Authors Note: HEYO! XD Please tell me what you think; I would love to know XD I own nothing and no one, apart from the following: Zane,Gabriel (Gabe), Chase, Jonah, Simon, Sam.
JUST SO YOU KNOW: like everyone else, I have no idea what Stiles' real name is, so I'm going along with what everyone else puts :) and I've made his middle name up XD
You guys are all so amazing and I love you all! In a non-creepy non-psycho kind of way XD
Please, please review XD
Chapter 17
Stiles
Sunday – 10th November – I was the first one up again. The DVDs that had been put out on Halloween were still sitting by the TV. They wouldn't mind if I watched one. Right?
To be honest, I thought there would be nothing there. Nothing else that I wanted to watch besides the Disney films we watched after Zane left the house. But I discovered long ago that I can't watch them by myself, I have to have at least one other person with me. And then I found one. I hadn't seen it in nine years...
It was the 1939 film of The Wizard of Oz. I used to love watching it, singing along with the munchkins. Of course, that was when I was ten, almost eleven. Back when I could actually do the things I loved to do without question and without fear of being hit for it.
Shrugging, I put the disc into the DVD player before turning to sit on the couch. As always, I skipped all the adverts, heading straight to the DVD menu. I pressed play as soon as I could, like I always did. I don't know why but if I started listening to the music on the DVD menu then I ended up spending half an hour listening to it over and over again. I don't actually know why that happened to me; all I know is that it happened if I started listening to it.
So I was a music junkie, sue me.
I reclined back into the cushions smiling slightly as the movie started.
And if I sang along with a few of the songs as the movie went on, well then that was my business...
I had gotten to the bit where Dorothy and company had arrived at the Emerald City, when the first of ten showed their faces. Isaac yawned as he climbed onto the couch, curling into a little ball. Eyes open just enough so he could see, face turned towards the TV.
"Mornin'." he mumbled.
"Mornin', Pup." I chuckled, watching as he screwed his face up at the name.
"Everyone else still sleep?"
It was like as if Isaac saying that a silent alarm went off in everyone's brains, since one by one, within the space of two minutes, the other nine sleepily made their ways down the stairs.
"They are now." I muttered.
I turned back to the movie playing as everyone piled into the living room. Danny, Scott and Allison squeezed onto the same couch as Isaac and me. I thought for sure one of them was going to touch me. I mean, the couch was large enough for four people to sit on with some space between them, but not five.
I was just about to move when Danny dragged a still tired Isaac onto his lap. Like, seriously, the kid had his side to Danny's chest, head under his chin, curled up into the tiniest ball he could go into, burying as close as he could into his boyfriend. The guy even had one of Danny's hoodies on. Danny just grinned, wrapping Isaac in his arms, pulling the kid closer and pressing his face into the blonde's hair.
It was sickeningly cute.
We had gotten to the part in the movie where we see all of the flying monkeys. Those little guys were both freaky and awesome! I mean, come on! Monkeys with wings?! Who came up with this shit?!
I huffed a quiet laugh as I thought of someone looking at a bird and a monkey, trying to fuse their DNA together by any means possible. I mean, sure, it wasn't a pretty picture, but it was funny.
And then Isaac just had to let this one thing slip out of his mouth.
"Why can't the evil monkeys have a dance party in this movie?" he yawned. "It would be funny and they would be less scary looking then."
"Dude, yes!" I grinned. "Greeny would be all 'Dance for me minions, dance!' It would be so cool! I mean, can you imagine having your own army of flying monkeys and getting them to do whatever you wanted? You wouldn't have to worry about cleaning or anything, and on the weekends: DANCE PARTY! Oh, man, I wished that actually happened in this now. Someone needs to remake this movie and make the evil flying monkeys have a dance party. Like, right now!"
Everyone just blinked at me, some amused and some still processing what I was saying. Isaac just beamed up at me, extending his fist, waiting for me to bump it with my own... I couldn't leave the kid hanging when he looked so much like a pup...
"I thought you only did that when you're nervous." Derek said, raising an eyebrow.
"No, Sourwolf, I said it's worse when I'm nervous." I told him, still grinning. "It happens sometimes, especially when I get excited or happy or whatever."
"You know, Stiles, you should smile more." Allison commented. "It suits you."
I don't think I could have helped the colour that rose to my face then. No one had ever said that to me... I hadn't even realised just how much I had actually smiled around these guys until then. Even since I was fourteen, I've rarely smiled. But now? I live with this lot for almost two months and I'm smiling again.
It was later that Sunday that I was up in my room.
I did it again. My room...
I had grabbed the large canvas that I had started using, adding more to the picture I was slowly developing. It was actually coming together better than expected, if I was being completely honest. I mean, sure, I didn't get everything right on the first go, but it was starting to look good.
"Hey, Stiles, what you doing, man?" Scott asked, walking in after knocking on the door.
"God, your turning into Erica, dude." I complained – in no way did I whine...
"Oi! I resent that."
"Well, then don't just walk in after you knock, wait for me to open the door."
"Whatever, so, what are you doing?"
Now, I could do one of two things. Number One: tell Scott what I was doing and hope he doesn't tell the others. Number Two: be an ass and make him wait.
Now, see, I really liked number two. And at least then he couldn't ruin the surprise by telling everyone exactly what I was doing. All he would know is I was drawing something, on a canvas, that none of them could know about.
Yeah, sounded pretty good to me.
"You're gunna have to wait and see, just like the other boys and girls." I smirked.
"What?! Why?!" he whined.
"Maybe 'cause I said so? It should be finished sometime next month or the month after."
"I don't wanna wait that long!"
"Tough. Now out, or you'll never find out."
I would be lying if I said Scott went out easily. I mean, I had to practically push him out of the door.
At least, this time, I remembered to lock it before going back to the canvas on the floor.
That night, I pulled out the box of books from under my bed, rummaging through it until I found an old, dark red cover. It was the only one in the box that looked like that, so I didn't have to worry about it being the wrong one.
So, placing it on the bed beside me, I shoved the box back under my bed, before pushing myself up. I lay on my stomach, pillow underneath me, laying the book on the covers in front of me. Flipping to the section I had read a once since I had received it from my mother.
Page 394: Mates
I didn't know much about Mates and what they meant for someone like me, or a werewolf – this book referred to the werewolf side of me, since my mom and me were the only half and half's really... But, apparently, they were important. I couldn't remember anything this passage had told me, since I was only eleven when I had first read it and I've had some pretty good hits to the head ever since then.
But I remembered vague things. And ever since I started having those weird moments with Derek and starting to feel like...this about him... Well, I just have to look into it more! I mean, that couldn't be right. Right?
Derek couldn't be my...my Mate. Could he? Frowning a little, I got to reading.
It took me only a few minutes to read the whole chapter on Mates – it wasn't exactly large. I closed the book and put it away in the box before leaning back, until my back hit the mattress.
Apparently a Mate will become protective, often feeling a responsibility towards the other – especially if one is a few years younger. They will usually give a place to live if it was in need, providing comfort or companionship when needed, defending their Mate if they were being threatened.
Basically, most things that Derek had done for me were signs of being a Mate.
I had no idea if there was anything there that I had done; I mean, you never notice the things you do. But all evidence pointed towards Derek and me...being Mates.
But that can't be right?! Can it?
Everything went as it usually did for the next few days. And then came Thursday 14th.
It was during my longest free period of the day that I went to the local library, not too far from the university. I had been there a few times when I was living in my Jeep, to do assignments, but today I went for what libraries were known for.
Books.
Not books for school or anything, just books for me to read.
It was all good and fine as I looked down the fiction section, trying to find anything that jumped out at me. When...
