Would it be possible for someone to die of pure nervousness?
Where did he get all that calm when he felt Gabriel holding his wrists and talking to him? By heaven, had he developed new skills by chance?
The heart beat rampant inside Theodore's chest. Lilian had advised him to be indifferent to the alpha, act as if nothing had happened. Inside the head of the omega that would be just a provocation to extract an expected reaction. He wanted to know how Gabriel would react to seeing him so different.
― You have to admit he was drooling when he saw you.
Lilian was the most excited, even though the two were filling the bottles in the water cooler with cold water. The place was away from the mess among the championship participants, giving view to the team that wore the black and gold uniform.
― Your plan worked, I'm surprised.
― Um... so you're plotting a plan?
The two blondes raised their heads and eyes bulging for the Captain naughty with arms crossed. Swallowing hard, Theodore just sighed without beginning to justify himself. He had filled the bottles again by delivering to Lilian to cover them and put them in the cooler with ice.
― Since when do we keep secrets from each other, Theo?
― It's not a secret.
― It's a plan. What for? What sudden change is that?
― Lilian's class invited me to represent him at the school competition. And since I accepted, she said she would change my look so they could win.
― How much shit am I hearing right now. You fell for it, Theo? Since when would a whole class want to get close to you?
― Hey! Why are you so suspicious of me? ― The short girl intervened, blinking her light eyes with sorrow.
― No one in that godforsaken place is able to approach us without ulterior motives.
― Nico...
― You don't know the people in my class, so don't tell them to be bad like that!
― If they are people who avoid Theodore by hearing ridiculous rumours, of course they are a bunch of imbeciles who would only approach with ulterior motives!
Theodore had held Nicolas's shoulder when he had menacingly approached Lilian.
— Nico, measure your words, okay? ― Having empty eyes on him, Theodore smiled at his friend ― You know better than anyone that the rumours about me are true. I'm an omega and I'm gay, not ashamed of myself.
― You know very well that I'm talking about what doesn't match reality. They're spreading that you seduce the guys on the team just to get laid...
— The cherub is not like that! ― Blow up the girl with pout, gaining the attention of the two boys. Looking like a little child girl, tears slipped out of her control as her cheeks turned red. ― Theodore is a kind and honest person! Always willing to help others without expecting anything in return, a real prince.
Nicolas had let out a muffled laugh.
― Come on, girl, you don't fool me.
— You're too mean to Theodore. He's all happy to feel beautiful, so what's wrong with him going on like this? I don't mind using the contest as an excuse to make him feel good. I don't care!
About to answer the girl, Theodore had elbowed his friend's arm short preventing him from talking. Then the omega out until the girl taking out the bag that was crushed in her thin arms leaving on her feet.
How could let that girl cry like that? She remembered his dear little sister when she was having a tantrum. Did Lisa grow up to be like Lilian? Even their names were similar.
Theodore hugged the girl against his chest, sighing low as he wondered how he could calm her down. When her sister was sly, sweets and hugs calmed her down. But he had no candy on that morning.
All he could do was caress her golden, soft hair, letting her cry against his chest. Then the long, thin fingers clung to Theodore's back, where she continued to weep sly.
― It's okay, Lilian. Nico is being protective, that's normal. Although his words are rude, he's a nice guy.
― How can you consider him your friend if he treats you like that? Theodore is a very nice boy, and I'm not here to trick him.
Theodore cast a concerned glance at Nicolas, who watched the scene with his hands around his waist. The two friends stared and then the lowest grumbled.
― Girl, you must be new at school and you don't know how things have been going for a year. Stop crying and let Theo go.
― No! You will fight him. ― Lilian had squeezed Theodore in her arms, and the omega comforted her in the best way he could.
― Hey... let him go. ― Growled Nico arching her eyebrow, no answers from the girl. ― I told you to let Theo go now!
Nicolas's cry had surprised the two blondes, as had the alpha who had just arrived there. Gabriel's presence was perceived, making the situation intense. The omega looked away at the girl clinging to his waist, resuming the mission to calm her down.
― What's going on here?
Nicolas passed his hand between the dark and smooth wires, breathing deeply trying to calm down. Realizing that a fifth element was approaching, the situation could lose control.
― What do you want?
― The technician is looking for you...
Turning to the girl, Nicolas had pointed to her.
― I'll be watching you, brat. If you dare do something bad to my friend...
― Nico, don't think nonsense.
― I'm not going to do anything to hurt Theodore, because I really like him.
Lilian's sudden declaration had surprised three hybrid athletes. Nicolas widened his eyes with purplish dark circles, breathing deeply. His arms trembled, his fingers closed in fist. It was about to explode when Milles intervened holding the captain's neck.
― You want to delay the fucking game, you little son of a bitch? Come on, I got better things to do.
And so Nicolas was simply dragged by the alpha blonde, who unlike before did not have his usual smile stamped on his face.
