Theodore was kissed by Gabriel.
And it was, in mere words, unforgettable.
Even lying in his bed about to sleep, he saw sleep be swept away by sweet memories of what had happened that afternoon. The warm touch of the alpha, the way his scent had enveloped him, the kiss that intensified more and more. What would he have done if your mother hadn't called?
Would he have had the courage to face Gabriel? Without letting your feelings show? Well, if that seemed like a mere imaginary problem, it would become very real when he saw him at school next time.
Positive points, Theodore would not have to worry so much since the alpha should focus on the qualifying matches that would start on Sunday. Between priorities, omega would certainly not be one of them. It was the ideal chance for him to calm his feelings and find some way to maintain neutrality for the sake of his friendship.
― Earth calling Theodore! Heeeello!
Blinking repeatedly, the blonde focused on the short girl in front of him. Lilian waved her hand in front of his eyes, staring curiously.
― Sorry, I was... traveling in mayonnaise.
― Did something happen?
― Nothing. What were you talking about?
Lilian clapped her hands in the chair to speak again.
― Since you agreed to participate in the contest, I wanted to know your style.
― Style...?
― It's... I hope it's not emo, I don't know how to wear an emo.
Looking at his own clothes, Theodore faced a great abyss. He wore dark sweatpants and a big shirt just to go meet Lilian. In fact they were the only clothes he had found in front of him. To his unhappiness, he did not consider himself someone who followed fashion trends as the popular boys of his school.
Would your style have any fashion name?
Youth laziness?
― I don't think I have a style ― He admitted embarrassment.
― Never imagined yourself in any way? You're beautiful, I'm sure any style looks good on you.
— I actually have some nice clothes, but I only go out with the family. Considered me too relaxed to get ready ― pondered the blonde, stirring the spoon in his latte.
— I can tell by your hair... but you still look like a cherub. ― The music had begun to play on the speakers in the cafeteria where the two had arranged to meet. Lilian raised her fingers up, singing along increasing her joy to take a smile from Theodore ― It's beautiful your smile, the brightness of your eyes, my cherub angel...
The girl's clumsy swing had reached its goal, making Theodore laugh as his cheeks gained a pinkish tinge.
― I thought this was just old music.
― Every now and then we change the CD for a little variation. But don't you think that's fate?
― All right, it's fate wanting to boost my self-esteem.
— That boy! ― Laughs Lilian clapping cheerfully ― But back to the subject, how far can you change your style? Should we search the internet about?
How far should he change his appearance just because of a contest? Didn't it seem superficial? Theodore drank a sip of coffee with sweetened milk imagining the amount of work he would have to lose in that contest. Only Lilian would see him as someone beautiful, since he lives covering him with praise.
Oh, she wasn't the only one.
There was someone else who had already said he was handsome.
Compliments that made a certain heart beat fast in your chest.
If Theodore changed anything about him, would Gabriel notice? It would be worth trying to know his reaction, now that they are...
— Ah! How about a style like that of Dougie Poynter? ― With the cup leaning against his lips, Theodore faced his new friend without saying anything. Lilian represses laughter by compressing her lips to highlight ― McFly's bass player.
― Yeah! I must have seen his picture somewhere.
― It must have been on my Orkut profile, I love the band.
― So you had already planned on this "change" in my style of dress?
Lilian had opened a embarrassed smile, preferring not to answer, only to drink a sip of her hot chocolate. Theodore had found her reaction to be a grace, and a bit like mischief.
― How about piercing your ears? You can wear something discreet...
― Would I have to go through pain just because of the contest? No, I pass.
A cunning glow appeared in Lilian's bright eyes, causing the omega to shiver. Surely some evil plan came to life inside that head, leaving the instincts of the blonde screaming a request to have his life saved.
Thinking it was only his imagination, Theodore soon regretted not having listened to his intuition when she struck him.
― I'm sure a certain someone will find you irresistible if they see you in earrings.
― A certain someone?
― That we don't know the name, of course.
Theodore looked into Lilian's eyes.
― You're bluffing.
― I'm seducing you... is it working?
Diverting his attention from the girl, the omega would tap his fingers on the table pondering her proposal. What would his mother say if she saw him wearing earrings? Probably give a scolding for acting so irresponsibly. And still had the fact pain of that whole issue. Argh, did not want to feel pain.
On the other hand... Imagine the reaction of Gabriel and Nicolas to see the different omega would be priceless. And Lilian seemed to know his deep secrets, and had come to the meeting prepared.
