I had fun writing this chap chap :P

EIGHTEEN

I woke up more hyped than ever and my eyes quickly locked on the clothes.

I took a quick bath and put everything on. It fitted me nicely and that meant I haven't grown… bummer. Then, I looked at myself in the mirror. For the first time in forever, I felt alive, I felt like… myself. Happiness flowed in me like air. Anyways, I looked damn good. Black and yellow really fit me well. There was Batman everywhere, I really was a fanatic and I hoped to be again.

I was working on my neck tie when I heard a knock on the door. I looked back and saw my father opening the door, -"Oh, hey dad."- I turned to the mirror again. I was a failure in these things with neckties and bowties. It wasn't my fault anyways, I don't use them all the time, just for school and some days only.

I hear my father's footsteps closer, -"Son…"- Through the mirror, I could see him staring at me in awe.

I turned around to face him, -"What do you think?"- I noticed the black circles below my father's eyes. He hasn't been sleeping well. Aside from that, he looked very tired.

-"I don't know what to say… you look so different,"- He breathed out and sat on my bed, -"Are you okay?"

I gave him a confused look, -"Yeah, I'm fine, why do you ask?"

He shocked his head and scratched the back of his neck. His eyes fell to my feet, -"Are those the boots I bought you?"

I nodded, -"Yeah, they are."

-"Is that the vest that your mother bough you?"

I nodded again.

-"Son… who are you dating this time?"- He crossed his arms.

I blushed a bit, but shocked my head, -"What? No one! I just thought I'd use these old things, you know."- Now I was scratching the back of my neck.

He had a suspicious look, -"I shall investigate,"- He began to rub his chin, -"Anyway, son, you look astonishingly good."

I smiled to him, -"Thanks, dad."

I turned to leave, but he stopped me, -"Wait, let me take you to school this time, alright?"

-"You don't have to. Besides, I think you need to rest."- I took my backpack.

-"I insist."- He patted my back and pushed me out of my room.

Downstairs, mom was watching TV as always. She gazed back at us and her eyes locked on me, -"Now, what is this I see?"- She looked surprised, recalling all those times we went to Hot Topic.

My father laughed, -"Your son."- He began to look for his keys.

-"Nah, that ain't him,"- She eyed me suspiciously and her grumpy attitude came back, -"What in the heavens happened to ya'? You ain't sick are ya'? Cause' ya' look like a popsicle."

I scowled. Her attitude and sneer comments that didn't make any sense pissed me off, but I stayed cool, -"Nothing, I just I'd used this old stuff."- I told her what I told dad.

She eyed me for the second time and scoffed, -"Whateva'."- She turned back to the TV.

I began to impersonate her silently when dad came to me with his keys, -"Let's go, son."

On the drive to school I was kind of worry that we'd crash. Dad looked like he'd fall asleep anytime, his eyes closed and opened frequently. When we arrived at school, I dismounted the car, -"Dad… you should get some rest."

He raised his head from the wheel and looked at me, smiling, -"Huh…? Oh, don't worry, son. I'll be alright. Have a good day, okay?"

I nodded and gave him a small smile.

Inside the school, I immediately went to Hanji's and waited for her, like always. The bell rang and slowly, everyone started arriving and naturally, they noticed me.

-"Yo, Jean? What up?"- Connie asked me while laughing. He eyed me, -"You look awesome, man!"

It kept going on like that. Everyone arrived and said something to me. Except Mikasa and Annie, they just stared at me for a while. Eren and Armin said something too, -"Wow, Jean, you look different."

-"He looks gay."- Eren commented and Armin elbowed him.

-"Shut up, Yaeger. Don't let me start on how you look."- Keeping my cool in front of Eren was mission impossible. We never had good confrontations, maybe because we were just too different or I simply couldn't stand him and I'm sure he couldn't stand me either.

Eren was about to throw me a comeback, but Ymir stepped in, -"Who is this guy? I've never seen him before,"- She had her hands on her hips while inspecting me. She walked to me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders, -"What's the deal, Jean? Who are you dating now, handsome?"

