I Love You So- Eren Yeager

7- You're Everything I Want

"Malu?" The air in his windpipes nearly failed. In the blink of an eye, Eren had already noticed her attire: oversized sweatshirts and a beanie. For the cold. An outfit that was not 'eye' grabbing, but seemed to fit around Malu's personality. Yeah, that was her. 

The sounds of the buzzing restaurant suddenly went silent to him as he only froze. Unable to move for a few moments. He guessed it was surprise. Or nerves. Perhaps both.

"Hey," She smiled sheepishly, holding out her phone for him to see, "I got your text. Congrats."

"Thanks," Blinking, Eren took as much as he could. So that's how she smiled. "I would have liked to have seen you-"

"-I actually stopped by. Look." She cut him off, once again bringing her phone out. This time, it was Eren who got up from his booth and slid across Malu's. He swallowed hard when the idea of being this close to her settled in. 

"I didn't get a lot of pictures, but I took some from the bleachers." she explained, swiping through some of the images. One of them was a picture of Eren from a distance, with a football in hand. Eren nodded, glancing up. 

"Why didn't you come over to say hi? And I thought you were busy."

"I didn't want to enter jock-territory." Malu sighed, putting her camera down, "And judging by the priorities of your friends, I don't think I missed much. No offense." 

"You heard?" 

"Mhm. It's kind of hard not to when people from your school are talking. Especially loud, post-game players who are hyped to spend the night looking for fun." 

Eren nearly winced, "Sorry you had to hear that." his eyed fixated themselves on her hands, "But why didn't  you call me after the game? We could have gone out for coffee or something." 

Malu looked away. "Again, college parties. And I really didn't think about texting you. You were probably going to go out and celebrate. Not spend your night at some old restaurant." She paused, "But your previous conversation tells me otherwise. Tell me, what were you going to do?"

Eren leaned back into his booth seat, placing his arms -casually- back. He shrugged, "Probably eat. Or go for a drive. Maybe both. Now you- what were you planning on doing after you left the game. Right before it ended, Cinderella." 

"I had to catch my carriage. Soon to be pumpkin, Charming." She shot back before her cheekbones tightened. 

Eren grinned, "Ha. Good answer." 

"Thanks," she released a nervous laugh, "I totally had that comeback saved for when I met my internet interest in an old Diner. Right after a Football game. Totally planned." 

"And did you plan an answer for when he'd ask you if you wanted to stay and eat?" he leaned forward, hoping for a positive answer. 

She hummed. "Depends on what we're eating." 

"Whatever you want," Eren extended his hands. "Whatever you want. My treat." He turned to the waitress that was watching them from behind the counter. Asking her to come, "I'll have the bacon cheesebruger, fries, and oreo shake. With whipped cream." He watched as the waitress nodded, scribbling in his order. 

"So," he turned to Malu, "Is that a yes?" 

"Give me the number 7." She turned to the waitress without a doubt, "With a shake as well, please."

**************************

For a majority of their stay, Malu and Eren caught up with each other's day. Eren slightly mentioned how his game went, and as he explained the basics of American Football, Malu realized how similar this was to talking on the phone. But better. 

She could see him shift on his seat, or pull his hair back, and smile. Details someone would take for granted, but made the conversation livelier. 

"I can drive you home if you'd like," answered Eren as he already paid for their meal, "I don't think you'd want to take the bus this late at night." 

"Thanks, but-" Malu stopped in mid sentence when she saw her phone. 10:19pm. A bus ride back home would take longer than that. 

"You're right." her words slightly scraped her pride, "But are you sure it's not a problem?"

"Oh please," Eren said as he pulled the exit door open for her, already on their way outside, "I can do it. I've got no time curfew and my old man isn't home. So it's fine." he said as he dug for his car keys. Lighting up to a jet-black sports car. "By what time do you need to be home?" 

"No later than 10:45." 

"Shit. Then we better hurry." He said as he opened the door for her. 

Entering Eren's car was like entering a dealrship car, but better. Instead of having a new 'car' smell, Eren's car smelled like him- cologne. The GPS screen was cleaner than her laptop as well as his dashboard. Literally no dust in sight. 

"You can leave me a few houses away," she pointed out, "I don't want to wake my parents up by the sound of your engine." A half-lie. This was the closest thing to anything she's ever done with a boy. Was she doing the right thing?

"Fair enough, but I have to see you enter your house safely. I'll make an opposite turn so they won't hear me." he confirmed, "That okay?"  She nodded. 

"Okay, thanks." 

The minute Eren leaned forward was the minute Malu's back faced him, already making her way out. "Thanks for the ride, Eren." 

"Anytime," he cleared his throat, "Are you doing anything this weekend?" 

"Nothing that comes to mind no. Why?" 

"Because I'd like to take you out." 

********************************************

A/N: YESSS! Okay, so now that this is published, I feel like I should say that this story is supposed to be a 'short' story. I think this will be less than 20 chapters so we're nearly halfway there. Any feedback, comments and concerns are greatly appreciated!