Circles | Eren x Reader

Chapter 27- IHOP:

(A/N~ Wow you guys!! 10k reads!!!! I can't believe it! Thank you all SO SO much for taking the time to read this story, it means SO much to me, and I realize I say this all the time, but it's true. I'll try to keep updating consistently. Hope everything is going well, love you guys ❤️❤️)

The next day at school, Eren gave no indication that anything happened last night. I had devoured the Madeleines in near seconds, despite my original plan of saving some for lunch for today. What was his play here? I frowned upon opening my lunchbox. Nothing but a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with some grapes and saltines. Not even Sasha would prioritize this type of food. I looked across the lunchroom and saw Eren and Armin chatting secretly, trying to avoid any unnecessary interactions. Mikasa soon approached the table, and the boys ended their conversation. Instead of wasting my time watching the trio like a weirdo, I shifted my attention towards my friends. Jean was finishing off a story that made everyone laugh. He looked over at me to judge my reaction. I smiled reassuringly, despite having no idea what he had been talking about. Am I a bad person? I wondered and, in an attempt to resolve my guilt, I talked animatedly with Jean for the rest of lunch and then some. I enjoyed it. Sometimes, I'd forget how funny he was— and how caring he was, too. Always asking me about my day and how I was feeling, or if I scored well on one of Shadis' brutal tests. I liked Jean. A lot. But, that didn't stop me from thinking about Eren.

Per usual, I spent the rest of my day at home finishing schoolwork before heading off to bed to think. My phone buzzed. I picked it up as fast as humanly possible.

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xxx-xxx-xxxx

im hungry

come w me to ihop

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Ugh. Eren always forced me to hang out with him. It was never a question. I couldn't feel guilty about that. So, not feeling guilty, I snuck out of the house, wearing another big T-shirt with the same old flannel PJ pants to meet Eren.

He was leaning against the wall of my house with his arms crossed in his famous blue sweatshirt, accompanied by some black Converse and cuffed black Dickies, the whites of his socks peeking below the pants. His teal-green-eyed stare greeted me before his words did.

"Hey, (Y/N). Ready to go?" he asked. I nodded. "Cool. I was thinking we'd split some pancakes— I'm not super hungry."

"Then, why would you ask me to dinner?" I questioned suspiciously.

"I dunno. It's been awhile since we've talked," he replied casually as he put his hands in his pockets and began walking. "How's school?"

I mimicked him: "'How's school'? Is that seriously what you're going to ask me?"

Eren looked at me, confused. "Is there a problem with my question?"

I stumbled over my words: "Yes, I mean, well, no, not exactly—"

"Just answer the damn question, (Y/N). It's not that hard," Eren said, kicking a rock.

"School's fine. I've been enjoying lunches with my friends. One of them won't shut up about this new fried chicken place. It's all he ever ta—"

"He?" Eren lifted an eyebrow.

"Connie." I rolled my eyes.

Eren's face relaxed, "Oh. Continue," he waved his hand.

"Well, that's about it really." I tried to think of other things to say. "What's been going on with you for the past two weeks?"

The casual conversation continued until we arrived at IHOP. It was a tan square building that looked a bit run down. The neon sign advertised that it was open until eight pm. It was 7:45 pm. I guess Eren was planning on having a short dinner. He held the glass door open for me. The bright light inside the restaurant burned my eyes. We were seated quickly; there were a few small groups at this hour, but most of the booths were empty. Eren ordered a plate of chocolate chip pancakes for us to share. This time, he did me the courtesy of splitting each pancake in half in advance, so it wasn't as disorganized as our last meal together.

As he shoved food in his mouth he asked me more friendly questions. All of our talking could be classified as "Nice weather we're having today" chit-chat. I was getting a little bored. I didn't expect this to be so dry. Normally, he was so enticing.

Eren's teal-green eyes flashed up and down from his plate to me. I stopped eating to stare at him. His hair looked so soft and fluffy. It was the perfect type of messy. I vaguely remembered running my fingers through his hair at one point, but it was a memory I had begun to lose touch with. The only piece of him that I truly would never forget were his eyes. I don't think I could ever get over those piercing teal-green eyes. Whenever I thought of Eren, the first thing I'd picture was the waterfall that I had once seen reflecting in them. A shining pool of bright light that I could easily get lost in. I sighed in admiration— No. I smacked my fist on the table. Eren jumped, his eyes wide in question.

"There, uh... I saw a fly. Sorry," I blushed. Stop thinking about him like that. People'll get the wrong idea.

"It's fine," he said, focusing back on the pancakes. "Hey, why'd you stop eating?" he noticed.

"I'm not hungry anymore." I thought for a moment, and decided to do something brave: "What is this?"

"What do you mean?" he asked. "A pancake?" He said, lifting up what he thought to be the pancake in question.

"No. These dinners. We never talk to each other at school, I haven't seen you in two weeks, and you just show up to my house, unannounced, asking to have dinner? And now, after I decided to come, you haven't said anything interesting at all!"

Eren looked hurt. "Do you not like having dinner with me?"

I sighed and put my head in my hands, "No, it's not that. You're just so... hard to read."

"Hm," Eren finished another pancake. "I'm not sure what this is. I just like hanging out with you. Is that a crime?" I didn't reply because I wanted him to continue. "As far as conversation goes... I don't really have much to say. Plus, my topics are limited— I don't want to say the wrong thing to set you off." He scratched the back of his head and looked at me calmly, "Although, it seems that I already have."

"Well, ask away. No restrictions."

He thought for a moment. "Okay. Are you and Jean still making out 24/7?" He smirked and lifted his eyebrows.

"That's what you wanted to ask?! About Jean?! I can't believe you!" I huffed, and then stopped myself. I shouldn't react like that; it's suspicious. It's normal for him to ask about that— anyone would if their conversation had been dull. I shouldn't assume it's because of his constant desire to win against Jean. Eren waited patiently for my reply. "No. It happened once, Eren. Get over it."

"Twice, actually," he corrected, "I believe he kissed you on the trip as well. And," he added defensively, "I am over it. In fact, was never under it. You and I made out at a party once— who cares? That's a party for you."

For a second, a wave of relief swept over me; I wouldn't have to worry about him getting in the way anymore. We just wouldn't talk, and eventually I'll just forget about him altogether. This is best case scenario! But this feeling only lasted for a moment. In the next second, I was disappointed. Crestfallen that what happened in the closet was meaningless to him— that he never thought about it once. But what about what Levi had said? That Eren had become obsessed with me for his own personal reason, unrelated to Jean? I suppose people can change... I guess Eren didn't care anymore. But why do I care so much?

Finally, I responded: "Yeah, I guess so."

His teal-green eyes stared intently at mine as he tried to read my expression. He finished off his final pancake and left me at the booth to go pay. He walked out the door without me.

"Eren!" I called, chasing after him. "What are you doing?"

"Dinners over," he said shortly. "I'm going home."

"Wha— that's it? Drag me to IHOP and then leave?" I said, astounded.

He shrugged. "I misjudged you. Maybe after a few shots you'd be interesting, but as of now, I'm bored."

I watched, gaping from the sidewalk as he walked away from me. He didn't turn his head back once. Is he PMSing or something? What is this?