The quiet of the classroom was a welcome reprieve for Dorian as he slid into his seat, finally free from the watchful eyes of both Lila and Rhys. For the first time that day, he felt like he could breathe. The morning had been a whirlwind of uncomfortable conversations, unresolved tension, and more of Alex's playful but intrusive behavior than he cared to admit. Now, with neither of them in his next class, Dorian allowed himself a moment of calm, letting out a soft sigh as he leaned back in his chair.
His relief was short-lived, however, as the other students began to file in. Among them was Alex, who caught Dorian's eye almost immediately. Dorian's jaw tightened slightly, though he tried to mask his irritation. After their encounter earlier, the last thing he wanted was to spend more time around Alex, but it seemed like fate had other plans.
The teacher strode into the room, announcing that they would be working on a group assignment today—specifically, in pairs. Dorian felt his heart sink as the reality of the situation hit him. As luck would have it, the teacher quickly paired him with Alex, whose relaxed expression didn't help Dorian's rising unease.
Alex slid into the seat beside Dorian, his signature easy grin in place. "Looks like we're partners," He said casually, tapping his pencil against the desk. "Guess that's fate, huh?"
Dorian forced a small, polite smile, though inside, he felt like his already fragile sense of control was slipping further away. "Yeah," He muttered. "Fate."
As they began to organize their materials for the task, the awkwardness hung in the air between them like a heavy cloud. It didn't take long for Alex to pick up on it, his usually confident demeanor shifting slightly as he glanced at Dorian.
"Hey," Alex said after a beat, his voice softening. "I wanted to apologize for earlier. I was... too much. I can be like that sometimes."
Dorian looked up, caught off guard by the sincerity in Alex's tone. For a moment, the playful, teasing Beta was gone, replaced by someone who seemed genuinely regretful for pushing too far. It wasn't what Dorian had expected, and it disarmed him slightly.
"It's fine," Dorian replied, though his voice lacked its usual firmness. "I was just... I don't know. On edge."
Alex nodded, giving him a small, understanding smile. "No hard feelings, then?"
Dorian hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "No hard feelings."
The tension between them eased, and they settled into the task at hand. But before long, the conversation shifted again—this time in a direction that Dorian hadn't anticipated.
"So," Alex began, his voice taking on a more mischievous tone, "About what I said earlier... I wasn't just messing around. I'm serious about helping you with Rhys."
Dorian froze, his pencil hovering over the page. He had half-expected Alex to let the whole thing drop, but apparently, Alex wasn't one to give up easily. Dorian's heart raced at the mention of Rhys, and though he tried to keep his composure, the thought of pursuing something with Rhys—really pursuing it—made his stomach twist with both excitement and fear.
"I... don't know," Dorian said quietly, his voice unsure. "It's complicated."
"Complicated?" Alex raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair as if the whole situation was amusing to him. "Come on, man. It doesn't have to be that complicated. You like him, right?"
Dorian swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Alex's question. He had known it for a while now, but hearing someone else say it out loud made it real in a way he wasn't entirely prepared for.
"Yeah," Dorian admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I do."
"Then what's the problem?" Alex asked, his hazel eyes gleaming with amusement. "What's holding you back?"
Dorian felt the familiar weight of his parents' expectations settle over him like a heavy cloak. His life was planned out, every detail mapped according to their vision of his future. There was no room for distractions, no space for the messy, complicated emotions that came with wanting something—or someone—that didn't fit into that plan.
"My parents," Dorian said finally, his voice tight. "They expect... perfection. They won't allow distractions. And Rhys... he's not part of their plan."
Alex gave him a long, thoughtful look, his playful expression fading slightly. "I get it," He said softly. "But you've got to ask yourself—what do you want? You can't live your whole life just doing what they expect."
Dorian was silent for a moment, his thoughts swirling. He knew Alex was right. He had been living under his parents' control for so long that he had stopped thinking about what he actually wanted. But now, with Rhys pulling at his heart and Alex pushing him to take action, the lines between duty and desire were blurring more than ever.
Eventually, Dorian let out a small sigh, his resolve weakening. "Okay," He said, his voice hesitant but determined. "Maybe... maybe you can help."
Alex's grin returned, wider and more mischievous than before. "That's what I'm talking about," He said, clapping Dorian on the shoulder. "I've got some ideas already."
Dorian raised an eyebrow, unsure whether to be excited or terrified by what Alex had in mind. "Ideas?"
"Yeah," Alex replied, leaning in closer. "And it starts with a sleepover at your place tonight."
Dorian blinked, completely caught off guard. "What?"
"You know, classic sleepover. We can plan everything out, I'll give you the rundown on how to handle Rhys, and maybe I can help you loosen up a bit," Alex said casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Dorian's heart raced, panic settling in. "I... don't think that's a good idea. My parents... they won't approve of someone staying over without notice."
