Okay, I have a confession to make: I've been sucked into the world of gossiping. I was never the type of guy who gossiped because I never really cared. Now I know that three cheerleaders may be pregnant all from the same guy, Ymir might have killed a student that has been absent for three days, and apparently Eren and I (when I was a boy) had a thing for each other. First of all, that's disgusting (the last one, I mean). Second of all, now I want to know what else they've said about me. But at the same time, I don't want it to get all awkward. I've just started to get to know all of these girls, and they don't think I'm as much of an asshole as they used to. What's up with that anyway? The only time I was ever an asshole was when I tried to hit on Mikasa and get into fights with Eren.

Which happened a few times...

But that's beside the point. Look at me, I'm getting all worked up over some stupid rumors. Is this why girls are so stressed out during school? Man, I don't think I'll ever understand anything.

The newest gossip session started this afternoon, at the second table across from ours at lunch. The lunch room is always noisy, but I can somehow hear just fine what those girls are saying. Sasha, being the charismatic person she is, starts the conversation while I subtly listen.

"Okay guys, I've got an update on the Connie situation," she starts out, catching everyone's attention. Something that involved Connie? I hadn't heard about that.

"Well, I-"

"If you say 'almost' again I swear to god I will not share any of my meat with you for a month. You really just need to tell him already." Sasha gave a small yelp of embarrassment, and the rest of the girls just giggled. Wait, what did I miss? "You really just need to tell him already?" What the hell was that-

Oh. Ohhh wait.

They were talking about love. The one thing that I avoided at any and all costs. Crushes and relationships always seemed kinda foreign to me. I've had a couple girlfriends, but it never felt right. Like what do you even do? You go out on dates, and maybe kiss, and hold hands, and then later, when things get really hot-

Stop it Jane. Stop. I tried to focus back in on what they were saying.

"So what were you going to say about Eren last week, Mikasa?" Christa asked.

"Oh, well I thought it was nothing. But I actually maybe think he's not as straight as I thought." It was quiet for a brief moment. The looks in the girl's eyes told Mikasa to keep going. She sighed. "I was coming to pick him up from Armin's house since our mom had to work late, and when I picked him up, his hair and Armin's hair was messy. Like, they just... you know. And I swear I saw something on both of their necks. But, I don't think it's what I think it is," she said even though she looked unsure of what she said. I swear those girls looked like hungry dogs with all the information Mikasa was feeding them. Hell, I was just as into it as they were. Jaeger, being gay? That's news to me. Of course, it was only a rumor, but it is pretty weird that Armin practically clings to him like a needy child. Maybe there's another reason behind that. Oh my god, why am I analyzing Eren's love life? I was so busy with my own little train of thought that I didn't notice that the girls were talking about me until I heard my name.

"...not surprised at all. I thought he was after Jean," Sasha said, making almost every girl nod in agreement. Um, excuse you all. I never once thought that Eren out of all people was attractive. The only person I've ever thought was attractive was Mikasa.

But suddenly, my mind immediately contradicted itself by thinking of Marco. I thought back to two days ago, when he saved me from those guys, and a couple weeks ago when he went clothes shopping with me. And when we played video games and watched TV. But it's because I'm a girl right? Yeah, I'm only paying attention to him because I'm a girl who is desperate for love.

"Well it's obvious now that Eren isn't after Jean. That means Marco still has a shot!" Christa said, making everyone smile and nod in agreement. I nearly choked on my sandwich. What.

"Yeah! the way he kept an eye on her yesterday, and when they were both boys they always looked after each other, just like a married couple. Aw, I wish I had someone like that," Sasha said, getting a dreamy look in her eyes. This was so wrong on so many levels! Sure maybe I was just a tiny bit gay, and he did look sort of attractive, but that doesn't mean anything.

Does it?

Suddenly, everything got super confusing. My mind had never felt this lost before. I needed to get to a bathroom. But when I tried to stand up, my mind told me to stay, to wait to hear more. Luckily, they moved onto a different topic, and that was my chance to run.

Call me crazy, but whenever I have a lot to think about, the bathroom stall at school always seems like the best place to do it, even if you aren't doing your business. Unfortunately, as soon as I got in there, the warning bell sounded, and I needed way more than three minutes to process my ephianies. Plus Marco was in my next class, and boy was I screwed now. I just know that I'd look at him and think, what does he think of me? And he'd stare right back with his bright, brown eyes, and smile that gorgeous smile that made any girl's heart melt. And we'd talk for the entire period, and he probably would make me laugh with his odd sense of humor. It happened that way everyday, and that's how I prefer it. I wouldn't have it any other way, and if I could just be with him and his dorky self forever, well, that wouldn't be so bad I guess. If it means spending time on the weekends watching movies and playing video games like I usually do, then, that wouldn't be so bad. I hear the late bell sound, and I slowly stand up.

Did I really just admit my crush on my friend? Yes, yes I did. But I think it's okay.

God I'm such a dork.

When I open the door to go to class, I see Marco sitting there. He looks pretty worried until he turns and sees that I've walked in. He gives me a smile and I walk over to sit down. The teacher continues to blab on and on, so I take the opportunity to tell Marco where I was.

"Sorry, I just got held up at the bathroom." I know it sounded half assed, but I've just had a giant realization and holy fuck he's sitting right there in front of me. His face is scrunched up in concern, and oh my god those adorable freckles make themselves noticeable.

"Is it cramps?"

"No, I'm done with that. For now at least. The girls line was just really long and slow. Nothing new." I thanked my past self for complaining to him about the long ass lines with the chatty girls, because now there was a 95% chance of him believing in me. It seemed to work, because he dropped the subject and went straight back to work. Was Marco always this concerned for my well being? I guess I had never noticed before. The only problem was if he liked me back in the way I liked him. I didn't want to push it though. I've decided to wait until the time is right to ask. I don't know when that will be, but I just know it'll happen eventually. Call it women's intuition, if you will.