Mikasa decided to go to the local community college in town for physical therapy. Jean is going to Stohess, same as Erwin, saying that it was where he and Marco were going to go and is undecided as to what he wanted to do. Armin stayed in Shiganshina, but commuted to the state college about half hour away. After the whole Eren ordeal, Armin had taken a great interest in vocal chords and decided to study to become a doctor to see if there was a possible way to help mute people.

There is something sweet about Armin caring so much about Eren. I suppose it is to be expected seeing as Armin and Eren have been friends since birth practically. Things affected Armin just as deeply as it did for the rest of us.

Before Jean leaves, he pulls me and Armin aside.

"Just...look out for Mikasa, alright?" he asks and I try to figure out why he doesn't think she can take care of herself.

He sees my look and he continues, "She's strong, really strong, but she spends most of her time worrying about Eren and making sure he's alright that she doesn't ever think about herself. Especially now that she is going to be going to school, it's going to wear her out but she won't say anything. I get it, I really do, but just make sure she is okay. For me."

Armin puts his hand on Jean's shoulder and smiles.

"Of course we will Jean," he answers, "We know how she can get."

Jean looks a bit relieved and it strikes me that he must really love Mikasa. I have a feeling that he probably wouldn't be leaving if it weren't for his plans with Marco. It was like some promise he had to fulfill for his friend.

After a prolonged goodbye between the couple, to which Eren rolls his eyes and makes a gagging gesture, Jean gets in his car and starts his five hour drive to his new home for the next couple of months.

The next week, both Armin and Mikasa start their first week of classes.

I can feel Eren shifting on the inside, knowing that he should be going to college too. Instead, he seems like he has no direction or even motivation.

It's hard, of course, considering that the one thing he had been passionate about had been taken away from him.

His mother tries suggesting things he can do, and even takes him to her preschool once or twice. I try and take Mrs. Brown's advice and tell him we should start taking judo, but he seems to start resenting every suggestion that we come up with.

I know that nobody expects him to recover quickly. It's been little over a year since he was first taken and it is coming up on the year anniversary of when he was rescued. We all knew that this was going to be tumultuous.

Ever since the party, however, Eren has been more bitter and withdrawn, which worries all of us. I had already explained what had happened, and even though Carla and Grisha disapproved of the party, they expressed their relief that I was there and could bring him home.

He does, however, spend most of his time reading. He reads everything, in every language he knows. I am happy that even if he can't speak, he is using his language skills.

Every Wednesday, he has his weekly therapy sessions with a specialist. He doesn't ever say much about them, except for the fact that he hates them. He says that his therapist, a woman named Rico Brenzska, isn't so bad, but I know that he dislikes feeling like he needs help.

I get out of work earlier than usual this Wednesday so I decide to go over to the Jaeger's house. Only Mikasa is home and she is upstairs watching TV when I come in.

She doesn't question why I'm here even though Eren isn't here. She just nods her head in acknowledgment as I sit down.

"No classes today?" I ask, even though I am positive she has classes everyday now.
"I had them earlier today," she answers.

I notice that she has dark circles under her eyes and I know she has been stretching herself. I may not be particularly close to her, but I do worry about her. Like me, she doesn't really show emotion in the same way that most people do. Must be a family trait.

"We don't go running anymore," I say and she turns to look at me, observing me carefully.

"No, we don't," she agrees and I can tell she is wondering why I'm bringing this up.

"Do you go by yourself now?" I ask.

"No, I don't have the time anymore, really. I work out at the gym when I get the chance," she answers and returns her attention to the television.

She's been wearing herself out with looking after Eren and school. Jean is right. She doesn't look after herself as much as she should.

She yawns and I sigh.

"You should take a nap or something before Eren gets home," I tell her, "You look like shit."

She glares at me before another yawn ruins it.

"Seriously, I know you aren't getting enough sleep," I say, "It's unhealthy."

She chews on her bottom lip before she decides that I was probably right. She stood and starts toward her bedroom before she turns towards me.

"Wake me up when Eren gets home," she says severely but it doesn't bother me in the least and I give a noncommittal grunt. She apparently realizes this is the most she is going to get from me and goes into her bedroom and closes the door.

It isn't long before I hear Carla and Eren downstairs as they come home. Carla chatters on and there is silences where I know Eren is speaking to her. The silences weigh on my mind, knowing that Eren would love to be using his voice to talk to his mother.

Eventually, I hear him climbing the stairs and he stops when he sees me.

"Hey there, Bright Eyes," I say and for some reason, he frowns. I try not to feel hurt.

"Where's Mikasa?" he asks.

"She's sleeping," I say, "We probably should leave her alone for a while. She looks like she needs some rest."

He gazes at me and it looks like something inside of him breaks, although I'm not sure why.

"We can watch some TV together if you want," I say, and for some reason, I feel like I'm grasping at straws to keep him with me, "Or if you want, we could call up Armin and do something."

He looks at me and I know his answer before he gives it.

"No."

And with that short and simple word, he turns to go to his own room.

Before I know what I'm doing, I'm out of my seat and across the room with my hand grasping Eren's wrist.

"Eren..." I start, but I don't know how to finish. At the party, I thought we would become closer, but it has just been the opposite since then.

He is trying to distance himself.

Mrs. Brown's words come to my mind. I didn't realize that when she spoke them that they were actually going to be true, but now I was here, watching Eren box himself up.

Don't let him.

"Eren," I say again, "Don't shut me out. Please."

I watch him. I feel so vulnerable saying the words, but it's one of those few moments that I don't care that my emotions are laid bare in front of him. I can't afford to lose him again.

His face softens and I see barely concealed pain in his eyes. I want to reach up and cup his face, but for some reason, I know that if I do that, he will pull away.

Instead, he closes his eyes and breathes before he pulls his arm out my grip. I don't hide the shock and hurt on my face, but instead of walking away, he takes my hand in his and squeezes it.

I feel relief bloom in my chest, knowing that he is willing to accept me and not push me away. Not completely at least.

"Eren...I know you want to be left alone," I say quietly, "But can we still do something? I don't care what...but I want spend time with you."

We are standing on opposite sides of a precipice. I've only been given enough tools and man power to make it halfway across and I've done so, but Eren stands at the other, tools in hand but looking down at how far the drop is.

However, he looks up and takes a hammer, ready to start his own side of the bridge as he nods and squeezes my hand once more, and this time, I smile and squeeze his hand back.