The Next Several Days
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Javi stirred, groaning softly as he buried his face into the pillow. The scent of lavender—Lydia's scent—filled his senses, grounding him in the moment.
"Wake up, Javi. Or do you want to be late?"
Lydia's voice was soft, teasing, as she traced gentle fingers along his cheek. Javi grumbled, reluctant to leave the comfort of the bed, but slowly cracked open his eyes.
"I'm up, I'm up," he muttered, voice still thick with sleep.
Lydia smiled, watching him struggle against his drowsiness. His messy hair, the way his sharp eyes were still softened with fatigue—it was almost endearing.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she said playfully, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
Javi let out a breath, rubbing his face before smirking at her. "Do I even have a choice?"
Lydia chuckled, shaking her head as she got up from the bed. "Not really."
—Flashback: A Few Days Ago—
Before Dr. Langer's murder case, Lydia had been curled up on her couch, a book resting in her lap. The silence of her home was calming—until a sudden knock at the door disrupted it.
She frowned, setting the book aside before getting up and walking to the door. The moment she swung it open, her breath hitched.
"You… you came back?"
Javi stood there, hands shoved into his pockets, a lopsided smile tugging at his lips.
"Yeah," he said casually, though there was something unreadable in his gaze. "Kinda missed this place. Thought I'd come back."
Lydia blinked, still processing the sight of him standing on her doorstep after four years. Relief, shock, and something deeper swirled inside her.
"I… I can't believe you're here," she admitted, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
Javi's smirk widened. "What can I say? Europe has its perks, but Beacon Hills is home."
Lydia studied him, noting the subtle changes in his posture, the way his eyes held a sharpness that hadn't been there before. He was still Javi, but something was different. Deeper. Heavier.
"You were gone for so long," she said, crossing her arms. "I honestly didn't think you'd come back."
Javi rolled his eyes, smirking. "It was just four years."
"Just four years?" Lydia raised an eyebrow. "Javi, that's practically a lifetime."
He chuckled, shifting the duffle bag slung over his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. But hey, I'm back now."
She sighed, stepping aside and motioning him in. "So what brings you here? Aside from nostalgia?"
Javi scratched the back of his head, giving her a sheepish look. "Well… my house is a little abandoned, and I may have forgotten how much I hate hotel beds, so… can I crash here?"
Lydia narrowed her eyes playfully. "Crash here? For how long?"
Javi shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Maybe a few days… or weeks… who knows?"
Lydia huffed, arms still crossed. "Weeks? What, are you planning to move in?"
Javi grinned. "Can I?"
She studied him for a moment, then let out an exaggerated sigh. "Ugh. Fine. But only because I missed your annoying ass."
Javi's grin widened. "Ah, so you do admit it."
"Don't let it go to your head," she said, rolling her eyes. "Your ego is big enough as it is."
Javi chuckled, stepping inside as if he'd never left.
—Later That Night—
Lydia sat on the couch, pretending to focus on her book while sneaking glances at Javi, who had made himself comfortable. But something inside her twisted—a feeling she couldn't shake.
Then it hit her.
The same sensation she had when Allison died. The same feeling that had gripped her before so many others had fallen. It was suffocating, like a whisper of death pressing against her skin.
Her heart pounded. Something was coming.
Javi caught her staring and raised an eyebrow. "Uh… everything okay?"
Lydia forced a smile, masking the dread clawing at her chest. "Actually… there's something I need you to check out."
"What kind of something?" Javi asked, instantly suspicious.
"A case. Something feels off about it."
Javi sighed, stretching his arms. "I just got back, and you're already throwing me into mysteries?"
"You'll thank me later," Lydia said, her voice quieter now.
She had to get him involved. But she couldn't—wouldn't—tell him why.
—Back to the Present—
Javi stretched as he finally sat up, rubbing his face.
"You're really making me go to school after everything that happened? I mean I just solved the case."
Lydia smirked, handing him a coffee. "Yes. Because you need a normal routine, and because I don't want to deal with your grumpy ass all day."
Javi took the cup, eyeing her. "I feel like you're using me as entertainment."
"You finally figured it out," Lydia teased, leaning against the doorframe.
Javi chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. Alright, let's get this over with."
As he got out of bed and stretched, the sun was rising outside. A new day. A new beginning. But somewhere deep down, Javi knew—
Nothing about this was going to be normal.
[An hour later]
Lydia slid into the driver's seat, gripping the wheel as Javi settled in beside her.
Javi let out a low whistle, eyeing the interior. "Damn. You actually learned how to drive?"
Lydia smirked, turning the key. The engine roared to life, smooth and powerful.
Javi leaned back, grinning. "That's pretty damn sexy."
Lydia shot him a side glance, one brow arched. "Flattery doesn't work on me, Javi."
"Yeah, but it was worth a shot." He stretched out, sinking comfortably into the seat, his smirk still in place.
Lydia shook her head, eyes on the road. "You're a lost cause."
Javi chuckled, watching her. "You know you missed me."
She rolled her eyes, but her lips betrayed her with a small, knowing smile. "Maybe a little. But don't let it go to your head."
Javi leaned back in his seat, watching Lydia as she drove. "So, got any interesting stories for me? What's changed? In school? In you?"
Lydia shrugged, keeping her eyes on the road. "Oh, you know… same old, same old."
Javi raised an eyebrow. "Come on, there has to be something."
She smirked, teasing. "Maybe a few little things. But I'm making you wait. Consider it payback for abandoning me for Europe."
Javi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I'm sorry for leaving you, okay?"
Lydia's grip on the wheel tightened for a second before she exhaled, her tone softening. "I know you are. But four years, Javi. Four. You didn't call, didn't text—nothing."
Javi shifted uncomfortably, his fingers tapping against his knee. "I, uh… that's because… I was scared to talk to you."
Lydia glanced at him, surprised. "Scared? Why the hell would you be scared to talk to me?"
Javi let out a small chuckle, but there was no humor in it. "We broke up before I left, Lydia. I didn't want to just—talk to you like nothing happened."
Lydia scoffed. "And yet here you are, asking to stay at my place. What do you call that?"
Javi groaned, running a hand through his hair. "That's different, okay? I was gone for four years, and suddenly I'm back—I needed somewhere familiar."
Lydia rolled her eyes. "Bullshit. You could've just gotten a hotel room."
Javi sighed, shaking his head. "Yeah, I could've. But it wouldn't have been the same."
Lydia glanced at him, lips pressing into a thin line. "And what exactly is 'the same,' Javi?"
He hesitated. "You. This. Being around you."
For a moment, silence filled the car. The weight of his words hung between them, heavier than either wanted to acknowledge.
Lydia exhaled, refocusing on the road. "You don't get to come back after four years and act like nothing's changed."
Javi turned his head to look at her, studying her profile. "I know that. I'm not trying to pretend everything's the same—I just..." He trailed off, searching for the right words. "I just wanted something that still felt like home."
Lydia's fingers tightened around the steering wheel, but she kept her expression neutral. "Beacon Hills stopped feeling like home a long time ago."
Javi frowned. "Why?"
