Sunday evening
Ackerman's house
Mikasa sat at the dinner table in the kitchen, holding her mother's phone while waiting for Eren to call her. He knew she had lost her phone – not why – and was supposed to call her mother's instead of his girlfriend's when he got home from the training camp. Eren was an energic person and had begun orienteering just as they started going out, so for roughly three years now. Because of that, he had been at a two-week camp at the end of summer before school started, leaving her with Sasha as their other friends went abroad during the last weeks of summer.
It had been a complete accident they started dating, he had lost his scarf at the school and Mikasa had found it. When she tried giving it back to him he had refused, explaining, "You probably need it more than me right now. Keep it."
After that incident they had become great friends and that friendship had grown into love, into something she felt was special. It hadn't been until Armin – their mutual friend – had encouraged Eren to ask her out that he had dared to do so, something she was awfully happy over since she didn't really know how to ask him out or confess her feelings.
Before getting more lost in her thoughts her mother's phone began buzzing, answering the call she had waited for, immediately greeted by the energic boy, "Hey Mikasa, I just got home. How are you doing?"
"I'm great, but how about you? Was the camp fun?"
"Yeah, I'm fine…" he answered, trailing off as if he was searching for words before continuing, "It was fun, really. I got some new friends and I placed second in the competition the camp held."
"That's great, who placed first?" Mikasa asked, surprised that he hadn't won.
"Some girl from Orvud, she was really fast and good at reading the map." He answered, sounding a bit off as he spoke.
"Oh well, I bet that you win in the next competition!" She said, trying to make him feel better.
"Yeah, I totally will. But what about your phone, where did you lose it?" Eren asked, trying to continue the conversation with his girlfriend.
"Ah, well. Sasha wanted me to be her emotional support at a party, she got drunk, I called her mom, and then I lost it somewhere." Mikasa explained, sounding a bit distant as she spoke of it knowing that she didn't – couldn't – tell him everything, afraid that Eren would get disappointed at her she had chosen not to tell the whole truth, leaving out the part with Levi.
By now she was calm again after the evening out but felt guilt as she saw the forest-green hoodie hanging on a chair nearby.
"That's too bad, but do you want to watch a movie or something on Saturday? I think my roommate is supposed to be somewhere so we can be at my dorm if you'd like to, I'm sure I can convince my roommate to be away for the evening." Eren asked, hoping that he would be able to meet his girlfriend after a few weeks apart.
"Sure, I'd love to." Agreed the girl.
"But I must go now. The trip was long and I need to pack some things 'til tomorrow, text me if you get your phone back." Eren said as the sound of clatter was heard in the background.
"I will. Bye."
"Bye."
Mikasa felt relief after the call, it was going to work between them. She was going to work for it and knew that Eren would do the same.
Monday
Mikasa's dorm
As Mikasa made her way to her assigned room she met several of her friends from high school and even those that she wasn't in contact with anymore greeted her upon recognizing the raven-haired girl. Mikasa hadn't been popular in high school but she had been friendly to those she liked, not getting in any drama or a group for that part. She had stayed neutral during the school years and had become someone that people relied on, someone you could start up a conversation with if you felt alone.
Upon entering the building where the sleeping quarters were located she was met with chaos.
Freshmen like her were all trying to find their assigned rooms while the sophomores spectating the mess that unfolded. A boy carrying a big cardboard box accidently pushed a small blonde girl carrying two boxes balanced on each other making the girl drop the uppermost one, also dropping a note with the information about which room she was supposed to be in. The girl was on the verge of tears as her stuff fell on the floor while the boy just kept walking, ignoring what he had done.
Mikasa seeing this decided to help the girl, she had after all just a duffel bag with her stuff and would easily be able to also carry a cardboard box. Making her way towards the girl and picking the note up she saw the familiar combination of numbers 'A213'.
Oh.
This was her roommate.
Her eyes went to the small girl and as Mikasa took a better look at her to be roommate she recognized her, it was the girl that someone had puked on. Upon realizing this the girl recognized Mikasa, explaining while pointing at her, "You're the one that Flegel crushed so hard on during that party!"