I pushed her arm away, -"No one,"- I then laughed and smirked, -"Yet."- I seriously had no idea if she was hitting on me, she was that unpredictable. Even so, I followed the current.

She laughed too, -"We'll see about that.

Hanji arrived then and even she told me something, -"Why, hello, Jean. You look fantastic today."- I thanked her just like I did to everyone.

Inside, someone called me, -"Jean? Is that you?"- Suddenly, that voice sounded very familiar and I quickly turned around, ready to face Marco. My heart beat went faster and butterflies flew in my stomach, but when I saw Reiner instead, it all died, -"Holy, you look different."

I sighed in disappointment, -"Half of the class didn't recognized me, so you're not the only one."

He laughed, -"Well, hey, you're like a totally different guy. Is everything alright?"- He asked me.

I nodded to him and sat, letting my backpack drop, -"Yeah, I'm good."

-"Would you kindly elaborate? Man, this isn't something I see every day. I have a feeling this isn't just a simple change in style, is it?"

I looked up and smiled, -"The cycle of life could explain it."- I began to understand what he said yesterday little by little and he was completely right. From today, I wasn't the same asshole and jerked Jean, I was different, I'm changing. Well, maybe a little, but like he mentioned yesterday, my cycle of life just begun his work.

He nodded, understanding me, -"I see,"- He smiled too, -"You've begun to see it now, right? That's good, but there's more. I can see it. Your change is bigger."

Well, that was weird. I wasn't expecting anything else. Before I could ask him what he meant by that, he walked to his seat and left me hanging with query. I shrugged, it was probably nothing. I began to think that Reiner liked to mess with my mind with that sort of things.

Everyone commented about me then, but they didn't nag about my looks. My group didn't bothered having a Batman or Superman fanatic around and that was good.

Hanji started class and Marco didn't arrived. My stomach began to stir. What if he didn't come today? After all I've done… or maybe something happened to him yesterday? Who was he with last time? Kat.

Before I went to Levi's, I ran to the infirmary, worried plastered in me. I might be worrying too much, but I couldn't help it. I didn't see him yesterday before I left. In the infirmary, Kat received me. She began to speak, but stopped and surveyed me, -"Well, well, someone's looking extra good today… and different."

-"Sorry, Kat, no time,"- I quickly said and walked close to her, -"Have you seen Marco today?"

She shocked her head and looked at me suspiciously as if I just ascertained yesterday's theory of me begin gay and with Marco. She didn't say anything about that though, -"No, I haven't. Is something the matter?"

-"After you talked with him yesterday, did he left?"

-"Of course,"- She nodded, she seemed a bit bothered by my quickness, -"His mother picked him up early. He called her because he didn't felt good."

That just set more fuel to my worriedness, -"Why? What did he have?"

-"Nausea, mostly,"- She had a thoughtful expression as she gazed up, -"But there was more to it than that. Even if he doesn't show it, he has serious emotional and physical issues. I believe he has a condition with various symptoms."

That set me on edge. Condition… what kind? Marco looked perfectly normal. Then, I wondered what she talked to him about and I felt like asking, but then I realized that it probably wasn't a good idea. I had a feeling that she didn't like others to mess with her patients issues. Then again, I had to know. I could 'take' her record of Marco…

-"That kid has me really worried…,"- She kept murmuring to herself and I took that advantage and began moving closer and closer to her desk. I eyed it; she had a lot of papers and records of many people: Trent, Uriel, Weygand, Ralf, Trisha, Arnold… wait, what? That didn't surprise me. I ignored that and kept looking; I didn't see Marco's around, -"I can't understand how normal he seems, after all he's been through…"

I began to slide some papers away and then spotted it: Marco Bott, highly important patient. Suffers from bullying constantly, cloistral surroundings, lack of malice (could purposely be deceived), I noticed various symptoms of-

I had my eyes locked on the paper as I read, but a sudden wind blew the paper off right beside Kat. Fuck! She turned around and noticed it while I cursed all over. She kneeled and took it, -"Oh, the wind always blows off my papers,"- She murmured as she retained the paper in a drawer, -"You're still here, Jean? I believe you have class now."

