/I really hope you guys are enjoying the fic so far. I'm certainly enjoying writing it. The plot's going to start moving along pretty quickly now, and I ask you guys to let me know if you feel it's moving to fast./

Chapter Seven

Armin POV

Armin was surprised at how smoothly the studying session had went after their conversation had ended. Annie really did seem like she wanted to learn, though she was terribly far behind. He knew they would have to study more than once a week, though he figured he'd broach that subject to her next week.

So, he went to school on Thursday pretty satisfied with himself. He was standing at his locker, pulling off his coat when Eren and Mikasa found him.

"Where were you yesterday after school?" Eren asked, leaning against the locker next to Armin's.

"The library." Armin said, as he stuffed his coat in and organized the books he'd need for the first several periods.

"We looked for you there."

"No, YOU looked for him there." Mikasa cut in. "And good morning, Armin."

Armin grinned. "Good morning, Mikasa. And I was at the PUBLIC library." He said, shutting his locker and turning to face his olive skinned friend.

"There's a PUBLIC LIBRARY?" Eren asked teasingly.

"You're hopeless." Mikasa said as Armin laughed. The three of them began to walk down the hall towards their first period classes.

"Why thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"I don't care. I choose to take it as one."

"So, what did you guys do yesterday then?" Armin asked.

"Played video games."

"You mean, attempted to play video games." Mikasa said.

"Armin, it's not the same without you. Mikasa doesn't do it right."

"You mean, I don't let you win."

Armin stopped outside his history classroom. Inside, he could see Connie leaning on Ymir's desk, chattering away. Ymir looked ready to choke him. "I better get in there before Connie ends up dead on the floor."

"Have fun with that."

"Oh, it'll be the best. See you guys." He turned and entered the classroom. "Hi Ymir. Connie."

"Hi, Armin." Connie called.

"Make it stop before I kill it." Ymir said in a growl.

"Connie, did you get the homework done." He asked, shooing the boy back towards his own desk.

"Kind of. I didn't understand the second half."

"Why didn't you call me?"

Connie gave him a sheepish look, though it was Ymir who answered. "Because he was doing it at two in the morning and none of us are really sure if this kind, polite thing of yours is a façade and that you're actually a demon at night."

"It was one in the morning." Connie muttered as their teacher walked in the room. Professor Smith called the class to order and Armin was glad for the quiet. He also rushed from the room as fast as he could after the bell rang, giving Connie no time to stop him to talk more. He really didn't want to be mean, but it was like Connie was forever babbling. So, he hurried off to Chemistry and a peaceful class with Christa.

They were ten minutes into class and well into the lab they were doing when Christa began her quiet interrogation. "So, I saw you at the library yesterday….with Annie Leonhardt."

Armin turned to look at her. "Oh, did you?"

"Yes, I did."

"I didn't see you."

"Well, you guys looked like you were working pretty hard, so I thought I'd leave you two alone."

"Oh, well, that's nice of you."

They grew quiet for several minutes as they continued working. "So what were you guys working on?"

"Math. I think you need to add a little more."

"Oh, that interesting." She said, pouring more liquid into the beaker.

"Yeah." Armin said, taking the beaker from her.

"Are you going to invite her to our study sessions?"

"I'm not sure. She doesn't really want other people to know." He was stirring the mixture.

"Oh, that's understandable. I think you need to stir it some more."

"I think I should work with her some more. I just don't think she really likes our friends."

"Neither did Ymir at first."

"Still doesn't to varying extents."

Christa laughed. "She's not that bad."

"Have you ever seen her alone with Connie?" Armin asked, laughing.

"True. But anyway, you just have to give Annie some time. Maybe one day she will want to join us."

Armin nodded his head. "Yeah. I think I'll wait awhile before even bringing the subject up."

"That sounds like a good plan." She nodded her own head. "So, did you see what Sasha's wearing today?"

"No. What is she wearing?" The conversation trailed off into the trivial everyday adventures of their friend group.