She hesitated. "Because it's not the same either."
Javi studied her, his sharp eyes picking up on the subtle shift in her tone. "What happened while I was gone, Lydia?"
Lydia inhaled sharply, debating how much to tell him. "More than I can explain in a single car ride."
Javi smirked slightly, trying to ease the tension. "Good thing I'm crashing at your place then, huh?"
Lydia shot him a look but didn't fight the small smile tugging at her lips. "Like I said—don't let it go to your head."
But deep down, she knew the truth.
If Javi really wanted to know what changed in Beacon Hills—what changed in her—he wouldn't just be staying for a few weeks.
He'd be staying long enough to realize nothing would ever be the same again.
----------------------------------------------------
[MEANWHILE]
Inside Stiles' Jeep, the hum of the engine filled the silence until Scott finally spoke.
"You think Javi's gonna show up at school?"
Stiles kept his eyes on the road, shrugging. "Probably. Why wouldn't he?"
Scott rubbed his temples. "Just thinking. And speaking of thinking—I'm still stuck on what Jane told us last time."
Stiles nodded, his grip tightening slightly on the wheel. "Yeah. We promised to keep him in the dark."
Scott leaned back, sighing. "But for how long?"
Stiles glanced at him before focusing back on the road. "I dunno. Maybe if we act normal, he won't notice. But, dude—you saw him. He's sharp. Way sharper than before."
Scott nodded, recalling Javi's uncanny ability to pick up on things. "Yeah… he even solved that murder case before anyone else."
Stiles scoffed. "Please. He solved it with our help."
Scott rolled his eyes. "We gave him a few pointers. He did most of the work."
Stiles huffed. "Fine, fine. But seriously, it was like watching a human lie detector at work."
Scott raised an eyebrow. "A human lie detector? Really, Stiles?"
Stiles shrugged. "I'm just saying. But you know what I'm really proud of? I impressed him with my hacking skills."
Scott chuckled, shaking his head. "Your 'hacking skills'? More like your ability to Google better than the average person."
Stiles suddenly hit the brakes.
Scott jerked forward. "Dude! What the hell?"
Stiles' jaw dropped as he stared ahead. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Scott frowned, following Stiles' gaze—only for his eyes to widen. Lydia's car. With Javi in the passenger seat.
"Yeah, I'm definitely seeing the same thing."
Stiles pulled over, still staring. "They've been together this whole time?"
Scott let out a slow breath. "Well… that's interesting."
Stiles gripped the wheel, still staring at Lydia's car. "Okay, so let's just process this for a second. Javi has been back for, what, a few days? And he's already staying with Lydia?"
Scott shook his head, still watching as Lydia's car turned down the road. "Looks like it."
Stiles scoffed. "Unbelievable. Four years, radio silence, and now they're just—what? Playing house?"
Scott gave him a look. "Come on, Stiles. It's not like that."
Stiles threw up his hands. "Then what is it like, Scott? Because from where I'm sitting, that is the look of two people who have been way too comfortable around each other."
Scott sighed. "Maybe she's just helping him adjust. He's been through a lot."
Stiles turned to him, eyes narrowing. "We've all been through a lot, Scott. And I don't know if you've noticed, but Lydia isn't exactly the 'let me offer you a warm hug and a place to crash' type."
Scott hesitated because, okay, Stiles had a point. Lydia didn't just let people in—at least, not easily.
Stiles huffed, drumming his fingers against the wheel. "You know what this means, right?"
Scott sighed, already regretting asking. "What?"
Stiles pointed dramatically. "Reconnaissance."
Scott groaned. "Stiles—"
*"No, no, listen. We need to figure out what's going on. If Lydia is involved with Javi again, that just makes keeping him in the dark a million times harder. What if she slips up? What if he figures things out because of her?"
Scott ran a hand down his face. "Or… we could just trust Lydia to handle it."
Stiles scoffed. "Yeah, because that's worked out so well in the past."
Scott gave him a pointed look. "And spying on our best friend has worked out better?"
Stiles opened his mouth, then closed it. He tapped the wheel, thinking. "Okay, fair. But I still think we should keep an eye on him."
Scott exhaled, watching as Lydia's car disappeared from view. "I don't think we have a choice."
Because deep down, they both knew it—
Javi was getting closer to the truth. And it was only a matter of time before everything unraveled.
Stiles looked at Scott, expression serious. "We need to tell Lydia to keep him in the dark."
Scott hesitated before nodding. "Yeah. If she hasn't figured that out already, she needs to know what's at stake."
Stiles shifted the Jeep into drive, following Lydia's car from a distance. "Exactly. The last thing we need is Javi asking the wrong questions or being in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Scott exhaled, rubbing his jaw. "It's already risky. He's sharp, Stiles. He doesn't just take things at face value anymore."
Stiles snorted. "Yeah, no kidding. He literally sniffed out a murderer in, like, two days. If he starts digging into the supernatural, it's over."
Scott frowned. "And it's not just about protecting our secret. It's about protecting him."
Stiles shot him a glance. "You think he'd be in danger?"
Scott hesitated. "I don't think. I know."
Stiles tightened his grip on the wheel. "Great. So we agree—damage control before Javi starts connecting dots."
Scott nodded. "Let's just hope Lydia sees it the same way."
They continued driving, the weight of the situation settling between them. Because if Javi figured out the truth—
There'd be no turning back.
[Meanwhile]
Javi leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, eyes flicking to the side mirror. "You do see that, right?"
Lydia glanced at the rearview mirror, her expression unreadable. "Yep."
Javi smirked. "Should I be flattered or concerned that we have a tail?"
Lydia sighed, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "It's just Stiles and Scott. Probably freaking out over something stupid."
Javi raised an eyebrow. "Freaking out? Over what? The fact that I'm in your car?"
Lydia gave him a sideways glance. "Probably."
Javi chuckled. "Well, if they wanted to be subtle, they're failing miserably."
Lydia rolled her eyes. "They're idiots, but they mean well."
Javi stretched, still watching the Jeep in the mirror. "So... wanna have a little fun with them?"
Lydia smirked, instantly catching on. "What do you have in mind?"
Javi's grin widened. "Lose them."
Lydia didn't hesitate. With a sharp turn, she veered off the main road, the tires screeching slightly. Stiles' Jeep struggled to keep up.
Back in the Jeep, Stiles jolted forward. "Oh, come on! Did she seriously just—?"
Scott braced himself as Stiles accelerated. "Yep. She's messing with us."
Stiles huffed. "Unbelievable. They're literally toying with us."
Scott smirked. "Well… what did you expect?"
Stiles gritted his teeth, gripping the wheel. "I expect some damn respect! I taught Javi half his best pranks!"
Scott laughed. "Yeah, and now he's using them on you."
Stiles groaned. "Alright, fine. You wanna play games, Javi? Let's play."
He floored the gas, determined not to lose them.
Lydia smirked as she glanced in the rearview mirror, watching Stiles struggle to keep up. "He's getting reckless."
Javi chuckled, turning to her. "Yeah, he's not taking this well. Think we should make it a little harder for them?"
Lydia arched an eyebrow. "You have something in mind?"
Javi pointed ahead. "Take the next right, then hit the back roads. They won't handle the turns as well as you."
Lydia grinned. "Oh, you really haven't changed."
She jerked the wheel, taking a sharp right onto a narrower road lined with trees. The car glided smoothly through the turn, but behind them—
Stiles cursed as he yanked the wheel. "Damn it, Lydia!"
Scott grabbed the dashboard for balance. "Stiles—!"
"I got it! I got it!"
The Jeep swerved slightly before regaining control. Stiles gritted his teeth, gripping the wheel tighter. "Okay, they wanna play dirty? Fine. Watch this."
Scott raised an eyebrow. "Stiles, no crazy stunts—"
*"Relax, dude. I know what I'm doing!"
Scott shot him a deadpan look. "That's what you said before you crashed your first Jeep."
Stiles scoffed. "That was years ago. I've matured."
Scott glanced at the way Stiles was aggressively tailing Lydia. "Have you?"
Meanwhile, in Lydia's car, Javi noticed the Jeep still on their tail. "Okay, I'll admit—I didn't expect them to keep up."
Lydia smirked. "Stiles is stubborn. But…"
She suddenly cut left into a dirt path leading toward an empty lot. Then, without warning, she hit the brakes and slid the car behind a row of trees, killing the engine.
Javi's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, damn. That was smooth."
Lydia grinned. "Let's see how long it takes them to realize they lost us."
A second later, Stiles' Jeep flew past the dirt path, completely missing where they had turned.
Javi and Lydia exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.
Back in the Jeep, Stiles slammed the brakes, looking around frantically. "Wait—where the hell did they go?!"
Scott sighed, shaking his head. "They ditched us."
Stiles groaned, slamming his hands against the wheel. "Unbelievable. I've been outmaneuvered in my own town."
Scott patted his shoulder. "Don't take it personally."
Stiles glared at him. "Oh, I'm taking it personally. Javi just made an enemy."
Scott smirked. "Pretty sure you were already enemies when he pranked you back in middle school."
Stiles huffed. "That was years ago, and I swore revenge. And guess what?"
Scott sighed. "Stiles…"
"That promise still stands."
Lydia and Javi stayed quiet in the car, listening as the sound of Stiles' Jeep faded into the distance.
Javi turned to Lydia, still grinning. "Okay, I'll admit—that was impressive."
Lydia smirked, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Please, Stiles has never been able to outdrive me. He should've known better."
Javi chuckled, shaking his head. "That was fun. But now I'm curious—why were they following us in the first place?"
Lydia's smirk faltered slightly, but she recovered quickly. "Who knows? Maybe they just wanted to make sure you were actually coming to school."
Javi narrowed his eyes, not convinced. "Uh-huh. Sure. Because Scott and Stiles totally care about my attendance record."
Lydia started the car again, shifting gears smoothly. "Maybe they're just being overprotective. You know how they are."
Javi hummed, still watching her carefully. "Overprotective about what, exactly?"
Lydia shot him a quick glance. "Relax, detective. Not everything is a conspiracy."
Javi smirked but let it go—for now. "Fine, fine. But I'll get the truth out of them eventually."
Lydia rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that."
Meanwhile, back in the Jeep, Stiles was still fuming.
"I can't believe this. Lydia Martin just made me look like an amateur."
Scott, trying not to laugh, just sighed. "Stiles, let it go."
"Let it go? LET IT GO?" Stiles gestured wildly. "Do I look like someone who lets things go?"
Scott gave him a pointed look. "Not even a little."
Stiles huffed, gripping the wheel. "Well, whatever. We need a new plan. If Lydia is already letting Javi into her space, she might tell him something."
Scott shook his head. "Lydia's smart. She knows the risks."
Stiles scoffed. "You say that like Javi isn't the most stubborn person we know. You think he's not already questioning everything? He solved a murder case before we even got close to the answer, Scott!"
Scott sighed, rubbing his temples. "I know. But we can't just shove him away. He's back. He's part of our lives again."
Stiles groaned, leaning back. "Yeah, and that's exactly the problem."
Scott frowned. "You don't trust him?"
Stiles hesitated before shaking his head. "No, I trust him. But I don't trust what's going to happen if he finds out the truth."
Scott was quiet for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. Me neither."
[Meanwhile]
Lydia and Javi pulled into the school parking lot, the engine purring as she parked smoothly.
Javi stretched, cracking his neck. "Ah, Beacon Hills High. Still looks the same."
Lydia smirked, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Yeah, well, don't let that fool you. Things change, even if they don't look like it."
Javi raised an eyebrow, catching the underlying meaning in her words. "That so?"
Before Lydia could respond, the familiar sound of a Jeep screeching to a stop cut through the air.
Javi turned just in time to see Stiles jump out of the driver's seat, slamming the door behind him. Scott followed, a little more composed but clearly just as frustrated.
Stiles pointed an accusing finger at Lydia. "You!"
Lydia sighed, gathering her things. "Good morning to you too, Stiles."
Stiles ignored her greeting, crossing his arms. "You really had to pull that stunt, huh?"
Javi leaned against Lydia's car, grinning. "If you're mad because you got outplayed, just say that."
Stiles scoffed. "Oh, please. I wasn't even trying."
Scott side-eyed him. "You literally almost drove us off the road."
Stiles waved him off. "Minor details."
Javi chuckled. "So, to what do I owe the honor of you two tailing us?"
Scott hesitated, but Stiles wasn't as subtle. "We were making sure you actually came to school."
Javi narrowed his eyes, unconvinced. "That's it?"
Scott quickly nodded. "Yep. Just… making sure."
Javi glanced between the two of them, then at Lydia, who was suspiciously quiet.
Lydia smirked. "Told you they were overprotective."
Javi hummed, crossing his arms. "You guys are acting weird."
Stiles scoffed, forcing a laugh. "Weird? Us? Never."
Javi gave him a long look before shaking his head. "Uh-huh. Sure."
The warning bell rang, cutting the conversation short. Lydia took the opportunity to grab Javi's wrist, pulling him toward the entrance.
"C'mon, detective. Time to experience the joy of senior year."
Javi smirked as he let her drag him along. "Can't wait."
Scott and Stiles stayed behind for a moment, watching them go.
Stiles sighed. "I don't like this, dude. He's too sharp. He's already suspicious."
Scott ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah. And the more we try to keep him in the dark… the more he's going to dig."
Stiles groaned. "Yeah, well… let's just hope he doesn't find out something he can't handle."*
Javi looked at them, crossing his arms with a knowing smirk. "I know you three have been waiting for me to spill about what happened to me in Europe. Well, today's the day. After class."
Lydia, Scott, and Stiles exchanged quick glances, their expressions shifting.
Lydia raised an eyebrow, playing it cool. "Oh? You're finally ready to talk?"
Javi chuckled. "Figured I've kept you all in suspense long enough."
Stiles narrowed his eyes. "And this isn't some trick to mess with us, right?"
Javi smirked. "What, you don't trust me?"
