Chapter 12

We were already in week three of the project. More assignments were piling on, and I had already started marking down the date for midterms.

I walked alongside Jacob to our early morning class. We briefly chatted about last week and caught up with each other, though it wasn't much either way. He mentioned wanting to grab brunch at the café, and I happily agreed, I hadn't had their matcha in a while.

It's a habit now. As soon as I entered the lecture room, I found myself looking over to where he could be. He wasn't in his usual seat today, though he was further back and having not worked out in weeks, walking all the way there felt unnecessarily exhausting.

Jacob followed and sat beside Lucian. They'd look amazing together if Jacob could stop being hopelessly in love with the wrong person.

But I wasn't going to walk all over there. Walking to the lecturer room was enough exercise I needed. I sat in the second row and pulled out my notebook.

I gave a quiet greeting just as Professor Daniel walked in.

"Morning," he said, already pulling up his notes. "I saw all your submissions . I'm happy to see that most of you are getting along."

A few people chuckled. I wasn't one of them.

"This class will be short today, just a continuation from last week. But before we start, I'll assign this week's task. As you all know, the annual sports event is this Friday. It was a last-minute decision, but we've chosen to include your class. That means participation is mandatory."

Groans and sighs rippled through the room.

"The top-performing Alpha and Omega pair will be awarded a prize. All O and A classes will be involved. Details will be shared with you by your class president over the duration of the week, so keep an eye out."

I sighed. Just a while ago, I was complaining about how out of shape I was. Now I had to go and prove it in public

As class ended, I packed up quickly. I had another lecture starting in ten minutes, one I didn't want to miss and it covered a crucial topic.

I was packing up my stuff and a shadow appeared in front of me.

 "I hope you're in shape," Kenan muttered beside me.

I rolled my eyes. "Oh please. Like you're any better."

Lie. 

He absolutely was. His body was clearly well-toned. And how he managed to stay fit while being a med student was beyond me. God had favorites, and Kenan Soren was obviously on the list.

I made my way to my next lecture that started in ten minutes. It was one of the few classes I didn't share with Jacob, thanks to my double major. We split up early on but planned to meet in the car park before lunch.

I didn't really know anyone else in this class. I recognized their faces, sure, but I wasn't exactly a social butterfly. Talking without a reason just felt... bothersome. Probably why Jacob was my only close friend.

After class, I learned we had a group assignment coming up. The groupings would be posted online later. It didn't seem difficult; each person just had to complete a section.

I headed to the car park and texted Jacob that I was there.

By now, I should have had my license. My parents and brother had begged me enough but I just couldn't be bothered. I liked walking. And the transport app was easy to use.

Jacob didn't take long to show up. We drove to the café, the car filled with music and the low hum of traffic.

The café buzzed with noise and the overwhelming mix of a hundred different pheromones. It was always a popular spot with the students, so the noise wasn't surprising. The line wasn't long, but not short either.

"I told you we should've done a pickup," I muttered.

Still, I browsed the menu, even though I knew I'd get the same thing: iced matcha and a croissant.

We scanned the room for seats until someone waved us over.

Lucian.

I sighed the second I saw him sitting at the table, Kenan. I immediately started looking in the opposite direction for any other spot.

But Jacob had already made his way over. I groaned and followed, hurrying to catch up.

Kenan's back was to us. He was focused on his phone, but as I pulled out the chair beside him, he finally looked up. A frown immediately formed on his face.

Yeah. Trust me. 

I didn't want to see your face either.

I turned to Lucian and greeted him, ignoring Kenan's presence altogether. We quickly dove into a conversation, and I did my best to pretend that sitting next to Kenan wasn't making my skin itch.

When our order was finished, we ended up staying longer than expected.

I got to know Lucian a little better, and while Kenan threw in a few remarks here and there, he mostly stayed glued to his phone.

After we left the café, I planned to head back to the dorms with Jacob for a quick outfit change. I had spilled something on my shirt and didn't want to walk around with a green stain on my chest. But before I could say anything, a sharp ping went off.

Both Kenan's and my phones lit up at the same time.

Professor Daniel had just sent out a message. All class presidents were being called to a meeting in an hour. There were 12 class presidents in total for the graduating year. Six alphas and six omegas.

I slumped back down in my seat.

"In an hour? How am I going to change in time?" I muttered.

Jacob was quick to respond.

"It's not that bad, Ciro," He said, eyeing the stain.

I stared at the very obvious green spot. I hadn't brought a hoodie with me today. I forgot it in a rush this morning.

"It's not my fault the lid wasn't on properly," I snapped back, just as Kenan muttered, "If someone didn't drink like a five-year-old…"

Of course, he would say that.

Before I could say anything else, He threw something over my face that blocked my vision, his scent clinging to the fabric like a challenge.

I pulled it off, holding it up.

"You know, if you wanted to be nice, you could've just handed it to me instead of shoving your pheromones in my face."

It was a plain black hoodie. Not exactly my style—it threw off my outfit entirely—but beggars couldn't be choosers. And yes, Kenan definitely lacked fashion sense, but it would have to do.

Without further hesitation I slipped it on.

"Guess we should leave now, Ciro," Jacob said, already standing as the table cleared.

Since I no longer needed to stop by the dorm, there was no need for a ride.

"It's fine. I'll walk back," I replied. "You can go ahead."

The campus was huge, with the dorms on the west side and the meeting location on the east.

"Alright then," Jacob said, waving as she left.

The café was starting to quiet down,it was just after 1 p.m., and most students had gone back to class.

I turned and took a step, but then felt a hand land on my shoulder.

"There's still forty minutes before the meeting," Kenan said from behind me. "No need to rush."

Who said I was rushing? I just wanted to be on time.

"You could've just said you wanted to walk together," I replied, raising an eyebrow.

By the time we reached campus, it was quarter to 1 p.m. It only took longer today because it was Monday.

My feet ached a little — probably a sign I should start using the treadmill again. I let out a few heavy breaths, but I was fine. There was an elevator, not stairs, so I'd survive.

Kenan and I walked into the room together. We weren't late, but there were only two seats left. I scanned the room and saw they were between another alpha — I couldn't remember his name — and Meeka. I took the seat next to her, and she turned to greet me with a small smile.

The room was quiet, save for faint murmurs and the occasional click of a pen. I recognized a few faces; most of us had worked together on past events. 

"So how's your design coming along?" Meeka asked as she turned to face me.

"I'm still looking for a model," I replied. "But my ideas are coming along."

She looked up. "It's going fine. A few bumps, but I should be done."

"I'm sure there are plenty of students willing to volunteer," she said.

Were there? I mean, I hadn't really asked other than the university group chat. I offered a free drink for there labor. What I broke I already spend my allowance already on materials for the said project.

"It's hard finding someone who fits the theme," I openly admitted.

"You want to give me your number? I can help you " Meeka offered casually.

I was a little surprised but I didn't decline. It was a good offer anyway. We exchanged numbers, and not long after, another class O president joined in our conversation.

Soon after, Professor Daniel walked in with a tablet in hand and took the only remaining seat in the middle of the room.

"Alright, good afternoon, everyone," he started. "I'll keep this short I know most of you aren't here by choice."

He tapped the screen. "This is the list of activities for the upcoming event. I'm sending it now."

The room buzzed as phones vibrated. I unlocked mine and scrolled through the message. A full breakdown of the activities popped up.

"These are the events you'll be working with: The annual relay Race, Tug of War, Egg Toss Challenge, Trust Fall, Blindfolded maze etc but please note that the event starts at 12 pm and finishes around 5 pm" Professor Daniel listed, then continued.

How were we supposed to finish that in one day?

"Your task is to create teams from your class and pair up with a class you share the course with. There are 12 classes total, both O and A divisions, so team up accordingly. Make sure everyone's included."

He adjusted his glasses. "You'll stay in your existing pairs for the activities, but for the group-based games like Tug of War or Maze, those pairs will now form bigger teams with the partnered class."

I opened my notes app and typed quickly, already knowing I might forget it if I didn't.

"And lastly for my class," he added, scrolling through his tablet, "I was having some trouble uploading assignments. I've also been making some last-minute edits, so this is the last week your assignment will be given in person."

He paused, then said, "But after this week, everything will be uploaded online. That way, you can organize yourselves better."

He fixed his crooked glasses again and glanced back at the screen.

"That's all from me. I'll take my leave. You guys can stay and start discussing your with your groups."

I turned to look at Kenan, and he was already looking at me.

"We can discuss this in the library later, so I'm leaving," he said simply.

It did make sense. No point in staying if we could plan it out properly later. I nodded, grabbed my stuff, and followed him out.

The hallway was quiet, the kind of stillness that made your own footsteps feel too loud. We didn't say anything as we walked. It wasn't awkward, just quiet. Drain from the day already I could not even break the silence.

But it was comfortable in its own way.

Once we reached the lobby, Kenan paused at the glass doors.

"Same time as usual?" he asked, not really looking at me.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Alright." He pushed the door open, let the sunlight in, and left without waiting for a response.

I watched him disappear down the path, his black hoodie still weighing on my shoulders. A part of me wanted to call out and give it back, but the rest of me didn't mind keeping it on a bit longer.

It still smelled like him.

I turned in the opposite direction, phone in hand, notes open, mind already buzzing with how I'd explain all of this to the class.

The games, the teams, the shift to online assignments...

It was shaping up to be a busy week.

But somehow, I didn't mind it.