Reiner was too depressed to enjoy the party so when they left he was pretty much entirely sober again and he could drive Porco and Colt back to the Gailliard residence before parking the ginger's van in the driveway and waiting for Marcel comes home because his little brother apparently had no keys on him. The eldest offered to drive him home but Reiner said no thank you and wished him luck getting those two drunk and stoned boys to bed before he walked home and he only got home after 4 in the morning.

He rolled over on his bed and looked up at his wall. The drawings Bertholdt made for him that had been pinned in place for years immediately caught his attention but instead of angering him, they just made him feel sad. He took his phone which he had turned off during the party to avoid getting even more depressed but he couldn't get himself to turn it on so he just went to bed without finding out.

He didn't turn his phone back on and kept his PC off. He didn't get much sleep even though he came home so late because he had to get up early to go to church. As soon as he got home and changed he jumped on his bike and drove off before anyone could come looking for him because it wasn't really like him to be offline but he needed to be alone so he cycled through the forest and went to his favorite spot. A cliff that overlooked the river and gave such a beautiful view of the forests that surrounded their small town. Reiner always came here when he was down.

His reason for coming was really good because tomorrow was Monday when school started again. It was the first day of Spring Break that Reiner didn't talk to Bertholdt but he would see him tomorrow and then they'd have to talk.

The blond sighed and took out his phone to turn it on. There was no reception here of course, it was in the middle of nowhere so he couldn't see if he had any incoming texts or calls. He lay on his back and listened to his music for a few hours watching the clear hydrangea sky as fluffy dandelion clouds drifted by. He was usually so connected with the world and that's why he loved this place.

It was starting to get dark. He took his bike and got on. As he drove, his phone rang as he received brief service and messages came in. The small device burned on his hip every time it moved and he drove home faster. As soon as he did, he snatched his phone from his shorts pocket and looked. Messages, DMs, texts and missed calls from everyone and he scrolled through the list until he found the one he was hoping for and dreading.

B (Sat 11:23 pm): This number called you without leaving a message.

B (Sat 11:24 pm): Can you call me?

B (Sat 11:29 pm): Reiner?

B (Sun 12:01 am): This number called you without leaving a message.

B (Sun 12:02 am): This number called you without leaving a message.

B (Sun 12:02 am): Are you there?

Reiner was nervous now, he really ghosted everyone but especially his best friend. The others were all asking him where he was but Bertholdt didn't say anything specific and Reiner wasn't sure if he wanted to call him or pretend it didn't exist and change high schools for the rest of the semester, skip town maybe for a while.

10 minutes later, he already had his phone to his ear.

"Reiner?"

"Yeah, it's me," the blond answered.

"Oh. Hi."

"Hey." The brunet didn't continue. "I saw your text."

"Oh." he said.

"Why did you want to talk to me?"

"Well... You didn't send me anything after you left, I was worried. Everyone is worried. Are you ok?"

"Of course I'm fine. Just busy today. What's that about everyone? Are you with the guys?" Reiner laughed.

"No I'm alone, but Marcel called me earlier. You should answer his messages, he was worried about you when you didn't text him you got home safe last night."

"Right, I'll take care of it."

"Ok." Reiner heard him breathe as the awkward silence ensued and he wanted to say something so badly but he couldn't. It was the brunet who said something again: "Reiner... what exactly did you say to Porco?"

"Porco?"

"He made those noises when he talked about you. Kissing noises."

"Bertholdt, I didn't tell him anything! I promised to keep it a secret, didn't I?" Reiner swore desperately. He felt like he could cry again.

"Then why did he do that?" his best friend asked.

"Because he is Porco and he was very drunk, you know how he is. I'm really sorry that he was an asshole but I SWEAR I didn't tell him. I would never do something so cruel to you! You are my best friend, man," Reiner pled.

"Ok. Ok, you didn't tell him. It was just Porco."

"Yeah, it was just Porco. You know the guy. He needs to watch his drinking or he'll fail college," Reiner sighed.

"Yeah," the brunet answered on the phone, and things got quiet for a few seconds.

"So..." Reiner said.

"I didn't submit my final application, Reiner."

"Huh?"

"I only wanted to do it if I was sure. That's why I wanted to tell you about it first. After you left, I wasn't sure anymore, so I didn't submit it."

"Oh..." Reiner said and there was his sigh of relief.

"Yep," replied Bertholdt.

"So that means you're not going to Marley?" asked the blond.

"I don't know. I think we should talk instead of... well, whatever the last 24 hours have been. Are you coming to school tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I am," Reiner said.

"Come see me at noon?" his best friend asked.

"Ok, see ya."

"See you tomorrow, Reiner."

"Bertholdt, wait," Reiner said before Bertholdt could hang up.

"Yes, Reiner?"

"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted yesterday. I overreacted. You really should choose what you want."

"Thank you. I'm sorry too."

Reiner smiled. There was a happy ending to this sad turn of events anyway. He said everything was fine and said goodbye and maybe things weren't so over for him after all.

Reiner was late for school so he did not see Bertholdt until noon. He sat with the others at lunch waiting for his best friend to show up and when he did they went to an isolated table to talk. The brunet looked tired, he probably hadn't slept much. Reiner felt bad for still having hope that meant he had a chance.

"Why didn't you do it?" the blond asked, but his best friend just shook his head, "Have you changed your mind?" he shook his head again and sighed.

"I made an appointment with the school counselor this week. I have a little time left before the final application deadline."

"Oh," Reiner said.

"Are you going to stay mad at me for much longer?" Bertholdt whispered.

"Huh? Am I mad at you? I'm not mad at you, am I?"

"You sounded mad when you left."

Well he was a little mad, maybe even disappointed because he felt so weak. He couldn't do anything.

"I wasn't mad, ok?"

"Ok, you weren't. Ok. But I might still choose not to come to Paradis, Reiner... You'll have to accept that I probably won't."

Reiner laughs: "I can accept that. We can keep in touch online. But I would like you to at least consider coming with us. Have you already done this or did you decide that Marley will be your college immediately?"

"I thought it through. Maybe I will again," his best friend said.

"I know you don't believe in a higher power, but I really think we were meant to be best friends forever. Living in the same neighborhood, going to the same schools, working in the same city, things like that," Reiner said. That's why God gave him those memories, right? His prayers were never answered when he asked. When he asked his mom, she said that meant he was being tested, but she could never know about the reincarnation. She would think it was the devil tempting him. The devil wouldn't be so kind to him by giving him a guide on how to get closer to Bertholdt.

Bertholdt smiled. He was not religious but Reiner suspected he wanted to be if his parents had not raised him an atheist. He always smiled when Reiner told him about the teachings he had learned in church. They could explore it together. "I'll talk to Mr. Yeager about it."

Zeke's grandpa was school counselor in this timeline? Reiner didn't know. That was cool.

"Consider it for me? I really want you around. Think about the things we can do with the guys and all the people we meet together who'll become our new friends," Reiner asked with puppy eyes and his hands clasped like he was begging and his best friend laughed.

"I'll think about it for you," the brunet smiled. It made Reiner the happiest boy in the world.