Mikasa surprised and at the same time embarrassed over what the blond girl had exclaimed here and now answered her, "Yeah, I guess I am." While grabbing hold of the cardboard box lying in front of her roommate.
The blonde girl named Krista, realizing what Mikasa was doing started to protest but was shut down by the raven-haired immediately.
"It's okay, we're going to the same room so it's really no problem." Explained Mikasa as she began making her way towards the stairs making sure so that her roommate followed and then making sure she went ahead of her.
Both had memorized their room number beforehand and knew where to go, A213.
Building A, floor 2, and room 13. Something that most first years hadn't quite figured out yet and most were still on the first floor, where the kitchens and clean supplies were located.
Upon entering their room in the middle of the corridor to the right both girls realized how dull and boring it was. Walls gray, two old beds placed towards the opposite walls with a desk placed beneath the window and a door that presumably led to a cramped bathroom. On top of that there also were a drawer placed at the end of each bed, as they entered their room the ticking of a clock was heard. It hung above the door and the ticking was just loud enough so one could hear if it was quiet.
Both now standing in the room, wondering how on earth they would be able to survive a whole year, possible a second and third, maybe even a fourth one depending if they don't decide to move in this cramped room.
Krista being the one to break the silence said with an encouraging tone, "I'm Krista by the way. Krista Lenz."
Mikasa gave the girl an awkward smile and took Krista's hand, shaking it carefully and then introducing herself, "Mikasa Ackerman, but you probably know me as the girl – was it Flegel? – liked."
"I knew it was you, I didn't see you clearly there but I kind of recognized your hair, it's so pretty," Krista said while smiling towards Mikasa, having let go of her hand and placing the cardboard box at the left bed gesturing Mikasa to follow her example.
"Thanks, I guess, I didn't get a good look on you either, though. I only saw you right before that boy puked on you." Explained Mikasa as she started to take out the sheets she had in her bag, beginning to make the right bed as Krista did the same to her left one.
"Oh, don't remind me of that. Please." Krista cringed, "It was absolutely horrible."
Mikasa letting out a small laugh as she imagined Krista's facial expression, "I won't. But who is Flegel anyway? The only reason that I was there was because my friend dragged me along." She asked.
"Ah, yeah you looked kind of like you didn't have anyone to talk to." Krista said and then continuing with the answer, "Flegel is this Sophomore that's the son of the headmaster, an only kid as far as I know. That's why he lives in an apartment outside of campus in his second year."
Mikasa nodded, questioning in her head why Levi lived there with him.
As if Krista could read minds she answered, "However. If you live outside of campus one must live with another student, in Flegel's case an upperclassman. I think you slept when he came home to the party, he was really pissed at Flegel."
Mikasa nodding once again as she looked at her bed. The red blanket covering the white sheet and pillow, being happy with the result she sat on her bed watching Krista unpack a few photos she then put up on the wall.
"How come you were at the party by the way?" Mikasa asked, trying to keep the conversation going.
"The same reason as you I guess, a friend wanted me to meet some new friends before school started," Krista explained while putting up the last photo of her and her friends.
"Ah, did you find any?"
"No, everyone was drunk but I found you now so I'm not really that worried," Krista said, unpacking some clothes and putting them in the drawer.
Mikasa felt grateful over Krista, she was kind and happy over sharing room with her and not Sasha, knowing that the food would probably only consist of potatoes and meat if that were to happen. Taking her clothes out of her duffel and arranging them in her drawer, laying the hoodie upmost so it could be easy to give to Levi if she saw him.
"Do you sport?" Blurted Krista out upon seeing Mikasa laying the green Rose Uni sports hoodie in her drawer.
"Not really, I'm not in a club but I run. Do you?"
"Yeah, volleyball. That's why I go to this school and not at Maria Uni, I have a better chance here since it's a smaller school." Krista explained, noting how long Mikasa was compared to her own small frame as her new friend now was standing, trying to put a picture up next to the window.
