Chapter Text
“Eren! Wake up! You’re going to make us late!” My body was violently being shaken by my sister whilst yelling in my face. It was way too early for this.
“Five more minutes” I groaned as I pulled the covers all the way up and over my head. She did not hesitate to rip the covers completely off of my body, forcing me to curl up into a ball just to keep warm.
“Come on! Armin is waiting for us! Let’s go!” This time she slapped my ass and I flinched from just how hard of a hit it was. That’s going to leave a mark.
“I don’t wanna!” I screamed into my pillow letting my groan draw out. She reached for my sides and started wiggling her fingers, making me fidget and laugh. “Mikasa! Stop! I’m ticklish there!” I couldn’t help my laughter as she continued to tickle.
“I know, now get up and get dressed! School is about to start and we still need to pick up Armin!”
Ugh. School. I’m so done with school. I’m done with getting up at unreasonable hours, sitting on my ass for 6 hours at a time, only to learn material I most likely will not need in the years to come. Now that doesn’t mean I was a bad kid. Quite the opposite actually. I have managed to pull good grades throughout my high school career. Some people might argue with me, but a C is a perfectly acceptable grade. Today was the beginning of my senior year and frankly, I’m glad that I’m going to be out of that place for good in a few months. When I tell you I’ve had senioritis since freshman year, I truly mean it.
“Come on, get up and grab some breakfast.” With a final slap to the ass, Mikasa got up and walked out of my room.
Good ol’ Mikasa. I finally willed myself out of bed and grabbed the first shirt I found from my dresser. Being that it’s only September, t-shirts were perfectly fine to wear, since the weather wasn’t too hot nor cold. I slipped the wrinkly shirt on my bare chest and walked to the mirror hanging on my wall. I noticed the shirt to be one of my favorite bands, Metallica. I slipped out of my plaid pajama bottoms and reached for a pair of light grey skinny jeans from two drawers down and slipped them on one leg at a time. After putting on my belt and unplugging my cellphone from the wall charger, I headed out of my room and down towards the kitchen. When I walk in, I see my mother sipping on some routine coffee and reading the paper while Mikasa was fixing herself a bagel with strawberry cream cheese, which she scoffed down at record speed. She headed for the bathroom to brush her teeth.
“Good morning, sweetie!” My mother, Carla, greeted as I entered.
“Morning mom” I replied. She always babied me, ever since I was born. It never truly bothered me too much, except out in public. I was bit old for the public affection from mom. I guess she babies because I’m technically her only child. When my mother and father were still together, they tried three times to have a baby, two out of the three were miscarried and it devastated both of them. On their third try, my mother decided to go on some form of pill to help with her pregnancy. And thus, I was born. Alive, healthy and breathing. A couple years later, my mother decided she wanted me to have a sibling and or playmate. She had seen an ad about adoption and decided to adopt my sister. Mikasa was orphaned at a young age and my mother simply couldn’t say no to the little five year old and decided to take her in. Mikasa and I are the same age, but she was born a month before I was.
Skip ahead a few years when we were ten. My father had left my mother for who knows what reason. To this day I still don’t know, nor do I want to know. All I can remember was the yelling between my mother and father. Mikasa and I hid in my room until we heard the door slam shut. Running to the window, we watched as he turned the ignition on in his car and drove off, never to return again.
Anyway, that was the past and I am now an 18 year old adult ready to get the school year over with.
“Eren, don’t forget to brush your teeth, wouldn’t want stinky breath the first day of school now would we?”
“Yes, mom.” I finished off whatever bar I had grabbed from the cabinet and set off for the bathroom. I squirted some toothpaste onto my brush and began brushing. Man, my hair was a frizzy mess. Oh, well. I shook my head and ran my fingers through it, untangling any knots in the process. A few more strokes over my teeth and I was finished, wiping off the access toothpaste on my chin with a towel. I made sure to clean my gauges as well for they can start smelling over time if not taken care of. I’m only at a size 0 so they’re not THAT big. My mom still disapproved of them, something about modifying my body, yet she couldn’t really argue since she has a couple tattoos herself. Deciding to switch out my purple silicone tunnels for the lime green ones, I walked back out and met Mikasa by the front door. “Come on, let’s go” she said, grabbing the car keys from off of the key rack. “Bye mom!” she yelled over her shoulder.
