Family

Parties & Plans

"Marco!" Eren called, waving. It was two weeks into classes and Marco was beginning to feel more at home and closer to the friends he had made at SMU.

"Yeah?" said Marco, turning around to face him.

"Connie wanted me ask you," Eren said, "if you wanted to come to a party at his parents' place tonight." Marco pursed his lips, thinking.

"Tonight?" he verified, and Eren nodded. "I think I can make it. Yeah, I'll be there." Eren grinned.

"Great! I'll go tell Connie." He ran off down the hall to his room, and Marco half-smiled. How that boy was able to have so much enthusiasm doing everything, he didn't know. Hey, maybe Jean would be up for going to that party. He texted him and asked.

-Marco: hey u wanna go to a party w/ me tonight?

Jean didn't respond after a few minutes, so Marco put his phone away and went back to his room. Ever since that day a little over a week ago Marco couldn't stop thinking about Jean. A few days ago he confirmed to himself that the feelings were, in fact, romantic, but he was still debating whether or not they were strong enough for him to act on. Besides, he didn't think Jean liked guys, anyway. He also said he didn't have time for a romantic life, taking care of Emily. Marco knew the odds were not on his side, and yet he never stopped thinking about that morning. His phone buzzing drew him from his thoughts. It was from Jean.

-Jean: Sorry, I don't think I can. I wouldn't be able to find a sitter for E on such short notice.

-Marco: u don't have to

-Marco: i have an idea ;))))

-Jean: Oh god. What is it?

Marco proceeded to explain his plan to get Jean to that party without having to find a sitter, and, reluctantly, he agreed. Marco after asked Connie the address, told Jean he would pick him and Emily up at 7:30. It was noon now, so he had plenty of time to get a shower and change clothes before he had to leave. He decided to do some homework in the meantime, and at around four, he finished his homework and Armin walked in.

"Hey, Marco," Armin said, and Marco closed his textbook.

"Hey," he replied. "Are you going to Connie's party tonight?" Armin shook his head.

"I'm not a party person," he explained, pulling his computer from its case.

"You still should come," said Marco. "From what I heard it's not going to be a huge party, and will mostly be people you know." Armin said nothing for a moment, deep in thought. After a few seconds, he spoke.

"I guess I'll go. Could you give me a ride?" the blond asked, and Marco nodded.

"I can, only I already promised another friend that I'd pick him up, if you don't mind," Marco said. "Also, you'd, um, have to keep secret." Armin's eyes widened, and Marco explained to him what their plan was.

"I can help you out with that, actually," Armin said, scrolling through SMU's school paper's website. Two weeks since classes started and Armin had already written a guest piece talking about the side effects of childhood trauma on the adult brain. He was, for lack of a better word, a genius.

"You can?" The freckled boy looked at his roommate hopefully.

"Yeah, why not?" The blond closed his laptop. "I can cause a commotion of some sort, maybe fall or drop something, and you and your friend can do whatever it is you need to do." Marco grinned.

"Thanks, Armin," he said, getting up off his bed. "I'm going to get a shower, I'll be right back." He grabbed his shampoo, soap, and a towel, and made his way to the showers.