I was sixteen, young and bored. I lived in a small town with little to do and nothing interesting to see. To me this place, the world I lived in was one void of excitement, I failed to see the beauty that life held. I overlooked the joys, the colours, the happiness. I took what I had for granted, but a young boy, the same age as myself helped me find the way to a world that I never would have found on my own, he changed me. I was a 5"4 scrawny guy with raven hair and icy blue eyes, cold and empty. never would I have thought they'd land upon such beautiful Emerald green ones belonging to the one person who would help me discover the wonders of the world that I manage to oversee for all those years. His name was Eren.

It was cold, like most days. The sun barley managing to seep through the cracks in the clouds, I was standing at the foot of a ladder balancing two books in one hand whilst twiddling with the hem of my shirt. My friend, Hanji was at the top of this ladder putting away fallen books from the shelf. You see earlier that day Hanji and I came across a group of boys picking on a new student roughly our age. I told her to stay out of it, unless it became serious but her being the 'saint' of a person that she believes herself to be. The idiot decided to get involved. Things got heated between her and Jean, a tall brown haired twat who's certain that the world revolves around him, Well if he wants to believe that he's the king of this shitty town then why not let him? a perfect match, one crappy assed boy ruling a crappy ass town. During their little argument Hanji's short temper got the better of her and nudged the unsuspecting brute into the shelf behind him. As expected Books went flying and a mess was made. Jean and his monkeys ran off after that throwing a 'have fun cleaning that up' over their shoulders as they high tailed it out of the library. We found out that the guys name was Eren, id seen him around the college earlier on in the week and the kid looked a lot less healthier than when I first laid eyes on him. His skin was pale and sweaty. hair sticking out in every direction. If I hadn't known any better id say the guy just rolled out of bed after a bad night at the bar. He thanked us, eyes downcast. He offered us a small smile then left the library.

So here I am at six in the evening helping to re-stack books. Honestly the things I do for this girl and even after I agreed to stay behind to help I got and earful of 'stop pouting Levi' how could I not? seriously? I was spending a perfectly good evening in the college library helping her clean up the mess she made.

"Hanji. I don't have time for this"

"Oh will you shut up for a second and just help me, I would kind of like to get out the college library before dark. As hard as it may be to believe I do actually have a life"

Rolling my eyes I bent down to the retrieve what would have to be the tenth book from the stack on the floor and handed it up to Hanji who was perched at the top of the ladder, struggling to wedge in one of the larger books.

"May I remind you that this is your fault, I don't have to help you" at this Hanji glared down at me, her Hazel eyes going ablaze with a rush of anger, using her free hand to swipe at her frizzy brown hair that managed to fall in front of her face she huffed out a sarcastic laugh and without warning lobbed one of the smaller books in my direction. Ducking out of the way I simply nodded to enrage her further, a slight smirk tugging at my lips

"my fault!? you know that's not true! they deserved it Levi. If anything they should be the ones cleaning this mess up not me"

"you was the one who pushed Jean into the shelves, hence you made the mess"

Her eyes met mine and they grew ever brighter with pure determination setting in to prove her point, adjusting herself on the ladder so she wouldn't fall, Hanji pointed her slender finger at me

"Don't give me any of your crap. They were pushing that poor boy about, I mean for god sakes he's literally only just moved into this little town and already he's got the shits of this place tailing him. I wasn't going to stand there and watch it happen.. unlike someone"

I jerked back lightly at the comment, it was a low blow and she knew it
I felt anger begin to rise in the pit of my stomach Hazel eyes met with icy blue ones and I see the regret seep into them.

"you know I wouldn't have let it get out of hand, so don't start blowing shit my way. beside the guy needs to grow a pair. Its not like this town is rough, if he cant deal with the idiots we call 'bullies' then he's never going to get anywhere is he?"

My frustration subsiding I glanced at my hands then back at Hanji, when our eyes locked again I see her gaze soften and her shoulders slump slightly

"Doesn't he remind you of someone?"

