Chapter V
Week one, establish my routine. Check. Week two, sign up for a club. Pending.
I pass the sign-up tents every day, but if I stop and chat, I won’t be able to get to my next class ten minutes early.
Logically, I know that’s stupid. I have plenty of time.
I can allocate a minimum of four minutes to stop at one booth and register with minimal small talk.
Then, I will reach my class with five minutes to spare.
It’s doable, but the thought of being late makes me nauseous.
Late to my standards anyway.
As I step out of the building a little earlier than usual due to the professor not feeling well, fresh sunlight warms my skin beneath the impending autumn breeze, and I begin the increasingly familiar journey to my next class which is biology adjacent.
We learn about how Alphas, Betas, and Omegas differ down to the cell, but it’s mostly focused on reproduction and sex specifically. Yuck.
Books clutched to my chest, my lungs expand deeply behind them, catching the essence of freshly mowed grass and the potent, sweet scent of Omega.
The school is designed in a way that makes it feel open and welcoming, but the entire campus is surrounded by a fortress of a wall with restricted access and barbed wire at the top. Not to keep us in like prisoners. But to keep Alphas out.
That was a shocking and disturbing lesson from orientation.
It makes me wonder just how much I’m going to change physically.
I’ve been so worried about my personality being altered that I hadn’t even considered the physical things that will change about me.
Things that will make Alphas regard me as more than a friend.
Shivers prickle my neck just thinking about it.
Ahead of schedule, I begin to pass the club tents.
The colorful canopies line the sidewalk, each of them competing for the attention of all the Omegas scrambling around between classes.
My jaw tenses when I accidentally lock eyes with a recruiter.
Her pig tails are as high as her smiling lips. Caught on her hook, she reels me in.
“You look like you could use a friend!” she shouts with a preppy grin, holding out a flyer for me to take, “Join us every Saturday in the library for book club! We have treats, games, and more!”
With a tight smile, I accept the paper, but I don’t stop walking as her speech travels after me. Skimming the flyer as I go, I consider actually joining this one. The deadline to sign up for something is around the corner and I’ll need some hobbies.
She wasn’t entirely wrong either. I haven’t made any friends yet. My roommate, Becky, is cool, but all of us first-year students are very timid and shy, sticking to ourselves as we navigate this new world.
And I like books. Actually, I love them. Reading would be a simple and fun hobby, but as I read the fine print of the flyer, I frown at the contents, slowing my pace on the sidewalk to look it over.
“Understanding an Alpha’s desires,” I mutter the listed book title under my breath, disgust clear in my tone. “Book one of six!”
Yeah, I’m not joining that club.
With a scoff, I toss it in a nearby bin, ready to give up and tell my mom that I’m just going to be a loner at school. But something catches my eye beside the trash bin. Another flyer is stuck on the side of it as if someone tossed it without caring where it landed.
My wristwatch intercepts my vision.
Fourteen minutes until class starts. Good timing.
Bending down, I pick up the litter. The first thing I see is the illustrated design of a broken chain behind bold letters.
“Omega empowerment.” I have chills just reading it out loud.
It’s just as intriguing as it was a week ago, but I probably won’t join.
I just want to get through school as quickly as possible and make a name for myself.
Something simple like ceramics or painting would be the easiest clubs to participate in, although neither of those really sparks any passion or curiosity within me.
Each club is so mature. So clean. There is no play outside and get dirty aspect. No sports or activities that get your blood rushing. Except for this activism club.
My eyes leave the paper to settle on my watch again. Twelve minutes.
Exhaling dramatically, I fold the page and stuff it in my bookbag before rushing to class.
I’ll think about it. Maybe. I wonder if I’m allowed to start my own club.
If I did, it would have to be Omega-centered like the rest of them, but I don’t know if I can tie that into astronomy.
And I don’t know if anyone else would join. How embarrassing would that be?
Walking fast and efficient, I stroll into the science building which is a generous name for it. No nitty gritty science actually occurs here, but once I begin post-Omega studies, I can sign up for a lab cleaning class.
Sweat pours from my hairline as I march up the classy, wooden steps. Thirty seconds to be ten minutes early. Luckily, it’s the first room on my right. I make it just in time, stepping through the classroom door as the first one here per usual.
The professor glares at me as she sets things up at the front.
She doesn’t like that I get here early, but whatever.
I’m not bothering her. I take my usual seat on the first level of the tiered tables, willing my racing heart to cool down.
