There Is Freedom Here

Chapter 4: The Childish Grin of a Fifteen-Year-Old Boy

Your professor finished his lecture for the day and basically told all of you to get out. All the students left the room with a chuckle on their faces, most likely due to your professor's nature. Pulling out your earbuds and pushing the door open, you felt somebody poke your stomach. You jolted and immediately searched for the perpetrator. A sigh of relief escaped your mouth once you realized it was just Marco.

He was dressed in fairly casual clothing, a pair of dark grey jeans on along with a white button-up, but the fact that he wasn't wearing sweatpants and a sweatshirt as he usually did made you quirk an eyebrow. Hopefully, he didn't plan on going anywhere and bring you along. You were wearing what he wore on a daily basis.

"You actually scared me for a second there." Marco smiled and pulled you into a hug. You could smell the heavy cologne he had sprayed on and immediately knew what he was up to. After he let you go, he stared at you with an all-knowing face. "N—"

"Yes. Yes. You're coming with me, whether you like it or not."

"My car will still be on campus."

"Perfect, because I took the metro-rail to school. If you don't take me, I'll end up standing Jean up. You could ruin a relationship that might get me married if you don't come."

You threw your head back, but in the end, gave up rather easily. "Fine, but I'm only agreeing because of other reasons. You depending on me for a ride was a stupid idea. If I actually needed to go somewhere you'd be screwed." Marco clapped his hands together and snatched your hand to basically drag you down the hallway. You were agreeing because despite being so reluctant with going on this date, you were a bit curious as to who the mystery man was. Not your date—but Jean.

Fumbling through your jacket pocket to grab the keys as students roaming the hallway stared at you, either annoyed at such childish behavior in a professional setting or seemingly dead inside, you awkwardly tried to keep your eyes trained on the ground. A light shade of red was dusting your cheeks, unwanted attention now being catered directly to you. "Marco, slow down." He glanced back and let go of your arm, sending you a forgiving smile.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm just so excited. You'll finally get to meet Jean and his friend!" Marco slowed his pace and you began walking side by side.

"Yes, I'm super excited too," you replied, sarcasm dripping with every word. Honestly, you'd be too worried about Eren to actually enjoy the double date. Although you were sure he wouldn't damage your property in any way, you couldn't help but wonder how you'd feel if he fled. You had been roommates—you still couldn't use the term "friends," yet—for only a couple of days, but the feeling of waking up, knowing somebody would be there to say good morning was already warming up to you. Maybe the reason you let a stranger stay at your house was that you were so desperate for human interaction. Marco was the only friend you had and although he hung out with you quite a bit, sometimes you wished you had someone to talk to on a Saturday night when he wasn't able to. Even better, somebody to cuddle with while binge-watching your favorite show together. Perhaps even a man that would kiss your tears away when you began to cry about the death of your parents.

Smiling to yourself unknowingly, Marco opened the door to the parking lot. Unlocking the Land Rover, the two of you walked directly toward it. Both of you hopped in and he told you the address of the restaurant the four of you would be eating at. "Jean said his friend likes cheeseburgers, so we're going to an American place."

You furrowed your eyebrows. "And we're going there just because of his friend?"

"He wouldn't go otherwise." You scoffed and pulled out of the parking lot. Already having a bad impression of whoever he was, you just knew that this wasn't going to go well. By well, you meant actually getting the guy's number and going on a separate date. You figured that you'd just barely talk to the guy and basically spectate Marco and Jean's date quietly.