Lasting Years (Jearmin)

Chapter 1 [Changing Leaves]

   A brisk chill wafted into Armins room. It crawled along his exposed legs making him shiver. He scrunched them up back under the blanket's. His peace in the warmth wasn't long since his alarm started going off not even a minute later. He groaned and let his hand wander out from under his pillow to his bedside table. He grabbed his phone turning off the alarm and logging in. He checked the time and his messages.

[Mikasa] Good Morning Armin, hope you have a good first day

   Armin smiled at her text knowing she must have woken up around the same time as him. Mikasa and Eren have their second day today at Maria High, while Armin will be starting his first day at Sina.
   It was a few towns over and he couldn't walk to school anymore, so he wouldn't be able to say good morning to Eren or Mikasa. They all usually met up and walked together, it was like that since he was a kid. On the warm days they'd race each other on the sidewalk, and when it got cold Erens mom would drive them and they'd all pile into the van to get warm.
   Now Armin would be alone at school. He had decided to transfer for his senior year to Sina so he could have a fresh start. The past year he had just started to go on hormones for his medical transition, and filed for a name change. Armin had been out as a transman for a long time and had struggled through school because of it.
   Back at Maria he had been bullied relentlessly, and didn't feel safe going into any bathroom. The school didn't do much in support of his transition, so he found it best to transfer to a more open and wealthy school.
   Sina was in a nicer place about a town over. The campus was bigger, they had a more diverse student population, and offered more classes. Armin wanted his last school year to be everything he's always wanted. He would finally get his name put on the roster correctly, use the bathroom without anyone knowing if he did or didn't belong there, and he wouldn't have to explain to anyone that he was trans.
   This was his opportunity to put his true self forward without fear and have people see him for who he really was. He was excited to spend his last year studying hard and just being in a school where he knew he'd get better respect from the staff and peers around him.
   After sending a quick good morning back to Mikasa, and sending one to Eren for whenever he woke up, Armin got out of bed to shower.

   Drying his hair and slipping on his binder and a comfy hoodie, Armin was nearly ready to go. He went to his desk with his backpack and double checked all his supplies was in order. He had countless notebooks and folders lined up in order of his classes. He put extra mechanical pencils into one of the pockets for safe keeping and slipped the current book he was reading into the bag.
   Armin finished getting ready and threw his backpack over his shoulders. He walked downstairs to clean his glasses and get some food before leaving.
   Since his grandfather was usually still asleep at this hour Armin left a note saying he loved him and would tell him all about his first day later. He scurried around the kitchen for some fruit and a granola bar to eat during the drive. He shoved them into the front pocket of his big blue hoodie and headed out the front door.

   Armin had navigated his new drive to school and parked in the nearest open spot he could find. He'd toured the campus before transferring but pulling up to the school made it seem so much bigger and scarier. The students rushing around to class and hanging near cars were daunting and loud. Packs of boys piled around trucks, some girls sat around a bench laughing happily.
   The school seemed much more alive with social activity already. Armin took a look around and breathed deeply. He turned off his car and swung his bag onto his shoulder stepping out on the sidewalk.
   He felt as if he was being watched yet no eyes truly watched him with any interest. Armin walked carefully to the front doors making sure he wouldn't make a fool of himself in any way. As he passed the loud group of girls one of them ended up looking up at him. He caught her eyes and they smiled softly to each other.
   "Historia look at this!" One of the other girls shoved a phone in her face. She looked away from Armin and grabbed the other girls hand to see.
   Armin looked away opening the door, his smile becoming a bit more awkward as he entered the even more hectic school. He decided instead of wandering the packed halls to go to his guidance counselor for his schedule first.

   He stepped into the side office right near the front doors. He went up to the front desk where a man with a well groomed beard sat. He lounged back in his chair writing on a clipboard stacked high with papers. On the desk was a name marker displaying "K. Williams".
   "Hi, I'm looking for Ms. Reiss?" Armin told him.
   "Oh yes she's in the office around the corner to the right. Door should be open."
   "Thank you." He smiled and scurried off down the small hall.
   The office door was being held open by a big plant and the room was very small. A window was open letting the sunlight in and illuminate the blue painted walls. Although it was quaint the walls were filled with posters and art. There were pride flags and equality wall hangings almost every way your eye turned. The woman in the corner was reading a book, she had very long dark hair and didn't seem to be as old as the other man at the front desk.
   Armin had been in contact with his counselor over the summer in preparation of joining the school but never saw her before. She noticed him by the doorframe and looked up smiling sweetly.
   "Hello, what can I help with? You seem like you must be new, don't remember your face."
   "Oh yes I'm Armin. We've been emailing over the summer. I just would like a print out of my schedule."
   "Armin yes, hello! I'm so glad to finally put a face to you. I've been excited to meet you. I'll print that out real quick for you. Feel free to sit down."
   Frieda moved from her comfy chair to the small desk chair in front of her computer. Armin reluctantly sat down putting his heavy bag to the ground.
   He looked at the posters on the wall. Some seemed hand drawn or painted while others store bought. They had silly inspirational quotes with cute animals on them. A painted one seemed to be made by a student, it was a self portrait of a guy with short brown hair and hazel like eyes.
   Another painting next to it with same initial's of "J.K." marking the paining was an image of two hands holding each other in front of a waving pride flag. It made Armin smile slightly knowing someone at school had painted them and was able to display them proudly.
   "Alright Armin here is your schedule. I wrote down where each class is as well so you can find them easily. Feel free to email me throughout the day if you need any assistance." Freida smiled and handed him the paper.
   "Thank you." Armin replied taking his schedule and gave it a quick glance.
   His first class would be chemistry on the third floor. Armin made his way through the busy halls and up the stairs to his first classroom claiming a chair right in the front. He was prepared for his new classes to finally begin.