You are not alone

As expected, stepping into the school was hell when the rumours were strong. Reliving the moment when you felt unable to take a single step because of having watchful eyes on you was the most suffocating. Recriminations, looks filled with malice and evil smiles would be directed at you.

They would call you shameless, correlate your class with the dirtiest things that exist in humanity.

Swallowing dryly, Theodore couldn't take the next step. His heart was beating fast when his presence had been noticed and people were talking about him without bothering to be discreet. He even assessed what they might have in hand, fearing they might throw things in his direction like in American movies.

He was afraid.

Very afraid.

― I finally managed to save enough energy for today. ― Nicolas said stopping at Theodore's right side, moving his arms in warmth ― At practice I'm going to kick the crap out of those brats who dared to play so pathetically.

― Don't forget to thank my colleague Bruno for doing a good job together with you, get it? ― Smiled Lilian as she stopped at Theodore's left side.

― Who are you again?

― Your biggest nightmare. Good morning cherub!

― Good morning.... ― Replied Theodore still surprised by the sudden arrival of those two.

― Cherub! Have you seen who we are going to play against in the championship? I heard they are strong!

― You're already screaming so loud, Sam. Please don't hang on his assistant, or he will kick you away. ― Lucas said, already fighting with his younger brother.

Theodore looked around and realised how many friends he had made that year. He should be grateful for having met Lilian, certainly she was responsible for the biggest changes in his life. But even though he had so many friends, the omega was afraid to pass through the school gates.

Receiving a shove from Lilian and Nico, staring at them over his shoulder, Theodore had stumbled taking his first steps under the watchful eyes.

― Cherub, come by my classroom, we have a girl who is good at fixing hair. She'll fix you up.

― Lilian...

― Keep your head up, cherub. You're not alone.

His small group of friends stood with him at the school entrance, under the tabebuia tree as they always did. Lucas and Sam bickering all the time about sports, Lilian and Nicolas pinning each other for trying to get Theodore's attention for themselves.

Anyone who looked at those young people together could feel warmed by their happiness at talking so animatedly. It gave a warm feeling in the chest to see the blond omega smile genuinely showing his little fangs, and nod when one or another student greeted him.

All the fear of yesteryear was gone thanks to the support of his friends. For the first time he felt hope of overcoming the barriers that existed in that school. As long as he wasn't alone.

― Good morning, Theo.

Gabriel's voice and his cavalier smile as he waved to the other boys in the circle was met with laughter filled with mischief and jokes.

― Good morning, Gabriel.

― Here he comes to steal the cherub. ― Lilian mumbled, her lips forming a beak ― I wish I was from your class.

― I'm glad you're not.

― Seriously, you and Nicolas don't like me. You see, cherub, fight with those ugly guys.

Theodore laughed stroking Lilian's hair.

― You are a strong adversary for them, that's all.

Gabriel opened space in the small group and managed to squeeze in until he sat down beside Theodore and put his arm around his shoulders. Even though they were in the middle of the courtyard in full view of all the students, that alpha seemed to care little about the rumours.

― Ah, the final date of the beauty contest is coming up. ― Lilian said, holding Sam's shoulders and shaking him ― We need to think of something to give our cherub a plus.

― I was thinking of changing his earrings. ― A girl, the one who wrote the story on Orkut, arrived in the group of friends swinging a small bag. ― Good morning, guys.

― Holy shit, it's filling up with people I don't know, how lazy.

― Nico, watch your mouth... So, what are you planning this time?

― Wait, did that come from the idea of the earrings? ― Gabriel asked, looking at the girl who held out a small bag to Theodore.

― The look on your face when you saw the cherub with the earrings hahahaha was sensational. I wish I could have taken a picture.

Opening the small bag, Theodore took out some new earrings. Fake earrings and even a cross one. Stroking his own ears the omega wondered that Lilian hadn't given up on cross earrings yet. It seemed that her taste for earrings was becoming an obsession, and he would be her test dummy.

― I'd have to drill again for this one.

Feeling a weight on his shoulders, Theodore had turned to Gabriel, noticing his intense gaze sometimes on the earrings and sometimes on his ear. Ever since he had pierced his ears the alpha seemed obsessed with them. In intimate moments, he nibbled and played with the earrings causing the omega to shiver.

Noticing that detail, Theodore had understood why his friend had insisted on earrings instead of a lighter change like in haircut and attire. Swallowing the smile that wanted to emerge, the omega feigned disagreement by arching his eyebrow questioningly.

― Why are you looking at me like that?

Gabriel sighed, closing his fingers into a fist and raising them towards Lilian.

― I'm very grateful for the divine sight of Theo with an earring.

― Ah well, the garden dwarf has managed to outwit the junior turd. ― Nicolas grumbled, rolling his eyes.

― Of course he's grateful, and you can bet he'll look wonderful with this cross one. ― Answered the girl punching Gabriel, being all smiles with his triumph.