"Maria Uni's volleyball team is quite hardcore I heard." Agreed Mikasa, remembering that Eren had told her about it.
"Yeah… My friend is going there. I hope she don't end up getting worn out." Krista said worryingly. Mikasa understood her, she was also worried for Eren. He wasn't that good at studying and from what he had told her so was the orienteering practices just as hard.
"Do you know anyone going there by the way?" Krista interrupted Mikasa in her thoughts.
"Ah yes, my boyfriend Eren."
Krista gave Mikasa a considerate smile, "That's nice, too bad you don't attend the same school though."
"Yeah, I guess. But we'll make it work." Assured Mikasa as Krista smiled kindly.
Taking a look at the clock Mikasa realized that she should probably get going. She was supposed to meet Sasha at a café located on campus and have lunch with her around 12.30, the clock showing that the time already was 12.10. Mikasa not wanting to be late decided to say goodbye to her roommate. Wearing her plain black jacket and the red scarf as she headed for the place she was supposed to meet Sasha.
Sasha had seen Mikasa as soon as she had set foot on the ground floor, taking hold of her friend's hand while exclaiming "Hurry up Mikasa, I'm really hungry y'know!" and dragging her towards the café placed a few hundred feet from the three dorm buildings. The café was quite strategically placed, it was next to the parking lot along the path that led to the training facility making it easy for people to get a cup of coffee when they got to the school or when they needed something after practice, something many appreciated.
As they entered the shop the smell of cinnamon and freshly baked bread hit them like a wall, Sasha almost doubled over when she realized how much everything cost, tears in her eyes as she complained about the price of steamed potatoes.
After Sasha had been able to collect herself and order sat the girls down close to the entrance next to the window as they waited for their meals.
"How's your roommate?" Asked Sasha before telling about her own, "Mine is meh, her boyfriend left her at the dorm and they were all lovey-dovey with each other."
"Mine is okay, she seems shy but is good I guess."
Just as Sasha was about to speak she was interrupted by two plates with food getting placed in front of them, ending with her just saying an excited "Thank you" before beginning eating, Mikasa following her example.
They ate in silence but the topic they were on before the food came continued, "What's her name? Your roommate I mean." Asked Sasha as she pushed the plate away from her so it stood in the middle of the table.
"Krista Lenz, you know the girl that got puked on during the party. Oh wait, you were so drunk you probably don't remember." Stated Mikasa with a cold tone, knowing that Sasha would get frustrated at her.
Flustered, Sasha answered, "Oh shut up. You drank like what? Two glasses and you don't remember a thing."
"But I didn't puke in front of someone, like a girl very fond of food did." Stated Mikasa calmly as she took a sip of water.
Sasha looking flustered stuck her tongue out towards Mikasa, who answered with a smile.
"Do you think you'll join a sports club by the way?" Asked Sasha knowing that her friend was something of a sport-freak, having quite impressive abs.
"I don't know. We'll see I guess, you?" Answered Mikasa as she shrugged her shoulder.
"I'm thinking about basketball but I don't know, I don't really want to compete and it's such an 'aggressive' sport."
Mikasa nodded understanding what her friend was talking about, she wasn't someone that liked competitions (unless it was eating something) and if she were to compete in something, like a team sport, then the pressure would be too much for her.
"Well, I guess I need to finish unpacking. The only reason I could meet you up on the ground floor earlier was because Hanna's boyfriend was going to come over again. I sure hope they haven't done anything dirty in the room yet…" Said Sasha while getting herself ready, watching as Mikasa followed her example as she put on her jacket.
"I'll see you later Mikasa." Said Sasha before leaving the café running towards the dorm as it started to rain lightly. Shortly after also Mikasa left the café with a small smile on her lips.
The clock was about 3 pm by now and with plenty of time left before she needed to go back to her dorm. Deciding to check out the training facility she started walking on the path leading away from the main building and towards the ones containing a gymnasium and gym.
