I apologize for being able to update yesterday. I was so tired, when I reached my house. I tried though, but my mind was just so blank yesterday. But here it is now. ^_^ I hope you guys will like it. And, I would like it if you guys can tell me what you think about it, as well... it will encourage me and make me know my mistakes. ^_^
Oh and, I changed the year so that it will match up with the story and characters. To think that, I'll be doing that math age problem thing. . hehehe
Anyways... here it is ^_^
Shingeki no Kyojin does not belong to me. Cause if it does, Petra wont die, and those who are like Annie or is on the other side, will be redeemed and everyone will have a happy ending. ^_^
Chapter 3: Keepsake
Year 2001, autumn
Levi makes his way to the stairs with the usual morning arguments he does with his mother. It is not really a serious argument, since his parents and other staff working in their restaurant just laughs at it and already used to it. Even Hanji, who is new has gotten used to it for a very short amount of time and even joins in on teasing him sometimes. He was actually annoyed with everyone, who hears him and his mother, commenting "The little boy's growing up" or "Aww… the little boy wants to go solo", especially whenever they "Aww.." at him. And now, because of his mother telling his dad what happened last Friday, his dad keeps on saying he got his charms from him.
"Say, Levi-chan, why don't we invite Petra-chan here sometimes so you can play and do your homework together", his mother says as she tails behind him.
"I will only agree if you let me go to school by myself", Levi says as he goes down their stairs and turns to head to the kitchen's restaurant. Since his father is the main chef of their restaurant, he most of the time prepares his lunch.
"Really, Levi-chan? Okaa-san's sure that Levi-chan likes Petra-chan as well…" she says stopping beside him and places his lunch in his bag pack. "…since you wiped her face with your favorite handkerchief. And I don't recall you ever doing that for someone. Plus-"Levi quickly turns around and covers her mouth saying, "shhh!"
He slowly removes his hands from his mother's face and says, "You saw us?"
His mother's eyes blink twice then smiles and nods happily. "We came a bit early but saw you wiping Petra-chan's face so we stand and watched from afar. You two were so cute! And that kiss made you not to wash your face that night like you always do isn't it?"
"Okaa-san!" Levi shouts feeling embarrassed and wonders how his mother even noticed that he did not wash his face.
Hanji who is nearby, helping in the kitchen while listening secretly, giggles. His father and mother soon follow after her, leaving him pouting with his arms crossed. He walks out on them saying, "Fine, you guys laugh all you want. I'm going to school by myself. Hmph."
"And do not follow me, okaa-san!" he added as he opens the door leading to exit the kitchen.
Eleanor continues to laugh for a bit with her husband and Hanji then decides to follow Levi who probably is near the entrance. "I'm sure he'll be surprise once he gets to class", she says.
Levi sits on his chair quietly as he listens to his teacher telling them that they will have a new student in class and that she will come in a few minutes once her tour of the school is finished. He did not really care much at first because he is busy doing his math work, but after hearing the door opens, he cannot help but to look. He looks to where the white board is and sees no one except the teacher, who is kindly telling the person outside to go in. Since children are most of times curious to what they do not know, some tend to do what they want instead of following rules. Because of that, Levi and most of the students stands up to see who the person is. Being one of the tallest in class, and usually the most disciplined, he allows the other children to go near the door even though he is as much curious as they are already. He ends up being at the very back, which is also good since his seat is just nearby, and sees a the head of the person they were all anticipating to see. Realizing that it's blonde, he feels somewhat excited to know if it's the person that first pops up his mind.
Seeing his classmates go back to their seat one by one, because their teacher tells them so, he took a step forward and kept on peeking to whoever the person at the door is. As if his wish is heard, the person is none other than Petra.
His eyes widens for a second and is about to say her name, however Petra quickly runs to him and gives him a bear hug saying his name out loud.
"Levi-kun!" she says with a smile.
Surprised with her hug, he automatically hugs her back making their teacher say, "Oh my, looks like Levi-kun knows Petra-chan". Petra let go of Levi, holds his hand then nods cheerfully towards the teacher.
"Yes, Levi-kun, knows me", she says, "Right, Levi-kun?"
Levi nods at her, going back to his usual calm look, then looks at their teacher with Petra. The teacher smiles sweetly at them, adoring how cute the two children are. Levi then looks at his classmates who start whispering with each other accompanied with light giggles.
"Look! They're holding hands! Levi-kun got a girlfriend!" one of the kids shouts pointing at Levi's and Petra's hands, making the other children giggle more.
Levi blushes let go of Petra's hand as he looks to the other side. Petra looks at him, wondering why he let go and looked away. She walks to where he is facing and smiles at him, then notices her mom at the door saying goodbye to her with a wave. She waves back making Levi look as well, then looks at her again. She grabs one of his hands again and says, "I don't know what girlfriend is, but me and Levi-kun are engaged".
The children whispers again then asks, "What does that mean?"
"It means we're going to be married!" she says proudly. "Oh, and it's like your mommy and daddy! Levi-kun told me so".
"Really?!" one of the children says, in which Petra replies with a nod. "Wow!" some of the children say together.
"So, you kiss each other?" a boy asks, "My mommy and daddy kiss when daddy goes to work".
Petra nods happily saying, "I kiss Levi-kun too! Just-"
"Petra-chan!" Levi shouts feeling embarrassed, "Don't tell them that!"
"Oooohhh!" the children sang, "Levi-kun's blushing!" Then starts another set of giggles that even their teacher joins in for a bit then tells them to stop teasing Levi-kun. Seeing that Petra is not shy after all, she makes her introduce herself to the class. She did so, with conditions to let Levi stand beside her. After that she tells the teacher she wants to sit beside Levi, which the teacher allows. Petra then pulls him, though she does not know where his seat is and stops in the middle giving him the look "I-realized-I-don't-know-where-your-seat-is". And so, feeling everyone's eyes on them, he pouts and pulls her towards his seat.
They were seatmates for the rest of the school year and were always in the same group or partnered, since Petra always cries whenever the teacher puts her in a separate group from him. Petra was a friendly and cheerful child, while Levi was usually by himself but shows kindness to his classmates if needed to be. However, because of Petra, he was forced to interact with everyone surprising everyone.
Since Levi's and Petra's mom are friends and Levi lives nearby, Petra usually goes home with Levi and does their homework together. Sometimes if they have no homework, they would play or watch tv together. When the restaurant is not busy, Petra would force Hanji and Levi's mom to play with them, with Levi always against it since he knows they will tease him. On weekends, since both were an only child, Levi would sometimes go to Petra's house to play. And sometimes, their mothers would take them to parks or malls together, and they would always end up wearing matching clothes. And whenever they separate Petra would always kiss him on his cheeks, her reason was because she likes him, and he would never wash his face because of it.
During Halloween, their school has an all day program for the occasion and celebrated it by decorating the whole school with Halloween materials, wearing costumes, higher levels created a Halloween café, play and hunted houses to entertain other students and parents. If they're class got the highest number of visitor their homeroom will win a prize money, which most use to go on trips or swim at a water park as a class. There's even an individual award for each level, and was given gift as a prize.
The costume Petra and Levi wore that day was a match as well. Petra was dressed as cute doll-like princess, while Levi was a prince. They won the best in costume for each gender in their level and got a story book about Titan's legend. After that, they went trick or treating with their mothers since their fathers were both busy and were not into those kinds of things.
Petra's family relatives lives far from them and most lives in a province called *Baldwin, far from where they are, and so they spent their first Christmas in *Khaeles with Levi's family in their restaurant, along with some of its staff. Christmas was also the birthday of Levi, which he finds a bit annoying because he only receives one gift from each person instead of two as what he insists. Now he is 7. They celebrated New Year there as well.
Since then, Levi started changing and even smiles when outside while Petra stayed being cheerful and sweet, although at most times, Levi would smile whenever he and Petra were together. However, life is very unpredictable, full of twists and surprises. What's present now, can be changed within seconds.
During Petra's birthday, which was also Valentine's Day, she celebrated it with her classmates. Levi gave her a chocolate, he made with his dad, aside from his gift. Petra ate it and tells him to make her more after that, which he did and gives it to her during lunch time in school.
Holidays were spent the same as before as well. This Halloween, both of them were vampires with fake blood on the sides of their faces. Again, they won the award for best in costume for their class.
The next school year was the same as the previous. Petra still chooses to seat beside Levi, and as usual, always in the group as him. They still went to each other's house and spend time together.
