1.
Levi looked out the window, sighing at the dull grey sky and the wind shifting the trees from side to side. It was almost September. Summer had officially ended, and everyone was back at school. Back to the daily routine of work and deadlines. How dull. Not that he did anything during his break anyway, but he certainly didn't miss being told what to do every day. Life was an endless cycle of eating and working and sleeping and Levi felt like he was banging his head against a wall over and over again. Everything was pointless. College was a waste of time and money, not that he had any of that anyway. People kept telling him he was lucky to be here, getting a football scholarship was rare where he was from. He wasn't even supposed to be here. This wasn't his home. This wasn't his country. He didn't belong here, not that his friends would ever let him leave. They kept spewing some shit about how this was their last chance to get an education and make a name for themselves. Maybe even get a job and live a good life. Ugh. What's so fascinating about living a good life. Good meant normal and normal meant dull and dull... well that was what Levi hated the most.
Before Levi's dreary thoughts could go on, he felt a sharp nudge in his side. He turned to glare at the owner of the elbow and wasn't surprised to be looking at a tall blonde with a constant bedhead and brown eyes. Farlan Church, of course. No one else had the guts to touch him. Thankfully most the people in this shitty place were terrified of him. Which wasn't surprising, even he had to admit he had one hell of a resting bitch face. Still, he was branded as popular and mysterious, which made him want to puke. He didn't want to be any of those things. He wanted to be left alone, he wanted to do his work and he wanted to get the fuck back home to England where he belonged. Stupid scholarship. Stupid America. Stupid Titanium College. Stupid everything.
"Levi, pay attention before Mr Shaddis puts you on his shit list." Farlan whispered harshly. Levi narrowed his eyes at his friend. Why had he made friends with him again? What a mistake that had been. Levi had known Farlan for 10 years, as well as their third friend Isobel. They had met when they were 8 in the streets of London and had been inseparable ever since. Somewhere along the line they had been recruited for some football programme and were all naturally good at it and were offered a scholarship to study abroad in America at one of the most prestigious schools in the world. Before Levi could even open his mouth to decline the offer Isabel accepted it while Farlan held a hand over Levi's mouth and dragged him away. He still didn't know how they'd managed to convince him to come over halfway across the world, but here they were in a stuffy old classroom 6 months later, learning about fucking anatomy. Or the others were learning while Levi was not so subtly spacing out. He knew everything he was being taught already; he didn't need to be here.
"Tch." Levi said simply, his gaze wondering back out towards the window.
"Alright! Class dismissed; I'll see you tomorrow!" Shaddis called out, turning of his projector while the rest of the class started filed out of the room like ants in a colony. That's what Levi thought of them all. Ants. Mindless, pointless, creatures who only live to work and serve. He would never let himself become one of them.
Levi sighed, waiting till the last student was out of the room before beginning to trudge down the steps, his best friend at his heels like an obedient puppy. As soon as they got out of the room and into the hallway an annoying redhead, he'd also made the mistake of befriending jumped on them. Levi simply glared at his annoying friend and her bright green eyes before shoving her off him and letting Farlan deal with her.
"Iz, get off of me!" Farlan whined behind Levi and the raven had to supress a smirk. To his dismay they caught up eventually and the three walked through the halls, weaving through the masses of people and towards their next class.
"Hey, I heard there's a new transfer coming in today!" Izzy said excitedly. Levi rolled his eyes, of course his friend would get excited about something like that.
"Really, where from?" Farlan asked, equalling the red-head's excitement. Levi sighed in annoyance, but they continued to ignore him.
"London like us. Apparently, she's really pretty! But the accent must help her. We know better than anyone how much these Americans dig the English accent." Izzy said with a giggle and Farlan laughed and nodded. As much as Levi hated to admit it, his small friend wasn't wrong. These shitbags were a sucker for an accent and that just made them more interested in Levi, which was the last thing he wanted. Therefore, he talked as little as possible as to not draw attention from random girls. Ugh, why was everything such an effort over here. He just wanted to go home.
"Pretty huh?" Farlan asked with a smirk. Izzy frowned and elbowed him in the stomach. Farlan wheezed, bending over and trying desperately to draw a breath and Izzy burst out laughing. Levi let out a puff of amusement, his friends may be annoying, but they certainly weren't dull.
