Chapter Two
Armin was thrilled to find the artist's response the following day.
"Dear A.A., I'd be honored to go to prom with such a sophisticated young gentleman. I'll meet you outside of Titan High when the first slow song comes on. Don't be late.
"P.S., Your poetry could use some work, but there's no doubt in my mind that I loved it. Yours truly, The Artist."
As soon as he read the first sentence, he jumped from his seat and ran to Ms. Zoe. The biologist squealed in excitement and pulled her student into a hug, before pulling away quickly when he requested the right the breathe.
Needless to say, Armin's friends were just as excited.
-S.N.K-
Titan High Proms were always cherished events. Whether it was Principal Erwin's horrific dancing, Professor Rivaille's demand to keep the halls and gymnasium clean, or just the students enjoying themselves, everyone remembered prom night.
Armin twirled around in his bathroom, making sure every inch of him was perfect. Making a bad impression was quite literally, the worst of his fears for tonight. Eren groaned from the toilet seat. "You look fine," he growled. "I told Mikasa I'd pick Jean up twenty minutes ago." He appeared bitter about not having a date, but agreed to go anyway for his friend as support.
"I don't want to look stupid," Armin replied, leaning in closer towards the mirror and brushing his hair back. "Maybe your mom was right about trimming my hair? It does look a little..."
"ARMIN!" Eren sighed loudly. "You look fine! Jeez, I bet your date didn't spend this long getting ready."
"At least I have one," Armin muttered underneath his breath, and immediately regretted his outburst. He straightened up and turned to Eren. "Alright. Fine. I'm ready." He had decided to forgo wearing a tuxedo and went for a white dress shirt, accompanied by a light, baby blue vest, black dress pants, and hand-me-down black dress shoes. Eren wore a wrinkled black shirt with a red tie, and black pants and shoes. Armin's friend jumped from his seat.
"Finally," he groaned and grabbed the blond's hand. "Let's go! We're already late!"
-S.N.K-
Annie sighed heavily, looking at her reflection in her full-body mirror. Her father asked her what was wrong, and she simply turned him away. After telling her she looked fine, he went on his way, like he had always done. She knew she looked good, and even if she didn't, it wasn't like her to mind. What had been bothering her was the boy she was meeting tonight. She had no reason to fear him, but she did anyway. I told him too much, she reasoned with herself. I've let my guard down and now I must suffer the consequences.
A knock on the door brought Annie back to reality and she slowly walked over to answer it. Standing in the door frame, were her two closest friends.
"Wow," Reiner whistled, "you look...Like a girl." And he looked like a boy not going to prom; dressed in nice jeans, decent shoes, and a red sweater with a black tie hanging loosely around his neck.
Bertholdt offered his hand. "You look lovely, Annie. I'm sure your date will be thrilled." Bertholdt seemed to take the event before them more seriously than his friend, as he went full-out and wore a classic tuxedo. "Let's go!"
Annie took Bertholdt's hand and the trio walked down the driveway and into Reiner's excuse for a car.
-S.N.K-
The school was bustling with activity as students arrived, presented tickets to a rather upset Professor Rivaille, and proceeded to dance away.
Most everyone seemed to be in a great mood. Though, as the dance started, Armin began to grow more uneasy with each passing song. Mikasa took note of this and stepped away from Jean, her prom date, and moved to her friend.
"Are you okay?" she questioned and he shrugged in response.
"Just a bit nervous, I guess." He continued to look around the gymnasium, hoping to find another lonely dancer in a desperate search as well. However, everyone seemed to be busy with someone or something.
"You're going to be okay," Mikasa assured gently, squeezing his shoulder. Armin glanced up towards her and then smiled.
"Thank you," he whispered and a mic buzzed to life from the DJ's booth. Their music teacher, Ms. Ral, stood at the front and Armin immediately knew what was happening. Despite Mikasa's encouraging speech just seconds before, he became anxious and jittery.
"I hope you all are having a great time," she called into the mic and the students cheered in response. "You all look amazing. We're now approaching our first slow song, so grab a partner and remember...We've got our eyes on all of you. Any funny business and you will be thrown out."
Armin took a deep breath and faced Mikasa. "I've got to go. I'll see you in a moment," he informed and she nodded sharply, before he took off, racing out the gymnasium and towards the entrance of the school. He threw the door open and immediately ran into Professor Rivaille, who unleashed a string of curses.
"What are you doing?" he demanded coldly and Armin's face flushed of all color.
"I...I just need some air, Sir," he replied shakily and the professor scoffed.
"Tch. There's air in the gymnasium." He shook his head. "Do you want me to write you up to Principal Erwin?"
"No, Sir," Armin answered. "I'll only be a minute, I promise."
"And why should I trust you?" Rivaille grumbled and someone cleared their throat. The two looked towards the source. She was dressed in a brilliant golden dress that wrapped delicately around her curves, shimmering even in the school's poor lighting. It gently swept along the polished floor of the commons area. Thin straps traced along her shoulders and intertwined across her back.
"Because Armin rarely commits any offenses," Annie replied, stone-faced. "And it really is stuffy in the gymnasium."
