Valedictorian | Armin Arlert

awakening

Disclaimer: they don't offer AP Language and Compostion at my school, but they do offer a Dual Credit option, I'm aware that they are similar, yet different in terms of how the class is taught but I'm basing this class off of my experience in Dual Credit Lang. & Comp. Thanks for understanding!

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"So... you didn't hate it," Marco repeated your words, "Is that a problem?"

The two of you walked together to the first class of the day. The stale scent of pencils wafted throughout the air as you enjoyed the sun that peeked through your school's windows.

Something compelled you to tell Marco all about what studying with Armin was like, or lack thereof. It's not as if he was untrustworthy. In fact, his judgment was decent and he was a great listener. Plus, you knew he wouldn't make fun of you. The only thing was he couldn't wrap his head around your predicament.

"Yes, it is a problem!" you insisted, "How can you not notice how this directly contradicts my previous judgment towards him?"

Marco softly smiled, shaking his head, "If it's worth anything, I would bet my life that Armin was just as surprised."

You mentally stopped in your tracks, beginning to question how you hadn't thought of this before. If your competitive tendencies were, in fact, mutual, it would make sense for Armin to also question his disdain towards you. But a simple rivalry didn't necessarily mean you had to dislike the person you competed with.

Of course, Armin could be more mature in his thought process. You knew that you were both well aware the two of you had potential to enjoy each other's presence, so what was so rattling about the fact it actually happened?

"Marco, you're absolutely right," you held your chin in your hand, "Unless, Armin is simply more open-minded."

Marco shrugged, "Maybe this is the year you grow out of your silly rivalry with Armin."

You scoffed, unlikely. Whether you were going to the same university or not, you felt as if you'd always have an odd craving to outdo someone. Namely Armin. At least, you couldn't imagine wanting to rival with anyone else.

It was intriguing to ponder on. If Armin was no longer part of the equation, would you have the same drive for success? Moreover, if success wasn't part of the equation, would you and Armin still feel the need to compete? You found that either answer dissatisfied you to the point where it was one answer to a problem you didn't want.

You and Marco sat down beside Armin. His mouth was molded into a signature grin, a pencil tip between his teeth, he seemed to smile at something Mikasa was saying while being concentrated on some pre-class work. He wasn't paying any attention to you, he hardly seemed to be paying attention to what Mikasa was saying.

You watched him flip through a book. He carefully annotated in the margins with blue ink. You internally rolled your eyes at his small, neat handwriting. It took you off guard when he suddenly shut the book.

His attention changed course at you, he didn't frown or scowl. It didn't throw you off because Armin rarely ever had made such gestures. However, it did catch you off guard how you hadn't wrinkled your nose or suddenly looked away.

"(Y/N)," he happily chirped, "Sorry about last night, tonight, I promise we can get some work done."

You didn't respond. Your eyes darted over to Marco who gestured his head over at Armin as if to say "go on."

You weakly smiled, "Hey, Arlert."

Mikasa joined the conversation. She never talked to you much, but she was a friendly person who just happened to be Armin's best friend. Her voice pleasantly rang in, "You and (Y/N) haven't even begun? Zeke and I already finished our first stories."