BAM!
Got hit right in the eye.
Now even though it was hard to hurt werewolves if you were human, it was very easy to hurt were-foxes. And, since I was both, it put me half way between the two, meaning anything could hurt me, really. I mean, sure, my attacker would be hurt from the impact too, but it still hurt me.
My head snapped back, from the initial impact of the hit, my vision going black for a moment, before righting itself again.
Standing in front of me was Jonah. A red headed, brown eyed guy in Chase's little group of homophobic thugs. He was the newest to the group, apparently, but that didn't make it any harder for him to join in the 'fun'.
"Problem?" I sighed, dropping my backpack to the ground.
So I guess he thought replying with words wasn't as fun as punching me again. But I saw it coming this time, so I dodged it.
What I didn't see coming was two people coming up behind me and restraining me.
Simon and Sam – twins, and the other two in Chase's group of thugs – held me back, giving Jonah the advantage. Of course, things like this just reminded me of Dallas.
Being pinned down, on my stomach, on the floor.
Arms chained behind me in the basement.
Multiple bruises and cuts.
When I remembered all of that, I ended up being too weak to fight back. All because I thought it was either Zane of my dad doing this to me, and no one else. If I wasn't being restrained I would have been fine, because I knew there was only one person and I could see them and I knew I could fight them off.
But not this time.
Jonah was getting ready to collide his fist with my stomach again, the grip on my arms from the other two tightening. My eyes had already closed; it was easier that way...
But the hit never came. The grip on my arms had disappeared. And I had fallen to the ground.
Huh?
And then I heard a growl. I knew that growl. I heard it before. Well, not as much as Derek's, but I knew it.
Jackson.
By the time I opened my eyes, Jackson had already sent Simon and Sam running, and had Jonah pinned to the floor, whispering something to him. His voice was so low that even my advanced hearing couldn't hear him. Though that probably had something to do with the ringing in my ears as well.
When Jackson actually let the guy up off of the floor, Jonah bolted towards the door, not looking back once. The blonde Beta walked over to my while this happened, extending a hand to help me up. Hesitantly, I took it.
Once I was standing again, I leant against a nearby table, taking a moment for the pounding in my head to disappear. I knew it would only take a minute or two. It was only the visible wounds that took longer to heal. I mean, the bruises on my back, from where that cabinet fell on it, were still there! Though, thanks to Derek, there was still no pain.
"You helped me..." I said.
Jackson just shrugged, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket.
"Well, you're not a bad guy." the blonde muttered. "You couldn't be after everything you've done. You know, for Isaac and Danny...and Allison."
"So, helping me is your way of saying...?" I started to ask.
"My way of saying I'm sorry I judged you. Want me to stay in case those assholes come back?"
"Nah, I'm good."
Jackson nodded as he turned to walk back to the entrance of the library.
"Hey, Jackson." I said, quietly, knowing he could hear me. "Thank you."
A slight tilt of his head was all I needed to know that he had heard me.
I knew it; he was a big softie really...
By the time I got back to the house, I had – around – fifteen books with me. Since I had no watch or phone, I had no idea what the time was... But since it was pitch black outside, I was going to take a guess at late... I would have tried to sneak into the house, like I usually did back in Dallas...but that was hard to do when you were living with nine werewolves.
As soon as I had stepped into the house they were all standing there, in the hallway. The girls had their hands on their hips, Derek and Peter had gone for crossing their arms, while the other guys just went for leaning casually.
Sighing, I shifted my backpack higher on my shoulder, adjusting the grip I had on the books I wasn't able to fit in there.
"I know, I know, it's late." I told them. "But, in my defence, I didn't know what the time was."
With that one sentence, everyone just kind of deflated, realising that they no longer had any argument.
I pretty much had to hide my smirk, knowing that I had won.
"What is all that?" Peter asked, raising an eyebrow – that had to be a Hale thing, I swear!
"Books." I shrugged, smiling slightly.
Before anyone could speak – and ask me why I had a black eye – I was already halfway up the stairs.
The next day – Friday, November 15th – I walked out of the Principal's office in a rage.
I had dug the claws that had sprouted into the palms of my hands, trying to keep from doing anything rash or hitting out at anyone. Especially that asshole Chase!
More and more people had avoided me when they saw me in such a state. Even Gabriel decided it was best to leave me alone right now, instead of risk being torn to shreds.
Lessons hadn't even started yet, so the wolves and Allison had spotted me, the nine of them following me out into the empty parking lot. As soon as I got out into the open space, I ran towards the nearest wall, yelling as I put my first through the brick.
The intense pain helped to ground me, my claws retracting. But it did nothing but fuel my anger.
I faintly heard Lydia tell someone to go to the main office and tell them that they would all be late to their class, possibly missing out on the first and second, telling them to say that there was a 'family emergency'.
"Stiles?" Scott asked from somewhere behind me. "What happened?"
"Fucking Chase is what happened!" I roared. "I swear, I'm going to teach that little shit a fucking lesson!"
"What did he do?"
"Look, can we just leave. If we stay here, I'm going to go back in there and rip his head off."
"Give me the keys to your Jeep."
"Why?"
"You're in no state to drive, right now."
Scott chucked me the keys as soon as we stepped out of my Jeep, once we had pulled up outside the house.
As soon as we walked through the door, I chucked my backpack towards the stairs, the handle catching on the banister, dangling off the wooden bar. I didn't even look to see if it stayed – years of practice told me it would –, I just stormed into the living room, throwing myself down onto the couch, face first.
"Didn't we get rid of you all for the day?" Peter asked, smirk evident by his tone, as he strutted – he always does that – into the living room.
"Shut up, stupid Zombie-wolf." I muttered into the pillow under my face.
"What did you do?" Derek sighed, joining us.
In a moment, I had flipped over, eyes both flashing red to purple, a growl ripping from my throat.
"I did nothing!" I spat. "Chase is just an immature ass, who thinks getting me suspended is funny!"
Everyone just kind of went quiet for a moment.
As they stood there, I pretty much pushed past Derek, out of the living room, and practically sprinted towards the training room. If I stayed, I would have put my first through something or someone. And I didn't want that. No one wanted that.
They all appeared five minutes later.
I was still shirtless; moving to different things to see if that would quell my anger. But nothing would. So I just kept going round and round and round.
I could feel the sweat rolling down my neck and bruised back, dripping from my chin onto my slightly defined abs. The trails would change from how much I was moving or shaking, depending if I was standing still or not. But, either way, I was going to need a long shower after this...
"I told myself it was going to be different here. That I was going to keep my head down, not let anyone or anything distract me from my work. Just stay a loner, just like I've always been." I told them. "But then Chase decides that it's too much for me to ask to get a good education. So he goes around the school, pinching money from most teachers without them noticing, and then having the nerve to blame it on me."
I ended up punching the punch back so hard that it tipped and skidded to a stop in front of all of them.
Running hands through my hair and gripping it so tight I thought that chunks were going to start falling out, I moved over to the practice dummy.
"You know what they did? They asked me to leave the premises and not come back until December second!" I scoffed. "Seventeen days of sitting on my ass, doing nothing, when I actually want to do something with my life! I'm not allowed on the school grounds until December fucking second, all because that little jackass has it out for me! Hell, they didn't even question me about it, they just believed that asshole!"
I froze for a moment as I heard the sound of them all shuffling a little from foot to foot.
No... No. You've got to be kidding!
I turned to face them slowly; my eyes now back to their usual colour.
Instead of feeling angry, I just felt defeated.
"You believe him, don't you?" I asked, slowly and quietly.
They all looked down. That was the only answer I needed.
The people that I had been living with didn't believe me. After all they had found out about me, from me and not my stupid records, after everything that's happened so far...they believe Chase and not me.
