Chapter 1
"Ask her out!" I shouted at Levi, when I noticed he was staring at Petra again, apparently he was a littlelost since my shouting startled him "Damn it four-eyes! What'syour problem!?" he yelled at me "The school's so called 'bad boy' is too scared to ask out the student council president." I said arms crossed "I am not into her and I wouldn't be talking considering you're Erwin's pet nerd, who is too scared to bite the hand that feeds her." Levi used my tendency to let people walk all over me as a come back. I just rolled my eyes withno idea why Levi won't ask her out, he can say he doesn't like her but I doubt it. Petra is a nice person and although I am jealous of her I can tell what he sees in her... Perfection, no other way to describe Petra Ral, the meanest person in the world could try to find something to hate about her but they wouldn't get so far. They would probably just end up liking her, I laughed and broke the silence between Levi and I "What's so funny?" he asked a bit irritated at my 'annoying' laugh.
I just shook my head and told him it was nothing and before we knew it the bell rang "See ya when you're not fantasizing about Petra." I said as we went our separate ways. As I was walking to class I felt a hand land on my shoulder "Hey Hanji," Nile said standing in front of me "mind letting me copy off of you during the exam in science class today?" Nile used to be the student council president until he was caught behind the school with a few cans of beer "Sorry, can't do that." I said about to move on but he got in my way along with two of his minions "I don't care what you can or can't do, a four-eyes like youhas to do what I say or else my buddies and I are going to have to teach you a little lesson." he spoke to me as if I was as dumb as he was and being patronized by an asshole like Nile Dawk is something I don't respond kindly to, "What do you say?" he asked again and I nodded "Go to hell." I said with a big smile as the bell rang to signal the students they were late.
Once again I tried to get to my class but was held back by Nile's friends as he laughed and pulled back his fist "Have it your way, four-eyes." I closed my eyes and waited for the impact but opened them when I didn't feel anything. I noticed Levi had caught Nile's hand and gotten a hold of his collar "Shit!" one of the guys holding me back cursed under his breath and pretty soon both of them ran off, probably too scared to face Levi. After all, Levi is known for breaking people's bones when they mess with him "I don't know if it's the fact that you called Hanji 'four-eyes' when I am the only allowed to call her that or that you thought that you would get away with hurting her, but I don't care. Erwin pisses off more than you do because he treats her worse than any of you douche bags but I don't hurt him on account of Hanji asking me not to, so what happens to you is up to..." "Levi, let him go!" Erwin's voice interrupted him "Or what?" Levi asked holding Nile up by the collar "I'll use my father's connections to find your little street rats a home." Levi's'street rats' Erwin referred to are named Isabel and Farlan.
They live with Levi and his mother, but they aren't really fit to take care of the children, they can't even maintain a stable life without havingto owe debts to a lot of dangerous people. Levi has gotten arrested many times before and from what he tells me his mother's job isn't something adoption agencies would consider as motherly. I've met his mom and I wouldn't understand how anyone could say she isn't. I don't have anyone to compare her to since my parents died in a car crash when I was very little. A few years later I was adopted by a close friend of Erwin's father. That's why I've never stood up to him before, my adoptive parents would basically disown me if they heard I insulted the senator's son. Even if he is just a regular student in Mitras high his father's title gives Erwin many benefits and since Levi was basically considered trash to the teachers, he can also get away with threatening him.
"Not gonna say it again Ackerman!" Erwin yelled as if being anywhere near Levi would kill him or something "Let go." I whispered only loud enough for Levi to hear, he turned to me with eyes asking if I was serious, I mouthed Isabel and Farlan's name to remind him what he would lose. Normally he doesn't listen to me, but when it comes to those two, we both know that losing them would be devastating. He just sighed and pushed Nile away "Thank you, Levi." Erwin said with a smirk on his face "Fuck you and your father, Smith." Levi said pushing him out of the way and exiting the building. It wasn't long until a teacher came out to check on us "I lost an important essay I wrote for history class, only to realize I left it in my car, so I asked Hanji and Nile to help me look for it. If you wouldn't mind telling the science teacher to dismiss their tardiness on my behalf." Erwin lied like he always did "Of course." the teacher said walking with us to our class "These two were helping Erwin out with something, so he asked me to ask ifyou wouldn't mind dismissing them for being tardy." she might have sounded calm but you could hear the nervous edge to her voice.
