.

Part 1 ; Chapter 2
Parties and Full Moons

01x01 Pilot

.

"What the fuck happened to you ?" Anthony gaped at his sister. He sat on his bed, a notebook set on one thigh and his laptop open next to the other, already dressed in his pyjamas.

He had been doing his homework (because apparently you could get homework on the first day) when his sister burst into his room that night. In a shirt that wasn't her own and her hair sopping wet. Anthony's overprotectiveness had immediately kicked in as he straightened, shooting every single question in his mind at her. It was only after a full minute of successive questions that Allison finally cut him off with a loud, "Shut up !"

She then sat on his bed, her face wearing a look of disbelief. "I said yes."

"What ?"

"I— so, I hit a dog—"

"You what ?" Anthony exclaimed.

Allison reached over and hit him. "Will you let me finish ?"

"Sorry..." he rubbed his biceps under the sleeve of his white t-shirt.

Allison huffed. "So, I hit the dog and of course I was panicking. I decided to look up the closest vet and when I arrived, he was there."

"Allison," her brother started, exasperation already seeping into his voice, "if you say the love of your life, I swear to God..."

"Oh my God— shut up, just shut up," she waved her arms in his face in an attempt to get him to stop. "It was Scott."

"The pen guy ?"

"Mmhmm," Allison nodded. "Apparently, he works there. He took care of the dog and..." she trailed off licking her lips, her gaze falling onto the notebook sat on her brother's thigh.

Anthony looked at her expectantly, craning his neck downwards so that he could try and look into his sister's eyes. "And....? What ? Come on, don't leave me hanging."

"He kind of asked me out to the party on Friday and I said yes."

Anthony blinked, first because the speed of his sister's statement took him a second to register the words and second because once those words registered, he wasn't sure what to say besides, "Allison !"

Scott McCall had asked her out. And she had said yes. Why did his sister have to develop a crush on this strange and sketchy kid ? Of all the guys in the school, why this one ?

"I'm sorry," she winced. "I know you didn't want to go but please, Ant ? Mom and Dad won't let me go without you."

Anthony groaned, tugging a hand through his hair as he looked at his twin's big and imploring brown eyes. He then asked. "Are you sure ?"

"Okay, I know you find the whole pen thing weird. And I also know you didn't like Lydia much—"

"I have nothing against Lydia," he shrugged. "Sure, she seems like a lot but I can get used to her. What I have a problem with is her arrogant-ass boyfriend who deserves a slap or ten."

Allison chuckled slightly. She then put her hand on his. "So you'll try to convince mom and dad to let us go ?"

"Fine....." he sighed with exasperation. "If it'll make you happy."

Her smile was so bright it could rival the sun. Allison shuffled over and tightly hugged her brother's waist, her wet head resting on the junction between his shoulder and his chest. "You're the best, Ant."

Anthony let a small smile tug at his lips as he wrapped his arm around her. He held her tightly, as though this hug might protect her from everything.

Anthony Argent had lost his faith. He had lost it a year ago when he lost a part of his soul. But he still prayed to every single God out there that his theories and assumptions about Scott McCall were wrong.

[•]

Her tea was in the process of steeping when her mother clicked her way into their kitchen, phone in hand. "Well, it's official. Your friend's a werewolf."

Sophie started coughing, the piece of buttered toast she had just bitten into going down the wrong pipe. Lilith quickly hurried over and started gently hitting her daughter's back until she calmed down.

"New rule," Sophie wheezed, grabbing her glass of orange juice and taking a sip. "No telling me things like this if I'm eating or drinking something."

"I agree," her mother nodded, taking a seat at the breakfast bar next to her with a concerned look on her face. "Are you alright, honey ?"

Sophie took another sip of juice before nodding. She cleared her throat and fully faced her mother. "I'm good. Also, not my friend. But, how did you get confirmation about Scott being a werewolf ?"

"Derek."

Sophie froze where she had gone to grab her cup of tea, hand outstretched as she stared at her mother, blinking. "Derek ? As in, Hale ?"

"You know any other Dereks ?"

"He's back," Sophie smiled.

"I am."

The girl turned around towards the sliding glass door that led to their garden, a face breaking into a beam. She jumped off her seat and he rushed over to him, throwing her arms around the young man. Derek chuckled, quietly wrapping her into his arms and spinning her around.

"You're back," she observed when he put her back down, her arms around his waist as she looked up at him. "When did you get back ?"

"Not long ago," he assured, his fingers gently brushing over Sophie's fringe. She scrunched up her nose cutely before pulling back. Derek turned to her mother. "Hey Aunt Lily."

"Come here," the woman beckoned and hugged him tightly. "I'm glad you're back, love. Looks like the three of us have a lot to catch up on."

"Starting with how the hell did Scott McCall become a werewolf ?"

[•]

Sophie had developed the habit of nervously biting her nails when she was had moved from London. It had calmed down over the past three years, but sometimes, in moments of acute distress, it came out again.

