The next day Nicolas was outside the gates awaiting the arrival of a certain blond omega, who had appeared accompanied by his boyfriend. Although Theodore still looked worried about his current condition, he didn't stop smiling when he stood next to Gabriel.
On that side, Nicolas was glad that his best friend was in good hands.
He still didn't like Gabriel, but it was likely that the short guy was going to get in trouble with any other alpha who wanted into Theodore's life. Except that they were soul mates and were expecting their first child. And it was still a somewhat risky gestation due to Theodore's age.
Nicolas had promised himself that if necessary he would swallow his pride to cooperate with the alpha he hated so much. As long as he kept his best friend safe and secure.
― Good morning Nico!
― How are you feeling today? Feeling nauseous already and wishing you could eat bricks?
Theodore had made a face denying with his head.
― Disgusting, of course not. I don't really feel any different. ― Looking down at his own stomach, the omega tilted his head. ― But I want to show you something. Come with me to the changing room.
Nicolas looked at Gabriel, who also looked confused. Theodore had held their wrists and dragged them inside the school, more precisely across the courtyard to the gymnasium where the volleyball team used to practice.
Checking that no one was around, the blond omega had pushed the two into the locker room and closed the door locking it. Leaving his backpack on the floor, he scratched the back of his head looking embarrassed at what he was about to do.
― Am I going to get out of here alive?
― Of course you will Nico. I just want to show you something. When Pete said it would be five months pregnant, I was kind of doubtful. But when I looked in the mirror today, I could already see the difference.
Theodore lifted the sweatshirt, belonging to Gabriel from what he could tell from the smell, and the school social shirt. Initially Nicolas hadn't seen anything grand, it was his friend's normal body. But the instant Theodore had turned sideways, his dark eyes went wide.
Gabriel was also surprised by the volume that had appeared there. Tiny still, but evident. The alpha knelt touching his belly opening a wide, incredulous smile.
― Wow, it's already like that? How long? Three weeks?
― Four, I think.
Nicolas had also crouched down looking curiously at Theodore's belly. Reaching out to touch it, he had felt the warmth of the omega's skin. There didn't seem to be anything different about it, but the idea that a tiny being was in there was fascinating enough to steal his words.
― How can that be? It gives the impression that it is tiny...
― And it is, the tiniest little thing - said Gabriel laughing at Nicolas's serenity. ― Literally an egg. He must be growing now.
― But it's been a week since you found out, how could it be so fast?
― I was scared too when I noticed. When I blink I'll be carrying a child of, I don't know, two kilos?
Gabriel leaned his forehead on his stomach, keeping a smile on his face. Nicolas watched him with his usual weariness, but with a certain fascination. It was clear how happy he was, while Theodore looked about to tear his hair out.
What a strange couple.
― Grow up healthy and in your own time, hm? It's too cold out here, so stay in the little oven where it's warmer.
― Wow, crappy junior's talking cute at seven in the morning. Now I'm sick.
― Where's your alpha to keep you quiet at seven in the morning, Captain?
― You guys aren't gonna start fighting now, are you? Anyway, I wanted to show you this and ask if you can tell anything when I'm in my blouse.
Theodore had covered himself when Gabriel had walked away, and with that sweatshirt he couldn't even see the little bulge in his belly. Even because it was tiny. His friend had been paranoid all week thinking the others would find out his little secret. But having his alpha covering for him he could relax and pretend to be natural.
― No one will notice. But it's better get the loosest and warmest clothes, winter is coming.
― I think I might have some at home that you can borrow. Since you must smell like me.
― Thanks, you guys are great!
With the little surprise of the morning done, the boys left the changing room and headed inside the school. Due to the icy autumn wind, Gabriel had thought it best to keep the blond omega inside the building, avoiding catching a cold. Nicolas had to agree naturally.
It was strange trying to keep up with those two. Nicolas couldn't understand things so precisely. He was actually worried about his friend, unfortunately his lack of knowledge on the subject left him with no idea on how to help Theodore.
