Chapter 2

Liam:

I grabbed a pop tart and called a bye to my parents on the way out the door. Mason was waiting in the driveway for me. I could have walked two houses down and just met him by the car, but he was so excited to be driving that he took every opportunity to be behind the wheel.

"You know," I said fastening the seatbelt. "One day I'm gonna beat you to the car."

He snorted and took one of my tarts.

"As long as it takes you to get up and ready in the morning. Doubtful." He said pulling out.

I rolled my eyes. He was right though. I really like sleeping. However, last night I could barely get any, even though I took my medication which usually makes me tired. My mind was stuck on Theo and what we talked about. The same questions I had last night were still making rounds in my head. Its wasn't so much that I liked him as much as it was that I was already feeling things for him that I shouldn't be right now. We were still getting to know each other. Weren't we?

We've been talking as friends for weeks now. There wasn't much more we didn't know about each other. Yet still it felt like things were moving fast. I know he said he could go slow, but did I really want that?

"What's up man. You look lost in thought." Mason interrupted my mental turmoil.

"Nothing."

He gave me a look and I sighed.

"Theo." I admitted.

"I figured. How did last night go anyway?"

"It was…. nice." I smiled.

"Just nice?" he asked with a smirk and quirked brow.

"Yes, just nice." I rolled my eyes. "it's not like we were going to just start making out or anything."

"Bet you wouldn't have minded if you did."

"Stop. It's not like that." I laughed, tapping him lightly on the arm.

"Are you sure? You've been talking for a while now. I can see how much you like him, even without all the blushing."

"I do like him, a lot. Maybe too much."

"There's no such thing."

"We talked last night, when he walked me home."

"Wait, he walked you home? Like you were a '50s debutante on a chaperoned date?" he guffawed.

"No. I mean at first when it was suggested I thought that way. But it was nice." I couldn't help smiling. "anyway, we talked, and I told him that I like him and that I wanted to see if there was something there." I could feel my face heat up again.

"That's good Liam. That's really good." Mason grinned. Raking a hand through my hair, I groaned.

"Is it? Because now I'm kind of conflicted. I like him a lot. Like more than I thought I would and more then I should since I haven't known him that long. But I don't know how to do this. I don't even know if I can do this." I said, turning to him.

He gave me a sympathetic smile.

"I see how some people treat you because your gay and out. How do I handle that? Especially with my issues. I'm worried someone is going to say something or do something stupid and I am just going to fly off the handle."

"You won't. Liam, I know you don't think your strong enough to handle some things, but you are. Things that are important to you, you handle them just fine. You just said you see how some people treat me for being gay, you have heard some of the things people said up close and personal and you were more worried about me then retaliating against them. You have to give yourself some credit here. You're stronger then you think."

"Scott says that all the time."

"Have you talked to Scott about any of this?"

"No, this doesn't feel like a wolf issue, it's more of a personal thing. And I know he would listen and all, but I just want to keep it to myself, well except you."

"And Theo." Mason added, and I winced. "Liam, you have to tell Theo what you are thinking. Does he even know you have I.E.D.?"

I shook my head.

"If you want to see if there is really anything between you and him, he needs to understand that part of you. I'm not saying give him a full medical history breakdown or anything. But tell him what's on your mind. If he really wants to be with you, he will understand or he will try to at least."

"What if he doesn't understand?"

"Then its best you find that out now and not down the line when you start catching feelings for him." he said, opening his door. I sighed because it was too late for that.

I hadn't really noticed that all our friends were waiting outside for us, including Theo. Shoving the last of my forgotten pop tart in my mouth, I got out following everyone to the school doors, Theo hanging back to walk with me.

"Hey." he greeted, smiling. Why did he have to smile like that? More of a smirk then a smile. Whenever he turns it on me I just want to melt, my brain turns to mush.

"Hi." My voice cracked and I tried to clear my throat.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I told him trying to smile, it must have looked wonky because he stopped and grabbed my arm.

"Liam."

"Just a lot on my mind. Mason said something that is making me think."

"Okay….", he said slowly, a questioning look on his face.

"I-."

"Liam." Someone called from behind us.

I groaned already knowing that voice. Turning I could see Hayden waving at me as she walked over.

""Can we talk at lunch?" I asked him.

