Chapter 3: Attempt

It had been a few days since Marco confessed to Jean and he had awkwardly turned him down, but Marco was willing to let bygones be bygones if Jean was. Jean was also starting to grow closer to Armin and Mikasa, now he could confidently say they where friends and even remember Armin's name. Jean and Armin got along great, Armin was a smart but kind person who didn't sugar coat things but wasn't harsh about it. His personality went great with Jean's and if he didn't hang out with Eren as much, he'd of been friends with him sooner. But luck decided things were going to nicely for Jean.

Marco sighed as he dragged himself to Gym class. He was happy Jean was still his friend, but it didn't change the fact he had been rejected. Marco entered the Gym and winced, Mikasa was already dressed out and waiting for her brother and Armin. He felt a pang of jealousy but did his best to ignore it. He walked into the locker room where he got dressed and got out quickly, taking care to avoid Jean.

"This is pathetic! Our friendship won't last like this, I need to toughen up if I don't want to loose him, in terms of friendship anyway. He saw Jean walk out of the locker room and almost reluctantly walked over. "Hey Jean!" Marco said with a small smile. Jean smiled back, but it wasn't like he used to, Marco began to wonder if he should leave and end the awkwardness now. "Hi Marco" Armin said with a sweet smile. Marco smiled at the blond like he would normally, unknowingly causing Jean to frown, even if it was just for a moment.

"Hey Armin" Marco said happily. The three boys chatted, but it seemed more like two separate conversations with both really only talking to Armin, which didn't even last long. Armin left them later since Mikasa was most likely waiting for him and the polite boy didn't like to keep others waiting, even if Mikasa was extremely patient. Which left Jean and Marco in a rather odd situation.

With Gym out of the way the rest of the day Marco and Jean avoided each other like the plague even though both of them wanted to be friends, they knew it wasn't going to work out. Not like before anyway. Jean spotted Marco and quickly turned away, feeling guilty about not waving or something to him. Marco didn't bother to wave either, so in a way they were even. Jean sighed as he opened his locker.

"Jean...?" A voice asked. Jean looked, of all the people it could've been, it was Eren. "What do you want? I'm already having a rough day..." He grumbled. "I just wanted to ask if you were okay, you don't seem like your usual self." Eren said. Jean remained quiet. "Look, we might not get along, but we're friends. And as your friend I wanted to make sure your okay. You can count on me, Armin, and Mikasa" Eren said before walking away. No insult or sneer, no smirk or taunt, just a nod and he left. "Thanks..." Jean whispered to Eren, who wouldn't hear it.

For two weeks it had gone on, Jean and Marco tried to reconnect as friends but it just wasn't working. Finally Sasha was the one who put a stop to it. "This has gone on long enough. I can't eat with all this awkwardness! You two need to make up or sort out your sexual frustration or something!" Sasha said. Connie nodded in support of his friend. Neither Jean nor Marco said a word, Sasha mumbled something before going off to who knew where and dragged Connie along.

"They are right..." Marco said solemnly. Jean looked at his once best friend, it was going to happen sooner than later, but perhaps it was for the best. "We had a good run, right Jean?" Marco asked with a forced smile. Jean slowly nodded, "Maybe we'll be friends again later." Marco said, if he could get over him that is. Jean nodded and felt like he wanted to cry. He was grateful tears didn't form but for Marco this was not the case. His eyes watered and he stood up quickly, "I'm sorry" Jean whispered. Marco nodded and walked off. Tears falling down his face.

"Hurry up Armin!" Eren whined as his blond friend gathered his things together. "Go on ahead and meet up with Mikasa, I'll be right there." Armin said. Eren nodded and took off while Armin finished up. He threw on his backpack and began to head where Eren was when he stepped in something sticky. "Ew" Armin said as he inspected the fresh wad of gum stuck to his shoe. He went over to the bathroom to wash it off when he heard a groan.

It was faint, but got Armin's attention in the otherwise quiet rest room. Armin took another step forward and sighed, he may of just stepped into piss, gross. Armin looked down to confirm his suspicions but he was wrong. Piss wasn't red. Armin traced it back to a stall and held his breath. He slowly walked over to the door and with a shaky hand held it open. "Marco!"