TEN

The next day's school was still boredom. We had to wait for Hanji to find her keys again.

I looked around. My group arrived early today, but there was no sign of Marco… yet. Suddenly, I wondered if he told anything of what happened yesterday to him with Frank. I guessed he did, well, he had to. I also wondered if his mom took action and did something. I had a feeling she did, because I bet that he'd been through this in previous schools. It wasn't normal for a guy like him endure that on his first day. He just endures it like it was a thing of all days; he didn't cried or went to the office.

Then, he arrived. He looked tired and still in pain, but not like yesterday. Today, I had to admit, he looked cooler. He had deep blood red jeans that I recognized were from Hot Topic that had a black chain hung over, he had the school's simple shirt up to his elbow with the grey tie in which had a lot of different pins of Batman, Superman and other geeks and games stuff, his hair was messy today, but he had no beanie, so I guessed he didn't had time. Again, he had the same Converse, only this time, one was red and the other was black.

Shit. He looked cool. Then, I looked down at myself. I just had the ordinary uniform: the buttoned shirt down to my wrist, since guys didn't had the vest and I had tugged it in my pants. What? Trisha liked it that way, but when I looked at Marco, he had it lose.

I looked away and scoffed. I bet the teachers will scold him for the red jeans and he'd have to take them off and put another, then he wouldn't look cool. They didn't accept any other jeans that weren't grey, but then again, they stopped bothering with that last year. I gazed at him again and my jaw almost hit the floor as I stared in awe at the Batman clock he had on his wrist; it was black and had Batman's logo in the middle, bright yellowish cool. Then, I couldn't see it anymore when he tugged his hand on his pocket and stared at the ceiling. Then I looked at his face: thankfully, it was better, he still had bruises and welts, but nonetheless better. At the bottom of my heart, I felt relieved that he was better, but I wouldn't show too much concern. I'd still ask him though, for the good of it.

I was looking at him the whole time and he hadn't noticed. He seemed thoughtful.

When Hanji found her keys, we entered and sat. That's when Marco noticed me and sat behind me, -"Oh, hey, Jean. Good morning."- He said and put down his backpack, then he went over to Hanji and then came again. This time, his face lit up, remembering something, -"Oh! Did you see Su-"

I already had the draw out and handed to him, -"I did, uh… but I,"- I gulped and looked away, not wanting to see his eyes, -"… I wanted Batman. It'd be cooler."

That was childish. The idea occurred to me at that second and I spit it out like that. If he managed to draw Superman like that, oh God, I can't imagine how he'd draw Batman.

For a moment, he stared at me confused, but then his face lit up more as a smile spread on him, -"I know, right? Hey, I have one here I did long ago,"- He took out his portfolio and passed some papers until he reached his objective, -"It's kind of crappy, but it's still Batman."- He lifted it to show me the draw.

Yep. It was Batman alright. He was simply standing in the dark with the Bat signal bright behind him. I noticed the draw still had some dark spots of blots and Batman looked like a derp, but still yet, it looked fantastic. I couldn't so something like that. I nodded approvingly.

Marco looked at it, -"I have to fix his face, though,"- He said, a finger on his chin, -"Darken his features a bit and maybe add more color here and a bit there with…,"- He kept muttering as his finger traveled thought the draw.

-"Hey, it's cool, I was just joking,"- I wasn't, actually. I shrugged, -"But, why leave me the draw? You did it."

He nodded and smiled, -"Yeah, but you fixed it. So I thought I'd give it to you."

I started to ask him about how and when he put in my bag, when Hanji started class. I dug in the draw on my backpack. What was I thinking? No way in hell I'd give it back to him.

Like always, Math was boring and again, I failed at answering her questions. Instead, Marco answered them all. It was normal as a nerd, but me? Nah. I'd failed this class over and over. Math wasn't my thing, numbers were my enemy and I pretty much know the basics, nothing else above that gets in me.

During class, my phone vibrated. I was sure it was my girlfriend and again, I didn't answer her, but this time it was because I couldn't. When class finished, I took it out of my pocket: Where r u? She asked me.

