The Only Exception | Armin x Annie

Chapter 20

Annie's Point of View

"Are you sure you don't wanna come with me to New York?" I asked him the twentieth time today. My birthday is coming up and I'm celebrating it today with my family.

"I have another event coming up, Annie. I'm sorry." He said as he patted my head before sitting across me. I was busy packing up my belongings and clothes that I would bring and he's helping me right now.

"It's alright." I said and faked a smile at him. I really wanted him to meet my parents but he just seems so busy these days.

I think he noticed by the way he came up to hug me. He cupped my cheeks as he kissed my forehead. He then proceeded to kiss both of my cheeks. Then my nose. Then stopped to look at me first before pressing his lips against mine.

"This isn't the only time you'll be visiting them right? We have a lot of time in our hands to be together." He said as he caressed my head, looked at me lovingly.

I'll be staying there for a whole week and once I come back here in Japan, I'll be mobbed by several offers to act in a movie again.

---

As we arrived at the airport and my flight has started to ask passengers to board the plane, I looked over at Armin before giving him a tight hug.

"Take care of yourself alright? You need to eat more than the usual salads you eat. Don't worry about me 'cause I'll be updating you every hour hmm? Take your time with your family." He said as he fixed my jacket.

"Don't flirt with other girls if you don't want an amputated head as a souvenir." Armin chuckled as I threatened him. He pulled me into a hug again. When he pulled away, he tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and pressed his lips against mine. I can see in my peripheral vision how other people stared at us both with huge smiles on their faces.

As we both pulled away from the kiss, he smiled at me again before kissing my forehead and waving goodbye as I started to walk away from him. It was the first time I'll be going to a place so far away from him that I'm starting to miss him.

As I boarded the plane, I looked out the window and admired the view as we finished take off. I have to be honest, I'm still slightly upset with Armin. I know I'm being selfish but leaving work for a couple of days won't hurt.

I sighed as I placed my earphones on and slid down my sleeping mask before going into a deep slumber. As I woke up, we were about to land. And just by landing, I could already see the tall skyscrapers of New York City. It was already night time as I arrived and all the city lights were glimmering through every corner.

As I came inside the airport, A few people came up to me to take a picture with me. I came here even without a bodyguard but they still respected my privacy and made sure I didn't get mobbed.

As soon as I went closer to the exit, I saw three familiar people smiling widely at me and waving like there's no tomorrow. I came up to them and hugged them.

"You're almost taller than me now, Einna." I said as I messed up her hair. She giggled before giving me a tight squeeze for a hug.

"You still have a lot to tell me about!" She said before pulling me to the exit and both of my parents followed her.

As we went inside the car to go home, Einna attacked me with hugs, forcing me to tell her about me and Armin's relationship. Armin was her second favorite author but when she found out that we were dating, Armin already became her favorite.

"Einna, let your sister rest for the ride home. You can talk to her once we arrive." My mom said as she looked at the both of us in the rear view mirror.

"Fine...But hey sis! Don't you have anything for me?" Einna asked me as she examined my body, looking for any possible signs of me hiding her gifts.

"Oh yeah, wait a minute." I said before grabbing my bag and getting Armin's three most popular books, all with his signature and personal message for my sister. If he wrote this to another girl I would totally rip this book apart but since it was for my dear sister, I just let it be.

"OH MY GO--SIS YOU'RE THE BEST! IT EVEN SMELLS LIKE HIM TOO!" She said as she grabbed the books and hugged it like it was her favorite teddy bear. She opened the book and read Armin's letter for her, making her squeal and hit me multiple times. I just laughed at her rowdy behaviour.

"How can you be so sure that he smells like that?" I asked her.

"Well I know his favorite perfume, duh." She said as she sniffed the leaves of the book. I slapped it away from her and she just glared at me.

"What was that for?!" She said as she picked up the book and dusted it as if it was dirty.

"Stop sniffling it just because he smells like it. He's mine." I said and I heard my parents laugh at the front seat.

"Oh right, Annie. I thought you were coming with Armin? It would've been great if he was here. You know, so I could give him a manly man talk." My dad asked as he kept his gaze on the road.

"He has several events coming up so yeah." I answered as my mood changed so I just looked at the outside of the window, looking at the passing cars.

As we arrived at home, Einna quickly pulled me into the house and showed me to my old room. It was still the same as before but it was empty right now.

"Now tell me about Armin Arlert already! His favorite food, his favorite drink? His favorite thing to do?" She sat down at the edge of my bed and asked me several questions as if she was interviewing me for a new successful project.

"Me, Me, and Me." I answered as I sat down. She glared at me before slapping my arms.

"You're gross sis!" I laughed at her reaction before telling her all the stuff about Armin. I told her how he loved the oceans and read books especially slice of life genres. How he loves to eat perfectly grilled sandwiches, how he hates being disturbed while reading. It was just now that I realized, I already know a lot about him. But I still felt as if it wasn't enough. I felt the need to learn more about him and to understand him better. He wasn't an open book. But I love opening books so I'm more than willing to make him open up to me.

After several hours of talking about Armin, Mom told Einna to get some sleep. I went to shower before plopping down my bed and giving Armin a call.

"Hey love. How's your flight?" He said with a raspy voice as if he just woke up.

"Hmm It's alright. Why'd you only wake up now? Don't you have a meeting to attend to?" I asked as I stared at my nails, wanting to get it changed.

"Yeah but it starts in an hour. How's your family doing?"

"Fine...Dad said he hoped you were here with us." I mumbled and he became silent for a couple of minutes before answering.

"I'm sorry love. It must be late already there. Go to sleep now okay? Goodnight I love you, Annie."

"Good morning to you. I love you too, Armin." I said before ending the call and laying myself down in bed.

Tomorrow is my birthday but I still felt sad knowing that I won't be celebrating it with him. But I'm glad that I'm celebrating it with my family.