Nicotine (Eremin)

Chapter 17

(A/N: Hey guys! So, update on this fic: I really like how it's going so far, and I plan on continuing it for a while. Also, thank you to everyone who comments with positive feedback! (I read every comment on every one of my fics) One last thing: I'm planning on making a fanfic trailer, but I'm not very good at editing videos, so I'll be drawing it. I already have it all planned out!)

March

Eren's POV

        I was expecting a call from Armin any day now. He hadn't called me in two days, and I was starting to get a little worried. 

        It wasn't unlike him to be forgetful, so I think he's just running low on funds. Frankly, I'd rather he ate something than called me. He was skinny enough to begin with, it couldn't be healthy for him to eat so little. 

        I had an English essay due, and I had my laptop open to a new document, but I couldn't focus. My mind kept drifing back to Armin, and then I'd end up checking my phone. 

        It was around 9 p.m and I should be assuming Armin would be asleep by now, but every time my phone turned on, I grabbed for it like it was the last call I'd ever get from him. I was sitting in my dark room, the only light coming from my white computer screen.

        But out of the corner of my eye, the white screen turned to blue. 

        I turned back to my computer to find I was getting a skype notification from...       

        Armin.

         I clicked the accept button, and watched nervously. I instantly assumed the worst, and thought that maybe Armin was sent back home, and he was calling me from back in New York. 

        But when it connected, it wasn't Armin on the other side of the call, it was a woman with shoulder-length orange hair. 

        "Hello? Would you happen to be Eren?" she asked. She looked confused, like she'd never worked skype before in her life. 

        "Uh, yeah. Who are you and why do you have Armin's skype?" I leaned closer to the screen to get a better look at the woman. 

        "Oh, god, you're actually a teenage boy. What have I done..." she muttered under her breath. 

        "Last time I checked, I am a teenage boy." I said. 

        "I should properly introduce myself. My name is Petra Ral, and I work as a guidance councilor at the high school your friend, Armin, go-" 

        "You know Armin?" I interrupted her. 

        "Well, yes. It's my fault he ran away in the first place." she started looking more concerned. 

        "Why are you calling me?" I asked.

        "Has Armin contacted you since the night of his disappearance?" she nearly shouted. 

        "Why should I tell you?"

        "It's in Armin's best interest. He needs to get back home."

       "Yeah, I agree. But his home isn't with you and his shithole of a grandfather, it's with me, and he's coming to California of his own free will." I told her forcefully, starting to get angry.

        "Look, um, Eren, was it?" she asked. 

        "Yeah."

        "Okay, look, Eren. Armin in not in a safe situation. He is a minor, trying to get across America to some kid he's never met. After I bring him back, if he chooses to return to you after he is a legal adult, there's nothing I can do to stop him. Until then, he is a minor, and it is my duty to look after him." she said very forcefully. 

        "I'm not telling you where he is. He wouldn't want you to bring him back, and he sure as hell would just run away again. Please do not contact me again." I said. Before she could say anything, I ended the call. 

        I slammed my computer shut. Whoever that woman was, I didn't like her. She wanted to stop Armin from getting to California, and based on what she said, she was pretty determined. 

        Please, Armin, get here as fast as you can.