I spent the rest of the day trying to keep a low profile, but in a school like Beacon Hills High, that was easier said than done. Word had gotten around that there was a new girl, and despite my best efforts, I couldn't avoid the curious glances and whispered conversations as I navigated the crowded hallways. Every corner I turned, I felt like someone was watching me, and it wasn't just the typical high school gawking. It was more pointed, more deliberate-like the people here were expecting something to happen.
By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, I was exhausted. I hadn't expected to feel so on edge, but the tension that had been simmering all day was starting to take its toll. I grabbed my bag from my locker and headed outside, grateful for the fresh air and the relative quiet of the parking lot.
I was halfway to my car when I heard footsteps behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Scott McCall jogging to catch up with me. He gave me a friendly smile as he reached my side, but there was something in his eyes that made me pause.
"Hey, Avery," Scott said, a little out of breath. "Got a minute?"
I stopped and turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "What's up?"
Scott scratched the back of his head, looking slightly awkward. "I just wanted to check in, see how your first day went. Moving to a new place can be tough, and, well... I've been there."
I softened slightly at that. Scott seemed genuinely kind, and his concern didn't feel forced. "It's been... okay," I replied, choosing my words carefully. "I'm still getting used to everything."
"Yeah, I get that," he said, nodding. "Beacon Hills is... different. But it's a good place, once you get to know it."
There it was again-that subtle hint that there was more to this town than met the eye. I decided to push a little, see what Scott was willing to share. "Different how?" I asked, feigning casual curiosity. "Everyone keeps saying that."
Scott hesitated, his eyes flicking to the side as if he was searching for the right words. "It's just... well, it has its quirks. You'll see what I mean soon enough."
Quirks. That was one way to put it. I knew from my research that Beacon Hills was a hotspot for supernatural activity, but I couldn't let on that I was already aware of that. Instead, I gave Scott a small smile. "I guess I'll have to keep an open mind then."
"Yeah," Scott said, returning the smile. "That's probably a good idea."
We stood there for a moment, the conversation hanging in the air between us. I could tell Scott wanted to say more, but something was holding him back. Before I could probe further, he glanced over his shoulder at the parking lot, where Stiles was leaning against his Jeep, waiting for him.
"Stiles and I were going to grab something to eat," Scott said, nodding in his friend's direction. "You're welcome to join us if you want."
I hesitated, torn between the desire to get more information and the need to maintain some distance. Getting close to Scott and Stiles could be dangerous-both for them and for me-but it could also be useful. Still, I wasn't ready to dive into whatever mess was brewing in Beacon Hills just yet.
"Thanks, but I think I'm going to head home," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "Maybe another time?"
Scott looked a little disappointed, but he nodded. "Yeah, sure. Another time."
I offered him a small wave and continued toward my car, feeling his gaze on my back as I walked away. I didn't look back until I was safely inside, and even then, I only glanced in the rearview mirror to see him rejoining Stiles. They were talking, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. Knowing Stiles, though, he was probably grilling Scott about our conversation.
I started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, the familiar hum of the engine doing little to calm my racing thoughts. I needed to get home and decompress, but I also needed to think. Scott was clearly in the know about whatever was going on in this town, and it wouldn't be long before he figured out that I wasn't just some normal high school student. And then there was Stiles-Stiles, who was already suspicious and wouldn't stop until he had all the answers.
As I drove through the winding roads of Beacon Hills, my mind raced through everything I knew so far. It wasn't much, but I had a gut feeling that the situation here was more complicated than I'd initially thought. There were too many variables, too many unknowns. And if I was going to get to the bottom of it, I needed to be smart. Careful. I couldn't afford any slip-ups.
By the time I pulled into the driveway of the small house my father had rented for us, the sun was starting to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the yard. I killed the engine and sat there for a moment, staring at the house and letting the quiet of the evening settle over me.
The house was modest, unassuming-exactly the kind of place my father preferred. It was the kind of place where you could blend in, where no one would ask too many questions. The perfect base of operations. But to me, it was just another temporary stop, another place that wasn't home. I hadn't had a real home in years.
I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the car, heading inside. The house was quiet, empty-my father was still out, probably following up on one of his leads. That was fine by me. I needed some time alone to process everything, to figure out my next move.
I dropped my bag on the kitchen table and went to the living room, collapsing onto the couch with a sigh. The walls were still bare, the furniture sparse-my father never saw the point in making a place feel lived-in when we were just going to leave again. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my messages, but there was nothing new. No updates from my father, no new information about the town.
I tossed the phone onto the coffee table and stared up at the ceiling, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. I needed to get a handle on things before they spiraled out of control. I needed to figure out who or what was behind the supernatural activity in Beacon Hills and why it had drawn me here. And I needed to do it without getting too close to Scott, Stiles, or anyone else in this town.
But even as I told myself that, I knew it wouldn't be that simple. There was something about Scott and Stiles-something that pulled at me, made me want to know more. And that was dangerous. I couldn't afford to let myself get attached, to care about what happened to them.
