Stiles skips a grade, undergoes a small make over and makes a few unexpected new friends.

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At first, skipping a grade seemed like a reward, an honor. A part of me thought I might even be presented with a certificate of some sort. But when I walked into my first period class I realized that I was now in the same grade of my long time time crush. Derek was one of the first to look up when I entered the class room, letting his eyes linger for only a second before turning back to his paper. I didn't mind too much, I'm not really sure what I expected. The bell had yet to ring which I was thankful for, since I still needed some time to recuperate. When I looked up Lydia, a smart redhead I knew from an AP class I took last year, was nudging me over to her.

"Hey what are you doing here?" she asked, and pulled me into the empty seat next to her.

"Uh it's school?"

"No" she giggled "I mean this class, it's senior english"

"Oh, yeah well, over the summer it was decided that I would be skipping my junior year"

"Wow. And I thought I was smart" Lydia went the rest of the day talking me from class to class. We surprisingly enough had 4 out of the six classes together which I was thankful for. By the end of the day I had made a new best friend. Scott was great but he had been treating me different since he got with Alison. Then when he found out I'd be skipping a grade our friendship became practically non existent.

A week later I found myself in Lydia's bedroom and that was when I realized how close we had actually gotten in such a short time. She was trying on outfits for a party she was going to and conveniently forgot her shoes in the bedroom. So she sauntered out of the bathroom, in her underwear, and grabbed them. I looked away, and she simply laughed and said "It's fine Stiles, It's not like you're attracted to boobs anyway" when she went back into the bathroom I sat there stunned, not because she felt free being half naked in front of me, but because she knew I was gay.

"So, are you coming tonight?"

"What's tonight?"

"The party, at Danny's house you coming?"

"I don't think so, but you can have fun for the both of us"

"Oh no. You're a senior now this is what we do, we party"

"And what about homework and studying?"

"Save that for the weekdays it's a Friday night"

"I guess It wouldn't hurt to go" I admitted, standing up and brushing myself off "So who's going to be there?" I asked curiously.

She shot her eyes at me cooing "Who do you want to be there?"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't play Stilinski, who have you got your eye on?" I stayed silent to afraid to tell. Not because I thought she'd laugh, but because I thought she'd tell and in that case the whole school would end up laughing " Let's see, let's see who's gay and hot...Is it Danny? Ethan? Maybe it's Isaac? Derek?"

And at the mention of his name, without being able to help it a deep scarlet red crept onto my cheeks and I ran already sweaty palms down the sides of my jeans "Face it Lyds I'm not going to tell you"

"You already did" she grinned standing on her tiptoes. I looked up frightened on the verge of screaming "No way. You like Derek"

"Pfff. No I don't"

"Pff yes you do. You totally do. You guys would be such a cute couple"

"Lydia stop"

"I will once you admit that I am right"

"Maybe a little"

"Yes! This is perfect, I'm gonna get you two together, this is the perfect way to start off my senior year, a little project"

"Lydia my love life is not a little project , and you're not going to speak a word of this"

"We can't have you going to the party looking like that"

I glanced over my usual attire. Flannel jeans and my favorite chucks "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Uh, you look homeless, here my brother should have some killer stuff for you to wear"

"You have a brother?"

"Step brother, and the only thing I can say I liked about him was his sense of style.

An hour later we were sitting in front of Danny's house in Lydia's car while she fixed her makeup in the rear view mirror. We were two hours late, but when I pointed this out to Lydia she just shrugged it off noting that no one important shows up before ten.

"I feel silly" I admitted pulling on my black top. I was astounded I was still able to breath seeing as though she had me in jeans so tight I wasn't able to really move.

"Well you look hot. C'mon" she dragged me inside where the music was pulsing throughout the house. There wasn't a hand in the room that didn't have a firm grip on a red cup I could only guess was filled with some type of alcohol. Lydia still had a firm grip on my wrist and was guiding me to the back of the house. She stopped then smiled and when I followed her gaze she was looking at a group of football players. I chalked it up to her spotting Jackson but what I seen was that Derek was one of them and he was laughing and carrying on.

