Bet ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 9: The Night

"Come again, dear," Mrs. Rail, the local corner store owner called as I gathered my groceries.

"Will do, ma'am," I smiled. "Have a good evening."

"You too," she beamed.

I took my bags and went on my way, starting my short walk towards the dorms. Luckily, Mrs. Rail's corner shop was just a few blocks from campus, so my commute wouldn't be tedious. I just had to cross two streets and turn the corner and there she'd be, MRU in all her glory. At least, that was what I told myself.

As I made my way across the first intersection, I couldn't help but observe my surroundings. Due to the winter season, the sun had set about an hour prior. So, the soldiers of streetlamps lined the sidewalks, casting their artificial gleams down, bathing the pavement in dull light. Snow crunched beneath my boots, the icy gale whisking around me. I guess it was because of the brisk coldness that I remained alert and I thanked whatever higher power there was that I was in fact, on edge.

I could hear the snow crunching, but it wasn't the same sound of my steps. My own were lighter in comparison to the ones that echoed behind me. I was bluntly aware that someone was following.

I wanted to believe I was just paranoid, but I could hear the person keeping at a steady pace, never once speeding up to hurry past me. I wasn't going fast due to being weighed down by my bags, so they could've easily passed me. Very, very, very easily. I kept waiting for whoever was trudging along to make their way past me, but they never did. They stayed behind me, the hefty weight of their boots crunching through the snow. And due to how heavy their steps sounded, I deduced they were a man. A man stalking a young twenty-year-old in the dark.

I tightened my hold on my bags, white knuckling them as if they were my safety rope. Okay. Stay calm. Stay calm. I chewed on my lower lip, the sound of my pulse pounding in my ears feeding into my anxiety. Just act cool and don't display any fear. You'll be okay. You'll be okay. But that was a load of bull. I couldn't not hear him stalking behind me, his soles splashing through any slush. It was almost like I could feel his hot breath breathing down my neck, a twisted smirk sprawled across his features. That was what I imagined, anyway.

My heart was violently pounding my ribs, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. The atmosphere was heavy and smothering, a diabolical taste lingering in the air. It was terrifying. I knew whoever was behind me was indeed stalking me. I knew, and I was terrified of that fact.

I was just about to cave into my anxiety and book it in a full sprint when I was just about to cross the second intersection and another person appeared from my right, wrapping their arm around me. My heart dropped to my stomach at that. I had no idea who that was and I was almost too scared to glance up.

"Hey babe!" the stranger gushed. "You didn't tell me you went shopping already!"

Curious, I glimpsed up at the person who was talking to me. It took me a few moments, but I recognized the boy. He was the taller brunette boy from my art class. The one who sat and chatted with the blond fellow and the shaved guy. I knew that was him.

He leaned closer to me and whispered in my ear, "Hey. Don't panic, but there's a guy following you. Play along, okay?"

To be honest, I didn't know if I could trust the boy, but I could still feel those heavy feet following behind me, though they had slowed a bit since I had company. I just bit my bottom lip and decided my best option was to go with it. If it all went to hell, then I'd just throw my bags at them and book it. Besides, we were getting closer and closer to my campus. I stood a chance...I guess. I hoped.

"Okay. I'll go along," I whispered. I tilted my head to him and faked a smile. "I'm sorry, baby. I thought I'd just get it outta the way."

He flashed another grin of his own. "That's okay." He held up a pack of beer. "We can still meet up with Armin and Mikasa for a drink after we unload since ya already did the running."

"That sounds great," I happily lied through my teeth.

I listened closely, hearing the footsteps slowing even more. Whoever was following me was starting to lose their confidence. Seeing another male was forcing him to grow wary. That alone was enough to almost ease my mind, but that didn't change the fact that he was still stalking behind us. Even with my fake boyfriend there, he was still following. And that was still terrifying.

"Listen," the boy whispered. "This creep is giving me a bad feeling. I don't know what he's doing or why, but it can't be anything good. Do you have anyone you can stay with after getting to wherever it is you're going?"

I gently shook my head, mumbling, "No. I mean, I'll be in my dorm, but the doors stay unlocked later on Fridays and Saturdays."

"Shit," he hissed. I could feel him grow somewhat tense as he huffed, "I'm sorry, but I really don't feel comfortable leaving you like this. The dorms are practically desolate right now. This guy is really giving off bad vibes."

Honestly, I knew he was. Much like my classmate, I could sense the diabolical intent of the man behind us. It weighed in the atmosphere and it drove me insane. It made me feel angry and unsafe. It was as if I was a small animal who was being cornered by a vicious predator. And, in a sense, I was.

"What do we do?" I questioned lowly.

The boy shrugged, "It's your call. We can find another girl to stay with you in either your room or hers or you can come with me to where I'm going."

"Where are you going?" I asked, turning to him.

He lifted the beer up again and smiled sweetly, "To the ADA party. Almost everyone's there."

"Oh," I replied.

That was just my luck. I had no friends, the dorms were practically an empty shell, and the only person who came to my aid was going to one of the biggest parties of the year. So, I could risk the creep snaking his way into the dormitory, find my dorm, and possibly break in to only do God knows what to me OR suck it up and go to the party...with groceries. Awesome.

I breathed haggardly, "I...I rather be in a larger group right now. But, can we make a quick pit stop?"

The boy nodded, "Sure. Where to?"

I lifted one of my hands, the plastic bag crinkling in it and smiled, "My dorm. I don't wanna lug around all this in a cramped frat house."

"Oh. Well, okay then," he shrugged. "Just lead the way. I'll keep a look out on the main floor."

"Thanks...uh, my fellow classmate," I began, bringing my eyes to his.

He perked up and giggled, "Oh. Eren. Eren Jaeger."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Eren Jaeger. I truly appreciate what you're doing," I said, keeping my voice light and even.

I could feel him watching me, his eyes locked on me. I must've surprised him, but I didn't see why. In the end, he was helping me out. If it wasn't for him showing up at the right time, who knows what the creep would've done? I would have already been attacked or mugged or whatever else. So, yes, I was grateful.

"No problem," he finally replied. He took his free hand and scratched the back of his neck, asking, "So...what's your name."

"Y/N L/N," I answered matter-of-factly.

He beamed, "It's nice to meet you, Y/N. It's a pleasure to be your fake boyfriend."

I giggled, "And it's an honor to be your fake girlfriend."

And we kept walking, Eren still holding me closely as he occasionally snuck settle peeks over his shoulder. And that was just the start of my night.

**Ello my sweet lovelies. I'm not gonna lie, I'm not 100% pleased with this chapter, but it's somethin' I guess. Still, I hope y'all liked it. Thank you so much for everything! Y'all are the bestest! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross