Nicotine (Eremin)

Chapter 9

(A/N Hey guys! I'm on spring break, so that means a bunch of new chapters coming up! Also, I would like to start recognizing more of my readers, so I'm going to try doing dedications again. This chapter is dedicated to @Antisocial_Ginger and @mkat2001! I keep seeing you guys in my notifications, so thank you so much for supporting me as an author!)

February

Armin's POV

        I had underestimated how cold New York would be in the middle of February. I also realized how grateful I was that I grabbed that blanket. All I had keeping me warm as I walked through inches of snow was a jacket I took from the lost and found at a bus station, along with a worn out pair of sneakers, gloves, a hat, and the blanket wrapped around my neck and shoulders. 

        I had stolen a total of three wallets so far. I knew it wasn't a great idea, because if someone caught me, I'd just be carted back to my grandpa. But, I was desperate. I was cold,hungry, and I wanted to get to Eren somehow. 

        By now I was in a town roughly about 65 miles away from home. I took a bus with some of the money I stole, and I had enough left over for a night at a crappy motel last night, and a train ticket to Pennsylvania. 

        I got up early this morning, and started walking towards the train station. So I hoped, I wasn't good at reading maps and the one I picked up at the bus station wasn't very reliable. If I played my cards right, I would get there in time to catch a train today, and if not, I would sleep at the station and catch the first one tomorrow. 

        On the way, I was still scouting for public phones. It was two days since I last called Eren, and it would be a long time until I figured out how to get to California. I was hoping it would get warmer as I got closer. 

~~~

        When I got to the train station, I was too late to catch a train today, so I bought my ticket for the first one tomorrow and bought a bag of chips and a sandwich from a Subway near the station. I was running dangerously low on funds, and I would have to try begging, or grab another wallet. 

        I claimed a spot on the floor under a bulletin board full of missing pet posters and business cards. I was about to sit down and eat my sandwich, but I noticed a public phone across from me. I ran over to it and checked my pocket for any change I had left. 

        I had just enough left for a five minute call. I punched in Eren's number, and waited through the ringing. Eren picked up just after three rings. 

        "Armin?" he asked before I was able to say anything. 

        "Yeah its me. I'm calling from a train station right now. I'm catching a 9 a.m train to Pennsylvania tomorrow morning." I informed him. As I talked I turned and put my back to the phone. 

        "That's great news! Have you been eating?" he asked me. That was always one of his first questions, no matter what. 

        "Yeah, I had some fruit this morning, and I'm holding a sandwich and chips right now. I'll eat when our time is up." I heard him let out a sigh. 

        "That's good." he said, My eyes drifted back to the bulletin board and noticed something odd. "So, about the last time you called. I was, uh, going to say something but-" Eren continued. I had to cut him off. 

        "Eren, we're in big trouble." I said, looking straight at a poster with my picture on it, issuing me as missing. 

        "What? What's wrong?" he sounded concerned. 

        "There's a 'Missing' poster here with my name and picture on it." I said, trying not to sound frantic. 

        "Oh my god, what if someone recognizes you? Can you tear down the picture without being obvious?" he suggested. 

        "I think I can. I'll do so when we're done talking. We only have another minute or so. I'll keep calling you when I can, okay?"

        "Okay. Look man, there's something I really have been wanting to tell you if that's okay. Cause, it can wait if you want." Eren stammered. 

        "Yeah, that's okay." I said. 

        "See, it's just that I'm in lo-" the line went dead. I groaned in frustration and hung the phone back where it belonged. 

        I walked over to the bulletin board, and ever so carefully pretended to trip a little and grab for support, conveniently tearing the poster down with me. I shoved it in my pocket, and pulled my jacket up over my face. 

        If I'm gonna go through with this, I'm going to need to be a lot more cautious.