HOW LONG CAN YOU LIVE AS A SECRET ADMIRER? Each day spent smiling at an imagination of him. The little tingling sparks only visible to my eyes whenever his chestnut brown eyes glanced at me for a second. It had been two years since my heartbeat first raced on our first encounter — he might've forgotten that day, but I clearly recall the tiniest details. He was perfection, the kind that made me wish that I could be worthy of high society.

Moreover, the last year of high school meant risks and fulfillment of desires; I sighed, then covered my face. Could he be mine if I tried harder? Momentarily, my drained gaze wandered around the cold, noisy environment that I had been stuck in for the past two hours — with countless teens excited to be in class. Luckily, thereafter, I heard the faint sound of heels as it echoed in the hallway. "Finally."

The door to the classroom was forcefully shut with a thud sound echoing in the pheromone concentrated room. Walking towards the front table with a pair of teens behind her was no other than Ms Bella — thee Cinderella of the mighty, high-class Hillcrest academy.

"How many times do I have to tell the class representatives to make sure the windows are opened every morning!" Her voice demanded an immediate response that any non alpha couldn't avoid. The class suddenly turned into a silent debate on who was courageous enough to explain the situation without influencing a punishment.

"I'm sorry, Ms Bella, I should have been more attentive and reminded them on how important hygiene is." That voice. My head unconsciously raised when my blurry eyes were fixed on the tall figure. I noticed his stretched lips that formed a forced smile while his eyes squinted as though tired of the same reminder.

"Class representatives! When your classmates are ready to learn, find me in my office." That was all our rugs to riches beauty said before she stormed out of the class while swinging her botched hips.

"What an angel." The ginger haired boy at the far end commented while giggling. "As long as the shoe fits." The then quiet class erupted into uncontrollably laughter and desk banging.

"Class rep, tell her to cancel the class!" The top gymnastics student in our class yelled happily.

"Cancel it!" There were excited voices all around the room as they took their phones out to record. Others drummed on the desks with the equipments closest to them. It was a disturbing sight, yet the class representatives stood quietly in front of the board.

I couldn't control the urge to stare at him, he had his dark hair styled in a messy, loose bun. His permanent wolf-cut hairstyle let a few strands of hair loose which gently caressed his face. My eyes widened at the glimpse of his intensely focused brown eyes digging daggers into the noisy crowd.

It had been two years since my feelings began to develop for him. Each year brought about a new feeling and personality that he showed the world. It was the third year — if he could notice me. It felt as if today were the day he might look my way. Maybe he might notice my existence if I tried to act unordinary.

"Cancel class!" I made sure my voice was the loudest in the room. A smile crossed my lips as I yelled several times until realization hit me. My eyes wandered across the room that was filled with shocked expressions and mischievous giggles. My palms became sweaty while I unconsciously rubbed my thumbs roughly against each other.

"She speaks?" A whisper was heard in the dead quiet room.

"Uhh, who is that?" Another brunette asked the slender guy beside her.

"I heard she is poor, maybe she wants to be the next rugs to riches." A cocky smirk crossed the blonde – haired guy who sat behind the brunette.

Rugs to riches?

Would he think the same? I tried to lift my head but my body fought against my willfulness. He wouldn't care, after all, he is the young master and heir of house Parschel. A third generation prime alpha with good looks, perfect scores and a golden spoon. On the other hand, I'm just Aurora the omega.

"Settle down everyone." His voice echoed in the classroom, which caused a shiver down my spine. "Ms Aurora, please hold your excitement next time."

"I- It was... a mistake." My cracked voice was all I could hear before tears rolled down my cheeks. I couldn't hold the internal excitement from knowing that he knew my name and face. Well, a class rep would know, but he said it so gently.

"Victoria, take her to the restroom." I watched the female class representative as she walked toward me, then handed over a soft, beige handkerchief. I quickly wiped my face, then stood up whilst appreciating her generosity.

"Hey, girls got to stick up for each other." She winked, before a smile crossed her rosy lips. For a moment, my thoughts diverged to Victoria's appearance. Maybe he liked girls like her. Those that were funny and smart with beautiful lashes and bright eyes.

"They are contacts." Victoria remarked while smiling hard. For a moment, I was dumbfounded and at a loss of words.

"They are fake!?" I gasped, which caused her to hit my shoulder playfully.

"It's now our girl's secret, my mom said that they will make up for my basic scent." I gasped once more as she pushed the door open. We walk towards the sink and I couldn't avoid inhaling her scent. It was a common, beautiful rose scent.

