Every shitty day starts out with a shitty person. But in this case, I was the shitty person to start out my shitty day. Because it was finals week and even after 3 years of high school I still had not learned how to manage my time. So as it happened, I stayed up until 2 am on my last school day of my junior year in high school studying for a pre-calculus exam I was doomed to fail.

I rolled out of bed, in the most literal manner possible. Since I was a female and this was the last day before summer, I took it upon myself to look at least a little bit like I tried. After a morning full of brushing my hair and my teeth, and throwing on something that wasn't my normal jeans and sweatshirt, I finally ended up downstairs spooning Froot Loops faster than I thought humanly possible.

In the middle of cramming a spoonful of Loops in my mouth, my mom walked in ready for work. "Good morning, Christa. You look nice today."

I hoped she could understand the mumbled "thank you" spoken through my full mouth. After one more rushed spoonful of Froot Loops, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and left the house. One Day More from the musical Les Miserables played in my car on the way to school because, hey, why not? One day more until I start what will be the greatest summer of my life.

I was determined to have the best summer ever. And when I say the best summer ever, I mean that I would have people to hang out with and places to be.

I guess I just wanted the greatest summer ever to lead up to the greatest school year ever and beyond. My senior year was going to be awesome. And not just because it was senior year and everyone loves senior year, but because college was finally set in stone.

I had been recently accepted into Sina University, only about 25 miles away from the town where I lived now. Sina was a prestigious and well-named university, so I was absolutely thrilled when I was accepted. I wanted to attend art school there, and I don't even know what I would have done if I hadn't been accepted.

I snapped back into reality when I saw the sign for the school. As I turned into the junior parking lot, I heard a group of kids around a car playing 'The Final Countdown'. Hell yeah. I could practically smell summer around the corner. It smelled like cheap sunscreen and the Sun. I don't know what the Sun smells like, but it was a nice smell.

I checked my phone to see the time. 7:21. I had about 9 minutes until my pre-calc exam, so I just sat on the hood of my car with my textbook, trying to memorize formulas until I heard the bell.

Once it rang, I sighed and slipped my book back into my bag, and sluggishly started making my way to class. About halfway through the hallway, I felt two arms that smelled pretty damn sweaty enclose around me, pulling me into an equally strong and sweaty body. "Ew, Reiner! Did you go for a run this morning?"

I felt his deep chuckle rumble through his chest. "Is it that obvious?" He released my with another small laugh, and I spun around to face him, failing to hide my grin.

"Yeah, it is. You stink. You should probably shower before coming to school." I poked him jokingly in the chest, which I often called his moobs. He denied that they were in fact man boobs, but come on; they were totally moobs.

He shook his head at me jokingly. "Well, you smell nice. And you look nice. You always look nice." Bertholdt, his best and childhood friend, snorted.

"Romantic as always, Mooby."

"Don't call me that, Sweat King."

I rolled my eyes and left them to their bickering, but not before Reiner caught my wrist and brought me in for a kiss. "Good luck, babe." He winked at me as I giggled and left for class.

Two hours and forty-five minutes of painful (but successful (hopefully)) calculus later, I exited the hell hole of a classroom and went to my locker, gathering all of my crap from this school year. I, like most students, did not have a 6th period. The only people with a 6th period class were the kids who needed intermediate classes. So, I had completely finished my 11th grade of year of high school.

I was supposed to meet my group of friends at this restaurant called 'Colossals'. It was actually owned by our friend Sasha, so her parents had agreed to house our large group for a discounted price.

I shut my locker for the last time. Wow, now that I think about it, it was sad to be leaving. I knew I would be back in a short 3 months, but still. I had to choke back an onslaught of tears and practically run to my car.

Once I was outside, I could breathe again. I always got emotional like this on the last day of school. It was never really sad, but you kind of miss it I guess. By now, I was in my small car and had regained my composure.

I turned on the radio, and what other song would come on besides "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs" by Fall Out Boy would come on? That's when I started crying. Goddamn emotions.

"Breathe, Christa, breathe." Crying was stupid, but it was something that was inevitable for almost every person ever. I hated crying.

