#fainthearted

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''Can somebody help me find The Notebook?'' Jackson was too busy walking around clueless to pick up on the eerie vibe. I't wasn't till the phone began to rang where he started to question his surroundings.

''Hello?'' He called out, glancing around. The store had looked pretty vacant.

''Is anybody working here?'' He could still hear the phone ringing in the background.

''You gotta be kidding me'' Jackson sighed to himself in annoyance. He kept walking through the different aisles of movies, deciding to just look for it himself.

He stopped short when he saw feet on the ground behind one of the movie rows in front of him. He squinted his eyes before moving closer. Once he had approached the row, he stopped short to see a body laying against the shelf, his throat cut open with blood oozing out of the wound. Jackson's eyes widen as he began to become fearful. He back up so fast that his back hit the ladder that was propped up beside him holding a light in place. It soon came tumbling down along with the light and wiring, causing the store to start flickering.

He began to move away but was stop short by a menacing growl. He slowly turned around and gulped. Once his eyes adjusted to the figure he freaked, quickly taking cover behind one of the movie shelves. When he's breathing calmed a bit he peeked around the corner, it took a few seconds for the flash of an animal to run past. He quickly pulled himself back behind the shelves and began to quiver with more fear.

The sound of the shelves tumbling brought him back as he soon got up to try and get away before he was squished. His legs get caught, pining him to the ground face first. He groaned in pain though he stopped once he heard low breathing just above him. He felt something touch is neck before an angry growl, the animal soon running away through a glass window causing it to shatter.

~*~*~*~*

I had spent my entire night pondering over what had happened this afternoon. I over analysed everything and just ended up with a headache. I didn't know what to make of everything but I did know one thing. I was going to stay far away from Stiles and Scott no matter what.

''Hey, are you okay?'' I heard Allison's voice drift in through the doorway. I quickly wiped away a tear and turned to face her with a smile.

''Yeah, just stressed over school, are you okay?'' I knew if I bounced the question back onto her she may miss the lie. She did.

''Honestly no'' She walks in and closes the door behind her. I move over on my bed and make room for her to sit down next to me.

''What's up?''

''It's Scott.. He's acting weird'' I tried to keep my face without expression so she couldn't see that I was keeping something from her.

''McCall is always acting weird'' I joked causing us both to chuckle slightly. Her frown soon returns after.

''It seemed more than that, like he was.. hiding something'' Her voice trails off. I gulped nervously, fidgeting with my hands in my lap.

''I'm sure it's nothing, that boy is so bad at lying'' I lied. She turned to face me and smiled and nodded her head agreeing with me, wiping away underneath her eyes.

''Yeah you're probably right, like always'' She jokes, but she's the only one who laughs this time.

''I'm gonna call it a night, I'm pretty tired'' I tell Allison as she turns to face me and smiles. She nods he head and gets up, saying goodnight before closing my bedroom door behind her. I sighed and laid back, letting my eyes fall close as to hopefully forget about this whole day altogether.

~*~*~*~*

I popped my Chemistry, History and English books into my backpack. I did a double take of myself in the mirror, touching up on my lip gloss as my Aunt Kate walks in.

''Hey...'' I turn to face her and smile.

''Listen, you know I... feel totally horrible about my behavior the other morning, right?'' Kate says with a hopeful smile and I nod to her.

''Oh, totally forgotten'' I blow it off.

''No, not forgotten by me, I bruised you something fierce and I'm really sorry'' I smile and shake my head.

''It's okay, really'' it really was.

''Come on, call me a horrid bitch or something'' I laugh to myself and shaky my head.

''You were just, being protective'' I said, glancing at her seriously.

''I was being a protective, horrid bitch...'' Once again I laugh.

''Who is giving you your birthday present early so you'll forgive her'' She pulls out a box behind her back and mouth drops open in surprise. I greedily take it from her and open it, gasping once I saw the most gorgeous bracelet.

