ORIGINAL SIN – by azxrae
Chapter Two
x-x-x-x
Armin's second day in Trost proved refreshingly productive, and it wasn't even 3PM yet. He started at the HELP WANTED sign posted up in the window of a convenience store. Okay, sure, it wasn't National Geographic yet, but it was a start along the path. Before he even thought about pursuing a career he first needed money, and a phone, anyway. Those things were of paramount importance.
"So, are you just gonna stare at that or are you going inside?"
Armin blinked, tilting his neck around to look at a man that was strikingly short. He certainly hadn't expected that voice to come from him. This guy had a small face –- among other things – beady, grey-blue eyes and dark hair. What was most strange was that this was the second person he'd seen in twenty-four hours with an undercut. Was that the style in Trost?
"Oh… do you work here?" The blonde shifted to face him. He raised a questioning brow, but got his answer almost an instant after he'd asked. The name-tag attached to the breast of his shirt read: "CVS associate". Beneath that, "Levi" was written in semi-neat penmanship.
"Sorry, forget I asked. I can see that you do." Armin offered a faintly sheepish smile. "And, uh, no… I was just thinking. Y'know, weighing the possibility of working here." Honestly, though, Armin didn't think it was much of a decision. He needed a job.
"Would you happen to know where I could get an application?"
The man was silent for a moment, then he stepped aside and walked toward the entrance. "Come with me."
Armin followed obediently, passing through the threshold when the automatic doors opened for him. It was a much nicer CVS than the one he frequented back home, he realized; it was spacious, and a lot cleaner. It even seemed to have an actual grocery section. Armin wondered if he could pick up a pack of sushi before heading out.
The man presumed to be Levi walked behind the counter and through a door that was clearly only for employees. He heard him call out "Kenny! You back here?" and then returned about a minute later.
"You're in luck, kid. The owner's here today. Just interview with him and we'll see what happens next."
Armin was certainly surprised by that. He hadn't expected things to move so quickly. He figured he'd just apply for a job and wait for a response. But no complaints rested on his lips.
"Um, okay. Thanks." He gave the man a shy nod and let himself be led back into the room. A short hallway and a right turn brought him to a desk, with an older man seated behind it. He had a narrow face, and looked like he could be someone's father. Or grandfather, maybe.
"You here for an interview?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm—" Armin paused, putting on his best professional display. "Armin Arlert. I was told by Mr. Levi that I could come back here."
The elder nodded, corner of his lip rising in a small smirk as he motioned for Armin to sit in the chair across from him. The boy heeded his direction.
"Pleasure to meet ya, kiddo. I'm Kenneth Ackerman." He held out his hand. "The owner."
Armin gave a kind smile. He couldn't help but note that this was the third time someone had referred to him as a kid. Did he really look that young? He tucked some hair behind his ear and shook his hand. As expected, it was callous.
Levi left the room after that. Armin placed his palms on the arms of the chair and leaned forward, readying to speak but before he could, the man interjected.
"So tell me a bit about yourself." Kenneth pulled out a paper from one of the desk's drawers. "Working here ain't rocket science, so it's pretty easy to get a job. So long as you're not a felon or anythin' like that."
Armin chuckled. Already he was feeling pretty comfortable with the idea of this man as his boss.
"I can assure you I'm not, Mr. Ackerman. I graduated from high school a few weeks ago, so it's my first real job. But I was at the top of my class and I'm pretty determined when I want to get things done." Armin crossed his legs at the ankle. "You can count on me to work diligently."
Kenneth nodded, seemingly satisfied by his response. But he still looked a little unconvinced. "Why'd you choose to apply here, then? A smart kid like you could'a went to college."
Armin felt the tiniest cringe work up into his chest. "I'm… differing for a year because I wanted to live a life not dictated by my grades in school." He spoke honestly. "I mean I'm not saying I won't ever go to college, but all my life I've been so focused on maintaining my GPA and being the perfect student. I want to do something different for once. That's why."
