Chapter 7: Competition and Punishment
On Monday morning Scott was sitting in his first period when Coach Finstock came into the classroom. His eyes focused on Scott. "Excuse me, can I borrow Mr. McCall for a second?" He asked.
"Uh, sure, Scott." Mr. Loe sighed.
Scott glanced at Stiles before walking out of the room with his coach. "What is it, sir?" He coughed stuffing his hands in his pockets.
"Its been brought to my attention that your grades aren't what they should be." Finstock explained looking down at his clipboard.
"What? But, coach, I'm passing all my classes!"
"Actually you're barely passing all your classes. I just want to warn you if your grades don't improve or we have another incident like we did at last week's game you will no longer be captain." Finstock said walking away from the stunned student.
Michelle was not paying attention to any of her lessons. Her first track meet was after school and she couldn't think about anything else. Coach Simpson had told everyone to keep hydrated so Michelle was carrying a full water bottle in her purse all day. Looking down at her scribbled notes she heard what sounded like 'test,' 'Friday,' and then she heard her name. "Huh?" Michelle exclaimed, her head snapping up from her book.
"Have you been listening to anything I've been saying?" Mrs. Kayne asked.
"We're having a test on Friday?" Michelle chuckled nervously.
Just as the History teacher was about to say something else the bell rang. "Michelle's right, you all have a test on Friday. See you tomorrow."
Taking a big sigh of relief Michelle gathered her books and filed out of the room with the other students. In the hallway she took a big gulp of water as she looked around for her friends. Finally she saw a dark head of hair. "Lynne!" She called walking over to the row of lockers.
"Hey, so Taylor and I are excited to see you kick ass today." Lynne smiled putting a white, graffitied notebook in her shoulder bag.
"Thanks, I just hope Kevin and Antonio don't cause a scene."
Lynne looked down the hall noticing the two with Jackson and a new guy. "Hey, who's that?" She asked pointing to the dark haired boy. He was shorter than all of them, with pale skin. He looked almost scared to be around them.
"I'm not sure, I haven't really noticed him before." Michelle whispered looking the boy up and down. "He looks a little younger than them, doesn't he?"
Lynne nodded, feeling someone bump her on her hip. "Hey," Taylor smiled. "what are we talking about?"
Michelle pointed down the hall to Jackson and his pack members. "Do you know who that kid is?"
Taylor examined the boy, pointing to him like she knew who he was. "Yeah, I saw him in the tutoring center all the time last year. I'm pretty sure Violet was helping him with his Algebra." She explained. "You don't think..."
"That Joseph is already replaced? We don't know but it sure looks that way." Lynne sighed. "Can you ask her what his name is?"
"Yeah I was heading that way now, I'll let you guys know." She said before walking away.
Lynne smiled slightly seeing her boyfriend walk through the hallway's doors. "I'll see you later." She mumbled to Michelle shutting her locker.
Scott was still upset over what his coach had told him earlier that day. How could he have known his grades were slipping? Sure he was a teacher but Finstock never really paid attention to his players grades unless they were really failing, or not attending class period, and Scott was sure he was passing everything. "Hey," He heard in front of him making him stop. He finally smiled seeing his girlfriend in front of him. "You ok?" Lynne asked rubbing his upper arm.
"Yeah, I'm fine...its just I think someone told Finstock I was close to failing all my classes."
Lynne raised an eyebrow. "But I help you study to make sure you pass all your tests."
"I know, thats why I think someone put a bug in his ear about it. Otherwise he would have never found out. If I really start failing there goes my captainship."
"Well I can help you with your assignments more if you want."
Scott sighed resting a hand on her waist. "I appreciate that but you're already busy with the paper, I don't want to be another burden on you."
"You wouldn't."
"Yes I would, look I'll find someone to help me." He smirked giving her a quick kiss. "Walk you to class?"
Lynne nodded as he took her hand. Allison stood at her locker, watching them as they walked away. She had heard their conversation, but what could she really do about it? "Hey girlie." Lydia said leaning on the lockers. "What are you staring at?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing, just heard something and I don't know what to think of it." She explained shutting her locker door.
"Well what did you hear?"
"Remember what you told me? About Scott's grades?" She saw Lydia nod her head. "Apparently someone told Finstock. There's a chance he could lose his captainship."
Lydia pursed her lips, flicking her red hair over her shoulder. "Well you're smart, you help him."
Allison scoffed. "Somehow I'm not sure his girlfriend would like that."
"You're helping him with his grades not sleeping with him, how could she get mad at you?"
"Very easily actually."
Lydia sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "Look you've been wondering if Scott still has feelings for you ever since school started. And if I have to listen to you complain about this one more time I'm going to pull my eyelashes out one by one. This is your chance to find out if his feelings are still the same."