''Forgiven?'' She asks, as if that was necessary. I smile and nod my head so fast as I giggle. She giggles too as I snatch the bracelet out and let her pop it on my wrist.

''I love it!''

''It's a family heirloom'' Kate begins. I look up to her in confusion.

''And you know me, I hate and loathe all sentimental crap'' I laugh.

''But that, well, look at the symbol in the middle of the charm. See that?'' I glance down at the biggest dangly charm and smile once I see a wolf.

''Yeah'' I respond, my eyes glued to it.

''You ever wanna learn a little something about your family? Look it up'' I glance up at her and furrow my eyebrows but continue to smile.

''You're gonna make me work for it'' I realise, popping my wrist up so I can get a better view.

''Some mysteries are worth the effort'' I glance at her she fiddles with the charm herself and smirk.

''In that case, challenge accepted'' We both laugh before grabbing my things, walking out my bedroom closing the door behind me.

~*~*~*~*

I was shocked to say the least when I opened my locker to see it full of balloons and streamers. In annoyance I slammed my locker shut and sighed to myself, not bothering to even read the card that was there. Lydia, who else would have known?

''Hey...'' On hearing that twice this morning I pivot around to see Stiles nervously standing there, his hands in his pockets.

''What do you want'' I snarled at him. He seemed taken aback but not surprised at my outburst.

''The balloons... is today your birthday?'' He asks, a hopeful glint in his eye. I rolled my eyes and turned away from him.

''No'' I lied in anger as I turned to walk away from him and towards first period. Reminder, kill Lydia once I see her.

''Just a friendly reminder, parent/teacher conferences are tonight. Students below a 'C' average are required to attend. I won't name you because the shame and self-disgust should be more than enough punishment. Has anyone seen Scott McCall?'' I was almost livid when Stiles chose to sit next to me in Chemistry. Though Harris made the class so much more enjoyable, note the sarcasm.

The door opened and Jackson walked in. taking a seat across from Stiles and I. I smiled up at him as he returned it timidly, sitting down at his desk. I furrow my eyebrows.

''Hey, Jackson. If you need to leave early for any reason, you let me know'' God he gave you the creeps.

''Everyone, start reading chapter nine'' I turned to face Stiles with a disgusted look. He shook his head and glanced back at me in confusion.

''What?'' He whispers.

''You couldn't find some other place to sit, loner boy?'' He dropped his look and lent back in his chair in annoyance.

''How original, never heard that before'' His sarcasm was seriously going to be the death of me. I glared.

''Look, stay far away from me and-''

''Why are you so friendly with Jackson?'' He cut me off. I sighed angrily and turned to face my work.

''That's none of your business'' I stated still angry. I heard one of his highlighters fall onto his textbook.

''Of course Miss and Mr popular would be 'friendly' with-'' I whipped my head so fast his way.

''Shut your mouth, nobody, before I rip it right off and-''

''Miss Argent, I suggest you focus more on chemistry than running your mouth'' I instantly shut up but turn to face Stiles with a glare. I quickly look away and focus back on my work, deciding to ignore him for the rest of class.

''Hey, Danny, Can I ask you a question?'' I couldn't help but overhear Stiles saying to Danny who was just in front of us.

''No'' I smiled.

''Well, I'm going to anyway'' I rolled my eyes.

''Um, did Lydia show up in your home room today?'' He was asking about Lydia? Why would he be- oh. I smirked.

''No'' Danny replies with a sigh.

''Can I ask you another question?'' Stiles persisted, probably starting to piss Danny off seeing as he already didn't like the guy.

''Answer's still no'' I couldn't help but to smile to myself now at their little conversation. As much as I had wanted to be angry at Stiles I really couldn't. Yes, him and his friend were beyond weird and psycho yet... he was still dorkish and charming in his own way. Oh my god, Avery get a grip, you're starting to sound like love sick Allison.