Christmas came quite fast as well, as New Year. Like last year, it was celebrated at Levi's family restaurant. However, this time, there were a few problems. Petra's father was assigned to work at *Cae, the capital of Baldwin, causing him to move back there and live with his relatives. Petra's mother, Laura, though she did not want to move, since they were already stable here, decided to follow her husband soon. Because of the news, Levi and Petra's days together were already in a countdown.
Year 2003, Winter
3 Days before Petra's Birthday
Levi walks ahead of his mother and keeps on looking around to find the store he is looking for. Levi's mother smiles at her son's perseverance in locating the necklace that he says he will give to Petra and at his thoughtfulness. She remembers him a few days ago asking her a question about angels. He asked, "Okaa-san, do angels glow when they smile? You know, like how the sun shines after a storm". At that time, she did not know why he would ask such a question, but she answered him by saying, "I guess. You see, an angel's goal is to help those who are lost so that they can find their way. And, they like to bring happiness to everyone". But now, she feels like she understands the reason why.
Levi stops on his track and points to the store in front of him. "Okaa-san! There's the store!" he says to his mother excitedly. "I'm going to go there first okay?" he adds as he runs towards it.
His mother looks to where he heads and was surprised to see a jewelry shop saying, "Oh my, is he going to buy a wedding ring?" then follows him to the store.
When she gets inside, she sees her son scrutinizing every glass case he goes through. As a woman, though she is not really fond of them, seeing many jewelry amazes her and makes her want to buy at least one, at the moment. She has a few that she bought or her husband bought though, which of course she keeps for special occasions.
Levi continues his search, without caring about the attendants who tries to assist him by asking him what he's searching for looks like. He keeps on replying that he does not need their help and will look for it himself. His mother who stands nearby, tells the attendants to just let him be and that he will not stop until he finds it nor asks for help unless he really needs it. The attendants then bows at her politely with an unsure smile.
After a while, Levi who is somewhere deep inside the store, starts shouting excitedly while he runs cautiously towards his mother.
"Okaa-san! Okaa-san! I found it! I found it!" he says then quickly drags her deep inside the store. "Come on!" he adds.
As soon as they get there, he tells one of the attendants to take it out for him so he can take a good look at it. The attendant, still unsure whether to take it out for the child or not, looks at his mother and earns a nod for an answer and shows it to the child.
Levi's eyes widen seeing the necklace he was searching. He really liked it when he saw it in the magazine, where Petra instantly appeared in his mind, however looking at it in person makes him excited to give it to her. He adores Petra greatly, since she always makes him happy and cheers him up whenever Hanji and his mother tease him about her, which is why the necklace fits her perfectly.
He smiles as he stares at the necklace. It is a silver and dark blue winged necklace with silver chain. "Okaa-san, I want to give this to Petra-chan", he says.
"Don't you think this is a bit expensive for a gift?" his mother replies. She admits the necklace is really beautiful, however, with just one look anyone would know that it is quite expensive.
Levi looks at his mother with determination in his eyes, "I'll pay you then. I mean once I have a job, when I'm a bit old", he pouts, then looks back at the necklace. His eyes, sparkling a while ago, now become dark and empty. "Petra-chan is going leave soon. So… I want to give her something pretty. Remember when I asked you about if angels glow, and you said they do and that their goal is to make everyone happy? I asked because I saw this in the magazine, then I remember Petra-chan and angels. Petra-chan always makes me happy. And when she smiles, it's like she's glowing. And so", he blushes a little, "she's like an angel. That's why I want to give this to her".
His mother quickly saw the changes in his expression, and can already foreshadow how Petra's moving could affect him and change him back to his timid self. She was about to reply but he speaks, "And! This is my last gift to her! It should be special, you know!"
"I want to give it to her, so she won't forget me", he added.
'I feel like this is my fault for making them too close with each other', Eleanor thought. She sighs, realizing she has no choice and understanding that Petra is a special person for her son, she agrees to buy it. Then again, she is also grateful to Petra because she is the reason why Levi became a bit social.
Petra's party is held at Levi's family restaurant. The party is only a simple gathering that her mother and Levi's mother planned seeing that this will be Petra's last birthday in this place. There are only few people invited: Levi, Eleanor, Levi's dad, and Hanji. The party even seems like its farewell party, since one week after this, Laura and Petra would be moving to Baldwin.
