AN- Okay, guys, don't kill me. I know that I'm in the middle of Seven Devils, but I've been lacking inspiration. And then I started writing this. I will be finishing SD, just be patient.
So, this is a Siles/Derek high-school AU with wolf!Derek. I am totally in love with fluffy Sterek so expect some of that, though I'll try to include some smut in there.
Also, I am absolutely terrible at writing Derek in character, for some reason. So, be warned.
Warnings- male/male relationship, unbetaed
Disclaimer- I own nothing but this idea and the tears and feels I am currently drowning in.
I hate school.
And I know almost every kid on the face of the planet will say that but I really do.
School absolutely sucks.
And I'm not just saying that because I'm currently in a dumpster.
See, it's not that I enjoy taking a bath in trash. No. Not that I'm judging anybody who does, but... Well, ew.
But the only reason I'm in this dumpster currently is because our school's very own pretentious douchebag Jackson Whittemore. He seems to like it when I'm covered in last year's cafeteria lunch. Which, ew, they're probably still serving this year.
Again, I hate school.
And, okay, maybe I shouldn't have said that I thought he was gay and in love with his best friend Danny Mahealani- even though he totally is- with him in hearing distance. But, c'mon. He's using Lydia Martin- aka the goddess I pray to every night- as a beard and she deserves so much more. Namely, me.
Even though I've seen some of the looks Lydia has cast her best friend Allison Argent, so maybe they have a deal going.
Or maybe I just like making everyone in my life gay.
But how cool would it be of everyone was? Like, Jackson and Danny. Lydia and Allison. And I've seen my best friend Scott McCall stare at Isaac Mclahey for a little too long.
But that leaves me. Stiles Stilinski. The lone wolf. The black sheep. The guy who should really stop comparing himself to pathetic outsider animals.
In my little world, there's no one for me to be gay with.
Which, I'm not- okay, maybe I am just a little bit- I just like imagining everyone is. It's fun; you should try it.
But again, probably none of them- cough, except for Jackson, cough- are gay. Well, Danny is but he's been out for years. No one really cares.
How did I get talking about this? Oh, yeah. Gay Jackson threw me in the trash. So, the first day of the new school year and I get to come in with old milk and beef and I don't even know what else on my new shirt. Yay.
"Stiles!" I hear and I get distracted climbing out of the tub of trash. So, of course, my gangly limbs get tangled together and I fall straight on my bony ass.
"What?" I snap, looking around. I see Erica Reyes smirking above me and I quickly scramble up to smother her in a hug. Partly because I've missed her and party because I'm covered in trash.
"Ew!" She squeals, backing up. "Gross. Why do you look and smell like you just escaped from a zoo?"
"Um," I stall, trying to think of an excuse. "I fell," I finish lamely.
"Wha- Stiles. No matter how clumsy and awkward you are, you're not that clumsy and awkward. Was it Jackson? Oh, God, I'm gonna kill him." She bares her teeth at me and I step back.
"Whoa, girl. Calm down. I'm fine. And we all know Jackson is too pretty to die," I assure her. Erica has always been one of my best friends. I was worried that she would drop me after she got her makeover and constantly looked like she just stepped out of a porno, but she didn't. If anything, she became even more protective because now nobody would dare say a word.
"What an ass," she mutters, brushing off all the dirt and gross crap from my shirt. "At least your hair isn't long enough that anything can get stuck in it."
"Always thinking positively," I tease her, because, in actuality, she is one of the most negative people I know.
"Shut up," she replies, punching me. I laugh and we go walking towards the school.
We get some stares as we walk in, but it's probably because of Erica. I've gotten used to it. I mean, I would be lying if I said that she hadn't popped up into some of my fantasies over the last few months. Mostly with Lydia and Allison, but come on. They would be super hot together.
Not that I'm interested in Erica. No way. I'm not interested in Allison, either. Scott has already kind of claimed her. It's just that they're the only interesting girls in the school. And the only ones who will be seen with me.
Not that I ever hang out with Lydia. But I hang out with Scott who hangs out with Allison who is best friends with Lydia, so. Yeah, complicated chain of a relationship.
But, anyway, I soon realize that, for once, the idiots around aren't staring at my super-hot friend. They're staring behind her. So, of course, I awkwardly spin on my heel to see who is behind us.
Bad move. Because apparently the guy behind us didn't get the memo that I'm the most clumsy person in ever and he keeps walking. Head first. Into me. Great.
"Oh, God!" I cry out. "Sorry. Sorry, man." I scramble to my feet and put a hand down to help him up. Of course, I hadn't planned on him being five hundred pounds of muscle, so as soon as he grabs on, I fall back on my ass. Awesome.
I hear him let out a chuckle above me and he yanks me up with ease.
