You are mine

Chapter 3: New Beginning

The next morning, Alex woke up feeling slightly more hopeful than usual. Despite the lingering tension at home, the thought of seeing Damien at school gave him a sense of anticipation he hadn't felt in a long time.

He dressed quickly, determined not to be late for breakfast this time. When he entered the dining room, Sebastian was already there, reading the newspaper. The atmosphere was tense, but Alex managed to keep his temper in check.

"Morning," Alex muttered, taking a seat.

Sebastian glanced at him briefly. "Morning."

They ate in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. When Alex finished, he stood up to leave, but Sebastian's voice stopped him.

"Alex, we need to talk."

Alex turned, his expression wary. "About what?"

"About last night. I don't like the way things ended. We need to find a way to coexist peacefully in this house."

Alex clenched his fists, his anger bubbling up again. "Maybe you should start by not acting like a dictator."

Sebastian sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I know I've been strict, but it's because I care about you. You're all I have left."

"Funny way of showing it," Alex snapped before storming out of the house.

He walked to school with his mind in turmoil. The conversation with Sebastian had reopened old wounds, but he pushed those thoughts aside as he approached the school gates. He was determined not to let his father's words ruin his day.

In the hallway, Michael greeted him with a grin. "Morning, Alex. Ready for another day?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Alex replied, forcing a smile.

They headed to their first class, where Alex spotted Damien sitting near the back. Damien looked up and smiled when he saw Alex, and Alex felt a warmth spread through him.

During lunch, Alex and Michael found a spot at their usual table. To Alex's surprise, Damien approached them.

"Mind if I join you guys?" Damien asked.

"Sure," Michael said, scooting over to make room.

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. Damien shared stories about his previous school, and Alex found himself laughing more than he had in a long time. It was clear that Damien had a way of putting people at ease.

"So, Alex," Damien said, turning to him. "Do you have any hobbies?"

Alex shrugged. "Not really. I like reading, I guess. And video games."

"Cool," Damien said. "We should hang out sometime. Maybe play some games together?"

Alex's heart skipped a beat. "Yeah, I'd like that."

After school, Alex and Damien walked home together again. The more they talked, the more Alex realized how much he enjoyed Damien's company. There was something comforting about being around him, a sense of belonging that Alex had been missing.

When they reached the corner where they usually parted ways, Damien hesitated. "Hey, do you want to come over to my place for a bit? We can play some games or just hang out."

Alex hesitated, thinking about the tension at home. "Sure, why not?"

Damien's house was a short walk away, a cozy, two-story home with a welcoming feel. Inside, it was warm and inviting, filled with the scent of freshly baked cookies.

"Mom, I'm home," Damien called out.

A woman with kind eyes and a warm smile appeared from the kitchen. "Hello, Damien. And you must be Alex. Welcome."

"Thanks," Alex said, feeling a bit shy.

They headed to Damien's room, which was decorated with posters of various video games and movies. Damien handed Alex a controller, and they started playing. The hours flew by, filled with laughter and friendly competition.

As the evening approached, Alex realized he should head home. He didn't want to face Sebastian's wrath again.

"Thanks for having me over," Alex said as they walked back to the front door.

"Anytime," Damien replied. "I had a great time."

Alex smiled, feeling a warmth in his chest. "Me too. See you tomorrow."

As he walked home, Alex felt lighter than he had in a long time. Maybe things at home were still complicated, but having Damien as a friend made everything seem a little more bearable. For the first time in a while, Alex felt like he had something to look forward to.