"When they offered this scholarship, I swear they should have included textbooks in it." André groans.

André and Jaxon don't come from money unlike the majority of the students at Pemberton. They know it, the other students know it, and the faculty know it—not like the latter cared anyway. If they did have any sort of care for the minute minority of underprivileged students who attend this expensive, frozen historic school, they would at the very least have some programme for it. Used book drives, discounts, or just something. But it seems like that would come off as too tacky for this prestigious institute. That left broke boys like Jaxon and André struggling to figure out how to get these textbooks.

André propped his feet up on the sofa as he laid on it. Jaxon pushed his feet down and made space for himself.

"I can agree with you on that." Jaxon said. He scrolled on his phone with increasing frustration. No matter where he looked, the prices kept growing and growing until, at one point, he thought he was looking in the wrong currency. "This economics book costs more than my phone!"

"I don't know. Your phone is ass." André remarked, which earned him a pinch on his big toe.

"What are you two moaning about?" Charlez asked as he made his way to the cupboard. Rummaging through the contents, he pulled out a cookie jar. However, cookies were the last thing to be in the jar. With a pleased smile, he shook the small bag of weed—not the kind you would find outside.

Charlez is a stoner.

It didn't surprise the two; scratch that, it didn't surprise André that Charlez was a stoner. André noticed that fact real quick once he saw the amount of snacks the beta kept under his bed. André's exact words were, 'This boy is on the bush!'. Jaxon of course denied André's accusation, but André was quick to remind him about how every male in his family was on it, and he knew the signs. Nevertheless, after Jaxon saw Charlez try to sneak a hit at one in the morning, Charlez came clean. Though he made them promise not to tell Hassan about it,.

"He keeps grumbling and moaning about my health, and what if I get caught and blah blah stick up his ass?" Charlez had so eloquently put it.

"Think you could lend us about 600 pounds?" André asked.

Charlez thumbed open the small, clear sack in his hands. "You know I wouldn't mind. But I spent most of my allowance for the month already," he replied.

"I can tell." Jaxon responded and eyed the bag.

Charlez just gave him a cheeky smile. "Makes me happy."

"Too happy."

Charlez leaned against the counter as he began to roll his first blunt of the afternoon. "If you two are looking for work, I saw that the canteen in the rec room was hiring," he mused.

"The canteen? Where they serve that dry ass chick?" A firm shove to the shoulder silenced André.

"What's the pay like?" Jaxon questioned.

Charlez turned and leaned against the neighbouring wall. His lips are sealing the paper as he thinks. "Not sure as of now, but a buddy of mine worked their last year; I think it was like twenty-five pounds an hour."

André fell to the ground. He was sitting down on a sofa, but now he's on the ground. That's the force of disbelief that racked through his body.

"Damn..." Jaxon voiced. "That's good money."

Charlez shrugs. "They pay so much because they want students to work that and many other jobs on campus. It builds character, I think." Charlez brings the blunt to his lips and his lighter. "Or was it integrity."

"Character building or no integrity I could care a rats ass; that's a sweet job and like, what would we have to do? Cook? Wash dishes? Fuck, I'll do both if I'm getting that kind of salary."

"Well, there you go! I would head down there now; I think it's supposed to rain again." Charlez urged.

Jaxon rolled his eyes. "When has it not." He and André grab their coats and boots and begin to make their way out the door.

"Best of luck!" Charlez waved off.

"You too! It's almost two; Hassan is coming back soon, and you forgot to crack a window." André laughed. Charlez swears and moves to open the small window, like it will do anything to the weed smell that has begun taking root.

~~~~

Getting the job was surprisingly easy. It's a little too easy if Jaxon thinks about it too hard. The manager was the point-dexter type, with pens in his shirt pocket and thick-rimmed glasses. Donald, Jaxon thinks the beta older man stammered out, was more than happy to get them signed up.

"We have been so backed up lately. We hired some people on Monday, and by Thursday, I had several resignations on my desk." Donald said this as they were about to sign the form.

Jaxon's pen hovered over the dotted line. His eyes glanced over his glasses. "Resignations?"

Donald began to sweat. "There's nothing to worry about. Just some differences. All sorted out now."

Jaxon called bull on that statement. He wanted to push further, but with one glance to his side, he could see André signing away. André was too broke to care, and Jaxon followed suit.

Donald showed them around the kitchen they will be working in and how to properly use the equipment. After a quick lesson on sanitization and proper food sharing sizes, the two boys were ready for work.

"One last thing. I work in the main canteen most days, so my assistant manager will be overseeing the two of you." He explained peppering sweat from his brow.

Last time André checked, the temperature was too cold for life.

Donald led them to a small door in the back. He knocked on the door twice. "Sidney! Coming in! Please be... decent."

André and Jaxon side-eyed each other. It couldn't be.

But it was.

Sitting in the swivel chair in the office was indeed the black-haired girl with the red lips herself. Her legs were folded to the side, and her pocket mirror was in hand.

"What is it now, Donald?" She asked. Her eyes had not left her reflection as she thumbed the corners of her newly glossed lips.

"I have two new em-em-employees. They will be working under you."

Sidney's eyes glanced up. "Isn't it the island boys! How cute...". She snapped her mirror closed and walked up the two. Her sickly sweet perfumes attack the two boys' sensitive nose.

Both men shared a look.

"This is not going to end well."