"Sorry," he mutters and I just nod. Because now that I'm not crashing into him or on the floor behind him, I can see his face. And, Lord Almighty, this is the most beautiful man I have ever seen in my life.
Before, I thought Jackson was pretty. Which he is. The guy is like a walking Abercrombie bag. But this man- Oh, wow. He looks like a Greek God.
He has olive skin that looks like it totally skipped right over the awkward teenage phase. His eyes are a forest green with little specks of gold and brown in them. And his hair is jet black and short. And did I mention the muscles?
How was this man a high school student?
"Um. It's. Uh. Fine. I'm. Uh. Stiles." And apparently I'm only able to speak in one-word sentences now.
He just grins at me. "Well, I have to go," he says in that rough voice. Are my pants tightening or is that just him? "I don't want to be late on my first day." He smiles apologetically at me and then struts down the hall.
"You're new?" I call after him. But he is already walking off and I only get an over-the-shoulder grin in return.
"Damn," I hear and I turn around to see Erica smirking. I completely forgot she was there.
"Yeah," I agree. "Damn."
xXx
Science class. Ugh. I was half-asleep already and the teacher was only introducing himself.
At least I was lucky enough to be one of the few without a lab partner. Which may sound strange but I like working alone. Especially when I didn't have any friends in the class.
"For college, I went to-" The teacher's life story is interrupted by a sudden banging of the door flying open. All heads snap up to see who else but Greek God himself in the doorway. Awesome.
"Ah, Mr. Hale, what a lovely surprise," says the teacher. The way he said it almost sounded like flirting. Then again, who wouldn't flirt with a guy like that?
"Sorry I'm late, sir," Greek God- Mr. Hale?- says. "I kind of got lost." Everyone chuckles, not because that was funny, but because he's attractive.
"Yes, well, considering you're new, we can make an exception for you. But you did miss picking the lab partners who you will be sitting with for the rest of the year..." The man trails off. "Hmm. I'll find you someone." He looks down at his clipboard and I cross my fingers. I don't know if I want him to pick me or not, all I know is I want something. Badly.
"Mr. Stilinski?" The teacher calls out suddenly, surprising me so much that I almost fall out of my chair. And by almost, I mean I do. Hard.
"Um, yeah?" I ask, stumbling to get back on my stool. Idiot, idiot, idiot.
"I see you're alone. Would you mind terribly if Mr. Hale joined you?"
"Uhhh," I answer brilliantly. "Sure?" Of course I wouldn't mind sitting next to the guy I embarrassed myself terribly in front of for the whole year. Why would I mind that?
Nobody looks very impressed by my wording but Greek God still makes his way over.
"Hi," I say, clumsily moving all my stuff over so he has room. He just stares at me.
"Oh, shit, sorry, do you speak another language?" I ask. And then I curse myself to the deepest pits of hell because I had seriously just heard him talk.
His eyes flash with amusement. "Um, no. Sorry, I was just trying to remember your name," he replies. "It's, uh-"
"Stiles Stilinski," I provide eagerly, grinning up at him.
"Right, yeah. So, Stiles Stilinski, would you mind moving over so I can sit?" His lips are in a tight line like he hates socialization- which I totally wouldn't blame him for, considering socialization is what causes most of my daily embarrassments- and his voice his quiet.
"Huh- Oh, yeah! Sorry, man," I stutter, my limbs flying everywhere as I frantically move.
I take in a deep breath and then smile welcomingly at him. "So, welcome to Beacon Hills High."
He just shoots me a tight-lipped smile and then turns and looks as if he's paying excruciating attention to the teacher. Who is now talking about his four cats. Way to stop the gender stereotyping, buddy.
I wonder if he actually is paying attention because he cares or because he doesn't want to talk to me. Probably the second one.
I squint at his binder, trying to find something with his full name. I need to add a first name on so that I can research him tonight. The only way to truly make friends is to Facebook-stalk them.
It has to say his name somewhere on there. I lean over so much that, again, I fall out of my seat. Best day ever.
He looks at me sharply. "You okay?" he mutters as if the whole class isn't staring.
"Uh- yeah. Totally." D? Is that what that said. D Hale? There might have been an 'e' after it but I'm not sure. Ugh. Why couldn't he just be normal and introduce himself?
"I'm Derek. By the way," he adds, flashing me another dazzling grin. I meekly nod in response. What, can he read minds? Is that, like, a pretty people perk?
And how does he go from anti-social to people pleaser in less than a second? One minute he's ignoring me, I blink and he's sending one hundred kilowatts my way? Weirdo.
xXx
Finally. Lunch. After lunch, I kind of just sign out for the day. So, I'm glad it's here.
I quickly run through the cafeteria line, picking anything that looks even a teeny bit appetizing- the curly fries are the only good thing here- and getting out as soon as possible.