Chapter one Green eyed beauty

Rain. Rain and wind. No sun, no breeze just harsh wind and rain. That's the kind of weather expected in the little town of shadeford. I was sat by the window, My eyes following a droplet of rain, I watched it on its journey down the window pane, it was slow. every now and then it seem to stop then carry on down its path. That single drop of rain managed to remind me of how dull life in this town really was. Besides an old cinema, mini market and shopping centre. There was nothing, nothing but trees, hills, abandoned houses. Glancing out the window I allowed my eyes to wander Over the campus. I took the Music course at shadeford college. There wasn't many of us that attended this place, in fact I wouldn't even call this place a college but it was one of the only ones in Shadeford. I enjoyed music, it was my getaway. I could make any tune, any melody and it would be different every time. Something new and exciting, something I have control over. Listening to music was my escape from this town, my life, my world. It helped me to picture a better place, filled with happiness and wonder even sometimes pain and suffering. Music is an expression, and expression of emotion through art and its the only way for me to release, to let go. Its the only way I ever knew how. Its the only thing that makes me feel whole. even if just for a moment.

As my eyes grazed the grey skyline, I felt my mood darken. Why did everything have to be so bland, so boring so devoid of life. I looked down then but what I saw took my breath away, stood in the pouring rain was Eren. Head back facing up towards the heavens, the rain trickling down his face slowly clinging to his olive skin. His eyes closed a look of peace gracing his features. I allowed myself to take him in, how his wet clothes clung to his skinny frame, the dampness of his dark chocolate hair weighing down onto his forehead. I've never seen anyone look so relaxed and.. free.

I wanted to know why he thought standing out in the rain was a good idea, I wanted to chastise him for being stupid but I couldn't bring myself to look away let alone move. He seemed so content, Like rain was a godsend. I don't understand why this mere action of him standing there baffled me so much. why should care, why should I take notice? maybe its because I'm envious, envious of the fact that he wore a look of freedom on his skin as though it was that easy to feel free, to feel happy. I wanted that, I've always wanted that. So why now does he stand there looking the way does in the line of vision of someone who wants nothing more than to feel whole.

"vi Levi!" Jerking out of my thoughts I glanced over to the source of the noise, Hanji was looking at me with an unreadable expression, she glanced just passed me and her eyebrows furrowed in confusion

"what were you looking at?"

That shocked me, I snapped my head back towards the window. Eren was nowhere to be seen, disappointment started to settle in but I quickly pushed that feeling aside, why did I start to regret taking my eyes off of his form?, sighing I dragged a tired hand down my face

"nothing Hanji I just zoned out I guess"

She looked at me her eyebrow raised "you, daydreaming?. never thought id see the day"

I didn't respond, I just simply shifted my gaze back down to the empty sheet of paper in front of me. Blank, unwritten and simple. Just like my life but I was going to change that one day, for now I'll just start with the paper. Picking up the pen I allowed my mind to wander back to the scene of Eren in the rain, today he would be my inspiration. This song was dedicated to the mystery of the boy standing under heavens flood gates.

I hadn't even realised that I had stopped writing the song and was just staring at the words until Hanji took the paper from right under my nose, i looked up at her with the best glare I could muster
she pouted at me slightly then waved the paper to and fro "you don't mind if I read it right?.. good"

Unable to conjure up the effort the snatch the sheet back I ducked my head down onto the desk, closing my eyes and blocking out the world. That was until she started reading my song out loud

"I see you there, content and free I see you there, ready to fly away, away from this land, away from this world, oh wont you take me with you, oh wont you let me flee, I see you there, with rain falling down your face , I see you there, standing under heavens gates, oh wont you let me be with you, let me feel your embrace, take me away, send me out of this place, let me be free, I see you there, with rain falling down your face, I see you there, standing under heavens gates"

she rested her hand on my shoulder and I turned my head away from her, I wasn't in the mood to be teased so I simply shut down her chance to make a snarky remark

"Levi, that was beautiful" she said in a quiet voice

I shrugged her off and sat up, I allowed my eyes to dance across the vacant spot by the benches where Eren was stood only moments ago, There was something about that Boy. something Beautiful but also very sad, a Rose vibrant and full of life surrounded by the thorns of life, slicing through the perfect petals. He wore it on his face, tragic knowledge, but perhaps I'm overthinking it, all he was doing was standing in the rain I don't even know the guy. I know nothing about him, nothing at all and for some reason that doesn't feel right.

"I wonder what course he studies" I muse out loud

"Who?"

