☼

JACKSON's parents, Mr and Mrs Whittemore, sit across from Mr. Harris, mid-conversation, "Jackson's a highly motivated student. In fact, I'd describe him as unusually driven."

"We were hoping he might ease up on himself a little." Mr Whittemore replies looking at his wife.

The headlights from Jackson's BMW illuminate a patch of trees near a field. A small hoop hangs from a branch. A beer bottle slips from Jackson's hand into the grass. Using his other hand, he scoops up a ball with his lacrosse stick and fires it at the hoop. It soars past, a miss.

"He's always been hard on himself. It's something we assumed was an effect of being adopted."

Jackson scoops up another ball.

Throws again.

Misses again.

"I think I understand. He's never met his biological parents." Mr Harris says.

"That's right. It's the need to please. The over-achieving. The desire to make someone proud. Someone he's never even met."

Balls come one after another. Some nick the outer edge, but none go through.

"Well, simply as an outside perspective, something certainly seems to have re-calibrated his desire for achievement several notches higher."

A beer bottle flies, upending through the air, smashing into the hoop and the tree.

"Not to be too blunt about it, but he seems almost... obsessed."

Gasping through clenched teeth, Jackson drops to his knees. He sits there, fists in the dirt, glaring at his failures.

...

Ms. Ramsey, English teacher, sits down with Lydia's parents, "So, let me just tell you there's plenty to say about Lydia."

Mr Martin turns to his soon-to-be ex-wife Mrs Martin, "Did I not predict this?"

Mrs Martin rolls her eyes, "Here we go. Total nuclear meltdown as usual."

Mr Martin turns to Ms. Ramsey, "What is it? Her grades? Concentration issues? Erratic behavior?"

"I'm not the one who told her she had to choose who she wants to live with. As if that's not going to warp a sixteen year-old girl."

Mr Martin frowns, "Just tell us what the problem is."

Ms Ramsey looks between the two, "Sorry, but I wasn't aware of any problem at all..."

Lydia sits in her bedroom at her vanity, staring blankly into the mirror.

"Academically, Lydia is one of the finest students I've ever had. AP classes push her GPA above a five. I'd actually like to have her IQ tested."

"Are you serious?" Mr Martin stares with his mouth wide open.

Lydia begins applying make-up. She smoothes on foundation, then blush...

"Absolutely. And socially, she displays outstanding leadership qualities."

Eye shadow...

Eye-liner...

Mascara...

"She's a real leader."

Once every eyelash is in place, Lydia examines her perfectly coiffed look.

"I'm not exaggerating when I say this... I think she could be a Senator some day."

Lydia smiles at herself in the mirror, the mask back on.

...

Stilinski waits as a someone rifles through papers on a desk and then finally looks up in confusion. It's Coach Finstock.

"Who's your daughter?"

"Son."

"Who's your son?"

Noah raises an eyebrow, "Stiles."

"Right, right, Stiles. Hold on, I thought Stiles was his last name."

"His last name is Stilinski."

Coach frowns, "You named your son Stiles Stilinski?"

"No, it's just what he likes to be called."

"What's his real name?"

Stilinski taps a finger on one of the papers on Coach's desk.

"How do you even pronounce that?"

"It was his mother's father's name."

"You must have really loved your wife."

"I did."

Coach stares, "Oh. Well. This just became incredibly awkward."

"Can we get on to the conference part?"

"Absolutely. So, Stiles. Great kid. Zero ability to focus..."

Stiles sits on the floor of his room with folders and files spread out in front of him.

"Super smart. Never takes advantage of his talents."

He pours through the files, one labeled: Hale House Fire.

Words on the pages:

Electrical malfunction, eight family members deceased.
Arson?

"How do you mean?"

"For the final question on his mid-term he detailed the history of male circumcision."

Noah Stilinski shifts uncomfortably in his chair, "Well, that does have historical significance, right?"

"I teach economics."

...

