Valedictorian | Armin Arlert

trapped

Traditionally, the cafeteria was loud and crowded. Not to mention, there was always that one kid who tried to start fights he couldn't win. Despite the noise, all you could think about was how, on day one, your future was in jeopardy. Unfortunately, your friends didn't quite understand your grief when you told them. But how could you expect them to?

Much to your chagrin, Connie cackled, nearly choking on his tuna, "Points for Professor Erwin."

You began to regret showing up to lunch as you glared at him, "Marco, do me a favor and slap Connie for me."

Marco just shook his head with a funny smile. There was a perfectly good library in the school that you could've been wasting time in. God, it sounded so cliché. If not cliché, there wasn't a more eloquent way of saying that going to the library during lunch period sounded tacky, typical and frankly– cringey. 

Don't assume you wanted to go to the library because you were Nerdy Overachiever™. The simple truth is, it would've been more preferable than sitting in a crowded cafeteria surrounded by garish pupils with IQs hundreds of points below yours.

Jean shrugged, "I don't get it? Why is being valedictorian so important to you, (Y/N)?" He picked at his food.

Your eye twitched. It wasn't a complex concept for one wrap around their head. Reason #19373 why you didn't want to be here: AHHHHHH.

Marco uttered, "You're so much cooler when winning isn't a personality trait." he cocked his head at a certain Jeager.
You cringed as you recalled moments Eren Jeagar was suspended for screaming profanity at the other team during a basketball game.

"Plus, second in class is still impressive..." Jean positively added.

You almost protested but shortly resisted. Taking time to consider his words, you figured maybe he was right. Your glance shifted over to Armin who typically ate with his friends, Mikasa and Eren.

Armin appeared less bothered than you. It puzzled you, considering who you thought Armin was. You thought to yourself, maybe that haircut just made him look more confident. Rarely did he seem so positive, even after learning the two of you would be partnered.

He cheerfully interacted with his friends and held a different posture than he used to. His head turned and his stark blue eyes locked with yours. Warmth spread throughout your cheeks as you instantly broke eye contact.

"I'm not taking advice from someone whose only motivation is living easy." You rudely dismissed Jean.

Jean's face contorted, "What other reason would there be to get good grades?"

Sasha swallowed her food and smiled condescendingly. She recited sarcastically, "Knowledge is power, or whatever."

You nodded matter-of-factly and finished what was left on your tray. Your friends didn't understand your– obviously superior– principles. You recoiled at thinking about how close you were to not being Armin's partner. Fucking statistics, you never liked them, anyway.

"What kind of project takes a whole semester to finish?" Marco groaned, "I got partnered with Annie. It's not a bad thing but she scares me."

"If it's for a class monopolized by the College Board, then it would be an Advanced Placement project," You answered intuitively. In addition to that, you have assignments, tests, and quizzes. You guessed it would take quite a long time considering you had to prepare for a seminar tomorrow.

The bell's shriek ricocheted unevenly through the halls of the school. You reluctantly escorted to your next class with Jean. If Armin was in your next class, you swore to have an aneurysm. You looked up at him and frowned, "Jean."