𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬| 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 ✔︎

25 [Final]

(Y/n)'s P.O.V

Graduation was just hours away.
I look to my side where my friends are sitting in the same row as me, collectively listening to Principal Pyxis on the microphone.
My fingers interlocked with Armin who was right beside me.
I turn to focus on the stage again as I hear Mr. Ackerman pick up the mic.

"Now that that's over, we'll begin calling names, if you're called, you'll walk up here and revive your mortarboard hat and diploma." He announced.

I could feel the air grow thick as we all tensed up, waiting to be called.

"(F/n, L/n)?" Mr. Ackerman called.

Armin let go of my hand as I stood up, he gives me an assuring smile and a thumbs-up as I walk onto the stage, followed by the audience applauses.

Professor Hange handed me my certificate and placed the hat on my head before giving me a thumbs up.

"Sasha Braus?"

Sasha jumped up as she walked up to the stage, receiving her certificate and hat.
Even after the audience stopped applauding, Jean and Connie continued.
"Hey, chill out" I whispered.
I could've sworn I saw a tear shed from Connie's eye.

"Are you crying?!" Jean exclaimed. "You know you're graduating too, right?"

"I know, I know," Connie replied as he stopped applauding and adjusted his seat.

"Connie Springer?"

Connie dusted his gown as he stood up and walked up to the stage, He too received a certificate.

"Armin Arlert?" Professor Hange called.

I smiled at Armin and he returned it as he approached the stage, reviving his hat and certificate.

***

Turns out, our whole class graduated.
We all toss our caps into the air as our screams and squeals go with it.
Now that the graduation ceremony was over, we could do anything we want at this moment.

"Are those croissants!?!" Sasha shouted as she ran towards Niccolo who'd just came out with a fresh batch of pastries.

"Do my eyes deceive me or is that a fountain dripping with wine?" Connie exclaimed.

"No fuckin' way!" Jean exclaimed as he ran towards the fountain.

"Move!" Eren yelled as he too ran towards the fountain.

Armin suddenly cupped my face in his hands as he pulled me into a kiss. I returned it and started to pull away just as he pulls me back in for another, he paused for a moment, leaving our foreheads to lay against each other, glowing and smiling as he stared into my (e/c) eyes.

"I like you."

My eyes widened as I began to realize what he'd just said. "You what?"

If someone were to go back in time and tell me I'd experience this moment, I'd call them crazy--, or even ignore them. I wouldn't believe them at all.

But, if that meant it would all lead up to this moment, i'd be glad to do it all a million times over--because meeting Armin might've been the best thing that has ever happened to me.

All those times--those unheard of feelings my heart had-were all for Armin. 

And I wouldn't trade those feelings for the worl--

"Ah-um—Nothing, don't worry about it," Armin said, his voice cracking.

"No, I heard, I want you to repeat it," I said.

—But ever since I'd met Armin, that whole experience of not falling in love had changed, it might take me longer to get used to, but for Armin, I'll try—

"Okay then. I don't like you, I love you," He said as he straightened up his posture. "I," He paused as he took a breath. "I love you, (Y/n)."

—The meaning of love? I don't quite know yet,
because, I've never tried to understand the meaning.
But seeing Armin here now, seeing him confess his love for me, made me think. What if, what if I tried to love for once? At most, for him.

The first day I met him, I didn't think he'd be the one to open my eyes and my heart to a new type of feeling.

Because right now, that feeling in my stomach, that feeling of an alike acid eating away my insides, it was burning now more than ever.

"I'll try" I whispered, facing away from the boy still gleaming in the sunlight.

"That's fine, I won't rush you. I'll wait as long as you want me to," He said softly as he pulled me into a hug.

He was warm.
His comfort was delicate.
He stood out even more than the sun right now.
Him.

The boy from the shadows.
_
_
_
_
_
Authors Note:
Ty for reading.
I hope you all have a good day/night :)