Class. It was a simple answer with no emoticons, because it was obvious.

She didn't answer back, so she knew I was still upset about yesterday and I hoped I'd clear that today and of course, with Frank too.

Science came next and it was horrible. The only thing I liked is watching Levi because really, he was funny, even though he had that bad boy attitude and hard features. Then, I remembered what happened to me yesterday with him: the balls competition, the humiliation he gave me when I was with Trisha, the fight with Eren and naturally Mikasa…

-"Kirshtein, are you on your beauty sleep?"- I heard a familiar voice speak above me. I looked from my desk and met Levi's sharp eyes, -"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I asked you a question. A simple one, really. It'd be quite a shock if you don't answer it."

I sighed. I just dozed off again, -"What was the question again?"- I said reluctantly, my voice a bit challenging, not nice.

He arched an eyebrow, -"You still with the balls competition? I thought that was settled yesterday."

I sighed again, -"No, I'm not."- That sent me surprised looks from everyone, -"Um… the question?"

Levi hmph-ed as he crossed his arms, -"What is a turtle? A reptile, amphibian or mammal?"

What? That was a stupid question. Was he mocking me? Yeah, it seemed obvious since everyone started snickering, awaiting my answer, but they'd be surprised, I'll answer it correctly. When I was about to answer though, I froze. I had an idea, but… I wasn't sure. What if I say the wrong answer? Everyone will laugh at me. It was a stupid question and if I answered it wrong, I'd be more stupid, -"Well?"- Levi asked.

I gritted my teeth and looked away from Levi, dammit! I cursed. Everyone looked at me with reddened face, trying not to burst out laughing, specially that Yeager. Then, as a God sign, Levi's cellphone rang and he went for it. I had to think now. Now or never. Turtles weren't mammals, that's damn obvious, but…

I hear a lean-in sound from the desk behind me, -"Reptiles."- Someone behind me whispered. Marco. I nodded to him.

-"… of course. I'll be there at eight,"- Levi hung up his phone and walked towards me again, arms crossed, -"So? Have you consulted your brain about it?"

Damn you, I cursed him silently. He was making fun of me, I knew it. I wasn't paying attention and that's what teacher usually did when students were in Cloud Ville, -"They're reptiles."- I answered smugly, giving him a victory smile.

He laughed though, -"Who did you really consulted? Your brain or Bott behind you?"

Then, everyone laughed. I looked around, wanting to give them my best glare of death, but I realized that they weren't laughing to mock me; they were just... having fun. Even Marco was snickering. I gritted my teeth and went in for the excuse, -"I wasn't sure, alright?"

He eyed me, -"Sure. It's always good to consult others for help, but next time,"- He leaned closer to me with his sharp and menacing look, -"Pay attention."- He then paced side to side on front for the rest of the class, writing here and there, -"You're all supposed to know this already, this is just a refresh for what comes next."

I wanted to thank Marco, but I dozed off again. I raised my head here and there and nod to Levi as an act. Thankfully, he didn't ask me anymore questions.

After that was Spanish.

When we were arriving at the class, the hallway was blocked by twelve one. I threw my head back and took a desperate breath. This was starting to piss me off and this year just begun.

They were all lined up horizontally with arms crossed. From the look on their faces, I knew that they had no intention of letting us pass. Frank, as always, was in the middle, his face serious and ferocious at the same time. I remember I had to settle things with him. Then I saw a glimpse of blond hair of my girlfriend. She was right beside Frank. Why didn't it surprise me that she was participating in this?

-"Ah, not again."- Thomas exclaimed when we arrived. He looked like he wanted to turn away.

Everyone started to protest and Reiner, as always, took action and leadership, -"This again? We're not looking for a fight, alright? And we don't want to miss Spanish."- Reiner said patiently and calmly, but there were a few that were losing it.

Frank laughed out loud, -"Yeah, like a bunch of nerds you are,"- He looked to both sides, -"C'mon, try passing, losers."