Scott sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not that. We just… didn't expect you to bring it up so soon."
Javi shrugged. "Well, it's been four years. And I think it's about time I told you what really happened."
Lydia studied him carefully, noting the way his usual mischief was laced with something heavier—something real.
She nodded slowly. "Alright. After class then."
Javi's smirk softened slightly. "After class."
As the warning bell rang again, Scott and Stiles exchanged another uneasy glance.
Stiles muttered under his breath. "Great. This can only go well."
Scott's eyes flicked to Javi's side, suddenly realizing something was off. His duffle bag—the one he'd been practically glued to since the moment he got back—was missing.
Scott frowned, his voice laced with suspicion. "Hey… where's your bag?"
Javi barely spared him a glance as he adjusted his jacket. "Oh, that? Left it at Lydia's place."
Silence. Then—
Stiles practically choked on air. "Wait, wait, wait—hold up. You're staying at Lydia's? Like, as in, you've been living there?"
Javi raised an eyebrow, smirking at their reaction. "Yeah? Why do you sound like I just confessed to a crime?"
Scott and Stiles exchanged a look, their expressions shifting from shock to mild panic.
Scott tried to keep his voice even. "Since when?"
Javi shrugged. "Since I got back. My house has been empty for years, and I wasn't about to sleep in some shady motel."
Stiles threw his hands in the air. "And you didn't think to tell us this sooner?!"
Javi chuckled, clearly enjoying their reaction. "Didn't think it was a big deal. But judging by your faces, I'm guessing it is?"
Lydia, who had been quietly watching the conversation unfold with mild amusement, finally decided to chime in. "Oh, relax. It's not like we're secretly dating again."
Stiles immediately pointed at her. "I didn't say that, but now that you mentioned it—"
Lydia rolled her eyes. "Please, Stiles. As if I'd go through that headache twice."
Javi put a hand over his heart, feigning offense. "Ouch. I'd say I'm hurt, but I know you still have a soft spot for me."
Lydia scoffed, crossing her arms. "Don't flatter yourself."
Scott, still processing, shook his head. "Okay, okay—focus. You're living with Lydia. Fine. Whatever. But… does this mean she knows more than we do?"
Javi smirked, tilting his head slightly. "Guess you'll find out after class."
And with that, he turned and walked off, leaving Scott and Stiles standing there, still trying to wrap their heads around the situation.
Stiles rubbed his temples, groaning. "This is getting out of hand."
Scott sighed, eyes narrowing as he watched Javi disappear into the school. "Yeah. And something tells me… it's only going to get worse."
Stiles didn't waste a second. The moment Javi was out of earshot, he grabbed Lydia's wrist and pulled her aside.
"We need to talk," he said, his voice low but urgent.
Lydia yanked her arm free, giving him an unimpressed look. "Excuse me? Since when do you manhandle me?"
Stiles ignored the glare. "Since you decided to let Javi crash at your place and didn't think to tell us!"
Lydia crossed her arms. "Oh, please. What's the big deal? It's just Javi."
Stiles scoffed. "Just Javi? Lydia, you do realize we've been working our asses off trying to keep him in the dark about everything, right?"
Scott stepped in, his voice calmer but firm. "We're not mad that you let him stay with you. We just… we need to be on the same page."
Lydia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Look, he showed up at my door. He needed a place to stay. I wasn't going to turn him away, alright?"
Stiles narrowed his eyes. "And he doesn't suspect anything?"
**Lydia hesitated—just for a second—but Stiles caught it.
"Lydia," he pressed.
She let out a breath. "He's observant, okay? He asks questions. But I haven't told him anything. I swear."
Scott ran a hand through his hair, looking troubled. "That's what I'm worried about. Javi's not stupid. If he hasn't figured it out yet… he's going to."
Stiles exhaled sharply, rubbing his face. "And if he does, we're screwed."
Lydia glanced at both of them, her expression firm but calm. "I get it, okay? I know we're all on edge, but for now, let's focus on getting through the day. Let's just join Javi for his first day here."
Scott and Stiles exchanged a brief look before nodding reluctantly. "Fine," Scott said, still tense.
Lydia tried to reassure them, her tone softer now. "Look, I know Javi's sharp. He notices the smallest things. But right now, we need to set our worries aside—no acting, no pretending. If we act normal, he'll pick up on that. If we're genuine, he won't suspect anything."
Stiles huffed, crossing his arms with a skeptical look. "Easier said than done."
Scott nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. "He caught our reactions earlier. He's probably already suspicious."
Lydia shrugged, her demeanor cool. "Then it's damage control. Let's get to class, focus on being students, and put the rest out of our minds."
Scott exhaled deeply, clearly trying to calm himself. "Alright. Let's just get through the day and see what happens."
Stiles still seemed uneasy, but after a beat, he nodded begrudgingly. "Yeah, damage control. Let's do it."
They entered the classroom and saw Javi already settled in his seat.
"Oh, took you long enough," Javi teased, a smirk on his face.
Scott rolled his eyes as he and Stiles took their seats nearby. "We had things to take care of."
Stiles groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, yeah. Cut us some slack."
Javi raised an eyebrow, glancing at Stiles. "Busy? Doing what, exactly? Plotting against me?"
Lydia sat down beside Javi, casually slipping her hand into his.
Scott noticed the gesture and raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between them.
Stiles cleared his throat, clearly amused. "Really, guys? We're all aware of your history, okay? No need to put on a show."
Javi smirked, shaking his head. "Jealous, Stilinski? Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get your turn someday."
Stiles shot back with a smirk. "Oh, Javi, you were gone for so long."
Scott, still watching the exchange with mild amusement, added, "Javi, he already has a girlfriend, whether you believe it or not."
The door to the classroom swung open, and Malia and Kira walked in, drawing a few curious glances from the class. They both scanned the room before spotting the group.
Javi looked up, his eyes briefly narrowing as he took in the newcomers.
Malia, as usual, wasn't one for small talk. She looked straight at Lydia and then at Javi with a tilt of her head. "New guy?"
Lydia nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Javi. He's just back from Europe."
Kira, more approachable, gave Javi a friendly smile. "Hey, welcome back to Beacon Hills."
Javi returned the smile, offering a casual wave. "Thanks. It's… been a while."
Malia's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, sizing him up. "You don't look like you've missed much."
Javi smirked, unfazed by the scrutiny. "Maybe. But I'm not here to relive the past."
Kira shot Malia a quick look before turning back to Javi. "Well, if you need anything, just ask. We'll help you get settled."
Stiles, sensing an opportunity to add some humor, leaned forward. "Yeah, Javi. They're the locals who know how to survive around here."
Javi raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Good to know."
Malia shot Stiles a dry look, clearly uninterested in his input. "We'll see if he can handle it."
Malia motioned for Stiles to follow her into a more secluded area, her expression clearly signaling that she wanted to talk.
Stiles rolled his eyes but reluctantly followed her.
Malia leaned against the wall, her gaze piercing. "Who's he?"
Stiles crossed his arms, adopting his usual nonchalant stance. "His name's Javi. Just moved back here from Europe."
