The Exchange Student

Chapter 10

Branches snapped and leaves crunched under their feet as they wandered through the forest in the town's park. Eren's gaze ran up the individual tree trunks, raking over the leaves in the trees that were turning from a fresh green into a vibrant red, fading off to yellow and orange on certain branches. A leaf drifted down onto his shoulder, a splash of red against his black tee-shirt with the letters Adidas emblazoned on the front, popping out too in their white color.
No birds or insects could be heard chirping above them, but the forest bathed in a sea of peaceful silence.
There was barely anyone as they went deeper into the woods, rather vast for a busy town, mostly filled with various clothes shops, restaurants, fast foods and other different types of stores, the park and therefore the forest being the only large amount of greenery in the town.

"How do you know where to go ? I don't recall bringing you here," frowned Eren, hands stuffed into the pockets of his faded blue jeans.

"I decided to wander off to visit this town, since you decided evading me was a good idea."

The brunette let out a regretful half-hearted chuckle. "Yeah."

"Let's move on."

They wove in between the trees, the path under their feet gradually vanishing. The tree-tops created a colorful sky above their heads, rays of sunshine glittering through the leaves, casting a soft brightness on the two strolling teens. Eren's eyes sparkled in the sun when he contemplated the beauty above. Maybe there was beauty in his life, it's just that now he had trouble finding it.

They had been walking for another half an hour, enjoying the fresh air and calmness, when Levi came to a halt in front of a sturdy and ancient looking oak tree.

"Do you know how to climb up a tree ?"

Eren couldn't help the doubtful look that came once he saw how tall the tree was. "I'm not sure I'd be strong enough to pull myself up, or light enough to not break the branches."

"You're a fucking twig, and you don't seem that weak. I'll help you if you need it. Now, up the tree we go."

Eren laughed nervously, following the raven up to the thick tree trunk. He watched in awe as Levi began to pull himself up from branch to branch with ease. He stopped a quarter of the way up, telling Eren to follow him. "The branches won't break, they didn't for me either, and I've already been up here more than once," he added, crouching down, back leaning against the trunk.

"All the more reason I shouldn't come up ! The branches are probably weakened by now, since you climbed up many times before. You're fine since you're ..."

"I'm ?" Levi demanded.

"Uh, smaller ?" he finished guiltily.

"Once we get to the top of the tree, I'll throw you off it," threatened the raven, looking unnervingly serious.

"Yeah, coming up is not an option any more."

"Eren," growled Levi.

"Levi."

"Come on," he insisted, standing up on the branch he had previously sat down on.

"I'm a bit scared of heights !" admitted Eren, eyebrows scrunched, highly embarrassed.

"All right. Well trust me, it's easier than you think it is."

"No, I don't believe you."

"For once, I want you to take a risk and trust me, Eren."

Eren raked his hands through his hair before giving up. "Only if you help me."

Levi motioned for Eren to start climbing, which he did, muscles taut, concentrating on getting close to the raven a good few branches above.
He grabbed onto each bough like he would grab onto a lifesaving rope. He passed the first couple of boughs without a problem, but the next ones proved to be a bit more stressful.
He got up to Levi's branch, and the raven nodded in approvement.
They began to rise up the tree, slowly but surely, as Eren kept repeating in his head.
His knuckles were white from the tension in his grip, breath shakily exhaled at every bough he attained. Levi remained under Eren, hands steady on his calves or the small of his back, depending on whether he paused beside Eren or not, making sure the apprentice climber wouldn't slip on his shaky legs.