Chapter 6: Revelations

Annie walked with Krista to the bus stop, mainly on Reiner's insistence since he needed to stay and help his band put away their instruments. Krista skipped beside her, grinning, while Annie had her nose in her book, literally. They arrived at the stop near the school, the sun setting in the distance, and Krista sighed in content, leaning against the sign. Annie raised an eyebrow and shut her book with one hand, tucking it away into her messenger bag.

"What was with that sigh?"

"I'm just so happy! The day's been going great and…" Krista sighed happily.

"And?"

"I don't think it can get any worse!"

"Be careful," Annie warned, "it's usually at your highest moments that the fall is the hardest."

"That was strangely poetic."

"I know."

"Annie?"

"Yes?"

"Could you tell me why you hate Mikasa so much?"

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"

Krista shook her head. The bus pulled in then, and Annie sighed as she and Krista climbed aboard. "Fine, I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell you… but you must swear on your life to tell no one, not even Ymir."

"Cross my heart."

They sat down in their usual spots, and Krista turned to Annie while the other blonde preferred to look out the window. She stared at her reflection, then at Krista's eager and apprehensive eyes.

"First, I don't hate Mikasa just for kickboxing. There's also another reason. It has to do with what, or rather who, she treasures most."

"Eren?"

Annie hesitated, then, with extreme reluctance, nodded her head ever so slightly. "Yes, Eren. It was two years ago, the final year of junior high, and Eren was coming by the dojo to watch Mikasa's match. At the end, he lingered at the entrance, and caught me as I was exiting. The match Mikasa had was against me, and she had won, but it was a very close match. Anyway, Eren pulled me over to congratulate me and wanted to know my fighting technique. So, I showed him, and while he didn't get it at first, gradually, he learned to adapt to my stance and perform self-defence maneuvers effectively. I admit, I did warm up to him, and I enjoyed his company, however brief it was.

"Just then, Mikasa had walked out of the changing room and the minute she saw me with Eren, her face showed the only emotion I have ever seen on her. Rage, absolute rage. She stomped over, ripped Eren away from me and took him outside, glaring heavily at me through the window. I never saw Eren after that, and when I heard he attended Rose Academy, I decided to transfer as well, if only to see him again. It's just my luck that Mikasa hangs around Eren like bees do around nectar.

"Eventually, I learned from Armin that Mikasa made Eren promise her to never go near me again, and that he complied, if only to appease his sister. I despise Mikasa for doing that, and I bear a grudge towards Eren for putting me aside."

Krista sat with her mouth open, awed. "Wow. I never thought it'd be something like this. So, you have feelings for Eren, Annie?"

Annie pinked but hid her cheeks from Krista's line of sight. "Yes, so stop asking."

"Aww... but, Annie, if you truly cared for him, wouldn't you do your best to bring him to you? Why let Mikasa get in the way?"

"Normally, I wouldn't give a damn about his sister, but Eren promised her to never be near me, and he treasures his sister dearly. He wouldn't disobey her so easily just because of me."

"I still think you should at least try. Just go for it!"

Annie sighed. "It's much more complicated than you think. I believe this is our stop."

"So it is."

They got off the bus, Krista going in the direction of her home and Annie the opposite way. Krista waved at the girl and smiled when Annie raised a hand in return.

She neared her home's driveway and entered the extravagant house, quietly repeating her actions from last night and shutting the door gingerly. Reaching her home, she repeated her nightly routines and worked on her homework before finally passing out with a smile on her face. True, she wouldn't see Ymir over the weekend, since her father was coming back from his trip, but she was still happy.

How long she would remain happy was the question.

She waited at the doorway for her father and beamed when she saw his car pull in the driveway. He stepped out, waved gleefully and shut the door behind him. Mr. Reiss looked very much like his daughter, except his face was much more chiseled and masculine. His hair was short to his ears but remained the same shade of blonde as his only offspring. His blue eyes sparkled with joy. He wore a brown trench coat to the back of his knees and he carried with him a leather briefcase.

Krista ran down the steps and jumped into her father's arms, seeking comfort in his warmth. He patted her head and chuckled. "There, there, Krista. Daddy's home."

"It's great to see you, dear."

Krista jumped back at the sound of her mother's voice and fidgeted, clutching her father's sleeves. Mrs. Reiss descended the steps and greeted her husband with a kiss. Her eyes flicked briefly to Krista but returned to the older man. His eyes darkened slightly at the look she gave him. He pulled his daughter closer to him and ruffled her hair affectionately.