Giving up fighting the tide, Theodore leaned against the chair agreeing with his head.
― It worked. I'm in.
A girl's euphoria was charming. Lilian had explained to Theodore all her planning about the contest, highlighting the intention to bring out the brilliance of omega.
It was somewhat embarrassing for Theodore to notice that Lilian saw even too much potential in herself. He had not known her for so long, and her conversations were a roller coaster of so many subjects she could address in a meeting, yet she seemed to know too much.
Inside the head of the omega was the fantasy that she would be his younger sister disguised as coming from the future, because it was not possible to know so many things about him just by looking.
But there was a doubt that snaked his mind with more agility compared to the others.
― You know about... that person?
― That person? Oh... the one in the hall the other day?
Theodore had nodded as he stood up from the table to go to the counter to pay the bill.
— He arrived at school this year, is a volleyball team holder being a lifter, although playing well also in the block. He's handsome and popular, he's already hooked up with one of the Mckenzie... why are you looking at me like that?
Theodore stared horribly holding the twenty dollar bill in his hand. Delivering to the cashier, he tried to soften his expression with a head shake.
― How do you know so much...
― Orkut community, my dear. The rest was what my class managed to discover in their gossip network.
― I'm starting to fear your class.
― You don't have to, we do that because we're committed to making you win.
Opening the door to give way to the little girl, Theodore pondered how grateful, or afraid, he should be.
― But nobody knows about my... anyway.
― Oh, that's true, no one knows. But when we first met in the hallway the way you looked at him was special. I realized right away.
He wanted to escape to the other side of the planet so much was his shame. He would pretend that it was not so, but when the catastrophe occurred on the volleyball court, Milles also noticed his feelings for Gabriel. Wouldn't that be a sign from the universe making it clear to him just how much your feelings were on your face?
Should he be more measured?
He shook his head avoiding thinking too much about it.
That morning, the omega boy accompanied Lilian to a jewelry store to find a pair of earrings. Without knowing the universe of accessories properly, Theodore had left in charge of the beta in choosing the ideal pieces,
― How about a false spiral reamer? And in the other ear you can wear a common black earring.
Stopping next to the girl to look at the earrings mentioned, Theodore crossed his arms without knowing what to comment. Lilian had said that she was unaware of the style of the emos, but it was not what it seemed. Emos only wore those kind of earrings.
― I'm getting scared of you, that's it.
― But I did nothing, stop being silly Theo! ― Laugh Lilian have fun. ― Ah if you put piercing... Oh my god, I'm drooling.
― I think the earrings are enough.
— But look at this cross, it's beautiful. ― Turning to the tall boy, the beta pulled him by the arm forcing Theodore to bend at his height and then could touch the tip of his right ear ― Right here, although your hair is large and can curl in it...
― Is that gonna hurt?
― As long as you know how to take care of yourself...
Theodore tried to imagine using all that in his ears, and reconcile with the image that Lilian wanted to work as he had explained earlier. He had to admit your good taste, the girl had a good and interesting idea. Unfortunately he could not tell if he himself could bring that idea to reality.
― If we're gonna do this, we're gonna do it right... right?
― Trust me, Theo, trust me!
Said and done!
As soon as the earrings were bought, Lilian dragged Theodore to the pharmacy where they would drill the holes. The pharmacist had talked to the omega about the care after the procedure, and started a chat with Lilian that distracted Theodore from the pain.
It was fast despite the little bit of pain he had felt. But nothing compares to the heavy feeling in his ears. Theodore would have to get used to it, but he liked the result.
― Tomorrow we will put our plan into action.
― Tomorrow? But it's game day...
— Exactly! ― Smile Lilian ― As Milles and Gabriel are participating, the chances of having a group of girls cheering for our school are pretty big, isn't it?
― Unfortunately they follow the team regardless of whether there is a contest or not. But what about that?
— I want them to see you produced. ― Smile innocently the girl. ― And by Monday, everyone at school will know that Theodore Moss is a very handsome boy.
― Wait, you want me to go all dressed up for departure?
Lilian had been mute for a few seconds, and when she awoke from her torpor she clapped.
― I think I'd better go to your house and help you with that. What do you think?
― Um... I have to take care of the team stuff.
— Do it today, because tomorrow I'll be early to take care of your look. And I don't take no for an answer, I'm afraid that the ghost of the sweatshirt will appear glued to your body.
Theodore only agreed with the girl, who had said goodbye remembering the commitment they would have the next day. Participating in a beauty contest was more tiring than he imagined.