10 minutes later, it was like my little scene had never happened. At this point, I was singing loudly to whatever came on the radio while I was in traffic. First it was some MCR song, then it was a Lana Del Ray, and then it was a personal favorite: 'How to be a Heartbreaker' by Marina and the Diamonds. By then, all tears were gone.

I finally arrived at the small cafè. I got out of the car and found a few of my friends sitting outside. The only ones there so far were Eren Jaeger, Mikasa Ackerman, and Armin Arlert. The three of them were always together, so this wasn't surprising. I gave each of them a quick hug; even Mikasa hugged me! Now I can cross that off of my bucket list. She never hugged anyone except Eren, her adoptive brother.

"Hey Christa!" I heard Sasha Blouse's voice behind me. She was the owner's daughter. Next to her was her long time boyfriend Connie, and they already had breadsticks in hand. Of course.

"Hey Sasha. Hi Connie!" More hugs were exchanged between the 6 of them, and then Sasha took them to the table they had reserved.

"Just sit here, and Mom or Dad will be out soon to get our drinks and orders and what not." Everyone took a seat, and I saved a seat next to me for Reiner and Bertholdt.

For about 15 minutes, we just exchanged small talk and waited for Reiner and Bertl. Our drinks and some chips and salsa came out (which were amazing, as always. Sasha's dad was a fucking god when it came to salsa.) When the two of them finally pulled up in Bertl's beat up Passat.

"Fucking finally!" Eren shouted when Reiner got out of the car. Reiner flipped him off, making everyone laugh.

Reiner took his seat next to me, his arm instantly coming up to circle my shoulders. "How'd the calc exam go?"

"Oh, it was fine. Lots of numbers."

"Mine had more shapes than numbers! I fucking hate trig!" Connie piped up from the end of the table. "I'm just glad it's over. I hope I never see another triangle again, unless it's pizza. Or pie. Or cheese."

Reiner just rolled his eyes and looked back at me. "So, are you still planning on coming to Rose Beach with me while I go to training."

I smiled back. Ah, yes. That's what was going to make this summer so perfect.

"Yep. As of right now, my mom is cool with me staying up there with you until July."

"I still can't believe she's letting you. I mean, this is you and me. In a beach house by ourselves. We can do whatever we want, whenever we want." I laughed again, this time at Reiner.

"Well, Reiner, she's come to trust you a lot. We've been dating since freshman year, and we've known eachother since the 6th grade. Don't jinx anything, ok?"

He smiled at me gently before cupping my face and kissing me gently. "Ok."

We spent the rest of the afternoon discussing our plans for summer, promising to still hang out, and had a contest between Sasha and Connie to see who could deep-throat the breadstick better.

Connie won. Sasha is now doubtful of Connie's sexuality.

I pulled into my driveway at around 1:30 in the afternoon, and was surprised to see both my mom's and my dad's cars in the garage. And the only thing going through my head right then was "Oh, fuck". Two cars at the same time never meant a good thing.

My parents had a good, healthy relationship. But they never saw each other. The only times they were both present at the same time was nighttime when they slept, and Christmas. Otherwise, they never spoke.

So this was bad.

I exited the car and entered the house. Oh god, they're both on the couch together. Either someone died or something extremely good is happening.

They both looked up at me when I entered the room, and they didn't look happy. "Uh, hi guys! What's up?" They exchanged a worried look. Oh, fuck.

"Christa, will you come sit down? We have some.. bad news."

Shit.

I sat down quietly, gently. But I was scared. Thankfully, they got right down to it.

"Sweetie, your mother just lost her job. We can pay college tuition, but you have to work a summer job to get started on money for housing. We found you a job in Trost. It's a very nice, fancy restaurant that pays a lot of money. You'll be staying with your cousin Hitch and her mother. And we found out this morning that Sasha and Connie are going to be working the summer there too, so you won't be alone." Dad took a breath after his long ramble.

I sat, momentarily stunned.

No one's dead. No one's divorced. No one's pregnant.

It was way worse.

My summer just went down the drain.