"Come in. We have much to catch up on."

It was Monday, finally, and Krista was more than relieved to go back to school and away from her mother. She was thrilled to see her father, don't get her wrong, and they did spend hours playing cheesy board games and catching up, but she could only take so much public displays of affection between her parents. Not to mention the dirty looks she received from her mother whenever her father's back was turned. This wasn't something new, but Krista had a feeling her mother was going to be talking a lot about her when she left for school.

She woke up, early as usual, and went through her morning routine. At dawn, she was out the door, but froze upon hearing her father's sleepy voice.

"Krista? Why are you up so early?"

She turned around to see him at the top of the stairs. He slowly descended, clad in a bathrobe. He yawned and rubbed his eyes tiredly, stretching his arms above his head. As he finally made it to the bottom, Krista had already approached him with a smile.

"I'm going to school, Dad," she answered.

"Huh? But it's a little after six! Surely school starts much later, and I didn't see your mother get ready to drive you."

"Mother doesn't drive me anymore, Dad. I take the city bus."

"What, why?! Did you get into another fight with her again?"

"Yes but... Dad, it was really bad this time. I can't take it anymore, I'm almost an adult! I need to learn to be independent if I want to survive in this world. Being at this school for a month has taught me a lot about human behaviour, especially since I can blend in with everyone else. Mother wasn't exactly helping, either, driving me to school with her sports car every day!"

Mr. Reiss looked taken aback, but he smiled slightly and hugged his daughter close. "My little girl's growing up, huh? I get it, you need your space. I just wish you would've told me beforehand, or at least settled things with your mother responsibly. She tries, you know? But it's hard on her." His grip on her tightened uncomfortably, and Krista had to gasp out her response.

"Why's that?"

Her father remained silent, opting to run a hand through his daughter's hair. "I'll tell you someday," he replied solemnly. His lips twitched downward slightly. I'm so sorry, my beloved daughter.

"What do you– oh no! I'm gonna be late! Sorry, Dad, I love you, but I have to go!" Krista pecked her father's cheek and rushed out, sprinting to her bus stop. Her father watched her from the doorway, sighing and closing the door. He gripped the door frame tightly and smiled sadly.

"Love you too, Krista."

When Krista stepped off the bus, Annie in tow, she noticed Ymir leaning against the fence, dozing. An inexplicably warm sensation bubbled in her stomach, and Krista felt an immense wave of gratitude exude from her. Ymir kept her promise and waited for her. She actually listened to Krista and woke up earlier than usual, walked in the morning cold and waited for her. It was the nicest thing someone had ever done for her.

Annie bumped into her from behind and Krista stumbled forward, blushing and nodding as she walked to Ymir. As usual, the Titans jeered and sneered while the Scouts cussed and shouted. However, it was all ignored in favour of the girl leaning against the fence. Annie passed by without sparing a second glance, yet waved goodbye to Krista from the doorway. Krista smiled and waved as well, then turned to Ymir to gently shake her shoulder.

"Ymir? Hey, Ymir, it's Krista; wake up," Krista tried quietly, to avoid startling the brunette.

"Mmmm gimme a break," Ymir mumbled, frowning.

"Ymiiirrr, it's Krista! Wakey, wakey!"

"Huh what? Oh, it's just you," Ymir muttered, rubbing her eyes with her wrists. She stretched, like a cat, and sighed in relief at the sound of popping vertebrae. Straightening, she turned to Krista with a smirk.

"See? I can wait patiently," Ymir bragged, arms crossed.

"Yeah, you can," Krista sighed dreamily.

"What?"

"N-nothing! C'mon, let's go hang out somewhere other students won't stare at us."

"Who gives a shit about what they think? Let them stare, and I'll give 'em something to stare at."

"Ymir."

"Fine, fine, I won't do anything bad."

They walked close together, heading to the side of the school where they usually hung out. Ymir shoved her hands deep into her pockets, backpack hanging off one shoulder, while Krista walked timidly with her arms around her book bag. Ymir slouched against the wall, sliding until she sat on the ground and patted the spot next to her, watching Krista place herself comfortably at Ymir's side.

"My dad came back from his business trip yesterday," Krista stated quietly, leaning against Ymir's shoulder.

Ymir picked at her teeth with her fingernail, feigning disinterest. "Oh yeah?"

