len

k - 48 Ho

the peeling paint instead of making it look tired. I stayed still, listening: pipes humming somewhere in the building, a neighbor's ra

ying they taught the body to argue with itself. Even alone, I made the bed as soon as my feet hit the floor,

two, the chair slightly uneven, but I arranged it all with care. Three plants sat on the windowsill, leaves turned toward the light. I wat

throom, water pressure weak but warm, steam fogging the mirror until I stopped looking. I dre

ng, I check

forget Sunday dinner. I'm making

ithout rea

iss it, Mo

wall where my acceptance letter was pinned. Its edges curled slightly

t my real career. It wasn't impressive, but it was mine. Maybe in

e. Saturday evening shift, Sunday off, Monday is the start of everything I've worked for.

Mira was already there, her curly hair pulled back messily, fingers

id. "Three days unti

s from her. "You say that like we have

said, waving a hand. "This is

Neither of us even checked who got the bigger half. She asked if I was nervous. I ad

brilliant. I called her biased

oulders tense before I could stop them.

," I said. "M

h hard either. Said I deserved romance,

g Alphas," I whispered. "Control. Ownership. I'd

t. I didn't dispute it aloud, but didn't believe it

e said, "I hope t

tle bitterly. "T

Omega. Or you'll be the first Omega t

I'm focusing on my career, helping

I did too. It fel

e window, sunlight catching her hair. For once, not

d hot dogs and stale coffee. I clocked in, restocked shelves, wiped counters, and nodded politely at regulars. Mrs.

ked if I was an Omega. I kept my voice flat and professional, handed him his total, a

ence before he spoke. When he leaned over the counter and asked for my number, I said no. Wh

alated. My hands trembled afterward. It n

e register, filled out the report. The refrig

led just befo

e told me to get home safely. We joked about who wo

as I walked home. Once I settle

warm, cluttered with memories. Photos of me at every age lined the walls

y father would be proud. We cooked together in comfortable silen

full of laughter. My mother talked about dating. I

nally showing. She took my hand, told me she was proud, and

omething in her voice made my che

il I turned the corner. The sunset turned

w close I was to