Sophie was acutely distressed as she sat on the bleachers on Friday after school, watching the lacrosse team coming out onto the field, getting ready for practice. She had been since finding out that Laura Hale was dead, murdered by an unknown werewolf who obviously became an Alpha. That very Alpha then bit Scott because Sophie knew without doubt that Stiles had been listening to the police scanner and then dragged his best friend along with him to find a body that was cut in half.

"Hey Sophie," Allison smiled as she approached.

Sophie looked up, smiling back. "Hi."

Anthony was right behind her, trying to make himself small and disappear as he had been since she had met him. He sent her a small smile.

Sophie managed a wobbly smile back.

There was the hunters too. Adding to her distress. Because of course, she wasn't allowed to just have a simple and calm year.

Sophie didn't know how much the Argent twins knew about their family business. Allison, she was was pretty sure, was clueless. But Anthony...well, it might explain his quiet presence and his watchful eyes. Oh, and the immaculate physique that Sophie could vaguely make out under his simple yet classy clothes.

"Oh my God," Anthony shook his head, scowling at the field.

Allison hit his arm with the back of her hand. "Stop."

"Then tell him to stop being so....urgh."

"Okay," Lydia, who had arrived with the twins, interjected. "What is all this about ?"

Sophie smirked slightly, her elbows on her knees and her face cupped in her hands. "It's Scott, isn't it ?"

"How did you know ?" Allison demanded. She turned to her brother with a glare. "Did you tell her ?"

"I haven't seen all her day," he raised his arms up in surrender. "Also, why would I tell her ? We literally met this week. Unlike you, my loyalties haven't changed yet."

Sophie laughed. "I didn't know anything. Until you confirmed it."

Her nervousness was easing slightly. It wasn't gone, obviously. But the conversation was definitely helping.

Allison blushed furiously, covering her face with her hands. Lydia also seemed interested. "What happened ?"

"Nothing !"

"Allison," both girls deadpanned expectantly.

The brunette shook her head. "Seriously, it's nothing."

"He asked her to go to the party later and she said yes," Anthony informed.

"Anthony !" Allison gaped in offense.

"I'm the one who had to negotiate getting out of family night with the parentals because you really want to go. This," he gestured around, "is payback."

Lydia beamed widely. "So you're coming ?"

Allison looked down and nodded shyly. Lydia squealed, lunging to hug the girl. Allison let out a startled laugh but hugged her arm nonetheless. Sophie smiled.

While she was wary, there was no denying that Allison seemed like a really sweet girl and a great friend. She would love to get to know her more. Sophie just really hoped that things wouldn't turn into a bloodbath.

The sound of teenage boys getting excited and yelling loudly. They were starting the tryouts.

"Oh God," Sophie mumbled, her nervousness starting to seep back in.

And they were off.

It started out pretty tame, the ball flying around into different lacrosse sticks. It was only in the second quarter that it became some kind of Scott vs Jackson rivalry. One that Scott seemed to be winning.

"This is not going to end well," Sophie breathed, going back to biting the nail of her thumb as she watched.

She watched attentively as Scott practically flew across the field with the ball in his crosse. He avoided all the players playing on the opposite 'team' seamlessly. It was only when he reached the goal that he did a flip out of absolutely nowhere ! And then, he launched the ball into the goal and scored.

Everyone erupted into cheers. Only Sophie remained seated, mulling over her options. I mean, it had already been confirmed, but seeing this performance really cemented it for Sophie. This really made it sink in that Scott was a werewolf now.

And it was the full moon.

Sophie passed a hand over her face, rubbing vigorously in a manner that reminded her why she never applied makeup for school. She was much too used to rubbing her face to apply makeup. But in this case it was warranted.

And this was only the beginning of Sophie's problems.

[•]

Stiles had caught Sophie right before she left the field. He said he had something he needed to show her. Something important. Sophie nodded, told him she'd be at his place as soon as she had gotten ready for the party. It didn't usually take her too long.

Lydia Martin would have her head if she didn't show up.

Stiles dropped her home because it was on his way. Sophie wasted no time in entering, grateful to find that her mother was home. She placed her hand on either side of the angle on the wall to poke her head and see Lilith on the sofa with her laptop. "Help me get ready for the party ?" Sophie asked in lieu of a greeting.

Lilith smiled affectionately in response and got up. She did her daughter's hair and makeup, the job done way better and faster than if Sophie had taken it on herself.

"Isn't it a little early for you to be getting ready ?" Lilith wondered as she started neatly parting her daughter's fringe to the side.

"I'm going to Stiles' place first," Sophie informed. "He wants to tell me something."

"A love confession ?" Her mother teased.

Lilith had always like Stiles. Claimed that despite his spastic nature and inability to leave things alone, he would be a great boyfriend for Sophie. And while Sophie did like spending time with Stiles, her feelings for him were purely platonic. He was like a brother to her.

Sophie snorted at her mother's words. "Yeah right. He doesn't like me in that way. Besides, he's absolutely smitten with Lydia."

Lilith was quiet as she finished with the hair. She then took a seat next to her. "Does it ever bother you ?"

"That Stiles likes Lydia ?" Sophie wondered, unsure of what her mother was asking.

"No," Lilith chuckled. "Well, not specifically. Does it bother you that all the boys always seem to gravite towards Lydia ? Jackson, Stiles...?"

Sophie hummed in thought. Did it bother her ? She'd never actually thought about it until her mother mentioned. But it was true, most of the straight guys in Lydia's orbit were friends or at least acquaintances of Sophie's and they all either crushed on Lydia or had been with her at some point.

Sophie on the other hand had been single since the end of Freshman year, since after her and Issac Lahey broke up. She was fine though. And her and Issac were still friends.

But...

"No," she shook her head, turning to look at her mother. "It doesn't bother me. I wouldn't want that. I think...if I had what Lydia has, I would be worried if all these boys like me for me and not because I look a certain way or have a particular status at school. That's why I was so happy with Issac. He never cared about any of that."

Lilith smiled, pressing a kiss onto Sophie's temple. "Good. Because, no matter what, you are perfect to me."

"I love you, mum."

"I love you," Lilith pressed. She then smiled widely. "Now come on, let's get your makeup done !"

[•]

"Sorry," Sophie apologised as she burst through the door to Stiles' room. "Mum and I got into a whole heart to heart and then I had to finish getting ready, it was a whole thing," she waved her hands about as though to dismiss it while she talked.

Stiles waved her off, going to close the door. "It's fine. You're just in time." He paused looking at her, then lifted his hand and indicated for her to spin. Sophie sighed with a small eye roll, letting her clutch fall onto his bed but did as he said. After her 360 degree spin, she placed her hands on her hips and awaited his judgement. Stiles nodded in approval. "You look good."

"Thanks bub," she sent him an air kiss.

"What the actual hell ?"

Both of them turned to face Scott who was staring, his jaw hanging. Sophie raised an eyebrow at him. "Yes, McCall ?"

Scott didn't talk to her though, he looked at his best friend with wide eyes. "Why is Sophie Ward here ?"

"I called her," Stiles shrugged.

"You called her ? How ? Why ? And how are you not freaking out right now ?"

"Why would he freak out ?" Sophie frowned, going to Stiles' desk and perching herself onto an empty corner. She didn't want to sit on the bed next to Scott. "We're friends."

"You guys are friends ?" Scott asked dubiously, pointing between them. The pair shared a look before nodding. "How ?"

"Our parents work together," Stiles explained.

"Now," Sophie clapped, "I'm pretty sure he didn't ask us both here to discuss our friendship. Can please move this along ? I have be at Lydia's house early to help or she will positively kill me."

"Well, it's not about the dead body in the woods," Scott shrugged. He then turned to the girl with wide eyes. "Do you know about—"

"Yes, I know about the dead body, McCall. Who do you think he texted about it before going to drag your arse out of bed ?"

Scott turned back to Stiles, quick as a whip, his voice hurt and offended. "You texted her before you came to get me ?"

"Well, yeah," Stiles shrugged. "I wondered if she had already heard."

"I hadn't."

"Then I said I wanted to go look."

"And I said, bugger off, I want to sleep."

"And then I came and got you."

Scott stared at his friend in betrayal. "You texted her first ?"

Sophie stared at him unimpressed. "It worries me that you're more concerned that he texted me first and not that there's a potential murderer who cuts people in half walking around town."

"Okay, guys !" It was Stiles' turn to clap, making them turn to him. "Focus. This is important." He looked at Scott. "Remember the joke from the other day ? Not a joke anymore. The wolf ; the bite in the woods. I started doing all this reading. Do you even know why a wolf howls ?"

"Should I ?" Scott raised his eyebrows.

Sophie rolled her eyes. "It's a signal," she explained. "When a wolf's alone, it howls to signal its location to the rest of the pack."

"So if you heard a wolf howling, that means others could have been nearby," Stiles continued. "Maybe even a whole pack of 'em."

"A whole pack of wolves ?" Scott asked, clearly confused and unsure of what was going on.

"No," Stiles shook his head. "Werewolves."

Sophie smirked proudly. Of course Stiles figured it out. He would obviously be the one to figure it out. And in time too.

Scott didn't quite share her pride, getting to his feet and angrily scolding his friend. "Are you seriously wasting my time with this ? You know I'm picking up Allison in an hour."

"Sit down," Sophie ordered.

Scott glared at her. She narrowed her eyes right back, raising an eyebrow in a challenging manner for good measure. Probably sensing the tension, Stiles cut in, "I saw you on the field today, Scott. Okay, what you did wasn't just amazing, all right ? It was impossible."

"Yeah, so I made a good shot," Scott shrugged.

"It wasn't a good shot," Sophie said.

"Okay, no one asked—"

"It was an incredible shot," Sophie spoke over Scott. She honestly didn't much care for this boy. She hadn't cared for him before and here, he was getting on her last nerve. "One, you shouldn't have been able to make. The way you moved, your speed, your reflexes, everything, was amazing. That doesn't happen overnight."

"And there's the vision and the senses," Stiles continued listing off, obviously more informed than Sophie was, "and don't even think I don't notice that you don't need your inhaler anymore."

Scott's frustration was rolling off him in waves. "Okay !" He practically yelled, shaking his head. "I can't think about this now. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Sit your arse down," Sophie ordered stonily, getting off the desk and crossing her arms over her chest, her hip resting on the edge of the piece of wooden furniture. "You don't understand how important this is. The full moon is tonight, McCall."

"Don't you get it ?"

"What are you trying to do ?" Scott yelled at his best friend. "I just made first line. I got a date with a girl who I can't believe wants to go out with me, and everything in my life is somehow perfect. Why are you trying to ruin it ?" He then turned to Sophie, his anger getting even worse. "And why the hell are you even here ? I don't even know you, why do you care what happens to me ?"

"You aren't the one I care about, McCall," Sophie told him.

She'd lost enough to werewolves. She wasn't going to lose one of her closest friends too. Stiles and her might not always interact in public but she cared about him very much. And she definitely cared about the Sheriff. Sophie would die before letting him lose his son.

"I'm trying to help," Stiles explained. "You're cursed, Scott."

Scott scoffed making Sophie glare. "You'd do well to listen to him," she instructed. "He's right. When the moon rises tonight, you'll change. That added with your heightened bloodlust might turn a casual party into a fucking bloodbath."

"Bloodlust ?" Scott repeated.

"Yeah," Stiles nodded, "your urge to kill."

"I'm already starting to feel an urge to kill, Stiles."

Sophie let out a mirthless chuckle. "Try and you won't have an arm left," she threatened.

Scott glared angrily, going to take a step towards her. Sophie straightened, ready to jump in and....well, fight a werewolf off it came down to it. Stiles held his arms between them, obviously not keen on the idea of a fight occurring. Though, he seemed more worried about the wrong party.

If they ever did fight, Sophie wasn't the one who would need taking care of.

"You gotta hear this," he told Scott, turning to his desk and grabbing a book that was laying on top. Sophie exhaled through her nose but let it go, crossing her arms again and looking over her friend's shoulder. "'The change can be caused by anger or anything that raises your pulse.' All right ?" Stiles turned to face Scott. "I haven't seen anyone raise your pulse like Allison does."

Sophie realised the implications, her eyes widening ever so slightly. "You have to cancel that date." She went for her clutch and started pulling her phone out.

"What are you doing ?" Scott demanded.

"Canceling your date," she answered when she placed her phone at her ear, the line ringing.

Sophie had been anticipating his response, and moved out of the way when Scott lunged for her. "No," he exclaimed, trying to reach for her. Much to his dismay, Sophia Ward had quicker reflexes than him and was properly trained by another werewolf and not one, but two guardians. He only tried in vain, angrily demanding that she "Give it to me !"

"Hello ?"

"Hey, Anthony. Could you—" the phone was angrily ripped from her hand, a claw scraping her wrist in the action.

"Sophie ?" She heard Anthony calling through the phone. "Sophie, are you th—"

That was the last of it before device was completely crushed in his hand. And for good measure, after dropping the wrecked remains of Sophie's phone, he swiped Stiles' chair out of the way letting any residual anger out.

Sophie stared at him, clutched her wrist. She didn't dare move. She wasn't planning on it if he didn't go to attack either of them.

Scott seemed surprised by himself. He stared at the chair and then at Sophie who watched at him with an almost expectant look. Stiles looked horrified.

"I'm sorry," the boy said, dazed. He went to get his bag. "I—I gotta go get ready for that party."

Sophie held back a scoff. But she knew there was no point in saying anything. There was no getting through to him.

Scott paused at the door, looking at Sophie. "I'm sorry."

It was only once he was gone that Sophie quietly crouched down and picked her phone up from the ground. "Well," she huffed, getting up and inspecting the damage. "Your friend owes me a new phone."

That seemed to snap Stiles out of whatever daze he was in. He cleared his throat and pushed away from the wall where he had pressed himself against. "I'll tell him," he promised before going to right his desk chair, pausing as he stared at the back. "Soph..."

Sophie looked his way, going over. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose when she saw the claw marks. "Fuck," she breathed. She then declared, "Okay, you're coming to the party. I won't be able to deal with your idiot friend alone without killing him. I have get going. If anyone asks —not that they should— tell them I invited you. Because...I did."

Sophie grabbed her clutch and started making for the door. "Sophie, wait." She stopped, looking at Stiles. He licked his lips, shaking his head. "You're not surprised. You— it's like you knew already."

"That's because I did know," she shrugged.

"How ?"

Sophie held the door, her lips curling into a mirthless smile. "Because I was born into this world."

[•]

Anthony Argent had been to a total of one party that hadn't been his and Allison's birthday parties. It had been back before that last part of him broke and he hadn't exactly enjoyed that one. He had managed to have a decent evening but......parties weren't his scene.

He really didn't know what he was doing at that party at Lydia's house on Friday. His parents had told him to go and keep an eye on his sister, though his phone had to be on at all times in case they needed to contact him as backup.

