The Two Alphas of Rosewood Creek [MxM]

Chapter 14

Starting that week, my afternoons were filled by meetings with Theo to work on our history project. The change of pace made each day somewhat enjoyable, and I actually looked forward to going to school.

Every day after class ended, Theo would post up in the hallway outside my seventh period class. The sight of a mercurial bad boy leaning against the faded cobalt lockers always grabbed attention from curious onlookers. I tried to pay no attention to the small crowd that would always form a few feet away‒‒girls and boys alike passing hushed gossip about Theo's look on any given day. Today seemed only slightly unusual in that Theo was absent of his usual blood-stained clothing. It seemed, for once, that he'd gone an entire school day without getting in a fight. 

As I strolled past the crowd I gave Theo a silent nod, to which he returned and kicked off the lockers to join me as I headed down the hallway. We funnel down the crowded stairway, the lack of space pushing me closer to Theo. The heat of his skin made me more aware of his presence as he guided us through the jungle mess of students.

Suddenly, Theo grabbed me by the hand to lead me through a congested area out to the main hallway. I was just glad that all the noisy afternoon bustle covered the tumultuous beating of my own heart. Half aroused, half having a panic attack‒‒I didn't know what to think.

We made a turn to get away from the crowds. Theo let go of my hand and strolled down a secluded hallway to meet up with Kash and Derrick by a broken water fountain; his warmth still lingering on my hand as I slowly followed behind him. Once we assembled, we all chatted and continued down the long hallway to the library. 

Walking through the squeaky thick hardwood doors, we headed to the two tables at the back. I made my way to my usual seat, next to a poorly tinted window (the peeling material scratched and chipped away by generations of distracted students sitting in this very same spot).Theo sat across from me, taking out his laptop to resume writing the paper. Following his lead, I pulled out my own computer and opened up our powerpoint. I had already finished it, but I kept the project open for any extra details Theo might want to pepper into his writing.

We were assigned this project on Monday and were basically done with it by Thursday. I found out during these study sessions that Theo was lowkey an overachiever. Other than myself, I have never heard of any student at Rosewood High finishing a project during the first week it was assigned. And he was right when he said he could write quickly: the only reason why we were in the library today was to finish up the bibliography and add some references into the paper. I felt I was here more for moral support rather than any real reason.

Theo quietly typed on his laptop, the soft keystrokes creating a calming mood in the almost completely empty library, sending me into a trance. My mood was interrupted by the loud cackling of Kash's laughter one table over. He and Derrick seemed to be getting along these days. The loud munching of potato chips continued on as Kash chatted at a million miles an hour about some random topic. I turned to see Derrick, doing most of the work while Kash lazily leaned back in the unstable library chair.

I'm actually glad Theo was my partner because it looked like Kash hadn't done any work. For whatever reason, Derrick didn't seem to mind shouldering all the work and this truly befuddled me. Turning back around, I stole some quick glances over my screen at Theo hunched into his work. Who knew a diligent student was hidden behind those sleeve tattoos and that hardened stone face.

Wow... he looks like such a nerd right now.

I silently chuckled at my thought. Theo was definitely a nerd, but honestly I really liked that about him. Not only was he extremely smart, he was drop dead gorgeous. I hadn't found myself thinking about guys like this before, but I just couldn't deny the sex appeal that dripped off him. I noticed the longing stares from the girls around the school, whispering for their chances to spend one night with him. It made me curious to know what it would be like to be with him too, what it would be like to hold Theo's attention... Or was I doing this already?