"Clara, go faster!" Stiles yelled from the backseat.
I pushed my foot down on the petal, the speeding increasing; 90, 100, 105. There was a curve coming up but I didn't decelerate, I took the turn like a champ and left Kate behind rather than tailing our ass. I looked in the review mirror and could almost see her sandy blonde hair in the vehicle behind us.
"Clara!" Scott yelped from the backseat, his hand grasping the handgrip so tightly his knuckles were turning white.
I looked ahead and took another turn though not as nicely as I'd taken the previous one.
"Who the hell decided she could drive?" Stiles groaned from next to Scott.
"The person who owns this car." I smiled.
"Clara, slow down." Scott practically whined.
"I would but I don't want to see my werewolf friend get killed by my friend's aunt." I replied, I glanced in the mirrors. "Where the hell did she go?"
Scott and Stiles turned around to look out the back window.
"She's gone, that's good right?" Scott asked.
"No, that means something is wrong." I replied.
Stiles held up the radio that he had 'borrowed' from his Dad and turned up the volume.
"All units, suspect is on foot into the iron works." Sheriff Stilinski said through the radio.
"Shit, okay, hold on guys." I said.
"Clara." Scott started to say.
I whipped the car around and headed towards Derek. I considering killing Stiles the entire time there, shouting directions at me while Scott sort of cowered in the back next to him. We got closer and closer.
"Scott, werewolf hearing, tell me where to go." I yelled.
"Make a, uh, make a left!" Scott yelled as we came to a place to turn.
I pulled on the wheel, turning us sharply down an alley. We got to the end of it and I came to a brief stop next to a forklift. I threw the passenger's door open and Derek practically threw himself inside, slamming the door shut.
"Go!" Derek yelled as I took off.
We got away slightly and then the arguing started.
"What part of laying low don't you understand?" Scott yelled.
"Dammit! I had him." Derek yelled.
"The Alpha?" Stiles and I said in unison.
"Yes!" Derek yelled in an exasperated tone. "He was right in front of me and the friggin' police showed up!"
"Whoa, hey, they're just doing their jobs." Stiles said, coming up through the middle of the front seats.
I glanced over to see Stiles start to back up, Derek glaring at him.
"You need to tone down it down or I will call Kate to come pick you up." I said, narrowing my eyes slightly.
Derek scowled at me for a second then changed his annoyance to someone else.
"Thanks to someone who decided to make the most wanted fugitive in the entire state!" Derek yelled.
"Can we seriously get past that?" Scott asked. "I made a dumbass mistake. I get it."
"Alright!" Stiles said, over the two while waving his arms slightly. "How did you even find him?"
Derek was silent and pouting a little. I groaned.
"Will you just tell us?" I said, still groaning.
"Can you try to trust us for at least half a second?" Scott said.
"Yeah, all of us." Stiles stated, and then moved back in to the back seat as Derek glared at him again. "Or maybe just them, I'll be back here."
"The last time I talked to my sister, she was close to figuring something out. She found two things, first was a guy named Harris." Derek started to say.
"Our Chemistry teacher?" Stiles asked, almost jumping in to the front with us.
"Why him?" Scott asked.
"I don't know yet." Derek admitted.
"Okay, well, what's the second thing?" I asked.
"Some kind of symbol." Derek said, reaching in to his pocket and unfolding the piece of paper that he pulled out.
I glanced at the paper briefly and groaned. Scott looked at it and let out a sigh.
"What?" Derek demanded. "You know what this is?"
"I've seen it on a necklace." Scott said.
"Yeah, Allison's necklace." I screeched.
"Well, that's good then!" Stiles exclaimed. "You can just ask to borrow-"
"No." I cut him off.
"Why?" Derek demanded.
"It's a family heirloom; I can't ask to borrow it." I stated, in a tone that let them know they were idiots.
"Just steal it then!" Derek yelled at me, frustrated.
"No, I got it." Scott said.
"You've got it? I wasn't aware you were on speaking terms." I said.
"If she finds out then she'll be mad at you, I'll just do it." Scott explained.
"Scott gets the necklace and we find out what it means. Okay, good." I said.
"That's great, can we head home now? I've had about enough of Mrs. Speed Racer over here." Stiles said, pointing at me.
"Yes, we can go home if you quit whining about me driving fast and efficiently." I said, rolling my eyes.
