Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Wolf. I also have no claim on any pop culture references that I may use throughout my writings. I only own my OCs. Enjoy the read.

(o.o)

Chapter 1.10

After staring at my phone last night for over an hour waiting for Stiles to text me back, I realized how pathetic I probably seemed. Since when was I the one to wait around for some guy to text me back? That was never me. It isn't me. I can't put my life on pause because of some guy. Even still, I fell asleep that night with my phone in hand.

I woke the next morning, in a confused state. I was still in my clothes from the day before and the grip on my phone had never been stronger. After pushing the home button, I found out my phone was dead. I groaned, and quickly reached for my charger before getting up for my shower.

While in the shower, I anxiously went over the words in my head that I had texted Stiles. Simple phrases, announcing who I was and what I wanted. I never received a response, so I didn't know whether he'd be picking me up. Thankfully, I'd woken up early that morning, so I had time for my phone to charge itself to find out.

After ending my shower, I wrapped a towel around my body and in my hair. I padded over to my phone, thankful that it had charged enough to find out that Stiles agreed to pick me up that morning.

I sighed. That was simple enough. I sent him a quick text asking when he'd be around and continued to ready myself for school. I grabbed a pair of ripped up skinny jeans, a Beacon Hills Basketball t-shirt from my Carter stash, and my trusty Chucks. My hair would dry straight, so I didn't bother with it after I pulled it out of its towel.

Carter's laptop was still in the empty side of my bed. I walked over to it deciding to take it to school. Maybe Stiles could actually get it to work. I placed it in my backpack along with all the things I had poured out trying to find Stiles' phone number.

The lights in my room flashed signaling someone at my door.

I let out a deep breath, knowing it had to be my mother. Dad had probably already left for work. I walked over to my door opened it.

The look on my mother's face was one of shock. She probably hadn't expected me to be ready for school just yet. "You're up?" Mom signed, receiving just a single nod from me. "Can we talk?"

I scrunched up my face in hesitation. "I don't really have time. I've got someone coming to give me a ride."

"Lydia?"

"No."I left my mom, grabbing my backpack from my floor and my phone from its charger.

Stiles had texted me that he wouldn't be here for another half hour, though. That was just great.

Mom had cross d the room and was waving her hand to get my attention. "Derek?"

"No."I wrapped the straps to my bag around my shoulders and walked around my mother. When I was in the kitchen, I grabbed a granola bar and a water bottle for my breakfast. Right on my heels, of course, was my mother.

"Who is picking you up then?"

I sighed. "A guy from school. Stiles."Even though I wasn't quite ready for her to put her nose between Stiles and I, I had to tell her. I knew better than to lie to her.

Mom's brow furrowed as I letter-spelled his name. "Stiles?"

I made my lips in a straight line and nodded.

"Is that a nickname?" She questioned. "God, I hope it's a nickname." Mom joked to herself, thinking that I wasn't paying attention.

I wanted to come back at her for joking about someone she didn't even know, but I stopped myself. "Not sure."I shrugged. "Haven't asked." My sentences were kept small since my breakfast was in my hands. I'm sure that my mother was less than thrilled about that.

"Why not? Shouldn't you ask if you're friends?" Mom signed.

I let out a frustrated breath, placing my granola bar and water bottle on the counter to free up my hands. "I can hardly understand him when he talks. It's like that a lot at this school. Sorry for not knowing everyone's life story."

"Chandler…" Mom spoke, a warning look on her face.

I shook my head. "I really have to go."I picked up my snacks and pushed past my mother, towards the front door. I was quite sure that my mom was calling after me. As she often forgot, I couldn't hear her shouts no matter how loud she managed to get. As I left the house, I had accidentally slammed the door. I knew instantly that would be a problem later.

Now that I was outside, though, I didn't know where to go. I didn't know where Stiles lived. I looked both ways down my street, remembering Lydia had said he lived a few houses down from me. I turned towards the direction Stiles drove from when he picked me up last and decided to start there.

I walked passed only a handful of houses before spotting the Jeep I knew to be Stiles'. It was parked next to a sheriff's cruiser. Unfortunately, Stiles wasn't expecting me. He wouldn't even be leaving to pick me up for another twenty minutes. I couldn't just show up at his house. Deciding that knocking on his door would be weird, I sat on the curb, facing the street, to enjoy my breakfast.

Halfway through it, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I jumped slightly, looking up at the figure hovering over me. I recognized the man as the sheriff from my first day at Beacon Hills and then remembered that he was Stiles' father.

"Sorry." I managed to read the man's lips as he spoke. "I've been trying to get your attention for a moment. Thought maybe your music was too loud."

"No, actually." I laughed nervously and tucked my hair behind my ears. "I couldn't hear you because I'm deaf."

"Oh!" He said as his face turned into one of recognition. "You're CJ."

I tilted my head in confusion. "Uh, yes. I am. But how did you — "

"Stiles told me about you." The sheriff held out his hand to help me up.