I cursed to myself again, thanked her and left to Levi's. During the walk, I wondered what symptoms she noticed in Marco and of what condition. That worried me even more. Without noticing, I was sulking about that and couldn't stop thinking about it.

Again, I felt that presence. The air twisted once again. Frank wasn't around anymore; the principal never came on Mondays or Tuesdays, so…

I looked up to meet Marco. He was right in front of me, but he was distracted, looking down at his phone. Even so, he was absent minded, thoughtful, not really looking at it. Then, we bumped into each other, because I too was distracted and thoughtful, but I noticed him in the last second and he didn't. We were the same height, but even so, he fell over me. He had more weight than I expected. I winced as the pain in my back shot up. I tried to wiggle out, but he was heavy. Our faces were literally a few inches apart. If someone saw us right now, gosh, they'd think we're making out. Thankfully, no one's around… I hoped.

When he realized that he fell over someone, he quickly began to apologize, -"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention, I-"- Then, he opened his eyes, saw me and gasped. His thoughtful expression quickly faded, -"Oh, Jean!"- He quickly stood up and helped me stand up. When my hand touched his, that warmth sailed through my veins once again as he pulled me up, -"I'm really sorry. I'm such a dummy sometimes, I-"

He stopped talking and eyed me completely. He gasped and I swore that he was going to have a heart attack, -"Yeah, before you say anything,"- I laughed as excitement shot through me, -"How's this for an answer?"

His mouth was gaped for a moment, his eyes glittered and suddenly, he launched at me with a hug, -"Oh, Jean! It's perfect! I was really scared you'd never come with an answer! I-I… thanks!"- I wasn't so much of a hug person, so I gently patted his back. I began to wonder if this is what he's been so thoughtful about a few moments ago. I probably made his day. I could hear so much joy in his voice.

When he let me go, he circled me and pointed to everything I had, the earrings, the hand clock, the vest and beanie, -"I bought the beanie in Hot Topic and the earrings too."- He asked me where I bought all my stuff, -"I used to order on EBay too, but it's all mostly on Hot Topic. There is geek stuff on other places too."

He was laughing, remembering something, -"You used to like Batman a lot. You always drew him on the drawing classes."

I scratched the back of my neck sultrily, feeling my cheeks a bit hot, -"And you used to draw Superman a lot too."- That I remember just now. We always had our own kind of competition.

As he spoke, I looked at his clothes: he was simple today, like he wasn't on the mood to dress up this morning: grey jeans, usual Converse, school's shirt with his all pinned neck tie and a black beanie that had a skull on the side. I looked down at my neck tie; it was loosen around my neck. I slightly touched it and Marco noticed, -"Oh, let me help you,"- He stepped closer to me and took my tie. I faltered a bit, blushing, but he continued doing twists, circling and finally tying it completely. -"That should do it… oh."- He blushed too and stepped back. I didn't let anyone tie it; much less another guy. I always tied it one way or another. I still thank him though. I hoped no one saw that. Somehow, I didn't bother that he tied it. If it was someone else, I'd punch him.

He nodded and we kept talking and talking after that, -"I have a lot of pins too, so we can trade anytime. Also, I-"

-"Hey, aren't we kind of late?"- I said, looking at my clock. Yep, science started five minutes ago.

-"Holy cow!"

We practically ran to science and thankfully, Levi didn't start. He was solving a problem on his cellphone that he didn't even saw us coming in. Marco and I looked at each other and phew-ed.

During all the classes, Marco sat behind, beside or in front of me. I slept through most of them and he woke me up here and then. In launch hour, we ate together and when finished, we walked around school and talked about so many different things. Marco had a very open mind; he was so creative and had a huge imagination. We began to make jokes and they got longer and longer because Marco kept adding them different stuff, which made it even funnier. He was also random; he talked about one thing and randomly changed subject. Above all, he was so kind and helpful. While walking, we met a girl from tenth grade. She bought a soda from the vending machines, but the soda didn't come out and Marco paid her another. The girl hopped around and hugged Marco, thanking him and saying he was the most adorable guy on the school. On the other hand, that bothered me a bit. Like on Kat's paper, he had lack of malice. That girl could've tricked him somehow and that was going to be written on her grave because I will bury her if she does.

