Three whole years have passed since we arrived at the training grounds, and for those three years we have trained hard. Today was our final day of training, and tonight was the graduation ceremony. When I awoke that morning, I had noticed that I had slept in late. Knowing Shadis would have a fit, I quickly got out of bed, but froze when I saw that Mikasa was still fast asleep. What was going on? Mikasa was always up before the rest of us, so why was she sleeping in?
Deciding to ignore her, I began pulling on my uniform, but a voice stopped me.
"Hey, Sadie, didn't you hear? We have the whole day to ourselves!" Sasha said, and I looked over at her.
"R-really? Or are you and Connie just pulling a prank on everyone?" I asked, and she shook her head.
"Nope, Shadis said that we could have the day off! I doubt you heard because you were asleep," Sasha replied, biting into the loaf of bread that she held in her right hand.
"C'mon, let's go get some breakfast, I'm starving!" she said and ran out of the cabin, and I watched her run straight towards the dining hall.
That was Sasha, always rushing to get to the dining hall first! I pulled off my uniform and pulled on my usual pair of clothes. Since it was hot outside, I pulled my brown hair back into a ponytail, and then left the cabin. The walk to the dining hall was short as usual. Since the cabins were close to it, anyone could just walk to the dining hall and would be there in no time!
When I walked into the dining hall, I quickly grabbed my food and then sat at the table where I usually sat with Reiner, Bertholdt, and Annie. For the past two years, our table had become the most crowded table in the dining hall. I had made so many wonderful friends, but I knew that some of them would be taking a different path then me, and I may never see them again. When I slid into my usual seat next to Reiner, everyone looked at me and smile.
"Hey, Sadie, good timing! Jean was just talking about the plan for this afternoon," Marco said, and I looked at him in confusion.
"Afternoon plan? What afternoon plan?" I asked and Jean looked at me.
"Ok, during training Marco and I came across a lake, and I decided that we could all go swimming today! What do you say? Are you in?" Jean asked, and I nodded.
"Yea, of course! Sounds like fun," I said, but soon my smile turned into a frown.
Now thinking about it, I couldn't swim because of my leg. Sure, I could get into the water and all, but I couldn't go too far. Letting out a sigh, I looked at my friends and told them about it.
"It's ok, Sadie, we'll stay in the shallow end, right guys?" Reiner said, and everyone nodded.
"That's really sweet of all of you, but don't worry about me. I can read a book on the sidelines while you guys are swimming in the deeper end" I replied, and they nodded in agreement.
"Alright, it's settled then! See you guys there," Eren said, and then left with Armin and Mikasa following behind him.
Once the trio was gone, the rest of us began talking about other things while we ate our food. One by one, people left to go do other things, and soon Reiner and I were the only ones left. Since it was just the two of us, I began feeling a bit awkward. Ok, I'll admit that I like him…maybe more than a friend, but what does it matter? At some point in our lives, we grow to be very fond of someone.
"So, are you excited about graduating tonight?" Reiner asked, and I shrugged.
"I don't know. I mean, it's being held in Trost District, and I left behind two people that I care about. I guess I'd have to face them sooner or later. Though, on the bright side, we won't have to deal with Shadis anymore," I replied, and Reiner laughed.
"Yea, that's one thing we won't have to worry about," he said, and I smiled, but then became serious.
"Hey, Reiner, do you mind if I ask you what branch of the military you are going to join?" I asked, and he gave me a small smile.
"Yea, I don't mind. Honestly, I don't know, hopefully I'll figure something out! Anyways, how about you?" Reiner asked, and I shrugged.
"I know for a fact I won't graduate as one of the top ten cadets, so the only options I have is the Garrison Regiment and the Scouts. If you ask me, both are dangerous now that the Colossal and Armored Titans are around," I replied, and Reiner nodded.
"Yea, they are a huge pain," he said, but then fell silent.
After our small conversation, we went back to eating our breakfast in silence. Once I was finished, I stood up and left the dining hall, leaving Reiner behind.
-Time Skip-
"Hurry up, Sadie, do you wanna beat the boys there or not?!" Sasha asked, as she dragged me down the dirt path.
"I don't see what the problem is, Sasha. Why do we have to beat the boys there?" I asked, and she looked at me.
"I made a bet with Connie. You see, if we make it to the lake first, I get to have half of his food! But, if they beat us, he gets to have almost all of my food! So, c'mon let's get going you three!" Sasha said, and began running, not letting go of my arm.
