Levi went back to staring at his phone after that girl's outburst. He could feel slight remorse for having said those things to her, but he truly was in no mood to deal with an over-emotional bitch. His day had been absolute shit and it had only worsened throughout the day. The only good moments had been in his teaching assistant period where he had one of his favorite teachers, Fangman. The woman was the devil in a sundress and heels but with English being his best subject, Levi was always on her good side. There was that, and they both had a twisted, demented sense of humor. Her class was the only one he had to look forward to.
Of course, even that bit of sanctuary had to be ruined by that damn girl because he could feel her eyes burning holes into him when he wasn't looking. Of all the places she could be, it just had to be in the only class he could tolerate!
Levi's previous irritation quickly outweighed his regret earlier. That girl deserved it honestly. She needed to leave him the fuck alone, especially when he was already annoyed.
Yes, Levi was still very much aggravated that Eren hadn't shown up at school that day. He'd waited for years to see him and on the day they were supposed to get back together, that damn brat sleeps in and misses it. There was tomorrow obviously but Levi was not a patient man and just knowing that under different circumstances he could be cuddling with Eren and catching up on their lives right at that moment, but the universe just had to laugh in his face didn't it?
The boy was jolted out of his thoughts by a loud honk from an SVU sitting at the edge of the parking lot. In the driver's seat was a bouncing and bright-eyed Hanji, next to her was a tired-looking Erwin, and sitting in the back were Isabel and Farlan, who looked like they were arguing about something.
With a sigh, Levi marched over to the vehicle and slide into the backseat next to Farlan. He and Isabel didn't seem to notice because they continued their heated debate over how many clubs they were going to join, or rather, how many Isabel was going to drag the exasperated blonde to. In the front seat, Hanji was chattering about their classes as they drove out of the parking lot quite erratically. Erwin tried to keep up with them but immediately gave up on that and focused his attention on Levi.
"Did you're day get any better?" he asked already knowing the answer based on Levi's expression.
The other three shut their traps when Erwin asked this, and they focused their attention on Levi. The raven-haired boy sighed and rubbed his aching head. He was definitely taking some serious painkillers when he got home.
"No, Eyebrows, it did not get any better. Turns out, I have my assistant period with that brown-haired girl that wouldn't stop staring at lunch. And guess what she did during the entire class? She fucking stared at me. Through the entire. Fucking. Class!"
"Man, you sound like you're about ready to commit murder," Isabel said, snorting in amusement. "What are ya gonna do when she keeps bothering at you?"
"Yeah, short-stack, you can't ignore her forever," Hanji added in a cheery singsong voice.
"Oh, I don't think I have to worry about her anymore. I took care of it," he replied, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes in an attempt to relax a bit. That plan was immediately thrown out the window when Hanji suddenly screeched out.
"You didn't kill her, did you?!"
Levi groaned and kneaded his forehead. This freak of a friend was going to be the end of him.
"No, shit for brains, I didn't kill her. I just had a chat with her about her staring habits. I probably could have been a bit nicer about it, but I honestly couldn't give enough fucks," Levi growled.
"Since when are you nice about anything, Big Bro," teased Isabel, reaching over Farlan to nudge her brother. Levi rolled his eyes at that. He could be nice if he wanted to; key word being "wanted".
"I hope you weren't too harsh with her, Levi. It wasn't like she was doing anything but making you a bit uncomfortable," said Erwin.
"Well, too late now, I guess," Levi muttered vaguely.
"Why? What did you say to her?" Hanji quickly asked, worry suddenly softening her energetic eyes.
"She came up to me after school and apologized for running into me this morning, which I accepted, but then she started making small talk and there was no way in hell I was going to stand there and listen to her babble on about nonsense while I wait for you so I just told her I wasn't interested and she should just get lost," Levi retorted, recalling the look on that girl's face after he said it. That look was enough to make him regret everything he said and he had been close to apologizing when she blew up and stormed off. Afterward, he didn't regret a single word.
"Levi! Was that really necessary? She was just being nice and you acted like an ass to her!" Four-eyes scolded, far too intense for their usually carefree self.
"Why do you even care? You know her or something?" Levi asked indifferently.
"Yes, I do, and she's a very sweet girl! You should say you're sorry tomorrow," Hanji huffed, her driving was becoming more erratic than usual in her anger.