Allison was shocked, but she knew her friend was right. "Fine, but I better talk to Lynne about it first."
Taylor walked into the tutoring center searching for Violet, which wasn't hard considering she liked to dye her hair bright red on a regular basis. "Hey Vi," Taylor whispered taking a seat at the table trying not to disturb students at the next table.
"Oh, hey Taylor, I haven't seen you in here in a while." Violet smiled brushing her bangs out of her eyes.
"Yeah I know, I don't have as many assignments as I used to." She explained. "I actually wanted to ask you a question. Remember that kid you tutored last year? Kind of lanky, was failing Algebra, he always seemed to have this lost puppy expression."
"Oh yeah, I remember him. What about him?"
"I was just wondering what his name was. It's been bugging me for a while." Taylor laughed hoping she played this off well.
Violet looked around, biting her bottom lip. "I think it was Louis Martin...he did always look like a lost puppy, didn't he?"
Nodding, Taylor pulled out her cell phone. 'Louis Martin.' She sent the text to Lynne and Michelle, now that they had a name they could try to piece together Jackson's plan.
Later that day Lynne was in the computer lab writing her lacrosse article. The paper went to print on Tuesday then would be released Wednesday morning. So far she only had one article, a well researched survey on how the cafeteria should serve more hamburgers than beef, vegetable soup. Sighing to herself Lynne rested her head on the table, the coolness somehow helped the headache she knew was coming on. Hearing a knock at the door her head shot up. "I wasn't sleeping!" She exclaimed noticing who was at the door.
"I didn't think you were," Allison chuckled. "I wanted to talk to you about something."
"Yeah, cause last time we did it went so well." Lynne muttered more to herself than to the other girl in the room. "Ok, shoot."
Allison bit her bottom lip, playing with the strap of her brown bag. "I, um, sort of overheard your conversation with Scott earlier. Look, I know I'm not your favorite person but I could...maybe...help Scott out. With his grades, I mean."
Lynne was stunned, 'How can this girl be serious?' She stood from her seat. "Ok, and why are you even offering?"
"Because Scott needs help, you don't have time..."
"Yes I do."
Allison chuckled slightly. "Yeah, I noticed that that when I walked in." She could see Lynne's eyes narrow at her. "Ok, you and I both know what being captain means to Scott. You also know it would crush him if he lost it."
Now Lynne felt bad, Allison had played the guilt card and she was feeling it. Bad. 'This girl's been around Lydia too long.' Lynne thought.
After school Taylor was the last one out of her French class, she about screamed when she felt hands around her waist. "Stiles, God, you scared me." She gasped slapping him on the chest.
"Sorry, I forgot you might be a little jumpy." He feigned hurt before taking her hand. "So I'm surprised you didn't have to work today."
"Yeah, me too." She sighed as they walked down the hall. "So I know you and Scott have practice but do you think you two can stop by the track meet after?"
"Uh, maybe, it depends on how many laps we have to run for getting kicked out of the game on Friday." He explained. "Did you by any chance notice the new guy hanging around Jackson today?"
Taylor nodded. "I was meaning to talk to you about that. I found out his name today. Louis Martin, have you heard of him?"
Stiles' eyebrows furrowed. "All I know is he's a sophomore."
"You don't think he's Joseph's replacement do you?"
"I don't know," Then Stiles remembered a certain event he saw on his calender. "Thursday night is a full moon."
"But ever since prom there hasn't been a big showdown or anything on a full moon."
"I know, but if this Louis guy is a new werewolf, he won't be able to control it. It happens to ever new beta."
Taylor looked down at the floor. "Ok, but how are we going to find that out?"
Now Stiles was stumped. "I will have to figure that out later. I'm late for practice, I'll see you later." He smirked leaning down to kiss her. "Love you."
"Love you too." She smiled watching him run off towards the boys locker room.
Michelle was tying her cleats when she heard Simpson's whistle blow. From her spot on the grass she noticed the team gather round. She didn't even need to follow, she could hear Simpson's voice from where she sat. "Ok, now I want everyone to be sure to stretch, the last thing we need is an injury." She explained.
Moving her legs out in front of her Michelle leaned forward to touch her toes. In her head she thought about Derek, now that she was grounded she wasn't sure when she would be able to see him. The Sunday after the whole incident she had been able to text him from the confines of her bedroom, she was afraid if she called her parents would be able to hear who she was talking to. She had told him about the meet but she also told him her mom and dad were already planning on attending. Knowing Derek he was going to avoid any more confrontation with her parents.
Feeling her ponytail falling she pulled the elastic out before fixing her hair, as she pulled it back she heard someone walk up behind her. Looking up she came face to face with Kevin and Antonio. "Hey, you need some help stretching?" Kevin asked, Michelle thought she saw a perverted look on his face.
"Ew," She muttered rising from her spot on the grass.
