Author's Notes: I do not own any of the Teen Wolf characters the only characters I take ownership of are Sage Ackley and her family! Enjoy!

Chapter 4

Once English was over Sage decided it would be a good idea to befriend the new girl so turning towards Allison she gave her a small wave.

"So I figured as a fellow new student it's my duty to introduce myself, I'm Sage and just moved here from Washington, you?"

Allison gave her a huge smile clearly relieved that she wasn't the only transplant.

"Allison and we just moved from San Francisco. What's your next class?"

"Biology you?"

Another bright smile crossed the brown haired girl, and Sage had a feeling they were going to hit off well.

"Same. Do you know where it is?"

Shaking her head no Sage threw her thumb at the Stiles and Scott, who were at the door trying to look like they were not listening in to their conversation.

"Those two have been showing me around; I'm sure they can help us get to bio."

Allison nodded her head shyly as she look over to Scott and Sage could see a small pink starting to rise to her cheeks. Grabbing her bag off the floor Sage made her way out the door with Allison on her tale to the two dorks leaning oh so casually on the lockers.

"Hey guys, so is it cool if you guys show us to Biology?"

Both the boys nodded their heads so quickly; Sage was sure they would pop off.

"Ok lead the way."

Stiles walked up next to Sage pushing her shoulder softly in the right direction making her stomach clench a bit, and Sage wanted to kick herself for acting like such a girl. Behind them a few feet away Scott and Allison were grinning like little kids at each other, both rocking rose colored cheeks.

"So how do you like Beacon so far?"

Sage was ripped from her staring and forced to look at Stiles' face, and she felt the heat rise to her cheeks a bit.

"Its been good so far I guess. I've only been here three days, so I can't comment on it yet." Sage sent him a small smile on the last bit.

"Well, I do warn you it's pretty boring, the body in the woods is the most exciting thing to happen to this town since ever."

"Oh, I doubt that."

Stiles gave her a raised brow at her words but shrugged it off. Sage kicked herself mentally for sounding so stupid so opted for silence as they finished their walk to bio. Sneaking a glance at Stiles she found him trying to check her out but when he got to her face, his brown eyes met her hazel ones, evidently caught. Tripping on his own two feet he cleared his throat loudly, and Sage couldn't hold in her full belly laugh and soon Stiles was thrown into a laughing fit too. Once they got to her class Stiles gave her small wave with a reminder to meet at lunch and waited for Scott to say his goodbyes to Allison. The foursome separated, and once Sage was seated behind Allison, the girl instantly started asking questions.

"So if you're new how'd you meet Scott and his friend?"

"Well I met Scott yesterday at work, and he said he would show me around so this morning we met up and that's how I now know Stiles."

Allison gave her a nod of understanding and started to turn back towards the front but ended up staling clearly at war in her head, her curiosity winning out Allison faced Sage with a somewhat guilty face.

"Scott is interesting isn't he."

The question was more of a statement and Sage smiled at the nervous girl.

"Yea I guess interesting is a good way to put it."

Allison nodded before adding "And Stiles is a bit…" her voice dropped off apparently trying to put a label on the jittery boy and before Sage could stop herself she was answering for Allison. "Quirky."

Allison laughed at Sage's pink cheeks and Sage gave her a roll of her eyes trying to play off the fact that she had actually thought about Stiles a little more than she should have but soon was joining in with the laughter because honestly Sage couldn't resist a laugh, even if it were at herself. Once the teacher walked in both girls turned their attention the porky man and soon they were diving into Biological Structure and Organization, which made Sage inwardly groan and opted for zoning out for the next hour.

Once the bell released her from Biology hell, Sage found herself following Allison to her locker, both laughing and sharing stories of horrible moves. Sage was ecstatic to meet someone who moved as much as she had and for once on the first day of school she didn't feel so much of an outsider. It was while Sage was leaning next to Allison's locker that she found a strawberry blonde bouncing her way over to Allison, clearly intrigued.

"That jacket is absolutely killer. Where'd you get it?"

Sage let a smirk fall on her face at the new girls attitude; she was confident and apparently considered the 'it' girl in this school. Sage looked over at Allison, who was a bit at a loss from being so abruptly talked to but recovered quickly and shut her locker before turning and answering the girl.

"My mom was a buyer for a boutique back in San Francisco."

The perfectly manicured girl raised her brow obviously impressed before smiling brightly and pointing a finger towards Allison.

"And you are my new best friend. I'm Lydia."

"Allison and this is Sage."

Allison pointed to her, and Lydia turned her eyes for the first time to Sage. Taking in her outfit from head to toe then scrutinizing her makeup and hair she finally gave a small nod in approval.

"Well, it's about time we got some fashion inept girls in this school I was seriously considering private school if things didn't turn around."

Sage laughed at the comment and Lydia gave her a small smirk that was soon turned into a full smile when a very fit and attractive boy wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He had a confidence about him that screamed rich boy and though he was hott Sage could tell the minute he spoke he was an ass.

"Look what we got here, fresh meat."

Sage had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the smug tone of his voice and instead looked around the halls trying to find some solace.

