After Tara died, Theo would get nightmares every night. Most nights, he'd wake up screaming. Back in San Diego, he'd find his relief in skateboarding. He wasn't very good, and he knew it. It was enough to forget about his dreams. It was never the same dream, but they always starred his older sister. Sometimes he would dream of her drowning and he just stands there and watches her die. Other times he dreams of her ripping his heart out of his chest; which was rightfully hers. He would usually fight her, but in this latest nightmare of his, he let her do it and didn't stop her. How could he? It was her heart in the first place.
If Theo believed in a God, he would think he was punishing him. He thought his nightmares were gone. It's been weeks since he had one. Of course, the first night in Beacon Hills, they come back. Maybe it's the guilt of being back in this town. Being back in the place Tara died.
It was still really early when Theo woke up, and he knew he wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep. He quietly got out of bed and got dressed. He grabbed his skateboard and slipped out the door. He noticed the neighbor's vacant pool last night and thought it could easily be used as a halfpipe. Beacon Hills didn't have a skate park, so this is the best he'll have to do. It didn't look like anybody lived there, anyway. It was dark when Theo went outside. He didn't know the exact time, but he could guess he probably only had a couple of hours of sleep.
Theo skated back and forth without a care. He guessed he lost himself in it because before he knew it, the sunrise was coming out. By that time, he had completely forgotten about his nightmare. He was so distracted he didn't notice he was being watched.
He's gotta be honest, he did think it was a little weird he was watching him. If he wasn't so cute, Theo probably would've booked it as soon as he could. But then he looked into the other boy's eyes and that in itself scared the crap out of him. Theo didn't like attaching himself to others, not since Tara. He could look into his eyes forever, though.
Liam Dunbar.
That's what he said his name was. Theo remembers seeing him with Scott and the others last night. It settled him that he at least knew Scott, so he wasn't some perve creeping on him. Theo couldn't help smiling at him. It's like he gave off this energy full of sunshine. He was cute, made Theo laugh, he clearly worked out. He was exactly Theo's type. And it scared the absolute shit out of him. He wanted to know more about Liam Dunbar. He was done for and they had only just met.
Theo knew he was gay for a while. He never met anyone worth knowing, but there was one incident at a party. Just last year, Amanda Hall, she never liked being told no. He thought she was pretty enough, but it was that night that everything made it all so clear. Theo never looked twice at another girl, and if he had figured it out earlier, he wouldn't have gone up to that room with her in the first place. He couldn't even get hard for fuck's sake and the night ended with her in tears and Theo experiencing the most embarrassing night of his life.
After that, Theo kind of went through a string of boys. He figured if it makes you feel good, then do it, but he never stuck around. It wasn't worth it. The pain of getting to know somebody and having to rehash everything about what happened. He can't seem to escape it. It's better to just fuck than explain how he killed his sister and watch their repulsive reaction as they storm out of his life.
Theo didn't know how much time had actually passed until he was walking back into his house and there his dad was, mad as hell. He questioned where he was, but no matter what Theo would say it didn't matter. The damage was done. He didn't have time to change, let alone take a shower. His mom was already in the car, waiting to drive him to school. He would've driven himself to school if his truck wasn't still in San Diego. He could've just driven himself to Beacon Hills, but his parents didn't trust him enough for that drive, apparently. They haven't really let him drive his truck anywhere except school since he tried to run away after they told him they were moving back to Beacon Hills.
To say the least, it was a shock to him that they were so ready to go back. Theo wishes he could just forget. He would've done anything not to have to go back, so he left. It's not like he got far, just the county line before a cop stopped him. He honestly didn't think they would notice he was gone. They took his keys away after that, even though they didn't pay for it. He spent all summer saving up his money for that car, just for it to be taken away. His dad never liked that he had the car and was probably loving the control he had over his son.
The car ride over to the high school was spent in complete silence. He was never close with his parents, but at this point, they're just like strangers to him. Theo sees the high school come into view. His mom stops the car on the curb and waits for him to get out. He doesn't bother to say anything to her, she usually just tunes him out, anyway. He gets out of the car and at least smiles at her as he closes the door. He receives nothing in return.
As Theo turns to face the school, he shoulders his backpack. The first thing he sees as he looks around is Stiles standing with his girlfriend. At least Theo assumes she's his girlfriend after the way they were so close to each other last night. She wore a constant scowl on her face and he just knew she wasn't somebody he wanted to get on their bad side. Theo holds up his hand above his head to wave at Stiles. He looks around the crowd of other students, hoping Stiles can see him. He's smiling, but it soon turns into a grin at the excitement he feels at seeing his old friend. Theo frowns as the two walk in the other direction, ignoring his greeting. He doesn't understand what could've occurred in the short time to make Stiles act this way towards him. Maybe he's coming on too strong. It has been 8 years. He sighs before walking into the high school.
Theo took out a slip of paper that read his locker number. Locker 238. Once Theo got his locker open, he couldn't help but look around the hallway filled with busy teenagers. He was hoping to see Liam again. He now knew that Liam was friends with Scott and Stiles, so maybe if he can reconcile with the two, he could hang out with Liam. At the very least, become friends with him. Something about the way Stiles acted tells him he doesn't think it's very likely.
Down the hall, Theo thinks he sees a flash of blonde hair and a red hoodie. It's as quick as it comes, though, so Theo closes his bare locker and takes out his class schedule. He needs to clear his head. Most of the classes he was taking were Advanced, starting with AP Economics. He's always been good in school, not that his parents would notice. He wanted to get into a good school, far away from wherever his parents were. Far away from Beacon Hills.