Chapter Text
As I step through the doors of my college dorm room with my band pamphlet in hand, I flop onto my bed skimming through the pages. "Electric guitar player needed." I look over to my unpacked boxes. My mind flashes back in time.
Bright lights and loud crowds fill my vision suddenly. "Are you ready Eren?" Mikasa asks. "I have to be," I say. My mind gets through a few songs before a hear a knock.
"Hi, um, i guess we're roommates," a blonde boy with blue eyes says. "I'm Armin" "Eren, nice to meet you."
I look back at the pamphlet and decide to contact them through social media. As I sit up and grab my laptop to start typing Armin asks me something. "Are you really joining that rock band stuff?" It offended me that he found this stuff embarrassing, but I replied anyway. "Yeah, why not? they need and electric guitar player and I used to play in high school." "Kinda corny if you ask me," he chuckles. I laugh sarcastically and shoot him a glare.
after I finished writing and clicked send. I realize I don't know my way around campus. "Hey Armin, was it? do you know your way around campus yet." I asked. "Yeah, my older friends went here so I was around a lot. I assume you don't?" he says. "Yeah..." I respond. "Come with me" Armin says. We walk through the garden and my eyes lock onto someone. hazel eyes, somewhat welcoming, brownish hair that flows through the slight wind a little too nice.
"What are you looking at weirdo." I suddenly realize I had been staring a little too long and that he realized I was there. "The uh- flowers behind you? yeah the flowers behind you." I mix up my words, sounding flustered "Hm, you're off the hook for now odd boy," he insults. "Eren," I say, "Eren Yeager." "I'll keep note I guess," he replied
I look around for Armin and realize he had left without me. "Hey- um, sorry to bother but did you see where Armin went? Blonde hair, greenish eyes." I asked the guy "Just over there," he said dryly. "Thanks," I respond. I ran up to Armin and saw him talking with a group of unfamiliar people. I tap him on the shoulder, "who are these people." "High school friends," he says. "Okay," I say.
THE NEXT DAY AFTER CLASSES
I open the door to my room and sit down on my bed; a notification pops up. It was a reply from the rock band I had messaged yesterday. "Hi! My names Sasha, the auditions are today at around 7 in the main auditorium. Multiple bands will be there! if you want to audition for a specific band or instrument let me know!" after I finished reading the text I replied. "By chance are you in Rockstar Relations? I was looking in the pamphlet and saw they needed an electric guitar player."
The response came fast, "Indeed! Come by after auditions and I'll see what you can do." After reading that I switched off my phone and lied down thinking of my high school band times. "Hey Armin, did you see that guy in our business class with the brown hair and hazel eyes?" I ask. "You mean Jean?" he questioned. "Yeah, I think that's his name, I saw him in the garden after you left me." I respond. "Random but okay," he says. "Rude," I tell him.
Time goes by and I show up to where the audition was held with my guitar in hand. I see a girl with brown hair, assuming its Sasha, I walk up to her. "Hi, are you Sasha? I'm Eren, here to audition for the electric guitar player," I say. "Perfect! you can set up while I write some stuff down about the other auditioners" she says. I walk over to the stage and plug in my guitar to the speaker. "I'm ready when you are!" Sasha calls out.
I take a deep breath and start strumming a song I wrote assuming I could play whatever I want. My fingers begin moving on their own, strumming from memory. After I finished Sasha runs up to me excited, "That was amazing! You should join." "I need some time to think but I'll let you know soon," I respond.
After I left the auditorium, I saw jean again. This time, he came up to me. "Are you joining band?" he asks. I stood there for a second then realized he was talking to me, "uh- yes? No? I don't know I was just auditioning," I stuttered. "Hm, good to know, I'm in Gory Blue, I auditioned today for the bass player before the main auditions." It was the first time he hadn't given me sass whilst talking. "Oh, um by the way do you have the notes from today's lecture? I believe you're in my business class," I asked. "Yeah, what's your number I'll send you a digital copy," he responded. I felt blood rush to my cheeks. "4703481" I said quickly.
He pulled out his phone and typed it in. ping! I pulled out my phone and opened messages. He had sent a heart emoji. "It was the first one I could find. How do you spell your name again?" he said sounding a little flustered but still keeping his cocky attitude. "E-R-E-N is my first name, Y-E-A-G-E-R is my last." "Gotchya," he said. "See you around?" I said trying to break the awkward silence. "See you," he said.
After that I started to text Sasha. "I'm in," I said. "Great! Send me your number and ill add you to the band gc. Also follow @RockstarRelations on Insta for practices," she typed out. I sent her my number then started heading back to my dorm. I peeked through the door and saw Armin on top of a girl. "eugh," I mumbled. It was getting late but it was the weekend, so I decided to go to on a walk around campus to familiarize myself more with it. I was begun by silencing my phone and wandering around feeling like I was a freshman in high school again. I found my lectures for the next day then went back to my dorm, hoping Armin was done with his PDA.
