"Stiles!" I heard my dad shout from downstairs. "Let's go! We're going to be late!"
I stumbled down the stairs still drowsy from sleep.
"Really Dad?" I smirked noticing the gun in his holster. "You think the gun is really necessary to bring your son to school?"
Dad folded his arms over his chest.
"Lately? Yeah, I think it is."
"Noted."
I rolled my eyes. He wasn't going to let this whole mountain lion thing go. I figured after Mr. Argent shot it at the school he'd ease back a bit. Nope. Overly cautious dad it was. Of course, he was right. The thing attacking people wasn't the mountain lion, and therefore it wasn't dead. I just wish he never found out the real truth. Dad wasn't even letting me drive to school in my Jeep, he insisted on driving me to and from school. Maybe he'd let up in a few days. Then again, he was a cop, so, maybe not.
"Can we get going now?" I grabbed my backpack from the floor.
My dad chuckled. "Never thought I'd hear that from you."
"Haha," I laughed, unamused. "Come on."
"Final boarding call for flight 217A, the 9:15 flight to LA. Final boarding call." The airport speaker system crackled and cut off.
"Well this is it." I shifted my backpack on my shoulder and reassessed I had everything I brought. I couldn't believe the unbelievable mess my life had become as of late. My mother dying, my home destroyed. My life was just one big disaster at this point. To top that all off mom had left me a letter in her will. Something to explain what she had been keeping secret all these years. I shifted my hand to my strap pocket of the backpack where the letter was securely placed. I'd probably read it over again on the plane. I'd read it so many times I practically had the whole thing memorized. Still, I couldn't change what was happening. I could only hope what was waiting for me in California was better than what was left of my life now. With one last look I made my way to the boarding area and walked to the plane. I reached in and grabbed my iPod from my backpack and clicked it on once finding my seat and watched the world I knew disappear from the window. A silent tear rolled down my cheek and I quickly wiped it away. In a few hours time I'd be where I belonged.
"Stiles, seriously? When is your dad going to let this go?" Scott's irritated voice snapped me back to reality.
"Huh? Oh, I uh I don't know." I drummed my fingers on the desk top.
"I don't want him finding out the truth."
"He's nowhere close to knowing or even finding out the truth."
"Good."
"Yeah, well, just let him be the overly cautious dad he is okay, he's just looking out for me. And all the lying and sneaking around I do, I'm surprised he doesn't have me in a holding cell when I'm not at school."
Scott cracked a smile. "That's probably his next step."
"Shut up."
"Attention idiots," Coach's voice stopped the chatter. "Greenberg, quit screwing around, I swear to God." He rolled his eyes. "Anyways, if you'd all quit yapping for a second I'd like to let you know we have a new student joining us. She's moved all the way from Boston so I'd like you all to give a warm welcome to..."
The door swung open with one of the guidance counselors and the new girl in tow. Coach frowned at the paper he had in his hands.
"Hey there you want to help me out with your name?" He chuckled, embarassed.
The girl raised an eyebrow. "I just go by Ashlee, okay?"
"Yeah, but your file says..."
"I know what the file says," she said cutting him off. "It's Ashlee."
"Right," he laughed nervously as if intimidated by her. "Class I'd like you to meet Ashlee Williams, please make her feel welcome here." He leaned back on his desk. "Have a seat anywhere but next to Greenberg." He said, pointing to Greenberg in the corner.
I watched as the new girl, Ashlee, took her seat. She was pretty, but my heart was set on someone else. I figured I'd introduce myself later just to be nice. The again, I wouldn't want her getting to close to me. Bad things tended to happen to people that got too close to me as well my "pack family".
"Stiles, what are you checking out the new girl for?" Scott's accusing eyes narrowed.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not checking her out Scott, just trying to be polite, maybe introduce myself? You know, what normal people do?"
"All right, all right, just remember we have practice to deal with tonight."
"Yeah, you do." I mumbled. I still hadn't made first line. I don't know if I'd ever make it at this point. Half the team had something a little extra going for them. How was I supposed to compete with that?
"You know I can hear you right?" Scott mused.
"Shut up wolf boy." I whispered low so only he would hear.
Scott's eyes widened. "You'll pay for that later."