Chapter 5: Let the Past Go

Krista walked in her home cautiously, shutting the door behind her quietly. When nothing jumped at her, she let out a sigh of relief, slumping forward in exhaustion. She'd just returned from her little excursion with Ymir, and she was not looking forward to facing someone who would destroy her bright mood.

She trudged up the stairs, aching for a shower. After entering her bedroom and peeling off her dirty school clothes, she jumped in the shower across her bedroom, turning the water on and immediately disappearing into her thoughts. As she lathered her hair, she thought of Ymir and her mother. There was no way her mother would approve of Ymir now, especially with the way Krista was acting. Krista would simply have to continue sneaking away at dawn and coming back later after school. While she could lie and say she had extracurricular activities, there was no way her mother would believe her. It would simply have to be enough to disobey her mother, and just forget about the lying, that way she wouldn't be able to punish Krista even more.

Krista rinsed her hair and turned off the water, wrapping a towel around herself and exiting. With her pyjamas on and her alarm set, she set out to complete her homework. At the crack of her bedroom door, there rested a pair of curious blue eyes following her every move, before finally subsiding and pulling away, slinking down the hall.

The following dawn, she left again, with only a note at her bedside explaining her absence. She made it to the bus stop faster than yesterday, though that was probably because she wasn't ill. She saw Annie again and approached her with a smile, waving. Annie tilted her head slightly upward in greeting.

"Hey!" Krista chirped.

"Hello."

"So, I'm feeling much better today than yesterday."

"I wasn't going to ask."

Krista was undeterred. "You know, you and Ymir may be nothing alike, but you're both so weird in that you can't admit anything because of your pride."

Annie said nothing but pursed her lips, crossing her arms tightly. She looked down the road in search of the city bus. Krista looked at her with apprehension, wondering if she crossed a line. Suddenly, she remembered Ymir's rather relaxed comment about Annie being a lonely wolf who wanted company, and smiled. Maybe they really did know each other and Ymir was just hiding it.

"Annie," she paused, waiting for the taller blonde to look at her, "did you know Ymir?"

Annie's eyes widened slightly but she quickly schooled her expression. She turned her head away from Krista's honest, blue eyes, so unlike yet similar to her own. "No."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

Krista sighed in dismay, but picked her head up. "One day, I'll make you admit it, just you watch!"

Annie gave her a weird look, as if to say she was crazy or something, but shrugged. "Whatever you say," she replied.

The bus pulled in then, and they climbed on, sitting together with Annie at the window. When Krista looked to the side, she gasped and ducked her head behind her book bag. There was that guy from the mall, Bean! Was his name really Bean? Either way, he took this bus, and now that Krista was one of his targets, things were going to get much more difficult for her to avoid him.

"Why are you hiding?" Annie dully asked.

Krista peeked at her from behind her book bag and offered a small smile. "There's a Titan that I got into some trouble with Ymir from yesterday and he takes our bus."

Annie blew air between her teeth, annoyed, but she appeared amused as well. "He won't bother you. Titans may be big and ugly, but some of them aren't exactly stupid. As long as you sit by me, he won't touch you."

"Why's that?"

"Just keep asking questions, will you? I used to be a Titan, but I transferred here after..." she trailed off, face pink, and looked out the window.

Krista, however, either ignored what she said about being a Titan or didn't care. "After?" she pressed.

"Tch, none of your business," she growled.

"Aw! And you were about to say it, too!" Krista whined.

"You don't care that I used to be a Titan?"

"No, not really. I mean, you've been nice to me so far, so you're not exactly cruel like they are."

"You're far too naive, simply latching onto whoever displays kindness."

"If being naive means that others won't have to suffer alone, then so be it."

"It's going to bite you in the ass someday."

"If it happens, then it happens."

Annie paused at Krista's answer, studying her, but sighed, pressing her face to the window. "Fine then, maybe Ymir will protect you. She always was a good fighter, not better than me or Mikasa of course but–"

"Oh, so you did know Ymir?!"

"No."

The bus pulled in by Rose Academy then, and Krista didn't comment on Annie's refusal, opting to step off the bus and away from the Titans instead. They turned a blind eye to her once they noticed Annie walking beside her, but that didn't stop Bean from poking his head through the window and shouting vulgarities to the other Scouts in the vicinity. Said Scouts lifted their middle digits, once again commenting on the Titans' faces and mothers, before trudging off to their school's entrance.

Krista stood by the fence, eager to see Ymir again. She decided that now that she was arriving to school earlier than usual, she'd ask Ymir to come earlier as well, though she didn't know if the taller girl would agree to it.