I read Frank's face. He was really pissed today. At us? Me? Who knew? Frank had many friends, but also enemies. I'd been hanging with him and his group since last year's second semester. I knew little about him, but I know when he feels like screwing everyone… in many ways. Today, he was pissed at everyone or…

I glanced at Marco.

He was pissed at one in particular. Following Frank's death glare, I knew. It pierced Marco. What was Frank planning on doing to him now, after what he did yesterday? For God's sake! Then, it hit me. Marco told someone about what happened and naturally, actions were taken and naturally, Frank wouldn't like it one bit. I don't know in what he was put through, but whatever it is, it wouldn't stop him from getting his hand on Marco and make his life miserable.

Obliviously, I stepped in front of Marco's visible area. He was way back, hoping this will finish, obviously trying to avoid Frank. I gained Frank's stare, -"Oi, Jean. Step aside. You're not with them, remember?"

Yeah sure I'm not, but you don't care shit about that, I muttered to myself and stood my place. He wanted to have his hawk eye on Marco and, I dunno, I felt like stepping in. I just shrugged and stood still. Frank looked like he wanted to push me away, but he had other things to take care of, -"I'm asking nicely. Let us pass."- Reiner said for the third time.

-"Or what, losers? It's not like you could do anything."- A student from twelve one answered.

-"That's it, we're walking through,"- Connie said, already desperate, stomping towards them, only to be pushed back harshly. He landed on his ass and immediately Sasha and Thomas helped him up, -"Hey, c'mon! Stop it already! This is stupid!"

My group was growing desperate, even Reiner. He didn't like it one bit about Connie or anyone of our group being pushed around. Hell, if he knew about Marco…, -"Enough, Frank. Let us pass."- His voice was harsh.

Again, -"Or what?"- Frank challenged.

Ymir growled, -"This is childish! You're all a bunch of kids, y'know that?"

Immediately, the girls from twelve one rose up, -"Says a lesbian with a thirteen years old!"

Krista shot up immediately.

Things will get real ugly now if either Annie or Mikasa stands up. As for me? I stood still blocking Frank's eyesight of Marco, not really understanding why. My legs just moved on their own. Moments passed as discussions continued and I was also growing desperate. I wondered where the hell Erwin was. I tapped my foot with the floor. Reiner wasn't doing anything as the "leader". I guessed he wasn't fit to it well. There was one thing to do.

I growled and stepped to the front, in front of Frank actually, I still didn't want his eyes on Marco. I did a gesture to my group to stay calm and shut up. Miraculously, they did, -"Listen, Frank, this is really no time for picking fights."- I said lowly to him. I heard gasps behind me.

He looked at me, surprised. Then, he scoffed, -"You don't have to tell me when to pick fights. I do what I want. Now move. This isn't about you."

I didn't move, -"Frank, is it worth the detention for these guys? I know that there's a better time for thi-"

-"I'm already on detention,"- He said bitterly. I froze, -"And yeah, it's worth getting more detention for kicking these guys butts."

He really did tell, I shock myself from the trance, -"Or… someone's in particular?"

Frank looked at me with a menacing glare, as in how do you know? After a while, he scoffed and shrugged, -"Yeah, so?"

-"You're falling low man,"- I said, hoping I sounded serious and not nervous, -"If you waste time on these losers, you're not getting him."- Why was I saying this? I just wanted to go already. As I talked with Frank, my girlfriend had her ears straight. Great.

He looked at me, eyes wide and surprised. I hadn't convinced him entirely, -"Wow, Jean, you and I have to talk more often,"- His eyes filled with anger… towards me now. Slowly, twelve one dispersed, letting my group pass; before Frank did though, he looked at me seriously, -"Don't make me call you a traitor."

Then, he left, his eyes following Marco. Shit.

Spanish class flew quickly, raising everyone's mood when they heard Eren talk Spanish, but not mine's.

