Chapter 6: Compliments

Catching a glimpse of Armin' silhouette within the door's window, Sasha gallops down the stairs with a mix of nerves and excitement. After all, Armin is here at her house. The chance of pulling this off left her with such excitement, her stomach was brimming with butterflies. She did a quick check at the mirror nearest to the door, making sure everything is adequate and neat, before turning the handle.

Fingers crossed, here goes nothing.

Pulling the door open, Armin swung around with his blonde locks wavering and shinning bright off the summer sun. His twinkling blue eyes met her widening chestnut ones, giving her a smile. She couldn't help but smile back as her cheeks went rosy.

'Hi, Armin.' Is all she could say to his face without stuttering. 'I'm glad to see you!' She nervously laughed after catching the unintentional double meaning behind her own words.

'Its nice to see you too, Sasha.' Armin said in his usual gleaming voice. 'Can I come in? It's pretty hot out here.'

That's not the only thing pretty hot-

'Whhaa-? OH! Yes. Please.' She wavered her hand to show him in, like a butler. Armin followed her lead, giving a curtsey nod.

Shutting the door behind him, Sasha got a good full look at his attire while his back is turned. He wore an unbuttoned blue summer jumper, revealing a white shirt underneath. Sasha took particular interest in the light blue skinny jeans, especially the buttocks area that made her consciously bite her lip to prevent herself from drooling all over the newly cleaned carpet.

Then like lightening, a thought entered her tinker-box!

QUICK! Compliment his clothing! Woo him! DO IT NOW!

'Nice...clothes.' She shyly slid out of her mouth.

Armin perked up a bit, moving around to look her and then his own cloths, like he was trying to validate her compliment on his wearing materials.

'Oh, thanks!' He responds shyly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Sasha can't help but feel proud of herself in the moment. Her complimentary skills are working.

All right! Score #1 to Woo-Master Blouse!

Sasha' happiness, sadly and as always, is short lived.

'Eren pulled me into some shopping yesterday. He was going with Mikasa anyway, so I decided to tag along. She helped me pick out the shirt and VANS shoes. She's a great help with that sort of thing.'

Hearing this is no surprise to Sasha, but it always bugs her. Ever since they were little, Armin stuck to those two like glue, even in conversation. He almost always brought them up in every conversation she had with him. It irked her all the time she would try to lean more about him, but ended up knowing more about them instead.

'You look great yourself.' Armin' voice pulled Sasha back, making her quiver a little.

'Oh...er..thanks.' She sheepishly acknowledges as she looks down at her own light blue jeans and white t-shirt.

'Seriously, it suites you.' He points at her face. 'The make up too.' He added, making Sasha gush internally, her earlier efforts paying off.

She tuns her head away to hide her cheeks in case he notices them getting darker.

Score #9000 to the Oblivious Woo-Master Arlert...

'I don't think I've been to your house before.' He said, changing the subject to Sasha' own benefit. 'Looks very cosy.'

'Really?'

'Yeah.' Armin responds as if it was a matter of fact. 'Your wallpaper alone is better than my grandpa's poor tastes.'

Sasha gave out a short laugh, as Armin continued to look around the Blouse household. She watches him and then at the kitchen door behind him. An idea pops up, making her silently walk past him towards the kitchen door. She turns around, hand still leaning on the door frame.

'Do you need anything to drink? I have some coke and lemonade if you want some.'

'I'm fine at the moment, thank you.'

'Don't forget the mint-chocolate chip ice cream for later.'

Armin knew fine the promise of his favourite ice cream flavour had hooked him. The smile on his face confirmed this. He put his finger up to Sasha, in a mockingly disproving way of saying 'you got me'.

'After homework?' Sasha teases.

'After homework.'

With that settled, she slips into the kitchen and grabs herself a bottle of cold water straight out of the fridge.

I'm getting hot and bothered too much. I've done it twice already and we're not even in my bedroom yet! He'll know something is up soon if I don't get my act together.

After drinking a large quantity, she pulls away and takes a deep breath.

I'll be needing more of these.

As if on cue, the door opens behind her, revealing the cause of her rising body temperature.

'I just remembered. What time is your ride?'

'14:00.'

Armin looks down at his digital wrist watch, careful and in-thought. His eyebrows were furrowed in a fashion that reminds Sasha of their PE teacher, Mr. Smith.

Is he coming to the party? Is he needing a ride?

'Its 12:15. We better start now if you don't want to be late.'

'Oh, okay.' Armin didn't seem to notice the small tone of disappointment in Sasha' voice.

'I'll be by the stairs.'

He shut the kitchen door behind himself. Left to contemplate her next moves, Sasha decides on taking two bottles and proceeds out toward the stairs where Armin is waiting for her, like he said. He unwinds his arm out to the stairs.

'After you.'

She nods and goes in front of him.

'To the bedroom.' She says nonchalantly walking in front of him, only for her cheeks to go a little shade darker when repeating what she just said in her head.

'I mean, my bedroom. As in "lets go to my bedroom and do some homework".' She quickly spurted out, followed by a low, short, nervous laugh. Armin just shook his head.

'Don't worry, I knew what you meant.'

'Heh.' She put on a fake smile before turning back to leading Armin upstairs. Half way up, a dirty thought pops up.

I wonder if he's a starer.

Upon reaching the second floor, Sasha took a quick sneak peek from the corner of her eye to find a turned head, with a little hint of pink on the gentleman' cheeks.

Enjoy the view, Mr. Arlert?

She couldn't help but release a short giggle at his "discomfort".

'What is it?' Sasha hears Armin asking curiously with the small hint of worry.

'Oh, nothing. Anyway, here it is.' Sasha brushes off, as she squeezes the doorknob and unveils her bedroom.

'Home sweet home.' Sasha raises her hands as if she were unveiling a piece of art to a crowd.

'Looks nice.' Armin comments as Sasha places her bottles on her bedside cabinet.

'What not cosy enough?' She playfully teases him, but then pauses with thought.

Am I coming onto him?

As Armin begins to laugh and talk about something, Sasha picks up one of her bottles and quickly takes a big swig of it. Her cheeks and nerves returns to normal as she resumes her concentration.

'-anyway, its a lot more tidier than what Connie told me.'

Sasha freezes.

Aang what did you say?!

'What did Connie say?'

'Oh, nothing really. Just that your room might be a little messy.'

Sasha eyes widen as her hands clench into fists as if a vain on her forehead is about to pop and spill out her volcanic anger from within.

Connie Springer, I will MURDER you!

She seethes through her teeth, watching her vision turn red. After working her ass off to get her shit together and give a good first impression to this guy, its her best friend that trips her down the stairs. She had cleaned her bedroom, gave herself a makeover and even made an effort to wear something smart, but no. Connie had to go and ruin it all by opening his big, dumb mouth and evoke how much of a pig she is! Giving it more thought, Connie told Armin this before he came here! Perhaps that's why he has been amazed by the wall paper, she thought. Amazed that even trash like her has some style!

'Sash, are you okay?'

His voice snaps her out of it, making Sasha realise that both her eyes were shut during her inner rant. Open, Armin' expression of concern catches her by surprise. He must have walked up to her while her eyes were closed, as he stood just two feet from her. His eyes were intense, watching her in a way that almost felt uncomfortable. Concern floods her mind, thinking of what she must have done to make Armin act this way.

'I-I hope I didn't offend you or anything.'

His small stutter manages to evaporate Sasha' remaining negative emotions she had, replacing it with guilt. His head turns down like a child about to receive a scolding, urging Sasha to take action...regrettably.

'No, please don't be upset. There's no need to be! I-I was just, you know,...hot from all the hot weather we're having. Yes! In fact, I need to go and cool off in the bathroom! I won't be long! I'llbebackinaminuteorfive!'

Before Armin could respond, Sasha sprints out of the room, straight into the bathroom and sealing the door shut. Pinning herself up against the door with heavy breaths puffing out her chest, someone would think of her as the final girl in a horror film, cornered with no escape.

The brunette regains some footing and tries taking a moment to relax, but can't. She's too scatterbrained to think straight and too embarrassed to face Armin again. Throwing icy water in her face doesn't help. Pacing back and forth makes her frantic. Her inner commotion keeps her from focusing on anything. She needs help and fast.

