Valedictorian | Armin Arlert

ice

a/n: I haven't proof read this. If this sucks please see ending authors note.

Black ice isn't black.

It's called black ice because, atop the pavement, it appears black. In reality, it's transparent. Invisible, like a ghost haunting you and invading your life in the worst possible moments. Like a poltergeist leaving its dirty fingerprints on your skin.

Nearly 2,000 people die per year due to car accidents relating to icy or snowy roads. The likelihood of crashing increases considering teenage drivers make up 7 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths.

You recited the statistics as Eren's teal eyes widened. The car pivoted and slid effortlessly, like ice on butter. Moments blurred together into a single second. There was no time to register any of it, like a surprise that lasted a lifetime.

Eren said something. His voice was loud and booming but you couldn't remember to listen to what he said. The adrenaline pulsing in your veins seemed to tune it out. Traction disengaged with the ground which made the car feel like it was floating in midair.

Blood felt like it was no longer moving through your body as the car came to an abrupt stop. A stinging pain sprinkled the spots where your seatbelt kept you from flying out of the windshield.

"What the hell," you gasped, finally getting the words from your lungs. The car slid and flirted with the edge of the freeway. It was by pure luck the road was not crowded. There is no way Armin would make this mistake.

Eren was the first to begin rambling like a fool. "I- there... the car just, it- I couldn't control it." He made "wooshing" sounds from his teeth as he tried (and failed) at describing where he went wrong.

"Eren, shut up," you hissed, "it's not your fault..." you saw his shoulders drop to which you added, "Entirely..."

"Sorry, (Y/N), I'm-"

"We need a hospital," you said getting the focus back on track.

"I'm fine, I don't need a doctor. Are you okay?"

You rolled your eyes. It was too much to expect Eren to know conventional protocol during a time like this. But you had hope since his father was a doctor.
"Trust me," you promised, "you need a doctor."

"W- hy? I'm fine."

"Did you hit your head or anything?" You tapped the car light on and examined your surroundings. "You could be internally bleeding if you had-"

"No. I'm okay"

You pushed air from your cheeks and sighed. At least he was okay. Really, it could've been worse. Street lights crossed the slick asphalt. If you weren't so shaken up, you would've found it pretty. Eren pressed on the gas pedal and pulled into the nearest grocery store parking lot.

"Sorry, (Y/N)" you tried not to roll your eyes again. All he kept doing was apologizing.

A smirk curled on the corner of your lips and a soft chuckle huffed. "I think Sasha's gonna be the sorry one for leaving me here with you."

He looked a little offended but played it off as the joke it was. "Here," he shifted gears and pulled into a parking lot where the dark was hiding from the streetlights. "I'll buy you dinner," Eren insisted.

You shook your head and almost laughed at him. "I can't. Don't have my wallet and it's late..."

"It's not that late! A- and trust me, my dad's guilt pays for everything." He stared you down with an anticipated glint in his eye. You sat there, eyes narrowed and full of amusement and bewilderment. Eren's guilt for the car incident was definitely inherited from his father.