CHAPTER 44: MY STALKER TURNED OOBER

"You still don’t have a model lined up?" Professor Mondes glares at Leo from over his thin framed glasses. Strands of greying red hair frame his weathered face, he has a clipboard and pen in his hands, ready to write down criticism on his student. "What have you been doing the entire time you were on leave?" He continues to scold him. "You took your night classes, yes?"

Leo nods his head, his hand fiddling with the hem of his shirt. His shirt blonde hair is a little messy, a pack of fabrics lay on the table beside him, along with a ball of pins. After his Professor spotted him in class, he asked him to stay after so he could see the progress he made.

Prof. Mondes is usually an eccentric man who loves to overdress. His fashion sense is old fashioned, although his work doesn’t often show it.

"Leo, you have such a passion for fashion," He grabs his shoulders and gives it a firm squeeze. Leo cringes at the phrase but doesn’t say anything. "Out of all my students this year, you show great promise." He lets go of the omega and circles around Leo to admire the suit on the maniquin.

"The build is very large," Prof. Mondes says. He taps a pen on the thigh of the navy blue slacks. "Did you have someone in mind when making this? Usually students model their work themselves, you don’t plan to do that?" He glances over his shoulder to look at him.

Leo bites his lip not really wanting to admit it, but nods his head anyway. "When I thought of something for me to wear, my mind went blank."

His professor hums in understanding, "Thats a good sign for a good designer. We don’t make clothes for ourselves but for others."

He turns his gaze back to the navy suit and circles around to look at the back. "The details are intricate and careful, you did a good job. You’re almost done, yes?"

Leo nods again. The older man straightens and jots down on his clipboard. "Stop nodding, boy. Use you’re words."

"Ah," Leo flushes red and clears his throat, "Yes professor. It was inspired by autumn." It’s a little white lie. It’s actually inspired by a certain alpha whose pheromones resemble autumn, but he won’t go into such personal detail.

"Mm, how convenient that it’s the upcoming season." His professor nods his head. He comes back to stand in front of him, his pen tapping against the board.

"Find a model by next week." He lifts his head to stare at Leo. "Come to me once you have one and we’ll figure out your spot in the line up. If you don’t find one, then you’ll fail my class and will take it again next semester."

"Yes, sir." Leo says, his palms grow clammy as he stands underneath the older man’s scrutiny. He doesn’t relax until the professor is gone. His shoulders slump and he releases a breath.

He may have been lightly scolded, but at least he didn’t yell at him.

Leo reaches up to smooth out the collar of the suit, the fabric soft against his skin. A model. He can’t picture anyone else besides one person wearing his creation. How could he ever ask Max to model his suit in front of a whole bunch of people? He’s definitely going to fail.

Just as Leo is accepting his fate, his phone rings from his backpack. He pulls it out to see a certain alphas name. Leo chews on his lip, it’s like he has a sixth sense just for him.

"Hello?" Leo’s voice is small as he brings the phone up to his ear. There’s no response at first, and the omega starts to think that maybe he butt dialed him.

"Are you at the studio?" Max’s voice is low and soft. Leo takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

"Ah, yeah." He finally answers. He reaches up to smooth his hair down as he looks around at the mess in his station. "I just finished up."

"Good, I’m outside."

"You are?" Leo’s eyebrows raise in surprise. "Uh, just give me a second to clean up." He doesn’t wait for the alphas reply and hangs up. Leo moves his maniquin out of the way and throws a sheet over it. He puts away the fabric and pins and needles, unplugs the sewing machine and then gathers his stuff. After locking up the room, he hurries outside where Max’s car waits for him.

"What are you doing here?" Leo asks when he opens the door and climbs in. Max’s scent is thick in the small space and the omega takes a deep breath. His nerves seem to settle, and he feels less stressed. He tosses his backpack into the backseat and then pulls his seat belt on. He turns to Max with a small smile.

The alpha clears his throat and turns the key. The car rumbles to life and he leaves the parking lot. "I came to take you home."

"Take me home?" Leo asks. "Is this going to be a regular thing now? My stalker turned oober?"

Max chuckles, his forefinger tapping on the steering wheel, "Sure, just don’t go around telling people that."

"Do you even know where I live?" Leo glances at him and then narrows his blue eyes. "Actually, don’t answer that."

Max laughs, the sound deep and slow. Leo admires the sharpness of his jaw and the thick muscles of his shoulders. Max is a pick of the crop when it comes to a mating partner. He’s rich, smart, funny, and handsome. Sometimes Leo wonders why he sticks around him.

"I have a favor to ask." The omega drags his eyes away from the alpha and out the passenger window. He can feel Max’s eyes on him, but doesn’t acknowledge it.

"What is it?"

"You have to promise to do it first." Leo purses his lips and crosses his arms over his chest.

Max chuckles, his tongue slipping out to lick his bottom lip. "I dont know if I can do that." When Leo doesn’t reply he glances at him and sighs, "What if you ask me to never see you again?"

Leo flushes red, finally turning his head to look at the alpha, "No, it’s nothing like that."

Max raises an eyebrow and nods his head. "Okay, what is it?"

Leo sucks in a breath and then quickly says, "I want you to be my model for my midterm project."