I need help. But who?

She leans herself against the bathroom counter and feel something hard press against her right buttock. Her hand reaches down her back pocket and pulls out her phone. She flicks through her contacts and finds Krista' name. She lights up with hope, but shoots it down once remembering what today is and how busy little Krissy must be. But who else is going to help her? No one else knows about Armin. Not even Connie.

Oh, shit Connie, I'm so sorry. I don't know why Armin was talking to you, but I promise I'll tell you about him soon. Also your not dumb, your my best friend. I'm dumb for overeating on a small detail and unloading my frustrations with myself on you. That's not fair and as your best friend I should know better.

Wait! Was I writing a letter of apologise or phoning Krista?

Sasha grasps her phone, staring at it and trying to figure out what to do. Her palms are sweaty and the water on her face from earlier has yet to be dry. She pulls a towel over her face and swipes it all away. She throws it to the side and her attention is sat back on her phone again.

To call or not to call? A question that bugs Sasha to no end. She doesn't want to disturb Krista' meticulous preparations for her puny love life. But Sasha is desperate and needs help from a professional. If Krista is that busy, then the least Krista could do is coach her. She settles on sending a test message by speed texting her plea in record speed.

SASHA HEPL! HE'S IN MY HOUSE AND I NEED YOU MATCHMAKER-SAMA!

There's a long pause, then bleep-bloop!

KRISTA I'll phone you in five minutes.

SASHA YOUR THE BEST! :)

Relieved, Sasha puts her phone down and quietly exits the bathroom. Door wide open, Armin sits on the edge of Sasha' bed, admiring her video game shelf. Particularly in Undertale that he holds in his right hand while his left holds a tiny gap open in the shelf. Not wanting to cause an ADHD mess with Sasha' precise and orderly video game collection makes Sasha' mouth curl.

Ever the perfect house guest.

Holding back her urgency, she leans by the door frame to admire Armin reading the blurb. He has a face of deep concentration, akin to him reading a class text book. Sasha always finds the faces he pulls adorable. During their sessions in the library, she would take a quick glance over to Armin' side and smile at the cuteness. Her favourite one is when his brows furrows and the tip of his tongue is subtly peaking out the side of his mouth. It tells her he is thinking hard.

As much as she would like to stand and stare at Armin for most of the day she can't. She clears her throat, making Armin realise Sasha is back. He tries to slide the thin box back into place, but Sasha shoots forward to his side.

'No, please go ahead!'

Armin tilts his head up at her.

'A-are you sure?'

'Of course! Why wouldn't I be?'

Armin retreats his arm back and opens the box, revealing the game disk inside. After shortly admiring the disk' art cover, he closes it.

'Eren told me it's good, but I have yet to play it myself. He said he would lend me a copy once he completed it.'

Again with the Eren this, and the Eren that. Well I'll show 'em!

'You can borrow mine if ya wanna.' Sasha let part of her accent slide out as she lent forward, near Armin.

Armin' eyes lit up with such excitement that Sasha' little heart beats hard against her ribcage at the brightness his eyes brings.

'R-really?'

Sasha maintains control of herself.

'Yeah, I've got tons of games to play, so don't sweat it.'

Armin shuts his eyes and places the game close to his chest.

'Thank you very much, Sasha.'

'Its no biggie.' She shrugs with small grin.

Eat that Yeager-mister!

Armin' eyes turn to Sasha once again.

'How do I ever repay you?'

There's a beat where Sasha tries to figure out a cleaver way to respond. She finds it and leans in.

'How about helping me with some homework?'

Armin smiles and places the game on the bedside cabinet, next to the bottles.

'I suppose that'll do.'

Sasha nods in agreement, pulling out a large textbook full of bookmarks from her school bag and handing it to the expert in the room.

'Here you are.'

Armin whips the book open, flicks to the marked pages and scans them, side to side. Sasha tries again to stop herself from watching his eyes go from left to right. Watching him soaking in every detail makes Sasha understand why many envy his mind.

'I see.'

'Hmm?'

'Nothing new, just your favourite subject in the whole wide world.'

