Ciro P.O.V
My week had started off a bit weak, but by the third day, things were finally picking up. I finally had someone to model for my design. I was almost done, just one more week to go and then the pictures could be taken so I could finally submit it.
I was heading to the cafe to meet my group members for another project. It was the closest cafe, about a ten minute walk from here, and I was already deciding what I would order when I got there.
I opened the door and pulled out my phone to message the newly formed group chat. I notified them that I had arrived, then looked around but it didn't help much since I had never met anyone in person before.
That's when I heard my name being called from across the cafe. I turned quickly and saw a hand waving in the air. A smile immediately formed on my face as I made my way over to the table.
I stood in front of the table, scanning everyone's face. That's when I saw him. The guy who was my model for my project.
I looked up and smiled before sitting down next to him. I greeted everyone at the table. There was still one more person left to join before we could start discussing.
"I didn't know you and I were in the same major," I said to the familiar figure beside me.
He looked just as surprised. "Same, I've never seen you either."
Probably because I skipped lectures half the time. I learn better by teaching myself than listening to the lecturer talk. I gave it a try the first two weeks and it didn't work for me.
"Most of the time I'm sitting all the way in the back," I said, smiling.
The meeting wasn't long. We each got a task that suited us best and planned to meet again next week to show our finished work.
I left the cafe and started walking back to my dorm since it was getting late.
I heard someone calling my name again and turned around. It was Leone.
"Oh, hi Leone," I said as he caught up and stood beside me.
"We were heading in the same direction so I thought I'd walk with you," he said.
I smiled at him. The walk was quiet. There wasn't much to talk about except asking how his day was, and I only got a short answer so I gave up trying to keep a conversation going.
He didn't seem to mind the silence though.
We reached the gate to my dorm a few minutes later. Leone raised his hand and waved. "See you at the fitting tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah. Night"
I watched him walk away down the quiet street until he disappeared from sight.
I stood staring at the clothing in front of me. My eyes scanned the piece propped onto the mannequin, trying to figure out any last changes and what would fit my model, Leone, best.
I jotted down a few notes in my notebook and waited for everyone to arrive. I had come here two hours early to make any final tweaks so there'd be less to do later on.
Now my head was resting on the desk, hoping time would move a little bit faster, when I heard the door squeak open. My eyes flew open and landed on an almost too familiar figure.
There goes my good morning.
As if he spotted me at the same time, he froze right in front of the door, staring in silence.
Someone might think you just ran into your cheating spouse, Kenan," I said, laughing, my head still resting on the table
He looked at me, dropped his bag onto the chair, and sat down without a word, immediately pulling out his phone.
Hmm. Quiet this morning?
"Good morning to you too." I said, raising a brow.
He looked up from his phone and gave me a look like I was the most unnecessary thing in the room.
It only made me more amused.
"So no one ever taught you manners, Kenan?"
"Manners for who?" He looked around the empty room.
I let out a sigh, half dramatic. "I still haven't heard my good morning back. Do you know how hard it was for me to look at you and say that?"
"Has no one ever told you that mornings are supposed to be quiet and peaceful?" he shot back.
"Shouldn't just being in my presence be peaceful enough?" I teased, fighting a grin.
"What's peaceful about you?"
Acting all offended, I brought my hand dramatically to my chest.
After that, the room fell quiet again. I stared at my phone, watching the clock for what felt like forever until everyone else finally arrived.
My hand rested against my head as I hummed to myself without even realizing it.
I heard a rustling sound from Kenan's side and turned to look. He was pulling out his AirPods case from his jacket pocket, looking just about done with my existence.
I couldn't help but smirk a little.
I watched Kenan toss his AirPods on the table like I'd personally ruined his morning silence. I just smirked and shrugged, letting the song play at a reasonable volume now.
The door creaked open again — Meeka walked in, looking between the two of us like she already regretted it.
"Did I miss something?" she asked, pulling out a chair.
"No," I said, leaning back against the table. "Just making sure Kenan stays awake long enough to pretend he's useful."
Kenan didn't bother replying. He just unlocked his phone again and tuned me out, or at least tried to.
The rest of them trickled in one by one — bags thudding on the floor, fabric rustling, the usual noise. I didn't rush it. I'd done my part two hours ago anyway.
Leone was already behind the divider trying on the main piece. I glanced at the notes I'd scribbled down earlier, then flicked my eyes to Kenan just to pass time.
A rustle behind the divider and Leone's voice drifted out, a bit muffled. "Oi, Ciro this sleeve is tighter than last time. "
I pushed off the table and walked over, tapping the divider lightly with my knuckles.
"Step out. Let me see it properly."
Another muffled complaint, then the curtain pulled back. I leaned back a little, scanning the fit from top to bottom. Not bad. A few tucks needed, but not enough to ruin my mood.
I scribbled a quick note. "Hold still."
I tugged at the sleeve seam, ignoring Leone's complaining about the pins.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kenan watching. Maybe bored, maybe curious ; hard to tell with that deadpan face of his.
I didn't mind. He'd speak up if he had something worth saying. He never did.
As much as I didn't want to call out to him in front of everyone, I had no choice.
"Kenan," I said once — ignored.
Twice — nothing.
The third time he finally glanced back, dead-eyed like always.
I waved him to wait. He didn't, obviously, so I half-jogged until I was beside him.
"We need to talk about that new assignment for Thursday," I said, falling into step beside him. "Meeka told me you're in the hunting club, right? I heard there's a rumor you can switch pairs permanently."
Kenan didn't say much, but I knew he was listening.
The assignment is basically a Victorian-era courtship rerun. Back then, alphas threw hunting parties .A chance to show off strength, bravery, and all the qualities omegas supposedly found irresistible.
Young alphas paraded their skills, hoping to snag a mate. They would pick their omegas by hunting down the right animal with the handkerchief attached to it soaked with the chosen omega's scent. Fast-track to "found your match" way quicker than swiping left or right on some app.
If the rumor was true, maybe I could finally dodge babysitting Kenan every week. And if I could switch alphas?
Why wouldn't I?