Chapter 4- The Tree

Levi's P.O.V.

I was banging my head against a mental wall.

Why. On. Earth. Did. I. Ask. Her. To. Lunch?! Oh my goodness sake, what if she thinks I am trying to make a move? Oh gosh, that would be disastrous.

But no one could tell that I was having a mental struggle. My face held no emotions whatsoever. But that didn't stop Eren from telling that something was wrong. She could read me like a friggin' book.

"Hey, are you okay, Levi?"

What did I tell you? WHAT did I tell you? She has to be psychic or something!

"Tch, I'm fine."

"If you say so..."

How does she do that?!

My thoughts came to an abrupt halt with Eren's next words.

"We're here! This is my favorite spot out of all of them."

I looked up and instantly knew why this was Eren's favorite place.

We were standing in front of the prettiest cherry blossom trees I had ever seen. It was taller then most and the leaves were cascading to the ground in a ghostly dance. They made a pink, flowery blanket around the tree. The air smelled heavenly, and there was just enough light shining through the foliage to give it an un-earthly look.

All I could do was stare in awe.

"So... do you like it?"

I was violently brought back down to earth by her sudden words, yet again. It took me a moment to get my bearings. The effect the tree had on me was bizarre. Finally, I managed a reply.

"Like it? Let me put it this way: I can absolutely understand why this would be your favorite place. There are no words that could portray what this tree is doing to me"

Eren looked delighted.

"That's a relief. I thought you wouldn't like it because you seem the type to not enjoy nature like others would."

"How could I not? It is the second most beautiful thing I have ever seen."

Crap, I said second. Way to go, Levi. While you're at it, go buy yourself a shovel and get to digging, because you're already burying yourself.

"Oh really? What is the first?"

You, but I didn't tell her that. But I did decide to tease her.

"Hmm... I won't tell you. But I will let you guess. If you guess correctly, I will give you something."

Dang, I am such a smart alack.

"Oh? How many guesses do I get?"

"Infinite. As many as you need."

"Wow, you really don't think I will get it, huh?"

Nope, I honestly don't. But again, I didn't tell her that.

"We shall see."

Eren harrumphed.

"France."

"How did you know I had been to France?"

"You have a slight French accent."

"Oh, and wrong."

"Your family?"

"Guess again."

"The government?"

"You're on drugs."

"Is it a country?"

"Is that a guess?"

"Grrr, yes."

"Wrong again."

"A place?"

"Again, wrong."

"Friends?"

"Does it look like I have friends?

"Good point. Your favorite plant?"

"You couldn't get any farther."

Eren sighed.

"Hmph! Is there a time limit?"

"Nope."

"Good, because I am hungry."

We sat down in front of the tree, leaning our backs on it.

"Whatchya got?" Eren inquired.

"For lunch? I don't know, I haven't looked yet."

Eren looked over at my food when I opened the and I watched as her eyes widen slightly.

"That is some lunch you have there."

I looked down at my food. It appeared the maids had made me a potato soup with some toppings off to the side in small containers. They had also packed my favorite tea and various sliced fruit.

Well, I guess it does look good.

Now, when I look for a friend, which was rare, I always tested them first before giving them that title. Most of the time, the person either slowly drifted away from me, abruptly ended the friendship, or tried to use me to get to my money, which never worked for them. So far, only two people had passed the test. It was time to test Eren as a potential friend.

"Yeah, the maids usually pack my food, so it looks nice."

Her eyes widened even more at that.

"Maids? Dang, you must come from a rich family. Though, that does suit your personality."

Now it was my turn to be surprised. I hadn't expected that answer, and especially in such a casual manner. But it seems like Eren is the exception. A-friggin'-gain, though I am seriously not complaining.

"Yeah, I guess I do."

I looked over at her.

"What do you have?" I asked to try to get the conversation away from me.

I hadn't seen what she had brought.

I could tell that I had asked a sensitive question, because she looked away shyly and answered in a less-then-confident manner. I could also tell that she was lying.