"Jackson, this is Allison and Sage. Allison and Sage this is Jackson."

Jackson gave the girls a small nod before turning Lydia into his embrace to devour her mouth, and Sage wanted to gag. She wasn't a prude by any means and usually didn't blanch at the sight of PDA, but Sage could have gone her whole life never having to hear the sounds of Lydia and Jackson making out. Sharing a look with Allison both girls snickered at the pair before they broke apart and focused their attention back at the two of them.

"So you coming to practice after school?"

Sage's ears perked at Jackson statement silently hoping it was some kind of sporting event. Sage could not play a sport to save her life, but she loved watching sports. The sport usually changed from school to school, but the love for a team never did, it was consent in every school she had been at and she found herself craving that consistency.

"Like football?" Allison's tone was innocent, but Jackson clearly took the question as an insult.

"No here its lacrosse."

"Well, thats a first." All eyes fell onto Sage as she spoke for the first time since Lydia walked up, all a bit confused at her statement.

"I just meant I've been through a lot of schools, and usually it's the generic football, soccer or basketball. So lacrosse should be an interesting change of pace."

Sage's voice died a bit at the end of her sentence a bit embarrassed to have rambled on so much but she was soon being given looks of approval for Jackson and Lydia and was relieved that she hadn't made an ass out of herself quite yet.

"Well, it's settled then we'll all sit together at practice."

Allison shrugged her shoulders in acceptance and Sage nodded her head before looking around the hallway for Stiles and Scott. She liked Lydia and could somewhat tolerate Jackson, but she really didn't want to be stuck with them for the remainder of the day. Her eyes caught on over the top hand gestures and smiled when she saw Stiles talking to Scott. Apparently trying to explain something but Scotts eyes were trained on Allison, a frown on his face unimpressed by their company.

"So are coming, Sage?" Lydia's question brought her back to the threesome in front of her, and she shook her head out a bit hoping it would help her focus.

"Sorry, I missed that. What was the question?"

Lydia rolled her eyes clearly displeased having to repeat herself.

"Friday I'm having a party are you coming?"

Sage hated high school parties, she had been to enough of them to know it was always the same story, everyone gets drunk on cheap booze and grinds to crappy music.

"Um I think I have to work that night but if I can get out early enough, I'll head over."

It wasn't an outright no, but it wasn't a yes either and Lydia glared a bit before accepting her answer with a sharp nod. Deciding now was the best time to make her escape, Sage tighten her grip on her bag before pushing herself from the lockers.

"So I guess I'll meet up with you guys after school?"

Allison gave her a confused look but once Sage nodded in the direction of Scott and Stiles she gave her a small knowing smile. Lydia took the opportunity to link arms with Allison a little put out by Sage's flippant goodbye but gave her an affirmative nod and giving her instructions where to meet them before dragging Allison and Jackson towards the cafeteria. Sage let out a small breath before heading in Scott and Stiles direction. Both boys were engrossed in a conversation with each other, Scott's face hidden by his locker while Stiles leaned against the lockers, back facing her. Deciding to sneak up on the pair Sage made her way over quietly before she was right behind them, both completely oblivious to her presence as they finished their conversation.

"Because they're hott Scott, and beautiful people heard together."

Sage's heart jumped at the statement, was he speaking exclusively about Allison and Lydia or was she in the category as well? Scotts head snapped up locking eyes on Sage, clearly caught sneaking up on them and Sage gave him a questioning look. Did he hear her heart beat go up and if so did that mean the bite had worked? Sage's mind was about to swirl again before Scott spoke up in a cracked voice.

"Sage hey we uh didn't see you there."

At the mention of her name Stiles was spinning on his heel and jumped out of his skin seeing the girl he was talking about standing right behind him.

"Uh hey, Sage um we were just talking about um about homework because we have a Psychology elective, and it's just homework."

Stiles rambling made Sage more confused than ever, and it took her a minute to realize that he was covering for his statement earlier. Sage found herself smiling a the boy for what felt like the millionth time today.

"I think if you're talking about groups of people it will fall under Sociology, not Psychology."

Stiles gave her an impressed look before clearing his throat in embarrassment at being caught.

"Ok, you got us we were talking about your new group of friends."

"Ah yes, Lydia and Jackson, quite the duo."

Stiles' face went a little dreamy at the mention of Lydia's name, and Sage had to bite the inside of her cheek, of course, he would be pining over the beautiful Lydia. Sage shook her head a bit at the notion but decided it was for the best at least now she could stop herself from forming any kind of crush on Stiles. Sure he was very cute and seemed like a good guy but if he was into someone else, there was no way Sage was going to waste her time.

"So are we going to lunch or are we gonna hang out at Scotts locker the whole time?"

Both the boys smirked at her light tone before Scott shut his locker and lead the group to the cafeteria. The three of them got in line, Scott and Stiles opting to pile massive amounts of food on their trays while Sage went with a wrapped deli sandwich and a bag of chips. After paying the three of them found an empty table by a large window. Once seated both boys started to shovel food into their mouths like it was a competition, and Sage couldn't help but look on with mild appreciation. The table was pretty quiet as the boys ate, but both were done in record time, and soon the three of them fell into light chatter.

