There were no doubt many ways in which one could describe Stiles Stilinki. He was, without a doubt, energetic (though some might have used the term "spastic" or even "neurotic"), with the ability to keep all systems go for hours on end. Those who knew him well would also describe him as a loyal friend. After all, not many could be a friend of a werewolf pack, not to mention help them deal with the supernatural chaos that seemed to haunt them.

But if Stiles could name one trait that described him best, it was the fact that he was incredibly curious, and he certainly wasn't ashamed to admit it. Sure, some might have considered him nosy, but Stiles wasn't going to let that deter him from his natural curiosity. After all, as they said, "curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back."

So when Stiles caught sight of an unfamiliar face in the front office, he could feel the nerves in the back of his mind prickling to life. The teen stopped in his path through the school hallway, causing Scott to nearly walk into him.

"Really, Stiles?" Scott frowned, straightening his shirt.

Stiles didn't answer, grabbing the Beta by the backpack and pulling him to hide behind a row of lockers as he peered around the corner into the office.

Scott let out a frustrated sigh, "What are you doing, Stiles?"

"There's a new kid…" Stiles murmured, taking a quick inventory of the student standing in the front office. He was tall, and no doubt wiry, with a lithe build under his jeans and leather jacket. Who still wore leather jackets except bikers and musical theater geeks hoping to sing "Summer Nights" at the talent show? The fluffy mop of sandy blond hair definitely gave of the vibe of "all-American boy next door," and Stiles would bet money on the fact the new boy probably had baby-blue eyes or something equally as adorably innocent. But then again, Isaac had that same look, and Isaac had the ability to rip out a person's throat…if he ever worked up the nerve…

"Yeah, a new kid." Scott shook his head, "So what?"

"Man, do you remember what this school's track record is with new people?" Stiles rolled his eyes, "And who transfers schools in the middle of last quarter?" Quickly, Stiles reached into his pocket, drawing out his cell phone.

Scott watched, eyebrow raised, "Now what are you doing?"

"Texting Derek." Stiles replied shortly, taking a quick picture of Blondie, as he mentally dubbed him.

"Why?"

"Because Pack Alpha should know if there's a new threat." Honestly, there were days in which Stiles was sure he was the only reason Scott hadn't gotten himself killed. Stiles knew his friend was naive, but come on…

I'm starting to sound like Derek… The thought made Stiles smile slightly. The grumpy wolf was rubbing off on him, it seemed. The teen shook his head, typing out a quick message.

[New kid on the block. Just a heads up.] Stiles typed out quickly, making sure to include he picture of Blondie.

Beside him, Scott watched incredulously, "Wow dude, what the hell is Derek doing to you?"

"Nothing that can't be found in the The Karma Sutra."

"Dude, I didn't need to know that. I don't think anyone needed to know that."

Before Scott could continue on his disgust, but Stiles couldn't be bothered to listen, as he was distracted by the vibration of his phone in his hand.

[Is he alone?]

Tuning out Scott, who was probably threatening to inform Stiles's dad about his goings on with Derek, Stiles typed out his response. [No idea. Just spotted him.]

[What car does he drive?]

Stiles frowned, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Huh…"

"What?"

"Oh, listening to me now?"

"Shut up." Scott shook his head, "What did the big bad wolf say?"

Instead of answering, Stiles showed him the message, "Still think I'm crazy for thinking Derek has black-car-phobia?"

Adam was not stupid, nor was he naive. At least, not anymore. There had been a time in which he would have blindly believed in the goodness of the world, but he knew better now. The past year had seen to that.

So he was more than aware of the two students standing outside the door to the office, and he was definitely aware that his picture had been taken.

That didn't take long at all. He smiled to himself, readjusting his backpack as he picked up his class schedule. The water sloshed sluggishly in the green Nalgene that was clipped to the side of his backpack as he made his way to the office door.

As Adam gripped the doorknob in his right hand, he could feel the warm metal of his ring clink against the brass knob. The small sensation brought a strange sense of comfort to Adam. Or perhaps it was confidence. Either way, it worked.