Alex shrugged, completely unfazed. "Don't worry about that. I'm pretty good at impressing parents. I'll charm them—just leave it to me."
Dorian hesitated, his mind spinning. The thought of bringing Alex into his home, especially under the scrutiny of his parents, seemed like a disaster waiting to happen. But at the same time, the idea of having someone who understood—someone who could help him figure out what he wanted—was tempting. More tempting than he wanted to admit.
"I don't know..." Dorian started, his voice trailing off.
"Come on," Alex urged, his grin widening. "What's the worst that could happen?"
Dorian stared at him for a long moment, his mind torn between the conflicting forces pulling at him. His parents' expectations weighed heavily on one side, but on the other... there was Rhys. And more than that, there was the chance to finally do something for himself, something outside the rigid path his parents had laid out for him.
After what felt like an eternity, Dorian finally nodded, though he still wasn't sure he believed it himself. "Alright," He said quietly. "But if this goes south, it's on you."
Alex chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. "Deal. This is going to be fun."
_
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of the classroom, casting soft golden light over the rows of desks. Dorian sat at his usual spot, next to Lila, who, as always, maintained her poised and silent demeanor. His mind was half on the lesson, and half on the conversation he had shared with Alex earlier. The unexpected offer of help—and the even more unexpected idea of a sleepover—still lingered in his thoughts, a strange mix of excitement and nervousness swirling in his chest.
Lila, ever the picture of composure, glanced over at him occasionally, but neither of them spoke much throughout the class. It wasn't until the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, that Dorian's focus sharpened again. He had one more class left—and it was the one he shared with both Rhys and Alex.
Gathering his things, Dorian felt the familiar tightness in his chest as he headed to the classroom, unsure of what to expect. The strange dynamics between him, Rhys, and Alex were still new, and the sleepover plans had added a layer of complication he wasn't quite prepared for.
As he entered the room, his eyes immediately found Rhys, who was already sitting near the back, his legs casually kicked out in front of him. And next to him, as usual, was Alex. The Beta male spotted Dorian first, a grin spreading across his face as he waved him over.
"Hey, Dorian!" Alex greeted him, his voice casual and friendly, as if the awkwardness from earlier had never existed. "You ready for tonight?"
Dorian blinked, momentarily thrown off by how easily Alex brought it up. He hadn't had time to fully process the fact that he had agreed to let Alex stay over, and now, hearing it spoken so casually in front of Rhys made his stomach flip.
Before Dorian could respond, Rhys perked up, a look of mild surprise crossing his face. "Wait—tonight? What's going on?"
Dorian hesitated, glancing between them. He wasn't sure how to explain it, but luckily—or perhaps unluckily—Alex jumped in with his usual playful charm.
"Oh, didn't I tell you?" Alex said, grinning at Rhys. "I'm crashing at Dorian's place tonight. Sleepover style."
Rhys' eyes widened in genuine shock, his mouth falling open slightly as he stared at Alex. "Wait, what? You're—what? Since when?!"
Alex gave a casual shrug, clearly enjoying Rhys' reaction. "Since today. Dorian and I have some things to plan. You know, strategy and all that." He shot a teasing wink at Dorian, who rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Strategy?" Rhys echoed, still looking bewildered. "You've only known him for a day! And you're already doing sleepovers?"
Alex leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest with a mock-serious expression. "What can I say? I'm just that charming."
Rhys, finally catching on to the playful tone, narrowed his eyes at Alex, a mock pout forming on his lips. "That's not fair. I've known Dorian for way longer, and I haven't even gotten a sleepover invite."
Alex shot back with a grin. "Maybe you should work on your charm, then."
Dorian, unable to help himself, let out a small laugh. The lighthearted exchange between Rhys and Alex felt like a breath of fresh air after the tension of the past few days. Even though the sleepover idea still made him anxious—especially considering how his parents might react—seeing Rhys whine and pout in mock jealousy was oddly endearing.
"You'll survive, Rhys," Dorian said, his voice teasing but gentle. "It's just one night."
Rhys playfully folded his arms, pretending to sulk. "I don't know, Dorian. Feels like you're abandoning me for a new best friend."
"Who said I wasn't?" Alex chimed in, smirking as he slung his arm around Dorian's shoulder, giving him a friendly nudge. "We've got big plans, Rhys. Better watch out, or I might just steal him away."
The comment was made in jest, but Dorian felt a flicker of discomfort at the familiarity of Alex's touch. Still, he forced himself to remain calm, reminding himself that Alex was just being playful. He wasn't trying to invade Dorian's space on purpose—at least, that's what Dorian hoped.
Rhys, however, raised an eyebrow, his gray eyes flicking to Alex's arm around Dorian's shoulders. "Steal him away, huh?" There was a playful edge to his voice, but Dorian caught the flicker of something else in his expression—something that looked suspiciously like jealousy.
Alex, of course, didn't notice. "Yep. I'm a master thief," He said with a grin, releasing Dorian and settling back into his chair with ease.
