You're Not Alone

•56•

We get to the small stage and take seats in the wood stands. I sit between Armin and Sasha with Jean behind me in the next row.

"The next performance starts in five minutes," Connie informs us as he sits beside Sasha.

"Ugh! Sophie let's go get pretzels or something. I'm not going to last until this is over. I need food!" Sasha stands up and pulls me with her.

I glance back and find Jean smiling at me. He watches the auburn haired girl pull me away from our group of friends.

My hair falls in my face and I brush it back as we make our way to the food tent near the stage. Sasha keeps hold of my hand as we walk.

"Hey Sophie," she stops behind a couple of people that are in line for food. "Are you okay after that conversation with your brother?"

"Mhmm," I smile at her. "He doesn't really bother me when he gets like that. He's just afraid. I know how to handle it."

"Oh..." she looks ahead. "Well if you need to talk, I'm here. Don't forget I'm a great listener!"

"Only when your face is stuffed with food," I nudge her shoulder with my fist.

"No!" She defends and glares at me playfully.

"Next!" The guy behind the stand calls out and we move forward.

"Four pretzels please!" Sasha grins widely. "Oh and four sausages!"

"That'll be-"

I don't hear the amount because the music starts playing by the stage and I get distracted. It's loud and fast paced, but it's not obnoxious.

"Here you are," the man hands over our food and I take the pretzels while Sasha grabs the sausages.

We make our way back to the others and I contemplate whether she got all this food for herself or if she's going to share.

I sit back in the spot i had before leaving, then I feel someone's breath next to my face. I turn to look and find Jean right next to me.

"You gonna share?" He practically drools over the pretzel.

"Sasha?" I look at her, trying to ask for permission.

"What, did you think this was all for me?" She shouts questioningly and we all just look at her blankly. "I'm not a pig!"

We laugh and I hand one of the pretzels to Jean, one to Armin, and the third to Sasha before I take a bit of my own.

"Thanks for buying Sasha!" Connie grins and takes a bite of his sausage.

"Yeah yeah," she waves her dismissively.

My body is still kind of sore from our battle and these seats have no back support, so I arch my back, trying to stretch the muscles.

"You okay?" Jean leans forward.

"Just a little sore," I shrug and glance back at him.

"Want to lean against me?" His raspy voice questions in my ear.

"W-what?" I choke on my pretzel and start to cough.

Everyone turns to me with faces full of concern and I just look down with embarrassment. Jean pats my back as he chuckles.

"Easy there," his voice comes out soft.

I look over and find Sasha staring at me with her eyes narrowed suspiciously. I look back at the performers in front of us and ignore her and Jean.

"This is boring," Connie grumbles.

"You suggested it!" Jean hits his head. "Idiot."

"I thought it would be nice to get out of there and do something, but I'm bored now!" Connie defends aggressively. "Do you have any better suggestions?"