NOVPUB
Chapter 31: _ The Omega
By the kitchen door was Liam standing and staring intently at me. He wasn’t doing too much, to be honest, but there was something about how sharp his gaze was that startled me.
I overreacted, I guess.
Well, I paid for it. My finger was bleeding.
"Oh, shit, Isleen!" Lupe cried and hurried to me on sighting the blood in my hands.
Liam also scurried my way. "Megami, are you okay?"
"I’m — fine." I stuttered, moving towards the tap to wash the blood off. "It’s just a little cut."
Lupe sighed, hands on her hips like a grandma. "You should take it easy, girl. What scared you like that?!"
Right.
Liam. It was Liam who scared me. Why would I allow Liam to scare me anyway?
"Let me finish the spring onions," Lupe urged, her gaze lingering on the wound. "You shouldn’t be chopping anything right now."
"I can do it," I protested weakly and I turned to Liam. "What were you doing standing by the door like that?"
"I wanted to watch Megami as she cooks." He replied with flushed cheeks.
How the shy Liam from school had managed to crawl out of his shell and regard me so casually was appalling.
"Don’t tell me you cut yourself because of this cute little Liam here." Lupe bent to meet Liam’s height and puffed his cheeks playfully.
I couldn’t help rolling my eyes. "I guess someone had kept me on the edge before that."
"Blehhh." Lupe stuck out her tongue. "Don’t be so sarcastic. Liam was just being cute, by the way." She shrugged.
Looking at it this way, it seemed he was. However, "Tag along, Liam. Go play with Cullen or something but..." I dangled a warning finger at him. "No cheating."
"No cheating," Liam repeated with a smile that revealed his chipped front tooth.
I still would forever wonder why a twelve-year-old had a chipped tooth.
My heart did a strange little flutter. "The kitchen isn’t a place for kids," I said, forcing a smile. "Now go play outside, okay?"
He nodded silently and retreated. I watched Liam leave with a frown creasing my forehead. His awkward gaze and the way he lingered around the door had set my nerves on edge, to be very honest.
I turned back to Lupe, trying to shake off the feeling. "Let’s get this done with."
Lupe and I finished cooking in silence. I had too much on my mind. The main problem I had was going to the headquarters in a few hours.
I had no idea what was going on in Gamma Rhett’s head for kissing me. Well, I couldn’t act like a saint or that I didn’t kiss him back. No. I’d be a hypocrite if I said I didn’t enjoy it.
Oh, Lord. What in the hell’s name was this?
Finally, dinner was served, and I and Lupe sat down to eat. She probably noticed my mood as she was less of the talkative than she was. She would however occasionally make comments to Liam and Cullen concerning the video game.
Liam and Cullen had just found a video game partner, I bet.
When we were done eating and had settled down beside Liam and Cullen, Lupe did join them in the game. I however sat down like I was watching when my mind was racing to and fro.
The ringing of the doorbell interrupted the video game saga. Kylo; I thought and my heart skipped a beat. This meant it was soon time to leave...
... To leave for the headquarters where I’d potentially see Gamma Rhett. Anxiety had taken over me. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
Cullen sprung up to get the door.
A wide grin split his face as he opened the door. "Kylo!" he exclaimed, launching himself forward for a hug.
Kylo sidestepped the embrace with a raised eyebrow. "Men don’t hug, Cullen," he said dryly, extending a hand for a handshake. "We shake."
"Duhhh!" Cullen hissed, rolled his eyes, and turned around. "Isleen has infected you too with the grumpiness."
In reciprocation, I threw a pillow hard against his head. "Fuck you, Isleen!" He retorted and I threw yet another one.
Lupe burst into a peal of laughter but our display didn’t seem to concern Liam. He sprinted to Kylo with excitement.
"Kylo!" he exclaimed, jumping up to hug him.
Kylo chuckled, ruffling the boy’s hair affectionately. "There you are, little man," he said warmly. "How are you doing?"
"I’m happy! Megami is going to adopt me!" Liam blurted out, his eyes shining with excitement.
Kylo’s brow furrowed, a flicker of confusion crossing his face and a wry smile too. "Megami? When did you start calling Isleen that? Are you going to share my girlfriend with me now, huh?"
He playfully tickled Liam’s stomach while the boy resonated with laughter. "I figured people who are very close to her, like you, Kylo calls her Megami, and I also want to."
Oh, boy. Liam was smart, alright.
I felt a flush creep up my neck and a nervous laugh escaped my lips. "He, uh, I already corrected him, Kylo," I said, stepping forward. "My name is Isleen, Liam. Megami is a pet name Kylo uses for me."
What came next from Liam wasn’t what I was expecting.
"Okay, since I can’t call you Megami, I’ll call you Omega then."
Just how long had this boy been by the door, listening to my and Lupe’s conversation?!
"Oopsie!" Cullen whistled.
Even if it was apparent that I was an omega, I had done my best not to live in the shadows of that. I had worked hard to not be cast aside. I learned, and did all I could to break free of that chain. Most importantly, I didn’t appreciate it when people tossed that reality to my face.
I took a step forward to sternly warn Liam. Enough was enough. He was twelve. He couldn’t claim not to know what it meant to be an Omega. I wouldn’t have it from him.
Lupe beat to me, however". Oh, Liam," she said, her voice strained, "you have a real talent for picking nicknames, don’t you? Ms. Isleen is Ms. Isleen, okay?"
"Okay." Liam nodded, not at all looking remorseful.
Perhaps, this was like a teenage rebellion or something? Or perhaps, he was probably still in the process of grief, causing him to be awkward at times.
Yeah, that should be it.