"Come on you idiots unless you want to explain to the crazy shit why we are late." Levi said in his low dangerous voice. He watched as both his friends faces paled before they stood up straight and matched Levi's pace to their next class.
The next lesson had passed in a blur, Levi not paying any attention again. Why must he always be so unchallenged with the curriculum? He knew everything already. If he took the tests now, he'd pass with flying colours. What was the point?
Levi sighed as Farlan and Izzy chatted about the gossip of the school or some shit. Levi turned around the corner not looking where he was going and bumped straight into someone. Levi stumbled back a few steps into Farlan while the other person fell straight onto the dirty floor. Levi looked down at the person who was blinking in confusion about what just happened. She had midnight blue hair, that waved down to her waist, the top parts braided out of the way of her tanned face. She had sea green eyes, covered by long lashes. She was wearing black skinny jeans, outlining her figure with an oversized navy knitted jumper tucked into them. Surrounding her was a few sizable books that were knocked out of her hands due to the impact. For a second Levi was frozen, she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. Thankfully Farlan brought him back to reality by patting him on the shoulder before bending down to help this girl out with her books. The girl smiled and blushed at his kindness before taking the hand Farlan was offering and accepting her books back.
"Thank you, I'm sorry, that was my fault. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going." The girl admitted with a small smile. Levi nodded, keeping a straight face while Farlan and Izzy smiled.
"You're the girl, aren't you? The one from England?" Izzy grinned, stepping closer to the girl with the blue hair and gripping her hands. Farlan pulled Izzy away from the flustered girl and smiled apologetically.
"Yes. I suppose I am." The girl admitted, looking down at her watch. "Sorry, but I have to be going, I'm late. Maybe I'll see you guys around, it was nice meeting you." The girl smiled and stepped around them before disappearing into the crowd of people. Farlan whined in annoyance and glared at Izzy.
"Iz! You scared her off! We didn't even get her name yet! She was the prettiest girl I have ever seen." Farlan huffed. Izzy pouted and rolled her eyes.
"I wasn't the one that scared her off. You were the one ogling at her like she was a piece of meat." Izzy retorted, crossing her arms. Levi had been ignoring their conversation completely, simply staring into the crowd and trying to get a glimpse of the mysterious girl again before he caught what he was doing and reprimanded himself quietly. No way was he going to let some clumsy girl catch his attentions. Yes, she was pretty... scratch that she was gorgeous, but Levi didn't have time for stupid things like relationships. He needed to work and get back home. This girl would only help to distract him in his mission. Levi grabbed his two bickering friends by the arms and started dragging them along to their next lesson.
It was nearing 10 O'clock and Levi and Farlan were getting ready for bed in the dorm room they shared. The day had passed by rather quickly since he met the blue-haired girl. Although despite what Levi did, he couldn't get her off her mind. Her smile, her eyes, it was ridiculous. He was being ridiculous. What was this brat doing to him? He had only met her for 5 seconds. Why couldn't he ween himself of the short interaction?!
"LEVI!" Farlan yelled before throwing a pillow at him. Levi snapped out of his daze with a second to spare, just in time to catch the pillow aimed directly at his head, glare at his friend and fire the object straight back at him, enjoying the oof Farlan made as the pillow smacked into his head.
"What?!" Levi hissed, taking his shirt off and folding it before putting it in his wardrobe. He did the same with his trousers and pulled on some pyjama bottoms, sliding into bed. He didn't bother with a shirt since he was under the covers and it was only him and Farlan in here anyway. Farlan sighed before repeating what he was said.
"What I said was, do you think I should ask out that girl? The one with the blue hair?" Farlan repeated seriously. Levi turned to him and gave him his best 'why should I fucking care?' look. He hoped that would be enough but Farlan was still looking to him for an answer. Levi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Why should I fucking care?" Levi repeated what his glare said. Farlan sighed in annoyance.
"Because you're my best friend. Your supposed to help me with these decisions." Farlan threw his hands up in frustration, sinking into the covers. Levi rolled his eyes. Why was his friend always so fucking dramatic?
