Better ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 27: Concrete Dates

I gazed up at my ceiling, recalling the day prior. I remembered everything. How Jean looked at me...how he spoke to me...how he listened to me...how he made me feel. It all replayed over and over again in my thoughts. Before, I would have been alarmed by him occupying so much time and space in my mind, but I wasn't that anxious. Not that morning. How could I be? I was still riding on that high that he gave me. It would take a lot to pull me from that plain of happiness.

I know I shouldn't be feeling this way...but I can't help it. I smiled. It's just...I don't know. Talking to Jean the day before had lifted my spirits. I couldn't say why. All I knew was that he did. Just by simply being there he had cleared any and all negativity from my mind. It was as if he had some sort of magic ability. Then again, maybe he did. Maybe there was just something about him that made feel...happy.

Happy.

It was an emotion I hadn't felt in a long while. I couldn't even remember the last time I had felt that way. Had it been days? Weeks? Months? Years? I couldn't remember. But I did know that being near Jean made me feel that way. Even if it was a small spark, then it was a spark, nonetheless.

I guess it was the little things. We talked about so much that evening. Our majors, favorite colors, best memories, aspirations, hobbies, favorite music, and other seemingly minuscule things. But, small or not, those were things that were specific to us and because of that I was learning more about him. I even knew his birthday.

April seventh.

I might have missed it that year, but I smiled to myself. I didn't plan on missing it again. As silly as it sounded, I wanted to spend his birthday with him. I wanted to see how his face lit up when he saw his favorite cake. I wanted to sing Happy Birthday as he glimpsed away with embarrassment. I wanted to watch him blow out his candles and make a wish. I wanted to just be there...at his side. That was what I wanted, and I didn't know why.

I let out a haggard sigh and sat up. As much as I wanted to lay there and dissect my thoughts, I couldn't. Despite not wanting to get up and face the day, I had to. Against my wishes, I had a date planned with Kellen. After canceling on him last time I knew I couldn't bail again. Plus, he was hellbent on watching a movie with me. I didn't understand why it was such a big deal, but the least I could do was appease him. After all, it was the day before the Ball.

I hopped off my bed and shuffled over to my wardrobe. I took a shower the night before, so I just rubbed on some deodorant and shrugged on a plain black dress I kept for days where I didn't feel like wearing pants over my undergarments. After that, I stepped into a pair of sandals and raked a brush through my h/c locks. As usual, I preferred to leave the makeup off, which was nothing new.

With my outfit complete, I grabbed my bag and headed out. The dorms were eerily quiet due to so many people already being home for the beak, but I chose to stay. I had no real reason to return to H/P. It wasn't like YM/N really cared if she saw me or not and YF/N was in Trost receiving treatment, so it was best I stayed anyway. Besides, I was fond of Trost. From the moment I arrived there, I fell in love with the city. The atmosphere was different from H/P. I couldn't explain it, but I truly enjoyed it. It was more of a home than my home was.

I eventually reached outside to see Kellen. I was surprised to see him as we never discussed him picking me up, but I didn't know why I was so shocked. That was just Kellen. Constantly wanting to escort me to and from our dates, but it was losing its spark. I used to feel flattered by Kellen's old-fashioned way of walking me everywhere, but it was growing stale. What started off so refreshing and new was becoming anything but that.

"Hello, m'lady," he beamed, extending his elbow to me. "You look beautiful as usual. Only as expected for the most gorgeous girl on campus."

"Thanks," I flushed, looping my arm through his. "But I think that's hardly the truth."

"You are to me," he smiled. "There's no other woman that amounts to your beauty."

I didn't buy that. I couldn't say if it was because of the years I spent in singleness or if it was because of how cheesy it all sounded, but I didn't believe his compliment. I mean, there were plenty of stunning girls at MRU. Blondes, brunettes, redheads, black hair...blue eyes, green eyes, brown eyes, black eyes, hazel eyes...fair skinned, tan, mixed, dark...there was a buffet of alluring woman from every race and background there. Surely, I was not one of them. I was just some girl from H/P who looked at her feet when nervous. Still, Kellen claimed I was one of them. Maybe that meant something.

"So, what are we doing today?" I asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Well, I figured we'd just stay in and watch a movie," he answered, glancing down at me. "Is that okay with you? We can order a pizza and watch whatever you want. Whatdaya say?"

His warm ocean gaze met mine, the smile on his face seeming so sincere. He appeared so pure. He was almost like a sweet little puppy. A sweet little puppy that was putting up with his girlfriend's neglectfulness like a champ. He really was the perfect boyfriend and I felt horrible for being so distant. A simple movie at his place was the least I could do.

I smiled and nodded, "Okay. That sounds great."

**Ello my wonderful lovelies! I hope y'all are doing well. At the time of typing this, it's Valentine's Eve so I'm listening to my boys in ONE OK ROCK and just jamming. If your favorite anime character asked you to be their Valentine, what would your reply be? Also, who are they and what anime are they from? Mine would either be Levi from AOT or Juuzou from Tokyo Ghoul. My answer would obviously be yes lol. Anyway, thank you so super duper, duper much for everything! Y'all are awesome sauce! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross