SONG: How do I feel by the end of the day?...Are you sad because you're on your own?...No, I get by with a little help from my friends…Mm, get high with a little help from my friends…Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends ~ With A Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles
Chapter 4
Malia:
"Stiles, I can't do this?" I whined sitting in the passenger seat of his jeep on the way to my first day of school and the first time meeting all his friends.
After a few weeks of working with Stiles and Scott, they thought I was doing well enough to start school. But they assured me that they and all their friends would also watch out for me. Stiles prepped me for this day by giving me a run down on all his friends. But Stiles' explanations, when he gets really excited, tend to run on and get off track and I have to pull him back to the topic.
"Yes you can. You prepared for this."
And I have. When I told my dad that I was ready to go to school he looked relieved. I think he thought I would choose not to go. He got the process started right away and then took me shopping. This morning he wished me a good day at school and reminded me to go brush my hair. I don't get it, I just brushed it yesterday.
"No, I can't. Just take me back home." I said feeling like I was going to be sick.
"No, we are going to school. You're going to meet new people, smile pretty, wave, and learn new things. You're going to be a normal teen."
"That sounds too hard. Just turn around." I said reaching for the wheel. He caught my hand and placed it on his leg before pulling over to the curb.
"Malia, listen to me." He cupped my face. "You are ready for this. Scott wouldn't have said it if he didn't believe it. You have all my friends looking out for you and I am always there if you need me, okay? You can do this. I won't let you fail, I promise."
I clutched his leg and let him calm me down. How does he do that? It's really annoying. I nodded. He smiled and kissed me.
"Can I kiss you every time I start to freak out?" I asked.
"I think that would draw more attention in class then anything." He chuckled.
"More attention than if I grow fur?"
"Not quite that much attention but it's still attention drawing. If I'm in class with you and you feel yourself start to lose it just hold my hand or something. Okay?" he said letting me go.
"Fine, but I'd rather just kiss." I told him.
"Me too." He said putting the car back in drive.
"Can we do that instead of going to school?" I asked hopefully. He laughed.
"Tell you what? If you make it through this whole day of school without trying to escape then we can kiss as much as you want when it's over."
"Deal." I said happily.
He pulled into the car park. Turning off the car, he turned to me. I must have had a deer in the headlights look because again he pulled me in for a quick kiss.
"You're fine. It's going to be fine. Trust me."
I placed my hand over his I took a deep breath and nodded.
"Come on, we are meeting everyone in the courtyard and then I'll take you to the office to get your schedule."
Getting out I immediately went to his side and grabbed his hand. Smiling he pulled me along to the side of the school, the side I hadn't seen when we broke in. I looked around at all the people, a few who had stopped to stare, and truly wondered if an education was worth it. I mean I could work in a gas station for the rest of my life and be okay right? You didn't need a diploma to do that, I don't think.
"There they are." He said pointing out a table full of teens laughing and joking. Scott, a curly haired blonde guy and adorable mini blonde guy looked over at us and then so did everyone else. I don't like the staring. I freak out being center of attention.
"Okay, I love holding hands with you, but I really need to you let blood flow through that hand." Stiles leaned over to whisper. I quickly let go, apologizing.
"Guys, this is Malia." Stiles introduced. I waved at them and tried to smile.
"Going in order, you already know Scott. Sitting his lap because of the obvious lack of seats available, is-."
"Lydia. Scott's current girlfriend and… you're something. That was way too long and exaggerated an explanation you gave. You're right. She is really pretty." I said then wanted to kick myself. I'm already screwing this up. But she really was pretty, like a fairytale princess pretty with long red hair, porcelain skin and bright green eyes.
Lydia waved and I saw Scott's lips quirk as he raised his brow at Stiles. Stiles ignored that but his cheeks were turning pink.
"Then we have Allison."
"Right his ex and a hunter. She's dating who again?"
"That would be Isaac." Stiles pointed out them sitting similarly to how Scott and Lydia are. They both nodded at me.
"Oh, the pain in the ass?" I asked. Damn it.
"Seriously Stiles." Isaac said while everyone else laughed.