"Do what you want. Ask the brat out, don't ask the brat out. It makes no difference to me. Just know that in a year and a half, we are leaving this shit country and going back home. You promised me Farlan, you're not going to break that promise." Levi said dangerously. Farlan sighed.
"I know. Your right." Farlan agreed. Levi turned off the light and plunged them into a darkness. Levi thought Farlan was asleep until he spoke up a few minutes later. "Hey Levi?"
"What?" Levi asked, irritated. Sure, he didn't sleep much but he like his peace at night. The shaggy blonde knew that.
"Did you think she was cute? I thought I saw you staring at her." Farlan asked cheekily. Levi could practically see the smirk on his face. His first instinct was to glare at his friend but obviously it was too dark to be seen, instead he reached between the small space in their beds and flicked his friend on the forehead. "Ow!"
"Don't be stupid." Levi replied. Yes, he thought she was cute, but he definitely wasn't going to tell Farlan that. He would take it the wrong way and be all dramatic like he always was.
"Come on Levi, I know you pretend to be this emotionless overlord, but you are still human. That girl was gorgeous, even you can admit that." Farlan laughed. Levi sighed, knowing the blonde was not going to give in and shut up unless he got a definitive answer. Of course, that answer didn't need to be the truth.
"Wasn't my type." Levi lied. Farlan scoffed.
"Bull. I saw you looking at her, just admit it." Farlan whined. "No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes!"
"Farlan if you don't shut the fuck up right now and go to sleep, I will cut off your tongue and watch as you bleed to death, happy, knowing I will finally get some peace and quiet around here." Levi threatened darkly. He heard a nervous gulp from his friend.
"Ugh, fine. Night." Farlan said quietly.
"Night." Levi replied, rolling over and forcing his brain to shut down. He prayed his insomnia would be merciful tonight, the day had been a long one and he just wanted some sleep.
Levi felt a weight on his stomach, pinning him down. He opened his eyes in confusion, blinking twice before coming to a realisation that made him both pissed and murderous. Isabel was sitting on his chest eating an apple.
"Izzy what the fuck?!" Levi yelled, pushing the lump off of him and onto the floor. Izzy whined in protest before going to sit on Farlan instead who woke up as well and did the same.
"Geez, why are you guys so sensitive, I just want a seat." Izzy moaned getting up off the floor, pushing Farlan legs, sitting down on the end of his bed and ignoring both the boy's death glares, biting into her apple. Levi sat up and raked a hand through his hair. He was debating whether to kill the redhead now quickly to end the torture, or waiting and dragging it out to make it more painful for her. He quirked an eyebrow as Izzy held a hand in front of her eyes and blushed.
"Levi, put a damn shirt on! I don't want to see that!" Izzy exclaimed. Levi looked down at his bare chest and smirked, of course, he was the sensitive one. Still Levi did as he was told, getting up and opening his wardrobe before putting on a black V-neck and plopping back down on his bed. Izzy peeked through her fingers and smiled in approval.
"What the fuck are you doing here, you annoying shit?" Levi asked, completely exhausted. Despite his prayers his insomnia had been a bitch. He had only gotten to sleep a few hours ago but now he was awake he was going to stay awake for the rest of the day thanks to his 'friend'. Izzy smirked.
"I have some information; I think you boys will like!" Izzy said in a sing song voice. Farlan rubbed his eyes and sat up so his back was against the headboard.
"What?" Farlan asked with a yawn.
"Well, you know how I haven't had a roommate since we got here because someone dropped out before we came." Izzy started excitedly. Levi rolled his eyes but nodded anyway wanting her to get to the point. "Well, I got a new room mate yesterday." Izzy said with a smirk.
"And why is that interesting information?" Levi asked with narrowed eyes. Farlan also looked curious.
"Because... it was the English girl. The one we met yesterday!" Izzy squealed. Farlan's eyes widened in excitement and a big goofy grin came to his face. Levi hated to admit it, but he also found his interest peaked. Although he forced his face to remain in its usual bored appearance. He pretended to stop listening and turned on his phone, strolling through but not paying any attention to the device.
"Really?!" Farlan asked, grinning widely. Izzy smiled and nodded back.
