Author's Note: I do not own any of the Teen Wolf characters, the only characters I take ownership of are Sage Ackley and her family. Enjoy! (Also yay Sage and Stiles interactions)

Chapter 3

Sage never got a chance to put up glowing stars when she was a kid; she was never in a home long enough to put up stars. It had always been something she wanted to, she would sometimes imagine the light that flickered from her childhood nightlight would be her glowing stars, but it was never the same. Now that she was in a room, her room, and she could see what she had been missing out on all those years. Little glows of light filled her ceiling and Sage couldn't help the smirk that took over her tired features, yes the real thing was always better. It must have been hours that Sage was staring at her ceiling letting Dr. Deaton's speech absorb into her skin, etching every word into her mind, analyzing every sentence. After his proclamation, he asked Sage to go home get some rest and think about it. He wanted this to be her choice and if she decided to do as her aunt asked and learn the basics he would teach her just that. However, if she wanted to learn about her power, well then he could teach her more than she ever thought possible. Blowing out a shaky breath Sage could feel the prickle of tears on the edge of her eyes and it wasn't long before the familiar patter of rain started hitting her window. Soon her eyes got heavy, and Sage was able to cry herself to sleep, too tired to care about the dreaded nightmares that awaited her.

Sage's alarm shot her awake and for the first time since her father's death Sage wasn't sweating profusely and her heart wasn't racing, today she woke up refreshed and groggy like every other teenager. A huge grin busted across her mouth taking pride in the fact that she was able to sleep all night without a single scream. Hopping out of her bed in a better mood than ever, Sage made her way to her closet trying to decide on what to wear her first day. It didn't take long until clothes were thrown all around her room, and Sage was pacing in front of her mirror, frustrated with everything she owned. Deciding to take a break from her grueling task Sage rushed to the shower letting the hot water scold her skin and the steam to engulf her lungs. After her rejuvenating shower, Sage padded to her room finally set on and outfit. Deciding on a gray loose tank top tucked into her favorite pair of black denim high waisted shorts with a long forest green cardigan, unbuttoned, hanging off her shoulders. Sage shoved her socked cover feet into a pair of worn black converse and took a moment to look over her outfit smiling at how rested she look. Deciding to wear her hair in natural long waves, Sage applied her face powder adding a black liner to her lids leaving a small, winged tip at the edges. Applying some mascara and her favorite nude lip gloss, she decided her face was on and ready to go. Sage added her father's old necklace; it was a simple silver chain with a single pendant of a wooden oak tree. Happy with her look Sage grabbed her black messenger bag and headed to the kitchen taking the steps two at a time, her body craving coffee. Shooting past her aunt who was reading the Beacon Hills newspaper eyes furrowed in worry, Sage grabbed her favorite mug filling it the brim then went to the cupboard to grab a couple of pop tarts. Once satisfied with her breakfast Sage took a seat next to her aunt digging into her feast.

"Well someone looks they had a good night's sleep."

Joyce's voice was hopeful as she looked at her niece's face. The usual dark rings that took residence under her eyes weren't there, and she was sporting a full smile instead of her usual sarcastic grin.

"I slept great, no nightmares." Shrugging her shoulders trying make it seem like it was no big deal.

"Well good, you need all the rest you can get for your or should I say our first day."

Sending a grin at her aunt Sage mockingly rolled her eyes at the older woman.

"You'll do great Joyce I don't know anyone who can give advice quite like you can."

Joyce tried to fight the grin that was starting to fill her face, but it was no use; she was a sucker when it came to Sage.

"Whatcha reading?" Sage's voice was light, but Joyce knew all to well that the younger woman caught her distressed look earlier.

"Last night a couple of joggers found a body in the woods, there aren't a lot of details, it says they have people in custody, or it was a possible animal attack." Joyce's voice dropped low at animal attack, and Sage knew instantly what she was thinking.

"You think it's wolves?"

Nodding her head, Joyce closed the paper and sighed deeply before turning towards her niece a look of worry etched across her face.

