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— I can't believe he got suspended in the middle of the play-offs! ― Lilian exclaimed by extending two coffees for Theodore and Gabriel, receiving a thank you from the boys. ― Isn't that dangerous? I mean, we got strong teams to take on in a little while.

― The professor said he tried to talk to the coordinator so that Nico's suspension would start Monday, but there was no way.

Sitting next to Theodore, Lilian looked at the volleyball court in the middle of the gym that was already full. The crowd was organized in the front rows leaving the instruments ready to start the mess. Lucky for her, none of them would hear the conversation between the three of them.

― What now? Are we losing?

— Milles will take over as captain, but in compensation I will have to enter the court ― Answered Gabriel drinking a sip of coffee remaining standing watching the whole class of the first year cheerfully rehearse his fans. ― I'll play as a striker instead of a lifter.

― So shouldn't you be with the team?

― Does my presence bother you?

Lilian hugged Theodore's arm forming a beak on her lips, receiving a peek at the alpha.

— He's looking at me ugly, cherub. ― Complained to her immediately hearing a growl in her direction. But to the alpha's displeasure the girl had received a caress on her head.

― You two get along, don't you? ― Laugh Theodore stroking Lilian's blonde hair.

― Not at all ― The two hybrids responded in unison, facing each other fiercely.

— Ah, right. ― Theodore averted his eyes to the first-year boys who waved excited. Returning the wave with a smile, the omega sighed sinking in the bank. ― It's ten in the morning and I already feel tired.

― And what did the teacher ask you to do, Theo?

― Analyse the team we can face in the finals.

Noticing Gabriel arching his eyebrow, the omega had discreetly pointed to the team that was gathered in the stands looking like they had a serious meeting. The white and gold uniform stood out from the others, and the upright posture of the players showed a mature energy that differed from the others. One of the players the alpha had recognized, being the one who had talked to Milles on the first day of departure.

That day Gabriel did not give much attention to that player, imagining to be some acquaintance of his friend. However, he had not forgotten that he had also talked to the captain giving the impression that his team wanted him.

― They look professional...

― They always win the qualifying round. So if we want to pass, we have to beat them.

― Will they play at the same time as us? ― Theodore had agreed with the head, having Gabriel grimace. ― So you will not see me playing?

― Why would I need to? I know you'll do your best. ― Said the omega with the smile to show your little fangs.

Gabriel had choked on the coffee having a cough fit, hiding the blush covering part of his face. Theodore laughed by extending a tissue to the alpha, enjoying the embarrassed reaction.

― I can go with you then. We can pretend to be the three spies too, only just the two of us...

― I like Martin Mystery better.

― But only bizarre things like monsters appear in that.

― It's fun just for fighting bizarre things.

― They don't have technological gadgets like Woop. Like a laser-releasing lipstick, or a compact powder that turns into a communicator.

― Come on, an agency that hired an alien who stays on the flying dial. How can you not find that cool?

― Are you seriously arguing about this? ― Gabriel questioned unbeliever.

― Have you watched? ― Shot Lilian.

― I saw drawing when I was a kid.

― Wow, fell into my concept. ― Lilian replied denying with her head without energy to continue the discussion.

Gabriel had even sought in Theodore some argument that made him agree, but the omega also seemed slightly disappointed. Giving up trying to understand those two, the alpha remained silent until he finished his coffee.

Unable to enjoy more time with the omega when the coach called for the alpha, Gabriel just stroked Theodore's shoulder and went to the dressing rooms meeting with the rest of the team. The heavy blonde sigh adjusting the cap on his head trying to hide the blush of his cheeks and the uncontrolled beats of his heart.

He still needed to learn to deal with the reactions of every touch. It seems to have worsened since he woke up.

― And then, how was this week? ― Lilian's low, playful voice had gained the attention of the omega, who scratched her embarrassed neck.

― It was good, it felt good...

Lilian had let out a short laugh embracing the omega's arm.

― His scent is all over you, cherub.

― Is it? ― Lifting his arm discreetly, Theodore tried to smell his own body without being able to smell Gabriel. ― How strange, I do not feel.

― You must have gotten used to it, or whatever. But at the level of gossip, now that you've gone through heat together you're dating?

Omega's cheeks warmed up right away. Boyfriends? Him and Gabriel? They hadn't talked about it, so they were still staying, right? Although if the alpha asked for it, certainly Theodore would accept it immediately, since it would be a more solid relationship than just staying.

― We didn't really talk about it. I don't even know if he'd want to date me.

― If he breaks up with you after your heat, he'd be a real jerk. I don't think that's the case, Gabriel seems to be jealous.

― Do you think?

— A good observer can easily perceive this, believe me cherub. ― Sighing deeply, Lilian had again whispered to the omega so that no one else would listen to that conversation ― I do not know if you already know what happened on Orkut, but someone posted a photo of you and Gabriel and this is generating the greatest chatter.

― Nico told me this morning, I wonder who would have done it.

― I think it was a third-year girl who got into a fight with Sadie. I took a look at her profile just in case we screwed up our plan.

― And it will spoil?

— I thought it would make a buzz. I plan to meet with my class there in the cafeteria after the games to discuss what to do. ― Lifting the indicator discreetly, Lilian pointed to a row further from the crowd.

Looking in that same direction, Theodore was surprised to recognize Sadie with the group of friends sitting away from the crowd.

― Did she come?

― She always comes to watch, but she doesn't mix. Neither with us nor with her brother's fans. She just stays away quietly.

Swallowing hard, Theodore already imagined how tortuous it would be to step on Monday. Would she fight with him directly? She had been so clear last time asking him to stay away from Gabriel, and even lie like that.

― I wanted to know what she intends to do. ― Admitted the omega again facing Lilian. ― Sadie knows that Gabriel did not go to school this week...

― He also knows that it was not her who passed the heat. It will be interesting to observe also how your prince will act with her.

Stunned, Theodore frowns grimacing.

― Gabriel? Why is that?

― Do you really think she's gonna admit to school that Gabriel didn't hook up with her? Like, everybody knows she's into him.

― But Gabriel already denies that.

― He's between the cross and the sword now. People will want to know if he's with you or Sadie.

Lilian used to be adorable and sweet, always smiling to the point of showing her dimples. As they talked that facet was not present. Lilian just turned her face to Theodore showing a seriousness that did not belong to her. She was strange as if she were someone else. Only in that cold look, Theodore understood that his new friend would be saying something serious even too much.

― If you want to know how serious Gabriel is about you, I recommend that you watch closely how he will act in school. Not only you, but Sadie as well.

At noon the Montreal team finally stepped on the court to compete in the quarterfinals under the screams of the fans organized for the first year. And just as planned by Lilian, students from other classes joined them making the powerful motivating players.

Gabriel had looked towards the stands looking for the two blonde people, finding them a little further away watching the game that would happen on the court next door. By setting his knee pads, the Alpha was taking a deep breath.

The other times he had stepped on the court, Gabriel had come to feel nervous and anxious until he got used to concentration on the ball. However, he was unsure because of the absence of the captain. Milles stared at the ceiling of the gym breathing deeply and was visibly anxious.

Right, the situation of the team was not the best. Only that would not mean his defeat. Patting the blond alpha on the shoulder, the brunette stood in the front line taking Milles' place. Just needed to play in sync with the other team-mates, and everything would be fine.

The whistle had sounded and the match had started simultaneously on two blocks.

Theodore crossed his arms watching the team's departure in white and gold uniform attentively. And to his horror they were very good. They managed to keep a short rally ensuring the front in the score. Their presence on the court was so strong that Theodore imagined the tension of the opponents.

They were observers and made decisions at the last moment, not falling into the feints of the opponent. They used the gaps by sticking to the blocks, and had an excellent ball reception. Their game was clean, elegant and too pretty.

In the middle of the rally that the opponent could keep, the golden team had made use of a quick attack. It was a move so light that bad Theodore blinked in amazement.

― We are screwed. ― Theodore murmured swallowing the knot formed in his throat.

― Isn't that the same thing our team does? ― Lilian questioned widening her eyes.

As if it were not enough to recognize the style of the quick attack, the player who made it still looked at Theodore throwing a sneaky smile. At that moment the omega had felt a shiver go through his thorn announcing the terrible feeling that team gave him.

It was a direct message that they knew they were being watched just as they had been. Covering his mouth feeling suddenly nauseous, Theodore shrank in the bleachers chair unable to let watch that dominated game.

A message that they would face each other soon. And that they were looking forward to it.