Hanji's gift is the cake she baked, which she claims to be a special cake. Patra loves the cake and politely thanks Hanji for it. Levi's father is the one who cooked the food with the help of Eleanor and Laura.
"Okay, Petra-chan, blow the candles and remember to make a wish", Eleanor said.
Petra nods cheerfully and blows the candle. She puts her hands together as if she is praying and makes a wish.
After that, everyone decides that it's time to eat. The adults ate together except for Hanji who eats with the children. She keeps on talking to the both of them and tells Petra that she will miss her and those pranks that she and Levi did to her, which she believed was initiated by Levi as revenge.
After eating, Hanji forces Levi to give his gift to Petra since she was very curious what it is.
"Okay, okay, I'll give it", Levi says, annoyed at Hanji who kept on guessing what it was. He took it out of his bag and shyly gives it to Petra.
She smiles at him and says, "Thank you, Levi-kun. Um… is it okay if I open it now?"
Levi nods excitedly along with Hanji who says, "Yes! Please open it Petra-chan! I'm very curious what this lover-boy gave you, since I heard it's expensive".
"Why do you keep on calling me that?" Levi says to Hanji, who's already tired of being called different names.
"hmm", Hanji says as she eye the small box that was wrapped by a happy birthday gift wrap. "Is it a ring?" she says then her eyes widens as she realize something. "OH MY GOD! YOU'RE PROPOSING TO HER?! ALREADY?! Well, I know your parents already agreed to it, BUT SERIOUSLY?! THIS IS SO FAST! ITS TOO SUDDEN! AND WHY AM I NOT INFORMED?! WE COULDVE PUT THE RING INSIDE THE CAKE!" She said enthusiastically and continue saying all of her ideas, as if she's a child who just ate lots of candies and chocolates.
Levi's mother goes to Hanji and tries to calm her down, which she does not really know how. She sighs and says, "Um… well, just open it Petra-chan. I'm sure you'll like it. Not to mention, Levi-chan put in lots of thought in it and bought it himself".
"HE BOUGHT IT HIMSELF?!" Hanji shouts, which Levi's mom still tries to calm down and tells the kids not to mind her.
Levi was very much used to it, since he always see Hanji and moves his head left and right then turns his attention back to Petra who watches the scene with interest. "Just open it, Petra-chan. Just imagine Hanji isn't here".
"hmm… that's mean, Levi-kun", Petra says, "But okay, I'll open it now".
Petra unwraps the present then opens the box, having the same expression as Levi when he saw the necklace in person. "Wow!" she says, amazed at the necklace. "This is so pretty, Levi-kun!"
"Oh my," Petra's mother said, then looks at Eleanor who just shrugs her shoulder and points at Levi, who is smiling at Petra. Laura then nods her head, saying "oh, I see", without voice. Eleanor then waves at her, and whispers, "Don't worry about it. Levi-chan wanted Petra-chan to remember him with the necklace".
"A NECKLACE?!" Hanji says as Petra holds and stares at it, "Wait a sec-". She examines it and suddenly busts again, "OH! I KNOW THIS! THIS IS THE WINGS OF FREEDOM!"
"Wings of Freedom?" Petra and Levi says together looking at Hanji, the parents looking at her as well.
Hanji nods and clears her throat now looking a bit clam. She arranges her glasses and says, "Yes, Wings of Freedom. This necklace was designed after the Legend of Titan's, who was said to rule our world in the past. This was said to be the symbol of freedom, as what it's called, and was worn by the soldiers who fights the titans head on. Like what the legend says, those soldiers are the one that would free mankind from their cage, which was seen as the Hope of Mankind".
"Tch, I already know that", Levi says, making Hanji ruffle his hair as she says, "Of course you do, you smart boy".
"Any way", Hanji says, "As far as I know, there are two wings and not one. This is just the white part of the symbol. There's supposed to be a black wing too, or a dark blue one, that goes with it".
"Wow!Really?!" Petra says, then looks at Levi who poked her.
Levi takes out the necklace he wears, which he reveals to be the wing that Hanji described. "I saw it in the magazine, and it says that it can be separated".
Petra touches the dark blue wing says, "This one's pretty too!"