We drove back to Scott's house where I said my goodbyes then got in my car and went home. I crawled in to bed after dressing down and washing my face, I pulled the covers up and fell asleep.
I woke up the next morning before my alarm went off, I checked my phone. Lydia had apparently already gone to school. I'd been trying to spend equal amounts of time with everyone while also helping Lydia keep an eye on Jackson and his flirting. He and I had surprisingly been getting along much better than we ever had before. I hadn't talked to Lydia since the previous morning but I knew that if I didn't show up to school looking my best on today of all days that she'd skin me alive. I pulled a leather v-neck, long sleeved dress and a pair of black leather pumps to match. I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door after doing my hair and make-up. I pulled up to the school and got out of my car, I felt eyes already on me. I started to walk in to the building when I got a call, I stopped for a second to answer and someone ran straight in to me.
"I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." A tall, handsome boy said.
"It's totally fine." I smiled at him then extended my hand. "Clara."
"Martin, yeah, I know. We have a few classes together." The boy said blushing furiously, hesitating to take my hand.
"Isaac, your name is Isaac." I said, retracting my hand back down to my side but keeping my smile. "I'm getting a call, I'll see you later."
I walked to the closest bench to me and plopped down, my phone started to buzz again. I grabbed it and answered.
"Hey sweetheart, happy birthday!" My mom yelled in to the phone.
"Thanks mom." I smiled.
"Are you and Lydia having a party?" She asked.
"Yeah, this weekend." I responded. "I'll see you when I get home."
"Okay, have a great day." My mom replied and then hung up.
I let out a sigh and then started to walk in to the school. I saw Isaac still standing slightly nearby.
"Hey, sorry about that, it was my mom." I said, holding up my phone.
"It's fine." Isaac replied, not looking directly at me. "Uh, happy birthday."
"Thank you." I smiled at him.
"I've gotta, uhm, get to class." Isaac said.
"Oh, yeah, okay." I replied. "I'll talk to you later then."
I walked towards Lydia and Jackson who were standing at her locker. They seemed to be bickering slightly but stopped as I approached.
"Clara." Lydia sang out. "Happy birthday! You look so great!"
She shoved a box and a bag in to my hands and grinned. I smiled at her. I hung the bag on my arm as I opened the top to the box, inside was a dress. A black dress that was sleeveless and judging from its length would fall higher than mid-thigh on me. It was a tight, leather black dress that swooped down in the back and would probably show off my entire back, it also swooped in the front so I would be showing a bit of cleavage as well.
"Guys, it's beautiful." I smiled at her.
"Open the bag." She grinned.
I pulled the tissue paper from the bag as she held the box for me. In the bottom there was a small box, I opened it at inside was a ring. It was a Lightning Ridge Black Opal stone on a silver band. I gasped slightly, forgetting how to breath.
"Y-you guys bought this for me?" I beamed.
"Yup." Jackson smirked.
"Thank you so much." I grinned.
I shut the box and placed it down in the bag again. I grinned at them and pulled them in to a hug, an arm around both necks then I let go.
"Thank you both so much." I said. "I'll see you later."
I walked towards first period and took a seat in front of Stiles and next to Scott. I looked over at Scott who had a silly grin on his face.
"What?" I asked.
"Happy birthday!" Scott said.
"How did you find out?" I laughed.
"Lydia may or may not have told me that if Stiles and I didn't tell you happy birthday and get you a gift that'd she'd kill us because she knows you're still friends with us." Scott shrugged, chuckling.
He handed me a small light blue box, I took the lid off of it and pulled an anklet with small moons dangling from it out.
"Scott." I breathed out then grinned at him. "Thank you so much. I'm appreciating that werewolf humor."
I placed it back in the box and placed the box in my bag along with my other gift. I felt a tap on my shoulder that sent a tingle through my entire body and made my heart jump which Scott chuckled at. I turned to see Stiles holding a small bag; he smiled a little and pushed it into my hands. I pulled the tissue paper out of the bag and pulled out the complete Star Wars saga, I smiled and sat it next to me as our teacher came in. The class period went by slowly as I waited to give my thanks to Stiles. The bell finally rang and Scott was already gone from the room, Stiles went to follow him but I grabbed his sleeve before he could walk away. I jerked him towards me and in to a hug.
"Thanks, Stiles. Your present is my favorite." I said.
"You're welcome, glad you like it." He said as he hugged me back.
