When Flowers Bloom-EreHisu fanfic

6: The Party

The first school week flew by in an instant and Friday was here. Everyone was adjusting to the new school year and the first true mark of the new year was the long awaited first football game of the season. Finally here, excitement buzzed throughout every student. Eren wasn't entirely fond of football but the excitement drew him in too. The last bell for the day rang out and the school hummed with the sound of students chatting and making their way to each exit. Trying his best to weave through the wall of students he felt a familiar hand grasp his shoulder. Glancing back he wasn't surprised to see Reiner beaming down at him.
"Yeager! I'm gonna see you at the game right?" he shook Eren as he spoke. The buzzing giddy aura around Reiner was contagious.
Eren smiled. "Sure, I always go to the first game."
"Good, good. Hey afterwards I can give you a ride to my place. We're gonna win so we're gonna celebrate hard." The much taller senior seemed more excited about his after party than the actual game he was gonna, undoubtedly, be the star of.
That seemed like a fine idea to Eren. He nodded and Reiner shook him again, slightly rattling his brains. God, Reiner was too strong for his own good. "Can't wait man! See you then."
His loud presence gone, Eren sighed, able to think again. Armin and Mikasa had both told him they'd be busy after school with their own clubs so he elected to just head home. The game wasn't going to start for a few hours so he'd entertain himself until then. Well, "entertain" actually meant doing homework one of his stuck up teachers assigned over the weekend. Outside of the school he watched as other students hung around the courtyard. He felt slightly lonely without his two best friends.
He pushed that thought away and started on his way home. Eren was grateful the school wasn't far at all from where he lived. No license or car yet, walking was how he got around. His attention was suddenly drawn to a small blonde also walking across the courtyard. Christa happily bounced as she went her way. That all too familiar feeling of warmth filled his face and embarrassed him. Blushing just from looking at her? Get a grip, he thought a little too harshly.
He pushed those thoughts away calling out to her and waving. She turned and her face lit up. It wasn't just her hair that shone. Physically, she was glowing, heavenly, almost angelic. "Hi Eren!" her voice snapped him from his thoughts.
"Hey, heading home too?" she nodded, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Where's your friend?"
"Hm?" she looked confused up at him.
"The girl from the other day? Tall, has brown hair."
Her smile returned. "Oh! You mean Ymir. She goes to work right after school on Friday's. So it's just me."
He hummed. "Do you usually walk home with her?"
"Sometimes, when she's not busy. Her school is kinda far from here so she can't always make it." He wondered what Ymir was to her. Maybe just a close friend? "But I'm glad you're here! It's nice to have a friend to walk with."
Her bright attitude made him smile. "How far from school are you?"
"Not far at all! My dad's house is right on Rosehill Drive."
Thinking for a moment he realized they didn't live that far from each other. "That's like a block or so from my house."
That made her smile once again. "Oh how cool! I've never had any of my friends live so close. Maybe we can go to each other's house." After saying that her smile faltered. "Oh I mean.. if that's okay. I don't wanna impose." Her mood changed so fast it threw him off.
Eren quickly shook his head, reassuring her that it'd be fine. "Mikasa likes you so I'm sure she'd love for you to come over too."
Christa brightened up returning to her usual self again. They walked together and chatted about their day. She carried most of the conversation and Eren just politely listened. It seemed like she couldn't stand any silence between them. He wondered if she were okay. She seemed content and cheerful but it was off slightly. As if she were forcing herself to appear happy. Maybe something else was on her mind, he thought. She did seem genuinely happy to be with him but there was some other emotion hidden on her face. He couldn't quite place it. They made it to her street first and parted ways. He watched her go momentarily before going his own way.
Reaching his house he groaned as he saw his dad's car in the driveway. Still taking days off from work to be at home. Sure he was glad his dad was actually there to help his mom around the house but, it felt like a show. Look at me son. See? I'm here now. Don't be mad at me anymore. As if. He snuck in through the back door to avoid his dad and went upstairs to his room.