I slumped low on the couch while picking apart a clementine. I faced the television but didn't retain the images flashing in front of my eyes.
After waking up in the middle of the night and not falling asleep until four in the morning from nerves, I hadn't slept as long as I wanted. I just hoped I could stay awake the entire day and my teachers first impression of me wasn't a sleep deprived, drooling form in the back of class.
I sighed and got up to shove a notebook and pencil into my new backpack that the school had gifted me. I had originally wanted to wear jeans paired with a sweater but instead opted for a comfier option, a baggy sweatshirt and leggings.
I threw my frizzy, curly hair up into a bun and left my dorm at 8:00 to ensure that I made it to the right class on time. I trudged through the halls, trying to avoid eye contact with people and pretend like there wasn't a monster eating my insides out.
I routinely blew out shaky breaths while keeping a look out for my room number. My first class was Intro to Omegas. When I finally found the correct room, I kept walking. I was too anxious to walk inside. I had always been homeschooled by my mom so I didn't know what to expect.
However, I watched a lot of tv and in some shows when there was a new student that arrived at the school, they had to introduce themselves in the front of the room. What if I had to do that? What do I even say?
I squared my shoulders and marched back to the door. I swiftly twisted the doorknob and stepped in before I could wimp out again.
I forced saliva down my instantly dry throat and my eyes snapped from person to person in the neatly placed desks. I tried not to wrinkle my nose when everyone's scent hit me at once and combined to form a tornado of strong omega scents.
"Why hello. You must be the new student, Odette. My name is Mrs. Lee" I stared wide eyed at the young omega teacher. I gulped, please don't make me give a speech in front of the class about myself I silently pleaded.
She smiled and pointed out a seat in the back of class for me to sit in. "Make yourself comfortable, you came at just the perfect time, it's still the beginning of the school year so you won't have a lot of catch up work."
I slunk past her only allowing myself to breath after I made it to my corner seat in the back of class. I only looked up from pretending to to text someone on my phone when Mrs. Lee starting talking about the video we were going to watch today.
While everyone else took notes about the video of some old guy, probably an alpha, talk about omegas like he was one and knew everything about them. Mrs. Lee brought me a small stack of papers. She crouched down next to my desk and gave me a brief description of each packet and where I could find the video to fill them out.
I nodded along and tried to remember everything she said. She handed me a school issued computer and set me up with a password. She told me not to worry about this video in class and to instead get started on catching up.
After an entire two hours of watching multiple videos repeating the same information that I already knew about omegas. It was finally the end of class. I quietly thanked the teacher on the way out and rushed back to my dorm.
My next class was at 1:00, it was called What To Expect During a Heat and I assumed it was about what I would experience as an omega in heat. I definitely wasn't looking forward to that class but I had some down time before then that I could spent pretending like I didn't have that class.
I take back every compliment I ever gave that building. It wasn't pretty anymore, that place was evil, created my the devil. How could I survive another class, nevertheless a whole year here? I could barely breath in that one class I couldn't even imagine what an even bigger class would be like.
____________
After another boring class where some old male beta lectured the entire class about information that I already knew. I was beginning to believe that these classes were pointless. I already knew everything they told me by a quick google search when I first found out I was an omega.
If I can successfully teach myself about being an omega, why do I have to be here? But, because I was a new omega I wouldn't have to worry about my heat for a long time which was reassuring.
Now for the part I was really dreading. I was starving and knew I had to visit the cafeteria to get a decent meal instead of snacks. My steps grew slower as I neared the cafeteria and heard the volume of the laughing and chatter.
I shoved the heavy door open and was almost blinded by the bright fluorescent lights. I shoved my way through the crowd the bodies and tried to blink the white blotches out of my eyes.
Finally, with a plate full of food I was on my way to the exit when I heard a familiar voice. My feet rooted to the floor no matter how hard I pleaded for them to move towards the door. I finally gave into temptation and looked at the golden haired, ocean eyed man who I had ran into the next the day. I watched a genuine look of happiness cross his face while he was talking on the phone.
A sharp spike of jealousy shot through me, he didn't look that happy when he was talking to me. I quickly shoved away these alien feelings and turned to make my way back to my dorm when a shout in my direction from a certain somebody made me freeze.
A glanced over my shoulder and watched his light blonde curls bounce as he made his way over to me. "Avoiding me already?" He cheekily grinned.
I cleared my throat, "no." I hadn't planned on being confronted and didn't make a list of any topics to talk about beforehand so my response was short and a complete lie.
He leaned back and laughed again. Does this guy ever get sad, why is he always this happy? What is so funny?
"Why didn't you come say hi then?" He arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow.
"You were on the phone," I answered congratulating myself on having an acceptable, logical answer.
He waved his hand through the air dismissing my comment. "How are you classes so far? You're new right? Have you tried the barbecue wings here yet? They are my favorite. Are you vegetarian?"
He spoke so fast, it took me a second to fully digest his questions. "Yes, I'm new. Classes are fine, no I haven't had the wings yet and no I'm not a vegetarian." I silently cursed myself. I sounded so dull and like I didn't appreciate someone finally making an effort to talk to me.
He seemed unfazed and directed me back towards the line to point out all the good food. Apparently, I hadn't picked anything good and he quickly piled my plate even higher with all the best food.
He ushered me outside and laid out our food on a cute picnic table outside. He plopped down and dug in giving me a questionable look when I just stood there. I quickly sat across from him. It felt weird to sit with someone I barely knew but his syrupy, french toast perfume invaded my nostrils and made me calm instantly.
This had to be unusual. None of the other omega's scents made me feel this way. I guess I would have to look into that later. I grabbed a wing and bite into it. I hummed in approval.
He was watching me and grinned when he got my reaction, "good right?"
I agreed with a nod. I paid him little attention after that and gave my full attention to the stack of wings on my plate. When I finally finished I looked up, about to lick the juice off it my fingers to realize that the pretty stranger was watching me.
If it was anyone else I was sure I would be creeped out but when he did it... His stare looked curious, confused, and intrigued. He didn't act like he meant to harm me. I felt safe around him, like I would trust him to walk me home at night.
A shiver overtook my body which didn't go unnoticed by my dining buddy. He swept our empty plates up in his arms, "Come on let's get you back home. Do you live in the school or on the property behind it?"
"The buildings behind the school." I answered but wasn't sure how he would react, remembering what Mrs. Marina said about how the only kids who lived there were rich kids or people who needed their own space. I don't want him to think I was some snobby rich kid or someone that he needed to walk on glass around.
Instead he just nodded and walked ahead of me back to the cafeteria to drop the plates back off. After, he swiftly led me towards the back of the campus. I decided to depart from him at this point although my heart was smitten with him, my brain still worked overtime and it didn't want a stranger to know where I lived. "I'll be fine walking by myself from here, thank you for the food recommendations. Have a nice night."
"Of course," he beamed, "sweet dreams."
I started walking off towards my dorm when I realized he was still walking with me.