STILES HAD INSISTED ON  driving me to school until I'd saved up enough money for a new car. I'd had one back in Seattle, but when shit hit the fan with my mom and dad, dad decided that he was taking it back. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if his new girlfriend was enjoying the perks of what was supposed to be mine.

And if so, then good for her. She may as well reap the benefits of dating a forty-something divorcee before he realises that what he had before was what he really wanted all along. Of course, by then it will be too late for him to repair the damage already done.

There's so much I'll never forgive him for.

"Have a great first day back," my grandma calls out to me as I hold a piece of buttered toast between my teeth. "Try not to get into too much trouble."

Of course she had to add that remark in. Just for good measure, I'm sure. Trouble I was hoping to avoid, but it always seemed to find me.

Or maybe I found it; maybe I was the problem.

The rest of my books are forced into my backpack before it's slung over my shoulder. "I won't." I grumble, swallowing down a bite of food. I cringe at the thought of my mother telling me it's not very lady-like to talk with your mouth full. Like I care about that.

Grandma appears at the bottom of the stairs just as my hand reaches for the handle. "And Cassia? Give those boys a break. I know their intention was never to hurt you."

She's probably right, but I wouldn't be me if actually listened to sound advice. Instead I simply nod and give her a half smile. "I'll see you later. Maybe you should get into some trouble. Sometimes it's fun."

My comment seemed to amuse her, as I can hear her laughing as I close the door behind me and make my way towards Stiles' bust-up jeep. "Hey, I got it," He jumps out of the car, wearing a eager grin as he runs round to open up the passenger door for me.

"How chivalrous," I tease, deciding to ease up on him a little. I was hurt, yeah. But life goes on and both of them had been trying to make up for the months of nothingness. That had to count for something.

"I try my best, Ashford." He says, with a slight wiggle of his brows. I wait until we're both seated in the car to ask, "has it gotten you any further with Lydia Martin?"

"Not quite. But I'm still working on it. The five year plan is still very much in place." He says it with a air of humour, but I can tell he's absolutely serious. I thought he might have moved past it by now, but apparently not.

"Well, at least you're consistent. Im sure your charm will win her over eventually. You hang in there, buddy." My fist bumps his arm, a gentle, playful touch that I'm certain he still winces at.

"How about you?" He's asks. "Is there a special someone back in Seattle?"

My expression drops and I can feel his studious gaze upon me as we wait at the stop sign. Someone special? No. A narcissistic jock? Absolutely.

"If you're asking if found someone to stalk for the next five years of my life, then no. I haven't met the Lydia-Martin-style love of my life yet. But yeah, there was a something with a someone and I'm glad it's over. He wasn't the greatest person, and I wasn't in any headspace to be anything with anyone."

I don't look back fondly when I think of Khia. He was simply a distraction when I needed one most, and to him I was just someone he could use without feeling too guilty. It was something and nothing all at once.

"Hey now! Hey... I wouldn't call it stalking. I just... admire her from a relatively close distance. But in my defence-," he raises a hand and a genuine laugh leaves my mouth,"- it's not my fault we go to the same school."

This is the dorky friend I know and love.

The laughter fades and a comfortable silence falls. It's nice to feel semi-normal again. We share a reassuring smile as we pull into the school parking lot, but despite his best effort to ease my nerves, my tummy is still doing summersaults.

Starting part-way through the school year is never ideal, neither is being a year older than most of your classmates— your two best friends included. The perks of having parents that made me miss so much school as a child that I ended up getting held back. So here I am: a sophomore when I should be a junior.

On the upside, at least I have Scott and Stiles.

"Oh, so there is a few things you should probably know before we go in..." It's at this point Stiles decides to hit me with a five minute rant about Scott and his girlfriend, Allison, who were currently hiding their relationship from her family after her crazy aunt ended up dead. It was confusing, honestly, and left me with more questions than answers.

"Wait, what?!" I follow him out of the jeep, brows furrowed as I stare at him in disbelief. "You're seriously springing all this info on me now when we've been stuck in a car together for over twenty minutes?"