"I'm not apologizing to the brat, she fucking started it!"
"And apparently you finished it, Levi. I don't really know this girl as well as Hanji seems to, but even I think you were too cruel on her. If she was just being polite was it really necessary to go off on her?" Erwin lectured. He may not be Commander anymore, but Levi still held his advice to high regard. Erwin knew he'd listen to him.
"Fine, I'll talk to her tomorrow and clear everything up, alright?" sighed Levi.
"Hey guys, I got a question," Isabel butted into the awkward silence. "Does anyone actually know this girl's name?"
"I do, obviously," said Four-Eyes smugly.
"Mind telling me, so I know who I'm apologizing to?"
"Nnnnnnope!" They replied giggly. "I want you to figure out her name. And if you three find it out first, keep your mouths shut!"
Hanji glared at Erwin, Isabel, and Farlan, trying to get the point across that they were very serious. The three nodded and agreed, because sometimes Hanji could be just as scary as Levi.
"Good, now who wants to listen to music!" the mad creature cheered, flipping through the radio. Levi groaned and Isabel and Farlan snickered at their brother's reaction. He always hated listening to Hanji's music because it was usually too upbeat and screechy for his taste. It also didn't help that most of it was in a different language.
When Hanji finally dropped the three off at their adopted parent's house, Levi was practically about to jump into the front seat and strangle the pony-tailed freak. He really needed to find a better ride home.
"Don't worry, Big Bro, tomorrow will be a better day!" Isabel said, throwing her arm around his neck as they walked up the front path.
"And don't forget, Eren will probably at school tomorrow as well," Farlan added, patting Levi's shoulder.
Levi's face lit up at that. Yes, tomorrow would be a better day. For now, he could let this day go and forget about that annoying girl.
When Mikasa finally pulled up to the Jaeger house to drop Eren off, the brunette had finished her recounting of that terrible scene outside the school. Her friends had waited and listened intently despite Eren's inability to talk through a stream of tears. Mikasa had absolutely lost it when Eren relayed what Levi had said. Words couldn't even describe how furious she was but she held it in for Eren's sake. Armin had simply sat and held her hand, giving her words of encouragement when she struggled. They sat in front of Eren's house while she got herself together.
"Thanks for listening, guys," she rasped, her voice rough from all the sobbing.
"Of course, we're your friends, after all," Armin said, squeezing her hand. "And hey, there's always tomorrow right?
"I-I don't know, Armin. If he doesn't want to be with me, I don't think anything will change his mind, even if he finds out my name," the brunette replied, shakily grabbing her bag.
"I think that's a good idea, Eren," Mikasa agreed, nodding. "He doesn't deserve to speak to you like that and he doesn't deserve you."
"But you're just going to give up?" Armin said, frowning. "That's not really like you."
"Weren't you listening?! He said he's already with someone! There's no point in going after him if it hurts someone else," she whimpered, slamming her fist into her bag. Even when she was crying, her temper always made itself known. "Why couldn't I have met him sooner?!"
Armin and Mikasa exchanged looks. They hated seeing their best friend this way, but it really was hopeless if the man of her dreams belonged to someone else.
"Well, you could still tell him your name. Even if you two can't be together you can at least be friends, right?" offered Armin. When it came to emotional problems his best response was a logical one, but when Eren's face screwed up in anguish he knew he'd messed up.
"I can't be friends with him! I'd have to see him every day with whoever he's with and watch him be happy, while I'm completely miserable!" Eren cried out, burying her face in her bag. Mikasa sent Armin a glare, who shrugged sheepishly.
"Listen, Eren, you don't need him. He's nothing but a short asshole who has no respect for you. He isn't worth crying over and you can do so much better," Mikasa announced, harshly.
Eren lifted her head and glared at her close friend. "Of course you'd disapprove. You've always hated him!"
"I hated him because I knew he'd do something like this someday! He doesn't treat you right, Eren, and now you're seeing his real side for a change," the ravenette defended, stiffly.
That was the last straw for Eren. She didn't have to sit there and listen to her friend talk crap on the boy she loved, so without even a goodbye, Eren angrily shuffled out of the car and slammed the door as hard as she could before stomping up the walkway. She ignored the shouts from the car window and quickly unlocked the front door to her house and closing it without looking at the car still idle on the curb. She knew she was going to get a tidal wave of texts later, but for the moment she just wanted to break down in peace.
