Eren plopped down in his usual lunch spot between Mikasa and Armin. Jean and Marco sat across from them, unfortunately. (Eren had never really cared much for horse-face, but his other friends seemed to like him.) (How they did, he'll never understand.) (But anyway.)

"So," Jean teased, as he often did when speaking to Eren. "How's dance class goin', buttercup?"

"Leave. Just get out, you piece of -"

"Jeez, Eren, calm down!" Mikasa laughed, punching him softly in the arm. She'd gotten much less over-protective of Eren since they'd all survived their first year of high school. If he was able to pass all seven classes and keep himself in one piece, she'd reasoned, he could survive on his own. Probably.

"Yeah, dude, he doesn't mean anything by it," Marco added, chuckling. He clapped Jean on the back in an it's-all-cool gesture, but his hand lingered a bit too long. Eren suppressed a snicker - Jean was an oblivious idiot. But he was supposed to be mad. So.

"Yeah, I know," Eren sighed wearily. "But it's annoying as all hell, so maybe you could stop now?"

"Don't count on it," Jean grinned wickedly.

Eren was saved from his lack of a witty retort when someone's voice rang out, loudly.

"Armin!" a girl called from across the room. "Arrrrrr-miiiiin!" She was gorgeous, with icy-blonde hair and electrifying eyes, and was sitting with a husky-looking light-haired boy and another, slightly smaller brunette.

Armin blushed, gathering his things hurriedly. "Sorry, guys, I have to go…."

The table of friends giggled, shoving him towards the girl. He tripped, but managed to stumble across the cafeteria without any other issues.

Eren looked dumb-founded. "Who's that?"

"That," Marco smirked, "is Armin's secret admirer. Annie, I think."

"She's crazy-strong and hates pretty much everyone," Mikasa added, obviously impressed. "Well, except for Reiner and Bertolt, those two hunks over there…and Armin." She paused, sounding a bit jealous as her mouth twisted in a scowl. Fortunately, Jean and Marco were back to their subconscious flirt-fest and didn't appear to notice.

Eren felt bad for his friend, who'd confided in him back in middle school that she had feelings for the blonde brainiac. She hadn't told anyone else, even Eren's - her - parents, so of course it must hurt her. No one knew, so what else could she do but watch?

"Hey," Eren nudged her gently, speaking softly so that no one else could hear him. "She looks like a punk. He won't fall for her."

A smile tugged Mikasa's lips as Eren added, "And she's got nothing on you."

The ear-splitting ring of the bell signified the end of lunch, severing conversations as students parted their ways to find their fifth-period classrooms.

Whoa, Eren mused as he put in his locker combination and dumped his books inside. Is it really March already? It feels like the year's just started.

Three more months. Then summer. Finally.

As Eren closed his locker with a shuddering Clang! and began making his way to the chemistry lab, he stopped almost dead in his tracks, moved along only by the perpetual flow of the crowd.

Levi's steely-gray eyes were fixed unmistakably on his, for about three fleeting seconds, before the senior ripped his gaze away and continued shoving forwards.

Eren could feel his heart thundering, his heart rate speeding up inexplicably, his cheeks turning slightly pink.

What was that?

As he made his way, slightly disoriented, into the chem room, he couldn't help but smile proudly at the sudden and subtle attention. Maybe Levi wasn't a complete ass after all….

(several weeks later...)

Levi was a complete ass.

He hadn't so much as looked at Eren since that day, not once. Not even when Eren worked up the courage to compliment him after a particularly draining dance class the next week (dance sure wasn't a sport - it was way more physically taxing and involved than any sport Eren had ever attempted), or when he'd walked straight into the jerk on his way to the cafeteria, forehead-to-chest.

Not so much as a glance.

"What gives him the right?" Eren ranted furiously to Mikasa as they walked home one afternoon. It was beautiful out, their uniform sweaters abandoned and balled up in their shoulder bags. Eren kicked a rock angrily, just to take his frustration out on something. "I mean, he always acts like he's just so much better than everyone else, I don't know if he even has friends -"

"Eren," Mikasa interjected, sighing at the familiar rant she received once or twice a week, on average. "You care way too much about this guy."

"I do not!" he shouted, indignant. "He's just annoying!"

"I think you like him," Mikasa smirked.

Eren rolled his eyes. "No. I don't. He's a -"

"I mean, like…like him."

He stopped, the rock he was kicking skidding to a halt a ways down the road. "What?"

Cherry blossom trees lined the quiet street, soft, pink petals drifting lazily in the warm breeze. They caught in Mikasa's hair as she smiled at nothing in particular.

"I mean," she said slowly, "that you don't always have to like a person to…I dunno, like them."

Eren shook his head, the utter thought completely ridiculous. "That makes no sense. Also, you're crazy."

She huffed. "Eren, you've never been in love. It's not like you're an expert."

"And just because you've been in love doesn't make you an expert, either," Eren countered, eyes narrowed. "Love's different for everyone, isn't it?"

She shook her head, speeding up. "Whatever, Eren. Do what you want. But I know I'm right."

Eren had to jog to keep up with her. "Hey! Don't get like that! I'm sorry, okay?!"

Mikasa just grinned, looping her arm around her step-brother's shoulders. "I am right. Trust me - you'll see."

Eren didn't get why Mikasa was so convinced that "hate" was synonymous with "love," but he was too tired to argue anymore. He just laughed, shoving her slightly as they meandered down the path.

"Yeah, alright already," he grinned. "Race ya home!"

"Eat my dust!" Mikasa laughed, passing him easily.

Eren groaned, slowing as a fierce pain erupted in his side. He just couldn't catch a break, could he?