I look back at Hanji a small smile playing on my lips "that new kid Eren"

I see her eyes light up with happiness, she's been wanting to befriend him for sometime now and bring him into our little group but I denied her, not to befriend him, just to let him in. Its always been her and I. I've never needed anyone else. we talk to people and sit with others at lunch but their not really close enough to be considered friends, not in my book anyway. I've always been closed off, I don't enjoy being social, I don't suppose that I ever will but I do it for Hanji because she deserves that, she deserves the world. That Frizzy haired idiot is my best friend and although I'd never admit it I love her like a sister, Like family. So allowing myself to try and let someone new into my life is showing her much I appreciate what she's done for me. I don't know why I'm willing to let Eren in, he may not even accept us as friends, but something feels right about it. He seems lost, drifting in the corridors alone. He reminds me of who I used to be.

Pixis, our music teacher walked back into the room then holding some extra sheets of paper. There wasn't many of us taking the Music course, only six. He set the small stack of paper down and cleared his throat.

"okay musicians its nearly lunch, pack up and on your way out grab a sheet of paper. I want a song done for next week Tuesday and I expect an instrument of your choice to be composed for the piece. Our theme for this week is Emotion, decide for yourself what that means for you"

Everyone cleared their things away and left, leaving Hanji and I in the room

"Emotion huh, I like it. such an open topic, I'm probably going to go for something that expresses the emotion of happiness. Try to brighten up this dismal town" Hanji mused as she zipped up her backpack and slung it over her shoulder.

I looked down at the lyrics already written across my paper. What emotion does my song warrant?.

"Levi? you ready?"

I glanced up, my blue eyes meeting hers I gave her a half hearted smile and shook my head

"I want to finish this song first, mind if you go on ahead? I'll meet you guys in a bit"

sighing she brushed her Hair behind her ear and made her way to the door. I watched as Hanji made her leave but she stopped at the door and glanced back over her shoulder

"I admire your passion to finish what you start Levi, you've always been the same. can't move on to something else until what your battling is won" she paused for a moment and turned her head back out towards the empty corridor " I'll see you in a bit"

" you know, I've never won the battle"

Hanji stayed in the doorway for a few moments more before taking her leave, the conversation still lingering in the air.
I always had a knack for darkening the mood, its not that I mean to, its not that I want to. It's who I am, A person who will always be broken. I can't see myself any other way, I'm that mirror you smashed with your fist that night you was angry at the world and I hang there on the wall as a constant reminder that it cant be fixed. The cracks are there to stay, like the lines drawn onto skin, the marks will always be there. Alone with my thoughts I picked up my pen and placed the tip of it to the paper but no words were formed. No idea's, no inspiration. Just a blank space.

A loud bang pulled me harshly out of my thoughts and I whipped my head towards the source of the noise. My eyes landed on Eren who was leaning against the now closed door his eyes firmly shut. My gaze danced over his form as he combed a shaky hand through his hair. He clearly hadn't noticed my presence, but how did he not see me when he come bursting into the classroom?. my eyes wandered down his body, he looked tired and deflated leaning back against the door. His body jerking with slight tremors every so often. He didn't look well.

"Are you okay?"

I asked making the boy jump in surprise, His eyes locked onto mine, shock and something unreadable just starting to vanish from his face. Emerald green eyes. That's what they were, a vibrant colour, burning brightly. I've never seen such beautiful eyes before easily more amazing than anything I've ever seen. Even from this distance I could see the golden ring outlining his Iris'.

Taking a deep breath he pushed himself off the door and graced me with a strained smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine. sorry to come bursting in here like that"

I eyed him closely, he obviously wasn't fine anyone in their right mind could see that so I stood up from my seat at the table and walked over to Eren. When I neared him I opened my mouth to ask him if he was sure that he was alright but before I had a chance to say anything, I see his green eyes shut tightly once again, facial expression pulling down into a grimace. Clutching his head his body begin to tip and Barely having anytime to react his legs gave way, I lunged forward to grab him, catching his upper arm I eased his fall and lowered Eren to the ground. I had no idea what to in this situation so swallowing my own panic I crouched down so I could be level with him.

"Hey what's going on? you need me to get the nurse?"