"Your scent is not basic at all. Flowery scents are indeed common, but they are not basic." I smiled while splashing water at my nearly swollen, happy eyes.

"Tangerine?"

"Yeah, nobody pays as much attention to summer fruity scents." I briefly explained, though, hoping she wouldn't say the same.

"Hmm, Noel prefers fruity scents." She pointed out as we walked out of the restroom. I was shocked and happy to know that he liked scents like mine, and that influenced a smile across my face.

The rest of the class went by so fast that the bell alarm caused everyone to dash out of the room. I unfortunately couldn't avoid thinking of what Victoria had said, nor the class incident. With my quick reflexes, I packed everything and was on my way towards the door when I noticed the familiar scent getting more concentrated.

Within seconds, Noel stood in front of the door as he coughed uncontrollably. He probably hadn't noticed me standing close to the exit because he walked towards his seat and emptied his backpack. All his equipments and books fell to the dusty floor as he took out an inhaler. He continuously huffed and coughed while using the inhaler.

I tried to move, but my legs were stiffened by fear. I covered my mouth as I stopped the scream that my body was about to release. Not only that, but I watched as he repeated the same process for several minutes before lastly taking a small tablet between his pale rosy lips. After a few seconds, he rested his head that was drenched in sweat in his hands before staring at me with a cocky dead smile.

"You didn't see me in this state, okay?" His pale skin that is normally tan was enough for me to grasp what was happening. Even though I couldn't say anything nor justify my silence. His reddish half shut eyes and forced smile was all I had to know that I didn't see anything. My silence was already activated.

"It's our little secret, Aurora."

It has been a week since I last saw him, I wonder what happened. The gossip seekers have not spread any possibilities for his sudden dismissal, apart from some guessing it is a heat quarantine. It couldn't be, because he never affected my pheromones that day, and he had no suppressants on him.

My motivation for my perfect attendance was gone, and my mind constantly redirected to his state. After having my books packed, I rushed towards the dinning. My dad was seated on the couch while scrolling through the online newsletters. Being a research scientist and taking multiple breaks due to his health caused a financial crisis at home.

My mom left home six years ago after he was diagnosed with a severe heart disease and lung cancer. Unfortunately, I found out about it this year because the multiple loans caused most of the properties to be sold. My dad and I currently lived in a suburban area in a different street from the academy.

"How is school? Are you studying hard, sweetie?" His dry voice echoed in the small space. Although he seemed to get weaker every day, I couldn't imagine losing him one day.

"It is okay, papa. I was the sixth highest in class last term, but I will work extra hard this time. I promise." I walked towards him then sat to eat my breakfast.

"You have to work harder so that you receive a scholarship for your university study. You know I won't be able to fund them." Tears slowly built up in my eyes, but I promised not to cry in front of him. I had to avoid being needy or demanding because he might experience his last severe heart attack.

"Yes, papa." I forced a smile while eating the leftover warmed pies from the previous night. Dad made it because he missed having meat, but I knew it's because mom loved baking pies and cakes.

"Hurry and go to school. I checked your bicycle for you yesterday, it's good to go now." He smiled, then stood to hug me before handing over the packed lunch.

I quickly rushed outside, then rode my bike. It didn't take long for the bike to pass the school gate. I had it quickly packed before dashing towards class 12 – 1 when the bell rang. In all my years of living, I had always disliked uniforms. But this academy had one of the best stylish uniforms in the country and non lovers like myself were also captivated by it.

I got in class and stared at the front row where Noel always sat. It took a moment to realize that he had attended today's class, and that caused a sage of emotions to erupt. Having not seen him for days was torture enough, but seeing him today was a first degree murder.

I regretted having styled my curly hair in a high puff because my forehead always took the attention. My brown eyes slowly concentrated on his as he looked back at me. His hair was let loose, and he seemed healthier than before. That caused a sigh of relief from me.

I sat on my chair while emptying my bag. I could feel the stares directed towards me, and that caused me to flinch. My thumbs rubbed against each other while my eyes were fixed on the blank, plain papers on my table.

"Hello class." Mrs Daniels, twelfth grade's ABO psychology guardian, entered the class. Everyone stood up as they showed respect to her. A smile crossed her face as she gestured for everyone to sit.

"We will be having a team discussion today consisting of an alpha, beta, and omega per team. Noel, quickly team up your classmates then let me know. I will be marking the previous quiz right here." She softly spoke while taking a sit at the empty front table. I looked at Victoria and Noel as they quickly discussed the teaming. Within five minutes, Victoria stood in front of the class with a paper.