“Have a good day at school! Oh and Eren, don’t forget you have that job interview today at 3!”
“Got it! Bye mom! See you later.”
We walk out and shut the door behind us, making our way to the lovely hunk of junk we call our car. It was a tan 1995 Ford Taurus with nothing special to it. Hey just one more year and it’ll be considered an antique. Mikasa climbs in the driver’s side and I take a seat in the passenger’s side per usual.
“Ok, let’s go get Armin, I’m sure he’s been waiting for a while now.”
“Mikasa, he lives right down the street, he’s fine.”
We had met Armin when we first moved into this neighborhood around the age of 7. His parents were nice enough to introduce us and ever since that moment, we’ve been inseparable trio. Armin was the typical straight A student. He won many awards and scholarships just based on his smarts alone, typical nerd. He’s also the only one to make National Honor Society out of our group. He’ll most likely be our class valedictorian when we graduate and you know what? I am proud of him! Even through the tough times of losing his mother and father to a drunk driver, he was able to pull through those dark times and stay focused on the tasks at hand.
As we pull up to Armin’s and wait for him to come out, I shoot him a text just in case.
‘We’re here’ I send the text and instantly get a reply of ‘k’.
Armin opens the front door to his house, carrying his notebooks and supplies in hand, and manages to turn around and lock the door behind him. He walks down the driveway and slips into the back seat, behind me.
“Hey guys!” he greets.
“Hey Armin! Sorry we’re late, Eren wouldn’t get his lazy ass out of bed!”
“Mikasa, it’s only 6:45 and homeroom doesn’t start until 7:30. We still got plenty of time” I retorted.
“Guys, it’s ok! Really!” Armin laughed and buckled up. Mikasa started to drive off toward the direction of our school. “Oh by the way, Eren. You left this on my sofa the other day.” He reached his hand into the front of the car holding my black beanie that had two crossed swords embroidered on the rim. Taking the beanie, I slid it on my head. At least it’ll cover my messy hair.
“Ah thanks dude! I was looking for this like crazy!” We were rather silent the rest of the car ride to school. Our drive wasn’t too long, for the school was only a few minutes away. We had finally reached the school parking lot and opted not to get out of the car. The lot was partially full so we were able to find a good spot near the front. Mikasa turn off the car and unbuckled her seatbelt, me and Armin following her lead.
Armin decided to break the silence. “So what are you guys looking forward to this year?”
“Getting it over with” I replied.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends again and graduating.” Mikasa replied.
“Oh, the usual Eren and Mikasa. You too really are alike! Well, if you care, I’m looking forward to pulling the grades I need to get into Sina University!”
“Smarty pants” I chuckled.
“Call me what you want, but don’t come crying to me when you can’t even figure out how to write a check!” He teased.
Mikasa sat there idly playing with her red scarf that I had knitted her back in freshman year. Say what you want. Men can knit too! Anyway, it was a birthday gift that she only takes off for showers and swimming in the pool. Other than that, it was around her neck 24/7. In the winter, in the summer, even when she sleeps. I thought that was kind of strange but hey, she’s my sister and I love her no matter what. I made Armin one too but he never wears it. I think his dog most likely got to it and I really wouldn’t be surprised if it did.
I looked at the time on my phone. It was 6:50 and homeroom started in forty minutes. “Come on guys, we should probably look for our homerooms.” I stated, being the first to leave the car.
“Eren’s right for once” Armin teased “we should probably take a look at the lists posted on the door.” We walked to one of the side doors that was considered the student entrance. The main doors would get easily overcrowded if we all tried to squeeze through at the same time.
