Hello, I'm back with another update! I will try to update sooner since you guys apparently seem to really like this story. Thanks so much for your continued support!

This chapter contains much more violence than there has previously been (this is finally the chapter that contains more action! :D)

And we finally have a longer chapter! I think this chapter might actually be the longest chapter so far.

I apologize in advance for any grammatical errors I may have made. I'm not perfect!

And as always, I hope you enjoy!

Eren's POV

As I walked to the boy's locker room I kept thinking back to what happened in Biology. Was it possible that I imagined it all? I mean, why would Levi talk to me in the first place, much less make an attempt to help me?

I'm just a freak.

I opened the heavy door slowly and stepped inside. The smell of Axe body spray and sweat lingered in the air, making me cough. I absolutely hated this part of my day almost as much as I hated going home after school.

Gym class is like another version of hell. Constantly running, pushing my already weak body further and further until it feels like I'm going to collapse, being judged and made a mockery of- it all sucks. But changing is the worst part of it all. Because that's when I have to try and hide things more than ever.

Over the years I've accrued more scars, bruises, and scratches than most people will have in a lifetime. I've lost count of how many I have and of how I got them in the first place. Whether they were caused by my dad's fist, a broken beer bottle, or from a cigarette burn, it doesn't matter much. They're all equally ugly and are a constant reminder of my screwed up life.

The toughest part has always been concealing them from the public eye. I don't need another reason for people to laugh at me, and who knows how it would end up if people found out the truth.

Normally I wear a hoodie over top of my shirt, but I can't exactly do that in gym. So instead I opt to wear a long sleeved t-shirt and running pants while everyone else is in short sleeves and shorts. Sure, it's alienating, but it could be worse.

It's always a struggle when getting changed before and after gym. The locker rooms are always packed. There are always people everywhere I turn, always a scrutinizing eye to see the slightest hint of a scar on my back. I aim for changing in bathroom stalls when given the chance, but that's risky for other reasons. Sometimes I'm late for gym or late for my other classes when waiting to change. Nothing I do ever turns out right.

Today I was hoping things would be different. I was already having a pretty crappy day, so there wasn't much more that could possibly happen to make it worse, right? Surely there had to be a limit on how awful a person's day could be.

When I rounded the corner on my way to the stalls, I saw that apparently my theory was correct. Both stalls were open, as if any existing god had finally answered my prayers and were showing the tiniest mercy possible.

I saw Jean whispering something to Connie and Reiner, but as soon as I approached them the whispering cut off abruptly and all eyes turned to stare at me. Connie and Reiner got up in unison and walked over to both of the bathroom stalls as if they were guarding them. They both stood with their arms crossed, sending menacing glares towards me.

I walked up to the first stall which was blocked Reiner. I tried to squeeze past him but he pushed me back, causing me to topple onto the floor.

"Hey, what the hell man?" I cried out in outrage. Guess my theory was incorrect after all. It seemed too good to be true anyway.

"As of today you're not allowed to change in the stalls," Jean declared proudly as he smirked down at me. I wanted to knock him off of his high horse, but I know I would never do that. Someone needs to though, he thinks he's the king of the school.

"Says who?"

"Says me, and everyone else who thinks it's fucking ridiculous. How about you grow up, Jaeger?"

I jumped up so that I was standing face to face with him. "How about you stop thinking you're fucking royalty? Your act is pretty ridiculous if you ask me. I don't just have to submit to your will, and neither does anyone else."

Jean's face turned red and he growled. I must have gotten under his skin for once. He leaned forward to grab a fistful of my shirt, pulling me up with it. "As if you have the right to tell me that. You're nothing more than a pathetic weirdo." He brought back his arm as if to punch me, and I instinctively turned my head, preparing myself for the blow.

But instead of feeling a punch to my jawline I heard the door to the locker room open. I cracked open an eyelid to see who it was. It was Coach Pixis.

"Alright boys, stop playing around! You should have had enough time to change by now. It's time to head on out." He blew his whistle and everyone filed out except for me and Jean. "Jaeger, how come you haven't changed yet, and why are you holding him up like that Kirchstein?"

"O-oh, I was just helping him up. He fell," Jean lied straight through his teeth. As if he would ever help me.

Coach Pixis sighed and rubbed at his temples. "Whatever, it doesn't really matter anyhow. Just come on."

Jean nodded and ran outside to join the others.

"Jaeger, I expect you to be dressed in two minutes, no exceptions. You understand me?"

"Yes sir," I mumbled quietly, staring at the cracks in the floor. Now the coach was mad at me. Knowing him he would probably make me run twenty laps for pissing him off.

He left after that and it was silent in the locker room. It was an odd feeling. Normally there were shouts echoing across the room or laughter reverberating off the walls. But now it was a still and utter silence that seemed to weigh down on my shoulders.

As I got up to get changed, I heard the slightest shuffling of clothes. It seemed to be coming around the corner at my right. I slowly crept towards the sound and peered around the corner. Whoever it was had their back turned to me. I kept walking towards the person, wondering if they would ever notice I was even there.

