Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 17: Arms

"Hey. Are you okay? You avoided my texts," Kellen asked, jogging up to me. He kept pace with me. "Is everything okay?"

"Sorry," I apologized, glancing up at him. "I was just...just recouping, I guess."

He knitted his brows in confusion. "Recouping? Recouping from what?"

I bit my bottom lip and sighed, "Didn't you hear? About the girl who was attacked right outside the gates the other night?"

"Yeah," he answered, drawing his response out.

He scanned me quickly, a sense of fear washing over him. His warm eyes grew to the size of saucers, dread filling them. His face almost went pale, the color beginning to drain from it.

"Oh my God," he hurried, his gaze scanning me completely. "It wasn't you, was it? Babe, I'm so sorry. I should've been there and -"

"Whoa, relax," I giggled, holding my hands up, stopping. "It wasn't me who got attacked, but I was the one who came across her." I dropped my gaze, feeling that same dread I experienced that night. "It was...a horrible sight to see." I wrapped my arms around myself, adding, "This may sound selfish, but seeing someone in that horrible of a state...it messes with ya."

His features softened as the corners of his lips drew up into a gentle smile. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me to him, breathing, "It's okay. You were brave." He perked up a bit. "To believe, my girlfriend was the one who saved someone's life."

I glanced up at him. "Wait. You knew that she made it?"

He shrugged, "Campus buzzes." He pulled me close again. "The only detail I was missing was her savior's name." He smiled warmly down at me. "I'm proud of you, Y/N. You did the right thing."

His features were still gentle, those eyes and smile of his both warm and inviting. He looked so genuinely proud of me, almost appearing to take pride in my actions. Honestly, that warmed my heart. I felt good knowing that he praised my quick thinking. It made me feel like...a hero.

"Ya think so?" I beamed.

He grinned, "I know so."

We began walking again, his arm still hooked around my shoulder. We passed other people making their ways to wherever, none of them really paying us any mind. I could make out a few hushed conversations. Most were too inaudible, but some did catch my attention. They were talking about the girl who had been attacked. I caught that it was a miracle that she had been found when she was. As stupid as it sounded, it made me feel good to know I had been the one who found her.

I smiled to myself and glanced up, my eyes widening at what I saw. Jean and Alexandra walking side by side, their bodies so close. Her arm was hooped around his waist, her hand most likely tucked in his back pocket. She was beaming, happily chatting about whatever as he just seemed to stare off into space...until his gaze met mine.

He perked up when he saw me...with Kellen. His eyes grew big, his expression sporting shock and a hint of something else, though I wasn't sure of what. Honestly, I was certain he could see my own reaction as well, but I knew he couldn't hear how my heart sped up...nor feel how my face burned. Which was probably a blessing in disguise.

But, as quickly as I caught sight of him, he quickly tore his gaze from me and glimpsed away. He wrapped his arm around Alexandra's waist and pulled her closer to him, leading her to lean her head on his chest. I couldn't explain why but seeing that made me...made me feel small and insignificant. It was pitiful, really.

I lowered my gaze and bit my bottom lip, not daring to glimpse up as we passed them. It was as if time slowed for a moment, each second crawling. I didn't think time would ever return to normal until they had made it out of view, but that was when a sense of sorrow washed over me.

"Hey, babe?" I asked, not bringing my gaze up.

"Hmm?" Kellen crooned. "What's up?"

I chewed on my lips. "Do you...do you think that...that I'm a hero?"

"A hero?" he repeated.

"Yeah. Do you think I'm a hero?" I swallowed, glimpsing up at him.

He scanned me quickly and began to think, his eyes lifting to the sky. I could see his wheels turning, his thoughts grasping his concentration. I couldn't explain it, but I didn't appreciate how long it was taking him to answer. I mean, it shouldn't have been that difficult of a question...right?

"I guess," he finally said, glimpsing down at me. "Look at you. A little heroine."

I smiled up at him but quickly glimpsed down. A little heroine.

**Bello my sweet lovelies! I can't believe that it's already the seventeenth chapter. Time flies when you're having fun! But, question time! How do you think you would react to seeing Jean with Alexandra right at that moment? Do you think it would be awkward? Let me know! Thank you so, so, SO much for everything! Y'all are wicked awesomeness doused in cool Jell-O. Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross