Page 46 of Leave Me Behind
I think tediously about that as I stare at the now dark ceiling. Only Eren’s soft snores from across the room keep the sound of nothingness from stirring my brain.
What could the sergeant of Malum possibly have weighing on his conscience?
seventeen
. . .
Nell
It’s technically our weekend,but Eren nudges me awake just as the sun is rising anyway. I give him a very uninterested, groggy glare.
His dark brow lifts smugly. “Are you a breakfast kind of a girl?”
I keep my eyes narrowed, but my stomach betrays me and growls.
“Yeah, I’m a breakfast girl.” My voice doesn’t come out as sharp as I was going for. Eren’s smile burns into my chest like a shot of whiskey.
“Get dressed in your civilian clothes. I’m taking us out to a diner I used to frequent when I was young,” he says, sounding elated. I look down at his attire and realize he’s not in uniform. His black T-shirt is form-fitting and clings to his muscles, sculpting out every inch of him.
“Youareyoung,” I tease as I pull my night shirt off and swap it for a basic gray tee.
“Younger.” Eren grins and rolls his eyes at me.
I avert my gaze, securing my yoga pants over my ass. “Are we even allowed to leave base?”
He chuckles and pokes my forehead again. “What, Riøt didn’t have street privileges?” I rub the spot and give him a scrutinizing look, though I secretly don’t mind the sentiment of it. Jenkins would ruffle my hair anytime he thought I was being cute and I can’t help but miss that small notion.
“No, we didn’t.”
Eren takes pause and looks at me for a second to make sure I’m not pulling his leg or something. I raise a brow and he smiles again.
“I’m the sergeant. I do whatever I want.”
“And why are you bringingmewith you? Wouldn’t you rather take your dear brother?” I push, making eye contact. His smile is murder—those dimples will be the end of me.
“You’d prefer to stay here with all those assholes?” He juts his thumb in the direction of our squad’s barracks. I stare at him for a moment before shaking my head. “That’s what I thought. Now, hurry up before they run out of scones.”
Sitting across from Eren, sharing coffee and scones while the sun rises behind him over the bay, is as awkward as you’d think it’d be.
Everything feels so normal and civilized. I watch the waitress go from table to table with a content and soft grin on her face. She remembers me from the night I came in with Bradshaw. She must think Eren is him because she mutters about what a darling couple we make. I change the subject instantly by tellingher that her black dress is lovely. I almost ask her where she got it before remembering myself.
I could never wear such delicate things. My scars would draw too much attention and I wouldn’t feel secure in something as whimsical as a dress.
Eren must notice the longing look in my eyes because his hand falls softly atop mine. I meet his gaze and flinch at the cream mustache he has on his upper lip. He quirks a brow for the final humorous blow and I can’t help but grip my stomach and laugh.
“What are you doing?” I manage to contain my outburst, scanning the diner quickly to ensure no one was disrupted by me.
Eren licks the cream from his lips and gives me that smoldering look of his. “Being a person. You should try it sometime.” He winks.
I hesitate and glance down. “I don’t know what you mean.”
He laughs this time, leaning forward and setting his elbow against the table before resting his chin on his palm. There’s a light that flickers through his eyes that’s not unlike the one Jenkins had. It’s secretive and daring. I could watch Eren exist for days on end without losing interest. He’s unpredictable and amusing when he’s not being a sergeant. Almost comforting to be around.
“Being funny, making jokes, enjoying the little things in life.” He lists things like he could go on forever but stops before shifting gears. “Not looking so disconnected from the real world.”
“I’m not disconnected,” I say, sounding offended even though I know very well how disconnected I really am from everything. Even sitting here and watching the other customers go about their mornings disturbs me.
“No? Then let me take you out to get a dress. I bet you don’t own a single one.”