~~~~

How Sidney get an assistant manager position, only her father would know. Jaxon and André have only been working with her for three weeks and it's like dealing with a child. Tell Sidney not to put the chicken in dishwashing sink; she does it. Tell her to put on a hairnet; she complains. Tell her to stop sending or taking explicit pictures in the employee bathroom; it was like nothing was asked. It was driving the two up the wall.

"Is it bad to yell at women if you are an omega? I mean, we are one in the same." André groaned.

Sidney was out on her third break of the afternoon, and she insisted on taking it during the lunch rush.

"You two can handle it, right?" She had said:.

"I don't know. What I do know is that I'm sick and tired of her." Jaxon groaned. He looks up at the customer as he hands her back the tray. "Who puts dish soap on chicken?"

"Well, its not like they were cleaning the chicken before we came."

Jaxon nods. "They weren't doing a lot of things. At least Donald approved of us adding some flavour to the meals here."

"And making sure the chicken is not dry." André laughed. He glanced at the clock, noting that the lunch time rush should be dwindling now. "But man, this job is draining. I haven't been able to play my sax or anything."

"Thank god..." Jaxon sighed.

André pointed a tong at him. "Watch your mouth. My playing is impeccable."

Jaxon laughed. "Your playing is pretty good."

The side door opened, drawing the two boys' attention. Sidney came in with a bright smile on her face. Her hands are holding an envelope. She came up to the two and hugged them.

"Thanks so much for that seasoning idea. Our sales are through the roof!" Sidney giggled.

Jaxon raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And... I earned myself a 1,000-pound voucher! Isn't that good? For me at least." Sidney explained.

"Wait, you get 1,000 pounds for our idea?" André gawked.

Sidney tilted her head. "Yeah? I'm the manager; I managed this."

"You put soap on the chicken!"

Some patrons who were in line quickly stepped away with disgusted looks on their faces.

Her red lips pouted. "I am not liking this tone."

Before André could strangle her with a pair of tongs, Jaxon placed a firm hand on his shoulder. Sidney gave a sly smile before turning on her heel and entering her office. Once the door clicked closed, André pushed Jaxon's hand away.

"What the fuck? I could of gotten her!" André demanded.