"You heard coach, you gotta be loose for the meet." Antonio smirked, 'Ok can these guys get any creepier?' Michelle thought when she heard her name being called.
Taking a sigh of relief she saw her friends waving at her from the bleachers. Without another word she jogged away from the boys to them. "Thank you, God, now that they're on the team I feel like I can't get away from them." She whispered.
Taylor looked over to see the two betas standing with Jackson. "What's Jackson doing here? He's supposed to be at practice."
Lynne stared at the three, watching the alpha as he walked away. "There he goes...it makes you wonder what they always talk about."
"Maybe they're secretly gay." Michelle laughed crossing her arms.
The girls shared a laugh before they heard Coach Simpson's whistle blow. Saying a quick good-bye to her friends she jogged over to the rest of the team. "All right the long jump is up first, Kelly, you're on. Everyone else keep stretching."
Scott and Stiles were warming up when they were called over by Finstock. They noticed Jackson already standing with their coach. "What's up, coach?" Scott asked removing his helmet.
"Jackson here told me that you two initiated the fight Friday night." He explained. Jackson had an amused smirk on his face as Scott and Stiles' mouths fell.
"What?" Stiles exclaimed.
"Coach, I-I can assure you we did not start that fight." Scott stuttered.
"Well tell me what really happened then."
Jackson stared at them, watching them give each other confused, helpless stares. "Well?" Finstock yelled breaking the silence.
Scott sighed, wiping his forehead. "W-we can't."
"Ok then, well you two are gonna run laps after practice til you puke. Now everybody else we're running drills today so line up!" Finstock blew his whistle as he walked away.
"Way to go, McCall." Jackson smirked patting the beta's shoulder. "You did the right thing." Scott kept his head down as the alpha walked away.
Stiles watched Scott's eyes glow. "Scott, Scott, you ok?"
"Yeah," He growled. "Come on, let's get this over with."
Derek stood off in the distance, watching the track meet. He saw Taylor and Lynne, a couple rows in front of them were Michelle's parents. He was going to sit in the bleachers but when he was told they were going to be there he decided against it. Being at such distance wasn't the most ideal situation but at least he was there. He could see Michelle's number 14 on her chest, so he was happy he could at least tell which one she was. Maybe it was better she couldn't see him, her focus would be solely on what she had to do. He knew what winning meant to Michelle, and he didn't want to get in the way of that.
Taylor and Lynne eyed Michelle's newest team members, they stood off to the side of everyone else, laughing, and not really paying attention. "What are they even competing in?" Lynne asked.
"I think the boys 60 m. which is really going to be unfair seeing its just a sprint." Taylor explained leaning her arms on her knees.
Lynne sighed the wind blowing her dark hair around. "I wonder if Scott and Stiles got in trouble."
"Stiles said something about them probably having to run laps after practice so they probably won't be able to make it in time."
"How long would they have to run?"
Taylor shrugged her shoulders. "Knowing Finstock probably until their legs give out."
Their conversation was cut short when they heard a whistle blow calling who was running the 60 meter sprint. Taylor and Lynne's eyes followed Kevin and Antonio as they stepped up to the line, both had cocky smirks on their faces. When the whistle blew again all the runners took off. Michelle noticed Antonio and Kevin were running slower than everyone else. The team noticed it too, screams and shouts were heard from each direction to the boys. Slowly they started to accelerate their pace. Lynne and Taylor stood from their seats to see over the crowd. At the last stretch they saw the betas pull ahead of the other runners. Winning by a long shot.
A man behind them exclaimed. "How the hell did they do that?"
"Believe me you don't know the half of it." Lynne whispered as they took their seats.
Michelle watched the team gather around the winners. Congratulations and cheering was all she heard, but it just made her want to punch them. Sure it was an impressive win but she knew how they got it and it wasn't fair for the competitors. Now she knew it was almost her turn. Michelle was competing in the girl's 60 meter sprint. At least she didn't have to worry about any female werewolves beating her.
"Michelle's up next." Taylor announced pushing some hair behind her ear.
Lynne saw a group of people walking up the bleachers. In her head she hoped one of them would be Scott. She was snapped from her thoughts feeling Taylor poke her in her shoulder. "You ok?" She asked.
"Yeah, I just wish Scott could have come. Michelle's race is the last one."
Taylor nodded looking back out, wishing she could see the lacrosse field in the distance. "If they're not here by the time her race is done we'll go check on them, deal?"
"Deal, I have a feeling they are going to need help walking back to the locker room."
Stiles swore his body was going to fall over dead with each passing lap he and Scott were running. He had lost count at this point. Everyone else had already left and went home, but they were stuck at the field with Finstock yelling at them in the distance to run faster. "Are...we...done...yet?" He panted feeling more sweat dripping down his face.
