When a student arrived at school, he would be the novelty of the moment for weeks. Every step, every laugh, every conversation would be watched with such attention in order to find out who he is. So the others would decide whether to befriend or avoid him.
Even though he's an alpha.
Therefore, when he arrived at the physical education class the other students of Theodore's class had their watchful eyes on Gabriel.
They were studying volleyball with the intention of finding someone with talent to join the school team. Gabriel was the last hope of the teacher, who would also be coach of the official team. Even with such expectation on his shoulders, Theodore did not notice any signs of nervousness in the transferred student.
— Put on the vests and form the teams of last week. Jones, you will be in the fourth team! ― Taking advantage of the students wearing the colored vests, the teacher approached Theodore to whisper to him ― Did you take your pills?
Turning his bluish eyes to the teacher, the kid agreed with his head.
― Yes sir.
― All right, make an effort then.
He wouldn't blame his teacher for his zeal. Theodore was an assumed omega, if he sweated in physical education his smell could cause confusion with other students. Especially now that there was an alpha in your class. Taking pills to suppress their pheromones was the least he could do to keep the student peace.
The students soon wore the coloured vests and organized themselves on the side of the covered court. Theodore stood next to Nicolas, somewhat estranged from the rest of his small team. Gabriel had worn the red vest heading towards his new blonde classmate, smiling at him.
― Looks like we're on the same team, Theodore.
― It is.
― Do you know how to play?
Watching the court and looking away at the new student, Theodore scratches the back of the head with some shame.
― I'm not good with practice...
Hearing Gabriel's low laugh, the blond man felt his heart beat again that morning. Biting his lower lip and shrugging his shoulders, the option of continuing the conversation or ending it was questioned.
I didn't want strange rumours circulating around the school once again, especially early in the year. That wouldn't happen if Gabriel just ignored him. But no... He wanted to bring it up, and Theodore wanted to answer.
― Do you... know how to play? Volleyball?
― I like sports in general. But I never really played.
Gabriel seemed to be really athletic despite the slim body. The other boys at school generally liked to be fit and strong, as proof that they are, in fact, strong. But Gabriel didn't have that many muscles.
Realizing that he had looked at the student from above to below, Theodore soon turned his eyes to the court and held his breath. Holding his hand to his ear, he felt his face catch fire in an instant.
Trying to focus on some other point, the omega soon came across his best friend watching him with his eyes closed.
The whistle sounded and the first two teams took to the court to start the exercise. Taking advantage that everyone would be focused on the class, Nicolas pulled Theodore's elbow to get away from the other students.
― Buddy up with the crazy lady's new key?
― I wouldn't say I was friendly, I just shared the book in the first class.
― They were talking today at the entrance ― Murmured Nicolas, taking his hand to his chin thoughtfully ― is already a sign that the poor guy will be his next victim...
― Nico, you're mumbling again.
― Keep an eye on this guy, Theo. If the chupa-cabra is eyeing that alpha and she sees him talking to you... well, you know what's gonna happen.
— I am loving your creativity to nickname Mckenzie. ― Ria Theodore, stroking the hair of the lowest ― It will be all right, Nico. I'm just being a nice, polite guy to the new guy. I'm not gonna fall in love or anything.
― That's what you said last time, and shit happened the same way.
― The lesson was learned. You were right.
Nicolas had looked at his tired eyes for his friend and then sighed. Forming a sullen beak, he crossed his arms again attending the class.
Imagining that Nicolas would not have believed his words, Theodore made sure to hug his friend and annoy him until he heard him fight with himself, or laugh. But the last chance was the hardest to conquer when the other was sleepy.
Just didn't want to see Nicolas worried about himself. Imagine if he knew you'd been numb by the smell of the alpha, or that you exchanged tickets... By heaven, it would be hours of sermon.
― Teams three and four, to court! ― The teacher shouted at the end of the first match.
― We have two more players, professor! ― Announced one of the students.
― Moss and Thunder are on the bench, so we'll do a rotation. Play next time.
Theodore sighed relieved that he did not have to attend that class. He loved volleyball, but unfortunately did not have good motor coordination for serve. In addition, he would not sweat spreading his smell. Being able to sit on the bench, he would watch the match with great expectations.
He knew Nicolas would do well, since he was the attacking player and captain of the team. Despite his short stature, he jumped enough to pass the blocks, and his performance could improve when well worked with the lifter.
Because they were childhood friends, Theodore accompanied Nicolas discovering talent for the sport and gaining prominence from the fundamental. He was very proud to see Nicolas dedicate himself to volleyball and may have a future in his waiting.
The question was how he would fare working with the new student. After all, Nicolas had already made it clear between the lines that he did not like Gabriel.
The whistle sounded and the ball was thrown. Students spread out across the court shouting commands at each other, touching the ball and cutting it to the opposing team. With the height of Gabriel the blockade had managed to defend his space, making the first point.
The students who watched the match shouted with some surprise and charm to see Gabriel on the court. Theodore was no different. Throughout the class he could see that the alpha was very good.