Physical education came around and I was back on my exercises. I began to wonder what was done with the soccer team and I wanted to ask. I knew someone has to take lead now that Frank is out. From the bottom of my heart, I had a feeling that no one on twelve one will keep me on the team, it was obvious in fact and that depressed me a bit. I loved soccer, it was my passion. I was changing, but I still wanted to play it.

I was doing some sit-ups, when someone of twelve one appeared out of nowhere and walked towards me: Trevor. He had a menacing pose above me. I stood, but before I could ask him anything, he shouted at me angrily, -"Jean, listen to me carefully because I sure as hell ain't gonna say this again,"- He pulled me towards him by my shirt, -"You're out of team, ya' hear me!? Out of the soccer team! You were a waste of our time! A loser! And losers,"- He pushed me, -"Stay losers!"

I hit my back hard with the bleaches behind me, right were Frank's foot marked the worst bruise I ever had. I gasped for air when the impact sent a soaring pain through my back. Trevor had brought attention and that's what he wanted.

-"I take back what I said. I will say it a million times: you're out, out, out of the team! You're out!"- He kept shouting that and even with the annoying beep I had in my ear, I could hear him.

I was trying to stand up when I heard Marco calling me, -"Jean!"

That's when my body ignored all the damn pain, when Trevor turned to Marco. I launched like a rocket and halted right in front of Marco in defense. That dark impulse surfaced once again and my eyes locked on Trevor and Trevor only. My fists clenched, my teeth gritted…

Before I could do anything, Reiner and Mikasa stepped in front of me, arms wide, blocking me while Berthold, Eren and others stepped in front of Trevor, -"Stop right now!"- Reiner shouted, -"What the hell are you trying to do?"- I had no idea if he asked that to me or Trevor and honestly, I didn't care.

Trevor kept moving side to side, looking at me while I watched his every move. One step closer and I'll…, -"Jean! Snap out of it!"- That was Eren. I didn't even gazed at him, my eyes were glued on Trevor, -"Jean, for fuck's sake!"

I began to push myself forwards, but Reiner and Mikasa kept holding me back, -"Jean, fighting is not the answer!"

I ignored Reiner and pointed at Trevor-"Touch him and you're dead! I can say it a million times!"

Trevor just laughed. That added more fuel into my rage. I was lacking control once again, entering into another rampage and he didn't even touch Marco's hair, but the way he looked at him, the same way Frank did…

A soft hand stopped me from pushing even further. I looked back and saw Marco's calm face as he shocked his head. He was slowly pulling me back. Then, it all turned off down and the pain in my back surfaced. My legs wobbled and I slumped back into Marco who held me tight.

-"I'll tell everyone! Everyone will hear what a failure you are so that you don't get into other teams! No more soccer for you!"- Trevor shouted before leaving.

After a while, I was sitting on the front bleaches, resting my back. Reiner was beside me, -"Jean, are you okay?"

I nodded slowly and said nothing.

Reiner sighed worriedly, -"Listen, Marco is alright, okay? His hair is unharmed."

I sat up. His comment pissed me off, but I ignored it, -"What makes you think I was going to fight because of that? Trevor just told me something and I didn't like it, that's it."

Reiner gave me a skeptical look, -"You don't fool anyone anymore, Jean. I can see your reasons, your purpose for fighting, but like I said… fighting is not-"

Before we could finish, we heard it: the intercom's beep and Trevor's harsh voice, -"Listen up, everyone! Don't let Jean Kirshtein on your soccer groups! He's a failure and a loser! He'll try to take out your leader to mess up your team like he did to us! Don't let him and see though him! He's really nothing! Revenge is served and- Trevor McCoy, stop right now!"- Petra's spoke at the end, stopping Trevor from speaking through the intercom.

But it was too late. Trevor attained what he wanted: to humiliate me like I did to him and most of his group.

He got his revenge.

Ne, ne, did you noticed the little Frozen line I wrote on the beginning 3:) it's one of the song!

Gosh I love the overprotective Jean! Sho cute :3 He's like: 'you do not touch dat hair, dat hair is mine!'