"Oh, I just have an apple. I was rushing out the door and could only grab this." She held up a pathetic looking apple.

Great job, Levi. You have a rich family and great food while she has a friggin' APPLE!

"Tch, stay here for a second. I'll be right back," leaving her a little bewildered.

I stood up and bolted to the cafeteria which, thanks to Eren, I knew where it was.

After racing through the many hallways the school thought they needed, I rushed over to the utensils sitting in the corner of the lunch room and grabbed and extra spoon and fork.

Why am I doing this again? Oh right: Eren.

I hurried out of the room, just as quickly as I entered it, while ignoring the curious glances thrown in my direction.

After a little more running, I found my way back to the cherry blossom tree and Eren.

Eren looked like she was contemplating something.

I calmed my breathing and my racing heart and calmly walked over to her as if nothing had happened.

By the time she finally looked up, I was standing directly in front of her.

"Oh, hey. What were you doing?"

By way of an answer, I held up the spoon and fork I had retrieved.

It only took her a second to catch onto what I was suggesting. She was quick witted.

"Oh no! I couldn't! It's yours! I couldn't possible take your food!"

"Who said anything about taking? We're going to share it."

After a couple more useless protests, Eren finally caved, and we set to work on the soup.

Eren looked really happy.

"Mmmmm! This is delicious! This is honestly the best thing I have ever tasted."

"Then you probably haven't eaten much then, huh?"

"Ha ha! Even if I have, I wouldn't remember."

I looked over at her curiously.

"Why's that?"

"Ah, well, I can never eat out. I don't have the time, or money, to splurge on nice food."

She froze up.

"Um, sorry, I just-"

"It's fine," I interrupted. "I get what you mean. I guess you're on scholarship then, huh?"

"Great guess-work! I am."

We ended up talking about a whole bunch of other topics such as music, what books we were interested in, places we've been and the like.

"Oh my goodness! AOT abridged was-"

BRING! BRING!

"Ah, poop! Just when we were getting to the good part!"

I sighed in agreement. I started packing up my stuff.

"Darn! I was going to start fan-girling. Oh well, looks like you'll have to wait to see that side of me."

I chuckled.

"Whoa! Did the Great Levi just chuckle?! I can't believe my ears! Shoot! I should have recorded it! Ah man!"

That made me start laughing.

"You... you must be the only person to have heard me laugh."

"Yay~! That makes me happy!" Eren said with a cheeky grin, completely oblivious to how important that really was.

I struggled to put my emotionless mask back on.

"Don't tell anyone, or I'll hunt you down."

Recognizing I was joking, she put on a poker face and said,

"Aye, Heichou! I promise. it will be our secret," she said with a wink.

"Did you just call me Heichou, brat?"

"Did you just call me a brat, Heichou?"

We had a glaring contest, and it was a tie for the win. I pressed on.

"So, did you?"

"Aye, Heichou."

"... There are no words."

That got her laughing. And when I say laughing, I mean a tinkling laugh that wasn't necessarily girly, but refreshing. And that was rare thing. I hated unnecessary noise, but I wouldn't mind listening to her laugh.

Eren wiped at the corners of her eyes and gave a contented sigh.

"Ah geez, I haven't laughed like that in a long time."

"You're one to talk. I haven't laughed at all. It felt weird."

Eren grinned at me in way of a response.

I wonder what time it is?

"Well! Let's get back to that tour! There's just a small section of the school left I have yet to show you."

"Fine, then get on with it."

"Aye, Heichou!"

I grunted.

Eren's P.O.V.

Just as I finished showing Levi the rest of the school, the final bell rang, signaling to the "poor students" that it was time to be "set free" from their "cages".

"Well, that was the last of the school, and the final bell. Great timing if I do say so myself."

In response to that, Levi just "Tch"ed.

"Did you just 'Tch' me? I hope not!"

Levi looked over at me, and I could tell he was thinking something mischievous by the way his eyes glinted.

"What are you going to do about it?" he said in a very provocative way. The way you say something to get on people's nerves.