As we walked to the doors, we found the list for senior homerooms. It was a no-brainer that Mikasa and I would share homerooms together; we shared the same last name. Poor Armin was always alone in his homeroom for he really didn’t socialize with anyone else in our grade except us two and few other kids. Room D 201 was Armin’s room where as ours was room D 205. We walked the halls toward our lockers that we’ve used for the past three years. Once again those were in alphabetical order so Mikasa’s locker was just below mine. I opened mine and saw that the magnetic mirror was still hanging on the door. The base had a small layer of dust on it, but nothing a large blow could handle. Needless to say dust went flying everywhere. Oops.
Mikasa opened hers once I was finished with mine and saw a folded piece of paper on the bottom of hers, laying in the dust but not covered in it.
“What’s that?” Armin asked from over Mikasa’s shoulder.
“I don’t know, nor do I really want to find out” she stated picking up the folded paper. As she unfolded it, words turned into a long paragraph sprawled along the blue lines on the paper. Armin and I took a seat next to Mikasa on the floor. “Oh...my.”
“What is it?” Armin asked?
She shoved the paper into Armin’s grasp, crumpling it in the process and covering her face in her hands.
“Read it out loud, I want to hear.” I stated.
“Ok here it goes.”
Armin began reading the “note”.
“Dearest Mikasa,
How are you? Well you can answer that when you see me, I’m not good at starting papers. Lol. Anyway, we should totally hang out and junk before we graduate. Cuz remember when you said that we’ll hang out during the summer? And we never did? We’ll now’s the opportunity to hang out with this studly muffin! Anyway, I texted you quite a lot over the summer break but you never replied. At first I thought you didn’t want to talk to me but then I reminded myself that you couldn’t resist my charm so I assumed your phone broke or you lost it or dropped it in water or something. Also, you shouldn’t have delete your Facebook page! I missed looking at your face everyday so I went to look you up on Facebook and you weren’t there! I was kind of bummed out if you ask me.
Anywho, we should totally go on a date sometime, cuz that would be awesome. This stud going out with the most beautiful girl in Trost! You know my number so feel free to shoot me a text!
-Jean
Ps: I wrote this letter this morning so please reply ASAP! Hope to see you in one of my classes!”
We were all silent, until I spoke. “Mikasa, I am so sorry.”
“You didn’t delete your Facebook though, you’re on it almost every day!”
“No I didn’t. I just blocked him. God I’d rather date the tall shy kid over that asshole.”
“Bertholdt?”
“Yeah that kid.”
“Ha!”
Mikasa stood up and kicked her locker shut.
“Do you want me to throw this out?” Armin asked as Mikasa began walking away. We ran to catch up with her.
“Yes, Armin. Please? Thank you.”
The hallways were now packed with students, shoulder to shoulder. We found ourselves walking up one of the side stairs to avoid the heavy traffic and into the D hallway.
“Alright, this is our stop, see ya later, Armin!”
“See you guys later!” and with that, Armin walked to his homeroom, two classrooms down.
Mikasa and I entered our room and sat down in two random desks. The same boring people who attend this school starting pouring in. Same jocks, same preps, same scene kids, same Trost student body. The bell rang indicating the start of homeroom and packets with our names where passed out by our homeroom teacher. The only important thing in these packets were our class schedules. I ripped mine out and studied it.
First Period – English
Second Period – Algebra II
Third Period – Gym
Fourth Period – Ceramics II
Fifth Period – History II
Sixth Period – Anatomy
Seventh Period – Lunch
Eight Period – Choir
“Dammit! Seventh period lunch AGAIN! This school is trying to kill me!”
“Eren, calm down. I have seventh period lunch too.”
Homeroom soon ended and my classes began. I was relieved to have Mikasa in both my English and Math class, but I wouldn’t see her again until lunch. She’ll definitely help me with any work if I were absent. Armin on the other hand was also in our lunch and in my gym and ceramics class. We both hated gym and this year was going to be hell. We were blessed with the roughest gym teacher in Trost, Mr. Keith Shadis. Just thinking about him gives me chills.
Anyway, for the rest of my classes, I was sorta kinda not really alone. What I mean is, I have friends in each class, but only the type friend who’s only your friend in school, but once outside, neither of you talk. Those being Connie in history, Sasha in anatomy, and Jean in choir. Wait. Jean? In choir?
