Chapter Text
If Stiles is being honest with himself, he knows he’s basically at the bottom of the high school food chain. Does he care? Absolutely not! Does it matter to him? Hell to N-O! Does it affect his life though? Unfortunately yes. He’s a target for bullies, but to be fair, it’s not really because of the way he dresses (with all those flannels which would probably make some lumberjack living at the preserve really proud and those thick glasses that are probably bulletproof) nor is it because he’s a grade A geek (Math Wiz & Science League back-to-back champion; potential Ivy League scholar). No sir! Stiles Stilinski is not bullied because of these uber clichéd platitudes. Stiles really just have this tendency to be seriously sarcastic and honest-to-God derisive of anyone he thinks isn’t in par with his intellect. It drives the jocks insane. His humor doesn’t really even sit well with the handful of friends that he has (who are not losers however you think they are), but they’ve had years of practice ignoring that sardonic part of him and focusing on his array of positive points.
That is why, it was no surprise for Stiles when Monday morning rolled and the minute he got out of his blue jeep, Derek Hale, Jock King and Jerk Extraordinaire approached him, smirking while his band of brainless cronies walked behind him.
“Stilinski,” Derek started, mouth curved into the devilish grin that Stiles has come to associate with pain and suffering. “Still driving that piece of crap, I see.”
“Hale, several others who I don’t really know and don’t really care to,” Stiles groaned, trying to get past his assailants but to no avail. “If you please, I actually have classes to attend and more sensible things to do.”
“More sensible than me?” Derek smirked, leaning closer.
“Getting mauled by a bear is more sensible than being here with you Hale.” Stiles deadpanned, sidestepping and pushing past Derek’s friends. He didn’t get very far though when he felt someone yank off his backpack.
“Not too fast Stilinski,” Derek grinned, eyes filled with what Stiles could only think as malice as he opened the zipper and with one quick motion overthrew all of Stiles books to the ground along with a brown paper bag which caught Derek’s attention as he picked it up, holding it like a trophy. “Guess I won’t be buying lunch today.”
“Hey give it back you steroid pumping douche!” Stiles frowned, hands grabbing for his lunch bag which the bullies now tossed around one another. He was playing along with them until he saw a flash of red hair walk past him and suddenly Stiles stopped on his track.
“Hey Lydia,” He shouted, scrambling down to get his books, lunch bag totally forgotten. “Hey Lyds, wait for me.”
He got up, gave one last look of disgust at Derek who looked at him with the same level of repulsion and shoved past him and his cronies. “Hope you’re allergic to peanuts fuckwad.”
Unceremoniously shoving his books back inside, Stiles jogged towards Lydia Martin, smile painted on his face. “C’mon Lyds, some sort of acknowledgement of my existence maybe?”
Lydia who looked anywhere but Stiles rolled her eyes in slight annoyance, but Stiles is determined to get her attention. “I baked you some muffins y’know?”
“Chocolate banana muffins with extra chocolate chips on top just the way you like them Lydia.” Stiles smirked, taking note of Lydia’s subtle side glance.
“Ah! You know you want ‘em Lyds, so c’mon look at me this way pretty.” Stiles pursued, lips dancing with impish smile when Lydia stopped on her tracks, eyes squinting and lips pursed as she turned to Stiles.
“You know I saw Derek take your lunch bag right? So unless you got one goddamned muffin stuck between your books, can it Stiles.” Lydia pointed her well-manicured nails at Stiles whose eyes were twinkling with mischief.
“Who said I have them with me right now?” Stiles grinned, “They’re hidden in my house for safekeeping.” Lydia groaned.
“No.”
“Oh c’mon Lyds, you don’t even know what I’m going to say.”
“You’ll ask if I can come over to help you with that stupid, dead-end project of yours.” She huffed, knowing full well about Stiles’ obsession.
“It’s a bump in the road Lyds and only because I currently don’t have your brilliant mind working on it,” Stiles rectified, “so can you please just take a look at it? Fresh eyes and all that shit. I promise I won’t ask any more academic favors from you this year.” Stiles bargained, lips curled in what he hoped is a charming grin.
Lydia squinted her eyes and pointed an accusing finger at Stiles one last time before conceding. “Fine, but you better have those muffins ready when I get there Stilinski.” he gave her a nod so vigorous she worried his head might fall off.
“Great! See you at AP Chem?” Stiles offered, dopey smile still dancing on his lips.
“Yeah whatever.” Lydia rolled her eyes, heels clicking as she sashayed away to their first period, leaving Stiles who proceeded towards his locker.
Stiles went on to unlock his locker, fishing inside his bag to deposit his heavier books when a piece of green paper fell. Dropping the biggest textbook he has on the locker with a clang, he scooped down to look at the paper. His face scrunched as he read the content, doubling over to check if it’s really for him.
“ Has anyone ever told you that you have the cutest eyes? I know those glasses should make them look hideous, but honestly? They just make you more adorable. Hope this isn’t too forward, but I wish they’d look that bright whenever you’d look at me. ”
Stiles frowned at the paper as if it personally offended him rather than compliment him then looked around hoping to find any suspicious movement that could lead him to the perpetrator. His stance was broken though, when he heard the bell rang. He slammed his locker shut, shoved the note in his front pocket while running towards his AP Chem class.
“Stilinski you’re late!” Harris scolded, his perpetually hateful eyes fixed on him.
“Technically, I am just on time seeing as the bell is still ringing.” He countered, ignoring Lydia’s look and Harris’ glare as he went towards his shared station with Scott.
“Well, since you’re all here, I guess we can start with today’s experiment.” Harris opted to ignore Stiles instead and droned on about their lesson.
“Dude, I thought you were gonna be here early?” Scott whispered, making sure that Harris is nowhere near to hear them talking.
“I was,” Stiles started, looking incredulous. “Unfortunately for me, so were Derek and his crew.”
“Did they do anything to you? Cos I swear I’d break his douche face if he did!” Scott, bless his pure soul, looked so concerned that Stiles could not help but smile at his best friend.
“Would you chill? They did not harm the goods OK. I’m pretty sure they bruised the apple in the lunch bag they took though.” Stiles shrugged, proceeding to pat Scott’s shoulder as he smiled to let him know he’s alright. Honestly, he doesn’t even know why Scott worries about him so much. He’s the Sheriff’s son for god’s sake. He learned how to defend himself even before he knew how to walk.
When lunch rolled in, Stiles told Scott to go ahead while he deposits his things in his locker. As he approached his locker, his mind veered off to the note he received that morning, wondering who could have sent it. Sure he can probably investigate on the matter, but it was just a onetime thing and for all he could tell, it might have been a mistake. He was proven wrong though the moment he opened his locker to see a brown paper bag perched on top of his Econ book. Attached to it was a similar green paper to the one he got this morning.
“ Saw what happened this morning in the parking lot. Sorry about those bullies. Anyway, you can have this lunch instead. Don’t worry it’s not poisoned or anything, I just really feel bad about what happened to you this morning. ”
Stiles realized after a while that if the paper bag was inside his locker, then this person probably knows his locker combination.
“OK, that’s not creepy at all!” Stiles frowned, taking the bag to peek inside. It contained what appear to be a clubhouse sandwich, banana, and two cookies. “Also, apparently my stalker is in grade school.”
Groaning, he took the bag if only because he’s starving and he didn’t have the heart to throw away food, no matter how suspicious its origin may be
“Hey, I thought you said Derek took your lunch?” Scott was the first to spot him, scooting sideways to give his friend space.
“He did! This wasn’t mine.” Stiles huffed, putting the bag on the table as he sat. Scott looked confused.
“Did you take someone else’s lunch?” Scott frowned, brows knitted in a mix of confusion and disappointment.
“What? No! Why would you even think…” Stiles glared at his best friend as if he suddenly grew a second head. “Someone left it in my locker.” This apparently caught his friends’ attention and in no less than five seconds, all eyes were on him. He groaned again.
“What do you mean someone left it in your locker?” Isaac started, lips grinning in that mischievous smile he knows well too much.
“It means Santa Claus came a little early, saw that we don’t have a chimney back home and stalked me to school to deliver my present early!” Stiles rolled his eyes, wondering why he is even friends with this Abercrombie reject. Scott cleared his throat at Stiles while holding Isaac’s hand. Oh yeah, that’s why.
“I mean, someone left it together with this note.” Stiles scowled, showing the note that came with the package. Erica was quick to snatch the note before Stiles could change his mind and read the message aloud which was met by jeering from Isaac (which Scott reprimanded him for) and cooing from Allison and Kira.