"Stiles was right, this is a teen drama waiting to happen." I whispered as I looked at the four of them and then Stiles. Allison being Lydia's best friend and Isaac being Scotts foster brother and friend and of course Stiles who was in love with Lydia not too long ago. Isaac snorted so I guess it wasn't quiet, enough.
"Moving on, we have the last of the group, Mason and Liam."
"Which one of you is the beta?" I asked, and the mini blonde guy raised his hand. He was the cutest thing I have ever seen, big puppy eyes and an adorable baby face. You just wanted to pinch his cheeks. And once again my mouth opened, and words poured out.
"Stiles is right you are adorable like a puppy." I blurted out. Liam's mouth dropped open. And Lydia almost fell off Scott's lap laughing.
"Okay, so remember when we had that talk about not having to say everything you think out loud. This would be one of those times." Stiles said.
"But he does look like Captain America and Superman had a baby. He's cute." I defended. It was a compliment, I think. I couldn't remember all those superheroes Stiles was trying to teach me. It's all too confusing.
"No, just no. that is not what I said. They aren't even in the same universe. We talked-. Okay, let's forget that right now. We'll go over it again later."
"Do we have to? We've done it 3 times. I don't get it. I mean they are all superheroes right? Does it matter what universe either of them belongs too?"
"Yes, it does. It matters very much." Stiles insisted.
"As much as I am enjoying this because an embarrassed Stiles is always a thing of beauty. How are you doing Malia?" Scott asked.
"I'm good, I think. Yeah, good. Just a bit overwhelmed with all this." Turning back to Stiles, I pleaded. "Can't I just go back to my den? This human thing is complicated. How many superheroes and villains am I supposed to remember again?" I asked.
Was that something they taught in school? I was already behind I didn't want to be further behind. Maybe I should have paid better attention.
"None." Scott said.
"All of them." Stiles said at the same time.
"That information is only important to Stiles. No one else is going to give you a power point presentation or quiz you on superheroes I promise." Scott went on to say.
"He did that to you too?"
"When we were ten."
"Did you pass the quiz?"
"I did, but I cheated." He shrugged.
"Wait, you cheated? How?" Stiles asked.
"Can you show me how?" I pleaded.
"No, there will be no more cheating. Scott, you're retaking that quiz. I refuse to have my best friend be ignorant of which people belong in which universe."
Scott sent me a conspiratorial look and I relaxed mouthing 'thank you'.
"Anyway, how's your control?" Scott asked.
"I think it's okay. I've been meditating and practicing my breathing."
"Good, that helps. Let any of us know if you have any issues. I think you have at least one class with at least one of us or close enough," he said point to himself, Lydia, Allison, Isaac, and Stiles. "Isaac and I will keep an ear out for you, okay?"
"Thanks." I said gratefully to all of them.
"No problem."
"Let's go get your schedule and I'll show you around before we have to go to class." I smiled and nodded and then waved bye.
"See that wasn't so bad, was it?" he said when we got to the front door.
"I completely lost my filter back there." I groaned.
"Yes, I did notice that."
I turned to him to see his face still pink.
"I'm sorry. I was trying not to be nervous, but they were all staring and I just…"
"Hey, it's okay. This isn't the first nor will it be the last embarrassing thing that will ever happen to any one of us. Besides Isaac is usually the one to blurt out things without thinking about it so we are used to it. Come on let's see which classes we have together."
Morning went quick and easy, minus the whispers and stares about the new girl being the same one that was found in the woods after 8 years. A few wanted to approach I could tell, but either Stiles or one of the others were around to deflect them. His friends were really nice and welcoming which helped me to relax.
Fourth period was study hall in the library. Scott and Lydia were already there, and Lydia pulled out the chair next to hers, waving me over.
"Hey, how are you doing?" she asked.
"Overwhelmed, stressed and all around on the verge of an anxiety attack." I admitted. Scott perked up and studied me for a second before he nodded.
"You seem to be handling it all okay. No issues?"
"Not really? Stiles was with me first and second period and Allison was there last period, it wasn't my best, there was a pop quiz and I started thinking about how much I don't know about any of it. All I could hear was the clock ticking and people moving in their seats, and so many smells. It was too much. She reminded me to breathe when I snapped my pencil in half. Does this get any easier?"
"Yes, it does. Right now, you are too aware and there are so many more sounds and scents around you now."
"And you have been out of school for 8 years. It makes sense that you're overwhelmed. But remember you had to be tested in order to get into the classes. You're smart just a bit behind. What classes are you taking?" Lydia asked. I handed her my schedule and she looked at it smiling. "I've taken at least 4 of these. I'll get you a copy of my notes so you can study them. That might help you get caught up."
"That would be great. Thank you."
Scott kissed the side of her head.
"Stiles is right, you too are sappily cute together." I said then slapped my hand over my mouth. They looked shocked and then laughed loud enough to be shushed by a nearby student.
"I'm working on my filter I swear. I usually don't blurt out things."
"It's fine. We are sappy, he's said that more than once already. And don't worry about the blurting. When you get to know Isaac, you will understand."
"Yeah, Stiles mentioned that he couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it." I said then winced.
"He can't and he knows it. Unless it's something we specifically tell him to keep to himself, then everyone will know within minutes. Or at least Allison will know within minutes. He probably tells her either way, but she can keep a secret." Lydia told me shrugging.
"Can you not tell Stiles-." I asked.
"Tell Stiles what?"
I jumped and turned to see Stiles behind me.
"How did I not know you were here?" Scott asked.
"Probably because you were making heart eyes at the back of Lydia's head and listening to any changes in pulse or heartbeat from Malia." He said taking a seat next to me. I looked at Scott and he shrugged and nodded his head in agreement.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have class?" I asked.
"I do. Technically I am in the bathroom."
Lydia giggled and Scott snorted, I just shook my head.
"Now tell me what?" he asked again.
"Uh…" I looked at Lydia and Scott for help, receiving none.
"Come on boyfriend, you can help me look for that French revolution book for our next class." Lydia said getting up and dragging Scott to the stacks.
"Well, they'll be gone for the rest of the period. So, what is it you don't want me to know?" he came right back around to his original question. Groaning I thumped my head on the table, causing another shushing sound.
"I'm sorry." I said, sighing.
"About…"
"My filter shredded again."
"What did you say?" he sounded amused.
"I told Scott and Lydia they were sappily cute, and that Isaac couldn't keep a secret." I admitted sitting back in my chair with a huff.
"Two well known facts not just in our group but in the whole school. Malia its fine. I told you before embarrassment amongst friends happens, often. You didn't say anything they didn't already know."
"I just don't want to blurt out the wrong thing and have you mad at me." I said looking at him.
"I don't think you could ever do that. Your filter may be malfunctioning right now, but you keep the really important things, the private things we talk about to yourself. What you have said so far is all just silly little stuff that we discuss all the time anyway. And I could never really be mad at you." He said moving some hair from my face.
"Are you sure?"
"I don't think there is ever anything you could do to make me really mad at you. Now, tell me how you are doing so far."
Smiling, relieved that he wasn't mad at me, I told him how I was doing and feeling so far about being in school and being around people. The staring, I really didn't like. I liked even less the fact that people kept trying to talk to me about the last eight years. It made me uncomfortable. Especially since I could hear the whispered conversations around me. I told him how I was really not looking forward to this afternoon since I had math and I always hated math. He reassured me that I would do fine, and he was in my math class with me so that helped me relax. The rest of the period went fast with Stile's holding my hand, which helped me feel less anxious.
"Come on, the bell should be ringing soon. We can go to lunch and debate the nutritional value of school lunches." He stood and grabbed my hand pulling me with him. Scott and Lydia came out looking mussed.
"Hey Scotty, I didn't think pink would be your color, but it suits you." Stiles said and Scott wiped his mouth while Lydia smirked. The bell rang and everyone got up to leave but I stopped Stiles before he could move.
"Remember what we talked about once I felt more in control?" I asked.
"Yeah," he smiled. "You think you're ready?"
"Yes, I want to go on a date with you." I told him. I wasn't expecting the kiss he gave me as a response, but I happily accepted it.
"Mr. Stilinski." The librarian warned.
"Sorry, I thought she was choking. Won't happen again." He said, waving and pulling me to the door where Scott and Lydia had waited both grinning at us. He let go of my hand and wrapped his arm around me.
"Friday?" he asked.
"Friday."