“Hey Jaeger! How’s your sister? Did she get my letter?”
“Yes, Jean.”
“What she say?”
“She tore up your note into a million pieces and flushed it down the toilet, how’s that answer?” Ok, I may have exaggerated, but I couldn’t stand this guy.
“Did she really? Well tell her I’m still available!”
“Jean, she’s not interested in your horse face, now if you’ll excuse me I have important business to take care of.” Important business including sitting my ass down, “listening” to the teacher preach about the class, while idly drawing rocket ship shaped penises in my notebook, cause that’s what every guy does. I brushed past Jean and sat down on one of the bleachers in the room.
“Hey Eren!” I turned my head around to meet a familiar face.
“Freckles! How’ve you been dude?” Freckles was the nickname I gave this one kid, Marco. This kid has the most freckles I’ve ever seen on single human being. We’ve been friends since freshman year when he transferred to our town. I felt bad for him since he was so damn shy around everyone and people made fun of him for it. I’d occasionally invite him to my house or to hang with Armin and Mikasa after school, but he’d always decline. It wasn’t until junior year he began to hang out with us. He also came out that year, but only to me and Armin. He didn’t want people from school to make fun of him and I completely understand that. Because basically every guy in this damn school were homophobes and it pissed me off. Mainly ‘cause I was forced into hiding if I didn’t want to get beaten up.
I hugged Marco with one arm and he hugged back. “Haha, same old same old. Long time no see huh?”
“Marco, I saw you over the summer!”
“Yeah I know! Still it’s great seeing that you’re in at least one of my classes.”
“Yeah same here!” I smiled.
We made small talk about our classes until our teacher walked in. The class went quiet and he forced us to jump right into singing. No introduction, nothing. Just handing everyone a book with various sheet music. He finally spoke and told us to open to the section that titled “Modern”. And so we did. Singing various songs from the early 2000’s over and over and over again. My throat was dry and burning. This is worse than losing your voice from screaming too much on a roller coaster.
After the eight period bell rang, I said good bye to Marco and met up with the other two stooges at the lockers. They had beat me to it so I was the last to arrive.
“What are you guys doing later?” Armin asked as we finished up and headed to the car.
“Well for starters I have that job interview at Petsmart at 3 so we’ll see how long it takes.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot! Good luck!”
“Thanks.”
“Eren, I’ll drop you off okay? I wanna shop in the strip while you’re in there.”
“Yeh sure thing Mikasa!”
It was around 2:15 by the time we left the parking lot. My interview started in 45 minutes and I don’t want to be late. I need this job or else I’m going to be more broke then I already am. Armin decided to go with Mikasa so he just came back to the house with us. Mom had already left for work so she wasn’t home and wouldn’t be until 9 later tonight. I quickly ran to my room, practically jumping out of my clothes. Well, except my jeans. Skinny jeans are the worst when you’re in a hurry. Why are they so damn tight!? I wouldn’t be surprised if my balls fell off due to lack of circulation. Once they were off I scavenged my closet for something decent. I found a nice V-neck sweater vest that I threw on over a white shirt. My pants were khakis that my mom bought me a while back and my shoes consisted of the nicest, cleanest pair of Vans I owned. I ran to the bathroom and took off my beanie, slapping some hair gel in my hair to make it look better than it was. Eh, stupid hair. I ran back out and saw Armin and Mikasa waiting for me by the door. I had to catch my breath before we shut and locked the door.
“That’s a new record Eren! Not even a minute!”
“No time for jokes, Armin. Mikasa, drive.”
“Eren, calm your ass down, you act like the store is on the opposite side of the world.”
“At this rate it will be!”
I looked at the time. 2:45, fifteen minutes to go.
The shopping center was only ten minutes away, so we arrived just on time. I said my goodbyes and exited the car.
Mikasa rolled down her window to speak to me. “Eren, text me when it’s done, well walk down to meet you.”
“Got it.”
“Good luck, Eren.”
“Thanks Armin.”