This was one of the reasons why I don't let people in. They never have your back.
My shoulders slumped as I picked up my shirt and walked out of the room, ignoring the soft calls of my name. If the people that had taken me in, been helped by me and knew half of what I had been through didn't believe me...who would?
Derek
We watched as Stiles trudged towards the stairs, looking...beaten. I could feel that everyone slightly believed that this 'Chase' was telling some form of the truth...but I couldn't help but to be sceptical.
I sent my Beta's back to the university, while Peter just went out into the woods as normal. I, on the other hand, went to my room.
I had a fully functional computer. Sure, it might not be one that many people would love, but it worked and got the job done. And that job? Hacking into the schools security camera footage.
Danny had shown me a few tricks, meaning I could keep an eye on them all if something particularly bad was happening, making sure nothing happened to any of them. As the Alpha, it was my responsibility to look after them all, even Peter, no matter if he was older than me. It was my duty.
Stiles was Pack. He may not know it yet, the others may not know it yet, hell I might not even accept it yet, but he was Pack. I looked out for my Pack.
Besides, there was something about that kid that made my wolf howl.
It had never happened to me before, but my wolf was just telling me to protect the kid. I thought that the feeling would go, but it only got stronger the longer he was around. It frustrated me, not knowing what was going on. And it wasn't like I could ask Peter. He would laugh and tell me to figure it out for myself, no matter how much I threatened him. He knew I would follow through with it.
As soon as I had gotten past all the necessary barriers, I manoeuvred my way through the footage.
It was rather interesting what I found.
Stiles
I didn't realise I had fallen asleep until I woke up Saturday morning.
I spoke to no one, ignored them all if they tried to speak to me. Well, all accept Derek. He was the only one that seemed to believe me, I could tell. I don't know how, but I could always tell if someone believed me or a lie... Ever since I was a kid I could. I asked my mom if it was because of what I was, what we were. She said no, that it was just something I could do.
It was sometime after dinner, when I was washing the dishes, that Erica waltzed into the kitchen. She just hopped up onto the counter, slicking her hair over her shoulder and looking at her nails.
Eugh, girls...
"So, Derek seems to like you, huh." she said casually. "He looked at the security footage from the school. Kicked up a right fuss when he found out you had done nothing."
Wait, he did what now?!
"Yeah, I think he almost punched a guy..." she continued. "He must really like you, Batman. I mean, he doesn't do that for just anybody."
With that she jumped off the counter, grabbed a soda from the fridge and left the kitchen.
Well, that wasn't expected...
That night, I pulled out the books that I grabbed from the library on Friday.
Seven of the fifteen that I had borrowed were the Harry Potter books. I hadn't managed to grab the box with all my books in from Dallas, meaning my Harry Potter books were still back there. I hadn't read them in a while so, when I saw them, I just had to pick them up.
So I started reading.
I was done with the first, second and third in seven and a half hours.
I was done with the fourth in three hours.
By the time I looked at the clock in my room – I did it again – it was already well into the morning – I was already on the fifth book.
"Just a few more pages." I muttered to myself. "I've almost finished the chapter."
A few pages turned into another chapter.
Another chapter turned into another two.
I thought I still had plenty of time to sleep when someone walked in.
"So this is why you weren't answering." Derek sighed, nodding towards the books, a hint of a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth, as the rest of the Pack gathered behind him. "Have you even slept?"
"S-Sorry." I mumbled. "I-I didn't realise... I get so caught up when I'm reading and... I didn't mean to... Sorry."
Derek tilted his head to the side as he gestured for everyone else to get lost, before walking into my room and closing the door behind him, leaning against it.
He stayed there for a moment, arms crossed as he leant one side against the door. But after a few minutes of silence, after I placed the book down – I memorized my place – he pushed himself off of the door and came to stand at the end of my bed.