I grabbed his hand with a heavy blush covering my face. "Stiles told you about me?" I repeated, using his arm as the leverage to stand next to him. "Why would he talk about me?"

"Oh, it's nothing bad. He just — " He stopped, looking back at the house. "Would you like to come in? Wait for Stiles? I'm sure he'll give you a ride to school." Sheriff Stilinski pointed a thumb towards his house.

I hesitated, beginning to shake my head.

"Come on." He said, leading me to the house with one hand hovering behind my shoulder and the other gestured towards the house. He opened the front door and allowed me to enter before him.

I took a look around the main room of the home. It had a rustic, almost musty, look to it, but it felt like a home should. It was welcoming and safe. I felt warm only being in it for the first few seconds. I smiled at the room. I felt a hand on my arm and turned towards it.

"Can I get you anything?" The sheriff asked. "There's some coffee left from my pot this morning." He stopped. "Do you drink coffee?"

I smiled. "I don't really, but thank you. I'm fine."

The sheriff nodded and turned his head, looking like he was shouting. He turned back to me and motioned to the couch. "Sit." He encouraged.

I sat down on the couch, placing my backpack on the floor at my feet. I practically sank into the couch, molding into the cushions.

"Sorry about the couch. Been meaning to replace it."

"No!" I said quickly, catching him by surprise. "I — I just mean you shouldn't. It's comfortable. Everything about this room is."

The sheriff smiled. "Thank you."

I nodded to him, continuing to admire the room.

The man waved a hand at me, gaining my attention. "Stiles said you used to live here a while back."

The sheriff seemed to be very accommodating with me. He looked at me straight while he spoke to me slowly and clearly. For that I was grateful. I'm sure the man before me was a great choice to be the sheriff.

"I did. We moved to Maryland seven years ago. My brother got into Johns Hopkins, she we moved there after he graduated from Beacon Hills."

"Really?" The man said, obviously intrigued.

"Mhm." I nodded. "We used to live in the house on the edge of the preserve. The one with — "

"The yellow door!" Sheriff finished. "The Parkers. I remember your parents. How are they?" He asked.

"They're good." I relented, but showed a one-sided smile. "I do have to apologize for my mother though. The first day, with the birds. She kinda went a little crazy."

"That was your mom?" Stilinski let out a breath. "Wow, I hardly recognized her. She's so different. Back then she was so laid back."

I sighed, nodding and understanding the difference he had noticed. I remember my mom from before the fire just as well as he had. "A lot has happened since then. A lot of stress on the family."

The sheriff nodded. He turned his head, shouting again. When he turned back to hem, he smiled. "Stiles should be down soon."

"If you have to go to work, please do. I wasn't an expected guest. I can entertain myself until Stiles is ready."

"You may be waiting a long time."

"Please, sir. I'll be okay." I insisted.

The sheriff sighed and nodded before he moved to stand up. As he straightened out, Stiles came from the hallway. He looked at his father then spotted me sitting on the couch.

I got up from the sofa, feeling the heat rise to my face. I showed Stiles a small wave after he said my name with a furrowed brow. I knew he would be surprised to see me, but it seemed more than that. "I'm sorry for intruding." I said to Stiles. "I was up and — " I stopped myself, not wanting to divulge more information to either person in front of me. "Well, I was up, so I went for a walk."

"I — I just thought I would pick you up." Stiles said, further stepping in the room to get closer to me.

I noticed that, again, he was doing it, so I could read his lips easier. I had also noticed that Stiles was still wearing sweatpants, not yet dressed for school. Instantly, I was flustered. "Yeah, but, I — uh, I was awake." I shook my head. "I'm sorry." I reached for my backpack, picking it up. "I'll, uh, I'll wait outside."

Both men were reaching for me.

I looked up at the sheriff.

"You can stay." Sheriff Stilinski told me.

I swallowed my anxiety and turned to Stiles.

"Stay." Stiles smiled. "I'll go change, so we can go." He left the room quickly, grabbing the wall to help him turn the corner faster.

That left me with the sheriff again.

The man let out a breath and clapped his hands together. "I have to go. It was nice meeting you, CJ." Sheriff smiled at me.

"You, too, sir."

The sheriff took his leave, keeping me in the living room.

I sat down on the couch, sinking again into the soft cushions. I took out the book I was currently reading for English and tried to read it. I couldn't focus on it thought. I was sitting in Stiles' living room, uninvited. I barely knew him, and I was in his house, sitting on his freaking couch. All on a hunch that Stiles may be able to help me read whatever insane stories were on my brother's computer. I didn't even know how much Stiles actually knew about computers. I didn't know if he could help me.

I shoved the book back in my bag, realizing I wouldn't get very far. I let out a heavy breath and placed my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands. What was I doing? I felt so stupid for being here, wondering if Stiles could help.

In the midst of a head shake, I felt a hand on my arm.

