I sit on the bleachers before practice, watching Levi warm-up. We hung out after school...again. This time he actually asked me if he could come over. I was shocked, it's been a week since we hung out and I assumed he didn't want to do it again. He technically came over for some tutoring a few days ago but that's different. I was embarrassingly happy after he asked me. We didn't even play video games this time, he brought a book to read so I just put on a Front Bottoms playlist and started painting. We didn't even talk until his alarm to get ready went off.
It was really nice. I'm not used to having someone around while I'm painting but feeling his presence was actually really calming. I even caught him bopping his head to a few songs, which made me feel really smug and secretly giddy.
"Hey Eren!" Armin sits next to me, I smile at him in return. "You're here early." He says, and I scratch my cheek shyly. "Well...I got here with Levi-don't tell the others!" I say quickly, checking over his shoulder to see if anyone else was here yet.
He grins, "Oh? And why shouldn't I tell them? What were you guys doing?"
I groan loudly, "Because. They'll make it a big deal." I answer the first question with an annoyed expression, but then lean back and smile. "We didn't really do anything except listen to music," I say, "We played video games at my house last week too." Armin gasps then punches me in the arm. I pretend to be hurt, dramatically falling from my seat as he laughs lightly. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?!" I sit back up and shrug.
I look back up at Levi, more people have arrived and he's passing the ball with others now. I frown as a thought comes to mind, I hesitate on voicing it though. I chew on my lip and look at the ground. I don't think Levi wants people knowing anything but I'm just so worried. I can't explain why recently I care so much...probably just realized how bratty I've been. I should make it up to him. I make my decision, knowing that I can trust Armin.
"He uh…" Armin perks up at my voice, "Well I think something's going on at his house. Levi, I mean. He doesn't want to go home, and I'm pretty sure he's been spending the night somewhere else too. That was why I invited him the first time." I can feel tense emotion in my chest and drop out in my gut after putting my worries into words. "I don't know what to do." I look off into the distance, not really focusing on anything.
Armin frowns, "Well that sucks, " He looks at me, "I can tell you're worried but…" He pauses, eyes shifting to where Levi is passing the ball to Mikasa, "...I think you're doing all you can, Eren." I look up at him, focusing on his encouraging smile. "Don't pry and just take his attention away from the issue. Maybe you can even get him to open up, huh?" His smile turns teasing, I lightly push his shoulder with a smile and blush on my face. "Thanks Ar. You always know what to say." He pats my shoulder in response.
Eventually more of our friends start piling into the bleachers in our usual spot. I stuff my hands into my hoodie pocket and lean back. It's been getting colder recently, which gives me mixed feelings. On one hand, colder weather means basketball season is coming. It's the only sport I play and am any good at, and a lot of my friends play. I could do without horseface being on the team but you win some you lose some.
However, everyone knows I'm a summer body. I love the sun, the heat, and the clothes. I hate layering up, clothes have always felt so constricting for me. I'd rather throw on shorts and a shirt and go out. But I am not immune to hypothermia. Therefore I can't just throw on a tank top and call it a day whenever I want.
"Try-outs are next week, then conditioning for two weeks." I overhear Reiner say to Berdolt. I turn towards them and lift an eyebrow, "Basketball?" I ask and they nod. Reiner swings an arm around his tall boyfriend, turning his whole body towards me. "You think we can get into varsity? Not many sophomores can do it but we I'm pretty sure we're better than most of the seniors anyway." I put my hand on my chin to think on it. We're pretty good, we've been playing together since we were little kids so I'm very familiar with our skill sets. Varsity though...
"You have an aneurysm?" A familiar voice interrupts my thoughts as he sits next to me. I turn towards him, head heavy with confusion. Levi doesn't usually come over here during practice, except that one time but that was about homework. "Miss me so much you skipped practice?" I decide to tease the senior lightly, he ignores me as he drinks from his water bottle.
He wipes his mouth as he says, "We're on a break, idiot. What were you thinking so hard about that you almost shit yourself." I laugh lightly at his exaggeration. His sense of humor is so crude and shit I don't know why I think it's funny. I hide a secret smile in my hoodie sleeve, however, weirdly touched that he's curious about what I was thinking about.
"We're thinking about trying out for the varsity basketball team." Reiner answers as he gestures to me and his boyfriend. "Hey!" Jean pipes up, sticking his head down to our level from the seat above, "What about me?!" Everyone breaks out into laughter, except Levi of course.
It's a very known fact that Jean sucks. The only reason he ever gets on the team is because everyone else at our school is even worse. He gets even angrier at our outburst, throwing all his frustration towards me as he punches my shoulder. I turn around and punch him back, almost on reflex at this point. Then I realize much too late that he has the high ground and he goes to push me onto the ground.