Allison was coming later with Scott. So Anthony had taken his and Allison's shared vehicle and gone alone, following the directions on his phone. Though he wasn't sure he needed to, given the hordes of teenagers loitering in front, all screaming and drinking, who could be heard from miles away.

Anthony parked the car with a sigh, his hands tightening on either side of the wheel, pressing his forehead against the faux leather. "What am I even doing here ?" He whispered to himself.

Being the amazing son and brother you are.

Anthony definitely needed a drink. He stepped out of the car and marched to the house. The interior wasn't much different then the outside, only more congested. The boy wasted no time in getting that drink (he was only planning on have one) and fighting his way out to the terrace.

There were a lot of people there too, but at least here he didn't have to worry about getting trampled. And the fresh air helped with his nerves. Anthony let out a shuddering breath, eyes closed.

"Anthony."

His head snapped up, finding Sophie standing there, against a pillar and smiling his way. She was dressed in black tights with black knee length boots and a little black dress that fell to the middle of her thighs. The only pop of colour was the small royal blue jacket she was sporting and the matching blue liner on her lids.

"Sophie," he breathed, approaching. "Hey."

"Hiya," she smiled at him, almost sheepishly. "Sorry about earlier."

"What happened ? Are you okay ?" He asked. "Why didn't you call back ?"

He had been worried when he had received that weird call from her earlier in the evening. What was strange was that Sophie hadn't answered when he tried calling her back.

"I wanted to call back but my phone was wrecked."

"What ?" Sophie reached into the black clutch she was holding and extracted...Anthony blinked, seeing that her phone was quite literally wrecked. "Wow. What happened ?"

She licked her lips before placing it back in her bag and dismissing it. "It's complicated. I would have called you back with someone else's phone but..... I haven't exactly memorised your number."

"You still memorise phone numbers ?"

"Only the ones I deem important," she shrugged. "Really just my mum and the sheriff's personal number."

Anthony nodded as he listened. He leaned next to her, tilting his head. "Not Lydia's ? I thought she was your best friend."

Sophie glanced up at him. Anthony felt his breath catch in his throat for a moment.

Her brown hair fell to her shoulder, curled into soft waves and her fringe was parted on either side. Sophie's face was soft and open, filled with nothing but kindness.

But those eyes.....there was something haunted behind those beautiful eyes. Eyes made of steel and tears, of wisdom and resolve.

She was beautiful.

As soon as Sophie's eyes left his, going towards the other side of the pool, Anthony took a sip of his drink and followed her gaze. She was looking at Lydia Martin who was laughing.

"She's the one who chose the label," Sophie shrugged. "I just went with it because I was happy someone wanted to be friends with me when I first came here. But if I had to tell you who my actual best friend is, I'd say my mum."

"That's really sweet."

She smiled up at him. "What about you ?"

"What about me ?"

"Do you have a best friend ?"

Anthony shrugged. "I used to."

"Oh. Are they back in San Francisco ?"

"Something like that," he said vaguely, going for another sip.

So we aren't going to mention the fact that I'm dead ?

Shut up, Anthony pressed his eyes shut. Get out of my head.

Sophie jumped slightly, turning to look towards the party happening inside through the open doors. She shook her head, looking back up to meet Anthony's confused eyes. "Sorry. I thought I heard someone."

Anthony just then realized that she had been standing there alone before he arrived. Maybe there had been a reason. "Were you waiting for someone before I showed up ?"

Sophie twisted her mouth to one side, almost into a pout as she admitted. "Kind of."

"Oh," Anthony copied her earlier action. "A date ?"

Sophie snorted. "Not even in a dream," she drawled with a shake of her head.

Anthony nodded, then looked back at her. She was a beautiful girl. Attractive, kind, smart.

"Do you have a boyfriend ?" Anthony wondered.

Sophie looked up at him. She crossed her arms over her chest with a small smirk, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Why do you ask ?"

"Curiosity," he replied honestly. "Lydia's is completely wrapped around her at all time," he nodded to the other side of the pool where Jackson was in fact wrapped around Lydia. "I guess I was wondering if you have someone who wraps around you sometimes."

Sophie laughed.

Pride tugged at Anthony's heart as he watched, a smile playing on his lips. Sophie Ward truly was beautiful when she laughed. She looked so free and happy. Those laughs burst out of her as though she wasn't expecting them, as though she was surprised by herself.

"No," Sophie shook her head, still laughing. "No, I don't have a boyfriend. Not anymore."

"Shame for him."

"What makes you say that ?" She inquired with a smile, turning her body to face his and lean against the pillar with her shoulder.

Anthony mirrored her movements. "Well, I've met you. You seem pretty awesome."

He leaned his head against the pillar, smirking ever so slightly as she blushed. "That's sweet of you to say. And we're fine, by the way. My ex and I. He had some baggage and said he couldn't be in a healthy relationship with anyone until he sorted it out."

"His loss."

