Jean sat in the back of the class, leaning back in his chair with his legs spread out as far forward as they'd reach, with his cap tilted over his eyes. He liked for everyone to think he was asleep, so he could watch the blonde boy at the front of the class in secret. People would think he was creepy if they found out, but he couldn't help himself. This boy was the antithesis of everything Jean felt about himself. His name was Armin Arlert. Shit, it even sounded academic. He was the president of their graduating class, and spent his free time attending student councils meetings or reading. Jean only knew this because he would hang out around school after classes let out, waiting to meet up with his friends. 'Friends, ha,' Jean snickered at the thought, still training his eyes on the blonde who was studiously taking notes on whatever bullshit the teacher was spewing now.

'No, they're not my friends.' The ringleader was a boy named Levi from the senior class, who was the silent, brooding type. No one elected him, he had just naturally assumed command. He wasn't violent, or at least not often, but Jean thought that was what made him dangerous. People deferred to him out of fear. Auruo was his second in command. Jean didn't like him; he was slick, and spent a lot of time attempting to threaten women into going home with him. When that didn't work, which was often, he'd take his frustrations out on the freshman. The last member was an excitable woman named Hanji, another senior. Jean could never figure out why she was there in the first place. She didn't seem like the type to join a bunch of criminals. She was always fascinated in whatever topic piqued her interest at the time, and spent hours talking their ears off. Then again, he was the only junior in the gang, it wasn't his place to ask questions. He was simply glad to not be on the receiving end of their blows, to be on the winning side when they fought their rivals. They often clashed with a group of juniors from the school in the next district. Their leader, Reiner, packed a rude punch, but he fell every time before Levi. Jean didn't like fighting, but he could sure as hell protect himself, especially when he had to.

Initially, the mob was a way to rebel against his domineering parents; they wanted him to get into a good college and become a sheep like them. They refused to take no for an answer, but when Jean came home from a fight covered with bruises and a swollen black eye for the third week in a row, they gave up on him. He had been pleased about it at the time. 'Is this was the type of life I wanted?' he thought, glancing at the blackboard. The marks on the board were gibberish to him. He felt like scum, like a barely human piece of trash lingering on the edge of society. He couldn't bring himself to admit it to anyone, but he actually missed getting good marks in school. The work had been rewarding, but he couldn't deal with the pressure. He hated himself for giving up.

'Why does he do it? Why does he care so much about taking school seriously?' Jean thought, shifting in his seat when the girl in front of him blocked his view of Armin. Something about watching the boy made him feel better about life. 'At least someone is going to make it out of this shithole...Lucky fucker. No, it's not luck. He actually makes an effort.' He scoffed and looked out the window. Eventually the class bell rang, and people began gathering their things, but Jean couldn't bring himself to move a muscle. He sat in an ever-growing pool of self-loathing, staring out the window at absolutely nothing. Someone rapped on his desk, and he turned to see Armin standing directly of him. His mouth gaped slightly in shock before he assumed his typical scowl. "What do you want, Arlert? Get out of my face." He swatted towards the boy with his right hand, but he could feel a slight blush glowing on his cheeks.

Armin didn't move. He stood in front of Jean's desk with a solemn, almost melancholy look on his face. It was making Jean uncomfortable. "Seriously Armin, fuck off." He tried to stand, but froze when Armin started speaking, his voice soft. "Jean, the teacher told me you are failing this class, and that if you fail you won't be able to graduate. He asked me to help you." Jean glowered at him, then stood and started towards the door. As he past the blonde, he whispered, "I don't need the help of a teacher's pet." Armin winced at the words. Jean was about to step into the hallway when he heard the blonde mumble something behind him. He wheeled, "Whatever you just said, you can say it to my face, Mr. President." Armin bit his lower lip, his eyes watery. "You think I want to do this? You think I want to spend my time on a lowlife like you, who's got no hope for the future? This is as much a waste of my time as it is yours."

The words cut into Jean, serrated edges picking at his already low self-confidence. He glared at the floor, the muscles of his clenched jaw twitching. 'I could've blown off anyone else, but it had to be Armin, didn't it?' He sighed, and heard the rush of his voice before he realized he was even speaking. "I don't want to be this way. I don't want to be some fucking corporate lawyer like my parents wanted, but I don't want to be a thug either. You're right, Armin, I am a lowlife. I'm a nobody, I'm a blight on the fucking world. But there's nothing I can do now. I've thrown it all away and ruined everything." He collapsed into the nearest chair, holding his head in his hands half out of shame, half embarrassment. He hadn't expected to blow up like this. Tears stung his eyes, falling on the knees of his jeans. Slowly, Armin walked over and sat in the seat across from him. An awkward silence lingered between them before Jean could bring himself to break it. "I would give anything to be like you, Armin," he whispered. It felt like a prayer on his lips. He looked up to see the boy bolting up straight in shock, his eyes wide. "You've got so much going for you. You're the most intelligent person I've ever met. I'm sure the world's completely open to you. You shouldn't have to…don't waste your time on me."

Armin slid out of his chair and knelt in front of Jean, searching his eyes. "I'll help you Jean, but only if you want it. You have to want to improve, and take it seriously. If not, then I'll tell the teacher you refused and that'll be the end of it." Jean wiped his face with his sleeve, looking at the blonde through bleary eyes. "I do...I want that more than anything. I don't want to be this person anymore." Armin nodded resolutely. He walked to the door, resting his hand on the frame. "It's settled then. Tell your…friends you won't be seeing them today." He gave Jean a small smile. "Meet me at the library in a half hour," he said, walking out into the hallway.

Jean continued sitting for several minutes, gazing out the window with unfocused eyes, before making his way out of the classroom with a faint hint of a grin.