Well... All he had was a sense of the situation. After all, his mother had him when she was seventeen as well, and she hadn't received any support from his grandparents. Besides, Nicolas had never met his father. His life story only taught him that Theodore's concern was valid, and that Nicolas himself should be on his side so as not to go through any of the problems his mother had already gone through.
That was all.
Standing in the hallway in front of the still locked room, the three of them were talking about volleyball. Theodore had said he had researched the team they would face during the winter break, and the training ideas he might have. Trivial subjects that didn't stop even with the arrival of the first-year students, who always greeted Theodore at the entrance.
Other students also tried to escape from the icy winds, gathering in the corridors. It didn't take long for Nicolas to smell the woody aroma he always sensed when a certain someone arrived at school.
Making his way among the others, with that damn charismatic smile that looked beautiful on him, Milles arrived riding his skateboard going to his friends to greet them. His instincts seemed to jump for joy just to see the alpha close by, to smell his scent and hear his voice. However, what bothered Nicolas the most was his own happiness at seeing Milles.
Since finals, when they bit each other, the two of them had moved on to being together. Outside of school then, one would sleep over at the other's house. Even Nicolas had become a real ninja by scaling the wall and climbing in through the window. Even when Jake was around and the McKenzie family was travelling, the omega had kept up the habit of sneaking in.
And now that Milles' parents were back from a trip, Milles had asked them to meet at the omega house.
That way, Nicolas felt more and more anxious to get home. Just to find the alpha, jump into his arms and finally make him his. That was simply annoying, especially since the moment he'd admitted to liking him.
It was a total embarrassment.
They were arguing as usual when in the middle of cursing Nicolas had let slip that he thought Milles was handsome and liked to see him smile. The alpha had started, in an annoying way, to smile whenever they saw each other.
Just like at that moment.
Nicolas had been lost in thought without taking his eyes off Milles, and the latter had noticed, flashing him a mischievous grin. Peering into his eyes, the omega had raised the tip of his lips in a sneering smile. Clearly he was being teased. That damned alpha.
― Would you stop staring at my brother? ― A female voice had resounded loudly piercing the hubbub and gaining the attention of everyone in the corridor. Nicolas could tell that Sadie was coldly staring at him, taking Milles' lead. ― It's disgusting.
― I'm looking at you now, if you want to puke in front of everyone feel free.
Theodore had pulled at Nicolas's blouse in a clear message to control himself, but the omega hadn't cared. Not even if he was being the centre of attention, or if he was being rude to his soul mate's sister.
Little did it matter.
― You're so cheeky. Are you going to hit on my brother now when you clearly already have someone to satisfy your disgusting fetishes?
Stepping away from the wall, Nicolas dipped his hands into the pocket of the sweatshirt he was wearing, taking a few steps into the middle of the hallway. A mischievous smile opened up next to the empty, cold stare directed exclusively at that girl. She was clearly trying to get attention, and Nicolas was dying to see how much of it she could take.
― Someone to satisfy my fetishes? Do you even know what they are?
― You don't make a point of hiding it. None of you. ― Said Sadie glaring at Theodore.
― Not at all. Why should we? Does it bother you? Do you find it disgusting? Turn your face and live your life, I guarantee it will hurt less.
The students were already approaching to watch the discussion and reacted to Nicolas' words with surprise, making Sadie clearly nervous.
― How could I miss it? You were basically eating my brother with your eyes. Don't drag him into your dirty world, Nicolas. No one here will fall for your little game.
Nicolas' smile had simply grown as his blood coursed through his veins. The excitement that preceded a fight, he loved that feeling. He was falling into Sadie's trap like a deer walks into a hunter's sights. Even though he knew it was a trap, Nicolas would continue.
Because he knew he wouldn't lose.
Turning his eyes to Milles, the omega didn't hide his malice. Be it in his smile, be it in his gaze. Whether in his presence.
― You see, big man? Your sister doesn't want you doing dirty things to me.
― Control yourself, shorty. ― Milles said, more as a warning to avoid fights than to keep him away from him, as Sadie would think.
― Yes, control yourself! ― Said Sadie taking the lead, keeping her shoulders high and her nose stuck out, winning the contest for heights. ― Or are you going to use your omega smell to seduce my brother because he's an Alpha?