Study Partners {LEVIHAN}

Chapter 4: Pool Party

Levi's POV

"I'm not going," I growled to Erwin. "I hate showing off my skin to a bunch of your group of friends. Find someone else to be your plus one."

As I was about to push him out of my house, he chuckles, "Even if Hanji's there?" Hanji...? "I'm tired of not bringing someone because you don't want to be there. There's free food too. Just grab your swimsuit and some change of clothes. You got 10 minutes to make up your mind."

I hate you, Erwin.

*   *   *

"Who's that?" I hear some of Erwin's friends asking him about me. Of course, I tried to shuffle out of the way, but it seems I'm surrounded by these people. "Is he some new member to the council? I don't recognize him... what group is he from?"

"He's just a friend, Miche. I asked him to come- I'm tired of coming to these sorts of parties alone."

"Didn't you say you were going to invite Marie?"

"She's busy today." So, I'm some sort of a backup plan? I should be mad at him, but my eyes kept searching for Hanji. Is... is she in a bathing suit? "This is my friend, Levi. Levi, say hi."

"Hi."

Erwin chuckles softly before turning back to his friend. "He's not going to do anything bad, I promise. Trust me."

"Fine. But that doesn't mean he's a council member."

"I don't intend on him holding any student council positions, Miche. He's just here as my plus one. I promise, okay?" Miche sighed, walking off to the side. Erwin looks down at me with a chuckle. "You can do whatever you want now, Levi. Just don't be a creep."

"Everyone's in their swimsuit... of course, everyone is going to think I'm a creep."

"Not Hanji. I'll be back- there are some things I have to deal with. Don't cause any trouble before I get kicked out of student council." He scurries off to somewhere. I guess they get parties for their hard work? That or this is like their private club where they have fun outside of school stuff.

I sighed, looking around for Hanji. I got stopped a couple of times- lifeguards thought I was some sort of child that's lost. I lost count of how many times I had to prove that I was in high school. But, I saw her. Her boyfriend wasn't around... which was surprising. She was busy laughing and swimming in the pool. She glanced at me a few times but didn't recognize me. Of course, I'm an idiot... she's not wearing her glasses.

Stripping myself of my clothes and only leaving my swimshorts, I hesitantly waddled into the cold water, feeling the goosebumps rise on my skin. "Hanji!" I had to shout her name over the cries of younger children and the sounds of running water. "Hanji!"

She soon stopped what she was doing, turning her attention to me. "Levi?"

I walked right in front of her, and she still had to lean closer. "How blind are you?"

"I'm technically legally blind!"

"You're not wearing contacts?" My eyebrows raised slightly as she shook her head. "Why not?"

"I'll lose them. With how much water is everywhere, there's no doubt some water would get in my eyes. Is it just a coincidence you're here, Levi?" She chuckles to herself as she pulls my arm. "Hey- want to sit in the hot tub? I'm sort of bored here..." I didn't say a word, yet she still pulled me towards the hot tub area. How does this not concern her... would her boyfriend get jealous? I think this is wrong...

We sat in the hot tub... and we were alone. Hanji lets out a long sigh, sinking deeper into the water. I... I don't usually like this... so many people in an enclosed area... how often are these pools cleaned? 

"It's so quiet here..." Hanji says with a smile before sitting back up. "Are you here because of coincidence? Or are you someone's plus one?"

"Erwin's plus one."

Hanji chuckles, nodding her head. "Ah, I see, I see. Let me guess... a few people didn't like you being here?"

"I'm used to it."

"Oh..."

We sat in awkward silence until she spoke again. "We better get back soon. We're going to have cake."

"I... rather not-."

"Now." She says sternly, dragging me to places.

*   *   *

I stood on the side when I watched them cut a cake. This pool party of theirs was meant to be the last student council meeting before the end of the school year. Since Erwin and I are becoming seniors with the next school year, he needs to choose someone to take his place. A celebration for the entire group. I didn't belong in this group...

As I sat on the side with my legs dipped into the pool, I just stared into my reflection. All of a sudden, I see Hanji with her glasses on. 

"Here," She hands me a piece of cake with a soft smile on her face. "I saw you earlier, but I didn't see you get a slice. You can have this one."

"Why? I'm not a part of the student council-."

"Moblit's not, and he's welcome to have a slice of cake. Almost half of this group aren't a part of the student council- they are everyone's plus-ones. And it's just one or two slices of cake. It's not like they're going to miss it too much..." She chuckles to herself, "Eat."

I do so, feeling almost forced into enjoying a sweet dessert. "Your boyfriend..."

"Hm? What about him?"

"Won't he... think badly of me?"

"Why would he?" Hanji tilts her head slightly, like a cute puppy learning human words. "Ohh... are you worried about making a bad impression?" Not really, but we'll go with it. "Moblit's harmless, and so are you. If he thinks badly of you, then I would have to talk to him. I wouldn't want to choose sides between my friends..."

"We're... friends?"

"What else would we be? Study partners?" She chuckles to herself again. "Although, that's true... we only hang out when you need help with homework and classwork. Speaking of that, are you guys getting some sort of study packet to do over spring break?"

"No, not that I know of."

"I thought it would've been nice for the two of us to go to the library and go through our study packets. But if you don't have any, that's alright. I'll work with Moblit on them."

"Hanji!" We turned to see that boy again, calling Hanji over. "They need all the club members."

"Alright, I'm coming!" She turns back to me, giving me her slice of cake. "You can have mine- I'll get more later." She says before running to her boyfriend. What is she trying to do? Fatten me up with these slices of cake? I'm not a fan of this much sugar... but she insisted... I wouldn't want to let her down, so I forced myself to eat that extra slice.

"Study at the library...?" I murmured to myself, wondering which classes would have study packets. For the first time, I'll ask for extra work- not to bring my grades up... but as excuses to meet up with her again...