Mr. Harris sits waiting for Melissa McCall who speaks into her cell phone.

"Where the hell are you? Get to the school. Now."

She clicks off and looks up with an embarrassed smile.

"How about we get started? Lately, Scott's mind is somewhere else..." Harris frowns wryly, "As is his body. Personally, I think it may have something to do with his home situation."

Melissa frowns, "Personally, I'm not sure what you
mean by home situation?"

"Specifically, the lack of an authority figure."

"I'm the authority figure."

"Sorry, allow me to clarify: lack of a male authority figure."

"Trust me. Things are a lot better with him out of the picture."

"Does Scott feel the same way?"

Melissa nods then freezes, "Yes. I think so. I hope so."

"Boys rarely confide in their parents, especially at this age."

"Well... We don't talk quite as much as we used to."

Allison drives while noticing Scott can't seem to sit still. He keeps looking at the clock, then at the speedometer. Tapping his foot.

"Scott is one of my most intriguing students. You can tell there's something different about him. Something special."

"You think so?"

"Definitely. But he's also going through difficult changes. He just needs a little more attention. A guiding hand through this crucial stage in his development."

The lights of passing cars flash over Scott's face. One after another. In one quick moment, however, his eyes flash back, becoming reflective as he turns his head up.

...

"Allison Argent..."

Mr. and Mrs. Argent sit with a concerned Ms. Ramsey.

"An incredibly sweet girl. Very quick to adjust despite the moving around."

Chris Argent nods, "We know it's hard on her. But it's a necessary evil. I have to go where the work takes me."

"Necessary or not, I'd be prepared for some... How do I put this..."

"Rebelliousness?"

Mrs Argent smiles, "We appreciate your concern but we have a great relationship with our daughter. Very open and honest."

"I'm happy to hear that. And please let her know I hope she's feeling better."

She gives a smile as the Argents share a surprised look.

"She wasn't in class?"

"Oh she wasn't in school. I checked with the office."

...

"Luna Tate... sweet girl."

Fallen Tate sits hands clenched together waiting for the worse to be said as Marin Morrell flips through some papers.

"So I've seen Luna quite a few times last year, however this year I have yet to have a sit down with her. Luna is very smart yet sarcastic at times. Very attentive to detail."

Luna sits on the roof of her house staring at her hands as sparkles form at her fingertips.

"Lately from what I've gathered from her teachers, she's been a little off. I know with her being involved in the video store incident that she's bound to have some slight behavior and mental state issues, however it seems like she tries to put on a mask and not show any emotion."

Luna frowns closing her hand.

"Slowly her cool composure will deteriorate. And we know that if it becomes too much, one day she just might explode."

Bright orange flames wrap around Luna's hand as she stares at it emotionless. Twirling her hand around slowly she quickly shakes her hand making the fire disappear, then she grabs at her hair gripping it tightly as bad thoughts start to try and break through.

Fallen frowns looking at Morrell, "So what do you think I need to do?"

"Be there for her. Try to get her to talk. Pay attention to who she is around and where she goes. Some things could trigger her and once that happens she'll feel like she's in a deep dark pit with no one to help."

...

KNOCK KNOCK

Stiles opens his front door to reveal a smiling Luna.

"What are you doing here?"

"I come bearing gifts." She says holding up a plate of cookies.

Stiles nods opening the door allowing her to walk inside. Luna walks into the house and sees Noah Stilinski sitting on the couch watching tv with a set of crutches nearby.

"Hey Mr Stilinski."

Noah turns around to see Luna. He smiles getting ready to stand up but Luna waves her hands stopping him.

"Oh please do not get up."

"What a surprise. That for me?"

"Of course! Me and my Aunt made them. She says she hopes you get well soon."

Noah smiles taking the plate from her, "Well tell her I said thank you."

"Definitely. So what'd the doctor say?"

"A little soft tissue damage to my leg. But it should heal up in a few days. Just a little swollen right now."

