A/N: I was thinking about making this short and sweet, but at the last minute.. I wanted to write something a little more lengthy. I'm thinking around 15 chapters or so? Hm', I'm not sure! Anyway, please excuse my grammar and poor spelling if you catch it! This is a little fast paced.. and.. not a lot of description on Eren's side. I wanted to leave enough room for your imagination.


Eren was sitting in the front seat of Mikasa's car, waiting for her to lock up their shared apartment. He looked out to see the blur of her stature locking the fence from the inside before watching her hop over it. The voice of a weather forecaster on the radio with the sound of drumming rainfall onto the windshield whirred together, including the sound of it being removed by noisy window wipers. It sounded vivid enough; a dull, uncomfortable, migraine formed. However, this is how it has been, long since he had completed his homework, and fallen asleep.

Eventually the monotonous voice on the radio became faint as the instrumental opening from everyone's favorite mainstream band started. Mikasa avoided small puddles of collected water before she opened her door, inviting chilly air with the smell of genuinely fresh earth inside. Quickly, she shifted into reverse while throwing her umbrella into the backseat with a mumbled apology. On the way to school the rain veiled the windshield, darkening the mood. It was a silent ride with no conversation, not that it made any difference.

When they reached the school parking lot, there was a handful of students holding conversations under groups of umbrellas. No one, least the sane students, would say they would come this early to school unless they were ambitious on graduating or trying to get into a good college, because, it was a little past five in the morning. Mikasa's voice riddled with sleep, "Eren, I'm taking an extracurricular activity that requires me to stay after." He could tell she was worried; they were on their own for a while and she knew it would be a futile effort to convince him to wait around for her.

"Yeah, don't worry about it." His voice was softer than he meant it to be. In fact, under her inspection, he realized he probably looked lazier with disheveled hair, completely relaxed while holding cluttered notebooks together on his lap. He turned slowly to meet her gaze temporarily, squaring his shoulders, before opening the door and walked straight into the rumbling storm. Besides, what could possibly happen? His battle fever vanished sometime last year. Eren was insufferable at one point or another or.. until he was satisfied - that was just his nature.

And for a moment, it seemed as if she was about to skip out to make sure he wouldn't be alone for too long. Eren smiled and his gentle demeanor was enough to reassure her. Mikasa took a step towards him, nonetheless. She reached to tuck the collar of his shirt and didn't say anything, he had the feeling she understood and didn't need her always relying on him. His relief was short-lived. Mikasa was reaching into her folders, pulling piece after piece of paper with contacts he could reach if something were to go wrong, until finally she took a moment to steady herself. Or, at the very least, calm her anxieties.

"You can call me, Eren.." There was the worrisome glint he was so familiar within her eyes, and Eren nodded firmly. He tried his best to reassure her so without hesitation, his arms wrapping around her, and seeing as how they wouldn't be seeing each other until passed dinner.. this sort of thing was okay. Mikasa said nothing after that, walking back to lock up the car as if it no longer faze her in the slightest. Previously, she would hound him about his own well-being for hours. He swallowed as she rounded the car and walked off into the opposite direction without a single glance.

He immediately headed toward school after reaching into his pocket for his phone to text his bestfriend. A brooding silence blanketed the group he'd seen; the only sounds that emanated from them were the sounds of heavy coughing. Eren's brows furrowed as he made his way up the stairs, he has known for a while it was because of his reputation. It had calmed down since finals, but not enough to remain unnerved by most of the student body. Without sparing them a glance his phone vibrated. Eren looked at the screen and saw Armin had responded with only an emoticon, poked at it then waited for the black screen..

The warm air that blew into his face was a blessing when he entered the building; rainy days without sunlight had made it very cold. It was quiet with music playing from a station that would 'protect the children from exploitation.' On time as expected of Armin, he was walking by himself, uttering good morning with the tiniest voice Eren had ever heard. His posture slouched, telling it would take him a moment or so, sliding his phone back into his pocket, watching him near a soda machine. He eyed it peevishly before he pressed the digits for an exchange.

He's well aware of how hard Armin studies. It wouldn't surprise him if he'd risk spending most of the night with his nose buried within textbook after textbook in research. Even someone like Armin needed a kick-start to an early morning. "A dollar fifty for a pop? Can you believe that?" He murmured as he collected his drink from the vending machine, scrutinizing it before exhaling a brief sigh.

"You are the last person I would expect to like anything carbonated.." Eren's voice sounded gruff, clearing his throat and standing up straight.

"Well, it's bad for you..." he'd admit and just when he thought it had dawned on him. His eyes snapped open in surprise. "I almost forgot! Tomorrow is Annie's surprise party," there was hidden shame on his expression before he continued. "I spent yesterday studying for an exam today.." his tone lowered with a groan, "I have so much to do today.."

Eren wasn't sure if he was curious enough to ask, but sympathy washed over him as he stared absently at Armin who was now, examining the calender on his phone. "Do you want to come with me to the mall to get a present for her? We won't be there long, I know how Mikasa can be." His tone had softened, placing his phone into his back pocket. Suddenly, there was a loud noise followed by cheerleaders running inside through the opposite entrance of the hallway. Eren's consciousness felt as if it had temporarily detached, his lips pursed and reopened. Armin raised his eyebrows in question, trailing his eyesight to see what exactly had distracted him.

In the distance, the sound of amusement and chirping laughter echoed throughout the hall. He remembered her so well; her crystalline eyes and luminous damp hair, surrounded by a group of gossiping cheerleaders - only a few he could name. She appeared lithe and moved tantalizingly slow in his mind with her plush mouth barely moving. Eren had, for some reason, looked confused, his nose wrinkled as he squinted at her. It was as she managed to pick up on someone staring at her through peripheral vision, which made the process of time much faster, locking eyes with him, emotionless.

Eren held himself so tense, he might as well have been made out of stone. She was looking back at him - blank, her expression wasn't there. It seemed as if she was a living doll. Until, her laughter bubbled forth that it sounded amusingly similar like... deja vu. What he experienced next was unbelievable. She appeared unrealistic to the point it makes him feel claustrophobic. Almost as if he is stuck in a haze of memories he can't recall or escape with a familiar hurt in his chest. Then, it's Hitch who is lacing her arm around Annie's while poking her tongue between teeth at Eren. And, just like that, the girls were strutting off.

Armin's erupt voice was what brought clarity to his mind, instantly, sobering him up enough so he was able to tear his gaze away from where she was. "What?" Eren questioned, running his hand through his hair and rubbed the invisible wrinkles from his sleeve; he felt too embarrassed to glance back at Armin - who looked bemused, walking with enthusiasm in each step he took. "So, I'll take that as a definite yes? Besides, maybe you can find something nice for Annie too." He didn't have to look at Armin to know that his mouth had lifted at the corners.

Confused, Eren raised an eyebrow. "For Annie..?"