Malia raised an eyebrow, clearly not satisfied with that answer. "And?"
Stiles sighed, running a hand through his hair. "And… what?"
Malia's eyes narrowed, impatience creeping into her tone. "Is he a werewolf? Scott's beta?"
Stiles shook his head, exasperated. "No, and no."
Malia growled softly, her patience thinning. "Then what is he?"
Stiles groaned, frustration creeping into his voice. "He's just a normal guy, alright? Nothing supernatural, nothing special."
Malia eyed him, clearly unconvinced. "Really? You expect me to believe that?"
Stiles rolled his eyes, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Look, I know it's hard to believe that not every new person in Beacon Hills has something supernatural going on, but trust me—Javi's just a regular guy."
Malia huffed, unconvinced. "And? I know there's more."
Stiles sighed in defeat, his arms falling to his sides. "He's my childhood friend, okay? From back when we were kids, with Scott."
Malia crossed her arms, still eyeing him with suspicion. "Childhood friend, huh? How come I've never heard of him before?"
Stiles shrugged, looking a little uncomfortable. "He moved away when we were in middle school. Just came back a few days ago."
Malia sighed, her gaze lingering on Stiles for a moment before she turned and headed back toward the classroom.
"Fine," she called over her shoulder. "But if he's a threat, I'll slit his throat."
Stiles stared after her for a beat, his expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.
"Yeah, okay, Malia," he muttered to himself. "Real subtle."
He took a moment to compose himself before following her back into the room, but the tension was still hanging in the air. As soon as he stepped through the door, he spotted Javi sitting at his desk, casually flipping through a notebook as if he hadn't just been the subject of Malia's threat.
Lydia was leaning over, whispering something to him. Javi seemed amused, his attention flicking briefly to Stiles and Malia as they entered.
Stiles took a deep breath and walked over to his seat, but not without shooting Malia a look first. She had settled into her seat, arms crossed, watching Javi with the same guarded curiosity.
Javi caught the look and smirked. "Everything alright? You guys look like you've just solved a murder case."
Stiles rolled his eyes but gave a half-smile. "Just the usual drama around here, you know."
Lydia, noticing the tension, leaned in toward Javi with a small smile. "Don't mind them. They're just… protective."
Javi's grin grew wider as he leaned back in his chair. "I can tell."
The teacher entered the room, cutting off any further conversation. The class settled down quickly.
Mr. Harris' eyes widened in recognition, clearly surprised as he spotted Javi sitting in his old classroom.
"Javier? It's good to see you back," Mr. Harris said, his tone more welcoming than usual.
Javi smiled warmly, nodding in greeting. "Good to be back, Mr. Harris."
The usually stern teacher couldn't hide the hint of surprise in his eyes as he looked at Javi, his voice tinged with curiosity. "It's been quite a while since you last sat in this room."
Javi leaned back in his chair, his relaxed posture contrasting with the intensity in Mr. Harris' gaze. "It certainly has. Time flies, doesn't it?"
Mr. Harris motioned for him to stand, his gaze steady as he observed Javi's movements.
"Okay, stand up," Mr. Harris instructed.
Javi raised an eyebrow, silently questioning the request but getting to his feet without hesitation.
Mr. Harris' eyes gleamed with something like challenge. "I want you to show what's changed in you. Impress me, impress us."
Javi's expression shifted, eyebrows furrowing slightly as he took in the unusual demand. "You want me to show how I've changed? In what way? Academically, physically, emotionally?"
Mr. Harris smirked, clearly enjoying the moment of tension. "In whatever way you want. You're the one who's changed. Show us."
Javi's lips curled into a confident smirk as a gleam of challenge sparkled in his eyes. He straightened, giving a nod to the room as if signaling the start of something unexpected. "Alright, then. Watch closely."
He scanned the room, his eyes flicking from face to face, his posture poised and deliberate. He first focused on the group of students near the back, his gaze sweeping over them like a practiced detective.
"Let's see..." Javi murmured to himself, almost toying with the class. "There's Stiles, sitting with his usual 'I-know-everything' expression, but I can tell from the way his fingers are tapping on the desk he's nervous. And Lydia, sitting there, trying to play it cool but I can see the faint tension in her shoulders—she's not as relaxed as she looks."
Lydia shot him an amused but wary look, but Javi continued, unfazed by the attention.
"Then there's Scott, whose eyes are darting between me and the door. He's wondering if I'm going to reveal something we all wish I'd keep to myself," Javi added with a knowing grin, causing Scott to shift uncomfortably in his seat.
Stiles rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. Javi's sharpness was becoming a bit more clear.
Javi's gaze then shifted to the back corner where Malia sat, her arms crossed. He studied her for a moment, eyes narrowing slightly as he observed her posture.
"And Malia," Javi continued, his tone taking on a more contemplative edge, "She's the quiet one, but there's a restlessness in the way she shifts her weight. She doesn't like surprises, especially ones that aren't part of the plan."
The class seemed to hold its breath, a mix of awe and wariness in the air. Javi had broken down each of their unspoken cues with precision, revealing things they hadn't consciously noticed themselves.
Javi finally relaxed, his smirk widening as he made eye contact with Mr. Harris. "There you go. I've changed in more ways than one. But what really matters is that I pay attention. To everything."
Mr. Harris nodded, his smile betraying a sense of approval. "Impressive. You've definitely learned how to observe the world around you."
Javi shrugged casually, settling back into his seat as if it were just another normal day. The rest of the class exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by Javi's uncanny ability to read them all in such a short amount of time.
Stiles shook his head, leaning slightly toward Scott as he muttered, "I still can't believe how much he's changed."
Scott nodded, his eyes still on Javi, who had settled back into his seat with effortless confidence. "Yeah… we saw it in action a few days ago, but seeing it again like this? It's really impressive."
Just as Stiles was about to respond, he caught sight of Lydia out of the corner of his eye. She wasn't just watching Javi—she was studying him, her expression softer than usual, almost as if she were seeing him in a new light. Her lips were slightly parted, her fingers absentmindedly toying with the ends of her hair, a subtle sign of distraction.
Stiles' gaze flicked to Scott, who had also noticed. They exchanged a look before Stiles leaned closer, whispering just loud enough for Scott to hear. "Oh, hell no."
Scott fought back a smile, though amusement danced in his eyes. "Yeah… I think we might have a problem."
Stiles scoffed, shaking his head dramatically. "You mean she might have a problem. Because if Lydia starts catching feelings again, you know Javi is gonna run with it."
Scott exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced at Lydia again. The way she was looking at Javi now? It wasn't just nostalgia—it was something deeper, something familiar yet entirely new.
"Yeah," Scott murmured. "And something tells me… Javi knows it too."
Malia and Kira leaned in, both clearly intrigued. Malia narrowed her eyes at Javi before turning to Stiles and Scott.
"You're telling me this guy doesn't have any supernatural abilities?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
Stiles sighed, already anticipating her reaction. "Yes, Malia. For the hundredth time, he's just a normal guy."
Malia scoffed, glancing at Javi again, watching the way he carried himself—calm, confident, too aware of his surroundings. "Yeah, I'm not buying that. No way someone that observant is just human."