When I was standing directly behind them I could see that their earbuds were in, so they probably had no clue that I was peering over their shoulder, and they probably had no idea that Coach Pixis had called for us minutes ago.

I reached out a trembling finger and tapped their shoulder twice. They whipped their head around so fast that I jumped back in surprise and nearly fell over.

It was Levi, and he was pissed.

"What? What do you want?" He asked angrily. I must have surprised him, too. I thought it was impossible to frighten him.

I could feel my face heating up. "I-I um, I just wondered who else was in here, that's all," I stammered. I couldn't think of anything better to say. "I-I didn't even know you were in this class, to be honest." It was true. I had never seen him in here until now.

"Tch. I've always been stuck in this hellhole, I just don't feel like running around looking like an idiot like the rest of you do." He leaned his back against the wall and brought his knees up to his chest.

"Oh. Well I guess that makes sense."

"Yeah, no joke." He picked up his phone and put his earbuds back in, completely ignoring me once more. I didn't know what to do then. I knew I needed to leave soon or Coach Pixis would kill me, but at the same time I wanted to stay here and somehow keep talking to him. "Are you just going to stand there and stare at me?" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. He was staring at me with a raised eyebrow.

"No, sorry if I made you uncomfortable." I bit my lip and dashed into one of the stalls to get changed. I put on my gym clothes while my thoughts raged on within me. Did he think I was some freak now like everyone else?

"Hey kid! Wait!" I heard him yelling at me, but I stayed silent. I opened the door as quietly as I could and slipped outside. I knew more trouble was coming. Coach Pixis glared at me as soon as I stepped out of the locker room.

There was no god showing me mercy; if anything, the god was putting me through hell for their own enjoyment. But then again, isn't that what everyone always does?

I thought I was on the verge of death by the time I returned to the locker room. Coach Pixis was adamant on making sure I ran the remainder of the class period, which was an excruciating hour that I'll never forget. My chest felt like it was constricting inward on itself every time I took a breath and my legs felt stiff.

I staggered towards the nearest bathroom stall but was cut off by Jean. "Not so fast, Jaeger."

"Please Jean, just move."

"And why should I?"

"Because you don't want me to die right here in front of you."

He erupted into a mad fit of laughter. "But I've been waiting for that for years! Why would I want to miss a front row view?"

I was too exhausted to keep arguing with him, so I pushed past him and opened the stall door.

"Hold it!" He gripped the back of my shirt and pulled me back. "Don't just think you can do whatever the hell you want!"

My anger was starting to build up within me and I could feel it slowly start to rise to the surface, increasing my strength and energy. "And why the hell can't I? You're not my dad, you can't tell me what to do!" I kicked at his chest, landing a good solid blow to the ribcage. He cursed under his breath and let me go, causing me to hit my head on the cement floor.

I was still dazed when I felt him punch me in the jaw. And then the nose. I could smell blood. It was disgusting. I've always hated the smell, but you would think I'd be used to it by now. I guess some things never change.

My fist made contact with Jean's nose and I could hear a sickening crack, and then the sound of him groaning in pain. I took this small moment of vulnerability to yank a fistful of his hair just before kicking him in the chest once more.

I could hear multiple footsteps rushing at once, probably to watch the fight. People were yelling; it sounded like Connie and Reiner. I felt hands pulling me away from Jean. It was Connie. He had an iron-like grip on my shoulders. I never knew he was that strong. I tried to squirm my way out of his grasp but it was no use. He wasn't letting me go anytime soon.

It was then that I understood why. Reiner was now standing in front of me, and he was preparing to use me as his own personal punching bag. But why? What had I ever done to him- to anyone?

His fist collided with my jaw, causing a new waterfall of blood to come cascading down my face. "Stop, let me go!" I shrieked, trying desperately to break free. Another punch landed right underneath my right eye. That would definitely leave a mark.

"Shut up, you big baby!" I heard Connie yell.

I reached up to try and pry his fingers from my shoulders but once he saw this he grabbed both of my arms and twisted them behind my back. I fell on my knees. I knew I couldn't take much more.

Just then I heard another voice ring out above the others. It seemed vastly familiar, but my brain was too tired to recognize it.

"Oi! He said let him go, you fucking brat."

I heard the sound of skin making contact with bone behind me. I caught a glimpse of raven colored hair and knew instantly who it had to be. It had to be Levi. There was no other explanation. There was no other guy I knew who would take them on.

My vision started to falter; black spots were beginning to bloom randomly. I missed most of what happened after that, but I can very faintly remember the sound of screaming and then the sound of people running. After that it grew silent until I heard someone walk up to me and then kneel beside me.

I heard a sigh. "Jesus fuck, what am I going to do with you Jaeger?"

I felt strong arms wrap around me and I was then lifted up. That's as far as my memory stretches, because my tired body finally decided to give in to the darkness calling my name.

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