I let him go and grabbed my stuff. I stood up to see Allison right in front of me, with a smile on her face and a thin box in her hand. I smiled at her as she handed it to me. I opened it and inside was a black scarf that was super soft.
"Thanks, Allison." I grinned.
"So, that hug?" Allison winked at me.
"That hug was a thank you." I stuck out my tongue at her. "I'll see you later, I've gotta get to my next class."
The next few classes went through pretty calmly, Danny gave me a gift; a bottle of my favorite perfume and an entire gift bag full of candy. I talked to Isaac during class that day, which surprised him quite a bit. Everything was pretty calm until before lunch. Stiles walked up to me, his eyes looking like they might fall out of his head.
"Clara." Stiles said, and then grabbed my arm.
He dragged me to a slightly deserted hallway and then let go of me.
"Jackson knows." Stiles said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I mean, he knows, like he knows that Scott is a werewolf!" Stiles exclaimed, throwing his hands up.
"What?" I asked in total horror.
"Yeah." Stiles said, running a hand over his head.
"He asked me for the bite." Scott said appearing next to Stiles.
"He what?" I screeched as I slammed my hand in to the locker next to me. "He finds out and that's what he wants? Not to help but to become a-"
"Clara…" Scott said. "Your heart."
I stopped talking and took a deep breath.
"Your, uh, your hand." Stiles said, looking queasy.
I looked at my hand which was bleeding and then at the locker which now had a dent in it.
"Sorry about that." I said, groaning then I stopped and looked at them. "You don't think I told him, do you?"
"No, we don't." Scott said.
"But, that doesn't change the fact that he knows." Stiles chimed in.
"If he tells Allison's dad, I'm dead." Scott said with fear in his voice, looking at the ground.
"Let's not think about that currently, how about we think about getting Clara's hand patched up and getting to the class that we're late for." Stiles said, putting a hand on my shoulder and Scott's shoulder then turning us towards the class.
I walked in to the classroom first, explaining to Harris that I had banged my hand against something and Scott and Stiles were late because they were trying to find me a first aid kit. Harris pulled one out from behind his desk and handed it to me. I sat down with Lydia and bandaged my hand.
"Clara." She hissed. "What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything, I just bumped my hand." I replied.
"Are you okay?" She demanded.
"I'm fine, now get started on this assignment." I smiled at her.
I finished wrapping my hand and handed the First Aid kit back to Harris; I sat down and finished the assignment with Lydia in a quick manner. The lunch bell rang and I shoved my things in my bag and practically ran out the door. I found a seat in the lunchroom and Scott slid next to me with a tray of food. I pulled out the bowl of fruit I had brought for myself and started to eat. Soon after, Stiles sat down with us.
"Did you get her to give you the necklace?" Stiles asked.
"Not exactly." Scott replied, taking a drink of water.
"What happened?" Stiles asked.
"She told me not to talk to her, at all." Scott stated.
"I'm sorry." I said, frowning at him.
"So, she's not giving you the necklace?" Stiles asked with a mouth full of food.
"No, she's not giving me the necklace." Scott said, raising his voice while I kicked Stiles under the table.
"Did you find anything else out?" I asked.
"Just that I know nothing about girls and that they're totally psychotic." Scott said then looked at me and frowned a little. I smiled at him.
"I came up with a Plan B just in case anything like this happened." Stiles said.
"If it involves me taking it, then count me out." I said, putting up my hands in defense.
"What's Plan B?" Scott asked.
"Just steal the stupid thing." Stiles said.
"Couldn't we at least try getting to Harris?" Scott suggested.
"My Dad put him on 21-hour protective detail, okay? The necklace is all we got." Stiles said.
"Just steal it." I groaned. "I can't take it and you can't get it so just steal it."
I saw Scott's eyes look past me and he suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"He's watching us." Scott said.
"Who?" I asked.
"Jackson." Scott replied then winced. "Jackson's talking to me; he knows I can hear him. Just act normal, talk to me, pretend like nothing's happening."
"I can't think of anything. My mind is totally blank." Stiles yelped.
"You can't think of anything?" Scott demanded.
"Not under this kind of pressure." Stiles replied. "He's not even there anymore, it's fine."
"Where the hell is he?" Scott asked.
Scott stopped and looked down at his tray. He started to tremble from anger.
"Scott, hey, you've gotta calm down." I said.
"You can't let him have this kind of power over you." Stiles offered.
Scott gripped the sides of his tray and then he broke it clean in half, the sound clattered through-out the room. Everyone looked at us and became suddenly quieter. I turned around to glare at Jackson and as I did, he had the audacity to wink at me as he walked out of the cafeteria. I decided that I'd had enough of his shit for one day, especially my birthday. I shoved the top on my bowl of fruit, shoving it in my bag. I grabbed my other stuff.
"Clara." Stiles cautioned.
I ignored him and walked briskly out of the classroom, my eyes finding Jackson immediately. He was quite easy to spot. I approached him, turned him around and pinned him against a locker by his throat.
"What the fuck is your problem?" I demanded.
"Usually you or Lydia is the one who tell me what it is." He smirked.
I pressed down harder and glared at him.
"You know I was having a really good birthday up until now. I don't know how you found out but you had better keep quiet because unlike Scott, I will kill you or maybe I might just have Derek do it for me. You think Lydia is bad when she's angry? You haven't even begun to see angry, Jackson. So, back off." I hissed at him.
I released him and started to walked away.
"Who knew you could be such a bitch?" Jackson laughed. "I bet that loser told you what happened the minute you demanded it."
I gave him the finger and continued to walk. The rest of the day went by smoothly until the end of the day. I decided to go to the bathroom during my last class which was one of the only classes that I didn't have with Lydia. I walked in the bathroom and heard crying. Crying that sounded really familiar.
"Hello?" I asked.
"C-Clara?" Lydia stuttered through tears and opened the door to the stall she was in.
"Hey, Lydia, hey what's wrong?" I asked, pulling her up and in to a hug.
"Jackson dumped me." She managed to say between heaving breaths.
"You got all your stuff with you? I'm taking you home." I said, taking her hand.
I went back in to the classroom and grabbed my things, explaining to the teacher that my cousin was extremely ill. I took her to her house and then put my things in my room. I sorted everything out and then sat down at my desk. I got a call not shortly after from Derek.
"Hello?" I asked in to the phone.
"Come outside. Stiles and I need your help." Derek stated then hung up.
I walked outside and got in the car with them. I sat in the back and tuned them out, still worried about Lydia. We pulled up in front of the hospital and I got out with Stiles. Derek decided to stay inside the Jeep so he didn't risk getting arrested. We walked inside, Stiles on the phone with Derek. He pointed to a room; Derek's uncle's room. We walked inside and no one was there.
"He's not here, he's gone, Derek." Stiles said in to the phone.
"Get out of there, right now, both of you. It's him, he's the Alpha, get out." I heard Derek yell through the phone.
Stiles slid his phone in his pocket and started towards the hallway. I saw him jump away slightly, someone's shadow splayed across the ground. I stepped in front of Stiles and came face-to-face with the same face that had been stalking me for months.
"Clara-Anne, how lovely you are, happy birthday by the way." The man smiled at me. "And this must be Stiles."
"Stiles, get out of here." I said, my blood felt like it had frozen in my body.
"Are you crazy? I'm not leaving you." Stiles hissed.
I pulled out my gun and aimed it at Peter's head.
"Your step-father taught you well, too bad your real father couldn't teach you better." Peter said.
"What the hell do you know about that?" I demanded, narrowing my eyes at him.
"You truly do take after your cousin, as Stiles put it; he is such a sour wolf." Peter laughed then he stopped and he disappeared.
I felt claws dig in to my side and then I felt myself be sent flying past Stiles and in to the wall behind us.
"Too bad you didn't inherit more of my genes because you could be so much stronger." I heard Peter laugh.
Peter's nurse was suddenly next to Stiles and then Derek was suddenly in front of her, knocking her out cold with an elbow to the face.
"Get out of here, now." Derek yelled.
Stiles jerked me up, dragging me towards the Jeep.
"Stiles!" I screamed. "We can't just leave him, Stiles!"
"Clara, he's a big scary werewolf who can handle himself." Stiles replied, pushing me in to the passenger's seat though I resisted.
"Stiles, he'll die!" I screamed.
"Clara, if we go back in there then we'll die." Stiles replied.
"Just let me go back inside, okay? Let me go help him?" I pleaded, trying to push past him.
"I'm not letting you die!" Stiles yelled, giving me a shove in to the seat and shutting the door.
He got inside and started the Jeep. We drove to the school and ran towards the locker room. I stood outside while Stiles told Scott. While he told Scott that Peter was the Alpha. I leaned against the wall behind me, taking deep breaths; Peter's words still repeating in my mind.