Chapter 14: crush
Alex's p.o.v
"What do you want?"
They both say in unison. This year has been exhausting, and January hasn't even ended yet. School officially starts next month but they still need to get this ready for the freshman who already started with their activities. For the second time in their educational journey, they were forced to coordinate. Second year because Lucas won his 2016 Moon title. It is an overrated system that still celebrates vanity than academic excellence. The Moon competition is like a beauty competition that different schools and faculties take seriously.
"A favour."
It probably has to do with the first-year kid they've seen but they have never spoken to. She has never spoken to Lucas about her feelings but ever since he mentioned that his interested in someone else, she was hurt but shook it off because she has no right to be.
"We know. What?"
They are not dumb they want Lucas to get to the point. They already have been volunteered to eighty percent of the behind-the-scenes business all that is left is actually being involved being physical caretakers. What are the 2018 committee actually doing this year? This is a stupid tradition, but the school's reputation and their faculty is on the line.
"Okay. Here's the problem, you both know, I like Toby." Obviously, "it turns out that I like him more than just a casual crush. My wolf recognises Toby as my fated mate. And then there's Jayden. Jayden also likes Toby. Apparently, they met before Toby got to Moon University. Jayden was the one who gave him a tour when he arrived. Naturally, they got close. You with me so far?"
They both nod. She pays close attention to be friends, and the moment Leo heard that his fist clenched. They all know Jayden, he brought the title home for their department, and he actually won the overall popular vote amongst all who participated. Objectively speaking, he is incredibly attractive, muscular, quiet but the moment he speaks he commands the room. She happens to know that there is something weird happening between the alpha and the beta. She saw them one day after class, she wanted to the sick room last year October because of a common cold that circulated during winter. Leo was on duty to assist the nurse who happened to be sick that day so he would have been alone. She just wanted water and an uninterrupted nap, but instead she overheard a conversation that made her realise the best place to nap is at home.
.
Leo: "The only thing we have in common is sex, why are you trying to change the contract?"
Who is Leo talking to? She strained her neck to quietly snoop inside the room but there are only two men in there and one immediately spots her. It's Jayden. The person Leo is talking to is a man, not just any man... Jayden. That's crazy.
Jayden: "That's not what you said last night."
Leo: "I like someone else, you know that." Is he insinuating her? Is that the reason Jayden did not out her position? "Don't you think this is weird? We weird? You an alpha and I'm a beta, statistically we can never work even if we are fated."
Wait, they are fated? No way. That's insane. They are both guys and as Leo said logically incomputable, this is weirdly interesting. This is the first time she's seen this instead of reading case studies.
Jayden: "How do you expect me to react to my fated mate dating another person?"
Leo: "I don't know nor do I want to think about it."
Jayden: "Then let's end this arrangement, I will not be on the back burner waiting to be picked. Come back to me once you have sorted your feeling out."
.
Intense huh. She kept it to herself for all this time, not even throwing it in his face when he speaks of longing for her, his crush. Lucas continued when no one interrupted as promised.
"Here's the part that's driving me insane. One time, I snuck off on a 'bathroom break' just to go see Toby and give him his favourite pink milk you know, because 'no matter how busy his day is, the taste of pink milk always makes it sweet.' His words, not mine.'" He chuckles and she actually saw the spark in his eyes; he has never smiled like this before. "But what I saw… I wasn't ready for it. Toby had his hand on Jayden's shoulder. Then later, they hugged. And then… Toby rested his head on Jayden's shoulder. Like it was the most natural thing in the world! And now I'm stuck here thinking maybe Toby actually likes Jayden. Which sucks. Because on the other hand, I've been doing everything I can to get his attention."
"Okay and? Is there any progress or conclusion to this story?"
"Alex! Inside voice remember."
Leo scolds elbowing her side, it did not hurt but she gave him a side eye. She does not want to be a part of whatever Lucas is planning, she has to prepare for the entrance exam. It's nothing serious just a test on the last on hundred chapters they did last year to prepare them to continue the year with a friendly recap. The friendly recap contributes ten percent to the year but there are more requirements that contribute to that mark. You can fail the entrance test and complete all extra credit activities, have perfect attendance, submit on time and achieve a certain percentage... and that ten percent will definitely be yours.
"It is fine Leo. I do not know how he feels about me. I don't know if by chance Toby recognise our soul tie to each other. I need to know if his wolf is waiting for mine or if he is already taken. Fortunately, I found a way to test that and confess."
"What are you going to do? Follow him to the Moon campgrounds and confess?"
Alex smirks at opening the peace offering bag, she's once more punished for making fun of the alpha who is hopelessly in love.
"Common Leo I was clearly joking. Lucas you are only three years older than uhm, him... I am surprised you waited this long... Besides Lucas wouldn't actually do that, I mean go as far as to miss an entire week of education just to follow juniors around.
"Actually..."
Lucas says and they groaned. she really wants to call this fool an idiot, but she held her tongue. She knows Leo would not be pleased with her behaviour, so she chose to stuff her mouth with greasy pizza.