This time, I didn't cut English, but Rico Brzenska scolded me for not coming yesterday. I didn't have an excuse and thankfully she let me sit. Rico, she's a pro on her class. Technically, everyone was, but she knew the secrets of the secrets of English. She was very strict and knows how to control the group, expect twelve one. I heard she had trouble keeping them on a straight line.

English was an easy class, but Rico made it tricky. Even so, I had time to sink in my thoughts, until Reiner sat beside me, -"Jean, what you did back there…,"- He began.

I sighed, -"I just told him off. Really, you have to do something about him. You can't stay hit forever."- Fight back and you guys are screwed, I muttered to myself, but I didn't say it.

He sighed, -"I just wanted to thank you, that's all."- He began to stand up, but he looked like he wanted to speak more. He left, either way.

Marco was alone, like always. He was drawing again. I sighed and walked to him.

I stood in front of him. I couldn't make out what he was drawing this time, but when he saw me, he lifted his head up and met my eyes, covering the draw at the same time, -"Hey, Jean."- He smiled awkwardly.

I arched him an eyebrow with a confused look, -"Uh, can I ask you something?"

His smile slowly faded and worry replaced it, -"Sure. What is it?"

I sat on the desk beside his, my elbows on my knees,-"About what happened yesterday… did you report it?"

Again, the thoughtful look he had back at Hanji's surfaced, -"Yeah, had to. Mom figured it when she saw me anyways."

I nodded to him, -"And… the principal?"

He nodded.

I nodded again, -"Um,"- I had to ask him a lot, even if he didn't want to indulge in it too much, -"What actions were taken?"

He shrugged and I figured he wasn't sure himself, but he spoke anyways, -"I think he was sent to detention for a week or more, um, I also have to try to stay away from him."- He sounded like a little kid.

That was obvious, the principal couldn't do much. Not like he did anything in particular anyways. He's supposed to be on suspension. Frank had power in here and his parents were millionaire, with even more power, -"I see, was he kicked from Art?"

Marco nodded.

I sighed. Like I said before, nothing will stop Frank from making Marco's life miserable and soon, he'll get his hand on him again. Without realizing, I was worried.

Then, Marco spoke, his mood back to normal, -"I saw what you did back there,"- He said, smiling again, -"You have leadership. It was amazing."

I gave him a skeptical look, -"What? No way."

Marco nodded, actually excited about this, -"Yeah, you do. I saw how they all calmed down when you stood in the front and made the other group go,"- He didn't know that I didn't convinced Frank at all, he was just shocked and angry at me. Then again, I may have convinced him when I mentioned that it was time he'd lose and… Marco, -"That's leadership."- He said.

He was crazy. Me? This group's leader? No way, -"I'm sorry, but I'm not the leader here, it's Reiner. I don't… belong here,"- I said and looked away when I saw Marco's worried face again, -"I don't have the required responsibility for that."

-"Oh."- It's all he said. Then, he began to draw again, covering it, preventing me to see and I had the feeling he was doing it on purpose.

It hit my curiosity, -"What are you drawing now?"- I asked, peeking a little. I only saw black in it and a figure.

He covered it more, not raising his head, -"Uh, nothing special."

I then gave up and went to my seat.

By the time my stomach growled, I was at the launch room alone again, since my girlfriend and "friends" ordered outside. She said that when I finish, she and I'll talk to settle things, as well as with Frank. I sighed, suddenly nervous. Then, in the corner of my vision, I saw Marco leaving. He had to be careful in this hour since Frank was loose. Detention was in the last hours, so he was free in the morning and now.

When I finished eating the meatloaf and rice, I went outside to the McDonald's and met Riu, one of Frank's friend and group, -"Hey, where's Trisha?"- She wasn't here.

-"Oh, I think she's in the bathroom."- He said, he was still eating.

I thanked him and headed to the bathroom, which was in the same hallway right next to the launch room. I leaned on the wall outside the bathroom and waited for her to come out. Then I heard it, -"… don't even like him, y'know? He's all just good looks for Frank."

I recognized that voice. My girlfriend's.

Was she talking about me?