Chapter Text
The teacher, Mr. Ackermann’s tired and irritated voice cut through the chatter.
“Alright everyone, we’ll be having a test next week on this unit, so don’t forget to study.”
A little groan escaped here and there. The lesson was about to end in a few minutes, and most students started to pay less attention. Marco barely reacted to the teacher’s information. He simply adjusted his glasses, already flipping through his notes in his mind and organizing everything he’d need to review. Predictable, prepared, and annoyingly calm.
Next to him, Jean looked like someone had just personally betrayed him.
“A test?” he said. “On what?”
Marco didn’t look up.
“The same topic we’ve been doing for two weeks.”
“Right, yeah,” the boy nodded awkwardly, like he totally knew that. “Obviously. I just meant, like… which part of it?”
“All of it.”
Jean’s usually confident and smug expression cracked just a little.
“Ah… cool. Cool, cool…”
The dark-brown-haired boy with the gorgeous brown eyes, glasses, and freckles finally glanced over.
Jean leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms like he didn’t have a single worry.
Two girls named Mikasa and Sasha, who were also part of their friend group, were sitting a row behind them. He noticed them, of course this idiot did.
He shot them a quick smirk.
Mikasa rolled her eyes and looked away. Sasha, who was a bit closer to Jean and his other best friend Connie, just giggled and whispered something to Mikasa, who was now trying not to laugh.
He turned back around and smiled like he’d just had a successful interaction.
Soon both boys packed their things and headed out of class.
As they walked through the hallway, Marco broke the comfortable silence.
“What was that earlier?” He giggled.
“What?” Jean said casually. “Ah, nothing.”
“You were trying to flirt with them, weren’t you?”
“I didn’t try. It just happened because of my irresistible charm.”
The freckled boy stared at him for a long moment, considering what he should say next.
“You do realize they were laughing at you?”
“No, they weren’t.”
“Yes, they were.”
“Tch, whatever,” the light-brown-haired boy scoffed. “At least I’ve had my first kiss,” he added with a cocky smirk.
The smug look on his face suddenly seemed incredibly punchable.
A slight blush started to appear on Marco’s cheeks, but he quickly shook it off. Yes, he was a bit embarrassed about never having had a partner, or even a kiss that wasn’t just a peck on the cheek from his mom.
Nearly all of his friends had boyfriends or girlfriends. Some of them weren’t even virgins anymore.
“Don’t pick on me when your first girlfriend literally lost a bet with her friends. She was embarrassed and nervous to kiss you for the first time.”
Jean raised an eyebrow.
“Well, she was just shy, that’s all.”
Marco didn’t want to argue with his best friend, so he simply nodded sarcastically.
“So, do you understand the things we need for the test?” he asked with a genuine smile, trying to change the topic.
“Of course I do,” he lied. “But because you asked so nicely, there are a few things I didn’t quite understand.”
“Like what?”
“All of the topics…”
Marco giggled.
“Wow, that’s quite a lot. So, we can study together when we’re back at our dorm room.”
“Deal.”
Jean grinned like an idiot and leaned closer to Marco’s face.
“But don’t go all crazy and fall in love with me like all the girls in this college.”
With the little space between them, Marco could feel Jean’s breath against his face. Heat crept up from his neck and his freckled cheeks started to redden.
“W-What? Of course not,” he stammered, looking away and fiddling with the hem of his shirt. “We’re best friends. That would be weird, right?”
“Right.”
Jean took a small step back so he could face his friend properly.
“So, for now I’m going into the city with Connie and Sasha. Wanna come with us?”
“No, no, it’s alright. I’d rather focus on one of my new books. But thank you for the offer.”
Marco gave him a genuine smile.
“As you wish. So then, can we study around 5:30 p.m., if that’s alright with you?”
“Yep, it’s okay. I’ll be waiting for you. While you’re gone, I can read something or talk to Armin.”
“Okay, do your nerdy things without me,” Jean teased.
“So, see you later. Bye.”
“Bye.”
The dark-brown-haired boy waved and turned around to head back to his and Jean’s dorm room.