Valedictorian | Armin Arlert

valedictorian

A/N: DRUUUUMMMM ROOOOLLLLLLLL PLEAASSEEEE.
this chapter gives Formation by Beyoncé
xxx

Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do; excellence, then, is not an act but a habit."

Excellence was something you were familiar with. Every aspect of your academic career was comprised of one hundred percents , grand triumphs, and grade-A elbow grease. The nights that went sleepless, when you drank so much gas station coffee and energy drinks that you were certain caffeine replaced your blood.

Or when you would think of finally walking across the stage, scribbling small affirmations on your desk, and imagining when all of the conflict and scorn would sweetly melt from the middle of you and Armin. All of it had finally been worth something.

When you ordered your cap and gown back in September, this moment was all you could think about. Only then, you wanted to see Armin in the nose bleeds, wishing he wouldn't have ever underestimated you. Because you knew he had.

You were different then. It was no wonder you and Armin were so bitter with each other. You were vindictive, competitive, and spiteful and it only took a handful of months before it dissipated and left behind a candied romance.

It was the day before the last day of school and Armin and I had only one final exam left until the scores would be calculated. We sat next to each other in homeroom.

"Good morning students! Tomorrow is the last day of the school year, so now we'll take this time to recognize the class, Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Please give a round of applause for Armin Arlert, our class salutatorian, and (Y/N) (L/N) the class valedictorian," Principal Darius announced over the p.a. system. "These two will be recognized at the graduation ceremony for having the highest academic achievement out of their entire senior class."

Your vision tunneled, and you bit the inside of your cheek to make sure it wasn't a dream. Peers stared at you, some wistfully, some disinterested, and others proudly.

"Armin..." Your bones felt like they were made of liquid. Joy paralyzed your muscles, and the relief felt euphoric, like the first breath of air you'd ever taken.

You barely had enough strength to turn your head to see Armin's expression. Your classmates clapped their hands together, and you could hear the classes on the other side of the hall clapping, too. But soon after it ceased and class went on like normal.

You put your hand out to shake Armin's hand. Classmates patted him on the back and you heard numerous people congratulating you. Even Professor Erwin gave you a nod of approval. Armin looked at your hand. It only seemed appropriate for you to offer a handshake. As a truce. His face was unreadable. Lips flaccid, eyes wide. He wrapped your hand in his and shook it.

Professor Erwin briefly congratulated both of you and went on with class. Perhaps out of misinterpreted tension, but you didn't feel any between you and him.

You didn't get the chance to talk to him until after class. He walked beside you until you both reached the stairwell. It was not a very subtle place to talk to since it was where a sea of other students congregated during passing period, much to the chagrin of the administration. You glanced over at him, catching him in the act of doing the same.

"Hey," you said, "are you OK?"

He flinched at the question. Slowly his head turned at you, and you saw he was smiling. "You earned this, (Y/N)." He leaned in, so you were cheek to cheek, his breath warm against your skin. "I can finally do this now," he said before kissing you. Your face fumed as your peers saw you two so close to each other.

Granted, in the halls, most people are minding their own business, trying to get to class, but your face nonetheless lit up like a bonfire. "Armin!" you said as you pulled away, trying to conceal a grin.