"I'm sorry for abandoning you yesterday," Reiner apologized as they strided side to side to their next class together.

"There's no need to be sorry." Krista's eyes skimmed the students as they walked by them. She spotted Sasha eating a banana as she spoke with Connie. Sasha spotted her also and she waved her hand wildly in greeting. The blond gently swayed her hand back in reply and gave a small smile.

Reiner's mouth curved into a frown. "I know..it's just I feel like I need to make it up to you." The taller blond scratched the back of his head, looking down at Krista.

"Nonsense. I'm just glad your friend Ymir was there to stop you." The first time being grateful to Ymir was something new and odd for her. Krista's opinion and feelings for the brunette was always negative. But she was amazed Ymir had that power to stop Reiner. The blond had never seen the boy like that before. Krista wouldn't blame him if he was overall embarrassed by his actions.

"No...it doesn't seem right." His eyebrows knitted together in a thoughtful expression. "Here," He suddenly proposed. "How about I take you out for Dinner tonight?"

Krista bit her lip at the idea. It sounded fun but… "It's a school night."

"And?"

Krista couldn't help but giggle slightly at Reiner's pleading expression.

"Alright I'll see what I can do," The blond gave in with an amused expression. "I'll text you if everything goes well. Oh also, one more thing?"

Reiner grinned. "What is it?"

"Can we bring Bertholdt and Annie along with us?"

"Make sure to call me when you all are finished!" Frieda reminded Krista as she stepped out of the car. She nodded in response and wished good-bye to her sister.

Krista headed towards Rico's with a dim smile. Bertholdt had happily agreed to bring along Annie onto this double-date. His voice was vibrant on the phone's speaker. For the first time in years, Krista had finally heard Bertholdt talk with confidence. Something that completely went against his shy personality. It made the blond happy for her best friend but also slightly sad. Bertholdt had never behaved that way around her or their friends but the moment the tall teen had finally hooked up with his crush, he was a totally new person.

The mentioned boy was soon spotted by Krista as she neared the restaurant. He was leaning against the wall near the front door, his head bent down as he scrolled through his phone. Once Krista approached him, he didn't even budge. His eyes were glued to the screen.

The blond cleared her throat to get attention. "Hi Bert," Krista started.

The black haired boy's head shot up and his lips curved into a wide smile. "Krista!" He said in a happy manner. Bertholdt pushed himself off the wall and wrapped his arm around the smaller girl. Krista was slightly stunned from his action but responded anyways. She rose a arm to wrap around his waist. "I'm so glad to see you! It feels like ages!"

Krista pulled away from him and grinned. Maybe because you spend all your time with Annie. The blond's eyebrows furrowed slightly, against her will.

The tall teen must of picked up on it because his smile dropped. He rose his arm to rub his neck and his expression turned apologetic.

"Krista, I'm sorry." The short girl was surprised by this. She didn't expect him to say something like this. She thought Bertholdt was completely oblivious to the fact but it seemed that her opinion was wrong. "I know I've been around Annie a lot more lately and neglected you and the others. It's just….I just want to get to know Annie a lot better."

Krista felt her heart twist. So her friend did care! She shook her head and hugged the boy one more time. "No! It's fine, Bert. I'm glad things are working out against you two." She let go and saw relief flood his features. He smiled softly and nodded.

"Good," He spoke quietly this time. How he use too. "But I'm going to make sure I have enough time for you and the others. It was rude of me just to ignore you guys."

As his sentence went to a close, Krista spotted Reiner trotting towards them. He wore a beanie and had his hands tucked into his pockets as he fought against the cold. Once the built blond approached them, he huffed. A cloud of condensation blowing out his mouth.

"Sup," Reiner nodded to Bertholdt then he looked at Krista. "Greetings beautiful." A wink followed his statement.

Krista spoke, unaffected by his comment. "Excited, are we?" Her doubts from yesterday hovered up again. He couldn't possibly be cheating on me, right?

"Uhhh...heh..heh," A light shade of pink dusted his cheeks and he beamed. The action dismissed her worries quickly. "Where's Annie?" Reiner's head turned around, searching for the girl but he failed to find the other blond anywhere.

Bertholdt stepped forward and explained, "She's running a little late. She said to go ahead and take a booth."

"Ah," Reiner nodded in understanding then opened the restaurant door. Krista entered first then was suitly followed by the two boys. Reiner talked to lady at the stand. She grinned in a friendly manner and seated them to a booth against the wall near windows. All three of them to a seat, Reiner and Krista sharing a side while Bertholdt sat on his own.

A few minutes passed with Bertholdt and Reiner sharing a small conversation together as they tried to get to know each other.

"So how long have you been friends with Krista?" Reiner asked, glancing at the mentioned blond.

"Oh," Krista and Bertholdt spoke in unison and smiled warmly at each other.

"It was in 1st grade," Bertholdt started. "We were on a field trip to the zoo and I had ended up getting seperated from my classroom. I had got lost and...I...started to cry." His cheeks blushed slightly. "I remember meeting her as if god had sent an angel to me. I was sitting on a bench with my head in my hands when suddenly I felt a presence near me. When I looked up, a girl was smiling at me and offering me some cotton candy."

Krista chuckled at the memory. Young Bertholdt had looked so stunned when he saw her. The blond leaned in slightly and added to the story, "Yeah, I had happen to get lost too but it was more like on purpose than on accident. But after Bertholdt and me had finished eating cotton candy, I dragged him everywhere with me." She remembered how she had held tightly on his wrist and pointed at all the strange animals with him. Krista and him had tried mimicking the monkey's with him and they ended up earning one of the apes fruits in reply. "It was fun. I guess after that day...me and Bertholdt tried being together whenever we could."

Reiner laid back on the comfy seat. "Awwww," He cooed. "That was the cutest story ever. It sounds like you guys were just meant to be friends."

Bertholdt and Krista laughed in reply. But then a thought tugged at Krista's mind.

"Hey Reiner?" The blond's head turned to look at her. "What about you and Ymir? How did you guys meet?"

"Hmmm," Reiner mused, rubbing his chin. "Well...Ymir and I were just always friends. Her mother and mine had been friends and we had playdates. Me and Ymir have hanged out since. She's like a sister." There was a glimmer in his eyes as he brought up memories. Krista felt her lips curve in a smile at this. It made sense now. No wonder Ymir always teased the muscle blond. No wonder she was able to calm him. They were like siblings.

Krista sent a glance at Bertholdt, the teen looked as if he would burst into tears of joy. "Awwwwwwwwwww," The two friends called in unison. Reiner's face immediately heated up and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"It's not that cute," He rolled his eyes with a shy grin.

"It's adorable!" Bertholdt wiped his face and Krista nodded in agreement.

Before Reiner could open his mouth to speak again, Bertholdt had turned his head and told them Annie was here.

The blond was striding towards them, wearing a grey hoodie and she slid herself to Bertholdt's side.

"Hey," Annie jerked her head in greeting. Her cold eyes flicked to Reiner then at Krista. Her mouth was a thin line of no amusement.

"What's up, Annie?" Reiner smiled kindly at the other popular kid. "Didn't see you at the soccer game last night. What happened?"

The blond girl looked at him. "Nothing." She stated, ice prickling her voice. "Just didn't feel like going."
Reiner shrugged. "Makes sense."

After a few minutes of slow conversation the waitress came towards them. And you wouldn't believe it. It was none other than….

"Ymir?!" Reiner suddenly yelped making Krista flinch in reply. The brunette's eyes widened as she spotted them and she face palmed herself. "What are you doing here?!"

The tall brunette reached their table and placed menus on the table. She took out a notepad from her pocket and flipped it open. "Working," Ymir said as it was painfully obvious. She clicked her pen. "Duh."

Reiner's eyes though, glittered in worry. Krista frowned at this, trying hard to understand. The blond boy asked Krista to move so he could get out of the booth. She complied and watched as the teen stood up to his friend.

"Can we talk in private?" He asked through clenched teeth. Ymir groaned with a roll of her eyes and let him pull her away from the group.

Krista sent questioning looks at Bertholdt and Annie. The black haired boy looked just as confused and his girlfriend was already looking through the menu. Paying no mind to what just happened.

"Just look for something to order," Annie said in a plain tone. "There's no point in wondering what the hell is going on in their world."

Krista stared at the blond girl for a moment and then she took a glance towards Ymir and Reiner way. The male teen face grimaced as he talked to the brunette in a stern matter. Out of the dense chatter, Krista managed to pick out a few words of their conversation.

"Relax Rein….I only work….for the sick ones," Ymir's arms were crossed as she looked at her friend with an annoyed expression. Reiner continued to scold her but before anything serious happened a tall man with a large nose approached them. His nose twitched as if he was sniffing and Krista spotted a shining button on his suit. Manager

Both Ymir and Reiner gave him an uneasy look and his mouth moved as he spoke to them. Though Krista failed to hear what he said. Ymir waved her hand in reply, casting a pleading look at Reiner, she smiled at the man. He nodded curtly and Reiner quickly walked away.

Krista moved to let Reiner slide in and he sighed in a frustrated manner. Annie didn't look up and flipped through the menu. Bertholdt stared at him with his eyebrows furrowed.

"What's wrong?" The black haired boy asked the muscled blond.

Reiner shook his head and grumbled, "Nothing. Just think of something to order. She will be back any minute."

Ymir has another job, Krista finally realized and glanced at Reiner. Maybe he was worried for her. She could be overworking herself and damaging her life. It made sense. Reiner was a kindhearted person and if he was getting stressed over her situation, that meant they were really close.

Speaking of the devil, Ymir came back up to their table and blew air through her teeth. "So what do you guys wanna drink?" She asked casually. Her gold-brown gaze darting to each of the teens until finally resting on Krista. The blond met her eyes and gulped. The intensity in them made her feel uncomfortable. There also seemed to be longing in them. But longing for what?

"I would like water." Annie stated to the brunette as she set down the menu.

Bertholdt bobbed his head and spoke too. " , please."

Krista averted her eyes when it was her turn. "Um...Root beer please."

Ymir jotted down the drinks on her notepad as Reiner said his drink too. She then looked at them with her lips pursed. "Are you guys ready to order?"

Before Reiner could reply, Annie cut in. "Yeah, we are." She sent a icy stare at the freckled girl. Ymir stared back. A tension crackled in the air, pressuring Krista. What's with them? They both didn't seem really fond of each other and Krista failed to understand. Maybe it was because of Ymir's personality. That made sense. Krista hates...or hated? Wait a minute, what? Krista still disliked the brunette. She didn't care for her. But...if the blond didn't..why was she so curious for her?

Krista's heart seemed to skip beats in her chest as she stood in the cold waiting for Frieda to come. Her sister was late. She had tried calling her an 30 minutes ago but the striking women wouldn't pick up. Where was she? Fear seemed to prick in Krista like a knife to numb skin. Slightly stinging.

The blond knew her Grandma and Uncle were due to come later tonight but she had a feeling that they dropped by earlier than expected. Maybe that was it. But why were they holding Frieda back?

"The snow is coming down pretty strong now," Reiner commented as he waited beside her. His head was rose to the darkening sky as he watched flakes whirl around him in a outperformed dance. His breath was a steady beat as he formed a new cloud every few seconds.

"Yeah," Krista replied, absently. She clicked her phone again to check the time. 7:52. She had stayed out longer than expected. Bertholdt and Annie had already gone and Reiner was the only one around. The cold started to burn her lungs as she breathed and turned her head back and forth to catch sight of Frieda's car heading down the street. No sight or hint of her.

Reiner's voice spoke up again. "I should walk you home Krista. You can't stay out here in the cold all night."

The blond continued scanning the streets covered in thin sheets of ice. The last rays of the sun were resting for the night. No longer wanting to lick the sky with their brilliant color. She sighed, knowing that waiting any longer would probably do no good. Krista turned to Reiner.

"Alright," She sighed in defeat. Her eyes watching the puff of air fade away to hide in the safety of the world. Krista watched as Reiner's mouth formed into a grin and she returned it with a smile. Despite the worry that clouded her mind, his reaction brought a sense of joy to her. It was like as if he was a child who just received the best Christmas present over.

The walk was a moderate place and they walked in a comforting silence. The cars that drove by slowly had stopped every once in awhile to offer a ride. Reiner would politely deny the generous offer for them though, even if the idea was probably way smarter but Krista refused to say something.

The flurries of snow grew heavier as each minute passed by. The blond dug her hands in her pockets, trying to warm them up. A shiver ran through her body.

"Need some warmth?" Reiner asked and wrapped an arm around her. The heat from another human being quickly shared onto the skin he touched and Krista muttered her thanks. The cold was a lot harder on her thanks to her body structure. It was probably just a nip to Reiner due to his built up.

Freida and the rest were at home, most likely, cozying up by the fireplace her father had installed a few Christmases back. How could they not notice her absence. Did she mean that little to them? The blond knew she barely held any family value since Freida would take the family business next and Urklyn second in charge but still. Her parents did claim they didn't want to see her slacking off in school and expected her to go to college and earn a degree. She couldn't ruin their image but if the Reiss family lost their daughter that would. Actually probably not, now that Krista starting thinking about it. She knew how much her mother loved the attention from the quote and quote "lower-class" people. They would lie through their teeth and claim she got kidnapped. The thoughts made tears come to her blue eyes.

"Hey? Is something up Krista?" Reiner's voice reached her ears making her turn to look up at him. His eyes were furrowed in a light concern and worry misted his eyes. "You've been silent for awhile."

The blond shook her head. The tears flying away and sinking into the white snow. "No, nothing." She forced a smile. "I was just thinking about how much fun we had today."

"Yeah?" Reiner beamed. "I did too. It was nice to meet Bertholdt. He's a cool guy."

"That's my Bertholdt," Krista chuckled lightly and slightly in a sad way. To be pulled out of her family problems and brought into her friend problems was better than nothing. Bertholdt did say he would try to spend more time with Krista and the others but when? He could have today and made the effort to walk her home also. Instead the tall boy hopped into a car with Annie as her parents came to pick her up.

Krista eyes shifted and they had reached the street where her house laid. It was still a ways down but Krista decided to stop the boy here. It wouldn't be worth it if any of her family caught her with Reiner. Well besides Freida since she seemed to be up to something.

Stopping by the stop sign, she made Reiner halt and he casted a look at her mansion down the street. He whistled, impressed. "I didn't think your house would be that big."

"It's not that big," Krista joked, her eyes also shifting to look at the house she grew up in.

Reiner laughed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're funny," His eyes locked with hers and suddenly the blond felt a tension crackle in the air. Krista could see it on his face.

He wanted her to kiss him.

Her heart suddenly started to thump in a nervous way. The tension was thick now in the air that surrounded them. She wasn't ready. She didn't feel ready but every first kiss was suppose to mean something. To put a bliss in your mind and make you feel high on joy. But then Jean's argument flooded into her mind. It's not true, Krista. It was just a silly rumour. She watched as he leaned in. Reiner's eyelids had shielded his bronze eyes and the space between their lips were slowly decreasing. Krista wanted to lean back but Reiner would feel her movement and probably feel offended. For your sake, he is your boyfriend Krista! Kiss him! A voice shouted in her mind and she knew the voice was right. She leaned in and closed the distance that was between them.

His lips merged with hers and Krista felt something snap in her. His lips were warm and tasted of corn chips from earlier today. She felt Reiner's lips dig in between hers and she pulled back before anything could escalate. Krista didn't feel filled with emotion from her first kiss. She felt blank. The kiss wasn't special nor was it nothing.