"Welcome back?" He offers no more than a shrug and a sheepish grin. I get the feeling he's leaving out a huge chunk on the story, but at least I'm sort of in the loop now. It's an improvement.

"Ok, so Scott's kind of got a excuse for leaving me on read—he was getting laid!" I joke, nudging his side as we walk side-by-side into the entrance of Beacon Hills High.

"Yeah he was!" He beams back, like it's something he's proud of.

I narrow my eyes. "So what's your excuse, then? Because I know you weren't getting laid."

"Wha- I could have been!" He protests, mouth agape. I think he may have taken my joke a little too seriously.

A shake of my head, lips pursed. "No, definitely not." I pause, studying him for a moment before waving my hand in front of his form. "You still scream virgin."

"You say that as if you're someone who's had sex. Wait— have you had sex?" He asks the question, dead ass serious. I chuckle, patting his shoulder lightly before I walk off ahead. "Oh hell no, if you want to keep secrets, I can keep them too. You'll just have to keep on wondering if you're the only virgin left in this friend group. Have a good day, Stiles."

~~

I spent most of that morning in the school office going over my enrolment forms and class schedule before being given the grand tour. I'd zoned out one too many times and now had no idea where the hell I was supposed to be.

Where was Stiles when I needed him?

Probably sat in the chemistry class I was currently supposed to be in.

        "Great, that's just fucking great..." My words trail off as I round the corner, a groan instantly follows as my body collides with a solid frame. "Ow, shit, sorry - I wasn't looking."

I'm met with silence, two large hands gripping either arm. I notice instantly how warm they are, even through the woolly texture of my bright yellow sweater. Cautious eyes glance up at the man towering before me. The gasp that leaves my lips is subtle, but still I think he notices.

"You." It's all I manage.

Derek.

Someone I'd thought a little too much about for only seeing once, and very briefly at that. Something about him just seemed off.

"Me." Finally, he speaks. "And you are?"

I'm hesitant to tell him my name, but feel he'd only figure it out anyway, considering he seems weirdly involved in Scotts life.

He leans in slightly, waiting for an answer. I can smell warm leather and musky cologne. "Cassia."  I tell him, figure there's no point in lying. I plan on finding out exactly who he is, so it seems only fair he at least gets my name.

"Well, Cassia," he begins, and I don't like how familiar my names sounds coming from his mouth. Does he know about me? Has Scott mentioned me before?

My class schedule is plucked from my fingertips, and I curl my nails into my palms, slightly embarrassed by the black, chipped polish that's in serious need of a refresh. "Chemistry with Mr. Harris," he reads the sheet then peers down at me, before handing it back, "is back that way."

Derek points towards the direction I just came, and after a brief glance over my shoulder, I direct my gaze towards him once again. He's looking at me like he can read my thoughts, and while I'm certain he can't, it makes me feel uneasy. I don't want anyone in my head. Sometimes not even myself.

"You go here?" My nose scrunches, "-aren't you a little old?" It comes out harsher than it's meant. He doesn't look that old. Maybe around twenty-one, if I had to make a completely uneducated guess.

"I used to. Not that long ago." He gives a dry scoff and shakes his head. It takes barley a second for his expression to turn serious once again. Cold. Almost like he sense something, or someone close by that I'm completely unaware of. "You should get to class."

It takes me a moment to catch up with my thoughts, and before I can reply he's waking past me, towards the exit. I turn swiftly and take a few steps toward him before calling out, "wait - what's your deal with Scott?"

I can't help but to ask, it's been gnawing at me since I seen them together, secretive and angsty. It wasn't just a simple encounter, it was more. They were familiar.

He doesn't turn back around to look at me, he simply pushes down on the metal bar and opens the door. "You'll have to ask him that."

And that's it, that's all I get and I can't help but to feel completely unsatisfied. Why couldn't I just leave it alone? Scott was a smart boy, I'm sure he wouldn't get wrapped up in anything stupid.

Would he?

There was one thing I knew for sure: this wouldn't be my last encounter with Derek.

And it wasn't the last time he'd leave me standing in the dust.