Oh, I hate that question. It usually stumps me, because I can never actually do anything.

Flashes of that night present themselves in a series of images before my eyes.

Ugh, why now of all times?

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat, and put on a grin.

"I don't know. However, that doesn't mean I won't come up with something."

Levi looked at me with narrowed eyes, as if he knew something was wrong, but it looked like he decided against saying something.

"Eh? Okay then, I'll race you. If you win, then you can make me do one thing. Same rule applies to you. Deal?"

Since I had no better alternative, I agreed.

"Deal."

"Okay, I'll race you to the lockers."

I grinned and answered,

"You sure you can remember the way there, Greenie?"

"Did you just call me Greenie?"

"You bet I did!"

"Oh, you'll pay for that."

We lined ourselves up with the nearest pair columns and readied ourselves to run.

"On your mark... get set... GO!"

We bolted up and ran our hearts out.

I couldn't believe it, but I was falling behind.

How on earth?!

I stubbornly ran the rest of the way, and saw Levi leisurely leaning up against our lockers, inspecting his nails.

He looked up when he heard me approach and said rather nonchalantly,

"I do believe I won that."

"Yada, yada, yada. What are you going to make me do then?"

"Hmm, let's see..."

He tapped his chin thoughtfully, which only served to make me angrier.

"How about-"

"Oh, just spit it out already!"

Levi looked over at me and smirked, knowing he had gotten under my skin.

"I'm going to make you let me walk you home."

Did he... did he just?

I blinked.

Then I blinked again.

Nope, he's still there, still grinning. I'm not delusional. Yet. And here I thought he was going to make me suffer in a tremendous way, and all he wants to do is walk me home?

"Your face is hilarious right now."

That snapped me back to reality.

"Fine then!" I said hotly. "You'll walk me home."

"Great, it's settled then."

I stomped over to my locker, pretending to be mad, because honestly I was thrilled.

After we grabbed our bags, we set out, avoiding any other students.

As we walked, we picked up our earlier conversation, which inevitably led me to ranting about AOT abridged again.

"B-b-but, seriously though! I just, I can't, UGH!"

Levi looked amused at my rant.

What?! A fan-girl has to fan-girl!

"Hey, where do you live?"

He really knows how to bring me back to reality.

"Eh, we're here, actually."

We simultaneously looked up at the two-story brick house.

"Hey, so you think I could get your number?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

Levi looked a little startled.

Wait, did I really just ask him for his number? Since when did my courage level rise? I'm getting bolder.

"Sure."

I perked up at his answer, since I was expecting him to say no. We both brought out our phones, and even if you didn't know us, you could tell whose was whose by the design and color scheme.

"Alright then! I guess I'll be seeing you tomorrow!" I announced once the exchange was finished.

"I guess." Levi said in his usual bored tone.

I turned around and faced my house and immediately my previous happiness was shattered.

Oh no, I forgot! Please don't let him see that animal!

I walked up to my door cautiously, but it seemed luck was not on my side at the moment. Check back at a later time. The door slammed open, revealing the said animal.

"What makes you think you can be happy, you freak?! Get in here now!"

Suddenly, the animal grabbed my throat and my hands went to his hand, trying to loosen his grip unsuccessfully. He pulled me into the building, whilst slamming the door closed.

I was immediately thrown to the ground, where I coughed and wheezed, trying to coax the air back into my lungs.

"You piece of crap! You don't deserve friends! Or happiness! Or anything for that matter!"

With each word, Grisha either kicked me, punched me, or even spat on me savagely. I could feel my ribs snapping, and pain shot through my left arm like fire. I began to grow numb to the pain mercifully. This was one of the worst beatings I had ever received. And that was saying something.

My vision was tunneling, bringing me into the darkness that had saved me every time this happened.

But before the darkness completely enveloped me, the front door burst open, and someone kicked the animal off of me. I heard a thump and something sliding down, but I didn't really care at this point. All I wanted was the lingering pain to go away.

My savior called my name, but I could barely hear them. And with that, I floated away into the comforting embrace of dark nothingness.