Centre of attention

The cafeteria was packed, loud with the usual mix of students chatting, laughing, and scraping their trays across the tables. Glenn hesitated just outside the entrance, the hem of his white dress fluttering slightly as he clenched his fists. He didn’t belong here—not like this.

But Aaron was already walking in, and before Glenn could change his mind, a firm hand landed on his lower back, pushing him forward.

“C’mon, princess,” Aaron murmured just loud enough for Glenn to hear. “You wouldn’t want to make a scene standing here like a scared little girl, would you?”

Glenn’s face burned as he shuffled inside, his legs weak beneath him. Every step felt like a spotlight was shining down on him, but in reality, only a few people spared him a glance. That was, until they got in line for food.

Then the whispers started.

“Holy shit, is that Glenn?”

“No way. That’s not him, is it?”

“Dude. Look at his legs.”

Glenn squeezed his eyes shut, wishing he could shrink into the floor. But that wasn’t an option. Not when Aaron casually grabbed a tray, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

As Glenn reluctantly followed suit, a group of guys from the swim team appeared at the end of the line.

“Yo, Aaron! What’s up, man?” One of them, Jason, clapped Aaron on the back before his gaze drifted to Glenn. His eyes widened. “Wait… no way.”

Glenn gripped the tray tighter, forcing himself to look straight ahead, but that didn’t stop Jason and the others from circling him like sharks sensing blood.

“Damn,” another guy—Ethan—chuckled. “Didn’t think the rumors were true, but fuck.” His gaze slowly dragged up Glenn’s body, lingering on the dress that hugged his slim frame a little too well. “You’re actually pulling it off, dude.”

“I—I’m not—” Glenn started, but his voice faltered.

“Pulling it off?” Jason scoffed, grinning. “Nah, man. He’s straight-up working it. You see those thighs?” He whistled low.

“Bet he shaved ‘em, too.”

“Shit, Glenn. Didn’t know you had it in you.”

Laughter rippled through the group, and Glenn could barely breathe. His ears were hot, his skin crawling under their stares. He wanted to run. Why did they have to look at him like that?

Like he was sexy.

His stomach twisted at the thought.

Aaron, meanwhile, grabbed a bottle of water from the cooler and turned to Jason. “Yeah, well. Glenn’s had a bit of a wardrobe upgrade.” His voice was casual, but there was a smug amusement beneath it. “Don’t worry, though. He’s got plenty more looks to show off.”

Jason’s grin widened. “Oh yeah? Got anything shorter? Something off the shoulder, maybe?”

Ethan nudged Glenn with his elbow. “You single, bro? ‘Cause I bet there’s a line forming already.”

Glenn felt sick. His tray shook slightly in his hands. He wasn’t used to being noticed like this—not as a joke, not as this. He **** himself to keep breathing, but he had no idea what to do, what to say—

“Alright, boys,” Aaron cut in smoothly. “Let the poor thing eat. You’ll have plenty of time to admire him later.”

Glenn turned to him sharply, but Aaron was already leading the way to their usual table, as if nothing had happened.

They sat down, but Glenn barely touched his food. His stomach was still in knots, and every time he shifted in his seat, the skirt of his dress brushed against his thighs, a constant reminder of how much had changed.

Across from him, Aaron was on his phone, eating with one hand while casually scrolling through messages. Then, after a few moments, he dialed a number and held the phone to his ear.

“Yeah,” he said, chewing lazily. “Come pick ‘em up.”

Glenn’s heart lurched. He stared at Aaron, his blood running cold.

“Uh-huh. Yep. All of it. Don’t leave a single box.” A pause. Then a smirk. “Nah, he won’t be needing them anymore.”

Glenn’s hands clenched into fists beneath the table.

Aaron ended the call and set his phone down, finally looking up at Glenn. “What?” he asked innocently, like he hadn’t just erased the last bit of Glenn’s old life with a simple phone call.

Glenn’s chest tightened. He wanted to yell, to demand Aaron stop this, to run back and grab his clothes before they were gone forever.

But instead, all he could hear were the guys’ voices from earlier.

"You’re actually pulling it off, dude."

"You see those thighs?"

"Didn’t know you had it in you."

He swallowed hard. He had hesitated. He hadn’t fought for his clothes.

And now… it was too late.

Aaron popped a fry into his mouth. “Better eat up, princess,” he said casually. “Wouldn’t want you getting all lightheaded. We’ve got a long semester ahead of us.”

Glenn shuddered. He didn’t doubt that for a second.

There really was no going back now.