"Getting kicked out of school is what you could have gotten." Jaxon stared at Sidney's path. "No, we are going to get her back. That ditsy bitch."

~~~~

As the lunch rush came to a close, André was busying himself, wiping down the counters and serving area. Knees bent and hands partially in the display case, André didn't notice a person stop in front of him.

"Excuse me. Can I speak to you?" A voice said,. The voice had a baritone but was soft in a way—almost shy.

André didn't look up. "On break. Come back in twenty."

André could hear the individual shuffle his feet. "It's not about food. I just wanted to talk. Heard you played saxophone."

André raised his head up too fast, causing it to collide with upper roof of the display case. The male flinched at the omegas painful sound.

"Are you okay?" He questioned.

"Does it look like I'm..."

Big...

He's so big.

André thinks he has never seen a man so solid in his life. He was basically towering over him. This man was taller than he was and thicker than he could ever be. It didn't look like fat or muscle. It was like the midway point between them. Just solid and strong. Even his cheeks were solid.

"Here...your bleeding." the large man held out a napkin.

Even his hands were big. André could swear his hand could cover his whole face. With his big hands beside, André take the napkin and presses it to the now-stinging wound on his forehead.

"Thanks," he muttered. His heart jumped hearing himself. When did he ever sound so small?

"I'm sorry...I should have waited or not asked at all." The male shook his head to himself.

"Hey...it''s cool. I hurt myself; it ain't your fault." André replied.

The large man smiled, and, oh, how André felt a pleasant tingle go up his spine. "As long as you are okay."

"So... you were saying about my saxophone?" He questioned.

The large male face was tinged red. "Yes...I heard you mention you played. I wanted to ask... what did I want to ask? Yes! Do you want to play for me?"

André blinked. The man grew redder.

"At my restaurant! My parents restaurant. They opened a new branch near here. It's not far off campus, and we were looking for a live musician." The man sputtered.

"Why me? You haven't heard me play? For all you know, I could sound like an ass." André pressed his hand on the top of the display case. His neck craned upward like a child looking up to their parent.

"Oh...um..." It was almost comical that a big guy like him could get so flustered.

André chuckled to himself and reached into his back pocket, pulling out his phone. "Look here, you big bear." He encouraged. With a few taps on his phone, he pulled up a video. It was a couple months old, judging by how short his hair was in it. It was his eldest sister's birthday party, and she insisted that her younger brother perform. The music began with a low mumble before it grew in grandeur. The tall male leaned in closer. André didn't dare to look up. His fixed gaze has long since fallen to study the large hand pressed on metal. An absent thought of placing his own hand next to it for comparison was hard to resist.

Then his scent. André wasn't surprised to smell the firm smell of alpha coming from the male. It was lemony, with a woody aroma echoing behind it. Like a freshly polished wooden chair. André would be lying to himself if he didn't say he enjoyed it. His inner omega wants to curl up to smell it.

"You have pretty eyes."

André snaps back to reality. The man was staring at him. His simple, monolid eyes stared straight into his own. The video had long since ended, and for once in his life, he could not find any words to say.

"They are like honey." He carried on. It was then that André noticed the inching of his hand towards his own. He quickly pulled it back.

"So... I think I got the job." André tried.

The taller male did his best to hide his own disappointment. "Yes, you play so well!"

"Nice. Pass your number along, and then we got business."

The male took the phone in his hand and carefully typed the number in. He handed it back. "Great! I will see you again." He quickly replied. Without a second word, the male speed walks out the canteen.

"Hmph..weird alpha. He didn't even tell me the name of the place, Or his name, rather." André mused, looking back at his phone.

Bai Lok

André smiled.

Then he screamed when two hands suddenly gripped his shoulders. Jaxon was cackling at his best friends sudden reaction. He wrapped his arms around his midsection as he tried to calm himself down and avoid André's blows.

"C'mon man. Relax. " Jaxon pleaded. "What had you looking so starry-eyed?"

"None of your beeswax!" André retorted.

Jaxon rolled his eyes. "Whatever man, come in the kitchen; I have the plan ready."

The other omega followed his friend with no further killing. It is better to take his mind off the previous encounter. Jaxon had on the table a pile of ingredients. Ground meats, tomato sauce, and vegetables, to name a few. However, among the group, one thing stood out the most.

"You're going to kill them, rich kids." André shook his head as he picked up the lone pepper by it's stem. "A scotch bonnet?"

"Bust in half." Jaxon grinned. "And Sidney will take all of the blame."

"And people think I'm the evil one?"

"Who ever said that? You could be the dumbest one. I won't argue."

Jaxon ducks down on instinct, avoiding the flying pot spoon that was aimed at his skull.

The dinner rush should be coming in soon. Jaxon had the chilli prepared, waiting for it's future victim to stumble by.

"I'll have the chilli."

Jaxon smiled. "Coming right..." His smile fell.

Dean Iman Ali was stern-faced. It didn't matter if he was happy, sad, angry or otherwise. His face remained fixed like a statute. The man had his tray and bowl held out awaiting the service.

"Sir...I didn't know you ate here."

"You are right. However, I have heard such good things about the food here that I had to find out for myself." The older Indian man said.

Jaxon glanced over to André, who looked just as freaked out as him. Taking a breath, he spooned out a portion for the man. The dean nods and takes the meal to a seat. Jaxon's mouth felt cottony. André leaned next to him to watch in shared horror as he took the first bite. The older male chewed and looked down at his bowl for a moment before he continued eating.

"What is that man on?" André whispered.

"I don't know, but it ain't right."

The dinner rush came and went, with Jaxon removing chilli from the option a long time ago. The dean never left. As the last patron for the day left to their own devices, the dean rose from his seat and walked straight to Sidney's office. In less than five minutes, both boys were called into the room. Sidney stepped out as per the Dean's request. The two omegas stood awkwardly in front of the older man. The beta is holding on to as much intimidation as any Alpha could dream of having.

"What was the meaning of that chilli." He spoke. The tone is even and to the point.

"Sir, it was my fault. I made it." Jaxon said.

"No sir..I helped him. If you are going to kick him out, I have to go too." André added in.

Dean Iman pressed his fingers together. "There will be none of that. This situation could have escalated into a catastrophe. As such, both of you are suspended from your post."

Both boys took a breath. Their parents did not need to murder them.

"Yes sir." André nodded.

They turn to leave, only to be hauled again. "I must ask, what was done with the remainder of the meal?"

"Oh, it's still there. I could dispose of it before I go." Jaxon said.

The dean shook his head. "None of that. That was the most delicious meal I have ever eaten here."

"Really sir?" André questioned.

"I could barely contain myself." He deadpanned.

Jaxon and André didn't question it.

~~~~

Later that evening, Jaxon laid on his bed. Raising his arms to the air, he lets out a long, tired groan. "That could of been way worse."

André laughed. "You are telling me? I nearly vomit all over myself."

Jaxon rushed a hand through his hair and sat up. "Now what are we going to do? We still need a job for those last textbooks."

"I could handle that," André said.

Jaxon gave him a look. "Don't tell me you are actually going to sell your virgin—."

"Jaxon! Don't you finish that." André turned fiddling with his phone. "I got offered a job playing at this restaurant. Pay is really fucking good and he offered an advance."

" Really. Is that who you have been texting since we got back?" Jaxon took three big steps and snatched the phone from the other omega's hand. "The one who had you in cloud nine?"

"Give it back!" André protested and wrestled Jaxon to the ground.

"C'mon. Let me see! Are you two flirting!" Jaxon laughed in his hold.

"You looking for death!" André threatens.

The bedroom door peered open. Charlez walked in with pillow in hand and blanket. "Hassan caught me again and kicked me—." Charlez froze, looking down at the two scuffling boys. "I'll take the couch." He sighed, leaving both boys to struggle on the ground.