A/N:

Strawberry Rhubarb pie
1. A strawberry rhubarb pie, is a type of tart and sweet pie made with a strawberry and rhubarb filling, often tasting both sweet and sour at the same time. It is a traditional dessert in the United States and is often served in spring as well as summer.

Sasha

Prom is something that I never thought I would be doing. I'm not into the fancy dresses, crazy hair or even the idea of walking around pretending to, but here I am. It was not my idea to have a date to prom but, Bert insisted since his girlfriend… and his boyfriend were going together. Everyone had someone to be with, even Connie.

Looking back now it seems obvious how things would turn out. After another year of watching Ymir skirt around the subject in grade eight she finally asked Krista out. They have been together ever since. Jean finally got over Mikasa in tenth grade when she came out as asexual. After getting their shit together he and Marco started dating a month later.

Bert, Reiner and Annie's relationship was difficult for us to understand at the beginning. Each of them would date each other for a couple of months but it wouldn't last. It was clear that they all loved each other and couldn't survive without each other. Next thing you know they're all dating each other. Sure it's unconventional but if it makes them all happy and they're cool with it I think that's great.

Connie and Mina is what I don't understand. Before this year they maybe spoke three times a semester and now they've been dating for five months. I don't know what he sees in her. He's been spending more time with her and her friends recently. I know I'm not the only one that misses him. Mina just doesn't seem to like us and we all know this. She has been downright cruel to me at times but Connie won't or at least doesn't see it. Without him it's like there is a piece of the puzzle missing, nothing quite fits right. I miss our special Friday night hang outs where more often than not one of us will end up sleeping over. Now he'll only come around every second Friday night when I'm lucky.

Finishing up my makeup I look up at the clock on my bedroom wall and realize that it is getting late. I grab my overnight bag quickly checking to make sure I have everything I need to sleep over at Annie's house. Coming down the stairs from my bedroom to the main floor I see my father waiting at the bottom beaming with pride.

"Ya look so beautiful honey pie. Your momma would be so proud if she could see ya now" he says taking my hand in his.

"Papa that is the most ridiculous, cheesiest "Proud parent at Prom" thing you could say. Should I save this precious memory for our Hallmark greeting card for next Christmas" I say as the doorbell rings.

"Hush child, let me bask in this moment. I'll want a picture of ya and yer gentlemen friend before ya go" walking through the hallway to the door.

"Papa he's just a friend, nothing more. He's not even single" I mutter.

"Precious memories darlin', precious memories" he replies while opening the door.

"Wow look at you all decked out with the hair and the dress and those fancy converse. Ready to go" Bert smiles.

"One second papa wants to take a picture of us" I sigh.

"Hello Bert now I know you and my daughter ain't together but I want ya to take care of her this evenin'. Make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble with the admin, she enjoys herself and she actually chews her food. I don't want to have to take another trip up to the emergency ya hear" he warns him.

"Yes Sir. Make sure our darling Sasha doesn't get hurt. I can do that" moving closer to me to pose for the picture. We take a couple of photos (some more funny then others) and then Bert escorts me to the limo. Saying hi to everyone I realize that something is up, Connie and Mina aren't here.

"Guys where are Connie and Mina? I thought my house was the last stop before we headed downtown. Are we picking them up at Mina's then" I wondered out loud. Nobody would look me straight in the eye and answer the question. Before I could ask again Marco spoke up.

"Sasha… Connie and Mina decided to change limos last minute. They're in Thomas' and Daz's one now. I'm sorry we didn't text you. We thought you deserved to find out in person" giving me a small smile.

"Yeah I guess so. I just don't understand why she doesn't like us… why she doesn't like me" sighing as I sink deeper into my seat.

"I don't know Sash. I just don't know" Krista hugs me from the side. "We'll still see them at Prom and be able to have a good time with them. Don't worry" she smiles.

As we make our way downtown I start to feel a bit better. Everyone is laughing and joking like nothing has happened and I suppose it is better this way. It would have been awkward being in a small cramped space with her for over an hour. At least with us being in an open room there are more escape routs.