I was here to do a job, and that was all. Nothing more, nothing less.
I closed my eyes, trying to push away the thoughts that were swirling in my head. But all I could see was Scott's concerned expression, Stiles' curious eyes, and the growing sense that I was about to get pulled into something far bigger than I'd ever imagined.
And for the first time in a long time, I wasn't sure I was ready for it.
I woke the next morning to the persistent ring of my alarm, the sound dragging me out of a restless sleep. The dreams had been vivid again-flashes of faces, places I'd never seen before, but that felt hauntingly familiar. I rubbed my eyes and groaned as I reached to shut off the alarm, letting the quiet of the house settle around me.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring up at the ceiling, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on me. Moving from place to place had become second nature, but Beacon Hills felt different. The town held a strange energy, a current that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but that seemed to hum beneath the surface. And then there were the people-Scott, Stiles, Lydia. They were all intertwined in ways that I didn't yet understand.
I sighed, knowing that staying under the radar was going to be harder than I'd thought. As much as I wanted to avoid entangling myself with anyone here, it seemed inevitable. But I couldn't afford to get too close. Not with everything at stake.
I forced myself out of bed and went through the motions of getting ready, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. My dark hair fell in soft waves down my back, brushing against my shoulders as I ran a brush through it. I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror-brown eyes that held too many secrets, a face that was a little too practiced at hiding the truth.
"Avery Blackwood," I whispered to myself, the name feeling both familiar and foreign on my lips. It was the name I'd chosen when I first decided to break away from my father's strict control, to carve out a piece of this life for myself. But in the mirror, I could still see traces of the girl I used to be-the girl who had once believed in black-and-white, in right and wrong. The girl who had lost everything.
I pushed those thoughts aside as I finished getting ready, grabbing my bag and heading downstairs. The house was just as quiet as the night before, my father's absence a constant reminder of the life we led. He was probably out somewhere, chasing down leads, making sure the trail didn't go cold. I envied his focus, his singular drive. But I also knew that his obsession came at a cost.
Breakfast was a quick affair-toast and coffee, nothing fancy. I ate mechanically, my mind already running through the day ahead. School was the last place I wanted to be, but it was also the perfect cover. No one would suspect the new girl of being anything other than what she appeared-a teenager trying to survive high school. At least, that's what I was counting on.
I was out the door and in my car before the sun had fully risen, the cool morning air brushing against my skin as I drove. Beacon Hills seemed almost peaceful in the early light, the streets quiet, the town still waking up. But I knew better. There was something lurking beneath the surface, something that I needed to uncover before it was too late.
When I pulled into the school parking lot, I spotted Scott and Stiles standing by Stiles' Jeep, deep in conversation. They hadn't noticed me yet, and for a moment, I considered just slipping past them, avoiding any more interactions than necessary. But then Stiles looked up, his eyes locking onto mine, and I knew there was no avoiding it.
With a sigh, I grabbed my bag and got out of the car, steeling myself for whatever interrogation Stiles had in store for me today. As I approached, Scott smiled warmly, but Stiles' expression was more guarded-like he was trying to figure out what I was hiding, and wouldn't rest until he did.
"Morning, Avery," Scott greeted, his voice friendly. "How was your first day?"
I forced a smile. "It was... eventful."
"Eventful is one way to put it," Stiles said, his tone light but his eyes sharp. "You seem to have a knack for flying under the radar. Not many people manage to do that on their first day."
I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. "I'm just here to get through school like everyone else."
"Right," Stiles replied, not missing a beat. "Because everyone else who comes to Beacon Hills is just here for school."
There it was again-his suspicion, lurking just beneath the surface. I couldn't blame him, really. I'd be suspicious too if someone like me suddenly showed up in my town. But that didn't mean I was going to give him any more ammunition than he already had.
"Well, I guess I'm just boring that way," I said, brushing off his comment. "I'll see you guys in class."
Before either of them could say anything more, I turned and headed inside, letting the cool air of the school hallway wash over me. I was already on edge, and it wasn't even first period yet. This was going to be a long day.
The morning passed in a blur of classes and half-hearted attempts at socializing. People were still curious about me, but I'd perfected the art of giving just enough information to satisfy them without revealing anything important. It was a delicate balance-staying under the radar while still blending in. I was good at it, but that didn't mean it wasn't exhausting.
By the time lunch rolled around, I was more than ready for a break. I grabbed a tray from the cafeteria and made my way to an empty table in the corner, hoping to have a moment to myself. But as soon as I sat down, I saw Lydia Martin heading my way, her stride confident, her eyes fixed on me.
"Avery," she said as she reached my table, her tone polite but with a hint of something else-curiosity, maybe? "Mind if I sit with you?"
"Go ahead," I replied, gesturing to the empty seat across from me.
Lydia sat down gracefully, setting her tray in front of her and studying me with those piercing green eyes. I'd learned pretty quickly that Lydia was the queen bee of Beacon Hills High-beautiful, smart, and not someone you wanted to get on the wrong side of. But there was more to her than just her looks and popularity. I could sense it, even if I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.
"So, how are you settling in?" Lydia asked, her tone casual, but I could tell she was fishing for information.
"Still getting used to everything," I said, taking a bite of my sandwich. "It's... different from where I'm used to."
"I can imagine," Lydia said, her eyes never leaving mine. "Beacon Hills has its own unique charm."
"Charm. That's one way to put it," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "It seems like there's always something happening around here."
Lydia's lips curved into a knowing smile. "You have no idea."
There was something about the way she said it that made me pause. Lydia knew more than she was letting on-I was sure of it. But I wasn't ready to start probing just yet. I needed to be patient, to wait for the right moment.
"So, what brings you to Beacon Hills?" Lydia asked, leaning back in her chair as if she had all the time in the world.
I shrugged, keeping my answer vague. "Family stuff. We move around a lot."
"Must be hard, not having a permanent place to call home," she said, her tone sympathetic but with a hint of calculation.
"It is," I admitted, knowing that a little honesty might help to throw her off the scent. "But I'm used to it."
Lydia studied me for a moment longer before nodding, as if she'd made up her mind about something. "Well, if you ever need someone to show you around, I'm happy to help. Beacon Hills can be... overwhelming if you don't know your way around."
"I appreciate that," I said, offering her a small smile.
For the rest of lunch, we made small talk-nothing too deep, nothing too revealing. Lydia was good at steering the conversation in safe directions, but I could tell she was still trying to figure me out. It was like we were playing a game of chess, each of us making careful moves, waiting to see who would slip up first.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, Lydia stood up and gathered her things. "I'll see you in chemistry," she said, giving me one last smile before walking away.
I watched her go, feeling a mixture of relief and unease. Lydia was dangerous, but in a different way than Stiles. She was subtle, calculating, and I couldn't afford to underestimate her. But I couldn't avoid her either-not if I wanted to stay ahead of whatever was happening in this town.
The rest of the day passed without incident, but the tension in my chest never really went away. By the time I got home, I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. I dropped my bag by the door and headed straight for the kitchen, needing something to take the edge off.
As I was rummaging through the fridge, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a message from an unknown number.
Unknown: How's Beacon Hills treating you?
I frowned, my heart skipping a beat. I didn't recognize the number, but something about the message felt... familiar. Cautiously, I typed a response.
Avery: Who is this?
The reply came almost instantly.
Unknown: A friend. Thought you might need one.
My frown deepened. I didn't have friends-at least, none that I was in contact with anymore. Whoever this was, they knew more than they should. I needed to find out who they were and what they wanted.
Avery: Not interested.
Unknown: You will be. Keep your eyes open, Avery. Beacon Hills isn't what it seems.
My breath caught in my throat. Whoever this was, they knew exactly what they were doing-pushing just enough to get under my skin without revealing anything about themselves. I stared at the message, my mind racing with possibilities. Could this be connected to the reason I was here? Or was it something else entirely?
Before I could type another response, the phone buzzed again.
Unknown: See you around.
I stared at the screen for a long time, waiting for something more, but nothing came. The tension in my chest tightened, and I realized I was gripping the phone so tightly that my knuckles were white. Slowly, I forced myself to relax, taking deep breaths to calm the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind.
This wasn't good. I was already on edge, already feeling like I was one step behind whatever was happening in Beacon Hills. And now this-this unknown person, this cryptic message-was adding another layer to the mystery. I needed to be careful, to tread lightly. Whoever they were, they knew more than they were letting on, and I couldn't afford to let them get the upper hand.
I tossed the phone onto the counter and leaned against the kitchen island, staring out the window at the darkening sky. The weight of the day settled heavily on my shoulders, but I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. Beacon Hills was full of secrets, and if I wasn't careful, I might just drown in them.
But I couldn't let that happen. I wouldn't. I had a mission to complete, and nothing-no one-was going to stand in my way.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I heard the front door creak open. I turned to see my father walk in, his expression tired but determined. He nodded at me as he shrugged off his coat, his eyes briefly meeting mine.
"Anything new?" he asked, his voice gruff.
I shook my head. "Just the usual. But something's... off. There's something going on here, something big."
He grunted in acknowledgment, his gaze shifting to the floor as he processed what I'd said. "Keep your head down, Avery. Stay out of trouble."
"Always do," I replied, though we both knew it wasn't true.
He gave me a long look, his eyes hard and unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and headed down the hallway, disappearing into his office. The door closed behind him with a soft click, leaving me alone in the silence of the house.
I stared at the closed door for a moment, then turned back to the window. The sun had set completely now, the night creeping in to take its place. And with it came the shadows, the secrets that Beacon Hills seemed determined to keep hidden.
But I would uncover them. I had to. Even if it meant diving deeper into the darkness, even if it meant getting closer to the people I was supposed to avoid.
I would find out the truth. No matter the cost.