Students walked around her again, but while some of them gave her odd looks, others smiled and shook their heads in amusement. She giggled and shrugged, but was somewhat happy by their reactions, since it meant that maybe they wouldn't bother her anymore about leaving Ymir alone.

After forty-five minutes, the tall brunette's figure could be made out, slouching and walking alone. When she noticed Krista, the blonde saw that she straightened up a bit and walked a little faster. When Ymir reached her, hiding her panting by breathing through her nose, Krista gave her a cheeky smile.

"Eager to see me?" Krista cheekily asked.

Ymir snorted. "No. Besides, aren't you the one who's eager to see me? You've been waiting here for a while, haven't you? I'd say an hour; am I right?"

Krista puffed her cheeks and blushed. "No… morelikefortyfiveminutes," she mumbled.

"What was that?" Ymir teased, leaning in with a smirk.

"I said: morelikefortyfiveminutes," Krista repeated nervously, wringing her hands.

Ymir laughed raucously and slapped Krista's back, who stumbled forward and glared up at the freckled girl. "That's hilarious! Why would you wait so long for me?"

"Well, I wouldn't have to wait so long if you just came earlier!"

"No way, I'm not crazy like you. I like my sleep."

"Pleeaase? This way I won't have to wait so long for you to show up and we can spend more time together. Please, Ymir?!"

Ymir cringed at the blonde's whining but scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, whatever, but if you don't show up thirty minutes after I'm here, I'm leaving, got it?"

"Got it!"

They walked into school together, Ymir turning her head to hide a smile and Krista skipping joyfully in front of the girl. Ymir turned her head slightly to see the blonde swinging her book bag and narrowed her eyes at the golden initials written in cursive.

"Hey, Krista, what do the 'H' and 'R' in 'KHR' stand for?" Ymir asked suddenly, stopping Krista in her tracks.

"Nothing," Krista responded quickly.

"Nothing, eh?"

"It's not important." Krista eyes shifted away from Ymir, and she clutched her book bag to her chest tightly. Her face was pained, and while Ymir wanted to continue interrogating her, she didn't want to cause more conflict.

"Fine, I believe you." But that didn't mean she couldn't guilt-trip Krista into telling her. She walked away, hiding a smirk when Krista put a hand to her back.

"I'm sorry for lying, and I promise I'll tell you someday. I just can't right now, it would only complicate things."

"Whatever you say."

They walked to room 104 and entered, sighing when Keith was absent. Ymir walked to her usual spot in the back but Krista decided not to follow today. When Ymir gave her a confused look, Krista had to bite back a smile: Ymir really did like her company, didn't she? She was just too stubborn to admit it, that's all. 'I'll tell you later,' she mouthed. Ymir rolled her eyes but laid her head on her desk. When Mikasa, Sasha, Reiner and Jean entered, Krista approached them with a grin.

"Hey, guys!"

They appeared surprised, but Sasha recovered first and hugged Krista, swinging her around and laughing. "Kristaaaa! My saviour!" she exclaimed, putting the blonde down.

"It's nice to see you, too, Sasha," Krista giggled.

"Hey," Jean replied, sitting at his desk. Mikasa sat behind him but pulled her scarf down to smile at Krista.

Reiner fidgeted, uncomfortable, but relented with a smile, exhaling through his nose. "Hey, Krista." He sat in front of Krista but didn't turn around, instead ducking his head. Krista turned to Jean, who glanced at Reiner, and he pulled out a slip of paper, scribbling on it. He folded it and passed it to Krista, who in turn read it.

'Reiner's embarrassed from the way he acted around you. He wants to say sorry but doesn't know how.'

Krista tapped her pencil to her chin, scribbled a response. She folded the note and passed it to Jean, who took it between his fingers with a smile. He unfolded it, eyes skimming over the writing and nodded his head, tapping Reiner's shoulder.

'Is this about Ymir? If it is, then it's okay, I forgive him. I'll even come by today's practice as a surprise, just don't tell him.'

Jean leaned over and whispered to Reiner while nodding his head to Krista's direction. Reiner sighed but turned to face the petite teen, his eyes staring past her and catching Ymir's eye before focusing on the blonde.

"I just wanna…" he started, fidgeting and blushing, "…apologize for the shitty way I've been treating you. When you stopped showing up at the group lunches, I thought it was because of me, so I've been feeling really guilty about it ever since."

"It's no worry, honest! I've been hanging around Ymir every lunch, so it's not your fault. There's no need to feel guilty."

Reiner appeared satisfied, but his eyes still held a disapproving look. "Ymir, every lunch, really? You can actually stand her attitude and bitchiness?"

