The Favourite

The Inevitable

Eren's POV

BEEP!

BEEP! BEEP!

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

I groaned into my pillow as I lashed my hand out in a futile attempt to turn off the alarm on my bedside table, hoping to get a few more minutes sleep before I had to go to work. Removing myself from my comfortable faceplate position I glared at my alarm only for it to give me no response other than the dreaded time. 12:34

Shit. I need to be at work for one and it's at least a 10 minute walk if I rush.

"Come on Eren I will not let you be late again!" I heard my goody-two-shoes of a sister call from downstairs, she's probably cooking me breakfast while making my farther his lunch judging by the time.

Rubbing the sleep out of my eyes I got out of my bed and picked up some random clothes that were abandoned on my bedroom floor and quickly got changed into them. I admired my luck when looking at myself through the body length mirror that was on the outside of my wardrobe door I had managed to find some black skinny jeans and a baggy white shirt that the sleeves button at the elbow.

Slowly I walked to the landing and down the stairs my family's disapproving looks. Ugh I really don't want to deal with them today of all days...

After quickly slipping past my farther as he was distracted by the morning's paper, I fill a plate with the scrambled eggs and bacon my sister had made me. I may not get on the best with her although I have to admit she does get me out of trouble most of the time.

However, my mission to go unnoticed failed when my father grabbed my wrist and pulled me next to him only to then gesture towards the paper.

"Eren if you wouldn't mind reading the date for me that would be a big help, as my eyesight's getting bad with age." he said his voice overflowing with sarcasm. Sighing I began to read the words aloud albeit under my breath.

"Friday the 15th of September 2016." As a last ditch attempt of escape I everted my eyes and mumbled while reading the '15th' part.

Finally I looked back down at my seated farther only to see him fold up the paper alongside his glasses and placing them neatly on the dining table by his empty plates as a heavy breath escaped his lips.

"Look Eren we both know it's your pay day and that your pitiful café waters' salary would be far better spent on something like clothes and necessities or even saved up so you can eventually move out rather than gambling it away." He sat back down again after he realised that he had progressively become more aggressive as his little speech continued. Going as far as to stand up and talk down to me like a child.

But I am not child. I'm 19 for Christ's sake and I had had enough, I darted out of the room, sliming on my black converses, putting on my coat and grabbing my keys before a stormed out of the house, starting the 10 minute walk into town and my job. Sadly though I was not fast enough to escape my dad's final threat. I could see him hanging half way out of the front door as he shouted,

"I swear on your mother's grave that if I catch you at the bookies I will be teaching you a lesson you will never forget"

Unfazed by the prospect of being grounded for a week or two I continued my leisurely walk to the café. Heck if I'm going to be late anyway why rush.

~Time Skip~

After arriving 5 minutes late for work, again. I got the usual warning from my boss and started my pointless role in society.

While continuing my labour based work my mind was left free to plan a way that I could quench my thirst for gambling all without my father, or sister come to think of it, finding out. Then it hit me the most obvious and simple idea so simple that I was kicking myself over not thinking about it sooner.

Quit

Well at least pretend to.

I won't gamble it all away as soon as my shift ends, like usual, instead I shall return home tonight all my due money in hand to prove to my family that I am responsible. Now here's the best part. Once all suspicion is lowered I will go tomorrow and bet on the biggest horserace of the day.

I mean how could I miss it? My lucky horse was the favourite for it after all and it would be his final race as well. The underdog who I supported with my hard earned cash until he made his way to the very top. How could I possible do something so disrespectful as to have no money to bet on the one who gave me profit after profit?

"Hey Eren you still with us?" I turned on a sixpence towards my food obsess friend and college as they snapped me out of my thoughts.

"You know your shit finished a little while ago. You're free to go pick up your cheque from the back and head off right."

Feeling discussed with myself that I even stayed for my full four hours and didn't leave five minutes early like I usually would I thanked Sasha, grabbing my wages before I left. I then proceeded to routinely go to the Bank, paying the cheque in and immediately withdrawing the money from my account. I started to walk towards the bookies before I remembered my plan.

I started walking home a little bummed about my lack of daily adrenaline that gambling gave me, though the buzzing feeling I got in my stomach about tomorrow was enough to distracted me.

~Time Skip~

I felt accomplished as I walked through my front door only to look at my father's face when I held out my months' worth of wages. Though a pang of guilt hit me when I saw how proud both him and Mikasa were.

I never said I didn't have a problem.

An addiction

...and I would never deny that it was unhealthy I just never though... it upset them

this much

Excusing myself from one of Mikasa's tight hugs, I quickly ran into my room too embarrassed to show my faces to them I prepared myself for bed. Doing the usual of brushing my teeth and getting into my panamas that consisted of boxers, discarding the day's clothes onto the floor for another day.

I then sat on my bed, my forest green duvet handing over my shoulders as a sort of protective cave, as I looked down at the money in my hands.

It was a decent amount around £494 with that I could buy myself some nice clothes or video games. Thinking for a while I considered what my dad said. Maybe I should save up, get myself a car or flat like mum would have wanted me to spend her money.

I chuckled quietly remembering how Mikasa spent her share of mums inheritance, buying herself some a stupid money eating machine or as young girls call them..

Horses.

Word Count: 1228