"Our campus coordinator asked if I'd like to accompany the future Moon candidates to that beach camp you know, because of my title as Moon 2016. And guys, I'm telling you… it is fate. I'm not supposed to give up on him. I told leadership, yes."
Fate. Fate seems to be kind to him and fate found Leo, good for them.
"Don't hate me but I also volunteered the two of you to come with. I know, I know it was a total dick move. I should've asked you first. But in the heat of the moment, I just didn't think it through. I need you both there. I don't know what I'm doing, and I need my best friends. I can feel it—Toby is my fated mate."
He moves to hand them their respective drinks and snacks and they processed the words that just came out of his mouth.
"Back then… I was selfish. I didn't want to be tied down. We were young, and let's be real his age made me uncomfortable, especially with the kind of responsibility that comes with a bond like this. So, I let him go. I let my fated slip through my fingers. But when I was finally ready to even look toward the future, he was it. Toby. My future begins with him. Three years of texting, calling, just… staying connected. Then out of nowhere, he comes back into my life. Everything suddenly aligns, and I swear, I feel it in my bones he's the one. I'm glad I finally had the guts to admit my feelings… but now, Jayden's here, and he's close to Toby. And I can't lie, I see him as competition now."
"Calm down, man," Leo chuckled, nudging his arm. "You're literally top of our class missing the entrance test won't kill your grades. Just take this time to figure out your feelings and stop spiralling. Don't worry Alex and I, we've got your back. Right, Alex?"
But Alex didn't respond right away. She was somewhere else. Her friends have never judged her for her past, even if he didn't know the whole of it. They accepted her. And maybe just maybe judging their ideology so harshly without understanding it… was a little selfish on her part too.
"Right. So, whose car are we taking? Since this whole thing is last minute and all."
They can retake the entrance test when they come back or make up for it throughout the year. Missing a couple of days won't affect anything in their academic lives and she will get to support Lucas. His happy when he thinks of Toby, he smiles a different smile when he speaks of Toby, and this is the first year his actually ever asked them for any semblance of help.
"We will take mine as long as lover boy fills up my tank."
Leo offered; his façade was back on. Alex was so close to an emotional break through. One of her friends will finally be in a healthy relationship but it will be with a guy. And the other now waste his braincells partying, enjoy one nightstands and drink like his getting paid. He either ends up with Jayden, his mate or inevitable heart ache.
.
.
.
The night workouts at 27 Hour Gym became her escape. No crowds, no whispers, just the rhythmic sound of her sneakers hitting the floor and the clink of weights. It was her sanctuary the only place where she didn't have to pretend. Where no one was telling her that she was pretty for her size, as if that somehow made it okay. She hates the implication. It was like saying she was a "worthy exception" in a world full of expectations. But those words didn't sting the most. What got to her were the ones from the men who saw her as a project the ones who complimented her body but made her feel like an object, a challenge to be conquered.
Her reflection in the gym's mirror wasn't flattering her cheeks fuller than they should be, her belly soft where society expected hard lines, her hips wide, and worst of all, the curves that caught unwanted attention. Especially her ass. She didn't ask for this body, didn't choose this shape, but it was the one she had to live with. And though it didn't always feel like it, there was something to be proud of. She was strong. Not just physically, though. Mentally. In her own way, she'd always been able to fake confidence, even when she had none. But she knew deep down that she has to fake confidence until she makes it in this game called life. Although every game has its limits and is sometimes exhausting. She keeps the facade that had gotten her through countless awkward moments and judgmental gazes.
Her mind was sharper than most she didn't need to rely on her looks to impress anyone. That was her strength. And as much as it felt like the world didn't see her that way, it didn't matter. She wasn't here to impress them. In the end, the gym didn't care about how she looked. It cared about how much weight she could lift, how long she could push herself, and how hard she could go without giving up. And she wasn't giving up. She started off with stretches, to loosen up her tight muscles and after ten minutes of picking the right music, she hopped on the stationary bicycle. After tapping a selective number to gage the level she can handle, she's on the move. Tonight's goal 25K. With her dark headsets on she played upbeat songs to keep her in the mood. She was far lost in the melody that she did not recognize the man standing beside her.
A playful smile broke her focus and her breath hitched. She meets her fated again. How does she play this? She clicked on a button to slow the machine to stare at the man who fate is trusting in her orbit. This man has pale skin, Chinese, he has a French crop hairstyle she has the urge to run her fingers through. He has a handsome rectangular shaped face, with downturned brown eyes, thick straight eyebrows, sharp nose, small plush lips. He is a work of art with ridges of muscles, tempting her curious fingers to trace his spectacular vision? Who the hell is this guy able to ignite such and affect? His woodsy, homey, spicy scent finally hit immediately destroying the moment. Shit he is an alpha, He wears a tight white shirt that highlights his muscles, gym sweatpants, black and white Nike shoes.
She smiles awkwardly. For a moment she forgot she was on a moving exercise bike because she lost her footing. The man moved so fast she found herself in his arms, his strong, warm, safe and Deucalion. She has to leave; her potential mate is a Deucalion a step worse than an alpha. He looks harmless, so is a koala.