A/N: Oh wow! I'm finally uploading the 3rd chapter. Thanks to you guys for being patient and waiting for the updates ^_^
Chapter Summary: It's a school day. How about I introduce you to my two BFFs? And you never know, a certain raven haired prince might show up too! ;)
"What's wrong, Eren? You look tired."
We're in the school cafeteria where I'm currently being investigated by a mushroom haired self-proclaimed detective. Meet Armin Arlert, one of my two best friends. I met him in my 2nd year of junior high, a transfer student from Trost district. His parents died in a car crash and he came to Shiganshina to live with his grandfather. I still remember the first day he came to school. Some of the older kids were bullying him because of his long hair, and I, being the temperamental idiot that I am, jumped in to fight them. Don't get me wrong. I wasn't trying to be a hero or anything, although Mikasa would disagree. We both would've gotten our ass kicked then and there if not for her.
Wait, don't tell her I said that!
Anyway, so that's Armin Arlert for you. Round face, baby blue eyes, and a headful of blond curls. When not in school, you'll usually find him in his house, flopped down on the corner of his grandpa's couch, reading books. Don't ask me how a nerd like him became friends with me. Even I don't know that. The only time he does get out is when he's meeting me or Mikasa, school being one of those times. To be completely honest, Armin doesn't actually need to be in the same class as Mikasa and I. He's quite a genius and can easily get a double promotion, maybe even graduate early. But for some reason he says he likes it better here, spending time with us. Well, who are we to complain!
I'm pulled away from my thoughts when I feel a pair of cerulean eyes glaring at me.
I try forcing out a smile. It probably doesn't seem convincing enough. Because Armin cocks his head at me, eyebrows raised. The heavy glasses he wears all the time slides down the slope of his nose, and he holds them in place with his pointer finger to prevent further slanting. I start fidgeting under his scrutinizing gaze, eyes darting to the floor. I shift my head, looking at anywhere but him. Man! Sometimes I feel like this guy can read me inside out like one of his books.
"Eren…" his voice carries a hint of warning.
"Alright, alright!" I raise both my hands in surrender. "I couldn't sleep."
Armin is about to say something, when I see Mikasa approaching us. And I look at him with pleading eyes, silently asking not to pursue this topic further now that she's here. He seems to understand and nods. But his eyes send me a look that tells me I'm probably gonna have a long conversation with him later on.
Well, fuck me!
While we're at this topic, let me tell you a little about my other best friend. I became friends with Mikasa Ackerman a year before I met Armin.
Wait, Ackerman? What the actual fuck?! How come I didn't notice before! Are they related somehow? Damn! I gotta find out!
But first, let me finish my story.
Where was I again? Oh, yes. Mikasa's parents are somehow acquaintances of my parents. Also, our houses are on the same street. So when we got into the same junior high school, they kind of made us go to school and come back home together. At first, it was quite annoying. I grumbled and protested, but of course, that didn't work. So I tried ignoring her. It was much easier. She was usually a pretty quiet girl, immersed in her own thoughts. Even while going to school or coming back, she'd just say 'Hello' and 'See you' and I'd nod in response. That's how it would've continued, if not for that day when she came bursting through our door shortly after returning from school, her eyes swollen and red from crying. My dad was as usual away, and mom had gone to the market. And even though I used to ignore her all the time, I didn't really hate her. So naturally, I got worried seeing her like that. I wasn't really sure what to do. Hell, I was barely a teen. A thirteen year old boy with no notable friends, and on the edge of discovering his own sexuality. Life was confusing as fuck for me.
So I did what I used to do whenever Hange came around. I took her to my room. She was shivering from the cold weather. So I wrapped my red muffler around her neck and tried to smile reassuringly. "It'll keep you warm", I said sitting beside her on the bed. She touched the muffler, took a sniff, then intertwined her fingers with mine. And finally, she relaxed. When my mom returned, she found us sleeping. Her head on my shoulder and my head resting on top of hers, our hands still joined. I later learned that Mikasa's parents were killed in a house robbery, and when she went home from school that day, she'd discovered their corpses. Stabbed to death, both of them. That explained why she'd looked so broken and wrecked at that time. And since that day, Mikasa became my shadow. She moved to a different area, living with her uncle Kenny now. But she'd follow me everywhere, not once even trying to speak to me. It was getting kinda awkward actually, being followed around and not talking. So I decided to try and make her open up about herself. And soon after we started conversing, I discovered that she was quite an amazing person. She knew both English and Japanese, was a black belt in Karate, and she loved to sing when nobody was there to listen. Slowly, Mikasa became used to talking to me, and for the first time after Hange, I'd found a genuine friend.