"Yeah, sure." He looked concerned but gave my arm a squeeze. With a glance at Hayden, who was now right beside me, he walked into the school.

"What's up?" I asked her, already moving.

"We have that research project coming up for Earth Science." She said walking entirely too close to me.

"That's not due for a few months. It's an end of the year project." I reminded her.

"Yeah I know. But I figured if we got a head start on it then we wouldn't be rushing at the end to get it done."

"Make sense."

"I thought that maybe we could meet at lunch to go over it and assign who does what."

"I can't today."

"Or we could just go to the Diner after school. Get away from distractions, just us." She said in a flirty tone, stepping closer. I side stepped her quickly. Thank God the bell rang just then.

"Uh, let's talk about it in lab. We'll decide then." I told her, backing towards the door.

"But -."

"See you in class." I waved, making my escape.

JACJACJAC

The bell to end fourth period sounded and I collected my stuff and waited for Mason to pack up. We shared most of our morning classes and then he was in AP classes for the rest of the day after lunch. I did not envy him that. My brain hurt just thinking about it.

"Uh, Liam." Mason said and then nodded towards the door. I turned and saw Theo waiting just on the other side.

"I'll catch you after school," I told Mason. He nodded.

"Good luck."

Theo:

I watched Liam give a half smile to Mason before walking over to me.

"Feel like getting some air?" I asked.

"Sure." he agreed. From across the hall, I could see the girl he was talking to this morning standing there, pretending not to be watching as he left the classroom with me.

"Was she waiting for you?" I asked him, nodding to her. He looked then rolled his eyes.

"No. at least I don't think so. I didn't tell her too."

we walked in companionable silence towards the courtyard in the back of the school. I handed him one of the two bottles of water I grabbed before meeting him at his class.

"Thanks."

We found a bench under a tree that was away from the surprisingly crowded courtyard area. We were both quiet just watching people pass by. But I could see Liam getting fidgety.

"Liam, just talk to me. what's going on?"

He jumped a bit sloshing some water over his hand.

"I'm such a dork." He sighed, shaking his hand off.

"You're not a dork, just preoccupied. Are you gonna tell me why?" I snickered.

"Yeah. it's not a big deal really. Well, I guess it kind of is. At least to me it is."

"Your rambling. Just say it."

I moved to put a hand on his leg but stopped myself. I have to stop touching him so much in public. He smiled at me and moved a bit closer, so his leg was pressed against mine.

"Have you ever heard of I.E.D.?" he asked.

"No, I don't think so. What is it?"

"Intermittent Explosive Disorder. People with I.E.D. are more likely to blow situations out of proportion. A simple argument or disagreement could lead to an outburst of severe anger or aggression."

"Okay, wow. That's scary to think about."

He snorted and nodded.

"I take it that you have this."

"Yep. Diagnosed with it just last year. Right after I was kicked out of my old school."

"Kicked out?"

"I got in a lot of trouble on my old team and the coach finally had enough of it and benched me for the rest of the season. I was one of the best players, not to sound too cocky, but I was also the most aggressive. So, when he benched me, I got really mad, and things escalated. I trashed his car, busted out the windows, took the metal end of the lacrosse stick and tore into the side of it. Then left a nice message for him, 'this is all your fault'."

"Damn."

"So, I was kicked out and ordered to have a psych eval done. And that's when I was diagnosed."

"Is it treatable? I mean, is there like things you have to do for it?"

"I'm on medication. But I only take it when I don't play. Can't play if I fall asleep on the field." He tried to joke.

"Does anyone else know?"

"I think everyone in our group knows but I'm not sure. I never brought it up. Scott may have mentioned it to them. Especially when I was first changed. With anger being a factor in shifting. But, I have gotten better at controlling my anger since becoming a wolf." he said and smiled at me. "That's actually due to Scott, and Mason. But I think being bitten was the best thing to happen to me, in this case."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Scott explained that in the beginning anger is a huge trigger in shifting. That we have to learn control and have to watch for the signs, sudden anger, raised pulse, faster heartbeat, all things that could trigger a shift. He taught me ways to handle it, so I don't wolf out. Focusing, clearing my mind, breathing, all can help to calm me down. Mason found a mantra for me to use, 'What three things cannot be long hidden'."

"The sun…. the moon…. and the truth." I finished with a smile.

