Learning To Love
CHAPTER 11
Summary: Eren tags along with Mikasa for some job hunting and they both make a call to a dearly needed person.
Chapter 11: Learning To Hunt
It was cold. Each day the weather was getting much colder than the previous as we head further into autumn. I was waiting out the front of the school for Mikasa, whom had asked me to meet her here. We were going to check out around town for any jobs that are available then head home to call the psychiatrist she had found. I decided to tag along with her so that I don't have to wait at home for her and be bored out of my mind.
Going out simply means that the baby-sitter will have to work a bit longer, but that's fine, she said that she'll always work until we get home, no matter what. Mikasa had messaged her anyway just to give her a heads up just in case she does end up getting worried if we take too long.
I rub my hands together, really regretting not bringing a jacket to go over my thin long sleeved shirt – thinking it would be enough – and puff a hot breath onto my hands to warm them up more and continue to wait for Mikasa. What's taking her so long anyway? Did she forget or something? A strong, cold wind breezes by, making my entire body shiver and goose bumps erupt all over my skin on my legs and arms.
At least I decided to wear a pair of slightly thicker jeans today, so that only makes my top half the main victim of the cold, my legs not as affected. I cross my arms and slightly bounce from one foot to the other on the spot, trying to jog the warmth back into my body. Even though I prefer winter to summer, it doesn't mean that I'm not affected by the cold unfortunately.
Finally, I hear another person's feet thudding behind me at a quick pace and Mikasa's voice arrives just as it gets close enough to me. "Eren, sorry I took so long, I had to speak with the teacher about the work for a bit. You must be freezing, here, take this." She takes off her black jacket and holds it out to me, to which I look dumbfounded at it. "What? Just take it, Eren."
"But you'll be cold then."
"Don't worry about me, look at yourself, your skin is white, you're so cold. Just take the damn jacket, Eren; we're not leaving until you do." She persists in making me wear the proffered clothing, insisting that she'll be fine freezing to death because of my idiocy, and I end up reluctantly taking it and shrugging it on, relishing in the warmth that instantly soothed over my chest.
"Thank you, Mika. So where did you have in mind to look for a job?"
"Well, cafes almost always have available spots, and they're simple enough with a fair enough pay, so I was thinking to just go around to the local places and see who is up for hiring."
"Ok, that sounds like a good idea. Where to first?"
"Let's head to the main street first, they have plenty of places." I nod and we set off walking next to one another towards said location. The scenery slowly changes as we head closer to the main street, houses turning into stores and roads getting progressively busier. Not as many trees crowd around this area, instead being grown in a small centre park that is in the middle of the tiny town.
The streets are set up so that you can walk around easily. With crossings at nearly every corner and stores to suit your almost every need, coffee shops are on practically every street. There're plenty of job opportunities in this little place. We go into almost every coffee place and Mikasa asks each one if they're hiring, and if they are, she gives them a copy of her resume and her number.
Not all of them were hiring, but at least 4 of them were, but they said they weren't sure if they will actually be able to take her in since they didn't actually need any more people. We continue to walk around; just enjoying ourselves and not being in anyway rush to be anywhere since it's only just around quarter past 4.
As we walk to the park in the middle of everything – it's an unspoken agreement that we stroll there – I notice a new building in the space of where a trashed one used to be.
"Hey, Mika, look over there." I point to the aforementioned building and she follows my gaze. "They've finally replaced that old junkyard. I wonder what it is; let's go check it out, yeah?" She nods, her eyes still on the building and we avert our stroll to the brand new, 2 storey building.
Crossing the road, we are now at a close enough distance, with no objects in the way, to read the bold, black sign at the front, which indicates that the white tiled building is a library; we should tell Armin about this. In smaller letters, just next to the main sign, there are more words that inform that it also includes a café; of course it does, like we don't have enough of those already.
Mikasa turns to me and motions her head in the direction of the entrance, silently asking if we should go and check it out, to which I also silently nod. It's nice to walk in quiet, it's not necessary to always speak and ruin the peace. We make our way to the entrance and as we walk up to the doors, they automatically slide open; that's a new addition for this small town.
As the doors open, I feel a gush of warm air hit me and oh sweet Jesus yes. It's air conditioned, and they have the heat on. Thank you, technology! We step into the beautifully tempered room onto the tiled floors and our eyes instantly take in our surroundings.
As soon as you step inside you have the reception/checkout desk to your left which is placed on the white tiled floor and then cuts off to a nice, light grey carpet. There are bookshelves both tall and short and are evenly spaced out so that it gives a feeling of openness to not make customers feel claustrophobic. There are signs that indicate which section is of a certain genre and each one is absolutely filled with books. The sections take up a generous amount of room, making it obvious as to just why the library is two storeys in the first place.
The genres on this level seem to be more of the non-fictions types; ranging from War books to Autobiography's and then to Sport facts and techniques and proceeding to 'how to' books. In the middle of everything is an escalator with a lift just next to it; they are accompanied with a single stall bathroom just off to the side for people of all types. A hanging sign that is placed above the escalator informs people that the toilets are located here and the fiction section is on the second level, along with the café.
We both wander around, separating to go our own separate ways, and head off to no particular section. They have an amazing range and selection of books for each genre from what I can see. I just know that Armin will absolutely love this place; he's always been one for literature. Strolling around, heading in no particular direction nor looking for any specific books, I find myself making my way to the escalator, which will take me to the fiction section and café.
Taking too long to get to the top, I walk up the escalator and look at all the different coloured books. Fiction books always did look more appealing than non-fiction; no wonder people go more for them. I take a few steps forward so that I'm not blocking the entrance for anyone that might actually come up here and survey the room.
The café is to the right when you exit the escalator or lift, in the far back corner, and the floor there changes as well, this time to a homey-feeling, medium brown coloured wood. This time, the bathroom was situated next to the café, allowing people of all types to use as well. Since the café was in the corner, it was bordering on the windows, which surprisingly had a really nice view of the small park in the middle of the town.
I pick up my stroll again to explore around the aisles full of best-sellers, noticing some that had covers with actual people, supposedly they had movies to accompany them. I walk my way around and end up at the café. It had plenty of seats with tables for people to sit at, some lining along the window to have a drink and perhaps a snack with a great view; this place would look amazing at sunrise.
"Hi! Would you like anything to eat or drink, Sir?" Sir? A bright, chipper voice emerged me from my admiring of the place and I turn to where the voice sounded from. A girl, looking to be not much older than me, probably just out of high school, was placed behind the counter of the café and was looking sweetly at me with a bright, white and straight smile that actually looked genuine. Teach me your ways.
"Uh," My voice gets strangled in my throat from not being used in a while and I clear my throat before continuing, "were you speaking to me?" I'm so stupid; of course she is, I'm the only one in the room.
"Of course I am! So did you have anything in mind to have or are you ok?" She's just so upbeat, how does she do this? Her rich, brown hair, that looked like it had a mix of natural red through it, was styled into a pigtail and was draping over her shoulder. She had a cap on for some reason, which had the same design as her apron: forest green with what looks to be a naked man thing in a small circle. Letters in a rich red reading Mad Titan Library Café are underneath the emblem that is placed in the top right of the uniform and on the front of the cap.
"Uh, yeah sure. Can I please have a small skim caramel latte?" Might as well order something if I'm offered.
"Yep, sure. That'll be $2.50 please." Wow, this place is really cheap; I'll have to come here for my drinks all the time; that is if they actually taste as good as their price. I hand her the money and she says that it won't take long to make. I continue to look around from my spot and notice a movement from the other side of the room. Mikasa was making her way up the escalator and when she sees me she makes her way over.
"Hey, what are you doing?" She asks with a raised eyebrow towards the café.
"I just ordered a coffee. They're really cheap! Did you want one?"
"Nah I'm alright. I'll just keep looking around, they have so much variety, it's amazing." She turns around and continues on her exploration of the place and I turn away as well and browse from my spot again.
There are lounges that are placed on the carpet section right next to the café and shelves of books surrounding those as well. This spot seemed to be a bit more secluded and, upon noticing the massive sign above it, I realise why. It's the education section. Where students from all grades can come and study to their hearts content. This is definitely Armin's place.