It's not like I'm uncomfortable with Mikasa or anything. I adore her, really. It's just that she's a little too overprotective and hot-headed when it comes to Armin or me. The same news that Armin will take normally, she'll fuss over it for who knows how long. Besides, at this point, even I don't know what's going on with me. There's no need to trouble her unnecessarily. What I need now is some wise advice, and I think Armin is better suited for that.
Mikasa reaches the table Armin and I am currently occupying. She's wearing a plain white shirt with sleeves rolled up to her elbows and black skinny jeans. The red muffler is wrapped around her neck. Pulling the chair across us, she settles herself down, dropping her heavy backpack on the table with a thud. She notices that we've suddenly stopped talking and looks at us questioningly, her obsidian eyes narrowing. And guess what? Her usual long black hair is cut short to chin-length.
"You cut your hair!" Armin says before I can.
"Yeah", she replies in a bored voice. "It was getting in the way of my Karate practice."
"But you can just tie them in a ponytail, or I don't know, pull them in a bun!"
"Armin", I laugh. "You look like she's cut off your hair instead of her own."
"No, I just…" he mumbles. "I liked her long hair."
I burst out laughing. Mikasa joins, but her laughter is more restrained than mine. Armin has this thing for long hair, be it girls or guys, and he's told only us about it. And being the amazing friends that we are, we never miss a chance to tease him for it.
"I should never have told you guys", he mutters.
And that only makes us laugh harder.
I'm rushing past the library towards my last class of the day, when I hear a familiar voice calling my name. I glance up to see Hange waving their hand frantically and running towards me, followed by a scowling Levi. My heart jumps at his sight, the memories of last night still fresh in my mind.
Shit! That totally sounded wrong.
I shake my head and wave back at Hange who's now halted in front of me, hands on their knees, taking long and deep breaths. Levi looks at them with annoyed eyes, lips still curled up into a frown. It's funny how his face remains the same, while his eyes glint with emotion. I've just met him, so I don't quite get them all. But I suppose I'm starting to understand a little. The glares and annoyed stares are easy to pick up. But the way those eyes shimmer with quiet amusement, or how the cold gaze somehow becomes a little less cold when he's happy. I feel a fluttering in my stomach when I observe those slight details. Like I've somehow discovered a hidden treasure. Or unlocked a chest full of mysteries.
God! I sound so cheesy. What have you done to me Levi Ackerman?
I realize I've been staring at him for longer than what should be deemed appropriate and my cheeks flush hot. He doesn't seem to notice though. He's not even looking at me. So averting my eyes quickly, I focus on Hange.
"What brings you here?"
"Well", they start in a cheery voice. "We were getting kinda bored, so I hauled Shorty out of the house."
"You mean, you were getting kinda bored." Levi intervenes.
"Oh come on Levi!" Hange crouches in front of him and squints their eyes, lips stretched in a huge grin. "I know you were too. You're just too stuck up to admit it."
"Fuck you."
"Naah! Not interested."
"Alright guys", I cut them off before they both get carried away. "No need to fight."
"Yes Levi", Hange imitates me. "No need to fight."
I laugh. He glares.
"Oh Eren!", Hange screeches suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Since we're here already, why don't you show us around your school?"
I look at Levi. He's looking away from me, observing a group of students passing by.
"Uh... well, I kinda have a class right no- Oh shit! What's the time?!"
Hange glances at their watch. "3:15, why?"
"Fuck!" I curse out loud. Some of the kids turn their head to look at me curiously. I lower my voice to a furious whisper. "Shadis won't let me in now!"
"What are you saying Eren?"
Great! I'm talking to myself in front of Hange and Levi.
"Oh, nothing", I try to explain. "My class started fifteen minutes ago, and the professor doesn't let anyone in who's more than five minutes late."
"Oops! Sorry. Looks like we got you in trouble."