Instead of cold, solid ground though, I feel a warm hand on my back pushing me up before I can fall. I turn around to look at the senior. I smile, "Thanks." I watch as his face turns into a smirk, and before I can get lost in those dimples, he turns at the sound of the coach calling for him. He jumps up and sends me a wave as he runs back.
I take a second to look at his retreating form, pointedly trying not to stare at his ass, but failing miserably. I jolt when I feel someone jumps beside me and pulls my head under their arm. "Thought you said you didn't like him dude." I hear Connie say as he nuggies my head. Everyone starts laughing at my expense until I pull strong enough to get out of the hold. "I don't! Why do you keep saying that?!" I curse myself for the blush crawling my neck. I try to bury my face as best I can in my hood to hide the color from my friends. I can tell they noticed because all a sudden they're all quiet.
"Dude," Connie starts slapping my shoulder repetitively, breaking the silence. "Dude, dude, DUDE." He stops abruptly, grabbing my shoulder and making me face him. "Seriously?!" He screams.
I scoff, and push him away. "No," I stand up and face all my friends, some seem shocked and others shoot me concerned looks, "Look, no. I don't like him, at least not like that. We've established this." I cross my arms as I level them with a glare. "Are you sure about that? I definitely caught you staring at his ass." Connie grins. I try to play it cool and look at my nails in a sassy manner, "I never said he wasn't attractive."
"Are you sure he doesn't like you though? He literally just came over here just to talk to you for a few minutes." Jean says with genuine interest, surprising everyone into silence again. He blushes from embarrassment and raises his voice as he says, "I'm not ALWAYS an asshole guys! God!" He crosses his arms as everyone laughs. I take pity on him, "No, he doesn't like me. We've just been becoming actual friends recently, nothing romantic." I wave my hand a vague way, pushing the notion that Levi could like me away. I mean...that just wouldn't make any sense...
"Whatever, dude." Jean shrugs, "Honestly you fight it so much, makes me think we're actually right. Why else would it bother you so much?" I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. I don't actually know why I always get so upset, I never really thought about it before. Jean gives me a smirk at my silence, which makes me red with anger. I'm so tired of this conversation, though, so I don't even bother rising to the bait.
Mikasa puts an arm on my shoulder from behind. "Are you guys messing with Eren again? Leave him alone." She doesn't give them time to respond before she pulls me away. We start to walk silently away, Armin getting up to follow us. I look over at the other players talking to each other and holding their bags. I hadn't even realized practice ended.
"Thanks, Mika." I push Mikasa's shoulder lightly, she pushes me back but there's no intent behind it. "We should have a movie night, I'm feeling mean girls." I suggest, looking in the corner of my eyes to see Mikasa grinning. I hear Armin laugh from behind us as well, "Sounds fun." He says in response.
Mikasa doesn't have to respond, I already know her answer. Her and I have always been secret rom-com/chick flick movie lovers since we were kids. She used to let me curl her hair as we curled up on the couch and watched marathons. Sometimes Armin would join in, but he never enjoyed it quite as much as us. We haven't had as much time recently though because of high school, but I think we can make up for lost time.
What college r you going to?
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I look over at Erwin to see him asleep in his bed. I sit up in my makeshift bed on the floor to look at my phone.
...why?
Elle Woods went to Harvard, made me realize I don't think I've rly heard you talk abt college before
I stare at my phone, still confused.
Who's Elle Woods? I type out.
After a few moments with no response I think he's gone to sleep or given up on the conversation. But then suddenly my phone starts ringing, Eren's number displayed on the screen. I debate my options for a moment, and then walk out of the room. With my phone still vibrating, I walk down stairs, stopping on the bottom one and sitting.
"...hello?" I say.
"I can't believe you don't know Legally Blonde." Eren says immediately, trying to sound annoyed but I can tell he's grinning.
"I don't really watch that many shows or movies, kid." I can hear him scoff in response.
"Well, obviously. I think it's about time I got you up to speed, old man. Another Movie night is definitely happening. My house."
"I don't wanna watch some shitty chick flick if that's what it is." He gasps at the insult and I stop myself from laughing.
"Oh, you'll change your mind, don't worry." I hum in response, not convinced. A short silence happens and I start thinking we should end the call before he starts talking again.
"Soooo...College? I'm dying of anticipation right now."
I'm taken back for a moment, having forgotten his original question. Nobody except Hange and Erwin know my college problems, but even they haven't gotten much out of me. But...I feel strangely compelled to tell Eren about it. He's just so much easier to talk to, especially recently.
I think about earlier that day, sneaking peeks at the determined look on his face as he painted. I never noticed the way he sticks his tongue out when he's concentrating before, then with his surprisingly good playlist playing quietly in the background. I feel a warmth in my chest again at the thought.
"...Levi? I'm sorry if you don't want to talk about it, that's cool." Eren says after the long stretch of silence.