Luna nods, "Good we need the Sheriff back in tip top shape."

Noah laughs making Stiles roll his eyes with a grin.

"Well we're going upstairs now."

Stiles pulls Luna's arm lightly tugging her towards the stairs making Luna raise an eyebrow.

"Leave the door open."

"We're just friends Dad."

Luna smiles patting Stiles' head, "Yeah that'll never happen."

Noah murmurs a sarcastic sure as he watches the two teens make their way up the stairs.

Stiles closes the door only leaving a little creak open as soon as they walk into his room. Luna sits on the edge of his bed her legs criss crossed.

"So what's up?"

"Do you know what happened?"

Luna nods slowly, "Yeah Allison told me. It was an actual mountain lion this time. Her dad shot it. We need to get rid of this Alpha, he's cutting it close. Our family and friends are getting hurt."

Stiles nods slumping into his computer chair with his hands holding his head.

"You okay Stiles?"

"Yeah..." he nods then a second later he shakes his head frantically, "No."

Luna frowns looking at him distressed, "Talk to me, what's going on?"

"I don't know. I just... I feel like we're helping Scott and he's my best friend, so I should be happy to. But lately I think the only thing he cares about is himself and Allison."

"Don't forget lacrosse..." Luna replies jokingly trying to lighten the mood.

Stiles chuckles slightly, "That too... I mean I'm losing sleep trying to figure this stuff out. Trying to come up with some way, any way to help him. And he's off galavanting with a hunters daughter."

"It'll all be okay Stilinski."

Luna stands up and walks over behind Stiles chair. Stiles flinches then relaxes as Luna massages his shoulders. Feeling the stress and frustration leave his body he bites the inside of his cheek shaking his head.

"You did it again."

"Did what?"

Stiles can hear the smile on her face even though he couldn't see it, "Changed my emotion."

"Maybe I'm just really good at getting people to relax..."

"Sure if that's what you wanna go with."

Luna chuckles then pats his shoulder, "Here stand up..."

Stiles stands up making Luna take a step forward. She looks up at his curious eyes and smiles.

"Wanna see something cool?"

Nodding slowly Stiles watches as Luna takes a deep breath then holds up a hand palm facing the ceiling. Just as he's about to ask what she's going to do, sparkles form around her fingers and in a ball around her palm. Closing her hand the sparkles go away. She glances up at him through her eyelashes biting her lip already anticipating the worst.

"Pixie dust?"

Luna nods.

"You're a-"

"Fairy-"

"A witch."

Luna frowns then bursts out laughing. Stiles stares at her in awe.

"I'm not Hermione freaking Granger, Stiles."

"You've read Harry Potter."

Luna shrugs, "Of course. Who hasn't?"

"You just became ten times hotter."

Luna smiles then frowns waiting for him to go off on her.

Stiles raises an eyebrow at her awaiting stare, "What?"

"I'm waiting for you to yell at me."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I kept it a secret... I lied..."

"I'm not mad at you. I understand."

Luna nods.

"So is that all you can do? Do you have wings too?"

Luna shakes her head smiling lightly, "No, no wings sadly. And I can do a lot more than sprout pixie dust out my hand."

"Can you show me?"

"Not right now. I don't wanna scare you off."

"You won't scare me."

"Stiles, I've been through a lot. I put on a facade that I'm okay when really I'm just trying to float. If I tell you my past- I just... you're my friend now Stiles."  Luna bites her lip as her eyes become teary, "I don't want to lose you."

"I'm not going anywhere Luna."

"Not yet." Luna stares ahead blankly before shaking her head and smiling awkwardly, "I um I gotta go."

Stiles frowns watching Luna hurry past him out the door. He sighs sitting on his bed.

"What does that mean?"

What do you think Luna means?

Do you think Stiles will stick by Luna's side once he learns about her violent dark past?

Fav character?

Duo?

Trio?

Future predictions?

Any special requests...