I knocked and slowly peaked through, "phew" The girl was gone and Armin was left alone watching a sports channel on our small tv he got. "Hey," he said. "Hi," I said back. "Who was that girl you were all up in?" I suddenly blurted. "Her names Mikasa, and I was NOT all up in her," he responded. "MIKASA?! Dude she's basically my sister what the actual hell," I'd forgotten Mikasa went here. "Sorry man," he said unbothered. "Whatever," I mumbled. "I'm going to bed so turn down the tv." He mumbled an "okay" as I pulled over my covers.
THE NEXT MORNING
I woke up to a text from Jean. "Sorry I forgot to send it last night, here [two attachments]" I typed a quick "tysm!" then got up to get changed to go out for breakfast. "Hey Armin? I'm going to the gym today after breakfast just so you know," I called out. There was no response, so I assumed he had left already. As I got into my car and headed to the breakfast diner I saw a familiar brunette- "jean." I said under my breath. I parked my car and got out. "Morning," I called to him. "Oh, Eren, good morning." he said. "Are you eating breakfast here?" I asked. "Yeah, I am, I'm not eating with anyone though," jean said. "Hey me too! do you wanna sit together? I know we don't know each other that well so maybe we can fix that today." I blurted. "Sure," he said somewhat hesitantly.
JEANS POV
I didn't want to eat breakfast with Eren. he seemed so eager and sweet that I just couldn't turn it down. "So uh, what are you gonna order," I asked. "Not sure, I’ve never been here before," he said staring at the menu with extreme intensity. "I'm getting eggs with hashbrowns," I said. "Hm," he said still reading the menu. "I think I'll try the waffles," he said.
After we got our food, I said bye to Eren. I checked my phone and saw there was a new band comp coming up. I hope Eren’s in the same band, so I don't have to go against him- I feel bad for him. Another post showed practice dates, "Every Monday 7-8 until the semi-finals then every Monday and Thursday at 6-9 after semi-finals." "Good grief," I grumbled.
ERENS POV
Another notification came from my phone. I opened it to check who it was secretly hoping it was Jean then realized it was a notification from the band. "COMPETITION COMING UP. PRACTICES START NEXT WEEK ON TUESDAY FROM 6-8 THEN EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FROM 5-8." "Already?" I mumbled, "they haven't even posted who else got in." As I was saying that another notification came up. "Hi everyone! Sasha here, I forgot to post who got in. Anyways those who are now a part of the band are Eren Yeager, Mikasa Ackerman, and me! we are still looking for one more person who can play a drum set since that's what we're missing. If you can play, please dm me thx!" I walked into the gym and began my weekend workout with music blasting in my ears.
JEANS POV
"AUDITIONERS THAT MADE IT IN: Connie Springer, Marco Bodt, Jean Kirstein, and Reiner Braun. Congrats to those who got in." I read it twice realizing Eren wasn't in my band. "Shit," I said. "I don't want to go against him. He seems too fragile." I quickly pulled out my phone and texted Eren "hey, what band are you in again?" I spoke. I saw the bubbles disappear then come back several times before the response came. "I just agreed to joining Rockstar relations, why?" he questioned. I thought for a moment before typing my answer, "No reason." Rockstar relations had been Gory Blues rival for years. No way in hell was I going to go against Eren. I wasn't half bad at the bass, but I’ve never actually played in a band.
ERENS POV
After I put my phone away, I called out to Armin, "Hey remember how you said that band stuff was corny? my band actually needs a drum player. Do you play?"
ARMINS POV
I sighed after I heard what Eren asked. "I used to," I mumbled as my mind went back to junior year.
The crowd was cheering and I felt like adrenaline was pumping through my veins instead of blood. about a minute into our first song a big bang came out of nowhere. We saw people fleeing in every direction. Parents who were supposed to be watching their kids' recitals were instead screaming at us to get down from the stage and run. Suddenly another bang sounded a little too close to the stage. I turned and saw my sister on the ground her eyes fluttering. "No, no, no, no, get up. GET UP!" I shouted. "Leave her!" A parent shouted. I shook my head tears flooding my vision. I quickly put her arms around my shoulders and ran as fast as I could, leaving my drumsticks on the ground.
"What was that?" Eren asked. "I said I used to," I responded a little too loudly. "Oh, um, so do you want to join or..." "No." I said firmly. "Well why not? were you bad?" he got up from his bed and sat at my desk. "No, just, something happened." "Well do you want to talk about it?" he suggested. "Drumming killed my sister, okay?" I blurted. Eren looked taken aback. "Oh, I’m sorry I didn't kn-" " just leave me alone" I said, walking out of our dorm.
ERENS POV
Guilt crept through my veins as I pulled out my phone to text Armin an apology. when I opened our chats, I saw he was already typing. "I'll do it just don't tell anyone what happened and that I'm joining." he said. "I'm sorry I forced you to say that. I didn't mean to pressure you, I hope you can forgive me." I typed. he saw it immediately and typed "it's fine, just give the bands socials so I can let them know I'm joining." I gave him Sasha’s Instagram and suddenly felt excited. "I got him to join!"
THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY)
As I stepped into class, I saw only one person's recognizable face- Jean. I walked over and asked to sit with him. "Sure, just don't talk too much." he said in a kind tone. During the lecture I couldn't help but notice how peaceful his face looked after I sat with him. He looked almost relieved. For some reason that made me really happy. It almost seemed like I was falling for him. I can't fall for him. But I had already fallen head over heels the day I saw him in the garden.
After the lecture I looked over at Jean and asked, "do you want to hangout sometime? like just us," I said. "So, a date," he responded with never seen before kindness in his eyes. Blood rushed to my cheeks yet again. "Whatever you wanna call it," I said, "but sure." I added. "Okay, are you free Friday? there's this new horror movie, called The Obsession" he said. "Ive been wanting to watch that since I heard the release date! Sure!" I said excitedly. "I'll pick you up at 7, okay?" he responded. "It's a date!" I spoke.
THIRD PERSON
As Eren and jean walked into the theatre, Eren suddenly asked something out of nowhere. "Wait is this actually a date? I thought you were kidding but your kind of hard to read," he questioned. "I guess you seem like a nice person. But if you don't feel comfortable then were just hanging out." Jean said. "I don't mind actually," Eren said in a small voice. "What'd you say?" jean asked. "Nothing!" Eren responded.
Jean had already prebooked tickets so they could get the best view. He also bought popcorn even though Eren insisted he could pay. After they sat down and the lights dimmed Eren grabbed jeans hand without even realizing it. His hands got sweaty during scenes that were not particularly joyful and squished jeans hand. Jean didn't complain- he honestly liked it.
AFTER THE MOVIE: JEANS POV.
"That was really fun," I said. "I didn't expect it to be that horrific," Eren said shakily. "Do you need a ride home? I saw you leaving the bus." I offered. "If it's not too much to ask sure!" Eren said. As we pulled through to the campus parking lot, I said bye to Eren and waited until he left to go back into my car. "I think I like you," I said to myself thinking of Eren. I've never thought of myself as the type to fall for someone like Eren, he heals a broken part of me everytime I'm with him.
ERENS POV
"Were you on a date with a girl or something dude? You look like you found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow," Armin said to me as I walked in. "No," I protest, "I was with Jean." "Why? You two barely know eachother," he asked. "We became friends during one of our lectures," I said, "you weren't feeling well that day." "Oh," he responded, "I didn't expect you to actually talk to him." I shrugged and sat on my bed.
THURSDAY
"Band was fun today," I said, "our songs need some work though." "Yeah I mean our lyrics suck," Armin added. "Do you know someone who could write well?" Armin asked. "Yeah, I mean Mikasa wrote all our songs, I don't know why she hasn't asked to write our songs this year." "You should ask her," Armin said. "Why don't you? She is your kissing partner after all," I chuckled. "Ugh, fine," he responded. As he pulled out his phone I decided to take mine out aswell. I saw a text pop up, it was Jean. "Uhm, would you wanna hangout again on friday? Prefrably before 5 or after 8." "I mean if you want to go on a walk after 8 thats fine by me," I typed. "Great, I'll pick you up."
"Hey Armin, what did Mikasa say?" I asked. "She said she's been waiting for someone to ask and already had about 10 songs," he responded. "Oh now she said she's texting Sasha if she can write our songs." "I hope Sasha isn't upset, she also looked pretty sick of those songs. She wrote them." "Yeah oh well," Armin said, "are you prepared for semi finals in a few weeks?" "Well I'm prepared, maybe not the band itself," I said. "I agree, we have like no sychronization. It feels like middle school all over again!" he said raising his voice, "we'll never beat Gory Blues!" "Who?" I asked. "They've been our bands rival since the beginning of time, its a pattern, one year its them the next its us." "So why do we want to beat them?" I said, thinking about jean. "Because, and how do you not know this you've been in the band longer then me!" he said. "I'm not sure"
THIRD PERSON/NARARATER
Both bands practiced excessively, they used their time efficiantly practicing outside of their practices multiple times a week. Jean and Eren are getting closer, some of their group members have started to realize this pointed it out many times. The both of them insist on the relationship being platonic and that nothing else is happening besides them being friends. Jean that the relationship is more than it being platonic as does Eren. The things they do seem much more than just friendly matters...
AT ONE OF THEIR HANGOUTS
They were on Jeans bed, his roomate away. The tv was on and Eren suddenly felt his eyelids get heavy. Jean watched as his eyes drooped and his head began to fall onto his shoulder. "Tsk," Jean said, "someone had too much fun they fell asleep." His hand grabbed the blanket they were snuggled in and drapped it over him more. Eren, in his sleep, grabbed Jeans loosely left hand and held it. Jeans breath caught in his throat as he struggled to figure out what to do if his roomate came home. His phone made a sound and he picked it up, his roomate texted. "Hey Jean, I'm not going to make it tonight, theres too much traffic so i'm just gonna be at my girlfriends house if thats okay with you." Jean immediately started to type, "sounds good, see you tomorrow." "You lucky duck," he said aloud to Eren in a slight whisper.