SORE • l. ackerman ✓

𝐕𝐈𝐈 | 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾ reader ☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙

"Your total is 24.63,"

The short girl handed me 25, I gave her the change and placed her books in a bag.

"Have a good day, ma'am,"

Eren sighed behind me. I turned to see him picking at his fingernails.

"I hate Wednesdays. They're always so slow,"

"I actually kind of like it. Hopefully I won't have a headache for once when I get home,"

I wiped off the counter before stepping out from behind it.

"I gotta go take inventory and restock," I informed Eren.

I checked on the occupied tables and assisted them before I moved on to check the books. I heard the bells chime above the door signifying that someone had just came in. I turned to see Levi, his eyes the same narrow, dull shape, scanning the room. I turned around and pretended not to notice him and hoped that he hadn't seen me. I went on to check the fiction section and began scanning to make sure everything was in its place. As I was replacing the missing books on the top shelf, I heard a voice behind me.

"Excuse me ma'am, I-"

I turned around to meet Levi's eyes.

"Oh."

"Do you need help with something?"

"No."

He turned the other way and started to look through the other sections to get away from me.

"Eat a dick," I said to quietly to myself. I understood that he had trust issues, but he didn't have to be so rude when all I was doing was trying to give him the help he clearly needed.

He finally settled on a book and disappeared behind the other shelves. I mentally rolled my eyes and went back to checking the books. As soon as that was over with, I returned to my place behind the cash register and helped Sasha with a customer. I'd only worked there for a week and they already put me in charge of training new employees, the manager telling me that I was a natural and how much he trusted me already. Levi was sat at a table near the windows and he had a peaceful expression on his face, it looked like he was a normal person without any troubles for a while.

Eren had already clocked out by the time my shift ended. I said my goodbyes to Sasha and hung my apron on the hook. I decided that I didn't want to leave just yet and wanted to wait for Hanji. I ordered a coffee, sat down at the table that Levi previously sat in and waited for 6:00 to roll around. I was slowly sipping my coffee when I heard Levi above me.

"That's my seat."

His voice startled me for a moment. I wanted to laugh in his face but opted for doing the polite thing.

"Sorry, I thought you left."

I stood up to move to a different table but was stopped.

"Just move to the other chair." He directed. I thought about moving tables anyways, but I thought back to what hanji said about him. If I could get to know him, maybe he would turn out to be nice. I could put up with him for a few minutes.

I moved to the chair across from his and pulled out my phone. I glanced up to see the book in his hands, it was one of my favorites. I didn't want him to notice my stare and looked back down at my phone screen. Before 6 o'clock even came, Hanji walked through the doors. She walked straight over to our table and gave me a silent smile.

"I wasn't expecting you to be here, ____!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know he was waiting for you,"

"Neither did I. I just thought your shift ended already,"

I felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment and suddenly felt like my presence was bothering them.

"It did, but I don't feel like being home alone,"

Hanji smirked, I didn't like the devious look on her face.

"Maybe when you leave, Levi can go with you? If he's not too busy," she said in a mocking tone.

My breath hitched and I looked at her with wide eyes.

"I have far better things to do than hang out with her."

"Like what? Clean? You weren't complaining about it before I got here Unless you're just too scared to be alone with a girl,"

Levi's eyes widened.

"Knock it off, Hanji. I just don't want to have to bear her for longer than I have to."

A part of me felt hurt by his choice of words but another part of me wanted to understand why he said what he did.

What is wrong with you? Why do you all the sudden want to understand his feelings when he's such an asshole to you?

"I think you're just scared."

He sighed and closed the book he was reading after marking the page.

"It would be rude of me to go to her house uninvited by her, actually."

My thoughts were screaming at me to make up an excuse, any excuse, so I didn't have to be alone with him, but despite everything in me begging not to invite him, I ignored it and drew in a deep breath.

"I'm fine with it,"

He looked just as shocked as I felt by my own words. Hanji shrugged.

"Then it's decided. If you're not sleeping by the time I get off of work I'll stop by,"

She ruffled Levi's hair causing him to swat her hands away.

"Get your hands off me,"

"Well, I gotta get to work. My shift is about to start."

She waved and walked behind the counters and into the back room. As soon as I was finished with my coffee, I stood up and dug my keys out of my bag.

"Are you coming or not?" I asked the man, still sitting with a blank expression. He nodded slightly and stood up with me.

"I'll text you the address."

I watched him get into his car and I immediately texted him.

You're such a dumbass. Why do you even care about him? It's only because you think he's cute. Remember what happened last time you got close to a man.. he broke up with you over text.

I shook my head trying to rid myself of those negative thoughts. He didn't like me anyways, so why did it matter if I thought he was cute? I wasn't going to ever date him.

-

whew things are gonna get a lil bit deep in the next chapter.

-TJ

edited