Kira, who had been quietly observing, finally chimed in, her brows furrowed. "I mean… she has a point. The way he read everyone just now? That's not exactly normal either."
Scott exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Look, I get it. He seems like he has some kind of ability, but trust me—he's human. No werewolf senses, no kitsune tricks, no banshee intuition. Just… Javi."
Malia still wasn't convinced. She studied Javi like a puzzle she couldn't quite solve, arms crossed tightly. "Well, if he is human, then he's the most dangerous kind—the kind that pays attention."
Stiles huffed, crossing his arms. "Tell me about it."
Kira tilted her head, still curious. "But… does he know? About all of this?"
Scott and Stiles exchanged a look before Scott answered carefully. "No. And we're trying to keep it that way."
Malia let out a dry laugh. "Yeah? Good luck with that. Because if he doesn't know now… he's gonna find out soon."
Stiles suddenly stiffened, his mind flashing back to Javi's words from just a few days ago.
"Once we solve this murder case, I'll tell you everything that happened to me in Europe."
His fingers curled into his palm as unease settled in his gut. Javi had said it so casually, but now—knowing how sharp he was, how determined—Stiles realized just how serious that promise had been.
And then another memory crept in, one that sent a chill down his spine.
A warning, spoken in a low, firm voice—the kind that carried weight.
"Keep him in the dark, or else you'll regret it. Especially you, Scott."
Jane Anuevo. The beta werewolf tied to Deucalion. Javi's so-called guardian—but more than that, the person who had erased his memories in the first place.
Stiles swallowed hard, his eyes flicking toward Scott, who seemed lost in thought as well. Because they both knew exactly what Jane had been implying.
Javi hated werewolves.
And if he ever found out the truth—about Scott, about the pack, about everything Beacon Hills really was…
There was no telling what he would do.
Scott, sensing Stiles' unease, leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Hey... you okay?"
Stiles exhaled sharply through his nose, forcing his shoulders to relax. "Yeah, I just... this is all starting to feel like a ticking time bomb."
Scott's jaw tightened, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "I know," he admitted, his eyes flicking toward Javi, who was casually chatting with Lydia—completely unaware of the storm brewing around him. "We just have to be careful."
Stiles scoffed under his breath. "Yeah? Careful how? The guy is already suspicious. Every time we slip up, we're just giving him more puzzle pieces to put together."
Scott ran a hand through his hair, his voice quieter but firm. "I get it. But we made a promise to Jane."
Stiles' expression darkened, his voice laced with frustration. "Yeah. And what happens when we can't keep it anymore?"
Scott didn't answer right away. Because deep down, he knew the truth.
It wasn't a matter of if Javi would find out. It was only a matter of when. And when that moment came… they had no idea which side of the line he'd stand on.
Malia and Kira exchanged glances before leaning in closer, their voices hushed with curiosity.
"So… who's this Jane?" Malia pressed.
Scott exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, clearly irritated by the constant weight of secrets. "She's a werewolf."
Malia's eyebrows shot up. "Another pack? A rival?"
Scott shook his head. "Not exactly. She was part of Deucalion's pack."
Kira's eyes widened. "Deucalion's pack? But… I thought Deucalion was—"
"Dead?" Scott finished, his expression grim. "Yeah. He was. But not all of his pack died with him. Jane was one of the survivors."
Malia crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "And you're telling me she's the one looking after Javi?"
Stiles nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. But according to her, she left Deucalion's pack a long time ago. She found Javi in Europe and—well, let's just say she took a special interest in him."
Kira frowned. "Why?"
Scott hesitated before answering. "She didn't say. Just that Javi… hates werewolves."
Malia's eyes flicked back to Javi, who was completely unaware of the conversation, casually tapping his fingers against his desk as if he didn't have an entire supernatural committee discussing his existence behind his back.
"So, what—he had a bad run-in with a werewolf or something?" Malia asked.
Stiles sighed. "That's the thing—Jane refused to tell us. Said it wasn't her secret to share."
Kira's brows furrowed. "So you're waiting for Javi to open up?"
"Pretty much," Stiles muttered. "But knowing him? He's not gonna make it easy."
Malia's gaze hardened, a steely determination in her eyes. "Then we can't let it come to that."
Kira nodded, her expression mirroring Malia's determination. "We have to protect him. Even from himself."
Scott let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as he leaned back in his seat. "I just hope we're capable of keeping that promise."
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Students began packing up their things, preparing to leave. Scott, Stiles, Malia, and Kira exchanged wary glances before following suit. The conversation they'd been having was far from over, and none of them were sure how to approach what came next.
Javi stood from his desk, slinging his backpack over his shoulder. His gaze shifted to the group, a friendly, almost too casual smile on his lips.
"You guys wanna go grab lunch?" he asked, as if nothing were amiss.
Scott forced a smile, trying to act as normal as possible. "Yeah, sure. Sounds good."
Malia's expression was cautious, her eyes darting between Javi and the rest of the group, still trying to read the room. "Yeah," she said slowly, her tone guarded.
Javi's grin widened at her response, and Scott couldn't help but notice how his gaze lingered on Malia for a beat longer than necessary.
"Lydia," Javi greeted, his voice warm as he turned toward her. "You joining us?"
Lydia smiled back, her eyes bright as usual. "Yeah, I'm in."
Kira and Stiles exchanged a brief, silent look, but neither voiced their concerns aloud. They were all walking on eggshells now.
Javi glanced around at the group, his smile widening. "Great. Let's go then."
The group nodded and began to fall into step together as they headed out of the classroom and into the busy hallway, the noise of students flooding the space around them.
Suddenly, Javi's demeanor shifted, the warmth fading from his expression as he looked ahead with a seriousness that none of them had expected.
"I'm ready, after school."
The group froze, each of them turning to look at Javi, surprised by the sudden shift in tone.
Scott's heart skipped a beat. "Ready? Ready for what?"
Javi met his gaze, his eyes dark with intent. "After lunch, after school... I'm telling you everything. All of it. No more secrets."
The air seemed to thicken around them as the weight of his words settled in. Everyone exchanged uncertain glances, unsure if they were ready for whatever Javi was about to reveal.
Stiles swallowed, trying to keep his composure. "You sure you're ready for that?"
Javi's expression hardened. "I'm done with the games."
Scott shifted, his throat tight. He glanced at the others before taking a deep breath, his voice low. "Okay, after school then. We'll be there."
The tension between them hung in the air like a storm cloud as they continued walking, the promise of answers—answers that none of them were quite prepared for—looming over them.
[SEVERAL HOURS LATER]
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, and the corridor quickly filled with students eager to leave, the noise of chatter and footsteps echoing through the halls.
The group gathered just outside the school, their expressions a mix of anticipation and unease. Javi stood with his arms crossed, a faint grin tugging at his lips as he looked at them.
"Pretty excited?"
Scott shrugged, trying to keep the mood light, but the tension in his voice was evident. "Just curious, you know?"
Lydia, sensing the rising tension, cut in sharply. "Not here, guys. It's too public. We can do this somewhere private."
