Better ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 5: Evergreen

I took a deep breath as my eyes lifted to the campus in front of me. I was back in Trost after spending what felt like an eternity in H/P and, to be frank, it felt good to be back. I had missed the city I had grown to know so well. I missed the way it moved and functioned. I missed the way I flowed with it. I missed the people, the sights, and everything there was about it.

I tightened my grip on my bag and began to walk. Thankfully I hadn't taken much with me when I left. Not that I had much to take to begin with. Just a few articles of clothing, my phone charger, and my cell. That was all I really needed because I didn't know what I'd face once I got to H/P, but now knowing YF/N had a fighting chance against that...maybe it'd relax me. I had been on edge the moment I got his text that night.

That night.

It felt so long ago, but in reality, it had been only a week. Only than seven days. That night had been so eventful. From Marco ending up in the hospital after being a hero to the perpetrator being caught. Well, I assumed they held him. I had been so worried about my dad that I had forgotten to ask Kellen if the news had released any information about the assistant dean.

But, as horrible as it sounded, my mind didn't drift there for long. Instead, my thoughts went to Jean. That night was something so strange. The way he talked to me...the way he looked at me...the way the chills darted up and down my spine. I recalled it all. So close yet so far.

He was always so close yet so far...just barely out of reach.

I chewed on my bottom lip and rounded the bend, making my way to the dormitory. The quiet chatter of campus hummed, but I paid it no mind. I was still concentrated on Jean. I couldn't rip him from my thoughts, but did I really want to? Did I really want to untangle Jean from my thoughts? Honestly, no. I didn't want to. He earned that place.

I was nearing the dorms when I heard a voice I knew too well call, "Y/N! You didn't tell me you landed."

I paused and turned, watching as my boyfriend jogged up to me. He was dressed for the warmer weather, wearing a pair of gray gym shorts and a blue t-shirt. His golden locks were still in their loose curls, framing his defined features perfectly. He still looked amazing and though I flashed him a smile, he was not the one I wanted to see.

"Hey," he huffed, stopping in front of me, flashing that dazzling smile of his. "When did you get in?"

"Oh," I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my neck. "About forty-five minutes ago."

"Why didn't ya text or call?" he pressed. "I could've given you a ride back from the airport."

I shook my head, flashing a fake smile. "That's okay. I kinda wanted space to think. Ya know, just worried about my dad and all."

He examined me, his eyes scanning mine. I was doing my best to put up a front. I didn't want him to read me. I didn't want him to see that it wasn't him or my dad occupying my thoughts but another man. I just wanted him to believe me and leave it at that.

Finally, he said, "That's right. You didn't fill me in on anything else." He walked closer to me and lifted my bag out of my hand. I didn't resist, and he continued, "Is there anything they can do?"

I shoved my hands into my pockets and began to walk, him following as I sighed, "No. The hospital he's at in H/P isn't equipped with the proper tools to help him." I glanced up at him. "But they are gonna transfer him here in the next couple of days."

He knitted his brows and pointed at the ground. "Here? To Trost?"

I nodded, "Yeah. He'll be brought here to the Trost University Hospital for treatment. Turns out they specialize in cancer care, especially skin."

"Well, that's great," he beamed. "Everything's looking up, then."

He wasn't wrong. Things were getting better. Despite YF/N having cancer, we were talking. Well, I was talking. After the stunt I had pulled, I felt horrible. All that time he just wanted to talk to me and I completely ignored him. I sure won 'Daughter of the Year' with that one...not. But, one beneficial thing did come from his cancer. It pulled my head out of my ass and brought me back to reality. He needed me and that was all that mattered.

"Oh, I meant to tell you this when I was talking to you on the phone the other day," Kellen suddenly said, glancing down at me. "They caught the guy responsible for all those attacks. Turns out it was the assistant dean wreaking havoc on campus this whole time."

I didn't want him to know that I already figured it was the said man, so I just questioned, "Really? Did he confess or are they still investigating?"

"From what I caught, he supposedly confessed," he answered. He dropped his stare and sighed, "Supposedly he claimed he knew what he was doing, but he couldn't stop. It's a hard pill to swallow. I mean, Professor Wells...he was a representative for my House and an ADA alumnus himself. We trusted the guy and...and he did all that. He hurt so many people." He tightened his grip on my bag's strap, adding, "To believe...I looked up to him and trusted him."

That caught my attention. That explained why Jean had reacted the way he had when he saw him in the hospital. It made so much sense. Not only was Professor Wells the assistant dean, but also someone who most likely spent a great amount of time surrounded by the ADA House. That would explain how he knew who was an SOA girl and who wasn't. But he was a sick and twisted man. He was most likely using his position as an ADA alumnus to get close to his victims to earn their trust. From there, he made his move and one of those poor souls happened to be Marianne...Jean's cousin. Thus, tearing the ADA even more. It was all heartbreaking.

Not wanting him to dwell, I tried to smile, "Hey. Chin up. They caught him. He can't hurt anyone anymore."

Kellen shook his head and brought his stare to mine. "You don't understand." He stopped walking, leading me to do the same. He came close and took my hands to his, swallowing, "If he would have done anything to you...had he gotten to you at any moment...I'd...I would've killed him."

My breath hitched in my throat as my eyes went wide. I was speechless. I had never taken Kellen for the violent type. He was always full of smiles and compliments but at that moment, I saw the sincerity in his gaze. He appeared dead serious though I prayed I was wrong.

I just laughed halfheartedly, "Don't joke like that. You wouldn't seriously kill anyone over me. I mean, that's silly."

He shook his head, replying dryly, "I'm not joking. I'm being serious. If he had ever touched you...I would have made him pay." He slightly tightened his grip on my hands. "Y/N...I'd kill for you, I swear. I'd do anything you asked." He pulled me into a hug, wrapping his arms around me. "I love you."

My thoughts went blank and my body numb at his words. Three little words...eight tiny letters...a huge impact. Something not to be taken lightly, but as he embraced me in that warm hug, my eyes met a set of familiar cognac orbs.

**Ello my wonderful lovelies. So, that chapter, eh? I bet I know what you're all wondering: Oh, dear God. What is she going to put us through now? Or, maybe: Why the hell did I ever click this story? Or: I wonder what a cloud feels like... Lol. Sorry, I'm weird. But, for real, what are all your guys' thoughts? I won't lie, if I was a reader of this trilogy and not the writer, I'd probably be frustrated as hell, but that's just me. Anyway, thank you so much for everything! Y'all are the bee's knees! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. Random chapter name lol.