An Ackerman's secret

21

My heart sunk when Levi pulled away. We both turned around to see Hange standing at the doorway. They had one hand covering their mand which was gaping open, while their other was pointing at the two of us.

"I knew it!!"

I bit my lip, standing their awkwardly next to Levi who didn't look too bothered. He stood there with his arms crossed, a smug look on his face. Hange ran over, gasping the entire time.

"You two are together! I was right!!"

Me and Levi exchanged looks, "Well you guessed it before it even happened." I replied, my whole body still burning up. They furrowed their eyebrows and realised what I meant.

"Wait you're telling me this only just happened?"

We both nodded and this got an even bigger reaction out of Hange. They started jumping around, not knowing how to react.

I stepped forwards to them, "Hange don't-"

They interrupted me before I could even finish. "Oh no I'm great at keeping secrets, don't worry!" I twisted my head to see what Levi was thinking and he shook his head, warning me that Hange in fact was not good at keeping secrets.

"What did you come up here for?" I changed the subject

"I was looking for you and Jean told me to check the rooftop. But now I've completely forgotten what I was going to say." They shrugged with a big grin on their face.

Hange was probably one of the only people I didn't mind knowing. What am I going to tell Sasha and the others? I debated whether or not Hange should be the only one who knows, besides, I don't even know what me and Levi are.

"Oh never mind, I remember now!!" Hange faced me and pulled out something from their back pocket, a letter. "This is for you."

I frowned, confused about who could be sending me a letter. Please don't be my father. "Thanks, Hange." I gave them a small smile and tucked it in my pocket.

Every time I got a letter I would dread reading it, for some reason they scare me since most letters I have received were from my father. They never turn out to be good letters.

Hanges face turned serious and they cleared their throat. "Mila, can I get a moment to talk to Levi?" They were hinting for me to let them have some alone time.

I was slightly taken back, "Uh yeah of course, I need to open this anyway."

I glanced at Levi before leaving and I could see a small glint in his eyes, he gave me a nod and I gave one back, hoping I would see this side of him more from now on. I walked back down the stairs to my room. What a day.

-

I sat down on my bed, debating whether to read the letter now or not. It was nerve racking and I wanted to put off reading it as much as I could, but I might as well get it over and done with. I carefully opened it, making sure I didn't rip it and held it in my lap, taking a deep breath before reading it. That's when I saw my fathers name on the front.

Dear Mila,

I'm writing to you about some news I received recently that may or may not be of interest to you. To not beat around the bush, I'm dying. I'm currently in the hospital ward and I'm being treated, but its no use, it will only delay my death.

I've written the address on the bottom of the page, in case you wanted to come and give your old man one last goodbye. They say I have about a month left. There is still things I need to tell you, but it is your choice whether you want to listen or not.