"You remember our promise right, no getting involved just focus on your studies."

"I know, I won't, I promise. I'll leave the supernatural and the teenage counseling to you."

Joyce gave her a sharp nod in acceptance before getting up to grab the rest of her things but before she was out of the room she turned back to Sage a look of horror on her face.

"I completely forgot to ask how yesterday went? I was going to ask when I got in but it was late, and you were sleeping."

Sage choked a bit on her coffee at Joyce's question, not sure if she should answer honestly or keep it to herself.

"It went great, I met a guy who's in my grade who works there after school, his name is Scott. Then afterward, Deaton just showed me some basic herbs, nothing exciting." Sage made a snap decision to keep it to herself.

"Good, I'm glad you liked it."

And with no other questions her aunt made it up the stairs, and Sage let out a breath she hadn't even realized she was holding. Sage hated lying to her aunt, but she had a feeling that if she told her what Deaton had said she wouldn't be able to go back to the vet, and she wasn't ready for that. Last night she made the decision that she was going to take him up on his offer and maybe after she had some control she could let her aunt in on the know. Finishing her coffee, Sage read the paper her aunt left behind, her stomach squeezing at the speculation of it being an animal, oh if they only knew.

It didn't take long before her aunt was clapping down the stairs in a pencil skirt, basic white blouse and a pair of black heels. Blowing out a whistle to her aunt Sage had to duck as Joyce threw one of many pens at her head, clearly unamused by Sages cat calling. Chuckling uncontrollably both ladies made their way out the front door and into their different cars, Sage would have just driven with her aunt but since she had work after school, she was stuck driving herself. Putting the car in reverse Sage made her way to Beacon Hills high. It was a pretty beautiful drive, seeing how most of the roads were lined with thick trees, but Sage was too busy nervously chewing on her thumb to even notice. Sure she had been the new girl many times but even with all her practice it never made it any easier. Being new was awkward and lonely, she would have to watch on as her peers all got to laugh, joke, or even complained to old friends, something she had never known. At least this first day she would have a somewhat familiar face to get to English with, if nothing else.

Putting her car into park next to a sky blue jeep Sage took a shaky breath and made her way towards what she guessed was the bus drop off. Her hazel eyes scanned for familiar brown ones but came up empty, so instead she looked for shaggy hair and saw him instantly. Scotts back was towards her, and he seemed to be in a very animated conversation with a boy who wore a buzz cut and had a pale complexion. The boy he was talking to was actually kind of cute. Sage shook her head at her thoughts and then decided she could look but not touch.

Walking towards Scott she made it about halfway when she heard the boy next to Scott announce pretty loudly "A wolf bit you?" Sage's stomach sunk, and head started to swirl.

"Uh huh."

Sage shook her head, this could not be happening, deciding quickly Sage hid behind a concrete pillar as they walked towards the front continuing their conversation.

"No, not a chance."

"Ok well, I heard a wolf howling."

The buzz cut friend shocks his head before answering jerkily. "No, you didn't."

"What do you mean no I didn't. How do you know what I heard."

Both boys stopped and moved towards a rack of bikes, Scott looking around, probably looking for her.

"Cause California doesn't have wolves, there haven't been any in like sixty years."

"Really?"

Scott seemed shock and Sage gave a nod in agreeance even if he couldn't see her.

"Yes, really there are no wolves in California."

"Ok, if you're not going to believe me about the wolf you're not gonna believe me that I found the body."

"Really?!"

Sage decided now was a good of time as any to make her appearance and walked from around the pillar and filling the short space to Scott before she could change her mind. Stepping behind him, Sage could see his friend standing there a little-opened mouth, apparently shocked at seeing a girl approach Scott. Tapping on his shoulder Scott spun to face her and gave her a one dimpled grin.

"Sage hey, I was wondering where you were at."

Smiling tightly Sage took a quiet breath in to calm her nerves.

"Yea sorry I got lost a bit this campus is huge."

