Two boys came across the infirmary completely empty. Theodore had taken his friend to one of the beds where he had sat, soon going to look for cotton and serum.
Gabriel couldn't keep his eyes off Theodore. He imagined a thousand and one ways to start talking, feeling that this would be the only chance to be heard. He had noticed that his friend was easily upset, having Gabriel pay more attention to his words.
This was something that had never been looked at.
He never needed to measure his words with the friends he had. He was always praised for being polite to the elders and the girls, being playful and companion with the boys. However, his conversation with Theodore last night proved that Gabriel was never really educated.
He just wanted to please other people by talking in a way that didn't make them angry.
He had noticed that little flaw when he turned without knowing what to say to Theodore. No matter how hard he tried to soften the situation, everything seemed to get worse. It was as if all the word choices were wrong.
When he is trapped like that, Gabriel only admits defeat and assumes his mistake.
At that moment, sitting on a bed watching Theodore wet small cotton balls in the serum and approaching him, Gabriel was afraid to speak. He could only keep up with the blond omega by sitting on the chair in front of him, reaching out to clean the wound on his lip.
Making a grimace, turning his face with the burning of his wound, Gabriel tried not to look so much at the blonde. Theodore seemed so focused on his little task, his brows clenched looking angry.
― Stop moving, Gabriel.
― It hurts, I can't control it.
― It shouldn't hurt more than getting punched.
Even with such bravery, Theodore was careful and light to pass the cotton on the wound. Like a soft feather passing on the skin. Gabriel could not resist looking at Theodore, paying attention to every detail of his face.
The last time they got this close, he wouldn't have paid attention to the details on Theodore's face. He only made an observation that when he was nervous he bit his lip without realizing it. And now sitting there in front of him, Gabriel could tell your countenance when him were concentrating on something.
It was simply mesmerizing.
Perceiving the intense look he received, Theodore was embarrassed and slightly flushed. Yet he dared to look him in the eye with his brow arched.
― What was that?
― Nothing, I'm glad you're here, that's all.
Moving away to get an ointment on the nurse's desk, trying to hide the blush from his cheeks, Theodore organized his thoughts. Returning to sit on the chair, took a little of the ointment and extended his hand passing over the wound.
― Didn't you say you wanted to tell me something? What was it?
— Sorry. ― Theodore raised his eyes staring at Gabriel's, even having his hand stop spreading the ointment― When I said it was not my intention to hurt you, I was sincere.
Lowering his hand on his lap, Theodore sighed.
― That's why Nico warned you to stay away from me. Others will think you're gay too, just because you're my friend.
― But I don't care about that.
Theodore lowered his eyes, smiling sarcastically.
― It wasn't the impression I had. You said that picture was a joke from the others to prove you wasn't gay, which means it was their thing.
Swallowing hard, Gabriel sat on the bed scratching his neck. How could he refute that? He had accepted the challenge and kissed Sadie, imagining that everything would be in fun that night. But there was no attempt to interpret the challenge made.
Why did every moment seem so wrong in the conversation the night before?
― They wanted me to be with Sadie, our friendship was just a pretext for it. Their target would be me and not you.
― And if they decide to make me a target, asking you to do something with me... What will you do?
Gabriel had shaken his head repeatedly, resting his hand on the shoulder of the blonde. He felt a sudden need to touch him, as if they could feel his sincerity. Like it's enough for those two to connect.
― I won't. I said you're my friend, so I'll do my best to protect you.
Those words sounded sweet to Theodore's ears, completely losing control of the blush on his face. Not only did his cheeks turn red, his whole body seemed to heat up. Especially his left shoulder, where a certain hand was resting.
Having to look away to try to calm down, Theodore turned his hand away from Gabriel fearing that he would feel the unbridled beats of his heart or its smell. He quickly rose from the chair pretending to keep the serum and ointment he had taken.