Sophie's smile widened, her eyes looking at his face thoughtfully before declaring, "It's your turn now."

"My turn for what ?"

"It's the get-to-know-each-other game, Anthony. It's your turn to tell me if any girl has caught your eye. Or boy," Sophie quickly added. "No judgment."

Anthony shook his head with an amused and disbelieving chuckle. "I've been here a week."

"So ?" She shrugged. "Your sister's been here a week and she's on a date with McCall."

"My sister...." He trailed off with a shake of his head, licking his lips in thought as to what he was going to say. His eyes were focused on the throng of teenagers dancing around. "My sister's a romantic."

"And you're not ?"

Anthony looked down at Sophie. Into those lovely grey eyes that watched him curiously. "I can't afford to be," he whispered.

"Why not ?"

"I just can't."

Sophie stared up at him. He stared down at her. It was as though they were both under a spell and that they couldn't look away even if they wanted to.

Not that he did.

Anthony felt a connection with Sophie. A sort of companionship. It was like despite not knowing his past, not knowing what he'd been through, she understood him. She made him feel less alone.

"Soph !"

And the spell broke.

The pair jumped, seemingly realising just then how close they had been standing. They both inhaled deeply, followed by the clearing of their throats, taking a step away from each other. Anthony busied himself with taking a sip of his drink while Sophie brushed off the skirt of her dress and looked up at the boy that had showed up in front of them.

Anthony vaguely recognised him from his English Literature class and as the boy Sophie had been talking to on Monday during lacrosse practice. Looking at him now though, Anthony furrowed his eyebrows. Had he had too much to drink in the half of glass he had been sipping on or was this boy wearing a huge-ass suit ?

"Hey Stiles," Sophie greeted.

The boy didn't return it, instead announcing, "I need to talk to you."

"Can it wait ?" Sophie questioned. When he sent her a look, she winced and turned to Anthony, opening her mouth to say something.

He beat her to it. "Go."

"Are you sure ?" She asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," he assured.

She smiled at him, "I'll catch you later, okay ? Promise." And with that, the boy —Stiles— took her hand and whisked her away with him.

Anthony dropped his smile as soon as they were out of view, draining his glass. He knew he was the one who told her to go, but with Sophie gone, his demons were coming back in full force.

She's pretty.

"Go away," he mumbled.

And she would definitely keep your arse safe.

Anthony went to leaned back against the pillar, rubbing his temple and silently praying that no one noticed his state. "Leave me alone," he spoke hoarsely. "Please just leave me alone."

Maybe he shouldn't have had that drink. It had made the voices inside his head worse. Or rather, the voice.

The boy looked up, trying to focus on his surroundings. He focused on his breathing, trying to distract himself by pay attention to the sight in front of him. To all the stupid clueless teenagers, living contently. Dancing and drinking and partying and just....being happy. Anthony wished he could have that.

But he knew it was too late for him.

Hopefully, he could keep his sister safe for as long as possible. Let her live in blissful ignorance. Let her live a good and happy life for the two of them.

Anthony felt slightly calmer as he spotted Allison in the crowd, dancing with Scott. The smallest, saddest of smiles tugged at his lips.

His phone started ringing in his pocket.

Anthony extracted it, looking at the screen and letting out an exhale of annoyance through his nose. At least all his frustration had chased away the remaining nervousness and anxiety.

He considered declining but that wasn't worth the hell he would pay for it later.

"Hello ?"

"We need you."

No hello. No how are you. Nothing.

Just an order.

"Dad—"

"It wasn't a question, Anthony," his father cut in.

Anthony wanted to argue. He knew it wouldn't do anything for him but he still felt like he should try. Sure, he didn't want to be at the party. The party was actually being terrible for his anxiety but he hated his situation.

How the second his parents called he had to answer. No matter what.

At least it had been his father though. He got along much better with Christopher Argent than he did with his mother.

He lifted his head, eyebrows furrowed when he saw that Scott was hunched over, pulling away from Allison. "The hell ?" He mumbled.

"What is it ?"

"Dad, do you absolutely need me ?" Anthony asked, straightening up. "Allison—"

"Is she hurt ?"

"I mean, no, but—"

"Than yes," Christopher cut his son off. "Your sister's a big girl, Anthony. We need to let her fend for herself every now and again. Now, get to the Preserve."

Anthony clenched his jaw, his head bowed despite the fact that his father wasn't actually there. "Yes, sir," he mumbled.

He hung up and with a deep inhale of air, Anthony swerved on his heels and marched to his car.

[•]

Sophie should have expected Stiles to demand to know everything. And she should have suspected that his timing would be terrible because it was Stiles fucking Stilinski. Of course he would think asking her about this at Lydia's party was a good idea.

Who wouldn't want to spill all their family secrets at a party ?

"Can I please come over tomorrow and explain everything instead ?" She begged as Stiles ushered her away from Anthony. "Or even better, you come to me and mum helps explain."

"Lilith knows ?" Stiles exclaimed.

Sophie raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Of course my mother knows, Stilinski. What part of 'I was born into this world' did you not get ?"

"What does that even mean ?"

"Tomorrow," the girl insisted. "Now can we please go back to making sure..." Sophie turned when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She blinked in slight surprise. "Hey Allison."

"Hey," the other girl smiled. "Did Scott happen to pass by here ?"

"Wasn't he dancing with you outside ?" Sophie asked, though she already suspected the answer.

"He ran off." Allison hugged her arms around herself.

"He ran off," Sophie repeated, nodding and turning to Stiles with a sickly sweet. "He ran off, Stiles. Your best friend ran off. How about you make yourself useful and look for him ?"

Stiles clearly didn't want to leave her but he nodded anyways. This was more important.

Sophie took Allison's hand and started leading her through the crowd, towards the front door and to where her car was. "Do you want to stay ?" She asked, leaning back on the hood of her Prius.

Allison leaned next to her, shaking her head. "Not really." She then looked at Sophie, tears shining in her eyes. "Was I stupid ? Coming here, on a date with a guy I've talked to once ?"

"Hey," Sophie soothed gently, her hand reaching up to wipe away one of the tears that had trickled down her new friend's cheek. "None of that. You met a guy and you liked him. It's another story that he turned out to be a wanker," Allison laughed, holding on to the hand that Sophie hand lowered from her face. Sophie smiled at her kindly. "Look, none of this is on you. And if he isn't a total prick, he will try to make it up to you."

"Do you think I should give him another chance ?"

Sophie raised her eyebrows and faced the party. She blew out some air from her mouth as she thought about it. "That's a rather loaded question."

"What would you do ?"

"I'd cut off his balls and feed them to him," she replied honestly. Sophie put her other hand on her and Allison's joined ones. "Look, Allison. What I would do doesn't matter. You're the one who has to choose whether or not you want to be with him. Ultimately, it's your decision. And only yours."

Allison nodded, her lips tilting into a smile. "Thanks Sophie."

"What else are friends for ?" Sophie winked.

They both chuckled, looking at each other. Allison then took her phone out of her pocket. "Let me call, Anthony..." she trailed off, squinting at the screen. "Huh. He texted me. Like five minutes ago."

"Really ?" Sophie furrowed her eyes. She had been with him maybe ten minutes ago.

Allison sighed. "He left. Apparently dad needed him."

Sophie blinked. She then looked at the sky, at the twinkling moon. The full moon.

Argents were hunters. They were out on full moons for one reason and one reason only. If Allison's father needed her brother's help on this day.....

"Shit," she breathed.

"Yeah," Allison chuckled in a watery manner, rubbing her hand over her face. She didn't seem to realize that Sophie's swear was for a completely different reason. "God, I don't know how I'm getting home."

"Come on," Sophie smiled, standing up and taking her friend with her. She didn't let Allison notice her distressed thoughts. "I'll drive you."

"Oh no, you won't." A hand came and grabbed the car keys Sophie had pulled out of her clutch.

Sophie turned to tell the person off, only to blink and pinch her eyebrows. "Derek ? What are you doing here ?"

"Driving you home," he said. "Your mom mentioned there was going to be a party with alcohol and didn't want you driving while drunk."

"I had one drink," she deadpanned.

"Still not letting you drive."

Sophie rolled her eyes with a groan, "Fine. But we're dropping my friend home first."

"Sure," Derek nodded, looking over at Allison with a polite smile. "What's your address friend ?"

[•]

Sophie had been sitting on a stone bench in front of the school, reading when Anthony found her at the end of Monday. He didn't know why but he suddenly felt nervous about talking to her.

"Hi," he let out, sliding onto the bench next to her. One hand came to awkwardly sit on his knee, the other gripping the one strap of his backpack that hung on his shoulder.

Sophie looked up, smiling slightly. "Hey."

He smiled back, a tight-lipped and uncomfortable smile. Anthony didn't know why he felt so awkward. "What are you reading ?"

Sophie slipped a bookmark into the pages of the book, holding it out to him. Anthony took it, his eyes analysing the cover. "'The Screaming Staircase' ?" He read, raising his eyebrows. "Sounds pretty gory."

"It's really good," Sophie defended. "My nan got it for me this Summer in London."

She then chuckled about something, her face cutely scrunched up in realisation.

"What ?" Anthony lowered the book, observing her.

"Nothing," Sophie shook her head, waving him off.

"Sophie, what is it ?"

She chuckled again, turning to him but her eyes raised skyward as she shook her head with a small laugh. "This is so stupid."

"Tell me."

"The love interest, in the book..." she pursued her lips before admitting, "his name's Anthony."

Anthony gaped at her slightly, immediately looking back at her book before glancing up at her. Sophie was blushing. "Oh my God, you have a crush on him," he called her out. Sophie somehow managed to blush even harder, her eyes shut and her face frozen into an embarrassed wince. Anthony only let out a laugh of disbelief. "You have a crush on an Anthony."

"I have a crush on an Anthony," she admitted, peeking an eye open to look at him.