"We stayed up all last night talking. She is amazing. She's funny and really smart. Although she's actually quite reserved, a bit like Levi. She didn't show much emotion, but I pulled some out of her." Izzy smirked triumphantly, talking to Farlan as she didn't believe Levi was listening anymore.
"Tell me, everything." Farlan said seriously. Izzy giggled but did as she was told.
"Her name is Harlow Danes and she is 18-years-old. She was born in London and was going to a university there but got offered a transfer position recently. She's an art student. She showed me some of her work, it's really cool." Izzy said with bright eyes. Farlan smiled.
"Wow. Pretty, smart, funny and talented. She's the whole deal." Farlan said dreamily. Levi leant over and smacked him up the side of the head. Farlan turned to glare at him. "Oi, what was that for?"
"She's not an object for you to look at. Do not start stalking this woman Farlan, trust me. It won't take her long to realise what a creepy bastard you really are." Levi said in a bored tone, continuing to scroll through his phone. Farlan blushed a deep red.
"I wasn't... I mean I... you don't..." Farlan tried but couldn't find the words in his flustered state. Izzy burst out laughing while Levi held a small smirk on his face.
"Anyway, I asked her if she wanted to join us for lunch today since she has no one else." Izzy continued and Farlan's eyes lit up.
"Isabel you are a goddess!" Farlan cried and Izzy blushed but laughed. Levi rolled his eyes. He had enough friends already; he didn't need another brat coming into his life uninvited. Izzy noticed his sour attitude and turned to him.
"Levi, I swear to god if you are mean to this girl in any way, I will hide a dirty sock in your room and not tell you where." Izzy threatened seriously. Levi had to supress a shiver at the thought. He truly was a clean freak all the way.
"Tch. Fine, she can eat with us, just this once. Don't make it a regular thing." Levi said with narrowed eyes. Izzy grinned and throwed her hands in the air in victory. Farlan did the same. Levi rolled his eyes at his friends' childish antics, knowing this was going to be a long day.
"Why isn't she here yet?" Farlan whined, his head firmly pressed against the wooden table. They were outside in the gardens, away from where the other students ate their lunch since Levi hated how loud and messy, they were. It had become their spot. Izzy looked around them again with a frown.
"Maybe she got lost." Isabel suggested with a shrug. The girl was 30 minutes late and both Izzy and Farlan were freaking out. Levi himself, couldn't be happier. He didn't like the way that brat made him feel. He'd like to avoid that feeling as long as possible. They only had ten minutes before Lunch was over and none of them would see the girl until tomorrow. Well, all except Izzy, who was apparently her roommate.
"I'm so hungry." Farlan started to pretend cry. Levi took another bite of his protein bar before smacking his friend up the head.
"Stop whining and eat. Clearly she isn't coming today." Levi said sternly. Farlan rubbed his head and sent Levi a half-assed glare before doing as he was told and eating his meal. Levi finished his lunch, which only consisted of an apple and a protein bar before standing up and wiping down his clothes, which had nothing on them but made him feel better anyway.
"Where are you going?" Izzy asked curiously. Levi rolled his eyes at her scepticism and started to walk back towards the main building.
"Toilet." Levi called over his shoulder receiving no response, so he kept his course. Still he decided to take the long way around since some frat-boy-idiot had decided to start a food fight among the picnic benches. Levi made his way through the forest section of the gardens, enjoying the peace and tranquillity before he spotted something out of the ordinary. He saw another person which was weird since no one ever came down here. Before walking off he spared another look to the person, eyes widening a fraction when he realised it was none other than the blue-haired brat from yesterday. Harlow, Levi remembered Izzy called her. She was sitting on a rock, earbuds plugged in, hand roughly tracing something in a sketch book. Her lunch was on a smaller rock next to her but looked untouched. It was a simple lunch, like his, only consisting of a few crackers and an orange. But what caught Levi's attention the most was the two tears rolling down the brat's face. Levi sighed in annoyance before walking up to her. It took a moment, but she realised he was there and pulled out her earphones, subtly wiping her eyes.
"Hi." The girl said simply, closing her sketch book before Levi could get a good look and shoving it in her bag along with her lunch and earphones. Levi quirked a brow.
"Why are you here? I thought Izzy invited you to lunch. While we're at it, why were you crying?" Levi asked in a monotoned voice, slightly surprising himself. He never cared enough to ask about people he didn't know. The girl stood up and looked up at him.
