Theo was dreading this day. It is not that he is afraid of school, but he is not looking forward to pretending to be some normal teenager. He is not normal and never has been. He has nothing in common with any of these people. While they were going to kids' birthdays, going on family vacations, or playing video games, he was being operated on. Maybe he can change his mind.
He heads down the stairs and sees Liam waiting for him.
"Ready?" Liam says.
He sighs and climbs in his truck. Liam gets in with him.
"I thought you normally drive with your friends?" Theo asks.
"I normally do, but I wanted to give you the schedule." Liam says.
He hands Theo a schedule of classes with room numbers and start times. He also sees names written highlighting different times Liam and his friends will be with him.
"Uh Liam. I am not a child. I do not need you to follow me around at all times." Theo says.
"I am not. Corey has the morning." Liam says.
Theo scowls.
He really does not want a babysitter at school. He gets them both to school and grabs his stuff.
"Oh, we have the same lunch. So, find us when you go on lunch." Liam says.
He ignores Liam and walks inside. He finds his locker and is pretty sure it is the same one from the last time he was here, but whatever. He walks past Corey and into his first class.
Biology.
He has always been good at it. He watches while the teacher explains the assignment, and he looks around the room and sees a few people staring at him. He feels out of place. It is not that people are being rude or anything. They are not talking to him at all, but he just feels like he does not belong here. He does not belong anywhere.
"Hey Theo. Are you going to complete this assignment?" Corey asks him.
He looks at Corey. He did not even notice him sit next to him. He looks down and sees a little frog laid out on the table.
"I thought we do this as freshman?" Theo asks.
"We do, but our teacher always has us dissect something on the first day. To make it fun." Corey says.
Theo does not think this is fun, but ok then. He looks down at the frog and sees it on the table. He remembers laying on the table as a kid when they put in his sister's heart. He sometimes was awake during them and can vividly remember the blood and tools used. He looks up and sees the dread doctors coming towards him and holding his sister's beating heart. He looks around but no one seems to notice what is happening. He tries to ignore it, but they keep coming towards him. He decides this is not something he should be here for. He gets up and quickly walks out of the class. He hears his teacher yelling at him, but he keeps walking. He goes into the bathroom stall.
He must be losing it. Get it together Theo. He cannot even do a simple experiment. He hears a few people walk in.
"Did you hear that new guy may have killed his sister? Or at least his family is mysteriously gone. He leaves and comes back like a year later? Maybe he is a serial killer." He hears a guy say.
He hears another person walk in the bathroom.
"Hey Brad. I remember someone saying that you had kleptomania. You claimed that was a lie. Should we revisit those rumors too." Corey says.
He hears some grumbling and a door slamming.
"Hey Theo? Are you ok in there?" He hears Corey say.
"I am fine Corey. Go away." Theo says.
He waits but does not hear the door open. Apparently, he must be taking tips from Liam.
He opens the stall door and Corey is standing there.
"Maybe biology was not the greatest thing to learn so soon." Corey says.
"It is fine. This was just a mistake. Maybe I should rethink this." Theo says.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Corey asks.
"No." Theo says.
Corey looks thoughtful. He does not press though.
He heads back to class and somehow makes it to lunch. He sits down at a table.
He wonders if he will always feel this way. Out of place and not fitting in. It is not like he wants to fit in at school, but he also does not want to be isolated the rest of his life.
He looks up and sees Liam and Mason. They sit down. Liam slides a phone over.
"What is this?" Theo asks suspiciously.
"A phone. How else can I contact you?" Liam asks.
"I live with you." Theo says exasperated.
"I know, but you still need a phone for the times you are not with us. It is already bought anyway and like I am just going to have it unused if you don't take it." Liam says.
"I am not taking this." Theo says.
"Well, my mother will be very sad." Liam says.
"Is that supposed to change my mind?" Theo asks.
"I think you like her and care what she thinks." Liam says smiling.
Theo glares at Liam.
