Bet ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 18: The Mind's a Mysterious Maiden

"So ya bit the dust, eh?" my dad joked, his tone sprinkled with amusement. "And in front of three hunks?"

"Dad!" I whined, smacking my forehead with my free palm. "I didn't say they were hunks! I just said that there were three guys nearby!"

"Yeah, but I imagine you thought they were hunks," he chuckled

I was suddenly regretting my decision to tell YF/N about my fall. What I had originally just planned to be a small update about how the day ended up was suddenly turning into a conversation all on its own. I had somehow landed in that position; one where my father was teasing me about "hunks" which I had no desire to casually chat about. To me, that would've just been awkward and weird. Then again, that was just YF/N for you. He loved to taunt me over such matters.

"Come on, Y/N," he continued, still chortling. "I'm sure you fell 'cause you were gawking at the three stud muffins."

I lifted my head up and furrowed my brows in disbelief, whispering, "Who -what? No one actually says that, and you definitely shouldn't." I massaged my temples, continuing, "And, no. The one is so small that I'm sure I could take him on myself and the other is...too nice. Cute, but probably a total pushover. Both totally no my type at all."

He chuckled, "Oh? So, there's a type?"

"Oh, stop it," I jokingly snapped.

I rearranged my posture, getting myself more comfortable to settle in for the evening. My bed creaked and moaned beneath my weight, but I paid it no mind. I just pulled my comforter back to keep me warm even though my room felt pretty toasty and held my phone close.

"What about the third guy?" YF/N asked abruptly, his tone light, taking me off guard.

"Third guy?" I repeated in a quizzical manner.

"You said there were three fellas," he replied matter-of-factly. "You already said the other two aren't your type, so what about the third?"

I opened my mouth to answer but stopped. I suddenly found myself asking that same question. What about him? What about Jean? I recalled how he looked. That tall, lean frame of his was definitely a nice one. I was confident that he was strong, and I was certain he was fit. And he had a decent face. It was a little long, but so masculine too. That chiseled jawline of his was nothing to sneeze at. However, even though he was easy on the eyes and had a nice body, that was not what I was entranced by. No, it was those fierce golden orbs of his. They were a fiery gaze that took my breath if I dared to look at them too long...but the keenness of his gaze didn't match the softness of his touch.

I dropped my free arm, wrapping it around my waist, brushing my fingertips over where his hands had touched me. Chills darted the length of my spine at the thought of him, leaving me bewildered. What the -why am I feeling like this? I clenched my hand into a fist. I don't even know him, so what is going on with me? Get it together, Y/N.

"Your lack of words and everything you're not saying is telling me that you have a thing for him," YF/N snickered.

A tint of scarlet dusted across my features as I stammered, "W-what? Me, like Jean? You're hilarious, Dad." I cocked my head back and laughed, "Please. He is sooo not my type. Like, no. Just no."

There was a brief silence before he chuckled, "So, this one has a name, eh?"

I widened my eyes, feeling my face heat up more as I tried to defend, "T-they all have names. There's Marco and Connie a-and Jean."

But it was too late. My father was already laughing hysterically, most likely finding the whole situation hilarious -which it wasn't. I flung my back against my pillows, smacking my palm against my forehead as I chewed on my lips. At that moment I was suddenly revisiting my angsty teenage mindset from high school. Embarrassment...embarrassment everywhere.

"Tell me more about this Jean boy," YF/N cackled, his laughter rolling through my ears in waves. "Is he a decent fellow?"

I dropped my arm to my side and stared at the ceiling, sighing, "Honestly, I couldn't even tell ya. I've only seen him a handful of times now, but it feels like I'm constantly bumping into him."

"So, you actually don't know a thing about this boy?" he pressed, his tone sporting a hint of seriousness to it.

I shrugged, "I mean, you're not wrong. I'd be surprised if he even knew my name. But..." I brought my free hand back to my waist, once again gliding my fingers where his hands had touched me.

"But...but what?" YF/N urged.

I closed my eyes and smiled, "But, when he helped me up today...his touch was...it was so gentle."

A warm feeling fell in the pit of my stomach as I thought about the interaction. It shouldn't have mattered, truthfully. I should've just brushed it off and move on with my life, but since that exchange, I couldn't just drop it. It was like my brain didn't want to forget the stranger. And, to be honest, I didn't want to.

"Uh huh," YF/N said. "His touch was gentle. You need to stop reading those sappy love stories."

"But it's true," I defended, shooting to an upright posture. "I don't know how to explain it, but...but when he touched me I felt...comfortable and you know how much I hate being touched."

"Yeah, I'm aware" YF/N replied. "But, sweetie, I don't want you to get ahead of yourself. You don't know anything about this boy. He could be a psychopath or somethin'." His voice softened. "I just...I just don't wanna see you get your hopes too high only to get hurt."

I inhaled sharply and breathed, "Uh...no worries there. I might sound like I'm gettin' ahead of myself, but...he, uh...he has a girlfriend. So, I'm not gonna do anything."

"Oh, sweetheart," my father said softly. "I'm sorry, hun. But don't let this get ya down. There's a guy out there for you."

The corners of my lips slightly drew up. I appreciated my father's words, but I already knew what my future held. I was the plain Jane. I liked it that way...but not many others did. Plain Janes went unnoticed. Not that it bothered me. It was better that way. I enjoyed not worrying about anyone besides myself. It worked for me. But, I couldn't tell him that.

I smiled, "Thanks, pops. I know my Prince Charming is out there somewhere." I stretched and yawned, adding, "And at that, I need to hit the hay."

"Alright," he chuckled. "I'll call ya sometime tomorrow. Sleep tight. I love you."

"I love you too," I giggled and hung up.

I sat there for a few moments, my phone in my hold. My mind was racing but it had no reason to. I mean, I could've focused on my missing sketchbook or the stalker, but no. No, that wasn't where my thoughts went. Instead, I found myself pondering, my imagination painting him in my thoughts.

I just didn't understand why.

**Bello my lovelies! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter. I actually don't mind how this part turned out. Kinda content with it lol. So, I know I didn't want this to become a big project, but I have a feeling that this will at least be a two-book project -three at most. But, this book still isn't done, so I'll give ya more details more towards the end. Anyway, thank you for everything!! Y'all rock'n roll!! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross    

P.S. Look at that. Two songs in a row. But, for real...can we take a moment and talk about Felix's voice? He looks like a baby but he doesn't sound like one! Like, how is that possible?? "Grr" by Stray Kids.