''Does anyone know what happened to her and Jackson last night?'' I myself had heard a rumor going around and last night, apparently Lydia and Jackson we're in some sort of accident at the video store. An unpleasant shiver went down my spine, my thoughts reeling with all the possibilities. All the animal attacks lately that were happening to this town, it was turning into something of a horror movie.

''No'' Danny sounded a little upset as he said this. He and Jackson were best friends so it was a little odd that he didn't know anything. That or he didn't want to say which would be fair enough.

''He wouldn't tell me'' Unfortunately my heart bled a little for Danny. They always seemed close yet Jackson had been pulling away for quite some time now.

''But, he's your best friend'' And as quickly as my anger vanished it quickly returned again. I spun around, made sure the teacher wasn't looking and softly slapped Mr Annoying over the back of his head.

'Hey! Ow!'' He turned to face me with a scowl. I scoffed.

''Stay out of other peoples business, Creep'' I could see out of the corner of my eye Danny smiling at my words. Mr Annoying just rolled his eyes in response before turning around to face Danny again.

''One more question'' Creep lent forward a little in his seat probably so I couldn't hear what he was going to say next.

''What?!'' Danny was beyond annoyed now.

''Do you find me attractive?'' I stopped what I was currently doing and stifled a laugh. Mr Annoying must have heard me because he spun around to me so fast and scowled once again, though with a hint of red on his cheeks this time.

~*~*~*~*

The next two periods dragged on so painfully slowly. I was happy at least that no one else even mentioned my birthday. It was weird not to see Allison though. Once class had finished and break loomed over I pulled out my phone once I exited class.

''Hey Allison, where are you?'' I heard her giggle in the background before she answered me.

''Please don't tell Mum and Dad'' I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion but let her continue.

''I'm sort of... not at school'' I rolled my eyes at her obviousness.

''I'm not an idiot, I figured as much'' I said softly, making sure I was being rude but in fact sarcastic.

''You've grown more and more sarcastic lately'' Allison spoke, alerting Scott to their conversation. He smiled to himself, thinking it was Stiles having this effect on her.

''Well to deal with a sort-of-someone I kinda have to be'' You guys were getting off track. She giggled once again. The sound made you smile, finally glad to see she was enjoying her birthday for once.

''I won't say anything, I promise. But you do owe me'' I smile. Allison thanks me before hanging up her phone. I keep the smile on my face as I pocketed mine, turning around to face my locker. Once I opened it more balloons fell out this time, along with a birthday card. I quickly glanced around me, noticing only a few people in the hallways seeing as everyone else had already made their way to the cafeteria. I groaned and turned back around, trying to take all the balloons out and grabbing a pen from my pocket. Yes, I kept pens in my pocket cause I was often losing them in my bag.

One by one I started popping them, the loud pops echoing throughout the hallway. The people that were here turned to stare for a few seconds before minding their own business once again.

''Is it your birthday?'' I just simply looked at the guy behind me and scowled, hoping he would get the hint and leave me alone. It was weird acting tough all the time, something I was still getting use to. But I was not going to let myself get walked all over like last time, I was not going to be that same pathetic girl who was bullied, tormented and laughed at for being different. I was never going to let anyone know about my secret, no one here will ever know about the old me and what she'd done.

I snapped out of my thoughts and reached forward for the card, deciding to read it first to see if the person had left a name. A name I was going to find and kill them for even knowing such personal information about me.

''Happy birthday, Stiles'' I rolled my eyes in annoyance and just decided to pop the card back in the locker, slamming it shut angrily. When I found this Stiles he was going to be a dead man.

~*~*~*~*

Using my charm on the student boy receptionist in the office I managed to find Stiles information, where he lived precisely so I could see what he knew and tell him to stay away from me. I knew this was a little too much but I couldn't have people digging in my past, not again..

''Here you go, please don't tell anyone about this'' I gave my best, charming smile towards the boy, biting my lip a little with a subtle wink.

''It'll be our little secret''

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