LIAM

Ever since Mason got attacked by that Berserker 6 months ago, he's been obsessed with the supernatural. It's been making it harder to keep his secret from him. He's been doing research on all kinds of myths and lore. He frequently asks Liam questions about it, like he's supposed to have a clue. He does. He did the same research when he found out about his lycanthropy. Mason doesn't need to know that, though. It's all just more lies. Liam's not really a great liar, either, so Mason knows something is up. He spent their entire first class period listening to Mason go on about what he's learned. He's even noticing things about other people, like how some students skip school when there's a full moon out, i.e. Liam. He's become too observant. Another thing Liam's not good at — keeping secrets, so he's surprised he's held out for this long. It's not easy.

Mason was still talking his ear off as they walked to History class together. Why can't he just drop it? So, he got attacked. It happened. Now, he can move on. Stop reading up on supernatural creatures. Liam doesn't know how to tell him this without looking suspicious.

Mason was currently asking Liam about Tezcatlipoca, an Aztec God, as they walk into class. He acts like he has no idea what he's talking about, but he doesn't think Mason buys it.

As they enter the classroom, Liam is about to take a seat near the back of the room, but then he sees the bane of his existence. Hayden Romero. He didn't know she went to school here and immediately wishes she didn't. She's hated him ever since he accidentally punched her in the face in the 6th grade. He didn't mean to. She just got in the way when he was trying to punch this other kid.

"Oh!" Liam lets out an unwarranted groan, causing her to look in his direction while flipping her hair out of her face. Great, now she's looking at him. He hopes she doesn't remember what he did. She pops her gum, glaring at him before looking to the front. Maybe she did.

Liam wouldn't say it was his fault. Not entirely. He could say it was Jason Holloway's fault, and Hayden just got in the way. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was still early in the school year; Liam had just moved to Beacon Hills. He made a few friends, including Mason. At this time, along with puberty, Liam was struggling with his I.E.D. Everything seemed to set him off. They didn't know what was wrong with him yet. He can't really remember what even triggered him. He just knows he was joking around with his friends and the next he's clocking Jason in his smug face.

A crowd started to break out, and Liam and Jason were still wailing on each other. Then Hayden — being the good samaritan, apparently — tried to break up the fight. Liam wasn't seeing straight, so overcome with rage, that he punched Hayden right in the nose. Her scream is what brought him back. Everybody went deadly quiet, apart from Hayden. Liam looked around the narrow hallway where students were all gathered. They all stared at him with disgust.

Until Hayden was in his face and punching him back, that is. It was so unexpected. The crowd erupted in laughter as Liam let out a groan of pain because Hayden may have been a girl, but she was strong. Everybody started yelling "Fight!" repetitively until a teacher finally came around to break it all up. Nobody would say what happened, even though it was clear with the matching bruises on Liam and Hayden's faces. All three of them ended up getting detention. Even though he's pretty sure Jason started the fight.

Liam doesn't know what made Hayden hate him more. The fact that he punched her or that it happened to be on the same day as picture day. As a result, they both took their pictures with black eyes and taped noses. His mother wasn't pleased.

Mason looks over and sees what the problem is. His eyes widen at Liam and he gives him an amused look. Liam scoffs and looks around the classroom, searching for literally any other seat in the room. All seats were filled, and he was the last one standing.

"Liam!" Mr. Yukimura calls. Liam looks at him, caught. He's stuck, there's nowhere to hide. He's going to be forced to sit next to Hayden for the rest of the semester. He looks over at her, a little afraid.

"You're not gonna just stand there, are you?"

"Maybe," Liam says, seriously. Now, that is a great idea.

"The whole semester?"

"Maybe," Liam repeats. He's not kidding. It's way better than sitting next to her.

"Liam, have a seat."

Liam gets a bitter look on his face. This is unbelievable. He reluctantly sits down at the desk between Hayden and Mason. It takes him a moment to notice it. She must've done it when he was looking around. Scott's always telling him to use his werewolf senses. In this instance, he wishes he had.

Liam looks down and lifts his butt partially off his seat and notices a distinct stretchiness to it. He already knows what it is as he glances at Hayden. He regrets his decision in sitting down and should've just stood the whole class period. Her bright pink already chewed bubble gum was stuck between the chair and his brand new pair of jeans. He looks at her with a scowl and she grins back mischievously. He looks away from her, biting his fingers. All Mason does is laugh at his horror. Some best friend he is.

He knew two things. Hayden definitely remembered. And this was going to be a long year.

