It was a real challenge not to fall in love with Gabriel Jones.
Especially when he was so close to feeling his woody scent, or hear him sigh as his brown eyes passed through the lines of the notebook. Especially when it was simply impossible not to be looking at him so closely, without being able to control his beating heart so fast.
It was simply impossible.
Theodore felt like moving at all times even if he wanted to stay still. His neck scratched, his leg fell asleep, felt his ass fall asleep in the chair. Everything bothered him.
No... what bothered him was the alpha's presence reading his answers so closely and closely.
What disturbed his mind most was his inability to avoid looking at him. He wanted to observe him.
Theodore had surrendered to desire.
He had begun to watch him from the corner of his eyes, and when he had felt the free area, he began to face him shamelessly. He had paid attention to his medium and dark eyebrows, well delineated for a boy. The dark eyes, which with the clarity could notice the brownish tone. His mouth thin and rosy...
Theodore wanted to kiss him.
― You really did the activities very well done... What complete answers.
Looking away quickly as his face caught on fire, Theodore tried to focus on anything but that boy next to him.
― W-Well is expected... You have no reason to be lazy with such an activity.
― Ah, but this one I have a different point of view, want to discuss about?
Turning his head to the book whose question was pointed out by Gabriel, Theodore leaned to the table feeling the transferred boy do the same to the point that his back touched his chest.
A light touch, nothing compromising.
But enough to drive a heart thirsty for love.
Theodore repeated the same question sometimes, unable to focus on it properly. The warmth of Gabriel's chest grew on his back, he was beginning to sweat with nervousness.
― You can supplement the answer if you prefer...
― If it's okay with you... ― Finally looking at the blonde, Gabriel arched his eyebrow ― Are you okay? Your face is all red...
― It's the warmth. It's hot in here, don't you think?
― Is the window closed?
Moving away from the transferred student, Theodore handed the answer sheets and his case to Gabriel while the other checked the windows.
― You can supplement the answer if you want, I don't mind.
Agreeing to the request, Gabriel then listened to the response of the exercise silently. A great victory for Theodore, who took the chance to move his chair away looking for fresh air in the window.
The cold wind hitting his face was just refreshing, like a summer breeze when you're at the edge of the sea. A relief from having something sweeping away the heat that was so stifling. The difference was that the heat came from a person and not from a hot season.
Leaning his elbows over the window and watching the students practicing sports, Theodore plunged into the calming silence. Closing his eyes to calm himself, he saw the image he had seen the day before of Gabriel shirtless on the volleyball court.
His fingers closed in fist containing the desire to touch something that did not belong to him. Taking a deep breath he had tried to empty his mind of such disturbing thoughts. The image of an abdomen had been replaced by the outstretched hand and the worrying look of moments ago.
Theodore smiled without realizing it.
― Your smile is very beautiful.
Frightened by the low voice directed at him, Theodore looked to the side finding Gabriel also leaning on the window.
― What did you say??
— I said that your smile is very beautiful. ― Realizing that the omega was moving away, Gabriel held him by the wrist. ― What is there? You're always running from me.
― Me? I'm not running away... We have an activity to finish, right?
― Theodore...
― It's your imagination.
Keeping the grip on his wrist, Gabriel had made Theodore hostage to his gaze. He had not allowed himself to be led astray, or to have any other kind of escape. Even easing the grip on his wrist and making him look into his eyes, he would not allow his escape.
― Look, you don't have to run from me like I have seven heads.
― If I'm being honest, I would need to, a bug like that just means it's gonna kill me.
Giggling low, Gabriel tried to get serious again.
― What I mean is, you don't have to run away from me. I won't judge you for what you are.
Giving up trying to get out of the grip on his wrist, Theodore had shown himself attentive to the words of his classmate. Yet Gabriel had not let go.
― Oh... good to know.
― Or don't you want to be my friend?
― No, that's not it. I mean, I don't mind talking to you and everything, just...
― I'm not like the others. I don't want you to be afraid of me, I just want to be your friend.
Those words sounded like music in Theodore's ear. Finally he had relaxed under Gabriel's grip, choosing to listen to him and accept that he was sincere in every word spoken. Although there was a small shadow that kept the bad memories of those who said the same thing, but in the end betrayed him, Theodore would choose to trust, a little, that alpha.
― Let's finish this work. We have to deliver in the next class.
Nodding to finally release him from the grip on his wrist, the two boys soon sat down again and filled out the answer sheet.
If there was a sadness for not meeting in the morning, it no longer existed. The vacant class had granted a more precious meeting for those two.
「 • • • 」
"You're here to help Nico, that's right", Theodore repeated in thought. Compressing his lips and squeezing his fingers, he repeated the justification several times throughout his journey to the volleyball court in the school yard.
The moment he stepped in there and heard the sounds of tennis against the wood, his mind silenced any other lame excuse. His eyes went straight to the tall, dark-haired player in a gym uniform, who devoted all his attention to the ball on top.
He had not stopped smiling the moment he realized how focused Gabriel was during training.
Silently the blond boy sat on the floor, leaning his back against the wall hugging his legs where he could watch the workout.
Theodore did not consider himself a great volleyball connoisseur, despite having read some things about it to help Nicolas with the team. But it was a fact that watching training was always a pleasure. Usually to see your best friend acting as team captain, helping your team-mates perform well on the court.
Now there was one more reason to be there.
And his eyes did not detach from this motive.
― The princess has come to choose her youngest suitor.
The voice filled with malice had chilled Theodore's skin. The smile disappeared the instant the tall blond-haired boy gave him a mocking smile by standing next to him, making sure to spread his scent.
Milles Mckenzie was Alpha and Sadie's older brother, who was in his third year about to take the SATs. Like his sister, he was popular for his charisma and fame as a heartthrob for always being accompanied by some omega girl at parties. If Milles didn't kiss a girl at a party, something was wrong.
Theodore had not responded to the provocation, making him watch the training silently.
― Now, don't ignore me. I'm just saying that I understand that this is a great place for you to choose your new husband.
― I'm just here to help Nicolas, Milles.
— Ah right, you already have your husband, I forgot that detail. ― The glare that Theodore had given to Milles only increased his malice. Sitting next to the blonde, the player rested his arms on his knees and looked at the court. ― You are faithful to your husband.
Snorting, Theodore scratches his head trying to keep calm. Soon the same was out when the girl with short skirt and long hair approached her brother. Turning his head to the side, Theodore avoided at all costs looking at those two.
― Milles is not training yet?
― We're doing rotation, so I go to court. Why?
— You're wasting your time sitting there... ― Sadie's eyes went to the other boy next door, who was already sulking. ― Oh... I didn't know you had a friend.
Milles looked at Theodore from the corner and then smiled as he hugged him by the shoulder.
― We were talking about how our team is constantly watched. It seems that the best suitors are here.
― Leave me alone. ― Theodore replied by pushing Milles' arm before his smell was impregnated in his clothes.
― Milles, you're on the team, didn't you know that?
― Oh, I don't seem to conform to the requirements of the stallion here. I'm too much sand for your little truck.
The malice-filled laughter of those two brothers angered Theodore. Closing his fist containing the sudden urge to punch them, he tried his best to create a distance between them.
― You know, little Theo, you should go see the football team. I guarantee that the boys there love to kick... a ball.
Lowering his head without giving an answer, Theodore only regretted being there. And then a volleyball had just hit Milles' forehead so suddenly. The boy's cry had echoed throughout the gym, and everyone had stopped what they were doing to watch Milles caress his own forehead.
― Sorry, looks like my aim sucks.
Milles' irritated look at Nicolas had created tension in the gym.
― You little fucking shorty.
— What? Your head hurts? You should go to the infirmary to see if the horns are still standing. ― Nicolas played, crouching to catch the ball leaving it under his arm.
Theodore already feared that the situation would lose control the moment Milles marched to the center of the court grabbing Nicolas's shirt and lifting him up. The change of barbs between the two forced the coach to interfere with the other team-mates, completely interrupting the training.
― Are you all right?
The low, husky voice whispered near his ear surprised Theodore. Turning his head he saw his hand extended for the second time in his direction, along with the worried look.
— I'm fine, thank you ― Sadie intervenes pulling Gabriel's wrist and giving him a childish smile. ― Although the ball of that person project hit my brother and then me, here in the arm.
― You should be careful then. What are you doing here?
― Well... I was just about to ask you out...
― I'm sorry, but after training I must go home to help my parents with some things. ― Smile Gabriel, turning to Theodore. ― Get up.
Blinking a few times, Theodore soon held the hand that was still stretched out to him. He had felt Gabriel's long, warm fingers hold his palm and pull him to help him get up.
― I'm cool, no need to worry.
― The captain almost hits you too. Staying on that side of the gym is dangerous, it usually happens quite often.
Theodore was unable to respond to the concern so eminent in those dark eyes. And even when Sadie quickly embraced the athlete's arm pulling him away from Theodore, the blonde had not been able to look away.
― That's right. Tkans-...
― I'll walk you home, Gabi!
Gabriel looked away at the girl who smiled excitedly beside him. Agreeing with the head silently, the two moved away from the blonde while still hugging.
Observing the back of the alpha, Theodore stroked the hand that for a moment received warmth and an affectionate grip. Sighing as he lowered his head, he stroked his own neck with regret.
― This is very unfair... Why would it be you?