In front of me, Stiles sat on the coffee table, a worrisome look on his face. "Hey," he said, making sure I was paying attention. "Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry." I admitted. "For being here. Unexpectedly. I shouldn't have — "

"Stop." Stiles said quickly. "It's okay. A little creepy since I never told you where I lived. But it's not a problem that you're here. I swear."

"Finding you wasn't hard. When you picked me up yesterday, you came from this direction. Lydia said you lived a few houses down." I looked away from him. "I put those two together, walked until I saw your Jeep, and…" I gestured to the room. "Here I am."

"Those are excellent deduction skills."

I shrugged. "Just common sense, really."

"Why are you here?" Stiles asked, then quickly continued. "Again, it's not a problem that you are. It just seems like there's something else." He said. "Something else you want to tell me?" He asked curiously.

"How did you know?" I asked with furrowed brows.

"Oh, well, you know…" Stiles began nervously. "Just a sort of sense I might have, I guess."

I let out a breath. "Okay. Well, how much knowledge you have on computers may be incredibly helpful."

"Why?" He asked, through curiously narrowed eyes.

"My brother has a computer with some files that he wanted me to see, but they are password protected."

"Is that what you wanted to tell me?"

"Yeah?" I answered, confused by his response. It's almost like he was expecting something more. "Should there be something else I need to tell you, that I don't know about?"

Stiles shook his head, showing a confused frown. He almost looked like a child who was lying about taking a piece of candy before he had his dinner.

"Can you help me?" I asked, not wanting to dive into what Stiles may have actually wanted to hear from me.

"You're sure there's nothing about what you are?"

I looked at him questioningly. "...Deaf? You want me to tell you about me being deaf?" I sat back, distancing myself from him.

Stiles shook his head violently. "No, God, no. That would be completely inappropriate and intrusive. You can tell me though, if you want to."

"Maybe. Not yet. That story is a little intense." I admitted sheepishly. "For now, can you help me with my brother's computer?"

"I can try." Stiles told me. "I'm not exactly a computer genius."

"Great." I said, reaching for my backpack to get it, but Stiles' hand landed on mine to stop me. "What?"

"We should probably go to school."

My heart dropped. I was completely forgetting about school. I was so ready to learn about whatever it was that Carter had to tell me. "Right." I relented, looking away. I grabbed my backpack and stood in front of Stiles. "Let's go then."

Stiles seemed to hesitate, but he got up after a moment, grabbing his book bag and led me out to his Jeep.

I walked to the passenger side, disappointed. I knew there was still time to find out answers. But I was so close to getting them. Whatever Carter needed me to know was in reach. This time instead of my mom getting in the way, it was school. I'm sure she'll put herself in the way again. My mother was good at that: making a spectacle of herself and making everything about her. It got old quickly once I realized what she was doing. That's probably what kept the strain on our relationship going.

I felt a hand on my arm and looked to my left.

Stiles was looking back and forth between me and the road as he drove. "You weren't paying attention to anything I just said, were you?" He asked, this time, knowing I was looking at him.

I gave him a guilty look. "No, I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Stiles said quickly. "Just something I have to remember."

"You were saying."

"Right. You said what your brother wanted you to see on his computer was password protected?"

"I did." I nodded, watching him carefully.

"Why don't you just ask your brother for the password?"

I hesitated as a small lump began forming in my throat. My eyes quickly looked away from him. "I'm not sure he remembers what the password might be." That wasn't a lie. If he didn't remember there was a password to begin with, maybe he didn't know the password itself. Maybe certain things got jumbled between life and death. Of course, that was only a theory.

Stiles tapped my arm again for my attention. "It won't hurt to try, will it? Just shook him a text or something."

I considered, for a moment, telling Stiles about Carter. It's not like it was secret anyway. It was in the papers since Beacon Hills was a town where nothing happened. Genius child returns to hometown after car accident. I was surprised it didn't make the front page.

I thought about telling Stiles only for a second. But we. Weren't really friends yet, and he didn't know me very well. Once I told him, Stiles could write me off as the girl with the dead brother. Instantly, he'll start feeling back for me, and he'll try to be my friend because he thinks I need it, instead of because he wanted to.

"He doesn't have phone service." I told Stiles shakily. "Where he is."

"What?" Stiles questioned surprisingly. "In this day and age? With the technology that we have? What pothole of the world doesn't have cell service?"

I shrugged, not knowing how to respond. Maybe Stiles was right though. Maybe I could just ask Carter. I sighed, looking back to Stiles.

"We'll look at it at lunch." Stiles said.

"What?" I asked.

"The computer. We'll take a look at it while we're at lunch."

The smile on my face grew. "Are you serious?"

"It's important to you. I want to help." Stiles admitted to me. With those two sentences, he gained my trust. "Meet me in the library at lunch, and we'll work on it. You know your brother well right?"

"Better than anyone did." I said with pride.

"Did?"

"Does." I quickly corrected, cursing myself. "Sorry. Things…" I motioned and pointed to my ears. "Get jumbled."

Stiles nodded. "Yeah."

I let out a breath. Keeping the secret from Stiles won't be easy.