"Sir, your coffee is ready!" The barista's voice calls to me and I turn to collect it and have a moment of truth: whether the coffee does taste as good as its price. I thank her and, with her joyful eyes on me, I take a tentative sip. This girl needs to be famous. This is the best coffee I've ever had, and the price only makes it that much better!
I'm sure that the expression on my face says it all, but I still voice my amazement of the coffee to the maker. "This is the best coffee ever! Where did you learn how to make such amazing drinks? This can't be possible! Mikasa!" I call Mikasa over to get a load of this extraordinary discovery and the barista just blushes and smiles shyly at all the praising.
"What's wrong Eren?" Mikasa hurries up to me worriedly and, upon seeing my over joyous face, gets a confused look. "What's up?"
"This is the best coffee ever, you need to try it!" I hand my cup to her and she takes a sip from it. Her eyes instantly light up and she just stares at the barista.
"You made this?! How it that even possible! May I please have one?" She hands my cup back to me and the barista nods and gets to making another one for Mikasa. She asks for the money and Mikasa happily gives it to her. After about a minute, the same time it took for mine, the girl hands Mikasa her drink and we both contentedly drink our star quality drinks.
"We are coming here all the time, and we must tell Armin, this is like his own little heaven. There's even a study section just there in case you didn't notice it." We walked over to a seat next to the windows as I talk and I point towards the section as I mention it.
"He would probably cry tears of joy. He has his books, study resources, and source of caffeine. It's perfect for him." I nod in agreement and we sit quietly as we continue to drink.
"You should ask if they're hiring. I'm sure they would be since they just opened." I offer her the idea and she acquires a look of thought as she contemplates the suggestion.
"That's not such a bad idea. I'll go ask, one sec." She stands and walks over to the girl at the counter and asks her. The brunette nods with a pleasant smile – does she ever frown? – and Mikasa turns to give me a thumbs up and a grin as she makes her way back over. "They're hiring, she's the only person they have working at the moment, so I'd get heaps of shifts."
"That's great! Did she ask for your resume?"
"Nah, she said that anyone can join, but I did quickly give her my contact details."
"Ok. Should we get going then? We still need to call that psychiatrist person."
"Yeah we should. Come on then." We stand up and both wave goodbye to the barista as we leave, heading back down the escalator and exiting the building. We're silent as we make our trek back home, and at this moment, I couldn't wish for her to start talking or do something so that my rising panic will go away.
What if the psychiatrist doesn't care? What if she is disgusted by me; a guy being molested by his father? She'll probably be horrified by the fact that I was being gay with my father, shun me for having such a thing be done to me. She'll just tell me to get out of her face with my stupid problems; tell me I shouldn't have even allowed him to do that to me, to kill my mother.
She'll blame my idiotic self for allowing him to push me around and not fighting back. Be horrified that I didn't do anything to save Mikasa's mother when she fell. What if she just completely pushes me over, gets bored with my pathetic story, doesn't believe me and assumes that I'm just trying to get attention; to make an excuse for my fucked up grades.
We stop to cross a road and Mikasa grabs my hand out of nowhere, startling me and causing me to gasp. "Eren, are you alright?" Her question causes my panic to rise further and my body somewhat freezes up.
"Yeah," My reply was too rushed and suspicious so I try again to reassure her that she doesn't need to worry. "Yeah I'm fine. Completely fine. Why would you think that I'm not fine?" I should get an Oscar for best acting ever.
"Well you were breathing really quickly, like you were panicking." So she noticed. I need to be more subtle next time I guess, breathe shallower.
"Oh, was I? I didn't realise. It's pretty hot though, and with all this walking it's really getting my blood pumping, you know what I mean?" It's halfway through autumn and I'm used to this walk, we're not even walking that fast. Of course she'll believe me. But in my panic I had gotten quite warm.
"Do you have a fever then? It's not that hot. Here let me check." She raises her hand to my forehead and after letting it rest for a second, lowers it back to her side and frowns. "You're a bit warm, but not feverish. Are you sure you're ok?"
"Yes, I'm fine Mikasa. You don't have to worry about me, just, please, let's get back to yours so that we can call this person and relax." She deflates a little at my insistence and mentally backs off from me and we continue to walk back in a tense and slightly awkward silence. Mikasa takes her keys out from her pocket with a scarily straight face as we near the door and unlocks it.