"I will be reading out the names. Once you hear your name, join up with the rest in your group right away. Group1... " Victoria began announcing while everyone moved around according to Noel's guidance on sitting arrangements. "Lastly group 10 – Prime Alpha Noel Von Parschel, Beta Linyu Li, Omega Aurora Hexion."

Noel Von Parschel.

Prime identified individuals have a long history of royalty in either status or by blood. Everyone in the higher society are referred to as nobles, although only a few are born primes. Noel happened to be royal by status due to political marriages between the imperial family and house Parschel.

"Hey." Noel slightly smiled before nodding in Linyu's direction. There was silence as everyone tried to look around, and I couldn't hold the urge to smile like a lovesick teenager. It had to be the first time he sat across me.

His appearance had always been mesmerizing, and his slender fingers that ran through his hair were evidence enough that everything about him was perfect. Unlike me, he had such a dominating and calm aura to him. My attention was suddenly drawn to the apple green sweater hanging loosely around his shoulders while he took notes of Mrs Daniels' quiz.

"What do you suggest, Ms Aurora?" A smoothing, unidentifiable scent of rainy nature caught my attention before I blinked then noticed Noel's gaze on me.

"Uh- well, anything is okay." I spoke inaudibly while staring at the desk. It was quiet for a while before he moved forward and whispered, "Tangerines?" A little confused expression appeared on my face before my eyes widened as I noticed the warm smile on his face.

"Is it bad?" The question randomly popped out of my mouth which caused me to quickly look away.

"It depends on what you consider bad." I noticed the usual expression on his face. The kind that was filled with a forced smile and irritated expression. With all the excitement and eagerness, I had forgotten that in this situation I was just another girl who was craving his attention. Maybe I wasted his time, a conversation with me was a mere insult to somebody like him.

"I think during the weekends is fine." Linyu suggested. It took a few minutes later for the two to conclude, then postpone to Saturday.

"Saturday at the Winder-land's restaurant. I will make a reservation for 11 am to 4 pm in a private room." Linyu finally concluded the meeting.

"Corbella hotel, third floor, apartment 7. I haven't used it in a while, we will go there." I coughed upon hearing Noel's request. Corbella was a royal dominated area that was exaggeratedly expensive.

"I- I can't." I whispered. Linyu muttered something while Noel sighed deeply as though irritated by our gestures.

"I'll take care of all the expenses, including my driver picking you up from your respective homes." The trailing words became inaudible the more he spoke. It felt as though he had been forced to lift an enormous rock with only the charm of his being.

"I hope that everyone has become familiar with their group mates. The assignment is due next week on the same weekday." Mrs Daniels' voice interrupted the awkward moment that had been building up. I watched her as she wrote further instructions on the board and at the same time smiling. Her being a carefree person was one of the reasons that made the lessons more interesting. "I will be leaving now, have a lovely week."

The class bursted into sudden excitement while people immersed themselves in dances and gossip. Streamers began recording their fancy lifestyle, while sports individuals grouped up to argue about the latest highlights. In the midst of all that distraction, my eyes slowly caught a glimpse of Evangeline.

The beautiful Evangeline that happened to be the centre of most rumours about Noel. It is said that she might be the future of house Parschel, in other words, she is most likely to be the candidate for a business proposed marriage for Noel. Her family owns the leading research organization that comprised of scientists, lawyers, business advisors and many more.

On the other hand, house Parschel was centred around robotics, infrastructures and multiple shares in advanced technology companies. Not only that, Noel's mother happened to be an entertainment multiple billionaire and owns a luxurious brand. She also made all her children debut as the face of her brand when they became teens.

"My driver is here." Linyu calmly said while packing his stuff. "See you all after tomorrow." With that, he gracefully walked away with a smile on his face.

"Laters." Noel almost stood up when I unconsciously grabbed his hand while gesturing for him to sit. He frowned, although the depth stare on his face was evident enough. I quickly adjusted my hand, then played with my thumbs in a nervous, habitual way.

"Uh, are you okay today?" I whispered, which only added to his confused expression. "Well, last time." Emphasizing on the latter.

"Hmm? Have we met before?"

"You were sick after-" I couldn't finish the statement due to his soft palm that covered my mouth. I could feel my lips twitch while my eyes widened in response. Although he gently pressed on me, this had to be the first time he had touched me. My racing heart was unable to hold the excitement, which caused a smile across my lips.

I stared up, and met his glaring dark eyes that his mocking expression added on. "So you were that girl." His cold eyes not leaving mine while he withdrew his hand before cleaning it with his sweater.

"Don't ever bring it up." That's all he said before he unknotted the sweater, then threw it in the class recycle bin.

"Noel?"

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