He starts eating his lunch and ignores the phone. Mason starts talking about something that happened in class. He realizes no one has brought up the Biology class. That seems odd considering how crazy Liam seems to be.
"Have you talked to Corey?" Theo asks unsure.
"Yea. He said you had Biology. Why?" Liam asks.
Corey did not say anything. He wonders why that is. He does not need him to hide things from everyone. He does not need any favors or anything. He sees his phone go off. Well, the phone Liam forced upon him with guilt. He looks at the phone.
Corey: I talked to the teacher and she said it was fine. You will not lose a grade or anything.
Theo: How do you have this number? You did not tell Liam?
Corey: Liam gave it to all of us already. :D No, I did not. I figured Liam does not need to know everything all the time.
Theo: This does not mean we are friends.
Corey: lol
He closes the phone.
"Are you coming home after school?" Liam asks.
"I don't know. Why?" Theo asks.
"I was just wondering." Liam says sheepishly.
He sees Nolan following him around while he heads to his last class. He tries to avoid him multiple times and go down different hallways, but he always shows back up. He turns around and Nolan smacks right into him.
"NOLAN. I do not need you following me." Theo says irritated.
"I…well….I have to." Nolan says unsure.
"Why?" Theo asks.
"Liam said we have to make sure your ok when he is not around." Nolan admits.
"OK, Well, you can tell Liam that I am not 5 years old and that he can find his own ride home. "Theo says.
He storms away and walks into his last class.
At the end of the day he gets inside his truck to see everyone looking at him.
"We thought we could all go to the movies or something?" Liam says.
He cannot believe this. He feels like he is being forced into these unplanned hang out sessions. He glares at Liam. Liam is looking back at him with eager eyes.
Dammit.
He drives everyone to the theatre, and they all argue about what their seeing. They settle on an action flick and they head into the theatre. The previews start and Theo tries to pay attention. He cannot really though. It is too hard for him. After living with the dread doctors, movies just seem to be fake.
He feels like he as lived in his own personal horror movie. Sometimes he wonders if he will ever feel like he is living real life. He still feels like he is in a movie. He keeps waiting for the dread doctors to come back and get him. He knows their dead, but he cannot shake the feeling they are just waiting to punish him for not going along with their plan in the end. He betrayed them, but he betrayed everyone. He is not even sure why he is here with the rest of them.
He feels sick. He gets up and heads out into the hallway. He feels like he is having a panic attack, but he is not sure why. He sits against the wall on the floor. He tries to catch his breath, but he feels like he cannot breathe.
"Theo, are you ok?"
He hears Liam's voice, but he cannot really see anything. He notices someone sitting down next to him. He feels a hand on his shoulder.
"Can you breathe?"
The hand on his shoulder helps to ground him and he starts to breathe again. He slowly feels himself come back. They sit there for a few minutes in silence.
"Maybe a movie was a bad idea." Liam says.
"No, it wasn't. I just can't do this thing you're trying to do." Theo says.
"What thing?" Liam asks confused.
"This thing of trying to get me to hang out with everyone, go to school, and just live a normal life. I am not normal Little Wolf. I never have been. "Theo points out.
"I don't think any of us are normal. We are werewolves, chameleons, banshees, and chimeras. I just think some of us handle it better, but that is because we have more of a support system. Or most of us. I am just trying to help you to understand you do not have to be alone. You're not alone." Liam says.
"What if I want to be alone?" He says annoyed.
"I think if you actually wanted to be alone then you would have left Beacon Hills. I also think you wouldn't be here right now." Liam says.
Theo frowns.
"I didn't realize I had nickname. I am not sure how I feel about it. I mean it makes me sound small, but whatever." Liam says smirking.
"You are small." Theo jabs back.
"No, I am not! We are like the same size. You're like a half an inch taller." Liam says.
He sees the rest of them walk out.
"You guys ready to go?" Corey asks.
"You don't want to finish the movie?" Theo asks.