Krista nodded. "Uh huh."

"What kinda business trip?"

"Well it's–"

"It's what?"

"Never mind."

"Krista, you can–"

"My dad's a really lively guy, total opposite of my mom."

Ymir narrowed her eyes. "Oh really?"

"Yeah."

"Well, they don't say 'opposites attract' for nothing; just look at us."

"Say, Ymir."

"Yeah?"

"What are your parents like?"

Ymir paused and lowered her hand to her knee, clutching her pants' fabric tightly. "I don't have parents."

"Oh! I'm so–"

"Don't apologize, you did nothing."

"O-okay."

"..."

Ymir pursed her lips, glancing over at Krista, who had taken to staring at her clutched hands. The blonde's lower lip trembled and she herself was trying to control her shaking against Ymir's shoulder. Just as she was about to get up and leave, Ymir brought her arm around and locked the girl in place, trapping her against the brunette's shoulder. Krista gasped and looked up at Ymir, but the taller girl was staring straight ahead.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ymir asked coolly.

"I–"

"I wasn't offended by your question or anything, so there's no need to mope about it."

"That's not why."

"Then what's wrong, seriously?"

"I'm just sad that you live all alone, by yourself, in a small apartment; it must get very lonely."

"It does."

"What happened to your parents?"

Ymir kept quiet.

"It's okay, you don't have to tell me; the bell's gonna ring anyway, so let's make our way to class."

"Alright."

They walked together to room 104, though Krista didn't stick herself to Ymir's forearm like she usually did. Ymir found that she missed the contact, oddly enough, and decided to play it off with a joke. She reached an arm out and firmly grasped Krista's shoulder, pulling her to her side. She laughed loudly at Krista's shocked expression. Krista blushed but didn't resist, enjoying the side hug. She kept her arms in front of her, however, to prevent them from wrapping around Ymir's waist.

"What are you so shy about? Hahaha!"

"Ymir, you're such a jerk sometimes!"

"Thanks, I try my best."

Krista pouted and Ymir laughed louder, shocking the students in the hall. "Marry me, Krista!" she exclaimed.

Krista blubbered incoherently, face scarlet and steaming. "W-w-what?! M-m-marry?! Ymir, stop it!" Krista tried to pull away Ymir's arm and pushed against the taller girl's ribs but to no avail; Ymir was just too strong. She gave in and crossed her arms angrily, glaring at the floor. Ymir poked her cheek, smirking evilly.

"Oh, you want it, don't you? Haha this is just too cute!"

"Shut up."

"Did the angel of Rose Academy just tell me to shut up?! Wow, surprise after surprise today, huh? What else do you have for me, Krista?"

Krista stomped on Ymir's foot and elbowed her gut, satisfied at the guttural moan of pain that followed. Ymir let go of Krista to slump to the floor, clutching her gut and foot while groaning. Krista stood above her and crossed her arms, cocking out a hip. Ymir looked up from her position on the floor with one eye, lips pulled into a grimace. She grinned suddenly and shakily stood up, wincing. Displaying a cocky grin, which Krista knew to be fake, she ruffled Krista's hair and limped down the hall with the blonde in tow.

"Don't get cocky, you just caught me off guard is all."

"Whatever you say, Ymir."

After school, Krista decided she should go home and apologize to her mother. Her father didn't know about her little outings after school, and she didn't want to give him a bad impression of her. If being responsible meant taking partial blame for her mother's attitude, then she'd be as responsible as can be. There was also another reason for her apology, and though Krista didn't want to admit aloud, it was very true and very important.

Ymir didn't have parents, yet she continued to live and survive. Sure, she may be nasty to others, but she never turned to a life of crime and lived somewhat within the law. It made Krista feel guilty– Ymir didn't have parents, yet she did and she was treating her mother badly. It made her feel like she was taking her for granted, taking a mother's love for granted. Sure, Mrs. Reiss wasn't the nicest person to her, but she was still her mother and deserved respect.

With that thought in mind, she waved at Ymir as they left their separate ways, and entered the bus stationed near her school. Annie was missing, staying for another Scouting Legion rehearsal, and Krista felt her stomach sink with dread. She played it off, however, remembering Ymir's coolness when faced with danger. She sat at the front of the bus, pressed against the window near the entrance. There were a few Titans, but they all sat in the back and laughed boisterously. Their crude jokes about eating Scouts alive was on the front of Krista's consciousness, and she couldn't help but shiver as she remembered Bean's threat.

