Griffin's POV:

"You mean to tell us that by some miracle, you scored her number? That's awesome!" Luka pumped his fist in the air with a laugh but Luna rolled her eyes at the camera which causes him to scoff. "Why aren't you as joyful as me? Are you...jeal—ow!"

"Ignore him. I'm happy for you, Griffin, but don't forget she just got cheated on. Just because you two had one friendly exchange, don't immediately assume she's ready for a relationship. Start easy. Be her friend until you two can have that conversation later down the line."

I adjust the headphones in my ear, glancing at my mom through the rearview mirror to see her full attention was on the road. "Yeah, I know. I think she tried to ask to hang out yesterday but...we sort of got interrupted." I whisper. "I'm not even sure if she's serious about tutoring me."

"Well it doesn't hurt to ask." Luka snorted. "She was the one who initiated it in the first place."

"I can't."

"Why not?" Luna questioned.

I aim the camera to the scenery we were driving passed, showing off that we were no longer in Orange County. "Can't exactly show up to the session if I'm out of town."

"What? Why aren't you home?"

I shrug. "She didn't say. Mom practically woke me up at five in the morning and told me to pack some clothes that'll last me for a week in Beacon Hills. I haven't been here in like six years."

"Is she having her friend watching the house for you guys?"

"Aislin? No way, she can barely watch herself. I guess she called my aunt Andrea last night so she and her daughter are supposed to fly in today to house sit while we're gone."

"Forget that! Did you just say Beacon Hills?" Luka asked in disbelief. "Dude, I've heard some crazy stories about that town."

"Oh god, here we go again." Luna sighed. "I've told you already that if you continue to watch too many conspiracy videos, you'll sound crazier than you already are."

"First of all, ouch. Second, the stories seem true! Have you seen the leaked photos of the damages at their high school?" Luka scoffed. "All the stories of the unexplained murders in the town?"

As the two continued to bicker, Stephanie's name flashes across the screen and immediately my heart quickens. "Normally I'd listen to you two fight but...she's calling." I whisper the last part and the two immediately stop talking.

"Seriously? Dude I'm telling you, she's into you!" Luka exclaimed.

"Or, she's coming to you as a friend! Don't immediately assume!" Luna added and harshly elbowed Luka. "And don't sound like a douchebag."

"Got it. Talk to you guys later." I say before I end the FaceTime call and answer the voice call. "Stephanie hey, how's it going?"

"Hey! Uh...sorry that we didn't get to finish our chat yesterday. I could tell that your mom was ready to give you the lecture." She lightly chuckled. "Didn't want to get on her bad side once we start our tutor session today."

I wince. "About that..."

"Oh I see...you changed your mind?"

"No! No, of course not. I would love it if you tutored me." I quickly explain and I look up at the front seat again, taking notice of my mom's curious stares. "It's just...I know it seems like I'm making up an excuse but I swear I didn't know I'd be out of town yesterday. My mom randomly sprung it on me early this morning. Apparently she doesn't trust me to leave me at home by myself. It's lame, I know."

"Actually--"

"Looks like someone forgot that they're grounded!" My mom chuckled. "And I said you can talk to your friends for like ten minutes before you're back to being banned from calling and texting. Better say your goodbyes now before I take your phone away. Also I don't even want to hear you complain about feeling car sick again. It took a while to clean your puke in the—"

I quickly mute the phone call. "Just one more minute, okay?" I say before I unmute myself. "What were you saying?"

"You puked in the backseat?" Stephanie questioned.

I rub the side of my head in embarrassment. "I-It's a long story."

"No worries. Anyway, when do you get back? Just so I can plan my schedule around for my other tutor sessions."

My heart sinks. "Other tutor sessions?"

"Yeah. My counselor thought it was a good idea to sign up for this club to help with students falling behind to show off to the colleges I'm applying to." Maybe Luna's right. I shouldn't get my hopes up that easily. I have to be there as a friend. "Griffin, you there? Everything okay?"

"Sorry, I lost signal for a second but...that's cool. I-erm, I think I should be back by next week."

"Griffin, phone. Now." My mom instructed which causes me to roll my eyes. "You told me to warn you once we got close to the twisty parts of the road just so you can prepare your nausea. We're getting close and—"

"I have to get going but...thanks again for offering to help, Stephanie!" I exclaim, hoping to avoid any more embarrassment. "My mom's giving me the death stare if I don't give her my phone so I gotta go. Once I get my phone privileges back, I'll text you about when we can have the tutor session." I say and she chuckles. "You're...a good friend."

"Thanks Griffin. I hope you have a nice trip and that everything goes well! Talk to you soon." She says before she hangs up the call.

Olivia's POV

"I can't believe you didn't just leave me at home with aunt Andrea." Griffin muttered from the backseat, placing his cellphone in my hands before plopping back in his spot. "I could've had a tutor session with Stephanie but instead, I have to tag along with you on your road trip?"

"Tutor or not, it's hilarious you think that I'd let her come over when you're still grounded." I snort, glancing at the front mirror and see his annoyance. "And you used to love it here!"

"When I was ten."

"Okay but I know an amazing tutor in Beacon Hills that can help you with your homework."

"Who the hell even lives in this deadbeat town anyway? Doesn't your side of the family live in Miami?" He questioned before looking outside the window. "And if we're visiting the town, why are we in the middle of the woods?"

"We're visiting relatives that unfortunately told me to meet them at work." I say, carefully maneuvering around the parked police cars near the campsite and park across the road. "Get your backpack." I instruct as I turn off the car and step out of the vehicle.

"I don't know why you can't just say it's Uncle Thomas if he's the only relative that lives out here." Griffin muttered, snatching his bag from the floor and stepped out as well. "Isn't he busy with cop duties? Your guys' hours are pretty much the same."

"We're not visiting just Uncle Thomas."

Phoebe's POV:

"I haven't spoken to or seen you for a couple of years and the first thing you're asking me is to watch Griffin?" I exclaim with a laugh, pulling away from Griffin before embracing Olivia in a hug next. "I'm so honored! I missed you guys so much!"

"Missed you too but...I thought you said you would be finished by the time we got here?" Olivia questioned as she looked around the firetrucks and firemen putting out the remaining small flames in the field along with a few deputies examining the crime scene. "I wouldn't have asked you to watch him."

"Yeah, what exactly happened here?" Griffin questioned.

I shrug. "Not exactly sure. Someone's been setting random fires in the woods but we don't have the motive yet." I shrug before I wave it off. "But don't worry. I was just finishing up before I could talk to Sheriff Stilinski. Dad is here too if you wanna say hi."

"I will in a bit. I have to do the thing we talked about." Olivia emphasized and I slowly nod. "I'll call you when I finish so that we can meet and catch up on some stuff."

"Wait, you're leaving? I thought you just said that we're visiting relatives?" Griffin questioned as he tried to follow behind Olivia. "Can't I come with you?"

"No, because where I'm going is for the adults. And if I recall, someone is still on punishment for what happened at school." She emphasized with a brow raised.

"Seriously? So because of what happened at school, you're punishing me by giving me a babysitter? I'm sixteen!"

"Hey, I wouldn't call this babysitting." I sling my arm around his shoulder with a teasing smile. "You get to spend time with your super cool aunt that'll help you with your homework and once we're done, we can file the seven stacks of paperwork I have at the station. Won't that be fun?"

"No." He deadpanned before his eyes shifted over to Olivia. "Even on your week off you're still too busy. You mind as well should have left me behind with Andrea. She would have been better than your usual parenting."

"It's not like that. I promise once I settle this, I'll show you all the cool spots your momma and I used to hang with our friends." Olivia ruffled his hair with a small smile. "Don't do something stupid, okay? I love you."

"Sure, whatever." He grumbled. "Just get out of here already."

Olivia slowly nods with a sad smile before she looks over to me. "Keep an eye on him, please. The last thing I need is trouble and if anything happens--"

"Hey, don't stress. I have a packed bag at the house just in case. Keep me posted, okay?"

