"Maybe I should skip. Nothing says 'freak' like bandages covering my hands and arms..."

"You're not a freak, Eren... This is a new school- not an execution. Just try to socialize, make some friends, and-"

"- And stop getting into fights! B- but they're the ones who start it! Jerks are instinctively drawn to me like... homing pigeons!"

"Eren. You're a fifteen year old boy just like every other guy in your class, and every kid in that school has problems of their own-"

Hanji leaned across the table to give him a kiss on the forehead, "- so if you can just get along with people and keep your temper, everything's gonna be just fine... Besides, you'll see Eld, Günther, Auruo, and Petra as well as Mikasa and Armin floating around in between classes and during break!"

"That's the problem though, Mom... I don't have any classes with Eld, Günther, Auruo, or Petra. I'm a freshman, Auruo and Petra are juniors, and Eld and Günther are seniors. And Mikasa, Armin, and I are in only one or two classes together this trimester..."

"Honey. No matter where they are, what time it is, or who else they're with, they'll all always be there for you."

"She's right," Günther's deep voice rumbled behind Eren, and the boy felt him ruffling his hair affectionately. "You know Auruo won't hesitate to beat the living shit out of anyone who messes with you, Petra wants to hear you out whenever you've had a rough day, and Eld and I are always willing to give you rides to wherever you need to be. Speaking of which..."

He took his keychain out of his leather jacket pocket, and jiggled the keys around a bit, "First day of a new school year AND at a new school, so whad'ya say to getting something from Caribou before class starts?"

"..."

Before Eren could even answer, Günther turned his right hand over, settled his keys in the palm, closed his fingers around them, and gave him a couple hearty slaps on the back, "Cool. Fire her up, Champ, and I'll meet you out there in a bit."

Eren rolled his eyes, "Yeah... Thanks," before getting up from his seat and walking out the front door to Günther's black 2010 Nissan Altima.

squeeee-EEEEEAK

click

"... I know I shouldn't, but I worry about him sometimes..."

"You have every right to worry about him... He's been with us for only, what, a year and a half? Two years?"

"Two years, and four transfers," Hanji muttered. "I get it. He's upset over his parents' deaths, but his only friends aside from you, your brothers, and sister are Armin and Mikasa despite his best attempts to make new ones, but almost everyone he meets either uses him or rejects him."

"..."

Günther sighed before pulling Hanji in for a hug, "He'll meet the right person or, perhaps, even people this year. I just know it... I better get going, though. I'll touch base with you during break, and let you know how Eren's doing. Love you, Mom."

"Love you too, Gunny Bunny."