𝘽𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙨 | 𝙀. 𝙅𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙧

𝗬𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗔𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

Y/n sighed; her mind couldn't focus on her lesson. She could hear her professor talk about the life and works of an artist, a Mannerist minor artist, but she didn't understand a word. Her mind was simply elsewhere. As the professor continued to speak, Y/n stared blankly at the slides that were being projected on the screen. She noticed that someone in the front row raised their hand, asking a question. However, she couldn't muster the energy to even try to follow the conversation.

She simply decided to write down a few words: the artist's name, the years, and the names of the paintings—nothing more. She knew deep down that this wasn't enough to fully comprehend the lecture, but it was all she could manage at the moment. Y/n wished she could be at home, but the thought of being alone with Annie was too much to bear.

Despite her best efforts and intentions, she found herself exhausted from pretending that her and Armin's situation didn't affect her. Or the others.

Finally, the lecture was over, and Y/n gathered her things, feeling drained. She couldn't decide whether she wanted a new coffee or if she would survive the work in the library without it.

«Are you trying to avoid me? » Mikasa said jokingly, putting her hands on her shoulders to get her attention. Startled, Y/n jumped and turned around to face her.

«Oh! Shit, Mikasa! Where the hell do you come from?! » she exclaimed, her heart racing from the sudden fright.

«My class just ended, and I saw you from the other side of the hallway. You seem tired... are you okay? »

Mikasa asked, her tone laced with concern. Taking a deep breath, Y/n replied, «Yeah. Just... thinking a lot these days... » as she fixed her bag on the shoulder.

«Mhm... do you want to grab a coffee? It's been a while since we last talked.» Mikasa suggested, completely changing the subject and grabbing her by the arm.

«Yes, of course. But I have to go to the library in an hour. »

«That's okay, shall we? »

«Yes! »

«I never asked you what you actually do in the library... » Mikasa asked as they stood in line, waiting for their coffee.

«I Catalog and update the database to help the students search and borrow books. I accepted the job because I could also work from home, but sometimes I like to work in the library. » Y/n explained, her eyes scanning the room, looking for a cosy spot to enjoy their coffee and continue their conversation.

«It doesn't sound really entertaining. »

«Well, not really. But it's okay. » Y/n took a sip of her coffee, and Mikasa nodded in agreement.

«How's Armin? » Y/n asked after a brief pause. Mikasa sighed, looking at the cup of hot coffee in her hands.

«He'll be fine, I guess. » She muttered with a pained expression on her face. «He's acting like nothing ever happened, but I know he's suffering. I have known him since we were 9, and he does this when he's hurt. That... » Mikasa forced herself to not say something out of line. «Annie... I can't believe it. I hope to not cross paths with her again, or someone will get hurt. »

«That won't be necessary; she's not leaving the house. At least for now. »

«Good. But Eren told me that she wanted to talk with him. And you're okay with it. » Mikasa said firmly, her voice laced with scepticism, and Y/n began to feel uneasy.

«What I meant with that... Armin is always the one who says, "Wait, let's talk about it", "let's talk", or "we need to talk first". Always. Why deny it now to her? I'm not taking her side. What she did is wrong. But, as I already told Eren, Armin deserves an explanation only Annie can give him. It's the only way both of them, especially Armin, can move on. »