Chapter 5: Beginnings

After finishing her facial work Sasha finished her work by placing her hair in a ponytail. Putting the make-up back in the little drawer, Sasha had a long glance at the new look. It was different seeing herself like this. She lay on her back caressing the soft bed, taking a breather while staring up at the ceiling.

A question began to tick inside her mind; Where did this infatuation with Armin begin?

Sasha' memory went back to when she first met him when they were children. She didn't think much of him then as he spent most of his time rarely being seen without Eren and Mikasa. He was quiet and shy but was kind to everyone he knew, including Sasha. But for a long time he was just another guy until she met him proper in high school.

Sasha finds concentration in classes very difficult. Of all the classes, mathematics with Mr. Shadis was Sasha's worst subject, with her grades soaring badly. They were so bad that one day, Sasha was given an ultimatum by her bold enemy; GRADE UP or GET OUT.

Sasha left the class with a dark cloud hanging over her. She knew with the piles of homework handed to her that she couldn't do it in the time Mr. Shadis had given her. Luckily though, the super bookworm Armin Arlert came to the rescue! The blond boy approached her after class offering his help. She accepted his help immediately making Armin her study buddy on the spot.

As her tutor, Armin was always patient with Sasha, giving her plenty of time to understand the subject. He answered every question she asked and explained it in a way that she understood. As his student, Sasha' grades could answer that she would always listen and get what Armin was teaching her about. Soon after receiving Armin' help, Sasha's grades rose and kept going up. She was never top of the class, but she was just out of range from Mr. Shadis kicking her out and it was all thanks to Armin.

Yet despite everything he had done for her, Sasha knew little to nothing about Armin. All she got during their scheduled time together was that he was smart. Really smart. Any attempts at one on one conversation would result in Armin changing the subject back to the topic at hand. It created a vibe that he wished to keep people, that were not his two best friends, at a distance. She complied with his none verbal request but it only fed more into her curiosity.

Things went on like always until one a particular day when Sasha took notice of Armin' lack of focus. It was very unlike him so anyone with a brain would know that something was up. But she remembered her previous attempts at conversation and the fact she was neither Eren or Mikasa stopped her from going further.

That thought lasted until she walked into the library towards their usual spot to find Armin, sitting at a table, hunched over with his head in his hands. Sasha walked slowly over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. He looked up to meet her with his watery blue eyes.

'I'm sorry, Sasha. I forgot the time.' He said while wiping away the tears away as if it was nothing.

'Why are you crying Armin?' Sasha had to ask.

Armin just looked away, refusing to give into her personal question. 'It's nothing. We should-'

'Don't lie to me.' Sasha interrupted. 'You haven't been yourself today and all of a sudden your upset.'

Armin just responded by remaining silent and avoiding eye contact. Sasha all ready felt she was intruding on his life enough but she couldn't let this one slide.

'I want to help you. You can trust me.' She assured him.

The blond turned around suddenly to scold her. 'I told you it's...' Armin stopped himself when he knew he was obvious in his actions. He sat up straight, rubbed his eyes and exhaled a deep sigh before turning to Sasha.

'10 years ego today my parents died.'

Armin opened up about how after his parents died when he was young and then being forced to live with his grandfather. After telling his story and seeing the distress in Armin' face, Sasha proceeded to tell him about her mother who died during childbirth. It was not a challenge to see who had the saddest backstory, but instead a way of letting Armin know how she related to him about missing their parents.

Everything said in that library made Armin and Sasha more than just study buddies. For Armin it gave him another friend who he could talk to on a personal level. For Sasha it gave her a much more deeper understanding of Armin why he acted the way he did.

In fact, Sasha socialised more with Armin in and out of school following their personal talk. She made it her vow to help him in any way, be it talking to him at parties or just seeing if he's okay during their free time in the library.

Back in her bedroom, Sasha's mind kept wondering where it all began with Armin. She still couldn't come up with a solid answer, even when she went through their various interactions together in her mind.

Am I mistaking a love for a friend for actual love or am I just looking for excuses?

Regardless Sasha knew for definite she had fallen for the gifted Mr. Arlert. But now she was thinking about what if she were to ever tell him. Would he feel the same way? Maybe not.

I'm probably not his type (if he had a type, that is). He would never go for someone like me.

DING-DONG! The front door bell rings from downstairs.

Crap, he's here.

The nerves go up and her breathing is out of synch with her heart beat. She focuses and turns her attention to her reflection in the mirror. She hesitates for a moment, but gets to her feet and straightens her clothes out. She walks to her bedroom door and closes her eyes. She takes a deep breath and opens her eyes. She turns her head around to face herself one last time in the mirror before venturing downstairs.

'I hope this works out.'