Staying behind, Gabriel petrified in the place without untying the eyes of those two who were held. Theodore had looked at him without ceasing to try to stroke Lilian's hair, and then lowered his eyes to the cooler.
He had to go to the gym and deliver the bottles to the players before they hit the court. Lilian at least stopped crying, but hid her face against his chest clinging to his blouse.
― It's all right, Lilian. No one else will think that of you.
― Hey Jones! Come on! ― Thunder was screaming from the gym.
― Theodore, I, uh...
― No need to worry, I turn around...
― But she just...
― I'll stay with her until she calms down, don't worry.
He realized that Gabriel was reluctant to go, but had to enter the gym before he was called again.
Being properly alone, Lilian raised her face spying the area and moving away from Theodore.
― So what?
― Wow, you're terrible. How did you know Nico would act like that?
— My friend on the team said he had the impression of the captain being very jealous. If he didn't act this way, how could we make your crush feel worried? ― Laugh Lilian to take a handkerchief from her bag to wipe the tears that flowed.
― Don't we overdo it too much? I mean... I'm afraid he'll come after you.
― I will continue with my role, do not worry haha. But the big question is Gabriel... How did he react to my statement?
― I can't say, he seemed pretty surprised. Anyway, we'll go in if not the guys will be thirsty.
As if nothing had happened, Lilian and Theodore entered the gym with the thermal bag. They approached the technician delivering the drinks and then moved away to the entrance of the gym.
Only Theodore could be next to the coach in the banks as an assistant, so he had to say goodbye to Lilian. He was afraid to leave the girl alone, but relief came when he found some classmates waiting for her.
― Wow, he's beautiful...
― I said! ― Lilian replied pompous with compliments, even leaving the elder embarrassed.
― For the first time I think we can win that contest.
― Our class representative was right.
Theodore was surprised by that small group of friends who interacted in great respect with Lilian. There were two boys and three girls who stared at him from top to bottom surprised, covering him with praise for his appearance.
― When I heard the rumours, I didn't think it was a pretty guy...
― I'm doubting my sexuality at the moment. ― Another boy whispered, receiving an elbow from Lilian.
― But are you really...?
— I said it doesn't matter! ― Scold the blonde representative ― Our cherub liking men or women, alphas or Betas, no matter as long as he helps us win the contest, right?
- Okay... so since you're with your friends, I'm going to the court. Anything, let me know, okay?
It was the first time a group of students from his school talked to him like that. Generally people ignored him with mastery, fearing to stay in the same place as Theodore for a long time. He had already forgotten how it felt to be with a group of people who could talk normally.
Lilian was a box of surprises.
Anyway the big question was another.
The first game would begin, and Theodore was eager to know what would be the results of the small theater assembled earlier. It was one thing to find out how Gabriel would have felt with the kiss between them, another to deal with the protection of Nicolas.
If Theodore were to take care of a plan like that, he wouldn't think of his best friend. Lilian had been genius enough to englobe him in her plot.
Theodor owe her a sweet drink for that.
When he sat next to the coach on the bench near the court, Theodore felt a discomfort in his belly. He was looking forward to the match, watching carefully the team get organized to hear the latest instructions.
— We faced this team last year, and I believe that little has changed. They are disorganized with quick attacks, and usually their loot is very good. So we will focus on reception and blocking, right? But I want Jones and Howard to be ready to work together on their swift attacks.
On the speakers were announced the start of the matches. The players packed their uniforms and warmed up, soon going to the court to take their positions. The whistle of the first match had sounded, and then the ball had been thrown into the air, starting the first round of qualifying.
Theodore certainly hoped that his school team would win. It was a short time to get it the previous year, but the coach had changed training to ensure success this year. He even imagined that he would be nervous when stepped in that place again.
But his anxiety was centered on a single person. More precisely on the alpha who played in the net, focused on the ball with a closed expression. Gabriel was different from what he had seen in training, appearing to chase the ball with all his strength and energy.
There was no way to uncouple his eyes.
Each movement of Gabriel seemed to seduce Theodore in an uncontrollable way. Especially when he swung his hair that began to get sweaty. The omega was completely hypnotized, unconsciously causing his fingers to touch his mouth.
By heaven, he had dreamed of Gabriel's kiss since Friday. He had felt such a deep connection with him that it was unbearable to deal with. He needed more, much more.
And to have him close, but away from his touch was agonizing.
He could blow away Lilian's cunning plan, but he needed answers. If he acted indifferent, would Gabriel look for him? If Gabriel were suffering as he suffers, then he would meet again to stay.
Otherwise the friendship would resume its natural course, and Theodore would not have to humble himself in front of Gabriel.
Yes, it would be humiliating if you went after the Alpha to ask if you felt anything. If you'd like to try again. What if Gabriel changed? Get disgusted and walk away?
No, Theodore didn't want that at all. He rather be careful and watch the alpha's reactions carefully before concluding something.