My Brother's Beta » Teen Wolf

thirty

His directness takes me off guard.

I raise an eyebrow at him. "No. Why? What were you talking about?"

Stiles quickly looks away and runs a hand through his hair. "Nothing."

"Stiles!"

"I can't tell you!" He argues, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Scott wants to."

I roll my eyes at him. "Why doesn't anyone just tell me now? I already know that it's important. Why keep hiding it?"

"The time," Stiles mumbles. "The time has to be right."

Instead of replying, I just turn around and trudge up the stairs. I have this wrenching feeling in my gut every time I think about what they're all keeping from me.

Whatever it is, it can't be good.

****
I don't see Scott all day Sunday. He texts me saying he's busy, which is vague but I just accept it. I know things are hectic right now.

On Monday morning, I catch a glimpse of him sitting at the kitchen counter, shoveling Special K into his mouth. He turns around to look at me and I notice his face is pale and his eyes are puffy. He's been crying.

"Hey," I say gently. "What's up?"

He nods at me, but switches his sight back to his cereal. "Nothing. How was your weekend."

"Boring." I reply, sliding into the chair across from him.

Scott chuckles, but it's sad. I know he wishes he could have a 'boring' weekend.

After a couple more exchanged words, we both stand up to leave. I'm not excited to go to school. Things are getting tougher and tougher trying to act normal all the time. It's weighing on me.

Scott and I get into his car and start driving to the school. I observe the changing leaves, the ones falling gently to the ground, unable to hold on to the fragile twigs any longer.

We pull into a parking space, but neither one of us moves.

"Is it all over?" I suddenly question without thinking. "The dead pool, the assassins, the stress?"

Scott sighs, rubbing his hands over the steering wheel.

"The dead pool, yes. The stress, no."

He opens his door and gets out the car.

I follow.

Walking into the school, I lose sight of him but I quickly find Lydia, who's huddled by a locker on her phone.

When she sees me, she flashes a tight smile and slides her cell into her purse.

"Hey, Jess," She greets me, wrapping her arms around me in a hug. It surprises me, but it's okay. I know we're all dealing with a lot right now.

"Hey, Lyd." I reply, my voice strained. She lets go and studies me.

"What's wrong?" She questions, looking me up and down. Do I look that miserable?