Bet ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 16: The Sinking

I could feel my throat go dry as my heart fell to the pit of my stomach. No. No, he didn't say that. I must've misunderstood him. My pulse strummed in my ears as my head began to spin. She-she...she can't be coming here. No way in hell. I tightened my hold on my phone, trying to collect myself -to collect my thoughts. I had completely shoved any care about the trio away and was only focused on what he had said. That was all that mattered.

"I-I'm sorry?" I swallowed, the lump in my throat trying to choke me. "What do you mean?"

He sighed haggardly, "I know how you feel about her. Trust me, I know. That's why I thought I'd warn you."

"You're joking, right?" I snapped, not even aware how the quietness of my voice had faded. "Why would she come here? She has no reason to come." My eyes widened as my heart sank, my tone shaky as I pressed, "Did...did you convince her to do this?"

I hated to think that my father would be so cruel, but I had grown up in an interesting upbringing. It was a childhood that taught me that I was never truly sure what others were capable of. Plus, though I knew he would have meant well in his own way, I wouldn't put it past my father to maybe implant some idea in my mother's head about coming to Trost. At least, in my moment of distress, that was what I chose to believe.

"Y/N," YF/N abruptly said, his voice stern. "I know I told you that maybe you should've given her a call, but I would never give her that idea. I know how you feel about her. Why would you think that way?"

Guilt washed over me at that. I wish I could've told him -that I could've shared with him how my mind worked. But, I just couldn't. With everything that was going on around me, I just couldn't think properly. My thoughts were jumbled and my head wasn't in the clear. And I felt horrible.

I once again lowered my voice and sighed, "I'm sorry. It's just...there's a lot on my plate at the moment."

"Only after the first week back?" he pressed, concern dripping from his words. "Is everything alright? You know I'm always here if ya need to vent."

I blinked rapidly, suddenly aware of what I had said. I didn't mean to worry YF/N, but my thoughts were so jumbled that I forgot to filter what I allowed myself to say. Still, I didn't want to stress him. I knew he had his own worries to focus on. There was no point to drag him into my pointless drama.

"Thanks, but I'll be fine," I lied. "But...but can you tell me how you found out about Mom?"

He seemed hesitant to drop the subject about my stress, but huffed, "Well, you know YM/N. I divorced her, but she still calls with her grand plans."

I squeezed my eyes shut and chewed on my lips. I should have known. After my parents divorced when I was a little girl, YM/N still had a habit of phoning YF/N. Honestly, I never understood it, but now that I was grown I had my hunches. Perhaps it was to mess with YF/N's head...maybe it was to keep control over us...or maybe it was possible she was just crazy. Regardless, it didn't surprise me.

"She called you and told you she was coming to Trost?" I questioned, the annoyance festering within me. Only my mother would irk me that much.

"Yup," he answered. "At three in the morning, might I add."

I snorted, "That doesn't surprise me. God forbid she call at a normal hour."

"Right?" he chuckled. "I would've called you sooner, but I didn't wanna call at an ungodly hour like your mother."

I nodded, "I appreciate that."

"I figured you would," he chortled.

I still couldn't shake the thought of my mother randomly showing up in Trost. Or rather, I didn't want to. I loved my mother for the sure fact she was my mother and she gave birth to me, but I had no desire to be near her. I might have loved her, but I had to love myself more.

"So, did she happen to say where she plans to stay during this trip?" I questioned, taking a quick swig of my drink.

"Well, during her rant, she proudly announced she'd stay with you," he replied matter-of-factly.

"But she -" I began, ready to shoot that dream down.

"Relax," YF/N interrupted. "I reminded her that you're in the dorms, so guests are not permitted to stay overnight." His tone shifted quickly as he chuckled to himself, "Not quite sure how I got her to listen, but she's gonna stay at a motel."

I sighed in relief, "Oh thank God. There's still hope."

I knew I was lying to myself. If YM/N was hellbent on "visiting" me, then she'd manage to find me. I could only hide for so long before I'd bump into her which would only make things awkward. Like I said, I loved her, but I needed to love myself more.

"So, did she say when she'll be visiting?" I pressed, still not overly enthusiastic about my mother's random visit.

"Not really," YF/N yawned. "She didn't act like she'd show up there tomorrow, so I'd say you have a few days at the very least."

"I can work with that," I continued.

"I figured you could," YF/N chortled. He yawned once more before adding, "I'm sorry to end this conversation so abruptly, but I'm beat. I might lay back down for a few. I'll call ya later, sweetheart."

"Alright," I smiled. "Thanks for the heads up." I was about to end the call there when I added, "Dad."

"Hmm?" he hummed.

I chewed on my bottom lip and whispered, "I'm sorry about the other day. I was out of line. I didn't mean -"

"Don't worry about it," he giggled. "I know how you feel about your mom and yet I tried to get you to do something you didn't want to. For that, I'm sorry."

That pulled at my heartstrings. Despite our cracked foundation of a relationship, I still adored my father. He was a piece of sanity in a world of insanity. He kept me grounded and sane. He kept me from becoming like my mother.

"We'll call it even," I chuckled.

"Good plan," he snorted. "Alright. I'll talk to ya later, sweetie. I love you."

"I love you too, pops," I smiled and hung up.

I gazed down at my phone, my thoughts blank until I remembered just what I had been doing before the call. Hiding. Hiding and staying quiet.

Fuck.

**Ello my sweet lovelies! I'm sorry for the crappy chapters. I'm struggling with writing these days with everything that's going on, but I'm not giving up. I still hope y'all are enjoying this book. Your guys' support means so much to me. Y'all are the best. Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross