Chapter 39 - Shine away from me

An idol always inspires the people who admire them. Awakening dreams, motivating people to take their first step into the outside world was an influence that idols could have, even if they didn't want to. Their existence alone would be enough to make someone want to follow the same path.

At the same time as being an idol was something to be admired, it was also the biggest nightmare. Both for those who are admired and for those who admire.

When Caspian was 16 years-old, he thought he had reached the peak of his youth.

Just like in the films his mother watched, he truly believed that he had all the requirements to be "THE" protagonist of his life.

He was popular at school, had the highest grades in his class, was always surrounded by friends and was good at sports. There was no teenage film cliché that Caspian wouldn't have. All he needed was the most popular girl and to meet his idol.

Yes, Caspian was a fan of an athlete. Ares was a boxer like no other. He respected his opponents even when he lost fights, always donated his money to charity and all his interviews were full of motivational phrases.

You couldn't help but be a fan of Ares. He even used his valuable allowance to buy a ticket for his first fight in Brazil that year. The competition would be held on Brazilian soil precisely to honour the 15th anniversary of Ares' career.

Caspian was the kind of fan who believed in his idol at all costs. Even when stories emerged about his supposed romance with an underage boy, Caspian believed Ares when he was told by his manager that he was just a boy who was being trained by the fighter himself.

Was he jealous of the supposed boy? Very much so. But it didn't matter as long as Ares continued to shine.

And if Caspian wanted to be like Ares, then he should also strive to be the best at everything. He didn't know how to fight boxe, but he was praised as a volleyball player and could be an idol in the sport.

That is, until someone stole his stardom.

The ruin of his perfect life came with a declaration.

— Caspian, is it alright if I like you?

It wasn't the first time someone had confessed to Caspian. But it was the first time a boy had declared himself. And someone Caspian was, in a way, friendly with.

Guilherme Mantovani was a shy beta who always accompanied the red-haired alpha's group of friends and was constantly the subject of conversations because of his angelic appearance. Many girls wanted to get close to him, but it was surprising to discover that boys were also interested in Guilherme. Even Caspian himself admitted that Guilherme was very handsome.

In his circle of friends, he constantly joked about the beta and always included him in activities so that he wouldn't be alone. He took advantage of the fact that a handsome, cold-hearted boy would open up to him. Wasn't that a sign that Caspian was really cool? Didn't his friends admire him even more for such a feat?

Caspian never imagined that the famous unattainable boy had a crush on him.

And that made him feel strange.

— You may be into me, but don't expect me to touch you.

The boundary he set took the sparkle out of those clear and innocent eyes. Once again he felt strange. He didn't want to push Guilherme away, but he was also wary of the intimacy the beta wanted. 

From then on, Caspian tried to act as usual, but there were times when it was simply unbearable to be alone with Guilherme. It was as if his eyes were always following him everywhere, wherever he looked Guilherme would be there. 

And it was even more frightening to realise that he enjoyed the pursuit.

A few weeks later, a transfer student stole his spotlight.

He was a tall boy who always wore a mask, whose cool and mysterious demeanour easily stole the youngsters' attention. He got good grades and spoke English fluently, taking first place in the class that had always belonged to Caspian. As if it wasn't enough to catch all the students' eyes, the bloke was still keeping tabs on Guilherme. It wasn't long before the gossip started.

— He beat Caspian's mark in the mock exam.

— He'll probably get into the Federal University, won't he?

— Did you know? This guy knew Ares.

At first, Caspian didn't believe all that rubbish. However, the school had to deal with journalists trying to sneak in to talk to the alleged boy. It didn't take long for the truth to come out.

As if it wasn't enough that someone who had once been close to Ares, to the point of even sharing a near-death situation, was close to him, now he was also showing an interest in the blond beta. 

And to Caspian's horror, Guilherme showed a different face when he was with this guy. The beta smiled like an angel, laughed more often and even seemed looser. 

Had he ever received a smile like that before?

Had Guilherme ever loosened up when he was by his side?

Why did he glow so much?

— Didn't you say you liked me? Then why are you on his side?

— It was you who rejected me.

— So you crawled over to spread your legs for the first bastard who came your way?

The slap he received on the face was accompanied by a hurt look on that angelic face.

— You can think what you like about me, Caspian, but don't you dare speak ill of Nath in front of me.

That day, when Caspian had been slapped in the face after class, something inside the red-haired alpha had completely broken.

Ares died because of that guy.

Guilherme stopped liking him because of that guy.

Even his friends were more interested in that guy than in him.

There came a time when his efforts to always be the best stopped being impressive.

All because of one person.

If only Guilherme would keep looking at him, then everything would be fine.

— Aaah, it's so hot! I'm glad there's a swimming pool afterwards,

Waking up from his reverie, Caspian shook off those annoying thoughts. He was no longer in secondary school, where he had to live with those two. It was still annoying that he kept thinking about the blond beta so often after seeing him again.