We arrive at the hotel where Prom is happening this year and make our way upstairs to the reception. Everything is so beautiful, the lights, the sounds, the food and most of all my friends and classmates around me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Connie and Mina standing with her group of friends. He leans over to her, says something and she shakes her head. I can almost imagine her rolling her eyes at us as he turns and walks towards us.

"Sorry about the whole limo thing guys. I didn't even know it was happening until it happened. I thought we were going with you but it seems Mina had other plans. Super sorry"

"Don't worry about it short stuff. You're still coming back with us to Annie's tonight right" Reiner asks.

"I'm not one hundred percent sure guys. Mina seems pretty set on going to Daz's after Prom but I'm going to work on changing her mind. Worst case scenario I'll go over to his place for a few hours then drag her over. Tonight is going to be great I promise!"

Since we were such a large group we ended up at two different tables. Everyone besides me and Bert were at the other table. We were stuck with Mina and her crew… lucky us. It was awkward to say the least. Connie tried to make it more comfortable for us by joking around but it didn't do much. After a while he just gave up trying. Mina's friends didn't seem to want to associate with us at all during supper. They were quite rude to us, but, Connie did not seem to notice. Bert and I were saved throughout the supper by the various teachers that would swing by our table and by the DJ when he spun something danceable. I was progressively getting madder at Connie throughout the night and it was showing.

Prom was definitely not turning out the way I had thought it was. I was still having an okay time, despite all the problems but I was looking forward more to the after prom. Then we'd all be together just our small group and be able to do whatever we pleased. After the supper I spent most of the time with my group dancing sometimes with Bert and sometimes with Mikasa. Connie ignored us all in favour of Mina, I guess she said something to him. Nearing the end of the night we all sat down at one of the tables, pulling out extra chairs for me and Bert. We were tired of dancing and decided we might as well head over to Annie's.

"Will somebody go over and get Connie. We need to know what exactly his plan is before we leave" Annie asked looking like she had had enough of Prom for one lifetime.

"I'll go pull him away from lover girl. Give me a second" Jean jogged over to Connie's table.

"So what's happening Connie" Eren asked.

"She really doesn't want to come over. I legitimately tried my best. I think I'm just going to have to go over to Daz's for a bit and try to convince her that we should come over" he explained.

"But what if she doesn't say yes? You've spent zero time with us tonight. It's been all about Mina all the time" I state crossing my arms.

"Well she is my girlfriend Sash. I don't know? I tried my best" he shrugged.

"Don't you dare shrug at me, not after tonight" I stare at him.

"Sasha I TRIED MY BEST" his voice getting louder trying to make his point.

"Your best hasn't gotten you anywhere tonight. You went with Mina in her limo without even warning us. We were stuck with you and Mina and her awful friends during supper. You gave up on trying to make us feel part of the group. You even stopped talking to us in favour of Mina. You have been a shit friend tonight Connie Springer and you are at your worst" my voice getting higher and my face reddening.

"I guess if you feel that way I'll just go over to Daz's and stay there. I can't believe you said that. I thought you were my best friend. Mina is important to me and you should know that by now. I'm done with this. I don't need you Sasha Blouse or your stupid comments" with that he turned around and walked off leaving us dazed.

I can feel my eyes filling up with tears. I didn't mean to get so angry but I was so frustrated with him, with Mina and her friends. From across the way I can see Connie and Mina slow dancing together. Mina had a smirk on her face and was staring directly at us.

"Don't let her see you cry. She'll win if you do. Be strong until we can get downstairs then you can cry, yell, beat something up and swear all you want. She wants a reaction from you and she isn't going to get one while I'm on watch" Annie growls grabbing my hand pulling me towards the exit. As we leave together the others follow leaving Connie behind.

We make our way downstairs and find our limo. After being so strong upstairs I finally let myself cry once inside. There is absolute silence in the car, nobody wanting to or knowing how to breach the subject. Reiner pulls me into a tight hug and I feel protected, safe and after awhile stop crying. Slowly we make our way over to Annie's house through the late night traffic.

Annie had spent all day cleaning and decorating the house in preparation for us coming over. I had never seen her empty house seem so alive. After we all changed out of our formal wear we were led to the back yard where we would be hanging out until we decided to go to bed. It was magnificent with lights strung along the fence posts and chairs and sofas set up for relaxing. There was a small area for dancing where Annie's laptop was set up to DJ for us all night.