One more of Lilian's plans had been successfully concluded.

The small group's fun was soon undone when the bell rang to start the classes. Gabriel stood up and extended his hand to Theodore. As he held it out and stood, he waited for the alpha to let go of him so they could enter the classroom. Yet he had kept their hands together, and even intertwined their fingers.

Blushing had taken over Theodore's face along with happiness. He could emanate flowers from himself, such was the spring that was arriving within him. And as they made their way inside the building, he had heard some student say.

― Stop that nastiness!

Both Gabriel and Theodore stopped walking turning back to find the circle of McKenzie friendships entirely watching them. Milles was along making a discreet sign for them to keep walking without caring about that shouting, but the omega didn't care.

Not when it had already run for too long.

With his free hand he pulled the back of Gabriel's neck and kissed him right there in the courtyard. The students who stopped to watch that scene were surprised, while others smiled proudly.

Casting a corner glance at the guy who had shouted, Theodore had cracked a corner smile and made his way to the building. He didn't need words to argue, nor did he need to get into a physical fight. He'd just shown, within his terms, that he was free to love whoever he wanted.

And the chosen one would be Gabriel.

― You do that kind of thing and then you turn all red. ― joked the alpha, poking the omega's rosy cheeks.

― No, it's your imagination!

Laughing amused, Gabriel hugged the omega's waist until they entered the classroom, being avoided by his classmates. Throwing the backpack on the desk the omega didn't consider that reaction as grandiose, it was already usual to be avoided. However, it had been clear the surprise of the other students when Thunder approached Gabriel and Theodore with a leaf in hands talking comfortably.

Judging by what had happened at Milles' house, Thunder would be that way for seeing a golden path towards the relationship he so dreamed of having with Sadie McKenzie. At least he was being honest about his feelings and not feigning friendship with them.

At least that's what Theodore hoped.

― Hey guuuys, Professor Marcos asked me to deliver this here. It's the key to the championship.

― Sam was talking about it in the hall. ― Gabriel commented interested. ― Is it a strong team?

― Yep!

― We're going to have to learn some new techniques then, aren't we, Mr. Assistant?

Gabriel arched his eyebrows at Theodore, who was reading the names of the teams participating in the championship. Scratching his chin with his fingertips the omega agreed with his head.

The regional championship would start right after the week of tryouts. It was somewhat close and they seem to use the winter break to their advantage. They would have to start training hard that very week, that very day, if they wanted to stay on the court any longer.

― Yeah... We'll have a lot of work ahead of us.

If even Thunder looked comfortable, then the rest of the class could only go back to their conformations. Not that the boy was talking to Nicolas, the two were pretty well ignoring each other, however as long as Gabriel was out of his way for the more popular omega girl, he would be friendly.

At least in the classroom Theodore had peace. Nicolas was awake, by some giant miracle, and sitting nearby doing work. As always his moody aura kept people away. Unfortunately Gabriel was a worthy adversary who hadn't let go of Theodore either.

And so their day passed, even the atmosphere at training was different. The players were more receptive to Theodore's opinions, asking for his help in the ball receiving practice. The omega's eyes shone so brightly that he was happy to be useful to his team.

Theodore felt so happy to be useful to his team. Receiving thanks, requests for help, compliments or even a friendly smile was enough for Theodore to feel pleasure in existing. It even seemed that there wasn't a moment when he wanted to run away from that place because he considered it a hell.

Walking beside Gabriel holding his hand, the omega smiled tenderly. He wanted to pinch himself because he thought he was dreaming too much. A long, real dream.

― It was a great day, wasn't it? ― Gabriel said, looking at the omega leaning slightly in his direction.

― Thank you, Gabriel.

― For what?

― When I told the team we were getting together, I said it more because I was jealous. ― admitted the omega, laughing softly at how silly those words seemed to be, now that they were spoken so loudly.

― I guess the boys were right about one thing. Denying it only adds to the problem. And we have a strong bond, don't we?

Theodore had nodded.

― Very strong.

― Then I can shout to the whole world that I like you.

If Theodore fell hard at that very moment, it would be the fault of that charming alpha with the knightly grin. The cursed man knew very well how to use his charm to charm that omega. However, the blond didn't mind falling into that trap.

He loved Gabriel.

The two boys smiled at each other and walked back out of the school. As Theodore raised his head to admire the sunset, he noticed the car stopped in front of him with a tall guy leaning against it.

Immediately his feet stopped walking as his clear eyes went wide in recognizing that fellow. Gabriel had looked confused at his lover, and following his gaze he had not recognised the man at first.

― It's been a long time, Theodore.

The omega's hand had turned cold in the same instant, and the colour faded from his face. Gabriel hadn't liked the surprised reaction, much less the name that had escaped Theodore's lips.

― Jake?