That evening when Eren heard the door open and close and the sound of footsteps on the stairs, she buried her tear-streaked back into her pillow. She had destroyed her make-up hours ago and most of it was smeared across the sheets and pillowcase. Her mother would give her hell for that later, but at the moment Eren couldn't bring herself to care. Her eyes had run dry from all the crying, her face was caked with smeared make-up, and her hair had fallen from its braid and formed a bird's nest around her head. She felt completely disgusting and she laughed humorlessly at the thought of Levi seeing her this way.
The door to her room creaked up and her mother stepped inside, frowning at her daughter lying in bed, still in her clothes from school and her backpack haphazardly thrown to the side of the room. Carla had expected to come home to her daughter already in her pjs, and watching TV in the living room. Her motherly instincts immediately kicked in and she calmly sat on the edge of the bed.
"Are you okay, honey?" she asked, rubbing circles in Eren's back. Eren mumbled into her bed and her mother frowned. "What was that? I couldn't hear you."
Eren lifted her disgruntled face and said, "No, I'm n-not okay." She slammed her head back onto her pillow, her cheeks red with tears and embarrassment.
Carla's frown deepened. "First day not go all that well?"
"That's an understatement," Eren whimpered. She sat up and wiped away her tears.
"Oh, Eren, your face is a mess!" exclaimed Carla, reaching over for a tissue and wiping at Eren's make-up smudged face.
"Mom! Stop it, I can clean myself up!" Eren protested, batting her hand away. Her mother sighed and finally stopped her attack with the tissue.
"Alright, alright, I'm done," Carla admitted in defeat. She studied her daughters face and continued, "Now, why were you crying and getting mascara all over your bed sheets?"
"I, um, I met someone at school today…" Eren replied vaguely. She didn't know if she wanted to tell her mother the whole story. It had been hard enough telling her friends.
"Okay, and…? Did they say something bad to you?" Carla suddenly gasped and gripped Eren's shoulders. "You aren't being bullied are you?!"
"Wha-? No! It's not like that. I mean, yeah, he said some mean things to me, but he's always been kind of an asshole-."
"Eren! Language!" her mother scolded.
"Sorry, Mom," Eren mumbled. "Anyway, he's never been the nicest person, so I expected that much from him, but I never thought he'd…"
Eren paused to grab another tissue. Once her crying fit calmed down, she tried again.
"You know how I used to talk about Levi?" she said, looking down at her lap.
Carla chuckled at that. "Used to? I recall you raving just last night about how you hope he's at school today and whatnot. Did you not get to see him?"
"No. No, I meet him, and he looks…exactly the same as I remember. It was like…like falling in love all over again," Eren said, a small smile forming on her face.
"Well, I don't see what's wrong then, sweetie," Carla said, confusedly.
Eren sighed and her face fell again. "I remembered everything about him, but he…he didn't even recognize me! He had no idea who I was b-because I'm a girl now! Why did I have to be born this way?!"
"Eren, there is nothing wrong with being born a girl. If he can't accept you for how you are now, then clearly, he doesn't deserve to be with you," her mother said, rubbing her back again.
"That's kinda what Mikasa said," Eren mumbled miserably.
Carla sighed and lifted her daughters to head where soothing gold met vibrant green. "You should never have to change yourself for a boy, understand?"
The teen sniffled and nodded.
"Good. Now, did you actually talk to him? Did you tell him who you were?"
Eren shook her head. "I never got the chance to. When I went to tell him after school, he y-yelled at me and I just got so angry and frustrated that I stormed off. Guess my temper's still getting the way of everything…"
Carla smiled in amusement. Yes, Eren's temper was definitely one thing that hadn't changed. "If he doesn't know who you are then why do you think he won't love you anymore? I'm sure he isn't expecting to see you as a girl so it might have never crossed his mind that you might be different now. Why don't you try having a civil conversation with him?"
"That's what I tried to do! And he just yelled at me like I was a nuisance," Eren sniffled hopelessly. "Why'd I have to fall in love with a jerk?"
