2 Chapter 2

Two and a Half Years Later

He decided to use the need to buy his second semester textbooks as an excuse to see if the University bookstore had the latest novel by his favorite author. Chichi got through looking for his textbooks quick, then went to the aisle with the mystery books.

'Yes! It's here!' He grabbed the book and then went to the end of the aisle and sat down reading against the wall.

Chichi was a bit of a loner at school, as he didn't trust anyone other than his childhood friend, Tex. He didn't trust Alphas to control their instincts. He didn't want to spend time fretting over omegas, and he was perfectly content with avoiding betas and their mindless chatter about how unfair it was that they couldn't get themselves alphas or omegas. It wasn't so much that he was prejudiced, not in his mind anyway, but he was afraid of running into situations like his family got caught up in. Not to mention, there was so much each gender didn't understand about each other. It was frustrating dealing with those misconceptions.

Two and a half years at university, he managed to survive avoiding people, so he figured it would be easy to avoid them for the last year and a half. But fate had other plans. Because Chichi was so immersed in his book, he didn't notice the blond-haired man in a lab coat standing in front of him. He also didn't notice the man pick up one of his textbooks.

'Hmm, advanced chemistry,' he mumbled. 'You must be pretty smart taking all these classes.' He sifted through the other books as he spoke. But he realized that the young man was not paying attention to him. So this time he grabbed the book he was reading. 'Oh! I love this author! I've been dying to read this book!'

'Hey!!!! That's mine!' Chichi reached for the book but the blonde man kept it out of his reach.

'Hmm, I don't think so. Looks like you haven't bought any of these yet, so I don't think they are yours.'

Chichi blushed at the man's words. 'Please may I have it back?'

'I'll think about it.'

'Fine, I will grab another one,' Chichi replied, not wanting to deal with people's silly games.

'You can't. This is the last one.'

Chichi looked at the spot where it had been originally, and the stupid man was right. There weren't any more in stock. There had been five when he grabbed his copy. How had they disappeared so fast. 'Shit!'

The man laughed at the swearing. 'Fine. I'll give it back. On one condition.'

'What?'

'You let me buy your books and dinner for you.'

'Hell no!'

'Guess this is mine then.'

'I'll just find it at another store then.'

'Word on the street is it is selling out everywhere.'

'Ugh why are you so determined?!' Chichi cried out in aggravation.

'Err… that is… well honestly I don't know.'

Chichi looked at the man completely surprised and confused. He had expected some response like 'Its my duty to care for omegas.' Or 'Because you're cute.' But before he could ask anymore questions his best friend found him.

'Oh thank goodness my hunch was correct! Your grandparents called me and asked me to find you.' Tex was what some called a punk, and today he sported pink hair. His look did contrast with the fact Tex also wore glasses, but people tended to find it part of his charm.

'Tex! Thank goodness you're here! This bastard is trying to steal my book!'

Tex looked over at the blonde man and smirked. 'Hello doctor O'Brien.'

'Oh, you're Miss Tess' brother right?'

'Yes.' He then said, 'Would you mind giving my friend back his book. You see, books tend to be his friends since he tends to be bad with people.'

'I see. Well, I would, but he hasn't agreed to my terms.'

Tex smirked. 'Oh. And what are they.'

'Buy his books and dinner.'

Tex picked up Chichi's textbooks and put them in Dr. O'Brien's arms. 'He accepts.'

'I do not!'

Tex glared at Chichi. 'You do. Dr. O'Brien is someone you can trust. I promise.'

Chichi glared back. 'You stake your entire collection of wristbands on that?'

'And my earrings.'

Chichi thought long and hard about it, then said, 'Fine. Now what do my grandparents want me for? Normally if I don't answer they won't resort to having you come get me yourself.'

'He came back.'

'Oh hell no! Hell no!!!' Chichi dashed out of the bookstore as fast as he could.

Tex looked at Dr. O'Brien apologetically. 'Sorry, Chichi and his mom have a complicated family situation.'

'Hold on. Chichi? Is his mother a man named Minnie?'

'Uh… yeah.'

'Fuck. My stepdad, who I hate, is supposed to visit them today. I don't think he has good intentions.' He frowned and then handed Tex his credit card. 'You pay. I will go with Chichi.'