Disclaimer: I might not get the characters right. I also am not the best at grammar. Warning strong wording and I am trying to make chapters longer that why it's taking so long to upload.
Chapter 4 Pov: Jackson
Sitting in a diner at five something in the morning with Allison eating pancakes and joking around is probably one of the simplest but funniest things I have done since, well since I was told I was adopted. While Allison is busy telling me a story about what some kids from her last school did for their senior prank between bites of pancake, I slowly slid my hand across the table till it's holding hers. Allison intertwines her fingers with mine while continuing her story. Finished already I just sat there listening to her story clueless to the dopey smile on my face. After a while, we got so caught up in talking that a waitress had to remind us that we needed to get to school. Thanking them we started cleaning up our mess.
Tossing enough money to cover the bill and a nice tip we left the diner. At the Porsche, before Allison could get in the car I twirled us around till my back was to the door and Allison pressed against my chest with our lips locked together. Ending the kiss I laid my forehead on hers trying to catch my breath.
"We should get going if we want to get to school before the other kids cause a traffic jam," I whispered with our heads still together. A giggle escapes Allison's smiling mouth.
"Probably." But we didn't move for a while like we were in our own world until a car's horn broke the spell. Startled we jumped apart, well more like Allison jumped back and I threw myself back into my car. 'Well that was embarrassing at least I'm taller than my car so I don't bump my head otherwise that would be humiliating.' The second Allison and I made eye contact we burst out laughing. When we finally calmed down we finally got into the car and headed to school.
When we got back to the school only a few other cars were in the lot. Glad no one took my spot so I steered the car into it. Turning off the engine I sat back with the feeling of déjà vu, except this time Allison is in the passenger seat and I'm not that jackass anymore. That's when a thought popped in my head. Rotating in my seat my heart started beating like a supernatural cheetah-like it does every time I look at her. "Hey, a thought crossed my mind. Do you want to tell people about us now or later when we have that talk?"
Humming Allison took a moment to consider it. I, myself want to wait till we know for sure if something happens or not. Especially since people will assume the wrong opinion and get judgemental. "I think it's easier if we wait if you don't mind?"
"I was actually thinking the same thing. Don't want anyone to get upset over the wrong assumptions. If anyone knows about the wrong assumption it's me." I joked but she didn't laugh instead she gave me a sympathetic smile knowing I was talking about other's assumptions and my own.
"I guess we should get into the school before too many people are around to not get noticed and gossip spreads," Allison suggested. Nodding we got out and speed-walked inside. We said goodbye and went our separate ways for our lockers.
Trying to open this locker is like trying to get Stilinkis to stop fidgeting or Hale to stop being the werewolf version of batman. Wow, I have been spending a lot of time with Stiles. Using a little bit of werewolf strength I finally plied open it. You know another good thing about werewolf strength is that it makes it easier to carry the cinders they call textbooks. Slipping my math, English, and science textbooks in my bag and closing my locker.
Only to turn around to coach Finstock standing right behind making me jump. I don't know how he sneaked up on me. Even Derek says that I am more in tune with my senses than most bite-made wolves and that they seem to be heightened more so than normal. Most likely because I still have parts of the kanima or at least that Stiles theory. The senses, not the parts of the kanimas thing.
"Can I help you with something Coach?" Coach might be a lot of things, crazy, weird, or eccentric but his glare is like Medusas, it turns you to stone.
"Jackson, I didn't see your name on the signup sheet for the team, care to explain?" I have to physically stop myself from covering my ears.
I was really hoping it would take him longer to notice but hey at least most of the students aren't here yet. "Look after what happened I decided that Lacross and I don't mix well. So sorry coach but I won't be signing up for it this year." When his attention was on a kid whose pants fell down I took the chance to leave for class. Three hallways away I can still hear the coach chewing the kid out. I kinda feel bad for the kid, no one deserves to have Finstock literally talking in your ear.
While everyone is just now getting to school I went to my old hiding spot. Whenever I needed a breather from my family, school, or just life in general I came to this old classroom from when the school was first built. It's smaller than the classrooms now but it's a private place. As far as I know, I'm the only one that knows about this place although I'm not surprised not many would come down near the basement. The only reason I found this place was because of this huge fight with Lydia and Danny and I came to the school hoping that shooting some lacrosse would help me calm down and to keep my mind off of the insecurities running through my mind. But when I got there I was so lost in thought I somehow got inside and made my way there. I didn't notice where I was until I was in school halfway down the stairs to the lower level. My first thought was; 'Why is the door unlocked and how did I get here?' and then my curiosity got the better of me and well ever since I would sneak off down there when I needed a break. Swing the door open to what used to be an old and musty-smelling classroom and it now looks like a gaming room with the things I secretly added. With the giant extravagantly thick rug covering the entire floor and a couple of bean bags in case I decide to tell someone about this place. A little snack area in case I get hungry which even has a mini-fridge for drinks and my old computer to watch tv or play video games. There is even a little air mattress in the corner.
You're probably thinking 'Jackson why did you put a mattress down there you have a bed in your room in your house.' Well when I needed a break from my parents, Danny with a guy, and I'm on the outs with Lydia at that point so I sneak through the window in the library that's always unlocked and sleep in here. So I decided to make it more comfortable and so it turned into this.
Taking one last lookout in the hall to make sure no one is following me I closed the door behind me. Putting my bag on a bean bag chair I moved the other one and opened up the loose tile underneath where I keep my most private things. One being a sketchbook that is nearly full of drawings that no one not even Danny knows I do for fun. Sketching has always been a fun activity that's always helped me relax when I need to or to keep me busy when I'm bored. Right now it's the second option. Dropping on the other chair I didn't even pause to come up with an idea, I already have a drawing in progress.
Before I start though I set a time so I don't forget about class. For a while, all you can hear is the scratching of a pencil. Getting lost in the shading and details I forgot where I am till my alarm went off, breaking the silence while snapping me back into reality. Placing my sketch pad back in its place I then move the bean bag over the loose tile in case someone does find this place. Halfway down the hall, I turn back to get my back bag.
Back upstairs more kids have shown up crowding up the hallway to busy catching up since yesterday to move out of people's way. I waited at mine and Danny's lockers for him so we could hang before class but he never showed and the bell rang letting us know class is about to start. Frowning I left for class still wondering where Danny was when either of us isn't going to be at school we let each other know, unless he's sick he might have fallen asleep and forgotten. All the way to class I try to come up with a reason he didn't meet me while checking my phone every couple of seconds for a text saying he's sick or has a doctor's appointment. So when I walked into chemistry to see Danny in his normal seat talking to Lydia I was surprised, to say the least, and a little hurt. About to ask why he didn't wait for me, the bell for the class about to start just as Mrs. Keene walked in. Hurrying to my seat before she could reprime me, I slid into it just as she turned towards the class.
"Alright well I finally finished grading all your tests and I got to say I am severely disappointed in some of you,…" She says pointedly looking at Danny which makes my blood boil. " While others I am extremely proud of." She looks at Clair Dunken way which makes her sit up proudly even as she feels the apocalyptic glare Lydia sent her. This teacher makes it really hard not to wolf out. She always picks on anyone that doesn't follow her stupid rulers. Seriously she has the rule on a poster right in the front of the room. Most of the rules are stupid like no skirts pass your ankle or no gel in your hair or now this is a bad no acting anything straight. It's not even about religion because she's been seen around town harassing other religions I think she just refuses to get with the times. That's why she favors Clair the one kid that dresses and acts like it's still the sixties and is the only one who actually likes
"Mrs. Martin, it is not ladylike to glare at your classmate and apologizes in this instance." Ok either she gets with the times or Lydia is going to murder her and actually get blood on her hands. With Lydia, you know the world is about to end if she's willing to get her hands dirty instead of getting someone to do it for her. I can hear her coming up with all different ways to painfully kill her, then hide the evidence.