"You don't have to keep apologising, Stiles." Derek said, quietly. "We're not going to hurt you here, no matter what you do. If you want to stay up all night and read, that's your call. You want to eat, do it. This is your home now too. Remember that."
I nodded before he turned and walked back towards the door.
"Hey, Derek." I called out, softly, staring down at the duvet. "Thank you. For everything. And for what you did with the school... Erica told me you, and I quote, 'kicked up a right fuss'. So, uh, yeah... Thanks."
Derek huffed slightly, almost like a small laugh. From this angle, it looked like he was smiling...
"Get some sleep, Stiles." Derek murmured. "I'll make sure there's food let for you when you wake up."
Monday 18th. My first Monday off of school. They all had said they'd pick up any work from me from our classes and give me the assignments so I would fall behind on work. Until they all came back, I had nothing to do though.
Danny had given me permission to use his laptop while they were at the school, whether it was to just to look at stuff or to do school work. The kid was alright...
So that's how, on this Monday, while Peter and Derek were out, I was in the living room, on YouTube, listening to all the songs I liked while dancing around the living room.
Now, I wasn't a good dancer. I just liked dancing randomly when I listened to music. It wasn't like anyone could see me. Besides it was nothing more that jumping around, swaying my hips or grinding the air.
Shut up, it's fun!
I was currently listening to the Nightcore version of I Don't Care by Fall Out Boy. Now that song was good to move your hips to.
With a bottle of cola in my hand, I couldn't give a crap about staying quiet. So I sang as loud as I could, moving to the music, only stopping singing when I poured some of the cold liquid down my throat.
Of course, while doing this, I didn't notice anyone coming back.
I didn't hear the door open and close.
I didn't hear the footsteps.
I only heard the heartbeats after the song had finished.
I spun around to find the two Hales standing there, both with an expression of a different level of amusement.
I didn't have to look in a mirror to know that I had gone as red as a tomato.
Oh, how I wish I could say that was the only time they caught me during my time off of school...
My days out of school were pretty much the same.
On Thursday 28th November though, I was told something I never expected to hear.
"Stiles, we're going to Scott's mom's house for dinner." Derek said while the others were still at school and we were sat in the living room. "For Thanksgiving."
And we all knew what that meant.
"Oh, ok..." I muttered, trying not to sound as sad as I felt. "Have fun..."
Derek turned to me, raising an eyebrow. It was weird how funny it looked as he sat in his armchair doing it.
"What do you mean? You're coming to." Derek told me, slowly.
"I... What?!" I stuttered. "And she's alright with that?!"
"Don't be so dramatic. Just make sure your ready."
Person I never met.
Strange house.
This couldn't go well...
So, Melissa – who I found out was Scott's mom's name – apparently knew me. Only by rumour, but yeah, she had heard of me...
And I was terrified.
I don't do well with parents. They take one look at me and run away holding their children close. Or they hear stupid rumours about me and yell at me for helping their kid – yeah, Jason's mom, I'm talking about you, bitch.
You would not believe how much I wanted to run when we were all standing outside her door...
I was seriously contemplating running, when the door swung open.
Derek had grabbed hole of my shoulder when that happened, pushing my inside after everyone else and before him, as he greeted Melissa McCall. I couldn't hear anything over my heart pounding in my ears, I only noticed Derek gesture towards me.
He placed his hand back on my shoulder after he finished saying who I was, which calmed me enough to hear what was being said.
Derek didn't let go though.
"Stiles, everyone's told me so much about you." she smiled – you know, that really motherly smile.
"Well, that's not good then." I muttered to myself.
"Oh, don't be silly. It was all good. I couldn't quite believe those silly rumours to begin with, and after what everyone had to say about you I just couldn't believe that people could make up such things."
I had to stand there and stare, mouth open and eyes wide.
No one had ever said that to me before...
"Thank you, Mrs McCall." I whispered.
