It was almost eight in the morning and Skylar was on his way to school. Classes started at eight thirty, so they were on time. Like every morning, he had meticulously groomed himself. Although the school uniform—bottle green with gray trim—made most students look like waiters in a fancy restaurant, that rule didn't apply to him.
The lines and cuts of the garment fit his silhouette perfectly, highlighting his slender figure, narrow waist, and long legs. He often heard the comments in the hallways: that he was the only one in the whole place who looked like a model wearing that uniform.
Skylar knew he was attractive. He felt the gazes on him as he walked, capturing his every gesture. In his wake, he left a trail of sighs, from both alphas, betas, and omegas who couldn't help but admire him.
But all of that was meaningless if the only person he wanted to impress barely even looked at him. That morning he was in a terrible mood; after checking his cell phone over and over, he understood that it wasn't a connection problem: Carter simply hadn't answered him.
Getting out of the car, he asked the driver to pick him up half an hour later. His mother was strict with schedules, but he could justify the delay if necessary.
As soon as he entered the school, he felt the murmur envelop him. He decided to ignore it and keep walking. He didn't stop until he found Kelly Dosant, an omega girl with whom he shared a seat in most classes and who was also his only friend.
Really, they were like oil and water. Kelly was far from being a beauty... or at least, that's what she thought. A series of coincidences, and help at the right moments, consolidated their friendship.
Kelly was short, with fair skin and brown eyes, but what stood out the most—much to her regret—was her lush red hair. That fiery hair made her stand out, making her the target of jokes from other omegas and some betas. The alphas simply ignored her.
She took refuge behind thick glasses and used to hide behind a book. She was an outstanding student, but without standing out too much. Others used to tell her that she was right to hang out with Skylar, to see if some of his beauty would rub off on her.
With those kinds of comments, anyone would have abandoned the friendship. But Kelly really valued Skylar.
Years ago, she discovered that behind that irritating facade of perfection, there was a fearful boy, with the same insecurities as anyone else. She could have taken advantage of that... but she chose not to. She understood that Skylar was not like the rest thought: he never made fun of her. He simply walked through the halls of the school as if being perfect came naturally to him.
She knew that wasn't the case. She had seen the meticulous work and daily discipline behind that shine. Skylar was a genius in his own way, but above all, he was a good person. Their unlikely friendship had been sealed with honesty and over time it transformed into a strong bond: confidants of fears and dreams.
Of course, Skylar's mother disapproved of that friendship. She considered that the daughter of a widowed alpha—owner of publishing houses—had nothing to offer her little one. She was a graceless girl, ugly in her opinion, who also insisted on following in her father's footsteps, instead of preparing to be an exemplary omega wife.
But what his mother didn't know couldn't hurt her. Skylar maintained that friendship despite everything. Being popular was, deep down, very lonely. Everyone wanted something from him, except Kelly.
"Kelly! I finally found you," he sighed, relieved after the long weekend.
"You know I'm always here. If I'm not here, it's because I didn't come, duh," she smiled, pointing to the library.
"I don't lose hope of finding you somewhere else one day, duh," Skylar laughed, sticking his tongue out.
"One can dream. Why do you have that face?" she asked, noticing the subtle dark circles under the omega's eyes.
Skylar bit his lips. He didn't know how to start without sounding hysterical. He hated showing how he felt, although with Kelly he didn't need to hide. Even so, something inside him resisted.
Instead of speaking, he handed her his cell phone. Kelly checked it with a serious face.
"And have you seen him today?" she asked, without looking up.
"No! I just arrived and came straight to you. I don't know how to talk to him. I'm so... sooooo... sooooooo... I can't even say it," Skylar murmured, sadness marking every feature of his face.
"So angry? So pissed off? So mad? Because all those options apply. You should be able to tell him that it bothers you that he doesn't even send you a message or read you. Why do you always have to shut up?" she insisted, frowning.
"Because that's not what a good omega would do. I must understand that he may be busy. Be understanding. Always show my best face. A good omega doesn't bother their partner, especially if they are doing something important for both of them. I am a good omega. I am his omega... but that doesn't stop it from hurting," Skylar murmured.
His eyes, normally a bright blue, looked dull. Kelly felt a pang of pity for her friend. She knew that, no matter how much she said, Skylar wouldn't change his mind. He couldn't conceive of his life without Carter. And even though he was an idiot most of the time, he always found a way to justify him.
Kelly stood up and gave him a strong hug. She knew that was the only thing she could offer him.
"Let's go to the cafeteria. I'm craving something sweet before class. I'll give you half of half of a blueberry muffin."
Skylar smiled. He never accepted more than that. He was terrified of gaining a gram.
"Okay. I also need something sweet."
As they walked, distracted, they noticed a small crowd gathered around a couple.
Skylar stopped. His heart tightened when he saw that it was Carter and Rosaura in the center of the group.
Without realizing it, his steps led him towards them. Seeing him, the crowd parted. Carter greeted him with a smile... as attractive as always, but empty.
"Sky, I was looking for you," he said, as if nothing was wrong.
The whispers didn't take long to start. Skylar felt like he was standing on an anthill. He smiled, feigning calm, and looked at Rosaura.
Rosaura Collins was an attractive omega, but Skylar considered her vulgar. Beautiful, yes. But without elegance.
"Skylar! We were just talking about you. Good to see you. It seems like we summoned you," Rosaura mocked.
"I guess I should be here like everyone else. I don't know why you're surprised. Did I arrive at a bad time?" he asked with poisoned kindness.
"Not at all. Can't I talk to my good friend without you thinking badly? I didn't know Carter had an owner, nor that he was your property," Rosaura said, hanging on Carter's arm. He looked at her surprised, but didn't push her away.
Skylar wanted to slap that smile off her face. But his mother appeared in his mind, disappointed. He took a deep breath and smiled.
"Rosaura, I think you misunderstood. I meant that we are all here to study. Didn't you come for that today? What a coincidence to find each other. I'm glad to know that my boyfriend cultivates friendships. In the end, everyone knows the place they occupy," he said with a smile so perfect that it threw everyone off.
The crowd murmured. Rosaura was left out of place. Skylar made a small farewell gesture and walked away with Kelly, who was still in shock.
A few steps away, a hand stopped Skylar.
He knew who it was. Even if he had his eyes blindfolded, he would recognize his steps.
His heart trembled.
"You shouldn't have talked to Rosaura like that. She's right. We weren't doing anything wrong. Why are you behaving like this?"
And that sentence… hurt more than a slap.
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