I shook my head already catching on "No Lydia"

"Yes Stiles. Plus Jackson's over there and I need to get my flirt on so I'll be right by you" now I don't consider myself to be a weak person, but Lydia definitely seemed stronger than me the way she latched onto my arm then practically dragged me through the crowds of kids to the other side of the pool. And when she stopped she practically laid me before them all like a meal on display. Lydia finally let me go, and if it weren't so dark I swear I could look down and see finger marks from where she had been gripping me so tightly. I glanced back up and she was standing in front of Jackson twirling her hair while somehow also keeping an eye on me. I figured she wasn't going to leave Jackson just to chase me around so when I went five minutes without talking to anyone I turned on my heels to head for the door. Unfortunately I didn't do it so smoothly since I lost my footing. And as if everything was moving in slow motion I went tumbling down in the direction of the pool. Well that was until I felt strong hands grab ahold of my bicep and pulled me back to my feet.

"Woah Stiles you okay there? That would've been bad" I wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't been holding onto me but Derek Hale was there helping me up.

"You-uh you know my name"

"Yeah. We have homeroom together, and Physics, and English. Oh and last year you were in my Calculus class"

"You remember all of that?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry was that creepy?"

"No, not creepy at all"

He smiled, then realized he still had ahold of my arms and let me go "So you came here with Lydia?"

"Yeah. She spit me this story about how I need to let loose and how it would be wrong of me as her best friend to let her come alone"

"Bestfriend?" I nodded "Oh I thought you guys might have been dating or something" he said with a nervous laugh, and almost as if he couldn't help it broke eye contact.

"Oh no just friends"

"Well, that's good to hear" I couldn't hide the obvious blush on my face a the moment. When I looked away to hide my face I could see Lydia staring at us and mouthing "It's working" with a grin.

Monday at school I was in the courtyard during my free period studying. Lydia had snuck off somewhere with Jackson and I did not want to know where. I had on a dark blue tight button down with black jeans and uncomfortable shoes. Lydia was so sure her plan worked that she dropped off over fifteen more outfits and promised to do terrible things to me if I didn't wear them.

"Hey Stiles" Derek grinned sitting next to me "I was hoping I ran into you"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. We talked all night at the party and I didn't even get a chance to get your number"

"Oh" was what I managed to get out. Then wrote it on his hand.

"So what are you doing?"

"Physics, studying"

"Man I suck at physics"

Derek just stared down at the notes in my lap leaving the question to hang in the air "Well... I don't know- maybe I could uh tutor you?"

"That'd be great" he smiled "Meet at yours around 3:30?"

"Sounds like a plan"

Lydia squealed bouncing on the tips of her toes "Stiles that's totally a date!"

I was standing in the parking lot leaning up against her car "No Lyds it a tutoring session"

"More like a fucking Session"

"Okay now I regret telling you" I huffed and tried to leave.

"Okay I'm sorry that was probably too far. So what are you going to wear?"

"Uh this?"

"No you've got to change. Try the blue striped sweater with the khaki skinny jeans" she said slipping into her car "And you're calling me tonight to tell me everything that happens"

Derek had showed up ten minutes early, and I honestly think I saw him check me out when he did. But it wasn't amusement but more like he was surprised, of what, I wasn't sure of. He took a seat at the kitchen table and smiled when he looked up and seen I was still standing by the door. I decided against embarrassing myself anymore and hurried to the spot beside him.

"Derek you got all of these right" I smiled an hour later when he finished the practice test "We only studied this stuff for like half an hour and you didn't miss a single one"

"What can I say" he grinned "I had a great teacher"

"Yeah or you knew this stuff all along"

"Damn I guess you caught me"

"Wha-What?"

"I didn't need help studying, I just wanted to spend more time with you and I couldn't figure out how to ask"

"Oh"

"Is that okay?"

