stuck in my head.

chapter 1 : project

"(Y/N)! You know how you're my best friend, right?" Rico said, smiling slyly. You shot her a confused look. "Is it alright if i pair up with Petra? She just texted me!" You sighed, nodding. "Yeah sure—" You put an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer "but make sure you treat me for lunch!", you grinned.

"Well that can't be helped", the girl giggled. You watched as your friend walk towards Petra at her table.

Apparently we had a new project coming up. We had to work in pairs so we had till Thursday to submit our pair names to the teacher. You had two days to find a partner. It was a pretty important project since we were having exams soon again and it was for marks. Meanwhile, you thought to yourself who your partner would be. "Should I ask Nanaba? She's probably busy with Miche.." You sighed.

Your mind went back to earlier today when you met with Hange. Thinking about how they just froze when you wanted to treat them. Could it be they were embarrassed? Nah, such a thing could never happen.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room.

"Shitty four eyes, can't you understand we can't be partners? I'm with Erwin", Levi huffed. "Can't I split you in half, Levi? How about we try that out later?!" Hange replied, getting excited all of a sudden. "Has your brain become crap too?" Hange sighed at Levi's response. Apparently Hange also didn't have a partner. Moblit was on leave because he got injured in an experiment with Hange and their other friends were already taken.

"Alright, I think we can end class here. Make sure to find a partner by Thursday", your lecturer said, walking out of the class. He wasn't really teaching, he gave us the last ten minutes to discuss our project by ourselves.

You had free time after this so you decided to get a drink once you walked out of class. Sitting down at a vacant table, you took out your laptop. Maybe doing homework would be nice seeing how Rico is busy with Petra.

"Is this seat taken?", a familiar voice said.

You looked up seeing your hazel eyed classmate. Hange gave you a warm smile which, if you were being honest, made you feel something. There were many other vacant tables but they decided to sit with you instead. Weird.

"Lucky you it's not taken", you replied, pushing the chair out for them like it was a date. The brunette grinned, sitting next to you.

"Lot of work?" Hange asked, taking out some books as well. They probably wanted to do homework as well. You nodded in response.

Silence filled between the two of you for a while. About 10 minutes have passed and nothing else was said. "How awkward..." You tried to not think about it and continued doing your work. "Actually i wanted to ask you something.. That was why i wanted to sit with you", Hange started, shifting themselves so that they were facing you.

"Do you have a partner for the project?" You froze for a while. Me? Out of all people? I'm sure Hange had many friends but why me? You started to overthink until Hange interrupted you.

"U-Uhh it's fine if you already have one! I was just asking since no one else wanted to be my partner hahah" they laughed nervously, putting a hand behind their neck. "Oh no no! I myself don't have a partner so if you'd like, i'd gladly be your partner", you reassured them as you gave them a smile.

Hange's face immediately lighted up at your answer. "Awesome! When are you free to do it? And if it's fine, i'd like your number as well", They added, handing you their phone. You felt a bit flustered seeing how this was your first time having someone ask you for your phone number. But then again this was only for the project and nothing else.

"I should be free any day so feel free to call me whenever you'd like", you said as you typed in your phone number. Hange nodded in response.

"Look at the time! Our free period is over. I guess i'll see you soon?" They said getting up. "Yup, that's for sure", you got up as well and suddenly you felt a hand on your head. You looked up, confused.

"I'll make sure we get the highest grade for this project! That's my payback for buying me the drink". Hange patted your head once again before they left.

You felt another blush creep on your face from the sudden contact. It was probably their way with friends but could you really be counted as one? Deep inside, you wanted to be something more but it was probably impossible if you thought about it.