*******Discontinued********

Chapter 5: Regrets

"Fuck!" Eren cursed, throwing his head back into the headrest of Armin's living room couch. "I knew it was going to be a waste of time!"

Mikasa put her phone down and sighed. "I'm sorry, Eren."

Eren slumped his shoulders, and dropped his head, moving his gaze to the floor.

"I'm finished, that was my only chance to come back. No other self-respecting coach will be willing to help me."

Armin looked at Historia, then back at Eren.

"Maybe if you go see him in person, you can convince him? Show him you really do mean to try this time."

Eren shook his head, "Why would he listen to me? I'm the one that walked out on him. Hell, he wouldn't even listen to Mikasa."

"You can't just give up, Eren." Armin said, "Yeah, you screwed up, but that doesn't mean you don't have to try, since when have you given up before?"

Eren sighed, and folded his hands, pressing them into his forehead as he leaned forward. "I don't know, Armin. Maybe I should just give up on this whole fighting thing, it doesn't seem to be working out for me."

Armin sighed audibly. "Do what you feel is right for you Eren, in the end, what you want is what you should strive for."

Eren nodded, "Thanks, Armin."

"Say," Historia chimed in, hoping to change the mood. "Why don't we host a get-together here with our high school group?" She asked, "It's been months since the last one, and I think it'll be nice to see everyone again!"

Armin nodded, "We can message everyone, and see who is free tonight. It'll be short notice, but I guess our plans usually are" He laughed

"Perfect!" Historia said, grabbing her phone to message the group. "Will you be here for it, Mikasa?" She asked, typing away at her phone.

"Sure, I didn't have anything planned for the night. It'll be nice to see everyone again."

"What about you, Eren?" Armin asked, looking over. "Are you going to be here for this one? You've kinda skipped out on the last few.. Everyone's been hoping to see you since that fight."

Eren took his head out of his hands and looked up at Armin.

"Yeah.." He said, moving his gaze to Mikasa, "I think I will."

Mikasa met eyes with him, then smiled slightly.

***

"See you later tonight!" Armin said, waving from the door of his house, "Jean, Connie, and Sasha will be here around eight. Make sure to bring some drinks, Historia and I will be sure to have some options out ourselves." He added, before closing the door.

Eren and Mikasa turned and began walking towards her car.

"I really mean it, My house isn't too far away, I can just walk there," He said, "I don't want to waste your time, especially since you live out of town in the opposite direction"

"It's not a problem, Eren. I promise" Mikasa said, opening the driver's side door. "It'll maybe add five minutes to the trip. Besides, I'm sure Levi isn't too happy with my suggestion of taking you back in, and I don't want to deal with that for as long as I can."

"That's fair, I guess. I forgot you still lived with him. Are you planning on getting a place of your own again?" Eren said, opening the passenger's door.

"I don't know, I mean it's nice having someone around. The only reason I decided to start renting a room at his place was because I didn't want to be alone all the time." She said, before getting into the car.

Eren opened the passenger door, and slid into the seat, looking around her car, which was spotless.

Mikasa wasn't always such a neat freak, especially in high school. But once she moved in with Levi a year after they graduated, he changed that real quick.

"you sure have changed" Eren commented. "I remember this car being full of trash back before-"

"Back when I was a carefree teenager" She finished for him, "Yeah, I do too," She said, putting the car in reverse and backing out of the driveway.

"Look, Mikasa. I know you don't much like talking about your parents, but if you ever do.."

"I appreciate the offer, Eren. But it has been so long since we've had a good relationship, that I don't feel comfortable talking to you about it. I'm sorry"

Eren sighed, "I understand."

A few minutes of silence engulfed them, as Mikasa began driving the streets in the direction of Eren's house, before he broke it.

"I'm sorry Mikasa, for everything. I was being an arrogant asshole, I know that."

"I already told you that I've forgiven you. I have for a while. That's why I was willing to come talk to you."

Eren let out a solemn laugh, before responding.

"Yeah, quite the talk that was."

He heard Mikasa laugh quietly. "But it got through to you. I hope"

Eren nodded, and looked out the passenger window. "I hope so too."

**

Eren opened the car door, and stepped, out, before bending down and looking into the car.

"I would invite you in, but the house is a disaster." He said, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment. "I have a lot of cleaning that needs to be done."

"I can see that." Mikasa said, looking at a window looking into the dining room. "Is your table flipped up against the wall?"

Eren laughed nervously, "Yeah, that's a long story.. I'll see you later tonight, right?"

Mikasa nodded, "That's the plan that was made."

"Alright, see you then." He smiled, beginning to close the door.

"Eren?" Mikasa asked before he could.

"Yeah?"

"You should really go in and at least trim your hair before the get together. You've got something going, but it looks terrible right now."

Eren grabbed the bangs hanging in front of his face, and twisted the strands between his fingers.

"There's a lot I need to fix, but one step at a time, right?"

Mikasa smiled slightly, and nodded.

"See you later, Eren."

With that, Eren closed the door to Mikasa's car and stood in his driveway as she backed out. He waved to her as she pulled away, and then made his way up to his house, rummaging through the dirt of a potted withering plant on his doorstep, before finding the spare key he kept hidden.

Unlocking the door, Eren stepped into his house, and shook his head. He looked around at the mess that accumulated over the last couple months.

His eyes moved to the clock on the wall beside him.

4:15

"I guess I know what I'm doing for the next couple of hours.." Eren sighed.