Hours passed by people dancing and lying down on the sofas talking. I tried to enjoy myself but it was hard without Connie. I was so angry with how things turned out but I still missed him. Slowly as the night trickled by people went inside to sleep leaving only Mikasa, Jean, Marco and I on the deck. I went inside briefly to use the bathroom and by the time I got back Mikasa was gone.

"Where's Mikasa? I didn't see her go inside" I ask the pair.

"She got a call and had to deal with something. She said that she would be back in about half an hour" Jean explained.

"Where did she go?"

"I'm not sure but she took Annie's car" Jean answered.

"She hasn't drank anything but Pepsi all night so I know she's safe to drive. Don't worry" Marco reassured me.

Time passed slowly over those next thirty minutes. Jean and Marco decided to head inside to get some sleep while I decided to stay up for Mikasa. I lay down on the deck watching the stars waiting for her. I just wanted to make sure she got home safe. Next thing I know the back door opens and I look up and see Connie.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were at Daz's partying it up with your girlfriend" I spat refusing to look at him.

"Mikasa came and got me" he said lying down next to me on the wooden deck grabbing one of the pillows.

"Well what if I don't want you here" still ignoring him.

"Well I don't have anywhere else to go… we broke up" he said as I turned on my side to look at him.

"Dear lord what happened" touching the red marks on his face.

"I got into a fight with Thomas, he crossed a line. When you left I was mad, really mad. I knew some of the things you had said were true but I was too stubborn to admit it. When I got over to Daz's with Mina the rest of them had all started drinking and had been for a while. It was fun at first dancing around and joking but then things made a turn for the worse a couple of hours later. The alcohol really loosened everyone's lips about how they felt. Daz started talking about how I ought to stop being friends with you guys. He said nothing good would come from our group. I tried defending everyone but then Mina piped up saying that she thought he was right. She also said that she thought I shouldn't associate especially with Mikasa since she is a "stone cold bitch incapable of love". I was ready to leave then and there but then Thomas decided to give me his two cents about our group. What he said was unforgivable. He told me I should stay away from those fags or people might think I was one of them too"

"Oh god" I whisper not knowing what exactly to think.

"Oh yes. At that point I just stopped caring and decked him in the face. He was stunned for a moment and then swung full force into my face. The fight only lasted a minute or two in reality but it felt like forever. Mina was not happy to say the least. I told her I was done with everything and she should start looking for a new boyfriend. I picked up my bag and I called Mikasa on my way out and now I'm here" grinning that stupid smile of his.

"You decked him in the face for us".

"Boy was seeing stars. I couldn't let him say things like that. Gives me a bad reputation if I were to allow that. I'm a better friend than that." The silence between us was deafening, we just sat there together looking up at the sky full of stars not sure what to do.
"Sash I'm so sorry" he began "I'm sorry for tonight and I'm sorry for the last five months. I guess it took you getting mad at me for me to see what was going on. I never knew she was like that, she was always so sweet to me. If I had known then how things would have turned out I don't think I would have even bothered. Will you forgive me"

"If I'm going to be honest I'm still a bit mad about the situation. I know it sounds petty but I was disappointed with prom because of you two. I knew you were going to be with her but I expected some alone time together. I didn't get that and my prom experience isn't one I will look back on as something extraordinary. It's been a bunch of terrible months for all of us. I think it might be awhile before I can completely forgive you" rolling back onto my back avoiding the hurt in his eyes.

"There's nothing I can do to change the past. I can't give you back these past five months. What's done is done, but I can change the present. I'm going to work at getting you to forgive me if you're willing, starting now. Sasha Blouse will you do the honour of dancing with me" rolling over onto his knees and offering me his hand.

"Only this once" I grab his hand as he hoists me up. A slow song comes on the speaker as if it was planned in advance but I don't think much of it. He takes me and his arms and we dance together slowly enjoying ourselves. Things for sure did not turn out how I had thought or hoped they would. That's the thing about life, you have to expect the unexpected and be ready for things to turn out bad. It can't always be sunshine, lollipops and rainbows or it wouldn't be interesting. I'm glad Connie came back to us but I know someday he might not and I have to be ready for it. For better or for worse I'll have to be ready.