Amaranth

Chapter 38: Poppy

 A few days passed, and Ymir, Sasha, and Mikasa were on the way to Trost for their soccer game. Mikasa sighed as she sat with Sasha. Ymir, who was across from her, gave her a curious look. "What's up?" Ymir asked.

The group had noticed that odd behavior between Mikasa and Annie over the past few days. They all thought everything would be fine once Mikasa visited, but it seemed like there was still strain. None of the group pushed particularly hard since it wasn't their business, but they did worry for their friends.

"Nothing," Mikasa said nonchalantly.

"I know today's gonna be rough," Sasha said sympathetically, "but you've just gotta push through it. Give it your all!"

"Thanks, Sasha," Mikasa said appreciatively with an amused laugh.

"Yeah, show that Trost team what you've got," Ymir encouraged competitively.

"We will," Mikasa assured them, and some of their nearby teammates cheered in agreement.

"So, how are things?" Ymir asked with emphasis, obviously talking about Mikasa's relationship.

"Fine," Mikasa said vaguely.

"Liar~" Sasha said in a sing-songy voice while bumping Mikasa's shoulder playfully.

"I just mean that I don't know what's going on either," Mikasa admitted, "She hasn't really been talking to me, and she's mostly hanging out with Bert and Reiner."

"Damn, ditching you for dudes," Ymir tsked sympathetically.

"I get that they're her best friends," Mikasa said understandingly, "I don't expect her to tell me everything either, but it'd be nice to know why she's avoiding me."

"She's probably just having a moment," Sasha said, "Like you did."

"I hope not," Mikasa said sympathetically.

"It's probably a lot to take in," Ymir said, "You being on meds and what not."

"It's not like I take them all the time," Mikasa added with a slight eye roll.

"Well, yeah, but being on medication usually implies that there's a problem," Ymir added just as sassily, "It's a lot to take in."

"I guess," Mikasa agreed. Admittedly, if Annie was the one on medication, she'd probably avoid Annie for a while as well. It would be weird for someone who was usually "fine" to suddenly not be "fine".

Then again, Mikasa was sure everyone knew that she had never been "fine". At least, not in the time that any of them knew her. Was it so unbelievable for them that she'd be put on medication? After everything she's been through and done?

The rest of the ride passed smoothly until they arrived at the field in Trost. The team stepped off the bust and went to the field to change and get ready.

While changing, Sasha exclaimed, "Mikasa!"

"What?" Mikasa asked as she jumped slightly.

"You're losing your abs," Sasha cried as if the world was ending.

"Well, I'm not exercising as much as I used to," Mikasa admitted, "I'm not walking to work, and I don't play soccer every second of the day."

"You need to get them back," Sasha pleaded.

"Why? It's not like they're your abs," Mikasa quipped.

"They are," Sasha whined.

"My God," Mikasa sighed, "You're lucky Annie's not here."