Things were good in Beacon Hills. Not just good even, fantastic.

Everyone was doing normal things which was actually something unusual for them. Lydia was back to being successful in her first semester AP classes, Mason was completely human again, and Liam and Hayden were the new Scallison. Scott and Kira even had the time to do normal people things, like dates, which was a foreign concept to the both of them. Even Theo, who wasn't actually as bad as everyone thought, was working his way into the pack slowly.

With the dread doctors gone, there was more time for everyone to just be teenagers and be happy, finally. But nobody can stay happy forever.

Stiles pushed through the double doors of BHHS and bit down on his lips in pain. Even the simplest movement of the ligaments in his arm caused pain to flare up in his wrist. At first he blamed his father, but he knew it wasn't right. His dad had been drunk and hadn't meant to push him so hard, and it was Stiles' fault that he tried to break his fall with his hand like that. He told himself that next time he would use his elbows, but hopefully there wouldn't be a next time.

"Dude that party last night was crazy!" Scott said as he approached Stiles. He placed his arm carelessly around Stiles' shoulders and lead him down the hall. "Why'd you leave so early?"

"Some stuff came up with my dad," Stiles said, and it wasn't a lie. His father had lost his job, but he hadn't told Scott yet.

"Everything alright?" Scott asked.

"Yeah, just some…" Stiles didn't bother finishing as Scott left him and embraced Kira who waved at him. Stiles barely had the energy to fake a smile in response, before heading back down the hall towards Biology. Scott was a good friend but he could just be painfully oblivious.

"Hey Stiles," Theo said, as he caught up with Stiles. He was holding out a packet of papers, some completed and some untouched. "Hey, I did these four sheets over the weekend but I think I was supposed to do these three instead? Can I see yours?"

"Yeah," Stiles said. They went into class and Stiles carelessly tossed his biology binder into Theo's outstretched hand.

"Stiles," Theo frowned. He set the binder down and sat on the edge of Stiles' desk. "What happened?"

"What do you mean?" Stiles recoiled.

"You're upset at something, and I don't think it's me," Theo said. His face held only concern, which Stiles found hard to believe.

"I'm just tired," He lied. He closed his eyes and sank into his chair. "Just copy my stuff before Harris catches you. I can't get another detention,"

"Stiles I can tell when you lie, you know," Theo said. He heard the slight stutter of Stiles' heartbeat.

"Theo, mind your own damn business," Stiles spat.

"Stiles, I-" Theo said. He grabbed Stiles wrist to try and hold his attention but Stiles

recoiled in pain and yanked his arm away. "Stiles?"

"Just leave me alone," Stiles said. "Please,"

When second block came, Theo wasn't surprised to find that Stiles wasn't in the locker room. It wasn't uncommon for him to skip gym, even after the dread doctor crisis. Stiles just wasn't the type of person meant to be out on a field although he was a fighter, and that's what Theo admired. Taking hit after hit, protecting the ones you love, trying your hardest, time after time - it was just all so Stiles-like.

Theo managed to forget about how strangely Stiles was acting for most of the class, effortlessly tackling people in flag-football and throwing perfect spirals, but as soon as he laid eyes on Stiles' locker, he was reminded of the boy's unusual behavior.

After showering and heading to the cafeteria for lunch, he expected to find Stiles engrossed in a deep conversation with Scott or liam about some random topic while shoveling the school's fries into his mouth. He wasn't there and Stiles never skipped lunch.

Stiles went to the library immediately after biology, skipping gym and avoiding Theo. He couldn't chance anybody seeing his bruises when he got changed in the locker room and with Theo already suspicious, he knew that he couldn't let him find out what was happening. The pack would just turn the whole ordeal into something bigger than it really was and Stiles couldn't deal with that. Yes, his father had hit him, but it was only a one time thing.

That's what he told himself over and over again as he sat in the library, staring at his bruised wrist.

It was a one time thing. It was a one time thing. It won't happen again.

"Stiles?" Theo asked from in front of him, staring at Stiles who was holding his damaged wrist gently in his other hand. "Who did that to you stiles?"

Stiles pulled down the sleeve to his flannel and sank backwards in his chair. There was a flash of yellow in Theo's eyes and Stiles noticed him biting his lip in frustration.

"Who did that to you Stiles?" He asked again.

"Theo, calm down," Stiles said. He moved farther back in his chair as Theo came closer.

"Stiles! I-" He paused, seeing the fear in Stiles' body language. He was backed into the chair and gripping the edges tightly. "Stiles, I'm sorry. Please just tell me-"
"Leave me alone," Stiles said, almost inaudibly. He regained his space now, and grabbed his backpack. "I told you to fucking leave me alone and if I have to tell you one more time, I'm gonna- I'm gonna-"

"Stiles, just listen to me for one minute," Theo pleaded. He was going to grab Stiles arm to stop him from leaving but remembered what happened earlier. He did nothing as Stiles shoved past him, leaving the library and going to his third-block class.

He didn't share any more classes with Stiles for the rest of the day but maybe he could catch him before he left after school. If someone was hurting Stiles, he was going to stop them and make them pay.