Kelly took her best friend's hand and gently pulled him. Breaking the contact between Skylar and Carter, the latter reacted immediately, blocking their way.
"That superior attitude of yours speaks poorly of you. I thought you had more confidence in yourself, but I can see through your insecurities," the alpha's voice sounded irritated, each word loaded with annoyance.
"Tone down your intensity a bit. Sky didn't do anything wrong. In fact, he didn't say anything offensive, and there was no message of superiority. I think the one who felt attacked and is causing pity is someone else," Kelly's singsong voice resonated like a hammer blow in Carter's ears. "Skylar is your boyfriend and everyone in this institute knows it. For the same reason, they are waiting to see how he reacts or what he says, and you know it. If you really cared, you would NEVER put him in a situation where he could be questioned."
Carter's gaze hardened as he listened to her.
"Don't meddle in what doesn't concern you."
He turned towards Skylar, who remained paralyzed. He didn't want a confrontation between the two people he cared about most, but before he could intervene, Carter spoke again:
"We'll talk during recess. I'll be waiting for you where always. Come alone. I don't want to deal with your pet," he spat with contempt, before walking away without looking back.
Skylar looked at Kelly with pleading eyes, silently begging her not to respond. Kelly, grumbling under her breath, held back. She took her friend's hand again and guided him towards the bathrooms.
Skylar knew the routine. When he couldn't take it anymore, he locked himself in a cubicle and screamed silently. It was the only way to survive the day without collapsing. He hated that Carter didn't defend him, that he exposed him, that he humiliated him with subtle gestures. But he hated himself more for not being able to face him.
The only time he dared to mention something to his mother, hinting that maybe Carter didn't really love him, she glared at him.
"Sky, baby..." she said in a stern tone. "At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is that you are Carter's official boyfriend, and later on, his fiance. That is your destiny. It doesn't matter how many classless omegas cross his path: they will never be able to avoid the inevitable. You will be the omega of the Williams family. If your alpha is confused, you should ask yourself what you are doing wrong and correct it. But never lose your dignity, your elegance, or your class. Class is what you have in abundance, and that is what you will keep."
The tone was colder than expected. Skylar understood that he should never bring up the subject again. His mother, like Carter's mother, was a traditional omega: educated to be beautiful, obedient, and perfect. The expectation was that he would follow in those steps. She never suggested that he study for a career. It wasn't necessary. He knew how to cook, sew, organize dinners, smile at guests, and walk gracefully. He was destined to be Carter's trophy husband.
Both families had planned everything.
Skylar came out of the cubicle and washed his face. Kelly, in silence, handed him paper to dry himself. She no longer scolded him. She learned that ranting against Carter was useless: it only made Skylar feel worse. So she was simply there. Present. Loyal. Steadfast.
As they left the bathroom, a couple of girls came in. They pretended not to see them, but one murmured loud enough for them to hear:
"Sanctimonious."
And they both laughed mockingly.
Skylar bit his lip. Kelly took him by the arm and they left without responding.
Class was, as always, eternal. Skylar rarely took notes. He wasn't interested in academics. He knew that his classmates made fun of his low grades, but no one dared to say it to his face. Why study, if he was going to marry Carter Williams? He was going to be a house omega. Beautiful, educated, irreproachable. The future was already written.
When the bell rang, Skylar left before anyone else. He walked to the back garden of the institute, where Carter was waiting for him, leaning under a tree. His eyes were closed, his face relaxed, his black hair falling over his forehead.
It was impossible not to find him handsome.
Skylar's heart leaped when Carter opened his eyes and looked at him.
"Come closer. You look like a stalker watching me from over there," he said, without moving.
Skylar obeyed. He sat down in front of him, nervous, struggling to keep the smile.
Carter watched him in silence for a few seconds. Despite his annoyance, he couldn't help but be moved. Skylar looked vulnerable, with the blond strands falling over his face and his eyelashes trembling. He knew that Skylar hadn't done anything wrong. He knew it.
What frustrated him was something else: the already written script. The sealed future.
They had been together since they were children. Their mothers raised them to marry. The perfect omega for the perfect alpha. But Carter felt that all that was not enough. Not anymore.
And yet…
"Sky... I'm sorry I spoke to you like that. I didn't mean to."
Skylar looked up. His blue eyes shone like crystals, full of hope.
"I'm also sorry for causing a bad impression, Carter. You know that I respect you above all things."
Carter's stomach churned. It was too much. Too perfect. Too obedient. He would have preferred a complaint, a fight, a hint of character. But Skylar only knew how to be what he was taught to be: a valuable ornament, fragile, educated.
"I asked the driver to come for me later," continued the omega, his voice trembling. "I wanted to spend some time with you... I know you're very busy and I don't want to bother you, but I miss you. And if you can... we could see each other for a while after class." The words came out rushed.
Carter was going to say no. Really. But he looked at him, and he couldn't. The blushing face, the trembling lips, the pleading eyes... It was like looking at a wet puppy.
"Okay. We'll meet here at the end of the day," he yielded.
Skylar nodded, relieved, and they got up just as the bell rang. Carter took him by the hand, accompanied him to his room, and then headed to his own.
As he walked, he couldn't help but think why he had accepted the invitation. Yes, he liked Skylar... but he couldn't ignore that feeling of emptiness. The rigid caresses. The emotionless kisses. The submissive looks.
Skylar was perfect.
But he was an empty shell.
And he was starting to hate perfection.
"Me and my big mouth..." he muttered under his breath as he entered the classroom, wishing that day would end quickly.
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