Professor Rivaille scanned the girl, and then straightened his posture. "Five minutes," he growled and stormed off. Armin relaxed and smiled nervously towards Annie.
"Thanks...For that," he said. She shrugged and brushed past him and he followed behind. "The gym isn't really that hot, you know."
Annie shrugged. "I know." She pushed the door open and was greeted by the cool, spring air dancing across a dimming sky. She allowed Armin to slide through before releasing her grip on the door handle. She walked ahead, proud and determined and Armin stopped in his tracks.
"Y-you look beautiful, Annie," he complimented quietly and the smaller blonde turned his way, raising an eyebrow. Seeing as he was genuine with his comment, she nodded and faced forward once more.
"You look nice," she inserted. The two stood in blissful silence, before Annie spoke up again. "So if the gymnasium really isn't hot...Then why are you out here?"
Armin shrugged and made his way a bench stationed near the entrance of the school. He urged for Annie to join him, and she did so reluctantly. "I'm waiting for someone," he informed her. "My date for tonight." Annie nodded slowly. "What about you? Why are you out here?"
"I hate slow songs," Annie replied casually and then faced the boy. "And I'm waiting for my date to arrive as well."
The events registered themselves in Armin's mind and almost immediately, he became flustered. "A-Annie..." he said quietly. "Do you have first period biology with Ms. Zoe?" She nodded.
"Do you have second period?" she questioned and he nodded as well. Armin couldn't tell whether or not she figured out what was really going on, as she remained calm and stone-faced as ever. He tried to approach the situation, but just couldn't find the right words to say. Thankfully, she took charge. "So...You're A.A., huh?" She slowly faced him and he could see her guard gradually crumbling as a light blush painted her cheeks.
"And you're the artist?" he asked quietly. She didn't confirm, but by the way she started to smile, he knew that the girl before him, Annie Leonhardt, was the one he had fallen in love with over three month's worth of writing. He scooted closer to her and retrieved a transparent box from his pants pocket. Inside was a collection of yellow tulips tied together by a baby blue ribbon. Offered the corsage to Annie and she accepted the offer, placing the arrangement around her wrist.
"It's like you knew what I was going to wear," she replied and Armin rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
"Ms. Zoe helped me, believe it or not," he informed.
Annie looked down at the corsage once more and back to her date. "It's lovely, Armin. It really is."
Another moment of silence fell upon the two. Each consumed in their own bliss. Annie was shocked, nonetheless, that her correspondent was a boy she didn't care to know. Armin was almost doubtful that the passionate artist he wrote to was actually Annie Leonhardt, who was very well reserved and didn't seem interested in such silly hobbies. But the two could agree that they weren't disappointed with the outcome of their conversations.
Armin slowly got to his feet and offered his hand towards the artist. "I'm sure we've gone over Professor Rivaille's suggested five minutes," he said with a small smile. "Shall we head back inside?"
Reluctantly, Annie accepted his offer and the two made their way back into the building. Professor Rivaille, was indeed waiting, but looked less annoyed as he saw the two holding hands. He scoffed lightly and turned the other way.
"Enjoy your night," he called over his shoulder, coldly.
The gymnasium was still bustling with life as Annie and Armin returned. The slow song that had brought the two together had ended and couples disbanded to dance wildly around the floor. The two didn't go entirely unnoticed, though.
"Armin! There you..." Eren called out, but stopped in his tracks when he caught sight of Annie. "What's going on here?"
Armin smiled lightheartedly. "Eren," he said, "Annie was the girl I've been writing to." He glanced down towards his prom date, and she looked up at him. He felt her hand gently squeeze his own. Lost in each others gaze, they almost blocked out Eren's response entirely.
"And you're...Happy about this?" he queried and Armin nodded. He turned back to his best friend.
"Very," he assured.
"If that's how you feel," Eren began, and then cracked his own smile, "then I guess I am too. Let's go break the news to the others!" He reached for Armin's hand and dragged the couple through the crowds of students.
While most of Armin and Annie's friends stood in shock, many couldn't hold in their excitement for the two and what was in store for their future. Sure, it might just be a short-lived relationship, but it was something the artist and her correspondent would cherish for the rest of their lives.
-S.N.K-
The buzz of prom usually died down the following day as students exchanged short stories of what happened afterward. Unfortunately, the end of prom also meant the beginning of school once more, and Annie was back in biology class. She didn't really mind the transition that much. Her night with Armin had been quite wonderful. He was a complete gentleman and never tread into her boundaries unless invited to do so. Even as they parted ways that night, he kept her wanting more than just the hug he gifted her with.
Before class began and after assuring Ms. Zoe that prom was fantastic, Annie returned to their precious textbook. Now that their identities were revealed, it seemed silly to revert back to this way of communication. However, Annie felt that this was the best way to share her feelings with her muse.
"Dear Armin Arlert...Thank you...Yours truly, Annie Leonhardt." It was simple and straight to the point, but she knew he would understand. She carefully printed her phone number below her message of gratitude and placed it within the book.
You have no idea how much this means to me, Arlert, she thought as she played with the baby blue ribbon wrapped around her wrist from the night before, the arrangement of flowers having since been removed. No idea.
If I have made any mistakes, please inform me!
Thank you for reading my first SNK story! :D