"It's over." Mason says.
How long have they been out here? How long was he having a panic attack? He feels self-conscious. No one seems to mind though or say anything about them not watching it. He gets up and they head back outside to the truck. He drops everyone off and they go back to Liam's house. Or THEIR house apparently.
It feels weird saying that. He has never really felt like he had a home. He wonders what Liam's game is, but he is starting to think Liam may not have a game. He seems to actually want to help.
He parks the truck, and they head inside. He sees Dr. Greyer in the living room reading a book.
"Hey boys." Dr. Greyer says.
"Hi dad." Liam says.
heads upstairs and he hears Dr. Greyer stop Liam at the bottom of the stairs. He normally stays out of it, but curiosity gets the best of him and he uses his werewolf senses.
"Just a reminder Liam. Keep the door open please." Dr. Greyer says.
"Uh dad. I don't have anyone over, but Theo who lives here." Liam points out.
"Yea I know." Dr. Greyer says.
"I don't have to keep the door open when Mason is here." Liam says.
"Yes, I know that. Keep the door open." Dr. Greyer says sternly.
"OK." Liam says.
Theo quickly goes to his room and gets ready for bed.
That was weird. It is not like Theo is going to kill Liam in his sleep or anything. Why do they still have him here if they think he is going to do something? He finishes getting ready and lays down. He cannot sleep again. He turns over on his side.
"Hey." Liam says from the doorway.
"What is it?" Theo asks sitting up.
"Nothing I just couldn't sleep, and I figured you never sleep. So here I am." Liam says.
Liam walks over to Theo and sits on the floor. He seems like he has something to say but decides against it. He turns on the tv and puts in a Marvel movie.
"I like this one." Liam says.
Theo turns and watches the movie. He feels a little better. He can actually watch this movie.
"This reminds me of you. He gets angry too." Theo teases.
"I am not green Theo." Liam argues.
"No, but you get angry like that." Theo says.
Liam rolls his eyes.
Theo smiles and goes back to watching the movie. The credits roll and Liam turns off the movie. He lays down and he sees Liam looking at him.
"What?" Theo asks.
"Do you want me to stay here?" Liam asks.
"If you want but you don't have too." Theo says.
He does not know what he is saying. Since when does he let Liam stay in his room? Apparently, Theo must be going soft. He blames Liam. Maybe he also blames Corey because he seems too not be that bad recently. Only recently. Not that he is a friend, but he is not that bad. All of them seem to be rubbing off on him.
Liam gets into the bed and under the covers.
"I noticed you didn't have nightmares when I slept next to you when we were camping. Maybe it helps to have someone near you when you sleep." Liam says.
Theo is not sure if that is true, but he does not argue. He closes his eyes and tries to sleep.
'"Hey Theo?" Liam says.
"Yes?" Theo asks opening his eyes.
"I never thanked you for saving me those few times." Liam says.
"You don't have to thank me Liam." Theo says.
"I know but I wanted to. I also want you to know If you ever need to talk, I am here." Liam says.
Theo does not say anything. He closes his eyes again and tries to sleep. He feels a hand on his shoulder, but he does not say anything. He quickly falls asleep.
He wakes up and sees the sun shining through the window. He realizes he did not have any nightmares last night. He looks over and sees Liam still asleep. He seems to be a blanket hog because he has all the blankets and is taking over most of the bed. He is practically on top of Theo.
Theo shifts his weight so he can get out of the bed. He heads downstairs and sees Corey sitting there.
"Corey?" Theo asks.
"Hi, Mason and Liam are doing some friend day thing. Nolan is working his part time job. I thought we could do a hike." Corey says.
"Oh. Pass." Theo says.
"You can't pass. You owe me for not telling Liam about Biology class." Corey says.
Well, if he knew that Corey was going to blackmail him then maybe he would have told Liam. He sees Liam come down the stairs.
"Hey Corey, what's up?" Liam asks.