Her mother sighed and hugged Eren comfortingly. "I'm sure there's something in him you're attracted too, but I will admit, from what I've heard I have my reservations about him…"
"He really isn't that bad honestly, just when he loses his patience," Eren replied, wiping the last of her tears away. She chuckled suddenly and added, "Guess he's more like me than I thought."
Carla smiled and laughed with her daughter. "So are you going to try again?"
"Yeah, I mean, I definitely can't give up yet, not until he knows my name. If he still doesn't want to be with me then…I'll just cross that bridge when I get there," Eren admitted, clenching her fist at the prospect of having to go through that rejection again.
"Just remember to tell me how it goes, okay? I need to know if I'll need to call his parent's and talk to them," Carla replied in a motherly voice.
"Oh Mom, please, please, don't embarrass me like that! It'll be bad enough if he rejects me, but I don't need you to make it worse," groaned Eren.
Carla laughed and stood up. "Oh, I'm only joking, Eren! You wouldn't think I'd get that involved would you?"
"I wouldn't put it past you," her daughter grumbled, crossing her arms. Her mother laughed again and left the room, saying over her shoulder that dinner would be ready in an hour.
Eren muttered to herself more as she went to the bathroom to clean herself up. She really was a horrid mess. The girl sighed and started scrubbing at her puffy face.
She sincerely hoped tomorrow would be better.
The next day Eren waited outside the cafeteria on the last minutes of breakfast. She didn't have a very clear plan but she knew she wasn't going head on like she did yesterday. Instead, she was going at a less direct approach and asking one of Levi's friends about it. More specifically a certain glasses-wearing ex-scientist, who would hopefully be helpful.
The bell rang out overhead and the doors blasted open to allow the stream of students to sullenly make their way to class. Eren stood on her tip-toes in search of a bouncing brunette ponytail but when she looked back into the cafeteria she saw her target still standing at their table, talking with Levi and waiting for the flood to die down. It looks like she was going to have to wait.
"Looking for someone?"
Eren jumped at the voice and spun around to see a short, strawberry-blonde girl smiling at her, though she noticed the smile didn't reach her hard brown eyes.
"Petra! Oh my god, it's so nice to see you again!" Eren said, excitedly. She hugged the shorter girl, who was frozen in surprise, and when she pulled back she saw how shocked Petra was. Guess Levi wasn't the only one who didn't recognize her.
"It's me, Eren! Eren Jaeger, remember?" she exclaimed, eyes sparkling. Petra had been one of the few people kind to her back when she first discovered her titan abilities and joined Levi's squad. Eren would always be grateful to her for that, even if they had a few rough patches in their friendship.
"E-Eren?" Petra whispered, astonished and slightly suspicious. "Y-you're…you're a girl?!"
Eren laughed and nodded. "Yeah, kind of shocking, huh?"
"But how—wha—," stammered Petra, shaking her head to clear it. When she'd finally wrapped her head around the situation she looked and Eren and asked, "Does Levi know?"
The brunette sighed and looked down sadly. "No, not yet. I've been trying to tell him, but he keeps brushing me off and getting angry. I'm sure my staring didn't really help but it's kinda hard not to when you found your soul mate after so long."
She blushed at how cliché that last part sounded, getting far into what she was saying, though she meant every word of it.
"I was hoping to talk to him later today, but right now I was actually looking for Hanji," said Eren, turning back to the cafeteria only to find it empty. "Shoot, guess I missed them."
She turned back to Petra, who continued to smile sweetly. "I should probably get to class then. I'll have to talk to them later on. But anyway, I hope we can be friends again, like before! Oh and would you mind not telling Levi about me? I wanna tell him myself."
"Yeah me too! It's really good to see you again," Petra replied brightly. "And don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
Eren sighed in relief and hugged her old friend. "I wish talking to Levi was as easy as talking to you. Then I wouldn't be in this confusing mess."
Petra chuckled, "If Levi was easy to talk to, he wouldn't Levi, now would he?"
"I suppose you're right about that!" Eren agreed whole-heartedly. "I'll see you later okay? Bye!" She added before hurrying off to class before the bell rang.
"Bye!" Petra called back. She remained behind, her smile fading into a frustrated scowl as she stared after her unsuspecting rival. This truly did complicate her plans to seduce Levi into dating her. She was nothing if not persistent, and she was going to make damn sure, Eren Jaeger didn't screw everything up like last time.