Valedictorian | Armin Arlert

halloween

"Why the hell do you smell like that?" Connie pinched his nose as he poked fun at Jean who was discreetly pulling Marco's hoodie over his head.

Niccolo, Connie, Jean, and Sasha sat on the bleachers outside of the school with you. It was a chilly October afternoon and the track field was completely vacant. Clouds painted over the sky that tinted the air. It blanketed the area with light fog that masqueraded as a soft grey hue. You and your friends were waiting for Marco to exit the building.

"Swim season, duh. Chlorine and shit," Sasha answered Connie for Jean. She played with Niccolo's hair as he sat between her legs, "You ask that every year."

"Did you need a ride to practice?" Niccolo asked.

You frowned, "I have a car, I can take him."

Jean dramatically sighed and turned to Connie, who didn't care, "Dont worry, I might as well ask Niccolo instead of (Y/N)."

You, slightly offended rose an eyebrow but didn't protest. It was obvious why he made that remark. Armin was also on the swim team and despite him being your partner for the AP Lang project, you haven't spoken to him for almost a month. Again, despite the odds that you not only have his socials but also his number and you sit next to him in homeroom. Not to mention you both take Latin.

It was nearing the end of October, meaning you and Armin had a little under two months to complete it. You'd be damned if you and Armin were settling for anything less than a one-hundred so you knew at some point, you would have to talk to him. That part of your brain is what irked you when Jean suggested you couldn't drive him to practice.

It wasn't as if you'd avoided him out of immaturity. You knew your boundaries and if you wanted to continue with a 4.0 at least, it was important to erase all distractions. Needless to say, the moment you and Armin shared was not often occupying your mind when ignoring him.

"Have some faith in me, Jean." You stood up, seeing a boy exit the building with jet-black hair. It must've been Marco. Thank god, too. It wasn't getting any warmer as you stood outside. Your jacket felt as if it was thinning in the wind.

"You didn't have to wait for me," Marco smiled at his friends. Jean wrapped an arm around him, assuring him it was alright. Besides the chilliness, it was actually refreshing to get so much cool air.

"Swim season begins so I guess we won't see each other as much anymore," Jean whined. You spun to see Connie, who was mindlessly scrolling through his phone. He hadn't gotten a ride of his own, so you inferred be may need one. The volunteer job at the hospital was a weekly gig, meaning you were basically free for the night. But being free didn't actually mean you had nothing to do.

"So who needs a ride then?" Your keys swirled on your finger. You already knew Sasha and Niccolo were riding together and Jean was joining them.

"Me!" Connie held his hand high.

"I hope its, not any trouble," Marco said, rubbing his neck. You hopped from the bleachers, looking back at Marco and Connie.

"It'll never be any trouble." You replied. Marco and Connie followed you to your car. Connie sat in the passenger seat, Marco sitting in the seat behind him. Sasha waved goodbye as you broke off from the group.

"How have you not spoken to Armin in like three weeks? I can't not speak to everyone in a thirty-mile radius of me in less than a day." Connie teased. It was hard to tell whether he was genuinely curious or he was making fun of you.

Either way, you rolled your eyes at the double negative and his overstatement. Sometimes you just don't talk to people. Especially under the circumstances considered, not speaking with Armin was understandable. At least from your own point of view. It's not a tricky concept unless you're Connie Springer. On the other hand, you had a sickly suspicion that he was right.