Memories ~ Attack on Titan

Chapter eight

The first night was the hardest, I laid in bed wide eyed while the other girls slept. All I could hear were the sweet nothings of the outside, it helped my thoughts make more sense.
I can't believe that happened. Jean's such a fucking idiot. He has no manners, did your family not teach you that sometimes you should just shut your mouth? Not everything is yours to comment on damnit. Whatever, tomorrow's another day I just need to get it out of my mind. Honestly I'll just stick with Eren and Armin tomorrow and it'll be fine.

-Rin pov-
The next day all of the cadets were called to one of the outside areas. I skipped breakfast but decided I should mingle so I went to the cafeteria anyways. When I entered it was full of cadets, i looked around and saw Eren, Armin and Mikasa sitting at a table, I walked over to them and sat next to Eren. "Good morning, sorry I hope this spot isn't taken,"I laughed.
Armin smiled at me, "of course not!"
Eren smiled at me too, "yea you're always welcome." We chatted for a bit until breakfast was over. The group of cadets went outside to where Kieth was waiting. He divided us Into four groups and had each group stand in front of a machine. It was time for the aptitude test. I was in a group with people I wasn't familiar with, except for one, Jean. I wasn't sure where we stood or how I felt about him. I found myself staring into space as I watch the people in front of me being strapped into the machine. I remembered seeing my dad use something like this, he made it look so easy, but then again he made everything look easy. I snapped out of my daze when i felt someone pat me on the back. "Hey, you okay?"
I looked up, a tall, blonde, burly boy stood in front of me. I met his eyes, "fine. Why?" The blond laughed, "for someone as famous as you, you seem nervous. Either that or you're already an expert and this whole thing is just beneath you." He had a stupid smile plastered on his face, he was laughing at his own sarcasm but I found oddly charming. I gave him a smile in return before responding with my own remarks, "oh yea for sure, I've been doing this my whole life and technically I'm more qualified then the commanders," I laughed and rolled my eyes, "I'm Rin." The blonde nodded, "I know, I'm Reiner."
Then, it was my turn. 
I looked away from him, "let me show you how a master does it," I said as I walked towards the machine. I focused all my energy as I was lifted up, I dangled without any issues or hesitation. I felt myself get all warm and excited inside but I kept a straight face.
I was lowered down and walked back into the group so Reiner could go, as I walked past him I nudged his arm, "top that," the boy smirked and walked over to the machine.
My father mastered his gear right away, he's perfect at everything, I need to be perfect at everything.
Out of the corner of my eye I could tell someone was eying me, I closed my eyes for a moment as I felt a small pound in the back of my head. Then I opened my eyes I was instantly met with Jeans voice, "what are you so upset for? You're literally the best one of the group," He asked looking down at me with a light laugh. I bit her bottom lip and looked down at my feet, "is that sarcasm?" I said still looking down. I felt anger rise in me and I wasn't sure why. What was it about Jean that brought out these feelings?
Suddenly I got distracted, i looked over to see Eren completely upside down and Kieth yelling at him. I ditched Jean jogged over to where Eren was. I heard jean let out a sigh, was be upset? I didn't really care I just wanted to check on Eren.

"Hey, where are you guys off to?" I asked Mikasa, Armin and Eren as they were walking down the hall towards me. Eren looked at me, he looked kinda defeated but at the same time hopeful, strange combination, "I want to get a little more practice with using my gear before tomorrow." I smiled at my friends, it nice to see someone so serious, "oh I see, sorry Eren, I would help you but my head is killing me, I'm probably going to head to bed."
Eren shook his head, "take care of yourself."

I walked away from the group and towards the girls dorm room, the other cadets were hanging out and mingling.
I happened to noticed Jean and Marco standing at the corner right by were I needed to turn and head to my room. I groaned and hoped neither of them would talk to me. I liked Marco okay but i definitely wasn't in the mood for Jean. Marco looked at me with his usual bright smile, "hi Rin!" I gave a tied smiled to the boys as I walked past, "hey Marco, goodnight." As i walked past and turned the corner something caught my attention.
"Jean, you should have said something. Shes a really nice person."
"Look Marco, The girl hates me it doesn't matter what I think about her. She already has her mind made up."
"Yea but Rin is really friendly, you just got off on the wrong foot."
Jean signed and leaned his back against the wall.
Marco continued, "you should ask her to practice together, you could work on your ODM training with her. You're both amazing but it never hurts to get more practice. Plus it's an excuse to get to know her."
Jean sighed again, "yea maybe I'll ask her."
I was leaned against the opposite wall so the boys couldn't see me.
Does this guy have a crush on me or something.
Geez.

I was sitting next to Armin and across from Eren and Mikasa in the dinning hall. I over heard some boys mocking Eren behind me, i casually turned around, "don't be shy, say it loud enough so we can all hear you," I said coldly. The boys didn't respond, I scoffed, "that's what I thought," before I turned back around.
One thing I learned is that my name alone was enough for people to respect me and for some reason slightly fear me. My dad just instilled that in people and I guess the torch was passed to me.

Mikasa popped Eren's shoulder which pulled him out of his thoughts. Armin looked at his friend, "Eren, you won't solve anything with worrying." I looked at Eren and smiled hoping to ease some of the tension, "He's right you know, Ignore those idiots, we have your back. There's still time to practice more before morning." This made Eren more upset, to the point where he and Mikasa started arguing.
This was a bit uncomfortable so I was the first to leave the table. I stood up without a word and threw my trey away, hoping to just make a clean exit. Pretty much everyone else was still eating but I found that I wasn't too hungry. I walked into the hall and towards my room.
Jean stood up and threw his plate away and jogged to catch up with me, I heard his footsteps and tried to quicken my pace to avoid him. I saw and heard him and I didn't want to make it obvious I was avoiding him but I just wanted to make it to my room without any detours. When he saw i was not far ahead he called out to me,"hey, Rin." I sighed and stoped and turned to look at Jean, a blank look on my face, all i wanted was to go to bed so why was this boy bothering me again? "Yea?" I said shortly. When Jean finally made to me he stood in front of me and smiled, "so I was thinking. You're the best girl in our group, I'm the best guy, and I know you well, don't like me, but we should bury the hatchet and just train together. What do you say?" I looked at him with half lidded eyes.
What was this guys problem, seriously get a damn grip and catch the hint.
"Let's get one thing straight I'm not the best girl in our group, I am the best period. And you aren't the best guy, you're second to me. So why are you offering this to me and not the others who can't even stand up straight?" Jean looked down at me and I could see the embarrassment and anxiety in his eyes but he keeps his confident composure.
"yea well I just thought it would be nice, since that first night I can tell you don't like me, I'm not sure what im trying to say here," He scratched the back of his head awkwardly, I could tell he was getting frustrated and trying to chose his words carefully as to not take his frustrations out on me. I kept eye contact the whole time, even when he broke it.
Okay Jean. You want to see what I can do? Prove you're the best? Let's see what you're made of.
Neither of us spoke for a moment until I broke the silence. "Yea, fine. But don't get your feelings hurt if you can't keep up." Jean's face lit up like it was Christmas, "really? Yea okay okay, cool!" He said, realizing he sounded probably a little to excited and a small blush dusted his face,"so uh, you wanna start tomorrow?" I couldn't help but the smirk that crawled onto my face, and for a moment, I let myself slip, I mentally slapped myself.
No way that I think Jean is cute. His smile made my stomach turn but not in a bad way. No way in hell.
I averted eye contact because for some reason I thought if I kept looking he might know what I was thinking.
"Good night Jean." I said as I turned on my head and headed to my room.
"Goodnight, Rin."