Chapter 1

Friday / 2:53 p.m. / School almost out

-Jean POV-

Ugh. When can this dumb class be over? Nobody is ever gonna use this stuff in their actual life. "-llo? Jean?" Ms. Zoë, my calculus teacher, was speaking to me. I had spaced out. "Uh- yes ma'am?" I spat out. After a few seconds, I began to hear a hushed giggle coming from behind me. I knew exactly who it was.

Eren Jaeger. The brown-haired and teal-eyed "pretty boy" who everyone knew was having secret affairs with the physical education teacher, Mr. Ackerman. Immediately, he was hushed by Ms. Zoë, followed by me getting a sympathetic glance from the black-haired and lightly-freckled boy sitting next to me. Marco, I think is his name. He seemed like a truly nice person, just by looking at him.

I'm not the best person at making friends, but it wasn't hard at all, talking to Marco. It felt like I had known him all my life. The way his eyes smile along with his lips comforted me in a way, making it all the more easier to talk to him without getting nervous. He's actually pretty cute… Maybe I should talk to him more often. I thought, trapped in a deep trance.

3:30 p.m.

Right as I was walking out the front doors of the school, a tall figure walked up to me. Just as I had hoped, it was the freckled boy from calculus. He smiled softly at me, and we walked home together. We had only just started talking today, and we were already leaving school together. His house wasn't far from the school, so in a few minutes I was by myself, walking along the sidewalk, a bead of sweat sliding down the side of my face. I looked up at the sky as I strolled along, almost missing my street.

Once I made it home, I slowly trudged to my room, falling face-first on my bed. Moments later, my phone buzzed, so I picked it up, only to see a text from my friend from school, Armin.

Armin: Are you doing anything this afternoon?

He always uses proper grammar. Even in texts.

Jean: yeah im a little busy

I'm not really in the mood for doing anything right now. I need time to think. It took Armin a second to respond.

Armin: Oh, that's okay. Just let me know when you're free!

Jean: k, thanks :)

A smiley face? Really Jean? I feel a little guilty lying to my friend like that, but I just need some time alone. I set my phone down, and rolled onto my back. Do I have a crush on him? How could I possibly already like him if I just started talking to him today? I pondered worriedly. I must've been thinking pretty hard because when I looked out my window, it was pitch black outside. I got ready for bed, then layed down, staring at the ceiling. I want to know more about this freckled boy that is causing me so much confusion.