I made it just on time, no need to freak out, though it was anxiously a close call.
Not that anyone would care other than myself.
Five minutes later, more Omegas filter in. I’ve already got my notebook open, the syllabus tucked behind it, a spare pencil, and a pen in my hand as the rest of the class takes their precious time finding a seat.
Not many Omegas sit up front with me, aiming for the back rows instead. Some chat quietly while I wait politely and attentive. The professor greets us two minutes late, silencing everyone as she holds a stack of papers in her hands.
Ah, yes. Our first exam of the year. I’m eager to see how I did.
We haven’t learned anything yet, but science is my forte.
The questions on the test are supposed to show the professor what we know and what we need to learn, setting the agenda for the course.
Still, I gave it my all, thinking hard about each answer and aiming for a perfect score.
“Now, don’t feel bad about any low scores as I hand these back to you,” she warns while passing out the graded papers around the room.
Everyone waits tensely for theirs, holding their breaths as they assess the red score at the top.
“These are only going in the gradebook for participation, so if you didn’t finish, or weren’t here that day, you’ll find yourself at a low grade for my class. ”
Thank goodness. I should have one hundred percent in the gradebook then, but I’m still itching to see if my score is perfect.
I sit up straight as she comes closer to me.
A test is handed to the Omega beside me, and I glance at the harsh red mark that bloodies the white paper. Eighty-nine out of one hundred. Yikes.
I avert my gaze for their privacy, not trying to shame them for such a low score.
Finally, it’s my turn and my heart drops as the crisp packet of paper is laid gently before me. I reach for it, jaw hung slack as I read the score at the top. The professor swiftly moves away, handing out the rest of the exams before returning to the front to begin while I’m stuck frozen in shock.
There is no number at the top of my test. Just bright red words telling me to see her after class.
Deeply distracted by what this could be about, I barely pay attention to the lecture, hyper focusing on each question and answer from the exam. I double-check and then triple-check my work, but it all looks accurate. None of them appear to be incorrect to my knowledge.
When the hour finally ends, I’m locked to my seat with anxiety. I wait for each student to leave before collecting my things and venturing to my professor’s desk with my exam. My clammy hands tremble where they clutch the paper.
“You wanted to see me?” I whisper.
She looks up at me, directly into my soul, and her painted lips drop into a frown as she folds her arms.
“I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to be honest with me.” Her tone is dangerous. My mouth goes dry as I teeter where I stand.
“Of course,” I nod sharply. I would never lie about anything. I have no reason to.
“Did you cheat on this test?” she asks quietly, nodding to the paper in my hands.
My heart palpitates at the accusation.
“No, ma’am. I would never,” I mumble honestly.
The professor regards me without blinking for a moment, an uncomfortable, heavy silence growing between us. I swallow hard.
“This test wasn’t designed for anyone to pass with one hundred percent, Arius.”
My eyes bug as I gawk at her. What the heck is that supposed to mean?
“I- I didn’t cheat. It’s the truth! I’ve just always liked science, and I study on my free time.”
She gives me a look that says she doesn’t believe me in the slightest. My eyes start to water, my throat restricting, my tongue refusing to come up with words to defend myself.
“Right. Well. I’ve brought your grade down to a B until you can prove your honesty.”
“W-what?!” my voice cracks. Never in my life have I gotten a B. Never have I checked my grades and seen anything less than an A. I don’t deserve this! Especially during the first two weeks! How am I going to explain that to my parents?
“You can still bring your grade up with future assignments, but if I find out you’ve been cheating, you will not be passing this class. You’re dismissed.”
With that, she turns back to her laptop, ceasing the conversation.
Intimidated by her presence, I turn and walk out, muttering my acceptance of her terms while holding back the tears.
On my way back to the dorm, I replay the scenario in my head.
The more I think about it, the less I feel like I did anything wrong as my fear becomes replaced with anger. I didn’t cheat!
Why is it so impossible to believe that I could just be smart? Why do I get punished for doing things right? If I was an Alpha, I’d be praised for everything that I get in trouble for as an Omega! This isn’t fair!
Fists balled, eyes narrowed with furious flood works, I stomp into my dorm room, startling my roommate studying at her desk.
Ripping off my bookbag, I reach inside for that flyer, unfolding it as my chest heaves.
Pacing my side of the room, I pick up my phone and dial the number on the front.
It rings twice before the club host answers.
“Hi, this is Nix.”
“Hi, Nix, this is Arius Blue. I want to join your club.”