Believer ~Jean x Reader AU~

Chapter 11: Warning

~Jean's POV~

Tch. Try to help someone out and they go and piss you off. I gritted my teeth, thinking back to my conversation with Y/N. She is so infuriating. She doesn't even know what she's walking into. I rolled my eyes. Whatever. It's her problem, not mine.

I took a swig of the beer in my hand and swallowed. I wasn't a fan of beer. It tasted flat and foul, slightly turning my stomach. No matter what brand I tried, they all tasted the same, but I didn't care at that moment. If I drank enough it wouldn't matter. The taste would fade.

"Whoa. What did I miss?" Marco asked as he walked into the den. "You look like shit."

I shot him a sharp glance and muttered, "Jeez, thanks." I took another drink, finishing off the beer and chucked it at the waste bin. The shrill sound of thick glass clanking plastic filled the air as I continued, "Want one?"

He shrugged, "I guess one wouldn't hurt."

I passed him a bottle as he took a seat on one of the old recliners. We each popped the caps off our bottles and took quick swigs. I scrunched my face at the fresh taste of weak alcohol as did Marco. We each finished reacting to the nasty taste.

"Yup. Still can't get used to that," Marco said, setting his bottle down on the coffee table in front of us and brought those dark orbs to me. "So, what has you sulking?"

"I'm not sulking," I pouted, taking another quick drink. "I'm...thinking."

"Uh huh," he crooned. "With that scowl? You're sulking." He sat back in his chair, smirking, "Is it Alexandra? Are you two having problems?"

I sucked in my cheeks and shook my head. "No. No, we're fine."

He lifted a brow. "Okay. Then, what is it? Something's up. That much I know."

That had me thinking. What was wrong? Why was I letting a girl I barely knew claim so much of my mind? She was quiet, clumsy, awkward, and sometimes rude. So, why was I bothering to even let her reside in a few spots in my thoughts? It didn't make sense and it drove me slightly insane.

"Hello?" Marco asked, snapping his fingers at me. "Earth to Jean. Are you there?"

I blinked and took another quick drink, shrugging, "It's...it's nothing. It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Dude just tell me," he chuckled. "If it's a secret, then don't worry. I won't tell a soul."

"Just drop it," I huffed, squeezing my eyes shut.

I was starting to get a headache. My skull was beginning to throb, my pulse pounding in my ears. Man...she's a headache. I massaged my temples with my free hand, silently wishing the drumming would just go away.

"Is it about Y/N?" he pressed, causing my eyes to open abruptly.

I glanced over at my friend, noting how an expression of victory masked over his features. He was leaning his back against the broken down cushion of his seat, his knuckles supporting the weight of his head. A wickedly crooked grin plastered itself across his lips, telling me that he knew he was right.

"Bullseye," he chortled. "It is about her."

I turned from him and scoffed, "Pfft. As if I would actually be thinking about her."

"You're denying it, which means I'm right," he giggled.

"No, that's not at all what it means," I defended.

But, it was too late. He was sitting in his chair, just cackling like a hyena as my features burned red. I didn't need that. I didn't need any of that. I was in no mood to be teased.

"Oh, knock it off," I snapped, taking yet another drink. "It's not like I want to think about her. She's just some girl."

"Just some girl you're thinking about," he teased. His face then shifted, his features going from amused to serious. "For real though...is it because of Kellen?"

I dropped my stare to my lap and swallowed, "Yeah. I tried to warn her, but...but she wouldn't hear it." I brought my head back up and leaned it against the cushion. "I honestly don't know why I even care. It's none of my business." I lowered my tone. "It's just...I'd feel guilty if I didn't try."

I could feel Marco examining me, his stare burning into me. I almost wished he wouldn't have, though. I didn't need him to scan me with all his wisdom and sharp intuition. I just didn't want to hear what he'd say. That was always an unknown situation.

"I understand," he sighed, putting my mind at ease. "To be honest, I'm proud that you at least tried. I couldn't bring myself to tell her, but you did. Ultimately, she'll learn for herself."

I bit down on my bottom lip at those words, a twinge pulling at my chest. I didn't want to picture that...I didn't want to see her so pathetic. I didn't want to hear the gossip and rumors that would follow her. I didn't want any of that and I didn't understand why. She was just some random girl to me...yet, there I was, allowing her to claim a part in my mind.

I balled my hand into a fist and whispered, "That's the thing...I don't want her to go through that."

**Ello my lovelies! How y'all doing? Ya doing good? I hope so! If you're not, I hope your day gets better. I also hope you enjoyed this chapter. I thought it'd be fun to come from Jean's POV. Anyway, as always, thank you so much for everything! Y'all are the bestest! Wuv yous!! <3**

-Noel Ross

P.S. Fun fact: at the time of posting (11/2), I'm already typing chapter 23. :)