"She's fine! She's not as bad as everyone says she is, Reiner! I don't get why you try to antagonize her so much when she hasn't even done anything to you!"

"She has done something to me! Berik..." Reiner trailed off with a pained expression. He shook his head and glared at Krista. "Forget it, there's obviously no stopping you, and I'm just gonna have to ask you to choose: me or Ymir?"

"Reiner, you can't do that—"

"I can and I will! I can't stand her, and she sure as hell can't stand me, so it's your choice."

"Well, with the way you've been acting, Ymir seems to be the better choice!"

Reiner's eyes widened with hurt but he shook it off and turned around, slamming his fist on his desk. There was a dent in its place, and Krista swore she heard the wood splinter. Fearing for her safety, she leaned back and refused to make contact with Reiner, ignoring her friends' looks of concern. She turned around to face Ymir, and noticed that the brunette had been watching their squabble with slight interest. She quickly feigned boredom and put her head to her desk once more, staring out the window. Krista was about to approach her but Keith walked in just then.

"BRAUS! Give me your potato this instant!"

"NEVER!"

In second period, Bertholdt had immediately approached her with a thunderous expression. "What did you say to Reiner?" he demanded fiercely. Ymir walked in then and was close to lashing out, but stopped at Krista's glare. She scoffed and went to her usual desk, watching them with critical eyes.

"What?"

"Reiner's hand is bleeding, and he's moping around in the nurse's office. What did you do? Answer me!"

Connie stood between them, pushing Bertholdt back. "Hey, man, watch it. She's a girl, and you aren't supposed to hit girls. That's not cool."

Bertholdt relented but grit his teeth, eyes wide. "I just want her to explain herself."

"It's okay, it's fine, really. Connie, could you leave Bertholdt and me alone for a bit? This is something between us."

Connie nodded, leaving the two teens to talk at the back of the classroom. He watched them warily from where he was seated next to Mikasa and Sasha, who gave each other worried looks. Krista turned to Bertholdt with a shaky smile, ducking her head when he didn't return it.

"Look, we got into an argument about Ymir in first period, again, and he asked me to choose between Ymir and him. I chose Ymir."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Bertholdt exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. Krista lifted her head and gave a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry?"

"It's fine. With the way Reiner was acting, I thought you said something to seriously upset him. But I understand what you're trying to do with Ymir and Reiner's just being a stubborn bull, as usual."

"Could I ask what happened between them?"

Bertholdt shook his head sadly and sighed. "It's a long story, and though I was involved, I'm not going to tell you. If Ymir wishes to, however, then she can."

"Okay, I can respect that. I just don't want them to fight anymore."

"Me too."

"Were they friends before?

Bertholdt smiled nostalgically, but Krista sensed a deep sadness in his eyes. "They were very close, along with Annie and I. Berik… actually, I shouldn't mention him, since he was closer to Ymir and Reiner than anyone."

"So Annie does know Ymir?"

"Yes, we all used to go to the Titans' school district before we moved to the Scouts' instead. Annie is the only one to have moved after us, while Ymir and Berik moved before Reiner and me."

Krista absorbed this information with a fond smile. "You all must've gotten along very well."

Bertholdt laughed. "Not really, Reiner and Ymir were always butting heads about Berik, and Annie acted like she was forced to hang out with us, while I was the meek one in the corner trying to play peacemaker."

"I hope we can patch things up soon and return to the way it once was."

Bertholdt shook his head, smiling. "But it won't, Krista, because now that you're here, Ymir and Reiner now have another thing to compete over. Honestly, I think you're better off not interfering with the way things are now, to avoid complicating matters. Really, what happened in the past is the past, and if Reiner and Ymir don't want to cooperate, then that's done. No use pulling out weeds when all they do is grow back."

"But if you pull them out straight from their roots, they stop growing," Krista retorted.

Bertholdt said nothing, just sighing and walking back to his desk. The tall boy fiddled with his writing utensils before gripping them tightly. Krista walked back to her desk and stared at the blackboard, just as Hanji walked in with a cardboard box.

"Guess what, class? Levi gave me permission to dissect frogs! Who wants to go first?"

Sasha raised her hand. "Ma'am, if we dissect the frogs, can we cook and eat them after?" Sounds of gagging and groans immediately exploded.

"SASHA? What the hell, man?!"

"You're absolutely disgusting."

Hanji deposited the cardboard box and tapped her finger to her chin, feigning thought. "Okay, but would you like a side of stomach worms with your frogs?"

Sasha sighed and pouted. "No."

"There's your answer!"