Fighting to keep the worry out of my voice I then dropped onto my knees to get a better look at Eren. He now had his head tucked in between his legs, shoulders rising and falling as he breathed in and out deeply. I didn't know what was wrong or what to do so I just sat there with him. watching in worry and curiosity. Its seemed like a lifetime had passed when he finally looked up. He offered no explanation, nor did he say anything. He simply sat there, staring into my eyes. Leaving my question unanswered.

The silence wasn't an uncomfortable one but I wanted to know what the bloody hell just happened so I decided to break it.

"What just happened?"

The sound of my voice seemed to pull him out of his daze, he shook his head a little then sighed

"I got a little light headed and dizzy but I'm okay now. No need to worry" he beamed, and I would have believed him if it wasn't for the bags that sat under his eyes and his unnaturally pale skin but who am I to poke my nose in? so I smiled at him in return and stood up, reaching a hand out, Eren accepted the help and was soon on his feet, a little wobbly but still standing.

"If you say your okay then I wont push for you to tell me otherwise but take it easy yeah? I don't fancy coming across your crumpled form on the floor in the hallway"

He snorted and smirked at me " Okay mother" he paused for a second then looked me straight in the eyes, a sincere smile playing across his features

"Thank you. for well you know staying with me and that"

By the time he had finished talking his head was bowed down towards the ground, a slight blush dusting over his cheeks.

"Its fine, will you stop staring holes into the floor?"

He seemed taken aback by my words but soon enough his eyes trailed up my body and fixated on my own
"How beautiful" he mumbled almost incoherently, realizing what he said out loud the small blush that graced his features intensified and in a fluster the boy started to walk towards the door, still slightly out of it he stumbled a few times before reaching the doorframe. I was stood dumbfounded as I watched him make his leave, but then he stopped. without turning around Eren cleared his throat and spoke up

"Thanks again"

And with that. He was gone.

Beautiful? did he call me beautiful? there's nothing about me that's even remotely considered attractive yet alone such a word as beautiful.

Looking back at the table I was sitting at before, I eyed the blank piece of paper still sitting there waiting to be written on. Sighing I went back over to the desk and cleared away my things, I probably only have a little while left of my lunch so I might as well go now and get some food in my system before I get lectured by Sam yet again about how having a healthy and balanced diet is essential to a healthy mind and body, so skipping out on meals is not something I should make a habit of. Chuckling to myself at the memory of the ten minute long rant she went on a few weeks back I made my way to the lunch hall.

"Levi over here!" came Petra's booming and overly excited voice. Oh Joy.

I waved at the group. Hanji was sitting at the end of the table with an empty seat next to her, she smiled and patted it gesturing for me to take a seat. I smiled in return and quickly glanced across the table full of people. Petra was sat opposite Hanji her short honey hair pulled back in a loose pony tail. she was looking over her shoulder smiling brightly at me. Her Brown eyes glistening with joy, that never seemed to leave her. she was a nice girl with a bubbly personality she got on well with Hanji. Then my eyes flickered to the right of her, where Moblit was seated he offered me a small smile when I sat down. I was well aware of the little crush he had on Hanji and honestly I couldn't think of a better person for her. He was a sweet understanding guy who wasn't too loud or obnoxious but had a witty sense of humour and he's probably the closest thing to a friend to me other than Hanji. He had blonde hair, blue eyes and a small mole on his cheek. Moblit was Tall, literally a mountain compared to me. He had a average build. Sitting next to him was Annie She had bright blonde hair that she always tied up into a neat bun. she had brilliant blue eyes and was extremely beautiful with a heart of a lion, you didn't want to get on the bad side of her. Although she kept to herself and didn't really converse with anyone other than Petra she would always help those in need. Annie was also a music student, her voice was amazing.

"took you long enough" Hanji teased poking a grape at my face "Now eat"

I didn't see Eren at Lunch. I wasn't surprised by this considering I never see him during lunch anyway but I felt, something. Disappointment maybe? I wanted to ask him about earlier that day. I wanted to know if he was okay but what I wanted to know the most was what he meant when he looked straight into my eyes and allowed the word 'beautiful' to tumble gracefully from his soft looking lips. I know what he said and I know what the word meant but what I didn't understand was how he could have possibly directed it at me.

