HEAT |OMEGAVERSE| ⚣ ✔️

A Friend

I stare blankly at the street in front of me, waiting for my bus to arrive. The chilly autumn breeze brushes against my skin, but I barely notice. Alex has tried to reach out to me nonstop, his messages buzzing in my mind like a swarm of angry bees. I've turned off my phone, sick of the incessant calls and notifications. I can still hear his voice in my head, calling my name from behind as I walked away from his apartment, desperation in his tone.

I'm still so hurt and just overall in shock from yesterday's turn of events, the memories replaying like a broken record. My mind struggles to grip the reality that Alex already has a child—and with that cruel woman, Veronica. The thought twists in my stomach, a painful reminder of everything I don't know about him. Was it all a lie? Did I waste my time getting to know Alex? Did he ever have intentions more than paying for my silence—and on the occasion sex.

As I lean against the cold metal pole, I catch sight of my reflection in the glass of the nearby bus stop siding. My eyes are puffy, and my hair is a tangled mess—proof of the sleepless night spent wrestling with my thoughts. I want to scream, to shake off this weight that clings to me, but all I can do is wait for the bus that feels like it might never come.

Finally I watch as the bus comes down the street in the distance, and pulls up in front of me at the stop. I step inside and quickly pay the fare. I make my way to the back and nestle myself in the last seat, away from anybody else. I pull the hood of my sweatshirt over my head and pull the strings, tightening it around my face. I cross my arms over my chest and gaze out the window as I feel the shift of the bus pulling away from the stop.

I feel tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I remember Veronica's harsh words, still fresh wounds that I carry, "don't think somebody like him would ever choose you," she had sneered, her voice full of malice. Each word still feels like a knife cutting through my fragile self-esteem.

Her pompous attitude had made me furious, and the smug look on her face as she delivered the insult still irks me. I thought I was starting to know Alex—thought we had the chance to start something. But now, I feel like an outsider in his life, a stranger who knows nothing, carrying his burden.

The bus rounds the upcoming corner and slams over a large pothole, cutting through the fog of my thoughts and stirring me in my seat. The arrival in front of the hospital does little to calm the storm inside my mind, and I wipe at my eyes with my sleeve trying to regain my composure. The ache lingers—a stark reminder that the road ahead is going to be difficult and filled with doubt. I'm back to square one, my assumptions seemingly true of who I thought Alex would initially be, just another arrogant, lying, power abusing alpha.

The bus comes to a halt, and I stand from my seat to make for a prompt exit. I avoid the eyes that linger on me as I pace down the aisle. I make my way up to the hospital doors, and step inside the building, the smell of sanitary products hitting my nose. I walk over to the front desk and greet the woman working, checking in for my appointment before walking over to the elevator.

I step inside and push the button for my floor. The bell dings and without paying much attention I walk outside. A few feet away from the door I slam into somebody, knocking them down, while I remain on my feet.

"Ow—fuck." I look down at a small blonde in front of me, his ass planted on the ground, laptop and paperwork scattered around him.

"Oh shit, I'm so sorry! I wasn't paying attention." I bend down quickly and reach out gathering the papers flown askew, I straighten out the mess before handing them back to him. His green eyes meet mine, and he smiles warmly, a flicker of relief crossing his face.