Late update... I know D:! College... so... intense... but hear this: I will not abandon this story! I've never come this far with a story before! 99 reviews and it's all thanks to you :'D!
TWENTY-NINE
-"Son… it's late,"- I heard dad's low voice and the door's creaking sound, -"Son."- He kept calling me.
I tried opening my eyelids, but they were so damn heavy, -"Ugh… five more minutes."- My lips moved on their own. I was too damn asleep; I'm blaming it all on the PS3.
-"Son, the bus left and classes already started."- Dad's voice was low, like if he too was asleep and barely awake.
I had my face in the pillow, snoring and scratching my hair. I grunted and sat up, rubbing my sleepy eyes. Dad was standing in front of the door now with his pajamas and holding a cup of tea, -"Shit,"- I cursed and yawned with a hand on my mouth, -"I'll get changed."
Dragging my legs to the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and put on the school's shirt along with a Batman overcoat, blue jeans and old Converse. I put a black plain beanie without brushing my hair and headed out lazily.
I admit, it kind of surprised me that mom didn't shoot me awake. Don't get me wrong, this is a relief and I hoped dad would be the one waking me up frequently. The curiosity ended killing me, because she wasn't on the couch and the TV wasn't on, -"Where's mom?"- I asked dad as we walked towards his car.
-"She's still sleeping."- He said, his face dull and tired.
That was so unlike her. Mom always woke up early, -"Oh."- It's all I managed to say. I couldn't ask anything else anyways; dad didn't look like himself either.
On the drive, I kept yawing and dad looked at me suspiciously, -"What have you been up to last night?"
There's really no point in lying, -"Playing videogames."
The look dad gave me told me that he didn't expect that, -"That old, dusty console?"- He asked me and when I nodded, he let out a small chuckle, -"Well, that's a surprise."
After that, he didn't say anything else. He dropped me on school and I quickly went to Hanji's, but my group wasn't there so I ran to Levi's and… shit, they were there and Levi was waiting for me, -"Well, well… who do we have here?"- He asked as he paced the room, -"None other than Jean Kirshtein, expert on pulling excuses for every small bullshit."
I flinched at his profanity word and wanted to counterattack, but I kept my cool and went full honest. I wasn't the same jerk and ignorant guy, -"Slept three hours only."
He raised an eyebrow and eyed me, -"Oh, is that so?"- I nodded and he grinned, -"Office."- He pointed outside and I did as told.
This wasn't the first time I'd had to go to the office for an excuse. I had arrived late to almost every class and I admit that the reasons were because I slacked off. This time was different though, I was playing Call of Duty and holy shit it was good shooting the crap out of everyone. I discovered a part of me that was forgotten.
-"I need an excuse for delay."- I said to Petra as soon as I arrived at the office. She was the secretary; sweet and caring, Petra was the amorous here, everyone loved her. Me? Neh.
She chucked, -"Late, are we? Let me guess, Levi sent you."
I nodded and shrugged.
She giggled and took out a paper with a pen, -"Lately, it's all been Levi this, Levi that,"- She blushed and began writing. She asked me why was I late and I told her the truth. Then, she handed me the paper, -"Good day!"- She waved me sweetly.
Outside, I was reading the small paper when…, -"Yeah, I know. Love you too."- That voice… I shot my head up and looked back to none other than Marco. He was speaking on his phone, looking down and walking right towards me, until he bumped on my back. With an uff sound, he crashed into me, his phone fell and I could hear a female's voice speaking, -"I'm so sorry, I- Jean!"
My heart skipped a beat and I quickly remembered last time we saw each other, -"Uh… hi."- I scratched my neck and blushed. I quickly knelt and gave him his phone.
-"Thanks,"- He took it and put it on his ear, -"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. The phone just fell,"- He quickly answered, -"Okay,"- With that, he hung and looked at me, -"It's mom. She's worried because she though I fainted on Saturday."
Saturday, huh… I remember when I almost stole a kiss from him, the poem… I bit my lip and tried to stay cool,-"It didn't look like your fainted, I-I think you just fell asleep."
His face reddened as he caressed his cheek with his finger shyly. So fucking cute, -"Oh… that must have been embarrassing, I'm so sorry,"- He quickly apologized, -"It just happens sometimes, I-"
I chucked, my face hot, -"It's okay,"- Several seconds passed in silent. I looked at all ways, unable to brush off Saturday's images from my mind and finally broke it, -"So, uh… where were you going?"- I inquired, scratching my rear neck.
He glanced at the way to Levi's and looked back at me, -"Class. What about you?"
-"Uh… I was at the office for a delay excuse."- I chuckled and walked off to Levi's with him.