Grinding her teeth Lydia turns towards Clair who is wearing a smug smile. "I am sorry for glaring at you for getting favored by a biased substitute teacher." She mumbled the last part for only me to hear. I had to cover a snort with a fake cough. Satisfied started passing back our test. Hearing almost silents cussing from most of the kids clearly means she's in an even worse mood than normal. This is going to be a very long period. I am just glad she is only a substitute until the school can find us a real teacher but I hope they find one soon, I still don't understand how she was ever a teacher in the first place.
On a normal day she's like a rabid dog on bad days she is like a feral werewolf. This is why Stiles calls her Mrs. Means behind her back, speaking of, scanning the room while using my senses to try and find him throughout the school but he's not here. 'That's strange he never misses curly fries day.' Once Scott had to drag him home because he came in with a horrible case of the flu. Melissa had to watch him because he kept trying to go get some curly fries while Scott had to go back to school. So for him to not be here is slightly concerning but not overly so most likely he's late because his crappy jeep probably crapped out again. Either way, when went to check attendance I unlocked my phone as fast as I could while looking up every once in a while to make sure she was still busy. Smiling at the group name Pack chat, only Stiles would come up with something like that. 'Anyone know y Stiles, not in first period? -J' Surprisingly or not depends on who almost everyone responded almost immediately
'Wait Stiles is missing curly fries day?! -A'
'His Jeep probably just broke down again. -I'
'Wouldn't he let us know if he was going to be late? Didn't we make it a rule because of how many times Stiles was kidnapped? -J'
Erica sent a handful of crying laughing emojis.
'He texted that he wasn't feeling well so he's at home, forgot to let you know. -T1.' Because of Scott and Stiles having the same first initial and since Stile still refuses to tell us his real name, Erica nicknamed them thing 1 and 2. Clearly, you can tell Scott is thing 1.
'Stiles is staying home when there are curly fries at lunch today no offense Scott but do you not know your best friend. Unless you know something we don't.- E' From the way Scott is taking so long to respond I get this feeling Scotts texting someone outside the group chat. The one thing about Mrs. Keene is that she can barely use a computer and it takes her almost half the class hour to do attendance.
Hearing the computer click off I lift my head to see her getting up. Sending a quick talk later I slid my phone into my pocket before she could see. "Now turn off those noise rackets your cell phones and pay attention. Open your books to…" And this is where the torturer begins.
When her class finally did finish I used a little bit of wolf speed to be the first one out the door so I waited for Danny so I could question him about it earlier. Not a minute later Danny walks out of her room. "Dan, wait up." Without my super reflexes in all likelihood, I would have run into four or five different people trying to catch up with Danny. "Hey, where were you this morning I waited for you until the bell rang?"
Danny turns down the hall to the stairs before he says anything. "Sorry, Jackson I forgot to finish my English assignment. I was in the library finishing it before class I meant to text you." Even before getting the bite, I could always tell if he's lying or not. So the second he started talking I could tell he wasn't telling me the whole truth. I assume he was with a closeted kid again because Danny is the kind of guy that would wait for the guy to be ready to come out before even telling his best friend. From past experience though it will probably end like the other times with them going even further back in the closet and breaking it off to date a girl. As much as I wish to, I stop him from making the same mistake again. I have learned not to mess with Danny's relationships.
"Ok well don't forget to text me next time with our lives who knows what could happen." I chaste bumping my shoulder with his. Flashing a sheepish grin he promised next time to let me know. After that, we started talking about tomorrow's pack trust exercise that Stiles came up with. The only ones that know what it is Derek and Boyd because Derek is the Alpha and as they are the stronger ones they usually build the course. Stiles doesn't even tell Scott his ideas and well everyone knows that there's no point in trying to get it out of Boyd and Derek. So Issac has come up with the idea to place bets on what it is. Teenagers gambling probably sounds bad but we only get a new course after we beat the old course. Well, I say course but it's more like three smaller combined courses, one for the wolves to learn to work like a pack, one for the humans and whatever Lydia is and the last one is for all of us to work together. The third is always the hardest because sometimes we forget to keep our strength in check and since the others are human they well they aka Stiles question things at a crucial time. On our way to class, we talked about what we betted on.
