Before Loving You
Chapter 1: The Girl Who Didn’t Smile
The campus was full of noise, laughter, and pheromones mixed in the air, typical of the omegaverse world where Alphas, Betas, and Omegas coexisted within invisible hierarchies.
Lía, a confident dominant Alpha, walked through the crowd without paying attention… until she saw her.
Alma.
An Omega who didn’t fit into that world.
Not because of weakness… but because she seemed dimmed
Sara Méndez A.P
Can you stop staring down the hallway like you’re hypnotized, or are you going to explain why that girl has had you completely distracted for three days?
Crossing her arms, watching Lía with a mix of curiosity and obvious concern said Sara.
Lía Valverde A.D
It’s not just that I’m looking at her, Sara, it’s that I feel like there’s something in her that’s broken, like she’s fighting something no one else can see, and that… I can’t ignore it.
In a low but firm voice, without taking her eyes off Alma Lía replied.
Sara Méndez A.P
I know you too well, and every time you say something like that you end up emotionally involved with someone who doesn’t even know how to hold themselves together, so tell me, is it worth getting into that? (in a serious tone)
Lía Valverde A.D
I don’t know, but when I see her there, alone, hugging herself like she wants to disappear, I feel like if I do nothing, I’ll regret it more than if I try to get closer.” (taking a deep breath)
Lía walked toward her.
Alma slowly lifted her gaze.
Lía Valverde A.D
Hi… I know this might sound strange, but I’ve been noticing you these past few days, not in a bad way, just… I was wondering if you always isolate yourself like this or if today is one of those difficult days. (speaking softly, choosing every word carefully)
Alma Ríos O.P
It’s not that I isolate myself, it’s just that sometimes being alone is easier than trying to fit into places where you feel like you don’t belong even before speaking.
(with a fragile but sincere voice)
Lía Valverde A.D
I don’t think anyone is out of place, much less someone like you, because even in silence you give off something that’s impossible to ignore, even if you can’t see it. (taking a step closer)
Alma Ríos O.P
Don’t look at me like that, because there’s nothing special about me, and when people think they see something good, they always end up disappointed when they discover what I really am. (murmuring, lowering her gaze)
Lía Valverde A.D
Maybe the problem isn’t what you are, but the way you’ve learned to see yourself after everything you’ve been through, and that can change. (replied firmly)
The atmosphere shifted.
The Alpha and Omega pheromones reacted.
Alma took a step back.
Alma Ríos O.P
Don’t get so close, because you don’t know what you’re doing when you invade the space of someone who doesn’t feel enough even for herself, much less for someone else. (said nervously)
Lía Valverde A.D
I’m not trying to invade you, I just want you to understand that not everyone comes close to hurt you, some… just want to stay.” (without stepping back)
Alma Ríos O.P
And what happens when you realize I’m not someone easy to love, when you see that I can’t even stand myself on my worst days? (asked with pain) .
Lía Valverde A.D
Then I’ll stay on those days too, because I’m not looking for the perfect version of you, but the real one, even if it’s broken.”(replied with certainty)
Silence.
Alma looked at her directly.
Alma Ríos O.P
How am I supposed to love you, if every time I look in the mirror I feel like I’m not enough, that I don’t deserve anything people think they see in me?(her voice breaking)
Lía Valverde A.D
You don’t have to love me now, or tomorrow, or soon, but you can start by trying not to hate yourself so much, and if you let me…
Lía Valverde A.D
I can walk with you through that process without forcing you into anything.(responded softly)
From a distance, Sara sighed.
Sara Méndez A.P
This isn’t just a whim, Lía is getting into something deep, and that girl… that girl can break her or change her forever. (in a low voice)
Alma closed her eyes.
She breathed.
Alma Ríos O.P
I don’t promise that I can change, or that someday I’ll feel enough, but if you decide to stay… you have to know I’m not easy to love.(warning)
Lía Valverde A.D
I didn’t come looking for something easy, I came because something in you is worth it even when you can’t see it, and that… I’m not going to ignore. (replied firmly)
And for the first time…
Alma didn’t walk away.
Lía Valverde A.D
Lía Valverde
Age: 21
Subgender: Dominant Alpha
Occupation: Psychology student
Personality: Confident, intense, protective, emotionally strong
Scent: Wood and vanilla
Environment: Lives with her older sister; has a small but loyal circle
Alma Ríos O.P
Alma Ríos
Age: 20
Subgender: Omega
Occupation: Art student
Personality: Reserved, insecure, sensitive, with low self-esteem
Scent: Faded lavender
Environment: Lives alone with her distant mother; few friends.
Sara Méndez A.P
Sara Méndez
Age: 21
Subgender: Dura Alpha
Occupation: Tourism student
Personality: Direct, sarcastic, protective of Lía
Lía’s best friend
Chapter 2: Something in Her Eyes
Alma’s past was still breathing in every silence.
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
Why can’t you be like your sister, Celeste, who always smiles, always stands out, always does everything right, while you seem determined to disappoint me with everything you do
Her mother said with a cold voice, driving each word in as if they were absolute truths.
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
Alma Ríos O.P (15)
I try, Mom, I really do try, but I feel like no matter how much I do, you always find something that isn’t enough, something that is wrong with me.
Alma replied with a trembling voice and eyes full of contained frustration
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
Because you are not enough, Alma, and you have to accept it, because the world does not adapt to weak people who need constant approval to feel valuable.
