Ymir's earlier theory was proven correct. When she arrived at her fourth day of school, only twenty seconds away from the bell ringing and the other students rushing to get to their locker before their first class started filled the hallway, Ymir noticed the yellow poster above the water fountain was gone. In its place was the school's bland, sad looking walls. Just like the rest of the school, it had a few days to realize just what a bore the new school year would actually be. It was a shame, really; the colorful decorations and signs, most of which had either already been taken down or fallen off of the walls, had at least added a nice touch of color to the school.

The bell rang, and students rushed to their lockers. Ymir took a drink from the water fountain, taking a good long sip before space was available to leave. The last thing that she needed was to be crushed by a wave of dead eyed freshmen.

When she got to her locker (without being crushed like a pancake by a wave of other students), Hannah was waiting by it. Her books were in her hands - a history and French book.

"What do you want?" Ymir didn't even look at her, just spun the dial of her locker's lock until it clicked and the grey door opened.

"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry if I came off kind of rude last night. That's my fault and my fault only."

Ymir froze for a moment, her hands hovering over her chemistry book. "Oh," she finally said. She forced her hands to move, and grabbed her supplies for her first two periods. "Just don't go blabbing about what I typed."

"I won't, Ymir."

Ymir expected the red headed girl to leave. Her first class was across the school, and the school had already started to crack down on tardy students.

"What are you staring at me wide eyed for?" Ymir raised an eyebrow, and shut her locker door with her back. She leaned against the cold grey metal, her eyes set on the girl beside her. "What, is there like something wrong with my face? Because I can assure you that I'm not half as bad looking as most of the people at this school."

Hannah chuckled. "I actually came here with news from Hitch. We're having video game night at her house tomorrow, and she was really hoping that you could bring one of your games."

"What kind?" That could have been anything from a game about shooting zombies to an old school Nintendo game.

"Hitch doesn't really care, she just wants everyone to bring some kind of game. I for one want to have a dance off." Hannah smirked. "And hey, feel free to invite your new friend. I want some new competition."

Ymir rolled her eyes. "Only if you want to be beaten by someone who isn't me."

Ymir had hoped that she would somehow get out of another semester of gym. Just how, she had never worked out the details, but that hadn't been a striking issue. Like always, she had figured either sheer hope (and a lot of it at that) would help her out. If not, then she would find some way to swindle her way out of it.

Neither of those helped her.

She turned, making her second lap. Her red and white sneakers smacked against the pavement, and sweat was already running down her face, forehead, and arms.

Whoever first thought this class was a good idea, Ymir thought, must have been drunk.

Two girls raced past her, and Ymir had to keep herself from falling flat on her face.

"Hey, watch where you two are going!" Ymir roared. She doubted the two bitter rivals, Mikasa Ackerman-Jaeger and Annie Leonheardt, heard her. They were too busy trying to one up the other, even if they were currently at neck to neck.

Some people were competitive in gym class. A few were only focused on getting a good work out to keep their grade an A.

And then there was Ymir, who didn't know if she was angrier at the girls or the sun for being so hot.

She sighed. She still had a few more laps to go. If she could go on for a little while longer then things would be fine; she could get changed out of her sweat covered light blue T-shirt and gym shorts, and get back inside the school where it was air conditioned.

They had said that Coach Pixis could work them hard, but Ymir had forgotten just how hard over the summer.

"Sorry about my sister," Eren said as he jogged past.

Ymir almost replied, but instead stopped for a moment to catch her breath. She put a hand on her knees and bent down, her breath coming out quickly though her mouth. The first week of school and she was already feeling as if she could collapse at any given moment. This had to be a new record.

Whatever, she thought. Let's just get this and the rest of the day over and then I'm free.

The thought got her legs to start moving again. Not very fast, but moving.

One foot in front of the other, she thought. Keep doing this and you'll be just fine.

"You okay?"

Ymir nearly tripped again, but not because two girls nearly knocked her over like a bowling pin. "Krista?"

"Yes?"

Ymir blinked a few times, and yet whenever her eyes again opened she saw the short blond. She actually managed to look cute in gym clothes, wearing black shirts and a light green T-shirt with a smiley face on it. "What are you doing here? I didn't know that you were in this class."

"My schedule got switched around. I just found out this morning." She looked to the ground, her face hidden by shiny blond hair. "The truth is, you're the only person in this class that I remember the name of. Most of these people I don't even know."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Ymir grinned. "So what class did you leave?"

"Some sculpting class, which I don't really mind missing. Clay has never really been my thing."

"Well it sounds way better than this." Ymir wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand.

"Maybe I can be your own personal cheerleader." She grinned, and then cupped her hands over her mouth. "Give me a Y!"

"Y!" Ymir parroted.

"Give me an M!"

"M!"

"Now give me an I!"

"I, as in me!"

"Now give me an R!"

"R! Hey, you're one of the few people who can actually spell my name."

Krista laughed. "I've seen you write it down a couple times. And hey, I know how you feel. Everyone thinks my name starts with a C."

"You know, I like having my own little cheerleader. Feel free to stick around."

Krista smiled. "I'll definitely be sure too. Now come on." She motioned for Ymir to head forward. "We need to run a little faster if we want the teacher to give us an A."

By the time class ended and Ymir had changed back into her regular school clothes, she was sweat free and her dark hair was again combed. If she had to say so, taking a look at herself in one of the locker room's mirrors, she looked pretty good. Her normally dark messy hair was neat again, and her naturally dark skin was both sweat and pimple free. For once, she actually looked as if she had survived gym class (even if the clock had seemed to move a little slower than usual, even with Krista around).

Once the two were out the locker room doors, Krista walked over beside her.

"I had a lot of fun today. See you tomorrow at school?"

"Definitely!" Ymir replied. "And not just at school either."

"Huh? What do you mean?" She looked as if she was ready to move, but her feet remained firmly on the ground.

"My friends and I are having a video game night at Hitch's house. You're certainly invited."

Krista's blue eyes widened. "Oh yes, yes, yes! That would be great, and I'd actually have something to do."

Ymir grinned. The other girl's excitement was infectious. "Then I'll make sure to text you the directions."