Yeah right! Hange doesn't look like they're sorry at all.
"It's fine", I can't find myself to feel angry. If anything, I feel happy that I get to spend time with Levi instead of surviving Shadis's lecture. "I'll get the notes from Armin. It was my last class anyway."
"Wow! Snotty's bunking class!"
"Don't even try to put this on me Hange!" I laugh. "I'm late because of you."
Hange winks. "So, now that you're free, you can show us around!"
I glance at Levi. He's looking out to the school field, hands in his pocket, face devoid of any expression. He seems quieter than usual. And he hasn't looked at me even once. Neither has he spoken a word to me. A voice in the back of my head tells me he's avoiding me. But that's silly, no? He was fine with me yesterday!
Maybe he's shy? No, that's absurd too. We were strangers yesterday, and yet he was so bold with every action. It must be something else.
"Levi", I decide to take the initiative. "Hey…"
The fuck Eren! "Hey…"? Seriously?!
He doesn't even spare me a glance. Just a nod of head to show his acknowledgement. My smile falters.
Hange huffs exasperatedly. "Shorty's been in a foul mood since last night."
I was fully expecting a glare, or some kind of ruthless retort. But to my surprise, he says nothing. As if he didn't hear anything at all. Somehow, I feel irritated. What's the meaning of acting so high and mighty all of a sudden? Why won't he meet my eyes? Why won't he speak to me?
Why are you avoiding me? – is what I wanna say. But of course, I can't.
Well, maybe he isn't avoiding me. Maybe he's just having a bad day. Maybe I'm too caught up in my own emotions. Yes, that must be it. Just because I'm focusing all my attention on him doesn't mean he is too. Maybe this isn't about me at all.
I should feel relieved if that's the case. And I do. But I also feel a bit disappointed. A tiny part of me wishes it was about me. Wishes that he's thinking about me too.
Aargh! I was a perfectly normal teenager yesterday. And now I've turned into this hyperventilating teenage girl like they show in shoujo manga, getting worked up about every tiny details of her first crush. Pathetic!
"C'mon guys. I'll show you around." I decide to push my thoughts aside and focus on the moment for now. "Although Hange should know most of it already."
"Aww, don't be like that!" they whine. "It's been six years since I even saw the shadow of this place!"
I sigh. Hange is a handful as always. Not that I mind. It's actually good, because this way I can keep myself distracted from those weird thoughts.
I give them a tour of the whole school, starting from the library since we're already here. I always knew Hange's a bookworm. So it's no surprise that they start pouting when I say they can't get inside without an ID. And I have to drag Hange to the other side of the building, stopping whenever I find any place worth mentioning, then moving on again. To my disappointment, Levi follows without a word. Never asking a question, never showing any interest. Finally when we're in the school field, and I'm asking Hange to stay away from the Soccer team who are practicing nearby, I take a peek at him out of the corner of my eye. He seems relaxed somehow, as he stares up at the open sky. His eyes look like they're searching for something beyond his reach. There are dark circles under them, a sign of sleeplessness. For how long has he been sleep deprived? I feel an ache deep in my heart, a pain that seeps through my veins and reaches under my skin. And all I wanna do right now is take that exquisite face between my hands and stroke those bags under his eyes with my thumbs. But all of that is just for a moment. I don't know if he feels my gaze on him or not, but suddenly his posture straightens. He tightens his jaw and the icy glare returns to his eyes.
And even through all of that, he never meets my eyes.
A/N: Armin is one of my most favorite characters in SnK (after Levi of course!). I feel like he's underestimated most of the time, and even to the fans, he's so underrated. But if you see closely, his plans have always proved to be useful and beneficial. He's an amazing character, overshadowed by Eren most of the time due to his lack of physical abilities. But nobody can even come close to his intellect! He gets nervous easily, but he's calm and level-headed while analyzing a situation and he always comes up with a solution.
Mikasa... well, what can I say! She's bold, she's badass, she's amazing actually. My only objection, she's way too obsessed with Eren. I don't know if it's because I ship Ereri, but I somehow find her obsession a little too unhealthy. Not that I hate Eremika. But it would be better if she focused on her other friends a bit more and not just "Eren!"
Ahh... I rambled a lot! Hope I didn't bore you XP
And as always, thank you for reading! ^_^