Valedictorian | Armin Arlert

utopia

"To study," Armin said, responding to the million dollar question: "why are you talking to me, we are literally rivals."

"I can study at home," you snickered. He paced behind you before strolling at your side.

"Sure, but that's boring... besides we could be... power... uh... power study buddies."

You raised a brow at his enthusiastic smile. Armin was getting into foreign territories lately. Almost as if he was looking for excuses to see you, looking for a reason to be around you. That didn't surprise you. You'd like to think you were a great person to be around. Unfortunately, the conversation, you were having now... was taking up a bit of perfectly good study time. Instead, you couldn't pass up a walk with Armin.

"What makes you want to study with me, of all people?" You upturned your head to meet his eyes. Warmth in your cheeks spread to your ears to fight off the cold.

He held his chin between his pointer finger and thumb in a thought-provoking grin, "We are assets to each other, (Y/N)."

You pursed your lips, "You make a good point... but you have a girlfriend."

Armin's eyes shot wide, "I- (Y/N), you hang out with Marco, Connie, and Jean all the time!?"

You furrowed your brow, "Okay, first of all, Marco doesn't swing that way, Jean- don't tell him I told you this- is dating Marco and Connie..."

"And Connie?" he solicited, "Or... are you two...?" He drew his fingers together in a swooping motion.

You swatted at his hands, "No! If you would let me finish! I was saying that your girlfriend deserves more time than I do... so go bother her..."

He frowned at the word "bother" but persisted, "I'm asking you to study, not take me on a candlelit honeymoon."

"You'd still never stop talking about the ocean." You shrugged, "I simply don't want to take away any time you could be spending with..." You sucked in air through your teeth, disregarding what you were previously saying, "okay, assume we did study together... would you suggest going to the library?"

"Oh, definitely," He nodded, pushing some air from his cheeks. "Your house is... great, but spacious. Too spacious."

"You don't need to tell me twice," your brows flattened, "Besides, I could use this as an excuse to get out."

He pumped his fist as he fell behind. You walked faster than him as the two of you ambled together down the parking lot. Without daring to admit, he admired small details about you. His mind drifted to the way you wore your hair, the flutter of your eyelshes and the motion in which you walked. For a moment, he bit back a grin as he watched your not-so-graceful gait.

You looked back at him turned your head, looking back, "What?"

He shrugged and shook his head, "Nothing... you just... it- it's nothing."

You squinted, "No... no, tell me."

"You walk funny," He looked at you dead in the eyes

The sun began to sink, like an egg yolk being burned aflame. If you were to fly, you wouldn't have to worry about your wax wings melting. You scoffed and turned your head away from him, "You know, we're no longer forced... to... interact. I'm not holding you down."