I honestly couldn't wait until we arrived at the lake. It was so hot and I was sweaty since Sasha made us run the whole way, but I didn't mind. I knew how much Sasha liked food, so I was going to help her beat Connie! The four of us ran and ran until Sasha began yelling for joy when she saw that we were almost there.
"VICTORY IS MINE!" She yelled as she leaped into the opening, but then there was silence.
Wondering what had happened to her, Annie, Mikasa, and I ran into the opening, and I tried to control my laughter. Sitting on the bank waiting for us, were the boys.
"Nice try Sasha, looks like I win," Connie said, and Sasha dropped to her knees.
"Y-you cheated! There's no way you could have gotten here so fast with your short legs," She replied, and the boys shook their heads.
"We arrived ten minutes early. If you arrived before we did, you could have beaten us. Oh well, better luck next time," Amin said, and we all began laughing, except for Sasha who was moping over her lost food.
"Now that that's out of the way, who's ready for some fun?" Jean said, and we all cheered.
I watched as everyone jumped into the lake, one by one. Deciding to join them, I kicked off my sandals and then jumped in after them. Landing into the cold water wasn't very pleasant. I began to wonder how on earth did the boys stand it since they were shirtless and all. When I reached the surface, I filled my lungs with air and then looked at my friends.
"What's wrong, Ross, is it too cold for yah?" Eren asked, and I smirked.
"Not at all, Jaeger," I replied, and then dunked him beneath the water.
At this, everyone else joined in and began splashing and dunking each other into the water. I splashed both Annie and Armin, dunked Marco down into the water, and jumped Jean. While I was looking for my next victim, someone sneaked up behind me and picked me up.
"Ready for take of Sadie? Hold your breath!" Reiner said, and I began flailing around.
"Please don't, Reiner, that's so mean!" I said, and he laughed.
"Better hold your nose, Ross. One…two...three!"
On three, Reiner threw my small body over his head, and I went sailing through the air. When I landed into the cold water, I could feel water going up my nose and into my ears. I swam up to the surface and began coughing and sputtering.
"Hey, Sadie, you ok?" Reiner asked, patting my back, and I nodded in reply, doing my best not to spit water into his face.
"Yea, I'm fine!" I said, and began swimming towards Jean and my other friends.
"Alright, guys. We are now going to play Marco Polo," Jean said, and everyone cheered.
"Now, who wants to be it?" he asked, and everyone looked at Marco, and he sighed.
"Why me?" Marco asked, and Jean smiled.
"Because you are Marco."
Once we chose Marco to be it, we all scattered around, and the game began.
"Marco!" Marco shouted and began moving towards us with his eyes closed.
"Polo!" We shouted in returned, and I quickly moved away from him.
The game went on for a while, but soon it was over, and Mikasa had been caught. We then played two more rounds, and did a relay race. Soon, it was time to head back to the cabins to get ready for the graduation ceremony. Once we were all on the bank, I wrapped my arms around my body and shivered. This is what I got for forgetting my towel.
While putting my shoes on, I felt someone place a towel around my shoulders. Looking behind me, I smiled when I saw Jean.
"Hey, Jean, thanks" I said, and he shrugged.
"No problem, I'm just keeping an eye on you. I don't want you to catch a cold," he replied, and I gave him another smile.
"Thank you, oh, I still need to return your shirt! I washed it on laundry day, so it's clean," I said, and Jean shook his head.
"No, it's ok, you can have it," he replied, and I nodded.
"Alright then, thank you for the shirt, I promise that I'll repay you, someday. Anyways, see you later," I said, and walked away from him.
The walk back to camp was longer then the walk to the lake. We were all tired and wet, well maybe not Sasha and Connie who were arguing along the way. Once we were all back at camp, we showered and got ready for the graduation ceremony.
-At the Graduation Ceremony-
"Give your hearts!" Shadis yelled out, and we all saluted to him.
"From now on, you are no longer a cadet. You will be serving under the Garrison, the Scouts, or the Military Police. Now, I know all of you want to be in the Interior, but too bad, because only the top ten cadets get the privilege! Now, before I announce the top ten cadets, I will give a brief summary for all of the military branches, so listen up because I'm only saying this once!" Shadis announced, and I listened to him carefully.
His speech will probably be my choice over life and death.
"First, we have the Garrison Regiment. The Garrison is responsible for taking care of any titans that get into the city and they mend the gate. They also fight inside the walls. Next, we have the Scout Regiment. They put their lives on the line and venture outside the wall to try and kill as many titans and to claim land. And last, there is the Military Police. They serve the king and keep order inside the walls. Those are your three options, so choose wisely!"