Sasha felt her eyebrow twitch. She hates trigonometry with a passion and this term was chock-a-block full of trigonometry. She just didn't understand it, even after Armin tried sitting and explaining it for the fourth or fifth time.

Armin gives a cheeky grin.

'Its really easy...for me.'

The blond giggles and the brunette follows suite.

'As easy as teaching me how it all works?'

'No. We both know that's impossible.'

She slaps his shoulder as he grins.

'Har, har.'

'We'll go step by step like last time.'

'Is that code for "do the work for me"?'

'It means I'll help you along the way and hope for the best.'

He gives a short smile and Sasha nods lightly. There's a moment of silence with the two of them just standing there in the small bedroom. Armin still flicking through the textbook, figuring it all out while Sasha stands near and watches him. He catches her gaze and chooses not to return it. Instead keeping his eyes to the text with the exception of a peek or three.

Sasha notices his peeking eyes and, too, chooses not to act on it. As light red rises up the man's cheeks, she contains her giddiness by looking away without an apologise. Her lips stay in a permanent curve, as she wonders if this is what a couple would be like.

A distant ring vibrates in the distant.

Guess its time for the love guru.

'I-I better get that.'

Sasha hurriedly runs out from her bedroom and into the bathroom, again leaving Armin before he can utter a single word. Krista' name buzzes across her phone. Sasha is about to walk down the stairs until Armin calls through.

'Who is it?'

Sasha clutches the phone tight, hiding the name and considers lying for microsecond. But her tongue acts without her consent.

'Krista.'

'Oh, erm...' There's a short pause, hesitancy in his tone. His eyes lift in every direction, except his front.

'Tell her I'm not coming to her party.'

It came out fast, like he didn't want to repeat himself. Sasha simply nods and goes along with it. She ask why later. She heads downstairs and into the living room, answering the call she desperately needs.

'Help me, Obi-Krista Kenobi, your my only hope.'

'Spill it.' A raspy, monotone voice commands. It's a contrast to Krista' more smoother and sweet voice. Sasha gulps once recognising who it belongs to.

'Y-Ymir?'

'Krista in the middle of something.' Ymir explained. 'She'll be back soon, she just asked me to cover her.'

Sasha froze. Krista is the only girl friend she can rely on for any emotional support and knows Ymir isn't that without a filter or patience. Granted, she is getting better, thanks in no small part to Krista, and they all still remain friends. But Ymir is still Ymir and nothing can change that, not even Krista.

'Yo, potato girl, you still there?'

Sasha froze again only this time with frustration, from hearing her dated nickname. Ymir knows how Sasha loathes it, having been there at it's cringe worthy origin and never letting it down. To this day, Ymir still uses it much to her own friend's irritation.

'Y-yes-'

'Look, keep things short and simple, okay? Krista and I have a ton of shit to do, and your love life ain't one of them.'

Seems her earlier fears of intrusion were right. Breaking her two friends from important shit just to put a spotlight on herself and her insignificant "problem" is just too damn selfish. She'll have to make it up to them, she knows she will.

'Okay, I'll make it quick.'

'Sure.' Ymir replies in a manner Sasha imagines by crossing her arms, like she would in moments like these, with a resting bitch face to match.

Sasha makes sure the living room door is shut before closing her eyes and gripping her phone with sweaty palms.

'It involves a guy.' Sasha semi-whispers, feeling Ymir roll her eyes on the other end of the line.

'Go on.'

Given her cue, Sasha spoke her mind and let it all out.

'I invited him over to my place to help me out with something. Didn't think much of it at the time, until I found out that I can get sweaty just by talking to him.'

A snort coming from the phone didn't help Sasha' current mind set.

'Hey! I'm serious Ymir! Every time I say something, I make a complete idiot of myself and I have to run out the room just to cool off!'

There's a pause. Sasha uses it to take a breath as she awaits for the freckled giant's response.

'So, TL;DR; he's in your house, your a mess and you don't know what to do?'

'Yeah.' Sasha clarifies with a half-nervous shrug, as if Ymir could see it.

'How long have you got?'

'Until you pick me up.'

There's another pause, then a sigh on the other end.

'Right, here's what you need to do.'