stuck in my head.

chapter 6 : gathering

Days passed and Hange and I got closer. We'd hang out even more often to finish up our project since Hange was the type of student who'd get their work done as fast as possible. They're less busy nowadays since they're practically banned from the lab so it was hard for them if they wanted to do experiments.

Rather than conducting experiments, they'd talk about the experiments they'd love to do. Hange is quite the talker to be honest. Once we were doing the project, I ended up staying up the entire night just to listen to them but it was worth it. Their face whenever they spoke was always full of joy. It was adorable.

"Sooo, how long do you think until we'll be done with this?", I asked the brunette who was going through their notes for the project.

"Mmm.. around three days and we should be done! We're about 80% done", they replied with a smile. It was moments like this that I felt really happy, especially with Hange. They were fun to be with, a bit odd but I still adore them.

My other classmates were all busy with their projects. Some were done, some were halfway done while some haven't even started but we still had another week to finish it. The project wasn't really hard, it just required a partner so that it'll be much easier to do.

I used to hate projects like this but having Hange as my partner changed it, I felt happy doing it and I didn't procrastinate like I'd usually do. Maybe it was cause Hange would take every opportunity to finish it with me.

"Hange, is this alright?" I asked giving them my notebook where I wrote my report. Hange hated reports so I'd do it but they'd do most of the hard work so I didn't complain. They scooted over next to me, scanning the page. They looked back at me with a smile which always made me melt.

Hange patted my head, they always did this whenever I got something correct or if I said something that made them satisfied. It was probably a habit of theirs but strangely enough, I never saw Hange did this to Levi or Erwin. "Yup! Looks like our reports are done so we're left with a little more details"

We decided to take a break and end it for today. As usual, Hange would ask me to get them a drink from the vending machine. After I got back, I sat beside them as I handed them their drink.

"(Y/N), what would you look for in a partner?"

What a weird question for them to ask. I'm not that surprised since they even asked if I was seeing anyone before. It was probably because they didn't want to get in the way since we'd be busy with our projects.

"Well.... I don't really mind anyone as long as they can take care of me and be by my side always" It was true. I didn't really care as long as they had those qualifications. They nodded before taking a sip of their drink.

I felt awkward with them only asking about me so I decided to ask the same but I changed the question a bit. "What about you, Hange? Do you like anyone right now?"

They didn't look at me but I could see the slight blush on their cheeks. Suddenly, they positioned themselves where their head was on my lap. Amazing, now i'm blushing as well.

They cleared their throat, trying to look like they didn't just blush just now. "I'm not sure honestly.. I think this person is nice and they're good at listening to me.. but i'm not sure if I just like them or if it's more than that"

It was like I felt the same way for Hange. I didn't know what they were to me. Are we just friends or are we something more? I was also curious to find out who the lucky person who caught Hange's attention was.

We just stayed in silence after that not knowing what to say to each other but I didn't mind. They were still lying down on my lap as I stroked their hair. It seemed like they enjoyed it but if I were to be honest, it felt a bit greasy.

"Hange when was the last time you showered?"

They immediately got up, I couldn't help but laugh at their face. They looked like they were panicking. "Hahah! Why do you ask?", they said, laughing nervously. I just sighed, it was obvious that they haven't been showering.

——

"Hey guys, how about we have a gathering after we finish this project? It's been forever since we've had one!", Petra said as she gathered our other classmates to our little discussion.

She wasn't wrong, Petra had always wanted to celebrate with us and it's been months since the last one. Well actually, i've never been to one. I just wasn't the type to go out for celebrations like this.

It wasn't much, it was just them drinking till they got wasted at some bar but it still seemed fun from how Rico would tell me once she got back from one.

She'd usually invite the others like "Levi's squad" or what they'd like to call it and she'd even invite our juniors as well. As she was talking more about where we could hang out, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

I looked behind to see Hange smiling, I smiled back.
"You're going, right? Even if you say no, i'm dragging you!", they said causing me to let a small laugh. Seeing how much they looked forward for this, I nodded. "That's great! This'll be my first time seeing at one of these gathering hahah", they replied, wrapping their hand around my shoulder.

After Petra and the others decided where to go along with the date and time, we left the classroom. "I better see all of you there!", Petra yelled before heading out. "Right right, and if i'm not there what're you gonna do, huh?", Uluo said but then the poor guy accidentally bit his tongue again. Petra sighed and ended up helping him anyway. "Idiot!"