Scotts friend next to him started hitting him pretty hard on the shoulder clearly annoyed about being left out of this conversation.

"Oh sorry, uh Sage this is my friend Stiles, Stiles this is my well my coworker Sage."

Scott fumbled on the last bit, unsure whether to call her a friend or not. Smiling at the infamous Stiles, Sage gave him a small wave.

"I've heard a lot about you." Sage couldn't help but laugh as the boy gawked at Scott, concerned with what his friend had said about him.

"I'm sure Scott painted me out to be the angle I am."

Scott rolled his eyes at the boy, and Sage let out another giggle and was rewarded with a full blown smile from Stiles. Wait, Sage Ackley did not giggle, she laughed and smiled but she did not giggle. Shaking her head a bit at the notion Sage shifted her eyes from Stiles chestnut ones and focused back on Scott.

"We should probably get to English before the bell, c' mon."

Scott motioned for her to follow him, and Sage ended up sandwiched between Scott and Stiles until they reached the hallway where the trio was able to spread out.

"Are you in English with us Stiles?"

When she turned her head to direct her question to the boy, she caught him clearly staring at her, and she had to force herself from grinning like an idiot.

"Um yup, I will uh be there along with you and my Scotty boy."

Sage gave a nod before turning her head back in front of her unsure what to make of the boys next to her. She was pretty nervous for Scott, mostly if he had heard howling and was bitten then there was a pretty big possibility that he was on the verge of being a shapeshifter. Sage shook her head at the irony of it all and went into preparation mode. If he were a werewolf Sage would have to leave hints around, she needed him to know sooner rather than later especially if the full moon was on Friday. Also, she would have to tell Deaton and Joyce because teenage wolves were a lot different the full grown wolves. Sages mind was still swirling when Scott shook her a bit, caught in distraction.

"Huh, sorry what'd you say?"

"Which lunch do you have? If you want, you can sit with us."

Sage looked up at both boys, somehow they made it to English and were standing outside the door waiting for the class to be let in.

"I have second lunch what about you guys."

Stiles was the one to answer this time.

"Same as us! So we can all meet outside the lunch room, cool?"

Smiling brightly at the kind boys Sage was relieved that she wouldn't have to sit alone. "Yea that's perfect, thanks, guys."

Sage could see the redness rising in Stiles' cheek as Scott shrugged in nonchalance, Sage couldn't help but be a little relieved that she made Stiles kind of nervous since he made her very nervous. Once the doors opened the three of them entered class taking seats in the back, Scott sitting across from Stiles while Sage took a place behind the twitchy boy. Once class started the teacher began to drone on about the body found in the woods, and she could see Scott and Stiles give each other a small smirk in pride. Sage had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the obvious boys. If Scott was on his way to be a wolf she was going to have to teach him about stealth.

Class started, and Sage kept her eyes on Scott, looking for any sign that he was feeling the effects. His first give away happened when his eyes squeezed shut, and his face scrunched in distress, looking around in confusion. Sage couldn't help but start chewing on her thumb, this was not good. Just as she was about to ask if he was okay, the door opened and in walked the vice principle. A girl their age who had medium length wavy brown hair and brown eyes, she seemed nervous, and Sage realized she wasn't the only new girl today.

"Class this is out new student Allison Argent, please make her feel welcome."

With that, the vice principle was closing the door leaving Allison to find the last empty seat behind Scott and across from Sage. Once in her seat Sage saw Scott swivel around with a pen in hand looking like a love sick puppy. Without thinking Sage tapped on Stiles' shoulder like they had been friends for years. Stiles swiveled his head around a little surprised and Sage's throat clogged on her breath as she met his chestnut eyes. Jerking her head shyly in Scotts direction, Stiles looked over to his close friend, catching him grinning like a fool. Turning back to her Stiles gave her a small smirk and a wink that made Sages heart flutter a little too much before he was turning his attention back the front.

Chewing on her bottom lip Sage forced herself to calm her beating heart, what the hell had she gotten into?