Couldn't Help It - Jean Kirschtein

02. Old Friends, New Friends

╭──────⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚──────╮

02. Old Friends, New Friends

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚

Words: 1.4k.
Warnings: Swearing, Mentions of Alcohol and Substance Use, Mentions of Death, Angst.

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚

        Three pot lights that overlooked a small kitchen island were the only sources of light that illuminated your large basement, aside from the giant TV in front of you. The space between yourself and Jean was a little bit too small for the large size of the plush white couch. You attempted to push the thought out of your head, writing it off as a coincidence. Still, you couldn't help but feel heat rise to your cheeks. You bit the inside of your left cheek attempting to suppress it, distracting yourself by mindlessly scrolling through movie selections. Jean didn't seem to notice anything but the fact that you were taking a painfully long time to choose a movie. He grabs the remote from your hands.

        "Gimme that," he teased, immediately selecting one of his favorite movies, "you're so indecisive."

        "I like this movie," you ignore his comment about your indecisiveness.

        "Should've picked it ten minutes ago then."

        "Shut up."

        He did, in fact, shut up. The movie captures his full attention, and soon enough yours as well. Half an hour had passed in the blink of an eye. You hadn't realized that you were leaning into his shoulder until the sound of the front door swinging open and the distant sound of light conversation causes you to jump from your position. The movie is temporarily paused.

        "Y/N?" Eren calls out to you.

        "In the basement!" You reply, prompting footsteps down the stairs.

        Eren, along with Mikasa, Armin, Sasha, and Connie flood the basement, taking seats around you and Jean on the couch. The space, or lack thereof, between the two of you now respectfully distant. Your brother settles on your opposite side.

        "How were your classes?" You ask him.

        "Fucking boring." His response mirrored the response you had given to Jean earlier.

        "Same here."

        He gives you a weak smile. You knew your brother well enough to know that was a clear sign that he was done talking about it. You turn the conversation to your other friends. The remainder of the evening is spent exchanging stories about your first days at Marley University. Connie of course, had spent his day smoking at home. As for everyone else, with the exception of Sasha, it seemed as if you weren't the only one who struggled to network. This prompts an idea that you didn't mean to say out loud.

        "What if we throw a party here on Friday? Invite a bunch of our classmates."

        "A party?"

        "Hell yeah!"

        Sasha and Connie high five. Eren's expression reads worry, but after a moment of contemplation he pipes up.

        "I don't think mom and dad will mind as long as we clean everything up."

⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩 .𖥔˚

        Eren was right. After proposing the idea to your parents, who were on business trips anyway, they agreed to let you use the house to host the party. On the condition that it was spotless come Saturday, of course.