It was hard to keep my eyes off of Jean during class. I was still so excited that he had said yes. I checked the clock anxiously, my leg bouncing up and down. There were only a few more hours left until we'd be together, like before. The more time that passed however, I noticed that I was getting more nervous. I dropped my gaze to the table and held my head in my hands. What the hell is supposed to happen next? I haven't talked to him alone in forever! I could barely get past asking to come over in the first place! How am I going to keep things up for an entire meal preparation? AGHHHHHHHHH!!!!

I didn't like to face things without a plan. I realized too late that I had created my worst nightmare; I couldn't back out now. My head scrambled around thoughts of worst-case scenarios with Jean. They were bad. Very bad. It was driving me crazy and my anxiety was skyrocketing. I needed something to take my mind off of it until class ended, and I had no choice but to face my fear.

As if answering my request, my phone buzzed. I turned my head sharply and grabbed my phone out of my backpack. It was a text from— I raised an eyebrow... Eren.

—————————————————

xxx-xxx-xxxx

why does your face look like that

—————————————————

I stared at the screen, offended by both the question and the timing of its delivery. I quickly replied: "Goddamn Eren what kind of question is that?" I sent the text and paused for a moment. A conversation as dull as this was not going to keep my anxiety down. Taking this wave of impulsivity ins stride, I smiled deviously and continued typing: "If u don't like my face then you don't have to kiss it."

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Eren straighten up in his seat and turn pink. I smirked. Ha! Serves you right, hoe.

—————————————————

xxx-xxx-xxx

that wasn't what i was referring to.

—————————————————

me

Then what were you referring to?

—————————————————

xxx-xxx-xxxx

u look like ur in pain

—————————————————

Huh? What was he talking about? Then I realized: my pained expression was probably caused from the small panic attack I was having in my seat earlier while I thought about Jean. And, now that I was thinking about it again, the expression returned. Eren! I scolded in my head. You're supposed to be distracting me!! Not reminding me!

—————————————————

me

I'm fine. Distract me for awhile pls. I don't want to listen to Shadis.

—————————————————

xxx-xxx-xxxx

how do u expect me to distract you

—————————————————

me

idk. Figure it out.

—————————————————

xxx-xxx-xxxx

why is this my job

—————————————————

me

Because I know you'll do it.

—————————————————

I laughed quietly to myself. I always found teasing Eren unexpectedly to be particularly enjoyable— mainly because he did it to me all the time. In response to my message, Eren discretely rolled his head so that he was peeking at me from his desk towards the front. His teal-green eyes tore my gaze away from Jean and suddenly, I wasn't so worried anymore. Eren didn't say anything or move. He just stared. I tried to keep my eyes on my desk but every so often they'd flick up to check if Eren was still staring. Finally, I gave in.

—————————————————

me

Why are you staring at me?

—————————————————

xxx-xxx-xxxx

to distract u

is it working

—————————————————

me

No.

—————————————————

I watched Eren chew his hoodie string as he tried to come up with new ideas. I believe I mentioned before that he had some very attractive mannerisms. Well, observing him from afar seemed to do the trick. I stopped thinking about Jean and immediately absorbed myself in whatever Eren was doing: tapping his pencil on the desk, scrunching his brow while he thought, pushing up the sleeves of his hoodie, and the like. At some point, Eren noticed that I hadn't pried my eyes away from him since I had sent my last text. He stole a glance at me and then looked away, but shortly after, he looked back at me again and flashed the quickest smile before turning back to Shadis.

I don't know why, but that made my heart melt. All of a sudden, my anxiety started racing again, now focusing on every awkward moment that Eren and I had endured together and how it was going to get much worse. At this point, my head was about to explode. I looked at Jean, I panicked; I looked at Eren, I freaked; I looked down at my desk, all of my horrible thoughts increased tenfold, written down on my paper.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I jumped.

"(Y/N)," Marco said softly. I turned to him and he smiled sheepishly. "Not like it's any of my business, but you look really stressed. Why don't you go to the bathroom and take a break?"

I nodded, "Good idea... Thank you, Marco."

He grinned back and waved just above the desk where Shadis wouldn't see him. I excused myself and speed-walked out of the class. Shadis watched me leave with a look of disapproval on his face, but continued his lecture. The moment the door closed behind me, I relaxed and breathed heavily.

"Yikes," I muttered to myself. "I've really got to get my anxiety under control."

"I'll say," someone agreed. I spun and saw Eren standing behind me by the door.

"Why did you follow me?" I asked.

"I didn't. We just happened to leave at the same time." He read my expression and added: "Also, (Y/N), you made it my job to distract you."

"Wha— Eren, me leaving the classroom was implying that you didn't need to distract me anymore!" I retaliated.

He shrugged. "Oh well. Too late now. So," he said, closing the distance between us, "What would you like to do?"

It was easy to tell what he was implying. Again with the on-and-off personality, huh? 

(A/N)~ Hello! I just wanted to check in while everyone is still here-- how are y'all doing? Is school going ok? Ik I'm having sm fun rn 😫😫

On another note-- how are y'all liking the story? I value your feedback sm as a writer so ur comments are super important to me!! Is it good? More importantly, are you bored? 

Thank you all SO SO much for reading-- I love reading your comments and messages every day, y'all are too sweet ❤️❤️ Good luck out there babes-- come back to this fic when things get rough-- I'll always be here for u ❤️