He smiled at her. At that, Anthony saw that Sophie's shoulders slumped and she smiled back. It was comfortable now. Whatever previous awkwardness had been lingering was gone.

"Thank you for driving Allison home on Friday," he thanked.

"Of course," she shrugged, taking her book back and hugging it to her chest. "She's my friend. Did she..."

"Tell me what happened ?" Sophie nodded. Anthony leaned his hands back, curling them around the edge of the stone bench and letting it support his weight as he nodded. "She told me. She also stopped me from going to his house and strangling him."

Sophie let out a soft chuckle. "He definitely would have deserved it."

They sat in silence for a while, watching as students shuffled around the parking lot. Parents arrived to pick up their kids, friends chatted casually. It was a normal scene. A very mundane scene.

But for Anthony it was comfortable. He wouldn't say he was happy. He doubted he would ever really be happy again.

But he was content, sitting here with Sophie and just people watching.

She looked beautiful today too, dressed in simple black jeans, a white shirt and an iceberg blue sweater with her oversized denim jacket. Her fringe was messy but in a purposeful manner that let people see her forehead peeking out from underneath. It gave her a playful and youthful air.

"Were you okay ? On Friday, I mean," she asked.

"Why do you ask ?"

"Allison mentioned that you left the party early because your father needed help," Sophie explained. "Was it serious ?"

Anthony was quiet, turning back to face the spectacle of high schoolers after classes were over. He spotted Scott McCall not too far off, anxiously waiting. He was probably waiting for Allison.

He contemplated Sophie's question before ducking his head down and sighing, "It's complicated."

It was complicated in the sense that they had been here a week and Anthony was already ready to crash on his bed and not get off. It was complicated in the sense that exactly what he has hoped to avoid, hoped to escape had happened.

Anthony hadn't been surprised that there was supernatural activity in this town. What he was surprised by was that they had already encountered two beta werewolves. On the first full moon.

He felt a hand on top of his, his head snapping up to look at Sophie. She offered him a kind smile. He found himself smiling back.

A loud honk from a car in front of them, followed by a British accent calling, "Sophie !" pulled their attention. The two teenagers looked over to see a black Mercedes with a beautiful woman sat at the wheel.

"I have to go," Sophie said, extracting her hand and started to rise to her feet. "Mum took off early today so we can go phone shopping. I should be reachable again by this evening." She smiled at Anthony. "See you tomorrow."

He smiled, watching her start to leave. Before he could stop himself, Anthony asked, "Sophie ?" She turned back to him, blinking. She clearly hadn't been expecting him to call her back. "You said you memorise the numbers of people you deem important, right ?" Sophie nodded, her face pulled into a confused frown. Anthony licked his lips nervously before confessing, "I hope you decide my number is worth memorising some day."

Sophie's face broke into a smile. But this smile was different. It wasn't her wide smile or her amused smile. This wasn't even the small comforting smile he had seen her use.

No, this smile Anthony had never seen. It was a shy smile, one where her face flushed and that ended with her lightly biting her bottom lip. And he loved it.

"Bye Anthony," she said shyly.

This time she walked away faster and smoothly slide into her mother's car. He chuckled fondly when he saw her hide her face in her hands as her mom seemed to be teasing her through the windshield of the car. Sophie raised her face and shook her head, saying something with equal parts affection and exasperation on her soft features. Her mother immediately responded with something that made her throw her head back and laugh.

Anthony watched, mesmerised as the car started pulling out of its temporary spot and then the school parking. He was in awe.

Don't fuck this up.

Anthony couldn't even be bothered to tell the voice in his head to go away. Because this was one instruction he planned on following.

"Ant." He blinked, looking to the side and finding his sister standing there. "Dad's here."

Anthony looked over to where Allison had nodded and saw that his father was indeed there, standing outside his SUV. The lightness he had been feeling was gone, replaced by a weight coming onto his shoulders again when he stood.

"You talk to your boyfriend ?" He asked his sister as they walked towards their father.

Allison rolled her eyes. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Oh, so you ripped him a new one ?"

"Well....no," she admitted. "I kind of gave him a second chance."

Of course she did. Anthony held back a sigh. Why did he get the feeling this was going to be a long year ?

So finals have started ! Is that going to stop me from writing though.......no. Absolutely not.
This story and my Lockwood and Co story are currently keeping me sane.

Speaking of Lockwood and Co, I know that the books haven't technically come out when season one was shot. The first one didn't come out till season three if I'm not mistaken. But let's just pretend that that they were out already. I really want Sophie to be a fan of the books and keep comparing Anthony Argent with Anthony Lockwood. Especially with everything I have planned for Anthony A.

Otherwise, I hope you guys all enjoyed this chapter ! I definitely enjoyed writing it. There will probably be a lot of my own writing and scenes, maybe a few fillers especially in part one. It's really to establish the links and relationships between the characters, not to mention that neither Sophie nor Anthony are technically part of the inner circle yet. But I promise, there will be a lot of action and fun coming up.

Also, the voice in Anthony's head. Got any theories ?

Anyways, bye my lovelies !

.