pull up into the driveway. One very loud voice coming through the front door towards the kitchen. I couldn't help but grin to see my best friend again. My other brother.
"Dad, what are we doing for dinner? And who's sweet ass ride…what the…BROOKE!" Stiles yelled. He pulled me into the biggest bear hug cutting off my airways. But I welcomed it.
"Oh my God, you are freaking taller than me! And these muscles, someone's been working out." I nudged him when I squeezed his bicep.
"Heck yeah, lacrosse is crazy. I'm a beast now!" He flexed for me.
"And look at this kid!" He pointed as he grabbed Tyler in for a hug "Dang dude you're huge!"
"Yup, I can probably take you down now" he stated wiggling his eyebrows.
"Oh yeah?" Stiles countered arms out in a hunched position about to pounce.
"Alright kids, before you get into a wrestling match, where is all your stuff?" asked Mr. Stilinski.
"We have a few bags in the car. The other boxes won't be here until tomorrow. We wanted to stop by before we went to the old house." I informed him.
"Well I'm sure Stiles and Scott can help you out tomorrow. Won't you Stiles?" Mr. Stilinski asked looking at his only son.
"Of course, it will be just like old times!"
"Good, well I've got everything for you guys set up with the school to start on Monday. Brooke." The Sheriff informed us.
"I can't believe I have to go back to high school. I feel like such a dumbass." I grumbled.
"Hey! Language young lady…and it's not a full year. Just a few credits. Don't worry, people will understand."
"I guess."
"So when are you heading over?"
"Well me and Tyler need to get dinner. Then we'll probably go after that."
"Okay, well how about this, Stiles, why don't you take Ty and Brooke out to pizza and you can help them with their bags after. Pizza's on me." Mr. Stilinski offered.
"Sweet!" Tyler and Stiles jumped at the same time.
"Oh geez, this is going to be fun." I rolled my eyes at the two boys.
"Admit it, you missed me, Bro. The dynamic trio is back!" he fist pumped. "Oh man, speaking of Scott, I'll call him too come with us. Hopefully he's not too busy with Allison."
"That nickname will never get old," I said rolling my eyes. "Who's Allison?"
"New girlfriend. It's all true love and crap. They constantly make me nauseous." He fake gagged.
"Let's go guys I'm starrrving!" Tyler said.
"What about you, Uncle S? You coming too?"
"No actually I have to head out. Paperwork at the department. I swear with all the crap going on here I'll be doing paperwork for the next five years."
"Alright let's go then!"
We drove into town following Stiles. He called Scott who was on his way with Allison. It was so familiar driving in this little town now. But there was something different about it I couldn't put my finger on. Maybe it was the exhaustion creeping up on me from the drive here.
We parked in front of the pizzeria and got out. Scott was standing there with a grin on his face holding hands with a pretty, petite brunette. You've got to be kidding me. Once she noticed my face a huge grin set on her face mirroring mine. I jumped out of the car and we both squealed.
"ARGENT?!"
"LUNEAIRE!"
We immediately hugged each other and while the boys had matching puzzled looks as they stared at us, except for Tyler.
We laughed and I released her to pull Scott into a bear hug, but this one was wayyy tighter than Stiles'.
"Wow look at your hair! You've always wanted to dye it red." Scott observed.
"Yeah well I'm already sick of it. I'm dying it as soon as I find a good color." I gasped for breath as he let me go.
"Damn, Scott, looks like Stiles isn't the only one that got a lot stronger since I last saw you!"
The three of them shared a knowing glance and Scott was the first to snap out of it.
"How the hell do you know each other?" Stiles asked looking cutely confused.
"San Diego! We both were in the young shooters competitions while our dads were at the largest gun show in America." Allison answered.
"This little hottie beat the crap out of me with her bow." I said nudging her with my elbow.
"Yeah, but you showed me up with the glock, the rifle, and the shot gun…." She replied counting on her fingers.
I shrugged. "What can I say?" we both laughed.
"Hey Tyler! Wow you're almost unrecognizable. You've gotten so big."
"Hi." He said shyly blushing.
"Watch it Ty, she's taken." Scott said smirking.
Tyler blushed 50 shades of red and Allison giggled.
"Well let's hurry and get inside. I need food!" Stiles blurted.
We all sat in a booth and talked for two hours. Updating me on the latest gossip. Lydia's breakup with Jackson and of course Stiles gushed over her since elementary school. He was sure he'd get his chance with her now. We reminisced about the good ol' days when parents of other kids would make a bee line for the other side of the street if they saw us together. It was a good welcome home dinner.
"So, any cute, single guys move to town recently?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Ew. Gross B!" Tyler gagged as I gave him the 'what' look.
"None that are sane," Stiles piped up.
I got kicked in the shin and let out a loud "OW".
Scott apologized and looked at Stiles with a 'shut up now' face.
"Okayyyy….well I guess we should head to the house now before it gets too dark out."
We all piled back in the cars. Allison and Scott rode with Stiles as they drove behind me and Ty. When we pulled up to the house I just stared for a second and took a deep breath before exiting the car. It was just how we left it. We walked onto the porch and I stuck my parents' old key in. It wouldn't turn.
"Um. My key isn't working?" I questioned looking at the group.
"Oh crap. Sorry Bro. Dad had to change it. There was a break in last month. We made sure to get all the locks changed and the security system updated." Stiles said handing me the new set.
"Well that's comforting," I said rolling my eyes. I stuck the key in the door and turned the knob letting the door swing open.
We walked into the house and I almost cried. It still smelled the same. Before anyone could say anything. Tyler spoke up.
"It still looks the same. Like they could walk around the corner any moment," he whispered.
I looked at my little brother to see a tear roll down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away before anyone else could notice.
"Hey, kid. Hey…" I whispered to him. "I miss them too. I'll take care of you. I love you, you know that right Ty?"
"Yeah I know. I love you too Brookie." He forced a smile at me.
"Alright so let's get these bags upstairs so we can hit the sack," I spoke louder to the group.
When all the bags were in there respective places and Tyler was sound asleep, I walked the other three to the door.
"Hey, I really appreciate the help guys. It means a lot to me and Ty. Are you guys busy this weekend? Maybe we can hang out or something?"
The three looked at each other.
"We actually are going on a double with Lydia. Sorry Brooke. Maybe another time." Scott said. But he looked like he made that up on the spot. And I should know, I taught him how to do that.
"Oh alright, well I hope you guys have fun." I told them a little disappointed.
"Well you know, Lydia is having a Halloween party, you can come along if you want. And I'm sure we'll see you a lot before then" Allison offered making me feel a little more included in their group.
"That would be awesome. I haven't been dancing in forever!"
"Perfect. Well we'll see you Monday then!"
I gave them all a hug and told them to be safe driving home. Locking up the house I couldn't help but think of how weird the boys were acting. Like they had a big secret I wasn't allowed in on. We used to be best friends. Blood brothers even, well I was their blood sister. I guess everyone changes eventually. I just hope not too much. I've really missed them. As my head hit the pillow I could see how different this town was going to become. I missed my parents. My dad would know what to tell me.
I fell asleep a short time later. Dreaming of the same deep green eyes. No face. Just the eyes that would pop up out of nowhere and if I was being chased down by some monster in the shadows his eyes would turn red with rage until I was safe again. And he had the most beautiful voice. Sexy and deep, full of authority. I don't know how many times I've had this dream after I turned 17. Not the same exact one. But the same exact green eyes or angry red eyes. Whenever I saw them I knew I could find peace. With all the change going on in my life, they seemed like the only constant aside from Tyler. So much was changing. And I felt that this was just the beginning.