Scholarly (Yelena X Reader) ON HOLD

Chapter Three

Compared to how I started my day, the remainder of my classes go by in a pleasant haze of syllabi and coffee refills.

    By the time my last class ends at five P.M. I'm ready to change into something more comfortable and get a head start on homework.

    When I stop in my dorm to swap my jeans for some grey sweats and sweater for a tank top and fleece lined zip up I'm disappointed to be reminded that Sasha is still in class. She opted to take afternoon and night classes so that she had her mornings to herself.

    With a sigh I squeeze my laptop in amongst the numerous notebooks and textbooks cluttering my backpack and leave to meet Armin in the library for a homework date.

    When I arrive I immediately head up to the third floor. Freshman year Armin and I had discovered an alcove in the corner of the topmost floor that went unused by the other students.

    As expected, I see his blonde head just peeking over the privacy divider that sectioned up the study space intended for various group or individual work.

    I slow my pace and move behind him unseen. With a harpy-like shriek I scare him halfway out of his chair. We both laugh at full volume, knowing no one ever wandered up far enough to be disturbed by the noise we made in our corner.

    "Veryyy funny Y/N," Armin said in an exasperated tone that you knew only went so far since his face still clearly displayed a smile. "You know one of these days I'm going to get you back big time for all the times you've snuck up on me."

    "Yea sure thing Arlert", you say between small laughs. "Is it just us tonight or will anyone be joining us?"

    "Yes actually, Ymir and Mikasa asked to join in. They said we're easier to focus around than Jean and Connie," he said, naming two of my friends I was close to prior to college.

    "Yea the only 'studying' those two have ever done was prior to hitting puberty," I joke, remembering Jean and I hunched over our vocabulary lesson on the bus to elementary school.

    Before either of us can continue poking fun, a familiar embrace envelopes me from behind; squeezing tight enough to make me strain for air for just a moment before she releases.

    Ymir moves to the seat next to me laughing while Mikasa moves to join Armin on his side of the table, having been closer friends with him than me.

    "Ymirrrr," I groan as I turn to face her. "Didn't we talk about gentle greetings?" I rub my ribs for effect but she just smiles and shrugs her shoulders.

    "That was gentle Y/N, maybe it's time to toughen up," she teases. I roll my eyes dramatically and pull out my laptop.

    "Wowww Y/N boringggg," she teases.

Mikasa shoots her a look and she immediately pulls out her own laptop, though grudgingly.

Ymir was notorious for finding any excuse to skip homework or studying, hence why she so often joined us. Between the three of us we somehow managed to keep her on task long enough to accomplish something.

Once a comfortable quiet settled over our group my productivity kicked into overdrive. I would not let myself be embarrassed of an assignment in that class ever again. I made a silent vow to myself that I would change Yelena's negative first impression of me.

By the time I was solidly two weeks worth of assignments ahead in creative writing my focus was broken by the sound of an approaching conversation. One that sounded so animated that I knew who was coming before they rounded the corner.

I began to pack up my things as Jean, Connie, and Sasha approached. Connie seemed to be in a passionate debate with Sasha, the nature of which was unclear but I could hear the words "Lobster Boy" and "Sugar Daddy" and decided it couldn't be anything too serious. Especially considering how close Jean looked to laughter.

Already knowing what they intended to do, I say my goodbyes to the group of friends still studiously at work and make my way over to the three of them before they can get close enough to disrupt the others.

"We need you to settle a debate Y/N," Connie said as soon as I was within range. With a dramatic sigh I ask what the problem is as I lead them back downstairs and out of the library, heading to Sasha and I's dorm building.

Tonight's scuffle happens to be over Niccolo, a senior culinary major who seems to be infatuated with Sasha.

"Just think!," Connie continues his speech as the four of you approach the building. "If he wasn't such a good cook, would she really be interested in him??"

"Your points invalid!" Sasha cuts him off, causing the two to completely forget that they came to me to make peace and launch back into their debate.

Me and Jean  trade amused looks as we both usher the other two into the elevator and head up to our floor.

They finally simmer down by the time I'm unlocking the door, seeming to not have needed my intervention after all.

I plop down on Sasha's bed with her as Jean and Connie splayed across mine. The four of us talk about our days, laughing at how different they all seemed to have gone. With mine ringing in as most embarrassing.

"Sooo what were you so distracted by?" Jean wiggles his eyebrows at me suggestively and I choke on a laugh.

"Wouldn't you like to know", I say with a joking wink in his direction.

Connie and Sasha simultaneously gag causing me to laugh and Jean to roll his eyes.

"Anywayyy," Sasha says brightly, clearly saving me from having to explain that I was too busy finger watching to pass my quiz. "Tell Y/N about the party," she encourages.

"Oh yeah!" Connie exclaims, clearly happy to have been reminded. "Our fraternity is hosting a costume party the Friday before Halloween, so obviously you're coming. We were thinking of doing some kind of group costume," He finished excitedly.

I had never been one for parties in high school, but since Jean and Connie got into Greek life freshman year I allowed them to drag me along to my fair share.

"Obviously something sexy," Jean cuts in with a devilish look.

"Yea absolutely Jean," Connie agreed, "We can definitely find you a little skirt or something to throw on." He laughs as Jean fumes at him.

Sasha turned to me. "Obviously those two won't be any help so I was hoping you'd take the reins with the group costume thing."

"Of course," I reassure her. "We've got two weeks before we have to worry about that anyway."

After a few more jokes and jabs exchanged between our group the guys eventually head out to their own dorm, which is only one floor below ours.

Sasha wastes no time calling dibs on showering first, quickly locking herself away in the bathroom.

I feel so exhausted that I decide to shower in the morning instead of waiting up for Sasha.

As I bundle deep into my blankets I can't help but let my mind stray to Yelena. How good she smelled, how she looked in her crisp suite, clearly tailored to fit her perfectly. I drift off to sleep with images of her playing across my mind.

(Published 04/14/21)