"Armin…! Armin…! Earth to Armin…!" Eren grabbed hold of the sleeve of Armin's jacket roughly, stopping him in his tracks and getting his attention, finally. The blond snapped out of his thoughts and looked to his best friend, the best friend he hadn't been talking to for almost a week. Armin looked and felt emotionally drained.

"Armin look, I'm sorry for what happened last Saturday…I know I acted like a jerk to Annie." just because Eren had decided to apologise to Armin did not mean that he approved of Annie. He thought she was a bad girl and therefore no good for Armin. After all, Armin was the nicest guy he could possibly think of and he knew he could do better. Eren had realised that it didn't matter what he thought though, because it didn't stop Armin sitting with her at lunch. Eren also noticed how the pair had left school together every day that week. The brunet just couldn't stand not talking to his best friend any longer and after discussing it with Mikasa, he took on board her suggestion that he should just try to understand and accept what Armin wanted. If he was a good friend he would support Armin, not fight him.

"Huh?" had Eren just apologised? Armin wasn't sure if he had misheard or not. He definitely wasn't in the mood to put up with Eren's 'supportive' criticism right now. Sure, in the past Eren and Mikasa had always come to his rescue when bullies had targeted him, but Annie wasn't the enemy and Eren had no right to stick his nose in. Old habits never die, I guess…

"If you want to date Annie Leonhardt, then that's fine by me." Eren gave Armin his best smile of encouragement.

"Eren what are you talking about?"

"You're dating Annie, right? Well I know I wasn't all for it before, but I've been thinking and I've realised that I should be more supportive."

"We're not dating…"

"Oh" Eren didn't know what to say. He had assumed the two were a thing now.

"Eren you don't need to protect me like I'm a helpless little kid, I just turned sixteen! I know you used to be there for me when those kids on our street used to beat me up, and I'm thankful for that, really I am, but please don't interfere with Annie and me. You don't understand at all."

Eren couldn't hide the fact that he was taken back by Armin's words, "What's going on between you two, then?" he wondered, because hell if he knew.

"We're friends." Armin looked down, he knew he would have liked to be more than that, but he wasn't going to push for it. Especially since she seemed so reluctant to open up to him.

"And what is so complicated and hard to understand about being friends?" Eren raised his eyebrows. The whole situation was going over his head.

"I don't really want to discuss it here." Armin looked from side to side, beckoning at their surroundings. They were just about to enter the changing rooms for gym class. Armin didn't want to discuss Annie now, where anyone could overhear.

"Is it serious?" Eren was becoming concerned.

"Well y-yes…I think. To be honest, I'm not fully sure myself."

"Armin you're not making any sense!"

"I'll tell you later, okay?"

"Alright." Eren nodded, accepting that Armin didn't want to talk about it there. If they stood outside any longer they'd be late for class anyway, so Eren decided it was best to follow Armin into the changing rooms without asking further questions.

Armin was really concerned about Annie, especially after seeing those bruises all over her arms on Monday. Then later, when he discovered where she lived he became even more so. Not to mention how she had never once mentioned her family. Armin noticed that she seemed to be getting more and more comfortable with him by the day, but when he would walk her home of an evening, she would instantly turn very standoffish. It just didn't seem right. Nothing did. He was starting to believe that something was wrong at home, but he was terrified to approach her with that topic. If he was wrong, the likelihood was that she would get angry and tell him to shove his friendship where the sun doesn't shine. On the other hand, if he was correct, what could he do? He was a sixteen year old high school student living with his grandfather. He didn't have the power to do anything drastic. If it really was the case, it was going to be very difficult. Also taking into consideration that she was constantly turning down any help he tried to offer her. Then again, she did approach me about the tutoring, so she's not completely against wanting help, and don't forget those times she accepted the sandwich. She's just complicated.

Armin just didn't know what to do, and was once again left feeling useless.


Annie had turned up to gym class all week, not that she had had any choice. If she skipped again the principal would probably be quick to get in touch with her father. That was the last thing she needed. She didn't want his abusive, alcoholic nature to be exposed, and nor did she want to receive any unnecessary beatings.