Thankfully, the bus ride was short and painless, but Krista could feel the glares on the back of her head clearly. She rushed down the steps and walked briskly to her house, clutching her book bag's strap. She refused to look back, because she knew Bean's eyes were following her every step. When she heard the bus turn a corner she sighed in relief. Her father's and mother's cars were parked in the driveway and she smiled when she walked up the concrete stairs. She turned the knob and entered, suddenly noticing the echoing shouts in her home.

"I can't stand her anymore, William! She's become a nuisance, not to mention she's out of control! She hangs around delinquents, William, delinquents!"

Krista recognized the voice as her mother's, and her breath hitched. Tears sprung to her eyes and she held back a sob as she quietly crept to her father's office. The door was open a crack, and lamp light filtered into the dark hall. She saw her mother leaning over her father's desk, palms planted firmly on the wooden surface. Her face was red, her hair a mess and her posture stiff and angry. The teen couldn't see her father, but she knew he must have looked the same. Of all the times to come home early...

"You don't know they're delinquents! Krista has been telling me of all the wonderful things they've taught her and how they treat her!"

"How do you know she's not lying? She's constantly sneaking out after school to accompany those hooligans!"

"Patricia, please, we need to support her and be easy on her. You know exactly why–"

"She's not even my biological daughter, and you expect me to care for her forever? You know, the only reason I haven't made you throw her out on the streets is because I can't have children and she's your only offspring from that affair you had sixteen years ago!"

"I thought you forgave me for that."

"I didn't forget, William, and I will never treat that girl as my own, not when all she does is spit on our name and associate herself with trash."

Krista gasped loudly, eyes wide, and backed away, trembling.

"What was that?"

The teen stood up on shaky legs and ran down the stairs, book bag on her shoulder. Her tears streaked down her cheeks. She slammed the doors open, ignoring her father's cries, and ran. She ran and ran and ran, never looking back, not thinking of how her parents lied to her all her life, how her fake mother absolutely despised her, how her father never bothered to even tell her about her real mother, how–

She tripped, scraping her wrists and knees harshly against the pavement. Her body shook with her sobs, and she pressed a hand to her mouth to desperately silence herself. The pavement under her face became wet from her tears and her joints ached from the fall. She stood shakily, shuddering, and started to walk.

The sun was setting, but there remained enough light to see where she was currently. She wasn't too far from the city bus stop, so maybe she could..?

Could she possibly go to Ymir for help? Would she care? Of course she would, Krista thought, she's my best friend.

She sat under the sign and waited for the bus, which took an additional twenty minutes. Her parents hadn't come, so she figured they either didn't care or her mother – no, Mrs. Reiss – had held her father back.

Krista shook her head when her lip trembled. Now was not the time to be losing herself. The bus pulled in and she climbed aboard, sitting at the front. She was dropped off at the bus stop in front of the school and she walked down the road, the same road Ymir took to reach her home. She turned a corner, but drew a blank. Where did Ymir live? How could she find her? Krista rubbed her eyes but continued, determined to find the taller girl. She felt like she was walking around in circles, and she grew desperate.

She reached an apartment complex eventually, and looked at all the buildings, wondering where Ymir was. Where could she possibly live? There were at least five buildings, each with over three hundred rooms... it all seemed hopeless. Just as Krista was about to collapse in despair, she heard a voice that cut through her depression like the beginnings of morning light at dawn.

"Krista? What are you doing here?" Ymir asked in confusion, placing her hand on Krista's shoulder.

Krista sniffled and her bottom lip trembled. "Ymir!" she cried, wrapping her arms around the girl's neck. She was here, she was really here! Ymir was here, and now everything would be better. Ymir's smart, she can figure something out for me, she can help me, Krista thought desperately. Thank you, Ymir, thank you for being here for me.

Ymir stumbled back, eyes wide.

"Tch."

A fond smile found its way on her face.

"Krista."

Later, when Krista was comfortably seated on a rocking chair with a mug of tea in her hands, blanket over her body, did Ymir decide to make Krista confess. Ymir was seated in front of her, tending to the scrapes on her knees with the first aid kit she kept handy. Krista's wrists were already wrapped in bandages and an adhesive was on her cheek. She winced at the small dabs of alcohol, and though Ymir kept her face blank, she knew the brunette tried to be as gentle as possible. Ymir pulled back after wrapping her knees, throwing the used tissues in a garbage bin and packing up the kit.

