The next day, Kael sat in class staring blankly at the board. His mind wandered again and again to the night before. He barely heard the professor, even though this was normally his favorite class.
Adrian kept glancing at him, worried. Finally, he leaned closer.
"Hey, dude… are you okay? Don't you always love this professor's class?"
Kael blinked and nodded slowly. "Yeah… I'm fine. Just… distracted."
Adrian didn't look convinced. After class, he pulled Kael aside.
"Tell me what happened."
Kael hesitated, but then everything spilled out — the pheromones, the dizziness, Zayden helping him, the way Zayden looked at him, and the shock of being found out as an omega.
Adrian listened quietly the whole time. He didn't interrupt. He didn't comment. He just listened with a serious face.
When Kael finally stopped talking, Adrian took a deep breath.
"Okay… but how do you feel about all this, Kael?"
Kael opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His throat went dry.
"I… I don't know," he whispered. "I'm confused, Adrian."
For a second, Adrian's expression softened — and something like hurt flashed in his eyes. But he forced a small smile anyway.
"Hey, how you feel is what matters, okay?" he said gently. "Just… don't get manipulated again. That's all I can say."
"Yeah… alright." Kael nodded slowly.
Then, out of nowhere, Adrian reached into his bag and pulled out a small envelope.
He grinned. "Guess what? I got you something."
Kael blinked. "What is it?"
Adrian handed him the envelope. "Your idol's exhibition ticket."
Kael froze. Then his eyes widened in shock.
"What—?! How?! Oh my god, I tried so hard to get one! Is this really real?!"
His mood instantly brightened, excitement bursting out of him. Adrian chuckled and patted Kael's head lightly.
"Well, now you don't have to worry. You got it. Go there and get inspired, okay?"
Kael couldn't hold back — he threw his arms around Adrian.
"Thank you, Adrian! I was so down after not getting the ticket… but you always know me so well."
"Let's go together!" Kael suggested with a hopeful smile.
Adrian scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh… I could only get one ticket. So… you'll have to go alone."
"Oh." Kael's shoulders dropped a little. "I guess… I'll just take pictures for you then."
When Kael reached the exhibition later that day, his sadness was replaced by excitement. The room was bright and spacious, filled with art displayed on clean white walls. Each piece was beautiful — detailed, emotional, like it was telling its own story.
Kael's eyes sparkled as he moved from one artwork to another, feeling inspired and alive again.