She had down right refused to wear shorts the first time she went to class, but the teacher had forced her into it, threatening her with detention otherwise. She was not happy to say the least, because it meant that the bruises on her legs were exposed for everyone to see. Not to mention that it was freezing, Annie couldn't stand the cold. Luckily, they got to stay inside some days.

The blonde was surprised at how little attention the gym teacher actually paid during class. Annie was literally getting away with just standing around doing nothing, while some others in the class played the game of volleyball. So why did she insist I wear these fucking shorts if she's not even going to pay attention? Although irritated, Annie was thankful because she lacked the energy to participate in the game anyway. If anyone asks about the bruises, I'll just use the same excuse as last time. It worked with Armin, I think. It will work with these people who don't care anyway. Armin is the only one who cares.

Annie recognised that the blond sincerely cared for her wellbeing, and she was happy. She was happy he cared. I don't know why I'm so happy about it, though. Maybe it was because Armin was the first person to show any interest in her since her mother died. But I don't really want people to show an interest in me. Her emotions felt so conflicted, but she couldn't deny that over the past few days, Armin's tutoring had proved to be hugely beneficial. She had even started to get used to going around his place. Even if it was annoying that he persisted on walking her home every evening. I hate to admit it but I'm beginning to enjoy his company.

"Annie," a voice from behind interrupted her thoughts. The blonde girl was surprised that anyone was even attempting to talk to her. She turned around to see who it was and came face-to-face with the tall Asian girl. Mikasa Ackerman.

"What?" Annie looked up at Mikasa, wondering what she could possibly want with her.

"Do you like Armin?" her facial expression remained impassive, as usual.

What type of question is that!? Who does she think she is? Is it even any of her business? These thoughts instantly came to mind, but Annie could feel the blood rush to her face. Fuck no. Why am I blushing? "Why are you asking me this?" she grumbled. She should have just walked off and not bothered answering at all.

"Eren worries about Armin…" Mikasa stated. Of course, Mikasa's main priority was Eren Jaeger.

"And…?" Annie could feel anger slowly boiling inside of her. What did Eren Jaeger have to do with her feelings for Armin? Nothing, as far as she was concerned.

"I'm sure that you've realised Armin has a crush on you. Eren doesn't want Armin to get hurt. I'm asking a simple question, do you like Armin or not?" there was a look in Mikasa's eyes that hinted something along the lines of 'don't mess with me or else', not that Annie felt threatened by her.

"I don't understand what this has to do with you." Annie managed to say it with attitude in her tone but she could feel herself becoming flustered, the question was making her feel extremely uncomfortable. She didn't even know how to answer it. And even if she did, she wouldn't be telling Mikasa, because Mikasa was a stranger to her and it was absolutely none of her business.

"Eren and I are Armin's close friends, we care about his feelings."

Annie was completely lost for words. This didn't usually happen to her by choice, but there she was, stuck in a severely humiliating situation. Seriously, I don't deserve this shit.

"I'll take your silence as a yes then." Mikasa concluded and began to walk away.

Annie started to panic. She was still trying to process everything that had been said to her. So, he really does have feelings for me after all…but wait…

"Wait," Mikasa stopped and turned around to look at Annie again, "I don't have any feelings for that loser. He helps me with my school work because I'm behind, that's all." Annie knew that was a lie but she couldn't even admit to herself that she had feelings for Armin, let alone Mikasa. She couldn't allow someone she barely knew to know something so personal. This type of information could be used against her, after all.

"It's okay. I see how it is." there was a sly glint in Mikasa's eyes despite the rest of her face portraying no emotion. Annie didn't like the look of it one bit. Mikasa knew she was lying.

Lunch followed and Annie wasn't looking forward to it at all. She didn't want to eat the shitty soup, and she didn't want to have to sit opposite Armin Arlert. Mikasa was bound to tell Armin, or at least tell Jaeger who would tell Armin. Either way, Annie was done for. Maybe I should just go home. No. What am I thinking? Even school right now is better than going back there. Was it really true that Armin had a crush on her? Just because Mikasa Ackerman said it, didn't mean a thing. Annie knew somewhere inside that Mikasa was right though, and for some reason she wouldn't admit it. She felt extremely agitated as she walked to the cafeteria.

