"Congratulations to all freshmen for completing the orientation program for the En Class of 30. Please step forward to retrieve your gear from your seniors."
The most-awaited announcement brings joy to the whole class of Aeronautic Engineering 30. Today marks the day when they officially became a part of the Aero En family. One by one, the freshmen wait patiently for the brass gear and a blessing tie from their respective seniors.
"Did you guys already know your line mentor?" asks Up. "Mine is Senior Urban. She's kinda a bit spicy!"
"I don't have time to check the list. I just got back from my off days," Ezra replies. Now, he feels anxious. The line mentor is an important figure throughout the course. They're the ones who will be the guide and the ones who should take care of their downline junior. If these juniors fall into the wrong hands, the whole year as the Aero En student will be in jeopardy.
"Well, if they're some useless seniors, you can always ditch them later! Just count on your classmates if you need help," Tao replies coldly.
"Your line mentor is nothing but a brat..."
"Yep. Ditch him after the first meet."
"Savage."
"I know."
Ezra chuckles in amusement. He still tries to fit in and get used to the way Tao and Up converse with each other. They look like they have a beef with each other, but actually, that's how they communicate with each other. Short, packed, and clean.
"Never mind. You can always join my gathering. Though Senior Urban is spicy, at least she's not a party animal," says Up.
"I'll accept the invitation."
"Cool. I'll inform the next gathering soon."
As easy as that, now Tao is a part of Up's line mentor group. Ezra scratches his head, confused by the weird flow between this Abro Beta and Chic Alpha.
Ezra steps forward politely as it's now his turn. He receives the gear from Gio with a smile but as he is about to step down, the Alpha holds on to him. He grabs Ezra's hand softly and ties a blessing thread around his left wrist.
"I'm not your mentor, but I would like to keep this senior-junior relationship in peace and for a longer period," Gio whispers. "Feel free to ask for help if you need."
Ezra nods and gives out a polite smile. But, his later action causes a gap in everyone's mouth. He grabs Gio's wrist tightly.
"The honor is mine, but I hope we can remain as brothers; never crossing the line..." Ezra lets Gio go after they soft warn. He steps down from the stage with a calm demeanor, feeling no regret for standing on the ground between him and Gio.
Since he came back after the major crisis of heat, Gio kept pestering him for no reason. He always takes him to classes, even asks his friends to 'look after' Ezra while that Omega is joining the orientation activities. Caring is good, but doing it in such an excessive way isn't healthy at all.
Gio's action brings uneasiness not only to Ezra but to his two other friends; Up and Tao. They kinda suspect that the senior Alpha is addicted to Ezra's scents. His pheromone got leaked last time, perhaps Gio picked it up during that time. Besides, Fa hasn't marked him yet, so Ezra's scent is still pure.
"Are you Edra Sarin?" A female Alpha suddenly approaches Ezra.
"It's Ezra. Ezra Sarin," the Omega kindly corrected the senior. She apologizes before handing Ezra a bunch of books.
"I am Ella Troy; your line mentor. These are books for the next semester. I include the notes and past year questions as well. Feel free to use and welcome to our clan..."
"Our... Clan?"
"Oh, compared to other lines, our mentorship line has its ancestry. I am your second-semester mentor. There's a second-year senior who is my mentor. And he also has a mentor from the second semester of the second year..."
"Ah... I got it. Explain no more..." Ezra is almost entangled with a series of long line ancestry of his line mentor. This one clan must be the one that cares a lot about their downline juniors. That's why the line is still going solid.
Is it good? Is it bad? It depends on how well I'll soak in the clan! Ezra makes his own conclusion.
***
Ezra walks down the stairs while checking on his phone. Then, he sighs as his feet dance with the crook and curves of the stairs.
It's been four days since Sarin's third-generation convoy left the mansion for Hua Hin. Supposedly, they came home two days ago, but something happened and they need to extend the stay. Ezra starts to miss Fa, especially since the last time they met, they had a huge argument. He has a lot to ask and they need to clear up so many things.
"Eyes on road, Omega..."
Ezra pauses. He looks up, only to find Fa standing in front of him. The Golden Alpha looks a bit thinner and shabbier, but he is fine; safe and sound.
Unknowingly, Ezra runs towards Fa and slams his body against the male. He gives him a tight hug, expressing his longing. Fa smiles faintly while hiding his face against Ezra's crook. He misses the scent of freesia; the one that can make him sleepless at night.
"Why did you come home late?" asks Ezra.
"Sometimes happened. I'll tell you later..." Fa replies. He pulls away from the hug and grabs Fa's wrist. He sees the blessing thread and gives a vague look at it.
"Why did you have two of these?"
"One is from my line mentor. And... the other one..." Ezra stutters a bit but he manages to compose himself. "Senior Gio tied it for me."
Fa remains silent. There's no single trace of him getting mad or acting childish. He rummages in his pocket and takes out something from there.
"Give me your wrist. The empty one," Fa says. Ezra obeys and shows him his left wrist. Carefully, Fa ties a red thread with a gold, round charm on it. He chants something before giving a light stroke on the red thread.
"What is this?" Ezra asks.
"It's a protection charm. My grandpa gave it to me before we departed," Fa tucks his sleeve, and shows his right wrist. "I got one. Usually, the red thread comes in pairs."
Hearing the word 'pair' makes Ezra blush. It feels surreal, now that he learns the truth.
"Fa... I'm sorry for everything—"
"Don't. I know why you reacted like that. It's my fault for keeping my identity from you. I was afraid that you might hate me since you were so broken when you told me that you felt betrayed about that night. I don't want to lose you," says Fa.
Ezra places his palm on Fa's cheek. "Still, I need to apologize for being ridiculous..."
"I already forgive you the night when we..." Fa gives Ezra a meaningful look. Ezra, feeling embarrassed by that, gives a light smack on Fa's shoulder.
"Okay, now you're back for real!" Ezra sneers, before Fa lets out a short chuckle. They stare deep into each other's eyes when the air goes dead.
"Ezra, I love you. So much."
Ezra nods. "I can't say it back now. Can you wait?"
"Oho, after all that we did, you still can say it back to me?"
Ezra looks down, blushing a bit.
"I need to ensure it's special when you hear it. I don't want to be reckless."
"Fine. But, I do really need to hear that. Just a tiny bit of it. Please?"
Ezra pauses. His stares are back on Fa. The Golden Alpha is determined to hear those words. His puppy eyes are begging.
"Fine..." Ezra is about to chant the words when his phone flashes and vibrates. He excuses himself and picks up the call.
"Yes?"
"Ezra... you need to come home now. Something happened!" Tul's voice awakens the anxiety in Ezra.
"Why? What happened?"
"Hua Hin called. The Sarin convoy... they were missing!"
"Tul, are you joking? Fa is here with me now..." Ezra turns around to call Fa.
But, there's no one there.
A horror slips in. Ezra frowns as he runs down the stairs in a hurry. He dashes towards the parking lot, and just as he thought, there's no trace of Fa's Subaru anywhere.
"Come home. We need to fly to Hua Hin now!" The call ends.
Ezra feels restless. Who did he meet just now? Is it an illusion or...
Ezra lifts his wrist and that's when he realizes...
The red thread binds neatly on his wrist.
So, just now. Everything is not an illusion.
It was a call for help.