Again, the man nodded. He wrote a few things down on the paper, then returned to meet Armin's eyes. "What are you doing Monday at 8am?"
Armin's smile broadened at the inquiry. 'That quick?' "Well… if you're implying what I think you're implying," He blinked, lashes fluttering unwittingly. "I'll be here. But… are you really ready to hire me? You don't really know that much about me, with all due respect, sir."
"Armin," Mr. Ackerman's smirk was still present on leathery features. "I trust that you'll do your job well. Like I said, it ain't rocket science. I'm hiring you to work in a convenience store. Show up on time and keep the place clean. S'all you gotta do."
Armin watched him lean back in the chair and fold his arms. His aura was casual and inviting.
"I wouldn't want to disappoint you, sir." Armin considered what he said. The idea of having a job… it was massively exciting. "So, ah, can I really start Monday?"
Kenneth wrote a few more things down. He looked back at Armin and nodded. "It really does, kid. Welcome to the Consumer Value Store."
The problem was McDonald's happened to be all Armin could afford on his budget, but he didn't like it. He never had. But eating meant energy, which thus meant better performance at work. He needed to at least have some sustenance.
He considered this as he stared at his two honey-mustard snack wraps, and his fries. Honestly they were the least offensive things on the menu.
He lifted a fry to his lips just as someone else walked into the establishment. Vaguely observing, the person stalked up to the register and made quite a loud order for a Bic Mac meal with everything on it. The boy tried not to cringe.
'Gross.' He chewed at the end of the fry, then sipped his Cherry Coke. The taste of the beverage was nostalgic; it always reminded him of the summer he was twelve years old, and he went to the amusement park with Eren and Mikasa. He'd been sitting on the bench drinking Cherry Coke while his friends boarded some roller coaster he'd been too afraid to ride. Oddly enough, that memory was nice, even though all he did was sit with the bags while his friends went on ahead.
Armin missed them a lot. He'd not spent proper time with them in years, not since before they moved to Chlobra. Sighing softly to himself he sunk a little in his seat and continued sipping on his cola, trying to nurse the sudden mood-drop.
"Ohh, you again."
Armin blinked. Logically that was directed at him, since, besides the person who'd come in, he was alone in this McDonald's. But it wasn't like he'd made any friends since his arrival to Trost. He didn't know anyone save for the people he met briefly at CVS.
Still, curiosity lead him to look up.
'Oh.' Armin really hated that he recognized that face. It belonged to that guy who'd harassed him the other day, if he remembered correctly (and he usually did). And apparently, the smell of cigarettes was something that would linger.
Handsome Jean.
The boy swirled his cup around, hearing the ice and the soda slosh around inside. "I'm sorry… um, who are you?" He decided he'd play with him a little bit.
"You don't remember me? Really?" It was difficult to tell if he was actually hurt or not; he was making such a big show of displaying offense it almost looked fake. Armin watched him place his hand on his chest and gasp dramatically. He couldn't help the eye-roll that came as a result.
"I'm Jean." The guy told him darkly. "That name ring a bell?"
"Hmm..." Armin gave him a quick once-over and pretended to mull over it. "Oh. Oh, yeah." He pushed a fry between into his mouth. "From the other day, right?"
"Yes. Fuck." Jean huffed like a child might. Despite his edgy (for lack of a better word) appearance, the action seemed to fit him. "Clearly I wasn't that memorable."
Armin smiled a sweet smile and sipped his cherry cola. "I remember you now, so that's something, right? And look, your food is ready."
Jean glanced over to the register, moving the few yards over so he could grab his food and his large drink. He returned an instant later and sat across from him in the booth.
Armin giggled. "Oh, no, Jean. I don't mind if you sit."
The man opposite him grinned, then began pulling his food out of the bag. "You shouldn't. I'm fuckin' great company."