She didn't pass many on her way there, a boy that was buried in his phone playing what looked like Pokemon Go and a woman wearing a lab coat running past her, other than those two she didn't pass anyone. When she got to one of the entrances to the gym however a girl approached her as she looked at a map of campus, searching for a good track.
"Hello there."
Mikasa, who hadn't noticed the girl until she had spoken turned around and faced the girl. She had a small frame much like Krista's with the exception that this girl was taller and had short orange hair, opposed to Krista's long blonde.
"Oh, hi," Mikasa answered, surprised by the approach, taking the girls hand as she reached out.
"My name's Petra. I'm a sophomore here. You're a freshman, right?" Asked the girl apparently named Petra, removing a strand of hair from her face as she spoke.
"Yes. I'm Mikasa." She answered, not really knowing what a sophomore would want to her.
"Are you going to join a club?" Petra asked, now holding her hands at her hips, smiling at the raven-haired girl she had just met.
"I don't think so. I'm just here to see if there's any good track to run." She answered, Petra seemed like a nice girl and it was refreshing to talk to someone else after talking with Sasha and Krista, who had seemed a bit monotone while Petra seemed colorful in another way.
"There goes on around the out parts of campus, here I'll show you." Explained the upperclassman, showing Mikasa a purple line on the map, "Here it is."
Her fingers traced the purple line around the campus, "It's a little bit under ten miles." She added, happy to be able to help the raven-haired underclassman.
"Thank you," Mikasa said, grateful for the help.
"Did you join a sports club in high school?" The smaller girl asked curiously, Mikasa seemed tall and strong so it wouldn't surprise her if she had been part of one.
"Yes, the basketball one. I also play the piano so I was part of the music club." Answered the freshman honestly, Petra seemed kind so she didn't find a reason not to tell her anything.
Upon remembering why Petra had approached the underclassman she spoke, "Ah I almost forgot. Would you like join the volleyball team? We're kind of short on girls now since most of the past players were seniors and most freshmen that play went to Maria or Sheena Uni. You seem strong and tall so it would be great if you could join."
It was obvious the ginger-haired was nervous as she asked the raven-haired girl she had approached as her hands were fumbling with her jackets hem. Mikasa noticing this smiled reassuringly, knowing she had already told Krista she didn't intend to join a club, spoke to the small girl, "I can try, but if I don't enjoy it I won't stay."
Petra shone up as Mikasa answered and smiled back, "We have this meeting and practice, kind of like a meet up in a few minutes. Would you like to be there?" Asked the smaller girl.
Shrugging her shoulders the raven-haired girl agreed, why wouldn't she? The clock was just after 3 pm and she needed to burn some time, she also needed to meet some other girls that had similar interests as her. The only friend that was close with Mikasa was Sasha and she was a foodaholic, the girl had joined her at one of her runs once and the last miles she had dragged herself forward.
Petra shone up once again upon her answer, "Great. Come here, I'll introduce you to the others."
As Mikasa walked into the gym she was blown away. It was nothing like her old high school's gym had been. It was big with a wall in the middle of it so two classes or clubs could be there at the same time, windows along the far-most wall helping the lamps with lightening up the room.
"This isn't like your last gymnasium, is it?" Asked the upperclassmen while giving her a sincere smile.
"No… Shigashina's were much smaller and not as open." Said the raven-haired, examining the group of girls they were walking towards. They were all upperclassmen, but no it looked like no seniors were sitting there.
A black-haired girl drew attention to them as she noticed them, smiling towards Petra she began to speak, "So you did find someone."
Three hours later the raven-haired girl was sitting exhausted on a bench in the gymnasium. She had been wearing her own t-shirt and a pair of Nanaba's shorts, glad that she and the blond junior had a similar size. Under the first hour she and the girls had just talked, introducing themselves and the others had gossiped with each other while Mikasa listened. During the last two however they had played 2v2, the losing team having to sprint three laps inside the gym after all the matches were finished. Mikasa and Petra were teamed up together and the other two teams contained Mina – the black-haired girl – teamed up with a shorthaired girl named Nanaba, a junior, and last one Rico and Hitch, both sophomores that felt arrogant and a bit ego.