"Not sure," Scott muttered, his endurance helping him but even he could feel himself starting to get tired.
"You know...this whole werewolf endurance really...pisses me off."
Scott laughed looking down at the dead grass under his feet. "I've officially lost count on how many we've ran."
"We were keeping count?"
Michelle held one foot behind her foot while standing on one leg, one last stretch before her race. Now she felt some nerves, her first race of the season, she wanted to start the season off with a win. Hearing the whistle blow she took her spot in the line. Bending down in a squat position she tuned everything out. She didn't hear the cheers, she didn't think about Derek or her parents, all that mattered was this race. Narrowing her eyes she waited for the whistle to blow. Finally she heard it and her feet took off on their own. It felt like she was the only one running. Michelle wasn't aware of the other runners, she knew she was in the lead but she didn't know by how much.
She could feel her legs burning, but it was a familiar feeling. Finally she crossed the finish line. A coach from the rival school held a stop watch, pressing a button each time a runner passed him. Michelle placed her hands on her knees, leaning over to catch her breath she watched everyone finish. She had won her heat by a long shot. "Michelle!" Coach Simpson yelled. "That was four seconds better than your previous record!"
"Thanks coach." Michelle sighed placing her hands on her hips.
"All right, good job today everyone, but you still have practice tomorrow at the same time. See you then." Simpson said blowing her whistle again dismissing her team.
Michelle walked over to the bench to pick up her gym bag and water bottle. As she started to walk away she heard her parents calling her name. Her mom smiled hugging her tight, but Michelle couldn't bring herself to hug her back. "You did so good, honey." Claire beamed holding her shoulders.
"Thanks," Michelle mumbled taking a swig of water.
"You keep that up you'll be a shoo in for a full scholarship." Bill smiled brightly patting his daughter on the back.
"Yup."
Claire's smile fell. "I see someone's still mad at us."
Michelle didn't say anything, just looked down at the green grass. "I see," Her father sighed. "Well, good job. You come straight home, understand?"
Michelle nodded taking another sip of water. She watched her parents walk away from her, she felt bad for being that way to them but she was still upset over the whole situation. When they were gone Taylor and Lynne walked over to her. "That was awkward." Lynne cringed.
"Tell me about it." Michelle whispered. "I'm sorry guys, I can't really hang out."
"We understand, we were gonna walk you to your car on our way to the lacrosse field." Taylor explained. "We need to make sure Stiles and Scott are still living."
"Oh that's right, they had to face Finstock today, didn't they?" She asked as they started walking towards the parking lot.
"Yeah, and I just hope they're ok." Lynne said.
Derek watched his girlfriend walk away with her friends. He felt better now knowing they were with her when he wasn't able to. As they walked away he noticed Kevin and Antonio watching them as well. The unknown irritated Derek. Not knowing what Jackson was planning. Not being able to protect Michelle and everyone else. He wasn't used to not being in control, it seemed like anything he did Jackson was one step ahead of him, or something happened no one was prepared for. Derek narrowed his eyes at the betas, knowing he couldn't really do anything at the moment he had to walk away. On his way back to his car he made a promise, he was going to do whatever it took to stop the other pack.
Taylor and Lynne made their way through the parking lot towards the lacrosse field. Student's cars were gone, only Stiles' Jeep and a beat up Ford remained as they approached the field. They heard a whistle blow and then Finstock made his way to his car. With the coach gone Lynne and Taylor ran the rest of the way. They found their boyfriends laying in the middle of the field trying to catch their breath. "You guys ok?" Lynne asked bending down next to Scott.
"So...much...running." Stiles coughed.
"Poor baby," Taylor smiled sitting beside him. Stiles moved so he could rest his head on her thigh. She didn't care if he was sweaty. "Did Jackson not have to run?"
"No he told Finstock the fight was all because of us." Scott explained sitting up, resting his arms on his knees.
"What? And you guys didn't do anything about it?" Lynne exclaimed.
"No, what could we really say?" Stiles sighed looking up at Taylor. "The reason we started fighting was because we were trying to help Jackson control his werewolf rage?"
"Good point," Lynne muttered. "So you guys just killed yourselves for something you didn't even start?"
"Pretty much," Scott groaned standing up. "and we're done, so let's go get something to eat." He smirked holding out his hand to help his girlfriend up.
"We'll catch up, I still can't feel my legs." Stiles moaned resting his arm over his eyes.
Taylor shook her head. "You guys go ahead."
Scott and Lynne nodded walking off, slowly towards the parking lot. After a couple minutes Taylor asked. "You ready to get up?"
"Nope, in fact I think I'm gonna have to sleep here tonight." He chuckled.
Ok, I've never been to a track meet so I'm not exactly sure how they go but I hope this was a good chapter anyway. Reviews are welcome :)