On our way, I kept thinking. After what happened in Saturday, I should have my emotions more organized. There's no denying it anymore, I had feelings for Marco… since classes begun, I dare say. The way he made me feel was special, because no one ever made me feel like he does and I never dared to steal a kiss from anyone, not even Trisha. Point is, all this was because of guy, a guy of all creatures, of all goddamned creatures… I loved a guy; I fell in love with guy… so much for my manliness proudness.
Now, my ultimate mission and challenge: tell Marco, but… how?
During the day, I swore to God that I'd tell him, but I didn't. I knew that he'd die of a heart attack, it'll totally make him happy and who knew what else, but I was too nervous. Every time I was about to tell him, a crowd of people just randomly appeared. I wanted to tell him when we're alone, because I didn't want anyone to hear, I didn't want anyone to know… I was still scared of the dramatical turn I was about to get: judging, bullies, racists, homophobes… I felt weak and coward, but I wanted to tell Marco, mostly because he was desperate for my answer and because… I needed to tell him. One thing's for sure, I will protect Marco from any homophobic or racist.
At Art, we arranged that we'd meet again in his house and designed each one the materials to bring to start with the model. I was bringing the wood and other stuff. Marco was bringing artistic tools. Suddenly, it hit me that Trisha was still on this project with us, unless she was kicked out, I didn't cared. The import thing is, I'd figured that we'd be alone then, so it was the perfect moment to tell him.
Classes were immediately over and now I was practicing soccer with my team… with no name. While practicing, I thought about a name: Tigers and Lion were very common, so I scratched it. I wanted it to be unique but powerful at the same time, I wanted to let everyone know that we weren't a joke, that we weren't the same twelve two.
I was trotting until I mindlessly bumped into Connie who gave me a small scowl, -"Oi, watch it!"
I apologized. As for Connie, he'd done well in shutting his mouth about… you know. I didn't know if he told Sasha or anyone else and I hoped not.
I swiftly glanced at Marco; he was sitting in the bleachers reading a book. He told me his mom called him that she was picking him up late so he said he'd just watch us practice while waiting. I trotted towards him and sat beside him, -"So, uh… can you come up with a name for my team?"- I asked him, fully knowing he'd come with a name.
He chuckled and closed the book, -"I've been thinking about that actually,"- He put his finger on his chin and looked up, -"How about… the Rebels or the Crazies?"- He laughed.
I laughed too and slid closer to him, -"I know you can come up with a better name than that."
He nodded and stared at the group practicing for several seconds with a smile, -"I got the perfect name… Titans."
I liked how that one sounded, -"Yeah,"- I looked at my hands and balled them. I honestly didn't liked waiting until Saturday to tell him, so I went for it. It was awkward and weird confessing to a guy, but I can't deny what I feel anymore. The poem recited in my head over and over as my stomach swirled, -"Marco…,"- I said and he looked at me with a questioning look that made my body tremble, -"I uh… wanted to tell you something, erm…,"- I spluttered and swallowed, -"I wanted to, uh… thank you for the essay."- What the fuck?
His face dimmed a bit, -"Oh… yeah, you're welcome."
For sure, for fucking sure I'll tell him on Saturday because I almost shit my pants right there.
I remembered now that I hadn't thanked him for Levi's essay he ended up doing. I was burning hot and quivering, -"Uh… I have to keep practicing."- I said and head to camp again.
We kept practicing and I told the team about our name, they all loved it saying that it matched us perfectly. I agreed too and luckily, no one complained. That's one of the things I appreciate and like of this team: we all agreed on everything, we never had problems and solved everything neatly, unlike Frank's team: they were all so high in ego that they never agreed on anything and that brought a lot of issues, minimizing the practice time. Frank, whose patience is low, started a fight and it was hell.
Or so I though, because when they came like bunch of astronauts towards us, they seemed more organized.
Trevor, obviously the leader now, came towards me with a grin and arms crossed, -"Seriously? You, of all people?"
My team stood beside me, glaring at Trevor and the others, -"Cut the act,"- I said angrily. They wouldn't have come here without a reason. They wanted to mess us up, that's how much I knew them, but I wasn't letting them, -"Why bother come here?"
-"What do you mean? This is our camp, you stupid airhead. We wanna practice, so drag your ass somewhere else."- He said and laughed, looking over his shoulder at his team.
