Attack on Titan © Isayama Hajime
At fifteen
Historia wished life to be simple. Then, God decided that she needed more challenge, likely on a foreign environment.
God, how can you be so cruel...
Facing rows of new faces in front of her, Historia faked a smile and introduced herself.
"Hello, I'm Historia Reiss. My family moved here from capital city. We are living in the ranch nearby. It's nice to meet you."
"How do you like it here?" the teacher asked pleasantly. "I'm sure it's very different from the city."
"This town is more relaxed and quiet with beautiful mountain and beach. I feel very lucky to be here and can't wait to explore more," she recited her 'textbook' answer.
A snicker was heard across the room, prompting the teacher to react, "Do you mind sharing with the class what you find so funny, Yeager?"
"I don't mean to be rude. But what's so interesting about this place?"
Historia found a dark haired boy with eyes that reminded her of storm, chin propped up on one hand, at the end of the room.
Her first impression was that she wouldn't get along very well with him.
...
There were days she loathed to stay at home. She was a ghost, lingering corner, waiting for her mother to take notice. When it never happened, she went places.
"I want to be someone else," she told Erwin Smith. "If I were older and my circumstances were different..."
She stopped mid-sentence, her eyes grew heavy lidded, rearranging her face into sad expression.
He reached over to wipe her tears and she felt silly. This body of hers, felt too small, for a wish that was too big.
...
Eren Yeager wasn't a troublemaker by nature, but his hotheaded attitude always landed him in trouble. He spent most of them in detention, she recalled. Even then, it couldn't keep him at bay.
As new student, Historia had intended to keep her head low. She was avoiding him like a plague, but her peace wouldn't last for so long.
It started with Home Economy.
"If I'm not wrong, don't you always have an apple for lunch?"
Historia wondered why Eren, out of all people, notice that.
"Your man is a married man! Seriously, what's wrong with you!"
And he wouldn't leave her alone, even after he had learned the ugly truth.
Why did you care so much, Eren? Do you like me?
That line was repeating like a loop inside Historia's mind, saying it was another thing.
Weathered girl
Historia counted to a hundred and reached his door bell. Pressing it lightly—being mindful to his neighbors since it was still early—she waited for a whole minute before trying again.
The bell rang and rang, but there was nobody answered. After a moment, she stopped, calming herself, and tried again. Her heart thumped wildly. Something definitely was off...
On her fiftieth attempt, Historia's hand had covered her mouth, stifling the sobs that began to come.
"Historia, right?"
She had thought it was his preachy neighbour—a good girl shouldn't come and go as she pleases, that man used to say. Well, she was sick of being one.
Holding her tears, she turned around to find a bespectacled man.
Who?
"I'm Eren's brother, Zeke. Do you have a moment to join me?"
...
"Eren almost rejected the offer, he was keen on staying here. I'm so relieved when he finally came to his senses.
It was very sudden though, no time to say proper good bye, won't even attend his graduation ceremony either. But we all agree that he needs to move up somehow. It's all for the best."
Eren had dissappeared without telling her anything.
The cheek of him to make her sitting there while receiving pity stare from his brother—
Historia was on her knees, feeling sick with tears that kept spilling no matter how many times she had wiped them away.
Heavy rain
"Out of all places, you pick this one," Erwin hummed appreciatively. "Are you feeling nostalgic?"
They were sitting face to face in what appeared to be Marie Antoinette's living room. Big mirror and tall windows brightened the room so much it would be hard to hide anything.
"So you still remember." Historia had a tiny smile. "You took me here on our first date. I wonder if they still have that terrible drink you ordered that time..."
Picking up the air of distress around her, he suddenly said, "I can take a guess why you pick this place."
Sitting ramrod straight, Historia watched him idly stirring his coffee with a wistful expression she knew only too well. For years he wore that expression whenever she was too busy brooding to realize what matter. Erwin had always known her better than herself, so maybe this time too, he could set her right...
"Boy's trouble?"
Her tiny smile had completely disappeared. Shoulders hunched up in defense but she was getting unraveled. She couldn't meet his eyes anymore.
"I... have to return these." Presenting the blue box in front of her, she bowed down apologetically. "I'm sorry..."
Historia heard the chair moving and steps. A moment later, she felt Erwin's presence. His gentle fingers tilted her chin up.
Between tears, everything was blurry, but she knew that he was kneeling beside her, waiting with unassuming patience.
"Did you ever ask for the ring?"
Historia slowly shook her head.
"Then you don't need to feel sorry for me."
She was at loss of words, knowing that she didn't deserve it. Without a word, Erwin pulled her into an embrace, his own way to say, that after all had been said and done, they could still be friends.