"I see, so that's what you did, huh", Hanji says then smiles widely, full of energy again, "Do you know what this means?! IT'S A COUPLE NECKLACE! You are such a lover-boy, aren't you? Already claiming Petra-chan."
Levi pouts again and crosses his arms on his chest as Petra smiles at him. "Don't worry, Petra-chan loves Levi-kun too", she says and holds Levi's hand making Levi blush and turn his head to the side, while everyone starts laughing and teasing Levi.
….
After 1 week.
Levi and Eleanor stands as they watch Petra and Laura step outside the house that will soon become a memory. Eleanor could feel the sadness building up from everyone. She could feel Levi's low spirit, Laura's nostalgic face, and Petra's glow, diminishing. She too is upset, for she will miss her best friend, as well as Petra, who she treats like her own daughter. She is thinking of cheering them up, however, because of the melancholy in the atmosphere, she too starts to feel sad.
"This reminds me of that day", Laura says, remembering the day she went back to her hometown, where she met her husband. "Come to think of it, that's where I'll go again, only this time, with my daughter".
Eleanor smiles at Laura, and then hugs her tightly. She looks at Petra, holding Laura's hand looking uncomfortable, and gives her a hug as well. And then she turns to her son who finds the floor interesting. She sighs, then tells him to say goodbye to Petra properly, though she understand how he feels. But she knows, that he might regret it if he does not say goodbye to her.
"G-goodbye, Petra-chan", he says, eyes looking away with tears already in the brink of falling and hands tightly gripping his jacket.
Petra, whose unhappiness is written on her face, suddenly lightens after hearing Levi speak. "Levi-kun", she says softly then wraps her arms around him, "Petra-chan will miss you so much".
As soon as Petra hugged him and said "miss", Levi's tears instantly fell that he returned her hug and hid his face on her shoulder. "Levi-kun, will miss Petra-chan so much as well", he says as he cries.
Petra's tear start falling as well and hug him tightly, then whispers, "Petra-chan's birthday wish is to see Levi-kun again". Then she kisses him on his cheeks, only it did not land on his cheek, but on his mouth, taking them both by surprise that they separate. Petra then gives him one last bright smile and wipes his tears saying, "Don't worry Levi-kun, we'll see each other again, soon. So, smile now, okay?" she sniffs then runs behind her mother and says, "Bye bye, Levi-kun". Then she runs and goes inside the car.
Levi feels so much sadness that he cannot stop his tears from falling no matter how much he tries to rub his eyes. She feels Petra's mother kiss his forehead and says goodbye to him, then feels his mother embrace him.
"Mama", Petra calls, while she hugs Ms. Rose and stares at the sliver wing necklace Levi gave her, "I'll see Levi-kun again, right?"
Her mother sniffs and answers, "Of course, Petra-chan. You'll see him again for sure. Time is very peculiar; you'll never know what to expect that's why everything is always unexpected. But don't worry, everything has its own reasons, so you just have to wait patiently and have hope. And that hope and patience, will eventually turn into something beautiful".
Petra looks at her mother, confused at what she said, but nods and hugs her bear tightly while she stares again at her necklace.
He and his mother watch as the car, Petra and her mom were in, move farther and farther away. Levi still continues to cry as his mother feels her heart breaking remembering what occurred moments ago. She too cried like Levi because she will not see her best friend who was like a sister to her, and also because she has witnessed something so pure and sweet.
She looks at Levi, who takes out the dark blue wing necklace and stares at it. "Don't worry Levi-chan, you'll see her again someday", she says, comforting her son.
He sniffs, and then nods, "I will wait, Okaa-san. Then when I see her again, I will marry her, like you said"
*Baldwin, Khaeles, Cae – Since the world of Shingeki no Kyojin is different from ours; I made the country's name different from our world. Although, there will be a lot of similarities, since it's going to be hard if I invented everything. -.- And since I like Kpop, Jpop, Kdrama and anime(Korean Music and Korean drama) the country they live in will be like Korea, a little, and somewhat like Japan. :D. Well you'll read why in the future chapters. ;)
It actually made me cry while I was writing it. :(
But don't worry its not yet done. ^_^ Though, there might be some time skip happening.
As usual, I shall try to update as fast as I can ^_^
For now... um... well.. please review? ^_^
~aLeX :3