I walk over to my usual table, with Scott, Isaac, Erica, her boyfriend Boyd, Allison, and, lately, Jackson, Danny, and Lydia. I can tell this will be an interesting year.
Before I can sit down, I am under attack.
"Ah!" I yell out as arms rope around me. "What the-"
"Senior year, buddy!" Scott McCall- who is actually, literally, a dumbass puppy dog with a stupid uneven jaw- cuts me off, shaking me around and making me drop my milk. Damn it.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm excited, too. But you don't have to terrorize me and my lunch about it." I put my tray down and sit in a chair. He shoots me an apologetic smile- who can stay mad at a face like that?- and sits down, throwing an arm around Allison.
"Hey, Stiles," Allison says warmly, flashing me a soft smile. I wave at her, snatching Scott's drink to make up for my lost one. He pouts at me before getting distracted by Allison's hair. Idiot.
Jackson sits down with his friends but not before smirking at me. I immediately look down at my shirt, checking to make sure I got everything. What a dick.
But it's okay, because as Erica struts over, she pauses momentarily to nonchalantly stick her gum in Jackson's short hair. I let out a quick laugh before covering it up as she winks at me. I love that girl so much.
Just then, I see a kind of familiar face looking hesitantly around. I don't think twice before calling out to him.
"Derek?" I ask loudly, causing him to look in my direction. "Derek! Hey, come sit with us!" I know how it feels to be an outsider. I had been the social pariah before Scott noticed- well, actually I kind of started talking his ear off and from there, a beautiful friendship was born. Anyway, I don't want Derek to feel left out.
He walks uncertainly over, his muscles noticeably tense. I wonder if I'm bothering him. But then, he wouldn't have come over, right?
"Hey," I greet as he arrives. "Everyone, this is Derek. He's new." I immediately get everyone's attention.
"Why, hello," Lydia purrs, raising an eyebrow to him. I shoot her a look as Jackson glares at me like it's my fault. Great.
"Oh, hey, you," Erica says, her red lips curling into a grin. "Remember me?" Like she's easy to forget. Boyd immediately wraps his arm around her, staking his claim. I roll my eyes. Awesome first impression, everyone.
Allison is the only one to actually smile sweetly at him before telling him to sit. Derek looks down at the table for a long moment before I realize the only free chair is next to me.
"Oh, sorry. I guess you're probably sick of me by now," I joke, shrugging. Shit. That sounded bitter not light like I meant it. He smiles tensely before sitting.
"So, Derek, where are you from?" Danny asks, eyeing him like he's a piece of meat. Do I need to teach everyone manners?
"Uh, up north," he answers, picking at his food.
"Oh, here, man," Scott says, pushing his bagged lunch over after Allison not so casually elbowed him. "Take mine. The cafeteria food sucks. No wonder Stiles is malnourished." He winks at me.
"Oh, funny. Sorry, not everybody can big walls of muscle like all of you." I look around at the ridiculous amount of testosterone near me. Seriously. How do these guys do it?
"It's lacrosse, dude," Isaac answers, shrugging. "Speaking of, Derek, you should join. You already got the look." Another teasing look at me. These guys should really be comedians.
"Um, not really my scene, thanks. I'm more of a baseball kind of guy," Derek answers, shrugging as he munches on Scott's food.
"That's a shame. You'd be a good addition. Stiles kind of just keeps the bench warm for us-" Seriously? Is it pick on Stiles in front of the hot new guy day? Because I didn't get the memo. "And the coach is always talking on ears off about recruiting new members."
"You can still come to the games," Lydia chimes in, batting her thick eyelashes. "Allison and I always sit on the bleachers anyway, keeping Stiles company and cheering everyone on." She smiles widely at him, using her cheeriest, flirtiest voice. She would have made a great cheerleader if that stuff wasn't 'totally below her'.
I glare at her. "Why is everyone picking on me today? I don't need company. And I play. Sometimes. Who was it again who made the last shot last game?"
"Um. Scott," Lydia looks at me like I'm an idiot. I am an idiot.
"But who told him how?" I wish Lydia could tell that I'm just trying to impress Derek. Or, at least not look like a total fool. I thought girls were good at picking up on that kind of thing.
"I'm pretty sure it was the coach who said that," Isaac cuts in, grinning at me. Of course, Isaac gets it. And of course, he wants to sabotage me.
"Isaac, there's a bug in your food," I dismiss him, sneering at his stupid boyish good looks. He is definitely not as innocent as he seems.
"Anyway," Lydia continues, shooting a look at me. "You should totally come. It's lots of fun. And there's a game tomorrow?" She gives him the patented Lydia smile and I know he's caught. Nobody can resist her.
