Bet ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 14: The Knights

"You seem stressed," Bertolt observed as he passed me my order.

I took the Styrofoam cup from him and shrugged, "It's been...it's been a rough day so far."

He knitted his brows in curiosity and pressed, "Before quarter till twelve (11:45)?" He lowered his hands to the countertop and continued, "Ya need to rant about it?"

I shook my head as I took a quick sip of my caffeinated beverage and replied, "Nah. Thanks for offering, but it's not fair to dump any of my problems on ya."

I watched as his features softened, the corners of his lips gently pulling up into a sincere smile that reached the depth of his dark eyes. His shoulders remained relaxed, rising and falling with each breath he breathed, almost easing me. I won't lie, there was something about Bertolt that just radiated a certain peacefulness. That kind smile and those deep eyes had a way of just quieting my thoughts. And it was a quietness I appreciated.

"Are ya sure?" he questioned, still observing me. "There's no other customers right now, so you don't have to worry about pulling me from my work." His smile increased, the warmth clearly gleaming from it. "Besides, it's never good to keep things bottled up."

I tightened my grip on my bag's strap with my free hand and faked a smile, "Thanks, but still. I'll be fine."

"Well, okay. But let me know if you change your mind," he beamed, standing up straight again.

I nodded in response and began for the seating area tucked away at the side of the café. It was desolate, not a single soul to be seen. With it being Saturday, barely anyone was stirring. As mentioned, almost everyone was still recovering from the party the night before, so there was no one there. Just silence was my only company. Well, the silence and Bertolt, though he was still at his post at the counter. Besides that, it was me in all my glorious lonesome.

I claimed a table tucked away in a back corner, a small bookshelf working to hide me from the main area. Even though it was empty, I didn't want to chance seeing anyone. I didn't really care to get caught up in awkward conversations or small talk. None of that was my desire.

I rested my beverage down and dug into my bag, fishing out a book I had bought but not read yet and dove into it. I began to devour each word with my eyes, my mind easing into a world unlike my own, leaving me drifting. I found myself slipping more and more into the story with each turn of a page and the lower my drink became. Before long, I had been there for thirty minutes, but it didn't matter. I was perfectly content that way.

I had just turned the page when I heard the chime of the bell, telling me another customer had shown up. Still, I remained focused on the book in my hands, keeping to my reading. I didn't listen as Bertolt asked them their order and nor did I pay any mind as to what their orders were. I just knew that there was more than one of them. That was all I knew.

I turned the page just as two people made their way into the space, the old wooden floors creaking beneath their weight as their voices chimed through the air, interrupting my concentration.

"Jeez. Why'd we have to come here so early?" a familiarly shrill voice asked in annoyance.

"Umm...it's noon," I heard another voice I recognized say.

Honestly, I couldn't help myself as I peeked over the small bookshelf. And, as expected, I saw two faces I knew very well. One belonged to the near bald boy who I had art class with while the other belonged to the fellow I recalled being named Marco. They were both situated at a table towards the center of the area.

"Yeah. Too early," the bald boy yawned, rubbing one of his eyes. "Ugh. I'm so flippin' tired."

"Coffee with help with that," Marco scoffed, smiling at his friend.