The Alpha's Mate. (Alpha X Weak Omega)

CHAPTER 02

Jaden's heart was racing as he pushed through the large gates of the high school, a new world stretching out before him.

The place was buzzing with students everywhere, all moving with a sense of purpose he couldn't quite grasp yet. He felt like a fish out of water, an Omega among Alphas, even though nobody around him knew his secret.

Glancing around, Jaden hoped to spot a teacher or a security guard, someone who could point him in the right direction, but it was like trying to spot a familiar face in a sea of strangers.

Deciding he couldn't stand around looking lost, Jaden started walking, trying his best to blend in and not draw any attention to himself. He focused on remembering the layout of the school, which hallways led where, all the while hoping he wouldn't make a fool of himself on his first day. Just as he was beginning to feel a little more at ease, he walked straight into someone.

"Shit-- sorry," he quickly apologized, his cheeks slightly flushing with embarrassment. He looked up to see who he had bumped into. The guy was tall, with kind dark brown eyes and short, curly hair that seemed to frame his face perfectly. Jaden immediately felt a little less anxious, comforted by the guy's friendly demeanor.

"It's fine, no harm done," the guy said with a smile, his voice warm and inviting.

"Hey, I don't think I've seen you around before. You new here?" he asked, cocking his head to the side a bit.

"Yeah, I am," Jaden admitted, feeling slightly relieved that the conversation wasn't going as badly as he'd feared.

"You look a bit lost. Need help finding your way?" the taller student offered, his tone genuine.

Jaden paused for a second, then nodded. "Yeah, that'd be great, actually. I'm looking for class 1A. Do you know where that is?" he asked, hoping he wasn't imposing too much.

"Class 1A? Sure, that's easy. It's three floors up from here. Once you're on the third floor, take a left, and it'll be right there," the student explained, then started to give Jaden a bit more direction on navigating the school.

They chatted for a short while, and Jaden couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected help. But their conversation was abruptly cut off by the ringing of the school bell, signaling that classes were about to start.

"Looks like we're out of time. School's starting. See you around, Jaden. Good luck finding your class!" the guy said with a parting smile before heading off to his own class.

"Thanks, bye!" Jaden called out, but as he turned to make his way to class, he realized he hadn't gotten the guy's name.

...

With the hallways emptying rapidly, Jaden felt a renewed sense of urgency. He repeated the directions to himself, trying to navigate the sprawling school complex. Despite his best efforts, the place was a labyrinth, and every hallway seemed to look the same. Doubt crept in with each turn, and Jaden couldn't shake the feeling that he was going in circles.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity and with several wrong turns along the way, Jaden finally stumbled upon classroom 1A. He checked his watch, realizing he was now 10 minutes late. His heart was pounding not only from the rush but also from the nervousness of entering a new class mid-lesson. As he reached for the doorknob, Jaden took a deep breath, bracing himself for the curious stares.

~•~

As Jaden stepped into the classroom, a wave of relief washed over him when he noticed that the other students were too engrossed in their conversations to notice his arrival. He closed the door gently behind him, an action that immediately caught the teacher's attention. The room fell silent, the previously lively chatter coming to an abrupt halt as the teacher addressed him.

"You're late," the teacher announced, his voice stern, his gaze sharply focused on Jaden. The Omega felt a surge of anxiety as he sensed every pair of eyes in the room shift towards him.

"Sorry. I got lost," Jaden managed to say, his voice laced with nervous embarrassment. He avoided the teacher's gaze, staring at the floor instead, wishing he could disappear into it.

"Just go find a seat and stay quiet. The next time you're late, I'll be sending you to the principal's office," the teacher replied coldly. Without uttering another word, Jaden nodded and hurried to an empty seat, feeling the weight of his classmates' stares on him.

As he settled into his seat, the classroom buzzed with whispers. It was clear they were talking about him. Jaden risked a quick glance around, only to meet a mix of curious and unfriendly looks. The discomfort of being the center of attention, especially under such circumstances, made him wish he could just sink into his chair and vanish.

JADEN

"Gosh, I can't believe I embarrassed myself on the first day," I silently scolded myself, the awkward memory clinging stubbornly to my thoughts. All I wanted was for the day to end so I could retreat to the comfort of my home, far away from the prying eyes and hushed whispers.

Gradually, the whispering around me began to subside, providing a slight reprieve from my discomfort. Yet, I could still sense a few lingering stares drilling into me, making it impossible to fully relax. Determined to keep my composure, I turned my attention back to the teacher, trying to block out the unwanted attention.

I pulled out my notepad and began jotting down the keypoints the teacher was writing on the board. Immersing myself in note-taking, I hoped it would serve as a barrier between me and the rest of the class. However, the peace was short-lived. From behind me, I could hear snickering, a clear indication that I was still the target of some students' amusement. I did my best to ignore them, focusing all my energy on my notes.

Then, without warning, someone kicked the stool I was sitting on, sending a jolt through my body and nearly causing me to tumble to the floor. The harsh scrape of metal against marble echoed through the classroom, drawing even more attention my way.

In that moment, a mix of embarrassment and frustration washed over me. I struggled to maintain my composure, fighting the urge to confront whoever was trying to humiliate me further. It was clear that surviving in this school would require more than just keeping my head down and blending in. Somehow, I needed to find a way to navigate these challenges without exposing my true identity as an Omega. The day had only just begun, and it was already proving to be an uphill battle.

~•~

A/N

Tried my best to make this chapter long D':