𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐞 -𝘌 𝘳 𝘦 𝘳 𝘪-

three

Eren

         "Eren," 

           I felt someone gently shake my shoulder. My eyes opened gradually. 

          "We're here honey," My mother smiled at me.

           Already? 

          The drive from my house to the school was about 4 hours. It seemed that I had slept the entire way. My mom reached over and wiped drool from the side of my mouth. 

          "Ew mom no," I pulled away, "gross." 

          She let out a chuckle and stretched her arms out in front of her. We were parked in the visitors parking lot right next to the boy's dorm. The sun was dancing on the hood of the car as it made its way through the thick canopy of oak trees. 

        "Are you ready?" My mom questioned me while turning the car off. 

         I laughed, "Is that a real question?" I was super nervous. Over the past years I had made plenty of friends here but I couldn't get used to the large stone walls no matter how hard I tried. I knew my mom worked really hard so that I could attend the beautiful school but that didn't make it feel like a prison any less. 

         "Its your last year Eren," My mom ran her fingers through my hair, I closed my eyes at the touch, "I want you to have fun."

           I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding in, "I'll try."

           We spent the next 30 minutes hauling in suitcases to my dorm room, It was the same room that I had last year. The moment I stepped into the boy's common room I felt a surge of familiarity. Maybe it wouldn't be too bad. I mean it always started like this- I was a nervous wreck in the beginning but once it was time for summer vacation- I was not so willing to leave. We ignored the elevator each time we came in as it was broken. I smiled to myself as I thought about the night my friend Connie had broken it. He had gotten drunk and was jumping in it, long story short the next morning an "Out of order" sign adorned the steel panels. We still hadn't told my friend Mikasa about the night. It was one that would remain a secret for as long as we lived. Or until my best friend Armin cracked under pressure. 

          Soon we we're finished and all my suitcases were gathered in my dorm room. I could tell my mom was stalling as she sorted my shirts and pants into my closet. "So uhm," She grabbed a pair of black oxford shoes from my suitcase, "What are you going to do after I leave? You have a week until classes start."

          I rubbed the back of my neck before grabbing my laptop bag and setting it on the wooden desk provided, "Well you remember Armin and Mikasa, right?" 

          My mom nodded thoughtfully, "Those are some sweet kids, especially that little blond friend of yours. Very respectful," She shoved two empty suitcases under the bed. 

         "Armin is coming over in a bit," I bit my lip knowing all too well that my mother would want to stay until he came, "We want to go to the library and get some coffee. Mikasa will probably join us." 

           "Hmm," She hummed softly, "I'm sure you want me out of the way while you hang out with your friends." 

          "Y-you don't want to stay until he gets here?" I was surprised. 

          She shook her head, "You're 17 now," My mother smiled as she approached me, "I feel that I have coddled you enough, besides I have to get home before it gets dark."