Chapter Text
Stiles couldn't help himself from stealing glances from the blonde girl as she led him down the hallway of the school. She was just so, sad; her entire look would be complete if she just had a dark cloud hanging over her as it sparked thunder and rained cats and dogs around her. It was unsettling and it was really starting to fuck with his new positive mojo. So what, he’s an emotionally receptive guy. It was most likely none of his business...ok, it was none of his business but if he was going to be faced with slowly dragging his feet to keep up with the snail pace Erica was walking he was going to talk.
“So...” he said looking over to her with a smile, “What was that about back there? That girl seemed pretty upset.”
Erica stopped, which staggered Stiles causing him to stop a few paces ahead. Erica’s eyes got all shifty as she looked at him before settling on the ground; which seemed to be their default setting. “She thinks I want her boyfriend.”
Stiles smirked, “I can tell... do you? I mean, want her boyfriend?”
Erica’s lips turned downward in disgust and her brows drew close together, “Ew, gross. No way, have you seen him? America’s Most Wanted much?”
And, that was something different. The tone of her voice and noticeable repulsion of the idea that she could ever possibly want this guy was completely different than her meek appearance that he had grown accustomed to.
Stiles laughed, “So why did she-”
“Because Sarah’s a crazy bitch who think that anyone who walks past Greenberg wants him,” she scratched her scalp and shook her head, “I asked him for a pencil and she went haywire.”
Stiles made a face as if to say really? And Erica shrugged in response before waving him to make a left down the hall. He followed her until they approached two large red double doors. Stiles could hear the sound of screeching sneakers, balls being dribbled and lots of yelling. So this was definitely the gymnasium.
“I’m going to take a wild guess and say-”
“Gym” Erica said scratching the back of her ear and grimacing, “My least favorite class, ever.”
Stiles looked over to her and smirked, “Tell me about it.”
Erica’s lips split into a smile and her cheeks immediately tinged pink. Stiles could see that she was a pretty girl. Not that it was quite obvious through the oversized clothes and knotty hair; but if she took better care of herself she could really turn some heads. Maybe.
They both decided to skip going inside of the gym. Erica had taken him around the building. They both talked non-stop for the majority of the time she showed him around; which was unexpected seeing as how reserved Erica seemed at first glance. But he quickly learned that her dad was a dentist and that her mom was a freelance writer. This was pretty sweet seeing as how Stiles was interested in becoming a journalist himself. Erica offered to let him speak to her mom one of these days so she could tell hi about the industry. His dad really wanted him to follow in his footsteps and be the next Sheriff Stilinski. But it wasn't something he really saw for himself; being up to his neck in crime and sometimes death? Not his thing.
But writing was different. It was a way to take his voice and translate it into practically anything he was writing about. He got to completely immerse himself in whatever the subject was that he was interested in and then just gush about it. And there was a way to make money from it. Anything could happen, but at the moment that was pretty much his passion.
“And last but not least, the pool” she said rolling her eyes and gesturing to the wide glass doors that they had stopped in front of. The pool room entrance was two glass doors that gave a pretty remarkable view of the pool room. It was large to say the least, going down to ten feet deep. There were diving boards, crates full of colorful floaties, flippers, goggles and different equipment for games he presumed. He couldn't help the bit of excitement he felt from seeing the pool. He knew his old school in Texas was trash, but Beacon Hills High just solidified it. The pool room looked majestic.
There was a class inside; they were playing some game that seemed to require a ball be shot through a hoop; reminiscent of basketball, just, in a pool. There was a dark haired guy who was murdering the game, making shot after shot through the hoop, dodging flailing arms and hands by ducking under the water and coming up on the other side. Stiles could only catch glimpses of his face but it was mostly his back muscles he was paying attention to. The way they flexed and moved so smoothly beneath his skin. The droplets of water running over his straining muscles.
Stiles had discovered a while ago that he was gay. It was never a big deal for him; no crazy life changing moment or new obsession with musicals or makeup. He was just gay. It came to him after taking a look at the gay category on his favorite porn site. Ok, so maybe he did have an eye opening moment. If eye opening meant his dick got harder than it ever had before and he came untouched after watching half a video. He suddenly just realized that e really like the idea of a dick in his mouth. Or even his ass some point.
Mr. Davis would’ve loved knowing that bit of information.
He noticed Erica looking at the same person in her peripheral and smirked. So it wasn’t just him. “Who’s that?” he said nudging her shoulder and nodding towards the guy with the dark hair who made another point and finally turned around. He was gorgeous from what Stiles could see from where he stood. His black hair lying flat to his head, hanging a bit in his greenish grey eyes. He thrust both fists up in the air and shouted his victory as he began to pound on his remarkably built chest like gorilla. Stiles just really wanted to lick his armpit hair.
“That’s…that’s Derek Hale,” Erica replied with a sigh “the golden boy of this town; beautiful isn’t he?” Stiles’ brows jumped up at her question and she turned to look at him, her face reddening again. “I mean, not that- I was just…”
Stiles laughed and waved it off, “Don’t worry. I’m…I’m gay.” Well, so much for the coming out with tears and hugs and shit. “And yes, Derek…he’s fucking hot.”
Erica seemed to relax, before chuckling and playing in her hair again. Stiles could definitely see where the knots were coming from. “I mean, I kind of knew. I have good gaydar. Practically all the guys here are…well…all the hot ones. ”
Stiles winced playfully, “Sorry about that.”
Erica snorted and began walking back towards where they came. Stiles was about to follow when he looked back into the pool room and to his amazement saw Derek looking at him inquisitively. Stiles, being himself in his awkwardness didn’t even know he had waved until Derek smiled uneasily and waved back. He quickly ducked his head and went to follow Erica.
“Is Derek gay?” He asked when he caught up.
When Erica shook her head Stiles was strangely prepared to cry.
“Derek’s bisexual. He’s dated Kate Argent…that lasted about three years. And now he’s with Ethan Hapal.”
Stiles rolled his eyes and sighed, “Not that I had a chance, but that kind of sucks.”
Erica stopped walking. They were back in the main hall where the main office was. The trip around the school had been great and he had also made another friend in Erica along the way. He had been hoping he might run into Scott, but it hadn’t happened.
“No. It isn’t actually.” She laughed, “They’re both jocks, consider yourself lucky. You seem like a nice guy Stiles; I’d hate to see you get caught up in their shit.”
And that was unexpected. “Derek’s a dick?”
Erica huffed and scratched at her arm, “Derek’s more of a lethal jokester with a bit of a mean streak. I don’t know about Ethan. Or care really.”
Stiles nodded and smiled, he could deal with a jokester. If he was ever going to deal with Derek at all. And he wanted to. He really wanted to deal with him, in many different positions.
He and Erica made it back to the office just in time. His dad and principal Deaton walked out of his office at the same moment they entered. Stiles and his dad said their goodbyes and ‘see you later’’s, again and Erica got a pass to go back to class. Stiles hated seeing her walk alone but now that he knew her a bit he figured she’d be fine. She was more together and aware than he could bet people gave her credit for.
“So what’d you think? You like it?” his dad asked when they were back in the cruiser. Stiles looked at his dad. “One word. Way better than Grainwood.”
His dad laughed, “Stiles that was four words. But I’m glad you like Beacon Hills so far. I really think we can do this. Start fresh I mean.”
“Yeah.” Stiles agreed leaning his head against the window. Maybe they could.