"Is that you Mikasa, Eren?" Petra calls out, she was taking care of Aysen again, she'll probably be our babysitter each time now.
"Yeah it's us Petra. Thank you for taking care of Aysen again for us, was he any trouble?" Mikasa and I walk in, her going up to Petra as I walk over to Aysen, whom was laying on the couch next to her.
"No, he was no trouble. He's such a sweet boy, always in a good mood and playful." Petra says this with a sweet smile on her face as usual. Perhaps she's related to that girl back at the café. I shuck my bag to the ground and pick up Aysen from the couch and sit with him sitting up in my lap, holding his arms to keep him upright.
"That's' good then." Mikasa takes out her wallet from her school bag and pulls out the proper amount to pay Petra. "Here's your pay Petra, thank you again. We'll see you tomorrow then. Bye." Petra bids her goodbye with a thank you and I wave Aysen's arm in my way of a goodbye to her as she leaves. "Do you want a drink or something?"
"Nah I'm alright thanks." Mikasa hums a little 'ok' and drops her bag to floor as she takes a seat next to me, pulling her mobile out of her pocket along with a piece of paper.
"Ok, let's call this person then." I feel my body tense up at her proposition but I force myself not to show my reluctance and panic. She types in the phone number, presses the call button and raises her mobile to her ear. I can hear the dial tone ringing as we wait and it stops before we hear a bouncy voice answer.
"Good afternoon, Dr Hanji speaking. How may I help you?" I hold Aysen closer and bounce him on my knee a bit when he starts moving around.
"Hi, Dr Hanji, my name is Mikasa and I was wondering if I could make an appointment for two people if that's possible?" Mikasa responds formally to the psychiatrist.
"Yes that's no problem at all. I have a free session on Thursday at 4:00pm. Did you two want to have a joined session or separate?" Mikasa turns to me as if asking what I would like and I whisper my reply to her.
"I don't mind if it's joined, it depends on how long we'll have really."
"Ah is that the other person with you?" Her voice surprises us both and I jump a bit, jostling Aysen and he stares at me. I rub his back just to do something and he leans on me more.
"Yes it is. His name is Eren. He doesn't mind if the session is joined, but how long will we have to speak?"
"I have the rest of that afternoon off. I can keep it that way if you'd like so that we can speak for however long you both need." She's really thoughtful; I guess she'd have to be though because of her job.
"That would be amazing if you could do that. Thank you. Do you have a building that we meet at or is it at your home?"
"I work from home. It's easier to handle then." She gives us her address and Mikasa writes it down as she goes.
"Thank you. Uhm, how much does each session cost?" There's something we didn't check beforehand. Petra will also have to stay longer come to think of it.
"Ah, there's no cost at all. I love to help people in need, and why would such an important thing need payment. People need help, and if they don't have the money, how will they get it? Don't worry about it." Wow, that's… so kind.
"Thank you so much" I nudge Mikasa a bit and when she looks at me, I nod my head to Aysen, hoping that she understands what I'm trying to silently say. Her confused look in return shows that she doesn't, and I whisper what I'm trying to indicate, this time away from the phone.
"Aysen needs someone to take care of him; we can't make Petra stay for that long. Ask if we can bring him with us." Mikasa nods in understanding and goes back to the phone.
"Dr Hanji, would it be ok if we could bring my little brother? He's only a baby and my father doesn't get home until late and we can't ask the babysitter to stay for so much longer."
"Yes of course. That's completely fine."
"Great. Thank you. Then we'll see you on Thursday. Thank you so much."
"You're very welcome. Bye! Have a nice afternoon." She hangs up and Mikasa turns her phone off and sets it next to her on the couch.
"Well then, we have an appointment for Thursday. No backing out now ok?" I nod and hug Aysen closer to my body. He had begun to doze off towards the end of the call and was now just completely in relax and half asleep mode. All three of us simply lay back on the couch, me carefully laying back and resting Aysen on my stomach so that we're both comfortable, and rest in silence.
Thursday's going to be a big day for Mikasa and me.
A/N Hey guys! Thanks for still reading and please let me know what you think of this chapter and if there are any mistakes at all.