"So do you guys play lacrosse? From what I hear it's the 'it' sport around here."

Both boys shared a look before Stiles answered a bit vaguely.

"Well, it depends on your definition of 'play.'"

Sage gave him a confused look before answering slowly. "Play as in do you guys also toss a ball with netted sticks?"

Scott answered before Stiles could argue the word play with her. "Yeah, we're on the team."

"But we don't actually play we usually get the grueling task of keeping the bench warm."

Stiles finished the sentence not bothered that he didn't get to play on the field, but Scott's face was harden with determination clearly not happy with his position.

"No this year I will not be on that bench I'm going to play."

Sage gave him a warm smile at his proclamation but soon her smile was fading as her overactive imagination took over about his looming predicament. He had no idea what would be coming, and it made Sage sad for him. He didn't deserve this curse, she had only known him for a total of two days, but Sage could practically feel the good that came from Scott, he deserved better.

"I hope it doesn't rain before practice we got enough of it on Sunday."

At his words, Sage whipped her head towards the window and could see the leaves blowing in the wind and a thick gray starting to settle over the sky. Standing abruptly Stage shouldered her bag and grabbed her notebook on the table before looking at the confused boys sitting still.

"Uh I just remembered I have to meet up with my aunt before my next class. I'll see you guys at your practice."

Pushing her chair in she gave them a wave before heading out the cafeteria and towards the guidance office taking deep breaths as she walked quickly. Sage hated her lack of control she should have checked her emotions before she started her spiral of sadness for Scott. She let her feelings get the best of her, and now there were storm clouds threatening to bombard the school with rain. Sage had gotten too comfortable in Washington. There she could let her emotions run freely without much notice but in the bright California it could get suspicious and the last thing they needed was the wrong person taking notice. Her aunts door was open, so Sage rushed in before closing it softly giving her aunt a dishearten stare.

"Come here." was all Joyce said as she got off her chair and clasped Sage's hands before humming the only song that brought Sage back to a place of balance.

"Lean on me, when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long

'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on."

Sage took another deep breath and closed her eyes as her aunt continued to sing the song softly and soon Sage found herself singing along to the familiar tune.

"Please swallow your pride

If I have faith, you need to borrow

For no one can fill those of your needs

That you won't let show."

Sages' mind was flooded with memories of her father singing it to her when she was little, and her emotions would get the best of her. He would grab her into a hug and sing it softly into her ear before her tears would stop and then he'd make her sing it with him until whichever natural disaster she cursed them with would subside. It soon became the only thing that would calm her when she was in hysterics and up to the moment he died he could be the only person to pull her from the brink of destruction. The day he was killed Sage had sent the state into tornado watch, mind and body to numb to stop what her emotions had started. People were ripped from their homes, and it was all because Sage couldn't hold it together, she was also pretty sure there were a couple of fatalities even though her aunt swore that nobody had died. It was during this night that she heard her aunt's voice through the door singing the familiar song. At first it did nothing but the more she sang it, the more Sage felt herself coming back to her body, and by the tenth try she was singing along and the tornadoes had all but disappeared. After that day Sage vowed to herself that she would never let anything like that happen again and for the most part she was able to stay present with nothing more than the occasional rainstorm slipping through and usually she wouldn't need her song but she didn't want to ruin lacrosse practice her new friends were looking forward too.

"Lean on me, when you're not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long

'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on."

Joyce finished the song and Sage peeled her eyes open looking out her window to see bright skies and leaves stilled. Blowing her breath out Sage gave her aunt a sad smile before dropping her hands and taking a seat at one of the chairs facing her desk. Joyce studied her a minute before taking the seat opposite to hers before speaking.

"You don't usually ask for help when it's a mere rainstorm."

Even though it was a statement, Sage knew she would be expected to answer the unasked question of why.

"I know it's just I've met some friends, and they have this lacrosse thing and I didn't want to ruin it."

Joyce nodded at her answer before giving her a soft smile. Joyce felt for niece she knew how hard it had been for her brother to be an elemental, but even his powers weren't affected as much by his emotions, but with her niece her emotions controlled her powers completely. She was tethered to it and she could see Sage struggle to keep herself in a place of control.

"So are you going to tell me what got you upset in the first place?"

Sage looked at her aunt's soft face, and she was torn. If she told her aunt, then she would for sure go into protective mode making sure that Sage was out of harms way, and that could mean cutting her friendship with Scott in the bud. However if she didn't tell her then it would be a disservice to Scott because Sage knew her aunt and she knew without a doubt that Joyce would do whatever she could to help him especially since he was no older than her. Just a kid who didn't deserve this curse. Sighing Sage nodded her head before starting.

"Yeah ok. I'm pretty sure, my friend Scott, is well I think he might be transitioning."

Joyce gave her a confused look unsure what she was talking about. Giving her aunt another sad look Sage down casted her eyes before saying the aloud the thought she had been mulling over all day.

"I think Scott is transitioning into a werewolf."