"Mm, I'm sure." Armin bit his lip, and Jean watched him indiscreetly. "Yanno, for someone so adamant about me remembering him, I bet you don't even remember my name."
Jean rested his cheek on his palm and studied him. Then he grinned again, showing his teeth. "You're right, Blondie. You gonna remind me?"
Armin bit into his wrap. "I don't think I will."
Jean sucked his teeth at that, but a ringing from within his pocket kept him from replying. He pulled out his phone and looked at the screen. His face fell into a glare almost immediately.
"Fucking…" He grumbled.
Armin raised an eyebrow. Jean thumbed over the screen and pressed the phone to his ear.
"Yeah?"
Armin couldn't make out much, but they were close enough that he could hear a dim yelling sound from the other end.
"Alright, calm down." Jean looked annoyed. "I said I was comin' over earlier, didn't I? I was just grabbin' a bite." Pause. "There's this thing called patience, Ymir. You should probably practice it sometime."
A couple more biting words and Jean ended the call. He slipped his phone back into his pocket.
Armin tipped his head to the side. "Is everything okay?" He sucked in more of his drink.
"Fucking peachy." Jean inhaled, assuring him sarcastically. "My boss is just… she irritates the fuck out of me sometimes…"
Jean swore a lot. Somehow it only made him more appealing to Armin. He chewed at the end of his thumb lightly.
"I wish I could say I understand."
The man shrugged. He peered at his partially-eaten burger and was silent for a few seconds. Then he lifted his eyes to Armin.
"I should probably go before she flips out on me again."
Armin was suddenly, inexplicably, scrounging for a reason for him to stay. It seemed he'd been right earlier; his company was sort of pleasant. But he'd be cool about it. "You didn't finish your food." He pointed out, and Jean smirked at him. He stuffed the remainder of his Bic Mac into his mouth.
Armin's eyes widened and he made a sound to voice his disgust.
"Ugh, you're gross!"
Jean just gave the same, lopsided grin from before. When he swallowed the mouthful, Armin found himself unconsciously watching his throat bob.
'Just what the heck is wrong with me? I barely know this guy!'
Knowing someone didn't dictate the laws of physical attraction, though. Armin was well-aware of that fact. And he was pretty convinced this feeling was mutual; he had a certain knack for reading people after all. But it didn't matter. Jean gave off the most intense asshole vibe and, again, they didn't know each other. This was just another case of Armin thinking too much about a situation that wasn't even meant to be important. Just casual flirting between acquaintances.
The blonde took a deep, steadying inhale.
"Guess I can eat my fries on the walk." Jean was saying, long, slender fingers working to put the fries back in the bag. Armin was nibbling on his second wrap and trying to appear unaffected. He was sure it was working.
The other man grasped his drink and turned his eyes down on Armin when he stood up.
"Oh, hey. It was nice seeing you again, Armin."
"…. What?" 'Okay.' To say the least, the boy was surprised. Had they both not established that Jean didn't remember his name? What was this, then? Confused, he stared up at an angular face that was looking at him in turn.
"I said it was nice seeing you again." Jean chuckled.
Now he was getting frustrated. Jean was playing games with him, and Armin only liked games if he was the one orchestrating them. He licked a flake of lettuce from the corner of his mouth.
"You… my name…"
Jean's features softened, jus the slightest bit, but he was still smug. "Ya really thought I didn't remember it?"
"You said you didn't." It was stupid how irritated this was making him. "What else was I supposed to think?"
Jean only shrugged in response. He was still smiling at Armin, giving him his undivided attention against the loud group of teens that had just entered the restaurant.
"You're right. Sorry, I just… I don't know. Thought it'd be fun to pretend that and then charm you when you found out I actually did."
This was the second time Jean had made him blush, unwillingly. 'Charm me?' Sure, ordinarily Armin might've been charmed, but right now… well, what was this whirring feeling in his stomach? 'God.' He glanced off to the side and lightly nibbled on the pad of his thumb.
