Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 9: Don't Come Crying

I couldn't keep my eyes from glimpsing at that clock. The seconds ticked by at a painfully sluggish pace, that hand moving ever so slowly. The hour was dragging its feet along, leaving me impatient. I was so concentrated on the time that I couldn't even pay attention to my professor. Not like that mattered. I already had my project complete and was just waiting to book it out of there.

Finally, the minute hand hovered over the twelve, signaling that the hour-long class was over. I quickly began to gather my belongings, my classmates all doing the very same as our professor merely dismissed us with the wave of a hand.

I darted out of the room and made my way to the staircase. I jogged down the steps and made for my exit, the breeze greeting me, though I paid it no mind. I just shuttled on, the soles of my boots scraping the ground with each step I took. I was almost there. I just had to reach my dorm and start the process of getting ready.

Because I had a date.

First thing's first, when I get to my room I'll take a shower. I told myself. After that, hair and makeup, then clothes. I had it all planned. I was going to make sure that Kellen was blown away...at least, I was going to try. There was only so much I was going to be able to do.

I was starting to feel giddy, the thought of Kellen exciting me. I wondered what his face would look like when he saw me. Would he be thrilled? Mind blown? I didn't know, but I looked forward to his reaction.

I continued on my march, the view of my dormitory becoming clear, but that wasn't the only thing I saw. Walking in my direction, heading towards the way of the rest of the campus was an annoyed looking Jean Kirstein. And by annoyed, I mean irritated as hell. He did not seem pleased to see me whatsoever and I knew very clearly of why.

I bit my bottom lip and clutched my backpack straps, lowering my gaze. I could feel my body already reacting to his presence. My steps went from rushed to slow and shaky, my heart angrily beating my sternum. My breathing was shallow and harsh, almost making me concerned. I had never expected to see him at that moment, but that didn't change the fact that I was too anxious to meet his stare. The closer we grew, the more on edge I was. I prayed we'd just go on our merry ways, but that wasn't the case.

"If it isn't ice girl," he scoffed, pausing right in front of me. "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

He sounded so...angry. His voice was deep and hinting at more than just a little frustrated. It was like someone had doused his tone in venom, only causing tingles to dash across my skin. He was certainly not pleased to see me...not in the very slightest.

I fidgeted with one of my straps and swallowed, "O-oh...hey, Jean. H-how are ya?"

"Oh, now you're interested in chatting?" he spat.

I was too nervous to bring my gaze to his. I knew that one glimpse into those fiery eyes would destroy me. I wasn't sure in which way they'd affect me, but I knew there would be something. Either I would have felt my breath hitch or something along that nature.

"Well?" he pressed.

I shrugged, "I can't ask how you are? Is that a crime?"

"I don't know. Is it?" he mumbled. "Why are you staring at the ground like a four-year-old?"

"No reason," I lied.

I already knew he could see through my lie. I could feel his eyes slicing through my false claim. I had a very good reason to hide my gaze. The last thing I needed was my eyes betraying me and revealing everything I was feeling.

"Well, it's childish. You're an adult. Don't you know how to make eye contact?" he continued, that annoyance still present.

Fuck. I didn't want to, but if it meant getting out of there, then I'd look him in the eyes. So, I steadily lifted my gape to his, almost regretting it immediately. His stare was more than just fiery -they were blazing like a raging forest fire. So many emotions drifted at the surface of his gaze; annoyance, anger, frustration, and so on...but of all the emotions I saw, one caught my attention. Hurt.

"Oh, so you do remember how to look someone in the eye," he snorted coldly, crossing his arms over his chest. "How mature of you."

I blinked a few times and laughed halfheartedly, "Yeah. O-of course I do."

He narrowed his eyes at me and snickered, "Yeah. So, I heard you have a date with Kellen Haas."

My eyes widened as I stammered, "W-who told you that? W-was it Marco?"

He shrugged nonchalantly, "Maybe. What does it matter?" His expression shifted to one of seriousness. "You do know you could do way better, right?"

I almost wanted to laugh. That was comical to hear. I couldn't even figure why any of that mattered to him. Whether or not I could do better was none of his business. On top of that, Kellen seemed like a pretty good freaking catch to me. He was polite, charming, kind, and easy on the eyes. As far as I could tell, I had hit the lottery.

I furrowed my brows and snorted, "I'm sorry? What would you know?"

"Hey. I know plenty about that prick," he answered harshly. "He's a member of the ADA House, so I know the guy pretty damn well and I know you can do better than him."

"Tch," I huffed, crossing my own arms over my chest. "Whatever. You're probably just spewing BS because...because...well, I don't know why, but that doesn't matter. What I do with Kellen -or anyone else for that matter- is none of your business." I began to make my way around him, adding, "You have your own girlfriend that you can be chatting with. So, how about you just leave me alone?"

"Don't give me that bullshit," he snarled, reaching for me. He cuffed his hand around my wrist, forcing me to turn, though he remained gentle. He narrowed his eyes at me and spat, "That asswipe is going to suck you dry and leave you broken. He is a tool and not worth your time. So, why are you entertaining this fucker?"

My mouth became agape as chills darted the length of my spine. My breath hitched, lodging itself in my throat as my body became numb. My heart increased its pace, my pulse strumming like a drum through my ears. His touch...it still had that same power over me...it still made me go weak. I had thought I was free from his power, but I was wrong. Still, I couldn't cave.

I lowered my gaze and numbly replied, "You're lying. You're just lying. I don't know why you are...but I don't believe you."

His grip loosened before releasing me as he breathed, "Whatever. Do what you want, but when he breaks your dignity, don't come crying to me because all I'll say is 'told ya so'."

And at that, he left, leaving me alone, nothing but the icy gale blowing around me.

**Bello my sweet lovelies! I won't lie -I really enjoyed typing this chapter. I couldn't tell you why, but I did. Maybe it's because it came very easily to me. Anyway, I hope y'all liked! Thank you so freakin' much for everything! Y'all are the bee's knees! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. "Time Bomb" by All Time Low