Liam spends his entire second class period in uncomfortable sticky pants. Hayden smirks at him as he wiggles around, enjoying his torment. Once the school bell rings for the next class, he hightails it out of there. Liam heads straight for the boys' locker room, where he knows his gym shorts are hidden away in his locker. Mason quickly hurries after him, laughing along the way. He does his best to hide Liam's gum-plastered behind. All laughing ceases, though, when they round a corner and Liam runs smack-dab into a very attractive guy. Of course, that attractive guy had to be Theo Raeken. Liam finds himself hit with a bright smile and he can feel his face heat. No doubt it's bright red by now.

"Liam," his voice is smooth like butter as he says his name. "I was wondering when we would run into each other."

Liam stutters his way through, slowly walking past Theo while turning, keeping his back from his view. Mason follows his every step, trying to help his best friend. Theo frowns at him as the two walk away. Once the older boy is no longer seen, Liam practically sprints to the locker room. This time, void of any hindrance in his way.

Liam has already changed into his shorts by the time Mason catches up to him.

"You going to tell me who that was, or do I have to guess?"

"Who?" Liam feigns ignorance, wanting to forget the whole thing happened.

"That fine Adonis you just nearly knocked over?" Mason looks at him, incredulous.

Liam still looks at him, confused. "Oh, Theo?" he says nonchalantly as he stuffs his gym bag back into his locker.

"Why have you been hiding him? He is so hot!" Liam doesn't know why, but he lets out a quiet growl at that. Luckily, Mason doesn't hear him. Besides that, he shouldn't be growling at his best friend.

He shrugs and says, "I don't really know him. He's an old friend of Scott and Stiles."

It doesn't take long for Mason to start talking about the supernatural again. Liam has to breathe through his nose as his annoyance takes a toll. He tries to tune him out the best he can. That way, he won't give anything away if he has no idea what he's talking about.

"Look, I'm not saying I believe all of it a hundred percent," Mason is saying as he and Liam walk out of the boys' locker room, "but people around us seem to know things. Like Lydia? She knows things."

Liam rolls his eyes, tired of listening to Mason. He hopes he can steer Mason onto a different approach of subject, maybe avoid him altogether. All this constant talk of werewolves and banshees is eating at his guilt.

"Dude, it's the first day of school. Shouldn't you be thinking about other things, like..." Liam stops at his locker and looks around just as the boys' soccer team is coming through. He points at them and says, "… like the soccer team?"

"What do you think I'm going to do? Follow them out to the field and watch them practice while I pretend to study?"

Liam shrugs, smiling. He knows it won't take much to convince Mason. "It's warm out. They're probably going to be shirtless."

Mason nods, considering. He sighs and pats Liam on the shoulder as he makes up his mind. "I'll see you in Physics."

Liam turns back to his locker, satisfied he could finally get some peace. He's working on unlocking his locker when the one next to him slams shut and Hayden's face appears. So much for some peace. Not only does he have to share a class with her, but her locker is right next to his.

"Nice shorts," she comments smugly.

"Yeah, thanks," Liam says sarcastically. "You know, I was wondering if you were still pissed off about the sixth grade, but uh… guess you cleared that up..."

"I'm not pissed off, Liam," she chuckles. Liam looks at her, honestly surprised. "I'm vengeful." She finishes locking her locker with evil eyes pointed at him.

Liam drops his head on his locker, growling in humiliation. He uses his pants as a barrier so he doesn't hurt himself. Could his day get any worse?

Liam walks outside and finds Theo sitting by himself. He thought he would be with Scott and Stiles, but guess not. He really wished he looked better. The young werewolf was wearing a green t-shirt, a worn red hoodie, and sweaty high school gym shorts. It was all he had and there was no way he's getting someone's unfamiliar scent all over himself from the lost and found. He'd feel wrong for the rest of the day.

Theo looks up and sees Liam. He chances a smile and wave. Liam smiles and lifts his arm to wave back. He walks towards him but is stopped by Stiles. He pulls on Liam's arm and steers him in the opposite direction of Theo.

"Hey, Liam! Where are you going, kid?" Stiles puts his arm around him, walking away from Theo.

"I was just going to say hi to Theo."

"Yeah, listen, buddy. You should stay away from him."

Liam looks at him, and they stop walking. "Why? Did he do something?" He looks back at Theo, who sits silently as he finishes his lunch.

"Liam, just trust me, okay? Theo's not a good guy."

Liam nods, silently. Stiles walks away, and he looks back at Theo. He probably thought he would return with open arms. Liam wants to go over there, but he also wants to be a loyal beta, so he stays away.

He really should've seen this one coming. He knows Stiles is like Scott's sidekick or something; always getting him out of trouble. Usually, when Stiles tells him to stay away, he stays away. Problem is, Theo hasn't actually done anything that could warrant this cold behavior. Granted, they've only shared a couple of interactions with each other. Liam feels like he should at least give him the benefit of the doubt. Don't they say you're only guilty once proven, or something like that?