Eventually, we had to split up for class. The rest of the morning was uneventful other than checking the group chat for a text from Stiles and worrying when there is none. My phone almost was taken away for getting caught multiple times on it. So while everyone was heading to lunch I headed to a quiet place to call Stiles. Dialing I start to pace when he didn't pick up immediately. When it went to voicemail I tried to call him a few more times. Scott being shifty and Stiles not answering his phone is concerning and suspicious. Being that I can't get a hold of Stiles so it's time to go to Scott which is pretty easy. He might be the niece's guy but even Stiles can lie better than him and now that's saying something.
Grabbing the lunch I made because if one thing hasn't changed since I left is the cafeteria food actually if anything it got worse. So I wake up early every day to pack a lunch. Almost summer and it's not raining so the others are probably at the outside tables. Nearing the table I notice only Scott and Danny are here. Weirdly though they are both texting and from their expressions, it almost seems like they're texting each other, like whatever they are talking about they don't want anyone to overhear. A very big part of me wants to know what they are talking about but I've learned my lesson on that when I got turned into a giant-killing lizard. Pausing for another second hoping they finish their online conversation and when they didn't I purposely made my steps lounder so as not to startle them. For a moment it didn't seem like either of them heard me but then Scott slid his phone into his pocket and turned to me and smiled. Though his smile seemed a little forced. "Hey, guys I was wondering if either of you talked to Stiles he hasn't answered any of my calls." Sitting down next to Danny I notice how both of them seem on edge.
"Oh uh frankly no but I bet he's probably just sleeping, you know how heavy a sleeper he is. That or his phone is acting up again." Scott joked. "That makes sense although I'm surprised that he hasn't tried to come in considering the curly fries in the cafeteria." Grabbing my Powerade from my bag I was in the middle of drinking it when Scott slammed his hand on the table. Which surprised me Scott is usually not one for such an aggressive gesture, I barely kept myself from choking on my drink. "Ok, I have had enough looks. Stiles is feeling fine he just didn't come in and watch you and Allison be all coupley." Spitting out a chunk of food I can feel my jaw dropping to the ground.
"How the hell do you know that Allison and I are together and why would Stiles stay home after finding out we are?" Scott made this face like he's an angry and confused puppy. It's like the puppy dog face was made just for him.
Danny turned to give me a confused look of his own. "It's all anyone is talking about, Seriously you haven't noticed how everyone was staring at you or the whispers?" Shaking my head no Danny showed me his phone which is on Instagram with pictures of Allison and me kissing in her bedroom.
"Who posted that neither of us told anyone yet we were waiting." Snatching Danny's phone out of his I zoomed in on the name of whoever posted them. Not recognizing her name I click on her profile to see pics of her with the cheerleading team. Well, that explains that but I don't remember seeing her at Allison's house. Speaking of, she dropped her lunch tray on the table before taking a seat on my right side. Right away she could feel the tension around the table.
"Is everything okay?" The cautious concern in her voice seems to calm Scott down a little. They might not be in love anymore but they will always be each other's first loves and that will always affect them and I have learned to accept it. Showing her Danny's phone I explain what we are talking about, putting emphasis on the Stiles parts of the story.
"Although I don't remember seeing her at your house."
Moving her chair to face us more comfortably Ally took a second to think back on yesterday. A moment later a look of understanding washed over her face. "She must have heard us coming back from the upstairs bathroom." Frowning Scott faced Allison. "Why didn't she just use the downstairs bathroom?"
"That bathroom has been broken for a couple of days now the repair guy is supposed to come to fix it tomorrow," Allison informs him. Scott nodded in understanding. Swiveling to face me, a mischief smirk starts to slowly start to appear on her face. "I think Jackson was too busy nervously babbling to notice she was there." All three burst out laughing at the blush spreading across my face.
Waiting for them to stop laughing I picked up what's left of my sack lunch and threw them away. Back at the table, they seem to have calmed down some. An awkward silence followed quickly behind. Clearing his throat to get our attention, Scott's scent and expression became stern. "I don't mean to seem disapproving of you guys. I'm not, I am happy for you guys. It's just urg I shouldn't be the one to tell you this but Stiles sorta has feelings for both of you. So when I found out you guys started dating I suggested for him to stay home and why are you smiling?"
I imagine that Mine and Allisons matching grins must look extremely creepy. I don't even need to look at her to know that she's just as excited as I am that Scott confirms something that we both have been suspecting. I mean Stiles isn't exactly the best at hiding his feelings, especially from a werewolf. Then the second part of what he said hit me and my smile slowly dropped. "Why are you both smiling? You do know you guys just broke Stiles's heart." He practically growled.
Holding my hand up I glance towards Allison for her to nod letting me explain. "We're smiling for the same reason we wanted to wait to tell people we are dating. Before we tell anyone we wanted to talk with Stiles about a polyamorous."
This time when Scott made the confused puppy face I couldn't help but snort not at all surprise he doesn't know what it is. "Scott it means a three-way relationship," Danny informs him.
"You want to talk to Stiles about having three people one-night stand?" He questions slowly like he doesn't understand and clearly he doesn't.
Rolling his eyes Danny looks up the definition of a polyamorous relationship and shows Scott. Now it's his turn to blush. With Lunch about to end, I scan the area for any facility. Not seeing or hearing anyone nearby I stood up and held my hand out for Allison to take. She stared at my hand for a moment then moved to give me a questioning look. "Scott told Stiles we are dating so he now probably thinks that he has no chance. I think we should go and visit him." She hesitates. "We can afford to miss the last half of the school day and besides Stiles deserves to know that we want him too." At that, she took my hand, and after saying goodbye to Danny and Scott warned us not to hurt Stiles, and then we headed for her car since it's less recognizable.
As she's driving I sit back and try to absorb that Stiles likes me. I get why he likes Allison. She's amazing and sweet but also strong and smart but I picked on him for years and I was broken for years with issues that I became a giant-killing lizard. Both of them have such amazing kind hearts and yet they chose me. On this day I make myself a promise that no matter what happens I will protect them with my whole being. Because Allison and Stiles might not know it yet maybe not for a long time but they are my mates and a wolf will always protect its own.
Watching as we go from stores to houses my heart starts beating faster from nerves or excitement I don't know. Either way, it's time to face it because we're here. The second I got out of the car I knew something was wrong. Even out here I can smell his fear and the scent of others two that smell pissed off and one that smelled eerily calm. Clearly, Allison knows something up if the miniature crossbow she grabbed from under her seat has anything to go by. Signaling for me to go first I slowly move to the door with my senses on high alert.
Pushing my hearing as far as I can looking for that one that beats just a little faster than anyone else's. Not hearing it the panic starts to set in. About to just storm in a hand slip into mine keeping me focused. Following that hand all the way to Allison's face I see the same panic that is making it hard to breathe but also a determination with anger just underneath smoldering. Taking a second to breathe I push open the door and carefully trek through the foyer, Allison not far behind.
We barely had to look at each other to know what each other were thinking. She took the upstairs while I took the downstairs. Using my senses I follow them to the living room. At first glance, it just looks like a normal teenage mess. Then it hit me, Stiles fear, stronger than when I first smelt it I also noticed his phone on the ground. One thing Derek has been drilling into us is to never, never go anywhere without our phones. So whatever happened here it must have gone down fast since there was not much of a struggle.
Finishing looking around I thought I'd find some kind of messages like a ransom note or something. Hearing a noise I spin around claws out only to see Allison coming downstairs looking just as empty-handed as me. "Allison, call your dad, I'm going to call the sheriff and the others. Someone's taken, Stiles."