To the Moon and Back (A modern Eremika fanfic)

Chapter 4: Empty Chairs

Mikasa's POV:

It was the next day and I arrived at the Chorus room. Everyone was chatting as usual, but I saw Eren in the seat he sat in yesterday. The group said Hi, but I only waved, only interested in talking with Eren. I sit down and tapped his shoulder to get his attention. He turned around and I waved at him with a smile. He just gave a wave and went back looking down.

"At least he acknowledged that I exist", I thought to myself

I looked down to see that he was still wearing the same beat-up converse. Could he not afford a new or different pair of shoes? I decided to take a quick pick to what he was listening to. He was listening to "Paralyzed," by NF. Finally, someone appreciates NF, if only I can actually talk to him about it.

Mr. Ness entered the room and everyone took their seats.

Mr. Ness: "Alright everyone. As promised, we will be introducing ourselves to the class. Even though it may seem repetitive, it's for Armin and Eren's benefits."

We then proceeded to introduce ourselves one by one

Historia: "Hi everyone. My name is Historia. I love to sing, obviously, but I also love to bake and horse-back riding."

Yamir instantly got up and put her arms on Historia's shoulders

Yamir: "And I'm Yamir, her one and only, and don't you forget!"

Jean: "Well I'm Jean. I love to play basketball and running."

Connie: "D-Do... do you also like to- *snickers* like to... DO YOU LIKE TO RUN AT THE RANGE HORSEFACE!!!" Connie screamed. Causing the entire class to lose it.

Mr. Ness: "Ok ok. Calm down. Connie that was mean, apologize." Connie proceeded to apologize with Jean looking like he was about to slap his head with oil

Mr. Ness: "Armin, why not you and Eren come up. You can introduce Eren if he still doesn't have his voice."

Armin and Eren got up. Eren still looking away with his hood up.

Armin: "Umm... Well, just a reminder, I'm Armin and this is Eren. We moved from New England after my- I mean both our parents got jobs here in San Fransico. I love to explore and learn about the world and hope to explore the world." He then looks at Eren. He looks like he's trying to find the right words to say, "Eren loves to be pretty active, not sports especially, but likes going outside and doing dumb stunts." He chuckles a bit grabbing the back of his neck.

Mr. Ness: "Well Eren we hope you get your voice back. Anyways with introductions over, we can start preparing for the first fall concert. Everyone will get their own folders with the part already assigned to you. Like always if you feel more comfortable with a different part then come ask me and we can do our best to make arrangements."

He then passed out our black folders and we all got out sheet music. As expected, I got a bunch of duet songs with one or two solos mixed in.

Mr. Ness: "We'll start practicing tomorrow. Spend the night looking over your part and remember, a piano is your best friend when it comes to finding a note."

We spent the rest of class looking over our sheet music, trying to sing a note here and there. The bell rang and Eren was too busy trying to put the folder in his back, so I finally got to say bye properly.

Mikasa: "Well I ho-"

Mr. Ness: "Eren and Mikasa can you two talk with me real quick," HE INTERRUPTED ME

We both walk over to his desk

Mr. Ness: "So, since you guys will be doing duets, I highly encourage you two to get together during lunch and after school and practice with each other. However, we're still installing the new practice rooms, so for the moment practice at one of your houses."

We both said ok and both I can talk to Eren, he just walked off.

*Time skip: Lunch*

It was finally lunch and I had an objective. During class, I kept thinking about who Eren is and why he acts the way he does. I need answers if we're going to be singing together. So I went to the best source for answers. I went into the library to see Armin reading alone. I said hi and sat next to him.

Armin: "So why you in the library? Just want to talk?"

Mikasa: "Well you see... I uhhh.... want some answers," I said nervously, "about E-Eren."

He looks at me and sighs. He puts down his book and readjusted himself.

Armin: "I really want Eren to actually talk to you about it, but it doesn't seem like he'll be doing that anytime soon."

Mikasa: "I just want to know how to approach him. We're gonna be singing together and I truly want to be his friend because from what you said he seems really nice and interesting."

He then pulls out his phone and started looking through his Google Drive.

Armin: "Well don't tell anyone, especially Mr. Ness, but Eren didn't lose his voice. He just refuses to sing anymore after our audition."

I turned my head looking confused and surprised

Mikasa: "If he doesn't want to sing then why audition for Chorus?"

Armin: "Well our parents wanted us to come to this school because well it's the best in the county, but Eren's parents can't afford to send him here normally. So they contacted Mr. Ness telling him how good Eren can sing and Mr. Ness came back with the principal offering a scholarship. Even though he didn't want to sing, he needed to get in her. And now he's looking for a way out of not singing, but I keep telling him that it's impossible."

Mikasa: "But wait, why doesn't h-" Before I can ask, Armin finds a video and starts to play it. It's Eren's audition tape

Play video above

"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" - Sang by Ramin Karimloo

I was taken back to how beautiful his voice was. How he can be so soft and then all of a sudden belting out all that pain and emotion. I doubted him no more, I want to sing with Eren.

Mikasa: "Holy shit Armin! Everyone needs to hear this!"

Armin: "NO! I promised him to never show anyone his tape. Hell, I promised to delete it from my drive. I just figured you're his partner, so you deserved to hear it. To hear him."

Mikasa: "Well, to be honest, I did want to hear him sing, but I really wanted to hear him talk... to me." I said that last silently

Armin: "Ya I know. OH I KNOW. Are you busy today?"

Mikasa: "Ya I have to coach today, but I'm free tomorrow."

Armin: "Ok that's fine. Tomorrow come to my house, I'll give you the address later. You're going to catch him talking to me and then he has to give up the act and talk to you."

Mikasa: "Ok sounds like a plan. Thank you so much Armin," I got up and gave him a hug.

Armin's POV:

I know I'm risking Mikasa finding out that Eren actually lives with me, but I want Eren to be happy and Mikasa seems like the best person to help him. I just hope he understands why I broke my promises.