"Yeah" I smiled rubbing the back of my neck "My dad won't be back from the station for a few hours, we could watch a movie"

He was already pulling me to the sofa "Sounds great"

Sometime during The Breakfast club Derek's arm had found its way around my shoulders, and by the time Weird Science had come on he was full on cuddling me. I could tell how close we were only because everytime he laughed I could hear the rumble erupt from deep within his chest. Pretty in Pink was up next when he let out an annoying sigh, I was scared it was something I did and jumped from his chest.

"Sorry"

"You didn't do anything wrong" he laughed "It's just late, and I should probably get home before my mom threatens to take my car away again"

"Right" I laughed walking him to the porch.

"I had fun tonight"

"Me too" and under the porch light I could really make out the features of his face. He was chiseled and perfectly sun kissed with these eyes that just bored into me. His looks weren't the only thing I noticed about him, though they were a perk. He was caring and funny, and smart and surprisingly could talk as much as me. I realised I was staring when he started to laugh.

"You can just kiss me ya know" and I did, and he kissed me back and it was everything I had expected our first kiss to be like. Derek was gripping and holding me in ways I never expected making me feel things I never thought I would. And once I felt his tongue push pass mine and into my mouth, as cliche as it sounds, I felt firework erupt in the pit of my stomach and come out my mouth in a moan making Derek smile.

"So what is this?" I asked in a whisper eyes still closed when Derek pulled away.

"Whatever you want it to be. But I'll say I would really like to go out with you"

"I'd like to go out with you too"

I was pushing my lunch around my tray the next day when Derek and a group of his friends walked past my table. I smiled to myself hoping he'd notice me and to my surprise he stopped to peck my lips then continue on his way.

"You asshole" Lydia smiled "I told you to tell me everything that happened"

"So me and Derek are dating now no big deal" I tried sounding casual.

"Uh huh no big deal, well congratulations"

DEREK: Meet me under the gazebo

"I've gotta go" I smiled standing up.

"Tell Derek I said hi" she shouted before I was out of earshot.

The gazebo was all the way at the back of the school and only took a few minutes to get there. I could see Derek standing there waiting patiently. I could also see the smile on his face once he seen me and it made me grin bigger.

"Hi" he kissed me.

I giggled in response "Hi. What are we doing here?"

"I wanted to see you, and I can't really kiss you the way I want to in a cafeteria full of kids" I laughed louder letting him kiss me again, deeper this time with more touching and holding and everything nice "I want to take you out"

"Then take me out. Where are we going?"

"Anywhere you want"

"Surprise me"

"Hmmmm" he said pretending to think about it "Okay then. Meet me at my house Friday night"

"Okay" I whispered with my lips still inches from his right before he kissed me again.

The week came and went and before I knew it, it was Friday and I was standing in front of Derek's bedroom door. He had pulled me inside with a kiss the moment I got there. I was early and he said he hadn't finished setting up yet. I could hear him frantically moving about even banging his toe and cursing out 'damn' before he opened the door again.

"Voila" there were pillows on the floor as seats and a few dim candles lit throughout his room. A blanket laid in the middle of the floor holding two plates of food and wine glasses. The closer I looked I could see they were filled with cranberry juice and I laughed at the gesture "You like it?"

"You did this for me?" I managed to croak out.

"Well yeah. I really like you, and you even make me crazy sometimes so I think you deserve a romantic date" he seemed taken back when I threw myself into him arms to kiss him deeply, but he responded nonetheless.

"Chocolate cake, how sweet of you" I smiled once he laid the dessert in front of me.

"Thank you I thought so too"

"Look at all of those trophies" I practically swooned looking at the shelf behind his head.

"Yeah, my dad did it as an attempt at bonding and I was good at it but I always just loved school more. I mean I'm no genius like you but-"

"Hey you're smart. I just have no social life so I have more time to focus on school"

"Well what about Scott? I thought you two were pretty close"

"Yeah we were until he found Alison. I lost my best friend, then I realized I'd never have someone who looks at me the way he does with her and I just devoted every second to school"

"What about me?" he asked and I shrugged not yet getting it. He came closer to me forgetting about the cake" Well I'm looking at you, how do you feel?"