Just needed to hide for a while to calm down. Get some fresh air and pull yourself together. Taking his hand to his chest, he clearly felt the accelerated beats.
He was falling in love more and more.
The photo returned in his thoughts. Theodore knew very well that this could be only the first, of several, disagreements. She liked Gabriel and did not hide from anyone but the alpha himself. She would choose such tricks to make the school all think about the two being dating, even if Gabriel says that is not the case.
In the end one of the thorns that sank in his heart was named after a Mckenzie.
― Do you... like Sadie?
The question that accompanied his thoughts simply escaped his lips. Theodore had quickly covered his mouth frightened that he had said it out loud. If before your heart beat fast for falling in love, now it was pure fear.
He had not dared to look at Gabriel. He had remained with his back lowering his head trying to hide his face with cap.
However, even trying to hide, Gabriel answered him. And his voice seemed to be very close.
Through the corner of his eye, Theodore noticed that the boy was standing next to him, leaning toward him to look at him directly.
― No, I'm not in love with her.
Despite the relief he felt in hearing those words, Theodore was still fearful. Yet he had returned the gaze of Gabriel, in a silent permission to be close.
― Are you sure? She's... a very pretty omega girl.
Gabriel laughs low giving a slight shoulder jerk to Theodore.
― If so, then I'd be interested in you too, since I think you're a beautiful omega.
For the second time his heart was racing. Theodore's clear eyes widened in amazement, and nothing in the world came to his head. Absolutely nothing.
Looking away to the table, from which he leaned on it before his legs were tighter than they already were, Theodore sought some point of calm. He swallowed hard, blinked a few times, tried to organize his crazy thoughts.
Nothing seemed to help.
He had lost control in a way.
― Don't say those things, Gabriel.
― Why? I said something wrong?
Raising his eyes to Gabriel's, the omega whispered.
― Someone may misinterpret.
The brunette had crossed his arms turning his back to the table, leaning his hip against it. Tilting his head childishly, he smiled.
― That would be the listening problem. I said I don't care about that.
When you think of something, you realize that words are kept in the silence of the mind. Nothing spoken to the world. However, Theodore had lost that consciousness from the moment he agreed to listen to Gabriel that morning.
The transferred student said charming phrases to a needy heart. Theodore was already in love with Gabriel, knew this very well. However, if there was any chance of easing that feeling, he would try.
Because he knew Gabriel wasn't like him.
He had tried to use the misunderstanding as a practical example of how bad it would be for the two to be close. It did not work out, since Gabriel insisted on maintaining the friendship, saying he did not care about others.
And it was at that moment that he only thought about himself. If he continued like that... Theodore would lose control of his feelings. He'd love that alpha in front of him like crazy.
Alone.
Watching him from afar.
Holding his own heart in his hand.
It would be better not to fall in love.
And then the words escaped his lips.
— But I care. ― Answered quickly. The seriousness in his voice had captured Gabriel's attention, and the two stared as Theodore whispered ― Please don't make me fall in love with you, Gabriel.
The infirmary room suddenly became silent, as if two boys were not there. However, Theodore and Gabriel looked surprised without knowing what to say after the request.
The first to break the contact off Theodore, who lowered his head biting his lower lip. He moved away from the table taking his backpack and that of Nicolas, the blond had fled from Gabriel quickly.
― I'll go ahead. If you feel any pain, wait for the nurse she'll give you some medication.
Soon the omega had left the infirmary, leaving only a brown wide-eyed mute.
Gabriel turned to the table noticing a small mirror on it. He had noticed the small cut in the corner of his lips, where he had received the punch of Nicolas earlier. Only this time he did not remember the pain he had felt.
No. He didn't remember the pain and burning.
But from the softened touch of Theodore, and all his care.
When he looked in the mirror again, Gabriel was surprised by the smile that emerged from his own lips. Even at that moment he realized that his own heart was beating fast.
There was only three words that was repeated incessantly in his head.
Fall in love.