Three's A Crowd

New Friends

"I'm just saying, Y/N... Look, I'm happy you got a new job but we're never going to see each other anymore. I work Monday to Friday days, and now you're going to work nights and don't even have a set schedule! I don't understand why you would give up a good paying job at the company for a job like... this one?" It had been an hour already and Armin was still going on about it, I could feel my patience wearing thin until it just snapped.

"GOOD! I don't want to see you every second of every day, Armin! I need some damn space and this is the only way I have been able to get it in four years! I'm sick of feeling like I'm in a cage!" I screamed, the tears of frustration that had welled in my grey eyes threatening to spill over. I blinked them away and took a breath before being met with complete silence. It was then that I realised what I had said and done.

I looked up at the golden haired male, seeing his ocean blue eyes glistening as he stared at me, a look of utter heartbreak adorning his face. I felt guilty but it still didn't change how I felt about the entire situation. The only other time I'd seen Armin with a face like that was when his grandfather told him that his parents had passed away, and that was six years ago.

"Armin, I'm sorry. I didn't me-" I didn't get the chance to finish when Armin interrupted me, shaking his head and showing me a weak smile.

"No, it's ok. You don't need to apologise, Y/N. I'm sorry for making you feel that way, it wasn't my intention. If that's really how you feel, then I'll give you the space that you need. I really am happy that you got the job you wanted though. Congratulations." He wiped his eyes with the back of his pale hands and smiled brightly, trying to hide the hurt behind his voice.  I knew it was the end of the conversation when he walked past me and crawled into his side of our bed, his back facing the middle. I followed him after turning the lights out and did the same, falling asleep not long after.

I fell asleep feeling excited to go to work for my real shift, in two days. That meant I had time to go shopping for clothes to wear for work, which Krista and Ymir were going to accompany me to tomorrow. This is the start of my new life.

--

"I'm surprised Petra gave you the job, usually she doesn't hire people that would be considered competition for her." Ymir commented before slurping some of her iced coffee, causing me to glance at her confusedly. We'd spent around 3 hours shopping for clothes before deciding to grab lunch at a nearby café. Krista glared at Ymir a little before shaking her head, which only made Ymir smirk.

"What do you mean competition?" I asked, still confused about how I would be seen as competition to Petra. She didn't strike me as the type of woman to be like that anyway, she seemed so nice when she interviewed me.

"Well, you're pretty. Petra doesn't like pretty girls, cause she's afraid her boyfriend is going to pack her up and throw her out like trash. Which is why Mr. Ackerman usually does the interviews..." Ymir explained, as if it was matter of fact. It made Mr. Ackerman sound like an absolute pervert, if he only hires girls because they're beautiful. It was then that I realised what Ymir just said.

"Holy shit, wait! Petra is engaged to Mr. Ackerman, the boss? And also, does that mean Petra thinks I'm ugly? Jeez..." I huffed, a little dejected. I mean, I didn't think I was on Krista's level of beauty but I certain wasn't ugly. I was happy to think I was a little above average. My thoughts were cut short when both women across from me began chuckling.

"You're not ugly at all! You're super beautiful!" Krista asserted, eyes twinkling and I could tell she wasn't just trying to make me feel better. I smiled back at her, her smile contagious.

"Yeah, don't worry kid. You're cute, and definitely prettier than Petra." a sly grin spread across the brunettes face before she continued, "And yes, she's engaged to the boss. Not that it makes any difference, he avoids her like the plague. Rumor has it, he can't stand to be around her because she'd needy as fu-"

"YMIR!" Krista slapped her forearm gently, cutting her girlfriend off before she could finish. The pair started bickering as I sat back watching, laughing to myself about cute they were. The smallest pang of jealousy hit me while watching the couple, wishing I had a relationship like that. If those rumors were true, then the boss was in a similar situation to me. However, I chose to brush that away. I wasn't going to jeopardize my new job by getting caught up in rumors and gossip about things that aren't my business.

--

It was already past seven by the time I got home, waving to Krista and Ymir as they drove away after dropping me home. I walked into the house, both arms full of shopping bags and a real smile on my face when Armin walked out of the kitchen to greet me.

"Hey..." He scratched the nape of his neck, his voice laced with anxiety. "I made dinner, if... if you want to eat it with me?" I examined his face and saw the red tint around his eyes and the tip of his button nose and didn't have the heart to tell him I had already eaten. I smiled and nodded.

"Sure, just give me a second to put these upstairs?" He exhaled and smiled at him, looking a little brighter than he did a moment ago. After I'd packed all my new work clothes away, I joined my boyfriend at the table and we shared a meal and some awkward conversation before cleaning up and going to bed.

So, I wonder if Petra is going to be nice or if we are going to see a different side of her after Y/N meets Levi? 👀

Also, poor baby Armin. He's so soft ;-;

-Koala