Here's another update! Short chapter, but it'll have to do! I'm moving right now, so give me a week and I'll post up again! Hopefully I'll get some writing done whilst on the plane!

Year 2: Summer

"Do I really have to be the one to speak to them?" I groaned as Levi and I walked down the hallway and towards the door. With the new Volunteers under our belts, we needed to talk to them and convince the remaining soldiers to either help us or they'll be executed.

"Apparently Historia believes you're the best when it comes to speaking with people." Levi told me.

"I think she knows I have a hard time saying no to her." I complained.

"It's because she's the Queen." Levi pointed out.

"No. I have a hard time saying no to everyone! Why am I like this? I should be more like you, Levi. I should say no to everyone." I said.

"You can't be me."

"Why not?"

"You're too loud."

"No I'm not!" I yelled at him. Levi looked at me with a gaze that said, 'You've just proven my point'. "Maybe you're right."

"Well, it's time." Levi and I arrived at the door that was attached to the room where the remaining Volunteers were waiting. The familiar red haired girl stood beside the door and waited for our arrival. Her name was Ella and she was one of the Volunteers that decided to join us and help us with Paradis Island. She always seemed nice enough, but she was always very friendly with one soldier in particular.

"Ryder." She greeted me.

"Ella."

"Captain Levi." She smiled at the man beside me. I always noticed that she never smiled at me when she greeted me, but would always smile at Levi.

"Can you open the door? If Ryder doesn't go in now then we'll have to wait another hour." Levi didn't even greet Ella. Her gaze faltered and I felt a small triumphant smile play at my lips.

I walked into the busy dining hall and grabbed my breakfast. Before walking over to Levi I made a pit stop at Squad Levi's table. Once I got closer to the table, they all straightened their backs and gave me their full attention. I laughed and waved my hand – signalling for them to relax.

"I just wanted to come see how you're all doing." I said.

"We're good. We're just kind of tired." Armin told me. Sasha yawned and stretched before placing her cheek onto the table and closing her eyes.

"Why? Were you all up late last night?" I asked.

"We were busy helping Queen Historia with placing the new Volunteers." Jean said before he placed his spoon into his mouth.

"Good job, Ryder! Because of you, they were convinced to join our forces!" Connie smiled at me.

"Thank you, but Levi helped as well. I think him glaring at them made them want to join because they didn't want to be killed." I joked.

"Definitely, but what is Captain Levi doing with Ella?" Eren asked. I looked up to where Levi usually sat and saw Ella sitting next to Levi. Her whole body was facing him while he seemed unbothered as he continued to drink his tea. She was smiling at him tried to lean closer to him.

"I'll go see." I said before walking over to the pair. I could feel Squad Levi's table all staring at me as I approached the table. Perhaps they were worried Ella was about to be thrown across the room.

"Ryder." Ella's facial expression changed when I approached the table. She greeted me, but her smile disappeared as per usual.

"Ella." I greeted her before sitting down across from Levi. "What are you two talking about?"

"I was trying to convince Captain Levi to show me around the stables since I've been moved there for my duties." She told me. She turned her gaze back to Levi and pouted. "But he's a hard one to convince." Levi never answered.

"Ella, I need to talk to Levi." I told her. She didn't look at me, she just continued to look at the side of Levi's face. "Alone." I could see her glare at me from the corner of her eye before sighing and standing up.

"Okay. But I won't give up on you, Captain. I know you'll help me with something." She smiled as she placed her hand on his shoulder. Ella left without either of us saying a word to her. Levi looked down at his shoulder where Ella had placed her hand and wiped at it with his own hand.

"I don't know where her hands have been." Levi commented.

And what are we thinking? Who is this Ella character? Thoughts?