"Oh nothing, we are going to go to on a hike today." Corey says.
"You are?" Liam asks.
"I guess so." Theo says.
"Oh, well want me and Mason to come?" Liam offers.
"Um no. I will be fine Little Wolf." Theo says.
Corey laughs and Liam frowns.
"OK, well ok." Liam says.
Theo showers and heads out with Corey. He starts the truck and looks over at Corey who is smirking at him.
"What?" Theo asks.
"Oh nothing. You guys are funny." Corey says.
Theo is not sure that that means. He is also not sure how he got roped into going on this trip.
Theo is sitting with Corey resting after their hike.
"He found her you know." Corey says.
"Who found who?" Theo asks.
"Liam found your mom. She lives in Michigan. He didn't tell you because I guess she remarried and has a family now. Your dad he couldn't find. Maybe he changed his name or something." Corey says.
"Why are you telling me?" Theo asks.
"I thought you should know. Liam didn't tell you because there was no record of them looking for you. He thought it might upset you. He worries about you." Corey says.
"Well I do not need him to worry. I also told him not to look but apparently he ignored me." Theo grumbles.
"I think it is important to for people to know where their family is. I know where mine is, even though they chose not to see me." Corey explains.
Theo is not sure why Corey is telling him all this. He is also not surprised his family didn't look for him. He kind of figured that. He sits there contemplating what that means. Does that mean he is an orphan? Or was he disowned? Not that he can blame them. Now that he knows what happens he can reconfirm what he already knows. He is alone.
Corey looks at him. He pats his shoulder.
"I may not be your friend, but you are my friend Theo." Corey says.
Theo does not say anything. Corey smiles again and waits.
"I think I might be weird. Like I do not know if I am normal. I don't know how to be normal again or the same again." Theo admits.
"I think that normal is boring. I also think that it does not matter. You do not have to be the old you. You can be a new you. A better you. I also think you need to learn to let it go." Corey says.
"Let what go?" Theo asks.
"Your past. I did. If you are always looking at what's behind you then you will never see what's in front of you." Corey says.
"What is in front of me?" Theo asks.
"Us." Corey says.
Theo and Corey get back late. They stopped for dinner after the hike and Corey told him all about his college plans with Mason. They walk inside when they see Mason and Liam sitting there.
"Guys, where have you been?" Liam asks.
"We went on a hike and we ate after. Why?" Corey asks.
"Because I was worried, and no one responded to any texts." Liam says annoyed.
"Liam, I told you they were fine. See." Mason says.
Liam frowns at Corey.
"Were you planning on tell me you played detective. Seems like you expect all of us to tell you where we are and what were doing. However, you do not seem to tell us what the hell is going on. "Theo says.
Liam looks questioningly at Corey. Theo goes upstairs. He overhears a little bit of the conversation before he shuts the door. He stops to listen.
"Corey, you told him?" Liam says annoyed.
"I thought he should know. So, yea I did. We also were able to talk a little bit more by me telling him." Corey says.
"Oh well that's great. I am glad that you guys are fine. While you throw ME under the bus." Liam says.
"I didn't throw you under the bus. I was honest." Corey argues back.
"Guys maybe we should table this for another time." Mason says.
"No, we can talk about it now. Maybe we can also talk about the fact that YOU LIAM are being ridiculous. "Corey snaps.
"What does that mean?" Liam asks.
"It means that you need to take a chill pill. You are hiding that you researched his family but will not tell him because you think he will be mad, and the fact that you will not tell Scott he is here. Why is that Liam? You do not seem to be dealing with anything at all. You just keep trying to keep everything in this little bubble and that is not helping anyone. Maybe he should not be here with you if you can't even tell Scott he lives with you." Corey points out.
Theo hears a loud roar and growling.
"Ok, Ok. I think we should all relax. Corey did not mean he should not stay here with you. He just meant maybe you should be more honest about what you are looking into and about Scott. "Mason points out.
Theo shuts the door. They have not told Scott.