I walked to training not knowing what to expect. I hadn't slept at all last night, and I could feel the bags under my eyes. My mind was distracted with thoughts of Erwin - what to do, what to say.

"Hey, Petra, wait up!"

I turned around to see Gunther jogging over to me, waving his arms around like a mad-man until he caught up.

"Goddamn, you look rough" he laughed, and when I didn't respond, a worried look crossed his face. "Are you okay Petra? You don't look too good. If you wanna skip out on training, I totally don't mind skiving with you", he said, flashing a devilish grin at me.

I thought back to last night, of Erwin's words. Don't be late.

"No, it's fine, I'm going to training. I'm just a little tired. It's different here, y'know? It's weird adjusting."

"I hear ya on that one. You think they'd make it a little more..homely. These beds are uncomfortable right?" he chuckled.

"Yeah...something like that."

When Gunther wasn't being an ass, he really did take my mind off things. He was so light-hearted, never taking anything too seriously, except when he was fighting. It was nice to be around someone who could just calm me down...even if it was only for 10 minutes. When we got to training, most of the other recruits were already there, surrounding Erwin as he stood on the bench to address everyone. He looked pissed, and with every word he spoke, he was getting louder and louder, until he was practically shouting.

"I've told you before Olou. We do this training each week to keep you at your best. So we can monitor you, see who our best soldiers are and rank you higher. Or would you prefer to never learn new skills? Do you want to be a shitty soldier forever? Would you like to know how I became Commander? I practised. We didn't have weekly practise when I was a new recruit. I did it on my own, and I became the best, because I worked for it. I've been kind enough as to devote my time off, to help you all, so don't you dare throw that back in my face, or you'll be the first to be eaten by a Titan when we're on our expedition next month."

I had wondered why Erwin helped the newbies so much. I didn't know it wasn't mandatory. He might have been harsh on Olou, but he had a point. Erwin was doing this for us, not for himself. He was a good man, with a devotion to his job, even with the amount of pressure there was on him. Olou however, was the opposite. He was an ass who seemed not to care less.

"Gunther, Petra, I'm glad you finally decided to join us." Erwin said sarcastically as he saw us join the back of the group. "I thought I put out the memo not to be late", he said, staring at me.

Gunther suddenly spoke up. "What? You never said th-"

"Shut up, Gunther." Erwin snapped. It took a moment for me to realise it was in private when he said not to be late, and only to me. Could he really have forgotten about the moment we shared last night? Was he that way he was with me, to everyone? Last night I was thinking that he could really like me, and doubt started to wash over me.

Adjusting the top button on his shirt, Erwin gained back his calm and collected manner, and that tone of voice that I had learnt was his 'official' speaking voice.

"There's a lot I want to observe today. Not fighting style, but speed. Agility. You will follow a circuit and I will see how you move whilst using your 3DMG. If everyone would be so kind as to follow me, we can get started. Unless of course, you'd like to be eaten by a Titan."

My hopes picked up hearing what we would be doing. Speed is the one thing I was good at. This was my moment to impress Erwin, to show him that I'm not incompetent at this. I strapped on my 3DMG, and followed the others to the training site, as Olou stood in shock that finally someone stood up to him. Asshole.

I was the last person in line to do the circuit, and saying that nerves had got to me would be an understatement. I could do this. I was good at this. I needed to prove myself, not just to Erwin but to everyone. I was sick of getting zero respect, with the exception of Gunther. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes as I kicked myself off the ground.

Everyone was stood waiting at the finish line when I got to the end, and as I landed on my feet, my heels dug into the dirt below me, dragging it up from the speed I was going. I looked up at everyone as they stood there in silence, mouths open. Did I not follow the circuit right? Had I hurt someone? I had felt the branch of a tree snap off behind me as I was moving through the air, but I didn't turn back to look. I was determined to get to the end of the track swiftly and quickly. Had that branch hit someone? I felt myself go pale when nobody spoke one word.

Suddenly, Gunther broke the silence and I gave him the most thankful look.

"Holy shit Petra, that was fucking amazing!" he shouted, running over to me and slapping his hand on my back, getting me in a headlock and ruffling my hair. "I've never seen you move like that before!"

Was I really that good? Relief washed over me as everyone began to talk among themselves again, and Erwin began to walk over to us, a smile beaming on his face.

"That was the best time we've had today, Petra." Erwin said. " You cleared the circuit in two minutes. Everyone else took at least two and a half, nearly three. You definitely have the upper hand when it comes to speed. Just try not to destroy your surroundings next time", he chuckled. "Good work out there today. I'll be remembering this. You'll be on my team in the expedition. Keep it up."

I couldn't help but break into the biggest smile I'd been able to muster since I arrived here. I had finally done something to prove that I belong in the Survey Corps. Gunther looked at me, and he smiled to himself as he finally saw me smile, properly.

"Let's get back home, Petra. I can imagine you need food and sleep after that performance!" Gunther said, ruffling my hair again as we walked back together, both of us happy together for the first time.

Walking back to my bedroom that night, I walked past Erwin's office, and couldn't help but overhear what sounded like a heated argument. I didn't mean to linger, but I did. He was arguing with a woman, and I remembered what I thought earlier...about Erwin flirting with every girl he saw here. It made me feel sick to my stomach, and all of a sudden, I was extremely interested in what this argument was about.

"Goddamnit Erwin, you can't!"

"Who says I can't? I'm the Commander here, not you. Have you forgotten that? I'll do as I please."

"Even if it means putting people in danger? Putting new recruits in danger? New recruits who won't be able to handle it?"

"It's ONE new recruit. And she won't be in danger, Hanji! You should have seen her out there today. She can handle it. We need someone with her speed with us on this one. This isn't an expedition outside the walls, this is different."

"What if he kills her? You think this man won't risk innocent lives to get away? Do you think she's killed before? Like we have? We've dealt with death for years Erwin, she hasn't. I think you're making a bad move."

"We'll all be there. She'll be fine. I'm not going to let anybody die. Not you, not her. Trust me on this Hanji. You know my plans come through. We need to find this man, and she can help."

There was a silence for what felt like hours as I stood anxiously at the door. They were talking about me. Erwin was talking about me. He wanted me to help with something, and by what I was hearing, I wasn't sure if I wanted to.

"Fine." Hanji said. "Do what you want. I've always followed your orders Erwin, and I'll go with you on this. But if anything happens to her, don't say I didn't tell you so. Remember this - I'm not going to be there to pick up the pieces.

I heard someone's footsteps getting closer to the door, and I bolted around the corner, my back flat against the wall, my breathing heavy. I crept to my room and flung myself onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. Hanji didn't make whatever this was, sound inviting. I'd have to pretend as if I hadn't heard a thing, as if I was oblivious to this unnamed mission that Erwin wanted me to take part in. I wanted to prove myself, but if it was a mission even Hanji was unsure about. I'm not ready yet.

I had no idea what to expect tomorrow.