Leo's p.o.v
Alex left straight after the psychology paper. She didn't say much, just packed up quietly, her expression unreadable like a door slowly closing. Lucas and Leo exchanged a glance but didn't follow. They had learned by now: when Alex left like that, it was best not to crowd her. Not out of indifference, but out of respect. The first few months after they met her, they tried to fix her silence, pull her in with warmth and banter. It hadn't worked. She had clammed up, disappeared for days.
So, they adapted. Gave her space. Let her come back when she was ready. They knew something had happened between her mother and stepfamily, it doesnt take a guinus to see she has unresolved trauma. They saw it the first time they met, she never trusted them and she tried to stay away from them. They did not hold her down and force her to like them, they just stayed. She fears intimacy, probably has to do with assault... she skittish, unconsciously flinches when being touched, she hides her scent using blockers, she has an avoidant attachment style, and she hates any type of attention.
If his anxious attachment, why did he gravitate towards her? Maybe because she is not social that the only person, he has to share her with is Lucas who made it clear from the get go his gay. Guess she thought she could change him too or maybe his wrong about her being interested in Lucas. Regardless, he needs assurance and fears the worst especially when his heart is involved. Which means nothing good would ever come from their relationship, since she tends to literally disappear for days or even weeks his sure he would constantly spiral.
Right now, his relationship is new. They sorted on the physical attraction, his secure in his attachment style, he communicates and assures him whenever. Jayden is incredibly handsome, freakishly successful at a young age, mature, and committed. They met years ago, at first, he had casual relations and a large sexual pull. The woman would be actors or content creators and the man cute and feminine. His not feminine, his handsome, his not rich nor is he struggling and She had a hopeless crush on his best friend. After a couple of months, he stopped smelling like anyone but him and his best friend who is also his business partner. He was also with no one but him during that time and now he has no one but him in his mind. Is this love? Can they break the stigma around alphas and betas being together?
He was so deep in thought until a presence interrupted his attention, Shawn. The man who made him question his sexuality years back. Tall, lean, human, every inch of him was so annoyingly perfect. He stopped his fascination with him but now he was here before him.
"S-Shawn. What brings you here?"
"I went to go meet up with my friends in this faculty after our little fund raiser at the park. I was about to go back to my faculty but then I spotted you sitting here alone. I don't know.... I wanted to ask you something."
"Uh-Shawn I have-"
"Are you and Jayden serious? I have kinda always found his bad boy, sweet-geek side of him hot."
"Huh-"
"I know we do not talk that much but could you send me his number?"
That is when it clicked, this handsome devil wanted his Jayden. Something oddly empowering ran over him and he faced the man whose beauty was fading by the second. He placed a hand to cover the screen that this stranger wanted to unlock. He sat like that while trying to pin out what he saw in this arrogant jerk who thought going through his phone without permission was unacceptable. Rude asshat. Not just that tad bit of disrespect. All his instincts gathered trying to keep information about his mysterious man who never made use of his social platforms.
"What the hell are you do- Ah. Dammit."
Before he had the shot to blow a fuse, Jayden roughly pulled him away. His phone fell on the ground still unlocked on the ground. No! The physically stronger man dragged him until they were beneath the staircase. Not chocking him but managing to hold him in erotic hostage. He eventually gave into his need to lead him.
"No! Jay. Let. Me. Go. Jay!"
"Who was that?"
"I don't care. Jay!"
He begged shamelessly, not liking the fact Jayden is disappointed and no matter what, he did nothing wrong. His mind was still stuck on that Shawn and that is when he mastered the will to push Jayden away from him.
"Do you want him that bad?"
He does not want anyone else, and he doesn't want anyone else to be interested in what is his. What does he do?
"No" he sighs and turns to face him. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to tell you, you mine. Do not ever give anyone your number because for you, I am crazy." - Jayden
"I feel the same about you Jay but now he is out there with my phone." He breaths out, "give me your phone. Do you have all the important information saved here or elsewhere?"
Yes. He was jealous. Shawn is beautiful his features more striking than his, his a famous content creator with cute features Jayden would have defiantly gone for. Yes. He is jealous. Very much jealous.
"What are you talking about?"
"Can you please buy yourself a new phone or please change your phone number. Jay, make it happen please."
He begged, he knows his not making sense, but he hates the thought of competing with someone who gets everything they want. Is he acting crazy? Will that push Jayden away? This is unfair, everyone his ever liked has either never given him the time of day, eventually lost interest in him or cheated. He just started getting used to the idea of being in a relationship not just based on sex and Shawn wants to take that away.