"Please, call me Melissa." she said.
I had been herded into the living room with the others, sitting there with the parade on, as Melissa cooked in the kitchen. I felt a little uncomfortable though, everyone together while Melissa worked her ass off to cook dinner. Especially considering how many wolves there were.
So, without thinking, I jumped up and went into the kitchen.
At first I just stayed in the doorway, watching as she ran around like a headless chicken.
"Um... Melissa?" I started, hesitantly. "D-Do you want any help?
The woman in question spun around, smiling gratefully.
"If you could that would be great." she admitted. "It's hard cooking for eight werewolves."
"Tell me about it. I do all the cooking back at the house; otherwise they'd all be eating out of ordering in." I chuckled, walking over to the stove. "I guess they told you about what I am? Well, even though I'm half wolf half fox, I don't eat as much as any of them... It still makes me ill just thinking about it."
"I know! I always wonder where they put it."
"Werewolf metabolism. You gotta love it."
Melissa and I just looked to each other and laughed.
During the whole cooking-dinner-and-never-want-to-see-food-again-holy-God-there's-so-much thing, Melissa and I actually became quite good friends. She was kind and motherly and just overall a nice person. She asked me about myself, wanting to permanently rid her mind of the lies people had told her...
No one had ever been like this towards me when first meeting me. I liked it...
It wasn't long before we were all sat at the table, laughing and talking and eating.
I was actually enjoying the experience much more that I had thought I would... It felt nice to be included and it felt nice to be wanted. Melissa even made it known to me that she wanted me there while we were cooking an even a couple of times while we had been at the table.
"So, Stiles." Melissa giggled, calming down after a story Scott had told. "You haven't said much about your mom and dad."
I almost much chocked on the turkey I had in my mouth, while the others just went a little stiff.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Scott shake his head a little.
"Oh, I'm sorry." she muttered, embarrassedly.
"I-It's ok." I told her, smiling sadly. "My... My mom died five days after my tenth birthday, of stomach cancer. The doctors caught it too late and couldn't do anything to save her. But she would have loved all of you though. She loved to cook and would have told you to sit down and take a break, let someone else handle it for a change."
I sniffled a bit, giving a soft forlorn laugh.
"But she would have loved this though. Would have loved that I was celebrating again." I added, quietly.
"That is the first thing you have told us willingly." Boyd commented, earning a jab in the ribs from Derek.
"Sorry, won't happen again."
"No, no! We don't mean it's a bad thing, sweetie." Lydia covered, quickly. "We're just a little surprised."
I smiled a little at the strawberry blonde, nodding slightly. I guess it was the first thing I had said without prompting...
"What about your dad?" Melissa asked, hesitantly this time.
I stiffened in my chair.
Calm down, Stiles. You can't let them know about that asshole!
"I don't talk to him anymore." I said, carefully, trying not to lie. "We haven't gotten along very well in a few years.
For a while, there was silence as everyone continued eating. I caught Isaac's gaze once, receiving a slight nod from him. I knew that he meant he would keep my secret about my dad, and boy was I grateful for that kid!
"So, you have yourself a girlfriend?" Melissa asked after a few minutes.
And just like that, the whole mood seemed to change.
"No, I'm gay, actually." I grinned. "Figured it out when I was fourteen. And, before you ask, yes I've had a boyfriend, but I don't think any good could come from me telling you about my ex."
"I'll take your word for it." Melissa smiled.
"Thanks. But I do have these guys to thank for getting me away from him. If it wasn't for them... Well, God knows what could have happened. I've only been living in the house for...two months and seven days, and they've already done so much for me."
Melissa let out a quiet 'aw' as I realised what I had said and ducked my head, trying to hide the colour creeping up my neck.
"Well, hey, looks like I found what I'm thankful for." I chuckled.
Please, please review XD
Thanks everyone XD
Sorry it's been a while :/ I had a sleepover and it threw me off track.