"Like I'm floating" he hummed in appreciation and crawled on top of me causing me to lay flat on the floor. He wasn't kissing me yet just staring and touching like he was admiring. When he did finally kiss me it made my heart beat so fast I was sure he felt it. Derek and I had kissed countless time but each time was a different kind of exciting, a different reason to want to be close to him. We made out until his family came home and his sister barged in the room. He walked me to the car with a kiss goodbye and the promise of tomorrow.

The next morning my dad was already gone for work and I was on my way to the kitchen when a knock came at the door "Scott?" I said incredulously once it opened.

"Can I come in?" I gestured inside and he sat down on the couch. He looked out of place and there use to be a time where it was weird for him to not be there "How are things?"

"Not too bad"

"That's good. I uh heard you were dating Derek Hale"

"I am"

"That's a little weird. Never really seen you with that crowd"

"And what the hell does that mean?"

"I didn't come here to insult you I was just saying. If you were gonna ditch me for another friend group I thought it would be the mathletes"

"Don't give me that shit Scott. The minute you got a girlfriend you left me for dead. I couldn't wait around for the next four years by the phone praying you had somehow made enough time for me so I adjusted and found new friends who at least noticed me when I spoke, and didn't run off whenever their girlfriend called"

"I didn't know you felt that way"

"Yeah well now you know"

He turned to leave seemingly without anything else to say before he turned back to me "You know there's a difference between adjusting and completely changing yourself. I may have been a dcik but I never made you be something you're not"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Did any of them notice you before you had the nice close and cool friends?" and with that he went away, leaving the question to hang in the air because he knew I was aware of the answer.

Lydia called me over a few nights later. I assumed it was just to watch movies like we had taken to doing every thursday night but when I got in Derek, Jackson, Erica, Isaac and Boyd were laid throughout the living room.

Jackson and Isaac had somehow made the topic of conversation arm wrestling and everyone was sitting around cackling while the two wrestled when Derek leaned in "Are you okay? I mean you've been acting... different lately"

"No I'm good" I sighed "I just need some air"

I was out on that balcony for almost ten minutes before I heard the sound of heavy boots dragging on the wooden ledge. Derek stopped beside me leaning over the railing too "We haven't been together long but I feel like it's been enough to know when somethings wrong"

And before I could tell myself to stop I was ranting and pouring out everything I had been thinking since I saw Scott "I hate these clothes, and I don't like partying every weekend. Math is fun to me, history is the most intriguing thing ever, and I'm not embarrassed to say I love the fact that I own twelve different flannels, and one pair of shoes. My point is I know I'm not much Derek. I'm not extravagant or outgoing, or-or some cool guy. I'm not this cool person I've been pretending to be I'm just me, and I really really like the way I am. And even though I like you too, and I mean a lot, I just couldn't live with the fact that I changed everything about myself to make you want me. So this is it Derek, I'm just a plain jane you either take it or leave it"

"Stiles. I absolutely adore the way you are, how could you think I didn't?"

"You wouldn't even give me a second glance before I let Lydia give me this stupid makeover, and I started hanging out with your friends"

"Stiles I've been willing to give you every second of every day since the moment I met you, I just couldn't figure out how to tell you" Derek tried but the look on Stiles' face proved to be still discouraged "I remember the first day I saw you. You had on those black chucks you wear so much and that grey flannel, you know the one missing the top three buttons. It's personally been one of my favorites. You were talking Scotts ear off about something and I just remembered thinking 'this kid's gonna be the one' and you were. You were the only one I wanted, I just didn't know how to tell you. And not just because your intelligence scared me so much I was always afraid of sounding simple minded around you but because, somewhere deep down I was scared you could never feel the same. Then there was that night at Danny's party. Seeing you made me start thinking about the future and senior year and I knew I had to tell you how I felt before I lost my chance"

"Why are you only telling me this now?"

"I thought the makeover was your idea I didn't want you to feel like I didn't like the new you. I mean I like both versions of you. I like any version that's mine"

"You promise?" I know it made me sound childish, and maybe a little naive, but I needed some reassurance, no matter what it was.

He laughed wrapping his hands around each of my wrist and pulling me close "I promise"