Dorian shook his head, still amused by their banter, though he couldn't shake the strange tension that lingered beneath the surface. The playful teasing between Rhys and Alex was harmless on the surface, but Dorian couldn't help but feel like there was more going on—more that he wasn't fully understanding yet.
As the class finally settled in and the teacher began the lesson, Dorian tried to push the thoughts away, focusing on the task at hand. But throughout the entire class, he could feel Rhys' occasional glances from across the room, and the weight of Alex's playful words hung in the air between them.
The sleepover was supposed to be a fun distraction—a way to figure things out with Alex's help. But now, with Rhys in the mix, Dorian wasn't sure what to expect anymore.
_
The final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, and Dorian could feel the weight of exhaustion settle into his bones. It had been an emotionally charged day, filled with unexpected conversations, awkward encounters, and more teasing than he'd anticipated. But now, as the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the school grounds, the day was finally coming to an end.
Alex, as promised, had joined Dorian at his chauffeur's car, waiting with an easy grin on his face as Dorian finished up his responsibilities. Despite everything, Alex seemed completely at ease, as if the day's events hadn't phased him in the slightest.
Before heading to his own car, Dorian had one last task to take care of: saying goodbye to Lila. Her chauffeur was waiting for her near the front of the school, and as always, Lila stood tall and composed, her expression neutral as she glanced at Dorian.
"Goodbye, Lila," Dorian said as he approached her, his voice polite but distant. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Lila nodded, her tone just as composed. "Goodbye, Dorian."
There was no warmth between them—just the polite exchange of words that had become standard in their interactions. But even as they spoke, Dorian couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him.
And then he saw him.
Rhys stood a little ways off, leaning against a nearby pillar, his gray eyes fixed on Dorian and Lila as they exchanged their goodbyes. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his gaze that made Dorian's chest tighten. Rhys had been watching them, and there was no mistaking the tension that lingered in the air between them.
After ensuring that Lila was safely with her chauffeur, Dorian turned and headed back toward his own car, where Alex was still waiting, lounging in the backseat like he didn't have a care in the world. As Dorian approached, though, Rhys finally stepped forward.
"Hey, President," Rhys called out, his voice casual but carrying an edge that immediately caught Dorian's attention.
Dorian paused, turning to face Rhys, his heart pounding in his chest. Rhys approached slowly, his hands shoved into his pockets, a deceptively innocent expression on his face.
"You know," Rhys began, his voice light but his gaze intense, "You should be careful."
Dorian frowned, not quite understanding. "Careful? About what?"
Rhys stopped just a few feet away from him, his gray eyes locking onto Dorian's with a look that was hard to read. "Lila," He said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "And Alex, too."
The words hung in the air, charged with an unspoken warning that made Dorian's pulse quicken. Rhys' expression didn't change, but there was something beneath his innocent tone that sent a shiver down Dorian's spine. It was as if Rhys was telling him something important—something he wasn't fully saying aloud.
"Don't fall for either of them," Rhys added, his lips curling into a small, playful smile. "Wouldn't want you getting mixed up with the wrong people."
Before Dorian could even process what Rhys was implying, Rhys gave him a light pat on the shoulder, his innocent smile never fading as he stepped back.
"See you around," Rhys said, his tone cheerful as he turned and walked away, leaving Dorian standing there, stunned and speechless.
The weight of Rhys' words settled heavily in Dorian's chest, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of what had just happened. Don't fall for Lila. Don't fall for Alex. What was Rhys trying to tell him? Was it jealousy? Concern? Or something else entirely?
Dorian's thoughts were interrupted as Alex, who had clearly been watching the entire exchange from the car, rolled down the window with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, Rhys!" Alex called out, waving his hand lazily out the window. "You're not the only one who gets to mess with Dorian now."
And with that, Alex flipped Rhys the middle finger, a playful smirk on his face as he waved goodbye with exaggerated flair.
Rhys, clearly not one to back down from a challenge, let out a mock gasp of shock before grinning widely and returning the gesture, his middle finger raised in mock defiance. "Right back at you, Alex!"
Dorian, still too stunned to fully process the absurdity of the situation, stood frozen for a moment before climbing into the car. The playful banter between Alex and Rhys was a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil swirling inside him, and as the car pulled away, Dorian found himself glancing out the window, watching Rhys disappear into the distance.
"See? I told you it'd be fun," Alex said with a grin, his casual demeanor completely at odds with the tension Dorian felt in his chest. "Don't worry about Rhys. He's just messing with you."
Dorian didn't respond, his thoughts too tangled to form a coherent reply. Rhys' warning—playful as it had seemed—still echoed in his mind, and for the first time, Dorian felt truly caught between the two worlds he had been trying so hard to keep separate.
As the car drove away from the school, leaving Rhys and the day's events behind, Dorian could only wonder what was waiting for him next.