Chapter 7

I sat down to eat and felt his eyes boring holes into my back. Every time I turned to look at him though he spun around and kept his head low. Eventually I just decided to ignore it. Bertholt was rambling on about something or another to Reiner who had one hand wrapped around my waist. I sighed and leaned into him, it allowed me to release the pent up stress of today. 'Today has got to be the shittiest day of my life' I thought. Reiner squeezed me closer and looked down at me. I was just a little bit embarrassed so I didn't meet his gaze. He dug his face into my hair messing up my ponytail. I glared at him, then I got up to go and find some place quiet to train. As I left I had to pass by what seemed to be the higher ups table. All of their eyes were on me, one set in particular though made you tense up. I refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing any emotion on my face and I walked past him without once glancing his way.

As I opened the door to leave I was knocked on my ass by a bespectacled brown haired woman. She sat on top of me and grinned down at me. My eyes were open in surprise. Confusion laced my brain as she opened her mouth to speak.

"Your name is Katherine right?!" The woman yelled enthusiastically.

I nodded and she whooped. The woman got off of me and stuck out her hand to help me up.

"I am Hanji by the way. Is it okay if I call you Katie oooooh or maybe Kitty! Ah! I like Kitty. That will be your name from now on okay Kitty?" Hanji smiled and rambled on.

I couldn't help but give her a small smile. It was ripped off of my face though when a certain steel grey eyed man walked up behind me and started to speak to Hanji.

"Hey shitty glasses, how about you stop pestering the new recruit and go work on more of your stupid experiments" Levi said coolly.

"Oh come on short stack I was talking to my new friend here Kitty! Plus Erwin told me I could try to win her over for my squad." Hanji said proudly.

Levi glared at her then looked behind himself to where he was sitting before. He emitted quiet animosity towards the commander who just sat there with a half smile.

"It was very nice to make your acquaintance captain Hanji" I finally spoke.

I saluted and walked away after that, leaving the two captains to watch me as I left. Wondering around in silence was peaceful for a time. I eventually happened upon my room. It felt weird not to walk into a bunch of other girls blabbing about one thing or another. I had this room all to myself. So I closed the door behind me and changed into some sweats and a form fitting tank-top, which was my go to outfit for working out. Then I left my room and walked to one of the small areas that Levi had just swished his hand at. There was a patch of trees there that opened into a small clearing with a river only feet away. It was serene and calm, like this place hadn't seen human interaction in ages.

There was a lone tree standing in the center of the outcropping. 'Good enough' I shrugged and began to hit at the tree. I was there for hours whacking away at the tree. By the time I was satisfied it was already dark. I could hear someone yelling for me. So I walked back to the main building and found Reiner standing in front of my room. When he saw me he stood up and stomped towards my still figure.

"Where have you been this entire time? Look at you your all sweaty and your chest-" He cut himself off as he stared me while I took off my tank-top to reveal a sports bra that was double lined.

Reiner gawked at me in disbelief that I would do such a thing. I brushed past him unlocking my door and going inside. He went to follow me but as quickly as I went in I was back out with a towel and another sports bra in hand. Reiner looked me up and down, he shook his head while he followed me to the showers. I began to walk into the female showers when Reiner decided to still follow me.

"Are you seriously going to follow me in here?" I spun on him.

"Well there shouldn't be anyone else in there at the moment so yes" He put bluntly.

I rolled my eyes at him and continued into the room. As soon as I got in I slammed the door in his smug face. I heard a grunt from the other side and was content that he would not follow me anymore. I turned on one of the showers and got undressed. The steaming water relaxed my sore muscles and hid the streaming tears that ran down my face.

"Of course today had to be a crap day. It always is and always has been" I grumbled.

Then I don't know what came over me and I began to sing 'Happy birthday' to myself. Quiet loudly in fact, so loudly that I am sure if someone were to walk by they would hear me singing.

"Another year older, another year away from my sister, another year away from home" I said to myself.

I finished my shower and towel dried my hair causing it to become tangled and frizzy. So I ran my fingers through it and it returned to its normal flat self. I got dressed back into my sweat pants and put on my clean bra. With my towel slung over my shoulder I walked out into the cold hall. A shiver ran down my spine at the sudden temperature change. I turned to begin my trek back to my room. Reiner came around a corner and caught me before I got to far though.

"Happy birthday Kat" He said holding up a small box.

I eyed it questionably but took it all the same. Reiner urged me to open it there, when I did my eyes got wide. Inside the box was a letter from my sister addressed to me from only a few days ago.

"H-how did you get this?" I stared at his red face.

"I may or may not have went back and I may or may not have seen your sister. Who may or may not have written that letter instantly and then given it to me to give to you for your birthday" He sputtered out rubbing the back of his neck.

I didn't know what to do so I did what first popped into my mind. Standing straight I pulled him into a hug which caused him to look at me in shock, I then brought him to me and kissed him. Reiner audibly moaned while his shoulders slumped. He grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him as if he was trying to crush himself against me. I snaked my hands up and rand them through his short blonde hair causing him to shudder. His tongue licked at my bottom lip asking for entrance and when I refused him he let out a low growl then bit my bottom lip and I gasped. We waged war for only a moment, I lost almost instantly and he took full control over the kiss. My mind began to go blank so I broke off the kiss to catch my breath. I leaned my head down on his shoulder still within the confines of his muscular arms.

"Thank you Reiner, for this, for everything" I whispered so only he could hear.

I felt him nod "I love you Kat always have, always will. I would do anything for you" Reiner spoke gently and softly his face against my still damp hair breathing me in.

Angling my face back towards his I gave him a quick peck on the lips and scurried off to my room, my letter tightly gripped in my hand. This left a very red faced Reiner standing watching my retreat back into my safe zone.