Beautiful, what defines the meaning of that word really? beauty can take many forms but its something that's never made itself known in the world that I live in, I find it hard to see such wonders in a place like this. where disease, crime and money rule the world. Rules our existence. One finds it hard to believe in such a word as beauty. It has little meaning these days. So that's why it's shocked me so much, not that he merely said the word. I've heard it flung about enough times but it was always void of the real emotion behind it, the real meaning lost to the speaker it came from yet what shocked me was the sincerity in Eren's voice when he said it, he looked at me like a piece of art, he looked straight into my soul and didn't recoil at what he laid his eyes upon. Instead he told me It was beautiful, the expression he wore in that moment was just like the one I see lay softly upon his skin when he stood in the rain, how can he recognise beauty in something so damp and depressing. What could he see that I couldn't?.

Sighing I pulled the hood of my plain black jumper over my head and tugged the thin fabric over my hands in a fruitless attempt to stop the frozen air from nipping at my fingers. I was stood just outside the music block waiting for Hanji to join me on my walk home from college. Neither of us lived far but the walk was always unpleasant due to shadefords dismal weather. Ever since my encounter with Eren at lunch my mind had been anywhere but where I wanted it to be, the rest of the day in itself was uneventful and continued on as usual but I couldn't stay focused, he was on my mind.

"you ready to go?" Hanji said when she finally appeared beside me I scoffed as I pulled the sleeves of my hoodie tightly encasing my numb fingers in a unsatisfactory amount of heat

"No Lets stand around for another few minutes and wait for my body to freeze over, it wont be long now"

Hanji rolled her eyes and shoved me forward in a playful manner "Less moaning more moving"

We started heading toward the gates when Hanji tugged at my left arm "Hey isn't that Eren over there?"

I glanced over and spotted a messy mop of brown hair, I nodded "Yeah it is"

we watched him for a few minutes, Eren just stood there it looked like he was staring at something but because he was turned away from us I couldn't make out what it was. It took me a few moments to realise that he was taking a picture, what of? I couldn't tell you nothing that I could see seemed worthy of a photograph

"should we go over there and ask him if he wants to walk home with us?" Hanji suggested, not even giving me a chance to answer as she started walking towards him

"he might not live in the same direction as us" I somewhat yelled as I jogged to catch up to her

"Well there's no harm in asking, besides this town is tiny there's not many places to live so chances are he lives fairly close to us. you know like most of the students here"

I shrugged in response, she's right, this place is small everyone lives close enough to the college that nobody needs to take a bus. everyone is usually within walking distance.

when we reached the brown eyed boy, Hanji tapped him on the shoulder causing Eren to flinch slightly in surprise, he recovered quickly and turned around. I see recognition flood his eyes and he smiled at us politely

"your Eren right?" Hanji asked returning his smile with her own

"The one and only" he beamed

"Well Eren I'm Hanji and this one here is Levi, we was wondering if you wanted to walk home with us?"

He seemed shocked by the invitation, his eyes flickered to me then back to Hanji a small smile gracing his features

"sure that would be nice, where do you two live?"

"laketon way, by that big field with the cute little park and lake" Hanji explained

"oh that's great I walk through that park to get home" Eren said, He slid his phone into his pocket and re positioned his rucksack on his shoulder "Thanks for the offer guys"

Hanji nudged me harshly in the ribs, I shot her a glare but I sighed when I looked her in the eyes they were screaming 'say something'
I rolled my eyes and let out a small huff

"Your welcome"

He simply smiled in response and we started back towards the gate.

"So what was you taking a picture of?" I asked, I see Hanji smile to herself, She was happy that I was starting a conversation rather than just ignoring his existence like I usually did when she invited people to tag along with us.

"The tree"

I raised my eyebrow at him "The tree? why?"

His beautiful eyes drifted up to my face and puffed out a small laugh at my confusion

"I'm an Art student and I like to take pictures of things I find beautiful so I can use the images for inspiration when I draw" He stated simply and shrugged his shoulders slightly.

There's that word again. Beautiful, with my eyebrow still his on my forehead I questioned again "But that tree is old and dying" I watched as his gaze meet with the skyline, he allowed the corner of his lips to turn up slightly and without looking at me he spoke.

"That's what makes it beautiful".