And if Adam opened the office door with a bit more force than he needed, smacking the two teens behind the door with a solid thunk, well…what an amusing way to start the day.

"Oh goodness, I'm so sorry!" Adam tried his best to looked shocked as he finally confronted the two outside.

One of the teens had been sent sprawling on the floor, but to his credit, the energetic teen bounced back up in a hurry, "No worries, dude! No harm, no foul."

The other teen, the one who had been lucky enough to remain standing, shook his head, "Yeah, it takes way more than that to hurt Stiles's hard head."

"Stiles, huh?" Adam chuckled, "Interesting name."

The bouncy teen, Stiles, shrugged quickly, "Well yeah, but no one can pronounce my real first name, so I'm saving myself the trouble."

"I can respect that." Adam nodded, extending his hand, "Adam Mil…ton," He cleared his throat, "Sorry, got a bit of breakfast caught in my throat."

Stiles laughed, shaking Adam's hand quickly, "No worries, man." He grinned, "Though I don't know anyone who shakes hands and isn't my dad's age."

"Sorry about that." Adam let go of Stiles's hand, "I guess we're just old fashioned in the Mid-West."

"No kidding?" The other teen answered, extending his hand to greet Adam, "Scott McCall."

"Yeah, Wisconsin." Adam nodded, shaking Scott's hand.

In the single moment in which Adam's hand came in contact with Scott's, Adam noted several things. First was just how curiously warm Scott's flesh was, almost hot. The second came at the moment Adam's ring touched Scott. The younger teen's hand stiffened, and Adam could see twinges of pain cross Scott's face.

But all that lasted only a moment, not even enough time for the conversation to miss a beat. "Oh yeah, Cheesehead!" Scott laughed, dropping his hand quickly.

"Oh great," Adam gave a small chuckle himself, "I take it I won't be living that nickname down."

"With a boring name like Adam Milton? You bet!" Stiles laughed, "Hey, what's your schedule, maybe we have some classes together."

Adam showed Stiles his schedule, keeping Scott in the corner of his eye.

Stiles let out a low whistle, "Holy crap, man. AP Anatomy, Calculus, AP Comp…what the hell is wrong with you? Aren't you just a junior? Are you trying to kill yourself?"

"What, too much?" Adam chuckled, "I want to look good when I apply for college."

"Good luck with that, if you've got Harris for AP Anatomy." Scott shook his head. "He's got a stick so far up his ass, you can see it when he talks."

Adam chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm pretty good with science…" He paused as the school bell began to chime its warning bell, "I better head to my first class, I better not be late on my first day."

"You know where you're going?" Stiles asked curiously.

Adam flipped his schedule over, where a school map was printed, "I think I can figure it out. But maybe I'll see you two at lunch?"

Scott gave Adam a smile, though the blond could tell it was stunted somewhat. "Sure thing. We'll look for you."

With that, Adam turned and made his way through the crowds of teens on their way to classes. It definitely felt strange, being back in high school. He was simply glad that he was able to still pass as someone under eighteen…considering the fact he was more or less twenty…how old was he?

You're twenty. It's only been a year since your nineteen year old body was restored.

Adam had to resist the urge to smirk too widely. So were you hanging around spying on me the entire time?

It's not like I have other options.

You could hang out at the motel. Catch up on your Humanisms.

You say that like I should want to act human.

You're going to have to. Adam stepped into the science classroom, watching the students to see where he might be able to take a seat. The students gave him a cursory glance, but weren't anything more than curious. But enough of your bitching, I've already got something. One of the students here isn't human.

Oh? And do you know what it might be?

Something that reacts to silver. Adam took a seat near the supply closet in the back of the room, giving the pretty blonde next to him a kind smile, Good thinking with the ring by the way, I owe you one.

If only that were the case, I'd be free by now.

Adam had to cover his mouth to hide the grin that was spreading his face. Aww, don't be like that Michael. We've got a lead, and at the very least, we have a hunt.

Oh goodie.