"There, that should prevent further infection. Now, you mind telling me why the hell you were crying out there?"

When Krista didn't respond, Ymir looked up from where she'd placed the kit and walked over to the girl, arms crossed.

"Well?"

"It's nothing," Krista whispered, blinking rapidly.

"Krista," Ymir snapped, "stop acting like a brat and tell me. I can't help you unless you do."

"You want to help me?"

"I want you to stop annoying the hell out of me and go back to your house! You're not supposed to be here."

Krista flinched, sinking further into the chair and allowing it to rock slightly. The creak soothed Krista somewhat, reminding her of fireplaces and warmth, but when a memory of her father flashed, she clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. She was wrong, Ymir wouldn't help her. Why would she help an annoying brat like her? Was this all a joke to Ymir, all this time? Krista drew in a shuddering breath and ducked her head.

"Fine, just leave me alone!" Krista shouted, crying.

Ymir jolted at the sound of Krista's sobs, feeling each individual whimper striking needles into her heart. She couldn't take it, she needed to get out of her comfort zone and help Krista, or else their friendship was over. Ymir could see it now, Krista laughing with her friends, herself standing alone at the fence. The blonde would turn her head, still smiling and their eyes would meet. She would then frown and look away, sadness enveloping her. No, she couldn't do that. Ymir needed Krista, she was just far too selfish to slip into loneliness again. Not after what happened five years ago.

"I'm sorry," Ymir muttered, placing her hand on the girl's shoulder. Krista looked up, tears coming to a stop. Her eyes shone with deep sadness, and Ymir wondered at what could have happened to hurt her this much.

Krista sniffled loudly and rubbed her eyes. "I forgive you."

Ymir scoffed and rolled her eyes, smiling fondly. "Yeah, whatever, my saviour. I'm in desperate need of your forgiveness for my atrocious sins. Oh, please forgive me!"

Krista giggled slightly, tracing the rim of her mug with the tip of her finger. "You should audition for the school play."

Ymir snorted and barked out a laugh. "Yeah, and they'll just give me the part of the Grinch, or Scrooge, or something antagonistic."

"Wouldn't you like that?"

"Nobody likes being the bad guy."

One look into Ymir's eyes convinced Krista. Ymir never liked being the hated one, she never did like her reputation as nasty, cruel and vicious. She only played it up to make it easier for her. It was far easier to distance one's self from others and not make any effort for friendship rather than consume one's time and energy for relations. And for this, Krista was glad to have extended a hand to Ymir, because the taller girl would have never done so otherwise. She knew their friendship to be real right then, and that Ymir cared for her maybe more than Krista cared for Ymir. Ymir treasured her, just like how Mikasa treasured Eren. The nature of their relationship wasn't important right now; all that mattered was that they were there for each other and would support each other.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Krista sighed, raising the mug to her lips. She allowed the fluid to slide down her throat, and smiled when the drink warmed her insides. It felt absolutely divine.

"You can stay here for the night, but you're taking the couch."

"Really?"

"Yes, now, get out of your clothes and go find something in my room while I get a pillow for you."

Krista blushed but obeyed, handing the blanket and mug to Ymir. Ymir dumped the mug in the sink and placed the blanket on the couch, heading to a closet to rummage for a clean pillow.

Krista entered Ymir's room, heading to a drawer and pulling out a shirt far too large for her and sweat pants she had to roll several times to get to fit. She knew she was smaller than Ymir, but she didn't realize to what extent!

After she'd dressed, she put a hand on the knob of the door, looking back and spotting a faded photograph on a dresser. She approached it, picking it up and widened her eyes at the sight of a grinning Ymir. She looked much younger in the photo, with her arm around another boy with slicked black hair, blue eyes and an equally wide grin. Her hair was shorter, just below her chin, but her freckles were still as pronounced as ever. Krista traced Ymir's image fondly with her thumb.

This must be Berik, she thought. She placed the photograph back on the dresser and exited the room, finding Ymir sitting on the rocking chair with her knees pulled to her chest. In her hand was the remote for the television. Krista watched as Ymir flipped through channels, finally landing on some redundant game show, before turning to her. Krista walked to the couch and sat on it.

"So, what's on for the night?" she asked airily, reclining and relaxing.

Ymir smirked. "It's your call, Historia Reiss."