"I'm here because its quiet. I like quiet. Yes, Isabel invited me to lunch, and I appreciated the offer, but I never accepted. As for why I'm crying, I don't think that's any of your business.
Harlow replied in a stern but kind voice. Levi was taken aback by her response. No one ever talked to him like that. This brat was very interesting and full of surprises.
"No, I guess it's not. Not that I care what the fuck you do with your time, but my friends were waiting for you. At least have the decency to decline the invitation next time." Levi retorted with a bored expression. Harlow looked at him curiously.
"Noted. I have to go." Harlow replied, picking up her green rucksack and throwing it over her shoulder before walking away from Levi, deeper into the forest. Levi stared after her for a second before shaking his head and sticking to his original course, they're conversation still playing over in his head. Why it was, he had no fucking clue.
It had been a week since his conversation with the blue-haired brat and she still hadn't joined them for lunch. Farlan whined about her constantly and so did Isabel. Apparently, Harlow had become quite the reclusive roommate and wasn't opening up to Izzy anymore. She wasn't impolite or rude or anything, but she only spoke when spoken to and basically kept to herself. The blue-eyed brat had become the group's main topic of conversation and it was starting to get on Levi's nerves. His head thought about her enough as it was, he didn't need to hear it from Izzy and Farlan as well.
It was during lunch that he had officially heard enough of his best friends' moaning.
"I just wish I could have a proper conversation with her." Farlan whined, leaning back on the bench and staring up at the sky. Isabel nodded in agreement. Nope. That was enough. Levi huffed in frustration, standing up and ignoring his friends' curious glances and questions before taking off towards the forest on the edge of the school grounds. He would find this brat and drag her back to his friends. He needed to make the complaining stop before his head exploded. Yes, that was definitely why he was doing it. It's not like he wanted to see the brat himself or anything. No that wasn't it. Right?
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of pencil on paper, he looked towards the sound only to find the person he was looking for. She was a bit deeper into the forest this time, laying down on her stomach. She was in casual clothing, her hair tied up in a messy bun, a few blue strands settling in front of her face, which was furrowed in concentration. Levi could tell she was drawing something in front of her this time, instead of just drawing from memory as she kept flicking her gaze between her pad to something Levi couldn't see. He decided to get closer and figure out what it was before he made himself known. It didn't take long to spot the baby deer, grazing on some grass on the edge of the school grounds where the forest stopped being a part of the school and started being a part of nature. Levi almost smiled at the image. This girl really was something. He leaned back on a tree, crossing his arms and letting the girl work before the deer eventually walked off back to its mother and they disappeared into the forest. The girl sighed in satisfaction, wiping her face and putting her sketch pad back in her bag before taking out an apple and biting into it. It was then that she noticed Levi's presence and froze.
"I'm not stalking you." Levi said in a bored voice. The girl stood up and collected her belongings before walking towards him with narrowed eyes.
"Are you sure?" Harlow asked suspiciously. "Why were you just watching me then?" Levi rolled his eyes.
"I wasn't watching brat, I was waiting. Unless you wanted me to move and spook the deer?" Levi asked also narrowing his eyes. They both stayed like that for a moment, watching each other. It was Harlow who broke the gaze first and let out a small laugh.
"Okay, well I appreciate it. Most people wouldn't have taken that initiative. It's really hard to find opportunity's like that one." Harlow smiled. "I'm Harlow." The girl held out a hand. Levi looked at it hesitantly before shaking it, ignoring how the touch sent a fire through his whole body and sped up his heartrate dramatically.
"Levi."
"And can I do something for you Levi?" Harlow asked with a smile. Levi rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"You can come to lunch with us." Levi said straight up. Suddenly the girl looked upset and took a step back. Levi watched her curious behaviour but didn't mention it.
"I can't, I'm sorry." Harlow replied, looking down at the floor and scuffing the dirt with the top of her shoe.
"Why?" Levi asked, confused. It wasn't that hard was it?
"Because... I just can't I'm sorry." Harlow blurted out quickly before walking away for the third time. Levi watched her leave, not being able to hide his interest in the brat any longer. Something about her was definitely pulling him in.