"You know it?"

"It was a favorite saying of my mothers. She had it painted onto the wall of our old house, right above the front door." Remembering her always brought a pang to my heart. He pressed his leg a little firmer against mine.

"Was that what you were murmuring to yourself last night?" I asked.

"Yeah. Sometimes right before a full moon the feeling of wanting to just burst out of my skin becomes overwhelming. So, I have to work even harder to stay calm and in control."

"I guess I can understand that." Being a wolf with I.E.D., it's understandable that he would need something to keep him focused.

"Not that I'm not happy you trusted me with this. But I am assuming there is a reason you told me."

"Yeah, there is. What we talked about last night. I've been thinking about it, and I think I should elaborate on things." He said, nervously playing with the top of his water bottle.

"Okay, shoot."

"Beacon Hills isn't as prejudice as other cities or towns when it comes to being gay. But there are still homophobes. And I have heard what some of them say about Mason and say to Mason. Before I was a wolf it was hard not to explode, but I managed. Mostly by just being there for him and not letting them get to him. But…." he swallowed hard and looked like he was struggling to get out what he wanted to say.

"I like you, way more then I should for the amount of time we have known each other. I don't like the idea of hiding, but I'm not sure if I have enough control to hear the comments and negativity without losing it. I think, if we do this, see if we could be more than just friends, I want to go slow. But going slow, for me at least, means that I stay…in, for now at least. Which sucks I know. I hate the idea of it. I guess I just want to make sure you know what you're in for, before anything happens." He finished, looking as if he was bracing himself for rejection.

"You really don't give yourself enough credit, you know." I told him shaking my head. I hated that he was nervous telling me this and that he expected me to react badly. The urge to hold his hand, to comfort him was strong.

"I've seen you regain control when you start to lose it, like last night. I've watched you play and get knocked around. You get angry, but you always pull back and calm down. I didn't know about the I.E.D. but if it's as bad as you described it, then you are doing an incredible job of controlling it." I told him, making him blush.

"You're not gonna scare me off Liam. I still get comments and looks from time to time because I'm out and it can be hard. I understand completely why you are hesitant to go public. Will it be hard? Yes. Because I like you a lot too and this means I have to watch how I respond to you in public. But I knew what I was getting into when we talked last night." I shrugged. "We go at your pace and see what happens."

"But it could take me a long time or possibly too much time to feel comfortable enough to be out."

"It almost sounds like you're trying to talk me out of liking you." I laughed. "Then it takes a long time. If at any point I start to feel as if I can't handle it, then I will say something. But right now, things are still new. Whatever happens down the line we'll deal with it then. Let's just enjoy this right now."

He gave me that shy smile again that just made me want to kiss him until he was breathless.

"Fair warning though. I think everyone in the group already knows." I told him and he snorted.

"Yeah, I'm sure they do. I talked to Lydia last night when you and Allison went into the store. Apparently, we have chemistry." He rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, Allison said we have a vibe." I snickered.

"We are all way too invested in each other's relationships."

"Can I ask though… what's up with that girl? The one from the hall. She was the same one you talked to this morning, wasn't she?"

"Hayden." He sighed, shaking his head. "Yeah, she's my lab partner."

"Oh, so not an ex then."

"We went out a few times, homecoming, a couple of dates. But things didn't work out."

"Does she know that?"

"I would love to say yes." He groaned. "I've been trying to discourage her without hurting her feelings. She's a nice girl. I just don't see anything happening with her. Nothing clicked with us."

I nodded.

"I don't like her, not like that. Just so you know. I wouldn't do that to her or you. I actually feel more for you in the short time we've known each other than I ever did for her. I guess I need to try harder to let her know that I'm not interested." He sighed, again. The thought that he felt anything for me thrilled me.

"I get it. you don't want to be mean about it. Just… if you change your mind about her or me, let me know. if nothing else I would love for us to be friends."

"I doubt I will change my mind, but if I do I will tell you." he promised.

"Come on. let's head back in. we still have about 20 minutes left for lunch. we can grab something really quick."

"Oh, that reminds me." he said, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulled out the rest of the candy from yesterday. I laughed as he offered the bag to me.

"Should I worry about your sugar addiction?" I asked, grabbing some.

"Probably." He shrugged.