Krista decided once more to have lunch with Ymir, something the brunette was glad for, even if she didn't show it. However, when Krista dragged her to the oak tree where everyone else was, Ymir dug her heels in and refused to go further.

Krista faced Ymir and frowned, hands on her hips. They were at the back exit of the school, students walking around them with amused expressions as usual. Some teens even gave horrified glances, praying for Krista's safety.

"I'm not going there."

"Ymir, stop being childish and–"

"I'm not going there."

"Ignoring your problems aren't going to solve them!"

"I am not going there!" Ymir shouted in aggravation.

Krista blinked back tears at Ymir's shout. Students around them panicked and ran away, papers flying around like some sort of tumbleweed from a western movie. Ymir closed her eyes and leaned back, exhaling through her nose. Krista scuffed her shoe against the waxed floor, sniffling, and Ymir winced from the noise. However, she refused to apologize; she did no wrong in asserting her discomfort.

"I'm sorry," Krista whispered, wrapping her arms around her middle.

"Whatever," Ymir grumbled, turning on her heel and walking away. Krista grabbed her wrist and tightened her grip.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, "I really am. If I'd known you'd be this uncomfortable–"

"Something tells me you already knew. Am I right?"

Krista sighed, dropping her arms to her sides. "How do you always know?"

Ymir shrugged, facing Krista with a smirk. "I'm just good like that."

The blonde giggled and playfully shoved the taller brunette. "You're so arrogant."

"And you love it, don't deny it."

"There's nothing to love about fake confidence."

"I knew– hey!"

Krista laughed and, seizing the opportunity and Ymir's good mood, grabbed one of the freckled girl's hands with both of hers.

"Ymir?" she asked.

"Hm?"

"I want to go to the Scouting Legion's rehearsal tonight. Could you accompany me there?"

"No, and if you know what I'm sure you know, then that should be reason enough."

"Please? Pretty please, Ymir?"

"No, and that's final. I'm firm on this, and nothing you do is gonna make me budge. Now let go of me."

Krista pouted, but complied. "Alright, fine, I'll just go myself."

"You do whatever feels right to you."

"I will!"

"Good."

Ymir distanced herself from the back exit and walked while slouching, Krista jogging to catch up with her. "I thought you were going to the others."

Krista shrugged. "I won't be seeing you after school or over the weekend, so I'm going to spend my time with you!"

Ymir blew air through her teeth but had trouble hiding the pleased expression on her face.

Krista entered the auditorium with an awed expression, book bag on her shoulder and her steps slow. She looked all around, marvelling at the rows of fine seats, the grand stage, the heavy curtains – it reminded her of the operas her mother used to make her watch.

Thinking of Mrs. Reiss usually upset Krista, so she pushed that thought away and focused on Jean's figure, adjusting the amps. Behind him, Reiner and Bertholdt were setting up the drum kit and Marco was in front, testing and installing the microphones. She sat in the front row, immediately noticing Annie tucked in the corner, reading a book. Steeling her nerves, she stood and approached the blonde, sitting beside her and smiling at her questioning gaze.

"Hi Annie!"

"Hey."

"So, came here to support your friends?"

"No, I came here to read."

Krista raised an eyebrow at Annie's blank expression, then burst out into laughter when Annie let out a tiny smirk.

"You have the weirdest sense of humour, Annie."

"You have Reiner to thank for that."

"Speaking of Reiner – hey guys!"

The boys turned to the blondes, grinning and waving, except for Reiner, who tripped over the microphone lines in his haste and landed on his face. Krista gasped, dropping her book bag and rushing up the stage. Annie stayed where she was, narrowing her eyes at the initials on the girl's book bag before shrugging and going back to her book.

Krista took Reiner's head and placed it on her lap, smiling slightly at his pained expression.

"God?" he whispered, reaching his hand up.

"No, silly, it's just Krista," the girl giggled, swatting the boy's hand away.

Reiner blushed and sat up, and Krista noticed the bandages covering the boy's left knuckles. She flinched, guilty, and stood, rubbing one hand on her arm awkwardly.

"Reiner? I want to apologize for the way I acted in class today. It was wrong and childish and I'm sorry."

Reiner stared, then sighed, shaking his head. "No, it's my fault. I was the one acting childish, so I should be apologizing. I'm sorry, really, and I'll stop trying to push you away from Ymir."

"Is it true? Were you and Ymir friends?"

Reiner glared at the back of Bertholdt's head. "So much for keeping secrets! But yeah, we were friends, however that time's long gone and never coming back."

Krista nodded, not wanting to go further and cause another conflict. "I understand." She left Reiner to tend to his drum kit and approached Jean, who stood up and grinned proudly, wiping sweat from his brow.

"Hey Jean!"

"Hey, what's up? No, don't answer that, I can already see your response coming from a mile away," he muttered, rolling his eyes.

Krista grinned cheekily then laughed. "You know me well, Jean."

"Yeah, yeah." He looked behind her and at the entrance. "Ymir's not here?"

She shook her head. "No, she said she has errands to run," she lied.

Jean shrugged. "Whatever, doesn't really make a difference; we play whether she shows up or not." Marco appeared behind Jean and smiled at Krista.

"Hi!"

"Hi Marco!"

"So you're gonna watch us?"

"Yeah! Didn't I mention it in Levi's class?"

"I don't think I remember."

"Hey… wait a minute," Jean interrupted, narrowing his eyes. "Krista, you said your parents are strict. How did they let this one slide by?"

"Uh… well, Jean, you see, I may have potentially, probably, indefinitely..."

"Out with it!"

"I disobeyed my parents, okay!"

Both boys' jaws went slack and their eyes widened. "What? Krista, the angel of Rose Academy, disobeyed her parents?!"

Krista blushed. "Guys, please don't make a big deal out of this."

"Okay, okay, fine. Jean, lay off Krista and start tuning the guitars. And get Bertholdt to help."

"Alright, I'm on it."

Marco grabbed Krista's hand and tugged her to the drum kit, where Reiner was playing a beat. "Hey, Reiner!"

"Yeah?"

"Play something for Krista, will you?"

Reiner grinned. "I'm on it."

Reiner twirled his drumsticks and played quickly on the snare. "Aaannnd here we have a great audience member, folks! She's small, she's blond... Kristaaaaa!" Reiner then slammed the cymbals, laughing at Krista's surprised squeak.

"That wasn't funny!"

"Yeah it was!"

Marco sighed but pulled Krista away from Reiner, smiling fondly. He approached Jean, who was busy strumming on his rhythm guitar. He sat on the floor, against his amp. The music he played resonated within Krista, to her very soul. He played with his eyes closed, eyebrows twitching with concentration. His fingers moved rapidly on the guitar's neck as he strummed beautiful chords; Krista didn't have the heart to interrupt him, and neither did Marco. Soon, he stopped playing and slowly opened his eyes, smiling gently.

"That was beautiful..." Krista murmured.

"T-thanks," Jean stuttered, blushing slightly.

Marco nodded. "It really was amazing," he added, placing his hand on Jean's shoulder. Their eyes made contact, but Krista was too busy watching Bertholdt set up his guitar to notice the way Marco's hand lingered longer than appropriate, or the way Jean grabbed his hand and squeezed tightly before letting go. Marco walked over to the left side of the stage and set up his bass, strumming to make sure it was tuned properly. Krista left Jean to greet Bertholdt, who looked pleasantly surprised to see her.

"Krista!"

"Bertholdt!"

"I hope you enjoy the show."

"I'm sure I will."

"If you'd please take a seat, we'll show you what we can do," Bertholdt's soft voice said, and Krista complied right away, taking the seat next to Annie once more.

Jean took his place at the front, microphone on the stand and to his lips. His guitar was around his neck thanks to a strap. Bertholdt was to his right, guitar in his arms and behind a microphone as well, and Marco to his left, bass guitar held comfortably. Reiner was in the back, twirling his drum sticks.

"Alright, guys, let's start with some energy! This song is dedicated to the conquering of Maria Academy and their damn Titans! Attack on Titan, go!"

"They are the prey, and we are the hunters!"

True to Jean's word, the song was very energetic, ringing with emotion and victory. Reiner's face was red from exertion, smashing his drums and Marco looked almost peaceful, strumming his bass to Jean's powerful voice. Bertholdt, with his tall stature, looked to be the epitome and epic centre of the band, and Krista just knew that if they were to ever go mainstream, Bertholdt would be receiving all the attention from fangirls.

Their song ended with a bang, and Jean was quick to start another, entitled 'Victory in Sight'. It was very military-esque, full of pride and encouragement, as though they were going to war. In a way, they were, with the Titans of Maria Academy, though it was not an actual war with bloodshed. It was more of a war with sweat, tears and bruises on both sides, usually the Scouts.

Jean's voice rang out, backed by Bertholdt's soothing layers, and the combination lulled and hypnotized Krista, enough to make her shout and cheer. Annie chuckled quietly beside her, but put her book down to fully enjoy the song. After it was over, Krista jumped to her feet and asked for an encore, applauding rapidly.

The Scouting Legion grinned and obeyed, playing at full force.