~Introverted~ An Eremika Story (High School AU)

~Chapter Four~

Eren's POV

"So, what'd you wanna tell me?" Armin asked his friend as they found their way to the cafeteria.

"Two things, actually," Eren answered.

"Is the second thing what you were acting weird about at the stairs?"

"Yeah, but that isn't as important." But much weirder, he thought. Wait, why am I more focused on the much more normal thing? Eh, whatever. They found an empty table, which was convenient because they really only knew each other. They sat down and pulled out their lunch from their backpack.

"So," Eren started, "First thing. Ready?"

"Ready."

"Good. So, the second thing is much weirder, but the first thing has been on my mind a lot more. Does that make sense...?" he asked nervously, hoping Armin would get it.

"Don't worry, I get it."

"Good good. So, today at first period, I sat next to a girl, who KINDA looked familiar, but I couldn't tell where from."

"Wow, you interacted with a girl, good job." Armin said dryly as he crossed his arms.

"I'M NOT DONE TALKING."

"Sorry, go on."

"So I glanced at her to try to figure it out, and she glanced at me too! If that wasn't bad enough, I wasted that whole class in my head thinking about it!"

"Wait, that's it?" Armin said, hoping that wasn't it.

"Yeah.." It was silent for a second before Eren broke it. "And the other thing!"

"Please, do tell," Armin said. "Let me guess, when we walked down the stairs you saw a girl."

"No dude, ugh. Just let me tell you."

"Yes, do tell."

"When I walked up the stairs, there were two weird boys at the top, laughing while looking at me. I thought it was a coincidence, ya know? But when we walked back down, I looked back, and they were there, staring at me."

"And THAT wasn't stuck in your head?"

"Mhm."

"And yet a kind of awkward interaction with a girl occupied your mind all class?"

"Yup."

"This is why you haven't dated anyone since middle school."

"Maybe, yeah." In the midst of their conversation, someone sat down next to Armin, looking across the table to Eren. They both decided not to say anything, hoping he'd start this forced interaction. He didn't. Shit.

"Uh, do you ne-" Armin started, but was immediately cut off.

"Uh, yeah actually, I do," the boy said. "You got a problem, kid?" Armin and Eren gave each other a look of confusion. Neither of them knew this horse, or his awful haircut. Armin decided to try to talk.

"A prob-" Armin got cut off.

"This isn't about you, blonde, this is about him," the guy said.

"Hey asshole, got a problem with blondes?" Eren asked. This guy was starting to piss him off. Not only does he apparently have an issue with Eren, for god knows what, but he's insulting Armin too? Fuck that.

"Yeah, but this isn't about him. My problem's with you, and my girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Eren was stuck in his head, thinking about who this asshat was talking about. Then, it hit him. The girl that traveled through his eyes and into his brain for the first half of the whole day; even distracting him from the two other jersey boys staring at him at the stairs. And he didn't even know her name. Hold on a second, Eren thought. That's his girlfriend?!

"Ahh, so you realize," Jean said smugly, watching and studying Eren's facial expression. "She talks about you. You're the boy she's always been talking about. I don't like that, Jaeger. So stay the hell away. You're not good for her health."

"I'm sorry," Eren started, "I didn't know." Suddenly a look came on the guy's face. Like he embarrassed himself. A look caused by Eren's apology.

"Yeah, w-well uh-" Jean stuttered, "S-stay away, mannn..." He then promptly left the table, going to another table with a giant group of kids. One of those kids being the girl. And two of them being the jersey guys. She sticks out from the loud crowd, staying silent among the dumbfounded chaos.

"Who the hell does he think he is?" Eren asked Armin, pointing behind him at the table with his thumb.

"You asked that, expecting to know." Armin smugly responded.

"Aw."

"Luckily for you, I do. Jean Kirschtein. He was in first period with me. Total buffoon. He means good, maybe?"

"Tsk, maybe." Eren started looking around the room, everywhere but that specific, small, crazy table. "Did you see that guy's face?"

"Yeah, I did," Armin said, laughing. "He looked like a horse."

"That's what I was thinking!"

After school ended, Eren and Armin walked towards Armins house, since his was closer.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow?" Armin asked, even though he knew the answer.

"Of course. History, right?"

"Mhm. See ya," Armin said as he walked into his house. Now, Eren is all alone, free to be in his own mind on an afternoon walk. The sun was now setting, and he was happy. A good end to a weird day. He slowly walked to his neighborhood, looking at the street lamps turn on, one by one. His neighborhood was pretty, especially the main road. One of his favorite hobbies was walking at night alone, or with Armin when he slept over. He finally reached his house when it was nearly completely dark out.

"I'm home!" he stated, walking in and rushing to his room.

"How was school?" his mom asked.

"It was good, I mostly stayed with Armin all day though," He responded. He then heard her sigh as he dropped his backpack off in his room.

"Eren," she started, "You need to make more friends. You can't just stick around the same people ALL the time."

"Mom, it's the first day. I swear, I'll make more friends before the end of my high school career."

"Eren!" she called after him, frustrated by what he said.

"I'm joking mom, I'm going on a walk."

"Be back by midnight, I don't need you concerning the neighbors."

"Mhm mhm." He walked out the door, heading to a park. It's not too far out from the neighborhood, he thought. Won't be too far of a walk. I'll be back before midnight. He put his headphones on and put on some music; being in his head again. On the way, he saw two people walking together. He couldn't see well, as the path was covered in trees, and it was pitch black. He didn't wanna get too close, coming off as a creep. After hearing them talk, though, he determined who they were. The girl and Jean, talking about school. He decided not to listen further. It wasn't his business.

He did get concerned, however, when the silhouettes started arguing, as the taller one left, stomping off, disappearing. Couple drama, he thought. This is why I don't date. When he got to the park, he decided to walk around the big field of grass, looking at the nature around him. He saw the silhouette sit in the middle of the field, looking down. He tilted his head in curiosity. Then he saw her lay back and sigh exhaustingly.

Do I approach her?