The new 104th chapter 12
"Eren?, we're home" Armin called out as he and Annie returned from the coffee shop
"We're in here" Eren called out from the dining room "quick come here you and Annie"
Confused Annie looked at Armin and shrugged as they made their way to the table were Eren,
Marco, and Jean were sitting playing a game of cards and drinking coffee
"Marco, Jean" Annie said acknowledging the two men
"So what's up," Armin asked looking at the faces around the table
"Ok check it out" Marco began, "we think we found a gig.."
Annie's interest peaked, she sat at the table next to Jean and grabs herself a cup as well.
"Alright what do you got," she said
"It's called the IMC" Jean said
"The international music competition" Marco explained
"Ok, what do we need to do?" Annie asked
"We need to submit a recording, and that's how they decide if we get in," Marco said
"supposedly thousands of bands submit but only a handful get in"
"What's the prize?" Annie said
"No prize but, you can get some credit if you get to even the top twenty," Jean said
"Ok so let's just say we do submit a recording, and we do get in what then?" Armin asked
"Well, then we would go to marly where the…" Jean began to say but it was too late
"No, absolutely not," Annie said getting up from her chair and knocking it down "there is no way in heaven or in hell that you will get me to go anywhere near marly"
"Wait?.." Marco began
"I said no!" Annie said now pacing up and down
"Annie please just sit and…." Armin began trying to calm her
"No! And if any of you try to press this further I'll…" Annie said holding out a clenched fist but just couldn't think of anything
Quickly she made her way to the door grabbing her coat she let herself out. Half a step out the door she felt a hand on her wrist "Annie?" Armin said holding onto her wrist 'please let's just hear them out"
"I'm sorry Armin," Annie said as she put pressure on his hand, letting out a yelp he let go, quickly she took off down the hall and presumably out the building.
"Armin?" Eren said as he came running, having heard him yell "where's Annie?"
"I… I don't know," Armin said massaging his wrist "but I'm gonna go find out"
Eren simply stood there watching his friend follow suit.
"You did good boy," Mr. Blouse said as he inspected all of the groceries they had brought
"So do I get the job?" Connie asked anxiously as he sat with the bigger man
Not saying anything for a moment Mr. Blouse thought for a moment, turning to Sasha he said: "what do ya think?"
"Me?" Sasha said confused
"Yes you this is now your shop," Mr. Blouse said stretching his big hands out to fill the small main room "you make the decisions here now"
"This is mine?" Sasha said repeating her father
Not saying anything Mr. Blouse just nodded the feather in his hat bobbing up and down
"This is mine," Sasha said testing the words a big smile inching across her face "Connie this is mine" quickly she enveloped the shorter boy, turning Connie's face scarlet as she pulled him closer
"Congratulations Sasha," Mr. Blouse said offering her a hand to shake, Happily she took her father's hand. Addressing Connie now Mr. Blouse said "now it's your job to help keep this place up and running, and keep her out of trouble"
"Thank you, sir," Connie said surprised as the bigger man pulled them both into a bear hug
As Mikasa made her way back into the apartment building she was surprised when she found
Annie obviously flustered in the elevator.
"Annie," Mikasa said greeting the small blonde, no response. No concerned Mikasa tried again "Annie? is something wrong" still nothing
At this point Mikasa was upset, winding up Mikasa stuck her elbow in Annie's ribs, which produced a wail and sunk to the floor
Attention clearly got Mikasa said, "hey Annie, something wrong?"
With a sigh of defeat, Annie's shoulders slumped as she said "hey Mikasa" her voice low and defeated
"Something wrong?" Mikasa repeated offering Annie a hand up
Taking Mikasa's hand Annie pulled herself up wincing as she felt the bruise from Mikasa's elbow. As they rode the elevator up Annie told Mikasa about the tournament.
When all was said Mikasa pushed Annie in the ribs again this time Annie catching her hand just as it made contact "what are you of scared of going back to Marley for"
"It's complicated," Annie said shaking her head
"Complicated? complicated my ass!?" Mikasa said "you coward, you broke Armin's wrist because you're scared"
"That's not it and you know it damn it," Annie said getting frustrated
"Prove it," Mikasa said challenging Annie as the elevator came to a stop.
"How?" Annie asked confused
Stepping out Mikasa said "figure it out" and thusly the door's closed. For the seventh or eighth time in the day Annie let her head drop in defeat, pulling herself together Annie pushed the button for the ground floor. pulling out her phone she went to Armin's number.
Armin was sitting in the courtyard behind the apartment, exhausted he had searched, the lobby, the roof, and most of the yard but to no avail, now he was just tired and frustrated
'Where could she have gone?' Armin thought as he massaged his throbbing wrist 'does she not wanna go because of her dad?' Letting out a heavy sigh Armin rested his head in his hands for a few moments.
As Armin sat there frustrated he suddenly felt someone close, his heart jumping, he was relieved to see it was Annie. Head down, clutching her side Annie sat there waiting for Armin to notice.
"Armin?" Annie said, "I'm sor…"
Armin quickly cut her off by enveloping her in a hug "Annie where were you? are you ok? what is this all about?"
"Armin, I'm fine, I'm sorry I scared you," Annie said pulling out of the tight embrace "but we need to talk, alone"
"O... O.K" Armin said as Annie took his hand and lead him away from the courtyard
Alright everyone thanks for reading, drop me a review it always helps me keep going
fox