“Oh, our little geek’s got an admirer.” Erica teased, scooting over to sneer at Stiles’ frowning face.
“Ha ha! Very funny Erica,” Stiles mocked, snatching the paper bag to take out the sandwich. “They’re more of a creepy stalker if you ask me.”
“What are you doing?” Allison asked as Stiles was about to take a bite off the sandwich. “That could have had something put in it.”
“Yeah well, they made sure it wasn’t laced with poison plus I’m hungry.”
“Oh why yeah, I mean if the creepy stranger said they didn’t poison the mysterious sandwich have at it!” Allison reached, grabbing the sandwich off Stiles’ hands.
“For a smart guy, you’re actually really stupid you know?”
Stiles pouted, looking around his friends for support, but they all just nodded in agreement with Allison.
“You can have my curly fries.” Scott offered and with one last look at Allison, Stiles conceded, stuffing his face with Scott’s fries.
“You’re all mean people who do not deserve my mercy once my death ray is finished,” Scott frowned at him, looking wounded. “Except you of course, Scott; you can have the second one.” With this, Scott then beamed at his best friend, ignoring Isaac’s groans.
“I’m hiding you away when he finished it.” Scott kissed his boyfriend, who just rolled his eyes, mumbling something about stupid best friends.
Stiles was finishing the last of Scott’s fries, joking around with his friends when they noticed Derek and two more guys from the varsity team approaching the table. Stiles who was busy telling them about some jock’s Chemistry mishap, didn’t notice until he heard laughter from behind.
“You know, for a nerd you’re pretty funny.” Derek smirked, hands clapping his shoulders, if a bit forcefully.
“Yeah well, for a jock you’re appropriately dumb.” Stiles turned around, prying Derek’s hand off him.
“What do you want Hale?” Scott grimaced, hands already curled to a fist, ready to swing at any moment.
Derek lifted his hands in the air in mock surrender, eyes still fixed on Stiles. “Just wanted to let Stiles here know his lunch was great, although I don’t really like crunchy peanut butter.” He smirked, as if waiting for any reaction from Stiles.
“Yeah well, maybe next time it would be better if you make the sandwich yourself.” Stiles smiled venomously, turning back to finish the last of his meal. Derek scowled at this, his eyes flicked towards the table as if scanning the area for something.
“Curly fries huh? You sure that’s enough to fuel your ridiculously large head Stilinski?” Derek mused.
“Please, like I actually need any enhancer to boost my performance at school? Don’t confuse me with your teammates Derek.” At this comment, one of the guys behind Derek posed to strike at Stiles and Scott was quick at his feet to block him. Isaac then proceeded to pull down his boyfriend while Stiles told him to not bother.
“Good to know your attack dog’s ready to pounce.” Derek smirked at Scott and then smiled around the table with a mocking salute. Stiles didn’t bother to reply, opting to just wave his hand indifferently as Derek and his friends moved along.
“Well, that was an interesting exchange.” Stiles sighed, looking at Scott who was still red with irritation. “And you should know better than jump around like that Scott. Seriously, I know how to take care of myself, plus those jocks are all talk, no bite.”
“Yeah, listen to the Sheriff’s son Scott. He probably knew how to pull a trigger before he could even talk.” Isaac added, rubbing his palms all over Scott’s back to calm him down.
“But he was being mean.” Scott frowned.
“Not much of a bully if he isn’t Scott. Seriously just give it up, it’s not like he’s punched the bejesus out of me.” Scott was about to say something else when the bell rang signifying the end of their lunch period.
“Well, I’ll see you all later kids, daddy’s got work to do,” Stiles rose up and took the paper bag from Allison who just groaned at her friend. “Don’t let Scott kill a trashcan while I’m gone OK?” He ruffled Isaac’s hair and lightly punched Scott’s shoulder, smiling as he did so before walking out of the cafeteria.
With his hands inside his pockets, Stiles hid the notes he got wondering who on Earth could be sending them, thinking that if they’re not mistakes then they’re probably setting him up for an elaborate joke.
With a soft sigh, he shrugged the thought off his mind, entering the classroom where he spotted Lydia who just ignored him as he sat beside her. This whole situation can wait; right now he’s got lessons and more important shit to worry about.