Amaranth

Chapter 8: Crocus

Eventually, everyone managed to agree on eating leftover pizza for dinner. While they ate, the group joked and playfully teased each other. Mikasa appreciated the easy-going atmosphere, and she felt herself easing into the conversation. She didn't say much -she never did-, but she'd smile or nod her head with certain statements.

"Alright," Jean said as he got up and began taking the now empty pizza box to the trash can, "I'll go set up the fire."

"Wait!" Sasha yelled as Jean was about to leave to the backyard, "We need marshmallows.... And chocolate!"

"And graham crackers!" Connie added, obviously in agreement.

"We don't have that at the house," Jean told them before leaving the house and going to the backyard.

Sasha and Connie whined and complained about not being able to make s'mores so much that Eren finally caved and said he'd drive to the store and get them as long as they paid.

"Deal!" they exclaimed as they got their coats.

"Anyone else coming?" Eren asked with the keys in his hand.

"I want to tag along," Reiner said as he got up.

"Sweet," Eren nodded. He hadn't talked with Reiner recently, so he figured it would be good to catch up a bit.

Once the four left, the rest of the people in the house went to the backyard to talk with Jean. Not to mention, it was a comfortable temperature outside, so it wasn't unpleasant to sit around.

While everyone walked to the fire, Mikasa walked to the lake. She sat on the dock and took off her sock and shoe before dipping her uncasted foot into the water. She shivered a little at the initial shock of the cold water, but she acclimated quickly and swirled her foot around in the water. As she did, she looked at her reflection and couldn't help but be transported to a simpler time.

******

Mikasa sat on the edge of the creek, kicking her legs in the shallow water. She leaned over and almost jumped when she saw her reflection. She giggled happily as she splashed around in the water, not caring if she got wet.

"What are you doing, Kasa?" a familiar voice asked.

"I can see me," she told them with a curious smile.

"Huh?" the voice asked, thoroughly confused.

"Look!" Mikasa said as she pointed to the water, showing the reflection of the other person with her.

It was then that she realized how similar she looked to the other person. They had the same hair, similar height, even their facial features were similar. The only obvious difference was the other person's green eyes while her own were a stormy gray.

"Wow," the voice whispered, entranced.

"Hey!" they exclaimed after a while, "You look like me!"

"No, you look like me!" Mikasa said, pointing an accusatory finger at them.

"No, you look like me!" they argued.

"Girls?" her mother showed up, smiling at the two.

"E thinks I look like her!" Mikasa said, still pointing her finger at the other girl, "but I think E looks like me!"

Her mother laughed wholeheartedly before sitting at the bank of the creek. "Well, Mikasa was born first, so technically, E looks like Mika," she explained.