Reiner's eyes opened and he puffed with a curve in his lips. "Wow," He breathed and separated his hand from her shoulder."Well...I'll see you soon Historia!" He turned around and started to jog. As Krista turned around and started to trudge toward her house, she heard a loud whoop from Reiner. But that wasn't what bothered her. It was the fact that he had called her Historia instead of Krista as they finished the kiss. It made Krista think.

Did he forget in the bliss? Or was she simply another girl to him? She had heard of others he had dated. But he didn't seem like that type of person. But he could be. Her thoughts countered and she felt her stomach drop. Krista don't worry about it. You got this. The only thing you need to worry about right now is your family.

She approached the metal gate at the front of her yard and punched in the number. The gate squealed in welcome as it slid to the side for her to enter. Krista strided forward and up the snow covered pathway to her large house.

As Krista stepped onto the porch and prepared to ring the doorway she heard a shout at the other side of the door.

"Tell your mother she is out of her mind, Rod!" The blond heard her mother shout loudly towards her father.

"She made the decision before I could interfere." Her father's voice replied with an edge to it as if he was distressed also.

What are they arguing about? Krista wondered with slight alarm. They shouldn't be yelling. Florain and the others should be in bed by now. Her immediate worry went to her younger siblings. Then she froze as she heard her grandmother's face cut in.

"It's already been settled. Freida and Urklyn are going to come live with me and follow in my footsteps. I don't want them ending up like you two." There was bitter in her tone as she said that.

"What do you mean like us two?! You're the one who wants to take half of the company down for that pathetic of an excuse Grice family!" Krista's mother voice was coated in thick anger. Why was she worrying about the business? She was hardly involved in it.

Her grandma's voice replied in an annoyed way. "What do you expect me to do? It's the only way to keep ties with them, to keep that family from making us bankrupt! I know you two are against the idea of marrying one of your children off to the Grices!"

"What? When was I against that idea?"

There was silence.

"Rod, you never told me of this."

"It...I wanted to do the right thing, Alma." Her father said in a sad tone. Krista could just imagine the sorrow in his eyes.

"What a surprise," Her grandmother grunted. "Lies that still run within this damned family."

"We have one child I'm willing to sacrifice." Her mother said once again. "Freida isn't suited for that disgusting family and Urklyn has already a girlfriend. We can marry Historia to them."

"What, no!" Rod exclaimed.

"It's a good idea," Her grandmother muttered. "You guys said she wasn't really worth anything anyways."

"Exactly! She goes to a commoners school for Pete's sake!" Krista felt tears well up inside her as her mother's voice pierced into her heart and stab her mentally. How could they? Her own family discussing about her as if she was an item on a dusty shelf. The tears came streaming as she heard her grandmother speak.

"It's settled then. I'll speak to Mr. Grice tomorrow afternoon."

Krista couldn't stand to hear anymore. She wouldn't dare walk into the house now. She swerved and started to run. She had to go. She couldn't bare to see their fake faces as they smiled at her greeting. Snow crunched beneath her as she darted out the yard and punched the numbers to the gate. The blond didn't have really any idea where to go but she felt that she go back into town.

Her lungs burned as she ran and her vision blurred in the snow. It wasn't getting worse at least. In fact the snow was decreasing and she was glad for that.

She didn't know how long she ran and Krista felt the world around her spin. She had to stop but she didn't want to. Her gaze a blur could make out the shape of a bridge. That was a good sign. That meant she was near town.

She gasped as her throat burned and spots started to fleck her vision. She felt exhausted. Through her vision she make out a person sitting….on the ledge of the bridge? The small blond couldn't make who the figure was.

Her shoes stomped against the icy snow and suddenly stumbled as her legs buckled. Her body wasn't use to the rush. Something Krista started to loathe about. Her stupid childlike structure.

The blond landed on the ground with a painful thump. She felt tears well in her eyes and a sinking feeling filled her. Krista hated this. Hated that she was used simply as a toy to her family. How the words she heard proved thoughts. Why hadn't Freida picked her up? Her sister was always there for her.

A groan escaped Krista's mouth as black edged her vision, slowly spreading. The last thing she saw was a startled person jumping back onto the street and heading towards her.