"Sure," he sighs, still looking a bit uncomfortable. I feel for the guy, but I don't know what to do that won't make it worse. I'm kind of bad with that sort of thing.
"So, Derek, anybody catch your eye so far?" Danny asks, his smile friendly. You can always count on Danny to be nice. When he's not busy checking you out in what he thinks is subtly, but really isn't, that is.
Which he's doing to Derek right now.
"Uh, not really. I've only been here for a couple hours, though. I don't think I need to worry about that," Derek answers, briefly looking up and catching my eye. Woah. What was that? Should I read into that? Was that a 'you're the only one here not checking me out so I'm not afraid to look at you' look? (Even though, I totally was. I just know how to be careful about it.) Or was that a 'hey, let's fuck repeatedly in different positions' look? They both kind of looked the same.
Or maybe it was just a look.
"Well, if you see anyone you like, I can hook you up. All I have to say is that you know me and any girl you want will have her pants off by the end of the night," Jackson speaks up for the first time in the conversation. I know he is only doing it so that Derek will be off the market so that Lydia will stay away, but still. Derek didn't know that.
"Um… Thanks?" Derek says, his eyebrows slanting down. I laugh at his expression and soon he's looking at me again. And his eyes are really beautiful. No wonder everyone is already heads over feet for him, even though he's said about ten words all day.
Which, I'm not. Heads over feet, that is. Like I said, I'm not gay. I'm just a straight man admiring another straight man's beauty. Nothing wrong with that.
But, wait. Is he straight? Sure, he said thanks when Jackson offered to help him with girls, but still. Who knows?
Maybe he's bisexual. Or pansexual. Or multisexual. It all just confuses me, there are way too many sexualities. Can't we all just be sexual?
"So, Derek, what class do you have next?" I ask him, striving for a friendly smile. I get more of a grimace.
"Uh…Math. Calculus, I think." He finally takes a bite of Scott's sandwich and then makes a face. I don't blame him. I know Ms. McCall is too busy to make Scott lunch and he himself isn't a very good cook. Even making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
"Seriously? Me too," I say, smiling uneasily. I don't know if that's a good thing or not, because he still has a scowl on his face. "I'll show you where it is."
He simply nods and then pointedly looks over to Danny, paying over exaggerated attention to his sports story. I'm noticing he does that a lot. I mean, I get it. He doesn't want to talk to me. Cool. Not many people do. But he doesn't have to be rude about it.
So, I turn and tell Lydia I like her shirt, which turns into a fifteen minute rant, just like I knew it would. And I make sure to not once look over at the grump next to me.
Even though I can feel the heat of his gaze on me.
xXx
Finally. The day is over. It feels like summer never even happened.
Scott is getting a ride with Jackson- when they became chummy enough to give rides, I don't know. Jackson always hated Scott. He's probably manipulating him or some stupid shit- and I decide to just walk home. Nobody could pay me enough to take a ride from Jackson. Plus, I like fresh air, despite popular belief.
As I'm walking, I see a black Camaro driving slowly beside me out of the corner of my eye. I grasp the pepper spray my dad gave me a couple years ago- who knows what possessed him to give a hyperactive thirteen-year old mace; it resulted in many, many trips to the principal's office- that is in my jacket pocket. But, when I go to look at the maybe-predator, I get so surprised, I stumble over my feet.
It's Derek Hale and he's smirking at me and I just know he caught that little graceful move right there.
"Uhhh. Hi?" I say, still walking. I then sigh; it had been so peaceful. He crinkles his eyebrows at me.
"Do you want a ride?" He offers, placing sunglasses in front of those perfect eyes. Which is probably good, because I wouldn't have been able to deny him if I could see them.
"No, I'm fine," I smile at him. He sighs like he doesn't believe me and keeps moving his car beside me.
"Look, I'm sorry that I was kind of rude to you today. I'm not good at…Socialization," he says, his brows pointed down. I have to grin at that.
"I can tell. But don't worry- neither am I." I am aware that I am slowing my pace, yet I do nothing to stop it.
"That's not true," he argues. "You have all of those friends." I laugh at that and he stares at me, confused.
"The only friends I really have are Scott and Erica. Allison hangs out with me because she is going out with Scott. Lydia hangs out with me because Allison is there. Jackson is there because Lydia is there, Danny is there because of Jackson. Boyd hangs out with us because of Erica. Isaac hangs out because of Boyd, Erica, and Scott. I really don't have many friends, trust me." Aware of how pathetic that sounds, I look down at the ground. But I don't speed up.
"Maybe, one day… we could be friends," he stutters, his lips pressed tightly together in a sort-of smile.
"Maybe one day," I agree and he nods sharply. "Bye, Derek."
"Bye, Stiles," he says quietly and then speeds off. I shake my head gently as I keep walking. What a strange guy.
Oh, the irony in that.