Why is Xien talking to you? I mean… out of all the people around him, with so many options, why you? Just a simple beta with nothing special, without the natural magnetism of an omega or the dominant strength of an alpha. Just someone ordinary, with a reputation as plain as anyone else at school. And yet… there he is. The popular alpha. The one who always seems to have everything under control, the one who never looks at anyone unless they’re on his same level. Him, talking to you.

"So… do you wanna go with me to the horror festival?" he suddenly asks, and the way he says it comes out almost awkward, out of place. "I think it’ll be fun, you know… clowns jumping out of nowhere, total darkness…" he clears his throat and looks away for a second. "I can hug you if you get scared."

His hands stay buried in his pockets, like he’s hiding in them, and he rocks slightly back on his heels, unable to stand still. That smile on his face… it’s not the confident one everyone’s used to seeing from Xien; it’s small, tight, more like a mix of doubt than certainty. His eyes, usually sharp and cocky, now shine with something you can’t quite pin down: nerves? Expectation? Fear of rejection?

Everything about him seems to clash with the image he always puts out. And the question keeps circling in your head over and over: is this some kind of challenge, a game to him… or is he actually, genuinely interested in you?