"So did it work?" There was too much grin in his voice. "Kinda looks like it did. Hey," He inclined forward, trying to get Armin to look at him again. When the boy did, a smile adorned his face. He'd made a calculated decision about this stranger in 0.2 seconds.
"Do you have a pen, Jean?"
"Uh…" Jean appeared confused by the inquiry. But he still dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet case. "Yeah I do. Here." A pen was tucked neatly into the slot. Armin reached out to pluck it when he returned to sitting across from him.
He grabbed one of the yellow napkins and jotted something down with the ballpoint tip. The ink was midnight blue.
1241 Grady Road
"What's this?" Jean asked. Armin slid the napkin and the pen over to him in one motion.
"I'll um… I'll be working here starting Monday." He had no experience in doing things like this, but it didn't deter him. "You could… drop by, if you'd like."
Jean collected the napkin and examined it. A single, wordless for moment passed, then he returned to his feet and slipped his wallet, and the napkin, into his pocket. They must've been pretty damn deep for all that stuff to fit in there.
"Thanks for this." Jean grinned toothily. "Yanno, I was right about what I said."
Armin blinked up at him questioningly. "What do you mean?"
Then the man bent down to his level. Armin sucked in a breath at the proximity, but he refused to waver.
"You're a lot less grumpy now that you've eaten, kid."
Armin was getting discouraged. Four days now he'd been working, and Jean had yet to make his appearance. He knew it shouldn't bother him. It wasn't like it was mandated that he show. It was an offer. An offer that he had every right to refuse.
It was just, a huge part of him was hoping he wouldn't. There was a Coffy Café right next to the CVS, Armin had noticed. That'd be a perfect place for them to get better acquainted sometime. Maybe it was a bit presumptuous of him to be making such plans when they'd only seen each other twice. But Armin had always been presumptuous. And he had a tendency to obsess and overthink the fine details.
Like he was doing right now unfortunately.
He ran a delicate finger over the cardboard surrounding a Blistex lip balm pack. Somehow, it'd ended up with the family planning items and Armin had to put it back in its designated area. He'd begun to make a trek over to Aisle 7 when someone lightly touched his arm.
"Hey, Armin! Can you take this folder over to the pharmacy?"
Isabel Magnolia, his coworker, was holding out a translucent berry-colored folder sealed with a button and an elastic tie. "Oh, yeah, of course, Ms. Isabel." Armin accepted the package. If he remembered correctly, Farlan Church was the store's pharmacist, and they seemed like they were dating.
Isabel shook her head. "Ah, just 'Isabel' is fine! Or even 'Iz'. I'm not some old geezer."
Armin's smile was apologetic, but still respectful. "Sorry about that. I'm just used to addressing everyone as my superior." He said, chuckling lightly. "I'll take this right over, Isabel."
"Thanks a bunch."
He clocked out at 4:36PM. The sun was out and shining, bathing Trost in an early-summer warmth. Armin lifted his Aquafina bottle and took a swig. The motel was, thankfully, only a couple of blocks away, but part of him wanted to hang around for a little while to see if a certain someone would show up.
God, he was pitiful.
Armin wondered how many paychecks it would take before he'd saved up enough for an apartment. It seemed like a big step; just a few months prior he was living with his parents (technically) and attending his senior year of high school, and now he was on his own looking for a place to live. It was surreal, but in a good way. He liked the feeling of being self-sufficient.
But the two-hundred dollars he'd moved here with had gone down to one-forty-seven, and it had to last him at most to the end of this month. Armin figured he'd get his paycheck soon, but it probably wouldn't be much, so, for the foreseeable future, Armin would be living scarcely.
He couldn't afford to go to Coffy Café with Jean was what that meant. Not until he found some stability. The boy exhaled and started down the road, deciding it'd be best if he just focused on what was important rather than going on a date with someone. (As much as he coveted the latter.)