I take a breath, not realizing that I had gone quiet
"I don't have a particular college in mind. I'm hoping to get a scholarship," I hesitate, "...for Soccer."
He gasps, and I can hear shuffling, presumptively him sitting up. "Woah, really?! That's so cool! If anyone can do it I'm sure it'd be you, you're the best player by far. Well, I mean, I don't play soccer so maybe I'm a bad judge but whatever."
I smile at his sincere response. "Scouts are watching the last game this friday, coach has some weird connections and got a bunch to agree to show up. I owe that old shit a lot." I look down and start fiddling with a loose thread on my shirt. I twist it around my finger and loosen it several times.
Eren hums agreeingly then asks, "So is it just the scholarship or do you have a back-up plan?"
I sigh loudly at that, "It's not really that easy. I don't have any fucking money, so I can't go to any college without getting a full-ride. I figure I might join the military if I have no other choice." I shrug, leaning my side on the wall. I start to feel dread and sadness spread throughout my chest, my sleepiness keeping me from locking the feelings out like usual.
I try to avoid thinking about the depressing likelihood of my future. Sports scholarships are extremely hard to get, and even harder to make a career out of it. I have good grades, but not good enough to pay for all of college by themselves. If I can't pursue Soccer then I'd rather go to war than end up like the rest of my shitty family.
"...the military isn't so bad. Well, I mean it is. But, my Mom is a veterin, and she ended up pretty happy I think." I hum noncommitedly, not feeling up to a response as my head starts feeling heavier.
"Levi?" I startle at the deep voice from behind me. I turn my head around to see a confused Erwin looking down at me. "Goddamit Erwin you fucking scared me." I scowl at him but he just gives me an amused smile.
He crosses his arms. "Who are you on the phone with? It's 1am, you should be asleep." I roll my eyes at his scolding parent tone. "So should you asshole. I'm almost done anyway." I wave him off.
He looks at me suspiciously before going back into his room. I don't hear anything from the phone so I curse and check to see if the call ended. It's still going so I put it back to my ear.
"Eren?" I ask.
"...was that Erwin?" He asks back with a small hesitant voice.
"Yeah, I'm at his house. I've been taking up residence on his floor for the past week." I respond easily, hearing a relieved sigh come from the brunette.
"Oh, okay. The floor though? Doesn't he live in a mansion? There's gotta be a million guest bedrooms." I can tell by the tension in his voice the question he's not asking. I'm glad he's not bringing it up though. I've already shared too much tonight, I don't wanna get into more shit.
"Well...his family doesn't quite trust me enough to be by myself in their house. They're super snooty and judgemental, but at least they're letting me sleep here at all so I can deal with it."
"That's so shitty, like you would even do anything. They think you're going to steal or something? That's so fucking stupid," He huffs, "Still though, the floor? Doesn't that affect your playing?" He keeps his voice down, obviously trying not to wake his family, but I can hear the anger in his voice. It almost makes me happy hearing him get mad on my behalf.
"Nothing I can't handle." He scoffs at my smug response. The playfulness comes back to his voice as he says, "Oh, of course. How could I forget you're a superhuman. Silly me." I laugh at that, "Silly you." I say back with a fond smile on my face.
"...um, Levi?" He says in a questioning, possibly nervous, tone. I hum in response.
"...I'd have to ask Mom and Dad first but well...you could maybe…" His voice trails off, not finishing his sentence.
"I could what?" I urge him on.
"...you could stay at my house?" My breath hitches immediately, listening to him as he continues, "We have a guest room that no one uses...It could just be the night before your game, if you want. Since I know you probably need to be in pique condition, a bed to sleep in would probably be good. Besides, even a superhuman can get a stiff back from sleeping on the floor for too long, ya know." He ends a bit more confidently than he started.
I feel my ears and cheeks burn hot at the question. That was...unexpected. I'm not used to this nice treatment from anyone besides Erwin and Hange. It feels different coming from Eren though...it makes me so much more giddy. I feel so moved, my heart starts beating faster as my chest constricts. I instinctually pull on the front of my shirt to hide my face in, even with no one around to see my embarrassing state.
"I uh," I start with a stubborn blush still on my face, "That would be...great, actually. If your parents say okay, of course. It's really...nice of you to offer, thanks." I finished, feeling uncharacteristically bashful.
I can hear the smile in his voice as he responds, "Of course."
My blush only intensifies impossibly at the sincerity in his voice. I hear my heart drumming away in my ears and the room feels instantly warmer.
"I-I," I internally curse for myself for stuttering, "I should go to bed. Thanks, again." I try to end the call as soon as possible.
"No problem, good night, Levi!" He responds easily, almost mocking my stuttering anxious state.
"Good Night...Brat." I click off and shove my face into my hands quickly.
Well, Fuck.