Key to a Caged Heart

Mad World

A/N: The song for this chapter (the Gary Jules version of Mad World) doesn't appear in this chapter but is kind of how I imagine Eren's thoughts to be about his life at this point.

Christa's house was gargantuan. The Reiss family was one of the wealthiest in town and it was evident. Built from white stones imported from Italy, the mansion sprawled across neatly trimmed grass as far as the eye could see in the shadowy evening light. Besides the spaciousness of the abode, Christa's house was the go-to location for parties because her neighbors were a five minute drive in either direction and at that distance they couldn't hear any noise to complain about.

Since it was a warm night, many people were gathered in the backyard. Bodies twisted and bent to the blaring music, inhibitions dramatically dulled by the alcohol and drugs in their system, leading to a mix of overly suggestive dancing or embarrassing dance moves that would hopefully be forgotten come morning. String lights and tiki torches surrounded the deck and pool area. Eren spotted two of his classmates, Connie and Sasha, splashing each other in the pool and using pool noodles as swords. How they were able to stay afloat, nevertheless while energetically battling, and not drown from intoxication was a mystery. Not that Eren would ever admit he gave a damn, but he was secretly glad to see that Marco Bodt was keeping an eye on them and looked ready to act as lifeguard if it came to it. Thank heavens for Freckled Jesus.

"Eren! Dance with me!" If the flushed cheeks were anything to go by, the girl approaching him was intoxicated. Not that he was likely to find anyone sober at this point in the night. After a few stumbles on wobbly heels, she eventually crossed from the edge of the yard to the patio where Eren stood.

At first glance Eren had no idea who this chick was, but when she came closer he recognized the long neon pink nails. Amanda something-or-other. He fucked her last week and still had the scratches on his back to remember their little fling by. Those nails - more accurately, those talons - hooked into his arm as she dragged him with her into the house and towards the kitchen. She didn't let go until she reached the cooler and grabbed them each a beer. Eren didn't think she should be having any more alcohol but he wasn't one to get involved in other people's lives, unlike some people he knew, so he accepted his beer with a nod of thanks before turning to survey the room. Couples were grinding on each other off beat to the music. It looked more like they were using each other as support to keep from falling down. His attention was brought back to his immediate surroundings when sharp claws encircled his waist and a tipsy voice whispered in his ear, "Do you want to go upstairs?"

He contemplated his options. On the one hand, Amy - Amber, Ashley? Oh right, Amanda! - would be a way to kill time and keep his mind off of the crap Annie pulled tonight. Who the hell was she to stage an intervention? There was nothing wrong with him. But he didn't feel like getting clawed to death. Unwrapping the girl's arms from around his waist, he took his beer and headed back outside to where Jean stood talking to Marco.

"Hey Eren! How've you been? It's been a while." Marco smiled innocently at him, his halo gleaming atop his head.

"I'm fine, Marco. How are you?" The other boy's face lit up at getting a response from the normally abrasive green-eyed male.

"I'm good. Jean and I are going on a roadtrip to Stohess tomorrow to check out Stohess University. They have some great programs and I think I might apply early decision there. Do you know what schools you are applying to?"

At the blank expression he received, Marco blushed with embarrassment and delicately backtracked. "Not like it matters yet anyway. There is still tons of time before you need to make a decision like that." Jean glanced at Eren and tried to decipher the look in his eyes. Resignation? Regret?