(replied without softening a single word)
Celeste Ríos A.D (18)
Mom, you don’t have to be so hard on her, not everyone is the way you want them to be, and that doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with her or that she doesn’t deserve love.
Intervening Celeste, the older sister.
With a mix of discomfort and defense.
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
Don’t defend her, Celeste, you are an example of how things should be done, you deserve the best, not like her who is always falling behind.
Her mother responded pointing at Alma without looking at her
Alma Ríos O.P (15)
I wish I could be like you, Celeste, I wish I could do everything right like you, so Mom would look at me just once without disappointment.(whispering, lowering her head)
Celeste Ríos A.D (18)
You don’t have to be like me, Alma, but you can’t give up before trying, because that will only make you believe everything Mom says about you.(replied gently)
Three days later… Alma and Lía meet
Alma Ríos O.P
It’s been three days and you keep coming to sit with me, so I need to understand if this is persistence, habit, or simply that you have nothing better to do.
Alma said looking at Lía with curiosity and a bit of discomfort.
Lía Valverde A.D
I keep coming because I want to, because in these three days I’ve seen small changes in you, even if you don’t notice them, and that seems more important to me than anything else. (replied calmly)
Alma Ríos O.P
I don’t know what changes you think you see, because I still feel just as insufficient, just as lost, and with the same doubts that have always been inside me.(crossing her arms)
Lía Valverde A.D
The change is that you no longer pull away when I get close, that you no longer completely avoid looking at me, and that now you talk to me, even if it’s hard for you to admit it.(with a slight smile)
Alma Ríos O.P
That doesn’t mean anything, it just means I got used to your presence, not that there’s anything special or that you’re achieving something important with me.
(trying to sound indifferent)
Lía Valverde A.D
To me it means you’re leaving a small door open, and I don’t need more than that to stay, because I’m not looking for quick results or forced changes.(looking at her steadily)
The atmosphere became a little uncomfortable.
Alma Ríos O.P
Why do you do this, Lía, why do you keep trying something with someone who clearly doesn’t even know how to give back the most basic things?
Alma asked with a mix of confusion and fear
Lía Valverde A.D
Because not everything is about getting something in return, sometimes it’s about showing someone they can be loved even when they believe they don’t deserve it.(replied firmly)
Alma Ríos O.P
That sounds nice, but it’s not realistic, because in the end you’re going to get tired, you’re going to realize I’m not worth the effort, and you’ll leave like everyone else. (with a lower voice)
Lía Valverde A.D
Maybe one day I’ll get tired, or maybe I won’t, but that doesn’t depend on what you believe about yourself, it depends on what I decide to do with what I feel. (without hesitation)
Alma Ríos O.P
I’m not used to this, to someone staying, to someone insisting without expecting something immediate, and that makes me uncomfortable because I don’t know how to react.
Alma admitted looking at the ground
Lía Valverde A.D
You don’t have to know how to react, or act perfectly, or feel something right now, you just have to allow yourself not to reject everything good that tries to come close to you (softly)
Alma looked at her.
There was something different.
Alma Ríos O.P
I don’t promise that I can change quickly, or that someday I’ll be able to love myself the way you say, but… I guess I can try not to push you away today (in a softer tone)
Lía Valverde A.D
That’s all I need, Alma, because every small effort you make is worth more than any perfect result that isn’t real. (smiling slightly)
And for the first time…
Something in her eyes… began to shine. 🖤
Chapter 3: Half Conversations
Words hurt more when they come from home.
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
You’re late again, Alma, and you didn’t even have the decency to let me know as if your time mattered more than everyone else’s in this house.
Her mother said coldly, looking her up and down with clear disapproval.
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
Alma Ríos O.P
I was just at the university. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. I just… stayed talking a little longer than usual with someone.
Alma replied, trying to stay calm, though her voice trembled slightly
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
Talking won’t be useful if you keep being just as useless in everything else. Pretty words don’t replace results or turn someone mediocre into someone worthy.
Her mother added, without softening her expression.
Celeste Ríos A.D
That’s enough, Mom. You can’t keep talking to her like she’s a constant mistake, because she’s not.
Celeste Ríos A.D
And even if you don’t want to see it, Alma is trying to improve.
Celeste intervened firmly, stepping beside her sister
Selene Sánchez D'Rios A.P
I don’t need you to defend her like she’s a victim, Celeste. Life won’t treat her better than I do, and someone has to tell her the truth before it’s too late,(replied, crossing her arms)
Celeste Ríos A.D
The truth shouldn’t hurt like that, Mom. What you’re doing isn’t helping her,it’s making her feel smaller every day. That’s not education… that’s harm,
Celeste said, meeting her mother’s gaze.
Alma Ríos O.P
Don’t argue because of me, please. In the end, everything Mom says… is what I’ve always felt,that I’m not enough for anything,(murmured, lowering her gaze)
That night, Alma texted Lía.
Alma Ríos O.P
“I don’t know why I’m texting you. Maybe because you’re the only person who hasn’t made me feel invisible lately.
Alma Ríos O.P
But today… was one of those days where everything feels heavier,”
She wrote, hesitating before pressing send.
Lía Valverde A.D
“Then you did the right thing. You don’t have to carry those days alone. Even if I can’t fix everything, I can stay with you while it passes,”
Lía replied almost immediately
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