please me ; eren yeager x oc

new beginnings

The campus buzzed with excitement as the second month of sophomore year kicked off. It was a crisp morning, with students rushing from class to class, the air filled with a mix of chatter and laughter. Emma walked through the gates with a sense of quiet determination, her heart beating faster than usual. Today wasn't just any day—this was the first day back after a long break, and she could feel the weight of it.

Her outfit was simple yet stylish: a black oversized graphic hoodie with white lettering that read *Lost Cause*, paired with high-waisted dark jeans that fit her perfectly. The edges of her jeans were slightly frayed, and she wore black boots that gave her a bit of an edge. She wasn't wearing much makeup—just a swipe of mascara and a light layer of concealer under her eyes. Her short bob had grown out a bit, now resting just above her shoulders. A few pieces of hair curled slightly at the tips, giving her a relaxed, effortless vibe.

Eren was walking beside her, a familiar presence that made everything feel a little more manageable. His usual confident stride was matched by a slight, almost protective, glance towards her. Today, he was wearing a faded green jacket, a white t-shirt underneath, and black jeans. His hair was messy in that perfect, just-woke-up way that made him look effortlessly cool.

"First day back," Eren said, his voice low as he glanced at her. There was a hint of concern in his eyes, though he was trying to play it cool.

"Yeah, I guess," Emma muttered, adjusting the straps on her bag. "It feels weird, like I've missed so much already."

"You've got this," Eren said, his smile reassuring. "Besides, you're not doing this alone. You've got me, and you've got the team."

Emma offered him a tight smile. "Right."

As they walked to the student center, they ran into the rest of the group. The boys—Connie, Jean, and Armin—were gathered at a table near the entrance, chatting about football and what they had missed over the past month.

"Yo, Emma! Glad to see you back!" Connie greeted with his usual wide grin, ruffling her hair playfully.

Emma rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "You're a mess, Connie."

Jean smirked, leaning back in his chair. "What's up, Em? You ready for today?"

"Ready as I'll ever be," Emma replied, her tone more upbeat than she felt.

Mikasa, Historia, and Sasha joined them shortly after, all of them wearing casual outfits that suited their styles. Mikasa wore a black hoodie with a dark green jacket over it, paired with skinny jeans and combat boots. Sasha was wearing a loose red sweater with plaid pants and white sneakers, her hair in a high ponytail. Historia wore a cozy beige sweater tucked into a pleated skirt, her hair in soft waves.

Sasha noticed Emma's demeanor and nudged her. "You're looking good, girl. Ready for the opening?"

Emma's smile was more genuine this time. "Yeah. I'm excited to get back into the swing of things."

They all sat together at a nearby table, their laughter and easy conversations a comforting backdrop to the nerves swirling inside Emma. The opening was just two weeks away—two weeks until they were going to perform in front of an entire stadium for the halftime show. She had her work cut out for her, but she was ready to dive back into everything. She couldn't let her struggles define her, not when she had so much to prove, not just to the team, but to herself.

"We're all counting on you, Emma," Armin said, his voice soft but encouraging. "But no pressure, right?"

Emma chuckled, pushing her hair behind her ear. "Yeah, no pressure. I'm definitely not freaking out at all."