She waves goodbye with a nod as she walks back to her car but I guide Griffin towards the crime scene, seeing Mason and Sheriff Stilinski in the middle of a conversation until their eyes landed on us.

"What do you got for me, Ms. Jimenez?" Sheriff Stilinski asked before he waved at Griffin. "Hey, long time no see kiddo. You've grown."

"Hi, Mr--I mean, Sheriff Stilinski." Griffin muttered, adjusting the sling from his backpack. "Good to see you too."

"Well, it's the same as the last one and the other three. Surprisingly the same radius of how much the last fire spread." I explained before I shook my head. "Still, I want to compare my notes at the station. There's something missing that I can't figure out."

"What does your partner think?"

I start to smile, seeing the silhouetted figure emerge from the smoke behind them. "Well, why don't you ask him?"

They turn around, watching the man curiously examine the charred tree stump before walking closer to us.

Derek Hale.

"You were right." Derek spoke up, shoving his hands in his pockets. "It wasn't gasoline. Whoever set this fire used a chemical accelerant."

"Four fires in two weeks." Sheriff Stilinski sighed. "That's a serial arsonist. Do I need to call in the FBI?"

"Or better yet, you could call someone that might solve this in like fifteen minutes. I don't know, perhaps your son?" I suggest with a casual shrug.

"Trust me, right now Stiles has his own fires to put out." Sheriff Stilinski immediately shook his head. "I think we can handle one arsonist."

"The only thing I'd say is, this one seems to have a plan." Derek added but before he could continue, Mason's phone begins to buzz and he quickly digs into his pockets. His eyes slightly widen and he nervously looks over to Sheriff Stilinski.

"Aren't you gonna answer it?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"No."

The two spoke in unison which causes Derek's brows to furrow in suspicion. "It-It can...it can wait." Mason stammered with a nervous smile but then his phone buzzes again.

"You want me to answer it?" Derek questioned.

"No." Stilinski and Mason spoke in unison again.

"Why do I have a feeling that that's about me? Or maybe my son?" Derek emphasized.

"Eli?" Griffin spoke up with shock laced in his tone. "He's here?"

Derek finally looks over to Griffin with a brow raised. "Right...I forgot you two were the cause of our headaches with your antics."

Griffin immediately shook his head. "When I was ten, yeah, but after that, we moved." He mumbled, averting his eyes from Derek's. "Grew apart obviously."

"Well regardless, he still seems pretty intent on leaving high school with a grand theft auto charge." Sheriff Stilinski hesitantly added.

"He took the Jeep again, didn't he?"

I snort. "Again?"

"Yes, again. Why the hell does he keep taking the Jeep?" Stilinski scowled.

"Because he knows I hate it." Derek grumbled.

"Well I was gonna head to the station to do some paperwork but I think I want to stick around to find more clues." I trail and nudge Derek's side. "You think you can look after Griffin for me?"

"What? Why?"

"Yeah, honestly Aunt Phoebe, I'd rather do the paperwork."

"Because not only is he terrified of you," I tease, noticing Griffin's nervous demeanor. "it'd be nice for him and Eli to catch up. Plus it's fun making my sister annoyed."

"I don't understand how that will help Eli see what he's doing is wrong by giving him an accomplice. Where's Olivia anyway?" Derek asked.

"Running some errands. I promised I'd watch Griffin but I don't want to risk his life if there's an actual arsonist close by." I explain before I lean close so that only he could hear. "By the way, no supernatural stuff in front of him. Olivia wants to keep that life away from him."

"Fine." He muttered before he nodded his head for Griffin to follow. "Keep up, mini Flores."

"Oh god, how are you walking so fast?" Griffin grunted and I amusedly smile as he scrambled to keep up with his pace.

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A/N:

In honor of Olivia Rodrigo releasing Vampire :'D such a good song ugh

Also apologies for the lack of updates! Im on vacation rn so the wifi is a little spotty.

I hope you all have/had an amazing day! Bye!

~Cimbello