Scott nodded, his face growing more serious as he considered their options. "Yeah, Lydia's right. We need to keep this between us for now. Where do you want to go?"
Javi simply shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Anywhere you want."
The others exchanged looks, their silent communication clear. Then their gaze shifted to Stiles.
Stiles, sensing the unspoken question, raised his hands in mock surrender, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Wait, wait, wait! I know that look! No, no, not in my place."
Malia rolled her eyes, her voice tinged with amusement. "Oh, come on, jerk. It's not like it's some big deal."
Javi chuckled softly, clearly enjoying the dynamic between them, but his tone remained steady and serious. "It's not a big deal, Stiles. I promise."
Stiles groaned, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I'm telling you, my place is not the place for this kind of talk."
Kira, trying to lighten the mood, nudged Stiles playfully. "You're just scared we'll find all your embarrassing stuff."
Stiles shot her a glare, but it was half-hearted, his mind still racing with the conversation ahead. He sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. We'll do it at my place, but if anyone finds a weird stash of old comic books, I swear—"
Lydia gave him a teasing smile, cutting him off. "We won't judge you, Stiles. Much."
Javi, now with a small smirk, looked at the group and nodded in agreement. "Lead the way, then."
With that, the group made their way to Stiles' place, the heavy anticipation still lingering in the air as they prepared for the revelations to come.
_________________________________________________
The group headed to Stiles' house, the weight of the situation pressing down on everyone. The walk was mostly silent, each person lost in their own thoughts, the tension hanging in the air.
Stiles pushed open the front door, leading the group inside. He tried to shake off the unease gnawing at him but couldn't help the feeling that this conversation would change everything. "Alright, let's just get this over with."
The group silently settled in the living room, their eyes all trained on Javi, waiting for him to speak. But he remained quiet, his gaze flickering around the room, his expression unreadable. It was as if he were testing their patience, drawing out the moment of truth as long as he could.
Scott, unable to stand the silence any longer, spoke with a firm tone. "Javi, come on. You said you were ready. We're here now. Just tell us."
Javi sighed, a heavy breath that seemed to carry the weight of everything he had been holding in. "There's a lot that happened to me in Europe, but there's one thing that changed me the most. My parents... they were murdered in front of me."
Stiles' expression hardened as a rush of sympathy hit him. "That's horrible..."
Lydia's eyes softened, her hand moving instinctively to her chest. "Oh my god..."
Javi's gaze dropped for a moment, but he kept his composure. "It was just supposed to be a normal dinner. A happy one. Then someone broke into our house. My parents tried to fight back. I was hiding in the closet. I remember it all. The screams. The pleading."
Scott's face softened as he listened, his voice a bit quieter. "I'm sorry, man. That must've been hell to go through."
Javi nodded silently, his jaw tightening at the memory, still haunted by the images in his mind.
Malia, her usual sarcasm replaced by a rare empathy, spoke up. "So, what happened after that?"
Javi let out a long sigh, clearly struggling to maintain his composure. "I became an orphan. Then one day, out of nowhere, I got an anonymous scholarship. I didn't have a choice but to accept it. I had nowhere else to go. They sent me to this school."
The group's faces were filled with genuine concern as Javi paused, his gaze fixed on a random object across the room. No one knew what to say. His voice was quiet, almost distant.
Lydia finally broke the silence, her tone gentle. "What kind of school?"
Javi looked at them, his eyes a little guarded now. "It was... different. They taught us a lot of things, but one thing stood out the most—the main curriculum. They taught us how to hone our deduction and observation skills."
Scott raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Deductions and observation skills?"
Javi nodded, his voice low. "Yeah. They wanted us to be able to analyze a situation, pick up on details, and make decisions fast based on what we saw. It wasn't about brute strength or being the best fighter. It was about being the smartest in the room."
Malia's skepticism flared again. "Sounds like a pretty intense training program. What was the endgame? Train you to join the police force or something?"
Javi smiled, a genuine expression of something like hope or determination crossing his features. "Actually... Yes. But more than that. About what happened to my parents? I know I need to do this... to bring justice to them."
Scott and Stiles exchanged a knowing glance, both surprised and impressed by Javi's revelation.
"Oh yeah! So that's why we solved Dr. Langer's murder case in just a couple of days," Scott said, his voice light but with a touch of awe. "You already knew what happened to him just by looking at the crime scene. It all makes sense now."
Javi nodded, his gaze steady as he confirmed it. "That's right. I wasn't just guessing. I was trained to analyze a scene, pick up clues, and piece together what happened. It's all about honing those skills to see beyond the obvious. Everything tells a story."
Kira's brow furrowed in confusion. "But... what kind of place teaches people to do that? I mean, it sounds almost too extreme for even police training."
Javi shrugged casually, adjusting his posture. "Because it's not just police training. The ones who pass all the trials and tests at that school... they're called 'Sherlock's apprentices.'"
Malia narrowed her eyes in disbelief. "Sherlock's apprentices? Like, Sherlock Holmes? As in the fictional character?"
Javi nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, exactly like the fictional character. Except we're real, and we're trained in the same principles and methods. It's a unique form of training that not many people know about outside of certain circles."
Stiles raised an eyebrow. "Wait, wait, wait... we just know it's in Europe, but where in Europe?"
Javi looked up at Stiles, his tone calm. "In England. There's a private school called The School of Shadows. It's hidden in the countryside, just a few miles outside Manchester. It's the only place where they train Sherlock's apprentices."
Scott's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, so this school trains people to become like Sherlock Holmes? That's insane..."
Javi nodded, his expression serious. "Yeah, it's intense. They teach us how to observe, deduce, and think critically. We're supposed to use those skills to solve cases. The more we learn, the sharper we get."
Lydia tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful as she studied him. "That sounds fascinating, but also... extreme. Why would anyone go through such an intense training program?"
Javi's eyes darkened for a moment, his voice quieter. "Some of us joined to hone our skills, to push our boundaries and become the best we can be. But others..." His voice faltered for a second, and his gaze shifted. "Others have their own stories, their own reasons. It's not all simple and straightforward."
The room quieted as Javi's words hung in the air, an unspoken weight settling over the conversation. Scott leaned in slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Others… what do you mean by that?"
Javi hesitated, his gaze flickering to the past before settling back on the present. "Not everyone has an easy story to tell. Some people… they've been through things." He paused, searching for the right words. "Things that shape them in ways most people can't understand. Their reasons for being there—it wasn't just about solving cases or proving something. For some, it was about survival. For others… vengeance. Redemption."
Lydia studied him, her expression thoughtful. "So you're saying everyone at your school had different reasons for being there?"
Javi nodded slowly. "Exactly. Some were there for the academic challenge, to push themselves. But others…" His voice dipped, almost as if revealing a secret. "...they had personal reasons. Personal demons. The school gave them a way to fight back."
Stiles raised an eyebrow, smirking. "So, if you had 'mates' at that school, does that mean you had classmates too?"
Javi rolled his eyes. "Obviously, Stiles."
