Chapter 4:

I decided to take a small break from "Behind the Walls." It was all too much to handle. I'm sure my life on BW is over, now. Everyone's going to think I work with the titans and I'll Kill them all. It wasn't worth the amount of disappointment I would feel. So I closed my laptop. I left my room and sat in the living room. Mom was cleaning the kitchen, she had just made a fresh new batch of home-made bread... It smelled amazing. She sat in the chair next to me after placing a slice of bread on the coffee table.

"Thanks mom." I said, munching on the crust.

"Eren… I don't want to encourage your addictive habits but I can't help but feel like you're upset."

I couldn't look her in the eye. "Yeah, well. Turns out I don't even have a place in the virtual world on top of the real one…"

"Oh, Eren d—"

"No, mom. Don't even try. You know it wouldn't matter. I'm not like Mikasa or Armin. They have it easy, they're naturally smart and talented."

I knew she wanted to correct me but she probably understood that nothing she said would have helped me. She changed the subject and tried her best to distract me. We were eating bread and watching TV by the time dad got home. He looked like he was dragging himself back, he just dropped his suitcase and kicked off his shoes. "Hey dad." I tried sounding supportive. He smiled at me and sunk into the lazyboy.

"Hey Eren, how are you doing, today? Hows your gam—"

I could see my mom shake her head hurriedly from the corner of my eye. I decided to answer and spare them the complexity of dealing with my issues. "I've had a good day, dad. A few issues here and there but I'm sure it'll clear up." Dad smiled.

"That's my boy! You're a tough kid." He said, struggling to find a comfortable position in his chair. Seemed like Dad was tired so I left him with mom in the living room. Making my way up the stairs and into my bed. It was pretty late. I was thinking about the game, then the squad… Guess I'll just go back to browsing Tumblr. I attempted to stand and collapsed onto my bed. "Guess that's not happening." *BZZZZT BZZZT*

I received a text. Normally I get a few texts but my cell is always under my pillow. So I never noticed them, not to mention I never took it off of vibrate. It read: "Mikasa: Eren, You have to go on Skype and add 'Noneofyourdamnbusiness'. Apparently it's really important." I paused for a second. "pffft" Holding back a laugh. Seriously? Whose username is that? Did they say that in response to Skype asking them for a name? I smirked. "Sure, Mikasa. I'll go do that right now."

I logged onto my laptop; "Wingsoffreedom"…. A few indescribable sounds happened and I was logged into Skype. I added "Noneofyourdamnbusiness". Within seconds, I received a response. Finally, I clicked on the profile… It was Levi. That explains so much.

[2014-03-09 10:51:42 PM] Levi Rivaille: Eren, I'm the only one who witnessed what happened today. I need you to talk to me. Now.

[2014-03-09 10:51:57 PM] EREN: OKAY. OKAY, Heichou. I didn't even know that I could do that. It freaked me out. I don't think I even want to play the game anymore! O^ O

[2014-03-09 10:52:34 PM] Levi Rivaille: Calm down…Eren.

[2014-03-09 10:54:02 PM] EREN: Y-Yeah. Sorry, Heichou.

[2014-03-09 10:55:24 PM] Levi Rivaille: Listen, Eren. Nothing will change. You can help our side win the war against the Titans.

[2014-03-09 10:55:47 PM] EREN: NO.

[2014-03-09 10:55:58 PM] Levi Rivaille: Why not?

[2014-03-09 10:56:23 PM] EREN: Heichou, They'll kill me. They'll think I'm a freak. I'm already an outcast in real life, I don't need this sort of thing from BW.

[2014-03-09 10:58:42 PM] Levi Rivaille: … I see. Eren, I think we need to discuss this in detail. Perhaps you should take a break… But here's my deal. I will allow you to rest, I will not reveal your titan form to anyone else and you can come back whenever you are ready but until then you have to promise to keep in touch with me every day.

[2014-03-09 11:00:52 PM] EREN: Fine. B
But I might never go back.

[2014-03-09 11:11:32 PM] Levi Rivaille: I'll take that chance. But you're not entirely stupid so I think you'll end up coming back at some point.

[2014-03-09 11:12:27 PM] EREN: Gee, since when have you been so positive?

[2014-03-09 11:18:19 PM] Levi Rivaille: I like to make believe that I'm a pessimist.

[2014-03-09 11:21:45 PM] EREN: I don't know if I should laugh or…. ovo;

[2014-03-09 11:25:36 PM] Levi Rivaille: Stop doing that…. Smiley thing.

[2014-03-09 11:31:47 PM] EREN: 'Kay.

After getting a speech from Heichou, he forced me to exchange phone numbers with him and told me to keep it on me at all times. He ended up making part of the deal, saying that if he ever needed my help online, he would text me. Why do I always find myself in these situations? By the time I logged off, it was around twelve in the morning. Perfect. I went to brush my teeth and wash my face… I was walking a little unsteadily while exiting the bathroom and didn't even notice my dad until I was on the ground. "Sorry, Dad. I'm just tired…" He lent his hand to me and helped lift me off the ground.

"Hm… Eren, you should be more careful. But I can associate with that feeling…. What were you doing up so late?"

I could feel the blood rushing to my face. What was I doing? Talking to my captain from an online game about transforming into a titan… And entering a depression because of social standards based off of fear…. I was contemplating what the best way to explain it would be… I could explain it in the context of BW which would probably confuse and annoy him or come up with a more realistic—

"Eren?"

"Oh, Uh. I was talking to my close friend about puberty…Y-Yeah, I have been having a hard time. I grew bigger and—"

"Ohhhhkay, Eren. I'm glad you found such reliable friends." Dad cut me off, running into the bathroom. "Sorry, kiddo! I have the… Runs! You should catch up on your sleep."

I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry. I knew I was blushing. Alright. I think it is time to go to bed. I walked into my room, shut off the lights, closed my drapes, jumped into bed and pulled up my sheets. "Jean would have a field day with this." I closed my eyes… Opened them again. You know, I might have been tired when I gave Heichou my number. I should check if it works.

"Goodnight, Heichou."

"It's Levi….. Go to sleep, brat."