Asshole. His team didn't practice today, they practice the days we had off. They're here because they wanted to deliver a message and I was getting desperate because he was taking too damn long, -"Spit it, Trevor."- I was nervous too because some guys were staring at Marco. Those looks…
He raised his arm "scared", -"Oh, serious , are we? Watch out, we got a badass over here,"- He mocked, laughing out loud, -"But seriously, Jean, what do you plan of archiving with a bunch of losers and nerd? Of course dreams don't cost a penny, but let's be honest, it's fucking obvious you're not getting anywhere with…"
I stopped listening because he was speaking too much… on purpose. I had an awful feeling that he was a distraction. Now, more people were looking at Marco and Trisha, who now I noticed, had a fishy face. They were planning something.
-"What are you planning?"- I asked with a threatening voice.
He raised an eyebrow, -"What? I ain't planning nothin'."
I glared at him and when George and other guys began stepping out while looking at Marco, I dashed to them. That look… I didn't like it, it's the same one Frank had…
I slammed into George with full force, knocking him down on the grass, -"Stay away from him!"- I shouted loud enough to make everyone step back.
George looked at me with eyes wide, -"What the fuck?"- He looked scared, really scared. I must look like a psycho. If he looks at Marco like that again… that impulse sailed through me, -"Get off of me you fucking freak!"- He pushed me up and I fell on my ass, but I quickly stood up and pushed him back on the grass, -"You little…!"- He swore with a deeper voice. I was pissing him off.
With a quick grip on my arm, he pulled me down on him and surrounded his arm around my neck, quickly tightening. I gasped for breath and slammed my rear head in his face. He quickly winced and cursed, letting go of me. I stood up again and raised my feet to kick him until his buddies grabbed me and pulled me back. They punched my chest and pushed me away, falling on my back. Reiner quickly went to my aid and lifted me up, but held me back, -"Let go!"- I shouted at him.
-"No, Jean! Not this again! Control yourself!"- He squeezed his grip on my arm and the other around my neck.
George stood up, rubbing his nose, -"That's it for you and your friends,"- He began walking towards me along with his pals, but my team stood for me too. George halted his steps and clicked his tongue, -"I don't have time for this bullshit, but this isn't over, Jean! You fucked with the wrong guys and you will pay!"- He began stepping away, but harshly turned around, -"You're crazy, you hear me? You're. Fucking. Crazy! You're a psycho! Go to a fucking asylum already, dammit!"
With that, they left with awful glares at me and I answered back with gritted teeth.
After a few seconds for calming my steam, I swiftly glanced at Marco who was still on the bleachers. He wasn't reading anymore, instead, he was looking right at me with an awful worried look. What I'd do for him… God, I'll even punch the crap out of Lucifer if I have to. Anything for him, I now realized. I then looked down; again… more fights. They never stop, it's inevitable and I'll keep fighting… for him. I totally ignored the future punishments or scolding, I didn't care.
Later, I had another of those talks with Reiner and I ended up telling him that these fights won't stop. He didn't understand obviously, but he got the idea that it had to do a lot with Marco and… myself. Other than that, he was really worried about me too, he said I really did looked like a psycho back there. I just randomly attacked George, like nothing. I began to have my doubts about if Trevor's team was really up to something, but I didn't sulk too much on it.
Or so I though because when Marco confirmed that I really, really looked like a maniac, my doubts deepened and the issue of me being crazy went from bad to worse, -"He didn't do anything, Jean… why did you attacked him?"- He inquired while we walked to the front of the school.
-"I…"- I shrugged and looked away, biting my lip. How could I explain this? –"It's just that, um… George and I ha-"
-"Don't lie."- He quickly said with a serious tone and expression.
Right in my face. I couldn't lie to Marco anymore. Scratching my neck, I took a deep breath, -"I thought he was going to do something to you, okay? It all seemed fishy how they acted, I thought they were planning to distract me so they could get to you… I dunno."—I shrugged and looked at him, my face a bit hot.
Marco eyes widen a bit, his cute cheeks blushing lightly, -"Oh…"
-"Marco, do you think I'm crazy, like really crazy?"- I inquired, looking straight at his eye to see if I could catch even a tiny hint.
But all I saw was passion, trust, caring and worriedness. As he spoke, my heart beats increased, -"No, Jean, I don't think you're crazy. You act like it but you're not, we just…"- He smiled and looked at me, -"You've been through a lot. I think you're just paranoid, but not crazy,"- A small laugh escaped his lips. He then squeezed my shoulder, -"You know that I'm right beside you… I'll always be."
A soothing warm invaded me as I looked at him; he made me feel so calm, warm and sure of myself… I wanted to cuddle with him and let him know that I too will be right beside him… until the end.
I knew what was wrong with me: I was crazy in love with him.
I can picture you guys running around your rooms squealing and fangirling xD lol
