Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 13: War With Oneself

I stared out my window, my eyes lingering on the view beyond the glass. The campus was buzzing with life that morning...well, I use the term 'buzzing' loosely. There was certainly life; I mean, people were out and about, but most of them appeared groggy and drained of energy, some clutching cups of what must have been coffee. The whole scene was almost comical in a way.

A small smile sprawled across my feature. Slowly but surely, things are returning to normal around here. It felt good to see the scene in front of me. It wasn't much, but any sign of life regaining normality was a sign I enjoyed. It meant that life was still progressing.

I was enjoying people watching when my cell buzzed. I tore myself from the window and walked over to my bed where I had left my cell phone. I lifted it up and turned on the screen, noticing that I had received a message. I went to my messaging app as a new smile lifted the corners of my lips.

Kellen<3: Good morning beautiful :) are we still on for dinner tonight?

I grinned and began tapping out my reply. Honestly, the butterflies were fluttering in my stomach. He just seemed to have that impact on me.

Me: Morning! Yeah. The diner, right?:)

Kellen<3: Yup :) 7 ok?

Me: Yeah:)

Kellen<3: Great! I'll pick you up outside of your dorm then :) until then have a wonderful day beautiful :)

Me: You too babe:)

I beamed, excited about the evening's plans. It had only been a few days since Kellen had asked me to be his girlfriend, so I was still adjusting to that. Honestly, it felt foreign to say that...that I had a boyfriend. Just the thought of it fueled the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

But, despite how novel my new title as Kellen's girlfriend was, I had requested that we didn't make a big deal out of it. I didn't care if MRU folks knew, but I wasn't keen on the news leaking back to my parents. So, going Facebook official was not something I wanted to do and he completey supported that, though he wasn't sure why they'd care.

That was just the thing. He didn't know them...he didn't know how I had grown up. He didn't know how I had been raised or how erratic my mother could be. He didn't know how obsessive and controlling she could be or how absent my father had become after their divorce. He didn't understand my relationship with them. And, to be honest, I didn't really want to scare him off. I mean, he was my first real boyfriend, after all.

Regardless, I shoved all thoughts of my parents away and redirected my attention to something else. I had no class that morning due to Professor Ral having to cancel because of illness, so I was free. I figured I'd utilize the time to work on my art. I gathered my personal sketchbook and other materials along with my keycard and shuttled out of the room.

I made my way to the first floor and outside, being greeted by the warm air. As opposed to the former bitter breezes I had been welcomed by the previous season, I was embraced by an inviting gust. It felt so comforting and matched what I was feeling; happy.

I breathed in and smiled to myself, still walking. I didn't know where it was I planned on going to, but it was somewhere. I continued to let my feet carry me, still beaming on the inside. It's a beautiful day. I was just so giddy. And why wouldn't I be? I was distancing myself from negativity, had an amazing boyfriend, and was enjoying the weather break. It was all great.

I made my way outside of the gates and began for the café. Despite how beautiful of a day it was, I didn't feel like dealing with people in the park. So, the café it was. I entered the charming shop and was greeted by a smiling woman instead of Bertolt. Regardless, I gave her my order and then paid. She took a few moments, but before long she gave me my treat.