Mikasa and Petra had won the first and second match, losing the last against Mina and Nanaba. Losing the first, winning the second but then losing the last against Rico and Hitch earning the raven-haired and upperclassman she was teamed with a total of nine penalty laps.
Mikasa's stamina had fallen quite a bit under the summer as she hadn't found someone she liked running with, her last partner in crime had been Traute but she had moved away soon after high school ended to a collective close to the college she was going to attend. Since Eren was competitive it hadn't worked out running with him, running was Mikasa's sanctuary and she didn't want to compete in it with her boyfriend and therefore she hadn't been keeping up with it under summer as she didn't like to run alone.
"Do you think you'll join the club?" Huffed Petra as she laid on the floor in front of Mikasa, rolling onto her back as she spoke.
"I think so. It was okay, I need to keep myself active so I guess this would be a good opportunity." Answered the underclassman, watching Petra as the upperclassman rolled onto her back.
Huffing once and then standing up the raven-haired spoke, "I guess I need to get back now."
"You do that. Practices begin next week, I'll find and tell you the days and times the practice is at during the week." Petra said, she looked like how Mikasa felt – utterly exhausted.
Mikasa didn't bother change from the shorts she had borrowed, Nanaba had, after all, told the underclassman to keep them until the next practice. Since she would shower as soon as possible she didn't see a real purpose of changing back to her jeans that were relatively clean, that decision changed fast as she stepped out of the gym and was met a voice she didn't think she would hear this soon after their first meeting.
"Who would've thought I would see you here in shorts again on a shitty day like this."
Ah, he was an arrogant bastard.
Mikasa starting to get incredibly self-conscious over what she wore as he heard those words turned towards the shorter man, seeing the boy named Levi standing there with an open duffel containing a basketball hanging over his shoulder.
Raising an eyebrow Mikasa spoke, "Well who would've thought a shortie like you played basketball." Shifting her weight to her left foot while crossing her arms.
"Tch, like someone as tall and careless like you could play volleyball." He said, noting that she wore the volleyball team's shorts.
"Careless?" Questioned the raven-haired girl.
"If someone drinks so much they black out, then yes, they are careless." Stated Levi as he wondered what her reaction would be.
The underclassman felt cornered.
Yes, she had gotten drunk.
Yes, she had blacked out.
But she hadn't been careless, or that's at least what the raven-haired girl told herself.
Levi noticing he had started those wheels in her head spin decided to interrupt whatever was going on in that head of hers, "Whatever, what does your phone look like?"
Mikasa surprised at his question answered him, "You've found it? It's a black one plus. It should have plenty of missed calls from a contact named 'Food Girl'."
"Yeah, I have it. Not with me though."
"Ah."
"If you're here at 7 in the morning I'll give you your phone," said Levi.
"Should I bring your hoodie and bus card?" Asked Mikasa, hoping that she would get rid of the reminders.
"Keep them," said the shorter male, "I'll get another hoodie next week and I don't need the bus card anymore." Explained the upperclassman.
"But-"
He turned around and entered the gymnasium through the door Mikasa had exited a few moments ago.
The raven-haired girl stood there for a few moments, thinking about that encounter before heading to her dorm and to Krista. She was hungry after the meeting and wasn't eager on testing the kitchen, unsure if Krista was one of those who lives on noodles when their parents don't make food, something she hoped she wasn't. Mikasa craved good food at the moment, and good food wasn't noodles or chicken nuggets, something she despised with all her heart.
A/N: The second chapter! Thanks for all the likes and follows, I really appreciate it.
Mikasa might be a bit ooc this chapter but I think I'm starting to get how to write her.?
As for my updates, they will come further apart. Every other Sunday I think I will try and uupdate I finished this chapter yesterday but wanted to look through it more so it got up a little late, sorry about that. But either way, I hope you enjoyed!
