Fateful Connections

Fateful Connections

"Hey, let's get you inside. I'm not a paramedic, but I think you might need a bandage or two."

Scott winced, trying to get up from where he had stumbled onto the road. "Yeah, I'd appreciate that. Thanks."

Jasper reached out, steadying Scott as he climbed into the passenger seat. "I'm Jasper, by the way," he said, glancing over as he shut the door behind him.

"Scott," he replied, still trying to catch his breath. "You're new in town?"

"Yeah, I'm transferring to Beacon Hills High tomorrow," Jasper said, starting the car. "Heard it's a pretty cool place."

Scott perked up a little. "It is. At least, as cool as a small town can be. Lacrosse is the main sport here, though."

Jasper chuckled, glancing at Scott. "Lacrosse, huh? Is that like, football with sticks?"

"Pretty much," Scott grinned, shaking his head. "Just with fewer people tackling each other—most of the time."

"I think I could get into that," Jasper said, maneuvering the car onto the main road. "I played a bit of soccer back home, but lacrosse sounds like it has a nice rhythm to it."

"Yeah, if you're not too busy being chased by deer or wolves in the woods," Scott muttered, a frown crossing his face as he thought about Stiles.

Jasper raised an eyebrow. "Deer? What were you doing out there at this hour, anyway?"

Scott let out a humorless laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh, you know, just hanging out with my best friend in the woods at night, searching for a half-eaten body. Stiles insisted we go check it out. It's like he thinks we're in a horror movie or something."

"Sounds like a blast," Jasper said, grinning. "What a great friend."

"Yeah, well, he ditched me," Scott grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Just my luck to get left alone in the dark."

"That's rough, man," Jasper said sympathetically, shifting gears as they entered the familiar streets of Beacon Hills. "So, where do you live?"

"Just up ahead," Scott replied, gesturing as they approached a stoplight. "I can show you the way."

As they drove, Jasper felt the small-town charm of Beacon Hills envelop them. "Nice place you've got here," he remarked, taking in the tree-lined streets.

"Thanks," Scott said, glancing over at Jasper. "It's not much, but it's home."

They turned onto Scott's street, and he pointed toward his house. "There it is."

Jasper parked in front, looking over at Scott. "Alright, here we are. Try to avoid any more deer encounters, okay?"

Scott chuckled, then sighed. "Yeah, I'll do my best. Thanks for the ride, man. I owe you one."

"Don't worry about it," Jasper said, opening the door. "See you at school tomorrow?"

"Definitely," Scott replied, giving a small wave as he stepped out of the car. "And if Stiles tries to drag me into any more late-night adventures, I'll make sure to drag you along too."

"Sounds like a plan!" Jasper called back, grinning as Scott disappeared into his house.

As he drove off, Jasper felt a sense of anticipation for what tomorrow would bring.