Theodore's reality

Nicolas's bad mood seemed like a black atmosphere coming out of his head. His silence and furrowed eyebrows denounced that in mind would be begging some curse for someone.

Theodore felt sorry for the victim.

As they walked through the cafeteria holding their trays, they chose a separate table near the huge windows inside the cafeteria. With daylight passing through the glass, they could have clarity and the peace needed for lunch and a good breeze to rid them of the various aromas mixed in the environment.

Sitting facing each other, Theodore looked at his friend with fear. He wanted to take that dark cloud out of his head, improve his mood with nonsense... maybe he should talk about his current favorite movie.. Oh, it certainly wasn't a good idea. Nicolas could choke him like he tried in the morning.

Opening the bottle of natural orange juice, Theodore wheezed and averted his eyes to his tray, pretending naturalness.

― It's good news that the volleyball team has received a new player, isn't it?

― The fuck it is!

Raising wide eyes to his friend, Theodore noticed that Nicolas was growling between words.

― Look at your mouth....

― I didn't like him at all.

― From who? From Gabriel?

The mere mention of the new pupil's name had made the Nicolas growl louder. Theodore drank a sip of the juice and began to eat from his lunch, without thinking of a good conversation that would calm his best friend.

― I feel something in him that disturbs me ― He continued to comment Nicolas, turning the fork in the air ― Certainly is a rotten fruit.

― He was polite while we were sharing the book.

Theodore shrugged when he realized he had hinted at something he had tried to hide. Especially when Nicolas looked into your eyes.

― You talked during history class, didn't you? I saw him watching you, don't try to lie to me Theo!

― Calm down. He just thanked me for sharing the book. So I'm saying that with me, for now, he was polite.

Sticking a piece of meat in his mouth, Nicolas snorted on the chair and turned his head to the window.

― I'm sure the shrew has already told him shit.

― Watch your mouth, Nico...

― It's only a matter of time before he also reveals his true face. And you bet, Theo, that alpha is rotten. I smell rot on him.

― You're worrying too much. Gabriel is a friend of Sadie's, so the last thing he's gonna do is befriend us.

― It is precisely because he is her new keychain that I am angry. I'll have one more of them on my team, argh....

— You will be an excellent captain who will guide his new companion to bring victory to the team ― advised Theodore, delivering his chips to his friend's plate ― And even if it is true that he has a distorted personality, then it will show that you are not affected by it.

― I'm not worried about me, but about you. ― Sticking two potatoes in his mouth, Nicolas looked over his friend's shoulder and then sighed soundly ― Oh no.

Theodore had not time to question the reason for his discontent, since the chair beside him had been dragged and Gabriel sat beside him.

Widening his eyes and seeking help from Nicolas, Theodore seemed to have petrified in place without knowing how to react.

Why did he have to sit next to him? By heaven, only that morning would Gabriel have seen that Mckenzie and Nicolas did not get along. You couldn't even take away your friend's reason about omega saying something strange about Theodore. So... Why did Gabriel insist on approaching?

Okay, he was a new student, Theodore remembered. Maybe he didn't understand the situation there at school. What made him despair for the second reason... Nicolas seemed furious.

The last thing he like to deal with was a fight from his best friend right at the beginning of class.

Take a deep breath and calm down, if you seem calm your friend will understand that everything is fine... Theodore thought.

― Is it okay for me to sit here?

― Already sat down ― Snorted Nicolas lifting his shoulders on alert.

― Nico... ― Scolded Theodore before drinking his juice.

― I think you don't like me very much...

― Anyone who is friendly with Sadie is worthy of my contempt.

Theodore had given up on scolding his friend. It was the climaxed. He was in a bad mood and there was nothing he could do to calm him down. Preferring to remain neutral in that fight, he ate his lunch quietly while listening to the two talk.

― I think I understand why... ― Gabriel looked at Theodore and then Nicolas.

Theodore soon stopped chewing when he noticed the look.

― She said something about Theo, didn't she? ― Questioned Nicolas, having an apparent vein in his forehead.

Gabriel's hesitation was not well seen, or rather, it was a very clear answer. Nicolas slammed his hands against the table causing a loud noise, scaring the students around.

Theodore looked over his shoulders and leaned over the table to whisper.

― Control yourself! I don't want a scene in the cafeteria.

Taking a deep breath, Nicolas shook his head back to eat. Gabriel stared at them with surprise, and then went down to his tray.

That was definitely not a good situation.

The blonde wanted to take advantage of Gabriel's lack of information to show that he and his friend were good people. It was expected that Mckenzie had made his move and ensured that the alpha would stand by his side. Then you should make your move too, the fewer enemies the better.

― I apologize for Nico ― Theodore had said softly, smiling kindly when the alpha looked at him surprised ― He is being protective only, do not take it badly.

― Hey, Theo, uh...

― As you can see, Mckenzie and Nico don't get along very well, so they fight every time they see each other.

― I get it... and you don't get along with her either?

The question caught Theodore off guard. He slowly lowered his clear eyes to the plate, releasing a nervous laugh without knowing what to answer.

A question hard to answer when you had deep heartache.

― No, they don't get along ― Nicolas answered in a gentle growl. ― Want some advice? If you go friendly with her, stay away from Theo.

Gabriel had looked at Theodore from the corner realizing that the boy, this time, had not reproached his friend. The advice was valid, apparently. Drumming his fingers on the table, Gabriel soon smiled like a knight.

— Unfortunately, I decide my friendships. I don't care much about your raid, but if I decide I want to be everyone's friend, then I will be.

Theodore and Nicolas faced the transferred student as a freak with seven heads and several horns. If there was one thing that the students at that school knew, it was that being on both sides was impossible.

Mckenzie hated Nicolas and Theodore. She didn't hide it from anyone. And the feeling was mutual. The whole point was that people generally stayed by her side, for being a typical omega that follows fashion and attracts people with its charisma.

Well... Nicolas was also someone charismatic. Theodore imagined that if they were not friends, it was likely that the little one would be surrounded by people who admired him. But because he was his friend, the others stayed away.

Having his attention stolen by the physical education teacher waving across the cafeteria, Nicolas sighed and stood up carrying his tray along.

― Coach is calling me, go to class first, Theo.

― Hm? Oh right, see you later.

Passing by the table turning his tired eyes to the transferred student, Nicolas did not fail to whisper to him.

― I'm watching you, rookie. No funny business with my Theo.

With his tired and bent posture, Nicolas crossed the cafeteria. Theodore had followed him over his shoulder until he had lost sight of him, and when he had stared at his nearly empty plate he had realised that he was alone with his alpha.

Again.

The nervousness had taken hold of his stomach and his heart was racing. What should they talk about? Should he say something to soften that tense atmosphere? Who knows what he thought of him after that argument with Nicolas. What if that conversation resulted in another enmity?

Oh God, he couldn't handle it. Couldn't him live in peace?

― You seem very close ― Whispered Gabriel.

Theodore turned his head to the new student, not noticing the same warmth he had seen in history class. Gabriel kept his eyes down as he poked the food with his fork, with a cold countenance and dark eyes.

Completely different from what he saw earlier.

A chill in the belly had left the blonde on alert. Pushing the plate giving up eating, Theodore crossed his arms on the table choosing to enjoy the little privacy they had to know which way to choose, whether friendly or avoid Gabriel.

― He's been my best friend for years.

Gabriel turned his corner eyes, peeking at them for the blonde in clear distrust.

― Are you just friends? Sadie said you were together...

― Of course she said ― Whispered Theodore.

When Theodore looked more carefully, Gabriel widened his brown eyes. The blond had a smile on his lips, but his eyes were gloomy as they stared at the table.

― Is she wrong about that?

Looking back, Theodore found some words hidden between the lines. He wish hadn't found them. Now he'd have to answer them.

He knew very well what kind of rumours Sadie Mckenzie spread in school about him. Since it was not once or twice that they had a vein. Nicolas was the one who had saved him every time, pulling the fight and protecting him.

In the end his best friend had begun to be part of the rumours. Unlike Theodore who would be avoided by the boys in the class, Nicolas was tolerable on account of his sporting ability and sharp tongue when in a bad mood.

No one could go against Nicolas when he was in a bad mood.

What was completely different from Theodore, who considered himself an easy target. Hurt easily, was sensitive... Especially for being enchanted at first glance.

Gabriel could be a good boy, kind and honest... although analysis of Nicolas points to the opposite. Anyway, he wouldn't have anything to do with that fight with Mckenzie. Getting involved with him would make him her newest target, while getting involved with her would make him one more to be avoided by her.

Which of them would be the best for that boy who had just entered the school?

― No, she wasn't wrong. ― Theodore admitted after a long moment in silence ― I'm a gay omega.