After Shadis had finished explaining the three military branches, he cleared his throat before he listed the top ten cadets.
"The top ten cadets from the 104th Trainees Squad is Mikasa Ackerman, Reiner Braun, Bertholdt Hoover, Annie Leonhart, Eren Jaeger, Jean Kirstien, Marco Bodt, Connie Springer, Sasha Braus, and Christa Lenz. Congratulation to you all, and try not to die a horrible death"
Once Shadis was done speaking, we all cheered happily and began talking to each other about which branch of the military we were going to join. After everyone was done talking, we all went to change into more comfortable cloths, and then the celebration began, but I decided not to go. I was going to go home and see Leo and his mother. Going back to them was even harder than the training Shadis dumped on me. When I got there, Leo and his mother would probably glare at me, scold me, and they may even hate me, but I would accept that.
While I was walking down the narrow streets, I heard a pair of foot steps behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I watched as Jean inched closer and closer to me.
"Hey, Sadie, where are you going? Why are you missing the celebration?" he asked.
"I'm going home to see Leo and his mother. I haven't seen them in three years, and they probably think I'm dead," I replied, and he nodded.
"Ok, at least let me walk you home. You're a lady after all, you could get mugged," Jean said, and I glared at him.
"You know I did train with you for three whole years, and I kicked your butt at least two times," I said, and Jean chuckled.
"Still, Leo is my best friend, and I want you to get home safely," he said, and I sighed, knowing he wasn't going anywhere.
For a few minutes, we walked in silence, but then Jean began talking again.
"So, Sadie, what branch of the military are you going to join?" he asked, and I shrugged.
"I don't know, both the Garrison and the Scouts are dangerous, and I'll probably die an early death, but I don't have much of a choice," I replied, and Jean looked at me.
"I wish you could join the Military Police with me and Marco, because I don't want you dying a dog's death," he said, but I didn't say anything.
For the rest of the way we said nothing, and soon we were at my house. I knocked on the door, listed as a pair of feet ran to the door, and soon Leo's face appeared from the door way.
"S-Sadie, is that you?" Leo asked, and I smiled.
"Hey, Leo, I'm back," I replied, and he pulled me into a hug.
"We were so worried about you!" he said and I nodded.
"I know, and I'm sorry for running off like that," I replied, and he shook his head.
"It's ok, don't worry about it," he said and looked at Jean.
"Hey, Jean, did you walk her back?" Leo asked, and Jean nodded.
"Yea, she told me not to, but I did anyways. I wanted to make sure she arrived here safely! Anyways I should head back home, I'll see you later," he said, and then was gone.
Leo shut the door and led me into the kitchen, "You're just in time for dinner, are you hungry?" he asked, and I nodded in reply.
I walked over to the table, sat down, and looked at Leo's mother who just stared at me.
"Hey, I'm back," I said, and she burst into tears.
"Sadie Ross, you crazy girl, we were worried sick about you!" she said, and I nodded.
"I know, and I'm sorry for running away. I was just tired of sitting here and I wanted to do something to protect you and the people of Trost," I replied, and she took my hand.
"We forgive you dear, just don't go dying on us!" Leo's mother said, and wiped away her tears.
"Now, are you up for some steak? I managed to buy some meat in the market today," she said, and I nodded.
"Yes, please, I would love a piece of steak! All we ate at camp was bread and this soup stuff that tasted gross…" I replied as I sat down at the kitchen table, possibly eating my last meal with my new family.
-The Next Day-
"C'mon, Ross, put that box of 3DMG gas tanks over there!" one of the Garrison soldiers yelled, and I sighed.
Even though this was the sixth box, my arms felt as if they were going to fall off. Now you might think I'm very weak if I can't carry six boxes of 3DMG gas tanks, but c'mon these wooden boxes are heavy! As I sat down the box on top of another, I made my way towards the wagon to pick up another box, but that was when I heard people screaming.
"Look at the wall, look at the wall!"
"The wall, it has a gigantic hole in it!"
"They're going to get in…the titans are going to get in!"
I ran out into the street and gasped when I saw the wall. Wall Rose had a gigantic hole, and it had the Colossal Titan written all over it! Out of all of the days, why today? Why couldn't the Colossal Titan pick next Tuesday? I guess that doesn't matter, because if we do not do something quick, Wall Rose and everyone inside will fall to the titans.