Stiles let out an exaggerated sigh. "I know. It was a rhetorical question. Just humor me, will you?"
Javi chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, sure. We had classes, teachers, classmates… the usual. Just don't expect some heartwarming coming-of-age story."
Scott leaned in further, intrigued. "No heartwarming moments at all? What, you didn't make any friends?"
Javi smirked. "Friends? Sure. But it was different. More like… a rivalry, if anything."
Stiles perked up. "Wait, wait, wait—you had a rival? Like an actual rival?"
Javi nodded, his tone shifting slightly, a trace of something—affection, maybe nostalgia—creeping into his voice. "Yeah. Her name is Gwen Watson. She's… different."
The others exchanged curious glances, catching the subtle change in his tone.
Stiles raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"
Javi leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips, like he was recalling something only he understood. His gaze flickered with memory. "She was sharp—like me. But in a way that made her unpredictable. Not just in how she thought, but in everything—how she acted, what she believed in. She wasn't just another student. She had her own reasons for being there… her own mission."
Lydia, picking up on the weight in his words, leaned in slightly. "And did you two… get along?"
Javi let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head. "If by 'get along' you mean constantly challenging each other? Then sure. But it wasn't friendship, not exactly. And it wasn't rivalry either. It was… something in between."
Scott arched an eyebrow. "Sounds complicated."
Javi smirked. "It was. We had this… connection, I guess. A mutual respect for each other's abilities. But at the same time, we both wanted to be the best. And that made things… interesting."
Stiles grinned. "So, basically, the perfect setup for a dramatic showdown?"
Javi's smirk deepened. "Something like that. But it wasn't always about competition. Sometimes it was about seeing who could outthink the other."
Scott chuckled, clearly intrigued. "So, like a battle of wits?"
Javi nodded, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Exactly. A constant game of staying one step ahead, trying to anticipate each other's moves. It was frustrating… but also exhilarating."
Lydia's voice came softer this time, tinged with something unreadable. "So… were you two just rivals? Or did it ever turn into something more?"
Javi chuckled at the question, but the flicker in his eyes was more complicated. "It was always more than just rivalry. There was… a bond. We pushed each other, challenged each other, but we also understood each other in a way no one else did."
Scott grinned, catching the unspoken tension in the air. "Sounds intense. So, what happened? Did you two end up as friends? Or did things get too competitive?"
Javi's expression shifted, the smirk fading slightly as something unreadable passed over his face. For the first time, he hesitated.
Then, to everyone's surprise, a faint blush crept onto his face.
The room went silent, his reaction telling them everything—and nothing at all.
The room grew quiet for a moment as everyone awaited Javi's response. His eyes flickered between the group, clearly torn about how much to reveal. Lydia, sensing the hesitation, softened her tone.
Lydia, almost gently: "Javi, you don't have to tell us if it's too personal."
Javi took a deep breath, looking away briefly before returning his gaze to the group. His voice was quieter now, tinged with a vulnerability they hadn't seen before.
"Let's just say... things got complicated. We were more than rivals, but we weren't exactly friends either. In the end, our paths diverged... and not on the best of terms."
Scott, sensing the weight of the conversation, decided to change the subject slightly. "So, what happened after that? I mean, you came back to Beacon Hills, so something must have pulled you away from that life, right?"
Javi ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable with the topic but willing to share more. "Yeah, I left. It was... it was time. There were people at that school who would have made things even more difficult if I stayed. And honestly, I needed a change. I didn't want to get caught up in a cycle of revenge or anything. My parents' deaths... that was enough baggage for me."
Malia, her curiosity piqued, leaned forward slightly. "So, you came here for a fresh start?"
Javi nodded, though there was a brief flicker of uncertainty in his expression. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. I needed something different, something that wasn't... so full of ghosts. But... it's hard to completely escape your past, you know?"
Lydia, who had been quietly listening, spoke softly but with clear understanding. "I get it. We all have things we're running from or trying to outrun."
The group nodded, and the weight of the moment lingered in the air, each of them processing the bits of Javi's past he'd shared, unsure of where it would lead but understanding that it was a step closer to truly knowing him further.
Javi clapped his hands together, breaking the moment. "Okay, that's enough. Hope you all enjoyed my story."
The others chuckled, amused by his abrupt shift in tone, but they weren't quite sure what to make of it.
Scott leaned back, a lazy grin forming on his face. "Well, that was certainly… a revelation."
Javi yawned, stretching casually. "Stiles, can I crash here? Suddenly feelin' sleepy."
Before anyone could respond, Javi was already sprawled out across the couch, completely at ease.
Stiles blinked, still processing what had just happened. "Well, I guess that's settled then…"
Scott's expression changed in an instant. His body stiffened, and he sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing. "Someone's watching us."
The door creaked open, and Jane stepped in, her presence instantly shifting the atmosphere in the room.
She gave a small, reassuring smile, her gaze settling on Scott. "It's me, Scott."
Scott's body stiffened for a moment, his suspicion still palpable, but his posture relaxed just enough to show some recognition. His eyes never fully left her, though.
Stiles, still processing the sudden nap from Javi, blinked in confusion at the unexpected visitor. "Jane? What are you doing here?"
Jane's eyes flicked to Stiles, a brief, unreadable look passing through them before she spoke, her tone calm but firm. "I came to talk. There are things you all need to know."
Lydia and the others turned toward Jane, stunned by her sudden appearance. A heavy silence fell over the room, the weight of the moment hanging thick in the air. Finally, Lydia spoke, her voice quiet but steady.
"We're listening…"
Stiles, however, narrowed his eyes, a suspicion creeping in. "Wait, wait, wait. I have a feeling you did this to Javi."
Jane smirked, crossing her arms casually as if the question barely phased her. "Sharp as ever, Mieczyslaw Stilinski. And yes, I did."
Stiles froze, his eyes widening in shock. "You—you know my full name?! HOW?! Who even told you that?!"
Kira leaned toward Malia, whispering in confusion. "Wait… what's wrong with his full name?"
Malia shrugged, her expression one of genuine curiosity. "No idea, but apparently, it's a big deal."
Scott shook his head, his face growing serious. "No, it is a big deal. Because the only people who ever call him that… are from our past."
Lydia's eyes widened slightly as realization struck, and she nodded. "Yeah… exactly."
Stiles turned back to Jane, a layer of suspicion creeping into his voice. "So, what, Jane? Who are you really?"
Before Jane could answer, Stiles paused mid-sentence, his breath hitching as something clicked in his mind. Scott and Lydia exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from confusion to stunned recognition.
Jane let out a soft sigh, her eyes flickering with something unreadable as she reached into her pocket. With a fluid motion, she pulled out a pair of eyeglasses, sliding them on with practiced ease. She tucked her hair behind her ear, just enough for them to finally see it—what they'd missed before.
Stiles staggered back, his voice trembling. "No… no way. I thought you were dead… Oh my God, am I dreaming?"
Scott swallowed hard, his throat dry, unable to form a single word.
Lydia stared at Jane, her mind racing, barely above a whisper. "How is this possible, you should be dead a long time ago."
[To be continued]