The small blonde collected her soup and headed for her usual place, she saw Armin already sitting there. Annie half-expected Mikasa and Eren to be sitting there too, but much to her relief they weren't. After her discussion with Mikasa, Annie had begun to feel uneasy. If her life wasn't already bad as it was, it just got a fraction worse. She dumped her tray down opposite of Armin, causing the soup to splosh over the bowl. Armin looked up at her and smiled as she sat down. She began to stir the soup without even looking at him, but she could feel his eyes on her.

"Hey, Annie" Armin's eyes were still staring at her, "How was gym?"

"Terrible." she muttered. It really had been, all thanks to Mikasa's rude and intrusive question. It had bothered her more than it should, because now she really had to contemplate her feelings for Armin. Annie already had enough on her mind, and now this? It wasn't fair.

"What happened? Do you not like sports?" the tone in Armin's voice was so genuine, but Annie refused to look up at him. She had been stirring her soup for about three minutes now.

"I do like sports." she answered truthfully, eyes still on the uninviting soup.

"I'm guessing just a bad day, then…?" Armin paused briefly and bit his lip, "W-would you tell me if there was something wrong?" he felt like he was chancing it by asking. But then again, he was probably at risk every time he ever opened his mouth to the fiery girl.

Annie simply nodded. She had no intention of telling him anything, though. What would she do if she confessed everything to him, told him how she was left to care for her dying mother while her father turned his back on them, and then after she died became a depressed alcoholic who beat her, what if Armin couldn't deal with her problems? What if he turned his back on her because he simply couldn't handle it? Annie hated to admit that she didn't want to be alone again, she was just getting used to Armin being in her life. Apart from which fact, she truly believed that it wasn't his business. Annie didn't want to say that out loud, though. After all, it would probably hurt his feelings. He's been so kind to me, especially with the tutoring. I don't want to treat him like a piece of shit.

Armin knew that he wasn't going to get any more out of Annie. He watched her, slightly concerned, as she continued to play with her food. He wouldn't give up on her though, he was determined. He just had to give her time. After a few moments he decided to eat his own food, because if he didn't, lunch would be over before he would be able to finish it. He finished his sandwich and then chugged down a carton of milk without the straw, having decided to buy it at the cafeteria for a change.

Sitting in silence with Armin was beginning to make Annie feel uncomfortable, perhaps because she had a lot on her mind and wanted to be distracted from it. It was definitely a change because silence usually made her happy. She dared herself to look up at Armin, and when she did, she had no regrets. The sound that came out of her mouth shocked her, it had become so unfamiliar. She hadn't laughed in such a long time that she forgot what her own laughter even sounded like. She couldn't contain herself and the sound continued to flow out of her mouth as she watched Armin's wide-eyed and completely dumbfounded face. Annie had to place a hand over her mouth to quieten herself in the end.

A milk moustache…! Seriously? What is he, like, six or something? She continued to giggle while Armin's face became redder by the second. He looked very perplexed, and more shocked than she felt.

"W-what?" She's laughing, but she's laughing at me!? Is there something wrong with my face? "Annie w-why are you laughing?" Armin was astonished to say the least. He hadn't seen her amused by anything before. Heck, he had barely seen a smile on her face. He never expected to hear her laugh, ever. It sounded so cute and carefree, too.

"You have a milk moustache from drinking from that carton." she stated. Annie had calmed down by now and stopped laughing. Armin missed the sound despite it causing him alarm at first.

"O-oh." he brought the back of his hand to his upper lip and quickly wiped any remnants of the milk away, he then gave her an awkward smile. Well, that was embarrassing but it was definitely worth it, hearing her laugh like that.

Annie suddenly felt sheepish due to her sudden outburst back there. She hadn't realised that she even had it in her to laugh like that anymore, but it turned out that she did. And it was all because of Armin.