The stadium where the qualifying matches would take place was packed. Small universities from other nearby towns were also there. Two Sundays would probably be enough to take the winner through to the state quarter-finals. In any case, he would have to play two matches to secure his team's place.

That meant he'd run into them at any moment.

— Hey guys, don't go wandering around — shouted the captain as he got off the bus — And don't get into any trouble with the Rapoxia guys. Otherwise, we'll be eliminated.

The wave of complaints was certainly ignored by the captain. Caspian regarded the blond alpha with some reluctance. Milles was an excellent player, he'd even been invited to play professionally, but he still preferred to finish college first. Why couldn't a bright guy like him be irritated by the snobbery of those foxes?

— Ha, only losers care about their rivals.

That angry voice made the Akaguia players petrify on the spot. The annoyed look and intimidating presence of the short omega certainly made it hard to breathe.

— Oh, you've come to cheer on your alpha, have you?

— I'm going to hope you get hit in the middle of your face. 

— Hm... so you want me to get hurt so you can look after me, huh?

— The captain really is a different person when his boyfriend is around, isn't he?

Boyfriend.

Milles hadn't hidden from anyone that he'd been dating another guy since high school. After all, who would dare stand up to that little guy? Even Caspian was afraid of him. Although it was strange to see two guys together, Caspian couldn't help remembering a certain blond beta and his confession years ago.

What if he'd said yes back then?

— Damn it — muttered the red-haired alpha, grabbing his bag from the back of the bus and heading into the gym.

Why were there so many of them everywhere?

Why was it that every time he turned around, he found couples trapped in their pink worlds?

The huge gymnasium was packed. As in previous years, the players would use designated rooms for each team, where they could store their belongings and change into their uniforms. All they had to do was follow the schedule of matches.

Akaguia would only play on the second schedule. Once the whole team had put on their uniforms, they went to the stands to watch Rapoxia play. They were rivals, so it wouldn't hurt to know how they were doing that year in order to prepare. It was obvious that they would face each other at some point in the qualifiers.

— I hope they lose — complained an alpha.

— Oh, give up. The team they're playing is too weak. Anyone can beat them.

— Tsk.

The players entered the court, and a blond-haired beta stepped onto the court. Immediately Caspian's eyes flicked up to follow him. He always looked so innocent. Always seeming to catch his eye just by being near.

He wanted to get Caspian's attention, he had to.

— Hey, that blond guy's new, isn't he? Oh, Adrian, you were going to study with them, do you know the new guy?

— Ha! He's a freshman just like me. This kid can't even play properly. Hey, Caspian, you know him too, don't you?

Adrian had transferred at the beginning of the semester, and it was clear how much he disliked Rapoxia. However, Caspian had also been surprised to learn that Guilherme also played volleyball. At school he had never been one for sport, so why had he suddenly taken an interest? 

He remembered that the beta always watched the games Caspian played. Surely it was because of him, wasn't it?

— I don't know how good he is, but it's strange that a rookie is taking to the court in his first game.

— Argh, that guy's here too — Adrian complained, discreetly pointing to the bench. There, a tall bloke wearing a long-sleeved sports shirt was talking to someone from the team — He showed off so much at the team trial that he ended up on the bench, he can't be that good.

— What happened in that test? Did you lose to him?

— This guy is a complete arsehole, he's a rule-breaker and thinks he's the good guy as if he's the only one who knows how to play. I hate him!

Caspian remembered him, he was the waiter at that restaurant!

So he was a Rapoxia player? 

And what was he looking at when his team was about to start playing?

Following the direction of the tall brunet's attention, Caspian's eyes widened at the sight of the figure hidden in a cap and mask. With his arms crossed, sitting in the last row where there was hardly anyone else, was the figure that the red-haired alpha would recognise at any moment.

The bastard who always stole his seat!

— Eh, so he's staying on the bench? 

— Do you know him, Nicolas?

The short omega looked bored as he stared at the court, but he still smiled as if he had just devised the most diabolical plan on the face of the earth.

— Oh yes, I know him.

— Does he play well?

— Why are you asking? Do you have eyes to decorate your face? Just watch the match he plays in, that's all.

Ah, he was in a bad mood. Soon the captain appeared, leaning on the little man's head, also interested in the game that was starting.

— If you keep talking, you'll bite the heels of my team and ruin the game. Calm down, pinscher. 

The omega just growled, ignoring the provocation.

It was curious how they related to each other. Even though they were together, they never made out in front of each other, it was as if they were two best friends who loved to tease each other. But when they were together, they shone in harmony. Every look and gesture contained the affection they felt for each other in a discreet way.

Averting his gaze to the court when Guilherme made a good reception, Caspian tightened his fingers on his arm, suppressing that annoying feeling.

Why wasn't there that glow around him?

At the party later, he would have his answer. Caspian was determined to confront Guilherme.