I stepped away from the car and they drove off. I walked towards the automatic doors; brain instantly thinking of my secret Jedi powers, but now’s not the time for that.
“Hello! Welcome to Petsmart!” A short girl with reddish hair greeted me at the door. She had a sweet, soft voice and her nametag read “Petra”. What a strange name, then again I’m one to talk.
“Hi, I’m here for an interview?”
“Ah yes, there are a few of you here today. We have a small line waiting outside of the employees lounge right over there.” She pointed me in the direction of the door. There was a sign that said “employees only” on it in fun looking letters and various pictures of animals.
“Ah, thank you Petra.”
“My pleasure!”
I walked towards the line, which was only two other people in front of me. The first was an older woman who looked sweet as could be. She looks like someone who would rather play with the animals rather than work. The second person was a kid maybe around my age or a little bit older. We didn’t talk or make eye contact. The door opened and a young girl walked out. Her faced looked like she’d seen a ghost. Was she scared? I get it you’re nervous, but this girl looked petrified. The older woman was next and she walked through the “employees only” door. As soon as her interview was over, the kid in front of me walked in. By this time three more people were lined up behind me. It was finally my turn when the kid walked out and immediately ran for the exit. I opened the door and walked into the employees lounge. I looked for the door that read “manager” and slowly walked over to it.
“I don’t have all day.” A deep, irritated voice came from the direction of the office. I picked up my pace and entered the office. “Sit.” And I complied. “What’s your name?” he sighed.
“Eren, sir. Eren Jaeger.”
“Hm….Jaeger.” He turned towards an open file cabinet with various folders in alphabetical order. I took the time to look around the room. His name tag read “Levi” as well as the plaque on his desk. Off in the corner was a rather quiet parrot playing on a perch. He turned back with my application in hand.
“Jaeger, Eren. 18 years old, attends Trost High, no work background except volunteer work at the local animal shelter. Hmp.” He was starting to make me nervous. He steel grey eyes were framed behind thin glasses, yet the lenses alone were not enough to stop that stare. “Tell me, Mr. Jaeger, I’ve been doing interviews all damn day, what makes you so different from everyone else?”
“I uh...well I volunteered at the animal shelter for two years. Animals are one of my passions actually. I’m also a hard worker and learn very quickly. I’m also still in high school and plan to go to Maria County College so I’ll be around for quite some time.”
“And do you currently own any pets?”
“In fact I do. I have a goldfish named Steven Tyler. Get it? ‘Cause he’s got…big…fish lips. My…uh…mom’s allergic to most furry animals, so no cats. Or dogs.” I don’t think he thought that to be amusing. He just stared at me, not saying a word. Did he even blink? I don’t know!
“Mr. Jaeger, what the hell is in your nose?”
My nose? Oh…shit.
“Oh…uh…sorry…sir. It’s just a piercing, see?” I put my thumb and fore finger in each nostril and brought down the piercing. I got my septum pierced without mom knowing so I automatically keep it flipped up so she won’t see. I forget I have it sometimes so it’ll stay up there days at a time.
“That’s disgusting! Now clean your hands!” He reached into his desk and pulled out scented hand-sanitizer. He squirted some into both his hand and mine. It was lemony once the smell of alcohol left my nostrils. What a germaphobe. “Anyway, if I were to hire you, you would have to rid of that thing. The ears are bad enough.”
“Yes, sir.”
He was flipping through my app again, looking at the availability page. “So you want a part-time position at $8.25 an hour; you’re available everyday of the week from three to close and weekends eight to close, does that sound correct?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Hmmm…and do you have any issues working holidays, black-Friday, or even over night shifts?”
“No sir.”
Tapping the papers against the desk to even them out, he began to speak. “Well then Mr. Jaeger, I’d say we are through here, I have a line of people outside who are looking for a job just like you are. We’ll give you a call if you got the job.”
“Thank you, sir.” I held out my hand, waiting for him to reciprocate, but he simply ignored it and placed my file back into the cabinet.
“Just call me Levi.”
I got up from my seat to leave.
“Thank you, Levi.”
I left through the automatic entrance and shot Mikasa a text.