But not as much as Nicolas.
With the ball being raised, Nicolas came out fired across the court managing to escape the blockade stunned. With a quick attack he made a cut that brought another point to the fourth team. Theodore roared, with a huge smile on his lips, the speed of his best friend.
Following the match and taking place the rotations of positions, Nicolas went to the back of the court along with Gabriel. Being his turn to make the serve, the new student scored several points due to the strength that his ball had.
A new talent was found.
With the end of class, the teacher had been quick to approach Gabriel to make him the invitation, without containing the euphoric smile of his face. Even with the boy's head shake, the coach wouldn't let him get away from you.
― Soon the playoffs will begin, we need someone like you on the team.
― I think it's too early for me to be part of the team, professor. I still need to get used to classes.
— No need to worry, you will have all the necessary support... ― The teacher looked around and soon found the two friends talking further back ― Howard! Come here.
Nicolas sighed returning to his tired posture before going to the teacher, leaving his best friend behind. Receiving a shoulder hug, the lower sighed to be part of the euphoria of his coach.
― Howard can show you how our club works, and help you with school until you get used to it. Since it's a beta, there won't be a problem.
Gabriel looked surprised at Nicolas, then looked over his head, finding Theodore holding his towel facing them with his head slightly tilted. With his hands around his waist, he turned his eyes to his own feet, as if pondering the invitation.
― Are you sure, professor? I mean, if you're getting ready for the playoffs, a new member could ruin the team's strategy.
― Nonsense! That's what training is for. We do it every day after school, and on Saturdays.
Gabriel scratched his head and then agreed with his head, to the joy of his new coach. The teacher passed on some information before leaving in shot to the board in order to get the form of the club.
Being left behind, Nicolas analysed the alpha from top to bottom, watching him laugh nervously at himself.
― You're good at volleyball...
― I know. ― He grumbled Nicolas with his apparent bad mood.
― Gabi! You have a talent for the volleyball club... Oh, look who's here.
Nicolas arched his eyebrow for Sadie and her snobbish smile. He slowly turned to Gabriel, turning to look down at him with arrogance as he heard the answer he had given to omega.
― Ahn... Yeah, it looks like I'll be of help to the team, so I'll do my best ― Smile Gabriel, trying to avoid the tired look of the shorter one.
― But of course it will help, it could be the Ace of the team. I'll be following your training, cat.
— So I'll have to prepare a mop for you again? ― Murmured Nicolas, increasing the sly smile when Sadie looked at him slightly irritated. ― Since he insists on staying on the court, it has to be useful.
― What's it like?
― Since I will be your nanny, I will make one thing very clear ― Announced Nicolas taking off his vest and wearing his dark sweatshirt quietly ― As captain of the team, I will not tolerate dating during training.
― Dating? ― Gabriel questioned confused.
― Listen here, jailer cage, you're being pretty hypocritical. You always take your little boyfriend to practice.
Theodore, who listened to the conversation behind, decided to approach the wheel of conversation by placing himself exactly behind Nicolas. Holding the hem of his sweatshirt, he had made it clear in that sign that they should not enter into Sadie's conversation. Although the lowest had a gloomy and sleepy mood, it was clear when he lost his patience.
His best friend was the kind of person that looks didn't live up to his qualities. Theodore himself thought that Nicolas would be a nerd kid who spends hours playing video games until dawn. Which was a long way from his reality.
Nicolas was athletic, despite his limp body. He had a sharp tongue and knew how to fight when needed, despite his energy being very low. He was the only one who dared to confront Sadie McKenzie, since she had never been able to overpower him.
It was a real box of surprises. Theodore simply adored, and loved, his best friend. It was precisely because he knew he would do anything to protect him, that Theodore would want to keep him away from McKenzie.
He didn't like fights. Especially when they involved him.
The lowest had looked superficially over his shoulder when his sweatshirt had been pulled once more, and then sighed in giving up.
— He's my assistant, while you're just a nuisance. If you want to stay close to your newest snack, then you'll be mopping the floor to keep the stench out. The court needs to be cleaned every day after training.
Gabriel and Sadie widened their eyes amazed at the words of the team's attacker. Theodore scratched the back of his head just holding his friend's shoulders pulling him to himself.
― We have to go back to class, Nico. Shall we?
― Yeah, take your boyfriend away from me.
Nicolas, already on his back, had turned his head over his shoulder casting his icy and sharp gaze on Mckenzie. But he dared not say a word, being pulled by Theodore to leave the covered court.
Staying behind, Gabriel watched those two walk side by side talking. Theodore hugged Nicolas and gave him smiles as he spoke something. They seemed to be close.
― Are they really together? ― Asked after a moment in silence.
Sadie crossed her arms and made room for malice and perversity in her countenance.
— You should not worry about the cap, but about his puppy. ― Gabriel arched his eyebrow for Sadie, who sweetly turned to him grabbing his right arm ― Little Theo likes men to play with him when he is in heat.