I was relieved that I didn't get in trouble but worried about Levi, specifically on what he would do thanks to Erwin's little threat. We've known each other since middle school and one of the many things I learned about the raven haired boy is that he doesn't react well to threats, pranks, or any jokes about his height. I accidentally pissedhim off once by calling him 'short stack' and ended up without glasses for a while "They won't have enough time to finish the exam, but if they're willing to stay after school, I'll let them take it then." Mr. Donner, our science teacher,said as I sat down at my desk and started reading my book until class was over. All the while, Nile was throwing pieces of paper at me but as always I can't say anything with him running to Erwin for back up "Ms. Rose sorry to distract you from your book, but do you mind coming up here for a minute?" Mr. Donner asked and all eyes turned on me "Uh," every time I hear that name I hesitate because my real maiden name is Zoe "no." I said standing up and going to the front of the class.
Mr. Donner handed me a sheet of paper that had the picture of a blonde boy with big eyes and seemed to be a freshman "His name is Armin Arlert," Mr. Donner handed me another sheet, that from the looks of it I believe was Armin's schedule "He will be transferred to this class next week and I want you to help him get used to the surroundings here. Can you do that?" Mr. Donner asked as I felt grin forming on my face "I think I can." I said nodding and going back to my seat, where once again Nile threw paper at me and as always I ignore it. The rest of my time was spent reading, working on some sketches, and finishing some homework I have. The bell and the classroom was instantly abandonedalong with me who tooktime to pack my things up "Don't forget about your exam after school Ms. Rose!" the teacher yelled as I left "I won't!" I yelled back before being pulled by my hoodie and felt my back slam against the locker "Now that your little friend's out whose gonna keep you safe now?" Nile asked with a stupid smirk "Stop it Dawk." Erwin said his hand on Nile's shoulder. Nile let go of my shirt and scoffed "Whatever." he said walking away.
As he left I was picking up the books I dropped thanks to Nile, Erwinwalked upto me and helped "Are you alright Hanji?" he asked with a sincere smile "I'm fine." I said taking back a few books he picked up for me "Good to know." he said nodding and was on his way to his next class. I sighed and walked to my next class as well,I hope Levi's alright,I thought entering the classroom and sitting at the back "Hey Hanji." my friend Nanaba greeted with a big smile "What's up?" Mike, Nanaba's boyfriend, asked sitting on a desk and hadhis arms around Nanaba. I love it when people ask that question, I put the tip of my index finger on my chin tapped twice and looked up "While," I started looking around "there's the sky, clouds, the sun, you know the usual. Oh and not Levi's height." I said shrugging. Nanaba laughed out loud while Mike just nodded, although I'm not as close to them as Levi is the three occasionally hang out when we can "Speaking of shorty, where is he?" Nanaba asked as the bell rang "You know how he just loves to storm off whenever he's pissed." I said laughing awkwardly "Did you two have a fight?" Mike asked with an eyebrow raised.
I shook my head "A teacher was yelling at him in the halls and well, you know." I lied, both of the blondes were very protective of their midget and if they messed with Erwin, his huge eyebrows wouldn't hesitate to tell him 'Isabel and Farlan' those things are so creepy I'm pretty sure they have minds of their own. Ms. Quinn, our literature teacher started class "Okay, studentssettle down, today we are going to discussRomeo and Juliet,more specifically what Shakespeare felt when writing this. Anyone have any ideas?" she asked and like always no one raised their hand, it's not that I wanted to keep my hand down but this time I honestlyhadno idea "How about," she's going to call on someone "you Ms. Rose." she gestured for me to stand up. I did just that and once again all eyes were on me "Um... to be honest I have no idea, but if I had to guess he might have felt some sort of emotional pain." I said shrugging ""Excellent, you may sit back down." she said and I sighed in relief happy I wouldn't have to answer any more questions.
As I was making my way back to my seat, my phone went off, say that you want me every day that you want me every way that you need me got me trippin'...,my ring tone played loudly while I struggled to deny the call and accidentally ended up answering. I turned to Ms. Quinn and she sighed"Let whoever called you know that it was rude to interrupt my class and considering that Mr. Donner is already making you stay after school, I'm giving you extra work for having your phone on." she said pointing at the door "Thank you?" I said unsure I should be happy about that. Once I was in the hallway I scolded Levi "What the hell do you want!?" I asked wanting to strangle him "I was bored." he answered in his calm voice as always "And that's why Ms. Quinn gave me extra work?" I asked angrily "Are you literally gonna let that old hag get to you?" he answered with a question of his own "Look, I don't care if you're bored, you shouldn't have ditched school. If you wanna call again, let it be when I am out of class." I said harshly and hung up as the door opened "Super psycho love!" Nanaba sang before continuing "The teacher's getting impatient four-eyes." she said laughing at my ring tone and I rolled my eyes "yeah, yeah" I said following her back in to class "Are you going to have any more problems, Ms. Rose?" the teacher asked as I sat down "No." I answered copying some notes from Nanaba and listened to Ms. Quinn continue to rant on about Shakespeare.